During Pet Health Dental Month, we like to highlight how important dental care is for your pet’s overall health. Good dental health helps your pet feel better, eat better and behave better. Dental disease can cause bacterial problems throughout the body’s systems, along with the problems that come with infected gums or diseased teeth.
Know the Signs of Dental Disease
Most pet dental disease occurs below the gum line, where you can’t see it. Your pet’s teeth and gums should be checked at least once a year by your veterinarian. But, if you see any of these symptoms, call your veterinarian:
Red, swollen gums
Increased drooling
Dropping food from the mouth
Whining while eating
Loss of appetite
Unexpected weight loss
Loose or discolored teeth
Bleeding from mouth
Unwillingness to play with toys
Top Pet Dental Care Steps
Pet dental health is critical for overall health. Here are the top things you can do to improve and preserve your pet’s teeth and gums:
Toothbrushing with a soft brush and water or pet-formulated paste
Regular veterinary examinations, at least annually
Professional dental cleaning if recommended by your veterinarian
Look for signs of oral disease
Has it been awhile since your pet’s last dental cleaning? Contact us to see if it might be time.
For National Cat Health Month, we’re looking at longevity for our feline friends. Over the decades, pet cats in the US have been living longer on average:
1980s: 7 years
1995: 9.4 years
2014: 13 years
Today: 17 years
That’s a huge improvement! Let’s explore why.
Why Are Cats Living Longer?
There isn’t one single reason that our beloved pet cats are enjoying fuller lives. It’s a combination of factors, including:
Improved veterinary care: Preventive care diagnoses common conditions that can improve with treatment, giving cats more years of health and happiness. Advances in veterinary medicine also give veterinarians more options for improving cat health, like the arthritis injection Solensia.
More indoor cats: Outdoor cats face many environmental dangers that indoor cats are safe from. Keeping a cat indoors increases life expectancy.
Better nutrition: Cat food through the decades has improved in nutritional content, and so has understanding of cats as obligate carnivores.
Neutering and spaying: When done at the right stage of life, altered cats live longer, on average.
What Can I Do to Help My Cat Live Longer?
To help your cat live their best life, you’ll want to address all the factors that go into longevity. Based on pet trends, it’s likely that your cat is already spayed/neutered and lives indoors. Any well-known pet food brand will provide the nutrition your pet needs (unless your pet has specific health conditions identified by your veterinarian).
The number one step you can take to improve your cat’s health? Get regular preventive care, usually through an annual check-up. Your veterinarian will test and treat common issues that may start without symptoms. Plus, preventive vaccines keep your cat from risk of rabies, Feline Upper Respiratory Diseases and Feline Leukemia.
Winter is Revving Up in January. Stay Cozy with These Tips
Overall, December temperatures were fairly mild for the season. As we move into January and February, we’re sure to see some arctic weather in the forecast. Winter can be a challenging time for pets, so watch for these cold weather hazards.
Be Prepared for Cold
Have an emergency kit that includes your pet’s needs in case of severe weather or prolonged power outage
If your dog has a short coat, consider a sweater or dog coat for outdoor excursions
Consider booties for your dog’s feet. Not only does it protect them from the cold, but from de-icing chemicals, as well
Ensure all outdoor pets have insulated shelter and unfrozen drinking water
Know Your Pet’s Limits
Know your pet’s tolerance for the cold and adjust accordingly. Keep in mind that very young pet and older pets are more sensitive to cold
Shorten walks in really cold weather
Avoid Injury and Poisoning
Check under your care, bang the hood and hong the horn before starting the engine. Cats and other small animals are attracted to the warmth of a parked engine
Use pet-safe de-icing products
Clean up any antifreeze spills quickly. Animals are attracted to this sweet, toxic liquid
Stay away from frozen ponds, lakes and streams. Animals might break through the ice out of your reach, creating a very dangerous situation. If your pet does escape onto the ice, do not follow– you weigh more than your pet
Check your dog’s paws frequently for signs of irritation or injury
Wipe down or wash your pet’s feet, legs and belly to remove packed snow, ice, salt and de-icing chemicals after walks
Have questions about keeping your cat or dog safe this winter? Contact us.
