Whether your pet has feathers, fur, scales, or whiskers, our pet doctors know that your pet is a part of your family. Even pets have individual personalities, growth spurts, and physical and emotional needs. Our veterinarians want to share a few ways you can improve the quality of your pet’s life as they grow.
Learn more about keeping your pet comfortable with our tips to beat the summer heat!
Boost Your Dog’s Confidence
While some dogs love to socialize with people and other animals, other dogs do not. This is a typical trait. However, your dog’s fears can become obstacles. The worst-case scenario is that your dog runs away from home or tries to defend itself by biting or hurting another person or animal.
If your dog happens to be nervous, there are ways you can cope.
- Keep a log of your pet’s behaviors to try and pinpoint the cause of their fears.
- Create a safe place with soft bedding in the home strictly where your pet can rest undisturbed.
- Provide food-dispensing toys to improve their problem-solving skills and explore their environment.
- Build trust with your pet by respecting boundaries. For example, teach children not to invade their pet’s personal space when it is clear they don’t want to be touched.
Learn how to keep your nervous pet safe during hurricane season this summer!
Engage With Your Cat
If you are not a cat person, you may think a feline’s behavior is erratic and unpredictable. This is not necessarily true. Each cat has a personality and preferences unique to its environment.
- Play games with your indoor cat to ensure they have an active lifestyle.
- Litter train your pet and keep a clean litter box to avoid soiling outside the box.
- Feed adult cats one to two times daily and kittens more often to avoid overfeeding.
- Provide fresh, clean water daily, and experiment with canned or dry foods your cat prefers.
- Ensure your cat has a safe place to eat their food quietly without the distractions from humans.
Keep Your Bird Comfortable
Birds can be giggly creatures and even sarcastic at times, given the right environment. Birds kept outdoors in the heat or poor diet can spell disaster.
Ensure your bird has a stable environment always, by:
- Providing fresh water for them to drink and bathe daily.
- Keep your pets in a safe carrier if you plan to travel or take them outside.
- Enforce daytime and nighttime routines for your bird, even during a vacation.
- Keep your bird’s cage clean and change their bedding regularly to avoid infection.
- Prevent your bird from flying away by using a well-ventilated carrier when you take your bird outdoors.
You should also consider chipping your pet if you plan to travel.
When in Doubt, Trust Valley Animal Hospital
Valley Animal Hospital wants to give your pet the very best. It’s why our pet doctors highly recommend annual checkups for preventative care. Contact us today or call (956) 787-2709 if you have an emergency!
