Category Archives: Pets Care

Hot Weather Care Tips for Cats and Dogs

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When the weather heats up, our dogs and cats are at risk. It’s up to you to make sure your pet stays healthy and happy this summer! Use these tips from vets Fort Collins, CO to do just that:

Indoor Time

Don’t leave your pet outside for long stretches of time. That’s only inviting deadly heatstroke and dehydration! Instead, make sure your pet is allowed to relax indoors for most of the day, and provide a dish of cool, fresh water for him to drink from at all times.

Pest Control

Warm weather means more likelihood of infestations and infections from pests like fleas, ticks, and worms. By keeping your pet on proper preventatives—a heartworm medication and a flea-and-tick preventative will do the trick for most pets—you’re preventing the problem entirely! Talk to your vet if your pet needs these medications.

Grooming

Did you know that grooming your pet in the summer can help keep them cool? That’s because you’re removing loose and dead fur that’s clogging up the coat, getting rid of an unnecessary layer of hair that only makes your pet hotter.

For more summertime pet care tips, call your veterinarians Fort Collins, CO.

Myths About Pet Adoption

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Are you considering bringing a new pet into your household in the near future? Unfortunately, pet adoption and rescue facilities sometimes get a bad rap. Don’t believe everything you hear! Learn the truth below from an vet Oshawa, ON.

Rescue Pets Are Poorly Behaved

This isn’t true. Most pets in shelters are perfectly well-behaved, and are just looking for loving homes to take them in. Issues like abandonment and unrestricted breeding are much more common reasons why pets end up in rescue facilities, rather than poor behavior!

Rescue Pets Are Old

Nothing could be further from the truth. Pets of all ages—puppies and kittens, middle-aged companions, and senior pets—can be found in your local rescue facilities! Regardless of what aged pet you’re on the lookout for, a shelter is sure to have some winning options.

Shelters Only Have Dogs and Cats

Think shelters only house dogs and cats? Think again. Many shelters run adoption programs for exotic animals, reptiles, birds, pocket pets like guinea pigs or hamsters, ferrets, and more! If you’re looking for a unique pet, consider saving a life by visiting a shelter.

Does your new companion need a veterinary checkup? Call your veterinarian Oshawa, ON.

Pest Prevention for Cats and Dogs

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Dogs and cats alike are susceptible to the infestations and infections caused by outdoor pests. The trick to keeping your beloved companion healthy and safe is preventative medications! Here, your veterinarian Ashburn, VA tells you more.

Worms

Worms like heartworm, roundworms, flatworms, hookworms, whipworms, and more can cause serious health trouble for your four-legged companion. Fortunately for you, a quality heartworm preventative should ward off almost all dangerous worm varieties! Call your vet if your dog isn’t already on a heartworm medication.

Fleas

Fleas can cause serious infestations if left unchecked, and they can even start to infest your family’s bedding, furniture, and clothing. You’ll want to avoid the problem before it starts with a quality flea preventative; talk to your veterinary professional if your pet is in need.

Ticks

West Nile virus, Ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease… these are only a few of the dangerous diseases that ticks can carry and transmit to your pet. Make sure your pet takes a tick preventative, or a flea-and-tick combo medication, to prevent the danger.

Does your pet need preventative medicine or a veterinary checkup? We’re always here for you and your companion. Set up an appointment with your veterinary clinic Ashburn, VA today!

The Unique Care Requirements of Reptile Pets

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Are you thinking of adopting a reptile pet, such as a lizard or snake? These critters make wonderful pets for the right family. Learn more about reptile pets’ unique care requirements below from a vet Las Vegas, NV.

Heat and Lighting

Reptiles need particular heat and lighting requirements since they’re cold-blooded and typically get their warmth and energy from the sun. Remember to research and budget for heat lamps, UV lights, and other special requirements before deciding on your reptile pet.

Terrarium

Your reptile friend will need a terrarium that is large enough to fit all of his essentials: heat and lighting equipment as mentioned above, perches and hiding huts, food and water areas… your reptile’s terrarium will need to replicate his natural environment as closely as possible. Ask your veterinarian for help with this.

Dietary Needs

Remember: many reptiles require live or freshly killed food, such as crickets or mice. It’s important to factor in the cost of this kind of food, as well as the squeamish factor—if you’re uncomfortable with this sort of thing, a reptile may not be right for you!

Want to know more about reptile care? Contact your pet clinic Las Vegas, NV today.

Money-Saving Tips for Pet Owners

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We know you would never sacrifice your pet’s health or well-being—with that being said, it would definitely be nice to save a little money here and there when it comes to animal care. There are a few ways to do just that! Learn more from a vet Marietta, GA.

Practice Prevention

Have your pet wear year-round preventative medications to ward off fleas, ticks, and parasitic worms. Keep them updated with essential vaccinations to avoid diseases like parvovirus, hepatitis, distemper, rabies, and more. Prevention is always far cheaper than treatment, and more effective!

Use Portion Control

Don’t waste food by overfeeding your pet; it’s also wasting money. Plus, you’re likely contributing to dangerous obesity, which can be costly, time-consuming, and troublesome to reverse later in life. Ask your vet to provide a precise portion size that works for your pet.

Spay and Neuter

Spaying and neutering don’t just prevent unplanned litters. It also eliminates or reduces the chance of many cancer types, and even makes urinary tract infections and other common health issues less likely to occur. All in all, it’s essential for keeping your pet healthy while saving money!

