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

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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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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.