Cocker Spaniel Personality

 

Well-bred Cockers are sweet, cuddly, affectionate, and love to be included in the activities of the family. They're alert, playful, active, and do well with exercises like hunting and brisk walks. However, they're physically and mentally sensitive. Harsh treatment is highly discouraged as it only leads to snapping and growling. Cocker Spaniels need early training and socialization, but be kind and careful to them.

With that, Cocker Spaniels are prone to temperament and health problems. Before buying a dog of this breed, be sure to carefully cross-check the people or places where you're planning to get your pup. Choose trusted breeders instead of puppy mills, pet shops, and backyard breeders. Aside from doing a health check, reputable breeders consider the dog's temperament, too. Before breeding, they ensure that the parent dogs don't have any genetic disorders that their puppies may be born with.

A sudden change in your pet’s behavior should warrant a visit to your animal hospital New Orleans, LA. 

Tips For Choosing The Right Bed For A Dog With Arthritis

When dogs suffer from arthritis, they usually have an extremely difficult time sleeping, so they must have a bed that is the most appropriate fit for them. Commercial dog beds most commonly accommodate arthritic dogs who have several problems with their joints. These beds allow them to sleep more peacefully despite their painful joints.

Before getting the commercial dog bed, you should measure your dog while he’s laid down and the legs are extended as well. Measure all pertinent parts of his body while adding five extra inches to make it fit more comfortably for your pet dog. Make sure there’s sufficient space for your dog to move around completely without falling off. A bed with a narrow space will worsen the pain in your canine’s joints.

Your dog who suffers from arthritis will benefit from having an appropriate orthopedic dog bed that contains a foam lining that supports your dog’s body. The dog bed that has lining and padding on each corner will make your dog more comfortable as he moves in his sleep all through the night.

Work with your pet clinic New Orleans LA in managing your pet’s arthritis symptoms. 

Tips For Puppy-Proofing Your Home

Bringing a new pet home is probably the most exciting feeling a pet owner would feel. However, the reality is, before getting a puppy, you should first consider the potential hazards throughout your house. Puppy-proofing is essential in ensuring your puppy is safe and healthy in its new environment. Puppies are incredibly energetic and always curious. Hence, it is necessary to anticipate the potential dangers they may experience at home, indoors, and outdoors.

Outdoors, yard plants can be dangerous. There are several typical home and yard plants that pet owners do not consider poisonous to their pets. Snake plants, oleander, and lilies are examples of house plants that pet owners should keep inaccessible from the new puppy or any other pets. You do not need to remove these plants from your yard. You may arrange them in an area where your puppy will not have access.

Your pet will benefit from regular health and wellness checks at your pet hospital New Orleans, LA. Click here to know more about their services. 

Dog Toy Safety Tips: Toy Parts

 

If you are looking for the appropriate toy for your pet dog, one of your considerations would be to check its material and composition. A safe pet toy should meet your dog’s preference, your criteria as owner, and detachable parts. You don’t want to give toys to your pet that might come apart.

Similarly, you might want to think twice about giving plush toys to your pet dog.  Although plush toys are great for fetching and chasing, this is not a good toy for your pet. This toy is soft, and your dog will have no problem chewing and ingesting the parts when you are not around. You might have to bring the pet to the hospital.

A safer option would be to get rubber toys. A rubber toy is a safer option because it is durable. You will not have to worry about your dog playing with it unsupervised. But don’t forget to account for the size and the dog’s fondness for biting.

Your vet New Orleans LA is a valuable resource when it comes to your pet’s health and needs.

Introducing A New Pet To A Multi-Pet Household

 

Reactions to unusual things can be varying at times. May it be a new friend, new neighbors, new environment, or any other stuff that is quite unfamiliar. The need to cope up is a must. Such things can happen to our pets too. The arrival of a new pet to the household can be stressful to resident cats. Regardless of whether the newest addition is a dog or cat, there is a need for a period of transition, a time for resident pets and new pets to get used to each other’s presence so they can live harmoniously under one roof.

While some resident pets can easily adjust to the new pet with no major issues, some can have a hard time. Ideally, you should have prepared a room where the newest addition will spend time while adjusting to the new environment. The new pet’s food bowl, water bowl, blanket, litter box, toys, and other essentials should already be in the room before the arrival. The room or area should be off-limits to resident pets to reduce stress during the transition.

Your new pet will benefit from regular health and wellness checks at your animal hospital New Orleans, LA. Click here.

How Much Should An Adult Dog Eat ?

