Dangers Ticks Pose For Cats

 

Ticks are parasites that suck blood from pets, like cats and dogs. These parasites are considered by professionals as creepy crawlers that are difficult to remove from your pets’ skin. Be wary that ticks do not only endanger or harm your pets but also you and your entire family. 

Yes, that is right. Ticks can become a problem for your home because they are carriers of numerous illnesses that may affect everyone in your household. For this reason, you must do your best to search for effective ways that can help find, remove, and prevent ticks.

Normally, cats acquire ticks when they go outdoors. Ticks exist in shady and moist places, like low shrubs and tall grasses. Thus, when you give your cat a few minutes of playtime in your yard, she may be exposed to these parasites. 

What illnesses can your cats develop from ticks? Some of them are as follows:

Lyme disease (affects humans) 

Hemobartonellosis (may affect humans)

Bobcat fever (only affects cats)

Tularemia

Cytauxzoonosis

Ehrlichiosis

Babesiosis

Consult your veterinarian Kerrville TX about the best way to eliminate ticks from your pet and for protection from future infestations.

Motion Sickness In Cats

Did you know that cats can also get motion sickness when travelling as humans do? Car sickness isn’t fatal, but it can cause fear, discomfort, and anxiety in cats, and it can also lead to other health problems. With this, you should be careful when travelling with your cat to help her get over this discomfort.

To prevent this, you can condition your cat before travelling. Helping your cat overcome stress and anxiety while travelling can mean an easy and comfortable trip for you and your pet. You can prepare a more comfortable carrier where she can stay and relax, and place some bedding and toys to keep her entertained and keep her mind away from the stress.

You can also place something in the crate that smells like home, such as a blanket or article of clothing. This helps your cat get more comfortable and makes her feel that she is still inside your home.

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

Frequent allergy flare-ups must be brought to the attention of your veterinarian Kerrville TX.

Some Reasons Why Tuna Is Bad For Your Cat?

The fishier the better, that’s how cats love it, especially tuna. It is their favorite fish to eat, but the question is, is it safe for them?

Based on studies, tuna is a protein-rich food that is safe for cats if it is given in small amounts, though it is not advised to give it as a staple food for your pet's daily diet. Since tuna has unsaturated fat and don't have enough Vitamin E or other antioxidants, it can cause health issues if given regularly.

Another concern for tuna is that it is high in mercury levels, which and your pet can get mercury intoxication from eating high amounts of tuna. Therefore, you can give tuna to your pet as a treat and in small amounts only. It is best to stick with her normal diet which ensures all the nutrients she needs are given regularly.

Your veterinarian Kerrville TX is a valuable source of information about your pet's diet and nutritional needs.

Personality Of Siberian Cats

 

Furry felines that have a big heart for people and even their fellow domestic pets – these are the Siberian cats. A native of Siberia, Russia, these felines have been domesticated for a long time now. Several households have acknowledged the beauty in adopting this breed not only because they look adorable with their fur coat but also because of how they behave at home and how happy they can make their humans. 

When you adopt a Siberian, expect that she will develop a good relationship with you right away. She may even become loyal after a few days of spending time with you. She will follow you in your home, offer you help when she thinks you need it, try to get your attention for play, and ask for a place on your lap. 

Your guests will surely love these cats because they will feel the warm welcome from your Siamese. Visit this site to learn more.

Checking Your Pet’s Body For Ticks

 

Ticks blend well with a dog's fur. They are hard to detect once they come in contact with your pet dog. Ticks could hide anywhere on a dog's body, although they favor specific locations, such as the groin, between the toes and the eyelids. 

Ticks love the warm, smooth region between a dog's hind legs, where the fur is finer, and the skin is readily accessible. The parasites can burrow into skin folds that the dog will have difficulty reaching. Nevertheless, a dog licking or scratching near its crotch more than normal may be attempting to expel a tick. 

A hungry tick will love the warm space between the dog's toes, especially on canines with more enormous paws or with fur growing beyond the length of their feet. Dogs hate getting bit by ticks on their toes. It makes them lick or chew at their feet and could even result in a minor limp to alleviate the discomfort.

Eyes are also a potential tick site. A dog's eyelids are always moist, and the skin is thin, providing great feeding grounds for ticks. Ticks around the eye area are frequently mistaken for skin tags or discharge, only to discover that the parasites have already been growing for days. Any strange lumps on the eyelids might be ticks, and if the dog is annoyed by a tick, it may rub or scratch its face more frequently. Continuous blinking or peculiar discharge might also indicate the presence of a tick.

