Diets for Diabetic Dogs

Diabetes is a chronic condition caused by a deficiency of insulin in the body. Insulin is a hormone and without it the body struggles to metabolize sugar. Both humans and dogs can suffer from diabetes and it is not un-common in either.

There are 2 types of diabetes that dogs suffer from. The first type is caused when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin and needs injections to keep levels high. Usually this type of diabetes is caused by the destruction of the cells in the pancreas. The second type of diabetes is caused when the body does produce enough insulin but something else in the body prevents it from being made use of. This is rare however whereas the first type is not.

Diabetes is most likely to occur in female dogs between ages 7 and 9 although juvenile diabetes can occur in dogs under one year old. If your dog has diabetes, a specially designed diabetic dog food can be a great help in controlling it and keeping problems at bay. After a meal is eaten and digested, glucose is released into the bloodstream. The type of food that has been eaten has a big impact on how this release is made. If a meal is eaten that has a high sugar content, the release of glucose into the bloodstream is quick and sudden, whereas a meal made up of complex carbohydrates (including starch and fibre) ensures the glucose is released in a more controlled way.

This is far better for a dog suffering from diabetes. There are a good number of diabetic dog food diets available. Each dog pet food designed for diabetes will be low in fat, high in fibre and contain lots of complex carbohydrates. If you want to find out more about dog pet food designed for diabetes or would like to try a diabetic dog food, talk to your vet or buy online at an online pet store.

If any of you have information about dealing with diabetic dogs or providing the right food to control the condition, please let us know.

Worming your pets

Worming tablets must be administered to your pets on a regular basis, as the presence of worms in your pet can be very destructive and detrimental to their health. Worms are internal parasites that if left untreated can cause serious illness and even death.

There are a few different varieties of worm that can affect a dog or cat. Roundworms live in the small intestine as well as the blood vessels and sometimes even the respiratory tract. They are particularly harmful to puppies and they feed on the contents of the stomach. Infected puppies and dogs can contract hepatitis, pneumonia, obstruction to the gut and sometimes suffer from fits. They can even travel to humans and in some cases have been known to cause disease.

Tapeworms are another problem. If a dog is dragging its bottom then it is likely they are suffering from tapeworms and should be wormed immediately. Although tapeworms don’t cause serious illness and don’t travel to humans generally from pets, they do cause irritation and itchiness to your pet. That is why regular worming tablets are still very important.

Dog wormers like drontal worming tablets are inexpensive and available either at an online pet pharmacy, from the local veterinarian or even at some supermarkets and chemists.

Regular worming of around once every 3 months is the optimum approach to worming both cats and dogs. Worming tablets kill anything currently present within a cat or dog but reinfection is likely. Kittens and puppies should be wormed at 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks and then every 3 months after that.

Drontal worming tablets are effective at killing the parasites and removing all worms. Other actions that owners can take is disposing of all animal droppings quickly, controlling fleas on your pets, cleaning all bedding and food bowls regularly and avoiding being licked by your pet.

Have any of our readers got any advice on dealing with fleas and worms? Are there any particular products you can recommend? Send in your comments below.

Where to buy pet medication

Owning pets is certainly a wonderful experience, but as many owners will tell you can also be a rather expensive experience. Owners want the very best for their furry friends but this often conflicts with the other desire to keep costs to a minimum. Pet medications, toys and supplies for our pets can all add up considerable over time, but there are ways to keep costs down.

When you buy pet medication or other supplies from your vet directly, you often pay a premium on the products. You can buy pet medicine online however and because of dramatically lower overheads the prices are dramatically reduced too. If an urgent situation arises of course you must head straight to your local vet, but for routine supplements or medicines that your pet needs, why not take advantage the savings and discounts to be found online?

Online pet pharmacies are a growing phenomenon and it is now very common for pet owners to purchase their flea treatments, worming tablets, pet food and health supplements online. Not only does it save money, but it also saves time as the pet meds are posted straight to your door. There is often a greater choice of products available too, and a host of cheaper generic (rather than branded) products on offer enabling yet further savings to be made.

Buying pet medication online as well as other routine treatments is a popular and growing trend. So long as you are purchasing your pet medication from a trusted source, there are very few risks involved. At Viovet you can purchase everything from dog food, accessories and worming tablets to health supplements and medications for illness. We have a team of staff on hand during the day to answer your questions and offer advice so you know you are in safe hands.

Have any of you bought your pet medications online? Have you found it be a good experience or do you prefer doing it another way? Send in all you comments below.

