Questions and Answers - Recent questions and answers in Pets

Answered: What is the best nutrition for your senior pets?

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 05:53:57 +0000

Your cat or dog’s diet needs may change as they get older. Pets are usually considered “senior” when they are around 7 years old. Large dogs age more quickly and may enter their senior years when they are 6 years old.

You’ll want to take your senior pet to the vet for a thorough checkup more often. While you’re there, ask for advice about food. Your cat or dog might be among the many pets in the U.S. that need to lose weight. However, in older animals, weight loss can also be a problem. Food for senior pets can be easier to digest, have different ingredients and nutrients, and help with weight control.

Answered: What should I do if my pet is having seizures?

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 05:48:04 +0000

A seizure will generally pass on its own in less than 3 minutes. Your job is to make sure the animal is safe while it's happening. Get any movable furniture away from the pet. Don't put your hands or your face near the animal's mouth, and don't pull its tongue out of the mouth. When the seizure is over, contact your vet.

Answered: What should I do if my pet was hit by car?

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 05:47:03 +0000

An animal in pain is more likely to bite. So muzzle it first with a scarf, belt, or towel, unless it’s vomiting. Get the animal off the road by gently sliding it onto a towel or blanket (these should be in your car's first-aid kit). Don't lift the animal. Make sure it’s warm, as it may be in shock. If it seems to have any broken bones, do your best to not move it too much.

Answered: What treats should my pet not eat?

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 11:54:35 +0000

As long as you keep the portions in check, it’s fine to offer some human food to your pet. But dogs and cats should never eat:

Chocolate
Onions
Garlic
Raisins
Grapes

Answered: How should I bathe my pet to help rid my home of fleas?

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 11:53:46 +0000

Bathing your pet can help rid your home of fleas. You don’t have to use a flea bath, but make sure the soap you use is safe for your pet.

An essential oil may also help keep fleas away. But know that some dogs and cats may have problems with oils that have citrus, cinnamon, clove, d-limonene, geranium, tea tree, lavender, linalool, bay, eucalyptus, pennyroyal, or rue.

If you use only a little, pets are less likely to have problems with lemongrass, cedar wood, peppermint, rosemary, or thyme.

Answered: What happens after I've put my pet to sleep?

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 11:52:31 +0000

If you want to bury your pet at home, be sure to check local, county, or state ordinances to make sure this is legal. You may also consider a pet cemetery.

The International Association of Pet Cemeteries and Crematories has a directory of pet cemeteries on its website.

Many people choose to have their pet cremated. Some companies will pick up your pet's remains from the vet's office or from your home. They'll let you have time for a memorial service if you want. Your vet may have a service he uses. If not, contact your local or state government for guidance and regulations.

What is the best nutrition for your adult cats and dogs?

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 11:51:27 +0000

Answered: What should I do if my pet was poisoned?

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 11:51:07 +0000

Many household items can be dangerous to dogs and cats -- everything from antifreeze, insecticides, and aspirin to raisins and sugar-free gum. But don't panic. Many of these have antidotes. Call the Animal Poison Control hotline at 888-426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680 immediately. They can probably help you even before you get to the vet. (There is a fee for the advice.)

Answered: What should I do if my pet is affected by heatstroke?

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 11:49:24 +0000

If your animal is panting heavily, drooling, having trouble breathing, or showing other symptoms of heatstroke, move it to a shady area immediately. Put a cool, wet cloth around its neck and head (not its face). You can also gently hose the animal down with cool water, especially the belly, before transporting it to the vet. Do not cool your pet down too quickly as this can be dangerous.

Answered: What should I do if my dog is bitten by another dog?

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 11:48:26 +0000

If another dog bites your pet, get to the clinic as soon as possible. Dog bites can pull a lot of hair and debris into the wound. If it’s not cleaned out soon, it can become infected.

Answered: What should I do if my pet is choking?

