Having a sick pet at home is tough enough without the added stress of medication. Some dogs and cats take their medicine with ease while others need a little coercing.
No matter how difficult it may be to get your dog or cat to take medication, it is important to follow your veterinarian’s instructions carefully.
Pills or Capsules - Step-by-Step
PetFirst Tip
Ask your veterinarian if your pet’s medication can be given with food. If so, trying placing the pill in a small treat.
1. Hold the pill between your thumb and index finger.
2. Firmly grasp your pet’s upper jaw with your other hand tilting your pet’s head back gently.
3. Using your middle finger, slowly open the lower jaw.
4. Keep your middle finger over the small incisor teeth and deposit the pill as far back on the tongue as possible.
5. Close the mouth immediately while keeping your hand over the mouth.
6. Stroke the throat or blow gently into your pet’s nostrils. This will encourage your pet to swallow.
Liquids and Syrups - Step-by-Step
1. Fill the syringe or dropper with medication before beginning.
2. Insert the syringe or dropper between your pet’s teeth and cheek.
3. Close your pet’s mouth and tilt the head back slightly.
4. Gently release the medication from the syringe or dropper.
5. Keep the mouth closed and stroke the throat or blow gently into your pet’s nostrils.
Make sure you stay calm when you are administering medication. You pets can perceive your stress making them more nervous. Praise and a reward after your pet successfully takes their medicine is always a good idea.
Contributed by Pet First Health Care
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Can I Afford to Get a New Pet?
There is nothing quite like the happiness a pet brings. Before taking on a new pet, however, it is important to make sure you are mentally and financially ready for the challenge.
While most people don't realise it initially, there are major responsibilities in taking on a new pet. From the financial costs of feeding and housing a pet, to the time and energy needed to walk a dog every day, keeping a pet is not for the faint hearted.
Your children may be begging you to get a puppy, but it is important to make sure you have the finances, time and energy needed to take care of a new dog.
Naturally, the biggest factor to consider with any new pet is the financial implications. While food and housing may not seem like a huge financial burden, when combined with other expenditures like the occasional veterinary bill, this can easily amount to thousands over the course of the animal's life.
One of the most overlooked costs a household pet can bring is the cost of replacing damaged items. Although most people expect their pets to always behave perfectly, cats and dogs in particular have a habit of breaking and scratching things around the house.
While not all animals are intent on destroying the contents of your house, it is important to take this into consideration, especially in the first few months before you have trained your pet properly.
Another way the costs of having a pet show themselves is when you go on holidays. Unless you are lucky enough to have friends and family willing to look after your pet while you're away, most pet owners will need to enlist the services of a pet sitting service or kennels.
Time is another major cost to any pet owners. While most pets do not need walking every day, many others can still take up a large portion of your spare time. Cats, for example, require regular grooming and attention and even pets as small as budgies require regular attention and cage cleaning.
For many people who have extremely busy lifestyles, before deciding to get a new pet it is important to ask yourself, do I really have enough time to keep a new pet?
For many pet owners, pet insurance is another number to be factored into the cost of owning a pet. While it is an optional cost, pet insurance policies are rapidly growing in popularity as they can save pet owners thousands in medical bills
Of course all of these costs are minute when compared to the joy having a pet brings. The costs of having a pet are great, but most pet owners would agree, the rewards are greater. That said, in order to give your pet the care and attention it deserves, it is important to ask yourself - can I afford a new pet?
While most people don't realise it initially, there are major responsibilities in taking on a new pet. From the financial costs of feeding and housing a pet, to the time and energy needed to walk a dog every day, keeping a pet is not for the faint hearted.
Your children may be begging you to get a puppy, but it is important to make sure you have the finances, time and energy needed to take care of a new dog.
Naturally, the biggest factor to consider with any new pet is the financial implications. While food and housing may not seem like a huge financial burden, when combined with other expenditures like the occasional veterinary bill, this can easily amount to thousands over the course of the animal's life.
One of the most overlooked costs a household pet can bring is the cost of replacing damaged items. Although most people expect their pets to always behave perfectly, cats and dogs in particular have a habit of breaking and scratching things around the house.
While not all animals are intent on destroying the contents of your house, it is important to take this into consideration, especially in the first few months before you have trained your pet properly.
Another way the costs of having a pet show themselves is when you go on holidays. Unless you are lucky enough to have friends and family willing to look after your pet while you're away, most pet owners will need to enlist the services of a pet sitting service or kennels.
