When Should You Give Your Cat Vitamins?

Cat lovers are taking ever more interest in providing their feline friends with the absolute best diet, health and life. This is a good thing, and the fact that vitamins for cats are now readily available means that it’s easier than ever before. These vitamins are designed to be easy (and enjoyable) for your cat to take and meet specific nutritional needs that cats commonly have. But how important are they?

The answer is, it depends. Many cat food brands already enhance their food with vitamins for cats. The amount that a manufacturer puts in, however, varies widely from one brand to another. That means it’s important to check your standard cat food and see what vitamins and supplements are added, and in what quantities. Premium brands of food will usually have the full amount your cat needs. Additionally, you should make sure you’re buying the right kind of food for your cat’s age—kittens, adult cats and older cats have different nutritional needs. 

If you’re doing all that, you may not needs vitamins for your cat unless your veterinarian recommends them. But there are three situations where vitamins are a good idea:

1. If your cat has not been fed a premium diet

When you adopt a new cat, ask the owner what food they usually use. If it’s not a premium brand, check the packaging on the food and see if it has the vitamins they need. If not, or if you’re not sure, consider adding a vitamin supplement for your cat to help make up for any deficiency. 

2. If you don’t know what your cat has been fed

Sometimes the dietary history of a cat is unclear. This can be true with both adoptions and bringing in strays. With all stray cats, you should assume their diet has been poor unless you know otherwise. With these cats, it’s wise to get them on vitamins at least for a while. You do not have to continue them indefinitely if you switch to a high quality food. 

3. For specific medical conditions

Some conditions can be helped by supplements. These include:

·         Allergic dermatitis, dry skin or poor hair. Omega fatty acid supplements may help with this.

·         Gastrointestinal problems. Probiotics and digestive enzymes may both have a positive effect.

·         Arthritis. Just like in humans, a combined glucosamine/chondroitin supplement is recommended for arthritis.

If your cat has a specific health condition, ask your vet what supplements they recommend.

Does Your Pet Have Diabetes?

Every pet parent should know that his or her beloved animal are also susceptible to common health conditions like diabetes and during the month of November, it is time you learn about the disease. Diabetes is a prevalent condition that's diagnosed in over 30 million adults and children in the United States, with over 86 million Americans being at risk for developing it. Originally, National Diabetes Month was aimed to raise awareness of this growing health concern, but it has been expanded, as November is also National Pet Diabetes Month.

Since pet diabetes causes a great concern as the rates of the disease are on the rise, it's important to understand the condition as it could affect the health of your pet. In fact, Merck Animal Health reports that 1 in 200 cars and 1 in 500 dogs can develop diabetes due to certain lifestyle factors and some breeds are more prone to the condition than others are. For instance, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Pugs, Burmese cats and a few other breeds have observed higher rates of diabetes onset. Nonetheless, cats and dogs of any breed are at risk but you can help your furry friend by learning more about the condition.

Types of Pet Diabetes

Pet diabetes comes in two different forms and the first one is referred to as type 1, which means that your pet cannot produce insulin. The second form of diabetes is type 2, which means your pet can produce diabetes but the body is not properly processing it. In short, both types revolve around the production and usage of insulin that is a naturally forming hormone made in the pancreas. When there is a problem with insulin production or glucose absorption, the cells in the body cannot use the glucose they need for nutrients, which typically provides them with the energy they require to function properly. When this happens, the cells are starved of nutrition and blood sugar levels rise to dangerously heights.

Type 2 diabetes is more common of the two forms, but they both result in similar symptoms. Your pet may be excessively thirsty or hungry, they may frequently urinate, they might be constantly tired or lethargic and they could develop poor skin like oily coats or dandruff. On top of that, some pets may lose weight suddenly even if they are eating more often. Also, keep in mind that female pets are more likely to develop diabetes than males. Additionally, onset of diabetes generally occurs in cats around 8 to 13 years old and dogs may develop it between the ages of 7 to 9 years old.