Consult your veterinarian Kerrville TX about the best way to eliminate ticks from your pet and for protection from future infestations.

Highlights of the Breed: Border Collie

 

Border Collies are highly sensitive, responding to any command and predicting your desires before you even say them. They love to work— physical and mental stimulation are necessary so that they won't make their own mischievous game. Border Collies tend to herd all things that move— smaller animals, children, and cars. A well-fenced yard is necessary to prevent them from roaming around the neighborhood.

When children get noisy, a Border Collie's instinct may urge them to nudge, nip, and bark. Proper socialization is also necessary to prevent them from being shy. Although they aren't naturally inclined to roam, their smart and curious nature may urge them to escape.

To ensure you'll have a healthy pup, don't buy from puppy mills, irresponsible breeders, and stores. Instead, opt for reputable breeders who ensure that their dogs have a sound temperament and are not carriers of genetic problems.

Consult your vet Kerrville TX about the best ways to protect your pet from various health issues. 

Do Cats Get Cold?

 

Cats are versatile when it comes to adapting to their environment. However, they also succumb to hazardous health issues such as frostbite and hypothermia if temperatures drop too low. Many cat owners question how to determine if the weather is already too cold for their cats, especially during winter. Whether you have a cat that enjoys snuggling in the bed or one that likes chasing prey in the snow, it is essential to know how to protect it from the chilly weather.

Cold temperatures are not a problem for most cats. Cats that spend lots of time outside know when to return inside the house. However, it is best not to leave your cat outside overnight when the temperature drops to prevent frostbite and hypothermia. Veterinarians do not recommend letting pet cats outdoors without adequate protection from the freezing weather and predators. You may provide shelter in your yard should your cat desire to remain outside the house.

If your pet is showing signs of hypothermia, contact your veterinary hospital Kerrville TX immediately. 

Which Is The Best Dog Leash To Buy? – Tips and Recommendations

When selecting a leash, consider where and how you're going to use it. Is it for everyday use, indoor, outdoor, or distance command training?

Indoors

It's advisable to use the one made of long, thin, and rounded nylon. It's lightweight and not likely to get caught up on your furniture.

Outdoors

A nylon leash about 8-10 feet long is the best. But for distance command, 30-50 feet long is better. Either way, nylon webbing leashes are the best. Wear gloves to avoid having rope burns that result from slipping your hands through the cord when you and your dog pull the leash against each other.

Everyday Use

Get the traditional 6-foot long nylon/leather leash. Its length is just right to let your dog move freely while keeping him close and controllable. Leather and nylon are both excellent choices, but rubber and cloth are not since these materials aren't durable and strong enough.

Make sure that your pet’s preventatives and vaccines are up to date before outdoor excursions. Call your animal hospital Kerrville TX for more information. 

Puppy-Proofing Your Home

 

Adopting a new pup may be exciting, but you'll realize later on that your house isn't safe for puppies yet. Thus, you should puppy-proof your home first. You should know how - and when - to make your home safe for puppies before adopting a new puppy. Puppies are very energetic and curious creatures, so you should think a step ahead before pup accidents happen.

You probably haven't thought that some yard and indoor plants can be harmful to your pup. Here are some of the plants to keep away from your puppy:

●snake plants

●lilies

●oleander

There are also outdoor plants that can be toxic to your pup, such as palms (Sago and Areca) and weeping fig trees. Thus, keep them out of your puppy's reach.

However, you don't need to throw your beloved plants away. You can still keep them, but ensure that your plants aren't reachable to puppies.

If your pet is showing any signs of illness, contact your veterinary clinic Kerrville TX for an appointment.

What to Feed Your French Bulldog

 

For starters, here are the basics on feeding a bulldog:

●Use a straight-sided bowl with a flat bottom. Bowls with this structure make eating more comfortable for a bulldog.

●Opt to use a stainless feeding bowl. It gives so many advantages. First, stainless bowls are less likely to accumulate bacteria than plastic ones. It's also easier to clean. As a bonus, plastic bowls are longer-lasting.

On average, an English bulldog may live 8 to 10 years old. You can maximize your bulldog's life expectancy by providing a healthy diet with the right amount of carbs, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Remember that you should not overfeed bulldogs. They're prone to obesity and overeating. Thus, free-feeding may not be advisable for them. Lastly, there's no standard amount of food that bulldogs should eat. It depends on your dog's build, age, metabolism, and activity level.

