Summer Paw Care: 7 Essential Tips

Four-footed friends need special attention in summer. When the heat is on, make sure your dog’s paws stay cool and clean and that you prevent injury to their soft pads.

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Will you and your dog be spending more time outside in the warm days ahead? Summer is the time when you can be more active and really enjoy the fun of having a pet — going for long walks, vacationing together, perhaps swimming or playing catch with a Frisbee.

Your dog’s increased exposure to the outdoors does call for more vigilance on your part — particularly when it comes to those four feet. The condition of your dog’s paws is key to wellbeing. These tips can help ensure a happy and healthy summer for your dog.

1. Don’t let him sweat it. Did you know that when dogs become overheated, they sweat from their paws? While panting is the first clue that he needs to cool off, a trail of doggy footprints should also move you to action. Get your dog out of the sun and into an air-conditioned space, if possible. Then moisten a washcloth and wipe down his face and paws.
2. Walk when it’s cooler. Asphalt pavement and sandy beaches can get terribly hot when the temperature soars. With prolonged exposure to these surfaces, your pet’s paws could get scorched. To avoid that, take your dog to a pet-friendly park and walk him on the grass. The best times in summer for long walks and exercise are in the early morning and just before sunset, when it’s still light outside.
3. Keep nails trimmed. If you hear clickety-click every time your dog walks, his nails need to be shortened. Ask your veterinarian to show you how to trim them and to recommend the best tool for the job. If hair pokes out between the pads, that needs to be trimmed as well.
4. Look ahead. Keep your eyes peeled for broken glass and other sharp objects that could break the skin on your pet’s paws. According to the ASPCA, “Wounds that are smaller than a half inch in diameter can be cleaned with an antibacterial wash and wrapped with a light bandage. For deeper paw cuts, see the vet for treatment.”
5. Watch out for limping. Sometimes dogs in the countryside pick up a prickly burr that lodges itself in between paw pads. Tweezers may remove it. If your pet’s gait is off, inspect the paws for foreign objects and injuries indicated by swelling, redness, and discharges.
6. Check for cracks. Walking on hot, hard ground can dry your dog’s paws, which may lead to cracking. Examine his paw pads to make sure they’re soft. If not, moisturize them by rubbing in a little bit of petroleum jelly once a day.
7. Last licks. Dogs lick their paws for different reasons: For some, it relieves stress. For others, especially ones who take up the habit in summer, allergies may be the culprit. Contact with grass, weeds and pollen is a common source of irritation. And once your dog comes inside, tracking the substance into the house can prolong his discomfort. One way to combat that is to moisten a washcloth and wipe down paws after the walk.
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By following these tips, you and your dog can get the most out of the sultry season. As always, call your veterinarian if your dog is hurt or conditions worsen.

- Source: mypet.com

Cat Health – Keeping Them Purr-fect

Hi Pet Blog Readers,

Please welcome guest blogger Lilly Sheperd!  Today she has a post that asks us to be proactive in regard to the health of our friendly felines.  She covers how important preventative maintenance can be for your cat and how crucial it is for them to engage in exercise and activity while also enjoying a good diet.  If you have any questions, comments or tips of your own for keeping your cats healthy please let us know in the comments section.  Thanks!

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Cats are extremely agile and active pets known for their curiosity. For this reason, many humans find they are easily humored by the feline species’ innate sense of independence, and enjoy spending time with these furry little beholders of big personalities.

It is no wonder, then, that cat owners want to do whatever it takes to help their animal companions live long and healthy lives. Promoting longevity in your pet is not achieved by any miracle cure, but rather results from consistent effort throughout an entire cat’s life. By combining a well-rounded preventative care regimen, an increase in the amount of exercise your pet experiences, and a boost to the nutritional value of your cat’s diet, you may be able to carry your pet through over a decade of play, laughter, and fun.

Preventative Care Starts Early: Preparing Your Pet for a Long and Healthy Life

One of the most important aspects of health maintenance for your cat is preventative medicine – and prevention begins the moment that a cat is born. Staying up-to-date on regular vaccinations, anti-parasitic medications, and other preventative treatments can severely reduce the risk of your beloved pet developing illnesses and diseases. Since regulations regarding what medicines are required of domesticated animals often change, consultation with your veterinarian on an annual basis is necessary to help you ensure that you stay in compliance with policy.

