10 Common Household Hazards for Cats
Curious cats will play with anything. If you dropped it, chances are they will find it and think it’s the greatest toy ever. Usually, that’s really entertaining to watch—as long as they don’t eat it.Luckily, cats are pickier than dogs about the things they swallow. But, that doesn’t mean they won’t chew on something dangerous. From electrical cords to rubber bands to plants, there are hazards lurking all over your house. In general, keep all potentially dangerous items out of your cat’s rea[Read More]
10 Common Poisonous Plants for Cats
Dealing with a cat that has been poisoned by a plant is a scary situation. Who do I call? What do I do? How could I have prevented this? To help you on that last one, here’s a list of 10 of the most common poisonous plants for cats.5 Dangerous Foods for CatsPet Emergency Care (VIDEO)Pet Emergency Rooms: Lifesavers For Our Animal Friends (VIDEO)The Autumn Crocus can cause an intense burning sensation in the mouth, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, liver and kidney damage, heart arrhythmias, and [Read More]
10 Common Poisonous Plants for Cats
Dealing with a cat that has been poisoned by a plant is a scary situation. Who do I call? What do I do? How could I have prevented this? To help you on that last one, here’s a list of 10 of the most common poisonous plants for cats.5 Dangerous Foods for CatsPet Emergency Care (VIDEO)Pet Emergency Rooms: Lifesavers For Our Animal Friends (VIDEO)The Autumn Crocus can cause an intense burning sensation in the mouth, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, liver and kidney damage, heart arrhythmias, and [Read More]
10 Facts About Fleas
Fleas are insects that negatively impact the lives of many pets and their families, but they can be prevented by understanding the facts about fleas and flea infestations. Doing so will save you money, effort, and the hassle of dealing with a flea infestation.[Read More]
10 Fruits and Vegetables for Lizards
Lizards are omnivores, which means their diet consists of both animal and plant matter, including fruits and vegetables. However, some fruits and vegetables are more beneficial for lizards than others. There are even certain fruits and vegetables that can be toxic to lizards. Here are a few fruits and vegetables commonly given to lizards. Discuss if they are appropriate for your particular lizard (and in what quantity) with a knowledgeable reptile expert or veterinarian.Cut it in small, bit[Read More]
10 Helpful Ways to Calm Your Cat
By Maura McAndrewCats are something of an enigma—intelligent, sometimes inscrutable animals whose sensitivity and perceptiveness make them fascinating and lovable pets. But as most cat owners can tell you, cats are also creatures of habit and comfort. They can become stressed or scared by a range of things, from a trip to the vet to a new person in the house.To tell if your cat is experiencing stress, closely observe his body language, advises Dilara Goksel Parry, a certified cat behavior c[Read More]
10 Holistic Tips For Managing Fall Allergies
Living in Southern California does not afford me quite the same seasonal, leaf-color cornucopia I experienced during the fall in my formative years growing up on the East Coast. Yet, fall in Los Angeles still brings a subtle change to which I can look forward on a yearly basis. Regardless of location, the elemental tumult of fall (dying plant life, dryness, moisture, cooler temperatures, wind, etc.) stirs up environmental allergens and irritants that can affect the eyes, nose, skin, and oth[Read More]
10 Home Dangers for Pet Birds
By Dr. Laurie Hess, Dipl ABVP (Avian Practice)We do our best to keep our family members, including our pets, safe at home. Yet, as a result of their ability to fly and their inherent nature to chew, pet birds are subject to many potential home dangers that other pets are not subject to and that you might even not be aware of. What kinds of danger? Consider these 10 common household dangers for pet birds:Like their wild counterparts, pet birds can be adept flyers but often face hazards in ho[Read More]
10 Hypoallergenic Cats
Want to adopt a cat, but suffer from allergies? Some feline breeds are considered "hypoallergenic," which means they produce fewer allergens than others. Cats do produce pet dander, a common allergen, but the culprit for the estimated 10 percent of the population who are allergic to cats may be a protein, Fel d 1, that is present in cat saliva.Technically, there is no such thing as a 100 percent hypoallergenic domestic cat (or dog). If your allergy is not severe, these breeds should come pr[Read More]
10 Interesting Facts About Newborn Kittens
By Aly SemigranFrom the moment they are born, kittens have a unique set of needs to grow and thrive into healthy, socialized cats. Here are 10 interesting, must-know facts about newborn kittens from our vet experts.Kittens gain weight at a rate of about 4 ounces per week, which means they should weigh around 1 pound by the time they reach 4 weeks of age, says Dr. Aimee Simpson, the medical director of the VCA Cat Hospital of Philadelphia. “Kittens should continue to gain about a pound a mon[Read More]
10 Kitten Supplies to Add to Your Checklist
