Get Your Pet To The Vet. Signs That Mean Vet Care Is Needed

Have you ever posted a photo of your dog on a forum or social media group to ask what other dog owners think of your dog’s physical condition? If you read through the replies to such posts, you most likely see a lot of people telling the OP, or original poster, to take that dog to the vet now. That is because while many pet owners never second guess their dog’s condition and will take their dog to a professional for every cough or sneeze, not everyone can afford it. You should be aware of the most common signs that tell you when it really is time to get your dog professional medical help immediately.

Bloat: The Silent Killer

Bloat is one of the most common and fast killing conditions that your dog will need medical care for. No one is really sure exactly what causes it, and dogs of any size or age can get it. Bloat is when the dog’s stomach flips and becomes entangled in his intestines. As a pet owner, how are you to know what this happens? You don’t exactly have an X ray machine on hand. There are some obvious signs, however, that will help you understand you dog’s situation.

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Pets and Carpets

Cute Dog on Rug Pet lovers will do anything to keep their pets safe and happy. After all, it is the least that you can do since your little furry friend gives you so much in return. However, when it comes to keeping your carpets clean, it is becoming more and more of a challenge every day. From the day that you brought your little puppy home, there have been plenty of accidents along the way, but it is starting to take a toll on how your carpets look and smell.

You’re thinking about getting new carpet in the near future, but worry that the same thing is going to happen with the new carpet. Well, there are ways to love your pet and keep your carpets clean at the same time. The following are a few tips on how to do this successfully the next time around.

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Keep Your Pets Safe During A Natural Disaster or Emergency

It is something no pet parent wants to think about. The stuff of nightmares, even. A natural disaster can strike at any time without fair warning. Tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes and even volcano eruptions can take us by surprise. These deadly situations are just as dangerous for our pets as they are for us. Are you truly prepared to keep your furbabies safe?

Emergency Kit

An emergency kit can sometimes mean the different between life or death when disaster strikes. If you make your own, you will have the supplies necessary for your individual situation and animals. A kit would contain everything in a first aid kit and more. A travel sewing kit, a foldable plastic sack for drinking water, a foldable dish for water for your pets, and much more. You can include canned dog food and an extra leash, poop pick up bags, and any medications your dog may need. From injuries to basic needs, you and your pets can be taken care of with a well thought out emergency kit.

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Dealing With Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Handling the aftermath of your dog’s separation anxiety can be a frustrating and seemingly hopeless task. Dogs who suffer severe separation anxiety may destroy furniture or even chew on walls. Many will find comfort in chewing and shredding paper then scattering it across your floor. The truth is that your dog truly is suffering from a terrible, yet natural, anxiety. There is hope for your pup, and you actually can make a difference.

Anxiety Easing Products

Many products on the market are meant specifically to help your dog feel better about being left alone, and really can help his anxiety subside. When your dog is calm and at ease, the less destruction you will find when you come home.

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Tips for Traveling With Your Dog

No one wants to board their dog or leave them home during travel, but tossing your dog into your car or walking him onto a plane is not as easy as it may sound. You need to prepare yourself and your dog for travel to prevent running into some devastating problems that you could have avoided to begin with.

Vet Up

If you are traveling across state lines or out of the country, you are not the only one that needs a health clearance. Your dog must be up to date on the required vaccines in accordance to your destination. Furthermore, it is law that your dog must have a certificate of health from a licensed veterinarian in order to travel out of state at all. Even more importantly is that the certificate you obtain cannot be more than 10 days old from the time you begin traveling. If you or your dog are found to be without this information on hand, your dog could end up in a holding facility for quarantine to prevent the spread of any diseases he may, or may not have. Skip all the hassle by simply getting your dog a check up at his vet.

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Bringing Home a New Kitten

Getting a new kitten can be an exciting yet stressful time. That cute little face, those adorable little paws, the tiny little mews. All of these things are what you are looking forward to when you bring your new family member home. There are worries as well. You’re worried that you might not be ready. Are you going to be a good cat parent? Will you do everything right? Are you ready at all?

