Local Value Veterinary

Category: Cats

  • The Keys to Getting Your Cat’s Coat Shining

    The Keys to Getting Your Cat’s Coat Shining

    To get your cat’s coat to shine, you have to feed it properly, groom it thoroughly, and ensure that it’s in good health, a shiny cat is a happy and healthy cat.

    Many cat owners give much attention to the appearance of their cats. As a result, people end up with cats that have dull, opaque, and unkempt coats. Collectively, we ought to take better care of our pets by ensuring that they are clean, properly fed, and in great health. A healthy cat with a shiny coat is much more fun to have around the house. Here are the steps you need to take to get your cat’s coat to shine. 

    Thoroughly groom your cat 

    You should frequently brush your cat in order to improve the shine on their coat. Cats of breeds with more fur need more frequent grooming than those of with less fur. Select grooming brushes that are gentle on the cat. Most pet stores have good quality grooming brushes in stock. Brush your cat in a gentle manner, especially when you are working on sensitive areas such as the belly. Brushing gets rid of loose hairs, and it makes the cat’s coat shiny. You can use the services of a pet groomer, or you can learn to do it yourself.

    Occasionally bathe your cat 

    Cats are notoriously afraid of water, and they are good at self-cleaning. However, an occasional bath is important for getting your cats coat shiny. Cats that are sick and unable to groom themselves will need more frequent baths than those that are healthy. Before bathing your cat, you should ensure that they are calm, happy, or even exhausted. You should also clip their claws to ensure that they don’t scratch you. Wash your cat in a lukewarm bath in a warm room. Use a shampoo that is recommended by a veterinarian on the cat’s coat, and then rinse it off thoroughly because the cat will start licking itself afterward. Dry the cat with a towel, and keep it warm until they have completely dried off. Use a damp cloth to clean off sensitive areas such as the face and the ears.

    Feed, hydrate, and deworm your cat 

    Cat foods that are rich in Omega fatty acids tend to improve the shine of the cat’s coat. Cats that drink plenty of water also tend to have shinier coats. A dull coat could be a sign that your cat has worms or even fleas. So to get your cat’s coat to shine, you should feed it according to your vet’s instructions, give it plenty of water, and occasionally deworm them.

    SOURCES: WebMD, The Nest, WikiHow, One How To, 

  • Caring for Your Senior Dog

    Caring for Your Senior Dog

    Our pets face common problems, from fear of baths to excessive excitement when they see their humans. Now that the National Senior Pet Month is just around the corner, it’s high time to get a short refresher course on how to care for your furry friends, especially if you have senior pets. Read on to learn about two common senior pet problems—matted fur and long nails, and how to handle them.

    Matted fur

    Matted fur is a sign of poor health. If your dog or cat does not feel well, he tends to stop grooming. Arthritic dogs and cats take less of an interest in grooming because doing so is painful. Other factors like nausea, poor teeth and gum conditions, even stress can contribute to the lack of grooming that results to matted fur.
     
    The first step in dealing with matted fur is to determine the underlying reason why grooming suddenly stopped. If your dog or cat stopped grooming because of bleeding gums or loose teeth, immediate dental attention is required. Stress and nausea can be determined by looking at changes in eating habits, vomiting, lack of energy, and weight loss. In cases like these, bringing your pet to us is the wisest thing you can do. If your dog has been diagnosed with arthritis, you can handle the grooming routine yourself. Any unknown sources of body pain or soreness should be referred to the us.

    Long Nails

    Almost every dog hates having their nails clipped. Reactions range from mild irritation to outright terror once they see that the nail clippers are out. Long nails are problematic especially for senior dogs because they make walking difficult, affect posture, and acerbate joint problems like arthritis.
     
    Regular walks on rough surfaces like concrete can help keep your dogs’ nails short. You can also use nail trim mats around the house. These are mats with rough surfaces that file down the nails as your dog walks on them.
     
    However, the best thing you can do is to condition your dog to not be fearful of nail clippers. The best time to do this would be when your dog is still a puppy. If this is not possible, take time to introduce the clipper to your dog. Start with acclimating your dog to the sensation of having his paws handled. Make this pleasant by pairing with a good belly rub. Gradually introduce the clipper or grinder, making sure to look out for signs of stress so you know when to stop. Follow a pace that is comfortable for your dog. You can turn the grinder on if and when the dog does not show signs of stress. Do this consistently and you will start to see improvements on how your dog responds to nail clippers and having his nails clipped or ground.
     
