Cat Breed: Selkirk Rex Cat

Popular labeled as cats that are in sheep’s wear is the Selkirk Rex. This breed dons a thick coat that has curls looking woolly. You may wonder how these felines got their curly coats. Thanks to their cousins Devon and Cornish Rexes, these cats have an amazing look you cannot mistake for another breed. In particular, the Selkirk Rex cats came from the lineage of the British Shorthairs and Persian cats with natural genetic development. Thus, they possess such a cuddly and mild disposition. But do not get these felines wrong – they also enjoy a fun time. They are active and playful, with a little combination of silliness and sweetness. 

Though they love human companionship and interaction, the Selkirks do not stay on your lap all day. Instead, they love doing activities with their humans that can stimulate their minds and bodies. Remember, these cats may express their need for play or bonding sessions through their quiet and soft voices. 

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

Interesting Clumber Spaniels

Clumber Spaniels have an energy that isn't likely to expire within a day— they work non-stop. Although this dog is not a water retriever, their heavy coats make them nevertheless an excellent swimmer. Duck dog Clumbers can, in fact, easily break the cold while hunting their prey. Although they have a medium size, Clumbers are the heaviest among the spaniel dogs. Aside from moving through the underbrush, their long bodies can also effortlessly reach the counters. Their amber eyes, medium-length white coats (with orange or lemon marks), and amber eyes, Clumber Spaniels distinguish the Clumber Spaniels.

Clumbers are calm, gentle, and sweet. They love to be with their people and get attached to the whole family, although they usually form a special bond with one person. Also called the "Retired Gentleman's  Spaniel," Clumbers make excellent first-time pups— and that's thanks to their easygoing disposition.

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

Tips For Introducing A New Cat To Other Pets

As a cat owner, you should not rush her in meeting other cats as they tend to be territorial. When cats are forced to interact with other cats, they feel overwhelmed and may misbehave.

Take some time before letting them meet other cats, and if you have more cats at home, keep them apart at first and then slowly let them interact with each other. You should also take extra precautions when introducing your cat to your dog if you have any, as they tend to clash with each other.

Small pets like birds, hamsters, guinea pigs, etc, are easy targets for your cat, so if you have such small pets, make sure they are out of your cat’s reach. Your cat’s presence may cause stress and discomfort to your other pets and this has to be avoided as much as possible.

Your veterinarian Washington DC is a valuable resource when it comes to issues that affect your pet’s health and behavior.

Litter Box Solutions for Arthritic Cats

 

One of the more common symptoms among cats suffering from osteoarthritis is house soiling due to eliminating outside of the litter box. 

Here are some common litter box concerns and simple solutions you can make to address the needs of your arthritic cat:

• Provide a larger litter box. This way, your cat has more space around her ensuring that the sides of the litter box do not come in contact with your cat’s body, thereby preventing pain. 
• Provide litter boxes in different areas of the house, preferably on the floor or level where your cat usually stays. In cases when your arthritic older cat cannot hold it, you decrease the likelihood of accidents since there are litter boxes that are easily accessible around the house. 
• Provide a shorter litter box with low sides for ease of entrance and exit. You may also want to consider litter box alternatives such as plant growing trays or under-bed storage boxes. 

Persistent litter box issues should warrant an appointment with an animal clinc Washington DC to make sure that your pet’s behavior is not caused by an underlying health issue. Learn more here.

Bull Terrier Care

Bull Terriers should be with someone during the day. Otherwise, they may resort to other creative and possibly troublesome ways. Keep in mind that these dogs will eat anything, which is why many dogs die because of gastrointestinal blockages— often discovered late. Another potential problem you need to take note of is rawhide toys. It's best to make your house Bull Terrier-proof.

●Give your Bull Terrier 30-60 minutes of mental and physical stimulation every day.

●A walk, some play, and interactive toys may do.

●Obedience and agility trials are also great activities.

●Keep him on the leash to prevent him from chasing animals and wandering off by himself.

Young Bull Terriers are bouncy, and vigorous exercise may damage their developing bones. So before your pup turns 12-18 months, it will be best to take caution from jumping, Frisbee playing, running, and other bone-jarring activities, which may cause stress/injury to your dog's young joints/ligaments.

Take your pet to your animal hospital Washington DC for regular health and dental checks. More tips can be found at your Brentwood Animal Hospital Washington DC. 

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. 

Social Environment Impacts When Pet Cats Are Allowed Outdoor Access

 

As the world progresses, certain changes in the environment take place. Some of these changes are good, but some are bad as well. Some changes may impact your life, even the lives of your other loved ones like your cats.

So, it is understandable if you choose to keep your pet cats inside your home all the time. There are several negative impacts your cats may experience when you give them regular free access to the outside environment, including social environment effects.

What are these effects?

Social pressures do not happen to humans alone but also to cats. When you let your cats go out, they may encounter territorial disputes and fights may ensue between them and other felines in the neighborhood. Your cats may encounter aggression and may acquire injuries when chaos occurs. These cases may lead to anxiety or even stress among cats.

Call your animal hospital Washington DC to make sure that your pet’s preventatives and vaccinations are up to date before taking your pet on outdoor excursions. Schedule an appointment today!

Will Akitas Do Well As Backyard Dogs?

