Why Pet Owners Should Take Ticks Seriously

It's worth noting that ticks have different species and that not all of them carry diseases. But the ticks we often find on our pets are in a different league. They're not only capable of carrying diseases, but these ticks can also transmit those diseases to humans.

Some of the symptoms you might experience include joint swelling, anemia, and fever. If that's not bad enough, consider that a tick can also give you paralysis. Can you imagine being immobile for several minutes, at least? Fortunately, these phenomena fade away soon after you receive treatment.

If your current neighborhood is a haven for ticks and you can't move out because of budget constraints, scan your pet's body every day. You must remove any tick you see on the spot because allowing them to multiply will cost you your animal's health.

Try to use pest-removing shampoos, and don't overdo it. Too much can also irritate your fur baby's skin, which would defeat the purpose. When going for walks, don't let your pet wander around, especially if there are bushes nearby. A thorough cleaning of the house would also help. Do it at least once a week.

Consult your veterinarian Ellicott City, MD about the best way to eliminate ticks from your pet and for protection from future infestations.

Tips For Choosing The Right Clothes For Your Dog

 

To ensure that your pet dog’s new threads fit properly, a measuring tape should be used to take some simple measurements.  Should you have an overly excited or very wriggly pet, you might want to ask someone else to help you and use your pet’s favorite treats so that you can have your pet behave as you measure him.

Most jumpers, coats, and jackets use a pet’s back length for measurements.  To find this, just measure the length from the base of your dog’s neck, around the collar, up to the tail’s base where his coat should end.  To find the chest measurement for your dog, gently circle the measuring tape around the part of his chest that is the widest.  The measuring tape should not be too tight, but just snug.  For neck measurements, use the same technique, but around your pet’s neck where his collar would typically be.

Your veterinarian Ellicott City, MD can enlighten you about important health issues that can affect your pet.

Protecting A Stray Cat From The Freezing Cold

 

Harsh weather makes stray cats suffer. Several stray cats die of cold and hunger due to the lack of sufficient food and a proper place to shelter them during the winter. As a cat lover, you may want to protect stray cats during this time of the year. Well, you can install a cat door in your house's garage. Be sure to consider some essential tips before doing that.

In setting up a cat door, ensure that your garage is cat-proof, meaning it's free from toxic substances that may harm cats. Remove any traces of antifreeze and such chemicals that other felines may ingest. Lastly, keep your lawn materials and garden products in a locked cabinet.

Also, consider the possible ways through which other animals may sneak into your house. Some small dogs or raccoons may get inside and stay because of the cats' food.

Signs of hypothermia exhibited by a cat should warrant an immediate visit to the nearest animal hospital Ellicott City MD.

Puppy Training Tip: Choose A Good Puppy Training Location

Potty training can be a challenging task for pet owners. When training your dog how to eliminate correctly, choosing a proper puppy training setting is critical since it reinforces the significance of not allowing your dog to go wherever it pleases. When your pup cannot go outdoors right away, you may use training pads to emphasize which areas are acceptable to use.

 

One way to be successful in potty training is firmness. Try to keep the potty in just one place for consistency whenever your puppy goes outdoors. If your yard is fenced in, keep your puppy leashed for a few months to set expectations. It is best to take it to the exact location each time so that your pet will regard that space as the official potty site that it should use when it needs to eliminate. Your puppy may attempt to push back, but stay strong and insist that it use the potty in the exact location.

 

Consult your animal hospital Ellicott City MD about the best ways to protect your pet from various health issues.

Helping Your Cat Overcome Fear

Do you have a feline friend that acts fearless and adventurous yet shows signs of distress during a thunderstorm or when there is a loud sound? Some felines get scared during these types of situations. If you have noticed that your kitty would begin to pace or break a sweat in these conditions, contact your veterinarian immediately. However, if you observed that your feline friend just goes into hiding when there is thunder or loud noise, there are some home remedies you can do to calm your cat down.

During a thunderstorm and you see that your kitty is scared, try to make a distraction and keep her preoccupied or take her somewhere else where it is quiet and not too noisy. Some ways to distract her are to provide her with toys, engage in playing with her, hand her some treats, or just relax with her on the sofa and read or watch some shows on TV as you would normally do. These activities could help keep your cat calm and relaxed.  When your cat senses that you are relaxed and at peace, they tend to mimic your tranquility.

