Natural Pet Health

Whatever the schedule we have for the examination of your pet, if there is any abnormality noticed in your animal, without delay, you need to take him to your vet for a thorough clinical examination.

It is suggested that even before the purchase of a puppy, consult a pet animal care specialist and try to understand about the schedules to be maintained for the examination of the animal. This will help a lot in solving many health related problems.

Though once every two or three months is the general schedule for the examination of the dog, as soon as the puppy is procured the dog needs to be taken to the veterinarian for a thorough examination. Hence, necessary health care measures will be obtained in time.

Most of the time, a cat or dog is to be taken to the veterinarian at the fifth or sixth week of age because in this period only, the vaccinations against diseases will be systematically carried out.  The period of vaccination in the first year will be continued up to the 16th week of age and the schedule needs to be maintained accordingly.

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Cat care and diabetes go hand in hand to ensure that your pet cat can live an otherwise more normal life than usual. It may be unfortunate for pet cats to have their own version of diabetes, also a serious affliction among humans. It is also important for pet owners to know how feline diabetes affects cats and how they can help make life better for their pets by learning how to better care for them.

There are two types of feline diabetes that may affect your pet cats. Type 1 is caused by an insufficient production of insulin while type 2 diabetes is characterized by the inability of the cat’s body to process insulin more effectively. And just like in humans, diabetes can also strike cats at any age but is more likely to affect older cats.

There is also a secondary feline diabetes that can be caused by drugs or by some diseases that may impair the natural processing of insulin in the body.

Cats also display symptoms that may tell veterinarians or pet owners of the onset of diabetes. These symptoms also have similarities with what humans with diabetes develop as the disease progresses. Cats may show frequent thirst and urination. With the body’s inability to process or handle glucose, diabetic cats may also experience weight loss.

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From kids to seniors, pet ownership benefits abound

According to the 2007-2008 National Pet Owners Survey, 63% of U.S. households own a pet, which equates to 71.1 millions homes. But do you occasionally take your cuddly companion for granted?

Chances are, work, family, and other obligations interfere with time spent enjoying simple pleasures with your pooch or kitty… but taking a moment to appreciate their benefits to our lives is worth doing now and then.

Most pets’ demands are quite small, requiring basics like food, shelter, veterinary care, and companionship. Compared to the immense health benefits they bring to us—including emotional support, lowered blood pressure and stress levels, and unconditional affection and friendship, it’s no wonder we grow attached.

There’s no doubt that pets live for the moment, coping with life’s ups and downs and then dismissing them. The innocence and trust of a companion pet help us to be less cynical. This positive attitude is particularly important for the elderly.

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Feline dental problems, much like humans, start with the accumulation of plaque. Plaque is a mixture of salivary minerals, bacteria and food particles and sticks as a thin film on teeth and gums.

If plaque is not removed within three to five days of formation, it combines with minerals from the saliva and forms tartar, a hard incrustation that binds strongly to the teeth. Tartar irritates gums and causes gingivitis or inflammation of the gums that can be seen as reddened gums and leads to exposure of the roots of teeth. Gingivitis is one of the major causes behind feline bad breath.

You need to tend to your cat’s teeth just as you would your own. It depends upon you whether you want to do it yourself at home or take your pet to the veterinarian every time you see signs like cat bad breath or drooling or refusal to eat.

At home you need to clean your cat’s teeth on a regular basis. You can learn how to clean cat teeth on your own since it is not too difficult once you know the basics. You have an option to choose flavored toothpastes meant specifically for cats or make do with some home remedies that are equally effective. Remember that you must never use human toothpaste for your cat.

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The eyes of your feline friends have often been used on horror films. But if you are a pet owner, you will know that the cat’s stare is really the opposite of what’s being portrayed on films. That is why you have to know the importance of cat eye care.

I Love You

How do cats say these words? Through their eyes, of course. That is why you shouldn’t be frightened by that gaze. How does this work? First, the cat stares at you for a long while. And after that, it blinks its eyes slowly. Some people tag this as a cat’s kiss. But you can also say that this is your cat’s way of saying that it loves you.

