Tag: cats

Enrichment Tips to Keep Your Indoor Cat Happy

Posted on February 11, 2021 - 7:48 pm by
Taste of the Wild

Life may seem a lot easier for indoor cats than their outdoor counterparts. Indoor cats don’t have to lift a paw to receive tasty, nutritious meals. They can snuggle in a warm bed in the middle of a blizzard. And they never have to worry about dodging cars or ferocious animals.

But the truth is, indoor cats need to express a lot of the natural instincts and behaviors like hiding, hunting, scratching and scent marking that outdoor cats accomplish organically. When deprived of these outlets, indoor cats can become stressed, potentially leading to illness and unwanted behaviors.

As part of National Cat Health Month, we’re sharing indoor cat enrichment tips to help you make sure your indoor kitty is as happy and comfortable as possible.

Make your cat feel more at home

Understanding your cat’s needs can help you make small changes that will have a big impact on his or her well-being. Here are a few examples:

A private sanctuary — As the actress Greta Garbo famously quipped, “I want to be alone.” Cats seek private time, too. Cats cope with noisy workmen, overzealous children and other household pets by escaping to a place where they can hide and feel safe. Ideally, provide each cat with a quiet room where it can sleep without feeling vulnerable. If possible, include a bed or box for hiding, food and water bowls, toys and other resources your cat may need.

A bird’s eye view — Many cats prefer to survey their kingdom from above. Cat trees and perches that attach to the wall or windowsill offer the opportunity to climb and observe the world from a safe place. Even better, position the cat tree near a window where your feline can keep an eye on the bird feeder outside.

The right litter boxes — Cats can be particular about their litter box preferences. As a rule of thumb, there should be one litter box per cat in the household, plus one more. Boxes should be about one and a half times the length of the cat (excluding the tail). Cats generally prefer uncovered boxes with unscented, scoopable litter. Boxes should be placed in private but easily accessible locations. You should clean litter at least once a day, and wash the box with mild dish soap once a week.

Physical and mental stimulation — Although cats often like routine, monotony can cause stress and lead to illness and behaviors such as overgrooming. Take time each day to get your cat moving, whether it’s a game of fetch or a laser pointer chase. Some cats can even be trained to walk on a leash. Food puzzles can help stimulate your cat’s mind and make them work for each meal. Toys should be rotated on a regular basis to keep things fresh.

Something to scratch — Cats like to scratch to shed dried nail husks and sharpen their nails. But even declawed cats need to stretch and mark the area with pheromones from the scent glands in their paws. Providing vertical or horizontal scratching posts can provide cats with a suitable place to flex their paws.

An opportunity to hunt — Cats rarely tire of the thrill of the chase. Help your cat express their predatory instincts with toys that mimic the hunting experience. Wands with feathers and bells, toys that squeak or race across the floor all give your cat a chance to stalk and pounce. Finish the game with treat rewards to satisfy the experience of eating prey.

Personal space — In multiple-cat households, competition for resources such as the litter box, food or toys can cause anxiety. Make sure to distribute these items around the house so cats have an opportunity to enjoy them without another cat (or dog) pushing them out of the way.

By minimizing stress and helping your cat express its natural behaviors, you can strengthen the bond between you and your indoor feline companion.

Indoor Cats vs. Outdoor Cats: Which Is Right for You?

Posted on January 21, 2021 - 4:00 pm by
A long-haired cat walking through a front door from outside.

When adopting a cat, pet owners have a choice to make about where their cat is going to live. For some people there’s no question — they’ll be an indoor-only cat and that’s that. But some people may like their cat to have a hybrid lifestyle inside and out. To help you make the choice of what’s right for you and your cat, we’ve got the pros and cons of both lifestyles.

How Long Do Indoor Cats Live?

An indoor cat’s lifespan is typically around 10 to 15 years, which is significantly longer than the life expectancy of an outdoor cat (more on that later). This is mostly due to the safe environment that life indoors provides. Indoor cats are protected from inclement weather (e.g., rain, snow and temperature extremes), other cats and animals carrying diseases and parasites, and physical dangers like cars, predators and, unfortunately, cruel humans.

Are Indoor Cats Happy?

It’s likely a common question for cat owners — is my cat happy? Many cats thrive on an indoor lifestyle; others don’t. Indoor-only cats may be protected from the dangers lurking outside, but their confined life means they can be restricted in their ability to express natural and essential behaviors like stalking, catching prey, scratching and urine marking.

