Demodectic Mange in Dogs

Demodectic mange is an itchy skin condition that is caused by mites living in the hair follicles of pets. Most healthy pets are carriers of Demodex mites as the mites usually transfer from the mother dogs to their litter shortly after birth. Symptoms are seen when the animal’s immune system is compromised, thus failing to keep the population of mites under control. As the mites increase in number, the dog suffers from intense itching. As the dog keeps on scratching all over his body, raw areas of skin will soon become infected with bacteria. Secondary bacterial infection can lead to areas of irritated skin that are oozing with pus. Soon hairs fall out, leaving the infected areas bald, reddish, and weepy. Without prompt and proper intervention, the affected skin can become leathery in appearance and texture. If you notice your pet itching all over, you should make an appointment with your animal hospital Broken Arrow OK sooner rather than later. 

Keeping your dog’s paws in top shape

You have a dog in your life who is always moving throughout your household. This means that his paws get quite a workout and you want to help him keep them in good working order. How can you help your pet’s paws stay in top shape?

While they may be able to put up with a lot, your pet’s paw pads are actually rather sensitive and will therefore require a bit of care to stay healthy. This means that you will need to help your pet prevent issues by keeping him away from rough terrain, areas that experience extreme temperatures, and other hazards. It also means tending to them as they need attention to ensure you are offering him the care he needs. For more information on caring for a pet like this, please contact your local vet clinic Murietta, CA.

How to Teach Your Cat to Sit

Some cats love to learn tricks and can be taught tricks quite easily. For instance, the Abyssinian, American Shorthair, Bengal, Savannah, and Siamese are just a few of the top breeds that learn tricks really well. If you own one of these breeds or even a different breed, you can try and teach him the most basic trick or command such as learning to sit. Start by verbally telling your cat to sit. At the same time, apply slight pressure to the backend until she sits. You may also want to point to the back end when you say sit. Reward your cat with a treat immediately when she sits. Practice this again and again several times a day until your cat is able to sit on verbal command alone. If you need further assistance or training tips, give your veterinarian Folsom, CA a call.

Managing a Dominant Dog

Dominant behavior in dogs is pretty obvious. You may see growling and biting, but your dominant dog may act pushy and stubborn. He may bark or to suit his needs and insist on attention from you. Your dominant dog may drag you by the leash on walks. And your dominant dog resists training. Each dog has a distinct personality, but your dog needs to look to you to be the boss. Insist that he obeys all your training commands and train him with confidence. Deterrents and redirection work well to train your dog on what he isn’t supposed to do. Your dog may challenge your authority, but your training must remain consistent. Insist that rules are meant to be followed. Love your dog, be patient and treat him with kindness while establishing your role as leader. For more information, contact your vet clinic Matthews, NC.

Why You Should Spay/Neuter Your Dog

Spaying or neutering your dog reduces unwanted litters of puppies. However, there are other benefits. You can expect less territorial marking if your dog is sterilized. Your dog will also have less urges to wander off looking for mates. Sterilization will help your dog become more calm and dedicated to you and your family so he won’t want to be somewhere else. Your dog may be less active after spaying or neutering so there may be some weight gain. A little extra exercise can control this sedentary-based weight gain. You can expect a decreased risk of certain cancers if your dog is spayed or neutered such as uterine and breast cancer in females and prostate cancer in males. Spaying and neutering is a surgical procedure done under anesthesia. There is always some risk with surgery but the long-term benefits of sterilization far outweigh them. For more information, contact your veterinarian Norwalk, CA.

Your feline friend’s sleeping habits

You have a cat in your life who enjoys spending time in your home. She can often be found playing nearby, but you catch her napping more than anything. Why does she sleep so much?

Your pet needs to be able to relax in your home and her sleeping habits require her to rest often. She needs a lot of sleep and will take advantage of the calm and peaceful times in your living space. This means that she will also be found napping throughout the day, allowing her to get up and meet her other needs in between sleep sessions. This allows her to also check out what’s going on in your home so she is less likely to miss something interesting that’s going on. Your local veterinarian Sugar Land, TX can help you care for your pet. Learn more here. https://staffordoaksvet.com/

How Much Should You Feed Your Cat Per Day?

Discuss cat food brands and nutrient requirements with your vet before purchasing a cat food. Your vet can direct you to a few name brands and recommend dry or wet food. If you go with dry food look for a food that fits your cat’s age, breed, size and activity levels. For instance, if your Maine Coon is just a kitten you will need to feed a kitten food. If your Bengal is over 6 years old then look for a cat food for seniors. Once you find the food that fits your cat’s age range, look on the back for a chart on feeding. You will need to pick out your cat’s weight and activity level (or weight and size or weight and age). This will tell you how much to feed your cat per day. The serving should be divided if you feed twice a day. Ask your veterinarian Coon Rapids, MN for further assistance.