6 ways to keep your Dog’s water from freezing
When the weather turns cold in the winter months, there’s a real possibility that the water in your outdoor pet’s bowl could freeze and stay frozen throughout the day. Although some animals can eat the ice, many won’t, so it’s important to be prepared and vigilant. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to counteract cold […]
How to Reduce Cat Hairballs
Not only can hairballs get stuck in your cat’s throat, but they can also become stuck in the small intestine blocking the digestive tract. In severe cases of blockage, your cat could require surgery to have the hair removed. But don’t worry! You can help reduce your cat’s risk by following these simple steps on […]
Relieve Your Cat’s Flea Itching
Did you know all cats are susceptible to flea infestations? Fleas can cause severe itching and even more serious problems for kittens and geriatric cats, including anemia or an increased risk of death. Symptoms of flea itching can include a mild itch ranging to severe, causing irritation and even hair loss. Fleas are unable to […]
How to Know If Your Cat Is in Pain
Often, a sign of your cat experiencing pain can be a simple change in behavior. Many cats will hide more, or show reluctance to handling or affection. With more severe pain, this may be accompanied by increased aggression and vocalization (meowing). Cats may hiss or growl when being handled or touched. Others will become very […]
Solutions for Your Cat’s Skin Infections
Causes of skin infections in cats can be quite varied. Trauma and bite wounds, external skin parasites (including ringworm and mange) and bacterial infections from underlying allergies (flea bites, inhalant/contact allergens, food allergies) may all cause cat skin infections. Viral infections such as feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency virus may also predispose some cats […]
Managing Your Cat’s Thyroid Problems
Thyroid-related diseases such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism generally require lifelong treatment with prescription pet medications. The differences between the two diseases are: Hypothyroidism occurs when there is a deficiency of hormones produced by the thyroid gland; this disease is mainly common in dogs. Hyperthyroidism is mostly seen in older cats and occurs when excessive amounts […]
Treating Your Cat’s Ear Infections
Do you suspect that your cat has an ear infection? While pawing at the ear and shaking of the head are usually signs your cat may have an ear infection, there are a few other symptoms that should raise concern: Loss of balance Strong odor from the ears Hearing loss Redness of the ear flap […]
Oral Health Benefits of Water Additives for Cats
Water additives are one of the simplest ways to help maintain your cat’s oral health. Although brushing your cat’s teeth is an essential part of a dental care routine and should not be skipped, dental rinses and water additives offer several benefits and are safe to use. Adding a water additive to your cat’s drinking […]
Does My Cat Have a Thyroid Problem?
Hyperthyroidism is a very common disorder in older cats caused by an increased production of thyroid hormones from the thyroid glands. Clinical signs associated with hyperthyroidism can be quite intense; however, most cases are treatable and most cats make a complete recovery. Hyperthyroidism is almost exclusively seen in middle-aged to older cats, and only occasionally […]
Preparing Cats for Unexpected Disasters
Even though it’s unpleasant to think about, disasters are unexpected and need to be planned for. When it comes to your pets, you want to make sure you have a plan in case of an emergency. Whether it’s a tornado, house fire, hurricane or other natural disaster, have a plan in place, and let your […]
Reduce Your Cat’s Anxiety and Stress
Anxiety in cats manifests from the anticipation of future dangers from unknown or imagined origins. This results in normal body reactions associated with fear, most commonly urination and/or passage of bowel movements, destruction, excessive vocalization, and even fear-based aggression in some cats. Anxiety in cats can have many causes, including illness, emotional or physical traumatic […]
How to Treat Ear Mites in Cats
Ear mites are tiny parasites that crawl inside your cat’s ear to feed. These infestations can make any cat miserable by creating a persistent itching sensation. Ear mites are generally transmitted when cats are in close proximity with other animals or pets that have an ear mite infestation. In addition to intense scratching, cats will […]
Joint Care for Senior Cats
Joint care for senior cats Cats need more attention and care in their golden years. Typically, senior cats (or middle-aged cats) are around eight to 10 years old, while cats that are 12 years and older are considered geriatric. With the combination of good genes and excellent health care, a cat reaching 20 years of […]
Life Expectancy of Cats
Pet life expectancy We hope our pets will be a part of our lives for many, many years but the fact is that the average life expectancy is 10-14 years for cats and 10-12 years for dogs. Older pets have very specific needs and are particularly susceptible in later years to cancer, arthritis, and dental […]
Is Your Cat Overweight?
Most pets with bone and joint pain benefit from losing weight. In fact, one of every four pets is overweight. Unfortunately, many pet owners—even those with portly or obese dogs and cats—think their pet’s weight is normal. If you rub your hand under your pet’s hair and along his or her sides and can’t feel […]