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How Healthy Is Your Cat?

November 8, 2017 by Mandy

You could spend forever worrying about your cat when everything’s fine because they’re such precious animals, but when you know there’s something up with their health, then it can be even worse. It might be that their behavior has changed in some way, and you’re worried about your cat’s mental health, or else it might be that their eating routine has changed. While you can definitely worry too much, you should know what to look out for if you have a real concern. It might be their age that’s causing them to act differently, or their exercise routine, they might have a parasite or pest, it might be their diet, or it could even be an issue related to your cat’s mental health. Read on to get to the bottom of your cat’s behavior and to find out how healthy it is.

Requirements of Kittens and Senior Cats

There’s a lot to do if you’re either about to buy a new kitten or if you’ve just bought one. Firstly, you need to speak to a vet about organizing the correct vaccinations, registering with the vet itself, and it might also be worth thinking about an insurance plan. Then you need to prepare the house, removing anything that might be a hazard to your curious and delicate little kitten. You’ll need to make a start litter box training as well as mediating the new cat’s socialization with any existing cats or pets. If you haven’t done all of these things, then your cat might not be as healthy as it should be.

Senior cats, however, have different requirements. Senior cats need regular check-ups at their registered vets, possibly regular biannual check-ups, and if they do start to develop conditions associated with older cats, then it’s essential that you do all of the research necessary to understand their conditions and what help they need from you. They’ll need feeding smaller meals at more regular intervals, and it’s essential that they have a regular exercise routine – playing is an essential part of an older cat’s life, so you should watch out for signs of inactivity in your animal.

Exercise: Indoor and Outdoor

Your cat’s indoor exercise should consist of lots of playing with toys and running around. If you use toys to play with your cat regularly then you’ll notice roughly how long it takes them to get tired, and you can start to build up its energy levels. This is absolutely essential if your cat stays permanently indoors, but it’s still important if your cat likes to play outside. An outdoor cat will get a lot of its exercise from playing outside, but it can be a worry for pet owners because you may be afraid of accidents occurring when it’s outside. It might be that your cat is being bullied by another cat whenever it goes outside, which can result in stress, physical injuries, and even a sudden loss of appetite to go outside; it could, alternatively, be because you live near a busy street. Running around every corner of the house is a sign of stress in a cat, so it might be worth thinking about how your cat is getting along outside.

Diet, Weight and Overall Health

There are many aspects to your cat’s general health, and although many of these can be identified through regular trips to the vet, it’s always worth knowing what to look out for. A cat’s fur and teeth can both reveal ill health; look out for patchy or thinning fur, especially if your cat seems to be doing it to itself, and any sign of gum disease or painful tooth problems in the animal need to be treated by a vet as soon as possible. Are there any signs of your cat having problems with its eyesight? This should be noticeable if you use toys to play with your cat regularly, and a vet will be able to help you give the right support. Is your cat too over or underweight? Either way, you need to put in place a feeding routine that works for your cat. It might be that your cat doesn’t like dry food, in which case you should look into trying your cat on wet food instead. Research the top best cat food wet, and experiment with different textures and flavors of food until you’ve found one your cat enjoys.

Fleas, Ticks, Worms and a Check-up at the Vet

Fleas are probably the most common, and you shouldn’t let an infestation get out of your control. If you find fleas on your cat, then you need to work out the scale of the infestation to find the right solution. If your whole house is infested, then you’ll need to either use a flea bomb or else get professional help in. One of the many ways your cat can get worms is by licking fleas off its body and eating them, but there are many types of worms that they can catch in all kinds of different ways which all vary in severity. The important thing is that you don’t become complacent about worms – make sure they’re regularly treated against worms, and you can even check at the vets if they are carrying any parasites around with them. Ticks are also common, and like fleas, they can give your cat anemia if they consume too much of your cat’s blood, as well as Lyme disease. If your cat does have ticks, remember not to try removing them with your fingers – you need a tick hook to remove them properly. Your vet will be more than happy to check up on any of these or help you out with an infestation.

Mental Health

Just like humans, cats can have mental health challenges as well, and it’s essential that pet owners have a level of understanding of the issues that could be affecting their cat’s lives. Symptoms of stress, anxiety and discomfort can vary from dramatic vocalizations, pacing, sucking fabric and licking out chunks of their own fur, while the cause of stress might be something simpler. Is there a hierarchy among all of the cats in the household? Is your cat getting enough time to play? Is your cat having a tough time when out the house? All of these issues will need some attention, and it might be worth working out a strategy with your local vet if you’re struggling with any of these problems.

How You Can Ensure Your Dog’s Oral Health is Excellent

September 28, 2017 by Mandy

Have you ever stopped and given consideration to your dog’s oral health? Regardless of age or breed, oral health is an important issue to be aware of in any dog. Poor oral health in a dog can lead to infections, sore gums, teeth falling out, rotting tooth sockets, and more. Reports from vets state that about 85% of dogs who are over the age of four are currently suffering from some sort of periodontal disease.

Unfortunately, dogs’ mouths are somewhat of a breeding ground for bacteria, which means it’s very easy for things to spiral out of control. So, what can you do as a pet owner to help keep your dog’s oral health in check and prevent these painful issues from occurring? Here are some steps you can follow.

