Read these tips for keeping your kitty in tip top shape during National Cat Health Month and year round!

🐈 Take your cat for an annual wellness exam for optimal health

An annual checkup is one of the most important things you can do for your cat’s health. These annual visits allow your veterinarian to notice any changes in your cat’s condition from year to year, and help you catch potentially serious issues early.

🐈 Spay or neuter your cat

One of the best ways to maintain your cat’s good health is to have him or her altered. These procedures can help prevent certain conditions related to a cat’s reproductive organs. It also helps to reduce overpopulation and may help eliminate many unwanted behaviors.

🐈 Keep your cat’s teeth clean

Most cats won’t allow you to brush their teeth, so it’s important to get their teeth checked during an annual exam and have them professionally cleaned when recommended by your veterinarian. Maintaining good dental health and preventing gum disease can prevent other conditions that may lead to illness such as organ failure and heart disease.

🐈 Maintain a healthy weight

Help maintain a healthy weight by feeding a high quality cat food specific to your cat’s age and lifestyle. Encourage daily play time and regular exercise. Utilizing interactive feeders and rotating toys is a great first step. Create an environment with scratching posts and cat trees to encourage exercise and climbing.

🐈 Watch for changes in litterbox habits

Cats will naturally try to hide signs of illness. One place you can usually detect early problems is the litterbox. Look for changes in frequency of urination, or if your cat is urinating or defecating outside of the litterbox.

We are happy to be your cat’s health partner. If you’d like to bring your cat in for a wellness exam, contact us today!

Know What to Expect at Your Pet’s Next Dental Procedure

A pet dental procedure is a common and routine procedure for many pets. During the procedure, your pet’s teeth will be cleaned and evaluated by a veterinarian. This may include scaling, polishing, and removing any tartar or plaque buildup. Your pet may also receive a dental exam, X-rays, and other diagnostic tests to check for underlying dental issues such as tooth decay, gum disease, and oral tumors.

Your pet may be given a general anesthetic to keep them relaxed and comfortable during the procedure. The vet will then clean the teeth and gums, removing any tartar and plaque buildup. They may also extract any damaged or diseased teeth if necessary.

It is normal for your pet to experience some discomfort, swelling, and minor bleeding after the procedure. Your vet will provide pain medication and/or antibiotics as needed to help your pet recover quickly and comfortably.

To ensure the health and comfort of your pet, it is important to follow your vet’s post-operative care instructions closely. This may include feeding your pet soft or wet food, avoiding hard or crunchy treats, and limiting your pet’s physical activity for a period of time.

It is also important to continue regular dental cleanings and check-ups for your pet to maintain their oral health. This can help prevent future dental issues and ensure your pet’s teeth and gums remain healthy and strong.

In conclusion, a pet dental procedure is a common and routine practice that can help maintain your pet’s oral health. It is important to follow your vet’s post-operative care instructions closely and continue regular dental cleanings and check-ups to ensure your pet’s ongoing oral health.

Please do not hesistate to contact us if you have any concerns about your pet’s dental health.

Follow these tips to keep your pets safe during the cold winter months

You’re probably already aware of the risks posed by warm weather and leaving pets in hot cars, but did you know that cold weather also poses serious threats to your pets’ health? Follow these tips from the AVMA to keep your pets safe during cold weather:

Winter Wellness

Has your pet had his/her preventive care exam (wellness exam) yet? Cold weather may worsen some medical conditions such as arthritis.

Know the limits

Pets’ cold tolerance can vary from pet to pet based on their coat, body fat stores, activity level, and health. Be aware of your pet’s tolerance for cold weather, and adjust accordingly.

Provide choices

Pets prefer comfortable sleeping places and may change their location based on their need for more or less warmth. Give them some safe options to allow them to vary their sleeping place to adjust to their needs.

Stay inside

Cats and dogs should be kept inside during cold weather. It’s a common belief that dogs and cats are more resistant than people to cold weather because of their fur, but it’s untrue. Like people, they are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia and should be kept inside.

Check the paws

Check your dog’s paws frequently for signs of cold-weather injury or damage, such as cracked paw pads or bleeding. During a walk, a sudden lameness may be due to an injury or may be due to ice accumulation between his/her toes.

Play dress-up

If your dog has a short coat or seems bothered by the cold weather, consider a sweater or dog coat. Have several on hand, so you can use a dry sweater or coat each time your dog goes outside.

