Most people think that a dog’s feet and foot pads are tough. However they can be injured when accidentally stepping on a sharp object or walking on intensely hot pavement and metal surfaces.

Aside from heatstroke, the danger of getting your dog’s foot burned when walking or running on pavement during the hottest parts of the day is very imminent. You should be fully aware that metal or tar-coated asphalt can get extremely hot under the sun.

Burned foot pads may not be apparent immediately. However, you may observe later on that your pooch is limping or refusing to walk. There may also be blisters or redness on the paw pads. In serious cases, a part of the pad may be missing.

Swimming is a favorite activity of dogs and their owners especially during the hot summer months. The time in the water softens a dog’s pads quite a bit an ... Read more »

Horses need proper bedding when kept inside a barn or stable. Give your horse the luxury of lying down to sleep or rest anytime he wants to. A horse should never be forced to stand an entire day on hard floor.

One popular choice for horse bedding is straw. In addition to being inexpensive, straw bedding is warm and comfortable. On the downside, straw may contain fungal spores and the horse may eat straw bedding.

Other popular choices for horse bedding are dust-free wood shavings, rubber matting, and hemp. If you are using rubbing matting, place a layer of straw or wood shavings on top to provide warmth.

If a horse is kept stabled all day, cleaning or mucking should be done at least 3 times daily. Mucking involves removal of any fecal material, and leveling of the horse’s bedding. Soiled bedding should be separated from the still-clean bedd ... Read more »

Your Short Pump veterinarian knows that you want your dog to have the best of everything. Since you love giving your pet treats, you’re wondering which are the best ones. In researching this, you’ve found that many commercial treats are packed with fillers, excessive preservatives, and both artificial flavorings and colorings. Because of this, many pet owners are opting to make their own homemade treats for their pets. There is a lot that goes into creating and preparing nutritious treats for your dog, but if you are willing to take the necessary time, you could be very successful with them. Safety should be your primary concern. Take the time to look up items you shouldn’t use in your treats, and find some tried and true recipes to follow. A professional can help you determine the right ingredients for your dog’s treats. To read more, please visit this site.

... Read more »

Your Southside vet clinic knows that you probably have some questions about how your pet experiences the world around her. You know your cat can hear well, but what exactly does she hear?

Your pet is designed to be a perfect predator. Even in play, she exhibits traits that would help her wild ancestors find a tasty meal. This is where her acute hearing comes into play. Your cat is actually made to hear the high-pitched sounds of rodents above the hustle and bustle going on around her so she can catch them before they scurry away. In fact, she can hear sounds more than an octave and a half higher than humans can. Her ears can even move a bit to tune in on something she hears. This accounts for those times that your pet stares off, seemingly at nothing – she is listening. To read more, please visit this site.

... Read more »