What Factors To Consider Before Getting A Puppy For Your Senior Dog

 

Are you planning to adopt a puppy while you already have a senior dog? There is no problem with this so long as you can provide both animals with their needs and give them the care and love they long for. 

If you think that you are personally ready – mentally, emotionally, and financially, good for you. But, there is one more thing you must consider, the temperament and behavior of your senior dog.

Most older dogs can accept the arrival of a new and younger dog. However, some dogs have a difficult time adjusting to such changes in the household. 

So, it is best to check if your older dog is ready for a new companion. Is he docile and friendly with other animals? If he is, then you may adopt a puppy for him. but, if your older dog is aggressive or has dominant behavior, forget about getting him a companion.

Consult your veterinary clinic Plano TX about the best ways to protect your pet from various health issues. 

What to Bring When Boarding Your Pet

 

Bring along some pet food and leave feeding instructions.  If your pet has any medication, take that along as well, and remember to leave directions too.  There are boarding facilities that also ask for your pet’s collar, identification tags, and leash. 

Then there are those that use the facility’s Beforeags and collars.  Optional items to take along with you are your pet’s special blanket, bed, toys, and treats.  However, remember that there are items that could get dirty, lost, or destroyed when your pet is boarded.  Avoid including your pet’s unique, super special bed or toy.  Oftentimes, it is better to just have the boarding facility use their provided bedding.  It will be best if you ask before you make reservations.

Remember to keep your pet’s vaccinations updated.  Call the facility in advance so you can check for the required vaccines.  Take the vaccine records with you.  Most boarding establishments will want you to get your pet’s vaccinations updated well ahead of the boarding date. Ask your veterinarian Raleigh, NC about your pet’s vaccination records. Click here.

Keeping Your Pet Safe During Very Cold Weather

 

As a pet owner, it's important to be cautious of slips/falls, frostbite, de-icing chemicals, and hypothermia during winter. Follow these pet safety tips for cold seasons:

●Wellness examination

Extreme coldness can worsen some of your pet's current medical conditions like arthritis, heart and kidney diseases, hormonal imbalances, and diabetes. To prevent this, bring your pet to the vet every year, and ask how winter can affect your pet's condition.

●Frigid temperatures

Just with extremely high temperatures, super low temps are also dangerous to pets. Depending on their age, coat density, activity level, body fats, and overall health, some pets can or can't sufficiently tolerate the cold. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, thick-coated or long-haired dogs manage cold temps better than short-haired ones. Short-legged dogs are also less tolerant because their bodies and bellies are closer to the snow-filled ground.

If your pet is showing signs of hypothermia, contact your veterinary clinic Raleigh, NC immediately.

Regular Brushing: Fool-Proof Way To Protect Pets Against Dental Disease

 

One aspect of periodontal disease management in pet cats and dogs is prevention.

One of the most effective methods to keep your pet’s oral health up between scheduled professional dental checkups is brushing your pet’s teeth.  If you have a kitten or puppy, start brushing their teeth because these young pets will have an easier time acclimating to the procedure.  Brushing should be done every day for optimum dental health.  

A lot of dogs will eventually take to brushing, but you have to take it slow and be patient.  Brush mainly your pet’s “cheek teeth” outside parts,  beneath their upper lip.  Never use your own toothpaste because human toothpaste contains components that might be hazardous if inhaled or swallowed by pet cats and/or dogs.  Use toothpaste products specifically formulated for dogs or cats.  They even come in the flavors that pets like.  Unsure of the proper methods of brushing your pet’s teeth?

Make an appointment at your veterinarians Frisco TX for your pet’s health and dental checks.

Permethrin Is Toxic To Cats

 

Permethrin is a chemical found in various solutions designed to kill pests. It can be a spray to drive away bugs from your home or a product for ferreting out the unwanted inhabitants of your garden. It can also be one of the ingredients of a shampoo used for lice removal.

Once an insect is exposed to this neurotoxin, the chemical attacks the bug's nervous system, which leads to death. Some manufacturers also use it for their tick removal products which are popular among dog owners.

There's a common misconception among pet owners, especially those who have cats and dogs, regarding shampoos that contain permethrin. It's the idea that they can use on their cats the same chemicals that they use on their dogs. But the truth is, you'd have to be crazy to even consider it.

Permethrin is harmful to cats, especially in large quantities. There are things -- food that your cat and dog can share, but not this one. We all want to economize and get the best possible value for our money. But there should be a limit to the compromises we make. 

Any signs of toxicity exhibited by your pet must warrant a visit to your animal hospital Frisco TX immediately.

Safety Tips To Keep In Mind Around Dogs And Babies

 

Becoming a mother is a life-changing experience that comes with a lot of responsibilities. Are you expecting to be a mom anytime soon? Congratulations. And it may be a question for you whether you have to let go of your first baby, yes your pup, because of the arrival of a new one.

Do not worry. Do not give up on your beloved canine. You have to ensure that both your baby and pup are safe and secure. How? Consider the following tips.

• Do not let your pups go near, lick, or sniff your baby’s tiny face. They may smell or sniff the feet, but not the face or head.
• Do not leave your baby alone with your pups or one of them. They may not have established that connection or relationship. It will take time for them to get used to each other. Do not rush on things.
• Supervision is important when your baby and your dogs are present in one room. Neither of them knows what must be done or what must be avoided.

Give them time to adjust and be familiar with the presence of each other. Sooner or later, your dogs and baby may become best of friends.

A sudden change in your pet’s behavior should warrant a visit to your vet Chesapeake VA, the Barker Animal Hospital.

Types Of Adverse Food Reactions In Cats

 

Various categories of negative food reactions could happen to a cat: 

Food Poisoning.  This adverse reaction to food is triggered by the food item itself.  Food poisoning might include the following: 

• Swallowing too much of a certain nutrient like vitamin D or vitamin A. 
• Scavenging spoiled food items.
• Swallowing plants, (like rhubarb) could cause irritation to the gastrointestinal tract.
• Food additives.  Negative reactions to some food additives can happen in people, often caused by things like monosodium glutamate, sulfites, and specific spices.  You may have heard that there are food additives that could trigger issues in cats, but supporting evidence for this is lacking.  Disulfides are food additives known to cause issues.  Onions contain disulfides and could damage red blood cells.
• Drug-like food reactions.  Humans could suffer from critical clinical reactions brought about by histamine.  Some of these reactions include facial swelling, vomiting, nausea, sweating, diarrhea, and flushing.  But histamine might not be a problem for cats, barring occasional idiosyncratic reactions.
• Carbohydrates. Various notable carbohydrate intolerance conditions exist in humans.  Cats reacting negatively to carbohydrate intolerance are not as commonplace.  Lactose intolerance is quite a common carbohydrate reaction seen in cats.  Indicators include abdominal discomfort, bloating, vomiting and diarrhea after ingesting milk from goats or cows.
• Dietary indiscretion.  Dogs exhibit dietary indiscretion more than cats.  However, cats do sometimes eat stuff that they must not.  Gastrointestinal indicators might be triggered by bones, bacterial contamination, grease, or fat.

If your pet is showing any signs of illness, make an appointment with your vet clinic Chesapeake VA.