Petreadset

For your pet’s all-natural life

By Leave a Comment

11 Signs You Should Take Your Pup To The Vet

Being a dog owner is an amazing and rewarding experience — but like many wonderful things, it comes with great responsibility.

You probably already know that a young pup should have an annual vet visit and dogs older than 8 to 10 years should have two visits each year. But an occasional extra visit might be worthwhile in certain cases.

If you identify the following symptoms in dog’s behavior, don’t panic — although a vet visit is a wise precaution, many of these ailments are entirely, and often easily, treatable.

I spoke with Dr. Ann Hohenhaus of the Animal Medical Center of NY about what dog owners should keep their eyes open for when they’re considering calling the vet.

Weight Loss or Gain

Both weight loss and weight gain could signify a problem. However, pet owners tend to not be the most astute observers of fluctuations in their pet’s weight. Hohenhaus encourages walking by the vet’s office and asking to use the scale every so often, a request she says they will happily oblige.

“Weight loss is more commonly a sign of disease in dogs than weight gain,” Hohenhaus says. “Weight gain is a little more unusual.” It can stem from retaining fluid, an under-active thyroid, a distended abdomen, or an adrenal gland disease.

Drop in Activity

A decrease in your dog’s activity could mean the dog is anemic, has joint pain, heart problems, arthritis, or just feels weak and low-energy. “Almost any disease has decreased activity associated with it — it’s a general finding, but an important one,” Hohenhaus says.

Scratching, Licking, or Chewing

Any of these three symptoms means your pet is itchy for some reason — and it’s by no means uncommon. According to Hohenhaus, allergies are the number one reason for vet visits, as reported by pet insurance companies. There is allergy medicine for dogs, and they also are sometimes prescribed allergy medicines made for humans. There are even allergy shots available.

Bad Smell

Any unusual odor your otherwise clean dog is emitting is something to examine further. If you notice a smell, Hohenhaus recommends immediately taking a look at the dog’s ears, skin, anal glands, mouth, and teeth. Still, it’s worth having a professional take a look to pinpoint where it is coming from and if it might be an infection.

By Leave a Comment

9 Signs Your Cat May Be Sick

Do you know how to tell when you cat needs to go to the vet? The earlier you detect a health problem the better; your cat will get better faster and it can save you lots of money on expensive vet bills. Brent Lotz, a certified veterinary assistant, says to keep an eye out for these signs that may mean your cat has a health problem. And if you see any of these symptoms in your cat, it’s time to book an appointment with your cat’s vet ASAP:

1. Change in Appetite

If your kitty is not wanting to eat, or always seems hungry, this can be a sign of several diseases that a vet should look into. Also, if you cat is trying to eat but it seems painful, this could be a sign of a tooth problem.

2.  Sudden Weight Change

A sudden or drastic weight change, either gain or loss, can mean something is wrong with your cat’s health. Knowing what a “good weight” is on your cat is the key to recognizing this sign.

3. Lethargy

While cats are known for being lazy, there is a difference between a cat napping, and a cat not feeling well enough to move. If he/she no longer runs when they hear you getting their food ready, or if their normal “Zoomy time” has been replaced with curling up on the couch, something may be wrong. Many feline diseases and illnesses have lethargy as a telltale symptom, so a trip to the vet is a good idea if you spot an overly tired cat.

4. Vomiting & Diarrhea

Both of these are a clear sign that something is wrong. If there is blood in either the vomit or diarrhea, do not hesitate and contact your vet immediately.

5. Coat Quality

You cat should have a nice, soft clean coat. If you notice your cat’s coat is flaky, dry, greasy, falling out or your cat is not grooming properly, they may have developed a disease or an allergy. Though it may be as simple as switching foods, it’s a good idea to go to the vet to make sure nothing more serious is happening.

6. Not using Litterbox

If your kitty always uses their litter box and then suddenly stops, they may have a problem. It could be any number of issues, including a urinary infection or incontinence.

7. Obsessive Licking

If your cat is obsessively licking herself, than that could be a sign of several skin diseases, allergies or parasites, including fleas. If you notice your cat is licking excessively (some will even make bald patches) then there is definitely an issue at hand.

8. Mood Swings

Is your friendly cat suddenly taking swipes at you when you try petting them or picking them up? Resisting their owner’s advances for affection is often a sign that your cat is in pain. A cat with a sudden change in temperament and behavior is often a trigger of a health issue.

9. Bad Breath

For this sign, you have to know what your cat’s breath normally smells like. Obviously, because, your cat’s breath isn’t going to be “minty fresh” like a human’s, but their should never be a foul smelling odor coming off of it. Bad breath can definitely mean something is wrong in your kitty’s mouth. Whether your poor cat may be suffering from an abscess, tooth decay or an infection, bad breath is the first sign of any of these conditions.

By Leave a Comment

Top 5 Most Common Dog Health Problems

Health-related problems are a part of life. Although it’s something we’d all rather avoid thinking about, it’s important to educate ourselves about what conditions, illnesses or diseases are out there.

