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.

Can Your Pet Overconsume Water?

 

If your pets ingest water just a little too much, it could also cause critical health issues. Medical, behavioral, and psychological issues can cause an excessive intake of water. But whatever the root cause is, your pet is at risk.

When your pets increase their water intake, called polydipsia, unnecessary stress is placed on the animal’s urinary system. This leads to more frequent urination and larger urine volume called polyuria. Quite a number of reasons for conditions like these include liver and kidney diseases, hyperthyroidism, and diabetes mellitus.

Be more attentive to your pet’s urination habits as well as how much water is taken so that any noticeable increases can be brought to the attention of your veterinarian. Waiting longer can result in complications and higher health risks for your pet. Inform your vet London ON and schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

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.

Health Checks For Pet Cats

 

Regular health checks are important for cats. It’s one of the best ways to take a proactive approach to your pet’s health and well-being. 

Kittens from reputable breeders have received their first dose of vaccinations when they arrive in their new homes. It will be the responsibility of the new owner to get copies of the kitten’s vaccination certificates from the breeder or previous owner and making sure that the kitten’s vaccinations are up-to-date by taking the kitten to the vet on the specified dates for booster shots. A visit to the vet clinic for a new kitten wellness check should also be included in the ‘to-do’ list of new kitten owners. The purpose of this initial visit is to make sure everything is fine with the new kitten. Be sure to bring your kitten’s vaccination and health records so they could be filed at the clinic’s database. The information in these records is very important for your pet’s medical history documentation. It is also a good idea to make a list of questions or concerns about your pet that you could share with your veterinarian London ON during your pet’s wellness check.

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.

Why your dog begs for a bite of your meals

Your dog has a lot of interesting habits, but there are certainly some that make more sense to you than others. For example, why does she tend to beg for a bite of your food when she has some of her own?

Your pet is instinctually always on the lookout for food, as this has helped to keep her wild ancestors well-fed. This means that even if she is full, she may seek out the opportunity to munch on something else if she can. Your little fur ball likely thinks you will share with her if she makes her desire known, so she begs for food to let you know she wants some. She may also be interested in your meal because it simply smells good or looks interesting to her and she wants to check it out up close. For more information, please contact your local vet clinic London, ON.

When To Take Your Dog To The Vet

Proper veterinary care is just one of the basic needs of pets that every pet owner must commit to throughout their pet’s entire lifespan. If you want your pet/s to have a long, healthy, and happy life, you should be proactive when it comes to their health and well-being. Regular interaction with your pet will enable you spot early signs of medical problems that need to be brought to the attention of a veterinarian so it can be given professional help before a problem can become complicated and difficult to treat. Lethargy and sudden changes in the animal’s appetite are symptoms that should never be ignored especially if they have lasted for more than a day. If your usually active dog suddenly spends more time sleeping and has less interest in what’s happening around him, you should make an appointment with your animal clinic  London, ON sooner rather than later.

The Australian Cattle Dog

If you are seeking a highly active dogs that enjoys an outdoors and on the go lifestyle then check out the Australian Cattle dog. This breed originated in Australia in the 1800s. The breed is actually a cross between the Blue Merle Collie and the Australian Dingo. The breeds were crossed in an effort to create a dog that could drive cattle and other livestock across open plains, rocky terrain, and long distances at a time. The Australian Cattle dog can do all of that. In addition, the dog is highly intelligent, athletic, and extremely devoted to his job and loyal to his family. This particular breed does well at adapting to various environments which is also a plus. The Australian Cattle dog should get about 2 to 3 hours of exercise or activity a day to help keep in shape and burn off energy. Give your vet clinic London, ON a call to learn more.

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. 

What to do with your Cat in Emergency Situations

It’s important to plan ahead for emergencies so that when the time comes you will have a plan in place. For instance, should you get sick and need to go to the hospital for a few days, what will happen to your cat? Contact your vet or local boarding facility and ask if you can have them on an emergency contact list for emergency boarding. Ask a few friends or relatives if they would be willing to be on the emergency list to take your cat or visit your house to take care of your cat should you need them. In case of evacuation emergencies, find out before an emergency hits what the local shelters are. Call officials and ask if those shelters accept cats. If not, call around to human societies, shelters, and boarding facilities to ask if they take cats temporarily in evacuation situations. For more ideas, call your vets London, ON.

How your cat can enjoy time with others

Your cat wants to be able to socialize when the mood strikes her, but she typically sticks to interacting with you since she knows you the best. How can you help her learn to enjoy time with others?

Your pet may need the time to get familiar with another individual if she is to spend time with them. Bring potential playmates around often, and let your pet observe them from afar. Make sure that the individuals are aware of your pet’s preferences and make an effort to welcome her into the area they are spending time in. Your pet should be encouraged to approach them in her own time, as forcing her to get a closer look may cause her to retreat for a longer period of time and be even more cautious. For additional information, please contact your local London, ON veterinarian.

What’s in your Pet’s Food? - Do you have a reason to be afraid?

Definitely. For many holistic veterinarians, the ingredients which are used in commercial dog foods today have contributed to an unprecedented rise in dog allergies, cancer, and even behavioral problems.

Your pet’s nutritional needs are one of the most important tasks you have to undertake as a responsible dog owner. Thus, when you are in the process of choosing which dog food brand you should buy, you should take time to get familiar with individual ingredients, how they are processed and packed. Once you will have a working knowledge of what matters and what does not, you can breathe a little easier.

With so many horror stories linked to undesirable and unwholesome substances or ingredients present in dog food, it is high time for dog owners to take an active stance in ensuring that their pets receive the most nutritious and wholesome dog food that they can get their hands on. Studies have shown that many of the health problems suffered by dogs today are linked to an unhealthy diet. This does not refer to table scraps that some dogs may have access to but to the well-advertised premium and prescription dog foods which are available commercially.

Your veterinarian London, ON is an important source of information when it comes to your pet’s diet and nutritional needs.