Inevitably you will need to give your cat medication in pill form. Consider yourself lucky if your cat gobbles up mashed up medication mixed with her food.You just need to ensure that she eats all the food and that other pets haven’t eaten any of the medicated food. Otherwise you’ll need to try alternative methods. You can try to hide a pill in a small piece of meat. There are alsoextra tasty, commercially available treats that have apocket to hide a pill. You may need to use a pill gun if your cat rejects any of these methods. These guns have little rubber fingers to hold the pill and a plunger to release the pill. Quickly open your cat’s mouth, insert the pill gun beyond your cat’s tongue and release the pill. Rub her throat to ensure that your cat has swallowed the pill. Learn more from your Glen Ellyn, IL veter ... Read more »

Some cats gobble down their food with gusto. You might need to work a little harder if you cat is a picky eater. Your cat may have a definite preference toward either wet meat or dry cat food. She might not eat if you offer the wrong one. Back off on treats for the most part. If your cat eats yummy treats all day, she resist eating her nutritionally complete cat food. Consider feeding your cat several small meals rather than one big meal per day. Take the food away after about 15 minutes even if your cat hasn’t finished it. Meat left out too long could start to spoil and taste funny. Your cat might be sensitive to her food’s temperature. Try warming up food that has been kept cold. Be patient and experiment till you understand your ... Read more »

Some children may experience scary interactions with dogs such as being bitten or jumped on or chased. This can develop into a fear of dogs that your child carries into adulthood. This fear can range from a minor anxiety to a full-blown panic attack whenever your child is near a dog. Severe dog phobias may need to be treated by a mental health professional but minor anxieties may be dealt with using simpler methods. If your child develops a fear of dogs, exposehim to a dog he trusts such as a docile dog belonging to a family member. Ask your child sit and relax and maintain calm throughout the experience. Keep the dog under control by usingobedience commands. Allow your child to interact with the dog.Keep sessions short at first. Lengthen the exposure time and visit with other dogs as your child becomes more comfortable. For more, ... Read more »

The tongue of cats differs in appearance from that of the tongue of dogs or humans because it contains certain parts that have specialized functions. Here are some amazing facts about your cat’s tongue:

• The cat’s tongue is a perfect grooming tool because it has barbs that can help remove loose hair, debris, and dirt during grooming. Take note, however, that ingesting loose hairs can increase a cat’s risk of having hairballs in the stomach.
• Barbs are projections that cover the tongue of cats, giving it rough appearance and a sandpaper-like texture. They are called filiform papillae and are made keratin, the same material fingernails are made of. The barbs help in scraping off meat from bones. Since their orientation is toward the direction of the cat’s throat, they help move the food to the esophagus.
• Cats have ... Read more »

Your cat is a wonderful friend, and you know her quite well. This is why you know she won’t be too happy that you plan on switching her over to a new food. How can you help her get used to it?

Your pet needs the opportunity to try out her new food option. You may be surprised to find out that she loves it and is eager to eat it. If she needs some convincing, you can offer it to her as a treat from time to time. This can make it seem like a special occasion when you finally give her an entire bowl of the food. You can also take the time to gradually add more and more of it to the food she is used to so she can become accustomed to its taste and texture. For more information, please contact your local Michigan City, IN veterinarian.

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You share your home with a ferret who loves being able to play at every opportunity. How can you make the most of the time you have to play together?

Your pet needs you to take the time to figure out what she needs to stay engaged in an activity with you. This will likely mean giving her something to think about while also helping her get some exercise. Because ferrets are very smart, you can offer them more complex games than you may be able to give to another pet. Offer your pet your full attention at playtime so you can really engage with her. This will help you bond with your pet and get to know her preferences a bit better, which will in turn help you choose activities to take part in with her. For more information, please contact your local Omaha NE veterinarian.

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Your dog needs to be able to head out for a walk each and every day. This helps to keep his mind sharp and his body in good shape. How long should you take him out for?

Your pet needs you to consider his individual exercise needs and assess these against his lifestyle. Because your pet is an individual, you will likely find that his exercise needs are unique as well. Walks will likely make up a good portion of his daily exercise, so make a point to give your pet the time he needs when out and about. You should also figure the weather and intensity of the route you are taking into your walking time, as it may cause you to alter your plans. There may also be days when your pet needs more time out on a walk than others.  For more information, please contact your local Cameron Park, CA veterinarian.

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You may be familiar with the Greater Swiss and the Bernese Mountain dog, but did you know the Appenzeller Sennenhund or the Appenzeller Mountain dog is also part of that mountain family? The Appenzeller came from the Appenzell region of Switzerland. He is a medium sized herding and protecting working dog. The breed was recognized as its own breed in 1989. Today they are primarily companion dogs. They require socialization from an early age due to their size. Consistent training makes them great family dogs even for families with small children or other pets. The Appenzeller likes to be out and about. He enjoys agility, flyball and obedience competitions most. Families that spend time outdoors and playing sports are great matches for this breed. The Appenzeller is known for his tri-color coat and triangular ears that point down. They have a lifespan of 13 to 17 years. For more information, contact your North Suff ... Read more »

If you’re looking for the cat with the jaguar, leopard like markings then you’re probably looking for the Bengal. This cat is known for his unique color markings and patters, sleek build, and wild look. The Bengal has vivid spots and distinctive marbling. The marbling or rosette tabby marking and pattern gives him the leopard and jaguar like resemblance. His eyes also give him that sense of a wildness as well. Most have green, yellow or gold eyes while the lynx point have blue eyes and the minks have aqua eyes. Their eyes along with their wide nose heighten the appearance of the wild cats. Their coat is extremely soft with a velvety, plus like feel. It is often described as soft as a rabbit’s coat. They walk with grace and poise. The Bengal is athletic and energetic. He is intelligent, eager to please and easy to train. For more information contact your North Suffolk, VA veterinary clinic.< ... Read more »