Schedule Regular Visits to the Vet

If you can’t remember the last time you took your dog to the vet for a routine check-up, chances are it’s well overdue. It is suggested that a normal, healthy dog, between the ages of one through ten, should be visiting the vet yearly for a check-up. Obviously, if the dog develops other health issues they would need even more regular checkups.

During the check-up, the vet will be able to take a look in their mouth and identify any potential problem areas. Some vets even have designated staff that deal with dog dentistry. Take, for example, the California Veterinary Specialists who have a dentist as part of the staff. What this means is that if there are problems, you can have them dealt with right there in the same office.

Brush Your Dog’s Teeth

Just like you brush your teeth, your dog needs that same attention and care. Many dog owners feel apprehensive about brushing their dog’s teeth and feel it won’t be an easy process. It will take some getting used to, but this is when reward treats can come in very handy. Once your dog realizes that it won’t hurt them, they may actually start to like it.

It’s a good idea to start out small and only brush for 30 seconds. You can build up over the course of a few weeks until you’re able to brush each side of their mouth for a couple of minutes, every other day.

Don’t Ignore Bad Breath

While you may just think it’s normal for your dog to have bad breath, in reality this can be a warning sign that something is going on with their oral health. It’s a good idea to take your pet into your vet and have them take a look.

Give Your Dog Food that Helps with Dental Health

Today, there are all kinds of food, treats, and toys that have been specially designed to help aid oral health. This can’t replace the act of brushing their teeth, but they can certainly be helpful to give. These products are typically used to help with tartar and plaque control.

All of these steps will help you to keep your dog’s oral health well under control.

5 Reasons Why a Visit to the Aquarium is a Must for Children

August 31, 2017 by Mandy

There is a magical quality to aquariums that captures the attention of both children and adults alike. If you take your time in an aquarium, however, you’ll find that your children are learning a lot. There are so many benefits to taking your child to an aquarium. It should be something every family takes a day out to go do and see. The ocean makes up most the planet, and the creatures that dwell in the ocean are enchanting, befuddling, and, frankly, awesome. Here are five reasons why you should take your child out to the aquarium today:

1. Broaden Your Child’s Understanding of the World

Aquariums are stocked full of creatures from the deep. Many of these creatures your child will never have seen before. Not only will your child see first-hand the creature itself, they will also learn about their habitats and behaviors. It’s so important to teach your children that there is a world beyond their neighborhood that they don’t fully understand.

2. It’s Inspiring

Going into a career in marine biology is not a bad choice, but a visit to the aquarium is more valuable than hopefully inspiring your child into a reputable career later in their life. The creatures of the ocean are beautiful, and they’re inspiring, and there’s no substitution to seeing them in real life.

3. Improves Vocabulary

There’s no better way to learn new words than to see the creature that the word is referring to. Words in themselves are just abstract sounds, but when you place a child in front of a creature it either reinforces or introduces a word into their vocabulary. What better way to teach your child the difference between fish than to have them try and point out the different species in a tank? Discuss the comparisons and differences between the creatures that you and your children see.

4. Aquariums Offer Hands-On Learning

Nearly every aquarium has a center where both adults and children can do some hands-on learning. There are professionals stationed at every tank ready to teach you about the creatures that you will be holding. This is great for every child regardless, but it’s crucial for those who learn best through tactile teaching. They can feel the different textures, feel the living creature, and learn about it and its habits. Click Here to learn more about what a great aquarium can offer you and your children.

5. It’s a Great Family Bonding Experience

The best part about aquariums is that they’re a magical place for both adults and children. You can go and learn something new, gaze in wonder at the creatures in the tank, and have fun together.

Aquariums are great places to take your child. They teach them so much about the ocean, the world, and even how different creatures can be. They also help protect and conserve the species they have. These creatures are beautiful and exciting, and there are so many fun activities for your child to do and to learn from. Make your next family date to the aquarium.

Finding the Right Pet Sitter

July 7, 2017 by Mandy

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With summer vacation plans in the works, have you decided who will watch your furry friends while you’re away? Be sure to find someone who will put your mind at ease. Rover.com has a few recommendations in your search.

After you’ve narrowed your list of potential pet sitters, set-up meetings to request what you need, gauge their interest, and ensure your pets & your sitter are a match! Here are important qualities to look for in a sitter:

Trustworthy

Whether your pet sitter is coming to stay at your home or you’re dropping off your pets somewhere else, be sure you choose someone you can count on. Do you trust this person with a key to your house? Do you trust your pets will be safe and secure in your pet sitter’s home? Spend the time to get related to your sitter, and trust your instincts.

Reliable and Flexible

Be clear and specific about what you are expecting from your pet sitter. It’s okay to communicate your deal-breakers. Is timeliness and attention to detail important? Be honest about what you need, and find out what your pet sitter is available for and willing to do. You may also need someone who is flexible in the event that your travel schedule changes.

A Pet Lover

You want your pet sitter to love their job! If you think you’ve found the right person, schedule a time with your pets and the sitter to make sure the feeling is mutual. If your pet sitter loves your pets, they will go the extra mile in caring for them.

Prepared to Learn

You’ve already put in the effort to train your pets; your sitter should be ready to learn and put into practice the commands you use and the routines you have in place. Spend time working with your pet sitter to demonstrate how you work with your pets so everyone is happy and healthy.

If you take the time, you may discover a few quality pet sitters available for your busy schedule. It’s worth the effort to find the right person for the job!