Bringing home a brand-new kitten is exciting, especially for the youngest members of your household. Because it’s so exciting, it’s important that you set down some ground rules before your new kitty makes himself at home.

First, talk about the right way to handle a kitten. Practice petting techniques on stuffed animals and talk about how cats like to be held. Emphasize that belly rubbing, holding the cat like a baby, and hitting him are all likely to get you scratched or bitten.

Make sure your children understand that young kittens need their sleep. If he’s sleeping, your child should leave him alone. When he wakes up, your child can practice playing with him.

It’s a good idea to figure out if your children will have any chores associated with the new pet, like feeding or watering. ... Read more »

Did you know that cats like the Oriental Shorthair and other breeds can be prone to different health conditions as they age? One of the more common health risks to look for is the FeLV or Feline Leukemia Virus. FeLV can cause anemia and lymphoma and is the second largest cause of death among cats. If your Oriental Shorthair lives outdoors then he can be at a high risk for catching FeLV from an infected cat. Senior cats living with an FeLV positive cat are more susceptible to catching the disease because of their weakened immune system. If you have an FeLV positive cat, keep him separated from other cats and do not let him drink or eat out of the same bowls. A separate litter box is also needed. Have each cat tested for FeLV by your vet care South Charlotte, NC on a routine basis.

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Owning a Dachshund can be a lot of fun especially when you get to travel and take them along with you. If you can’t, however, you may need to board your pup while you’re away. Make sure your Dachshund is up to date on all of his shots to protect him while in a large kennel environment. Sometimes dogs can get sick while being boarded. The illness is often called Kennel cough and it comes in the form of both a viral and bacterial infection that can cause inflammation in your dog’s larynx and trachea. Symptoms include a forceful cough or hacking sound in your dog. Some dogs may also develop runny noses, sneezing, and possible eye discharge. Contact your vet right away if your dog is presenting any of these symptoms. Common causes include crowded or poorly ventilated conditions found in some kennels and shelters. Talk with your vet South Charlotte, NC to learn more.

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Cats are generally friendly and affectionate creatures; however they may seem to be aloof at times. If your usually friendly cat suddenly becomes distant and aloof, you should try to pay more attention.

One important reason for a cat’s remote behavior towards his owner is the arrival of a new member of the family, humans or pets alike. Cats hate any change in their daily routine and the arrival of a new baby, a new spouse, or even a new pet can certainly have a significant effect on everybody’s routine.

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You take great pride in offering your pet a safe place to call home, and you really want to make sure this extends into the holidays as well. How can you make sure you don’t miss anything during this busy time of the year?

Your pet needs you to take the time to think about what hazards arise during the holiday season, and how you can keep your pet out of harm’s way. This will include taking the time to remove your pet from areas where hazards cannot be avoided as well as involving holiday guests in the efforts to keep your pet safe and happy. Consider making it a routine to check things over for your pet, so you will be more likely to continue as it will become a habit. For more information, please contact your local Indianapolis, IN vet clinic.

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The average weight of domestic cats is between 8-10 pounds; besides weighing, there are other ways to check if your cat is too fat and needs to lose some weight.

• Place your hand on your pet’s rib cage and feel the cat’s ribs. You can easily feel the ribs of a cat that is not carrying excess weight. But if there is a need for you to put a little more pressure just to feel your cat’s ribs, he may need to lose some weight.
• Anoth ... Read more »