Some Interesting Information About Greyhounds

Muzzling a Greyhound is common, especially with retired racers. Greyhounds can't help but nip at their fellow dogs and may hurt smaller pups/animals once their prey drive gets to them. Rescue shelters usually advise adopters to muzzle their Greyhounds until the dog gets settled— during which time most owners can better grasp the dog's temperament.

Many people believe that Greyhounds, designed for running, can have destructive energy. Although this may be true, this breed also has a docile and quiet side. They love to nap and will thrive in apartments and small yards, with their low energy indoors.

Originating from North Africa and the Middle East, Greyhounds captured different cultures' admiration. The Greeks mentioned them, while the Egyptians illustrated them in art forms. They've also been praised in Roman poetry, and last but not least, they're the only dogs that the Bible mentions.

Your animal hospital London, ON is a valuable resource when it comes to issues that affect your pet’s health and well-being.

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. 

Four Phases of Epileptic Seizures in Dogs Like the Labrador Retriever

If your Labrador Retriever or other canine has been diagnosed with epilepsy, ask your vet to explain some of the signs and symptoms. Canine seizures are most often described as a disorder of the brain that cause seizures or involuntary body movements, convulsions or even fits. In general, a canine epileptic seizure can be split into four different phases. The first phase is the Prodrome phase in which your dog’s behavior will change. The second is the Aura phase in which the owner may notice their dog’s excessive pacing, vomiting, and whining. The third phase is the Ictus and involves the full seizure in which the dog may lose control, lose consciousness, and begin thrashing about. The fourth stage is called the Post-Ictal Stage. This stage marks the end of the seizure and lasts around 10 to 30 minutes. Schedule an appointment today with your vet London, ON for more information.

Golden Retrievers and Pool Water

 

With the warmer months finally here you may be planning to spend some time around the pool with your family and friends. If your Golden Retriever or other breed canine enjoys being near or in the water then he might be spending more time at the pool as well. Make sure your Golden has his own bowl of water when outside or around the pool. This will help keep him from drinking pool water. Pool water is not recommended for dogs or pets of any kind. Although the amount of chlorine in a well maintained pool is fairly low, it’s a good rule of thumb to keep your Golden from drinking it. If he does swallow pool water, just give your vet a call and find out if there’s anything you need to do. In most scenarios, an occasional drink will not hurt your pup, but it’s best to keep him away. Learn more from your vet London, ON.

Dehydration in Pet Dogs and Cats

Dehydration is common among pet dogs and cats. It occurs when a pet’s body loses more water than it actually takes in. Dehydration also happens when a pet suffers from persistent diarrhea, severe vomiting, fever, or heatstroke. Lack of water in the body affects the various bodily processes and proper functioning of body organs. There are simple ways to know if a pet is dehydrated. First, check your pet’s skin elasticity by gently pulling your pet’s skin and see how long it returns to position. If the skin takes more than two seconds, it means your pet is dehydrated. You may also run your fingers in your pet’s gums. If the gums are dry, your pet is dehydrated. You should seek help from your veterinarian if you suspect your pet is dehydrated to prevent its health condition from worsening. Your vet clinic London ON may give intravenous fluids as treatment.

Find Out If Homemade Cat Food Is Good

 

Cats need more meat in their diet because they are carnivores. There should be meat in their diet. Otherwise, health issues and nutritional deficiencies will emerge later on if they don’t get their required diet. Some pet owners are concerned because of cases of pet food recalls. So they start preparing homemade cat food. Although this is a good idea, homemade food might not have the right amount of nutrients. If the owner did not consult a pet nutritionist or veterinarian, the homemade food might not have enough nutrients. 

A cat’s nutritional needs change as they get older. A kitten has different nutritional and calorie needs than an adult and senior cat.  Here are some of the mistakes done when preparing food:

• Not enough meat is included in the formulation, which can lead to taurine deficiency
• Too much tuna is added to the food, which can lead to vitamin A toxicosis and bone and joint problems
• Too much raw fish is used that might destroy vitamin B1 in the body

If you want to prepare homemade cat food, it is best to consult your veterinarian London ON first.

Treating Dogs For Their Allergies

Like when treating humans, in dogs, allergy symptom relief is often medicated using antihistamines, or steroids in more severe cases.  These medications can provide momentary relief from the symptoms of the allergy, but they will not address the core cause of the issue.  Meaning, if your dog is once again exposed to whatever he is allergic to, then allergies will flare-up again.