Wipe down

During walks, your dog’s feet, legs and belly may pick up deicers, antifreeze, road salt or other chemicals that could be toxic. When you get back inside, wipe down (or wash) your pet’s feet, legs and belly to remove these chemicals and reduce the risk that your dog will be poisoned after (s)he licks them off of his/her feet or fur. Consider using pet-safe deicers on your property to protect your pets and the others in your neighborhood.

Collar and chip

Many pets become lost in winter because snow and ice can hide recognizable scents that might normally help your pet find his/her way back home. Make sure your pet has a well-fitting collar with up-to-date identification and contact information. A microchip is a more permanent means of identification, but it’s critical that you keep the registration up to date.

Stay home

Hot cars are a known threat to pets, but cold cars also pose significant risk to your pet’s health. You’re already familiar with how a car can rapidly cool down in cold weather; it becomes like a refrigerator, and can rapidly chill your pet.

Prevent poisoning

Clean up any antifreeze spills quickly, as even small amounts of antifreeze can be deadly. Make sure your pets don’t have access to medication bottles, household chemicals, potentially toxic foods such as onions, xylitol (a sugar substitute) and chocolate.

Protect family

Odds are your pet will be spending more time inside during the winter, so it’s a good time to make sure your house is properly pet-proofed. Use space heaters with caution around pets, because they can burn or they can be knocked over, potentially starting a fire.

Avoid ice

When walking your dog, stay away from frozen ponds, lakes and other water. You don’t know if the ice will support your dog’s weight, and if your dog breaks through the ice it could be deadly.

Provide shelter

We don’t recommend keeping any pet outside for long periods of time, but if you are unable to keep your dog inside during cold weather, provide him/her with a warm, solid shelter against wind. Make sure that they have unlimited access to fresh, non-frozen water. The floor of the shelter should be off of the ground and the bedding should be thick, dry and changed regularly to provide a warm, dry environment.

Recognize problems

If your pet is whining, shivering, seems anxious, slows down or stops moving, seems weak, or starts looking for warm places to burrow, get them back inside quickly because they are showing signs of hypothermia. Frostbite is harder to detect, and may not be fully recognized until a few days after the damage is done. If you suspect your pet has hypothermia or frostbite, call your closest veterinary emergency hospital immediately.

Feed well

Keep your pet at a healthy weight throughout the winter. Some pet owners feel that a little extra weight gives their pet some extra protection from cold, but the health risks associated with that extra weight don’t make it worth doing. Watch your pet’s body condition and keep them in the healthy range.

We hope these tips have been helpful. Contact us if you have any questions.

5 Holiday Hazards That Can Harm Your Pet

As the year draws to a close, holiday celebrations are still in full swing. But the additional activity and stress present the perfect opportunity for your pet to get into trouble, so keep an eye out for the following holiday pet hazards.

Delicious food is dangerous for your pet

What are the holidays without overflowing tables of mouthwatering dishes? However, many favorite holiday foods are toxic for pets, so ensure it’s paws off when it comes to the following:

• Turkey and ham, especially the bones
• Chives, leeks, onions, and garlic
• Unbaked bread dough
• Raisins and currants
• Macadamia nuts
• Chocolate
• Xylitol
• Avocadoes
• Alcohol

Delightful decor leads to disaster

Adorning your home with twinkling lights, glittering tinsel, and seasonal flora is an excellent way to create a holiday atmosphere, but many decorations can pose a risk to your pet. When decorating your home, ensure your four-legged friend cannot reach fragile, electrical, or toxic items. For instance, glass ornaments and extension cords can harm your pet if they are broken or chewed on, while Christmas tree stand water and holiday plants can cause serious problems if ingested.

Overnight guests pack multiple hazards

When you welcome family and friends into your home, they may unknowingly tote along hazards in their suitcases and purses. Keep guest bedroom doors closed to ensure your pet cannot sniff out medications, granola and protein bars, chocolate, sugar-free gum, and other potential dangers in your guests’ belongings.

Parties pose a problem

If your New Year’s Eve party becomes a wild celebration, guests may drop food and drinks, leaving these unattended “treats” out for your pet. Toxic foods and cocktails need to be kept away from your furry pal, as do party poppers, glow sticks, and other favors. Additionally, protect your pet from overeager guests determined to make a furry friend by providing your four-legged family member with a quiet sanctuary that is off-limits to people.