Time is another major cost to any pet owners. While most pets do not need walking every day, many others can still take up a large portion of your spare time. Cats, for example, require regular grooming and attention and even pets as small as budgies require regular attention and cage cleaning.
For many people who have extremely busy lifestyles, before deciding to get a new pet it is important to ask yourself, do I really have enough time to keep a new pet?
For many pet owners, pet insurance is another number to be factored into the cost of owning a pet. While it is an optional cost, pet insurance policies are rapidly growing in popularity as they can save pet owners thousands in medical bills
Of course all of these costs are minute when compared to the joy having a pet brings. The costs of having a pet are great, but most pet owners would agree, the rewards are greater. That said, in order to give your pet the care and attention it deserves, it is important to ask yourself - can I afford a new pet?
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Ways to Dispose Dog Poop
Cleaning dog poop is a major hassle if you don’t know exactly how to dispose them. It is a challenge that all dog owners around the world face everyday. However, there are many different methods that you can do to dispose your pet’s stinking waste. Many of these ways are environment-friendly and do not cost much.
Dog poop, if not disposed correctly, can be a threat to your health. When smelly dog wastes are left on the ground, harmful worms and other parasites can stay in the soil and later infect people who come contact with it. Here are some environment-friendly dog waste disposal methods that you can follow:
1. Make A Doggy Loo - You can dump dog poop into a doggy loo that is buried in your backyard. This is an economical way of disposing waste because all you need to set up is a bucket with holes in the bottom that go directly to the soil or ground. To ensure that the waste goes to the ground and breaks down, you will need to pour water with special enzyme drain cleaner into it.
2. Use Biodegradable Dog Waste Bags - For those who love to bring their dogs outside, the easiest method to clean after your dog is by purchasing biodegradable dog waste bags. Unlike standard plastic bags, these specially designed dog poop bags break down easily when exposed to heat and moisture. The waste is then converted into the natural elements of carbon dioxide, water, biomass and minerals. You can buy these dog waste bags in your local supermarkets and shops.
3. Buy A Doogie Dooley Pooper Scooper - This is one of the most popular commercial dog waste disposal systems that you can buy in pet shops today. If you don’t like exerting effort building your own doggy loo, purchasing a doggie dooley pooper scooper is the way to go. Similar to do-it-yourself dog toilets, doggie dooley pooper scoopers come with digester powder that will help in breaking the dog poop faster. It works similar to a septic system by using enzyme and good bacteria to turn dog poop into a ground absorbing liquid that is not detrimental to the environment.
4. Build Worm Compost Bins - If you want to convert dog poop into something useful, building a worm compost bins is a great way to achieve that. Nowadays, there are worm compost bins available for dog waste as well as manure worms that eat the poop and then make fertile castings for the plants in your garden.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Fun Games For Your Cat
Playing with your cat is a great way to bond as well as get in some good mental and physical exercise. Here is a list of fun games to play with your cat.
1. Staircase Sprint – Stand at the bottom of a staircase and have your feline friend sit at the top. Throw a ping pong ball so it hits the back wall of a step one of or two below where your cat is sitting. The ball will bounce back and coming rolling back towards you. Your cat will follow it down the stairs trying to catch it. But the ball should reach you again before the cat can get to it, so you can keep throwing it back up the stairs until your cat is tired.
2. Bathtub Bustle – Place your cat in a clean bathtub and bounce a ping pong ball of the side of the tub to get things going. Your cat while have loads of fun chasing down the always moving ping pong ball.
3. Bubbles – Buy a bottle of bubble solution and blow them around indoors or outside. Attempting to catch and pop all the bubbles will keep your cat occupied.
4. Toys – Some recommended toys are playthings like balls with bells on them, wand toys and catnip mice. Some useful things you might find around the house are straws, boxes, crinkled up paper or bottle caps.
Contributed by Pet First Health Care
Cat Playpens
Kitten Playpens
1. Staircase Sprint – Stand at the bottom of a staircase and have your feline friend sit at the top. Throw a ping pong ball so it hits the back wall of a step one of or two below where your cat is sitting. The ball will bounce back and coming rolling back towards you. Your cat will follow it down the stairs trying to catch it. But the ball should reach you again before the cat can get to it, so you can keep throwing it back up the stairs until your cat is tired.
2. Bathtub Bustle – Place your cat in a clean bathtub and bounce a ping pong ball of the side of the tub to get things going. Your cat while have loads of fun chasing down the always moving ping pong ball.
3. Bubbles – Buy a bottle of bubble solution and blow them around indoors or outside. Attempting to catch and pop all the bubbles will keep your cat occupied.