If you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s health and/or behavior,  don’t hesitate to contact your animal hospital Ellicott City, MD.

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.

Allergies May Be Responsible For Your Dog’s Snores

When your dog snores, you might not be able to sleep well because you have to listen to his snore all night.

If your dog is suffering from allergies, he might tend to snore more. There are allergens, such as pollen, that are present in the air. Upon exposure to these allergens, you will notice that your pet’s snoring problem becomes worse. Aside from the substances present in the environment, your pet dog could be allergic to some ingredients in its diet.

Your dog could also feel uncomfortable inhaling secondhand or thirdhand smoke. Eventually, your pet might have difficulty breathing and will be evident when asleep. Most importantly, your dog’s continuous exposure to cigarette smoke could also lead to lung cancer.

You can consult your veterinarian Ellicott City, MD to know more about your dog’s allergies. Once you know what triggers the allergic reaction, you will be able to help manage your dog’s exposure to an allergen. Click here to know more.

Free-Feeding Puppies and Dogs

“Free-feeding” is a practice that involves leaving your pet’s meals out. This practice allows him to graze or nibble on his food throughout the entire day.

Since your dog’s food bowl will be accessible throughout the entire day, he can eat whenever he feels like it.  It is like a buffet table with just one kind of food being served but is always available.

It is somewhat like a food binge in the beginning, but then it gets a bit dull. This method is often regarded as bad practice by dog owners.

Two free-feeding methods are out there: uncontrolled and controlled variations of free-feeding.

Free-Feeding Uncontrolled

This method works by leaving a bowl of food out for your dog to eat.  The quantity of food is not measured.  You can also use an automated pet feeder.  The point here is that the feeding bowl is never empty, adding more when the food amount gets low enough.  You let your pet decide how much food to eat.

Free-Feeding Controlled

The controlled kind of free-feeding gives you some control.  The quantity of food left out for your pet is typically measured according to what your pet should have in a day, often seen on the labels of the dog food product, and is usually based on an animal’s weight.  The entire ration is put out for your pet to graze on for the entire day.

Your pet’s diet is one of the important concerns that you should discuss with your animal hospital Ellicott City MD during your pet’s wellness checks.

Symptoms Of Feline Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)

 

Cats afflicted with FLUTD urinate with difficulty.  Quite a number of conditions may be contributing to FLUTD.  Some of these conditions include infections of the urinary tract, bladder inflammation (cystitis), polyps in the bladder, bladder stones, stress, urethral plug, and perhaps even urinary tract cancer.  Even though there are a number of causes for FLUTD occurring, manifested symptoms are pretty much similar.

FLUTD symptoms

●Urination is painful

●No urine gets passed or very little urine even though the animal is already straining when peeing

●Inappropriate urination

●Urine has blood

●Licks the butt excessively

●Noticeable behavior changes

If you see your cat exhibit any of the symptoms above, make an appointment with your animal hospital Ellicott City, MD as soon as possible.  If a cat is not able to urinate, it can lead to complications.  Without effective and proper intervention and treatment, a blockage in the animal can be fatal.

Open Litter Boxes For Cats: Pros And Cons

 

 The most common type of litter box for cats is the open type. It is a tray that has a litter in it and with enough space for your cat to eliminate comfortably.

 Using the open litter box advantages:

●     The cheaper type of litter box compared to other types and will be able to suit your budget.

●     Refilling litter, disinfecting, and cleaning is easier to do with open type ones.

●     It’s accessible and easier to get in and out of so your cat might prefer it over the other types of litter boxes; they are also able to look for possible predators or threats that could be present in the surroundings while they are vulnerable and eliminating.

Disadvantages of using the open litter box:

●     Your cat could prefer having more privacy while eliminating thus would not like an open area.

●     You will have to clean it more often because the foul odor is not contained within.

●     Cats could eliminate outside of it because they are looking for a comfortable position and miss the insides of the box.

A sudden change in your pet’s litter box habits or elimination problems should require a visit to your local animal hospital Ellicott City MD. 

 

What Makes Dog Noses Extraordinary?

Dogs depend a lot on their sense of smell to learn more about their surroundings. That’s why a dog keeps on taking breaks during leash walks to sniff things out. This gem of knowledge can stop pet owners from being tempted to drag their dogs along during walks.

