Is It A Good Idea To Share Your Food With Your Dog?

 

It is a common practice among pet owners to share their table food with their dogs. There are instances when the dog is introduced to “mixed feeding” wherein he is given human food or may also be given dog food.

This habit is not recommended by vets as it imposes a big risk to a dog’s health. Chances of obesity, and developing other health issues such as fatty liver disease, heart problems, and digestive issues are high. Also, since most human food is high in sugar and preservatives, your dog is at risk of getting diabetes.

The best thing to do if you are unsure of what to feed your dog is to consult a vet. Your vet Washington DC will guide you and will provide recommendations as to the best meal plan for your dog. A vet may also provide a feeding schedule that you can follow to establish a healthy eating pattern for your dog.

Ways To Keep Your Cat Healthy and Happy

 

It is every pet parent’s responsibility to ensure their pets’ welfare and good health at all times. 

Here are simple ways to keep your cat healthy and happy:

Provide your cat with a balanced diet that is tailored to her nutritional needs. Her diet and the amount of food you should give are dependent on a lot of factors such as age, size, and activity level. 

Keep your cat hydrated. Your cat should have access to fresh water daily. Cats are fascinated with moving water, so a water bowl or container in fountain form might be a good way to motivate your cat’s water intake. 

Make regular visits to the vet. Regular visits to a vet who specializes in cat care will go a long way in detecting illnesses in the early stages and preventing future ones. 

Make time for play. Provide your cat with opportunities for physical and mental stimulation.   

Your pet will benefit from regular health and wellness checks at your nearest animal hospital Washington DC. 

Is Your Pet Safe In The Cattery?

 

You may be hesitant to leave your cat behind, but you have no other choice because you cannot bring her in your holiday or business trip for more than two days.

The usual practice of fur parents going away for a few days is to leave their beloved felines in a boarding cattery. If you have not done this before, do not worry because there are boarding catteries that are well-maintained and can give you the best service. 

In choosing a cattery, take note of the following:

• Cattery physical design - Choose a cattery with individual cat units for the safety and protection of the cats.
• Cattery with individual areas - Choose a cattery that offers individual play areas for cats who do not enjoy hanging out with cats they do not get along with. This practice will help prevent competition or fights between the felines. Communal spaces may even put your cat at risk of having diseases. So, avoid these communal areas.

Take a proactive approach to your pet’s health with regular health and wellness checks at your animal hospital Washington DC. 

Tear Stains And How To Remove Them

There are pet owners concerned with removing any tear stains from their pets, most especially if they overproduce tears.  Tear stains become very visible if a dog has white fur.  Any tears that stay too long on a dog’s fur will solidify into gunk, eventually becoming stains.  There are many reasons why a dog will tear excessively, like fungal or bacterial infections.  To remove this, wash your pet’s face regularly using soap and clean water.  Or you can use a moist cloth to wipe the gunk away.  Further irritation can be avoided by preventing the shampoo or soap from getting into your dog’s eyes.  Try to blow-dry the fur around his eyes as well so that stain formation is minimized.  Frequent washing of your pet’s face will temporarily control stain formation, but it will be best if you take your dog to your vet hospital  Washington DC to find out if there is an underlying cause to the excessive production of tears and address that cause as well. Visit website https://www.metrodcvet.com/ to learn more.

Should You Choose A Purebred or A Moggie Cat ?

 

A cat’s breed will depend on its lineage. When both parents are of the same breed, their offspring is also purebred. But when both parents come from different breeds, the result will be crossbred. The offspring will have a unique personality because they carry the traits of their parents. Finally, when cats are not purebred, their offspring is a moggie.

Some owners might not like the idea of raising moggies because these have varied breeds. But they can make great pets because they are resilient and healthier. They are not prone to diseases that certain cat breeds carry. Another plus point is that moggies are cheaper to purchase when compared to purebreds. 

Moggies make interesting pets because they have unique personalities. Their characteristics will become more evident as they grow older because the mixed genes look the same when they are young. They make a great addition to the household if you are planning to adopt a cat. 

Your veterinarian Washington DC is a valuable resource when it comes to your pet’s health and needs. Visit this website for more information.

Petting-Induced Aggression In Cats

 

Cats tend to be very sensitive creatures.  Yes, they like cuddling with their owners, but they can only tolerate a specific level of tactile stimulation.  Too much stimulation can incite aggression, and this is something cat owners have to be aware of.  Your cat could like being cuddled and being pet for now, but after reaching her max tolerance, you will see signs before ultimately swipes or nips at your fingers.  Therefore, if you wish to cuddle with your kitty cat, be conscious and alert for specific changes in her body language, like ears flickering, tail lashing, skin twitching, a low growling sound, and ears laid flat upon her head.  Your cat could also change her position with no warning, stop purring, or perhaps even glare at you.  If you see any of these signs, stop petting her and move back slowly.

If you have concerns about your pet’s behavior and/or health, make an appointment with your animal clinic Washington DC.