 

Although Akitas are generally reserved in public, these highly social dogs also need a lot of time from the family. They make excellent, loyal companions, and it isn't also advised to get them to live in the backyard. Getting them to live outside and refraining them from having a family take away this breed's essence. Lonely Akitas are prone to aggressiveness.

Akitas aren't great for first-timers, lapdog lovers, or owners who aren't willing to take charge. But if you're the type to invest a lot of effort and time to research and train dogs, you'll get rewarded with an intelligent and loyal Akita companion.

When teaching a young Akita or reorienting an adult one to socialize, it's best to expose him to friendly people more often to alleviate their wariness. However, these dogs will stay as they are— dignified and serious animals who aren't for plain fun.

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

Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Your Pet Cat’s Dandruff

Feline dandruff can be caused by different reasons and treatment for these reasons can differ. Parasite infestation can be treated with excellent flea control. Topical creams, be it antifungal or antibiotic, can treat infections. Your cat may be prescribed to lose weight or some pain control medications if your cat is obese or has arthritis. Diseases other than those that have been stated previously should also be treated. 

A simple remedy like brushing your pet’s coat to evenly distribute oils several times a day can prevent or help deal with your pet’s dandruff. Contact your veterinarian and book an appointment if your cat has an excessive amount of dandruff, is constantly itching, or if any other human or animal develops any skin lesions. 

Any skin and/or hair coat issue exhibited by your pet should warrant an appointment with your veterinary clinic Washington DC.

Paw Care Tips For Winter And Summer

 

Pet owners need to care for their dog’s paws, too. This body part is essential for the dog’s mobility. Paws require a different kind of care per season.

Winter Care Tips

The cold environment can cause the paws to get cracked and chapped. What’s more, there could be rock salt or chemical ice melters on the pavement. When your dog makes regular contact, he might end up having foot sores, skin infections, or blistering.

Protect the paws by washing these after you go out. You can also put Vaseline or salt barrier on the paws before leaving the house. If your dog will allow you, put some doggie booties on him. 

Summer Care Tips

The hot pavement can also hurt the paws. When it’s very hot, avoid walking in the sand and pavement so your dog will not get blisters.

In case your dog suffers from minor burns, you can wash the paw with a bar of antibacterial soap and cover it with a bandage after.  But for serious burns, bring your pet to an veterinary clinic Washington DC for proper medical intervention.

Add Fun To Your Pet’s Grooming Sessions

 

Every grooming session should be a fun activity for both pets and owners. But it can be stressful if the dog does not want to be groomed. Thus, your pet must get used to getting groomed when it is still young.  As it grows older, it will get used to the grooming session.

As you prepare your dog for grooming, you can do the following:

●       Release your pet’s excess energy by letting it run or walk. It will be calmer after a walk, so it will not object to being groomed

●       Teach your pet to go potty before the session begins

●       Don’t reinforce your pet’s anxiousness in being groomed. If you appease or pamper it, the anxiety will only be heightened

●       Ask recommendations from other pet owners regarding their groomer. They might point you to someone who understands your pet’s needs

 

For more questions regarding your pet’s grooming needs, ask your vet Washington DC.

Some Cats Do Like Traveling

 

Some cats can like traveling more than others.  Then there are some pets that just become stressed when visiting the groomer or the vet.  Getting your pet to get accustomed to being inside a moving car must begin while the cat is a young kitten.  Make sure to keep your pet kitten inside a crate so that she is safe.  Socialize your pet properly as well because it is an aspect that can help her get accustomed to traveling.  Socialization helps your pet to acclimate to different situations that you may encounter when on the road.  There are cats commonly known that are okay with traveling, like the Japanese bobtail, Chartreux, and Chantilly.  Before making the journey with your cat, schedule a visit with your veterinary clinic Washington DC for a thorough health checkup to make sure that your pet stays healthy during your trip.

Looking after a new cat

 

You have a new cat in your life that you want to care for to the best of your ability. How can you make sure you are giving her all the love and attention she needs?

 

Your pet needs to be able to count on you to offer her plenty of care in order to make the most of her time in your care. This means that you will need to take the time to think about what you can do to help her feel loved and make sure that her needs are met. Be sure to offer her lots of your time, as she will require quite a bit of focused attention in order to fully engage in her new life within your home. Your efforts will need to be adapted to her care, so be aware of what you can do to help make this happen. For additional information, please contact your local veterinary clinic Washington DC.

Is your cat comfortable in her carrier?

Your cat needs to head out of the house with you from time to time and you know that it’s important for her to have a cat carrier in order to help her do this safely. How can you tell if your pet is comfortable in her carrier?

It’s important to think about your pet’s preferences when selecting a carrier so you can offer something that will be appealing to her. This should be the right size to let her get up and turn around within it. Her carrier should be easy for her to get into and out of.  It should be comfortable for her to relax in and allow her to have a level of visibility that she prefers, as some cats will like their privacy, while others will want to check out everything around them. Your local Brentwood Animal Hospital Washington DC can offer additional suggestions.

Looking after a new dog

You have a new dog coming into your life and you are eager to get to know her. How can you make a point to meet her needs?

Your little fur ball needs to be able to understand that you are there to help her thrive. This can be communicated to her by your consistent care and loving attention. Looking after her will take a bit of time to get used to, as she will likely be in need of some additional attention until you get the hang of what is required from you. Your pet will need you to learn about her general needs and then take into account her personal preferences as well as what she needs to make the most of her time in your care. For additional information, please contact your local veterinarian Washington DC.