  Every month, many dogs are sent back to shelter homes. Though, shelter homes are homely and welcoming, usually dogs feel stressful. Among the many reasons, a few can be they would have gotten separated with their previous families, left by their families, they have to live in closed environments and more primarily they may have to deal with other dogs especially bullying dogs.
These changes can greatly affect their mental health and reduce their chances of getting adopted. They may litter anywhere, will confine to closed areas or in a corner, become inactive or hide behind the kennel. Some dogs may become quiet and some, on the other hand, become aggressive and with barking loud and increasingly. Added to this, increased stress levels can badly hamper the immune system lowering the disease fighting capacity. In such situations, pets become more prone to diseases. Well, following certain steps, you can reduce their stress levels and make them more appealing. De-Stress Tips for Pets in Shelter Homes Dog Appeasing Pheromone DAP Collar/DAP spray Living with so many pets, it sometimes become mentally stressful for some dogs/cats. Mostly, sensitive pets are more vulnerable to behavioral problems. Treating them with DAP spray or applying DAP collar can significantly lower the stress level and help furry pals to adjust to the environment. Melodious Music It is proved that dogs respond to music positively. Thus, stress levels hugely decrease when classical or melodious music is played. The atmosphere inside the kennel will become serene and the dog becomes calm while the bark will lower dramatically. Regular Exercise Though most shelter homes miss this, it is essential for every dog and cat to exercise. They love running and playing, but restricting them in confined environments can badly hammer their health. Therefore, it’s prominent to encourage dogs to play and run as much as possible. Social Contact Dogs love to be in community and they are extremely social. Petting dogs, talking to them and giving them a gentle massage will go in a long way in reducing stress. Like humans, dogs too need to know that they are loved even when they are in shelter homes. Minimum Noise Level Ensure that you lower the noise level to minimal in the shelter homes. Dogs are quite sensitive to noise, and loud noises usually tend to make them restless, increasing their stress hormones. Help dogs to remain calm by giving them treats. If dog barks too much just walk away from the dog, shutting the door. Reward them for their good behavior, this will help them stay calm without barking unnecessarily. 
It is often said that cats have nine lives. But, do you know that your kitty can also suffer from a variety of heart conditions, ranging from benign to life-threatening? As surprising as it might sound, due to this reason, it is important to take care of your feline's health. One of the diseases that is most prevalent in cats is heart murmur. The important thing to note is not all heart murmurs are severe. Hence, if you suspect that your fur baby is suffering from heart murmurs, have her evaluated properly by your veterinarian, so that she can be treated, before the situation worsens. This would not only assist in prolonging the lifespan of your fur baby, but also ensure that she lives well beyond the nine lives!!! While taking your furry companion to the vet's clinic, do not forget to ask these pertinent questions to the veterinarian about heart murmurs in felines: Questions To Vet About Heart Murmurs in CatsQ : What Exactly Is A Heart Murmur?A: A heart murmur is an irregular heart sound, that is usually heard by listening to the heart using a stethoscope. A heart murmur happens when the blood flow in the heart becomes disruptive. There are several heart murmurs that are benign by nature. But not always, which in turn can further indicate heart disease or structural issues. There are kittens that display a murmur when they are approximately 6 to 8 weeks of age, but then outgrow within a few months. Even adult cats can suffer from intermittent heart murmurs, when their stress levels are high. But when the feline relaxes, the condition disappears. Q: Explain Different Types Of Heart Murmurs In Cats?A: There are specifically three types of murmurs:
A feline suffers from systolic heart murmurs when her heart muscle contracts, whereas diastolic heart murmurs are caused when the heart muscle relaxes between beats. Continuous heart murmurs prevail throughout the cardiac cycle. Heart murmurs can further be classified into different grades from I to V depending on their loudness and location. Grade I is the stage where the murmur is barely audible, while in grade V the murmur is extremely loud, but only audible through a stethoscope. But, the vibration is so strong that it can be felt through the chest wall of the feline. Remember that the loudness of the murmur showcases the amount of turbulence prevailing in the heart of the kitty. But, also note that it does not directly correlate with the intensity of any underlying diseases. Q: What Are The Symptoms Of Heart Murmurs?A: The symptoms of heart murmurs are contingent on different factors encompassing configuration, grade and location. The symptoms can be non-existent to depicting serious signs of heart disease like shortness of breath or coughing. Q: What Causes Heart Murmurs in Cats?A: There are various factors that can cause heart murmurs in felines including:
