Your dog came into your home and captured the heart of your family. You all love her dearly and not only want her to enjoy her time in your care, but also be safe within your home as well. How can you create a safe space for her to spend time in?

Your pet needs you to take the time to seek out any potential hazards and remove them. This may mean altering certain areas of your home, putting some items out of reach, or taking them out of this space entirely. You should also make sure you have the pet supply items your pet will need on hand so she won’t be wanting for anything and so you will have the items you need to care for her at your fingertips. Your local London, ON vet clinic can help you care for your pet. Click here for additional information.

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Your cat is an adorable little fur ball and no one is more aware of this than the children in your home. How can you teach them to respect your pet’s boundaries?

Your cat loves attention every now and then, but she will likely want some time on her own as well. This means that she wants to be able to get some time alone and will show signals that this is the case. Teach your children about these signs so they can learn to recognize them and find something else to do until your pet is ready to interact. Make firm rules, like no touching the cat when she is sleeping or making her bed an area you don’t spend time around. Also, proper supervision will go a long way in keeping your pet safe and happy. Your local London, ON veterinarian can offer additional guidance.

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Your cat needs a lot of help grooming herself as she isn’t able to do so on her own to the extent that it needs to be done. This means brushing her often to help prevent tangles, remove debris, and to help get shed fur out of her coat before it falls onto your furniture.

Choosing a cat brush involves finding a brush that will work with your pet’s fur. There are a lot of different breeds of cats and each of them has their own fur type and length. Some brushes will work better for your pet than others will, so it’s important to keep this in mind when shopping. You should also think about the design of the brush, as you will need your pet to be comfortable with you using it and it should fit into your hand with ease. For additional information, please contact your local London, ON veterinarian.

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If your pet cat has been issued a clean bill of health by your veterinarian, you can try carrying out any of the following measures to deal with your cat’s litter box problems:

• Clean the litter box thoroughly to remove all traces of feces and urine. Use a product specifically formulated for the purpose.
• Spray some commercial pheromone preparation that mimics specific scents that a cat can associates with his body pheromones.
• Get a new litter box.
• Spot clean the litter twice a day and thoroughly clean the entire litter box at least once a week.
• Apply a thinner layer of litter or just line the litter box with newspapers.
• Transfer the litter box to a new location.
• Switch to anot ... Read more »

A dog of any age has been known to respond well to clicker training. The need to interact with pets has made clicker training an important tool in establishing communication with your pet during training. In fact, the method has also been used to train birds, cats, fish, horses and other pets.

Positive reinforcement involves rewarding your dog for good behavior and looks at punishing bad behavior as taboo. Dogs live to please their alpha dog thus rewarding good behavior will leave a deep imprint in their minds thus encouraging them to conform to the accepted rules which have been established in the household.

Timing is very important in clicker training because each click indicates correct behavior. Never click after the desired behavior has been performed. Clicking while the dog is performing the desired behavior can bring out the best results. In most cases, you will find that yo ... Read more »

If you are traveling out of town, you may need to find a boarding kennel. Ask trusted friends and family for suggestions so you can create a short list for consideration. Visit each kennel without your dog. If a kennel won’t allow you to visit, cross it off your list. Check the runs, play rooms and sleeping areas for cleanliness. Look for water bowls filled with fresh, clean water. Talk to the staff to understand how they interact with the dogs. Look for a kennel where your preferences are respected. Check that the dogs are separated by size and activity level. If the kennel checks out, bring your dog in for at least a half-day visit. This will help him adjust to the kennel before you go away. Most kennels will encourage you to bring your dog’s bed and his favorite food for his stay. Learn more ... Read more »

Having the right grooming tools and knowing how to use them properly is very important when grooming your pet. The hair brush should be suitable for the type and length of your pet's hair coat. For starters, run the hair brush from your pet’s front end and slowly work your way toward the back. This will help make sure that all areas of the body are well-groomed. If there are tangles, use a comb to tease them out, making sure to hold the hair at skin level to avoid hurting your pet. Depending on the type and length of the hair coat, some dogs need daily brushing compared to others. Your pet’s grooming regimen should also include nail trimming, tooth brushing, and ear cleaning.

Know more about your pet's grooming needs by visiting your Forest Hill, MD animal hospital. Schedule an appointment today!

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Dogs that spend time outdoors may smell bad occasionally and in most cases they just need a bath. But if you notice that your pooch has a distinct smell that becomes more offensive with time, a visit to your vet clinic should be made for this could indicate an underlying health problem.

Skin problems

The skin glands of dogs secrete oil to keep the hair coat soft. But bacteria can easily multiply because the skin oil creates a favorable environment for them. A dog that is suffering from allergies may scratch relentlessly at itchy areas all over his body causing damage and irritation. This can eventually pave the way for bacteria or yeast infection, which is usually has a tell-tale foul odor.

Tearing around the eyes

Conjunctivitis or other eye problems can cause excessive teari ... Read more »

Health screening can detect potentially life-threatening illnesses so it can be diagnosed and addressed appropriately. Pets can get all types of medical conditions - congenital problems, kidney disease, liver problems, orthopedic problems, etc. Health screens can go a long way in helping nip a potentially serious problem in the bud before serious complications set in.

Routine health screening is generally advisable for puppies, especially for the so-called high-risk breeds. Generally, a health problem that is noticed at an early stage will mean more affordable veterinary bills and a more favorable prognosis.

Early health screening is recommended for congenital and orthopedic problems in large breed puppies, and congenital disease affecting major organs of the body including the heart, kidney, and liver. Some breeds of dogs are more predisposed to specific hereditary conditions prob ... Read more »