As your cat ages, you may notice a few changes. Your kitty may drop a few pounds. This may not seem significant but a few pounds can be a lot to a cat. This could be a result of hyperthyroidism, cancer, diabetes or kidney issues. Weight loss can also occur if your cat has dental issues. Tooth trouble can be painful and make it difficult for your cat to eat. With age, your cat may suffer mobility issues. This may be osteoarthritis or the results of obesity. She may struggle to jump up like she used to. She may not feel up to going to the litter box or her feeding station. Your cat may not groom herself like she used to. You will need to adjust your household to accommodate these changes. Read more from your Ellicott, MD veterinary clinic to evaluate these changes and offer treatment as needed.

Are you looking for a large, family dog to bring into your home? Do you live in a cold part of the country? If you answered yes to these questions then you may want to check out the Alaskan Malamute. The Malamute is a large dog that was built for the cold. The Malamute can survive in temperatures as cold as 70 degrees below zero. The dog was first discovered in the 1700s in the wilderness of Alaska. Alaskan natives used the dog to pull large and heavy loads over snow and ice. The dogs were also used to hunt. The Malamute has two coats to protect him from the wild elements of the North. The top oily layer wicks away moisture and helps trap heat in the lower wooly layer, which is designed to keep the Malamute warm. The Malamute has bear like paws with claws to grip the ice and tread through snow. Contact your veterinarian Southeast Denver, CO to learn more.

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If you own or are thinking of owning an American Eskimo pup then you may be wondering if this particular breed has any specific health conditions. There is one condition that is harmless; although it requires routine maintenance. This is the development of stains under the eyes, which are caused by tears. Routine cleaning of the eyes is required to avoid the dark stains on the American Eskimos otherwise all white fur. Other health conditions include hip and knee problems. In well bred American Eskimos eye, hip and knee problems are almost always absent. Irresponsible breeding; however, has introduced these health concerns. If you’re not sure if your pup has these issues, call your local vet Aurora, CO and set up a wellness exam. Wellness exams can also benefit your pup as they create a medical history and provide a much needed base line of information should your pup get sick in the future.

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In order to understand what causes gingivitis, it is essential to understand the way the disease works and how it can affect your Birman cat. As in humans, gingivitis is almost always caused by food or plaque build-up. Thankfully, it also means that it can be treated and often reversed if caught early. Gingivitis causes inflammation and irritation to the gums. It is a preventable and a treatable gum disease. Some vets recommend at home teeth brushing or professional teeth cleaning for cats to help fight the disease. Gingivitis can also occur due to old age, crooked teeth, crowded teeth, soft food, breathing through the mouth, bad chewing habits, uremia and diabetes, autoimmune diseases, FeLV (Feline Leukemia), and FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus). Keeping your Birman cat on a routine teeth cleaning program can be of great help. Talk to your veterinary clinic Aurora, CO for additional information.

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The Alaskan Malamute is a tough breed of dog. He can withstand temperatures as cold as 70 degrees below zero. He has double coat that wicks out moisture and traps heat. He also has black pigmented skin, which serves to protect his skin from sunburn and blistering from harmful UV rays that are reflected off the snow and ice. In addition, the Malamute is built with heavy muscles and dense bones that enable him to pull large loads on sleds across the frozen tundra of the arctic north. In 1933, Admiral Richard Byrd brought teams of Malamutes with him on his expedition into the arctic. Often confused with the Siberian Husky, the Malamute is a giant among dogs and can weigh between 75 and 100 pounds. The Malamute; however, is a gentle giant as he is often kept as a family dog. Talk with your vet Aurora, CO to learn more about this giant breed.

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Your puppy explores his environment with his mouth and there will be a time when your puppy is teething. Thus there is no way you can completely prevent chewing. However, you can control what is chewed. Go through your home and make sure anything that you wouldn’t want chewed is put away or out of reach from your puppy. If the item is too large to store such as furniture, you will need to supervise your puppy whenever he is in the room with these items. Whenever your puppy touches these items with his mouth, say NO and redirect him to an appropriate chew bone or squeaky toy. If you or another household member cannot supervise your puppy, secure him in a puppy-safe area or his crate. Do not leave your puppy in these areas for long periods of time since your puppy needs socialization as well. Contact your Ellicott City, MD veterinarian the Claws N Paws Animal Hospital to learn more.

Horses thrive in a natural environment where they have enough food and plenty of space to move around and socialize. Generally, horses have only a few basic needs, most of which can easily be supplied by their owners.

The basic needs of a horse include the following:

• Pasture with safe fencing— Make sure the pasture is free from potential hazards such as loose wire fences, holes, and even rusty farm machinery. Fences that are safe for horses include those that are made of wood, vinyl rails, plastic, or mesh wire.
• Grass or good quality hay
• Unlimited access to fresh clean water, minerals, and salt— Water may need to be heated during winter when temperatures fall below zero.
• A comfortable shelter that will protect them from the element ... Read more »

Switching your dog to a new type or brand of pet food can be quite difficult, especially if you have a fussy pet. Perhaps your dog needs a little encouragement, and there are several options you can try out.

Some pet owners have been able to switch their pet’s food without any problems by making small additions of the new pet food to their pet’s daily ration so the dog will be more familiar with the new product.

If you are changing your pet’s diet from canned pet food to kibbles, it is a good idea to check your pet’s mouth and gums. A dental problem can make it hard to chew kibbles which have a different texture to what your pet has been used to. There are also dogs that are allergic to an ingredient in their new diet. If you have problems switching your dog’s diet, click here, or you should consult wi ... Read more »

Yes, hens can lay eggs even without a rooster. However, if you want to hatch eggs into baby chicks, you will need a rooster to fertilize the eggs; but hens will lay eggs whether there’s a rooster around or not. Sometimes, farmers choose not to keep any roosters because they can be aggressive and noisy. There are also zoning laws that forbid people from owning roosters.

Here are some benefits of having a rooster

• Roosters will protect the flock from predators.
• Roosters create balance or ‘normalcy’ within the flock. They encourage egg-laying, break up hen fights, and even keep an eye on the nest boxes.
• Roosters are elegant creatures and are oozing with personality.
• You need a rooster if you want to naturally hatch baby chicks. ... Read more »

Cats are known for their expertise in concealing any signs of illness or pain; this is an instinct that they have inherited from their ancestors who spent their days in the wild where showing vulnerability can cost them their lives. With this being said, some owners are only able to detect signs of illness in their cats when the problem is already well-advanced. Here are important symptoms that should never be ignored and should be brought to the attention of the veterinarian immediately for it can cost your pet’s life.

Seizure

Any type of seizure –from mild to severe—should warrant a visit to the vet so your cat can be examined thoroughly. Your pet may be asked to stay at the clinic so he can be monitored closely and tests can be carried out to establish what’s going on.

No food and water intake< ... Read more »

Why on earth would any animal eat its own poop or that of another animal? This bizarre canine behavior has often puzzled many pet owners who think that it is detrimental to their dogs.

There are a variety of reasons for coprophagy in dogs. First, it can be a learned behavior when puppies observe their mother cleaning up after them by eating their feces. Aside from keeping her puppies and the den healthy, cleaning up after her litter is an age-old survival instinct. In the wild, predators can easily get to the location of a litter when they catch a whiff of their feces. Even today, canine mothers continue to do the same thing, even though predators are no longer a threat.

Another important cause of waste-eating in dogs is a nutritionally-deficient diet or when a dog is not being fed enough. Hunger can fuel a dog’s instincts to seek out another source of food which often means ... Read more »