Q: How Do You Diagnose Heart Murmurs?A: Your veterinarian would use a stethoscope to detect heart murmur during routine veterinary examination. If he/she finds an abnormal rhythm in the heartbeat of finds that your feline has a weak pulse, then murmur can be the most probable reason for it. A cat that is suffering from a heart murmur due to structural heart disease or an extra cardiac problem will also show various clinical signs, which might be subtle in the beginning, but as the disease progresses, the signs will become more prominent. If the murmur is caused by heart disease, then additional diagnostic testing would be carried out and may or may not include treatment by a cardiologist. If it is found that the murmur is caused due to an underlying heart condition, an NT-proBNP test would be recommended by your veterinarian. It is a simple blood test that is used to find, examine and assess the severity of heart disease. It can even be used to locate the stress placed on the heart and any damage in it. An increased level in the proBNP levels suggests that the kitty is suffering from heart disease. Q: How Are Heart Murmurs Treated?A: The treatment is totally contingent on the underlying cause. If you have a young kitten who has a murmur of low intensity, your veterinarian would recommend a re-examination in a few weeks, to evaluate whether the murmur has altered in intensity / totally disappeared. In adult cats, the severity of the murmur would determine the treatment which might involve treatments, radiographs, and a trip to the cardiologist for further testing. Remember, a healthy cat is a happy cat. So, always get essential cat supplies and keep your feline physically fit. 
Are you a pet parent? It is time of the year to just brush up on the steps to keep away fleas and ticks away from your furry pals as well as protect them from harmful infestations. These nasty parasites make your pet both irritated and sick. Numerous products are available on the market, which are highly effective in controlling fleas and ticks when used in the right manner. Therefore, it is essential for you to know how to use them properly and safely. Tips For Using Flea and Tick Products on PetsTiming Most pet owners are quite ignorant about the timings of using flea and tick treatments. It is essential to treat your pet with flea and tick preventives on the regular period of time and missing it may lead to recurring flea and tick infestations. Most of these parasitic treatments are to be administered on the monthly basis. Fleas and ticks are at high during warmer months but they can be found in your house year round. During the months of spring and summer, your pets are highly infested by these parasites. However, they can survive and thrive in the warm conditions of your house during the colder months of the year. When you see the signs of fleas and ticks on your pet, start treatment with comfortis, which rapidly kills fleas and ticks. Following this you can put your pet on a monthly flea and tick preventive program for controlling future infestation. Types of Prevention There are numerous parasitic treatments available in the market. They come in a range from oral tablets, topical spot-on treatments, wearable flea and tick collars, easy to use flea sprays. Before starting treatment with any of these products, it is essential to know the instructions to follow them. Take your vet’s advice before commencing on any flea and tick product. This is essential in case your pet is
In these cases, your vet may suggest you to use a combination of flea and tick treatments. Follow Instructions: Don’t use dog products on a cat or vice versa, as this could be deadly. Select the pack according to your pet size and apply the amount needed for your pet’s size or weight. Never double up the products. There’s no need to pair powder and topical solutions for the same treatment. Wear Gloves While administering flea and tick preventive it is essential to wear gloves or wash hands with soap and water after treatment. Ensure that you follow directions of use properly and follow the instructions regarding storage and disposal of packaging. Do Not Allow To Groom Keep pets apart after applying a flea and tick product until it dries completely. It is necessary to avoid pets from swallowing the chemicals. Do not allow even children to touch them. Watch for Signs Of A Reaction Whenever you are administering flea and tick control to your pet for the first time, watch for the signs of a reaction. Talk to your vet if you find any of the symptoms below
If you see your dog or a cat has a bad reaction, bathe him right away with soap and water. Follow any instructions from the package insert. Call your vet and report issues to the National Pesticide Information Center or immediately call poison center.  Do you have wonderful time with your pet's? Would you like to increase your furry pal's life? Every pet lover wants to see his pet healthy and happy around the year. Unfortunately your pets can't talk or express their health issues in front of you. So, it is your responsibility to take care of their health. Here are some of the effective ways to increase your pet's quality of life.
