My pet is acting strange. How do I know when to call the office? Does it really matter what I feed my pet? Does it hurt my pet to be overweight? How do I reduce my pet's weight? What's a good workout for my pet? How can I keep my pet from chewing? How can I prevent my dog from barking? How can I stop my cat from scratching the furniture, etc.? How can I keep my cat from marking and spraying? How do I keep my pet comfortable when the weather gets warmer? I'm considering taking my pet on vacation with me this year. What should I be doing to get ready? What is the best way to housebreak my puppy? Does my pet need a crate? What is the best form of identification for my pet? What are some of the common household products toxic to pets? Can I use my shampoo to bathe my dog? How can I remove foreign matter from my pet's fur?

Does it really matter what I feed my pet?
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Yes! Some pet foods have excesses in salt, magnesium and other minerals which may hinder good health. We recommend and sell Hill's^® Science Diet and Prescription Diet products. Hill's^® products avoid excess levels of certain nutrients that can lead to development of disease and are formulated to meet the nutritional needs of pets at each stage of life. Because premium pet foods are formulated so well, you will probably feed less than grocery store brands, generally balancing out the price difference.

Does it hurt my pet to be overweight?
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Just like in humans, extra weight in pets can lead to heart, liver and kidney problems, diabetes and arthritis, effectively shortening your pet's life span.

How do I reduce my pet's weight?
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· Avoid all table scraps and human treats
· Feed a little less of your regular food or switch to a "light" version of the regular food. We carry both Hill's^® Science Diet "Maintenance" and "Light"
· Feed at specific times of the day and take up the dish if your pet does not eat
· EXERCISE!!!!

One of our veterinarians will be happy to talk with you about your pet's weight management program, possibly suggesting one of Hill's^® Prescription Diets specially formulated for weight loss.

What's a good workout for my pet?
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· Be sure to check with your veterinarian before starting your pet on any new fitness program.
· To stay lean, your dog needs a brisk walk at least every other day.
Some breeds may benefit from daily walks.
· Start with short workout and try to build up to exercise periods of 45 minutes.
· To keep your cat fit, try to plan 30 minute play sessions at least every other day or two 10 minute play sessions every day. You may need a special toy to keep your cat interested.

How can I keep my pet from chewing? Back To FAQ Index A dog will be more inclined to chew when left alone. This can be an exhibition of loneliness or frustration at being away from its pack (you and your family). Dog proofing can help when you're away. Enclose your dog in a room and remove anything that may be attractive to the wayward chewer. You can also try taste deterrents such as a product called Bitter Apple®. If you catch your dog chewing, a firm "no" is useful. Also, giving your dog a chew toy to divert attention may prevent this unwanted behavior, such as a Kong® toy, filled with treats and peanut butter.

How can I prevent my dog from barking?
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Dogs usually bark for a reason. Sometimes, however, bored and lonely dogs will bark to get attention or to entertain themselves. One solution for this behavior is to spend more time with your dog. Another is to increase your dog's exercise to make sure it has an outlet for its energy and frustration.

How can I stop my cat from scratching the furniture, etc.? Back To FAQ Index The first thing to do is get a good scratching post. When you catch your cat scratching something it shouldn't, take him or her to the post. You can also try placing the scratching post near your cat's favorite scratching spot and scenting it with catnip. Covering the "favorite spot" with plastic can also help deter scratching.

How do I keep my pet comfortable when the weather gets warmer?
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Any pet can suffer from heat stress, however those particularly susceptible are: very young and older pets, pets with a history of heat stress, short nosed breeds, overweight pets and pets with cardiovascular or respiratory disorders.