Safety Guidelines When Traveling With Your Pet dog

 

Should you wish to bring your pooch on a road trip, you will need to prepare thoroughly, and be mindful of the details.  The following are notable considerations, ensuring the safety of you and your pet when inside a vehicle:

●Having your pet in a carrier or a crate is the pinnacle of all safety precautions.  Regardless if this is a short trip, perhaps over to the vet, or the groomer, having your pet inside the crate means that he will not bother the driver or any other passenger in the vehicle.  Be sure that your pet’s crate has ample space for him to lie down, stand up, and turn around.  This is why crate training is essential to pets while still young.

●If a crate is unavailable, or perhaps you do not want to constrain your pet, keep him in the back seat, 

restrained with his harness, to a seat belt buckle.

●Some dogs are scared to ride in cars.  If your dog is one of them, take baby steps and have him experience short rides in the beginning.  Try to make each car ride a positive experience.

For more details regarding road safety tips with your pet, check with your vet Washington DC for more helpful information.

What’s The Best Crate Size For Your Pet?

One huge factor in housetraining could be something that will surprise you and that is the correct crate size for your pet. You might be enticed to buy a larger size of crate for your pet because of its price compared to the smaller ones but remember in doing so, you will allow your pet to designate a portion of its crate for elimination.

There are several kinds of crates for dogs. If you can afford something that has adjustable panels, it will help you save money because you can expand it while your dog is growing as well.

The size of the right crate should allow your pet to turn around and lie down in it. The space between your pet’s head and the top of the crate should be about 3 to 4 inches while standing or sitting.

Learning more about crate size from your local vet Washington DC will help you in making this decision.

What your cat needs to stay healthy

 

You have a cat in your life who needs you to take the time to help her stay happy and healthy in your care. This means making sure you are able to take the time to offer her what she needs to make the most of each day.

 

Your pet needs you to offer her all the pet supplies needed to help her address her needs on a regular basis. She will be on the lookout for things she can do to spend her time in an enjoyable way, so be there to point her toward productive habits that will allow her to multitask a bit. Be sure to supervise her as well as spend some time with her so you can better grasp who she is as an individual. For additional information on looking after your pet, please contact your local animal hospital Washington DC.

Creating a place for your cat to play

You have a cat in your life who is eager to spend some time by your side and you want her to know that she is always welcome to have some fun with you. You feel that having a designated spot to play will help her enjoy herself a bit and would like to create one for her.

To do this, you will need to determine how much space would be ideal for her to move about in and then make an effort to give this to her. This should be an area where she can get some exercise, socialize with you, and enjoy some time with her favorite toys. Be sure to remove hazards and make this area appealing to her so she will feel comfortable in this space. For additional information on looking after your pet, please contact your local vet Washington DC.

Wheelchairs for Dogs

Did you know that there are wheelchairs and carts made especially for dogs? If your dog is having trouble moving his backend or has lost mobility in the hind quarters, make an appointment to see your vet right away if you haven’t done so already. If your dog has already been diagnosed with a mobility disorder like DMD (Degenerative Myelopathy) or something similar, then you may want to ask your vet about a cart or wheelchair that can help give your dog some mobility back. Dog wheelchairs are more like mobility carts. They are developed by companies such as K9carts.com. Typical carts are standard rear wheel carts that are essentially used like walkers. The cart allows the dog to take his regular stride with the front legs while the cart rolls along carrying the backend. Talk to your vets Washington DC to learn more.

Treating Diabetes In Cats

Cats that are diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (insulin diabetes) will have an individual response to therapy. The treatment regimen for diabetes cases in cats is based to a large extent on the severity of the symptoms and whether the cat has other health issues that could complicate the treatment regimen.

Some cats may already be seriously ill when they are first diagnosed, so they will require intensive treatment and hospitalization for several days until the blood sugar levels are regulated and stable.

Oral medication and/or a high-fiber diet may be indicated for cats that are stable when diagnosed with diabetes.

Insulin injections are generally necessary for most cats diagnosed with diabetes to keep their blood glucose well-regulated. There is a need to establish the amount of insulin that will be given based on the cat’s weight and response to treatment.

Work closely with your veterinarian Washington DC in managing your pet’s symptoms.

Mange Mites In Dogs

There are several species of mange mites that infect dogs. Some normally reside in the skin and hair follicles of dogs, while others don’t. When conditions are right, such as the presence of a health issue or a compromised immune system, mites living in the dog’s body can reproduce and multiply causing mild to severe skin infections.

There are 2 types of mange that commonly affects dogs – demodectic mange (Demodex canis) and sarcoptic mange (Sarcoptes scabei). Sarcoptic mange causes canine scabies and is easily transferred between dogs. As for demodectic mange, there are 3 types that have been identified in dogs – the localized form which is confined to a certain spot or two, generalized form which affects a larger part of the dog’s skin, and demodectic pododermatitis which is confined to the foot and is often accompanied by secondary bacterial infections.

Any sign of skin problem should be checked out by a vet Washington DC.