Fear not. There are steps you can take to ensure your little kitty will be safe and happy at her new home. Just make sure your family plans ahead, buys the right things and things will go smoothly.

Planning Ahead

The first thing you should be doing is start planning for your new family member. Remember, a cat is a lifelong responsibility, so don’t take the first few weeks lightly. You need to ensure that your new kitten will have as stress free of a time as possible. Start planning the simple things. Go ahead and schedule the first vet visit, and if possible, the first follow-up. This way you don’t have to stress yourself out trying to get an appointment after you already have the kitten. It’s just as important that you remain as stress free as possible, as your stress will be picked up by the new addition, and she can become stressed as well.

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Help! My Dog Eats His Own Poop!

Eating fecal matter is not only unacceptable in human society, but is also a common behavior seen by dog owners. It’s unappealing and flat out gross according to the pet parents who bear witness to their pooches’ shocking habit, but there is hope for you if your dog is eating poop. First, understanding the reasons behind coprophagia, the act of eating fecal matter, will help you better understand how to stop and prevent it today.

Why Does My Dog Eat Poop?

There may be many reasons why dogs eat it, but there is no way around it, it’s gross. To the dog, however, he may be fulfilling an instinctual need. In the wild, wolves, coyotes, foxes and other canis are hunters and scavengers. When they hunt, they eat all of the animal. This includes the gut, and whatever the animal ate and processed. Yes, even the poop. As scavengers, they also eat anything they can find that had any nutrients and could sustain them. This includes the fecal matter of other animals and even their own.

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Common Health Problems in Cats

A common misconception is that cats don’t need the vet care that dogs do. Unfortunately, the tale of a cat with nine-lives is all but true. Cats can and do get sick, just like dogs. And as a kitty parent, it’s up to us to make sure they are taken care of. That being said, it is important to know when your cat is sick, as cats have proven themselves very resilient, not showing many symptoms until it’s too late. By knowing the most common signs of the most common health problems your cat may face, you could save her life.

4. Cancer

Cancer is scary, no matter the species. Unfortunately, our little purr-balls are not exempt from this terrifying disease. There are two main types of cancer found in cats. The first is called Lymphosarcoma, and is more commonly referred to as Feline Leukemia. Feline Leukemia, while common, is thankfully tested for early on, so just about any cat you have come in contact with that has been seen by a vet has been tested for it. The chances of you owning a cat or seeing a cat come down with Leukemia is slim.

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How To Choose The Right Dog For Your Family

Congratulations, you’ve decided you want a dog. You’ve decided you want to join the 47% of families who enjoy being pup parents. But what type of dog do you get? It’s a question that’s plagued many dog parent and one that will continue to do so. Many people feel that they should look at certain breeds, however, this can be more problematic than one would assume.

The truth is, there is no perfect breed for a family, as each dog has his own personal identity. He has likes and dislikes, and each member of a certain breed may act different. Yes, some breeds may be less suited for family life (a working breed such as an Australian Shepherd, for example, is a high-demanding dog with a strong herding drive, and may lash out if not properly worked), but the fact remains: it’s not the breed, but the individual that needs to be judged. Instead of looking at breeds, look into personality types that are suited to your family and their lifestyle.

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Dogs and Table Scraps; Is It Really Safe?

If you are like many others and don’t eat all that is on your plate at dinner, you may be tempted to slip that last slick of ham under the table for your dog. Those puppy dog eyes, the begging whine and prancing paws all pull at the human’s heart strings and far too often we give in, letting our pets eat unhealthy and potentially dangerous foods. How do you know if those table scrapes are really safe or okay to give your canine companion? There are three key points you should be aware of before tossing your pet anything from your plate.

Dog vs. People Food

Have you ever looked at the ingredient list of your dog’s quality kibble? You will notice that, while many ingredients are recognizable, they are also not something a human would normally eat in the same proportions. This is because a dog needs a higher protein and fat diet in comparison to a human, and they naturally do not eat the cooked meats that we do.

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