To keep indoor cats happy, it’s important that your indoor cat has the opportunity to express these behaviors and for you to — as much as possible — make the indoors as interesting and exciting as the outdoors. Some of the ways you can help enrich your cat’s lifestyle indoors include providing:

  • Scratching posts
  • A private sanctuary
  • Perches
  • Cat toys that provide physical and mental stimulation
  • Appropriate litter boxes
  • Toys that provide an opportunity to hunt

Keeping cats indoors does have a potential downside. Indoor cats are more likely to develop behavioral problems, which can put them at risk of being surrendered to animal shelters or euthanized. Providing indoor cats with enrichment activities and ensuring their needs are being met can help reduce behavioral problems.

How Long Do Outdoor Cats Live?

The lifespan of outdoor cats is typically less than 5 years. This decreased life expectancy is due to a variety of reasons, including a greater risk of injury from cars, dogs and wild animals, like coyotes, foxes, raccoons and birds of prey. Additionally, outdoor cats face increased exposure to serious diseases such as feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus from stray or feral cats who aren’t vaccinated. They also have increased exposure to diseases from other animals such as avian influenza A (H5N1, also called bird flu) which can be fatal to cats. Outdoor cats can also be exposed to poisons like antifreeze and rodenticides.

Cats are territorial, so if they come across a stray cat or other free-roaming cats from the neighborhood, territorial fighting can occur. This can result in severe injuries, infections from bite wounds and disease transmission. Fraternizing with free-roaming community cats can also increase the risk of your cat coming home with fleas, ticks, ringworm or ear mites — some of which can be a risk to the health of you and your family, too. And of course, if you have a female cat that isn’t spayed, there’s a chance of unexpected kittens.

If you’re considering adopting a cat that has spent most or all of its life outside, the good news is that with patience and slow adjustments, many outdoor cats can become indoor cats.

What Do Outdoor Cats Eat?

Cats are carnivores (meat eaters) that excel at hunting. So don’t be surprised if your outdoor-roaming cat proudly presents you with a dead mouse or bird as a “gift,” or if you find them devouring said gift on the kitchen floor. If you allow your cat to go outside but don’t like the idea of them hunting, you can try adding a bell to their collar to help announce their presence before they pounce — although this isn’t always effective. Keeping them well-fed with cat food may also help reduce their hunting urge, but remember that hunting is a natural part of a cat’s behavior.

Do Cats Need to Go Outside?

Ultimately, it’s your choice. A cat owner’s decision on whether their cat should live inside or outside depends on the cat’s health and personality and whether the cat owner can provide an interesting indoor environment or a safe outdoor environment.

If you would like to provide your cat with a hybrid lifestyle, consider building or buying an outdoor cat house, cat run or catio that keeps them safe while enjoying the outdoors. It’s also a good idea to take pets inside at nighttime so they are protected from wildlife or other nighttime hazards.

Pet Diabetes Month: Monitoring Blood Glucose at Home

Posted on November 5, 2020 - 4:00 pm by
Taste of the Wild

When you live with a diabetic pet, controlling blood sugar, or glucose, can be a bit of a balancing act. If the glucose dips too low, your pet may show signs of weakness, confusion, seizures and even loss of consciousness, requiring emergency veterinary care. When it’s too high, pets often drink and urinate more than usual and potentially develop other complications.

To arrive at “just the right” insulin dose that keeps your pet’s diabetes controlled, periodic blood glucose monitoring is usually required. In the past, pets would typically spend a day at the veterinary clinic for a blood glucose curve. During that time, the veterinary staff would take blood glucose samples every two hours for up to 12 hours.

The trouble with in-clinic glucose testing is that pets often become stressed in the unfamiliar environment, which can artificially raise blood glucose levels. That’s why the American Animal Hospital Association recommends at-home glucose testing, when possible. Pets are usually less stressed at home, which means results will be more accurate. At-home testing can save you money. It can also help identify a hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) event, so your pet gets treatment faster.

While at-home glucose testing may not be for every owner or pet, many are finding the procedure relatively simple.

First, team up with your veterinarian

Work with your veterinarian to decide the best approach for you and your pet.

