Monday, July 30, 2012

Puppy Proofing Your Home

Puppies, more than any other animal, are known for getting into things and eating their way into your bank account via chewed remotes, cords, and shoes. It is essential to safe guard your home from your puppy and your puppy from the dangers of your home.

The use of baby gates is very effective in keeping curious puppies out of places they don’t belong. You can put one up in the entrance to the kitchen, bathroom, garage, stairway and entrance.

Anything you do not want the puppy to ingest should be kept out of harm’s way. Including, but not limited to:

· money
· cords
· electronics (remotes, iPods, phones)
· cleaning supplies
· small toys
· houseplants
· decorative pillows
· potpourri (candles, incense)
· garbage
· jewelry
· medications
· small animals (hamsters, fish)

The backyard needs to be checked for:
· broken or weak fence areas and gates
· swimming pools need to be covered and blocked by barricades
· toxic plant life that may be ingested

ALWAYS WATCH YOUR PUPPY WHEN HE IS OUTSIDE!!

 By Staff Writer Trish Harding

Hairball Help

Cats groom themselves constantly. Their tongue is like a fine toothed comb collecting all the loose hair. This loose hair collects and, if large enough, will be regurgitated all over your nice cloth sofa.
If your cat is stricken with hairballs, check out these ways to help prevent them:
  • Brush your cat regularly, especially if he has long hair. Long haired cats should be brushed daily to help with hairballs and matting. Afterwards, run a wet cloth over your cat to ensure that all the loose hairs are off.
  • Feed your kitty hairball reduction food. This food has more fiber and nutrients to make hairballs easier to pass and helps prevent shedding. There are many commercially available but if hairballs are a serious problem for your cat you should consider seeing your vet.
  • There are products available at the pet store that lubricate the intestinal tract and make hairballs easier to pass. There are also prescription strength hairball gels available from your vet. These should be used only as directed.
  • If your cat is a nervous/anxious groomer try getting him a new toy or try giving him attention so he has things to distract him. If he cleans to the point of hair loss you should take him to see your vet. There are anxiety medications available for your pet.
By Staff Writer Trish Harding

A Spraying Cat

Nothing can be more bothersome than a cat who chooses to spray all over your nice things. This is one of the most common complaints from cat owners. It may seem hopeless but there are solutions to this problem.

One thing to get straight is why they do it. When a cat sprays a fine mist of urine on something there are scent markings that identify the area as belonging to the cat who sprayed. A spraying cat is not doing this because of a litter-box problem, but is instead doing this because of a territory problem. Another reason for scent marking is to help attract mates. The chemicals in a cat’s urine will let any female cats in heat know that there is an eligible bachelor right around the corner. Cats will also spray out of stress or while in a conflict with another cat.

The number one thing you can do for you and your cat o address this problem is to have him fixed. A majority of cats that have been altered cease to spray after their alteration date. If your cat sprays while observing another cat you should try blocking his view in that particular area of the house. You could also try rubbing him with a washcloth and rubbing that on his favorite target areas.

No matter what you choose to do, if your cat continues to spray and you should go see your vet about other possible solutions or underlying medical conditions.

By Staff Writer Trish Harding

Naming Your Pet

So you have a new pet and now you need to name it. Most pets are given human names and nicknames. But if you need some help choosing the right name, here are some tips for you.
  • The name needs to be easily recognized. Animals respond better to names that have either one or two syllables.
  • Pick a name that would be fun and easy to call out in an animal park, not something you would be embarrassed to shout if your friend wonders off.
  • Avoid names that sound like No, Sit, Stay or other commands. A dog will get confused if their names sounds similar to a command.
  • A long name will be shortened so choose one that has a great nickname attached to it.
  • Choose a name that matches the breeds heritage, such as a Scottish, French, or Spanish.
  • You can also choose to wait a few days so you can pick up on your new pets personality.
  • Pick an appropriate name that will go with the pet as it ages. “Puppy” may seem cute now but when the dog is 187 lbs that name won’t be quite as fitting.
By Staff Writer Trish Harding

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Ringworm and Pets

Ringworm is very common in both animals and humans. A common misconception is it is a colony of little tiny worms. Ringworm is actually a fungus that lives on dead tissue and is easily spread between species.

One symptom of ringworms is a lesion on the skin which looks like a rapidly growing circular patch of broken hair. The patch may look inflamed and may appear to have dandruff-like flakes on it. The most common areas where it can occur are face, ear tips, tails and paws.

If you see your animal experiencing any of these symptoms, take them to a vet. They will examine the hair under ultra-violet light. If your pet has ringworm, your vet will prescribe an anti-fungal ointment to apply daily, where it can be easily cured.

Humans need to take some precautions since ringworm highly infectious. Keep small children away from the infected animal and handle things with gloves. You should also keep your animals hair short while they are undergoing treatment.

You and your pets will be just fine if infected but you will experience some tender, itchy, dry patches of skin in circles. If you exhibit any of the symptoms go and see your doctor so as not to spread the fungus any further.

By Staff Writer Trish Harding
http://dallas-plano-richardson.fetchpetcare.com

Small Animals and Children

Small Animals and Children
Their birthday is coming up and your child may want a small friend to call their own. Small animals are a good idea for a first pet. Their size is not intimidating and they do not need quite as much room as your other family pets. They can teach your child time management and responsibility.
There are things you can do to insure your child properly cares for their new small friend.

Age-Appropriate Tasks
Do not let younger children clean the cage as chemicals used to clean it can be very caustic and dangerous. Instead, allow your child to feed the animal, handle it, provide it with water, and you can let them help you set the cage back up once it has been properly cleaned. Be sure you show your child the appropriate amount of food to feed it as small children are very likely to over feed their animals.

Handle With Care
Young children don’t quite know their own strength so they can easily squeeze an animal too hard resulting in either harm to their friend or an angry bite to the fingers. Show your child the appropriate way to hold and handle their small pet. Let them know the importance of not just setting the animal free and they must keep an eye on it at all times when it is out of the cage.

Responsibility
Research small animals with your child and start telling them the importance of animal ownership responsibility. Get a pet that would suit you and your child’s lifestyle. For example, if your child is very tactile, fish may not work as they would be inclined to hold them. Make a checklist for supplies and responsibilities and hang it somewhere so your child can keep an eye on things.
A small animal can be a joy to a child but make sure it is not an impulse buy and explain to our child the responsibilities that come with it. As long as you and your child know the direction you need to be heading in, pet ownership will be a wonderful experience.

By Staff Writer Trish Harding
http://dallas-plano-richardson.fetchpetcare.com

Restraining Dogs in Cars

With the summer here, there is a tremendous amount of vehicles traveling here and there. If you are traveling with your pet, how do you travel safely? A seatbelt is just as helpful to your pet as it is to you and your family.

Restraining a pet is necessary while traveling. Animals have the same risks in a car accident as a toddler. Restraining them also helps to keep your pet out of your lap and your eyes on the road.
It is not safe for a pet to sit in a lap or in the front passenger seat. Sudden breaking or airbag deployment could seriously harm your dog. A 60-pound dog can also cause serious damage if in an accident. Upon impact at 35 mph, a 60-pound dog, will exert 2700 pounds of pressure. This will smash the windshield and break bones.

The best way to restrain a dog is in a kennel that can be buckled in. A harness that attaches to the seatbelt also works well. Never, ever, ever restrain a dog by the neck. Your pet could be strangled during an accident or sudden breaking.

By Staff Writer Trish Harding
http://dallas-plano-richardson.fetchpetcare.com