Grooming a Cat

Many cat owners don’t realise the importance of grooming a cat. Cats are clean creatures and they do spend a lot of time grooming themselves, but that doesn’t mean a little help every now and again isn’t necessary. The length of hair will determine how regularly a cat needs grooming, with short haired coats needing far less attention than coats of long, thick hair. Very long flowing coats could use a groom every other day to prevent hair from matting or getting too tangled.

As part of the grooming session, comb gently from front to back making sure you talk to your cat as you do it to keep them calm. It can be tempting to cut out a matted section of hair but this is dangerous as if the cat were to move suddenly you could cut the cat’s skin. Eye care is particularly important too and a flannel or face cloth dipped in tepid water should be gently wiped over each eye. This should be repeated until both eyes are clear.

If you are brave (!) you can try and bath your cat. A good quality cat shampoo is necessary and ideally a degreaser. Use the shower spray to wet the cat and then apply the degreaser. Rinse thoroughly and do the same with the cat shampoo. Be careful to avoid the eyes and ears. Conditioner can also be used on the cat if you have some available although it is not essential. Rub your cat with a clean, soft towel to dry him off and give the coat a brush or comb whilst they are drying too.

During the grooming session, it is a good idea to carry out other important cat care tasks such as checking the condition of the coat and skin, giving your cat a flea treatment and maybe even a cat worming pill too. Getting everything done in one go is a great way to make sure all the important jobs are taken care of regularly.

Have any of you got any tips for cat grooming? Send in your comments below.

Dog Whistles

In the past dog whistles were really only used by hunters who, when on a shoot or hunt would use them in order to control their dogs from a distance. A shout would have scared the wild animal away which is why a high pitched whistle was used instead. Now however a dog whistle is common amongst all dog owners as they provide an excellent way for training your dog in various commands.

Different blows on the whistle can signal different commands for the dog to learn. Generally speaking (and the signal most commonly used for this) one long blow on the whistle signifies for the dog to come. This is definitely the best place to get started if you are wanting to begin training your dog with a whistle.

A dog whistle has a high pitched frequency which makes it extremely loud for a dog, but relatively quiet for a pair of human ears. That is why it is ideal for training dogs. The most important advice for when training your dog with a whistle is to use positive reinforcement at all times. Rather than scolding when your dog does something wrong, praise him when he gets it right! No matter how frustrating it is for you, scolding your dog will only make him afraid of you and less likely he will do it right the next time. Even if your dog doesn’t come to you when you blow on the whistle and takes an hour to reappear, no matter how red in the face you are - show only praise upon his return, otherwise the training will never progress.

If any of our readers have any tips or ideas on how to train a dog successfully with a whistle, send in your comments below. We welcome all comments and suggestions so don’t be shy!

Puppy Training

Training your puppy from as young as possible is the best way to ensure a happy and obedient dog. It really is never too early to start training and socialising your dog and should be done as soon as he is brought into your home. Your training, guidance and leadership in the early stages will directly shape its character, temperament and behaviour for the rest of his life. It is not something that should be taken lightly.

The best way to train a puppy is through a variety of dog training games and positive reinforcement, so you don’t scold when they do something wrong, you praise when they do it right. This ensures you are instantly setting your puppy on the right path and it is much easier to do this than correct bad behaviour down the line.

Dog training games and sessions shouldn’t be longer than about 5 minutes at the very early stages. This can be increased to perhaps 10, but no longer than this should be attempted at any one time. Your dog is likely to get bored or lose attention in longer dog training games which will have a detrimental effect and slow progress.

Begin with very easy commands like “sit” and “come”. Once you see success with these types of dog training games, you can begin to build on them with further commands. Each command that is mastered with increase the confidence of both you and the dog making continued training a little easier.

Repetition is the key to dog training games success. Practice the same commands over and over again. If you are training your puppy to come to you, make the distances longer and longer over the course of weeks and months. Start indoors and gradually build up to doing it in the garden and then the park.

Avoid all harsh corrections, aggression or shouting but instead focus on respect and praise. Your puppy will respond much better to this kind of training as harsh training and punishment will likely cause him to be afraid of you.

If you follow this advice, you should find implementing dog training games and exercises an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Have any of you got any further tips for training a dog or puppy?

How to become the Alpha Dog ?

It is very important that your dog sees you, the owner, as the alpha dog, the leader of the pack. The dog will step into the role if he feels there is no one else to fill it, and that will result in disobedience and bad behaviour. The whole family represents the dog’s pack, and the dog must feel that he is at the bottom of it. Far from being cruel or mean, the dog will be much happier for it.

