Along with cooler weather and shorter days, the fall season means a higher risk of your pet being exposed to toxic plants for dogs and cats alike. Keeping your fur baby healthy this autumn means being on the lookout for nuts, mushrooms, seasonal flowers and other items that may cause injury or intestinal distress. Follow […]
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Ants Ant bites also cause localized pain and swelling, but typically do not have significant whole-body effects on cats. Ants can crawl on a cat at the contact point between a body part and the ground, so standing cats get bitten on their feet and lounging cats can be bitten anywhere on the body having contact with the floor. Ant bites are often red, raised bumps with or without a small white pocket of pus in the center. In addition to the skin lesion, itching, limping, or lameness are the most common signs associated with ant bites on cats. Use caution when you have your cat outside, on a patio, or inside a home where ants might live. Using a steroid or antihistamine cream might be prescribed, based on your cat’s symptoms. Your veterinarian will be able to advise you on what remedies are best to use for ant bites on your cat.,How to Keep Cats Safe from Common Bug Bites Bug bites in cats can be prevented with different repellents, but keep in mind that cats are very sensitive to certain chemicals. Avoid the use of pesticides in your home. It is extremely important that you speak to your veterinarian before using any bug bite treatments, preventions, or products in your home or on your cat. Making sure your cat and all other pets are safe is the best way to avoid most bites and stings. If possible, limit your cat’s time outdoors, especially during times when bugs are most prevalent. If your cat does spend time outdoors, always thoroughly inspect their fur and skin for any bugs, bug bites, or stings. Make sure that your yard and home are routinely treated with pet-safe products to help decrease the incidence of bug bites. Featured Image:iStock.com/Iva Vagnerova,The following may contain Chewy links. PetMD is operated by Chewy. Cats are curious creatures and enjoy using their noses to sniff out anything of interest. They enjoy the noise or even the taste of a tiny bug—but this can sometimes get them into trouble. Bugs often seek out and find cats to facilitate their life cycle. Some can harm cats by causing irritated, itchy skin, and a few can be fatal to cats because they are poisonous or transmit infectious disease. It’s important to know what certain types of bug bites look like—not only to treat them effectively, but also to prevent them. Fleas Fleas are tiny, black, wingless insects that feed on the blood of animals, especially cats. Often, you see the fleas themselves or specks of flea feces before you notice any flea bites on your cat’s body. Flea bites appear commonly around a cat’s neck, down their back, and around the base of the tail. They usually appear as single raised red or pink spots, or in clusters. Flea bites can also have a faint red ring around the bite. These bites can quickly scab, especially in cats that are allergic to fleas. Flea bites are often less severe in cats that are not allergic but they are still itchy and irritating. Fleas are common on outdoor cats but can also be found on indoor cats. Having your cat on a consistent flea prevention regimen is the best way to avoid flea bites and their diseases. Year-round flea prevention is recommended for all cats in your home, whether they go outdoors or not. Flea bites can also be treated with anti-itch creams and a soothing bath with medicated shampoo. Check your cats routinely for fleas to catch any before they can cause too much pain to your cat. Ask your veterinarian to determine which treatment and prevention protocol would be best for your lifestyle.
One thing that sets parrots apart from other pets is their potential to talk. If you’re wondering how to teach your bird to talk, it requires time, consistency, and a thoughtful approach. That said, there are tried-and-true steps to help increase the chances of your bird developing the gift of gab.
With the recent outbreak of salmonella on tomatoes, the BeChewy editors decided to take a look at this particular fruit and how it affects your birds. “Tomatoes are an acidic fruit,” said Larry Nemetz, DVM, of the Bird Clinic in Orange County, California. He does not recommend, at any time, feeding birds raw tomatoes (including cherry tomatoes) because of their acidity. He once had a case that a cockatoo was hyper-sensitive to the acid in tomatoes and would, after a few days after eating one, vomit up blood. The bird had stomach ulcers and, after careful review of its diet, the tomato turned out to be the cause. Once the tomato was removed, the bird no longer became ill. Nemetz said fresh tomatoes are the only thing for owners to worry about. Items such as dried tomatoes and spaghetti sauce are fine. For dried tomatoes, it’s because only a little of the acid is left over from the drying process. The tomatoes in spaghetti sauce are cooked, removing the acid and also, there isn’t a lot used in the sauce. Jill Patt, DVM, of Alta Mesa Animal Hospital in Arizona, usually doesn’t recommend feeding tomatoes to birds. “There are other foods out there that are more nutritious, such as leafy greens, which birds can tear up and eat, providing mental stimulation,” she said. What if you do feed your birds tomatoes? “It’s a one in a million chance,” Nemetz said, on there being major problems feeding your birds tomatoes. “But I’d rather not risk it when there are better foods out there.” Posted by: Chewy Editorial Featured Image: ungvar/Shutterstock.com
Because they have to sometimes maneuver around them, kitties sometimes find these window coverings annoying; however some do enjoy a nice curtain climb now and again (kittens, I’m looking at you). And blinds are excellent chewing material – at least that’s what my cats “tell” me. This is a great spot for a public service announcement: always make sure your blinds’ cords are tied up and out of the way of kitty’s reach. Please and thank you.,Don’t you love seeing a cat sitting in a window? Well, they’re total window fans (haha – get it?), and enjoy the portals into the outside world for many reasons. In this week’s Top 10, we’ll count down the top 10 reasons cats love window.
For some pet parents, not even a pup’s most adorable “Pleeeaaase?!” look can excite them about walking their dog in winter. Let’s be honest: Chilly winds and icy sidewalks just plain suck. And for some dogs, going for a walk in cold weather can be miserable for them, too. But it doesn’t have to be all that bad! With a little preparation, walking your dog in winter weather can be enjoyable (or at least bearable).
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You want your feathered friend to be comfy, so choose a travel cage that’s specifically for birds and one that contains a perch. That way, your bird will have something to sit on, which makes your bird more comfortable, says Quesenberry. If you’re taking your bird into the cabin, you’ll need a soft-sided carrier that can stow under the seat during takeoff and landings. Whatever type of carrier you get, make sure your bird gets used to it a few weeks before you travel, Quesenberry recommends. Let your pet explore their new cage and give them plenty of treats and praise for going inside. It helps if you put in a favorite toy or foods to entice them further. If your bird is stressed whenever they goes in their carrier, then covering a clear-sided one may help calm her down once you’re onboard the plane. Although sedatives are generally not recommended, talk to your vet about them, especially if you have a cockatoo or other species of bird who screams a lot.,Nothing beats airline travel for its speed and convenience. So it’s not surprising that many pet parents are choosing to bring their birds along with them. The good news is that it’s absolutely safe to fly with your pet, says Dr. Katherine Quesenberry, head of avian and exotic pets at New York City’s Animal Medical Center. If you’re flying with your pet bird, however, you need to prepare. Not every airline allows parrots to come onboard with their parents. And even when you can carry on your bird, all airlines have restrictions on when and where you can travel. Plus you’ll have to pay—many airlines charge extra fees that can set you back on average $100 per flight per pet. Here is everything you need to know about flying with your pet bird so both of you can have a safe and happy trip.
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