Everyone knows that scooping the litter box and replacing the litter are the best ways to control nasty odors in your home, but isn’t there anything else you can do to make your house smell better?

Be mindful of what litter you choose. Litters that don’t clump may be the cheapest choice at the pet store, but they are also the smelliest. You may also find that traditional clay litters aren’t your cup of tea either. They may cover the smell of cat waste, but they have a nasty, dusty odor all their own.

Instead, choose a highly-absorbent cat litter or a biodegradable litter. Some pet parents prefer litter crystals as they are highly absorbent and don’t have an odor.

If you’re looking for a quick fix, consider purchasing a deodorizer and applying it directly to the litter.

For more tips, click here, or call your vet Plymouth, MN.

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Hairballs are a serious consideration for many pet owners. Not only do they make life uncomfortable for your kitty, but cleaning up all those messes is a real pain too! One way to help your cat’s hairball problem is to brush him regularly.

By brushing your cat, you can get rid of stray hairs before they get groomed away by your cat. The trick is in choosing the right brush. If your cat has a double coat, you will want to use a sturdy metal comb or an undercoat rake. If your cat has a single coat, you might want to try removing dead hair with a bristle brush.

The frequency in which you brush is important too. Long haired cats with double coats may need to be brushed every other day, while shorter coats may only need to be brushed once a week.

Have questions? Your vet Medicine Hat, Alberta can provide you with answers.

Cats in the wild like a high vantage point for protection and spotting prey. Your kitty has the same instinct. The kitchen counter is often a favorite place since it’s in the active part of the house and there are plenty of food smells. Keeping your cat off the kitchen counter requires redirection and a deterrent. Give your kitty alternate places to perch. A shelf or table or a sunny windowsill will encourage kitty to go there instead. A cat condo gives your cat a place to climb and scratch. Clear your kitchen counter of any food items and items of interest that your cat may like to play with. Do not feed your cat on the counter. Add strips of aluminum foil or sticky tape to the counter. These feel unpleasant to your kitty and will discourage her from going there. Contact your Woodinville, WA vet to learn more.

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Your family has decided to bring a dog into the household, but there are still a lot of different options to choose from. Because there are a lot of different breeds, each with their own care requirements, choosing a dog can be a daunting decision. In order to determine the best route for your family, take a look at what you can offer a pet. Your choice shouldn’t just be based on personal preference, but also what you feel your family can do to care for a dog. You’ll want to find a pet that needs care you can happily provide within the living environment in which you’ve become accustomed to. This way your family won’t be overwhelmed with a pet that is a bit more than they can comfortably handle. Your local Irvine, CA vet can help you care for your pet. Click here for additional information.

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Your cat likes to nap around your home quite a bit, and you’re wondering if she is sleeping too much. Do most cat’s nap so frequently?

Your cat has adapted to life in your household, but this doesn’t mean that she has left behind all the survival tactics her ancestors used to stay safe. Her sleeping habits are one of these, as they allow her to keep her energy stores high. This helps her by enhancing her ability to take advantage of anything that comes her way. If she is well rested, she is able to jump into the action in your household whenever it presents itself. Her sleeping habits also give her body the opportunity to digest her high protein diet – a task that requires a lot of energy all for itself. For additional information, please contact your local Irvine, CA vet.

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Did you know that diabetes can affect cats of all ages, breed, and sex? If you own a Burmese cat it’s important to educate yourself and become familiar with diabetes should your cat develop the disease. Your vet can tell you that symptoms usually include an increased appetite, weight loss, increased urination, and increased water consumption then call your vet. To determine if your cat has diabetes, your vet may conduct a physical exam, and run blood work and a urinary analysis. In most cases abnormally high levels of sugar will be present in both blood and urine. A treatment plan may include insulin injections, oral medications and dietary changes for your cat. Depending on the severity of your cat’s condition, hospitalization may be required to administer fluid therapy and short-acting insulin. Only your pet clinic Flower Mound, TX can make a diagnosis and treatment plan for your Burmese c ... Read more »

Mouth rot is a common infection in Iguanas, which develops as a result of a weak or compromised immune system. When the immune system is unable to regulate the bacteria in the Iguana’s mouth an infection develops giving way to mouth rot. Mouth rot may appear as inflammation on the inside edge of the lip area. It may also appear as small hemorrhages or large amounts of mucus or pus. Symptoms may include anorexia, open mouth, lack of tongue flicking, or even a swollen head. If your Iguana has any of these symptoms call your vet right away. In most cases a diagnosis is made by your vet based on the physical signs of the infection. Your vet Flower Mound, TX may also run a blood test and take a culture of the mucus to be sure. A biopsy may also be taken if the condition doesn’t improve after initial treatment.

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