The best ways to exert your authority over the dog are by sticking to a few simple rules. First and foremost, your dog must always eat after the rest of the family. If he is given his dog pet food at the same time or before, he will believe he is more important than the rest of you. No scraps should ever be thrown for the table either. Human food can be dangerous for a dog if consumed and this behaviour causes begging too. Only healthy dog food should be provided.

Secondly, never allow your dog to exit the house or car in front of you. Again, this demonstrates he is more important in the pack. Always make him wait for you to give him the signal that he can leave.

Never allow the dog to pull on the dog collar and lead when out walking or making any of the decisions such as when to stop, where to turn and when to go. You must be in charge from start to finish on the walk to make your position clear. Some training may be required to get your dog to “heel” by your side when wearing his dog collar and lead.

Finally, the dog needs to feel like he is a guest in your home and is lucky to be there. This is created by making some items of furniture off limits such as the bed and the sofa. Another good trick is to sometimes make your dog give up his place for you. It may seem mean to kick the dog off a chair and take it yourself, but it is better for everyone in the long run.

These are the best and easiest ways to display your position as leader of the pack. If these rules are stuck to rigidly and coupled with brief periods of training each day (simple commands such as “stay”, “come” etc) then the dog will happily remain at the bottom of the pack, where he wants to be.

Have any of you got any tips on being the alpha dog at home? Send in your comments below.

First Aid for Pets

It is a good idea to consider putting a first aid box together for your pet in case your cat or dog is involved in an accident. Quick thinking and acting could make all the difference in the aftermath of an accident. Just a few pet medications are needed which can be purchased from an online pet store.

The first aid kit must be kept in a moisture proof box or container and should include a list of emergency numbers such as your veterinarian and the local animal hospital. It must be kept in a very easy to find place that can be easily retrievable.

The kit should contain the following pet medications and items:

• Gauze
• Surgical Tape
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Emergency Ice Pack
• Gloves
• Blanket
• Pillow Case
• Saline Wash
• Thermometer
• Torch
• Anti-Histamine
• Bandages & Wound Dressing

It is sensible to run a few dress rehearsals with your pet. For example you could practice applying a bandage or picking him up and placing him safely in the back of the car. Make sure you know where the emergency hospital is too as being prepared in this way will ensure you keep a cool head in an emergency situation. If your pet is being uncooperative and doesn’t want to have his or her leg wrapped in a bandage then you could practice on a stuffed toy.

Generally it is best to take your pet to the hospital or the local vet as soon as possible if they have been involved in an accident. Even if you cannot detect any outward signs of injury, that doesn’t mean there is no injury. Leaving it could make the problem worse.

If there are obvious signs of injury, then approach your pet with caution. When dogs and cats are injured and frightened they often become aggressive as they feel defenseless. Approach in a crouched position and without maintaining eye contact. Talk in a soft and soothing voice at all times. Use the pillow case or blanket in the emergency kit to pick the animal up and place in the car for transportation to hospital.

If the animal is being too aggressive, phone for help straight away. Either the vet, a pet pharmacy or even the local animal shelter will be able to help.

Why do Cats Scratch?

Cats will always scratch, it is a natural in built instinct in them. Scratching feels pleasurable to cats which is one reason they do it. It is also a form of exercise and they also do it as a way to mark their territory. The visible scratch marks demonstrate they are in charge and when they do it a gland on their paws releases a smell which also serves as a warning to other cats in the vicinity!

If your cat is frequently attacking your antique armchair or brand new sofa, it would be wise to purchase one or two cat scratch posts. Punishing your cat for scratching your furniture wouldn’t work as they just wouldn’t understand why they were being punished and would come to mistrust you and stay away. Declawing is cruel and should never be considered.

When selecting cat scratch posts you should choose ones that are tall enough for your cat to extend its whole body against, and that are very stable. If cat scratch posts wobble even slightly, cats will never revisit them. It must have a very rough texture too so your cat can get a really satisfying scratch out of it.

To encourage your cat to use the cat scratch posts in your home, place them in the centre of the rooms most frequently used by the family. When he has taken to them, you can move the cat scratch posts more into the corner so they don’t need to be the centrepiece forever! If your cat is still being timid around the posts, try feeding your cat by them and give lots of attention right next to where they site. That way your cat will have good associations with them and will be happy to use them in future.

Have any of you any suggestions on how to get cats to use cat scratch posts? Send in your thoughts below.

Do Cats Need Milk?