There are many illnesses and conditions dogs can suffer from in life and it’s surprising to learn just how common these illnesses can be.

We’ve put together a top 5 of some of the most common dog health problems that we hear about every day, some are not so serious while others will need more advanced care.

5. CATARACTS

This is a big one, especially with older dogs. Cataracts for dogs, just like humans can really affect the way we see.

It’s not only old age that will bring about these growths on the eye, often cataracts will develop after the eye has been through a trauma or can be caused by a disease. Cataracts in dogs may even be present when the dog is first born or may develop in the first few weeks of a puppy’s life

4. BROKEN BONES

Broken bones can happen for a number of reasons. Your dog may have been hit by a car in the street or they may have fallen from a height.

Your dog will try to remain brave and will avoid showing you that they are in pain so keep an eye out for things like limping, lumps or bones protruding from the skin and whimpering or whining when touched.

3. ARTHRITIS

Arthritis is very common amongst older dogs. In fact, 1 in 5 American dogs suffers from arthritis, or osteoarthritis as it is known, at some point during their lives.

You’ll notice that your dog is slower to get onto their feet (especially in the morning or in cooler weather) and will be far less active than they used to be. It’s often very hard to tell if your dog is suffering from arthritis. Even though it’s very painful, your dog won’t show much sign of complaint.

Exercise, weight control, and anti-arthritic drugs can all lead to helping your dog overcome the pain of arthritis.

2. DIARRHOEA

Diarrhoea is very common, largely because it can be brought about by a number of reasons. Sometimes it will just be caused by some bad food or an allergic reaction, but in other cases, it can be more serious.

1. FLEAS AND TICKS

Fleas, as you’re probably already aware, is another one of things that nearly every dog will get during a lifetime.

They can be knocked over quite easily with the right medication and you can find a number of products for sale at your local pet store.

Ticks, however, are far more serious. Ticks like the paralysis tick can cause serious health problems for your dog, including poisoning of the blood and even death.

 

By Leave a Comment

How Long Can A Cat Go Without Food Or Water? Feline Eating And Drinking Needs

Food and water are essential to the life of all mammals, including felines.

Feral and indoor cats require daily fluids and nutrition in order to stay healthy and live longer. Regardless of their age or breed, all cats need to drink water and eat cat food every single day.

Any forms of “cleansing” regimes such as skipping-food-day or fasts are detrimental to your pet’s longevity.

Unfortunately, you can’t really force food or water down your kitty’s throat when it’s refusing to eat or drink on its own. Well, you can try, but that won’t go smoothly.

It’s not unusual for an adult cat, kitten or senior to stop eating food or to refuse drinking from its water bowl. But you shouldn’t neglect this type of behavior.

Indoor cats can’t go without food or water as long as their feral cousins in the wilderness. They aren’t used to surviving on a wildlife diet and you have to monitor their eating habits regularly.

So, the answer to the question how long can a cat go without food or water doesn’t have one ultimate answer that can be applied to all kitties around the globe. However, there are some factors that could help you pinpoint your own kitty’s endurance period. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should test your pet’s limits by neglecting its refusal to eat or drink.

How long can a cat survive without food?

Even though there’s no universally applied timetable for every single cat out there, all felines will experience the very same physical (and emotional) changes when their bodies are deprived of food.

When your cat doesn’t get enough nutrition, its organism turns towards the body fat as a way to find energy. The feline liver actually helps process the body fat reserve into energy reserve. If the liver doesn’t get a sufficient amount of protein, it can’t function properly. As such, it goes into a process known as liver failure. Once starvation causes such severe organ damage, your pet’s life is in fatal danger.

This process happens over the course of several days.

On average cats can go without food for anywhere between a week and two weeks, but that heavily depends on the amount of water they’re drinking and their overall health.

Other essential factors that influence the survival rate are:

  • Age
  • Weather
  • Surroundings
  • Genetic heritage
  • Emotional state

Elder cats won’t last as longer without food as their younger counterparts. On the other hand, kittens also won’t last as long as adult cats. Depending on your pet’s activity levels, stress and other negative emotions, cold or hot weather conditions and genetic heritage its organs might start shutting down even after only a few days.

How long can a cat survive without water?

It may seem as though nutrition is far more essential for feline furballs than water is, but it’s actually the other way around.

Outdoor cats can survive slightly longer without drinking water than their indoor counterparts because they get fluids from the prey they catch. However, as a general rule all felines can’t go without water for more than 3-4 days before organ failure occurs.

Water is crucial for your cat’s survival, especially when it’s lost its appetite and is refusing to eat food. Unfortunately, cats don’t have a notably strong sense of dehydration. And without sufficient amounts of water your pet’s health is prone to damage even if the cat is eating its food. Fortunately, wet canned food that’s high in moisture can help your kitty withstand longer without water.

Lack of water will immediately worsen any current health complications. Kittens and hyperactive feline breeds will burn fluids faster than lazier adult cats. Thus, they won’t be able to go without water for long.

