Bringing Home a New Kitten

A new addition to the family will certainly be a big event for everyone. Your children will surely be excited to play with their new four-legged friend but there is a need to take things slow and easy. However, always remember and remind each of the family members to tread slowly to ensure that your new pet's adjustment to his new surroundings will be smooth and problem-free.

To prevent your new kitten from being stressed out, give him enough time to get to know his new surroundings as well as the other members of the household. Some new kittens spend the first few days in a new household hiding under the furniture or bed. This is just normal and you just have to remind your kids that their new pet needs a chance to get comfortable in his new environment. When introducing the kitten to your kids and other pets in the household, always proceed at a snail's pace. Let them spend short periods of time every day to make sure that they are getting adjusted pretty well to one another.

Head to veterinarian Saint Lucie County for professional tips on Kitten Care. Click here to know more about your pet's needs.

Should You Keep Your Cat Indoors?

The domestication of cats has made it possible for humans to undertake the responsibility of providing for their needs. If you are a first-time cat owner, here are important reasons to keep your cat indoors:

1. Outdoor cats have higher chances of having chance encounters with other animals. These can increase their exposure to external and internal parasites as well as infectious diseases.
2. Light-colored cats are prone to developing skin cancer due to overexposure to the UV rays of the sun.
3. Cats can get hit by passing vehicles. Injury can mean thousands of dollars for veterinary care, treatment, and rehabilitation.
4. Outdoor cats can be mistaken for strays and can get picked up by other people, rescue groups, or animal control officers.
5. You may have to deal with "neighbor problems" when your cat uses your neighbor's flower bed as a litter box.
6. A roaming cat can easily be considered fair game for dogs, coyotes, and other predators.

An indoor cat can still suffer from potential health problems thus regular checkups with your Fulshear Vet is recommended.

Importance of Kitten Socialization

Kittens need to undergo socialization as early as possible. Socialization gives them the opportunity to be familiar with the sights and sounds of their environment. From riding in a car to being around other pets, a kitten should be able to adjust well to prevent stress as well as the development of various negative behaviors.

 Once your pet has been vaccinated, you can bring him to places such as to a grooming facility to expose him to new sights, sounds, and smells. Each time your pet is introduced to a new stimulus, make sure to give positive reinforcement such as his favorite treats, praise, or petting so that your kitten will associate meeting something new to being a positive experience.

 Even if you plan to raise your pet as an indoor cat, socialization is still very important. However, make sure to limit the number of pets and type of environments that your kitten is exposed to minimize potential exposure to parasites and infectious diseases. Vet from Logan Circle can help you design a socialization program for your kitten.

Common Household Chemicals Harmful to Dogs

Dogs are naturally curious and when you combine this with ignorance about potential risks, they become more prone to suffering from the harmful effects of common household chemicals that can be found around your home.

 Oftentimes, even though how you take extra care in keeping household chemicals inaccessible to your pets, there are unseen health hazards that are often overlooked. Some of these include:

•     Tick and flea control products

Indiscriminate use of these products can expose everyone in the household, including your pets, to toxic chemicals. If your dog is harboring external parasites, it is best to look for products that contain ingredients which are not harmful to your pets. Safe alternatives include using diatomaceous earth and electric flea traps.

•     De-icing salts

These substances are often used during winter to melt snow and ice. Dogs can take in de-icing salts unintentionally when they walk on surfaces where the product has been applied and lick their paws.

•     Antifreeze

Many brands of antifreeze contain ethylene glycol which has a sweet smell that can attract animals. However, it is very toxic even when consumed in small amounts.

If you think your dog has ingested a potentially toxic substance bring him immediately to a Animal Clinic in Kenosha for prompt treatment.

How to Provide Your Rabbit with the Best Environment

In order for your rabbit to thrive in its home, it will need sufficient bedding so that it stays warm and comfortable. Choose bedding material that is safe to eat such as dust free straw or hay.

For sanitation and health purposes, your rabbit should also have a designated place to do its business. Purchase a litter tray and lay out newspaper, shredded paper, hay or straw on top of it. Alternatively, you can also use paper based cat litter.

Get your rabbit to eat hay by placing a portion on top of your rabbit’s litter tray.

If you need to be away whether for a few days or a few weeks, find somebody trustworthy to look after your rabbits. Be sure to instruct them well on how to look after your rabbits. More on this at veterinary clinic Stafford for best pet care tips.

Rabbit Gardening 101

One of the most fun aspects of owning a pet rabbit is that you can grow some of their food yourself right from your own backyard. This will save you some money and ensure that the veggies are fresh!

You can grow the veggies in a wooden container or a pot to make things easier. Ensure that the wood is chemical free. One veggie that you can try growing is lettuce. The great thing about this veggie is that it’s possible to grow quite a few of them even with limited space. However the outside temperature needs to be between 10 to 15 degrees Celsius. Spring and fall are the best seasons to plant them. Head to Animal Hospital Pasadena to learn more on this.

Another good veggie to plant is carrots. Loose, rock free soil is the environment where carrots will thrive. Weeds also need to be removed right away.

Caring for Senior Cats

As cats turn seven years old, they are now in the twilight of their life. These senior or geriatric cats require special care and management to make sure that they are free from problems that may threaten their health. Here are some tips to help you take care of your senior cat:

 

• Since older cats have a tendency to scratch less, you have to undertake the job of trimming his nails on a regular basis.
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  An older cat is not as flexible as before so he will have a hard time reaching some parts of his body. You can give your cat frequent brushings to keep his fur clean while preventing him from swallowing too much hair.
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  Your cat's sense of hearing may slowly deteriorate as he grows older. Have your vet Racine check your pet's ears to rule out medical problems or parasites that could interfere in his ability to hear.