Congratulations, you are now the proud caregiver of a new kitten! Over the next several weeks, months, and years you'll come to learn and experience so many wonderful things. But one of the keys to success is preparation. Make sure you have these kitten checklist items on hand before you’re distracted by a licking, happy ball of fur in the house.Adapted from Kitten Checklist: Getting off to a Great Start written by Jessica Vogelsang, DVMGrowing kittens need a cat food that is specially form[Read More]
10 Kitten Supplies to Add to Your Checklist
Congratulations, you are now the proud caregiver of a new kitten! Over the next several weeks, months, and years you'll come to learn and experience so many wonderful things. But one of the keys to success is preparation. Make sure you have these kitten checklist items on hand before you’re distracted by a licking, happy ball of fur in the house.Adapted from Kitten Checklist: Getting off to a Great Start written by Jessica Vogelsang, DVMGrowing kittens need a cat food that is specially form[Read More]
10 Signs Your Cat Might Be Stressed
Stress can make anyone a little crazy, even our cats. The tricky part is while the anxiety and fear associated with stress affects our cats in much the same way it does us, most cats tend to hide and mask their inner turmoil. Even worse, stress can be an indication that your cat has a health issue. According to Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D., a certified applied animal behaviorist, chronic stress can even "suppressthe immune response, causing a broad range of illnesses." Here are some signs o[Read More]
10 Signs Your Cat Might Be Stressed
Stress can make anyone a little crazy, even our cats. The tricky part is while the anxiety and fear associated with stress affects our cats in much the same way it does us, most cats tend to hide and mask their inner turmoil. Even worse, stress can be an indication that your cat has a health issue. According to Patricia B. McConnell, Ph.D., a certified applied animal behaviorist, chronic stress can even "suppressthe immune response, causing a broad range of illnesses." Here are some signs o[Read More]
10 things you can't forget when your cat's got chronic renal disease
Last updated on February 25, 2016 Chronic renal disease (often plainly labeled “kidney failure”) in cats is one of the most frustrating feline diseases for everyone involved. From the patient to the owner to the pet’s healthcare providers, chronic kidney disease just plain sucks. Most commonly, as those of you reading this probably already know, the demise of the kidneys in these cases is attributable to a degeneration of the working parts of the kidney (primarily the “nephrons”). Most of [Read More]
10 Tips for Creating a Stress-Free Environment for Your Cat
By Lorie Huston, DVMIt may be strange to think that your cat might suffer from anxiety. However, a stressed out cat is much more common than you’d think. Even worse, stress and anxiety can affect your cat’s health negatively, manifesting itself in a variety of ways including illnesses like cystitis and inappropriate elimination.If your cat’s behavior changes suddenly in any way, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. He or she can rule out any underlying medical issues as well as m[Read More]
10 Tips for Creating a Stress-Free Environment for Your Cat
By Lorie Huston, DVMIt may be strange to think that your cat might suffer from anxiety. However, a stressed out cat is much more common than you’d think. Even worse, stress and anxiety can affect your cat’s health negatively, manifesting itself in a variety of ways including illnesses like cystitis and inappropriate elimination.If your cat’s behavior changes suddenly in any way, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. He or she can rule out any underlying medical issues as well as m[Read More]
10 Tips to Keep Your Senior Cat Healthy
As much as we try to resist it or ignore it, we simply cannot deny that our cats age quicker than we do. Their needs and habits progressively shift, so our challenge as pet parents is to recognize change and helping our cats adapt. We want to keep them healthy and comfortable, just as we’d do for any of our beloved family members. The American Association of Feline Practitioners has developed new medical guidelines for senior cat care, which you can check outhere.Feline experts recommend ag[Read More]
10 Ways to Stop Fleas from Biting Your Cat
There are lots of reason to celebrate the arrival of spring and summer, but the return of fleas is not one of them. Not only are these blood-sucking parasites unsightly and creepy, they can also cause some serious diseases. So, how can you keep your cat flea-free this season? Here are a few ideas to consider:While spot-on medications seem like they would only work on the spot they are applied to (in the same way a collar works), they are actually very effective at covering the cat’s entire [Read More]
11 Ways to Help Your Cat Live Longer
By Helen Anne TravisAs the emergency veterinary medicine team leader at BluePearl Veterinary Partners, Dr. Sonja Olson says she’s seen too many cats wind up in the emergency room with life-threatening injuries and health conditions that could have easily been prevented. In some cases, a few extra steps on the owner’s part could have saved the animal’s life.While there will always be factors beyond our control, there are precautions we can take to protect our cats from sickness and stress, d[Read More]
3 Steps for Determining How Many Calories Your Cat Needs
