Some dogs have a strong urge to lead the pack. These are the dominant dogs, the alpha dogs. When they think that the leader of the pack is weak, alpha dogs are quick to step in and try to assume the role of leadership. When a dog thinks of himself as the leader of the pack, he displays aggressive behavior, not out of plain aggression, but because they think they are responsible for the protection and survival of the members of the pack. A dominant dog’s confidence in his ability to lead is very strong. Thus, he won’t have second thoughts about stepping up and ruling the pack. And this will certainly lead to serious problems later on. Thus pet owners should be dominant and consistent in letting their pets know that they are the alpha leaders. Your best vets Chattanooga, TN is a valuable source of information when it comes to understanding your pet’s behavior.

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Did you know that tooth grinding is quite common in cats? The technical term for it is “bruxism”. There are various reasons to explain the behavior such as:

• Problems affecting the mouth and associated structures

Injury, swollen or inflamed gums, tooth decay, abscess, foreign body stuck inside the mouth, etc. can be possible causes of tooth grinding in cats. In most cases, drooling is a prominent sign that is manifested. If your pet allows it, check his mouth for inflamed gums, broken or decaying teeth, sores, wounds, sores, etc. or better still, bring him to your Cleveland, TN animal hospital sooner rather than later.

• Dehydration

Cats are well-known for their finicky drinking habits that can increase their predisposition to dehydration. ... Read more »

Feline Cognitive Dysfunction (FCD) can affect cats in their senior years. It is an age-related condition that affects a considerable percentage of the cat population. Fortunately, there are easy ways to help delay or reduce the effect of FCD. On top of the list is adequate and regular physical and mental stimulation. Cats are natural hunters, thus they are used to living an active life. In the wild, they spend a good part of the day and night walking far and wide to hunt for prey. Unfortunately, many pet cats live sedentary lives. But being confined indoors should not be an excuse for insolence. Pet parents should take steps to enrich their pet’s indoor environments, such as putting up kitty furniture and spending time playing and interacting with their pets. Regular physical activity also keeps them mentally alert. If you have concerns about your pet’s health and behavior, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian Cleveland, TN. Or c ... Read more »

You love animals, and you can’t wait to bring a hedgehog into your household. In preparing for her arrival, you are gathering supplies to meet her needs. What should you bring home to feed her?

Your hedgehog needs you to seek out a natural hedgehog food. These commercial mixes offer a wide variety of nutrients for your pet to eat, and they will offer a good base for proper nutrition. Fresh produce items should also be offered to your pet. These should be clean and cut to a size your hedgehog can manage on her own. Treats, like mealworms and crickets, are also well-received. Be mindful of all portion sizes, as you want your pet to be well-fed but not over eat. Your local vet Suga ... Read more »

Your ferret is a big part of your family, and you want to make sure you are able to help her stay healthy. How can you do this?

Your ferret needs you to understand that she has a lot of instincts she still follows, but these are generally geared around time in the wild. She needs your help adjusting to life in your home, and staying safe while in this space. She is going to gravitate toward tasks that seem fun and activities she can really enjoy. These may not be the best option all the time, so help her choose suitable activities. She needs your help to foster healthy habits, like getting plenty of exercise through play as well. You can also help her stay healthy by feeding her a healthy food, ... Read more »

Scratching is a natural feline behavior. It keeps their claws well-trimmed and removes old nails to make way for new ones to grow in. They have scent glands in their paws that give off a distinct scent. Thus scratching is also a way of claiming territory or objects by leaving their distinct scent on surfaces they have scratched on. There are instances when a cat seems to find everything in his surroundings a good place to run his claws. And this can be certainly be frustrating for their owners, causing some of them to have their cat’s declawed. But the procedure is extremely painful and inhumane. The cat can suffer from pain for weeks and even months. Fortunately, there are ways to address your cat’s scratching in a more humane and positive way. It can be as simple as putting up scratching posts and/or pads so your kitty will have legal surfaces to scratch on. You can also use nail caps to cover your cat’s claws or make the ‘illeg ... Read more »

Your bird is a wonderful part of your family, and you want to make sure you are there for her to help make her life easier. This may sometimes mean helping her learn new skills. How can you do this?

Teaching your pet skills that will help you understand one another better or help her interact with the world around her better can make a big difference in her life. You can do this through basic training methods, including repetition. State the words associated with the action she is performing while she is taking part in them so she can begin to understand that they go together. This way, she will be able ... Read more »

You are soon going to be sharing your home with a pocket pet, and you want to make sure you are able to create a comfortable space in your home for her to spend her time. How can you do this?

Aside from creating an enclosure for her to spend time in, your pet will need you to take the time to make an area of your home outside of this safe for her to roam around in. This means making sure hazardous items are well out of your pet’s reach, and that spaces that aren’t safe are blocked off so she can’t get to them. This should be an area where your pet will be visible while exploring so you can supervise him, and it should be a comfortable place for you to interact with her. For ... Read more »

There are several types and designs of collars for dogs. They are made of various materials and come in both casual and work styles. A collar is where you attach your pet’s leash when going on outdoor excursions so you can have control over your pooch. It is also where your pet’s identification tags are attached. Here are some popular collar styles for dogs:

Standard ... Read more »