Puppy Training Tips

You have a new puppy! Congratulations! Baby Fido will be a ball of endless joy and energy. However, at some point, you'll want to start teaching him good puppy manners. This will make for a happy family. And the sooner he learns the rules, the easier it will be for him to adapt to his new home. Here, a vet offers advice on how to train your new puppy. 

Home Training

For the first few weeks, be sure to notice when your little guy needs to go out and do his "business". Sniffing is always a good sign that it's time to take your dog outside. Be sure to give him plenty of praise and treats as soon as he's done. 

The "Come" Command

You want little Fido to see that coming to you is a good thing. To do this, say "come" in a cheerful tone and reward him with his favorite treat when he succeeds. 

Biting

Naughty pups can be cute, but you'll want to teach your puppy that painful pinching is not okay. The best way to do this is to respond to full bites with a loud "ouch!" then turn your back for about 10 seconds. Since puppies crave love and attention, taking your attention away when they bite sends a powerful message. 

For more puppy training tips, feel free to call us, your veterinarian Anderson, IN, anytime!

Is There A Breed Of Domestic Cat That Doesn’t Hunt?

 

Do you know that cats love to hunt? Oh, yes these animals do because they are considered predators. Cats have this instinctive behavior to go after other smaller animals or hunt things or living beings that they can smell.

So, do not get surprised when once in a while, you see your beloved feline looking for something or going after a rat inside your home. Experts explain that hunting is a normal behavior cats do, and this has something to do with their being a meat-eater.

If you have an indoor cat, provide her with outlets for her hunting behavior. You may give her toys or a play area where she can look for her favorite things. When your cat becomes older, this behavior slowly diminishes because she tends to become less physically active.

It pays to know how and why your cat behaves in certain ways so you can adjust your home or your lifestyle accordingly.

A sudden change in your pet’s behavior should warrant a visit to your animal hospital Anderson, IN. Visit their website to know more about their services.

Treats For Your Cat

 

As a pet owner, it is part of your responsibility to take good care of your pet and this entails keeping them happy and contented. Part of taking care of your kitty is to provide her with treats that she enjoys. There are plenty of cat treats available in the market and here are some ways to choose what is best for your feline friend.

Treats play a huge role in the life of your pet cat as it gives her excitement and could help with her diet. Pets love receiving treats since this provides a sensory experience that your feline friend would enjoy as it promotes a positive reaction.

Aside from that, your kitty constantly searches for something to munch all the time, thus, handing her a treat helps satisfy needs and intellectual desire. In addition to the satisfaction, it is also a great way to form a fantastic bond with your pet because your kitty will take it as a form of care and affection as you provide her with something that she would surely enjoy.

Know more about your pet’s nutritional needs during your pet’s health and wellness visits to your pet clinic Anderson, IN.

How to Keep Your Cat’s Hairballs to a Minimum

Most of our cats swallow their own hair while grooming themselves. This hair clumps together in the gut, forming a hairball that your pet regurgitates eventually. Have you ever wished there were ways you could make this happen less frequently? You’re in luck!

The first step is to brush your cat’s coat regularly. This traps loose fur in the brush, causing your cat to swallow less and therefore produce less hairballs. The second tip is to feed your cat a high-quality diet. Since your cat’s nutrition has so much to do with a quality coat of fur, it directly impacts how much your pet sheds. Your cat’s diet might need an upgrade if she's producing a lot of hairballs, and dietary supplements can also be very helpful.

Want more tips on your cat’s diet and hairball production? Contact your veterinarian Anderson, IN for help. We’re always here for you and your pet!

Keeping Your Cat Indoors

Do you keep your cat indoors? If so, you're definitely making the right move. Kitties that are allowed to wander can face some serious dangers, such as cars, traffic, weather, and other cats. They’re also more likely to get lost or injured, or to pick up dangerous parasites.

Keeping your feline pal indoors is also good for other animals. Cats kill billions of small animals every year. This is becoming an increasing concern, as many fragile wildlife populations are threatened or endangered.

