Your Cat’s Litter Box Issues

A cat’s litter box can have an impact on the cat’s potty habits and behavior. Cat owners have to be meticulous about the overall design and specification of the litter box. Its shape, size, and depth can affect how cats act towards it and practice their potty habits. Cats tend to avoid litter boxes with a cover or lid on them where they could feel trapped and held captive as they take a dump. Another issue you may encounter especially if you have a relatively fat cat is that the litter box with a cover might be a tad bit small for it. Cats suffering from medical conditions and old age can have a more difficult time with an inappropriately-sized litter box. Those with arthritis already have limitations with their movements and can have a tough time entering and exiting their litter boxes. For these reasons, you should purchase a litter box that can surely fit your cat and accommodate its movement inside the litter box at the same time.     

Contact your local animal hospital or your pet’s veterinarians Ellicott City, MD if you need more information and help regarding your pet’s potty problems and habits.

Where to place your bird’s cage

Your feathery friend is a big part of your life and you want to make sure you are able to give her everything she needs to be both happy and healthy. Where should you place her enclosure to help make this happen?

Your bird needs you to offer her some space to call her own in an area of your home that will help her stay comfortable. This should be kept at a consistent temperature and offer her light at appropriate times of the day. She should be able to interact with family members often while still being able to meet her needs in her enclosure when required. Your little fur ball will also want you to make sure you can keep up with her care requirements in this area as well, so be sure to place her cage in an area where you can easily get to it. For additional information, please contact your local vet Ellicott City, MD.

Should you feed your cat dairy products?

Your feline friend is a big part of your life and you know that offering her some treats is a great way to help give her something to look forward to. Should you offer her some dairy products to munch on?

While it may be a popular thought to offer cats milk and products made with it, this usually isn’t a great idea. Adult cats tend to be lactose intolerant, so there is a good chance that you would be setting your pet up for some digestive discomfort. Your little fur ball was made to process milk from her mother as a young kitten, but likely stopped producing the enzyme to digest milk when she moved on to new and different food sources. Your local veterinary clinic Ellicott City, MD can help you better understand what your pet needs from you.

Asthma In Cats

Feline asthma is a chronic condition affecting the bronchial airways of cats. The primary culprit is exposure to specific allergens that cause inflammation in the airways and lungs. The disease process is slow but progressive. While it is difficult to treat, the symptoms can be controlled with medications. Some potential allergens that can trigger asthma in cats include cigarette smoke, pollens, strong-smelling cleaner or perfumes, air freshener, dusty cat litter, and molds to name a few. Cats that harbor heartworms also have a higher risk of manifesting chronic asthma symptoms. While mild cases of asthma in cats are usually self-limiting and characterized only by coughing, more serious cases can cause difficulty breathing as cats find it difficult to get oxygen throughout the body. Affected cats can suffer fainting spells and collapse. This is brought about by the severe inflammation and narrowing of the smaller airways of the lungs. If your cat is prone to bouts of asthma attacks, be sure to follow the instructions of your veterinarians Ellicott City, MD regarding the dosage and frequency of medications to prevent potential complications.

Preparing for a new pet

You have wanted to bring a new pet into your home for a while now and you want to make sure you are ready for your new addition to come into your family. What can you do to prepare?

Your pet will need to be able to have her needs met right away in her new living environment, so make a point to be there for her. You can prepare to do this by being aware of her needs and then making a point to be there to meet them as they become apparent. Preparing to do this will involve gathering any information and supplies needed for your new addition as well as making sure your home has been thoroughly pet-proofed. This will help you be ready for her immediately and allow you to get an idea of what pet care will look like in your home ahead of time. For more information, please contact your local vet clinic Ellicott City, MD.

Looking for a Pet Sitter for your Bird

Traveling? In need of a pet sitter? Here are a few things to keep in mind when searching for the right person to take care of your bird. First, give your vet a call and ask for references for local pet sitters. You can enjoy time away knowing your bird is being looked after by a knowledgeable pet sitter. Some vet techs offer these services so check with your vet staff first. When looking for a pet sitter, make sure you ask for someone with pet sitting or owning experience and particularly bird experience.  Ask for references and call them! Ask for professional references such as school references, a reference from their boss, etc. This will give you an idea of the person’s work ethic. Ask the potential sitter to visit you and the bird several times before you travel. Talk with your vet clinic Ellicott City, MD for more tips.

Tips to Get the Most out of Your Catio

Your cat is sure to love his new catio, no matter how you design it! However, there are some things you can do to help your feline friend get the most out of his new space.

First, make sure there are plenty of places for your cat to lounge. Most felines like to be up high, especially when they’re outside. Window shelves and chairs are a good start, but you should also consider putting a cat tree in the catio.

Your cat can’t go out and play in the grass, but there’s no reason why you can’t bring a little greenery to him! Place potted plants that are safe for felines in the catio space. Not only will it make it more beautiful, your cat will love munching on the greenery!

For more catio tips, click here, or call your veterinarian Ellicott City, MD.

Why your bird needs time outside of her enclosure

Your feathery friend appreciates all you do for her and she knows that you likely spent a long time choosing her cage for her. However, she will still desire and need time outside of this space. Why is this?

Take the time to consider what life is like within a small area like a bird cage. It may be a nice space, but it is still very limited. This means that your pet will need to get out for a while in order to enjoy the open areas she can safely have access to. She can do different things in these spaces and she will be able to get some exercise while enjoying some time interacting with you. This also gives her a change of scenery, which can offer her some mental stimulation as well. For more information, please contact your local veterinary clinic Ellicott City, MD.

The Colorful Cockatiel

If you’re familiar with the cockatiel, then you may know that it’s typically a bird with a gray and yellow head and orange patches around and near the cheeks. But, did you know that the cockatiel actually comes in all kinds of colors? There are various color mutations that have occurred in this bird over the years. Today, there are the usual colors plus colors known as lutino, albino, pied, and cinnamon. These colors have also mutated into newer color patters in the cockatiel. The different color patterns make the cockatiel a pretty unique bird. He’s also unique because he’s the second most popular pet bird. He’s often described as loyal, playful, intelligent, personable, sweet, cuddly, and puppy like in the way he follows people around when out of his cage. The cockatiel is also a great first bird for pet owners and he does well with children. For more information, talk with your veterinarian Ellicott City, MD.