5 Food Ingredients Essential for Your Cat

 

Reading the ingredient label on a bag or can of cat food can be almost as intimidating as trying to buy healthy foods for the human members of your household. As a general rule, remember that the percentages of ingredients that the food contains are nearly as important as the actual components.  The ingredients that are listed first are the ones that are the heaviest.

First, look for the source of protein, which may be the first item on the ingredient label. Do not settle for a food that merely lists “meat” as the protein source. You need a food that goes into greater specifics. It’s far better to choose a food that features a named protein source, such as chicken, beef or salmon. Cats must have protein to thrive, because they are carnivorous. Unlike humans, they do not require carbohydrates for survival.

Fats are essential cat food ingredients because they help your cat get crucial fatty acids. Although fats are important for helping your feline have healthy fur and skin, fatty acids are necessary for helping your pet's brain and spinal cord work properly.

Look for sources of fiber, too. Fruits and vegetable ingredients will help your cat get the fiber it needs, so you may notice beet or apple pulp on the label of your cat food. Cats need adequate fiber for good digestive health and to help them have stools that are the right consistency. The latter benefit should certainly be helpful when cleaning your cat's litter box. Furthermore, a type of fiber called cellulose is sometimes added to cat foods as a hairball preventative. If you have a long-haired cat, or otherwise notice that the cat seems to frequently get hairballs, it's worthwhile to specifically look for that source of fiber.

Check to see if your feline’s food contains taurine, too. Taurine is an amino acid that cats must get from the things they eat. Unlike other animals such as dogs that can synthesize taurine from other amino acids, cats have to get it from their diets. If cats do not get enough taurine, they may suffer eye and heart damage. Visit this website to learn more about pet vet service in San Jose.

A Peaceable Kingdom

 

The rumors are true! Dogs and cats can be the best of friends. Whether they’re playing with toys or snuggling up for a nap, they’ll warm your heart with their own warm friendship.

Three Popular Dog Care Myths

 

There are quite a few myths about dogs that are widely accepted as true. Pup parents should be open to debunking these fabrications in order to better care for their pets.

1. You Can’t Teach an Old Dog New Tricks

One of the most widely spread dog myths is that you cannot teach an old dog new tricks. It has become a popular saying that is even used in contexts unrelated to canines. However, it is frankly untrue. Dogs do enjoy consistency and routine, however it is not impossible to add some variety to those routines and alter they way a dog behaves. There is no age limit to training a dog.

2. Alpha Dog

Dogs are pack animals and they need a strong leader. However, being the “alpha” is a myth. Even in the wild, wolf packs have more than one leader. Dog relationships are like human relationships; complicated. A dog only needs an owner that is consistent and caring, not necessarily dominating.

3. Training through Fear

Many owners use fear and punishment to instill habits, but professional dog trainers support positive reinforcement instead. Offer extensive praise when your pooch does something good. They will respond much better and training will be easier on everyone.

Visit this website to find out more dog myths and talk to a veterinarian for dog in San Jose.

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Four Important Factors Impacting your Dog’s Weight

Is there such a thing as too much love? Obesity is a common problem for household pets and can cause dangerous health issues such as joint pain, diabetes and liver problems. Knowing what causes your dog’s weight issue is the first step towards making positive changes.

1. Overfeeding

Dogs have evolved to convince humans to feed them. It can be difficult to refrain from giving in to your begging pooch. Unfortunately, you could be doing more harm than good by constantly giving fido table scraps and treats.

2. Lack of Exercise

Many dogs suffer from a lack of exercise. They need to be taken out for daily walks and would benefit even more from running and swimming. Not only will exercise keep your pet physically healthy, but it will also increase their mental health.

3. Breed Tendencies

It is true that some breeds are more genetically inclined toward obesity than others. For example:

• Labrador Retrievers
• Beagles
• Rottweilers
• Chihuahuas
• Put Bulls

A Dog Is A Boy’s Best Friend

A dog makes a great addition to any family, but especially one with a young boy or girl ready to form a long, rich and lasting relationship with their canine friend.