 

For food or flea allergies, it is best to prevent the allergy before any flare-ups occur.  It is important to have an all-year-round flea prevention routine so that these allergies do not happen.  However, if you suspect that your pet is allergic to a certain food type, identifying which food type it is can take some time and is very challenging.  The trial and error method on food your dog eats is normally used to eliminate which specific ingredient your dog is allergic to.

 

Have regular communication with your veterinarians London ON, and keep them involved in trying to identify what your dog is allergic to.

Nutritional Needs of Your Pet

Your pet dog has specific nutritional needs. You cannot just feed him any food to suffice his needs. Hence, premium quality, life stage-appropriate pet foods are created to meet these needs. Dog food is formulated to meet the nutritional needs of a dog, and cat food is intended to meet the nutritional needs of a cat. Just like humans, your pet's nutritional needs may vary. A puppy requires different food from an adult dog. Further, a dog’s health problems should be taken into consideration and may need special dietary needs.

 

Here are some tips to consider to meet the nutritional needs of your pet:

●      Feed your dog with just the right amount of food.

Do not overfeed your pet dog. Overfeeding can lead to obesity and might cause him health problems like renal problems, heart disease, and more.

●      Choose your pet food wisely to avoid illnesses.

If you are apprehensive about his dietary needs, consult a veterinarian for what is best dietary for him.

 

If you have any concerns about your pet’s diet or appetite, talk to your animal hospital London ON.

Winter Walkways and Cats

Winter can bring all kinds of crazy weather to your neck of the woods. From snow fall and blizzards to ice storms and sleet, sometimes you never know what winter will bring. One thing’s for sure, if you have icy walkways then someone will most likely be pouring sand and salt on them to keep people from falling. That’s a great concept, but the chemicals in those products may harm your cat. During the winter months you should try and keep your Ragdoll clear of treated surfaces and walkways unless you know for sure they have been treated with a non toxic melting product such as Safe Paw. If you walk your cat, consider buying cat shoes or some other protective covering for your cat’s feet. You can also simply clean your Ragdoll’s feet after she walks on treated walkways. Call your vet clinic London ON for additional details., information and tips.

Celebrating your dog’s birthday

Your dog is a big part of your life and you want to make sure you are able to offer her lots of love each and every day. This is particularly true on the special days of the year, like her birthday.

To do this, take the time to think about what you can do so offer her ways to enjoy herself. This may mean adding on things you know she likes to your schedule for the day, or tackling something new entirely. Your dog will benefit from additional attention from you, so make a point to have some additional time set aside for her. Offering her a new toy or a special treat can help with this as well, so be aware of what you can bring into the day that would brighten her spirits a bit more. For additional information, please contact your local vet clinic London ON.

Is your cat ready to learn some new skills?

Your cat needs your help in order to lead a harmonious life within your household, as she needs you to offer guidance to show her what activities she can appropriately take part in. This makes you wonder – is she ready to learn new skills?

Your little fur ball needs to be able to understand what you are trying to teach her, so make a point to patiently show her this. Some breeds will be more receptive to training than others and each cat will have their own individual personality which may impact this. You will need to help your pet stay motivated to learn and interested in what you are teaching her in order for her to be ready to tackle new skills and learn from your time spent by her side. Your professional veterinary clinic London ON can offer additional suggestions.

Creating a space for your dog to play in

Your dog loves being able to enjoy herself in your home and you want to make sure you have a comfortable place for her to play. What should you do to make this happen?

Your pet will need you to take the time to think about her needs, as a lot of these will be met during playtime. This means that your little fur ball needs to be able to have the space to move about and get some exercise as well as some toys to enjoy playing with. Be sure to be with your pet to enjoy some playtime with her as well, since socialization will also be a big part of this time in her day. Offer her activities that will give her some mental stimulation as well. For additional information, please contact your local vet London ON.

Why your dog loves treats so much

Your dog loves being able to spend time in your home and she is particularly interested in the food within this space. Why are treats so important to her?

Your little fur ball enjoys munching on something tasty whenever she can. This means that she will likely be interested in any offerings that come her way. Treats help to satisfy her desire for a snack while also helping her feel accomplished in seeking out something to eat. She enjoys the multi-sensory experience that treats offer her and she likes the variety it gives her in her diet as well. This can also act as a reward for a job well done, particularly when it comes to training treats, so these can feel extra satisfying because of this. Your local Vet London ON can help you better understand your pet.