While all dogs are known for their excellent sense of smell, some breeds are far more superior when it comes to their sense of smell compared to other breeds. Hound breed dogs top the list of canine breeds with the best olfactory sense. Working dogs like Labrador retrievers and doberman pinschers also have outstanding smelling activities. Dogs with short faces, like the pug, may not be as sensitive to odors compared to hounds because the structure of their nasal passages compromise their airways as well as their ability to smell. Your veterinarian Ellicott City, MD is a valuable source of information about your pet’s health and behavior. Make an appointment today!

Feeding Senior Pets

Dogs are generally considered to be in their senior years when they are about 7-12 years of age. Large canine breeds enter the golden years earlier than smaller breeds of dogs. As for cats, they are considered to be seniors when they are about 10 years of age. Considering that they have entered a new lifestage, there is a need to switch to an appropriate diet to help keep them happy and healthy. Distinct body changes soon take place as they enter their senior years. Their metabolic rate decreases which is due in part to an overall decrease in the lean body mass as their body fat increases. This is one reason why senior pets tend to gain weight even if they are consuming the same quantity of food just a few years back. Your pet’s diet is just one of the important topics that you should discuss with your animal hospital Ellicott City, MD during your pet’s wellness check.

Can Diatomaceous Earth Be Used For Flea Control

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a traditional way of controlling insects including fleas and mites. It is made up of a type of algae called diatoms that have been fossilized. Diatoms have cell walls that is made up of silica which has a glass-like property, thus giving the cell walls glass-sharp edges. The edges can pierce the hard outer shell (also called exoskeleton) of insects, thereby killing them.

Diatomaceous earth is safe for use around pets and people. It is often spread on any surface, even carpets and pet bedding. However, there is a need to vacuum the area daily to remove DE and the dead fleas. The downsides of using DE include being messy and it can also irritate eyes and throat. It is also less effective in environments that are wet and humid .Putting on a mask before spreading the DE on the floor or any surface can help prevent the problem. It’s a good idea to consult your animal hospital Ellicott City, MD regarding flea or tick preventatives that can be used safely on your pet.

Preparing for a new pet

You have wanted to bring a new pet into your home for a while now and you want to make sure you are ready for your new addition to come into your family. What can you do to prepare?

Your pet will need to be able to have her needs met right away in her new living environment, so make a point to be there for her. You can prepare to do this by being aware of her needs and then making a point to be there to meet them as they become apparent. Preparing to do this will involve gathering any information and supplies needed for your new addition as well as making sure your home has been thoroughly pet-proofed. This will help you be ready for her immediately and allow you to get an idea of what pet care will look like in your home ahead of time. For more information, please contact your local vet clinic Ellicott City, MD.

Tips to Get the Most out of Your Catio

Your cat is sure to love his new catio, no matter how you design it! However, there are some things you can do to help your feline friend get the most out of his new space.

First, make sure there are plenty of places for your cat to lounge. Most felines like to be up high, especially when they’re outside. Window shelves and chairs are a good start, but you should also consider putting a cat tree in the catio.

Your cat can’t go out and play in the grass, but there’s no reason why you can’t bring a little greenery to him! Place potted plants that are safe for felines in the catio space. Not only will it make it more beautiful, your cat will love munching on the greenery!

For more catio tips, click here, or call your veterinarian Ellicott City, MD.

Is your family ready to care for a pet?

Your family means a lot to you, and they have been talking about bringing a pet into the household lately. You want to make sure you are ready to care for a pet before bringing one into your home. How can you do this?

Your family needs to be honest about what it takes to care for a pet. It is a daily commitment that requires a lot of time, money, and effort to keep up with. It will have an impact on every person in your home as well as on your living space. There are a lot of great things that a pet can bring into your life but there are also a lot of responsibilities that come with it as well, so you will need to make sure you can handle these. For additional information, please contact your local Ellicott City, MD veterinarian.

Why your bird needs time outside of her enclosure

Your feathery friend appreciates all you do for her and she knows that you likely spent a long time choosing her cage for her. However, she will still desire and need time outside of this space. Why is this?

Take the time to consider what life is like within a small area like a bird cage. It may be a nice space, but it is still very limited. This means that your pet will need to get out for a while in order to enjoy the open areas she can safely have access to. She can do different things in these spaces and she will be able to get some exercise while enjoying some time interacting with you. This also gives her a change of scenery, which can offer her some mental stimulation as well. For more information, please contact your local veterinary clinic Ellicott City, MD.