In the excitement of adopting a dog, it’s easy to overlook all of the responsibilities that come along with it. One often overlooked aspect of dog ownership is just how expensive owning one can be.

Startup costs are usually addressed, as every dog needs a collar, leash, food and water bowl, and toys. However, long-term costs aren’t always considered. Buying food over the lifetime of your dog can add up to thousands of dollars. Annual trips to the vet must also be budgeted for, and if your dog experiences a medical problem, veterinary costs could be even more.

If you’re looking to save on costs, consider adopting a small dog. Although veterinary and startup costs are the same, they eat a lot less food, which will help you save in the long run.

For a complete list of expenses, contact your veterinarian Mattoon, IL.

Dogs get to spend time outside, so why don’t cats? Well, the outdoors can be dangerous for a kitty. Is there any way you can let your cat spend time outside safely?

It all depends on your ability to provide him with direct supervision. Outdoor cats get into trouble because they don’t have someone watching out for them. If you want to bring your cat outside, make sure you go with him.

To keep him contained, you may have to consider building a special pen for your cat. Some felines can also be trained to walk on a leash. Especially creative pet parents build catios or pens that attach directly to the house. With a cat flap, you may not have to supervise your cat after all!

For more tips on letting your cat roam outside safely, click here, or call your vet Mattoon, IL.

Your cat shares your home with you, and you want to make sure she is safe in this environment. To help keep your home this way, you will need to continually take the time to evaluate your living space. Make sure that all unsafe areas are thoroughly blocked off so your pet won’t be able to access them. Place all hazardous or poisonous materials like cleaning supplies out of your pet’s reach. Also make sure to remove all small items that she could choke on or could be accidentally ingested. Take the time to research any houseplants for safety around your pet prior to bringing them into your home, and also be mindful of foods that you consume that could harm your pet. Be sure to offer your pet proper supervision as well, and adapt your living space to her needs. Your local Lakeville, MN veterinarian can help you better understand your pet.

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Your cat is a bit bigger than she used to be, and now she has become overweight. How can you help her get back into shape?

Your cat needs you to help guide her in the right direction when it comes to healthy food choices and the appropriate amount of physical activity. To do this, make sure you are offering your pet an appropriate amount of high quality food. Choose an option that will nourish her body during the life stage she is currently in. Also consider offering her treats that will supplement this diet. Take the time to play with your pet, making an effort to keep her active throughout the time you are with her. This way she will be able to get enough physical activity to keep her body healthy.  Your local Lakeville, MN vet can help you care for your pet. Click here for additional information.

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Your dog needs a collar to hold her identification tags, and to let others know that she already has a home where she is loved and well cared for. This means that not only will your pet need you to find the right collar for her, but also check it over every now and then to make sure it is comfortable and still in good condition.

Your dog’s collar should be comfortable for her to wear on a daily basis. It should fit snugly, but still offer her plenty of range of motion and not hinder her at all. Try to find a collar that she won’t notice wearing. Lightweight collars are great for this, but many dogs will need something with a little more heft for walks, so take the time to evaluate your individual pet’s needs. For additional information, please contact your local Lakeville, MN vet.

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Have you ever walked past your Malamute and suddenly smelled a faint, yet foul, odor? One of the ways a dog shares where he’s been is by rolling around in certain smells and carrying them back to other dogs or the owners. This “smelly” ritual is completely normal for your Malamute and most other dogs. The only thing to be concerned about; however, is how to get rid of that terrible smell. Thankfully you have options! You can either give your Malamute a full bath or try to remove the odor with pet wipes. You can also use a cover-up/odor removing spray. Or, if you go for the full bath you can finish up the process with a mist or spray from an all natural odor remover. You can find this type of spray in most pet stores. Ask your veterinarian Northwest Indianapolis, IN before applying the spray to your Malamute’s coat. Click here for more details.

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Living with a Burmese cat that has been diagnosed with feline diabetes can be a process especially when first adjusting to medication routines and blood sugar monitoring. If you have questions about testing your cat’s blood sugar, talk to your vet. Your vet can help you learn to check your cat’s blood sugar on your own at home. Some owners of diabetic cats or diabetic dogs have found that using a handheld glucometer is one of the easiest ways to test blood sugar levels. The handheld glucometer is technically designed to be used by people, but many cat owners have found them to be easy to use as well as significantly cheaper than pet meters. Handheld glucometers can be bought at most pharmacy stores. As a general rule of thumb, you should compare your at home readings with readings from your veterinarian Northwest Indianapolis, IN to ensure accuracy.

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If your Malamute has been diagnosed with canine diabetes then you may have a handful of questions for your vet. Generally, canine diabetes occurs when there isn’t enough insulin in a dog’s body causing the body to break down fat and protein reserves as an alternative. Your Malamute may become lethargic, excessively hungry or thirsty, and have high glucose levels in the urine and bloodstream. Depending on the severity of the illness, your Malamute may need to be hospitalized to receive fast acting insulin. In most cases; however, diabetes can be treated at home with simple insulin injections or even oral pills. Some dogs may require different types of insulin injections or oral pills before an exact combination for the most effective outcome can be identified. Your vet Pike Township, IN can tell you that some diabetic Malamutes do best when on consistent medication and given a consistent diet. Read more ... Read more »

There are a lot of clothing options available for your Malamute. Some dog owners choose to dress their pups up in T-Shirts in the summer, sweaters in the fall, and little snow jackets in the winter. Rain coats are also available for dogs both small and large. If you’re thinking about a rain coat for your Malamute, talk with your vet first. Your vet may be able to tell you whether or not your dog will like the coat or whether or not your Malamute actually needs a coat. Some small breeds such as the hairless Chihuahua may need protection from the rain. Other breeds, like your Malamute, don’t necessarily need a coat for the rain as they have a heavy coat of their own. If you do buy your Malamute a rain coat, as your vet Pike Township, IN for help to make sure it fits correctly and comfortably. Never leave clothes on your dog without supervision. If you want more, click here.

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If you live in an area prone to snow then you may be wondering if your Malamute will need snow shoes or some other paw protection. Generally, most dogs do not need foot protection. Malamutes were especially made for colder weather. In fact, they already have a layer of protection on the pads of their paws. However, there are some Malamutes that may benefit from snow shoes. For instance, if your Malamute has especially hairy paws then shoes can help prevent him from collecting ice or snow balls on his feet. Malamutes that walk or run long distances may also benefit from snow shoes. In addition, if you are walking your Malamute on surfaces that have been treated with salt or ice melt then you should consider dog shoes or washing your dog’s feet after outdoor activity. Salt and ice melt can be toxic. Contact your vet Pike Township, IN for additional information.

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