If you decide to try in-home testing, your veterinarian will help you learn the correct procedure and provide detailed instructions on information you should send back to the clinic. He or she will use this information to decide if adjustments need to be made to the type or dose of your pet’s insulin. You should never make insulin dose adjustments on your own, without consulting your veterinarian.

Sampling blood glucose at home

Your veterinarian may recommend using a hand-held glucometer at home, much like human patients with diabetes may do. Ideally, you’ll use one that’s calibrated for dogs and cats, for the most accurate results.

The doctor can show you how, using a lancet, to obtain a tiny drop of blood from a range of locations, such as your pet’s ear or foot pad. With a little practice, it can be a quick and relatively painless procedure. Add praise and treats, and it’s all the better for your pet.

The drop of blood is then applied to a test strip inserted into the glucometer. Within a few seconds, the blood glucose reading is displayed.

To obtain a blood glucose curve, your veterinarian will typically ask you to take a blood glucose reading every two hours for 10 to 12 hours. This information is then sent back to your veterinarian for review and dose adjustments, as needed.

Continuous glucose monitoring systems

Recently, continuous glucose monitoring systems have become available that are less invasive and easier for owners and pets because they don’t require any blood sampling. Currently, the most common system prescribed by veterinarians is the FreeStyle Libre, which is designed for humans, but can also be used in pets.

The system consists of a small, circular glucose sensor with a tiny tube that’s adhered to the pet’s skin.  The sensor, which is about the size of two stacked quarters, measures the glucose in the fluid under the skin once a minute for up to 14 days. A handheld reader can wirelessly scan the sensor and save the glucose readings (with an app, your smart phone can serve as a reader).

The amount of glucose in this fluid is slightly different than what’s in the blood, but it’s fine for general monitoring. For pets that are showing signs of hypoglycemia, however, a blood sample and glucometer should be used.

Implanting the sensor is a quick, simple and typically painless procedure that usually doesn’t require anesthesia. The veterinarian shaves and cleans a patch of skin on your pet and presses the sensor into the skin. Your pet may need to wear a shirt or bandage to help prevent the sensor from becoming dislodged. The doctor will explain how to transfer the data to the clinic. After two weeks, the sensor should be disposed of properly.

Watch your pets for signs

Even with all this blood glucose data, you should still watch your pet for signs that diabetes may be out of control. It helps to keep a daily diary that lists information such as food and water consumption, insulin dose administered and general amount/frequency of urination. If possible, weigh your pet periodically. Changes in weight, appetite, thirst, urination and even energy level should spark a call to your veterinarian.

Black Cats: Gods, Charms and Superstitions

Posted on October 29, 2020 - 3:00 pm by
Taste of the Wild

Black cats are plagued with superstitions. But where did they get such reputations, both good and bad? The answers span great lengths of time and place.

Rightly or wrongly, black cats are plagued with superstitions.

Harbingers of bad luck

In the Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic Church declared that cats were friends of the devil. As such, many believed a black cat could be a witch in disguise, a witch’s pet sent to keep tabs on humans or a witch’s “familiar,” a channel enabling witches to speak to the spiritual world. Black cats became forever entwined with witchcraft and were even killed with perceived witches during the Salem witch trials in Massachusetts.

Cats were also associated with death. Italians used to believe that if a black cat sat on your sickbed, it was a sign of imminent death. In North America, if a black cat crosses your path, it’s believed you’re in for bad luck (although the opposite is true in England, Ireland and Asia).

Bearers of good luck

Ancient Egyptians worshipped all cats, but perhaps black cats most of all because they resembled the deity Bastet, the goddess of the home, fertility and childbirth who often protected the home from disease and evil spirits.

Years later, British sailors believed having a black cat on board a ship would bring good luck and ensure safe passage (not to mention keeping the mice population to a minimum). Blackie, a mostly black cat aboard the HMS Prince of Wales, a Royal Navy battleship during World War II, gained fame when Prime Minister Winston Churchill leaned down to give the cat a rub. The cat was later renamed Churchill.

In some cultures, owning a black cat can bring you luck or love. Good luck is thought to come your way if you dream about a black cat, see one walking toward you or find a white hair on its black coat. A black cat who curls up on your porch is thought to bring you prosperity.

Many Asian countries, such as China and Japan, post maneki nekos — cat figurines with waving paws — outside restaurants and shops to bring good fortune. If the left paw is raised, the cat beckons people to enter. A raised right paw invites money, and both paws raised attracts customers and good fortune. If the mankei neko is black, even better — it’s thought to ward away evil, as well.