Ways To Increase Your Pet's Quality Of Life Keep The Pests Away: None of us want our furry pal's to suffer from bug bites and parasitic infections. It's really grateful that nowadays, there are many product on market, which have shown excellent results on dogs and cats by eliminating the fleas and ticks from them. Frontline Plus, Capstar, Nexgard, Advantage are some of the top products, which pet parents love to use. Keep Teeth Clean: Yes, it's true just like us even pets develop tartar and plaque on teeth. It is important to take a proper oral care of your dog or cat, as this can lead to various diseases such as liver, kidney and heart diseases. You need to brush your pet's teeth on regular basis. Make sure you don't use human toothpaste to brush your pet's teeth. There are dental care products for pets that Pet Dent Finger Toothbrush, Pet Dent Toothpaste, Pet Dent Fresh Breath Oral Rinse etc. These are the best selling products, when comes to take care of oral health. Keep Ears Clean: Most pet parents visit veterinarian regarding the ear issues of their pet. Ear infection are caused by the bacteria or yeast. Excessive hair, moisture or wax, ear mites, foreign bodies, allergies, and hypothyroidism can all be contributing factors in the development of an ear infection. Dogs ear canal is vertical, so it is easy for debris and moisture to be retained in the ear canal. There are excellent products for cleaning the pet's ears such as Cleanaural Ear and Clean Ear. It helps to remove the earwax, debris, dirt and bacteria from the ears of cats and dogs. Keep Up Healthy Diet: This is very essential to know that a balanced and healthy diet is the foundation of good health. Make sure you need to provide food according to their life stage requirements. As in humans small, young and older people have different food requirements, same goes to pet. Ensure that you take your pet for walk on regular basis this helps to keep your pet from becoming obese. Keep the above points in mind, also make a point to visit the veterinarian for a regular checkup to improve the life of your beloved fur baby. It is advisable to take your dog or cat to the vet at least twice a year. 
Cats are mischievous by nature. Sometimes they snoop around the morsels left out in the open. Although they do not mean to do any harm, but nevertheless something that smells tasty might not be good for their health. In fact, harmless foods can create havoc in the system of the cat which can lead to unnecessary damage. If you want to keep your feline happy and healthy rather than sick or grumpy, never give these foods to her: OnionsOnions and cats can never get along due to the fact that it causes more damage than simply burning eyes and cascading tears. Onions can be quite lethal on the red blood cells of the cat leading to anemia. Although an occasional small dose may not cause any harm. But regularly ingesting large portions of onions can cause onion poisoning. Even garlic and chives should not be given as they result in gastrointestinal upset in felines. Milk/Dairy ProductsMany cat lovers presume that cats love milk, but the reality is that fully grown cats cannot fully digest milk. They are lactose-intolerant, which can result in critical digestive upset and diarrhea in cats. Grapes & RaisinsGrapes and resins are perfect for the small size of the kitties to snack on but they can result in kidney failure. Some of the early symptoms of failing kidney include:
Even small amounts of grapes and resins can make the feline sick so it is best to keep them away from their foraging mouths. ChocolateHumans love chocolates but cats do not find it amusing. There is a reason for that. Chocolates contain a toxic agent theobromine, which can be extremely dangerous for felines. Although all types of chocolates are dangerous for cats, dark chocolates and unsweetened baking chocolates are the most dangerous. When a cat ingests chocolate it results in abnormal heart rhythm, tremors and in certain severe cases even death. So, never ever share a chocolate with your feline friend!! Raw EggsRaw eggs are not good for the health of cats. The reason for that is it can easily cause food poisoning from bacteria like salmonella or E. coli. The egg white contains a protein called Avidin that can block vitamin B absorption, thereby having an adverse effect on the skin and fur of the cat. CoffeeCoffee contains caffeine, which is loved by human beings. But cats do not need an artificial boost to get through their day as too much of it can actually kill them. Some of the symptoms of caffeine poisoning encompass:
Caffeine is present in different types of food, hence, research properly before giving a treat to your kitty. Are you giving any of these foods to your feline? If yes; stop it today and start giving her regular cat food. Please also ensure that you take proper care of her by regularly getting essential cat supplies from a prominent pet store. This will not aid in keeping your kitty happy, but also ensure that she has a long and healthy life.  