But how do you return the favor? Easy, just follow your cat’s lead. Stare at it for a long time and then slowly blink your eyes. See? Cats’ eyes can also be used as elements for romantic films.

Not a Third Eye

Don’t believe the horror films you see. Cats don’t have a third eye. Their eyesight is really sharper than with humans. Instead of a third eye, what cats have is a third eyelid. This is called a nictitating membrane.

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Homeopathic vaccine temporarily relieves feline flu symptoms including sneezing, nasal congestion and fever - natural cat flu remedy

Viral support for your cat

All cats are exposed to different viruses during their lives. Just as for humans, the younger or the older the animal, the greater it’s susceptibility to illness.

When a feline’s immune system is battling a virus, the mouth, nasal passages, sinuses, and upper airways can be affected, breathing can become hampered, and airways can become increasingly blocked and congested.

Conventional vaccines are not recommended for young kittens or for pregnant queens, leaving these cats at a greater risk for ill health. Symptoms may be mild or severe, and are unpleasant for the poor animal.

They are often similar to that of a head cold in humans, such as sneezing, nasal discharge, fever, rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes), runny eyes, and salivation.

Ulceration of the tongue and palate are also regularly seen in cats. Lameness in cats, also known as limping syndrome, can also be a symptom. Feline health can be further hampered by secondary conditions.

Why the vaccine controversy?

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Cats are playful animals. If you are planning to get one, you should know the basics about house cat care.

The moment the cat is brought into the house, you should give it his or her own room for the time being with food, water and a bed. If it has not yet been toilet trained, you should start teaching it so there are no stains in the carpet.

Teaching the cat how to use the litter box can initially be done by carrying it to the box when nature calls. When you see the cat is able to do it, praise and reward your pet so they know that this is the right to do.

The exact dimension of the litter box depends on the size of the cat. This must be cleaned naturally using soap and water not disinfectant.

If ever they do something wrong like climb up on the table or scratch the furniture, you must never scold them as they are very sensitive animals. You can enforce discipline without causing any harm by squirting water on their face.

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Colds are bothersome both for humans and cats but cat colds are different from common colds, the characteristically seasonal illness that humans experience.

The difference lies in the fact that common colds are not dangerous for humans but they can prove to be the harbinger of serious infections in cats.

If the cold has been caused due to a virus that is producing cold-like symptoms of watery eyes and nose, sneezing and coughing, then the only care that you can provide for your cat is to symptomatic treatment as there is no drug that is effective against viruses.

The infectious viral agent must live its course for the infection to disappear. The rule of the thumb to distinguish between viral and bacterial infections is that the nasal discharge in the latter is thick, opaque and yellowish green in color.

Regardless of the fact that the symptoms are due to a viral or bacterial infection, the cat needs your help in making her comfortable for as long as the symptoms remain.

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It may be hard for a pet owner to notice a pet cat getting older. Outside, pet cats may show the same things- playing with toys around the home, taking naps sprawled on a favorite spot inside the home, snuggle up with you on the sofa. But inside, it might be a whole different thing.  And health care for cats as they get older may change a little bit.

When caring for an aging cat, there are some things that a concerned pet owner should know about. When a cat approaches somewhere between the ages of eight or 12 years, this is the equivalent of a human being approaching middle age. This will be the time that your cat may be needing a bit of extra attention.

Most veterinarians generally estimate that cats start their geriatric years when they reach 12 years. This will be the time that caring for your cat would have to change to accommodate the needs that aging brings.

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Your first line of defense when keeping cats out of your garden is to make sure that you have your boundaries secure.  If there are any gaps in your fence, you should make sure that you block them to prevent any low access.

Cats are very agile animals, and can jump very high.  Normally they can jump a fence, which is why you should also invest in string across the top.

If a cat has made his way into your garden, it may be hard to get him out, but cats are known to despise water as well.  If you spot a cat in your garden, water almost always gets him out.  All it takes is a glass of water or a well aimed gentle squirt with a garden hose to make him run away. This will not hurt him, but will tell him that the garden is not a place he wants to be.

After you have doused the cat with water several times, he should get the hint not to come back anymore.  If he comes back, simply squirt him or throw a little more water on him until he gets the idea.

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