Overeating is an epidemic in America, but it doesn’t just affect humans. Obesity can affect your pet too. The key is knowing if your dog is overweight.

First, pet your dog down the side of his back. You should be able to feel the outline of his ribs, but you shouldn’t be able to see them. If your dog is overweight, you may not be able to feel the ribs at all. If you have to push hard, or if there’s a layer of fat above the ribs, your dog is definitely overweight.

You should be able to see an abdominal tuck, which means the chest reduces at the waist towards the back end. If there is no abdominal tuck, your dog is carrying extra weight.

If you could use help getting your dog back to a healthier weight, click here, or schedule an appointment with your veterinary clinic Livonia, MI.

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Your cat is an important part of your household, and you want to make sure you are able to offer her exactly what she needs whenever a care requirement arises. She has become a bit overweight, and you’d like to help her get a bit healthier. How can you do this?

Take a look at your cat’s eating habits. She should be eating a high quality food made from all-natural ingredients. If she isn’t, switch to one. Be conscious of what an appropriate portion size is, and make sure to do the same for any treats she is given. She also needs to get plenty of exercise each and every day. If she isn’t, try to encourage movement on her part by offering plenty of toys and lots of one on one time with the family. Your local Greenville, SC veterinarian can help you care for the pets in your home.

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Your cat seems to scratch on things around your home quite often. You’d rather she kept this activity to a few designated spots. How can you teach her not to scratch on the furniture?

Your pet needs to know that you don’t approve of scratching on the furniture, so you will need to make an effort to deter her from doing so. Removing her from this spot to an area where it is okay to scratch can do the trick, but there are also sprays that will motivate her to stay away through scent. You should make the area you want her to scratch in seem enticing. This means leaving behind a treat for your pet to find on her scratching post, or offering a toy to make this spot seem more fun. Your local Greenville, SC vet clinic can offer additional advice.

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Your dog loves when you give him treats, and you love being able to offer him something special to vary his diet a bit. How can you choose treats that are tasty as well as good for him?

There are a lot of different treats on the market, so be sure to take the time to see the differences between them. Make sure your pet’s treats are all natural and free of artificial ingredients as well as fillers. If your pet is in need of specific nutrients, seek these out in his treats. The same goes for specific traits, like supporting dental health. Also make a point to take your pet’s taste into account, as this should be an enjoyable experience for your pet. You can also try making your own homemade treats of you’re feeling adventurous and know exactly what ingredients would benefit your furry companion. For additional information, please contact your local Greenville, SC vet ... Read more »

It isn’t uncommon to gaze out the kitchen window and see that orange tabby wandering through the yard again. It might be a stray, but that cat might actually have a home. Here’s how to tell.

The most obvious sign that a cat has a home is a collar. If the cat has a collar, you can bet that someone bought it for him. If the collar has a tag, you can even give his owners a call.

If the cat doesn’t have a collar, turn to his behavior. Is the cat generally friendly? If so, it’s likely that he has a home, or at least had one in the past. If the cat is skittish and fearful, it’s probably a stray.

If you aren’t sure, bring the cat into your veterinary clinic Livonia, MI and see if he is microchipped.

Read more for additional information.

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If you are considering hand-raising a baby bird, always remember that baby birds are prone to illness than adult birds. Also, health problems that generally affect baby birds are more often fatal. Here are some tips to keep in mind when hand-raising a baby bird:

• The baby bird’s basic needs include food, warmth, hygiene, and interaction.
• Use a heating pad to provide warmth during the day. A paper towel placed on top of the pad will protect the bird from being burned. It is also a good idea to cover the pad with several layers of tissues so you can remove tissues as they are soiled.
• Powdered baby bird food can sufficiently provide the nutrients needed by baby birds during the first few weeks of life. Add one teaspoon of the powder to very hot water and mix well. You can purchase the product pet store or in veterinary clinics. Your ... Read more »

While pet cats and dogs can be protected against heartworm disease using preventatives and physical measures to protect your pet against being bitten by mosquitoes, treatment options have only been successful in dogs. Thus, the best way to protect your cat from the problem is a good heartworm preventive program. Advanced cases of heartworm infection can possibly lead to serious complications. Some cases may need surgery to remove heartworms in the heart and major blood vessels between the heart and lungs.

Heartworm preventatives should be given under the supervision of a veterinarian. These drugs are actually safe and effective when administered following the dosage instructions of your veterinarian. Heartworm medications are available as chewable, injections, pills, or topical preparations. Before any type of heartworm preventative is given to a dog, the animal should be tested first to assess the heartworm status. H ... Read more »

Ear infections are one of the top reasons pets are brought to veterinary clinics for examination and treatment. Persistent itching and scratching of the ears, head-shaking, and sometimes intense pain can accompany ear infections in dogs and cats. Taking steps to identify the underlying cause is very important before the problem can be dealt with appropriately.

Common causes of ear infections

Allergies

Some pets react adversely when they are exposed to certain allergens in their food or surroundings. Itchy ears can be one of the symptoms of allergies in dogs and cats.

Yeast Infections

The environment inside the ears can be ideal for yeast multiplication, especially when the ear passages remain moist and warm. Yeast infecti ... Read more »