Gifts and toys turn into hazardous items

Small toys, batteries, and gift ribbons can lead to a gastrointestinal obstruction or a toxicity issue for your pet. Pick up small items when children are done playing with them to prevent a blockage or kidney damage.

With the extra commotion and activity surrounding the holiday season, your furry pal is more likely to get into mischief. If they run afoul of a holiday hazard, seek emergency treatment or contact our team for help.

How to Have Fun with Your Pet This Winter

When the weather outside becomes too cold and snowy, it can be tough to find ways to
entertain your pet indoors. Spice up their exercise routine with the following fun interactive indoor enrichment games and toys to help your pet beat the winter blues.

Create a wish list for your pet to guide gift-giving

As gift-giving holidays approach, family and friends may want to shower your pet with all manner of toys and treats. Guide their shopping toward items that will prove enriching and entertaining for your pet. Some ideas include:

• Food and treat puzzles
• Interactive toys (e.g., robotic mouse, ball launcher)
• Long-lasting chews
• Stuffable treat holders
• App-controlled treat dispensers

Rotate your pet’s toys on a daily or weekly basis to keep them interested in “new” items. This also will help you see which toys your pet prefers, so you can incorporate more of them into their toy rotation to stave off winter boredom.

Design an indoor agility course

With shortened daylight hours, it can be difficult to squeeze in outdoor exercise during the winter. Prevent your pet from packing on the pounds by giving them an exhilarating experience with an indoor agility course. Even your cat can be trained to complete a short circuit. Use furniture and items around your home to design jumps, weave poles, and obstacles to crawl through or under.

Craft homemade treat puzzles

Is food one of your pet’s greatest joys in life? If so, it can be tempting to toss them tons of extra treats in the winter to help entertain them. However, obesity can develop quickly from those additional calories. Make your four-legged friend work for their snacks by hiding them in a treat puzzle. While there are many commercial products available, you can craft your own using cardboard boxes and tubes, crumpled paper, plastic water bottles, fabric scraps, and other
recyclable materials.

Inadequate physical and mental stimulation can lead to a host of medical and behavioral issues in pets. Don’t let the winter weather turn your pet’s boredom into excessive grooming, inappropriate elimination, or other problems. With a little bit of thought and creativity, you can keep them entertained until outdoor conditions improve. Contact our team for help.

How to Prepare a Pet-Safe Thanksgiving Feast

An overloaded table filled with your favorite dishes is one of Thanksgiving’s highlights. While you are drooling over a heaping plate, so is your pet. However, many popular Thanksgiving foods are dangerous for pets. Follow these Thanksgiving safety tips, and let your pet join the feast by preparing a special, safe Thanksgiving plate just for them with the following foods:

• Turkey — Many pets have their eyes on the prize: a turkey drumstick. But the tasty turkey leg can cause the most problems, from the skin to the bones. The higher fat content in dark meat and the fatty, seasoned skin can cause stomach upset and possibly pancreatitis in your pet. And the bones can splinter when crunched, piercing the gastrointestinal tract, or forming a blockage that requires emergency surgery. Instead of giving your pet a turkey leg to gnaw on, offer a few morsels of skinless, boneless, unseasoned turkey breast.

• Mashed Sweet Potatoes — Regular mashed potatoes loaded with butter, chives, garlic, and sour cream can lead to serious health issues. Topping buttery mashed potatoes with gravy can trigger a case of pancreatitis. At the same time, ingredients from the Allium family—chives, garlic, leeks, and onions—can cause red blood cell destruction and anemia. Swap out rich mashed potatoes for plain, mashed sweet potatoes, which are a great source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

• Biscuits — Unbaked yeast dough left out to rise can cause stomach bloating, gastrointestinal obstruction, and alcohol poisoning, all of which can require emergency treatment, so give your pet a cooked biscuit treat to enjoy instead.

• Fruit — Many sweet treats contain ingredients that are toxic to pets, such as raisins, currants, chocolate, or xylitol. Offer your pet small bites of safe, fresh fruits, like apples, bananas, and berries, for a sweet snack instead.

Thanksgiving is a time to spend with family and friends, not in an emergency veterinary hospital. However, if your furry pal runs into trouble—or runs off with the turkey—contact our team for help.