How To Introduce Cats the Right Way
In This Article Finding the Right Match View 2 More +
Why Does My Cat Attack Me Unprovoked?
Maternal Aggression Maternal aggression may cause a female cat that has recently given birth to become agitated and attack either familiar people or strangers who come near the kittens. Providing a quiet, low-stress, private space for the mother cat can be helpful. Limit the number of people who visit your home and avoid contact with the mother cat and kittens if the mother is showing signs of aggression. Maternal aggression should decrease with time as the kittens grow.,Redirected Aggression When cats can’t respond to a threatening stimulus outside their territory, they may show redirected aggression toward other cats in the household or toward people. This may affect your family members as well as unfamiliar visitors who happen to be around when your cat becomes agitated by an outside stimulus. Aggression redirected toward people can be managed in a manner similar to aggression redirected toward other cats. To resolve redirected aggression toward people, try to direct the aggressive impulses toward more appropriate outlets, such as a variety of toys with different textures: Small, light, catnip-laced toys Ball toys with bells in them Wand toys Toys stuffed with food or treats Cats may also benefit from more play during the day to help them use energy and to provide adequate mental stimulation. You can also manage the behavior by removing or avoiding the outside threat, such as covering windows if your cat is reacting to unfamiliar cats or other animals outside. Redirected aggression can also be managed with calming products such as Feliway diffusers, specifically multi-cat formulations that produce a synthetic maternal pheromone to promote calm and security. Aggressive cats may also benefit from anti-anxiety medications such as fluoxetine and gabapentin.,Have you ever been peacefully petting your cat, and they suddenly attack you? Or maybe you were just sitting near them and they decided to bite and swat at you. Why do cats do this? What causes a cat to attack you when unprovoked? If this is a sudden change in behavior, have your cat checked out to rule out pain-induced aggression caused by an underlying health issue. Otherwise, take a look at these most common reasons for a cat being aggressive toward a person.
Redirected Aggression in Cats: Why It Happens and What To Do
In This Article What Is Redirected Aggression in Cats? View 5 More +
When Do Cats Stop Growing?
In This Article When Are Cats Full-Grown? View 2 More +
How to Pet a Cat Correctly
In This Article Do Cats Like To Be Pet? View 2 More +
Why Do Cats Bury Their Poop?
In This Article Why Do Cats Bury Their Poop? View 3 More +
Why Do Cats Wiggle Before They Pounce?
In This Article What Causes the Butt Wiggle in a Cat That’s About To Pounce? View 2 More +
8 Signs Your Cat Is Stressed
Establishing a routine, such as feeding and scooping the litter box at the same time each day Providing several outlets for mental enrichment, such as cat trees placed near windows for bird viewing, interactive cat toys to play with, and scratching posts,Cats are complex beings capable of feeling many emotions throughout their lives: contentment, fear, boredom, and—perhaps the most critical—stress. Stress is defined as the psychological and physical strain that’s placed on an animal when they’re exposed to a set of negative environmental conditions. In cats, this physical response to stress can be particularly harmful and manifest as changes in appetite, coat condition, urinary habits, or digestive system function. Because of this, it’s important to understand when your cat is feeling stressed. Here are some of the most common signs of stress in cats and how you can help calm your kitty.
Can Cats Smile?
In This Article Do Cats Smile? View 8 More +
When Should You Switch From Puppy to Adult Dog Food?