It's important that you know the signs and symptoms of pet diabetes because the sooner you can point it out, the sooner your vet can develop a plan to treat it. It may come in the form of cat or dog medications, new diet restrictions and other treatment regimens to help you manage their condition. Additionally, obesity is a big risk factor when it comes to diabetes and if you can get control of your pets' weight now, you can help decrease the chances of onset. Keep this information in mind and spread the news of National Pet Diabetes Month to other pet parents!

3 Things to Do for Responsible Dog Ownership Month

Did you know that September is Responsible Dog Ownership Month? This month aims to educate people on how they can be effective, caring, and responsible dog owners. This includes ensuring their overall health and wellbeing, keeping them safe, and more. Are you wondering what you can do to take responsibility for your favorite pooch? Here are four things to help you get started:

1.  Make sure your dog is easy to track

Dogs are curious little critters. Unfortunately, that means that they can wander off and get lost from time to time. Even if your dog is not known to wander, they're not immune from being lost or worse yet, stolen. This is why it's crucial to ensure that your dog can be easily found if he or she goes missing. One of the best ways to do this is to have your pet microchipped. Microchipping can be performed by your vet, and will assign your dog a unique identification number. This number will be associated with a tracker that is inserted the same way a vaccination would be administered. If your dog gets lost and someone returns brings it to a vet, they can scan it and track it back to you.

In addition to having your dog microchipped, you should also make sure they are always wearing a collar with an ID tag that clearly states their name and your address and phone number. This way, your dog can be easily identified and returned to you if he or she is lost. The use of microchipping and ID tags are some of the best known ways to protect your dog and ensure that they are never lost for long.

2.  Prevent fleas and ticks

Tolkien said "Not all who wander are lost," and this quote is more than a little true when it comes to dogs. Sometimes, your dog may just want to wander off in your yard or the woods, and there's nothing wrong with letting your dog play in those places – provided that you can keep them from getting fleas and ticks. Any place that has high grass and lots of low-lying shrubs is going to be a haven for fleas and ticks, so if you're going to let your dog run around in those areas, it'll be worth it to invest in preventative medication.

Flea and tick prevention for dogs can help avoid parasite-borne illnesses such as Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Ehrlichiosis, and others. Some of these conditions, if left untreated, could not only cause discomfort and harm, but even an untimely death! And even if your dog contracts no diseases from fleas and ticks, they could be allergic to their bites, get skin infections, and experience a host of other complications. Be a responsible dog owner this month and take preventative action before it's too late.

3.  Take steps to ensure the health of your dog

Making sure your dog is in good health goes beyond just preventing flea and ticks. When was the last time you took your dog to the vet? If it's been a while, make a quick appointment for a checkup. Your dog may need shot updates or a heartworm medication renewal. Also, assess your dog's health; if there's anything that seems off or that you have a question about, write it down and ask the vet while you are there.

You can also keep your dog in good health by ensuring that they get proper exercise and a well-balanced diet. Take your dog for a short walk around the block anytime you can, and a more extensive one at least once a day (twice if you can). This will keep your dog in good shape and help fight obesity. A well-balanced diet will also give your dog the nutrients they need to stay healthy and energized.

How do you plan to take responsibility for your dog during dog ownership month? Remember, the way you treat your dog can be an example for others, as well. When they see how well you care for your dog, they will want to adopt the behavior that will make life a bit better for their favorite furry friends.

4 Generous Ways to Celebrate National Dog Day

Did you know that August 26^th is National Dog Day? This is a great holiday for any dog lover to celebrate! There are countless ways to celebrate and spoil your favorite little furry critters. However, our favorite way to celebrate is by doing so in a way that gives back to dogs and the community! Here are four generous ways to celebrate National Dog Day.

