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.

How to keep cats off your table

Cats are curious creatures and that is why you often see them in rather peculiar places in your home. Jumping onto kitchen counters and tables can be a problem, particularly if there is food around. There are a few things you can do to ‘train’ your cat to not do this.

Every time your cat jumps up somewhere they are not supposed to, give them a little squirt with a water pistol or a spray bottle. At the same time say ‘no’ in a firm voice, and eventually they will get the message.

Another trick is to give your cat a gentle flick behind the ear. It won’t hurt them, but they will eventually begin to understand that they are doing something they are not supposed to. Always make sure you give a determined ‘no’ at the same time.

Of course, sometimes your cat is too fast, and by the time you have a flick or a water pistol to hand, they are long gone. In this instance try and make a loud noise such as by banging saucepan lids together. This is just as effective and will make sure the problem is stopped in no time at all.

If you don’t like the sound of any of these techniques, there is a totally natural way to do it. The Coleus flower releases a scent that cats hate, so place a vase of them on your table or counter top. They also absolutely detest citrus, so a good amount of lemon or lime peel in a bowl with its juice can do wonders.

Do any of you have any tips for keeping your cats off your work surfaces and tables? Send in your comments below with all your handy hints!

Visit VioVet today for Online Pet Medication, Pet Food and Pet Store Items.

How to keep pet costs down

There can be no denying that keeping a pet, any type of pet, costs money. If you are having money difficulties, the last thing you need are more bills and costs caused by your furry friends. There are a few tricks you can do to make sure the costs are kept to a bare minimum.

Take care of some of your pet’s needs yourself
Minor jobs that your pet needs doing from time to time can easily be done yourself. From brushing teeth to trimming claws, brushing coats and even cleaning ears regularly to avoid infections, you can carry out these tasks with ease. If you are unsure how to carry them out your vet can advise you. Make some notes and then you never have to pay for these services again.

Make sure you are not over-vaccinating
Some vaccinations are no longer required year on year. Ask your vet for clear instructions on what vaccinations are needed and how often. Otherwise money could be being poured down the drain.

Buy your medications online
This is a guaranteed way to save you money, buy all your medications, lotions and treatments for your pet online. The savings available are huge.

Don’t choose the first veterinarian you come across
Instead, shop around so you can compare prices which can differ wildly. Make sure you choose one of high quality though, as this must not be compromised.

Shop around for supplies
Cat litter trays, dog kennels, bird cages and toys can vary in price so make sure you shop around a bit to find the best deals.

Say no to fashion and ‘bling’
Do not buy any unnecessary items for your pet such as fancy collars, clothes and other ‘pet bling’. Let’s face it, your pet gets nothing from it and it just hurts your purse.

Consider pet insurance
There are many different types of insurance available. Make sure you choose one that is cost effective for you. This may be one that includes routine check-ups and procedures, or it may be one that deals only with emergencies or serious illness.

Think before buying your pet ‘a friend’
Try to resist adding to your pet brood. Additional pets mean plenty of additional costs.

Save for end of life care
End of life problems can run up huge bills. It is advisable to start saving now so there aren’t any additional problems of payment to add to an already stressful time.

Don’t necessarily buy the cheapest food
This may cost more in the long run as cheaper food can lead to a host of health problems. Also cheap food can contain ingredients that cause hyperactivity and affect training and behaviour.

Don’t overfeed your pet
Apart from going through the food faster, your pet could gain too much weight. An overweight pet opens a door on further problems relating to health that could cost a small fortune further down the line.

Spay or neuter your pet
Spaying and neutering is important for your pet not just to avoid reproduction, but also so various illnesses like prostrate and ovarian cancer are less likely to occur. Once neutered dogs also roam less, so are less likely to be hit by a car.

Do any of you have any other tips on how to keep pet costs down? Send in your ideas and thoughts for us all to share.

How to slim down your dog

Obesity is becoming a bit of a problem in dogs with more and more cases reported each year. The trouble with an overweight dog is that they are at a high risk of developing diabetes, heart disease and joint problems which leads to trips to the vet and large bills. It is really vital that an owner doesn’t let it happen, but if it does to get on the top of the problem straight away. It may take a year for your dog to return to a normal healthy weight but it will be worth it.

You know when a dog is at the right weight when you can feel the ribs without there being any excess fat covering and from the side the dog’s belly looks as though it is tucked up. Looking at the dog from the above, you should be able to see a ‘waist’ in front of the dog’s hips. You should be able to count how many ribs your dog has by feeling, although not by looking as this may be a sign your dog is underweight.

Feeding your pet table scraps is the main reason a dog gains weight and it is strongly recommended that you don’t do this at all. Furthermore, many foods that we can enjoy are toxic to dogs such as onions and garlic.

To help slim down your dog, you should stick to your normal feeding schedule, yet simply decrease the size of the portions. Give the dog just 3/4 of the normal amount. If your dog gets a little ‘whiney’ about this, you can add a bulky vegetables to the dog food to increase the size without adding calories. Alternatively there are lower calorie foods available for dogs - your dog may not like these at first, however eventually they will get used to them.

If you feed your dog just once a day, it may be worthwhile trying out a new schedule of 2 smaller meals a day instead. Once they have eaten, take the bowl away immediately, even if there are a few biscuits remaining. Treats are completely banned if you are wanting to slim down your dog, unless you offer it a carrot or an apple which is fine.

Take weekly measurements of your dog to track the progress and watch closely the eating patterns. If your dog only nibbles at food, but does so all day long, it may be they are eating more than you thought, and in fact more than a gobbler would!

Exercise of course is important and dogs needs at least 2 walks a day. If your dog is really overweight, make sure they don’t overdo it in the exercise department at first. You can work up to a nice long walk eventually.

Do any of you have any comments or tips on how to slim down an overweight dog? Send in your comments below.

Diet plan for your pet

There are a few different factors to take into consideration when thinking about choosing an appropriate diet plan for your pet, which is why it is recommended that you talk to your veterinarian first before selecting any foods and supplements for your pet.

The age of your pet can affect the diet, with certain brands and types of foods being more appropriate for older animals than others, or other types begin suitable for younger animals only. The size of your dog and also its breed would be something else to take into consideration when selecting a diet plan as this can affect the necessary nutritional content and amount of food to be eaten. If you have a very active dog, then the correct levels of sustenance are essential which would be higher than those for a dog with an inactive lifestyle, and a diet plan able to incorporate this should be selected.

If your pet is overweight, this can affect how you feed them. Portion sizes will also play an important part of your pet’s diet in this instance. By keeping your pet at the correct weight and providing a full and healthy diet, you will undoubtedly prolong its life. Feeding your pet scraps off the table is never a good idea as this does not constitute a healthy meal, regardless of whether your pet is overweight or not. Choose a high - quality pet food and a supplement if deemed necessary to boost the health and vitality of your pet to its optimum levels.

Are there any other important factors to consider when choosing a diet plan for your pet? What foods do you find work the best for your pet? Have you noticed any benefits of a recent switch to another diet? Send in your comments below.