CATMARIO4

Chocolate and Cat’s Health

Can cats eat chocolate? When cats each chocolate the sweet treat is not the same as it is when we eat chocolate. It can be a toxic snack for your cat. Chocolate poisoning, must be treated immediately by calling emergency. Treatment includes inducing vomiting, using charcoal for toxin absorption and use of anti-seizure medication.

Chocolate poisoning can be extremely serious for cats. In most cases the cat will become very ill and in some cases, the cat may die. Chocolate contains a component called theobromine, which affects a cat’s central nervous system. This component is similar to caffeine and although humans don’t notice it, it can be fatal to your cat.

Different types of chocolates contain different amounts of theobromine. For example, milk chocolate contains 45 mg of theobromine per ounce, semi sweet chocolate contains 150 to 250 mg per ounce, and cocoa beans contain 450 to 1000 mg per ounce.

Symptoms of chocolate poisoning in your cat can appear after a few moments or up to a full day later. They include diarrhea and vomiting, which are signals of a digestive issue. These symptoms may go away in a few hours if your cat has ingested a small amount of chocolate, but when the amount is elevated, severe and toxic symptoms will be evident.

With increased levels of theobromine the cat will be irritable, and his heart rate will be significantly increased, tremors and seizures will appear, however you should not wait for these symptoms to develop. Your immediate action is essential to treat this problem. If the toxic levels get too high, your cat will die.

Swift action is a must to avoid your cats health threat. Inducing vomiting, must be done quickly, preferably within the first two hours following ingestion. Past that time, this simple treatments will have no effect.

Once the toxicity becomes severe your cat will need to be hospitalized and observed by a qualified veterinarian. They will give your cat, supportive treatments depending on the severity of intoxication and will have to wait until the theobromine has been eliminated from the cats system.

As a cat owner, you should take all steps to protect your cat from ingesting any chocolate. This includes storing your chocolate in an area not accessible to your cat. Also, be aware of what you cat eats, and the symptoms of chocolate toxicity.

Your cats health is important and needs to be maintained in order to provide your cat with a long life.…

Caring For a Young Cat Or Kitten

You have selected a new kitten from a litter and are now ready to bring him home. You certainly want to give your baby cat a great start in life and want him to grow up healthy and happy. There are a few things you can do to be sure your cat settles in quickly and adjusts to his new life.

Be sure ahead of time that you are ready. Have a litter box all set up, kitten food at home and a few cat toys to keep the little guy occupied.

It is very important to handle a young cat a lot so that he gets used to being picked up and handled. This way your cat will grow to be affectionate and loving. If you have children at home encourage the kids to be gentle when picking up the kitten.

You should also start to brush a new kitten right away. Slowly introduce him to the brush and spend a few minutes every day brushing his fur gently. This not only reduces shedding but will ensure that he will allow you to brush him as an adult.

Kittens are very curious and he will try to get into everything and everywhere when he is a kitten. Set limits early by saying “No” and removing him from the locations that you do not want him to be in. Cats learn quickly when they are young so it is important to follow through with your expectations.

Do all you can do to keep your kitten safe. Do not let the dog torment him or kids tease him. The more unpleasant experiences he has as a kitten, the more likely that he becomes nervous and mistrusting as an adult.…

Ferret Hair Loss – What’s Wrong? Is He Dying?

Ferrets, just like other animals, shed in the spring and summer. Then in winter, his coat becomes thick and fluffy again. It is a natural process that furry or hairy animals undergo in a certain cycle.  However, if your ferret sheds his coat outside this pattern or if you have observed excessive shedding, then as the owner, be suspicious and know the reasons behind this condition.

Rat Tailed Ferrets (Tail Alopecia)

When your ferret loses hair on just the tail, do not worry. This is harmless. Usually, if a ferret experiences a change in the environment or there’s a new animal in the household, this may cause a lot of stress to your pet – which will be the reason behind his tail going bald. Sometimes, it may take a few months before this grows back.   The bald tail can also show tiny black spots. This is common in males.

Hormonal Imbalances (Endocrine Alopecia)

Observe the pattern on how your ferret loses its coat. Does it start from the base of the tail and the inside of the legs? Does your ferret gradually lose more hair in most of his body? Are the tips of the tail and the head spared from the hair loss? If your answer is yes to all questions, then it is possible that your pet has hormonal imbalances. The most common causes are adrenal tumors or prolonged heat periods for the jills. For the jills, they usually grow their hair back when the heat cycle is over or when spayed. If your ferret is male or if it’s a spayed female and its losing hair in a pattern mentioned above, take your pet to the vet.

Adrenal Tumor

This has been mentioned above but let us discuss this in detail. Adrenal tumor affects 75 percent of ferrets over the age of 4. This is a serious problem that needs to be attended immediately. Surgery is a good option when your ferret is still young. However, when your ferret’s already old or is no longer a good candidate for surgery, medication is the only other option. Your pet may take medication for the rest of his life to control the tumor.

Food Allergies

Food allergies can also cause hair loss. If your ferret has digestive problems with some types of food, this may lead to vomiting, nausea or diarrhea. Your ferret will be stressed because of these. And stress, as we know, can cause shedding.

Topical allergies

Skin irritants, such as detergents or fabric softeners, cedar shavings , household cleaners and bug bite dermatitis, can cause allergies on your ferret which can lead to hair loss.

