Catnip affects cats differently, with the effect mainly thought to be influenced by genetics. Not all cats react to catnip; while some get more excited and display excitatory behavior when they catch a whiff of catnip. Still, there are those that have a more laid-back reaction.

In cats that become energized after sneezing catnip, the plant exerts an excitatory effect on certain parts of the brain and hypothalamus, the same parts that control appetite, as well as predatory and sexual behavior. Catnip contains nepetalactone that exerts an opium-like action on the brain. Studies have shown that exposure to nepetalactone can cause an amphetamine-like effect in some cats and will cause display of repetitive behaviors. A cat that is sensitive to nepetalactone tends to roll around after eating or eating catnip as the opioid receptors a ... Read more »

There are some things that you should avoid at all costs if you want your new kitten to be happy and confident as they grow into adulthood. You may not be able to do something about your kitten’s genetic makeup, but you can influence your pet’s behavior by how you look after him and act toward him. When kittens are between 2 and 7 weeks old, they are in a sensitive part of their development when they are most influenced by factors in their environment. This is a prime time for social relationships and emotional bonds are developed between kittens and other members of the household, humans and pets alike. This is an important period of socialization and training. When raising your new kitten, arm yourself with tons of patience and consideration while using positive reinforcement to reward desired beha ... Read more »

Adopting a dog is a great way to bring a new pet into your family. There are numerous dogs out there at shelters and rescues in need of homes. If you’re looking to adopt, contact your local shelters and rescues to find out what the requirements are. You may be surprised to find that many shelters or rescue organizations charge quite a bit to adopt a dog from their program. This is usually because they are shipping the dogs from the South to the North or from the West to the East or vice versa. The high adoption fee may also be to help cover veterinarian care, dental cleanings, vaccinations, and the first round of preventative medicines for fleas, ticks, and heartworm disease. Not all organizations charge, however. If you can’t afford the adoption fee, check out local shelters and SPCA facilities. Talk with your veterinarian Wake Forest, NC for alternative ad ... Read more »

Aside from being bloodsucking parasites, there are other important reasons why you should wage war against fleas.

Flea allergy dermatitis

Some dogs are extremely sensitive to a substance that is present in the saliva of fleas. For these dogs, a flea bite can trigger intense itching and irritation. Without prompt veterinary attention, persistent scratching can eventually cause raw spots that can become important medium for secondary bacterial infection.

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Vaccination of senior cats remains to be a controversial topic despite the recognized benefits of vaccination. The major concern that is often raised with repeated vaccination is a sarcoma, a type of cancer that develops near the site of vaccination. The incidence can be as high as 1 in 1000 cats to as low as 1 in 10,000 cats.

Some veterinarians still recommend annual vaccination of senior cats because their immune system is not as strong and effective as younger animals. This means that senior cats may be more susceptible to diseases thus the need for annual vaccinations. However, there are also veterinarians who don’t recommend annual vaccination of senior pets because of the risk of allergic reaction, immune conditions, or sarcoma.

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Heartworm preventatives or prevention medication products should be prescribed by your veterinarian to ensure that your pet does not suffer from any type of adverse reactions. Ideally, the product should be easy to administer, effective, safe, and available at a reasonable price. Your veterinarian will compute the proper dosage for your pet based on the animal’s weight or age. There are heartworm preventatives that can prevent both fleas and heartworms; you can also choose a product that is easiest to give, such as a pill or topical ointment. Your preferences will be considered by your veterinarian when choosing the right heartworm medication for you pet. Most products will need to be given monthly for maximum protection. A product that is labe ... Read more »

You will need to drive with your cat in the when you take her to a caretaker’s home or to the vetyou’re your cat is fearful, she is probably anxious about the carrier or the movement of the car or both. Acclimate your cat to her carrier. Let her explore it at will by putting it on the floor with the door open. Place some treats and toys inside along with a favorite blanket. Try closing the door for just a few seconds at a time. Gradually increase the time as long as she remains comfortable. Next put your cat in the carrier and put it in the car. Sit with your cat while you speak with her softly to keep her at ease. Start with short trips in the car to ease her into riding in the car. Keep all rides positive and within your cat’s comfort level. Be patient and soon your cat will adjust to car travel. For more information, contact your Pickerington, OH veterinarian.