    Our pets face a number of health issues that are easily preventable if you know how. Keep these tips in mind so you can handle pet problems like matted fur and long nails properly.
     
    COPYRIGHT: Local Value
     
     
  • National Cat Day

    National Cat Day

    National Cat Day was introduced and first celebrated back in 2005 as a unified way of raising awareness to the rising number of destitute and homeless cats both in animal shelters and stranded on the streets. This year, the feline’s big day will be held on October 29th, 2017, as it has typically every year since 2005. Here’s how you can make a difference in this year’s National Cat Day. 

    1. Adopt a Kitten or an Adult Cat from your Nearest Local Cat Rescue Center or Shelter

    Do you love cats but wondering where you can get your hands on a cute one? Well, your nearest cat rescue center ought to be your first port of call. There currently hundreds of thousands of homeless cats across the United States. It might not seem as much, but adopting a cat on this day will mean one less homeless kitty in the country. This adoption can also be complemented by volunteering at your nearest cat rescue, donating several tins of pet food, cat toys, and blankets. 

    Do you love cats but wondering where you can get your hands on a cute one? Well, your nearest cat rescue center ought to be your first port of call. There currently hundreds of thousands of homeless cats across the United States. It might not seem as much, but adopting a cat on this day will mean one less homeless kitty in the country. This adoption can also be complemented by volunteering at your nearest cat rescue, donating several tins of pet food, cat toys, and blankets. 2. Take your Feline Friend to the Vet for his Annual

    2. Take your Feline Friend to the Vet for their Annual Checkup 

    Yes, we know that the year is almost coming to an end. But even then, there are some among us who have been so busy throughout the past nine months to pop into your favorite veterinary (us of course) with your furry pal for a lengthy checkup session. This is the perfect time of the year, particularly now that the year is almost winding down. And while at it, make a note of scheduling vaccinations and dental checkups after every three months in the coming year 2018. 

    3. Treat your Cat to Something Special

     When was the last time you took your cat out for a drive or a walk? This is the perfect day to do so, considering that there will be hundreds of cat funfairs in town! If that’s not possible, then try to buy them a new cat toy, their favorite pet food and spend an extra hour or two ( than what you’ll usually spend ) grooming, cuddling, and cleaning their litter box. Ensure that you also get them a new and fully labeled collar for his big day. Besides, you can also go a step further a hire and hire a professional animal photographer to take stunning photos of your feline buddy. 

    ASPCA 

    National Cat Day is supported by several entities such as the ASPCA ( American Society for the Prevention of Animal Cruelty ) and is a complementary celebration of the International Cat Day which is held August 8th every year.

    SOURCE: ASPCA, National Cat Day
    COPYRIGHT: Local Value

  • Veterinary Technician Week

    Veterinary Technician Week

    National Veterinary Technician Week is a time set aside to appreciate the health care experts that ensure pets perform their day to day tasks with ease. Vet technicians help preserve your animal’s welfare by improving their health. This commemoration was started back in 1993 and recurs every year in October’s third week. The same is expected this year too.

    It is regarded the best time to appreciate veterinarians all across the country.

    How can I help?

    There are various ways which can be used to raise awareness for the National Veterinary Technician Week cause and promote our course. A media kit is one of them, and it helps us tutor the community about what we do and veterinary services. The kit also helps reinforce our professionalism and value to motivate people who intend to become vets one day.

    A media kit also provides opportunities for us, as veterinary technicians, to commend each other for team building and superb work ethic. Also, we get to acknowledge breakthroughs by other veterinaries while building a quality relationship with the public. You can download the veterinary technician kit for more information about our appreciation week.

    The package contains but is not limited to sample public service announcements, press releases, organizing yourself for the national veterinary week, and event ideas for the week. Veterinaries may be valued every day of the year but this week is set aside to show us gratitude for our compassionate commitment towards your pets.

    When does it Start and Future Dates?

    This year’s National Veterinary Technician Week begins on October 13th and ends on the 19th of the same month. The next National Veterinary Technician Week will commence on 14th October 2018 and run up to October 20th in the same year. The 2019 National Veterinary Technician Week will take place on 13th October 2019 and end on 19th October the same year.

