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Category: Pet Owner Tips

Dec-16

Category
Pet Owner Tips
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How to Help Ensure Your Cat Has a Long and Happy Life

healthy-catsCats are funny, temperamental creatures—that’s why we love them so much, after all! Quirky feline behavior makes them the second most popular pet in America, with over 30% of households owning at least one cat. Some cats are shy; others are outgoing; still more have widely varying moods. While it may seem difficult to know if a cat is happy unless they’re actively purring on your lap, there are things every cat owner can do to ensure their companion cat has a long, healthy, and most of all happy life.

A good place to start is to give your cat a bit of space. Sure, it may seem like your cats prefer your newspaper or the PJs you tossed onto the floor to a fancy bed, but they appreciate having a place to themselves that no one else can go. Whether it’s teaching your kids to leave the cat alone when she darts under the bed or treating your big, fluffy tabby to one of those cat towers with levels, tunnels, and a scratching post, your cat will appreciate having something they know is just for them.

Likewise, while your cat may prefer batting at the window shade pull cord to anything you bring home from the pet store, it’s a good idea to get your cat a toy every once in a while. Yes, a new one—cats get bored of toys just like kids do, so hiding your cat’s old toys and occasionally bringing them out one at a time, or bringing home a new one, is a great idea. Not only will it improve your cat’s mood by occupying their mind, it’ll get them some healthy exercise—and be entertaining for you to watch! If your cat likes catnip, a treat scented of catnip can really get them excited (and getting a catnip spray may re-interest your family feline in toys he’s grown tired of).

Instead of scolding your cat when she scratches up the couch, you should also get your cat a scratcher. Many cats love the inexpensive corrugated cardboard scratchers you can get just about anywhere—even the grocery store! Placing one of those by your cat’s preferred scratching spot may help them decrease or even stop scratching your furniture entirely. Scratching is a natural behavior in cats, as it sharpens their claws and uses muscles in their legs and back—so help them scratch appropriately!

In the end, taking care of your cat’s basic needs is the best way to keep them happy and healthy. Give them high quality food for dinner, in a sensible portion. Make sure they have lots of clean water to drink. Scoop their litter box regularly, and make sure you don’t use cleaning products around that area that have a strong or chemical smell. Give them a monthly flea treatment if they need it, and take them into their veterinarian in the greater Philadelphia area for yearly checkups.

Cats often “suffer in silence,” so it’s good to know what’s going on with them in case a visit to a specialty veterinary healthcare hospital is needed.

Sometimes cats need access to a specialty veterinary healthcare hospital just like VRC. Located in the greater Philadelphia area, we offer specialty services to cats and their owners.

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Dec-05

Category
Community Events Pet Owner Tips
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National Pet Travel Safety Day is January 2nd: Pet Travel Safety Tips

pet-traveling-tipsJanuary 2nd is National Pet Travel Safety Day, so there’s no better time to talk about the best ways you can keep your dog or cat safe when traveling with them. After all, many of us travel during December, when we go to visit friends and family for the holidays—and sometimes, we take our pets along with us to avoid leaving them home alone for too long, or to avoid the expense of boarding them. Obviously there are all sorts of ways to travel, and all sorts of ways to travel with your pets. You can take them on airplanes, in your car with you, or even on the train or bus. But today we’re going to focus on the most common way people travel with their pets: by car.

Most dogs or cats will spend some time in the car over the course of their lives, whether they’re coming along with you to visit a friend or relative, going to the dog park for a play date, or just taking a trip to get a checkup from your veterinarian in the greater Philadelphia area. Most people know cats usually aren’t thrilled by a car trip, but dogs are opinionated creatures, too. Many dogs don’t like to ride in the car; they can come away with emotional distress, or even cuts, bruises, or broken bones if they thrash around or scramble, possibly leading to a visit to your specialty veterinary healthcare hospital (and another car trip).

Pet travel safety begins with human travel safety. Pets in the car, whether they’re dogs or cats, can lead to distracted driving. Since you can’t buckle up your cat or dog, avoiding accidents is crucial when you travel with your pet. It’s also a good idea to keep your pet off your lap when you drive—it’s not safe. Not only can it distract you, but if you are in an accident a deploying air bag can seriously injure or kill your pet. And even though it’s a classic image of dog ownership, it’s also a bad idea to let your dog hang his head out the window. In fact, any unrestrained animals pose a greater risk to themselves and to others than ones who are crated, especially if you have them in the bed of a pickup truck.

Best practices when you travel with pets include having sufficient water for them if it’s a longer road trip, several days’ worth of food, any and all of their medications, treats, a first aid kit, a warm blanket (especially this time of year), extra towels in case of accidents, and a windshield shade if it’s warm out—just in case you break down and it’s sunny and warm in your car.

In the end, even if you adhere to the safest possible ways to transport your pet in the car, accidents can happen at any time. After all, you can only control how you drive—not how others do! So, always keep your veterinarian’s number in your phone, or written down. That way, if you’re far from home and you have to take your pet to an emergency vet, they can quickly get in contact with your pet’s regular veterinarian.

A specialty veterinary healthcare hospital located in the greater Philadelphia area, VRC has an emergency medicine and critical care center that stays open 24/7, 365 days a year.