Another key facet of preventative care for cats ismaintenence of your pet’s dental hygiene – though it is often overlooked by pet owners. The process of taking care of your cat’s teeth and gums is relatively simple: with a small toothbrush and a pea-sized drop of toothpaste that is specially formulated for your cat’s mouth, gently massage the teeth and gum areas to remove plaque and any other buildup. Cats that are more finicky about the process of having their teeth brushed often can substitute crunchy dental health treats, designed to remove plaque as cats eat, for their brushing routine. Frequently serving crunchy dry food to your cat can also reduce the risk of buildup forming inside its mouth.

Achieving Regular Activity: Both Play and Exercise Are Critical to Cat Health

It is very important for cats to have access to toys and enough space for adequate play each day. Surely, stereotypes tell us that cats are fat, lazy, and lounge around all day – and veterinarians agree that it is healthy for cats to have relaxation time as well. However, play can help build the strength of your pet’s muscles, and staying active can prevent troubles with your cat’s joints and ligaments over time. It is far easier for active cats to maintain a healthy weight through engagement in exercise than simply through calorie restriction.

A Nutritious Diet: A Central Part of a Cat’s Healthy Lifestyle

Perhaps the most important part of a pet’s preventative care routine is the maintenance of a healthy, balanced diet. A cat should have a daily diet of healthy cat food. The ideal cat food brand has a high level of animal proteins, and is chock-full of vitamins and minerals that promote your cat’s health. Look for trusted brands that, unlike generic brands, have certification stamps of their safety, and use meats, carbohydrates, and other ingredients that are natural and of high quality. Access to a fresh bowl of clean water is also a key part of maintaining bodily health for a cat.  Get FREE Shipping on orders of $49 or more. Valid within the contiguous 48 U.S. states and to military APO/FPO addresses! Offer Ends Soon! Click here

Did you know that over 54% of the cat population in the United States is overweight? Veterinarians warn that extra weight is an early indicator of disease, and can lead to kidney failures, heart disease, and other kitty illnesses over time. Weight management is based in part on portion control, but also depends upon the food’s nutritional quality. For more information about what your pet’s particular dietary needs are, consult your veterinarian.

20 Pet Websites Every Pet Owner Needs To Know

The internet offers a vast array of pet websites. There are so many it can be difficult to tell which will prove useful, but Lifehack can give you a head start. Through the following 20 sites you’ll find web pages catering for healthy, useful, and creative needs which can assist you and your beloved pet. Outstanding? Absolutely.

1. Petsmart

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2. Only Natural Pet Store

If you’d like to offer your pet a sustainable, organic food supply then you can try Only Natural. Things are slightly more expensive here, but the quality of products goes up with the promotion of preservative free, sustainable sourced food stuffs. US only.

3. Bring Fido

Taking your pets with you on holiday is becoming an increasingly popular notion. Many hotels are catering for this craze, and you can use Bring Fido to peruse which lodging best suits you and your woof dog.

4. Web Vet

Before madly dashing off to your nearest vet, you can search through Web Vet‘s database for common ailments among animals. What could be a simple issue easily treated can save you time and money, and the site can provide additional information on how to care for your pet.

5. Pet University

With articles provided for by scientists, Certified Pet Dog Trainers (CPDTs), University Professors, and numerous animal authors, Pet University is an intriguing site. You can really learn what makes animals tick here, whilst picking up handy tips on what your pets expect from you.

6. Cat Lovers Only

A popular community for cat owners, Cat Lovers Only may have an archaic looking site, but they boast 82,000+ Facebook fans and a vast database of cat based information. A must for cat fans.

7. Pet Health Information

Here you can find a huge range of information about various pets. The site is particularly useful for anyone intending to buy a pet, as you can look up fundamental information you’ll need. Pet Health Information also offers some freebies, such as a free calendar and downloadable gifts and cars.

8. Omlet

This unique site offers all manner of unusual pet food products, gifts, toys, and endless other fun objects. Omlet cater for the more rustic pet owner; you’ll find a large range of products for chickens and beekeeping. For the former you’ll come across some excellent Extreme Temperature Jacket chicken coops, as well as high visibility chicken vests!

9. The Ultimate Hamster Cage

If you’re a hamster fan then you may want to consider upgrading to what looks like the best cage ever. Omlet’s Qute Hamster Cage is something special to behold, which means it comes at a price of £119. It’s split over two levels and, aesthetically, it’s like a living piece of furniture for your house. The Qute opens a window into the world of your hamster’s life whilst promoting fun and cleanliness.

10. Build A Hamster Cage

If you want to skip on the expense of the Qute, you can always try building a cage. The BabblePie blog displays just how very well. With a bit of creative flair, and assembling the right products, you can end up with a fine playground for your rodent friend.

Source: Lifehack.org