Why Obese Cats Should Lose Weight

Did you know that the number of cats that are classified as overweight or obese is continuously growing, so much so that experts declare it as an epidemic? Indeed, obesity is one of the top nutritional health problems faced by the feline population. There are several predisposing factors which have been implicated in pet obesity. These include

improper feeding practices, including feeding kitten food to adult cats, or vice versa. Each lifestage has a specific nutritional need, thus ensuring that your pet receives a lifestage-appropriate diet is of utmost importance. Kittens and growing cats need more protein and calories because they are still growing and their needs for energy is higher than the other lifestages. On the other hand, mature cats lead a more sedentary life and will require fewer calories. Another important predisposing factor of obesity in cats is the so-called free-grazing, when pet owners continue to top up their pet’s food throughout the day, so there will be food to eat anytime your pet wants to eat.

Bring your pet to your animal hospital Lakeville, MN for a regular wellness check. 

Positive Reinforcement During Training

Dogs will work hard for a reward-a treat, a favorite toy, playtime, cuddles, and lavish praise. If you using treats for your training your pet, you should keep these important pointers in mind:

l  The treat must be your pet’s favorite so it would be enticing and irresistible for him. You may have to try out several types of treats to see which works best for your pet.

l  For training, choose bite-sized treatsand these should be quite soft so it will be easier for him to swallow and get his attention back to you. Don’t choose a treat that he has to chew for several minutes for this can interrupt the training process.

l  Use several of his favorite treats. Dogs love variety and can get bored with they are given the same treat.

l  When giving a treat, always accompany it with lots of praise using a happy voice.

Don’t hesitate to call your vet Lakeville, MN if there are sudden changes in your pet’s health and/or behavior. 

Persistent Barking In Dogs - Why You Should Ignore The Behavior

Excessive and persistent barking in dogs can be an attention-seeking behavior. Dogs that engage in this bad habit are often ‘rewarded’ by their owners with some attention. Realizing that they could get their owners’ attention by behaving this way, they will continue engaging in this annoying habit. If you share the same problem with many pet owners out there, you may be guilty of reinforcing your pet’s behavior. Looking his way or shouting at your pooch to stop are ‘rewards’ to your pet’s barking. You should be consistent about not giving any attention to your errant pet - don’t talk, touch, or even glance at his direction. If he keeps still and quiet even for just a very short time, be quick to reward him with a treat.

Consult with your Burnsville Parkway hospital Lakeville, MN if you have any concerns about your pet’s behavior. 

Redirected Aggression In Cats

Redirected aggression is quite common in pet cats. It is described by experts as a reaction to a specific experience or situation that triggers feelings of anxiety, nervousness, and even anger.

In many cases of redirected aggression, the cat’s behavior (hissing, growling, or attacking another cat, dog, or the owner) may be confusing to the owner because they can’ seem to find a reason for the cat’s behavior. The usual scenarios in which the behavior can be seen include when a cat sees another cat outside or when he is unable to reach the birds outside the window.

What to do when your cat displays redirected aggression frequently:

l  The errant cat should be isolated immediately in another room that is not accessible to the other pets. But make sure to use a blanket when picking up the cat and carrying him to the designated room. Leave him inside the room until he has calmed down. Some cats may take only a couple of minutes but there are those that can take hours to return to their normal selves after redirected aggression.

l  In some cases, redirected aggression may be an important symptom of a health problem. It can be triggered by pain and discomfort. Make sure to bring your pet to your vet clinic Lakeville, MN for proper diagnosis and attention. 

Managing Your Cat’s Inappropriate Scratching

Your cat scratches to remove old worn layers of her nails to reveal new sharp ones. She also scratches to mark her territory using scent from glands in her feet. This marking leaves a visual marker too. Thus you may never completely eliminate your cat’s scratching but you can manage her inappropriate scratching of your belongings such as the sofa, carpets or drapes. Position scratching posts near the targeted belongings and encourage her to scratch the posts. Reward her if she scratches the posts on her own. Cover your targeted belongings with strips of aluminum foil or double-sided tape when not in use. These materials feel weird to your cat’s feet so she will avoid scratching there. Ensure your cat gets enough exercise so she doesn’t scratch out of boredom. Never punish or yell at your cat while she is learning. Learn more from your veterinarians Green Bay, WI.

How to Give Your Bird a Bath

Most birds don’t require bathing unless you are showing your bird and prepping him for show day. Birds tend to self groom keeping their feather fluffed and cleaned on their own. If it’s overly warm out and you want your bird to cool off you can provide him with a little bird bath in his cage or outside of his cage if he’s allowed out. A small shallow bowl of water is all that is needed for your bird to splash around, cool off, and bathe. You can also use a fine mist spray bottle to lightly spray your bird with a mist of water to keep him cool. You can use a bath mist spray as well. This can help condition the feathers and the skin. Bath mist sprays can be found at pet stores. You can also check to see if your animal hospital Walnut, CA carries bird bath spray. For more information visit the website: https://diamondbarvet.com/

How to Bathe your Golden Retriever

Golden Retrievers should be bathed once every few months unless they are extremely dirty or muddy. A regular brushing can be done every few days to help remove dead hair and keep the coat from matting. When bathing, decide ahead of time if you’re going to bathe indoors or outdoors. For indoors, introduce your dog to the bathtub ahead of time. Place him in it without water so he can get used to the tub. Place a rubber mat on the bottom to prevent slipping. Turn the water on low and let your pup play in it. Pour warm water over your dog’s coat and add vet approved shampoo. Work into a lather and rinse thoroughly. Only use a conditioner if recommended by the vet. Squeeze the hanging hair to remove access water. Towel dry before letting your dog roam free in the home. For more tips, give your vet Leesburg, VA a call.