Tips To Control Excessive Barking In Dogs

 If you are ready, you can do these simple steps to help decrease barking for your dogs:

●      Remove what causes them to bark. For example, if your dog sees a stranger passing by, you can close the windows or move them to another room.

●      Sometimes, dogs just bark to get your attention. If you believe this is the motivation for their barking, it is best to ignore them. Let them feel that you are not distracted from their barking at all. Don’t talk to them or touch them. Don’t even look at them, as this can sometimes trigger even more barking.

●      Give them treats or toys. These can distract your dogs. When they play with toys that are mentally and physically stimulating to them, they would not notice the stimuli for their barking. They would also be too tired from playing and won’t have the energy to bark anymore.

If you have concerns about your pet's health and/or behavior, make an appointment with your animal hospital Urbana, IL.

What Type Of Leash Should You Get For Your Dog ?

When selecting a leash, consider how and where it will be used.  Would the leash be for daily use?  Will it be for outdoor training or indoor training?  Will you be using the leash for training distance commands?

For indoor use:

The ideal indoor usage dog leash would be thin, long, and made of rounded nylon.  These are quite light and have the least possibility of getting stuck beneath your home furniture.

For training outdoors:

The recommended leash is a nylon leash between 8and 10 feet long.  If you are training your pet with distance commands, then get one with a 30 - 50 foot line.  For both uses, get a leash made of nylon webbing.  Also, wear a pair of gloves to avoid rope burns should your pet pull the leash and you grab it but it slips through your fingers.

For daily use:

The ideal leash for pet dogs in everyday situations is the traditional 6-foot leather or nylon leash.  6 feet should be enough to offer your pet some freedom when moving, but also keep him close and manageable.  Between leather and nylon, you can take your pick.  But do avoid materials like rubber and cloth because they are not as durable or strong.

Make sure that your pet’s preventatives and vaccines are up to date before outdoor excursions. If you’re not sure, you can call your animal hospital Ellicott City MD for information.

Reasons You May Want To Free Feed Your Pet

 Free-feeding may have its disadvantages, but you may still prefer this method because of the following reasons:

●Convenience

If you’re working full-time, free-feeding offers convenience for both you and your dog. No matter how busy you get and what time you manage to get back home, you won’t run the risk that your dog will miss his meal because it’s all in his container. 

●Increased Nutritional Demands

If you have puppies, pregnant, or nursing dogs, free-feeding is a good option. Since these dogs need to eat more frequently than usual, having their food ready anytime they are hungry will be beneficial.

If you worry that your dog will eat an unhealthy amount, you may opt for controlled free-feeding for the first few weeks. Once they get used to the amount you’ve set, it will be less likely that he eats more than what he needs.

Do consult your veterinarian London, ON before making any changes to your pet's diet. 

Winter Care Tips For Dogs

It is most appropriate to keep dogs home during the grueling winter months. However, there are instances when your pet has to go out, even for a short period. Below are some suggestions for keeping your canine companion healthy, safe, and happy while at the same time enjoying the great outdoors during winter.

A comprehensive physical examination of your dog with your veterinarian can aid in the identification of any illnesses that can worsen due to the cold weather. If necessary, your veterinarian may prescribe drugs to ease discomfort. Do not hesitate on inquiring with your veterinarian about any health concerns or problems with your pet.

Canines with weakened immune systems, such as pups and senior dogs, are especially vulnerable to the cold. Avoid trimming your dog's fur during winter, as this will make your pet more sensitive to hypothermia. Short-haired dogs, in particular, should wear a dog sweater on cold winter days to keep them warm.

If your pet is showing signs of hypothermia, contact your animal hospital Columbia MD immediately.

Loud Noises Can Be Stressful To Parakeets

Loud noises can cause parakeets to respond in a variety of forms. While some parakeets can tolerate a noisy environment, sensitive ones become agitated even upon hearing the doorbell. When subjected to continuous noise, some parakeets get anxious, while others exhibit negative behavior in response to unexpected loud noises. Some parakeets become agitated by the sound of a blender or vacuum cleaner, although they can tolerate music playing at an average volume. It may take a few adjustments to discover what kind of noises disturb your pet parakeet and the degree of the effect.

A bird agitated by a noisy environment may chatter incessantly, pull its feathers, avoid using the perch, refuse to feed, or remain silent. If your parakeet behaves in this manner, consider decreasing the amount of household noise and giving your bird some privacy to see if the behavior changes.

If you have concerns about your pet's health and/or behavior, make an appointment with your pet clinic Derby.

Cat Treats for Pet Ferrets

Since ferrets can be given cat foods, they can have cat treats, too. However, this should not be given frequently. Yes, ferrets and cats are carnivores, but that doesn’t mean they have similar nutritional needs.

Check the ingredients and nutrients meticulously in the cat treats. If they are made of low-quality ingredients and don’t meet the nutritional needs of ferrets, it’s better not to give your ferrets these at all.

If you give them cat treats, make sure they are rich in protein, fats, and some amount of fiber. Don’t give them cat treats that have grains because they can't benefit much from grains.

However, you have other healthy snack options for ferrets. Fruits, vegetables, and eggs can be a good substitute for their treats. One last thing, never overfeed them with cat treats.

Your pet’s diet is one of the important concerns that you should discuss with your animal hospital Wichita KS during your pet’s health and wellness check.

Hair Shedding In Cats Can Be Hair Loss Or A Health Issue

As feline owners, it’s important to know the difference between your cat shedding normally and from them suffering from alopecia. Notice if their hair coat has turned to be to be too thin or the presence of hair patches in certain body parts. If their haircoat has good density, length, and thickness, then it’s just normal shedding.

If your cat is suffering feline alopecia, it could be because of multiple reasons like parasites (mites, fleas) and infections (ringworm, dermatophytosis). Furthermore, it happens when there are underlying allergies to the environment and food as well. Another common cause for this is genetics. Some feline breeds are more susceptible to alopecia than other breeds. Finally, alopecia could appear in a few normal variants of cats. For instance, mature Siamese cats have a loss of hair on their ear flaps and pre-auricular areas (near the anterior parts of the ear) for any cat breed as well.

Any skin and/or hair coat issue exhibited by your pet should warrant an appointment with your vet clinic Rochester NY.