4 Tips To Keep Your Dog’s Smile Bright

If you’re like us, keeping your dog healthy is one of your main concerns. From feeding them the proper quality food, taking them for routine checkups, to exercise and grooming, you pride yourself on being a responsible pet owner. However, if your pup’s dental health is sometimes overlooked, there can be both short and long-term consequences. The American Veterinary Dental College states that many dogs show signs of dental issues and periodontal disease by three years old.

We’re excited to share some easy ways that you can help keep your dog’s smile healthy and bright!

#4. Brush those canines

There are many products on the market that can help you care for your dog’s teeth right at home. It is important to keep up on these techniques in between veterinary visits. One method is a finger toothbrush, which is a small plastic device you place on your finger and can use to gently clean your dog’s teeth. It may take some getting used to (for both you and your pup) but can easily become part of your grooming routine once they do. In between brushings, there are dental sprays on the market that you can use as well. Lillian Ruff offers one that is made in the USA, is 100% cruelty-free, gluten free, paraben free, sulfate free and vegan.

#3. Dental cleaning at the vet

Have you ever noticed how each time you bring your dog to the vet one of the first things they do is check their teeth? If your vet suggests cleaning or any extractions, take their recommendation into strong consideration. While they can be pricey, it is important to get ahead of any issues. Dental disease not only affects the teeth and mouth but also internal organs.

A dental cleaning at the vet is much like your appointment at the dentist. The vet will take close inspections of the teeth and gums, take any necessary x-rays, clean all around, and finally dry and polish them. General anesthesia is necessary to do a dog’s dental cleaning. Many vets also may require blood work to mitigate any risks associated with the anesthesia.

#2. Let them gnaw

Treating your pup to a nice long chew on their favorite bully stick can help scrape away plaque and dirt that naturally accumulates. Bones, not your thing? There are plenty of chew toys made specifically for this reason, just make sure you choose one that’s safe for your pup. Dry food and crunchy treats are another effortless way to keep build-up down.

#1. Notice odors or discoloration?

If you notice any changes in the appearance of your pet’s teeth or any unsettling odors, don’t put off contacting your vet for a checkup to make sure there are no issues like abscesses or infections.

As always, if you have any questions regarding the right type of dental care for your dog, ask your veterinarian during your next visit.

By Will Douglas Leave a Comment

6 Common Signs your Dog is in Pain

The common signs your dog is in pain can be easier to notice once you know what you are looking for. It’s never easy seeing your furbaby in pain.

Since Harley having her surgery on her leg, I’ve learnt the signs when Harley is in pain, stress or discomfort. We have been through each one of these signs together, and I hope she never has to again.

All I can say is thank goodness for pet insurance. For me personally, it has been great with almost 80% coverage. If you’re after more information,

It’s easy for humans to complain or babies to scream. But what about our furbaby’s? What are they trying to tell us?

Unfortunately, they can’t speak to us, that would be amazing. But there are a few common signs your dog is in pain that tell you something isn’t right.

Apart from a change in their personality which only you as the owner would pick up on, here are some common signs your dog is in pain.

Just to state the obvious here, if you can clearly see your dog is in pain or distress seek medical attention immediately.

6 Common Signs your Dog is in Pain

Excessive Grooming

Has your dog ever been bitten by a bull ant? Do you notice that they lick and lick that specific area? Yup, it means that it hurt. Excessive grooming often happens to help soothe that particular spot. It’s natural instinct to ‘clean’ the wound or area.

If you put your hand over the area that your dog is excessively grooming they will start licking your hand.

For example; When Harley gets bitten on her paw by an ant, she will immediately start licking her paw. I will put her paw into some ice water to help take the sting away. Harley will lick my hand constantly until the sting has gone.

Harley knows what to do know, I will get the ice water ready and she will put her paw in the water and stand there until the sting/pain has gone away.

Personality Changes

A dog’s personality can change when they are in pain, from avoidance to aggression. Dog’s will sometimes avoid contact as they think you will hurt them further or try to move them which will cause pain. Aggression can happen if they don’t have anywhere to hide or if the injury is visible.

The Dog Bundle Pack is handy to have as it has a pet record keeper which contains a contacts page.

Excessive Panting

Panting often happens on a hot day or after they have been running around. It’s their way of regulating body temperature. Excessive panting is often associated with stress. Ever notice your dog panting when sitting at the vet? It’s their way of trying to alleviate the stress.

Restless

Can’t seem to relax? Always moving around from one spot to another? Restlessness can be a sign of pain, whether it be an internal or external injury.

Inappetence

The of the most common signs your dog is in pain is inappetence, not eating or drinking. Having a lack of appetite can mean many things, upset stomach from eating something they shouldn’t to other internal injuries.

Eating Grass

Also, a common sign your dog is in pain is when they start eating grass. This often happens when they need to vomit. Having an upset stomach or digestive issues, dogs have a natural instinct to eat grass as the grass will help them vomit and or poop.

