Why Obese Cats Should Lose Weight

Did you know that the number of cats that are classified as overweight or obese is continuously growing, so much so that experts declare it as an epidemic? Indeed, obesity is one of the top nutritional health problems faced by the feline population. There are several predisposing factors which have been implicated in pet obesity. These include

improper feeding practices, including feeding kitten food to adult cats, or vice versa. Each lifestage has a specific nutritional need, thus ensuring that your pet receives a lifestage-appropriate diet is of utmost importance. Kittens and growing cats need more protein and calories because they are still growing and their needs for energy is higher than the other lifestages. On the other hand, mature cats lead a more sedentary life and will require fewer calories. Another important predisposing factor of obesity in cats is the so-called free-grazing, when pet owners continue to top up their pet’s food throughout the day, so there will be food to eat anytime your pet wants to eat.

Bring your pet to your animal hospital Lakeville, MN for a regular wellness check. 

Positive Reinforcement During Training

Dogs will work hard for a reward-a treat, a favorite toy, playtime, cuddles, and lavish praise. If you using treats for your training your pet, you should keep these important pointers in mind:

l  The treat must be your pet’s favorite so it would be enticing and irresistible for him. You may have to try out several types of treats to see which works best for your pet.

l  For training, choose bite-sized treatsand these should be quite soft so it will be easier for him to swallow and get his attention back to you. Don’t choose a treat that he has to chew for several minutes for this can interrupt the training process.

l  Use several of his favorite treats. Dogs love variety and can get bored with they are given the same treat.

l  When giving a treat, always accompany it with lots of praise using a happy voice.

Don’t hesitate to call your vet Lakeville, MN if there are sudden changes in your pet’s health and/or behavior. 

Persistent Barking In Dogs - Why You Should Ignore The Behavior

Excessive and persistent barking in dogs can be an attention-seeking behavior. Dogs that engage in this bad habit are often ‘rewarded’ by their owners with some attention. Realizing that they could get their owners’ attention by behaving this way, they will continue engaging in this annoying habit. If you share the same problem with many pet owners out there, you may be guilty of reinforcing your pet’s behavior. Looking his way or shouting at your pooch to stop are ‘rewards’ to your pet’s barking. You should be consistent about not giving any attention to your errant pet - don’t talk, touch, or even glance at his direction. If he keeps still and quiet even for just a very short time, be quick to reward him with a treat.

Consult with your Burnsville Parkway hospital Lakeville, MN if you have any concerns about your pet’s behavior. 

Redirected Aggression In Cats

Redirected aggression is quite common in pet cats. It is described by experts as a reaction to a specific experience or situation that triggers feelings of anxiety, nervousness, and even anger.

In many cases of redirected aggression, the cat’s behavior (hissing, growling, or attacking another cat, dog, or the owner) may be confusing to the owner because they can’ seem to find a reason for the cat’s behavior. The usual scenarios in which the behavior can be seen include when a cat sees another cat outside or when he is unable to reach the birds outside the window.

What to do when your cat displays redirected aggression frequently:

l  The errant cat should be isolated immediately in another room that is not accessible to the other pets. But make sure to use a blanket when picking up the cat and carrying him to the designated room. Leave him inside the room until he has calmed down. Some cats may take only a couple of minutes but there are those that can take hours to return to their normal selves after redirected aggression.

l  In some cases, redirected aggression may be an important symptom of a health problem. It can be triggered by pain and discomfort. Make sure to bring your pet to your vet clinic Lakeville, MN for proper diagnosis and attention.