Here are some specific actions you can take to keep your pet comfortable in hot weather:

· Keep plenty of water available at all times. Put some ice cubes in the water dish to keep the water cold
· Make shady areas accessible to pets left outside during the day.
· Provide adequate ventilation and air circulation when pets are kept in kennels or pens
· Clip the hair on the pets abdomen short so it can cool off quickly on a hot day
· Watch for signs of overheating when you exercise your pet outdoors. Dogs will pant excessively and their gums will turn bright red.
· Cats rarely pant, so a panting cat needs to be taken to a cool area immediately.
· Heat stroke is a serious condition in pets. If your pet becomes weak and lethargic following heavy activity, take the animal to a cool place, apply cool water to its pads and abdomen and call your veterinarian immediately.
· Never leave your pet in the car during the summer even with the windows rolled down. The car's temperature can increase to well over 100 degrees in a very short period of time.
· Take walks in shady areas or on dirt paths. Concrete sidewalks in full sun can become hot enough to burn your dog's pads.

I'm considering taking my pet on vacation with me this year.
What should I be doing to get ready?
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If you are transporting pets by air, bus, boat or train: · IMPORTANT: Pets are no longer being allowed to travel in the cargo hold. Airlines are currently limiting pets to those whose carriers fit under the seat in the cabin.Be sure to check with your airline before making your travel plans with your pet. · Make arrangements well in advance and verify traveling regulations. · Airlines will require a current health certificate before your pet may board the plane. The health certificate verifies all vaccines are current and your pet is healthy enough to withstand the rigors of travel. You must schedule an appointment to obtain this certificate. Please plan on coming in at least one week in advance of your trip. · Check with your airline to ensure your pet's carrier is approved for flight. · If cargo hold transportation is reinstated and your pet has to travel in the cargo hold, try to avoid changing planes. If you have a layover, make sure your pet is removed during that time and placed out of the sun.

What is the best way to housebreak my puppy?
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The best way to housetrain your puppy is to provide frequent opportunities for the puppy to eliminate in an appropriate place and to reward the puppy for appropriate behavior immediately.

A good start is to separate time for house training/eliminating and play time. When you take the puppy out to eliminate, don't combine it with a play time. Provide a separate time for play. This should help to reduce the time you need spend waiting for the dog to go.

If you understand a bit about your puppy's physiology, it will help you anticipate the critical times to work with the puppy. In general, eating a meal and/or a lot of chewing will trigger the internal process leading to elimination, so plan to take the puppy outside immediately after a meal or a session with a chew toy. It is also helpful to take the puppy out when it wakes up from a nap. If you feed the dog at scheduled times and avoid between meal snacking, you will have more control over its elimination scheduling. Also, watch for the tell-tale routines a puppy will go through before eliminating - sniffing for a spot, whining at the door or walking around in circles.

It is pointless to punish a puppy for accidents in the house unless you "catch him in the act" Dogs cannot make the connections between actions which do not occur at the same time. If you catch your puppy beginning an accident in the house, provide a stern "NO" and immediately whisk the puppy outside to the appropriate spot. Praise it for finishing up in the right place.

If you need to be away from the puppy for extended periods - i.e. work, consider providing a crate for the puppy. Not only will it provide a secure environment for the pup when you are gone, many dogs will not eliminate in the area where they live. It is important that the crate is not too large, that the puppy can eliminate in the crate and still have "living area"

What is the best form of identification for my pet? Back To FAQ Index Always make sure that your dog or cat is wearing at least one collar with an identification tag that can be traced to your residence or your veterinary hospital. A break-away collar will prevent choking if your pet manages to get caught in a precarious position. We offer AVID® microchip identification in the event your pet loses its collar. This painless procedure involves injecting a tiny chip beneath the skin over the shoulders. When scanned, it reveals the phone number of the identification service and your pet's personal identification number. Animal shelters and veterinarian offices have scanners which can read this chip when your dog is found.

What are some of the common household products toxic to pets?
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· Chocolate
· Antifreeze
· Rodent and insect poison

If your pet has ingested any of these items, call your veterinarian immediately. If your pet has ingested any item of which you are concerned about its toxicity, call your local Poison Control Center.

Can I use my shampoo to bathe my dog?
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No, shampoo for humans can be very irritating to a pet's skin. It is best to use a pet shampoo formulated for their skin and coat.