How to Prevent Your Cat from Getting Hairballs

Avoid a Hairy Situation

Hairballs can accumulate in a cat’s stomach due to grooming. Normally, the hair passes through their digestive system and doesn’t cause an issue. When it collects in their stomach or small intestine, the cat will eventually vomit. Sometimes, they’ll expel the matted wad of hair. If they can’t get rid of it, the hair can cause serious complications for your cat. You can do a few things to keep your cat from getting or keeping hairballs.

• Frequently brush your cat, especially if they have long hair. This will get rid of the excess and cut down on what gets swallowed.Wipe them down with a microfiber cloth when you’re done brushing. This removes any stray hair that brushing didn’t catch.
• Try to find cat food that’s formulated to reduce hairball buildup. Geared toward improving your cat’s skin and coat, this fiber-rich food also helps them pass the hair they ingest. Your Veterinarian can give you recommendations based upon their experience.
• Purchase a hairball remedy at a pet supply store. Follow the package directions to get the best results.

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Supplies to Bring When Camping With Your Pet

Camping is fun, but it can be even more fun when you can bring your pet along for your adventure outdoors. A few simple tips can make the trip safer and more enjoyable for both you and your pet.

First, you should make sure your pet is vaccinated and wears a collar with identification. Ticks transmit Lyme disease and raccoons can carry the Rabies virus. A microchip is an extra layer of protection in case your pet’s collar gets lost. Pack any medicines your pet needs along with a retractable leash and a spare, just in case. A long tether and a stake will be necessary if you plan to tie your pet out for short periods of time. Some campgrounds do not allow you to tie leads to trees.

When packing food for your pet, try to keep it in an airtight container. This keeps out moisture and reduces the amount of smell that could attract other wildlife to your campsite. It’s a good idea to store the food container in a bear box, if your campsite provides one. If not, hang the container from a tree with the extra rope you’ve brought. If bears are not an issue in the area you’ll be camping, you can store the pet food container in your vehicle.

Besides food, drinking water, and dishes, a first aid kit is the most essential item to take camping. In case your pet gets injured, some basic supplies are easy to pack in a small bag. Include some adhesive tape, gauze pads, and tweezers. Baby wipes and paper towels come in handy in case your pet gets carsick or gets into something smelly.Plastic waste bags are another essential if you take your pet camping. Most campgrounds have very strict policies on pet waste.

Glow sticks can add an extra element of safety to your camping trip. By attaching one to your pet’s collar at night, you’ll be able to easily locate them. Glow sticks are easy to find at most major department stores and they’re lots of fun for kids, too.

Checklist For a Novice Pet Owner To Keep Your Pet Healthy

If you're a new pet parent for the first time, knowing how to properly care for your animal can be very stressful, as many different people have different opinions and methods of doing things. However, there is a simple checklist to keep you in order and tell you how to make sure your pet is kept happy and healthy.

1.       Get your pet vaccinated

There are all kinds of diseases that your pet could contract, such as rabies, distemper and even a feline version of AIDS for cats. It is very important to vaccinate your pets regularly so that they will not contract these diseases. Your vet will be able to tell you which vaccinations are needed and when.

2.       Maintain regular veterinary check-ups

Just like humans, pet should see their doctors at least once a year to make sure everything is in order as well as catch up on medical care such as vaccinations.

3.       Give necessary medications regularly

Medications to prevent fleas, ticks and heart worm are essential to ensuring the health of your pet, especially if they go outside regularly. Preventatives can be provided by your vet and some can be bought at pet stores.

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Learn to Care for Your Bengal Cat

Bengal cats are increasing in popularity as pets, but do you know how to care for your Bengal? Although their care is very similar to a regular cat, there are some differences to become familiar with.

How does Spaying or Neutering Affect your Pet Lifespan?

 

When talking about spaying or neutering your pet, one obvious topic that often comes up is controlling the pet population by disallowing your pet to breed if it were to get out and find another animal. Another mentioned benefit is the loss of behaviors such as spraying in cats, as well as other pesky animal behaviors caused by hormones. Such behaviors can even escalate to aggression.

However, many pet owners who choose to get their pet spayed or neutered do not realize an added bonus, which is a potential increase in the lifespan of their beloved furry family member.

Research published in 2013 in the online journal PLoS ONE found that sterilized dogs lived an average of 9.4 years, versus unaltered dogs, who lived on average 7.9 years.

