Top 5

The start of a new calendar year can signal a fresh start for pets as well as people. This is a great time for making some changes that can benefit your pet’s health and well being and strengthen your bond.

1. It’s a good time to evaluate your pet’s diet, especially if he or she is slightly overweight. Is it appropriate for his life stage? Many pet owners eyeball how much they feed. Take the time to measure the food and to monitor how many additional treats he receives, which can add a significant number of calories to his daily intake. Use a measuring cup.

2. Incorporate more play time or a new activity even if only for a few extra minutes a day. It’s great exercise for your pet and a great way to bond. Get them a new toy. It’s great fun for both cats and dogs. Cats love to chase things and it stimulates their predatory instincts. There is a multitude of outdoor activities you can do with your dog, but even varying up where you walk can be a fun change of scenery and be stimulating for your dog. Get them moving more.

3. Brush your pet’s teeth. This helps to reduce plaque and tartar build up, which is very important in preventing periodontal disease. Use an enzymatic toothpaste made especially for dogs and cats. Water additives, dental diets, and treats designed to reduce tartar can also be a helpful tool in keeping teeth clean.

4. Teach your pet a new trick or get an interactive dish or toy where he has to work to retrieve some food. This is mentally stimulating for any pet regardless of its age. In fact, studies show that mental stimulation can help reduce cognitive deterioration in aging animals.

5. Update or replace pet ID’s and microchip data base information if they have either been lost or if you have moved or changed your phone number recently. There is so much to do when you move that updating pet ID information is often overlooked. A microchip is an excellent tool for getting your pet home, but completely useless if you can’t be located due to outdated contact information.

Lucky

1. “If your pet has a skin condition, it’s probably a food allergy”

Allergy symptoms can mimic the symptoms of other skin disorders. There are a variety of factors that can cause allergies. In fact, only a small percentage of allergic skin conditions are caused by diet. Environmental allergens and insect bites are more common contributing factors. If an allergy is suspected, consult your veterinarian.

 2. “Chicken is a big contributor to food allergies”

Chicken is often singled out, but other proteins are just as likely to cause allergies. While proteins are the most common food allergens in domestic pets, a wide range of protein or carbohydrate sources can evoke a food allergy.

3. “Wheat or grain-free diet is superior”

Many people believe that grain-free food is superior because wheat causes food allergies. In fact, in certain diets, the protein found in the grain is often more digestible than that found in meat.

4. “Corn is a poorly digested filler that causes allergies”

Corn is actually a rare allergen in pets that causes no more food allergies than any other grain. Most grains are of poor digestibility before they are cooked. The protein from cooked corn is more digestible than that of rice, barley and wheat. It is a great source of essential fatty acids as well.

5. “Organic, Natural and Holistic diets are better for pets”

No studies support this theory. There are no strict regulations in the manufacturing of organic pet food. It is more beneficial to look for the AAFCO statement to confirm that brand ‘X’ food “is formulated to meet the AAFCO nutritional levels established by the AAFCO nutrient profiles or a statement that animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiates that brand ‘X’ provides complete and balanced nutrition.

1. Less Concern for Outdoor Pets

Outdoor pets and pets who are socialized with other animals are more susceptible to certain diseases due to contact with foreign bodily fluids. Cats who remain indoors are not as likely to be subjected to Feline Leukemia or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus. It is important to vaccinate against certain diseases if a pet is to have access to the outdoors.

Bean

 2. Can Board Safely at Kennels/Catteries

As with outdoor pets, dogs and cats that are to be boarded at kennels or daycare should be vaccinated. Bordetella Bronchiseptica is an airborne bacteria common to these facilities and is transmitted via inanimate objects and direct contact as well. Symptoms are similar to a cold in humans.

 3. Cost Effective

Some pet owners do not consider vaccinations a priority, or perhaps they consider them an added expense. From another perspective, administering vaccines will prove far less costly than treating the disease should it be contracted.

 4. Disease Prevention for Pets

Some diseases are not preventable. Vaccinations can however help prevent certain diseases in animals. Our pets can fall subject to a multitude of bacterial and viral infections, just like us.  Let’s keep our fuzzy friends safe and comfortable!

5. Disease Prevention for Owners

Not everyone is aware that there are diseases that can be transmitted from pet to owner. Rabies for one, is a destructive disease that can be transmitted to humans through an infected animal’s bite. Leptospirosis can also be contracted through contact with infected urine. Vaccinations offer some security for you and your pet.

