As well as controlling the essential functions of eating, drinking and breeding, in many respects the feline sense of smell can be said to be the engine that keeps cat society running smoothly, defining as it does the individual cat’s place within its feline (or feline—human) community, its relationship with other cats (or, in the case of a human household, surrogate cats) and the boundaries of its personal territory. (more…)
Wheezing is noisy breathing (respiration) and may be accompanied by increased effort during breathing, noticeable by exaggerated movements of the abdomen or chest, and perhaps more rapid breathing than normal. True wheezing is often caused by allergic conditions, especially the quite common condition of feline ASTHMA, but most owners would be unable to differentiate this from similar breathing noises caused by other conditions such as PNEUMONIA. (more…)
Wounds are injuries which disrupt or destroy tissues, usually the skin. Severe wounds may also affect underlying structures such as bones or internal organs and gun shot wounds, in particular, can cause massive damage to adjacent structures.
Wounds vary enormously, from small and superficial to extensive and deep, and can sometimes be very deceptive in appearance. For example, bite puncture wounds are often much more serious than large but superficial skin tears, yet a puncture wound may be so small as to be hardly noticeable on the cat’s hairy body. Initial impressions might be that the gaping shallow skin wound is the worse injury, it certainly looks more dramatic. However it is often the small but deep bite injury, combined with the crushing effect on surrounding tissue that causes the most pain and carries most risk of serious complications. (more…)
The first lesson you wish your puppy to learn is Sit. When you’re in possession of his toy, push your puppy gently down into the Sit position. With your right hand cupped around the puppy’s chest, place your left hand on his back near the tail. With your right hand, push gently backwards, while you are easing down with your left. Give a firm, but not loud, command. Never shout at your puppy. It will only lead him to flatten his ears against the noise and ignore you. It’s much better to talk quietly, then he has to make the effort of listening to you. As soon as his bottom is on the floor in the correct position, throw his toy. Repeat this over and over again in your games, which can take place as often and for as long as puppy is keen to play. He’ll have a marvelous time with you. As far as puppy is concerned, he’s not learning anything, for the Sit position is part of the fun. (more…)
The first night with your puppy could be a traumatic experience for both of you. You may decide that you wish your puppy to sleep in your bedroom. Fine, but I might warn you it’s not a very pleasant experience to be jumped on and bitten in the middle of a peaceful sleep, apart from the fact that your bedroom carpet will not benefit from puppy’s puddles. The more acceptable place for a young puppy is in the kitchen. Your bedtime must now become a well thought out, planned affair. For at least half an hour before you wish to retire, play with your puppy. This will, hopefully, tire him out—at least for an hour or so. His supper eaten, you must visit the garden with him and ensure he’s a ‘busy dog‘. (more…)
Teaching the retrieve to a dog who isn’t retrieve-minded can be a long and painful process; painful for the owner, I might add, not for the dog. So I advise you that, unless your dog is a natural retriever or you specifically want him to fetch things for you, forget this exercise and find something else your dog’s good at. Remember, all these extra things you are teaching your pet should be pleasurable both to you and him and if you find that your dog isn’t enjoying the exercises, forget it. If you’ve played with your dog from being a young puppy then the chances are that he will retrieve. Throw him an old sock or a pair of knotted tights and give him a command to fetch. (more…)
Travelling baskets, leads and the need to have complete control over your cat when you are travelling. It is wise to avoid feeding for about six hours before a long journey. To reduce the stress upon the cat, and especially if for some reason you are forced to send a cat without anyone to look after it, your vet may recommend some type of sedative for the journey.
Cats do not normally suffer from travel sickness (though there are exceptions); they seem to have a more developed sense of balance than dogs and humans, which can be car-, sea- and air-sick,due to a different structure in the inner ear. (more…)
Cats are cautious and do not usually take unnecessary risks. They are also very curious and the world is full of dangers, from the juggernaut on the main road to the threaded needle on the carpet, the dog next door to the pot plant on the table. Every owner should know how to deal with minor injuries and administer first aid, though the untrained should not usually attempt more than that. If you do not know what to do to help an injured cat then it is better to do nothing other than see that it does not injure itself further and get professional help straight away. However, immediate first aid treatment can often make a minor contribution to its recovery. (more…)