The study found that sterilized dogs were more likely to die from cancer or autoimmune diseases. Potential explanations of this finding involve the kinds of cancer that commonly occurs in altered dogs, for example female dogs sterilized before sexual maturity are less likely to develop mammary cancer due to a decrease in estrogen exposure in the body. An explanation for the increase in cancer outside of the reproductive tract is that dogs sterilized before puberty grow taller, and growth is considered a risk factor for various cancers. Unaltered dogs may be more prone to disease due to the fact that progesterone and testosterone, both present in unaltered dogs, can be immunosuppressive.

A report by Banfield Pet Hospital revealed that neutered male cats live 62 longer than unneutered cats, on average. Spayed females live, on average, 39 percent longer than unspayed cats. The trend was similar, with neutered males living 18 percent longer and females 23 percent longer.

Although there are many benefits to getting your young pet altered, including prevention of unwanted litters as well as a longer lifespan, there may also be potential drawbacks, such as a negative effect on growth since it will not be regulated. There are some solutions to these problems offered up, however. One such solution is to give male animals vasectomies, so that the hormones are still being produced to do their job without the risk of an unwanted litter of puppies or kittens.

You may be reading this article because you wanted to get more information about altering your pets. If you are ready to control the pet population all while giving your pet the gift of a longer lifespan, be sure to click this link for assistant finding a spay and neuter clinic in Scotts Valley.

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4 Ways to Find A Quality Veterinary Service

 

You may consider your cat to be part of your family, and want to provide the best medical care possible just as you would for any other member of the household. Here are a few ways to find the best veterinarian for you four-legged companion.

1.       Get a recommendation.

 

A friend, co-worker, or pet sitter can give you great advice if they have pets of their own, because if you like them you probably have similar attitudes towards pet care. They also have experience with a particular veterinarian already.

2.       Check out a potential vet first.

 

Drop by the office and get a feel for how the place is run. Is it clean, does it have a comfortable waiting room, and are the pets there more or less stressed than you would expect? Talk to the staff and the veterinarian and see if you have good rapport with them.

3.       Ask specific questions.

 

Don’t be afraid to speak your mind. Ask about accreditations and what equipment is used. You may want to know about the evaluation process before major procedures, or how the animals are cared for if they must remain overnight.

4.       Make sure to visit regularly. 

Don’t wait until your pet is sick to take it to the vet. Regular preventative visits not only help your pet become comfortable with the veterinarian and have a better experience, but your vet will also know your pet much better and can make better choices about your pet’s needs. 

If you are new to the area or looking for a new veterinary service in Soquel, visit this website to learn more about important pet care. Your animal’s wellbeing is an important part of your quality of life, as well.

Choosing a Veterinarian

You can tell right away if you will like a veterinarian by looking inside the office. Do the animals have a comfortable environment and is the staff friendly? First impressions can provide big hints on how your pet will be handled.

These 5 Small Animals Make Great Pets

If you need companionship for yourself or a child, you may be considering getting a pet. People who live in smaller homes, have very busy schedules and/or just do not have the time to entertain a dog or clean up after a cat should consider an easy-to-care for rodent.

For many, the very word rodent conjures up images of gnashing, snarling rats. That would be enough to turn them off of the notion of owning such a pet. The truth is, though, many rodents—rats included—make excellent pets.

One of the chief reasons rats make such great pets is that they easily entertain themselves and this can be fun to watch. Rats are inquisitive, friendly and prone to mischief, but this mischief can be contained simply with a cage designed specifically for this use. Furthermore, feeding rats is as easy as placing nutritious snacks on a bowl and keeping a feeder bottle filled with fresh, clean water.

Hamsters are another excellent small pet choice. Fluffy, friendly and generally delightful, these cute balls of fur are sure to capture the hearts of young and old alike. Placing a few toys in a suitable cage ensures that your hamsters will get plenty of exercise and this translates to hours of fun observation, for kids especially.

Gerbils are among the prettiest of the small pets you might consider. Their dewy, coal point eyes can be quite engaging, and their inquisitive nature can create a sense of friendship between them and their owners.

