Your family loves animals, and your child enthusiastically takes part in any discussion about bringing a pet into your home. However, this doesn’t mean that he is ready for a pet. How can you talk to him about the responsibilities that come with caring for an animal?

Your child is an individual, and you will likely know how to reach him best. However, there are a few things you want to make sure you do when addressing the topic of a new pet. Always make sure you keep your discussions appropriate for your child’s age and maturity level, and that you present new topics in a way he will understand. Role playing can be beneficial for young children, and meeting with current owners of the pets in question can help most children get a sense of what it’s like to care for them. Your Savannah, GA vet can help you offer your pet a wonderful place to call home.

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Your cat seems to scratch in random places around your home, and this behavior seems a bit confusing to you. Why does she do this?

While your pet may seem like she enjoys scratching, this is actually a necessary behavior that she is taking part in. While it may feel nice for her to stretch out while scratching, she is actually taking care of her claws and her paw pads. Scratching helps to keep her claws filed to a length where she can use them, and it also removes portions that have fallen into disuse. This behavior also leaves behind territory markers letting other animals know where your pet considers to be her home. Scent glands in this area reinforce the scratches left behind by your pet. Your local Savannah, GA veterinarian can help you care for your pet. Learn more here.

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Your dog loves spending time in your home and interacting with your family. However, he will need to socialize outside of his comfort zone in order to get to know the world around him and to calmly deal with any circumstances that present themselves throughout his life.

Luckily, you can help your pet with this by simply letting him tag along with you when you are headed somewhere dog-friendly. Your pet will be able to see new places, and spend time with new people and animals this way. He will also be able to do this while still by your side, something that will help him think of these interactions in a positive light. Try to keep initial outings short and sweet, as these can be stressful for your pet if he isn’t used to them yet. Your local Savannah, GA vet clinic can offer additional advice.

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Your dog is a wonderful companion, and you want him to have everything he needs readily available to him. A collar is an essential pet supply item that your pet requires for a couple different reasons, so it’s important that you offer him one that will suit his needs.

Your pet’s collar should be comfortable for him to wear, and for this to happen it must fit properly and be both an appropriate weight and thickness. It should be able to keep his identification tags safe in case someone needs to reference them, and if you plan on hooking your pet’s leash to his collar, it should securely hold the leash in place. Your pet may need other things from a collar as well, like one that dries quickly or fits well along with a harness. For more information, please contact your local Vet Clinic Savannah, GA.

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Obedience training gives you a way to communicate with your dog what you want him to do on command. Make a list of the behaviors you want your dog to know – sit, stay, lie down, come, among others. The basic procedure is to use a food treat to lure your dog into approximating the desired behavior. Introduce a voice command that you will use consistently when you want your dog to behave in that defined way. As your dog becomes more reliable, get pickier with what defines the behavior and insist on more accuracy. Use lots of praise as well since you will start reducing and then eliminating the food treat so your dog will perform the behavior with the voice command and praise alone. Keep sessions short and be patient. Treat your dog with kindness and keep training fun. Learn more from your North Star Animal Hospital. 

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All dog owners have experienced that awful doggy flatulence. This gas is generally harmless. A change of diet or access to table scraps or garbage could cause an increase in gas. Dairy products, spicy foods or those high in fiber are especially gas producing. If your dog gulps down his food he is more likely to experience gas later in the day. This gas is stinky and unpleasant for you but it can also make your dog feel uncomfortable. Thus it benefits both of you to manage your dog’s diet. Feed your dog a high-quality, nutritionally complete food. Eliminate table scraps and only use treats for training. Seal up the garbage and don’t leave food out where your dog can sneak away with any. Feed your dog when he is relaxed and not in a hurry to go on a walk so he won’t gulp so much. Contact your Veterinarian Eagle, ID to learn more.

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Cats that lose weight without any defined reason can certainly make their owners anxious. Most of these cats appear healthy and can wipe their food bowls clean at every meal. Here are some reasons why cats lose weight.

Stress

Cats are very sensitive creatures. Exposure to certain stressors can make them go off-food. There is a need to identify the specific stressor so the problem can be dealt with properly. Changes in the household routine, moving to a new home, a trip to the vet or the groomers, and even the arrival of a new pet or family member are potential stressors. In most cases, the cat’s appetite returns back to normal once the stressor is removed.

Worms

Parasites that inhabit the animal’s stomach and intestines can get a chunk of nutrients that should hav ... Read more »

No, dog fleas can’t survive long enough on the body of humans. They may feed on humans but they are unable to stay there for too long because they need the protection of the dog’s fur in order to survive. They also need something to cling on to because they will likely fall off and have to look for another host to feed on. Flea bites can be itchy, more so in persons who are allergic to flea saliva. 

A heavy flea infestation can be a frustrating problem to deal with. Pets and humans alike end up with itching, scratching, redness, and raw skin, which can pave the way for secondary bacterial infection.