4. Toys – Some recommended toys are playthings like balls with bells on them, wand toys and catnip mice. Some useful things you might find around the house are straws, boxes, crinkled up paper or bottle caps.
Contributed by Pet First Health Care
Cat Playpens
Kitten Playpens
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Choosing The Right Breed For Your Crib
The importance of choosing the right breed of pet to roam around your home is as important as your own personal hygiene. Both dogs and cats alike have an array of traceable origins and it is usually where your pet's personality may be based from.
Why is it important to look back or do a little character research before purchasing a pet? Perhaps you would also care about what will happen to your home after you leave them there by themselves.
For one, cats and dogs can be playful and sociable to their owners, your own guests, everyone. Some are good watchdogs and some are good as toy household pets. The other side of which people often neglect thinking is what happens if these pets are left home alone.
Most of the time, pets having no owners or fellow pets around the household develop a very destructive character. Expect your pets, unless well trained, to be possible home wreckers if attention is not that adequate. Perhaps one solution suggested by pet experts is to give your pet a company; a fellow breed or simply a fellow pet.
Cats and dogs need to spend time with owners in simple ways like a morning walk and other pet-owner bonding activities. When you're training or playing with them, use dog exercise pens or cat playpens to ensure their safety. If you’re planning to run down the pet shop near town, you might want to think first if you’ll be spending most of the time with your new pet or it will be just left behind like the rest of your furniture.
Why is it important to look back or do a little character research before purchasing a pet? Perhaps you would also care about what will happen to your home after you leave them there by themselves.
For one, cats and dogs can be playful and sociable to their owners, your own guests, everyone. Some are good watchdogs and some are good as toy household pets. The other side of which people often neglect thinking is what happens if these pets are left home alone.
Most of the time, pets having no owners or fellow pets around the household develop a very destructive character. Expect your pets, unless well trained, to be possible home wreckers if attention is not that adequate. Perhaps one solution suggested by pet experts is to give your pet a company; a fellow breed or simply a fellow pet.
Cats and dogs need to spend time with owners in simple ways like a morning walk and other pet-owner bonding activities. When you're training or playing with them, use dog exercise pens or cat playpens to ensure their safety. If you’re planning to run down the pet shop near town, you might want to think first if you’ll be spending most of the time with your new pet or it will be just left behind like the rest of your furniture.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Are Dog Strollers Luxury or Necessity?
It is never ridiculous to think about your dog's welfare and safety. Who would dare to disagree?
A lot of dog owners probably think that putting a dog inside a stroller is a useless idea, but they are definitely wrong. They dismiss the fact that dog strollers can bring a lot of benefits and advantages for both pets and the owners in terms of transporting a dog from one place to another.
If you want to protect your dog from many possible dangers in the outside world, buying a stroller is a practical option to ensure the safety of your dog while providing huge amount of comfort and convenience. You can also easily carry your senior pets or dogs with disabilities using this type of dog carrier.
Nobody wants to bring large dog with a fractured leg, right? It is a very difficult endeavor and risky at the same time for the condition of your dog. Caring for a disabled or injured dog will be a lot more manageable if you use a stroller.
Indeed, strollers for pets are not luxury items, most especially for physically challenged k9s. Older dogs will definitely feel more comfortable whenever you put them inside a stroller.
For dog owners who love taking a long walk in the park or around the block, a pet stroller is more than a necessity. If you are worried about your dog getting away or lost when you’re walking in the streets, you can prevent such unlikely incidents from happening by using a dog stroller. Dog strollers are also a healthy solution if you reside in an area where it isn't too safe to walk. Many outdoorsy dog lovers have heralded the use of a dog stroller as a fantastic way of incorporating dogs into their workouts.
A lot of dog owners probably think that putting a dog inside a stroller is a useless idea, but they are definitely wrong. They dismiss the fact that dog strollers can bring a lot of benefits and advantages for both pets and the owners in terms of transporting a dog from one place to another.
If you want to protect your dog from many possible dangers in the outside world, buying a stroller is a practical option to ensure the safety of your dog while providing huge amount of comfort and convenience. You can also easily carry your senior pets or dogs with disabilities using this type of dog carrier.
Nobody wants to bring large dog with a fractured leg, right? It is a very difficult endeavor and risky at the same time for the condition of your dog. Caring for a disabled or injured dog will be a lot more manageable if you use a stroller.
Indeed, strollers for pets are not luxury items, most especially for physically challenged k9s. Older dogs will definitely feel more comfortable whenever you put them inside a stroller.