It is very essential to take care of cats in their golden years. Cats are considered senior between the age of 11 and 14 and geriatric over the age of 15. As human starts aging, they slow and gradually do the things, it goes same with the cats too. Even they get slow, when they enter their senior years. So, here are some ways you can follow to keep your old cat healthy and happy well into her golden years. Regular Veterinary Care: It is really important to take care of your senior cats, for this you need to visit veterinarian two times a year. It depend on the health status of your old kitty, sometimes she may need even more frequent visits. Maintain A Healthy Weight: Cats in golden years can gain weight easily, due to their reduced levels of activity. It is necessary, that you give her proper diet taking the right advice from the vet. Or the obesity can lead your cat to many other heath problems like diabetes, arthritis etc. You can even start the supplements taking the advice of your vet such as Value Plus Organic Calcium Supplements for Pets. Look For Signs Of Arthritis: Recognizing and treating the arthritis in early stages, can improve your senior feline's quality of life. Arthritis develops when the cartilage within joints wear down, leading to inflammation and pain. This can cause pain in the weight-bearing joints like the shoulders, hips, elbows, knees and ankles. The best selling product for joint care in cats is Joint Guard. Modify Cat's Environment: You need to change the old cat's place, as she cat jump and sleep on her spots on cat trees etc. Place some ramp or steps, so that she climb her to bed or to her other spots easily. Get litter box which are comfortable for your senior cat to get in and out. Look For Behavior Changes: Cats are very good in hiding their illness. As a owner, it your responsibility to see is there any deviation in your cat's regular routine, no matter how subtle, can be a indicator of health problem. There may be changes as increased vocalization, different sleeping patterns, problems with elimination, increased thirst or urination, loss of appetite etc. These all can be the indicators, that your cat requires veterinary attention. Maintain Oral Health: At highest percentage cats visit the vet for oral health problems. Good dental health is one of the most important thing to take care of senior cats. They not only cause pain and tooth decay, but it can result in damage of other organs such as kidneys and heart. Make sure, that you brush your cats teeth on regular basis or twice or thrice in a week. There are many products on market which can help to prevent dental diseases such as: Pet Dent Tootpaste, Pet Dent Oral Rinse, Pet Dent Gel, Pet Dent Finger Brush and Pet Dent Toot Brush. 
Ear problems are one of the most common reason to visit the veterinarian, as this can be a painful and unpleasant. It is important that the pets ears should be inspected on a weekly basis as part of their health care routine. This can be the best way to protect and be familiar with the condition of your furry pal's ears. It can be also useful to identify the infection of ears on early basis, before it's too late. If your dog have any skin allergies, or go for swim, or your dog has floppy ears, they may need regular cleaning compared to other dogs. It is will be a good thing to make a regular ear cleaning a part of your routine, as it can save your pet from the further infections of ear. Here, you can follow the steps to clean your dogs ear on right intervals: Steps To Cleaning Your Dog Ears EffectivelyStep1 : At first, make sure to make this a positive experience for your dog, by being very gentle and by giving him the treats during and after cleaning the ears. Step2 : Choose the time when the dog is relaxed and calm. Don't force him and clean the ears, as it can give him a bad experience and never get easily ready to clean up his ears. Step3 : Before starting the ear cleaning, ensure that you're ready with the supplies such as ear cleaner, cotton wool balls and Luke warm water. Step4 : Once you're ready with all these things. Bring your dog and place him on a table or your lap, depending on his size. If your furry pal is to big, have him on the floor. It will be good, if someone helps you out with this. Step5 : Ensure that you place your dog's hindquarters against something, so he cannot back away from you. Step6 : Now, hold the tip of the ear between your thumb and forefinger and gently fold it back, so you can see the inner part of the ear. Step7 : Examine the ear for any discharge or redness. There can be a light brown wax, which is normal. But, if you find black or red discharge or pus is an indication of an infection. Step8 : Try to wipe the inside part of the ear gently, using a damp cotton wool ball or ear wipes Step9 : If there is lot of debris in the ear of your dog, put ear cleaner into his ear like Malacetic Otic Ear Cleanser Dogs, Cleanaural Ear for Dogs and Clear Ear for Dogs. Insert the tip of the applicator carefully into the ear canal and squeeze firmly to release the liquid. Gently, massage the base of the ear to help the cleaner disperse. Step10 : Now wipe the inside part of the ear, with the help of cotton ball to remove the excess ear cleaner. If the ear is infected or you dog is shaking or tilting his head or trying to scratch his ears a lot. It is the time you need to visit the vet and take the advice as your dog may have ear infection. You can apply the prescribed treatment, after cleaning the ear as stated above.  