Flea prevention should be a year-round program. Pets need adequate flea protection not only during the flea season. These pesky insects are ubiquitous and can survive even in harsh conditions by hiding in cracks and crevices. Make sure to use a safe and effective flea p ... Read more »

If you and your Devon Rex live in an area prone to heavy snowfall and icy roadways and walkways then you should ask your local officials what type of melting product is being used to treat the hard surface roadways and walking areas. Most places use a mix of sand and salt or a product referred to as “ice melt”. Although these products work great, they can be toxic to cats and dogs. The products contain chemicals that can cause blisters and burns on the bottom of your Devon Rex’s paws. If you can’t avoid these surfaces consider buying snow shoes for your Devon Rex. If snow shows aren’t possible or your cat refuses to wear them, then you may simply need to wash your Devon Rex’s paws each time she comes indoors. You can also help prevent your cat’s paws from cracking by rubbing petroleum jelly on them. Ask yo ... Read more »

Dogs that choose to sleep on hard surfaces, such as cement floors, tiles, or on the deck, tend to form calluses on bony parts of the body, such as the elbows and hips. Most calluses are not something to be worried about, but they can become a problem when they can develop into abscess or ulcers. So make sure to check your pet’s elbows, legs, and hips regularly for any calluses. It is also a good idea to let your dog sleep in a soft bed or a lounge chair to prevent callus formation.

Bedsores

Geriatric dogs or those that are ill may be forced to lie down on one side of their bodies for considerably long periods of time. This can increase their predisposition to forming bedsores. Pressure exerted by the hard surface on the body can affect the skin’s blood circulation which can eventually cause skin cells to die. Without proper treatment, bed sores can be v ... Read more »

If your Small Cockatoo is presenting signs of poor appetite, lethargy, and even depression, call your vet right away. Your bird may be simply feeling ill or he could be suffering from something more serious like fatty liver disease. Fatty liver disease occurs when large amounts of fat are deposited in the liver. Parrots and birds that are obese often have enlarged livers due to the additional fat stored there. The sooner the disease is diagnosed and treated the higher the chances of survival for the parrot. Your vet will need to run a complete physical examination to make a diagnosis. The palpitation of an enlarged liver is usually an indicator of fatty liver disease. Liver tests, x-rays and a liver biopsy may also be conducted to ensure the correct diagnosis. Your vet Sugar Land, TX can tell you that additional symptoms may include a distended abdomen, difficulty breathi ... Read more »

Did you know mouth rot is a common occurrence in various types of reptiles including snakes, turtles and even lizards like the Crested Gecko? In general, mouth rot appears as inflammation or small hemorrhages on the gums or as large amounts of mucus in the mouth. It can also appear on the inside edge of the mouth near the lip area. Causes include stress, poorly regulated temperature in the enclosure, parasites, trauma, malnutrition, and overcrowding. If your gecko has mouth rot then you may notice a swelling in the mouth or head area. Your pet may also have his mouth open as if he is breathing through his mouth. Some Crested Geckos will stop eating when mouth rot occurs so you may also notice a dramatic weight loss due to lack of appetite. Call your vet Sugar Land, TX ... Read more »

Dogs hate direct eye contact because in dog language, this is perceived as a challenge. Staring is rude, especially if you are near your dog’s face. When a dominant dog stares at another dog, he is challenging them non-verbally. Submission to a more dominant dog means looking away to avoid staring back.

There are also other situations that dogs hate, such as when they placed inside their crate as punishment and having their nose rubbed in their poop after a potty accident.

Punishing with crate time

Dogs should associate their crates with positive experiences; crates should never be used to punish undesired behavior. Dogs should view their crates as safe havens where they can rest, relax, and be safe and comfortable. Punishing your dog with crate time will only change that positive perspective, and getting your pet inside t ... Read more »

Cats benefit from adequate veterinary care and attention. Thus your kitty needs to be taken for regular visits to the vet for health and dental checks, vaccinations, or when they are ill.

Dental problems

Many cats suffer from tooth and gum problems. To protect your pet, make sure to brush his teeth regularly and take him to the vet for dental visits. These are important opportunities for a thorough dental check so any problem can be addressed immediately before it can become serious and/or complicated.

Ear Infection

Ear infection can cause severe itching and in serious cases, affected cats may shake their heads persistently. There is also overproduction and buildup of earwax. Without proper treatment, ear infections can lead to tissue damage and hearing loss, which can be irr ... Read more »

Today, more and more cats live beyond 20 years and many are still mentally alert. Thanks to modern veterinary care, cats are living longer than they have been in the past decades.

As cats age, their body undergo physical and mental deterioration. Fortunately, there are ways to delay mental aging. One of these is regular playtime. There are so many simple yet effective activities that can stimulate your pet, both mentally and physically.

Regular playtime

Even as adults, cats benefit from having regular playtime and physical activity. So their daily routine should include activities that will keep them active and healthy even when they’re already seniors. Simple activities such as letting your kitty chase after a feather on a string or the laser from a pointer are practical and cheap ways to encourage physical activity and m ... Read more »