It’s never easy seeing our furbaby’s in pain. If you are worried at all, it’s always a good idea to get them checked out by your vet.

Better to be safe than sorry

Over to you: Are there any other signs you would like to add to help out fellow readers? Please add them below in the comments below.

Hugs,

Pin it…

By Will Douglas Leave a Comment

6 Things You Can Do To Help Your Nervous Cat

As a caring cat owner, you probably notice that stress isn’t only for human. When your cat suddenly refuses to use the litter box anymore, or when it spends most of the day hiding under your bed or in its safe spot rather than jumping up and down all over the house just like it used to do, or even when it keeps grooming to the point of having bald spots, it definitely means that your kid is turning into an unhappy nervous cat.

How to Help Nervous Cats

So, if you don’t know how to help nervous cats from gaining their joyful attitude again, here are 6 ways to do exactly that:

6# Help your nervous cat by keeping your expectations low

Attempting to make the cat more laid-back and feel secure around you but forcing him or her come close to you and be less shy is the worst idea ever; it would only give the reversed impact on your cat nervous system.

If it’s always been your cat’s nature to be nervous, especially if it was an untamed cat, it’s actually difficult maybe even impossible to make him become an easy-going lap cat one day. All you can do is accept your cat behavior the way it is, and be happy with whatever you can get from him, that way they will feel less pressure and become more comfortable around you.

5# Play sessions to relieve stress for cats

Playing sessions are always a good way to get close to your kitty, gain its trust an also reduce the anxiety level. For instance, Wand toys are a wonderful way to engage with your kitty in a play session from a small distance, to keep the nervous cat feel safe while stimulating its natural hunting skills.

4# Always make a high place for your cat

Cats instinctively like to be in high places; it makes them out of the way of foot traffic, and also makes them feel confident when having full sight of their territory. As a loving cat owner make sure you have indoor cat trees or perches to provide your kitty a high place to hide in when the stress attack strikes again.

3# Treat them well!

If your nervous cat behavior prevents your kid from getting the treats directly from you, it would be thoughtful of you to leave some around the house. And let’s hope that with time, your nervous cat wouldn’t mind taking them directly from your hand. Just be patient, with time and single ingredients treats, your cat will eventually get used to you and feel safe around you.

2# A nervous cat always needs a hiding spot

You can think that it’s miserable to spend its life under the bed, but your nervous cat considers it the safest spot he or she can always run to when something frightens them; The “Flight or fight” response isn’t a human reaction only, it’s also the way the nervous system of cats responds to various situations, although they mostly have a tendency to run away when something scares them. Thus, it’s important to allow them a personal safe space when they can run to and calm down, which will make them more comfortable walking around the house and discovering its corners.

1# Make them snuggle but not with you, with your scent

It’s important for your anxious cats to associate your scent with comforting things, like food, security, and affection, but when you have a nervous cat; it might be hard for him or her to snuggle directly with you. To help ease your cat anxiety you can engage with the Project Play” Comfort Cuddler” which permits your cat to snuggle with your scent without risking that you make a sudden move which might have the reversed result and add the stress on cats.

All you need to do is add a pillowcase, or a short that you’ve recently worn in the safe space you made for him or her, that way, your nervous cat will associate your scent with quiet, peace and security, even when you’re not around.

Furthermore, with each comfort cuddler you buy, a toy is donated to a cat in a shelter. Now imagine that thanks to your purchase a cat has a toy, and playful cats are always first to be adopted. With your significant move, you just saved a cat’s life!

By Will Douglas Leave a Comment

How long do female and male cats stay in heat?

Like other mammals, female cats go through physical circles that get them ready to fertilize and breed.

This cycle is called “estrus”, or more common “in heat”. But what about male cats and how long do a female and male cat stay in heat? Keep scrolling for the answers!

Female cats in heat

Typically, all unspayed female cats (queens) experience “estrus” or, in other words, go into heat seasonally in the Spring and the Fall and may repeat multiple times a year until they are either mated or spayed.

As days are longer in Spring and Fall, the queen’s reproductive hormones are stimulated by the warmth and sunlight. In-door cats that are exposed to home light on a daily basis can go into heat anytime.

In general, the first estrus cycle starts at about 6 or 9 months of age. However, some cats can have their first estrus cycle as early as 4 months old whereas some late bloomers will have theirs at about 1 year old.

How long does a female cat stay in heat? A female cat’s heat cycles last a week on average but can vary from several days to 2 weeks. If mating is not achieved during the cycle, cats will go into heat again after 2 or 3 weeks.

There are 5 stages in the feline estrus cycle

Proestrus (1 – 2 days)

This is when female cats may be attracted to unneutered male cats but are unwilling to mate. No specific signs are shown during this stage.

Estrus (3 days – 2 weeks)

This is the heat stage when queens are ready to mate. Many outward signs such as vocalizing loudly, attention-seeking behaviors, elevating her rear end. If pregnant, the queen will go back into heat approximately 8 weeks after giving birth.

