|
Did you know that dogs and cats need dental care just like we
do? Our pets frequently get periodontal disease and gingivitis.
This can cause infection, pain, and tooth loss. The sad part is
that the pain usually so subtle that you can't tell that there's
a problem. Think about when you have a toothache. Most people
go about their normal activities without anyone knowing about
the pain except you.
Some of the signs of dental problems in pets are bad breath and
difficulty chewing. Yearly veterinary checkups will help prevent
problems. We check for gingivitis and calculus (calcium
buildup) on the teeth. If necessary, we will recommend dental
cleaning with an ultrasonic scaler in the hospital.
To help prevent dental problems, it's best to brush your pet's
teeth daily. There are pet toothbrush kits available, but you
can use a soft baby toothbrush just as well. All you have to do
is brush the outside of the teeth, with special emphasis on the
rear teeth. It also a good idea to feed dry foods. It has been
determined in scientific studies that rawhide chews and Greenies
will help reduce the amount of calculus that builds up.
|
|
|
Feeding your pet is very simple. Puppies and kittens
should be fed three times a day until 6 months of age,
twice a day until 1 year of age, and once or twice daily
after a year. Only a high quality pet food should be
given. National name brands are acceptable. Dry food
is preferred because it helps keep the teeth clean, it's
easier to handle, and it's less expensive.
The amount to feed varies between pets and the type of
food that you offer, but generally you can feed as much
as your pet eats in 20 minutes at each meal. Another way
to gauge how much to feed is give ¾ to 1 cup per 10
pounds of dry food at each meal. If you use canned
food, give your dog one can per 30 pounds, and your cat
one 6 ounce can per day.
Table scraps and "people foods " contribute to obesity.
It is not a good idea to feed anything except pet foods.
Of course every pet is an individual, and if your pet
looks like he's getting too big reduce the amount that
you feed, and if it looks like she's too thin, you can
increase the portions.
|
|
The easiest way to housebreak your puppy is with a
crate. Dogs hate to eliminate where they sleep, so most
dogs will not soil their crates after they reach 12 to
16 weeks of age. In addition, a dog needs a special
place to call its own, and a crate is the perfect place
for that.
Since dogs are social animals, keep the crate in area
where you spend a lot of time. To make sure that your
puppy is comfortable, make sure that the crate is large
enough for your puppy to stand and turn around. Leave a
towel or soft mat inside the crate.
Try to adhere to a schedule to make housebreaking
easier. When your puppy wakes up in the morning, take
him outside to the area where you want him to eliminate.
After a night in the crate, most puppies will go
immediately. When that happens, have his favorite treat
in hand and give it as a reward. Also don't forget to
make a big deal out of the event, and give lots of
praise.
Next go inside and feed your puppy. After eating most
puppies will have to eliminate 10 to 30 minutes after
finishing the meal. Go outside again.
Generally puppies have to eliminate when they wake up,
after play and after eating. Always watch for signs
that might indicate that it's time to go such as
restlessness, pacing, and sniffing and be ready to go
outside.
There are two problems in crate training that could
occur. First some puppies eliminate in the crate.
Frequently the reason for this is that the crate is too
large. If a puppy can find a corner of the crate far
enough away from where he sleeps, he will eliminate in
the crate. The solution to this problem is to make the
crate smaller by placing shoeboxes in the crate to make
it smaller.
The other problem is that when you take your puppy
outside he might want just to play. Only allow your
puppy five minutes to eliminate. If he doesn't go within
that time, take him back indoors and either watch him
very closely or put him back into the crate for 20 or 30
minutes and then try again
If you are persistent and consistent, your puppy will be
trained in no time, and you will all live happily
together |
|