Contrary to what cartoons and films tell us, cats do not actually need milk and in fact laying out for a cat a ceramic bowl or saucer of milk can do a lot more harm than good. Kittens drink their mother’s milk, however once a kitten has been weaned onto solid food it is common for a lactose intolerance to develop. If a cat was to consume milk there is a high chance of an allergic reaction which would more than likely result in vomiting and other unpleasant digestive problems.

Milk provides nothing for a cat nutritionally speaking and should generally not be made available at all, but certainly not in place of food or water. All a cat needs is healthy cat food and water which is an essential part of a cat’s diet. There must always be a bowl of clean, fresh water available throughout the day and night. Cats are quite fussy creatures and even if there is just one bit of food floating in the water bowl it is likely the cat will turn its nose up and not drink from it at all.

Cats would drink milk if it was in front of them, and on the whole they do seem to enjoy it. If your cat has had some milk and not suffered from digestive problems as a consequence then it may be possible to provide a little milk every now and again as a treat. Not all cats develop a lactose intolerance which is why some are able to indulge in milk without problems. If your cat likes milk but has problems drinking it, there may be a substitute available designed for cats that would fill the gap and can be provided alongside healthy cat food and water.

If a cat was to drink only milk instead of water, it would not survive very long. Milk doesn’t provide a cat with any of the nutrients it needs and shouldn’t really be given. The best advice is to avoid giving your cat any milk, the second best advice is to test the waters and if there are no problems, give your cat a ceramic bowl or even better a saucer of milk (just like in the cartoons) as an occasional treat!

Do any of you give your cats milk on a regular basis? Send in your thoughts about milk and cats below.

A look at doggy accessories

It is truly astonishing how pampered dogs can be these days! From pet spa treatments to satin dressing gowns to aromatherapy sets, your dog can truly live like a King or Queen. I’m sure it would even be possible to purchase a tiara or two for you canine friend. Paris Hilton has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars building a “kennel” for her dogs. It exactly replicates her own house, it has a downstairs “sitting room” and upstairs there is a bedroom complete with wardrobe where all the dog clothes and accessories for her numerous furry friends are kept. The dog house is complete with hanging crystal chandelier and designer furniture to match her own. At over three hundred thousand dollars, this costs more than the average human house!

For those wanting to splash out but not to quite such extremes, little dog jackets are fun ways to accessorise your dog. From flying jackets to bomber jackets there is a large selection available at www.VioVet.co.uk. The “Aberdoggie and Fetch” hooded sweatshirt is particularly popular and looks great on any dog, large or small!

The only real accessories that are absolute must haves for a dog are a good quality collar and lead, a microchip for identification and a bed. You could throw in a ball or some sort of squeaky toy too, but there is no reason to think that Paris Hilton’s dog “Tinkerbell” feels any happier or better off with its elaborate dog kennel and wardrobe full of designer clothes. To be truly happy, all a dog needs is a loving family, a couple of long walks each day and about 30 minutes of “play time”. That’s it.

Dog accessories are good fun. Doggie spa sets are perhaps taking it slightly too far, but jackets and toys will keep your dog warm and give him something to do during the day, particularly if the house is empty. What do you all think? Do you think dog accessories are an important part of a dog’s life? Do you have many accessories for your pet pooch? Tell us your thoughts below.

Are pet supplements important?

Tinned, dried and packaged dog food is relatively cheap to buy and certainly a big time saver which makes it the common choice for pet owners - and who can blame them? Preparing dog or cat food from scratch is something that few people would have the time or even desire to do. Although there are good quality products on the market, they are often at the more expensive end of the scale. Cheaper tins and biscuits for pets often mean the quality of protein within the product is sacrificed or a large amount of “filler” has been used (such as refined grains). Pet food that is capable of being stored for long periods of time indicates that it has undergone a very high heat treatment during the manufacturing process which often depletes the levels of nutrients and vitamins within.

If you are worried about the quality of the food in your pet’s diet but don’t want to spend more or drastically change your pet’s diet (which could lead to other digestive problems), then a pet supplement could be the answer. Supplements ensure your pet is getting everything it needs for a healthy and balanced diet. Here at Viovet, we can provide advice and information about the different supplements available and how they can benefit your pet.

Supplements have been shown to improve the overall quality of life of animals and positive benefits can be seen almost immediately. Supplements can aid intestinal health and digestion, improve the quality and feel of coats and skin, support healthy bones and joints, prevent disease and boost overall levels of energy. It is important to choose a supplement that is suitable and designed for your pet’s age specifically as well as ideally having a money-back guarantee. Come and talk to us here at VioVet if you would like to know more about supplements for your pet.