Dr Nosotti & Lynx

1. Bad Breath

Bad breath is often one of the earliest signs of dental disease. If addressed at the earlier stages, we may be able to prevent the progression of dental disease in our companions.

2. Discomfort When Eating

Dental disease is sure to cause pain and discomfort in our pets. Reluctance to eat or dropping kibble on the floor should be a red flag to look into whether oral issues are present.

3. Tartar Build-Up/Discolored Teeth

Once teeth start to look less white and more yellow, it may be worth while to investigate whether plaque is building up in the mouth. Try to avoid the progression of plaque into the more destructive tartar.

4. Inflamed or Bleeding Gums

Our pet’s gums being swollen is not something we might recognize or think to check. We can however sometimes sneak a peak at the gums when our furry friends are eating or chewing on a toy. Red or bleeding gums are an indication that dental disease may be present.

5. Missing Teeth/Loose Teeth

This may be a harder sign to notice, as we can’t always easily look into our pet’s mouths to check if teeth are missing or loose teeth are present. If we do notice missing teeth, or if we find teeth on the floor this may be a sign of more advanced dental disease.

Further information can also be found here: vohc.org/perio.htm

1. “I should let my dog go into heat at least once before spaying her” – A common myth. Studies do show that there is a slight decrease in mammary gland cancer in female dogs spayed prior to their first heat.

2. “Feeding a raw diet is beneficial as this is what my pet would eat if they were in “the wild” – False. Raw food diets have not been scientifically proven to be beneficial at all. In fact they can often lead to dangerous infections such as Salmonella and E.Coli to name a few. Furthermore, our pets’ wild counterparts do have shorter life spans.

3. “A warm or dry nose indicates that my pet is sick” – not the case. There are numerous reasons as to why your pet’s nose could be warm. If it always dry or always running or you notice hard secretions then you should talk to your veterinarian.

4. “My dog seems to have allergies, he must be allergic to chicken” – Although it is possible that your pet is allergic to chicken it should not be your automatic go-to. There are numerous allergens that could be affecting your pet, food related as well as environmental related. Always make sure you speak with your veterinarian when allergies are suspected.

5.  “It is bad to vaccinate” – On the contrary! Vaccines prevent a multitude of very serious, often fatal, diseases. It is always best to prevent than to have to treat. Treatment is not always successful.

1. Bunting/Head Rubbing

This is a term used in referral to when our feline friends rub their heads and cheeks up against us. What our pet is really doing is marking us with pheromones as “familiar” or “safe”. 

Lynx

 2. Tall Tails

When your feline friends walk around with their tail up and curved this shows playfulness. When they circle around your legs and wrap their tail around you (tail wrapping), it signifies friendship, happiness and warmth.

3. Snuggling

Like humans, sometimes pets show their love just by wanting to be close to us. This can be shown by snuggling in our nook on the couch (who doesn’t love that feeling?!) or even something as simple as resting their head on our foot as they sleep.

4. Sniffing

Ever notice your dog smells you like crazy when you enter the house after a long day at work? Your scent activates a certain part of your dog’s brain associated with pleasure. They actually love your smell!

5. Kneading

If you have a cuddly cat at home then you know how it feels when they cuddle up on you and start to knead.  Although this may be slightly painful at times, this actually has a calming effect on cats and means they adore you!

Chloe

1. Ticks

The black-legged tick or deer tick can transmit the bacteria Borellia Burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease. Referred to as cold weather parasites, ticks are active as of 0⁰C. Lyme disease can yield a wide range of symptoms. Vaccination and prevention are available.

2. Mosquitoes

These bloodsuckers transmit heartworm. They infect our pets with the larval form of the disease when they feed on them.  The larvae travel through the bloodstream and take up residence in the heart and lungs, causing circulatory and respiratory issues. It is ideal to start prevention in the spring and through to the end of the mosquito season.

3. Fleas

Fleas can live year round indoors, but we usually see a peak in infestations in August or September. Fleas can cause more than just itchy, scratchy skin. They can transmit tapeworm and Bartonella.

4. Intestinal parasites 

Intestinal parasites are usually contracted when pets ingest stools or something contaminated by fecal matter. It is best not to let our dogs eat feces or other debris when out on a walk. Adult dogs are most often symptom free, but if the infection becomes chronic, there can be health consequences.

5. Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a disease caused by infection with Leptospira bacteria, which affects primarily the kidneys. These bacteria are primarily found in soil and water. Dogs can become infected if they come in contact with infected urine, urine contaminated soil, water, food or bedding. They can also become infected if bitten by a contaminated animal or by ingesting tissues of an infected animal.