Contact your vet clinic Marietta, GA to make an appointment.

The Basics of Dog and Cat Vaccination

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If you own a dog or cat or are considering adopting one soon, vaccination will be an essential part of your pet’s good health. Learn the basics of pet vaccination from your veterinarian Ellicott City, MD:

Core Vaccines

The core vaccines are considered essential for all pets. That’s because of the dangerous and/or contagious characteristics of the diseases they prevent; core vaccines include those that protect against distemper, parvovirus, influenza, hepatitis, rabies and more.

Non-Core Vaccines

As the name implies, non-core vaccines aren’t needed for every cat or dog. They might help some, though, based on factors like exposure risk, environment, and location, etc. The Lyme disease vaccination, for instance, is recommended for pets living in areas where disease-carrying ticks are prevalent.

Scheduling

Most pets can receive vaccines as early as eight weeks of age or so. From there, the initial vaccine regimen concludes at about 16 weeks. Most vaccinations then need booster shots to help them remain effective over the course of your pet’s life—these may occur on a yearly or multi-year basis.

For more information about your pet’s vaccines, contact your veterinary clinic Ellicott City, MD. We’re here to help with all of your pet-care needs!

Disaster Preparedness for Pet Owners

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It’s no fun to think about a disaster situation befalling you or your pet. With that being said, being prepared is the best course of action! Here are a few disaster preparedness tips for pet owners from your veterinary clinic Glendale, AZ.

To-Go Kit

Have a to-go kit on hand in case you have to evacuate your home. Include a first-aid kit with all of the essential first-aid supplies, canned pet food and a can opener, water bottles and a water dish, soft towels, a pet bed, a leash and collar, and your pet’s updated medical records.

Plan Ahead

Research animal shelters, relief organizations, and pet-friendly hotels outside of town; you may have to visit these areas if you’re forced away from your home by a natural disaster, chemical spill, or some other catastrophe.

At Home

Think about a room in the middle of your home that doesn’t have windows. This is the best area you can go to if you’re forced to stay home during a disaster.

If you would like more tips about preparing for a disaster situation ahead of time and keeping your pet safe, contact your veterinary clinic Glendale, AZ. We’re here to help!

Preventative Measures for Your Pet’s Good Health

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It’s far easier to prevent a problem than deal with it later. This is definitely true when it comes to your pet’s health! Use these tips as discussed by a Thorold, ON vet to maintain your pet’s health over time:

Vaccination

Have your pet vaccinated to protect against distemper, parvovirus, influenza, hepatitis, rabies, and other serious diseases? Ask your vet about a booster shot schedule to keep these vaccinations effective over time. It’s a great way to avoid harmful disease throughout your pet’s life!

Pest Control

Fleas, ticks, worms, and mosquitoes all present a hazard to your cat or dog. Ward them off ahead of time by having your pet wear preventative medications. If your pet is in need, contact your vet right away to get your companion set up with the proper preventatives.

Quality Diet

Feeding your pet a high-quality diet is an easy way to maintain their great health. Ask your vet to recommend a food choice that works well for your pet’s age, breed, and weight. Fed in the proper portion size, it’s one of the absolute best ways to keep your pet in tip-top shape!

Contact your pet clinic Thorold, ON for your pet’s veterinary needs.

Dental Health Tips for Your Feline Friend

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It’s not always easy to tell when our feline friends aren’t feeling well, especially when it comes to dental care. Try to get a look inside your cat’s mouth, and you may get swatted! Here, your Conyers, GA veterinarian offers a few dental care tips to improve your cat’s oral health.

Behavioral Cues

Keep a close eye on your cat’s behavior. It’s one of the first signs that something may be amiss when it comes to dental health. If your cat isn’t eating, or is suddenly acting out aggressively, something might be wrong.

Dental Chews

Ask your vet for a recommendation on a good type of dental chew for your cat. Items like these work wonderfully to keep your cat’s teeth and gums in good condition and scrape away loose plaque on the tooth surfaces. They can even help to freshen the breath!

Veterinary Check-Ups

There’s no substitute for regular veterinary checkups. Your vet can examine your cat’s mouth closely to determine if he or she needs any extra care, or a professional cleaning. Schedule your next appointment today.

Do you have questions about your cat’s dental health? Give your animal hospital Conyers, GA a call. We’re here for you!

Your Pet and Chocolate Treats

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Pets and chocolate don’t mix. In fact, it’s one of the most common and dangerous pet toxins to be found in your home! Here, your Lakeville, MN veterinarian tells you about the symptoms of poisoning, and how to go about having your pet treated and preventing the issue in the first place.

Symptoms

The symptoms of chocolate poisoning include drooling, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and—without prompt treatment—collapse, coma, and worse. All types of chocolate can cause problems, including milk, dark, semi-sweet, white, and baking chocolate.

Treatment

Rush your pet to the nearest veterinary emergency room if you see or suspect that they’ve ingested chocolate. Activated charcoal may be administered to stop the toxin’s absorption in your pet’s stomach, or the stomach may need to be flushed. As a pet recovers, fluid replacement and other supportive measures might be necessary.

Preventing Poisoning

It goes without saying that you’ll want to prevent an episode of chocolate poisoning in the first place, rather than deal with it after it’s happened. Do this by storing any chocolates in closed containers, cabinets, or the refrigerator where your pet can’t gain access.

Do you have questions about chocolate toxicity? Call your veterinary clinic Lakeville, MN.