Have any of you given your pets a supplement? If so, what were the benefits? Send in your comments below.

Do cats need toys to play with?

Cats thrive if there are toys around to play with. Generally they use them for pretend hunting games, and being natural hunters, they enjoy this experience a great deal. Cats are also very inquisitive creatures so having a new object to explore and get to know provides a lot of interest to their day.

They particularly enjoy toys that move, as this allows them to “pounce”. They also like toys that make a sound. Even very small movements or sounds will catch the attention of a cat. Toys for your cat should always be smaller than the cat itself, as they won’t want to play with something too big. In the same way that children can, cats can choke if a toy is defective or contains small parts that can be swallowed. This should always be taken into consideration when you are purchasing a toy for your pet.

Variety of toys is a good idea if you want to keep your cat as happy as possible. You can place a few around the house, and every now and again rotate them with another set. This prevents boredom and it’s also a clever way to trick your cat into believing they are being given new toys, when in fact it is the same ones being rotated!

Toys can also play a vital role in your cat’s health. Often house cats won’t get as much exercise as they need, so play time/hunting practice with their toys can fill that gap. It also prevents house cats from getting bored or anxious as their mind is occupied and they have something to do all day.

What toys can you recommend for cats? Do your cats enjoy playing with toys? Have you ever experienced any problems with particular types of toy? Send in your comments below.

How to remove ticks from dogs

Ticks carry diseases such as Lyme disease and that is why they should always be removed as soon as they are discovered on your pet. They are prevalent in grassy or wooded areas and and so owners must be particularly vigilant when taking their dog to a high risk area such as this.

The first stage for tick removal is finding one. Put on latex gloves and run your hands over the body of your dog, paying particular attention to the head and neck. If you feel a pea like lump then investigate further by parting the fur and having a look. Ticks are black or brown arachnids (they have 8 legs like spiders) and they attach themselves to your dog via the head which is the size of a pin. The body protrudes from the skin and can grow to the size of a grape.

Put the dog into a comfortable position, if possible finding a family member to try and calm/distract him. Use tweezers to get hold of the tick as near to the head as possible (being careful not to pinch your dog’s skin) and pull straight outwards. Don’t twist or yank or pull too hard as the head is likely to remain behind in these instances which can cause further irritation and infection for your dog.

Get rid of the tick by putting it in alcohol or throwing it in the fire. They don’t necessarily die when flushed down the toilet or down the sink, and sometimes crawl out of the sink an hour or so later!

Apply antiseptic cream to the bite, throw away the gloves and wash your hands thoroughly. The tweezers should be disinfected too.

Sometimes owners will use a lit cigarette, or match to try and remove the tick - the theory is the tick gets burnt so releases their grip on the dog and “backs out”. This is neither effective nor humane. The dog will suffer greatly and the tick will not necessarily come out.

If anyone has any other ideas on how to deal with ticks, send in your comments below.

How to clean out a hamster cage

Here is a step by step guide to cleaning out your hamster’s cage....First you must remove your furry friend. Place him somewhere that is closed in so he can still run around but can’t disappear!

1. Fill a sink with hot soapy water, making sure you aren’t using a harsh cleaning soap, but something mild and preferably unscented.
2. Empty the cage of all bedding. It can be put straight in the bin, although gloves should ideally be worn.
3. Remove all the accessories from the cage such as the water bottle and play equipment and leave to soak in the hot soapy water. A toothbrush or something similar should be used as a scrubber and everything should be thoroughly scrubbed clean.
4. Clean the cage by placing it in the water and scrubbing clean. Take care to ensure it is fully rinsed of all soap.
5. Once the base of the cage is dry, sprinkle some baking powder on the base which absorbs unpleasant smells.
6. Use fresh materials to replace the bedding. Lay enough so the hamster can burrow and make a warm nest.
7. Tear up some kitchen towel or toilet paper and place in one corner so your hamster has a little mattress to sleep on!
8. Refill supplies like water and food and put everything back together including the accessories.
9. If the wheel is squeaking at all, use a little olive oil on the axels and hinges to make the problem go away.
10. Find your hamster and pop him back in!

This should be done fairly frequently so your hamster is always living in nice clean conditions. It shouldn’t take too long and it is satisfying to see the gleaming cage at the end of the process. Your hamster will certainly thank you for it!

Are there any other tips to cleaning out a hamster cage? Send in your comments below.