We all love winter season even our dogs too. They have fun with us playing in the snow, going for walks . But, you should be prepared to take care of your fur baby. Here are some of the care tips to keep in mind, as you explore the winter landscape with your beloved four-legged friend. Precautions For Pet During Winter and Cold Weather Keep Your Dog Indoor: People with an old-school mentality leave the dogs outside in freezing temperatures because they have fur. But the actual thing is that the fur can't completely secure them from freezing cold. It will be like a person wearing a light jacket and trying to sleep on the frozen ground. Your pooch can play outside, walk in the snow and cold weather, but keeping him outside the whole night in a freezing temperature can be dangerous. Avoid Salt: It can be difficult to avoid rock salt, which is scattered on the sidewalks and on the street. You will find the salt on driveways and on sidewalks in suburbs, commercial areas. Salt can burn your pooch's paws. Make sure, you avoid the areas that are heavily salted during snow storms. You can always carry a towel with you to wipe your pooch's paws anytime you are walking on a salted area. Wiping the paws with a damp towel can also save them from licking away the irritants, which cause problems internally as well. Carry a Towel on Walks and to the Dog Park: You should carry the bath towels with you, if you are going for a long walk or for trips to the dog park with your furry pal. So, that you can wipe their paws and legs, if they are wet and icy from the snow. If they are wet, wipe away the moisture gently and then wrap your dog in the towel. This will help to bring their core temperature up and keep them away from suffering from hypothermia. Keep Away From Antifreeze: Make sure, that you keep your dog out of reach of Antifreeze. This has a sweet smell, which attracts your pet and it can be deadly when ingested. After reading this blog, hope you will be able to take care of your furry pal during the winter season.  Do you know how much water your dog needs to drink? As we everyone know, that humans should drink about two liters of water a day, but what about our pets? Fluid is so important for us, the same goes with our pets. Our four-legged pal needs water more than us. Look at the below step how to take care and encourage your pooch to drink water. A good regime is that your pet should drink more water each day. Your pet needs to drink between 1/2 and1 ounce of water per pound of body weight. How much water your dog needs each day depends on his age, size, diet, activity level and weather conditions. Ways To Keep Dog Hydrated At Ease If you feed your dog wet food with rich nutrients and an appropriate diet, then he is getting some of the water needs met with each meal. Your dog may not drink more water from his bowl. But, if your dog like to eat dry food, make sure he drinks proper amount of water, to compensate for the lack of moisture in his diet. It is important that you make your puppy to drink small amount of water every couple of hours and should be closely monitored. You can even encourage your pup to drink water by adding flavors in his water bowl. Importance of Keeping Your Pet Hydrated It is a good idea to hydrate your pet during the play time or exercise. You can take short breaks in between and give him water so that he don't get dehydrated. It is really essential to take care of your pet during the warmer months of the year. You need to keep an eye to monitor your furry pal's water intake to ensure he is adequately hydrated. If you want to make sure, your pooch is hydrated or not you can examine him by lifting up his scruff (that is the part of the skin at back of his neck) and let it go. It the skin gets back quickly to the place, this shows he is well hydrated. If the skin goes back slowly and form a sort of tent, this shows your pooch is dehydrated. Another way to check is by looking at your canine's gum. Dry or sticky gums indicate dehydration, here your pets body needs more water and the moist, slick gums shows, it has a good level of hydration. Find more interesting blogs at : http://www.budgetpetcare.com/blog/  Keeping your home clean with pet, can be challenging. It may vary depending on the species of your pet, all pet owners still deal with hair, mud, slobber, and paw prints to a certain extent. With some easy clean up tricks and with a few simple preventative measures you can still have a clean home and enjoy your pet at the same time! Here are best tips on how to keep your house clean with pet. Cleaning Tips For House With Pets Regularly Brush Your Pet: Brush your dog and cat on regular basis. This is essential to cut down on all that hair floating around your home. Brushing your pet daily will also get rid of flaky skin by distributing natural oils through your dog's coat. You will notice that your furry animal looks and smells better after brushing his coat everyday. Stop Dirty Paws At The Door: Place mats at both outside and inside of every door. This will stop the muddy paws at the door and help to cut down the dirt. Make sure the mats you have placed are washable. Another method to stop the mud out are pet wipes. After you wipe your four-legged paws, you will find that how much dirt comes out off your furry companion's paws when they come in. Vacuum Your House Everyday: It is really important to vacuum your house everyday using a vacuum cleaner with a high efficiency allergen filter to reduce dust and allergens and capture the most of the hair and pet dander. Keep Your Furniture Upholstery Clean: If your pet's are allowed on furniture, then you can cover the sofas with throw, sheets etc. This will keep the furry pal's odor and hair off as well as slobber. Groom Your Pet: Make sure, that you bath your pet when needed and keep them clean. Always make a point to feed branded food to your pet, as a good proper diet helps to keep the canine and kitten from having bad odor as well as keep your pet healthy. Hope you find these steps simple to keep your house clean with furry pal. |
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