Purring and grooming go hand in hand for our feline friends! Did you know that cats licking themselves is a natural way for them to stay clean and hygienic?
Their rough tongue acts as a grooming tool, reducing their scent and helping them to avoid predators and hunt more effectively.
Keep an eye on your cat's grooming habits, as a decrease in licking could indicate the onset of an illness.
Have you ever wondered why cats always seem to land on their feet? It's all thanks to their amazing aerial righting reflex!
This unique combination of vestibular balance, flexibility, and body mechanics allows cats to always land safely, even after a fall.
But did you know, this reflex has roots in their wild predator days? With the occasional fall from a tree, cats developed this ability to always land on their paws.
Do you ever wonder why your furry friend seems to have a knack for knocking over objects and scratching up your furniture?
From practicing hunting skills to stretching their bodies and marking their territory, it's all in a day's work for these curious creatures.
Save your furniture and keep your cat happy by providing them with plenty of toys and a tall scratching post for a full-body stretch.
Have you ever wondered why your feline friend brings you their latest catch? It's actually a sign of affection!
Your kitty sees you as a member of their family and is proud to present their prey as a gift. Keep your furry hunter safe by using a bell on their collar to both them and to protect local wildlife.
And, as always, don't forget to protect them from parasites both inside and out with regular preventative medication. ❤️🐈
Who says cats and dogs can't be friends? 😸🐶 Share a pic of your furry BFFs and let's celebrate the love! 🐾💕
Wondering how dogs learn? It's all about positive reinforcement! When your dog does something you like, give them a treat and lots of praise.
This will encourage them to repeat the behavior. And remember, consistency is key! #dogtraining #positivereinforcement
Do you have a superhero cat or dog at home? 🦸♂️🦸♀️ Share a pic of your pet in their favorite superhero costume (or any costume!)! 😻🐶
Did you know that dog training can actually be a bonding experience for you and your furry friend?
Not only will it strengthen your relationship, but it will also provide mental and physical stimulation for your dog.
Time to grab those treats and get training! #dogtraining #bondingtime
We all know the adage "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" and we're here to tell you that this is far from true!
When you first got your pet, you more than likely spent a lot of time training them and teaching them basic commands. Now that your pet is older, training might be far from the first thing on your mind.
Pets, particularly dogs, are happier when they are mentally and physically active! One-on-one training provides exactly that in addition to getting the attention they may be craving. Specifically when using positive reinforcement methods!
Positive reinforcement is when rewards come when you do something correctly, even though you may not know what you’re supposed to do. No punishments are ever handed out.
There are many benefits of using positive reinforcement training methods for pets, including:
❤️ Reduction in fear and stress of pets
🧡 A strengthened bond between pet and owner
💛 Faster learning of new behaviors
💚 Ability to teach unnatural behaviors
💙 Ability to teach complex behaviors
💜 Children can safely use this method (training involving punishment can be dangerous)
It's #walkyourpetmonth and we want to know---how often do you walk your pet? Once or twice a day? A week? A month!
Let us know in the comments down below!
Do you make New Year's Resolutions? This year, we want to take more time to "paws", take deep breaths, and appreciate all the little moments in life.
What's your resolution this year?
Gastroenteritis may seem like a simple case of vomiting and diarrhea, but medical treatment is warranted to correct dehydration and electrolyte imbalances and to determine the underlying cause.
If your pet is suffering from gastroenteritis, make a veterinary appointment and have the answers to these questions on hand during your appointment:
➡️ Has your pet had any new foods or treats recently?
➡️ When was the last time your pet ate and drank normally?
➡️ What is your pet currently eating, and how much?
➡️ Has your pet been exposed to any new people, pets, animals, or places recently?
➡️ Could your pet have ingested any cleaning products, pesticides, or other chemicals?
➡️ Has your pet had other vomiting and diarrhea episodes?
➡️ What medications or supplements does your pet take?
Yes, our precious doggos do get dementia...It's formally referred to as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) which can present itself as involutive depression, dysthymia, hyper-aggression, or confusional syndrome.
Here are some signs of doggy dementia. And remember, always speak with a Veterinarian about any concerns you have for your pet!
🐶 Pacing back and forth or in circles (often turning consistently in one direction)
🐶 Getting lost in familiar places
🐶 Staring into space or walls
🐶 Walking into corners or other tight spaces and staying there
🐶 Appearing lost or confused
🐶 Waiting at the “hinge” side of the door to go out
🐶 Failing to get out of the way when someone opens a door
🐶 Failing to remember routines, or starting them and getting only partway through
🐶 Sundowning
Your indoor cat still needs flea and tick prevention, even if your dog is on it!
Your dog ventures out into the wilderness and is naturally at a higher risk for attracting fleas and ticks. But, even your indoor pets can host these parasites!
You and your dog can easily carry home fleas and ticks that will go looking for another suitable host and potentially find a nice home on your indoor cat!
To keep everyone safe, administer year-round flea and tick prevention to each pet.
Dogs can get the flu! Just like me and just like you! 😰
There are two identified strains of the canine influenza virus (CIV) -- H3N8 and H3N2. Both strains are spread mostly through close contact, respiratory secretions, contaminated objects, and people carrying viral pathogens that can transmit to dogs. Canine influenza viral strains are highly contagious among dogs.
CIV is mild in most cases but, as with people, some can develop into a more severe illness. Dogs with mild CIV will generally develop a mild cough that sounds similar to kennel cough. Dogs with CIV may also display the following signs:
➡️ Eye discharge
➡️ Sneezing
➡️ Nasal discharge
➡️ Fever
➡️ Lethargy
➡️ Inappetence
In severe cases, dogs can develop a high fever, pneumonia, and a bacterial infection secondary to the viral infection.
About 20% of dogs who contract CIV remain asymptomatic but can still pass it along to other dogs. If an outbreak occurs in your area, be sure to:
➡️ Vaccinate your dog for both CIV strains if you travel with, board, or visit dogs parks often
➡️ Keep your dog away from other dogs who exhibit signs of illness
➡️ If you've been interacting with a sick dog, be sure to wash your hands and change your clothes before engaging with your own dog.
Fun Fact:
🐱🐱 cats is simply called a pair
But 🐱🐱🐱+ cats? Well, 🐱🐱🐱+ cats are called a "clowder"!
So...do you own a single cat 🐱? A pair of cats 🐱🐱? Or a clowder 🐱🐱🐱+?
Type your answer in the comments, below.
Poll: What are some of the ideal personality traits you want in a companion animal?
Energetic? Playful? Calm? Loyal? Guard Dog? Intelligent? Cuddly?
Post your answers in the comments below!
One of the most commonly googled questions about dogs: 🔍 "Do dogs experience menopause?" 🔍
We can answer that for you! 😄
In short--no! Their reproductive cycles are different from humans and they can continue to go into heat (and become pregnant) throughout their lives.
You may, however, start to notice that her heat cycle may occur less often. This is normal as they age! 📌 Keep in mind that if her heat cycle goes away altogether, this can signal an underlying health condition or metabolic disease process.
An estimated 1 in 300 adult dogs and 1 in 230 cats in the US have diabetes 😩.
Pets with diabetes cannot produce or utilize insulin properly, preventing the conversion of food to energy.
Sadly, diabetes cannot be cured, but with proper treatment and monitoring your pet can live a long, happy life 👏.
✴️✴️ Help spread awareness by sharing this post with the #petdiabetesmonth hashtag ✴️✴️