 

When feeding your adult pet, it should be according to his energy output and physical size. To make it easier, dogs with an activity level that is normal should have “maintenance” energy. When a pet regularly exercises outdoors, he may be required maintenance plus twenty to 40 percent more, while pampered ones might only require ten percent of that. 

When you start to learn about your pet’s amount of ideal “maintenance”, you might want to adjust his portions. It is best to consult a veterinarian to know what type of food and what is the best schedule when feeding your dogs.

Temperature, along with other outside factors, contributes to the amount of food your pet should be fed with. Extreme cold or hot weather can also add to a pet’s needs in terms of energy, since keeping cool or warm needs extra expenditure of energy. 

If you have concerns about your pet’s diet or eating habits, contact your vet hospital New Orleans, LA. Click here to know more.

Switching Your Pet Ferret’s Food

Are you looking to switch your pet ferret's diet anytime soon? You should not do the switch too hastily. There must be a transition and you should do it with careful consideration. You should introduce your beloved pet ferret to the new diet in a gradual manner so you won't encounter any problem later on. Once you have decided to really make the switch in terms of the diet, you need to start gradually and feed your pet ferret in small quantities of the new food or diet first. Start by offering the new food using a proven technique: by putting it in your hand and let your pet ferret explore it. Allow your ferret to smell it, look at it, and then taste it, and see his reaction to it. The ferret would be willing to try the new food in your hand than if it was placed on the floor or in his food bowl. 

Consult your local veterinarians New Orleans LA for more information about your pet ferret’s diet.

Attention-Seeking Behaviors In Cats

Cats are quite notorious for flashing a variety of behaviors just so they can get the coveted attention of their respective owners. If you have owned or observed a cat long enough, you would be familiar with or be able to find out the host of attention-getting behaviors of cats and differentiate them from signs or behaviors that signify anxiety or even illness.

Illness

They are several signs or behaviors shown by cats that indicate a medical problem or illness. For instance, if your beloved furry feline friend is meowing in an unusual way, or his meow sounds he's upset or alarmed, he might be experiencing a health problem or he is in pain, hungry, or thirsty.

Attention-Seeking Behaviors

Cats seem less social and friendly than dogs are, but they also love company, especially of their owners or the people in the household. If they want attention or their owner is ignoring them, they will wail or meow.

Sudden changes in your pet’s behavior should warrant an appointment with your animal hospital New Orleans LA. 

Hypoglycemia In Toy Breed Dogs

Hypoglycemia occurs when there is a dip in blood sugar, way below the normal healthy levels. Its occurrence can be associated with various situations such as:

l  Diabetes mellitus –hypoglycemia occurs when a dog receives an excess amount of insulin.

l  Too much exercise without enough intake of food. This situation is common among dogs with jobs.

l  Xylitol toxicity

l  Insulinoma

l  Hypoglycemia of small dog breeds

Hypoglycemia in toy dogs is often brought about by their small sizes. As puppies, their tiny bodies are unable to maintain a normal body temperature. Also, their teeth develop later in life compared to other breeds. This can make it hard for them to consume adequate nutrition. These are important factors that can increase their risks of developing hypoglycemia.

Puppies of toy dog breeds can also develop hypoglycemia when they have a heavy parasite infestation (external or internal) or they are suffering from bouts of diarrhea. Anything that brings their appetite down can make them more prone to hypoglycemia.

Dogs suffering from hypoglycemia appear wobbly, have body tremors, experience seizures, become unconscious, and may exhibit extreme listlessness.

Consult with your veterinarians New Orleans, LA about the best way to protect your pet from hypoglycemia.

Why Dental Health Is Important In Pets

Tooth and gum problems are among the top health issues that affect cats and dogs. Pet owners play an important role in their pet’s healthcare and one of its important components is dental health. You should make a habit of checking your pet’s mouth regularly to spot any sign of a problem that needs to be brought to the attention of your veterinarian. Your pet can also benefit from a regular home dental regimen that includes daily tooth cleaning with a tooth brush or dental wipes.

When a cat or dog is suffering from a periodontal problem, bacteria in the mouth can enter the blood circulation when they chew. This can lead to a condition called bacteremia, which can be life-threatening as it has been identified as an important predisposing factor to bacterial endocarditis, a serious disease affecting the heart valves. Bacteria in the blood can also have an adverse effect on major organs of the body with the highest flow of blood, such as the kidneys, lungs, nervous system, and liver.   

Your pet will benefit from regular dental checks at a vet clinic New Orleans, LA.