Your dog and her bed options

Your dog needs a place to rest and relax. How can you weed through all the bed options out there to help her get what she needs?

It’s important to consider your pet’s habits as well as her preferences in order to determine what would help her rest peacefully. This allows you to look into different shapes, sizes, and materials to help your dog feel at ease in her bed. Your pet will need you to take the time to determine the ideal places to put her bed before purchasing one, as this may narrow your choices down further. Think about how durable your choices are, as you will want the bed to last a while, and make a point to choose a bed that you can easily keep clean for your little fur ball. Your local trustworthy veterinarian London ON can offer additional suggestions.

Helping a shy cat come out of her shell

You have a cat in your life who you love very much and you want her to be comfortable in your home. How can you help her come out of her shell a bit and interact with the family more often?

Your little fur ball needs you to understand that she will generally become more comfortable in your home as she gets used to it, but there are some things you can do to help move the process along. Think about your pet’s needs and make sure they are met in a timely manner and then take the time to cater to some of her preferences as well. Have some fun activities on hand and some interesting toys ready for use. Encourage her to come out and see you, but don’t force her to if she isn’t ready yet. Your local animal hospital London, ON can help you better understand your pet.

Doggy day care basics

Your dog loves spending time in your home, but there will likely be times that you need to head out for the day and need someone to look after your pet. How can a doggy day care center help you with this?

Your pet needs frequent attention and this means that you will have to offer her lots of care. If you are unable to do so during the day, you can drop your pet off at a day care center that will meet her needs in your absence. This will give your pet the opportunity to get the attention she deserves, socialize a bit, get some exercise, and enjoy some time playing. You can pick her up at the end of the day knowing that she has been well-cared for. Your local vets London, ON can offer additional suggestions.

Why so many people love leopard geckos

You have been looking at all the wonderful reptiles that are out there and you’ve noticed that a lot of people share their homes with leopard geckos. Why is this?

Leopard geckos are pets that garner a lot of attention because they are interesting to spend time with and rather receptive to interaction in comparison to some other reptiles. They are also relatively easy to care for, allowing a wider group of people to bring them home. Their habitats are manageable and they don’t need a huge amount of space to feel at ease in a home setting. These lizards are impressive to look at, and are often found in pet stores. They are also rather cost-effective when it comes to both the initial purchase as well as on-going care expenses. For additional information, please contact your local animal hospital London, ON.

Why your cat needs a break-away feature on her collar

Your cat needs you to offer her a collar she can wear to let others know that she has a home to call her own. Why must this include a break-away feature?

A break-away feature allows your pet to easily remove her collar if she gets it stuck on something. This may seem like a negative feature if you want your pet to keep her collar on, but it is essential in order to keep your pet safe. Because your little fur ball could get herself into tight spots and sticky situations, she may find herself unable to break free without this feature on her collar. If she happens to snag it on something and can’t back her head out of her collar, she would otherwise be stuck. A break-away feature will help her get home to you much more easily. Your local vets London, ON can offer additional suggestions.

Should you bring home a cat tree?

You have a feline friend in your life and you are happy to offer her everything she needs to thrive in your care. Should you bring home a cat tree for her?

Your pet needs to be able to move throughout your home with confidence that her needs will be met. This means that she will require plenty of pet supply items to help her stay healthy and happily entertained. A cat tree can help with this because it offers her a space she can call her own. It can be helpful to you as well since it can take the place of several pet supply items that your pet needs within her living space. This multitasking item can help your pet have a spot to relax, play, scratch on, climb on, and view her living space from. For more information, please contact your local vet London, ON.

Rabbits and Eye Injuries

An eye injury in a rabbit is a common occurrence and should not be cause for alarm. Instead, remain calm and take a look at your rabbit’s eye to determine the severity of the injury. In most cases, a rabbit will simply scratch his eye either because something has gotten caught in the eye (i.e. dust, bedding, etc.) or he has scratched his eye with his own nails while grooming or rubbing at the eye. For small irritations due to debris in the eye or small scratches, your rabbit’s eye will most likely be watery and irritated or even inflamed. Your vet may recommend you flushing the eye out with a recommended eye solution. If you notice any kind of green or yellow discharge coming from the eye then there’s more than a simply scratch going on. This could be sign of a possible infection and requires immediate care from your London, ON veterinarian.