Grooming Long-Haired Dogs

Haircare for long-haired dogs is more difficult than it is for their short-haired counterparts. Depending on your pet's coat type, the way you stroke him and how often you do it will vary greatly.

●Tailored, long-haired coats

Yorkshire terriers, who have long, luxuriant coats, require daily grooming. Slicker brushes must be used daily to remove knots. Brush his hair with a bristle brush next. You should follow the methods above if you have a long-haired dog, such as an Afghan hound or a collie.

●Matted hair is a common problem for long hair.

Long-haired dogs should have a daily grooming practice to prevent matting and tangles. Slicker brushes can be used to gently loosen knots, followed by bristle brushes. Try clipping the hair if the matting is particularly dense, but be careful not to touch the skin.

Any skin and/or hair coat issue exhibited by your pet should warrant an appointment with your vet San Antonio TX.

Free-Feeding Puppies and Dogs

“Free-feeding” is a practice that involves leaving your pet’s meals out. This practice allows him to graze or nibble on his food throughout the entire day.

Since your dog’s food bowl will be accessible throughout the entire day, he can eat whenever he feels like it.  It is like a buffet table with just one kind of food being served but is always available.

It is somewhat like a food binge in the beginning, but then it gets a bit dull. This method is often regarded as bad practice by dog owners.

Two free-feeding methods are out there: uncontrolled and controlled variations of free-feeding.

Free-Feeding Uncontrolled

This method works by leaving a bowl of food out for your dog to eat.  The quantity of food is not measured.  You can also use an automated pet feeder.  The point here is that the feeding bowl is never empty, adding more when the food amount gets low enough.  You let your pet decide how much food to eat.

Free-Feeding Controlled

The controlled kind of free-feeding gives you some control.  The quantity of food left out for your pet is typically measured according to what your pet should have in a day, often seen on the labels of the dog food product, and is usually based on an animal’s weight.  The entire ration is put out for your pet to graze on for the entire day.

Your pet’s diet is one of the important concerns that you should discuss with your animal hospital Ellicott City MD during your pet’s wellness checks.

What Is Hyperkeratosis In Dogs?

Hyperkeratosis could be a problem that is hereditary in dogs. If this is the case, then you cannot prevent it since the dog inherited it and is in his genes.  To ensure that your dog does not have this condition, have his parents undergo testing.  And because the issue could be an aftereffect of certain health conditions like zinc-responsive dermatosis, pemphigus foliaceus, leishmaniasis, and canine distemper, then you have to take steps that treat or prevent canine issues like these.  This could then fix canine hyperkeratosis if your dog has the non-hereditary variant.

 Is hyperkeratosis treatable?

Hyperkeratosis is incurable but it could be managed so that the quality of living of the animal is not compromised.  If managed properly, hyperkeratosis will not cause discomfort or pain to the dog.  Should your dog have hyperkeratosis, take him over to your pet clinic  Raleigh, NC regularly so that any excess skin could be trimmed. Make an appointment today!

Tail Injuries In Cats

 

With cats, tail injuries might happen because of incidents ranging from mild to very serious and painful.  Some injuries could even impact the animal’s spine, mobility, and bladder and bowel functionality. 

How extensive the damage is will determine the course of treatment.  Amputation might happen if paralysis of the tail happens and no negative effects are expected on the spine and the animal overall.  Even if the tail is important to a cat’s navigation and balance, the pet can cope and eventually learn to manage even without it.

 

If the tail injury is breakage towards the end portion, and there seems to be little to no effects on the animal’s mobility and/or bladder and bowel functionality, then the appendage might just be allowed to heal by itself over time.  But your veterinarian Wake Forest, NC might still recommend surgery to repair or amputate any break along the end portion of the tail. Click here to know more.

Use Topical Drops To Get Rid Of Fleas In Cats

 

Using topical drops on your pet cat is an effective way to get rid of fleas that affect your cat.  It is also the easiest method.

Topical drops work efficiently. You put some liquid on the cat’s skin, then the sebaceous gland absorbs the medication. It is best to aim for the base of the cat’s neck.  The glands distribute the ingredients all over the body. Since the glands release the oil in the epidermis, the active ingredients in the topical drop are released all over the body.

Eventually, the active ingredient will proceed to the nervous system to disable the capability to feed. Without food, fleas will die.

Topical drops are beneficial because it is non-intrusive. You only need to apply the product in between the shoulder blades, and it will slowly spread throughout and kill fleas.

Cats are more sensitive than dogs to certain ingredients in flea medications. Consult your vet New Orleans, LA about the best flea product that is safe and effective for your pet.

Why Having Regular Play Times With Your Cat Is Important

Cats will thrive if they have playtimes regularly.  Play sessions like these are great chances for mental and physical stimulation and your pet to use her instincts.  One simple solution to fulfilling this need is to acquire another same-sex cat at around the same activity level and age to be your pet’s playmate.  But if acquiring another cat is not currently possible, you will have to set aside time to play with your cat at least two to three times per day.

Because cats like adhering to a set schedule daily, refrain from changing the time that you allot for play sessions.  Every session might range from ten to twenty minutes considering your cat’s activity levels.  Having some interactive toys like ones that are tied to poles or even just simple feathers can encourage your pet cat to exercise her predator instincts.

If you have concerns about your pet health and/or behavior, make an appointment with your veterinary clinic Columbia MD.

Dehydration Indicators In Cats

 

Dehydration can be a life-threatening problem in cats if not corrected immediately. Knowing the signs of dehydration is very important so cat parents can seek immediate veterinary intervention for their pets before it’s too late.

Should your cat ignore her water dish, she might experience dehydration. Indicators that your cat might be dehydrated include:

• Heart rate that is elevated

• Skin elasticity is decreased

• Appetite loss

• Depression or lethargy

• Dry gums

Your cat might be dehydrated if you try gently pinching the skin that is over the shoulders and this skin remains gathered when released. This is called “skin tenting” which is an indicator of dehydration.

Should you see any indicators listed above, consult your veterinarian. Your cat will be offered fluids, checked up so that possible ailments can be ruled out, and recommend steps to prevent future dehydration instances.

If your pet is showing signs of dehydration, you should call your animal hospital Virginia Beach, VA as soon as possible.