Your cat may enjoy sharing your home with you, but she may also disappear from time to time to be on her own for a little while. Why does she hide like this?

Your cat needs to be able to check out things she is unsure of from a safe place. This will often mean looking at them from a hiding place, as this will keep her far enough away to allow her to have a sense of safety and be comfortable with what’s going on. She may be hiding from something new she doesn’t yet understand, or she may have hidden herself to get away from something that frightens her. She may also be hiding because she wants to rest, or simply wants to have some time on her own, as she may not want constant attention from the family. For more information, please contact your local Lakeville, MN veterinarian.

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Your dog loves to chew on things she finds around your home, and the items she picks can often be things you would prefer she didn’t sink her teeth into. How can you keep her from chewing on all your belongings?

Your pet needs you to find a way to satisfy her need for this type of interaction with suitable items that are safe for her to gnaw on. This means taking the time to figure out what your pet will enjoy chewing on, and what you feel is appropriate for her to use in this manner. Luckily, there are a ton of products out there for just this purpose. Offer her something intriguing and take the time to redirect her attention to this item whenever you catch her chewing on something she shouldn’t be. For more information, please contact your local London, ON veterinarian.

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The backyard and garden can be a venue where pets can be exposed to poisons from fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Some people also put rodent bait on their lawns and gardens. Poisoning can occur when pets come into contact with the concentrated form of these products. There is an increased risk of exposure when these products are not stored appropriately, failure to read or follow package instructions, or when using more product than what is needed. Special precautions should be undertaken when using insecticides because these products ten to have a higher level of toxicity. Pet dogs can be exposed to insecticides when digging up ground that has been treated, chewing pellets, or playing around ant mounds shorter after the application of an insecticide product. In addition to rodent baits, snail pellets are also very toxic, thus pet owners should be very careful when using snail pellets in the garden. If you suspect your pet has been ... Read more »

The most common internal parasites affecting cats are roundworms, tapeworms, and hookworms. Infestations can be particularly serious in very young kittens and those with compromised immune systems. Cats can get roundworms by infesting eggs that are passed in the feces and contaminate food, water, etc. Eating infected prey can also be a potential route of infection. Kittens can also get infected when suckling the milk of a mother cat with roundworms.

To protect your pet cat, routine worming treatment is necessary not only during certain seasons of the year but throughout the year. Kittens need to be dewormed every 2 weeks until they are 12 weeks of age, then every month until they are 6 months of age. After 6 months cats need to be dewormed every 3 months for optimum protection. If you have any questions and/or concerns about deworming your pet, do contact your South West Fort Wayne, IN animal hospital for further inst ... Read more »

Flea prevention and treatment does not only include applying flea products on pets. It is a multi-pronged approach that targets all the stages in the lifecycle of fleas in order to be effective. The lifecycle can take from 2-3 weeks but can last up to 6 months. There is a need to break this cycle to maintain a free environment. Just like any health issue, prevention is definitely better than cure. Adult fleas on dogs and cats feed on their blood and then begin to lay eggs. A female flea can lay up to 50 eggs per day. These eggs drop off anywhere in the environment, in the carpet, bedding, nooks, crannies, and crevices. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae are released; they move away from light to develop into pupae, feeding on organic materials. It is during this time that they can ingest tapeworms eggs and become an intermediate host for tapeworms. Most flea products are formulated to target only specific stages of the lifecycle. Thus, you should ... Read more »

Exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can increase a dog’s risk of sunburn which can be painful and uncomfortable. It is also an important predisposing factor for skin cancer. Here are some tips to protect your pet from sunburn not only during summer but all throughout the year:

• Avoid shaving your dog’s hair especially during summer because you are only exposing your pet’s sensitive skin to the sun.
• Dogs instinctively seek shelter from the sun especially during the hottest parts of the day. If they have to be outside the home, make sure that they have a roof over their head that will protect them from the sun.
• When going on leash walks with your pooch, do so during the cooler parts of the day, such as early in the morning or at dusk. During these times, the roads are also cooler and prevent burns to your pet&r ... Read more »

You love animals, and you know a child in your life who gets just as excited to interact with them as you do. How can you teach her about the responsibilities of caring for a pet?

You will first need to take the time to think about the child in question and evaluate their maturity level. What you are teaching a young child will likely be very different than what you are sharing with a teenager. Consider what the child can handle for care, and make sure you offer her reasons why the care you mention is necessary. Role play care scenarios if necessary, and make sure you offer appropriate supervision when the two are interacting with one another. Be sure to answer any questions that are asked, and that you clarify anything that may seem confusing. Your local licensed Aurora ... Read more »

Your cat loves to spend time in your home, and you want to make sure she has everything she needs to thrive in this space. What should you consider when getting her a litter box?

Your pet needs a litter box as this is an essential pet supply item, but some will be a better option for your little fur ball than others will be. Your cat needs you to think about what she really needs in a litter box. This means looking into the size of the litter box itself, the litter you will put inside it, how you will keep it clean, as well as any additional aspects you may need for your pet, like a hood. You should also consider where you will be placing it within your home, since this may have an impact on your overall decision. Your local Aurora, CO vet can offer additional suggestions. For more, visit their ... Read more »

Diet and lack of exercise are two of the most obvious culprits in dog obesity. Dogs that are still recovering from an injury or illness usually need to remain sedentary thereby increasing their risk for weight gain. An unexplained gain in weight can also be a symptom of Cushing’s disease or hypothyroidism which is caused by a hormonal imbalance. There are also certain breeds of dogs that have a genetic predisposition for obesity. Some of these breeds include Pugs, Beagles, English Bulldogs, and Dachshunds.

What are the health implications of obesity?

An overweight or obese dog is prone to developing a significant number of serious health problems. Some of the important disease conditions where obesity has been shown to play an important role include cancer, cardiac disease, diabetes mellitus, respiratory disorders, orthopedic problems and injuries, and osteoarthritis j ... Read more »

There is a long list of reasons why dogs lose their sense of sight, partially or completely. For some dogs, a hereditary disease or congenital disorder may result in them being born blind. But there are also instances when a dog becomes blind later in life as a result of injury or illness. Blindness can affect dogs of any breed, sex, or age. Vision problems may also be an age-related health issue that many senior pets may have to contend with. Here are other conditions that are known to cause blindness in dogs:

• Cataracts - certain breeds are more prone to developing cataracts, which is characterized by cloudiness of the lens of the eyes.
• Glaucoma - there is buildup of pressure inside one or both eyes causing pain and pressure.
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) - this is a congenital problem that causes gradual vision loss.
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Snake bites usually occur during the summer months. The type of reaction exhibited by your pet will depend on several factors including the type of snake species, the amount of venom inject, and the site of the snake bite. In many cases of snake bites in pets, bite wounds are usually found around the animal’s head and limbs. As a rule of thumb, the close the bite is to the animal’s heart, the quicker it will be for the venom to be absorbed and distributed through the body. If your pet shows any signs of snake bite, you should not delay in seeking help by bringing your pet to your best pet clinic Aboite, IN ASAP. These signs include vomiting, sudden weakness, collapse, muscular twitching or shaking, pupils are not responsive to light (dilated), there is blood in the urine, and paralysis (later stages).

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