Your dog is a big part of your life, and you want him to be comfortable in your home. This means offering him a space he can call his own to enjoy. What can you look for in a crate to give this to him?

Your pet needs you to give him an appropriate amount of space for his size. If he is still growing, you can either get a crate that is perfectly sized now and purchase a larger one late on, or you can purchase a crate with a divider you can use until he grows a bit. There are some with solid sides and others with wire sides offering your dog a full view of what’s going on around him, so think about which he would prefer. Your local Lansing, MI vet can help you care for your pet. Make an appointment today!

If you’re looking for a way to teach your dog to stay in the yard while off leash, then you may want to invest in an electric, invisible fence. An electric fence is buried on the perimeter of the yard with the main electric switch somewhere near the house. When the fence is on, your dog wears a collar with a wireless box attached. The box is set to sense the electric fence and either lightly shock your dog or give off a piercing high pitched beep indicating that your dog should stop and retreat back until the noise or shock stops. It may take some time for your dog to adjust to this process and respect the fence. You may need to place flags along the yard perimeter to give your dog a visual to start with. For more tips on using an electric invisible dog fence, call your veterinarian East Dallas, TX.

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Does your senior cat have trouble going up and down the stairs? If the stairs are too steep or slippery for your cat, then you can help her out by adding carpeting to the stairs. The carpet can give your cat the grip she needs to keep her balance and move smoothly up and down the stairs. Many home goods stores sale carpet pieces or carpet steps, which are pieces of carpet specifically cut and made to go on a step. They usually come in packs of 12 to 15 pieces. If you go this route, make sure you either nail the piece of carpet down or use a glue or strong adhesive to attach the carpet to each step on the stairs to ensure that you nor your cat slips when going up and down. For more tips and suggestions on how to make the stairs safer for your cat, call your veterinarian East Dallas, TX.

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Most cats seem pretty limber enough to jump from low spots on the ground to high spots like countertops and furniture, but if your cat is getting older then he may have trouble pouncing around. This can be seen especially when it comes time for your cat to go to bed at night. If he suddenly stops sleeping in the bed with you it could be because he isn’t able to jump up onto the bed on his own anymore. If this is the case, try placing pet steps next to your bed and showing your cat how to go up and down to get to the bed. You may also want to consider a ramp or a small stool for your cat to jump onto. Lifting your cat is another option, but this could hurt your back over time. For more tips and suggestions, call your veterinarian East Dallas, TX.

If your dog is prone to developing food allergies, you should know which ingredients to steer clear of when choosing your pet’s food. Here are two important things that should ring some warning bells when buying pet food:

Preservatives

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Your child loves her new pocket pet, and you love the fact that she has been so receptive to taking on the responsibilities that come with pet ownership. It’s now time to teach her how to hold her new addition. What advice should you offer?

Young children should always be accompanied by an adult when interacting with a pet, as they will need some supervision. Let your child know that their pet is a living thing with feelings that can get hurt. This is why it’s important to sit on the ground when holding their pet, and to make sure they don’t hold their furry friend up high. Show them an appropriate grip – not too loose and not too tight. Remind them to talk softly, and to move slowly so their pet doesn’t get startled. Your local Lansing, MI vet clinic can offer additional advice. Visit website ... Read more »

Your cat needs to be able to access her food in a comfortable way. How can you choose a food dish for her?

Consider your cat’s age, breed, size, and activity level to determine how much your pet should be eating at mealtime. This should give you a pretty good idea of how large her bowl will need to be. Make sure it is a little larger than the portions she will be offered to avoid spilling onto the floor. Consider how you will keep the bowl clean, and opt for an easy to wash dish. You can then look into different features that may be helpful, like an automatic feeder function, a non-reflective surface so she won’t see herself staring back at her, or a bowl that will match the décor of your home. For additional information, please contact your local Lansing, MI vet clinic. Take a look on their ... Read more »

Emptying of the secretions and impaction are just some of the problems affecting the anal glands of dogs. These are paired glands that are located on either side of the anal opening. The secretion is what gives a dog’s stool its distinct odor. It is the signature scent that is left by dogs to mark things, places, etc.

Sometimes, the anal sac becomes impacted and their secretion can’t be emptied normally. As the sac contents continue to build up, the dog can suffer from severe pain and discomfort. It can also increase the likelihood of an infection. In severe cases, excessive buildup can cause the glands to rupture, which can only worsen the problem since there is now an open wound.

Some important predisposing factors of anal sac problems include the breed and being overweight. Chihuahuas and miniature poodles are just some dog breeds that have higher risks to anal sac i ... Read more »

Having a long-haired kitty means you are fully aware of your responsibilities in keeping your pet’s hair clean and free from mats and tangles. Your kitty will thank you for your grooming assistance every day.

In addition to the length of a cat’s hair coat, there are other factors that can determine their grooming needs. These include the cat’s age, hair coat type and texture, whether it’s an indoor or outdoor cat, and overall health.

There are hair coat types that can easily form mats and tangles, while there are cats whose fur coats remain free from tangles. In order to ensure that your pet’s grooming needs is adequately satisfied, learn as much as you can about it. Cats with short hair coats may only need brushing 3x a week but long-haired cats need daily brushing. 

There are also specific supplements that yo ... Read more »