Why Do Cats Like Boxes?

 Cats love to play with boxes and cartons, as is well known. In reality, cats are drawn to these common objects for various reasons.

First, cats are naturally curious animals, and boxes provide an ideal opportunity for them to explore and investigate their surroundings. The enclosed space of a box also provides a sense of security, which can be comforting for cats.

In addition, cats love to hide and ambush their prey, and boxes provide the perfect place to do so. They can pounce on unsuspecting prey (or their owners' feet) from inside the box, satisfying their natural hunting instincts.

Lastly, boxes and cartons can be a source of entertainment and stimulation for cats. They can scratch, chew, and bat at the cardboard, providing a satisfying sensory experience.

So, the next time you see your feline friend playing with a box or carton, remember that it's not just random behavior - it's a natural and enjoyable pastime for her. Providing her with a variety of boxes and other safe toys can help keep her happy and engaged.

Your veterinarian San Diego, CA is a valuable resource regarding issues affecting your pet’s health and behavior.

Training And Exercise Needs Of Dachshunds

The stubborn attitude of Dachshunds is often why their owner has difficulty training them. However, this situation can be counter-attacked by incorporating treats and rewards during training. All dogs love being rewarded; the Dachshund is the same. Aside from his stubbornness, your dog's training can also be distracted when there is prey or a strong smell around that might catch his attention. Thus, it is necessary to ensure that your training area is free from any possible distractions. Bag some packs of patience because you'll need it to train your dog successfully. 

If you have a wide yard, it can be renovated and transformed to be your dog's play area. Make sure that the fence is high enough to keep him from escaping. Don't leave your Dachshund alone for a long time since it can cause him to feel lonely and bored. You won't want to see him in these two states. 

Exercise is not only necessary for big dogs. Even small dogs like the Dachshund needs exercise to stay fit and healthy. Exercise will also enhance their muscles for their daily activities. Minimize the running and jumping activities as much as possible since they can injure your dog.

If you have any concerns about your pet's health and/or behavior, make an appointment with an animal care San Diego, CA.

Cat Breed: Chantilly-Tiffany

Have you heard about the Chantilly-Tiffany cats? The name of these cats sounds luxurious. These cats originated from a pair of unidentified chocolate-colored kittens. They have a reputation for being friendly, sociable, and chatty. Initially, they were called Foreign Longhair. 

The Chantilly-Tiffany cat adores people and develops close relationships with the essential individuals in their lives. She is incredibly friendly and affectionate. This would make it easier for you to bond with her. However, this behavior also comes with cons. This also implies that she would struggle if left alone for extended periods. This cat enjoys company for cuddling, playing, or even chatting.

The International Cat Association gave this cat formal recognition in 1994. Although the breed is often regarded as generally healthy, arranging frequent wellness examinations with her veterinarian is necessary to ensure her health and well-being. She can avoid obesity and digestive issues, which are common among Chantilly-Tiffanys.

Your pet will benefit from regular health and wellness checks at your veterinary care San Diego, CA.

Keeping Your Cat Safe When Introducing A New Dog And Vice Versa

 

To keep your cat safe when introducing her to a new dog, don't bring your cat to see the dog in the shelter. They can meet each other at home instead.

Likewise, when you're introducing a new cat to your dog, refrain from bringing your pooch to the shelter as he may scare the cats. It's also not a good factor in how your dog may react when bringing the kitty home.

A better thing to do is ask the adoption counselors about which cats are most likely to befriend a dog. Confident cats, for instance, do fine with dogs given controlled conditions. However, if that isn't possible, you may apply an alternative way by bringing in your friend's or relatives' dog-friendly cat. The least you can do is bring in your new cat and introduce her to your dog.

Your pets will benefit from regular health and wellness checks at your animal care San Diego, CA. 

Cold Weather Pet Care

 

When winter arrives, expect that your dog may experience a few issues with his skin and coat. In particular, the skin of your pup can become itchier, drier, or flakier because of the cold yet dry weather. The paws of your dog can also be affected as they become chapped.

Can you address these issues? Yes, you can by following the below tips:

Give your dog fewer baths than the routine. The goal of doing this is to retain the essential oils of the skin and prevent it from becoming excessively dry.

Keep the humidifiers inside your home going to support skin moisturization.

Use a special shampoo on your dog to keep his coat moisturized and to avoid itchy skin.

Do not completely shave the coat of your dog during the cold season. Doing this will give your dog natural protection against extreme cold weather.

Trim the fur between the paw pads of your dog to avoid the formation of ice balls.

If your pet is showing signs of hypothermia, contact a veterinary hospital San Diego, CA immediately so you can be instructed on what to do. 

What Should I Do If My Dog Or Cat Eats Acetaminophen?

 

Accidents may happen no matter how supervised or hands-on you are to your pets. Some things happen unexpectedly and may even go out of hand. 

But, understand that you may employ some strategies to help you address these inevitable accidents, such as when your cat or dog eats acetaminophen.

