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Posts Tagged ‘ cat health ’

The Great Pumpkin: Nutritional Benefits for Our Pets…And Us!

Saturday, November 5th, 2011

Halloween brought focus to the pumpkin….ah yes, carving a scary Jack-O-Lantern is a tradition in many households, but did you know pumpkin is a lot more than just something to carve?

Pumpkin has many health benefits for our pets, such as:

  • Helping with weight management.  Pumpkin has a lot of fiber and not a lot of calories, so putting a spoonful in with your pet’s normal food can help him feel full longer.
  • Helping with digestion and elimination.  As I mentioned above, pumpkin does have a high fiber content, so if your pet is suffering from constipation, adding pumpkin to his diet will help.  Pumpkin can also help if your pet has digestive upset/diarrhea.  This applies for both cats and dogs, by the way.
  • Also, if your dog has a habit of “scooting”, adding pumpkin will aid in reducing the anal sac buildup that causes dogs to scoot.
  • Helps support urinary health.  Pumpkins contain oils that help support urinary health.  They’re also a good source of antioxidants, Vitamin A and beta-carotine.

Be sure to feed your pet unsweetened pumpkin, not the pumpkin pie mix.  The mix has added sugar that pets don’t need.

Tomorrow I’ll share a recipe for pumpkin dog treats that many dogs love!

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Keeping a preventative eye on heart worm disease

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

Jessie, top dog:  Oh, the dreaded heart worm tablet.  Groan.  I took one last month.  Do I have to take another one?

Bolt, the adorable Yorkie-Poo:  You know, I never really liked taking those things, either, but after my recent visit to the vet to get all of my annual shots, she told me that if I did not take the monthly heartworm preventative, the risks of contracting this potentially fatal disease are greatly increased.  Did you know that it only takes one heart-worm carrying mosquito to infect a pet?  Adult heartworms can actually survive in dogs for up to seven years and in cats for a few months or up to several years.

Even if your pet is taking the monthly heartworm preventative, it is important to have your vet check him annually.  There have been reported cases of a pet contracting heartworm disease even when taking the monthly prevention measures.  Conventional treatment for dogs that contract heartworm includes several expensive visits to the vet for x-rays, blood tests, and injections.  Not fun.  It is estimated that 95% of dogs diagnosed with this disease are successfully treated. 

The common signs of heartworm disease are a persistent cough, sudden weight loss, weakness, and difficulty in breathing.  Please immediately consult your vet if your pet displays any of these symptoms, and please be sure to have your pet visit his veterinarian regularly for preventative measures.  There are some topical medications that provide protection from heartworms, fleas and ear mites.

The experts of Joy of Living Pet Sitting Services in Kansas City will be happy to help you find a local veterinarian for your pet.

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Hey, you old cat!

Thursday, October 8th, 2009

Bo:  News flash!  Did you know that aging in cats is not a disease?  It is a natural process.  However, despite the naturalness about it, it is not without its problems.  As you know, from the time we are cute, adorable kittens through our geriatric phase, we delight in keeping you company and making you happy.  In return, all we ask is that you give us the proper care we deserve in our “golden years.” 

For example, make sure we are more frequently monitored by our veterinarian.  Since we move through the lifespan process at a much more accelerated rate than humans do, waiting a year to have us get a check-up is synonymous with waiting several years to do so for a person.  We need to be seen by our vets at least twice per year.

On the homefront, you can do your part by keeping tabs on our weight each month, monitoring our thirst, appetite, bowel movements, and urine production.  Keep a keen eye out for any behavioral changes, unexpected lumps and bumps, and any foul odor coming from our bodies.

Jessie:  HA!  You have had a foul odor your entire life!  What are you talking about?

Bo:  Watch it, bud!  Also, it is normal for us to experience changes in our hearing and vision as we age.  Indoor cats accomodate well to the reduction in these senses, provided you do not move the furniture.

(Loud noises heard in the background here.  Jessie is huffing and puffing, as if moving large objects randomly about the room.  Interesingly enough, Jessie is smiling throughout this process.)

Bo:  Make sure our vaccinations are up-to-date and that you continue to administer the external parasite prevention measures and worming procedures, as directed by our vet.  Thanks for taking the time to think about our good health!

Ask the experts at My Joy of Living in Kansas City about your pet health care concerns.

(Information provided in part by www.cathealth.com/goldenyears.htm

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