You’ve worked with your dog on obedience training and socialization. And then out of the blue, your dog becomes aggressive toward another dog. Understanding why your dog may be aggressive helps in controlling the aggression. Your dog may be afraid of the other dog if it approaches too quickly or crowds your dog. Other times your dog may feel the need to dominate and protect us.  Dog owners are often surprised when their normally calm dog gets aggressive. Often dogs will follow your lead so if you are tense and fearful, your dog could act out. Sometimes owners will insist that the dogs say hello. You need to observe the behavior of both dogs. If either dog looks nervous or acts aggressively, avoid the interaction and step away to increase distance. Say something to the other dog owner if necessary and act with confidence. Learn more from your West Mobile, AL veterinary clinic.

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If you are grossed out by your dog’s wide and indiscriminating selection of things to eat, you are in the same boat with many pet owners the world over. Unfortunately, there is really no plausible explanation why dogs eat certain things. Most of the time, they are tempted by the strange smells, as their curious nature gets the better of them. Some dogs do it out of boredom.

The best thing you have to do is to prevent your dog’s access to trash and other things that he can get into his mouth. Store your trash in places that are out of your pet’s reach and dump your trash frequently. Crate training is also a safe way to prevent your dog from eating things that are not considered food, especially when you are not around to supervise them.

Don’t hesitate to ask for help from your Rocky Mountain House, AB animal hospital t ... Read more »

Cats are true carnivores, meaning they need to have meat in their daily ration as an important source of essential nutrients. Even if they have taste buds, they are unable to taste what’s “sweet”. One important thing about cats is their ability to self-regulate their intake of vital nutrients, such as protein, fat, and carbohydrate.

What’s interesting about their dietary choices is that they are influenced by “neophobia” and “monotony”. Neophobia means a cat may reject a new type of food that is being offered, or might eat small amounts of the new food during the first few days. On the other hand, monotony means a cat may get tired of being given the same type of food for a considerable period of time and may try to find a new type of food. For more information about your cat's dietary needs visit your Rocky Mountain House, AB ... Read more »

While domestication of dogs means they receive better care and attention than their ancestors, they are subjected to conditions that cause them undue stress. Many dogs are placed in situations where they are unable to engage in natural behavior and express their natural drives. The constant pressure of living in domesticity and being exposed to lots of stressors often result in pet dogs that are depressed and frustrated. These negative feelings can become potent fuel for the development of undesirable behaviors.

Many pet dogs today live sedentary lives. Boredom sets in due to lack of mental and physical stimulation. Dogs are social creatures, but many spend most of their being home alone during the day while their owners are out of the house. Many animal behaviorists blame certain forms of antisocial behavior in dogs as a result of this lifestyle.

Consult with your Haleyville, AL v ... Read more »

Arthritis is characterized by the inflammation of the joints and associated structures. Dogs suffering from arthritis often have a hard time moving around because of the pain. If your dog has been diagnosed with arthritis, there are ways to make your pet comfortable so he will still be able to walk around and enjoy life to the fullest.

Bed

Beds for dogs with arthritis are specially designed to cushion sore and achy joints. The height of the bed also makes it easier for an arthritis dog to get in and out of bed. There are various brands of beds for arthritic pets so make sure you check out reviews made by pet owners and get recommendations from your veterinarian or from friends with arthritic pets.

Massage

Massage offers plenty of therapeutic benefits; it eases pain as well as ... Read more »

Before anything else is said, know this: there are benefits to adopting your next dog or cat from a variety of places. You need to do thorough research to ensure you are not only getting the best deal, but that your new family member is a good match for you and your family.

If you’re a previous pet owner, you will already have a head start because you can look at the same place you got your other pets. However, if a lot of time has passed since your last adoption, you may be starting from scratch like a new pet owner. Here are a few places to start looking:

• Private owner, through the Classifieds in the newspaper
• Humane Society
• Pet shelter
• Foster care
• Pet store
• Breeder
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Many people choose to share their life and home with cats. Cats are less emotionally dependent than dogs; but they will still need proper care and attention, as well as their owner’s time, money, and life-long commitment. Before bringing home a kitten, make sure you have considered your decision carefully and be ready to commit to the responsibility of meeting the needs of a pet cat.

Wonderful reasons people share their life and home with a pet cat:

• Friendship – Although cats may not be as outgoing and social as dogs, they still like to spend time with their humans. 
• Health and wellbeing– Owning a pet has been shown to bestow health and emotional benefits. Regular interactions with pets have been demonstrated to help lower blood pressure and ease ... Read more »

Many dogs and cats have tooth and gum problems. Dental problems can be painful and even life-threatening. Bacteria from the mouth can reach major organs of the body via the bloodstream and cause serious problems in the heart, liver, kidney, etc. The good news is dental problems are easily preventable.

Tips to help keep your pet's teeth and gums stay healthy and strong

• Make a weekly habit of checking your pet’s teeth and gums. Start the routine while your pet is still very young so he will learn to tolerate mouth examinations on a regular basis. 
• The type of food that you give to your pet has an impact on the animal’s dental health. Kibble can reduce buildup of dental plaque, as well as remove plaque and tartar. Get a product that is specially formulated for tooth and gum health.

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