• The first thing you can do when the exposure just happened is to call your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline, an animal poison control center (800-213-6680). Do this right away when your pet is not showing indications of exposure yet.
• If your pet is already showing indications of anxiety or distress, rush your pet to the nearest animal hospital San Diego, CA. Bring with you the pills and the bottle. You must also know the details regarding the incident, including

Type of medication

Amount ingested

Time ingested

Signs

Can You Feed Your Pet Dog Scraps?

Be sure that you are feeding your pet dog a balanced and complete commercial diet.  If you add something that is not balanced and complete, it could mess up his diet.  Generally, you do not want to offer table scraps to your dog.  But if you are the type who likes to offer treats to your pet outside of the normal feeding times, ensure that you offer treats that are healthy.  Also, be sure that treats are not going over 10 percent of your pet’s daily calorie intake recommendations.

Knowing this, cannoli and spaghetti should not be offered to your dog.  Try some turkey or vegetables like cooked peas.  Small pieces of cooked lean meat are ideal.  Small quantities of fruits and vegetables too, except grapes, raisins, and onions.  Just do not cook them with too much salt and butter.  Dogs seem to like celery, carrots, and various other vegetables that you would think otherwise.  Some dogs even like bok choy.  Do not offer food items that have macadamia nuts and chocolate because these could be harmful to dogs.  Before offering a new type of doggie treat to your pet, ensure that it is not toxic to him.

A sudden change in your pet's appetite and/or eating habits should warrant a visit to your animal hospital San Diego CA. 

Are Essential Oils Safe For Pets?

 

Since the dawn of civilization, humans have been using various kinds of essential oils on their skin or in their immediate environment. However recently, aromatherapy or the process of diffusing different essentials oils for holistic healing has become a fashion.

Aromatherapy gurus recommend not using essential oils in the same closed spaces as your pets, without the approval of veterinarians who are familiar with essential oils therapy. As a general rule, as long as the room has good ventilation and pets may get out of the rooms by themselves, using essential oils should be okay.

Do note that the majority of pets are quite sensitive to smell. And while they vary in terms of sensitivities, in general, stronger smells can overcome their systems and may cause errant behavior.

Your veterinarian San Diego, CA is a valuable resource when it comes to your pet’s health and needs. Read more here.

Fatty Liver Disease in American Curls

 

Did you know that fatty liver disease is one of the most common and most severe forms of liver disease in felines? The disease has no preference of breed, age, or sex. The main function of the liver of an American Curl, for instance, is to produce chemicals necessary for digestion and the detoxification of the body. Fatty liver disease occurs when large amounts of fat are deposited into the liver. For reasons often unknown, an American Curl will start to lose weight and become undernourished even though his diet hasn’t changed. As a result, his body will transfer fat reserves to the liver to be converted into the proteins needed for energy. An American Curl’s liver is unable to handle this large amount of fat and may become swollen. In addition, the liver is no longer able to process other materials including red blood cells. Call your pet clinic San Diego CA to learn more.

Pets And Medications -- How To Avoid Adverse Reactions Against Medicines

Side effects and adverse reactions from vaccines, medications, and grooming products such as shampoos are common in pets. Knowing what to do when this happens is important for pet owners.

Pet owners should be aware of the side effects that these may have on their pets. They should also be able to identify signs and symptoms should these manifest upon ingestion or application of certain medications and products. Itching, inflammation, hair loss, hives, skin infection, ear infection are among the common adverse reactions. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea are also a possibility; respiratory symptoms include difficulty breathing; other reactions include drooling, seizures, and collapse.  

Adverse drug reactions can be very unpredictable and have a sudden onset. However, there are preventive measures to avoid adverse drug reactions. As pet owners, it’s your responsibility to familiarize yourselves with the medication that would be prescribed by the veterinarian including its potential side effects. Notify the veterinarian first should you wish to give your pets any medications or supplements on top of those prescribed already. Each pet you have in your household should have its separate medication and supplements. Be guided by the instructions about the right dosage and proper drug administration provided by your veterinarian San Diego, CA.

Ticks in Pets

What are ticks? Ticks are bug-looking parasites that feed the animal host’s blood to survive. Pets typically get ticks from outdoors, especially in places that have grass or bushes. So, they are at risk when the weather is warm as pets do more activities outside the house such as hiking, walking, or playing at the park. When traveling, pet owners should take extra caution when in places that have a high tick population. Ticks are also disease carriers and as such, are harmful not only to pets but to pet owners too.

Pet owners can remove ticks in their pets by using specially-formulated treatment products such as soap, shampoos, sprays, powders, dips, topical spot-on, medicated pills, and tick collars. Some pet owners employ natural ways to treat ticks like using a homemade spray solution or essential oils. 

Before purchasing a product or making a homemade remedy, consult first with your animal hospital San Diego CA on the most effective tick treatment appropriate you should give to your pet.