Interestrus (2 – 3 weeks)

The pause between heat cycles during the season if the queen is not bred when she stops showing mating desire.

Anestrus (2 – 3 months)

Non-breeding season with the inactive reproductive hormones and the absence of estrus cycles.

Signs that your cat is in heat

From the age of 4 – 6 months, unspayed female cats show quite noticeable signs when she enters the heat cycle.

It is normal to see your cat meowing intensively, raising her hindquarters into the air, rolling on the floor, rubbing her body against things, begging to go outside, spraying urine, licking her genitals or asking for your affection.

When you pet or stroke the cat, especially near her rear end, she will start to go into mating position or her legs will start tapping on the floor.

Some cat owners may refer the vocalizing and run away from the house to their cats being in pain, but the purpose of it is just to get attention from the toms (unneutered male cats) and show her eager to mate.

Do note that unlike dogs, cats do not develop bleed from their vaginal opening as a sign of being in heat, so if you see the presence of blood with your cat, visit your vet immediately.

What to do when your cat is in heat?

A kitten can get pregnant during her very first heat cycle, at a pretty young age.

This is truly risky for both herself and her babies because her body is not fully grown and strong enough to give birth as well as she is not mature enough to take care of her children.

If you let your kitten run outside in her first estrus cycle, she will either get pregnant or get lost/hurt. If you keep her inside, she will go back into the heat cycle again and again until she is bred or spayed.

The repetition over a long time can be unhealthy for the cat as she will periodically lose her appetize and get stressful.

With that being said, the best solution is to spray your cat if you don’t want her to get pregnant as it will end the heat cycle permanently. It is advised to get your cat spayed before her first heat cycle and not to spay her when she is in heat or pregnant due to the risk of surgical bleeding.

If you do want your cat to breed but want to avoid pregnancy at a young age, you can provide her with some toys to play with to relieve her stress or some calming herbs made only for pets.

Male cats in heat?

If you are a Mr. Fluffy’s owner, have you ever wondered how long does a male cat stay in heat? Well, one important thing to bear in mind is male cats do not go into the estrus cycle.

Instead, they are ready to mate all the time. They are just aroused when they sense the signs of female cats being in heat by smelling their vaginal or their urine spray.

Then, their behaviors could be very annoying. You can deal with your tom when in-heat queens are around by neutering him.

It is – the same with female cats – best to neuter your male cat to stop his unwanted behaviors and prevent him from mating with other unspayed females cat in the neighborhood.

Can a cat go back into heat after spaying?

Normally, female cats do not go into heat again after spaying. However, there are still some cases where your cat appears to be in heat after the surgery.

This can be caused by some ovarian tissue being left intact during surgery and these tissue releases hormones that can lead to the heat cycle.

Final words

Above is our basic on the definition of a cat being in heat.

How to notice that your female cats are in heat, how long do a female and male can stay in heat (please note that male cats do not go into heat) and how to deal with cats when they are in heat.

If you find this helpful, please like and share, thank you!

By Will Douglas Leave a Comment

7 Reasons Why Your Dog Should Absolutely Sleep In Your Bed At Night

The world can be a pretty lonely place for any of us, especially at night.

As a nation who unfortunately have terrible sleeping patterns, perhaps adding a furry friend into the mix late at night would sort everything right out and allow us all to sleep as soundly as children do.

For those of you who are pro the puppy movement, these 7 reasons you should bring your dog to bed with you will definitely, definitely tickle your fancy.

1. They provide utter comfort

Have you seen them?! Their warm, fluffy bodies are basically hope animalified.

(Yes, it’s a word)

2. It can make you live longer

No, really.

There is scientific evidence to suggest that sharing your life with a pet will increase your years.

What a time to be alive!

3. They can help fight insomnia

Now, this is just a maybe, as sometimes it doesn’t always work – but dogs sleeping in your bed have known to calm the owner, allowing the slumbering to feel at their total ease, and eliminating every chance of insomnia.

4. They relieve stress

As therapy dogs suggest, dog’s positive outlook on life can be as infectious as it is wonderful – leaving you happier all round.

There is also evidence to suggest that you and your pooch’s brains subconsciously interact, even in sleep, and the peaceful waves emitted by man’s best friend can even influence your brain for the better.

5. They can improve your mental health

Unconditional love is pretty much on tap for those of you lucky enough to have a pooch. For someone battling demons, this type of connection and social encouragement can be life-changing.

So to receive it, especially at night when you’ve all that thinking time to yourself, could be the best thing for you.

6. Warmth

You do need something to keep you warm during those long Winter nights, ya hear.

7. It’s good for your pup, too

You are your dog’s best friend, life partner and favourite being on the planet – meaning that if you willingly share all of your time with them, their days (and nights) will be made.

They also crave the love and safety that you do, meaning this arrangement is ideal for everyone!