Overcoming superstitions

Although some people think black cats might have trouble being adopted because people cling to superstitions, it’s just not so, according to a study by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). After reviewing 14 regions of the U.S, with about 300,000 adoptable dogs and cats, black cats had the highest adoption numbers, coming in at 31 percent of all feline adoptions, compared with 20 percent for gray cats and 18 percent for brown cats.

At the same time, shelters often take in more black cats than any other color, according to Emily Weiss, PhD, at the ASPCA. One reason is that the gene for black coat color is dominant, so there tend to be more black cats in the world. Another reason is that 22 different breeds of cats can have solid black coats, according to the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA).

As it turns out, black cats may have another thing going for them. It’s possible that the mutation that causes black coat coloring may be associated with the gene that gives humans resistance to viral infections like HIV. While it’s yet to be proven, that may mean black cats may be more resistant to certain diseases. What could be luckier than that?

When the Leaves Change Color, Can Your Pets See It?

Posted on October 22, 2020 - 3:00 pm by
Taste of the Wild

Autumn plays with all your senses, but none so much as your sense of sight, as deciduous trees burst into shades of brilliant red, vibrant orange and buttery yellow. This vivid array is enough to make you wonder: Does my dog or cat enjoy these colors like I do?

For decades, many people believed that dogs and cats were colorblind, or could only see shades of black, white and gray.  The truth is, they do see colors, but not in the way we do.

Your dog’s true colors

For people and pets, color perception begins at the retina, or the tissue lining the back of the eye. The retina contains two kinds of photoreceptor cells: rods, which perceive low and shifting light, and cones, which discern colors.

Humans have three kinds of cones, which can pick up red, blue and green wavelengths. Dogs only have two kinds of cones: those that are sensitive to blue and those that pick up yellow-green. That means dogs can’t see the full range of colors, or the richness or intensity, that humans do. Their world is essentially limited to shades of blue, yellow and gray.

Putting dogs to the test

To determine how dogs see colors, scientist Jay Neitz at the University of California, Santa Barbara, performed a unique test. Dogs were shown three panels of light, two of which were the same color. Dogs were rewarded with a treat when they touched their noses to the panel with the different color.

In this way, Neitz found the hues dogs could distinguish ranged from dark and light blue to dark and light yellow and shades of gray.

How about cats?

Cats, like humans, have three types of cones in their retinas but fewer cones overall. So they may see a similar range of colors that you do, but the colors tend to be less vibrant. Within that spectrum of colors, cats tend to see blue, violet, yellow and green better than red.

Seeing the light

While dogs and cats may have fewer cones than humans, they make up for it with more rods, helping them to see better in the dark than humans. Dogs can have up to three times the rods as humans, according to Alexandra Horowitz, author of Inside a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell and Know. Cats are even more suited to nocturnal wandering, with as many as eight times the rods as humans.

Dogs and cats can also see the type B ultraviolet (UVB) spectrum, meaning some colors, such as white, may fluoresce and be disturbing for animals.

Work with your pet’s color spectrum

How can you use this color knowledge to your advantage? First, understand that a red or orange toy may appear gray, brown or black to your pet, or just doesn’t “pop” from the environment like it does for you. A blue toy may capture your pet’s attention better.

If you want to create a soothing environment for your pet at home, again, work with your dog or cat’s visible spectrum. Choose wall paints, pillows and blankets in the blue, green or violet range of the spectrum, rather than oranges and reds. Avoid bright white when possible because it might light up or flare for your pet more than it does for you.

But what about all those red and orange leaves piled in your backyard? Your pet may not appreciate the colors, but he or she can certainly have fun leaping and rolling in all of them with you.

Exercise and the Overweight Pet: A Common-Sense Approach

Posted on October 8, 2020 - 10:34 pm by
An overweight cat standing in the grass on a sunny day.

Has your pet ever been fat shamed? Maybe it was a casual dig at the dog park. Or an insensitive remark on social media. It can be easy to underestimate how many extra pounds your pet may be carrying because, frankly, pet obesity has become the new normal. That is why we’re pointing out that tomorrow is National Pet Obesity Awareness Day. Pet obesity is nothing to take lightly!

