Dog & Cat -General

– How often should I give my pet a bath?
Bathing your pet every 2 to 8 weeks is usually sufficient to maintain clean, healthy skin. Frequent brushing and combing between baths will help remove old hair and reduce shedding. Besides, that´s a great time for you and your pet to spend together. They usually like the added attention!

– At what age should I begin trimming my pet´s nails?
Begin trimming your pet´s nails when they are six to eight weeks old, so it becomes part of a routine and they become used to this type of grooming. If you have a small breed puppy, human nail clippers are perfect to start with. Dog nail clippers are good for larger puppies and adult dogs.

– At what age should a new pet be brought home?
The best age to take home a young pet is after 8 weeks of age. In some states it is not legal to take a puppy from it’s mother before 8 weeks old.

– At what age should my pet be spayed?
You should have your pet spayed before the end of her first year of life. It is perfectly safe after 20 weeks of age and is generally accepted that 90 – 95% less mammary cancer occurs in females spayed at a young age. The ideal age for spaying dogs and cats is 6 months of age.

– How old should my puppy or kitten be before his first de-worming?
Your puppy or kitten should be de-wormed at 2 – 3 weeks of age. It is advisable that your pet be tested first to determine what type of worms and how heavy of a worm burden he may have. Different worms require different medications to eradicate and your pet may need to be de-wormed more than once.

– When should a newly acquired kitten or puppy have their first visit to the veterinarian?
The sooner you visit the veterinarian with your new pet, the better. A doctor will make sure your new pet is healthy and recommend a vaccination schedule to protect your new pet against some of the numerous common diseases. They will discuss feeding, parasite control, neutering, grooming, and many other things to help you enjoy your pet for many years to come.

– How can I tell if my female pet is going into heat?
Some physical signs that your female pet is going into heat are a swollen vulva and a light red vaginal discharge. Cats become very affectionate and vocal.

– At what age are pets sexually mature?
Males become sexually mature between 7 and 9 months old. Small breed females have their first heat around 6 months. Medium size breed females have their first heat at around 8 or 9 months.

– What does it mean when my pet drags his rear end along the ground?
When your pet scoots on his or her rear end, it usually means he needs his anal glands expressed. If your pet continues to scoot after having them expressed or if the rear end looks irritated, it should be examined by a veterinarian.

– What´s the easiest way to take my pet´s temperature?
Your pet´s temperature should be taken in his rectum with a lubricated rectal thermometer. Insert it only 1/3 of the way in and leave it for at least 1 minute. A dog´s normal rectal temperature is 101 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit.

– When do puppies or kittens get baby and permanent teeth?
Puppies and kittens get their baby teeth at about 8 weeks and fall out gradually. At 6-8 months, the permanent teeth should all be in. If there any remaining baby teeth after the adult teeth are all in, they may need to be extracted to maintain the health of the permanent teeth. Retained baby teeth is rare is cats and large breed dogs but it is very common in small breed dogs. Removing any retained baby teeth is routinely done at the time of your pet’s spay or neuter.

– How many teeth does a dog have?
Dogs have 42 adult teeth. Cats only have 30 adult teeth.

– What is the easiest way to get a urine sample from my pet?
Getting a urine sample from your pet is fairly simple. For male dogs, place a wide-mouth jar or similar container under him as he lifts his leg. For a female, use a shallow pan or container. For cats, place wide wax paper strips in a clean, sanitized litter box. After the cat has urinated, pour off the urine. If your veterinarian has requested a urine sample, collect the sample immediately before taking it to your vet. If necessary you can refrigerate the urine for a short time before taking it in. If your pet has an appointment for urinary issues, do not let your pet urinate for a few hours before the appointment. The veterinarian may need to get a sterile sample in the office for testing.

– Is it normal for a new puppy or kitten to sleep a lot?
It is quite normal for new puppies and kittens to sleep a lot. Just like human babies, young pets sleep a great deal, especially after meals.

-How do I get my cat to exercise more?

Cats can be particularly challenging when it comes to exercise. Some initial things you can try are the feathers on a stick toys if your cat will chase them. Catnip mice or similar toys they can bat around and chase are good for solo play. If your cat isn’t interested in toys or you want to do everything you can, giving your cat it’s meals in toys is a good option. There are many toys on the market that you can put your cat’s food into and they have to bat them around to gradually dispense the food. You can also hide kibbles around the house so your cat has to hunt for her food.