Even if you do keep your furry little hunter indoors, she will still need some stimulation. Cats do get bored with nothing to do! Give her lots of toys to play with, as well as access to a window with a view. Daily play sessions will also help keep your pet entertained. 

Your experienced vet Anderson, IN can offer you more information on how to keep your cat healthy and happy.

Foods That Are Toxic To Dogs

 

Does your pooch often beg for you to share your dinner? Dogs have very healthy appetites, and aren't shy about asking us to share our food. This is really cute, but it can also be unsafe. Many of our favorite foods are toxic to our canine companions!

Chocolate, as you may know,  is extremely poisonous to dogs. It contains a substance called theobromine, which dogs can't metabolize. In fact, it can be fatal at just one ounce per pound of a dog's body weight.

Other unsafe foods include garlic, onions, scallions, and chives. These are concerning as they are often used as seasonings. Grapes, currants, and raisins are also very poisonous to Man’s Best Friend. Some dogs go into organ failure after eating just one grape! Other unsafe foods include avocados; pitted fruits; caffeine; nuts; mushrooms; rhubarb; alcohol; and anything that contains xylitol or a lot of salt, sugar, or fat.

Ask your vet Anderson IN for more information on proper nutrition, including safe and unsafe foods.

How Much Water Should My Dog Drink?

It’s very important for our canine friends to stay well-hydrated. Getting plenty of water throughout the day is essential for the proper functioning of various bodily systems, and it helps keep your pet from becoming dehydrated. But how can you know if your dog is getting enough? 

It’s recommended that your dog gets about 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight every day. This means that a 10-pound dog should drink around 10 ounces of water every day or a little over one cup. Most dogs will drink their fill if they have access to clean, fresh water throughout the day, so it’s usually not something pet owners need to be concerned about. 

If you think your dog isn’t drinking enough water, however, it’s worth getting a professional opinion. Consult your veterinarian Anderson, IN for help if you think Fido isn’t getting the water he needs. It’s better to play it safe than be sorry.

Feeding your iguana

You have an iguana in your life now and you want to help her stay as healthy as she can be. What should you be feeding her to help her get the nutrients she needs?

Your new companion is a herbivore, which means she will need to consume a plant-based diet. She will need a variety of fresh produce to keep her in shape and satisfied. This will likely include a good deal of greens, so be sure to always have appropriate options on hand. These should always be fresh and appealing to your pet, in addition to being clean and cut up to an appropriate size for her to handle. Your iguana will need you to talk with her veterinarian to determine the ideal foods to offer her and what portion sizes will suit her well to keep her healthy and happy.  For more information, please contact your local animal hospital Anderson IN.

Caring for a cat scratch

If your cat has claws, he’s going to scratch. That’s especially the case if you also have young children. The important thing is to know how to care for a scratch so it doesn’t get infected.

Make sure you clean the wound right away. Cat claws can be dirty. They dig around in a litter box, after all!

Once cleaned, put some antibacterial ointment on the scratch. Not only will it help heal the scratch, it can also minimize pain.

If the scratch is in a convenient area, you can put on a bandage. However, a bandage may not be an option if the scratch is on the face, of if there are multiple scratches in a small area.

If the scratch is deep, you should visit a doctor. You should also schedule an appointment with a vet Anderson, IN. They can provide you with advice on how to prevent scratches in the future.

Does Your Orange Tabby Have Black Spots On His Nose?

Many adult and senior orange tabbies or calico cats have black spots on their lips, nose, and around the eyes. The first few spots tend to appear on the cat’s nose and lips, growing in number, and some increasing in size with time. The average size of the spots is about 1 mm or less but since they are very close together, they create a distinct discolored spot that is hard to miss. The phenomenon is called Lentigo simplex. The good new is, it is completely harmless. They are accompanied by hair loss, redness, and abnormal changes in skin color. The spots are not-elevated, not painful or itchy.

Because of the possibility that a cat can be suffering from a skin condition that needs prompt veterinary attention, so it’s a good idea to have the spots checked out by your veterinarian Anderson, IN. More so, if the spots are elevated, and appears to be reddish and inflamed.