About 59.5 percent of cats and 55.8 percent of dogs are considered overweight or obese, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention (APOP). Obesity can contribute to diabetes, joint problems such as arthritis, difficulty breathing and even a shorter life span.

If you’ve got a pet who needs to take care of their weight, you’ll likely need to change their diet — including feeding them fewer human food treats. But increasing the exercise is equally important because you want your pet to lose fat while retaining or building muscle mass. How much exercise is healthy? Here are some tips to help your pet drop those unwanted pounds and earn the praise and admiration he or she deserves.

First stop: your veterinary clinic

Your veterinarian will weigh your pet and show you how to objectively determine your pet’s ideal weight. Together, you can make a plan on how to approach your pet’s weight loss. Your veterinarian may recommend a therapeutic weight loss diet or determine the right quantity of your current food to help your pet lose weight while still receiving all the nutrition they need.

The doctor will also check to see if your pet has any underlying conditions, such as hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone) in dogs, which, when treated, can help with weight loss. He or she will also examine your pet for underlying heart or orthopedic conditions that may impact your pet’s exercise plan.

Gradual weight loss is best

Your pet shouldn’t lose weight too fast. As a general rule, a dog can lose about 1 to 3 percent of their body weight per month, while a cat can lose 0.5 to 2 percent per month, according to APOP. But this may vary depending on your pet’s breed and weight. Overweight cats who lose weight too fast and go off their food are prone to fatty liver disease, a serious and sometimes fatal condition. If your cat doesn’t eat for a day or two, contact your veterinarian.

Begin exercise gradually, too

Your veterinarian will typically recommend short exercise sessions, then gradually extend the length of these sessions as your pet loses weight. For overweight or arthritic dogs, low-impact exercises like walking and swimming are good because they put less stress on the joints than running and jumping. If your pet has arthritis, ask your veterinarian about medications to help your dog exercise pain free.

Start with short walks on flat terrain, gradually extending the walk and adding hills. Let your dog warm up and do their business, then gently increase the speed of your walk so your dog is getting some heart-pounding aerobic exercise. If your dog starts panting too much or lagging behind, that’s your cue to slow down a bit. Dogs that are overweight, especially those that are brachycephalic, or flat-faced, can have trouble breathing and become overheated easily. It’s best to walk these dogs in the cool of the morning or evening.

Depending on your dog’s health status, your veterinarian may recommend an exercise regimen of perhaps 30-minute walks five times a week. Each week, you can gradually increase the amount of aerobic time during the walk. If your dog tolerates that well, you can build up to twice-a-day walks or jogging.

Another alternative is to schedule regular appointments at canine rehabilitation clinics, where they can put your dog through the paces on regular or underwater treadmills. You can even make use of digital pet activity monitors to help monitor your pet’s daily efforts.

Cat fitness

Cats can be slightly more challenging to exercise, but you can start with 5-minute play sessions, chasing a laser pointer or feather toy. A cat tree can encourage your cat to climb and stretch its muscles. Food puzzles make your cat work for their meals and provide mental stimulation. Another alternative is to hide kibble in different parts of the house so your cat has to “hunt” for their meal.

Monitor progress with monthly weigh-ins

Whether you weigh your pet at the veterinary office or on your own scale, it’s important to make sure your pet is making weight-loss progress. Too much or too little weight loss suggests a call to your veterinarian, who can make adjustments in diet or exercise to keep your pet on track.

World Rabies Day: 10 Things You Need to Know

Posted on September 24, 2020 - 3:00 pm by
Taste of the Wild

For dogs and cats, infection with the rabies virus is inevitably fatal. But the good news is, it’s entirely preventable with regular rabies vaccinations. Protecting your pet’s health is an important way to safeguard your family, since infected animals can spread the virus to people, too. As part of World Rabies Day on September 28, we’re offering 10 things you should know to help keep all your loved ones safe.

  1. The rabies virus is transmitted by exposure to the saliva of an infected animal. This usually occurs through a bite, although, less commonly, saliva can enter a scratch or open wound. Most pets that fall victim to rabies are unvaccinated and are infected by wild animals like bats, raccoons, skunks or foxes. That’s why you shouldn’t allow your pet to chase or fight wildlife.

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 60 to 70 dogs and more than 250 cats in the U.S. die of rabies each year. Thanks to pet vaccinations, human deaths in the U.S. are relatively low, averaging about two people per year. The same can’t be said for rabies infections worldwide: Approximately 59,000 human deaths occur each year, in many cases from the bite of a rabid dog.