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Nov-20

Category
Miscellaneous Pet Owner Tips
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How to Help Prevent Cold Weather from Affecting Your Pet’s Health

pet-clothesAutumn is coming to an end, and with it, the mild temperatures we’ve enjoyed while taking our dogs on walks through the park, or letting our cats stroll around our yards. Yes, the mercury is dropping—we’re starting to see lows in the 30s and the 40s, and the weather reports are calling for above average snowfall and lower temperatures than normal. We’ll be getting our cold weather gear out of storage soon, and warming up the cars before we hit the road to work in the morning. But how should we prepare for the way cold weather affects our companion animals?

While our dogs and cats may already be wearing a fur coat, winter affects them, too. Whether your dog or cat is used to spending a lot of time outside, or is left at home indoors all day while you’re at work, winter means some changes for them. But with a bit of common sense, they’ll be just fine when the snow begins to fall.

Most pets will be all right during the winter with an average indoor temperature that’s comfortable for humans, even if you, like most people, save money and energy by turning down your heater to 65 degrees or so when you’re at work. But cold tolerance varies from animal to animal, whether you have a dog, cat, or a more exotic pet, so just be aware of your pet’s needs. Older animals get colder more easily, and if your dog or cat has had some recent health issues, it might be a good idea to keep the house a bit warmer for them. Just use your judgment, or ask your veterinarian in the greater Philadelphia area if you have any questions about keeping your dog or cat comfortable when the wind is howling.

For pets who go outside, it’s a good idea to go on shorter walks when the cold weather sets in. Not only are they subject to exposure just like people, but older dogs who suffer from arthritis may have a lot of trouble walking on icy paths or uneven, snowy streets. While short walks are fine for most dogs, just be aware of your pet’s limitations. If your dog has a heart condition or a hormonal imbalance like Cushing’s disease, it may be difficult for them to keep their body temperature up. And even a healthy dog with short legs will find their belly closer to the snow and freezing ground, causing them to get cold more quickly!

As for cats, we all know that for indoor-outdoor cats, keeping them happy even when the weather is nice can be a challenge. Even if they meow, it’s a good idea to keep your cats inside when it gets cold, especially as evening falls. Your cat’s fur will not protect them if they stay outside all night—hypothermia and frostbite are real risks, necessitating a visit to your local specialty veterinary healthcare hospital.

For cats who spend the night out of doors, a car can seem like an appealing shelter. Wheel wells close to a car’s engine can stay warm long into the night, and as you know, cats can worm their way into the most unlikely spaces, which can sometimes mean getting into your car’s engine compartment. So, if you leave your car outside in the winter, you can be a friend to local neighborhood cats and strays by pounding on the hood before you crank the engine—you might just save a life.

If you have concerns for your pet this winter, go ahead and schedule a winter wellness exam with your family veterinarian! Your Philadelphia area veterinarian will be happy to talk to you about ways to keep your dog or cat warm, healthy, and happy until the spring.

VRC is a specialty veterinary healthcare hospital located in the greater Philadelphia area. Our emergency medicine and critical care center is open 24/7, 365 days a year. If you have concerns about your dog or cat’s health this winter, give us a call.

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Nov-07

Category
Miscellaneous Pet Food Pet Owner Tips
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Which Holiday Foods May Be Harmful to Your Pets?

pet-foodThe holiday season seems to be defined by meals. We fill our homes with the scents and tastes of the delicious holiday dinners we grew up eating with our friends and family. That’s what the holidays are all about, for many of us—making new memories over a table spread with things we’re thankful for.

It’s very common for our dogs and cats to also find those smells mouth-watering, but unfortunately, it’s best to deny our animal friends a place at the holiday table. Many of our favorite holiday treats can be harmful or even fatal to our beloved dogs and cats. That’s why it’s best to keep your pets eating their pet food over the holiday season, even if you’re indulging in special meals. While it may seem like a festive treat for your dog or cat to sneak them something under the table, too often little bites like that can cause a panicked call to your veterinarian in the greater Philadelphia area.

The reason for this is simple: human foods are for humans, and pet foods are for pets. While your cats and dogs have a gastrointestinal system capable of eating certain human foods and digesting them properly—especially dogs—many foods that are fine or even healthful for humans can be a big problem. And while pet owners tend to slip their dog or cat a nibble of something or other throughout the year to no bad effect, holiday foods are often some of the most toxic to our animal companions.

Sure, a bite of turkey or ham isn’t the worst thing for your dog or cat, but oftentimes holiday centerpiece meats are dressed with toxic seasonings or gravies. Garlic is poisonous to dogs and cats, as are onions, leeks, shallots, chives, and scallions. And anyway, fatty leftovers can cause health problems for your pets down the line. These include pancreatitis, a condition that may necessitate seeking out a specialty veterinary healthcare hospital. And bones from your holiday bird can puncture your pets’ internal organs or cause them to choke.

But the main course isn’t the only time your pet may be at risk this holiday season. Dessert can also be a danger. Chocolate is disastrous for dogs to consume, for example, and coffee and tea contain caffeine, which is also not good for animals. Even fruit isn’t great to leave out, as grapes are toxic to dogs. It’s also crucial to keep an eye on the wrappers for your Ferrero Rocher or chocolate Santas (as well as the foil from your honey baked ham). Swallowed wrappers can cause your pet to choke, or worse, an intestinal blockage later on. Every dog owner knows it’s tough to keep canine companions out of the trash even when it’s not full of delicious smells, but around the holiday it’s a good idea to invest in a garbage can with a lid, and make sure it’s secured.

VRC is a specialty veterinary healthcare hospital. Our emergency medicine and critical care center is open even on Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you suspect your pet has eaten something off your holiday table, give us a call. The sooner you act, the better.

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