Your veterinarian Kerrville TX is a valuable source of information about your pet's diet and nutritional needs.

Why Do Some Dogs Have Separation Anxiety?

 

There are many reasons why some dogs are anxious when their owner leaves. The level of their fear depends on the root cause. Here are the top reasons that may increase their anxiety:

●They never experienced a long separation from their owners before.

Dogs who aren't used to seeing their owners leave are prone to anxiety. Such cases are more likely during this pandemic when people are indoors most of the time. The sudden shift of our lives outdoors may be a shock for our dogs.

●They had a traumatic experience.

It is usual for dogs you adopt on the streets or in shelters. Dogs who experience abuse and other traumatic events are prone to have fears. Because of this, you should give them enough love and support.

●The fear is natural to them.

Some breeds are more likely to form anxiety. Other factors also include their mood and personality.

If you have concerns about your pet’s health and/or behavior, make an appointment with your veterinary clinic Kerrville TX.

Food Allergies In Cats

Every cat that has allergies to food will experience gastrointestinal distress, chronic infections of the ears, and itchy skin.  Common indicators include increased gassiness, diarrhea, or vomiting.  It does not matter if your pet cat has always been consuming the same kind of food ever since or recently just began eating a new type, allergies could happen anytime.

Diagnosing food allergies means your pet has to try hypoallergenic diets or novel ingredients as part of her meals.

Your veterinarian might also suggest meals tailored specifically just for your allergic cat.  If her symptoms go away while on that diet, then your pet cat has food allergies.  Allergies to medications are not common in cats, but adverse reactions could sometimes happen.

Symptoms differ but may include signs similar to having food allergies - hair loss, vomiting, fever, hives, and itching.  Severe cases of allergies could cause anaphylaxis - seizures, collapse, breathing difficulties, and perhaps death.  Should you have suspicions that your pet cat is not reacting well to medication, contact your veterinarians Kerrville TX immediately.

Supplements For Pets

Considering the various reasons why you would offer supplements to your pet, below are some of these common pet supplements.

Enzymes & Probiotics

For a lot of dogs that face digestive issues, they are usually missing something big - healthy bacteria in their gut.  Offering pet-friendly probiotics or digestive enzymes might ease the distress.  A lot of dogs benefit from regular enzymes with the once in a while probiotics for added support.

Micro Sea-Mineral Based Supplements

Through the generations of farm activities, small, trace minerals have gotten depleted from the soil.  Because of that, the chicken, cattle, and sheep that would be used to produce pet food do not contain the needed trace minerals, possibly causing your pets to become deficient in these minerals.  Sea-mineral-based supplements could provide the micro-minerals no longer found in the soil.

Glucosamine Chondroitin

Glucosamine is naturally found in the fluids that surround the joints, being a type of sugar that helps with cartilage building.  This has the reputation of being the ideal canine joint supplement.  In elderly dogs, it could improve mobility and relieve pain in the joints because the body’s ability to naturally produce Glucosamine declines.

Consult your veterinarian Kerrville TX about the best supplement for your pet.

Why Do Dogs Love To Chase Their Tails ?

Dogs are simply playful. One of the classic stuff they play is going in circles, chasing their tail.  You may see it funny looking at your dog twirling around, but there are numerous reasons for tail-chasing. The most common reasons are as follows: 

∙ Boredom. Your dog chases its tail maybe because it doesn't get enough physical stimulation. Increase your dog's daily activity and look for games to engage its mind, as well. 

∙ Puppy playfulness. You might have a puppy thinking of its tail as a toy to chase. It will grow out. 

∙ Fleas and ticks. When your dog chases its tail and tries to bite it, you need to check it for infestation. It is better to remove it. 

∙ Attention seeking. Dogs are naturally sociable. If they are getting enough attention, they will surely pull out for you to notice them. Your dog needs plenty of attention. ∙ Medical conditions. Obsessive tail-chasing from your dog can be due to an underlying health condition. Visit your veterinarian for an examination and find the cause of the problem. 

∙ Anxiety. One of the symptoms of anxiety is tail-chasing. If your dog has, repetitive behavior can be a source of comfort and serves as a stress reliever. 

If your dog keeps frequently chasing its tail or injury occurs, consult your veterinarian. They can identify any medical or behavioral problems and address them accordingly. It is better to act up before it becomes uncontrollable.

