Hairballs in Cats

 

Cats bring many wonderful things into our homes and lives … and a few that aren’t so wonderful. Most people with cats have had to deal with hairballs on occasion. These are mostly thought of as an unsightly inconvenience. However, they can be very dangerous.

Sometimes cats are unable to expel hairballs in the usual manner. This can lead to intestinal obstructions, which can become life-threatening. Therefore, it's important to help your kitty out with her grooming. Brushing her regularly can greatly reduce the amount of hairballs she gets, as you'll be capturing that dead fur with a brush before she swallows it.

Keeping your cat indoors can also help. Inside pets are protected from the seasonal weather cycles that trigger hairballs: if your pet doesn't grow that thick winter coat, she won't be shedding it in spring.

If your pet is extremely prone to hairballs, reach out to your veterinary clinic Cornelius, NC. Hairball preventatives may help. Learn more here.

Is Hospice A Viable Option For An Ill Pet?

 

We spend years bonding with our pets. We take them on our vacations, cuddle with them on cold, snowy days, stress over whether they'll make it or not when they're sick. You name it -- pet owners have gone through it. So it's only natural that we find it hard to say goodbye when the end is near.

But if you did everything to give your fur baby the best possible life, you can at least comfort yourself with the knowledge that your pet felt loved. And now that your little friend's body is starting to give up, the best you can do is make it bearable. That should make the remaining days more bearable for you both.

Vets often recommend hospice to pet owners with animals that are terminally ill. It also offers round-the-clock care for pets whose conditions can worsen drastically at the drop of a hat. But while confining your pet to a clinic or hospital can extend your fur baby's life, professional involvement is crucial. There needs to be an attending vet -- otherwise, it's hard to know if hospice is working or just adding to the animal's suffering.

Your veterinarian Fayetteville, NC can enlighten you about important health issues that can affect your pet. Learn more here.

Elevated Beds For Pets

Outdoor pet dogs have to be provided a comfortable spot to sleep.  Trampoline-style elevated beds are an ideal option and come in various sizes and shapes.  Because these sleeping areas are raised, they will let air circulate beneath them, keeping your pet well-ventilated and cool during the summer months.  In addition, they are made of materials that are similar to plastic shadecloth, making them practically flea-proof since fleas are not likely to lay their eggs in materials like these.  Fleas prefer blankets, cushions, or carpets.  The material also makes the beds anti-dust and ideal for pets that have dust allergies.  During the winter months, you can try cushioned elevated beds, or just line the elevated bed you have with fluffy covers or soft mats so that your pet is kept warm and cozy.

Hideaways and igloo-type beds 

If you have a small-sized dog or a pet cat who always looks for cozy crannies and nooks to nap in, igloo beds might be the ideal sleeping spot for them.  Pet cats like to hide away when they sleep so hideaway-type sleeping beds are ideal for this purpose.

Your veterinarian Salem VA is a valuable resource when it comes to your pet’s health and needs.

Tips For Choosing The Right Clothes For Your Dog

 

To ensure that your pet dog’s new threads fit properly, a measuring tape should be used to take some simple measurements.  Should you have an overly excited or very wriggly pet, you might want to ask someone else to help you and use your pet’s favorite treats so that you can have your pet behave as you measure him.

Most jumpers, coats, and jackets use a pet’s back length for measurements.  To find this, just measure the length from the base of your dog’s neck, around the collar, up to the tail’s base where his coat should end.  To find the chest measurement for your dog, gently circle the measuring tape around the part of his chest that is the widest.  The measuring tape should not be too tight, but just snug.  For neck measurements, use the same technique, but around your pet’s neck where his collar would typically be.

Your veterinarian Ellicott City, MD can enlighten you about important health issues that can affect your pet.

Is Your Child Ready For Contacts?

Whether your child is now physically attending classes or if they're still using a virtual setup, regular eye check-ups are a must. Poor eyesight is a problem in the classroom, and even more so when they're at home, using their phones or tablets all day to engage with teachers.

Kids may prefer contact lenses over eyeglasses for a variety of reasons. For one, contact lenses involve a more subtle change in appearance. The fact that you can wear fashion lenses may also be a factor. In any case, let your family's eye care expert have a look at your child.

There are no strict age requirements when it comes to when a child may start wearing contacts. It all boils down to whether the child is mature enough and responsible enough to follow instructions. You know your child's habits better than anyone. If you think they're ready, see how they'll respond when the doctor starts discussing the basics of wearing contacts.

Consider the condition of your child's eyes. If it's mild, get them started with disposable contact lenses. This way, they can get used to wearing them without worrying all the time about losing the lenses.

Take care of your eyes with regular visits to your eye doctor Hackensack, NJ. Schedule an appointment today!

Keeping Your Cat Indoors

 

Did you know that one of the best things you can do for your feline pal is to keep her indoors? Kitties are quite adventurous, and they love exploring new places. However, your pet is very vulnerable to the threats she can face outdoors. This includes things like cars, weather, traffic, chemicals, parasites, and, unfortunately, people. 

If your pet has had the privilege of being allowed outside before, she may have a hard time settling into being grounded. There are a few ways you can make this more fun for her. One thing that may help is setting out pet safe plants for her to sniff at and nibble on. This will give her a taste of outdoors without exposing her to a lot of danger. It's also important that you take time to play with your cat regularly. This will help her burn off that excess energy. If you want to go all-out, build your kitty a catio, and let her have the best of both worlds.

Be sure to bring her to your animal hospital Bend, OR regularly for examinations and wellness care.

Eye Glasses Cleaning Tips From The Experts

 

For those of you who often wear glasses, this is familiar territory. The urge to wipe your eyeglasses every few minutes is hard to ignore. The accumulation of dirt is not just distracting -- it's downright frustrating because of the eye strain.

If you haven't washed your glasses in months, start doing it now. Bacteria build-up isn't a joke, especially on a device you wear above your eyes. Can you imagine the level of infection?

Any chemical that falls onto your glasses, you should wash away with running water. Otherwise, you risk destroying the lenses, especially if your glasses are anti-fog.

The nose pads can also turn yellow with age. If this is the case with you, it's high time you replaced the frame. You won't have a hard time finding a new one because all optical centers throughout the country sell these.

If you don't have a microfiber cloth to wipe your glasses, you can use cotton. But do be careful not to scratch your lenses.

 Any sign of an eye problem should prompt a visit to your optometric center Hackensack, NJ.