Holidays are a delightful change of pace, with their own special decorations and foods. As you’re changing up your family’s routines, keep these simple tips in mind to make your home a safe environment for your pets.
Holiday No-No Foods
These foods are toxic for our cats and dogs. Don’t feed any of these items to your pets, and remind your guests to ask before feeding your pets anything.
Chocolate
Alcohol
Bones
Onions/garlic
Grapes/raisins
Candy (some kinds are toxic, but all candy is unhealthy for your pet)
Poisonous Plants
Real plants are beautiful, but many of them are also toxic if ingested. Here are four common Christmas plants that you should substitute with artificial alternatives:
Poinsettias
Holly
Mistletoe
Lilies
Decoration Safety
Who doesn’t love a festive Christmas tree? Well, sometimes your cat or dog might love it too much. Keep these decoration safety tips in mind:
Do not use salt dough ornaments
If enjoying a real tree, cover the tree stand to prevent pets from drinking the water
Regularly sweep up pine needles, which can cause GI upset if ingested
Avoid using tinsel. It can get caught in your pet’s intestines, which is a dangerous emergency
Place ornaments on higher branches, out of your pet’s reach
Another health tip for the holidays is keeping your pet up-to-date on their check-ups. If it’s been awhile since your cat or dog has been in for a wellness visit, contact us.
National Senior Pet month is a good time to think about preparing for your pet’s golden years. Just like with humans, aging pets are slowing down– but they also may have more wisdom and become more laid-back!
There’s so much to love about senior pets. Take a look at our “Top 10 Reasons We Love Senior Pets.” We also need to show these furry friends a bit more love and care.
When is My Pet Considered Senior?
“Seniority” differs between species, size and breed. Let’s explore AVMA’s guidelines on pet aging for cats and dogs.
When Does My Cat Become a Senior?
Definitions of aging for domestic cats is fairly simple. Most cats are considered to be senior at 10+ years. Here’s a chart showing all life stages for cats.
When Does My Dog Become a Senior?
To know when your dog is considered a senior, we take into account their size and weight. Smaller dogs typically become senior later than larger dogs. Here are general guidelines.
Dog Size
Weight Range
Senior Age
Small or toy breeds
Less than 20 pounds
8 to 11 years
Medium breeds
20 to 50 pounds
8 to 10 years
Large breeds
50 to 90 pounds
8 to 9 years
Giant breeds
More than 90 pounds
6 to 7 years
For more specific information about a given dog breed, visit the AKC’s helpful article, “How long do dogs live?”
How Will My Senior Pet’s Behavior Change?
Our pets are individuals, so their aging experience will be all there own. Here are some behavior changes you may see as your cat or dog ages:
Needing less exercise in shorter intervals
More appreciation for quiet, quality time with you
Sleeping more
Difficulty jumping or climbing stairs like they used to
Possibly getting colder more easily
Less “mischievous” behavior, like chewing unwanted items
Less sensitive hearing
Less acute vision
Less ability to smell
Possibly needing more frequent potty breaks
How Do I Care for My Senior Pet?
On average, senior pets have more health care needs than younger pets. Here’s what we recommend for giving your pet their happiest life:
We celebrate Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog month each October. We do it for the dogs and also for the humans! There are many reasons to adopt a pup from a shelter, and here are our favorite:
You are saving a life
You’re helping break the cycle of pet overpopulation
Shelter pets may already be vaccinated, spay/neutered and microchipped
You can meet all breeds and ages to find the best fit for your family
Adopting is more affordable than shopping
You are taking a stand against puppy mills
How to Get Started with Dog Adoption
Check out the websites for these local no-kill shelters for what you need to know before adopting, along with browsing available pets.
Prevention is the easiest way to help pets live longer and healthier lives. It is a time to focus on promoting pet health and happiness through actions like scheduling veterinary check-ups, reviewing diets, ensuring proper exercise, starting dental care, and making a safe home environment.
Have questions about adopting, or caring for your new adopted dog? Reach out to us.
Start Today to Improve Your Cat or Dog’s Healthy Outlook
Regular preventive care visits for your pet is essential for their wellness and overall health. Here are the top three reasons:
Preventive care catches health issues earlier and helps prevent them from becoming more problematic.
