24 Aug The Top 5 Questions That Pet Parents Ask
We all want the very best for our beloved furry-friends, which can unfortunately lead to stress and anxiety when something seems to be wrong. So, instead of Googling every question that pops in your head, we thought we’d make it easy for you!
Below are the top 5 questions that pet owners commonly ask our team of veterinary professionals.
Clean teeth are a major part of your pet’s overall health. In fact, dogs and cats can start to develop gum disease by the age of 3 or 4 years old if not properly cared for. These diseases can spread to other areas of their body, so it’s best to take action early to prevent any possible diseases.
Look for signs of disease, which include:
- Irritated gums
- Bleeding gums
- Receding gums
- Loose teeth
- Bloody saliva
Thankfully, gum disease is easily preventable. Brushing your pet’s teeth, or finding an alternative that they tolerate, is the best way to prevent any type of gum disease.
How Often Should I Brush My Pet’s Teeth?
It is recommended that you brush your pet’s teeth two to three times a week and get them professionally cleaned once a year. Our veterinarian will be happy to give you local recommendations for a professional cleaning!
How Do I Brush My Pet’s Teeth?
It’s likely that your pet won’t like getting their teeth brushed. However, you can help aid in easing their discomfort by:
- Massaging their lips
- Letting them taste the toothpaste
- Introducing them to the toothbrush
Then, gently start brushing.
However, if you’re having a hard time, you can always purchase special dental chews that will help keep their teeth clean.
To learn even more about properly brushing your pet’s teeth and why it’s important, click here!
- Does My Pet Have Allergies?
It’s finally getting warm outside! Which means that seasonal allergies are right around the corner and more common for your pet than you might think.
Symptoms
The most common symptom is itchy skin or skin infections. If you see red, inflamed skin, or excessive itching, walk-in with your pet today for a quick physical exam.
Other symptoms include:
- Hair loss/shedding
- Excessive paw licking
- Butt scooting or licking
- Sneezing and coughing
Treatment & Prevention
The first step is to bring your pet to PetWellClinic. Our veterinarians will be able to walk you through the best next steps for caring for your pet.
Some of the most common reasons your pet may be experiencing allergy symptoms are:
- Flea allergies
- Food allergies
- Environmental allergies
Thankfully, we have a treatment for each type of allergy! Flea allergies can be prevented with regular flea and tick preventative. If your pet has a food allergy, we can write a prescription for special food, or write out a nutritional plan that is best suited for your pet’s individual needs.
Finally, we offer a few different types of medications to help with environmental allergies. However, the best way to reduce your pet’s exposure to allergens is avoid long exposure outside and frequently wipe their paws.
Click here to learn more about pet allergies and how to relieve your pet’s discomfort
- How Can I Protect My Pet from Heartworm?
Anyone who has been to the veterinarian has heard about heartworm disease prevention. It’s a big threat to your pet’s health! Make sure to get your pet checked for heartworms on a regular basis, as early detection makes recovery easier.
What Is Heartworm Disease?
If left untreated, these worms can do irreparable damage to your pet’s body. So keep an eye out for the following symptoms:
- Dry, persistent cough
- Lethargy
- Rapid weight loss
- Hard time breathing
- Abnormal sounds coming from lungs
- Heart murmur
Treatment
We offer a variety of different treatment options, so visit your local PetWellClinic and our veterinarian will be able to guide you through all of the solutions.
Prior to treatment, it’s important that you restrict your pet’s physical activity. Higher levels of activity can cause heartworms to harm your pet at a faster rate. So make sure you are slowly walking them on a leash and avoid any roughhousing with other pets.
Can My Cat Get Heartworms?
Heartworm disease is much more common in dogs, but it is possible for cats to get infected. However, heartworm treatment medication cannot be used on cats, so prevention is the only treatment.
If you’d like more information on properly preventing and treating heartworm, check out our blog.
- Why Did My Cat Pee Outside of The Litter Box?
When your cat is regularly peeing outside of the litter box, there’s often an underlying behavioral or medical issue. Bring your cat to the vet as soon as you notice this becoming a problem so that our team can work with you and your cat to find a solution.
Stress is a common reason that your kitty is peeing outside of the litter box. New litter, moving, or a dirty litter box are all things that can cause stress in your can. Make sure you are thoroughly cleaning any pee spots, as left-over scents attract your kitty to pee in the same place.
Medical Causes
Some medical problems are more urgent than others, but either way our veterinarians will be able to provide treatment options.
The following issues could be causing your cat to pee outside of their litter box:
- Urinary Tract Infection
- Kidney Disease
- Thyroid Disease
- Diabetes
- Digestive problems
- Age-related problems
A PetWellClinic veterinarian can conduct a urinalysis, which is an affordable and easy way to diagnose what may be causing the problem.
If you’re having trouble with your cat peeing outside of the litter box, check out our blog for more information on why this could be happening and what you can do to stop it.
- What Are The Top Poisons For My Pet?
Many pet owners are not aware of the items that are highly dangerous to their pets. Certain plants, food, medications, and solvents or cleaners are toxic to both dogs and cats.
Watch out for these 10 poisons that are most frequently called into the Pet Poison Helpline:
Top 10 Poisons For Dogs
- Chocolate
- Rat and mouse poisons
- Vitamins & minerals (vitamin D3, iron, etc)
- NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, naproxen, etc)
- Cardiac medications
- Allergy and cold medications
- Antidepressants
- Xylitol (an ingredient in some peanut butters & sugar free gum)
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Caffeine pills
Top 10 Poisons For Cats
- Topical insecticides (including some flea medications meant to be applied to dogs)
- Household cleaners
- Antidepressants
- Lilies
- Insoluble Oxalate Plants (e.g., Dieffenbachia, Philodendron, etc.)
- NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, naproxen, etc, for both human and veterinary needs)
- Cold and flu medications (Tylenol)
- Glow sticks (the liquid inside contains the chemical dibutyl phthalate which can result in profuse drooling, gagging, and retching)
- ADD/ADHD medications/amphetamines
- Rat and mouse poisons
If your pet has ingested any of these substances, they may exhibit the following symptoms:
- Gastrointestinal distress
- Internal bleeding
- Kidney or liver failure
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Lack of appetite
- Racing heart rate
- Weakness
- Black-tarry stool
If you suspect your pet has ingested a poisonous substance, call your emergency vet immediately. And for more information on how to poison-proof your home for pets, visit Pet Poison Helpline or ASPCA Animal Poison Control.
To learn more about the household products that are extremely toxic to your pets, click here.
We are here to serve you and your pet in the way you both deserve. If you have any questions that were not answered, don’t hesitate to walk-in to your local PetWellClinic today!
PetWellClinic is dedicated to being here for pet owners. Our hours of operation extend into the evenings and weekends, and our clinic environment is built with your pet’s comfort in mind. Find your local PetWellClinic today and bring your pet in for their first appointment!
PetWellClinic provides convenient, affordable veterinary care for pet owners. PetWellClinic has locations and services built with convenience in mind. Stop by with your pet any time! No appointment necessary.
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