Including your veterinarian in any conversation dealing with your pet's dietary and caloric needs is vital, particularly if your dog has any health problems or special dietary needs. "Nutrition, including determining how many calories a pet should be taking in, is not a one-size-fits-all endeavor," says Jennifer Coates, DVM. This is exactly why you need the expertise of your veterinarian. Calorie “calculators” or tables cannot take into account what might make an animal’s situation unique.T[Read More]
3 Ways to Measure Your Terminally Ill Pet's Quality of Life
One of the hardest things veterinarians have to do is to counsel owners about assessing a pet’s quality of life as it begins to decline. Because our animals can’t verbalize their specific desires when it comes to end of life care, owners and, to a lesser extent, veterinarians are forced into the role of proxy decision makers. We have the ability to extend or end a sick or injured pet’s life, and deciding what he or she would want under the circumstances is never easy. Quality of life (QoL) [Read More]
4 Must-Read Tips Before Buying a Food-Dispensing Cat Toy
Are you looking to get your cat more active? Does he or she constantly look bored? Then you make want to consider using a food-dispensing (also known as treat-dispensing) cat toy, which provides both physical and mental stimulation during snack times. In fact, according to the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, “self-play toys are especially good for cats who are left home alone while people are away.” Before you go out and buy a food-dispensing cat toy, however, consider the following[Read More]
4 Must-Read Tips Before Buying a Food-Dispensing Cat Toy
Are you looking to get your cat more active? Does he or she constantly look bored? Then you make want to consider using a food-dispensing (also known as treat-dispensing) cat toy, which provides both physical and mental stimulation during snack times. In fact, according to the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, “self-play toys are especially good for cats who are left home alone while people are away.” Before you go out and buy a food-dispensing cat toy, however, consider the following[Read More]
4 Pet Food Storage Tips to Keep Your Cat Safe
Pet food recalls are abhorred by both pet parents and pet food manufacturers. However, pet food recalls don’t happen quite as often as you might think. Of the more than 8 million metric tons of dog and cat food sold in the U.S. in 20141, there were less than 10 pet food recalls2 reported by the FDA. This is because pet food manufacturers set high quality control standards to limit the chance unsafe food ever reaches your pet’s bowl. A bigger health concern may, in fact, be the food spoilage[Read More]
4 Pet Food Storage Tips to Keep Your Cat Safe
Pet food recalls are abhorred by both pet parents and pet food manufacturers. However, pet food recalls don’t happen quite as often as you might think. Of the more than 8 million metric tons of dog and cat food sold in the U.S. in 20141, there were less than 10 pet food recalls2 reported by the FDA. This is because pet food manufacturers set high quality control standards to limit the chance unsafe food ever reaches your pet’s bowl. A bigger health concern may, in fact, be the food spoilage[Read More]
5 Best Classroom Pets
By Jessica RemitzHaving a classroom pet to care for, interact with, and learn more about can be a wonderful opportunity for elementary and middle school-aged children. There is no better way to observe the life cycle of an animal and gain real life experience. While it may seem like any small animal would be suitable to serve as a teaching tool, not every pint-sized pet is appropriate for the classroom. Here’s our expert-approved list for the best classroom pets.Despite the rather scary-sou[Read More]
5 Best Treatments For Your Pet's Allergies
Now that you are aware of the clinical signs of allergies in pets , here are my top recommendations for alleviating your canine or feline companion’s symptoms.
Take your pet to the vet — Since there are so many conditions that can appear clinically similar to allergies, having your veterinarian examine your pet is an important first step. Diagnostics, including skin impression smear and scraping, blood testing, and others may be needed to determine the nature of the condition and the mos[Read More]
5 Cat Food Storage Mistakes You DON’T Want to Make
“How you handle [cat] food once you have it at home can make a big difference in how long it remains fresh and maintains its ideal nutritional profile,” says Dr. Jennifer Coates. The following are five mistakes you don’t want to make in order to best keep your cat safe.High-quality cat food bags have been designed to keep out the elements and maintain its freshness for as long as possible. Keeping the cat food bag also has the added benefit of retaining the cat food’s barcode, expiration da[Read More]
5 Dangerous Foods for Cats
By Jessica RemitzWhile we may consider cats to be members of our family, treating them as such at mealtimes can cause more injury to them than just spoiling their dinners. Here’s a look at the five most dangerous foods for your cat, how they affect their bodies, and what to do in case of an emergency.Onions and garlic can cause the destruction of red blood cells and lead to anemia in cats, Dr. Tina Wismer, medical director at the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center says. “Cats tend to be muc[Read More]