• The Basics of Heartworm Prevention

    Heartworm disease is a dangerous disease that affects pets all over the world, and can be life threatening if not treated. Luckily, with preventative care from a veterinarian in San Jose , you can reduce your chances of your pet getting heartworm disease. Heartworm disease does not display any symptoms until it is in an advanced stage. Prevention is important to keeping your pets healthy. It is safer and more effective to prevent heartworm than it is to treat it.

    Heartworm prevention is made possible with medication. Medications are known as diethylcarbamazine, which is taken daily, and ivermectin, which is given once a month. Both medications work by preventing worms to grow or survive in your dog’s heart. Your vet will likely recommend that puppies begin heartworm prevention medication as early as possible—usually after 2 months of age, and that adult dogs are given the medication once test results indicate that your dog does not have the disease.

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  • Using a Crate to Housetrain Your Puppy

    Bringing home a new puppy is exciting for the whole family. A puppy has lots of energy and will require a lot of training to become a well-trained member of your household. There are many different opinions on how to train a puppy near San Jose . Some of it will be trial and error; what works for one dog may not be right for you. Many people find success in training their pets with crate training. If you are an owner to a new puppy, crate training may be right for you. If you’ve never crate trained a pet before, you may have questions about how it is used for potty training dogs. This article will answer some common questions people have about crate training. Keep reading to learn how crate training can work for you.

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    What is crate training?

    Crate training takes advantage of a dog’s natural instinct to seek shelter in a confined and protected space. When properly introduced to a crate, a dog will come to associate the crate as a safe space. With crate training, the crate becomes the primary sleeping space for a dog. Generally, dogs will not use their sleeping space as a place to relieve themselves, so it is an effective means of housebreaking your dog.

    How do I pick a crate?

    Crates come in many different sizes and are available in many different materials. A dog’s crate should be big enough for the dog to stand up in and turn around in. For a growing puppy, many people choose to pick a crate that accommodates their adult size. In this case, it will be important to block off excess space so that they do not soil one end and sleep in the other. Another option is renting different sized crates from your veterinarian until your dog reaches its adult size.

    What do I do when there is an accident?

    It is normal for your puppy to have accidents in the process of becoming housebroken. It is important to immediately clean up the mess. If it becomes a problem, talk to your pet’s veterinarian about underlying medical conditions.

  • How to Brush Your Cat’s Teeth

    If you feel nervous at the idea of brushing your cat’s teeth for the first time, it never hurts to talk to a veterinary technician in San Jose . A vet can provide you with helpful tips to make the tooth brushing process as quick and painless and possible for all pets and their owners.

    Any vet will tell you that brushing your cat’s teeth is essential for her health. Just like with people, plaque build-up can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Advanced gum disease almost always involves a trip to the pet hospital, as vital organs are adversely affected. To get started, purchase a small toothbrush and pet-approved toothpaste. Using a small amount of toothpaste on your finger, simply rub the toothpaste on the outside of your cat’s teeth. As she accepts the brushing, you can begin to use the toothbrush.

  • A Look at Food Allergies in Dogs

    A veterinarian is often visited by pet owners near Cupertino who are concerned about pets with allergies . As your vet may have already told you, pets can experience allergy symptoms year round. Just like people, dogs suffer from runny eyes, sneezing and coughing, and skin irritation. While dogs are commonly allergic to fleas, pollen, and dust, food allergies are also prevalent and can be extremely dangerous if untreated. Always visit your veterinarian if your puppy displays allergy symptoms, and continue reading for an overview of common food allergies in dogs. pet allergies in cupertino

    Common Signs

    Food allergies in dogs involve a wide range of symptoms, which is why it is important to mention any problems to your veterinarian right away. For example, many dogs will itch, bite their paws, and obsessively lick their fur, leading their coats to thin. A puppy may also respond to food allergies with chronic ear inflammation. Other symptoms more closely mimic symptoms of human food allergies, including hives or skin rash. Dogs may also have chronic diarrhea or nausea.