For dog owners who love taking a long walk in the park or around the block, a pet stroller is more than a necessity. If you are worried about your dog getting away or lost when you’re walking in the streets, you can prevent such unlikely incidents from happening by using a dog stroller. Dog strollers are also a healthy solution if you reside in an area where it isn't too safe to walk. Many outdoorsy dog lovers have heralded the use of a dog stroller as a fantastic way of incorporating dogs into their workouts.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Is Your Pet Overweight?
Your Pet's Weight Matters
Just like with humans, the primary cause of pet obesity is too much food and too little exercise. Obesity presents cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and digestive dangers to your pet's health while also increasing the risk for diabetes, arthritis, fatigue and heat intolerance. In all overweight dogs and cats, the body structure ages prematurely and can reduce the lifespan of your pet.
Checking Your Pet for Weight Gain
By monitoring changes in your pet's body, you can identify additional pounds early. Here are a few areas to check:
* Run your hand over your pet's hips. You should feel the bumps of two pelvic bones without applying pressure.
* Place your thumbs on your pet's back and run them along the backbone with your fingers over the ribs. You should be able to feel the bumps of the ribs without applying any pressure. If you can see the ribs or they are protruding, your pet is too thin.
* Push your thumb and index finger into the flesh at the side of the neck above the shoulder and pinch together. Your fingers should not be more than a half inch apart.
* When you look at your pet from the side, the abdomen should not be hanging down
* When looking at your pet from above, you should be able to see a waist behind the ribs
Making Changes to Reduce Obesity Risk
The first step is to consult your veterinarian. He or she will be able to provide you with a detailed feeding and exercise plan if necessary. Ask about regular follow-ups to ensure the plan is working. Here are other things to help reduce weight gain:
* Don't misinterpret an empty bowl as an empty stomach. Even if your dog or cat "cleans their plate", make sure you are controlling portions appropriately.
* Make time for extended exercise. Playtime alone or outside is not enough. Schedule a play session or a long walk to help keep your pet's muscles toned.
* Pay attention to the fat and calorie content in the food you buy. Fats are an energy source, but excess fat adds pound quickly. Similarly, look for low calorie diets that offer the same quality ingredients found in higher calorie foods.
* Don't let your pets snack on your table scraps.
To promote your own health along with the health of your pets, explore ways that you and your dog or cat can exercise together. Some canine breeds can be great company for a long walk or jog. Keep in mind, cats prefer frequent periods of intense activity rather than longer exercise sessions.
Contributed by Pet First Health Care
Just like with humans, the primary cause of pet obesity is too much food and too little exercise. Obesity presents cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and digestive dangers to your pet's health while also increasing the risk for diabetes, arthritis, fatigue and heat intolerance. In all overweight dogs and cats, the body structure ages prematurely and can reduce the lifespan of your pet.
Checking Your Pet for Weight Gain
By monitoring changes in your pet's body, you can identify additional pounds early. Here are a few areas to check:
* Run your hand over your pet's hips. You should feel the bumps of two pelvic bones without applying pressure.
* Place your thumbs on your pet's back and run them along the backbone with your fingers over the ribs. You should be able to feel the bumps of the ribs without applying any pressure. If you can see the ribs or they are protruding, your pet is too thin.
* Push your thumb and index finger into the flesh at the side of the neck above the shoulder and pinch together. Your fingers should not be more than a half inch apart.
* When you look at your pet from the side, the abdomen should not be hanging down
* When looking at your pet from above, you should be able to see a waist behind the ribs
Making Changes to Reduce Obesity Risk
The first step is to consult your veterinarian. He or she will be able to provide you with a detailed feeding and exercise plan if necessary. Ask about regular follow-ups to ensure the plan is working. Here are other things to help reduce weight gain:
* Don't misinterpret an empty bowl as an empty stomach. Even if your dog or cat "cleans their plate", make sure you are controlling portions appropriately.
* Make time for extended exercise. Playtime alone or outside is not enough. Schedule a play session or a long walk to help keep your pet's muscles toned.
* Pay attention to the fat and calorie content in the food you buy. Fats are an energy source, but excess fat adds pound quickly. Similarly, look for low calorie diets that offer the same quality ingredients found in higher calorie foods.
* Don't let your pets snack on your table scraps.
To promote your own health along with the health of your pets, explore ways that you and your dog or cat can exercise together. Some canine breeds can be great company for a long walk or jog. Keep in mind, cats prefer frequent periods of intense activity rather than longer exercise sessions.
Contributed by Pet First Health Care
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