Local Value Veterinary

Category: Cat

  • Healthy and Hydrated Pets

    Healthy and Hydrated Pets

    Feeding your pet: How to Keep them Healthy and Hydrated

    With the warm weather upon us, it seems like a great time to get out and enjoy the sun while bonding outdoors. However, while the swimming, basking and hanging around outdoors may seem ideal for people, pets could have a hard time especially with issues such as heat, allergies, and bugs.

    Such a scenario necessitates the need to take safety precautions when it’s hot, whether you are traveling or just at home. With the following preventive care measures, you can get detect future heat problems and ascertain what is necessary to do depending on the condition.

    Dehydration signs

    • Generally, lethargy is the first sign of something wrong with the dog or cat. Some of the other symptoms frequently include
    • Decreased appetite due to the reduction in blood flow to the pet’s digestive tract, slowing down the process
    • Elevated breathing and heartbeat as the heart contracts and attempts to increase oxygen to the body tissues
    • Skin flexibility also indicates a level of dehydration with less skin flexibility evident from rigid and dry nose membrane and lack of the skin retaining the usual shape.
    • Water-seeking behavior is a definite indication of the pet’s need for water, and this can lead to the animal potentially drinking water from unfamiliar places.

    What you can do

    1. Consistent Supply of Fresh Water

    The pet hydration needs should be constant since the average dog or cat is said to need an ounce of water per a pound of body weight each day. It is, therefore, necessary to ensure there are water sources that make cold water available to drink whether if it’s indoors or outdoors during hot weather.

    2. Diet

    Making sure the pet is fully hydrated would mean focusing on changing the diet to suit more moist foods. Such a scenario would entail feeding the dog or cat rehydrated commercial feeds or home-prepared meals over the typical dry kibble.

    3. Vet Visit

    At times the heat may become unbearable for the pet, and in dire situations, any fever or health-related ailment would require professional help. You can set up a checkup for the pet whenever you feel the dehydration symptoms are becoming more evident than usual.

    Overall, these are simple precautions that could play an essential role in protecting the pets during the warm weather. As a matter of convenience, you can purchase pet insurance to cover your pet in any case of emergency or accident.

    Sources: AKCCHF, Animal Awareness, VCA Hospitals

     

  • Adopting a cat?

    Adopting a cat?

    Adopting a cat? Here are Five Guidelines to Consider

    Despite the cat becoming one of the most popular choices for adoption, there are overwhelming factors that go towards determining the approval of a cat breed. Here are essentials to look out for in case you are settling to adopt a cat as a pet.

    Preparing your Home

    Probably the first question to ask yourself is whether the residence is conducive enough to accommodate the new pet. Additionally, occupants of the home are important to consider. Therefore, this means if you are living in a full household with children and other pets when considering adopting a cat should get along with the rest of the home.

    Can the Pet be Afforded?

    Before making the option of bringing a new cat to your home, make sure there are adequate supplies and pet care that you will potentially need. The list of essentials usually comprises setting up a litter box, purchasing food, toys and establishing a comfortable spot. There is also the need to acquire some necessary items such as a food bowl, nail clippers, collar, ID tags, litter scope and water dish for starters

    Consider Time and Attention

    It is necessary to consider that taking care of the adopted pet may require time and if it were to happen that you leave on a trip, then this would mean going the adopted cat in someone else’s care. So, it would be wise to consider adjusting your daily regime to accommodate ample time and attention for your new furry friend.

    Learn on the shelter and cat breed

    Additionally, researching on the breeder before purchasing is also a wise move. Although there exist legitimate cat breeders, many of the cats from the pet shops or shelters do have behavioral or health problems due to poor breeding standards.

    Choose your new cat wisely

    Often shelter cats are known for picking their owners, as per the claims of past cat adopters. Still, you may have stronger feelings towards picking one or choosing between two cats. If you are in such a dilemma, it would be good to ask the shelter staff for more help.

    Overview

    Most of these factors are not particularly rocket science, and they are necessary for helping you answer the question as to whether you are truly ready to adopt a cat. All-in-all, if qualify to adopt then making the right choice is necessary since it means you are sharing your life.