Dry Food vs. Wet Food The next step is to decide whether you would like to feed your dog dry food, wet food, or a mixture of the two. Both types of food have positive and negative aspects, and the choice to use one, the other, or both depends on the specific needs of your dog. For example, wet food: Has a higher moisture content than dry food and may be better for dogs that do not drink much water. Has a lower calorie density per volume than dry dog food, allowing dogs to feel fuller on fewer calories, which helps control their weight throughout their lives. Is often more palatable and appetizing than dry food, so it may be a great option for picky eaters or for stimulating the appetite of dogs that are less interested in food. Can be beneficial for dogs with oral abnormalities or dental disease, as it is easier for them to chew. By contrast, dry food: Can be a more economical option than wet food. Is a great option for easier portion control and for dogs that tend to graze throughout the day rather than consume a full meal in one sitting, as dry food will not spoil as rapidly if left out for long periods of time. Is beneficial for dental health, as the crunchy pieces act as an abrasive against the teeth during chewing and help prevent tartar buildup and thus tooth and gum disease. Can be easily used as a tool in puzzle toys for enrichment and mental stimulation. Is be used in slow feeders for reducing the rate at which dogs are able to consume their meals. When your pup eats more slowly, the risk is lower of them swallowing too much air and developing bloat, a potentially dangerous condition. Nutritional Requirements The final step in selecting the best adult dog food diet is to examine the Guaranteed Analysis panel on the bag or can of food and ensure that the formula meets a few major nutritional requirements. Look for a food that has: About 18% protein and 5.5% fat Minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, chloride, magnesium, iron, copper, manganese, zinc, iodine, and selenium Vitamins such as vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, thiamine, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, niacin, pyridoxine, folic acid, vitamin B12, and choline From there, you may decide to look for other ingredients that you wish to feed your dog: Some adult dog formulas contain omega-3 fatty acids, which help support healthy skin and joints. Other formulas have glucosamine for joint health or probiotics for gut health. Some dogs are sensitive to chicken and do better on beef- or salmon-based formulas. If you are unsure of the additional needs for your dog outside of the key ingredients and nutrients listed above, consult with your veterinarian. Level of Activity How you go about feeding your young dog will depend on their occupational status and whether they are spayed/neutered. Working dogs and dogs that engage in agility work or endurance activities may require more calories and more fat (up to 10-20%) in their adult dog formulas. They can also make do with less fiber (around 5%) in their food. On the other hand, most dogs kept as pets may be minimally active and can be fed the “standard” adult dog food diet as described above. They may also benefit from diets with at least 10% fiber on a dry matter basis. This will help ensure gut regularity with less physical activity. Especially if they have been spayed or neutered, dogs with minimally active lifestyles can typically be fed 15-20% less than the amount recommended on the dog food label to avoid weight gain and its associated health issues. Remember that dog treats and other sources of calories in the diet need to be included when determining the appropriate amount of food for your young adult dog. How to Switch Your Puppy to Adult Dog Food Once you have selected the best adult dog food for your puppy, you are ready to transition them slowly onto their new diet. Because rapid diet changes can cause gastrointestinal upset in dogs, such as vomiting and diarrhea, it is recommended to introduce the new food slowly over a period of five days or so. Continue to feed your puppy as many times per day as they are used to throughout this process. The feeding schedule might look something like this: Day 1: Mix some adult food with the puppy food at a ratio of 1:4, or 20% adult food and 80% puppy food. Day 2: Increase the amount of adult food so your puppy is getting 40% adult food and 60% puppy food. Day 3: Increase the amount of adult food again to 60% adult food, and decrease the amount of puppy food to 40%. Day 4: Feed 80% adult food and 20% puppy food. Day 5: Feed 100% adult food. If your puppy develops vomiting, diarrhea, or lack of appetite, stop feeding the adult dog food and see your veterinarian. How Often to Feed Your Dog For large-breed puppies, it may be best for them to continue to eat three times per day. For medium-breed puppies, they should continue to be fed twice daily when they have been transitioned to adult dog food. For small-breed puppies, you may consider transitioning them to eating twice daily instead of three times per day after they are fully on adult dog food. This may involve providing more attention and playtime for your dog as they become accustomed to fewer feedings per day. Consider extra walks, extra playtime, or brushing to distract them from feelings of hunger. Some dogs may benefit from high-fiber adult dog food to increase feelings of fullness between meals. Your dog may also enjoy cleaned, raw fruits and vegetables such as sliced carrots, cucumbers, or apples without the core or seeds. If you have any questions about transitioning your puppy to adult dog food, contact your veterinarian. In addition, a board-certified veterinary nutritionist can be a great resource for any issues that come up, and they can help develop the best diet and feeding schedule for your new family member. Featured image: iStock.com/SolStock,The transition from puppyhood to adulthood is an important milestone in any dog’s life—and any pet parent’s life as well. Just a few months ago, your little ball of fluff was tumbling around, getting into mischief. Now that ball of fluff has grown up, and it’s time to consider the steps you need to take to ensure lifelong health for your pet. Fundamental to a dog’s lifelong wellness is nutrition and feeding. One of the most crucial questions to ask is, “When is my puppy ready for adult dog food?”