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Certain physiological and behavioural changes take place as cats enter their senior years. Age-related changes will occur in your cat’s major organs and body systems with your being aware of them. The years of wear and tear can render their immune system weak thus they can be more susceptible to disease and infection. Confining your senior cat indoors can significantly lessen his risk of acquiring certain health issues and parasites. Senior cats will also benefit from frequent health checks. Your Rochester, NY vet may recommend twice a year or more depending on the cat’s health status. Senior cats need to be monitored for diabetes or kidney failure. Early detection and treatment are very important to improve prognosis. With the advancements in veterinary medicine, most health problems in senior pets don’t carry the same bleak ou ... Read more »

There are several ways that you can track your Pug’s whereabouts and ensure he is found should he ever wander off or get lost. One way is through a microchip which can store all of your contact information and be retrieved through a scanning device. Another way to track your Pug is with a GPS tracking device. These are lightweight devices that attach to your dog’s collar. They then connect to your Smartphone and can give you up to date readings on your Pug’s whereabouts. GPS trackers can help you find your dog right away if he gets out of the house or yard without you knowing it. GPS trackers can help you track your dog’s location if you let him go out without a leash. They are especially great for older dogs that tend to wander off and get confused on where to go. Talk with your veterinarian Bolingbrook, IL to learn more.

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A common component of clumping clay litter is sodium bentonite; it’s a type of clay that possesses the property to swell and form hard clumps in the presence of fluid. Many pet owners use clumping litter for the cat’s litter boxes because the clumps can easily be scooped out when removing solid wastes from the litter box. Clumping clay also possesses outstanding odor control properties and it’s also economical to use, considering that the litter box contents don’t need to be dumped as often. This is very useful when you have several cats in your home. However, clumping litter should never be flushed down the toilet or drain because it can cause plumbing problems. Dust is also an important concern with clumping litters. Tracking is also a common problem because of the smaller granules that make up the clumping litter. < ... Read more »

In some regions of the US, the weather can turn dangerous for cats quicker because of heavy snow and the extreme cold. Even if your kitty has a long thick hair coat, they will need to be kept warm when temperatures are above freezing. Your kitty is in danger of developing hypothermia frostbite and other serious medical conditions once the temperature falls below 32F. Hypothermia refers to a condition where the temperature of the body falls below average. Cases of hypothermia can range from mild to severe; cats with severe hypothermia run the risk of frostbite. When exposed to extremely low temperatures and high winds, frostbite may develop on the cat’s toes, tail, and the tips of the ears. Tissue that is damaged from frostbite can die without p ... Read more »

Rawhide that is usually given to pets as toys come from the inner layer of the hide of a cow. Many pet owners give rawhide to their pets to keep them busy and also to help with teething. Chewing is a natural instinct in pets and rawhide gives them a “legit” thing to chew on instead of their owner’s socks, the carpet, furniture, or even electrical cords. A dog can benefit from the mechanical action of chewing; while chewing, pressure is applied on the dog’s gum and teeth, which can also scrape off any plaque or tartar buildup. Rawhide pieces should be small enough because chewing large pieces of rawhide may cause vomiting and/or diarrhea. But it should be larger enough that a dog cannot swallow it whole. In most cases, large pi ... Read more »

Some pet owners get anxious when they notice their dogs having a runny nose. They start to wonder whether their pet is sick. There are many reasons why dogs have runny noses. It can range from excitement to an infection in the upper respiratory tract to a more serious medical condition.

• Watery discharge

Some dogs have a runny nose when they’re anxious. In most cases, the nasal discharge is wet and clear. The discharge usually disappears as soon as your pooch calms down. But if it persists for sever ... Read more »