  2. Rabies occurs in 49 states, with Hawaii being the exception. The disease is especially prevalent on the East Coast from Maine to Florida and along the Mexican border.
  3. There’s no cure for rabies in pets. Once animals show signs of disease, they typically die in less than 10 days. And there’s no way to diagnose the disease in a live animal — it can only be done by examining brain tissue after an animal passes away.
  4. Animals can only transmit the virus after they show signs of disease. In the early stages, infected dogs and cats may appear nervous, aggressive or more friendly than normal. In time, they can become overly sensitive to light and sound. They may have seizures and lash out at others. Finally, they may drool excessively and experience a paralysis that first affects the head and neck before moving down the body, eventually paralyzing the muscles of the chest so they’re no longer able to breathe.
  5. Most states have laws that require rabies vaccinations for pets. Check with your veterinarian and know the state and local ordinances to make sure your pet’s rabies vaccination always stays current.
  6. Unvaccinated pets that bite a human or another pet usually require a 10-day quarantine. Infected animals can’t transmit the virus until they’re showing signs, and they usually die within 10 days after that. If the animal survives the 10 days, it means it wasn’t shedding the virus at the time of the bite.
  7. If your pet is bitten by a wild animal or another pet, contact your veterinarian immediately. Ask the owner of the other pet for proof of rabies vaccination. If they don’t have it or it was a wild animal, contact animal control to determine appropriate action. If your pet’s rabies vaccination is current, your veterinarian may recommend a booster vaccine.

    If your pet’s rabies vaccine has expired, the state may require a 6-month quarantine in an approved animal care center. Because the incubation period, or the time between the bite and the start of signs, is typically less than six months, this allows time to observe the pet and make sure it doesn’t show signs of infection before it is exposed to other pets and humans.

  8. Contact your veterinarian if your pet bites another pet or a person. You will need to provide proof of a rabies vaccination. As rabies laws vary regionally, your veterinarian can advise you as to what steps need to be taken in your state.
  9. Teach children to be gentle and respectful when handling pets. This helps reduce the risk of animal bites. Children should also ask the owner permission before petting other dogs or cats, for the same reason.
  10. If you or someone you are with is bitten by a potentially rabid animal, wash the wound with soap and water and call a physician or emergency room immediately. The doctor will treat the wound and decide if post-exposure prophylaxis, or an injection of plasma followed by a series of rabies vaccinations is needed.

By keeping your pet’s rabies vaccination current, limiting your pet’s exposure to wildlife and teaching children how to handle pets appropriately, you can minimize the risk of rabies infection for everyone in your household.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Pet Pain Relief

Posted on September 3, 2020 - 3:00 pm by
Taste of the Wild

Maybe your pup roughhoused at the dog park and is now favoring a leg. Or your cat drops food from her mouth as if it’s painful to chew. What’s the harm in exploring your medicine cabinet for a little pain relief? After all, over-the-counter pain medications such as aspirin are relatively harmless for people, so the same goes for pets, right?

Unfortunately, that kind of well-meaning thinking has led to potentially serious health problems for both cats and dogs. Since pets don’t metabolize these drugs like people do, medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and acetaminophen can be harmful or even deadly to your dog or cat.

As part of Animal Pain Awareness Month, we’re sharing some tips on pet pain relief to help keep your beloved ones safe.

Human NSAIDs and pets

Medications such as aspirin (Bufferin), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve) are considered non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, but human NSAIDs, especially in high doses, can cause gastrointestinal ulcers, kidney failure, liver failure, bleeding problems and even neurological issues in pets. Cats are even more sensitive to NSAIDs than dogs. Signs of potential toxicity include vomiting, diarrhea, black/tarry stools, pale or yellow gums, changes in amount or frequency of urination, collapse and seizures.

While acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a pain reliever and fever reducer, it has no anti-inflammatory properties, so it is not considered an NSAID. It may be combined with aspirin in products such as Excedrin. While acetaminophen can be toxic to dogs, it’s often fatal for cats. Ingestion can lead to liver damage and a condition called methemoglobinemia, in which red blood cells cannot carry necessary oxygen to the body. In these cases, the blood may actually appear brown rather than the healthy red color of oxygenated blood. Signs include increased respiratory rate, pale or muddy gums, vomiting, swelling of the face or extremities and collapse.

