It’s Flea Season: What to Do to Protect Your Pets

Fleas are pests that can be very bothersome to your pets, and they can even cause problems for your household’s human residents. Fortunately, there are some simple but effective things you can do to help your pets stay flea free.

Keeping your pet’s bedding clean is a great proactive step to take. Regularly vacuum it, along with any other areas where your pet spends a lot of time. Be sure to empty the vacuum bag or dirt container afterwards though, because flea eggs can continue to thrive despite being vacuumed up.

It’s also wise to keep your exterior property well groomed, especially if your pet goes outside frequently. Fleas like to stay in areas of high humidity that are out of direct sunlight. With that in mind, you may need to treat lawn structures like benches and tables with solutions that repel fleas.

Keep all shrubs, trees and grassy areas well trimmed. Also, go a step further and make sure you don’t have any items on your property that could attract creatures like rodents. They can carry fleas, and if you have things like open garbage containers that could be inviting for those animals, the flea population in your yard may go up as well.

Your veterinarian will also have several suggestions for ways to prevent your pets from getting infested with fleas. It’s still easy to find flea collars at your local pet or grocery store, but if you’re looking for a more updated option that’s probably more effective, ask your veterinarian about topical treatments. They are usually applied at a pet’s hairline in a specific place such as the base of the neck. Just a few drops that are correctly applied to the coat can keep a pet free of fleas for weeks.

What to Feed Your Guinea Pig for Optimal Health

Just like you, your guinea pig possesses specific nutritional requirements and should be fed with care. Most importantly, it is important to make sure that your guinea pig is getting the nutrients it needs from a varied balanced diet. Below are some of the most important aspects of a guinea pig’s safe diet.

Hay

Hay is an essential part of your guinea pigs digestive health, and they should have access to an unlimited amount. However, not all hay is created equal, and you should carefully select what you feed them. Most importantly, you should be purchasing green hay and not yellow. Yellow is likely straw, which could harm your pig. Timothy is the most beneficial type of hay and can be eaten in unlimited quantities. You may also select from a range of other hays for variety, but you need to purchase them in moderation.

Fresh Veggies

It is also important to feed your guinea pig fresh vegetables on a daily basis. While it is important to provide a variety of vegetables, green leafy veggies like lettuce, spinach and kale are the most beneficial. You can also occasionally feed your pet forages such as broccoli and parsley. Most importantly, you must feed your pig fresh vegetables and not wilted or rotting items.

Pig Pellets

Finally, pig pellets are an important part of your guinea pigs diet. However, you must give them in moderation as they are high in energy, and large quantities could result in an overweight or obese guinea pig. It is important to look for pellets high in vitamin C, as this is an important part of a guinea pig’s diet.

These are the 3 safest types of food for guinea pigs. While you can add variety with other foods, it is important to do so in moderation to prevent health problems. For information on an emergency vet in San Jose, click here.

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When is it Time to Get Your Pet's Nails Trimmed?

 

Just like human fingernails, dog nails and cat claws grow constantly. Nails wear down naturally through play and walking, so there’s not always a need to trim them. Sometimes though, you’ll need to intervene.

Factors That Can Impact Nail and Claw Length

There are several things that can play a role in how long nails and claws get, including:

• Physical activity level
• Breed
• The pet’s age

Determining the Appropriate Time for a Trim

When a dog’s nails are too long, they’ll make a clicking noise when the canine walks on hard surfaces. Also, nails that are the proper length should not touch the ground when the pet is standing, nor protrude over the toe pads.

Unlike the noise you might hear when a dog with overgrown nails walks on hard floors, there’s not usually a similar audible cue with cats. Instead, watch your cat carefully to see if the claws are repeatedly getting snagged on soft surfaces like carpet, or even your clothes. If your can feel your cat’s claws when it is sitting on your lap, that’s another sign it might be time for a trim.

Why Trimming is Important

A dog with overgrown claws may be prone to infections that can cause pain and other complications. Similarly, a cat may find that the claws turn back on themselves and puncture the paw pads. To learn more about a veterinary clinic in San Jose, visit this website.

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Protecting Your Cat With Important Vaccinations

When you bring your new adorable kitten home, he or she instantly becomes a part of your family, and you want your cat to live a long healthy life. Vaccinations are an important part of supporting your cat’s longevity. Overall, veterinarians agree that there is a set of core vaccinations that are important to all cats, and it is important that you complete them when recommended.

Panleukopenia Vaccine

Panleukopenia or feline distemper is highly contagious among cats and kittens as well as raccoons and minks. It can result in vomiting, fever and other symptoms. The disease is most harmful to young kittens and can result in serious life threatening symptoms. You should have your kitten vaccinated within their first year of life.

Rhinotracheitis&Calicivirus

Rhinotracheitisand Calicivirus are respiratory diseases that are easily spread throughout the feline community. Once infected, your cat will be a lifetime carrier and will demonstrate symptoms intermittently during their life. The disease can eventually become fatal if respiratory issues increase. For example, Calcivirus can result in pneumonia. This vaccination should also be given within the first year of life.

Cat Mood by Tail

 

Tell the mood of your cat by observing how its tail is moving. For example, its tail will look similar when it is aggressive or submissive, but will be slightly different at a closer look.