Cats can engage in attention-seeking behavior as a result of physical and/or emotional issues they are going through. Owners have to deal with their meowing or crying and other attention-seeking behaviors. Here are some behaviors exhibited by cats that may be related to or mistaken for attention-seeking behaviors:

Nocturnal howling

This is often exhibited by senior cats, and attributed ... Read more »

A dog can become anxious when he finds himself in a stressful situation. Without proper intervention, it can lead to distinct changes in behavior. Pet owners should learn to understand their pet’s body language so they will be able to know if their dog is feeling anxious or nervous so they can address the situation as soon as possible.

One way to ease a dog’s anxiety is to give him some time out—let him stay in a quiet place to unwind until he is able to deal positively with what’s stressing him out. Let him stay in the room as long as he can without any stimulation. It’s actually like a “me time” for your canine buddy. A dog that is overwhelmed by unfamiliar noise and activity needs a respite away f ... Read more »

Did you know that a study was actually conducted by the University of California, Berkeley regarding the typecasting of cats based on the hair coat color? The results of the study revealed the sad fact that it does exist. People actually pre-judge felines by their hair coat color.

But is there really truth to the common belief that the color of a cat’s hair coat can predict his personality and behavior?

Some of the common feline stereotypes include black cats as bringing bad luck, calico ... Read more »

Many adult cats are lactose-intolerant and they have problems digesting milk. These cats don’t have the enzyme (lactase) which is important in breaking down lactose. Lactose that remains undigested lactose takes in water from the intestines as it passes through the gastrointestinal tract.

passes through the gastrointestinal tract, it takes in water from the intestines. Without lactase, lactose cannot be converted into its simplest forms, a step which is necessary so that it can be absorbed from the intestine into the bloodstream and used by the body.

... Read more »

With your help and vigilance, your blind dog can still enjoy life to the fullest. Here are important ways to make life safer and more comfortable for your canine buddy.

• Avoid major changes. As much as possible, don’t rearrange things. Furniture and other fixtures should be kept as is. A familiar environment can help blind dogs keep their sense of security and comfort.
• As their sense of vision continues to decline, a dog’s sense of smell kicks into high gear as the dog becomes much more reliant on his olfactory sense to maneu ... Read more »

Whether your cat is an indoor cat or an outdoor cat, there are times when she can slip outside and get lost. The faster way to get your cat back quickly is to make sure she has identification on her at all times. A breakaway collar with an identification tag provides your contact information to anyone who finds your cat. The breakaway feature makes it that the collar will come off rather than strangle your cat if she gets caught on a branch or other permanent item. A collar also is a clear indicate that your cat is a pet and not a stray. Consider getting your cat microchipped. A microchip is inserted under the skin and when scanned, it provides a number that leads to your contact information so your cat can be returned to you. A combination of both of these forms of identification works best for most families. For more information, ... Read more »

Cats are known for being aloof. But they are actually social creatures, but they just have different ways of showing their social skills compared to dogs. Some cats develop anti-social behaviors as a result of certain factors. Getting down to the bottom of the problem is the best way to address the behavior issue. Here are some common reasons for a cat’s anti-social behavior:

Stress

... Read more »

Cats are known for being aloof. But they are actually social creatures, but they just have different ways of showing their social skills compared to dogs. Some cats develop anti-social behaviors as a result of certain factors. Getting down to the bottom of the problem is the best way to address the behavior issue. Here are some common reasons for a cat’s anti-social behavior:

Stress

Exposure to specific stressors in the environment can have an influence on a cat’s behavior. Tak ... Read more »

Trimming your cat’s nails helps reduce the damage she can do if she scratches you or your belongings. She could also get caught in the carpeting or drapes and tear her nail causing pain and damage. Thus you need to regularly trim your cat’s nails. Start early when your cat is young so it becomes routine. Handle your cat’s feet and claws regularly so she gets accustomed to your touch. When you are ready to trim the nails, act quickly and efficiently. Grasp your cat’s foot and press on the pads to cause the nails to extend. Trim a little off at a time while avoiding the quick. The quick is the nerve and blood supply to the nail and can hurt and bleed if nicked. Continue as long as your cat doesn’t resist. If she starts to pull away, just stop and try another time. Contact your M ... Read more »

Heartworms are a dangerous parasite that can make your dog very ill or even kill him. The heartworm larvae can enter your dog’s bloodstream through the bite of an infected mosquito. Once in your dog’s system, the larvae mature and the adult heartworms clog the blood vessels, lungs and heart. This can affect your dog’s stamina and ability to absorb oxygen into his system. There are treatments for heartworm infection but it is often expensive and may require surgery. Without treatment a heartworm infection can kill your dog. Fortunately, there is heartworm prevention medication available by prescription. Give your dog this medication monthly. Your dog will need this medication all year round since just a few warm days can make mosquitoes active. Your dog will need periodic blood testing to ensure that he hasn&rsqu ... Read more »

Your dog may dig in your yard to escape. He may hear children or dogs in other yards and want to join in the fun. He may dig to find damp earth to lie in and keep cool. And he may just be bored. Thus if you mitigate some of these issues you may prevent your dog from digging in the yard. Make sure your dog gets lots of exercise and walks outside the yard. Consider taking him to the dog park for socialization. Give your dog fun things to do so he doesn’t get bored. Your dog may like to dig in flowerbeds where the soil is softer. Use low garden fencing to prevent your dog from digging. Keep outside excursions short during hot weather so your dog doesn’t overheat. And don’t leave your dog alone in the yard for long periods of time. For additional information, contact your Marietta, GA veterinarian; visit their ... Read more »

Did you know that dental exams are available for cats including the Exotic Shorthair? Talk with your vet to find out if he offers dental services. Routine cleanings are important to keep your cat’s teeth healthy. If you notice your cat is having trouble chewing or appears to have inflamed gums call your vet. These signs could be an indication of gingivitis or other periodontal illnesses. Your vet will need to conduct a physical exam in order to determine a cause of the symptoms. A separate dental exam may be suggested if the physical exam points to gum disease. During the dental exam your Exotic Shorthair cat will be sedated and her teeth and gums will be checked for plaque, bacteria, etc. The vet may also scrape plaque or calculus build-up from the teeth, pull rotted teeth and polish the teeth. Talk with your ... Read more »