1.       Adopt a shelter dog. If you don’t already own a dog (or if you simply want another one to serve as a brother or sister to any others you already have), what better day is there to adopt than on National Dog Day? The best way to get a new dog is by adopting one from a shelter. This way, you can be saving their life especially if they are currently living at an over-crowded shelter. Also, when you adopt from a shelter instead of buying one from a puppy mill, you are helping to fight against immoral breeding practices and animal cruelty. 

2.       Volunteer at your local shelter. If you can’t afford to adopt or are unable to care for a new dog of your own, there’s still plenty of other ways to help out. Why not offer to volunteer a couple hours of your time helping out at your local shelter? There is always plenty of work to be done including feeding, cleaning, and general caring for dogs. Plus, you’ll get plenty of time to play with and cuddle up to your favorite furry friends! 

3.       Donate supplies to your local shelter. Not everyone can make time in their busy schedules to volunteer to care for dogs at their local shelter. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t other ways to help. One of the easiest and most generous ways to celebrate National Dog Day is by donating supplies to your local shelter. Shelters are always in need of food, bowls, leashes, and more advanced items such as Heartgard Plus 51 – 100. No matter what you choose to donate, you can rest assured your donation will help some dogs in need and be very much appreciated by your local shelter.

4.       Spoil your dog. If you have a dog, then National Dog Day may very well be your favorite holiday. Chances are you already spoil your dog on a regular basis. However, now you have an excuse to spoil your dog even more! Some of the best ways to spoil your dog include buying it special treats such as dog biscuits from a special dog bakery, taking him or her to your local dog park to play, and having him or her professionally groomed at a doggy spa. Oh, and who can forget cuddling with your favorite pooch? Your dog will likely thank you with many slobbery kisses, but we know you won’t mind!

How do you plan to celebrate this year’s National Dog Day? Leave a comment letting us know your favorite or most creative ideas!

Your Guide to Adopting a Shelter Cat

Did you know? June is National Adopt a Shelter Cat Month! If you've been thinking about adopting a pet, and have always had a soft spot for animals in need, there's no better time to adopt a shelter cat than now. There are currently 3.4 million shelter cats in the United States, each of which is in need of a loving home and companion.

What should you consider when adopting a shelter cat?

1.)    Look for a cat with a similar personality.

Cats have personalities just like people! Since your new shelter cat will no doubt become a regular member of your family, seek out a cat of similar temperament. If you're highly social and prefer a cat that can be social too, consider long-haired cats (known for their friendly nature). However, if you're more reserved and don't need constant companionship from your feline, leaner, short-haired cats might be a better fit.

2.)    Prepare beforehand.

Prior to bringing your cat home from the shelter, ensure you've purchased all of the cat care essentials: cat food, food and water dishes, a cat carrier, kitty litter boxes, cat treats, a small cat bed (to place inside of the carrier) and vitamins for cats to ensure a healthy new beginning.

3.)    Give your cat time to adjust.

Entering a new environment can be frightening and stressful for cats, so it's important to let your new cat get used to its surroundings gradually. Many shelters recommend that new owners allow a cat to remain inside its carrier for as long as it feels comfortable, leaving the carrier door open to allow for exploration when ready. If you already have a cat, introduce your new cat via smell and sound first (don't allow the cats to see each other upon introduction) so that cats can become familiar without surprise or risk of aggressive behavior.

4.)    Plan a trip to the veterinarian.

This should be done shortly after you've brought your shelter cat home; it may be helpful to schedule an appointment before you bring your cat home to secure an appropriate appointment date. This appointment will include a general physical exam and may also include the administration of vaccines or a test for Feline Leukemia Disease.

5.)    Consider adopting two!

If you have the means and interest, why not adopt two shelter cats this June? Most cats are social creatures that benefit from engagement and interaction with other cats. Plus, cats have been shown to lower the risk of loneliness and depression in humans; thus, the more the merrier!

Don't have the time or money to adopt a shelter cat this June? You can help support National Adopt a Shelter Cat Month in other ways! Use social media to tell friends and family about National Adopt a Shelter Cat Month or sign up as a shelter volunteer. Find more ways to help here.