Preventive care gives your pet the vaccines and medicines they need to prevent serious health conditions.
Preventive care gives you the space to ask questions about your pet’s health, development and behavior and prevents unnecessary worry or anxiety.
Your pet needs different preventive care at different stages. Let’s explore wellness for puppies/kittens, adults and seniors.
A Healthy Start to a Long Life: Preventive Care for Puppies & Kittens
Give your kitten or puppy their best start in life with early wellness care. Young pets benefit from:
Prevention of diseases like parvovirus or distemper for dogs
Testing for infectious diseases like FeLV and FIV for cats
Parasite testing and/or prevention, from heartworms to roundworms
Starting the vaccine schedule, like rabies, which is required by law
Microchipping to help find your pet if they become lost
Guidance on nutrition, training, socialization and exercise for puppies and kittens
Instruction on brushing your pet’s teeth
Acclimating your puppy or kitten to the veterinarian’s office
Protection & Prevention for Active Years: Preventive Care for Adult Pets
Your adult dog or cat also needs preventive care. These are some of the important things we cover during each visit:
Physical examination of your pet’s body
Simple blood tests that can catch common diseases before they show symptoms
Examination for and treatment of parasites, such as fleas, ticks, mites or internal parasites
Examination of dental health, which affects overall health
Continuation of needed vaccines, based on the latest guidelines, your pet’s lifestyle, and changing technologies
Conversation around any concerns you have regarding nutrition, behavior changes and more
Noting any changes from previous exams and documenting the state of your pet’s health for future exams
Promoting Health & Comfort in Later Years: Preventive Care for Senior Pets
As your pet ages into their senior years, it’s likely they will develop one or more common health conditions. Preventive care helps manage these years for maximum quality of life. Here’s what to expect:
Visits may become more frequent
Pain management might be of higher concern
Preventing disease and preserving dental health are more important than ever
Recommendations for changes to pet food and home environment
Has it been awhile since your pet has come in for a wellness visit? Now would be a great time to make an appointment for their continued health and happiness. Contact us today.
Our pets can’t tell us when they are in pain. In fact, they usually try to hide their pain. Here are the symptoms to look out for:
Changes in activity: Decreased activity, reluctance to play or changes in mobility
Behavioral changes: Hiding, increased restlessness or unusual vocalizations
Grooming habits: Over-grooming or licking a specific area
Physical indicators: Heavy panting, unusual body posture or difficulty standing
Pain in older pets is often due to osteoarthritis, which is swelling in the joints. In the last few years, both cats and dogs have benefited from new treatments.
Has Your Cat Stopped Acting Like “Your Cat?”
It’s time to talk to us about Solensia. This is the first and only FDA-approved treatment to control cat osteoarthritis pain, which improves their quality of life.
Librela provides long-term osteoarthritis pain control for your dog. It’s a monoclonal antibody that works to reduce pain signals, making it easier for your dog to move and play.
Allergies Are One of the Most Common Causes of Itching in Dogs
Excessive itching and scratching can be a real health problem for your dog, resulting in abrasions, lost fur and obvious irritation. Allergies are often the culprit for this itching, and these three are the most common:
Food allergy
Environmental allergy
Flea allergy
Signs of Skin Allergies in Dogs
Along with itching, skin allergies may have these other symptoms:
Frequent scratching, licking, biting. chewing
Excessive rolling, rubbing or scooting
Recurrent ear problems (such as head shaking, discharge, scratching at ears)
Hair loss, body odor, recurrent skin infections, or skin changes
(such as rash, redness, greasy skin or scabs)
Get Itch Relief for Your Dog with Cytopoint
If your dog suffers from environmental allergies, there’s a medicine that we’ve seen success with. Cytopoint has helped eight million dogs get relief from allergic dermatitis or atopic dermatitis. Here’s a brief overview of this injection:
Provides rapid relief for allergic relief within four hours
Does your dog suffer from allergic itching? If we’ve ruled out food or flea allergy, it could be in the environment. Contact us to talk about how to help your dog find relief.