    Typical Triggers

    Dogs can be allergic to almost any food ingredient. However, there are certain meats and grains that are more likely to trigger an allergic reaction. Common examples of meats include pork, rabbit, beef, chicken, and fish. Other allergies are soy, wheat, corn, dairy, or egg.

    Sudden Symptoms

    Are you concerned that your dog has suddenly become allergic to a food he has been eating for years? It may seem strange, but dogs can develop allergies overnight to foods they eat almost every day. The only way to truly determine if your dog is allergic to a food is to speak to visit your animal care clinic. A vet can work with you to take your dog off all foods he is currently eating and begin a new and nutritious diet. By process of elimination, you and your veterinarian can determine the exact ingredients that are making your puppy sick.

  • Tips for Controlling Fleas

    Cat and dog fleas plague many pets near Cupertino with hair loss, itchy patches, and even sores. Fortunately, a veterinarian can help you rid your pets and home of fleas for good .

    To eradicate fleas entirely, a vet will begin by supplying your dog or cat with a flea shampoo. After one wash, your veterinarian will create a longer-term plan for treating all your pets. For example, your vet may advise using a spray or powder twice a week or re-shampooing every week or two. To control fleas in the house, you should frequently wash your pet’s bedding and vacuum some flea powder into your vacuum cleaner’s bag. Get rid of fleas in the yard by spraying it once every one to three months, even in the winter. Getting rid of fleas involves spraying continuously, because a new population can develop if you interrupt the regimen. Be sure to talk to your veterinarian for extra tips on how to care for your pet’s uncomfortable symptoms.

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  • The Do’s and Don’ts of Housebreaking Your Dog

    Puppy training near San Jose can seem overwhelming, at first. All pets require a great deal of love and attention before they can learn their boundaries and how to obey commands. But by keeping your puppy on a regular schedule, dog training can be a rewarding experience for both owner and pet. Be sure to ask your veterinarian for extra tips, and check out these pointers on how to effectively housebreak your new puppy. dog training San Jose

    DO Set a Regular Routine

    When it comes to dog training, there is nothing more essential than a daily schedule. Puppy training is a major time commitment, and owners should remember that a young puppy needs to defecate within five to thirty minutes after eating. Make sure to feed your dog at roughly the same time each morning and then take her outside to the same spot within several minutes of her meal. Vets advise selecting a spot outdoors where she feels safe and secure so she will be comfortable relieving herself.

    DON’T Rely on Negative Punishments

    While it may be frustrating if your dog urinates inside the home, it is important to never scold or punish your dog. Punishment can create a negative association with relieving herself, which will make your dog feel nervous and upset. After an accident, stay calm and assertive and quietly take your dog to her safe place outside.

    DO Be Aware of Your Energy

    Good puppy training involves a great deal of patience. As you work with your vet to train the newest member of your family, remember that your dog is highly attuned to your energy. That means that if you feel impatient and try to rush your puppy to relieve herself, she can feel immediately stressed out. An animal care clinic advises new dog owners to not talk to their pet at all once they are outside, as using a high or nervous voice can distract your puppy.

  • Tips for Housetraining Your Puppy

    puppy training, house training puppy, san jose puppy training If you have recently purchased or adopted a puppy near San Jose, you have likely already researched your options for housetraining . As you probably know, dog training requires much more than a few stacks of old newspapers. It calls for commitment, consistently, and patience. Remember, every puppy will have accidents in the house as they learn. Read on for tips on how to train your new pet.

    Establish a Routine

    In general, a puppy can control his bladder for about an hour for each month of age. But it is a good idea to take any new dog outside at least every two hours until a routine has been established. Always take your puppy out immediately after eating or drinking. You should pick a particular spot outside and always go to the same spot. When your dog is eliminating, always use the same phrase. That way, your puppy will eventually walk to the same spot on his own and will go to the bathroom when prompted by your words. You should also make sure to always feed your dog at the same time of day every day and use only veterinarian-recommended food.