Your veterinarian Kerrville TX, the Compassionate Care Veterinary Hospital is a valuable resource when it comes to issues that affect your pet’s health and behavior.

Encouraging Your Pet Cat To Drink Enough Water

Cats don’t drink a lot of water by nature. Their drinking habits trace back to ancient days as desert felines that can withstand drought quite well. You might notice this from your cat as well. To encourage your cat to increase its water intake, here are some tips: 

• Place water bowls EVERYWHERE! The location of the bowls matters in places accessible to your cat. You may also offer varieties of your bowls and glasses to see what your cat likes.  • Keep the bowls and water clean. You may clean the bowls every other day. Change and keep the water fresh. Placing ice cubes in their water bowl can help as cats don’t like warm water. • Add flavor to your cat’s water.  

• Use drinking fountains. It is a fun way to encourage your cat to drink water. 

In addition, you may consider giving wet food to your cat. It can be a great way to introduce more liquid to your cat. Your cat needs to consume enough water to prevent dehydration that could lead to more serious conditions like kidney problems. Drinking water is essential for your cat to remain healthy and happy.

A sudden change in your pet’s drinking and/or urinating habits should be brought to the attention of your veterinarian Kerrville TX. To learn more visit their profile.

Protecting Your Pet From Fleas

To prevent flea infestation, you need to have a year-round flea control program. Aside from your pet, you should also include your pet’s immediate environment in the flea protection program. When there are fleas on your pet’s body, there will be fleas all over your house as well. Even if you have removed all the fleas on your pet, eggs, and larvae are still developing in your home, and they are sure to affect your pet again as soon as they mature. 

Thorough cleaning of the house is an effective way of getting rid of fleas. Vacuum the floors, furniture, and corners around the house because these are known hiding places of fleas, especially the eggs and larvae. In case your pet has a heavy flea infestation, you can hire a professional exterminator to help eradicate these pests from your home. 

Consult your professional vet clinic Kerrville TX about the best way to protect your pet from fleas and other parasites.

Should Cats Get Booster Shots ?

Young cats need protection from certain life-threatening diseases. This is why they need core vaccines as early as possible. 

In previous years, pet owners used to give booster shots for these core vaccines to continue getting protection from life-threatening diseases. But according to recent studies, booster shots might not be needed for all vaccines. There is not enough evidence to show that booster shots help.

If the pet owner wants to know the immunity level of the cat, they can ask the vet to conduct a blood test on the pet. These tests will know how much antibody is left in the cat, and if there is a need to get booster shots. 

But getting an annual blood test may be expensive in the long run. This procedure is even more costly than booster shots. You could also consider that a high count of antibodies does not equate to immunity to the disease. What's more, the procedure is also stressful for cats. 

If you have any questions and/or concerns about your pet’s vaccines or vaccination in general, don’t hesitate to talk with your veterinarian Kerrville TX. Click here to know more.

Affectionate Ways Dogs Show They Care

 

Dogs are very affectionate animals and they have various ways to show this to their pet owners. Like humans, the certain body language of dogs tells so much about what they feel at that moment. When their beloved owners come home, they greet them with happiness and they show this by wagging their tail. Some dogs may appear to be boisterous and hyperactive when the owner arrives. This can be an important sign of separation anxiety.  

You might have witnessed your dogs express the very adorable and irresistible “puppy dog eyes”. This looks like a sustained gaze that expresses attachment which is also how the mother expresses this affection to their puppies. 

The majority of dogs love cuddling and showing love to their humans. Because dogs are social creatures, they get so much pleasure when they are interacting with their humans and spending more time with them. 

If you have concerns about your pet’s behavior, contact your veterinarian Kerrville TX.

Neat Facts about the Brussels Griffon

Tiny dogs tend to come with a lot of personality and this is exactly what can be found with the Brussels Griffon. These purebred dogs are a rarity. They usually weigh around 8 to 10 pounds and are often described as having a very expressive and human like face. The Griffon is a toy breed, but don’t let their small size fool you. These dogs are exceptionally robust with square like frames. They may be small, but they are not considered dainty or fragile. The Griffon usually has a small bushy face with a pushed in nose. They are considered sturdy and very alert. They are extremely sociable and do well with most people and animals. They are not recommended in households with children under 5; however, as smaller children tend to play too rough. The Griffon is highly adaptable to home or apartment living as long as they are given plenty of exercise physically and mentally. Learn more from our vets Kerrville TX.