Even with domestication, pet cats still retain natural instincts and behaviors that were displayed by their ancestors who had to hone their instincts and behaviors in order to stay alive in the wild. Here are some cat antics and how to deal with them:

When your cat uses your indoor plants as litter boxes

For some reasons that you should try to find out, your cat may stop using the litter box and do his thing among the potted plants indoors. If it’s hard for you to keep your cat off the potted plants, try placing a layer of pine cones on top of the soil in the pot.

Running water dishes

Cats are well-known for consuming less than their required daily water requirement. Since, some cats like to drink from flowing water, try to entice your cat to drink from a dripping faucet or a water fountain.

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One of the most common emergencies treated by vet clinics is accidental poisoning of cats by well-intentioned cat parents. Without asking their veterinarians or reading the label carefully, they apply some flea medication for small dogs to their cats, resulting in severe poisoning. The most common anti-flea and tick medication that is implicated is spot-on medication, especially products from the pyrethrin and pyrethroid group. These are common active ingredients of household sprays, insecticides, and topical spot-on medications. While these chemicals are very safe for use in dogs, they should never be administered in cats. High concentrations of pyrethroid can cause severe poisoning in cats. The liver metabolism of cats is unable to handle high concentrations of pyrethroids and other drugs, thus poisoning can easily occur upon exposure to these chemicals.  

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Did you know that bad breath can be one of the first signs of dental or gum disease in cats? If your Manx has bad breath then you may want to have your vet exam the cat’s teeth and gums and check for gingivitis. Gingivitis is a type of gum disease that causes inflammation and irritation to the gums. It is one of the first stages of periodontal disease and other infections related to areas around the teeth and gums. Gingivitis occurs when plaque or food and debris builds up on the gums. Advanced gingivitis occurs when plaque plus a calculus build up is present on the gums causing severe redness, irritation, and inflammation. Inflammation or redness of the gums can also signal the beginning stages of infection. If caught early, gingivitis can be treated and possibly reversed. Talk with your vet Oshawa, ON for more details.

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Did you know that there are several types of flowers and other plant life that can cause harm to your Golden Retriever? Talk with your vet to find out if any of the plants around your home are harmful to your Golden. Researchers have found nearly 700 types of plants that may be harmful to dogs and cats if ingested. Some of these include lilies, bulbs of tulips, azaleas, elephant ears, a variety of ferns, and even the aloe plant just to name a few. If ingested, these plants may cause intense gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, loss of appetite, seizures, vomiting, damage to the central nervous system and cardiac abnormalities. If for any reason you believe your Golden may have ingested a toxic plant, call your vet right away. For a complete list of both toxic and non-toxic plants, consult with your local veterinarian Lafayette, LA.

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Did you know that cats are prone to fleas and ticks just as much as our canine companions? It’s important to make sure your Birman cat is on a flea and tick prevention to ensure an infestation doesn’t come into your house or on your cat. A variety of prevention options are available including topical or injectable monthly treatments, monthly oral treatments, and flea and tick collars. Your vet can help you decide what’s right for your Birman cat. For instance, most indoor cats only require basic treatment plans while outdoor cats require a more aggressive plan. If your Birman cat already has fleas or ticks, call your vet and find out how to rid your pet and home of the pests. It’s important to be thorough in following the directions from your veterinary clinic Lafayette, LA in order to stop future outbreaks. Remember, fleas and ticks can carry life threatening diseases.

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If you own a Basset Hound then you’re probably familiar with their short legs and stout bodies. This breed is particular low to the ground and has the habit of picking up different thorns and other prickly plants while outside. The Basset is also prone to cuts on his stomach and legs as well. If your Basset Hound has a minor cut then you may want to gently clean the cut with warm or cool water and apply a cleaning solution such as Vetericyn or even regular iodine or chlorhexine. Afterwards, pat the cut dry and apply a topical ointment such as Neosporin. These methods of treatment will most likely need to be done two to three times a day until the minor cut or scrape is healed. If the cut is large or deep then you should call your vet immediately. Always clear any kind of treatment with your vet Lafayette, LA before administering.

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