Your dog has been with you for a long time, and you have enjoyed his company for many years. Consider the relationship you’ve formed, and use this deep knowledge of one another to help you care for your pet as he enters his senior years.

You know your pet well, so it will likely be you that notices any changes in his behavior. These may simply be changes over time, or they may be due to his age. He may need your help in different areas than he used to, or he may need to go about certain things in different ways. Consider these options when his behavior is atypical, and try to adapt your care to his newly developing needs as an older dog. Your local Bee Cave TX vet can help you offer your pet a wonderful place to call home. Schedule an appointment today.

Your cat is a fun companion, and the time you spend with her really helps you get to know how she likes to play. This also means that you know what her favorite toys are, and can’t resist picking up something new every now and then. Should you be continually buying these for her?

Your pet needs some toys, but implementing a toy rotation can save you from purchasing far too many. Simply offer a few toys at a time, then switch them for others when your pet starts to get a bit bored with them. This way, all the toys that are available at any given time will be interesting to her since they aren’t there to use all the time. Your local Bee Cave TX vet clinic can help you care for your pet. For more information you can visit this website.

Your cat is crepuscular, meaning she is most alert in the early morning and late afternoon, which are the best times to hunt in the wild. Thus your cat may sleep throughout much of the day. However, she may not be fast asleep. She may be taking a series of catnaps and can be easily aroused. These catnaps and when your cat lays around the house conserves energy so she’ll be ready to hunt with lots of chasing and pouncing. Your cat is also affected by weather and may need more sleep on rainy and cold days. Don’t wake a sleeping cat since this could cause stress and lead to health issues. She could also get angry and lash out at you. Take advantage of her alert times to play with your cat and encourage her to exercise. And don’t forget to include cuddling time. ... Read more »

Heartworms are an invasive parasite that can make your dog very sick. If untreated, heartworms can even kill your dog. Your dog can be infected with heartworms through the bite of a mosquito who has bitten another infected dog. When the mosquito bites your dog he introduces heartworm larvae into your dog’s bloodstream. Then the dogs grow and mature into adult worms that can clog your dog’s blood vessels, lungs and heart. This can cause respiratory and circulatory issues. There are treatments for a heartworm infestation but they are expensive, may require surgery and may not restore your dog’s health. Fortunately, there are heartworm prevention medications you can give your dog to keep him safe. These are available by prescription. You should give your dog this medication all year r ... Read more »

Your dog has shared your home with you for a while now, and you’ve taken the time to figure out what he needs at each step along the way. However, you’ve seen that a lot of pet owners have great success with harnesses. How can you tell if your dog needs one?

Harnesses are often used with young puppies, because they offer their owner more control during a time when their pet isn’t trained well. It also takes pressure off the sensitive neck area. Some breeds grow out of this sensitivity, and some don’t. This leaves some adult dogs better able to enjoy their walks with the help of a harness, just as they had done in their younger years. A leash can generally hook securely to either a collar or a harness, as these are what will keep you connected to your pet when out and about. Your local Bee Cave TX vet can offer additional guidance. Visit website ... Read more »