What supplies do you need for a cat?

You are getting ready to bring a cat into your home, and you want to make sure you have all supplies your new addition will need on hand. What should you purchase?

Your pet needs you to take the time to assess her needs and determine what items will be required to meet them. Your cat will need food and water along with dishes for each of them that are comfortable for her to utilize. She will need a place to rest, a place to scratch, and an area to play in. Your pet will need toys to play with as well as a collar, and a litter box with all its accessories in your home. She will also need you to have a brush that is made for her fur type, an appropriate flea and tick prevention method, and a feline first aid kit in case of emergencies. For more information, please contact your Teller County, CO vet.

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Where should you put your cat’s litter box?

Your cat needs a litter box in your home, and you are happy to provide her with one. However, it can be a bit difficult to determine where you should place this essential pet supply item. Where does it belong?

 Your pet’s litter box needs to be in a place where she will be comfortable using it. This means keeping it easily accessible near places she tends to spend time, but making sure it is out of the way so she won’t be interrupted while taking care of her business. It should be away from any deterrents, like noisy appliances, other pets, and drafty windows or doors. It should also be in an area you will be able to get to easily to clean on a regular, most likely daily, basis. For more information, please contact your local Georgetown, IN vet.

A Few Good Reasons to Let Your Dog Sleep With You

Many people would recommend keeping your dog out of the bedroom. There’s no doubt it can have some benefits, especially if you’re a light sleeper or your pooch is a bit restless at night. However, there are also a couple of good reasons why you might want to let your pet sleep with you instead of shutting the door.

Comfort

For some people, sleeping with a pet provides a lot of comfort. A professional vet finds that this is especially the case for people who live and sleep alone.

In the winter, your dog can act as a living heater, keeping your body warmer than if he wasn’t in bed with you. Snuggling a furry companion can help some people feel less lonely, which helps them fall asleep faster at night too.

Protection

One of the big reasons why people sleep with their dogs is for protection. Even if your pet sleeps in a separate bed on the floor, he can bark and alert you to a potential intruder. If your canine companion is properly trained, he may even be able to protect you if the intruder enters your bedroom.

Not only can sleeping with your dog help you in the moment, he can also put your mind at ease. If you hear a noise downstairs and you wonder what might be causing the ruckus, one look at your canine companion can reassure you that everything is fine. If he doesn’t seem to be bothered by the noise, there’s no reason for you to be bothered by it either.

Building a better relationship

Not only can your dog help you feel more comfortable and provide you with protection from intruders, sleeping with your pooch can help strengthen your relationship.

Dogs are den animals. They’re used to sleeping in groups. By sleeping with your pet, you can solidify your family unit. It can also help establish you as the pack leader, which can make training a lot easier.

Another good reason to sleep with your dog? He’d really enjoy curling up with you! If you’re struggling to fall asleep with your pooch in the bed, but you’d like to sleep together, give your vet a call. They can provide you with tips to make sure you both get a good night’s rest. For more details visit your local Animal health care.

Ways to Make Your Senior Dog More Mobile

As we age, we often lose that youthful spunk and energy. We don’t have to! With the right lifestyle choices, we can remain young at heart well into our golden years. Well, your dog can do the same.

Elderly dogs are often plagued with lethargy and arthritis as they age, but you can encourage your pet to be more mobile. Here are a few tips from a professional animal hospital that should help.

Diet

You should first turn your attention to your dog’s diet. It can have a huge impact on his overall health throughout his life, but the effects of poor nutrition are often most noticeable in old age.

Different breeds and ages have different nutritional needs. Choose a dog food that is specially designed for elderly canines the same size as your pooch. Avoid the food that is cheap and can be found at your local grocery store. It is likely to contain fillers that will only zap your furry friend of whatever energy he has left.

Supplements

If your dog is still struggling even after switching to a high-quality senior food, you may want to consider supplements. There are many different kinds out there that can help your pet get his energy back.

One supplement that is especially helpful for dogs with arthritis is glucosamine. It can encourage your pet’s existing cartilage to remain healthy while encouraging the growth of new cartilage at the same time.

The biggest benefit of choosing a supplement is that you can give it a try before you decide to ask your veterinary professional about medications that will ease your dog’s arthritis pain.

Massage

It’s easy for muscles to get tired and sore more quickly the older your dog gets. Stiff joints can exacerbate the problem. Massage can help.

Massaging your dog is a lot like petting him. The only difference is that you apply more pressure and compression techniques to areas where your pet needs the most attention. It’s a great way to relieve joint and muscle pain, which will encourage your pooch to be more active.

Whether you need a food recommendation, you’d like to try a supplement, or you could use some massage pointers, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with your local Animal Hospital.

Pet Reptiles for Kids

Many pet owners have reservations about having reptiles as pets for kids. Actually, there are species of reptiles that can make ideal pets for children, as long as the right approach is carried out. More often than not, many potential pet owners buy pet reptiles on impulse, without giving any thought as to whether the reptile can fit in their lifestyle or whether they can meet their pet’s needs, even the most basic ones.

