How to wash your dog

Dogs rarely enjoy the bathing process but frankly, if you can smell your dog coming before you can see him, it is time for a wash.

First of all, gather the equipment you need and put it into the bathroom. This will include your doggie shampoo, a brush or comb and plenty of old towels. You may even want to include a hairdryer if you don’t want a semi-wet dog running around your house. Then you need to find the dog in question. Bring him into the bathroom and close the door so he cannot escape!

It is a good idea to brush through the dog’s coat before a wash. Not only will he love it but you can remove any bits of debris that have got stuck like leaves, twigs or even sticky bits that are matting the fur. You can also use this time to inspect for any signs of skin or coat problems. Once this has been done thoroughly, place your dog in the tub.

The best way to wet him is to use a shower head, however if this is not possible then filling up the tub with warm water and using a jug is possible too. Make sure you avoid your dog’s eyes and inner ears when you are wetting his fur. Due to a difference in pH levels between humans and dogs, you shouldn’t use human shampoo on your dog as it could irritate the skin, so make sure you have a special dog shampoo to hand. Lather him up, and if you are using a flea treatment, leave it on for the prescribed amount of time.

When it is time for rinsing, use the shower head or jug to thoroughly remove all traces of the shampoo. This process should take twice as long as applying it. Be careful not to wash the shampoo into ears and eyes which will sting and irritate your dog. Once you are satisfied it has all gone, allow your dog one big shake whilst he is still in the tub and then remove him. Use the towels to dry him off as much as possible. You can use the hairdryer to completely dry the fur if you wish but make sure the setting is not too high.

Your dog will enjoy being toweled down, and may even forgive you for washing him! Do any of you have any specials tricks on how to wash your dog? Send in your comments below.

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

Is your pet in pain?

Unfortunately, because animals are unable to tell us if they are in pain or where it is hurting, pet owners have to be particularly vigilant at watching for changes in behaviour as this is the only clue we are given. Because animals are quite good at masking pain and often do so until it is no longer possible to hide, it is often only the very subtlest of changes that occur which makes it especially important (not to mention difficult) to notice them.

There are a wide variety of ways the suffering can be communicated to us. If your normally placid dog becomes a little aggressive, this could be a sign of pain. If your normally energetic pet seems lethargic, they could be trying to tell us something. Look out for any noticeably unusual signs such as restlessness, hiding, holding an unusual posture, lack of appetite, decreased grooming (in cats) or forgetting all house training! Any of these could be a sign that your pet needs a trip to the vet for some medication.

Other signs are constant licking or chewing at a particular area of the body, whining or whimpering constantly, seeking more affection than usual or flattening their ears against their head. If you do notice any of these symptoms and are worried, you should contact your veterinarian for advice on what to do.

Animals feel pain just the same as humans do, and they do not benefit from it one bit. Additional stress to an animal has shown to increase their pain levels, so keeping your pet in a calm and soothing environment is very important when they are suffering. Never give an animal a pain killer designed for a human, as they can be poisonous for a pet and do a lot more harm than good, and always make sure the medication prescribed by your vet is continued throughout the allotted time frame. Do not finish the course early, even if your pet looks better.

Have any of you any information about what to do if your pet is in pain? How can you tell if your furry friend is even in pain? Send in your comments below.

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

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.

Pet Vaccinations

Vaccinations are important for your pets to ensure life threatening diseases cannot be contracted and they are kept healthy and strong throughout their lives.

Young animals like puppies and kittens are particularly susceptible to diseases and illnesses and the necessary precautions should be taken to ensure their survival and boost their own natural immunity.

For dogs, the main diseases that can be vaccinated against are;

• Canine distemper (Hard pad)
• Canine parvovirus
• Infectious canine hepatitis
• Leptospirosis
• Canine parainfluenza virus
  
  

The main diseases that kittens and adult cats can be vaccinated against are;

• Feline Infectious Enteritis
• Cat Flu
• Feline Chlamydia
• Feline Leukaemia
  
  

For rabbits, the third most popular mammalian pet, vaccines available can prevent;

• Myxomatosis
• VHD (Viral Haemorrhagic Disease.)
  

