Winter Eye Protection

Winter is coming soon. Seasonal weather changes affect us in many different ways. With winter, the combination of cold, dry air and bright snow can definitely do a number on your eyes.

Here are a few tips:

Dry Air

Along with the cold, snow, and ice, one complaint many people have is the dryer air. This can affect your eyes and vision. Those with dry eyes are particularly likely to suffer discomfort and irritation. Stay hydrated, and consider using a humidifier.

Use Sunglasses

You've heard the term snowblind before. It's not a myth! The light reflecting off snow can cause eye problems. Blindness—typically temporary—is one issue. You may also notice pain, light sensitivity, watering, blurry vision, and headaches. Keep using sunglasses, even when it doesn't seem sunny.

Wear Goggles

If you like skiing, snowboarding, or snowmobiling, you're in good company. However, you should always wear protective goggles for these winter sports.

Ask your Bellingham, WA optometry center  for more tips on how to protect your eyes. 

How Heavy Should My Dog Be?

 

Pet owners need to consider plenty of factors to know whether the dog’s heavyweight is average or not. To help you find out the average weight of your dog, you should pinpoint the time when your pet will stop growing.

A good example is the Great Dane. As a puppy, it will keep growing. And it will continue to grow later on. Meanwhile, Shih-Tzu stops growing up after a while because they are not big animals like adults.

Think of it this way. If you have a large dog breed, you can expect it to keep growing for a long time. Meanwhile, small dog breeds will stop growing when it is about six months old.

You can also refer to a chart to know the average weight of a dog. The said chart will tell you the expected weight according to the breed and age. You can also refer to a dog weight estimator to get your answer.

If your pet is overweight or obese, do consult your vet Marietta, GA before starting your pet on a weight loss regimen. Or make an appointment at this website Smyrna Animal Hospital.

Ways To Protect Your Things From Your Cat’s Claws

Scratching is an instinctive behavior in cats which means it cannot be prevented unless they are declawed which would be extremely painful for your kitty and a very inhumane act. 

There are several reasons why cats engage in scratching. One of which is that it helps remove old nails when scratching on a rough surface, allowing new ones to grow. Aside from that, scratching allows them to leave or mark their distinct smell on surfaces and objects because of the scent gland found on the pads of their paws.

Luckily, scratching can be addressed by setting up and encouraging them to use a scratching post. Other than that strategy, you can opt to cover the claws of your cat with nail caps, using a no-scratch product and spraying it onto surfaces and objects that you do not want your cat to scratch, and covering surfaces with adhesive tape since cats dislikes the feel of it on their paws. 

Consult your veterinarian Roanoke, VA if there are issues that will arise regarding your pet’s behavior.

Why Do Cats Scratch ?

Cats have various reasons why they scratch. In some cases, cats need to remove the uppermost layer of the nails. They also need to tell others of their territory or announce their presence. All these are possible when your cat release scent coming out of the nails. 

Cats can also leave a mark that everyone can see when they scratch. 

Finally, cats can stretch their body as they scratch the various surface.

Cats have various reasons why they want to claw at things around your house. And if you are thinking of getting a cat, you should know that they will claw at some point to keep healthy. Your cat could claw to control their emotions. Or they can mark their territory. They do this by leaving a scent on the items they are clawing. And they can also leave visible marks to claim what is theirs.

Thus, it is essential to have a scratching post. Put at least one scratcher in the house if you have a pet cat. It would even be better to have more than one scratcher.

Your vets Ellicott City MD is a valuable resource when it comes to issues that affect your pet’s health and behavior.

What Makes Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Interesting Pets?

If you are not familiar with the Cavalier King Charles spaniel, you should know that this breed has a famous namesake. The name comes from King Charles II. This famous monarch lived during the 17th century and was fond of spaniel dogs. The King favored this breed and allowed them in public places. Meanwhile, the other dog breeds do not appear in public.

The Cavalier King Charles spaniel dog belongs to the toy breed category. This dog belongs to the toy breed, even if it is a spaniel.  The other toy breeds are the Maltese dogs and Chihuahua. 

Kennel clubs do not want to lump the Cavalier King Charles with the other spaniels since they do not accompany their humans in hunting.

The Cavalier King Charles breed is popular nowadays. When you look at the dog population in the country, you will see that this breed is one of the top favorites. What makes this breed popular? The answer is that the dog provides companionship. They are also sweet and cute.

Consult your veterinarian Eau Claire, WI about the best way to protect your pet from various health issues. Visit the website.

How Healthy Is Your Cat’s Fur Coat ?

The fur of your cat fur can tell you about the status of their health. A coat that is shiny with clear skin can be indicative of a cat that is healthy. On the other hand, a coat that is greasy, with bald patches and skin that is dry can be a sign of problems in health.

Cats are fond of cleaning themselves. Cats use the rough texture of their tongue to lick certain parts of their fur. Despite that, it is still important that you provide your cat with a groom as well.

Grooming will depend on the breed of your cat for a cat breed that has long hair like the Norwegian Forest is required to be groomed daily to make sure that their fur doesn’t get tangled. This breed of cat also sheds regularly which means that your house will be full of cat hair.

Cat breeds that have short hair, like Domestic Shorthair, only need grooming once a week. They also don’t shed as much compared to their longhaired counterparts.

Any problem affecting your pet's skin and/or hair coat should require a visit to your pet clinic Ellicott City MD.

Dental Care for Dogs

Just like with humans, the health of your dog’s teeth affects his overall health. The American Veterinary Dental College reports the majority of dogs start to show signs of periodontal disease by three years old. You can help your dog avoid this by taking a few simple steps.

 

It’s not uncommon for dog owners to overlook the importance of dental hygiene considering dogs, in general, are not known to have fresh, minty breath. Since dogs don’t typically have fresh breath, it’s easy to overlook this symptom. And while your canine buddy’s breath may have an odor, it shouldn’t be so bad that it makes you gag.

Here are a few ways you can freshen your little buddy’s breath:

●        Dental dog treats - these freshen the breath and remove plaque buildup

●        Brush your dog’s teeth with dog toothpaste on a regular basis (not human toothpaste, since that contains ingredients that can be toxic to a dog). Your vet can help you find quality toothpaste for dogs.

●        Dog chews - helps scrape plaque off the teeth and some of them also contain teeth-cleaning enzymes

●        Dog tooth wipes - these offer a nice alternative to brushing for dogs that don’t like getting their teeth brushed

And don’t hesitate to consult your local animal hospital Coral Springs, FL for other ways to care for your dog’s teeth, especially if Fido’s breath is really bad. Learn more here.