    Remember to Reward

    Rewards are important when it comes to house training. Always praise your puppy or give her a treat—but remember to dole out rewards right after she is finished eliminating. If you wait until she is already back inside the house, she will not realize why she is being treated and will not properly learn the behavior. If you reward her too soon, she may forget to finish. Puppies are easily distracted, so it is essential to stay on point and remember the task at hand.

    Supervise when Possible

    During the housetraining process, your yard should be treated just like a room in the house. That means that your puppy should have some freedom but only in increments and only after she can be left alone. If you are not actively training your dog, keep her tethered to you or a nearby piece of furniture even when she is in the house. Watch for signs that she needs to use the bathroom, and then immediately grab the leash and take her to the bathroom spot outside.

  • How to Housetrain Your Dog

    Housetraining your dog is essential task. To learn more about how to train a puppy near San Jose or Cupertino, speak to a veterinarian who can give specific advise about your particular breed of dog.

    Puppy training requires both consistency and patience. First, remember to manage your expectations. All new dogs are naturally frisky and energetic, and they will have accidents. Next, set a feeding schedule. Try to feed your dog at the same time every day and take her out immediately after. It is also a good idea to take away the water dish about two hours before bedtime. Third, walk your puppy on a leash to the same spot outside. After she goes to the bathroom, immediately reward her with praise or a treat. Veterinarians refer to this technique as positive reinforcement. Soon, your puppy will walk to the same spot whenever she needs to use the bathroom and will go without prompting or waiting.

  • Spotting Allergy Symptoms in Dogs

    dog allergy, dog vet, vet san jose When the spring and summer months roll around, veterinarians in San Jose advise dog owners to keep a watchful eye on allergy symptoms. Just like people, dogs can be allergic to environmental elements, especially as the seasons change. Individual dogs show allergy symptoms when their immune systems recognize everyday substances as dangerous, leading to a wide range of adverse symptoms.

    Typical Symptoms

    Some symptoms of allergies in dogs are the same things that send their human owners to the doctor. For example, dogs may have itchy, runny eyes or suffer from sneezing attacks. Food allergies can cause itchy skin, chronic ear infections, and diarrhea and vomiting. Many pets also have red or scabbed skin, chew their paws, or lick themselves excessively. Because many of these symptoms also occur in secondary bacterial or yeast infections or due to viruses, always consult with a veterinarian if symptoms do not improve or worsen.

    Common Allergens

    If you think your dog has allergies, the best way to eliminate symptoms is to consider the root cause. Many dogs are allergic to tree, grass, and weed pollens or mold spores, so you could start by reducing your puppy’s time outdoors. Dogs may also develop severe allergies to dust, dust mites, or feathers. Try cleaning your home from top to bottom and seeing if symptoms improve. Some dogs are also allergic to ingredients in their food like corn, wheat, or soy. In that case, consult with your local veterinarian or animal hospital about how to introduce your pet to a new diet that is well-suited to his breed. If you cannot determine the cause, you can always seek allergy testing from your vet.

    Individual Response

    Just like people, dogs are individuals. That means that no animal responds the same way to different allergens. In fact, even dogs that are brothers and raised in the same environment can have completely different allergies, or no allergies at all. Moreover, allergy symptoms can show up at any age. For example, your dog may suddenly begin having an adverse reaction to food that he has eaten for years due to a new chicken allergy. Always consult with a veterinarian or pet hospital to determine the root cause of an allergy and create a personalized treatment plan for your puppy.

  • Tips for Feeding Your Cat

    Though cats are domesticated pets, they still retain some of their natural, wild instincts for hunting and killing their food. This means that cats may get bored sitting inside all day, eating food prepared by their owner. To curb this boredom, ask a vet near you in Cupertino to recommend a puzzle toy that will stimulate your cat’s natural instincts while feeding.

    Watch this video for more tips on what and how to feed your cat to ensure his health and happiness. You should always consult with your veterinarian or veterinary technician before changing your cat’s diet or eating habits.