Here are important things to chew on carefully if you are thinking of getting a pet reptile for your kids:

Many types of reptiles can live for longer than 10 years. Will your 10-year old still want that pet tortoise when he is 18 years old?

Before getting a pet reptile, you should try to learn as much as you can about their needs, including their lifespan. You should also sit down with your kid so you can talk about whether he is ready to commit to the reptile’s care for its entire lifetime.

Know how big the reptile will be when full grown. A cute baby reptile can grow really big. Some outgrow their enclosures and their owners are unable to get a bigger one so they have no choice but to turn over their pets to the animal shelter or give them to people who are willing to take care of the reptile. Learn more visit your local veterinanian care.

Tips For A Smoother Transition For A New Kitty

When a kitten has just been weaned and separated from his mother and littermates, and brought to his forever home, he is bombarded with everything strange and new. Being placed in a crate, the journey, meeting new people, hearing, feeling and seeing new sights and sounds can certainly be unnerving. Indeed, the transition process can be very stressful.

Making the right preparations well ahead of time and not rushing the introductions can go a long way in making your new kitten’s transition into a new household easier.

All kitty essentials such as litter box and scooper, scratching post, kitty bed, toys, food and water dishes, kitty bed and a cat crate should already be in place a few days before your kitty’s arrival.

Make sure to ask the shelter or breeder what food the kitten is being given and the type of litter being used so you can buy it beforehand. As much as possible, avoid getting a new type or brand of cat litter and pet food. You may, however, choose to switch to another brand later on when your pet has fully adjusted to his new home. For more details visit your local Animal hospital.

Reasons Cats Get Anxious

Physical and environmental stressors can make a cat miserable and in a state of anxiety.  While it is normal for man and animals to react negatively to specific stressors in the environment, cats easily display signs of anxiety and nervousness when stressed out.

So how will you know your cat is stressed or anxious? Understanding the following signs can help your cat deal better with specific stressors in his environment:

A cat that has already been potty trained but suddenly commits potty accidents and shies away from the litter box, may be suffering from anxiety.

Stress can result in a loss of appetite. Notice the changes in your cat’s desire for food.

A very sociable cat all of a sudden keeps to himself and shies away from human interaction. It may also become quite vocal.

Cats lick their own body parts to clean themselves. But when licking becomes an obsession, and there is loss of hair in specific areas as a result of the behavior, this may be a cat’s way of dealing with anxiety.

To hide ones fear is to appear aggressive. When cats become too aggressive towards people and animals, observe for any stressor and deal with it appropriately.  For more advice contact your local Animal Hospital.

When Limping In Dogs Should Be Brought To The Attention Of The Veterinarian

Dogs are generally energetic and very active.  If they are not on a leash, they could go around and play with other dogs in the neighborhood. Some could even get in fights with other dogs.  They can jump and twist a leg, play fight and fracture the other, and who knows what other activities they engage in that come home limping.

You try running your hands all over his body to check for signs of injury but everything seems to be find  except that limping gait.  Sometimes, the pain worsens and your dog does not have much appetite.

The first thing to do is to check the potential causes of your dog’s limp.  Look for the exact site where pain is elicited.  Is it swelling, reddish or inflamed?  Thoroughly assess specific signs before deciding on seeing a vet.

When there are no serious bone injuries such as fractures or deep cuts, then letting your dog rest for a few days might just do the trick. But if there is bleeding and serious bone injury, bring your pooch to the vet before it is too late. Learn more contact your local Animal hospital.

 

Old Cats Benefit From Extra Care And Attention

As cats age, they become more prone to certain health and physical issues that can slow them down and make their twilight years miserable. Recognizing your senior cat’s needs will enable you to provide the care and attention that they need in order to thrive well and enjoy their remaining years.

Senior cats need more visits to the veterinarian especially if they have been diagnosed with a health problem. The response to treatment needs to be monitored to determine if there alleviation of symptoms.

Senior cats also lose some of their flexibility and certain hard-to-reach spots in their body cannot be cleaned or groomed. Your kitty will thank you for brushing his hair regularly. Grooming sessions are also good opportunities to check your pet’s body for abnormal lumps and bumps, as well as wounds and infections.

Older cats are prone to certain age-related diseases thus they will benefit from regular visits to your veterinarian. For more information contact vet care.

Essential Fatty Acids And Other Nutritional Supplements for Cats

Cats that have been diagnosed with specific health problems are often prescribed dietary and vitamin supplements that they have to take daily. Most cats don’t really need nutritional supplements, however, if you want to know if your pet still needs additional supplements, you can consult with a vet.

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) and digestive enzymes are some of the popular dietary supplements being given to cats. Cats suffering from dry skin and hair can benefit from fish oil supplements that are given on a daily basis. This is also true with allergic dermatitis. Omega-3 fatty acids are known to exert positive effects on various health problems including cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, arthritis, and autoimmune disorders.

Cats suffering from digestive problems can benefit from probiotics and digestive enzymes.

Your vet may recommend a supplement if your cat food contains only the minimum daily requirement of essential fatty acids. For more details visit your local Animal Health Care.