How to Switch Your Pet’s Food—Minus the Dinner Drama
Jump to section Why You May Want to Transition Your Pet to a New Food How to Transition Your Pet to a New Food Troubleshooting and Safety Tips Which Is the Best Pet Food for My Pet?
DIY Dog Treats: Healthy Holiday No-Bake Recipes
If you’re hosting a holiday party, don’t forget that the furry family members enjoy DIY treats too! Your dog will love these super-healthy homemade dog treats, and you don’t have to spend too much time making them. Both dog treat recipes take about 10 minutes each to prepare, and contain wholesome ingredients to boost your dog’s health. Kale is a great antioxidant and bone broth adds moisture and flavor to any meal. Kefir and pumpkin are ideal digestive aids for dogs, and blue and green mussels provide loads of healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Why not make some fun dog-friendly DIY treats for the holiday pups in your family!
6 Most Common Holiday Plants Toxic to Cats
WRITTEN BYPet Poison Helpline Veterinarian Team Veterinarian Pet Poison Helpline®, your trusted source for toxicology and pet health advice in times of potential emergency, is available 24 hours,…,The most common holiday plants that can be toxic to cats include lilies, Christmas trees, yew, holly, mistletoe, and poinsettias. Some cause mild stomach upset, while others—like lilies and yew—can be life-threatening, so always call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) right away if your cat is exposed. These beautiful living additions to your holiday decorations can be tempting for your cat to investigate. If your cat licks, chews, or eats holiday plants it’s possible that they could become ill, depending on what type they ingest and how much of it. For this reason, it’s important to consider what plants you bring home around the holidays and what access your cat might have to them.
Can Cats Eat Catnip?
Yes! Cats can eat catnip; and for most cats, catnip provides a holistic, relaxing experience for your cat in a condensed, cost-effective, easy-to-store form. We spoke to a vet expert about what cat parents need to know about giving their cats catnip. Before introducing catnip into your cat’s diet and/or playtime, consult with your veterinarian to see if they have any recommendations for products they think your cat specifically will respond well to and if there are any they advise you to avoid based on your cat’s activity level, personality and health.
How to Teach Your Dog to Be Calm in a Dog Crate
It’s much easier to teach your dog to relax in a dog crate if he doesn’t have strong feelings about the dog crate itself. Starting over with a different dog crate is especially important if your pet’s association with his current dog crate is a negative one. Also, if your dog has outgrown his dog crate, he may not like going inside of it because it’s no longer comfortable. In this case, it’s time to upgrade. Frisco’s Heavy Duty dog crate comes with a divider that allows your dog to grow into the crate. Find out how to pick the best size dog crate for your pup.,Dog kennels and dog crates are wonderful and useful tools at home. You can use a dog crate for things like potty training, for creating the ultimate safe zone for your pet and, when strapped-down, for road trips with your canine companion. Dog crates or dog kennels also come in handy for emergency situations, like when a natural disaster strikes. Teaching your dog to be comfortable in a dog crate is well worth the time and effort. Some pups are uncomfortable in dog kennels because of past experiences or never having to settle quietly in a dog crate before. If your dog acts anxious or rambunctious in his dog crate, these dog training tips can help you teach him to be calm in his crate.