    AVMA

    Our veterinary technician brochure contains all the information required to help you achieve your dream of becoming a veterinary technician. You can also visit this page from the AVMA to get more information about veterinary technicians and their assistants. You can also help us raise awareness by downloading the national veterinary technician week photo and using it as your social media cover photo on sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

    Lastly, for more information about this course visit the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America. Help us take better care of your furry, feline, and avian buddies.

    SOURCES: AVMA, NAVTA
    COPYRIGHT: Local Value

  • Columbus Day And Your Pet

    Columbus Day And Your Pet

    The day that commemorates the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the New World is approaching fast and what’s a better way to celebrate it than a well-deserved outdoor stint with your pet. It is also the perfect time to get in touch with nature, and it offers a lot of fun for you and your little helper. Here are some fantastic getaways you can enjoy on that day.

    Sample some of the Best Pet-friendly Getaways. These include some like:

    • San Francisco, California

    Get pet-friendly safari tents near San Francisco and enjoy the area that is famed for welcoming the first travelers to America. You are sure to spot a wild animal or two behind the ancient trees, and your pet will get plenty of room to play far away from the city noise. The perfect way to spend the night is beside a fire with your pet as waves crashing on the Californian coast echo from a distance.

    • Luxury cabin in Albany

    Upstate New York has a lot to offer for you and your pet particularly a pet-friendly luxury cabin located near Albany. It can host up to four people so you can bring more than your pet and offers the perfect getaway from the city noise and rush. As one of the first settled places in the country, this area is a great place to spend Columbus Day.

    • Dog-friendly cabin near North Carolina

    You can fully embed yourself into nature in the glamping cabin located in the mountains near Asheville, North Carolina. The cabin is not only eco-friendly but also dog-friendly and seeing its location is in the foothills of mountains, you can expect a lot of nature and tranquility.

    The cabin has a unique style and is designed to ensure you leave little to no footprints making it an ideal Columbus Day getaway. Mix the cabin’s design with surrounding nature and you both comfort and bliss in one package.

    Other Options

    Other than the places mentioned above, you can also spend the holiday on the beautiful waterways and lush woodlands at the Hyatt Lake cabin in Oregon. Alternatively, a chance to sail, just like Columbus did, to the houseboat rental located on a private island in the Florida Keys would provide a thrilling experience for you and your pet. Whatever your choice, make sure you involve nature in it to relieve the day Columbus discovered this beautiful country.

    SOURCE: Glamping Hub
    COPYRIGHT: Local Value

  • Pet Safety: Top This Labor Day Weekend Tips

    Pet Safety: Top This Labor Day Weekend Tips

    This Labor Day Weekend will be a wonderful time, but it can be stressful and sometimes even dangerous for pets. Here are answers to 5 questions that will help you and your pet have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend.

    How can I keep guests from sneaking food to my pets? 

    Be direct and ask them not to give any human food. Explain that as tasty as it is for humans it can cause severe problems for your animal. If you feel that this request will not effect, then play it safe rather than sorry, and put secure your pets away from the area where guest will be.

    Which foods are most harmful?

    Chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, macadamia nuts, candy, sugar, and foods with high salt content can all be deadly. Consult with us about foods that are particularly hazardous to your animal, and then be vigilant about leaving any of these foods out even for a moment.

    What kinds of plants can cause problems during the Labor Day Weekend?

    Steer clear of poinsettias, holly, lilies, and mistletoe. Pine needles have the potential to puncture the intestines when swallowed. So as much as these plants symbolize the holidays for many of us, your pet’s safety should come first.

    How should we handle all of the extra cords?

    You can tape them down, run them behind furniture, or put them under a rug. Running wires through inexpensive plastic tubing that can be bought from the hardware store is also a great way to limit access to pets and young children.

    What’s the best way to stabilize the tree?

    Build a wooden box on which to place the tree. Use a tree holder that has flat feet. Put a bolt on each foot of the tree holder and screw it down on both sides of each of the feet.

    This will prevent the tree from tipping if Chance (dog) pulls on it, Fluffy (cat) jumps on it, or Rio (bird) sits on it. Anchoring from the ceiling is also possible, but for those who are mechanically challenged this may not be an option.

    Being vigilant about what kinds of products you bring into your is the best way to keep your pets safe.

    The Labor Day Weekend is stressful for people, and for pets as well.

    Make sure that you carve out plenty of time to spend with your pet. And regardless of what you celebrate, sharing the love is what it’s all about. 

