Why Catnips Are Good For Cats

 

Cats can have varied responses to catnip. There are some cats, right after encountering catnip, that exhibit weird behaviors, yet there are others that just slack off. Then there could also be some cats that do not have reactions to catnip. Actually, catnip does not affect around a third of cats.

Most of the very young kittens are not affected by catnip, but at around three to six months of age, you can start to have an idea which cats react highly to catnip, and which ones do not. Also, cats in their golden years do not seem to react to catnip as well.

It is fortunate that cats do not get addicted to catnip. One positive catnip effect is that it changes a cat’s mood. It might also be quite fun to see your cat do her catnip antic performance after encountering the herb or having a chew on some catnip leaves.

If you have concerns about your pet’s behavior, contact your pet clinic Scottsdale, AZ.

Two Sure-fire Ways To Keep Your Dog Happy

 

If you have been taking care of dogs for a long time, chances are you might not be able to provide the things that make them happy. Experts identified two ways to keep your dog happy and contented:

• Keep your dog motivated. Dogs are intelligent creatures and they like to have mental stimulation and regular motivation. You can do this by bringing him to new places to see. He should also be taught to search for treats around the house. Getting their favorite treat is a nice enough reward.

• Provide your dog with a balanced diet. Give your dog nutritious food to keep him from becoming overweight or obese. Dogs with excess weight are prone to developing arthritis, heart diseases, diabetes, and even cancer. They can also get complications in the liver and kidney if they carry too much weight. So give your dog the proper meal they deserve. There are premium-quality pet foods available in the market.

Bring your pet to your animal hospital Norwalk, CA for regular health and dental checks.

NSAID Toxicity in Cats and Dogs

 

Have you ever heard of NSAIDs? Even if you haven’t, you might have them in your home right now. NSAIDs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which are common painkillers. Unfortunately, they can harm pets easily!

NSAIDs work by inhibiting COX enzymes, which cause pain in the body as a response to a stimulus, like an injury. When an NSAID inhibits COX enzymes, the person (or pet) feels less pain. But when too many COX enzymes are inhibited, side effects start to occur. Damage to the stomach lining and interference with kidney function are just two examples. If a pet gets their paws on a whole bottle of NSAIDs, serious health trouble can result. That’s why it’s so important to keep any and all medications out of your pet’s reach—store them in closed cabinets or containers where your animal friend can’t reach. And dose and administer your pet’s medications with extreme caution.

Call your vet Savannah, GA for more information.

Cocoa Mulch Can Be Harmful To Dogs

 

If your dog spends much of his hours outdoors, try to be more proactive in his protection from possible hazards that he could come across while frolicking or playing around. There are quite a high number of cases where pet dogs are brought into the animal clinic for some substance that they have swallowed from the lawn or garden. Prior to allowing your dog his time outside, make sure to check that your lawn and garden have been rendered safe for your pet. One sign of a common danger for dogs that are found in the garden is cocoa mulch.

Yes, cocoa mulch very much is a benefit for the soil, however, it is also toxic to canines. The shells of the cocoa bean as well as some other compounds that make the mulch can make your dog very ill if swallowed, much like if he consumed chocolate. It is unfortunate that dogs seem attracted to the cocoa mulch as it does smell like chocolate. Swallowing the cocoa mulch can bring about gastrointestinal irritation, heart rate increase, vomiting, weakness, muscle tremors, and even death. Fortunately, cocoa mulch has much safer alternatives for your garden. Mulch that is based on hemlock bark, pine, or cedar is a good example, as does dirt or stones.

If your dog shows symptoms of toxicity, visit this site, or take him to the veterinary hospital Chesapeake, VA immediately.

Leptospirosis Prevention and Treatment In Pets

 

Considering that leptospirosis is an infection that is zoonotic, it is advisable to take additional precautions in safeguarding you and your pet from being infected. Aggressive early treatment is necessary to have an improved outcome and also to avoid critical impairment to the kidneys or liver. Treatment procedures normally include antibiotic administration and supportive attention and care.

Currently, there are vaccines available to protect dogs effectively. But for optimal protection, it must be administered yearly. The once-a-year booster shot is definitely advised for pet dogs that live in riskier areas. If you know about possible infection sources, it can help in reducing your pet’s odds of infection and exposure. If your pet dog has already contracted leptospirosis, the following safety measures must be observed in order to safeguard the entire home, human and pets included, from being infected as well:

• Administer antibiotics based only on the prescribed dosage as provided by your vet.

• Should the infected dog urinate inside the house, avoid touching the urine. When cleaning the area, wear gloves and use a disinfectant to destroy any pathogen that may exist.

• Make sure that your dog urinates far from any water sources or any water that pools in your yard or lawn. The same goes for other places that are frequented by other animals and people.

• Make sure that you wash thoroughly your hands using water and soap after cleaning up pee or handling your dog.

For any concerns and/or questions you may have regarding leptospirosis in dogs, contact your vet San Diego, CA.

Why is My Dog Eating Grass?

 

Have you ever seen your dog eat grass? It’s a relatively common behavior amongst our canine friends. The question is, what possesses dogs to do this? And is it safe?

There are a variety of theories as to why dogs eat grass, although no one knows for sure. Many believe that dogs do it to make themselves vomit, perhaps to alleviate a gassy or upset stomach. It’s also possible that your dog simply likes the texture of grass and is trying to add a little roughage to their diet. Also, there could be medical reasons for grass-eating behavior. Pica is a condition in which dogs crave and ingest non-food items. It’s also possible for a dog suffering from a nutritional deficiency to eat grass in an attempt to add missing nutrients to their diet.

If your dog’s grass eating won’t stop, it’s time to call the vet. Contact your vet clinic Tipp City, OH right away.

Basset Hounds and Their Dense Bone Structure

 

Did you know that the Basset hound is one of six recognized Basset breeds in France? The breed was first developed in France as a hunting dog. One of the most recognized features of the Basset is his small stature, short and stubby legs, long ears, long muzzle and his overall sturdy and stocky build. The Basset has very dense bones. It is said if you place a Basset in deep water he will simply sink like a rock. The Basset’s bones are so heavy that at 14 inches tall, he can easily weigh as much as a 22 inch tall Labrador. Because of this unique structure, the Basset is prone to a few health conditions specifically related to stature. For instance, his front legs are so farm his back legs that the bone structure in the middle receives little support creating significant back problems for some Bassets. Click to learn more from your vets Louisville, CO.