If you see these signs after inadvertently giving your pet over-the-counter human pain relievers, or after your pet accidentally chewed through the bottle of pain relievers in your purse or backpack, contact your veterinarian immediately or call the ASPCA’s Poison Control Center at 1-888-426-4435.

Pain relief dos and don’ts

So how can you help a pet that you suspect may be in pain?

  • DO schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Depending on the cause, the doctor may prescribe a veterinary NSAID for your pup that has been shown to be safe and effective in dogs. While there are no NSAIDs approved for long-term use in cats, your veterinarian may prescribe other medications for pain relief.
  • DON’T give your pet any over-the-counter pain medication without consulting your veterinarian first. Wouldn’t you rather ask now than end up at the emergency clinic later?
  • DON’T give your pet a veterinary NSAID that was prescribed for another pet. You may accidentally give the wrong dose, or this pet may have an underlying health condition or be on medications that aren’t compatible with the NSAID.
  • DO let your vet know what other medications your pet is taking. In particular, if they are already taking steroids such as prednisone or prednisolone, they shouldn’t start taking NSAIDs.
  • DON’T administer any additional NSAIDs if your pet is already taking a veterinary NSAID.
  • DO monitor them for potential side effects, if your dog is currently taking a veterinary NSAID. Loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea or lethargy are warning signs. Your veterinarian may also recommend periodic blood tests to make sure your dog’s liver and kidney values remain normal while on the medication.

When in doubt, your veterinarian is always your best resource for safeguarding your pet’s health.

Does Your Pet Need to See a Veterinary Nutritionist?

Posted on August 13, 2020 - 3:00 pm by
A close-up of a white dog looking into the camera.

The food bowl is the center of the universe for most pets. The whir of a can opener or the clatter of kibble tumbling onto a plate is enough to rouse any dog or cat from a dead sleep and send them bounding into the kitchen. When you think about it, does anything impact your pet’s health more, on a daily basis, than the food you feed it?

While the majority of dogs and cats do just fine when fed a complete and balanced commercial diet, there are some cases where you may want to seek the specialized advice of a pet nutritionist.

What is a veterinary nutritionist?

Just as human doctors specialize in particular types of medicine, from dermatology to surgery, these veterinarians select nutrition as their specialty. While your eyes may glaze over when you read about carbohydrates, proteins, essential fatty acids and other dietary ingredients, these doctors are fascinated by these topics.

After finishing 4 years of veterinary school, doctors must complete 1 year of general clinical experience and then an additional 2- to 3-year residency where they focus on the nutritional management of healthy pets and those with single or multiple diseases. To become board-certified, they must publish peer-reviewed research, write up detailed case reports and pass a grueling, 2-day written test.  At that point, they can add another title after their names: DACVN, which stands for Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition.

Why consult a nutrition specialist?

There are several reasons why your veterinarian may refer you to a veterinary nutritionist or you might seek a specialist’s advice on your own.

Your pet needs a therapeutic diet. Certain medical conditions, such as kidney or cardiac disease, benefit from a specialized, therapeutic diet. In some cases, there may be a commercial diet available by prescription but your pet does not like the taste. If no commercial diet is available for your pet’s particular condition, a board-certified nutritionist can tailor one to your pet’s needs.

Your pet has multiple medical conditions. Perhaps your pet has food allergies and chronic kidney disease, for example. Again, a nutritionist can develop a specially formulated diet to address both conditions.

Your pet needs to be fed through a tube. Some conditions, such as fatty liver disease in cats, may require a special liquid diet devised for a feeding tube.

You prefer a homemade diet. While there may be recipes for homemade diets on the internet, many of them are “generic” formulas that aren’t tailored to your pet and can be deficient in necessary nutrients. For the health of your pet, any homemade diet should be developed by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.

Your pet is carrying a few extra pounds. A nutritionist can develop a personalized weight loss plan that helps your pet lose the weight and keep it off.

You want to know more about your pet’s nutrition. If you’d like an expert to identify your pet’s specific nutritional needs and recommend an individualized feeding plan, a veterinary nutritionist is your best resource.

Interested in a consultation with a board-certified veterinary nutritionist? Just ask your veterinarian for a referral or consult the Diplomate Directory at www.acvn.org.