Other Causes to Consider

There may be other reasons why your ferret is losing hair. Include the possibilities of poor nutrition, fleas, severe mite infestation, a bacterial or fungal infection, or dry skin.…

Is Your Cat Sneezing Constantly?

If your cat sneezes frequently, or you have a kitten sneezing a lot, it can come from a host of reasons. Your little feline companion loves to stick his nose in every little crevice and crook, and can get his nasal passages blocked. With your constantly sneezing cat, it is difficult to make a sound diagnosis based on his symptoms. When a cat sneezes frequently, this behavior can be the result of nasal discharge and runny eyes. Whether caused by viral infection or nasal blockage, untreated, the condition can worsen and lead to more extreme disease.

So, what do you do when your cat keeps sneezing? Sure, you can fight Fluffy into a pet carrier, make an appointment with the vet, and watch in misery as your cat is, pricked and prodded, x-rayed and handled, all the while seeing the mistrust and pain in her eyes if your cat keeps sneezing. You can almost hear her thinking, “Why are you doing this to me? I love you. I trusted you!”

Aside from the mental stress and emotional wreckage levied on you and your cat, there is the vet’s bill, which can easily run several hundred dollars. I know, I spent $600 in two weeks trying to cure my cat’s nasal discharge, to no avail. And the vet is basically making a best guess when making his cat sneezing diagnosis.

I eventually found a company specializing in natural, homeopathic cures and remedies for pets. For a fraction of the cost of a vet, I was able to stop my cat sneezing constantly. It is even safe if you have a kitten sneezing a lot. If your cat sneezes frequently, maybe you would benefit from this natural cure as well.

Especially when dealing with young kittens, older cats and pregnant queens, using regular vaccines can be scary, even deadly. Their immune system is weak, and this makes them susceptible to strong medicines. Natural, non-chemical remedies have been proven to be extremely effective for curing these cats with weaker immune systems without putting them at risk from normal vaccines.

When your cat sneezes frequently, or displays other cat sneezing symptoms, he is asking for help. He can not drive to the drug store and fix himself, so reach out to him. If you have a cat sneezing constantly, he may benefit from a natural, holistic remedy. I was in the same boat you are in, and I know it worked for Shorty McGee, my 8 year old tortoiseshell, and my pocketbook! She is living proof of the effectiveness of natural, homeopathic remedies for pets.…

Are you looking for advice on being a better pet owner? Could you use a few tips on how to provide for your dog? You’re in the perfect place. This article is bursting at the seams with tips, tricks, and suggestions, all of which will help you do right by your pet.

If you are looking for a great family pet, but are on a budget, consider rescuing an animal.You can get one at a local shelter for minimal costs and the dog will come with a clean bill of health and all his shots. If you are interested in a specific breed, contact a rescue group specializing in only those pooches.

Never hit your dog. There are better ways to train a dog without having to resort to violence. The best way to train a dog is to reinforce positive behaviors with treats and attention. Negative behavior should be handled with a stern and disapproving voice as opposed to striking the animal.

If your dog has fleas, and they fall off his coat onto your floor, vacuum them up. However, remember that fleas are pretty good escape artists, so you need to throw out the bag immediately after you are finished. To be on the safe side, tape the bag completely shut before you take it out to your trash can.

Take your dog to the vet regularly. This may seem like an added expense that you don’t need, but when you take your dog to the veterinarian, he can screen your dog for diseases and make sure he is in the best of health. This of course prevents problems down the road.

Never allow your dog to be alone with small children, no matter how much you trust his temperament. Many little kids have been attacked by family dogs who have otherwise never demonstrated a tendency towards violence. Sleeping dogs may be woken by a toddler and react negatively or some other offense is committed against the animal that sets him off.

Having fresh and clean water available to your dog at all times is a must. Dogs become dangerously dehydrated in a matter of days, so its very important to always have water ready. Dogs will also appreciate water that is clean. If you find it necessary to drink filtered or bottled water because of the quality of water from your tap, then be sure to provide your dog with the same high quality water.

Before deciding on what type of dog to get for your family, consider space. Even though you may love the bigger dogs that you can really wrap your arms around, you may not have adequate space for a large breed. Take your home and yard size into consideration before bringing home a new pooch.

Ease your dog into knowing a new baby that comes into your home. Dogs can be very jealous and you need to continue to show him plenty of love an affection, even though you’ve got a brand new bundle of joy in your life. Talk to the dog as you handle the baby and keep him in the loop.

If you want a dog that behaves well you must take the time to properly train it. If you do not do this then you will almost surely be dealing with behavioral problems for the length of the dog’s life. Training is the only way that you can prevent this from happening.

Your dog needs to exercise regularly. Like humans, dogs must exercise to burn calories, remain healthy, and help their minds stay sharp. Exercising also helps them avoid boredom that can cause destructive behaviors. Keeping your dog active can curb chewing, biting, digging, and chasing urges. It can even help them avoid depression.

Humane Society

Put your dog through obedience training. A well-trained dog is a joy to live with for both you and them. Teaching them simple commands like “Come,” “Heel,” “Sit,” and “Stay” can help curb or prevent troublesome behaviors in no time. You can either teach them yourself, or you can find out about obedience courses by contacting the SPCA or the local humane society for class recommendations.

Hopefully, the advice you’ve found in this article has addressed any concerns you might have. Even if your problem isn’t addressed specifically, you may find that these suggestions can help you resolve your issue. Dog care isn’t as complicated as it seems, and some tips truly are one size fits all.…