Guinea pigs make delightful pets, too. Larger than most pet rodents, guinea pigs are perfect for smaller children who understand the importance of treating all creatures gently and kindly. Available in a wide array of colors and hair lengths, these adorable creatures make pleasant gibbering conversation and can be taken outside for grass time so long as they are kept in an enclosure and protected through constant observation.

Chinchillas may be the most tempting pets for people who appreciate beauty and delicate appearances. Close to the size of a guinea pig, chinchillas must be treated even more gently. Native to the Andes Mountains, these pets must be kept in cool, climate-controlled situations. If you cannot ensure cooler comfort for a chinchilla, you should consider opting for another type of rodent.

Regardless of the rodent you choose, be sure to include comfortable bedding, water and food in their habitat. Largely social, these small pets thrive when they are kept in small groups of two or more.

Human beings thrive in homes where pets are welcome, to find a veterinarian for rodents in San Jose, please visit this website.

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Pros and Cons of Getting a Second Dog

 

If you are considering getting a second dog, you may be weighing the pros and cons. Getting a second pet is a big decision, and something that should not be taken lightly. There are pros and cons to having a second dog. Here are some of the pros and cons to figure out whether or not a second dog is for you.

Pros

Of course, there’s no denying that having a second dog would bring more love into your life. Dogs are loving and loyal by nature, so getting a second dog is a nice way to bring in some extra companionship. If you spend a lot of time playing with your dog and have fun doing it, then imagine that times two. Your dog would likely enjoy having a playmate as well.

Cons

Adding a second dog would be challenging in some ways, and it’s important to remember that before making your final decision. First of all, having two dogs is more expensive than having one. That’s twice the amount of food and twice the amount of vet bills. It’s also important to remember that dogs, especially puppies, can be very playful and destructive, and training them can be a challenge.

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Four Dog Emergencies That Should Not Be Ignored

 

When you have a dog as a pet, they quickly become a part of the family. It is important to take them to the vet regularly for checkups as well as when they are sick. You may be wondering what constitutes as an emergency and what can wait a day or two. Here are some examples of emergencies that require immediate treatment.

Respiratory Issues

Dogs that are having a difficult time breathing need to be seen by a vet right away. There is no time to lose; only a few minutes can make the difference between life and death.

Bloat

Bloat is another thing dogs can experience that needs immediate treatment. If your dog experiences any of the following symptoms, get him or her to the vet right away:

• Restlessness
• Unexplainable panting
• Attempting to vomit
• Bloated stomach

Collapse

There are several reasons why your dog might collapse. This may be due to a disease or because of organ failure. Unfortunately, any time your dog collapses, it means something serious and they need to be seen as soon as possible.

Trauma

If your dog has been hit by a car or suffered some other trauma, it is important that they be seen. This is true even if they seem to be fine. Internal bleeding could have occurred so they need to be checked out sooner rather than later.

These are only a few of the many instances in which a dog should be seen by a vet immediately. If your dog experiences any of these symptoms or anything that truly concerns you, then get them to an emergency animal clinic in Morgan Hill.

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Four Common Health Issues in Rabbits

 

Rabbits make a great pet. They are quiet, friendly, and relatively easy to take care of. However, they do have their own health issues, just like any animal. Knowing some of the most common health issues can help you know when you need to take action.

Gastrointestinal Stasis

Gastrointestinal stasis is when a rabbit’s digestive system stops working. This is dangerous and the effects can be difficult to reverse. Symptoms include:

• Loss of appetite
• Reduced feces
• Acting abnormally

Parasites

Rabbits are prone to different parasites such as ticks, fleas, and mites. Using a treatment regularly can help prevent this from happening, which is important because these parasites can be easily spread between animals.

Respiratory Issues

Unfortunately, it isn’t uncommon for rabbits to suffer from respiratory issues. These can range from relatively mild to life threatening. Signs of a respiratory infection can include:

• Increased breathing rate
• Discharge from nose or eyes
• Wheezing
• Sneezing

Dental Issues

While generally not as serious as some of the issues mentioned above, dental issues often plague rabbits. This is because their teeth never stop growing. It is a good idea to schedule regular checkups so that your veterinarian can let you know if there are any possible issues.

Taking your rabbit to the vet regularly is important to maintain good health. Your vet will be able to recognize symptoms that may signal that your rabbit is having issues. In addition, call your rabbit vet in San Jose.