Loss of fluids

Your cat doesn’t lose fluids just from urinating or sweating. (Yes, cats do sweat, especially when they overheat). The following factors can also lead to increased fluid loss:

  • Vomiting and diarrhea
  • Kidney and urinary tract problems
  • Recent vaccinations
  • Other diseases

On the other hand, the standard amount of daily loss of fluids can also be dangerous for your pet if it’s refusing to drink enough water.

  • Many cats are finicky with their water bowls. Most feline furballs can be quite picky when it comes to their water bowls. If they’re too deep or made out of skin-irritating plastic, cats will refuse to drink from them. Furthermore, some kitties also won’t drink from their water bowls if they’re placed too close to their food.
  • Some cats prefer bottled water. Yes, some kitties won’t like the tap water in their bowls. If that’s the case with your own furball, it might be more willing to drink if you switch to bottled water.
  • Most felines will prefer running water next to still water. If you’ve never caught your cat drinking from a running tap source (such as a faucet), you’d be surprised by this fact, but it’s still a fact. The reason for your kitty’s refusal to drink water could be as simple as that.

Regardless of the issue’s origin, if your cat isn’t drinking enough water and if it’s not getting fluids from wet cat food, it will eventually start suffering the grave consequences of dehydration.

What to do if your cat isn’t eating food or drinking water

If you’re suspecting your feline friend isn’t eating enough food or drinking enough water on daily basis, you should definitely look into it.

Now let’s get back to the problem.

When your furball is refusing to use its water bowl, try to find out if the reason behind its actions isn’t linked to some of the factors I mentioned earlier. Ultimately, you can also opt for getting a pet fountain, especially if you’ve seen your cat drinking from faucets.

Another way to make the cat take more fluids is to use her favorite canned food. Just add some water to it. Not only will it increase the kitty’s body fluids, but this method will also provide nutrition.

If the kitty isn’t eating its food, try switching to something new or tried-and-tested. Opt for reheating canned food or trying with your pet’s favorite treats. Ultimately, you can swap the current bowls for new, shallower ones.

If your cat has stopped eating and drinking all of a sudden, don’t panic. Sometimes the reason can be a stressful surrounding or the presence of an unfamiliar animal, human or even furniture piece. However, if you can’t make your furball eat or drink over the course of 24 hours, it’s time to call the vet. Malnourishment and dehydration can have fatal outcomes for your pet, so don’t dabble on chances.

 

By Leave a Comment

Can Dogs Feel Depressed? What You Need to Know

If you’ve started noticing peculiar behaviors in your dog, it’s normal to wonder what caused the sudden change. Often times, we assume over-sleeping and under-eating are related to old age or physical illness. But, can it be that our dogs are actually depressed?

You may think that It’s a silly question to be asking. But, lots of evidence is coming out that proves dogs are more like us than we could imagine. But there are some major differences between the symptoms of depression in dogs and people.

While there is no diagnosable clinical depression in pets, dogs may start to exhibit behavioral changes that we would characterize as depression.

Defining What Depression is in Dogs

Firstly, we need to establish a definition for depression in pets. Dog depression comes down to how your pet is acting. Often, changes in behavior are the result of physical illness. You should contact your vet if you notice significant behavioral differences to rule this out.

Some symptoms of depression in your pet could be if your pet is sleeping significantly more than usual, they lose interest in exercising, have a noticeably decreased appetite, or are having accidents around the home.

It’s important to be cautious and not assume depression is the only cause of a behavioral change. It could also be the result of a medical condition your pet is dealing with. If your dog is in pain, they may even get aggressive.

Also consider what’s going on in you and your dog’s life. Animals respond to the world around them. So, if you’ve had any big changes recently it could be a contributing factor. Some examples include moving or the death of another pet.

How To Help Your Dog When it’s Depressed

The first step should be taking your pet in for a checkup. By bringing them to the vet, they may be able to pick up on a health issue you didn’t know to look for. If they find a health issue, they’ll be able to provide you with a course of action in order to get your dog back to its normal self.

If your dog’s depression is from circumstantial changes, your vet may be able to write a prescription for your pet. Antidepressants and their long-term effects have not been well studied in pets, so this is likely a last case scenario.

When your dog’s behavior changes drastically you will definitely want to look into it further. This is not something you should put off. If it’s due to an illness you will want to get that taken care of before it gets worse.

Final Thoughts

Staying aware of your pet’s behavioral patterns is an important part of pet ownership.  By knowing how your pet regularly acts you will easily be able to determine when something isn’t right.

While human depression may look different from animal depression, it is good to take both seriously. Depression in your animal may indicate an illness or be a sign of stress in your pet. Getting your furry pal looked at is the best course of action.

Your vet is trained to be able to interpret your pet’s responses in a way that you may not be able to. If you notice your pet acting differently it’s important to describe their normal behavior. Vets generally see your pet when they’re sick, so you have to fill them in on how they behave at home.

 

Connect With Us