The vaccines themselves work by stimulating antibodies to set up a ‘protective screen’ against the disease which kicks in when the animal has an encounter with it.

Vaccinations against these infectious diseases will prevent your pet from contracting or carrying any of them, although regular boosters are necessary throughout their lives to ensure this. Your vet can send you reminders of when the boosters are required but the primary round of vaccines should be administered around the 8 week point.

Special consideration should also be given to pets that regularly stay in kennels or catteries as they can be exposed to further infectious diseases such as tracheobronchitis (kennel cough), Bordetella bronchiseptica and cat flu. Additionally, pets that travel abroad can be susceptible to serious diseases such as Rabies, leishmaniasis (spread by sandflies), heartworm (spread by mosquitoes), babesiosis (spread by ticks), and ehrlichiosis (spread by ticks). Steps should be taken to prevent this from occurring.

Do any of you have any advice on vaccinating pets against illnesses and disease? Send in your comments below.

A well fed pet is a happy pet

It is very important that your pet is consistently at the correct weight. Being either overweight or underweight can have serious health consequences and shorten their life expectancy. Overweight dogs in particular are prone to arthritic conditions in later life, greater risk of diabetes or liver problems, not to mention a general lack of energy and skin problems. Underweight dogs can suffer from bad muscle tone, longer healing times as well as no energy and even reproductive disorders. For optimum health, pets must receive adequate levels of proper nutrition which means feeding them the correct levels of suitable food.

Selecting a high quality food is very important as it will fulfil nutritional needs and keep your pet in better health than cheaper, poor quality varieties. A general guideline to follow with regards to how much to feed your (small-ish) dog is one and a half cups per 20 pounds of body weight. For larger breeds of dog however around 15% more calories per pound are needed to ensure energy levels are topped up and your pet is receiving the right nutrition.

There are a few other considerations to think about with regard to food such as the actual calorie content of the food which can be found on the label, as well as your dog’s current weight and projected weight (if not at the correct level.) Activity level is also important, as is some environmental considerations for example the daily temperature of the dog’s environment. Your veterinarian can provide further information about food quantities and the best weight for your dog.

It is sensible to avoid giving your pet any food scraps from the table as generally it won’t be designed for a dog and will interfere with its digestion. As long as your pet is receiving the correct quantity of high quality food, they will be full of energy and live a long and happy life. Do any of you have any tips on what and how much to feed a pet? Send in your comments below.

10 signs that your pet is unwell

There are plenty of indicators that your pet is not feeling its normal sparkling self, and it is important to look out for them. If your pet displays any of the signs outlined below it may be important to consult your veterinarian.

Below is a list of some of the most common warning signs that your pet it unwell:

• Change in appetite - look to see if their food is no longer being wolfed down.
• Weight loss or weight gain - a noticeable weight change can be a cause of illness.
• Loss of house training - pets don’t simply ‘forget’ their training.
• Bad mobility - in particular if your pet is having trouble climbing the stairs.
• Persistent cough - if a cough hasn’t gone within a few days, seek attention from your vet.
• Bad breath or bleeding gums - particularly harsh smelling breath.
• Diarrhoea or vomiting - one off occasions are not generally something to worry about, but continued vomiting or diarrhoea is.
• Change in sleep patterns - sleeping all day or changing patterns are something to look out for.
• Excessive scratching or head shaking - this may be allergies, or something more serious.
• Excessive drinking and/or urination - pay attention to how much water your pet is drinking as this can be a sign they are unwell if it is a larger amount than normal.

If your pet is showing any or all of those symptoms, don’t wait until it is too late, act straight away. VioVet is a leading retail site that has been set up in conjunction with a professional veterinary practice in Hertfordshire. Not only can you purchase medications and other supplies for your pet, but you can also seek advice and information about their health and well being.

Have any of you other symptoms that should be looked out for? Send in your comments below.