Getting a Second Opinion: How to Do It Without Breaking the Bank (or Offending Your Vet)
What to Do Once You Receive a Second Opinion Once a pet parent has received multiple opinions or diagnoses, you’ll need to begin trying to make the best decision possible for your pet. “The family needs to ask themselves what they want do [and] what they think is right for their pet. Talk to the veterinarian who is change of the whole thing and ask, ‘does this make sense?’” says Hohenhaus. If your pet is being treated at a large hospital, you can consult with a social worker who can help you sort out your feelings and what the best treatment plan is. Sadly, it also might be time to accept that euthanasia or hospice care is the best remaining option for your pet. Especially as pets age and some treatments become costlier and more invasive, investing the time, money and energy in a care plan that might only prolong your pets’ life by a few weeks or months may not make sense. Discuss with your doctors to decide on the best course of action for your individual pet.,By Teresa Traverse Like people, our pets can be diagnosed with a condition that might require a second medical opinion. However, unlike in human medicine, it can be hard to find information on how to go about getting another vet to chime in on your pet’s condition. Find out more about how to get a second opinion, how not to offend your primary vet while doing it and why sharing information with your vet is important, below. How Do You Get a Second Opinion? The first person you should ask about getting a second opinion is your primary veterinarian. “The veterinary community is very small, so your veterinarian likely knows the right specialists,” says Ann Hohenhaus, DVM and staff veterinarian at the Animal Medical Center in New York City. Hohenhaus acknowledges that many pet owners don’t want to tell their primary vets that they are looking for another opinion because they’re worried about hurting the doctor’s feelings, but it can be detrimental for your pet if the vets aren’t working together. “No single veterinarian can know everything out there that there is to know. So collaborating and sharing of information is really an important thing in practicing any kind of medicine,” Hohenhaus said. Maybe your vet will miss things that a second vet will catch. Maybe they’ll collaborate to come up with an effective treatment plan that you and both veterinarians are happy with. She advises that it’s usually best to have one vet coordinating care and discussing lab results with other vets, assuming you’re working with multiple vets. At the animal hospital where Hohenhaus works, pet parents are not charged for time the vets spend talking about cases amongst themselves as the staff works as a team. Pet owners are only billed for individual appointments they have with a particular veterinarian.
How Long Do Dogs Live? (Plus, Tips for Maximizing Their Lifespan)
As any dog parent can attest, a home filled with wagging tails and eager wet noses is a haven of joy. Our beloved four-legged friends gift us with unconditional love that soothes the soul and charmingly goofy behavior that never fails to make us smile. Despite the occasional disappearing sock, we want our pups to be our loyal sidekicks forever, but just how long do dogs live? The lifespan of a dog varies greatly based on several factors, with the most significant being their breed and size. Small dogs tend to live longer than large dogs, but size isn’t the only factor at play. We spoke to a vet expert about canine longevity, including how to help your dog live a longer, healthier life.
Does Your Pet Hate the Vet? Try a Fear Free Veterinary Clinic
If your cat or dog loved to go to the vet, would you feel differently about providing your pet with necessary routine health care? “America’s Veterinarian” Dr. Marty Becker is answering that question with a resounding “yes!” and so are tens of thousands of Fear Free Certified veterinary professionals around the country. I am in the exam room with George, a brown, stocky dog who eyes me suspiciously from behind his mom’s legs. His ears are back, his tail is tucked under his belly, and every couple of breaths, he shudders quietly. His mom shares that he is petrified at the veterinarian’s office. He get so stressed, she has not brought him to the doctor in over a year even though he needs a rabies vaccine and a blood test. As a Fear Free veterinarian, I have seen cases like George’s where going to vet is so frightening that the pet isn’t getting the healthcare they deserve. Stress can negatively affect the quality of life of our fur babies when they are at the vet and when they get home. In addition, patient stress inhibits the veterinary healthcare team’s ability to deliver quality medical care and effectively treat what ails your little one. Enter Fear Free. For pets like George, Fear Free vet visits can hold the key to better healthcare and a happier life.
How To Clean a Fish Tank
In This Article How To Properly Clean a Fish Tank View 5 More +
Uterine Infection and Pus in Ferrets
Prevention Spaying ferrets is the best way to prevent pyometra.,Pyometra and Stump Pyometra in Ferrets Pyometra is a life-threatening uterine infection that develops when bacterial invasion of the endometrium (wall of the uterus) leads to an accumulation of pus. Pyometra is seen most commonly in breeding females. However, since most ferrets are spayed at a very young age prior to sale, the overall incidence of pyometra in ferrets is low. Spayed ferrets, conversely, may suffer from a condition called stump pyometra. This uterine infection occurs when remnants of the uterine or ovarian tissue remain. It typically only affects sexually mature females (greater than 8 to 12 months old). Symptoms and Types Usually, a ferret with pyometra will have blood in its urine originating from the uterus. It may come intermittently or follow the animal’s reproductive cycles. Some other symptoms include: Fever Paleness Vomiting Lethargy Depression Loss of appetite (anorexia) Abdominal distension Increasingly aggressive behavior Fluid buildup in the uterus Swollen vuvla Signs of a pseudo-pregnancy Stillborn pregnancies or infertility Signs of a systemic illness (e.g., shock or blood infection)
