How To Keep Your Cat Mentally Stimulated

Cats have an age-related ailment called the Feline Cognitive Dysfunction (FCD) which causes a decline in their mental capacity with age. Fortunately, providing your cat with plenty of opportunities to stimulate their physical and mental capacity can lower the chance of FCD development and eventually preventing it in the process. 

One of the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle in cats is obesity. As natural hunters, they require a lot of physical and mental activities that encourage them to bring out their natural predatorial behavior. Thus, allowing them to participate in regular physical engagements keeps them active and motivated mentally and physically. Aside from the delay in mental aging, giving your cat an active routine decreases the chances of developing certain health problems.

A great way for you to motivate your cat to engage in physical activity is to hide a couple of her favorite treats around the house. Strategically place the treats in locations where she would need to climb stairs and walk a lot, stimulating both the mental and physical aspects of her well-being as she finds a way to get to the treats.

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

Tetrachromacy

Have you ever heard of tetrachromacy? It's not a word you often hear. Tetrachromacy is, in a nutshell, the opposite of colorblindness.

As you may know, the eye contains rods and cones, which help distinguish color and contrast. Most people have three types of cones, which are often called blue, green, and red cones. As one may expect, they deal with specific light wavelengths and colors.

People with this unique condition have a fourth type of cone cell in the eye. They can see more colors than others. Often it is the yellow-green hues that they see more clearly. This isn't unique to humans: many animals have the condition. Birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and insects are all technocrats. In fact, most mammals were once technocrats.

People who have tetrachromacy can't see ultraviolet light, but they can see close to it. They may also see better in dark, dim rooms, or when watching things on screens.

If you know or suspect that you have tetrachromacy, reach out to your Bellingham, WA eye care center. Make an appointment today!

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.