    SOURCE: Huffington Post, Vet Street

    COPYRIGHT: Local Value

  • Do Cats Love Their Owners Less? Debunking the Myth

    Do Cats Love Their Owners Less? Debunking the Myth

    Ask anyone who owns both a feline and a canine buddy, and they will readily confess that at one point they felt that their dog loves or ‘adores’ more compared to the more docile cat. There’s no use refuting that our barking buddies can be somewhat boisterous, outgoing, animated or even exuberant. So, in direct comparison to the soft-pawed furry companions, it is easy to assume that our cats love us less than our dogs. So much that you might even be tempted to think that your cat does not enjoy your presence. But is this the truth? Well, let’s see. 

    Of Cats and Separation Anxiety

    According to leading animal behavior researchers and analysts, cats will rarely display the same kind of behavioral attachment and separation anxiety that is synonymous to man’s most faithful buddy. There are several psychological and evolutionary reasons for this. 

    Solitary Hunters

    Well, for starters, cats are predominantly solitary hunters. Save for the African lions; most wild cats will rarely hunt in groups, pride or packs. They will stalk, pursue, chase and pounce on their prey without necessarily relying on external aid. Dogs, on the other side of the spectrum, rely on collaborative hunting to survive. Which explains why wolves, wild dogs, foxes and the African jackal all hunt in packs and not individually. In this light of this alone, it is easy to see why your barking buddy would seem more ‘attached’ to the special bond between both of you that your feline friend. In other words, cats are naturally more or less independent of human existence. 

    Domesticated Earlier

    Secondly, dogs were historically domesticated earlier than cats. That implies that they have been around human homesteads and our household settings longer than cats. And over the centuries, they have apparently gotten used to human mannerisms, behavior, and expectations. Think of it this way; your old high school pal would feel more attached, close, and at ease around you than a recent graduate college colleague. Right? And it doesn’t take much to see it’s because they have known you for longer, and consequently better. 

    In Closing 

    Cats, as well as dogs, do form affectionate and social bonds with their owners. It is only that cats don’t display a strong and evident social bond. But that doesn’t mean that it is not there. So, regardless of what you read online, don’t ever doubt your furry friend’s love for you!

  • World Cat Day

    World Cat Day

    Truth be told, no one doesn’t love a fur ball that is a cute kitty. And August 8th this year has been set aside as the International Cat day or the official World Cat Day by the IFAW ( the International Fund for Animal Welfare ). It is co-ordinated by all animal welfare establishments from around the world, the goal here is to promote the awareness of the needs of cats around the globe. For the cat owner, this marks a special day to celebrate all things kitty and catty!

    Here are some fun things to do on this day.

    1. Read up on Fun Facts and the History of Man’s Oldest Companion

    Ask any cat lover, and they will gladly confirm to you that to them, every day is a cat day. Felines are not only docile and agreeable but also gorgeous and angelic. And it is rumored that unlike other domestic pets, such as dogs and horses, cats actually domesticated themselves. Yes, you heard that right. Cats become man’s best companion all by themselves.

    Take 30 minutes on August 8th, 2017 to educate yourself on some of these and many more interesting facts revolving around your kitty’s world. For example, do you know that there are over 70 species/breeds of domestic cats in the globe? This only means one thing; Cats have been greatly valued over the years for their superb vermin extermination skills and irreplaceable companionship. Speaking of companionship, cats are such good buddies that even spinsters and widows are highly stereotyped to keep hundreds of this for their unequaled quality company. Most people don’t also know this, but cats were worshiped in Ancient Egypt. Hieroglyphs of various cat paintings can still be seen even today in Cairo.

    2. Time to Visit the Vet

    It is surprising how some cat owners rarely pay any attention to the various facets of their cat’s well beingness. When was the last time you took cute kitty for a comprehensive dental checkup, for instance? Are they spayed and neutered? How about heartworm and mites infestation? These are just some of the sensitive details regarding your cat’s health that you may want to look into this coming August.

    3. Finally, Let’s Spread some Kitty Love

    August is the furry season! There’s no reason why you shouldn’t be littering your social media timeline with cute pictures of your favorite pet to encourage sensitization of the dangers facing cats globally. Let’s spread the love in this year’s World Cat Day!

    Sources: Cute Calendar, IB Times
    COPYRIGHT: Local Value