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 11:47:42 +0000

If your pet is unconscious, open its mouth and try to clear the object out with your fingers. If the animal is conscious, do a modified Heimlich maneuver. Place the pet on its side, putting pressure right behind the ribs and pressing your hands forward. This may help push the item out. Get someone else to drive to the vet so you can continue to do this on the way.

Answered: How can vacuuming help me get rid of fleas in my home?

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 11:46:39 +0000

Vacuuming sucks fleas from carpeting, cracks in wood floors, under furniture, and curtains and upholstered furniture. Vacuum where your pet sleeps and eats. Empty the vacuum cleaner bin or throw away bags outside right away so fleas can’t return.

Vacuum every day where you and your pets hang out the most; once a week for everywhere else.

For a serious flea problem, steam-clean your carpets. And for very bad cases, call an exterminator. Just make sure what you do is safe for you and your pets.

Answered: What should I do if my pet has bee and wasp stings?

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 11:44:48 +0000

Bee and wasp stings usually cause just minor swelling and itching. If you can see the stinger, use a credit card to scrape it out, or pull it out with tweezers. An antihistamine like Benadryl will relieve some of the symptoms, but call your vet to ask how much to give. If you notice any swelling on the face or neck, or hives all over the body, get the animal to the vet right away. This could be a severe anaphylactic reaction -- a definite emergency.

Answered: What shots will the veterinarian us to put my pet to sleep?

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 11:41:39 +0000

Many vets give the pet a shot of sedative before the euthanasia drug. The vet will explain to you what he's doing and where he's giving the shot. Some vets only use a sedative if the pet is frightened or can't relax.

Answered: How often should I give my pet treats?

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 11:39:53 +0000

Some people give treats to train a pet or reward good behavior. Others use them to show their love or to strengthen their bond with the animal.

There’s no rule about how often you can dole them out, as long as you limit treats to 10% of their daily calories. Some owners choose to give one large biscuit each day. Others give a handful of kibble (perhaps 20 or 30 pieces) over the course of the day, one or two pieces at a time.

Giving no treats is fine, too. Remember that cats and dogs do well with other rewards and signs of affection, like extra playtime with you or words of praise.

Answered: How do I talk to my children about putting our pet to sleep?

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 11:38:52 +0000

Make a time for your entire family to say goodbye. Explain what's happening in advance to help them prepare for the loss of their friend. The American Humane Association recommends books such as Fred Rogers’ "When a Pet Dies" as a way to provide comfort and understanding for children.

Answered: How does euthanasia medication work to put my pet to sleep?

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 11:37:41 +0000

The euthanasia medication most vets use is pentobarbital, a seizure medication. In large doses, it quickly makes the pet unconscious. It shuts down her heart and brain functions usually within 1 or 2 minutes. It could be given by shot or by an IV in one of her legs.

Answered: Can I give my pet table scraps as treats?

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 11:36:07 +0000

You may like to treat your pets to a few bites from the dinner table. If you forget to count those calories in your pet’s diet, he can gain too much weight. Keep bites from the table as small as your pinky fingernail so the food doesn’t have too many calories per mouthful.

Sometimes, feeding your pet table scraps can lead to begging, because they know that food can be a reward. If a pet begs and you give him food, he’ll think that it’s a reward for what he did, so he’ll beg again.

If you have trouble saying no to those big eyes or whines and meows, put your pet in a different room when you eat. Or try serving him his meal at the same time that you eat yours, so he doesn’t feel left out.

Answered: How should I limit my pet's treats?

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 11:34:53 +0000

Just like cookies don’t have enough nutrients to be the bulk of your diet, pet treats aren’t healthy enough for dogs or cats to be a large part of what they eat. That’s because these products aren’t made with the same balanced nutrition that goes into the pet food you give them at mealtime.

Pets shouldn’t get more than 10% of their daily calories from treats. This includes table scraps or food you might use to give your pet medicine. That's because these things aren’t made for a healthy dog or cat’s diet.

Your vet can tell you the total number of calories your pet needs each day. You can figure out what 10% of that amount is. To see how many calories are in treats, look on the package. If there are no calories listed, don’t buy that treat.