Monday, February 8, 2010 at 7:00AM I was visiting with friends last week, and they have a Bengal cat. I was reminded what a wonderful breed these cats are. Quirky and agile the Bengal cat can be identified by the intricate leopard-print on its coat. The thing that i find most striking is that these cats are very similar to dogs. This is an entertaining and aesthetically beautiful breed, a great choice of cat breed for busy families.
Saturday, February 6, 2010 at 6:04AM Dr. Liz,
This past November we lost our old boy cat to cancer. We have a 14 year old female calico that seemed to be depressed since he died. Three weeks ago we adopted a 2 year old male cat (orange-like Garfield) to keep her company. Needless to say, she does not like him. Every time he goes near her she hisses and grumbles. Is there something I can do to help them get along. He's not aggressive, but if she swats at him he'll swat back. Luckily, no blood loss.....yet. Thank you!
Christa Sangataldo
The task of initiating a new cat into your family is always a challenge. It is a difficult situation for both cats involved, as you said Calico is lamenting the loss for her companion. Cats are creatures of habit and can get very rattled when circumstances in their environment change.
Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 7:00AM Dr. Liz
What shots and various things should a puppy get before you can take it home.
- BJ
The amount and type of vaccinations your dog requires depends on the age of your dog. To protect your new puppy it must be vaccinated, beginning the process between six and eight weeks, and repeating every three to four weeks after. This process will go on until the puppy is between sixteen and twenty weeks old.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 6:23AM Is feeding your cat milk or milk products harmful? Well this depends on your cat. Most cats are lactose intolerant, this means that they lack the enzyme lactase in the stomach that breaks down the sugars in cows milk. This can lead to upset stomach and and diarrhea. However not all cats have this problem. As a general rule it is not necessary to feed your cat cows milk. If you find your cat can tolerate cows milk it is ok to give it as a treat in small doses every now and then.
Monday, February 1, 2010 at 6:04AM Dr. Liz,
My dog sometimes sneaks into the room where the litter box is eats the kitty litter. Will it hurt him? we try to watch him and close the door but we forget sometimes.
- M
Dogs eating cat litter is actually a common problem. Although numerous studies have been conducted, it is still unclear as to what exactly makes them do it. Eating excessively amounts of cat litter can damage your dogs digestive track. Potential blockages in the intestines can cause your dog to be seriously ill. Please take comfort in the fact that you are not the only person struggling with this issue.
Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 7:10AM Dr. Liz,
Vets seem to have different opinions about my dogs weight. About 5 different vets have said different things about my dogs weight 1or 2 said he was overweight put him on a diet another said he was a muscular dog with broad shoulders and so on what do you think?
- Womble
This is obviously a very difficult situation to judge without having a consultation with the dog. Obviously some breeds are notoriously stockier than others. It is important to monitor your dogs body conditioning, regardless of the body type your dog has.
Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 6:03AM Pet foods are developed with essential vitamins and minerals that have been scientifically formulated to give your cat the most nutritional benefit possible. For this reason, the best food to feed your cat is a formulated cat food.
It is a common misconception that because food is good for you, it is good for your cat. Feeding your cat a formulated wet or dry cat food is more beneficial than having your cat on a diet of mostly human food.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 7:00AM It is not only dogs breeds that need to be explored, cat breeds are just as important. Each breed has different personality that are worth being explored. It is important to match the personality traits of your cat to you own personality when you are choosing a new pet. Obviously within each breed the individual personality will differ.
Monday, January 25, 2010 at 6:27AM Dr. Liz,
When I give my dog some food, an hour later I check on her and she hasn't touched a bit.
What should I do?
- Alex
Alex, it is very rare for a dog not to eat. There could be several reasons as to why. Most importantly you must make sure that your dog is not sick. Not eating is usually the first sign that your dog is not feeling well. It is important to monitor your dogs behavior. If your dog continues to refuse food, please take it to see your local vet. This can be a signal of more serious issues.
Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 6:07AM Dr. Liz
My dog 8 months is trying very hard to get my cat 1-3 years to play but it always ends up with the cat hissing under the bed. How can I make them get along?
- M
This is an age old problem, the introduction of a new pet is always stressful on the existing pet. Cats and dogs fight brutally at first because they are protecting their territory. It is important to ease any new pets into your living environment.
Friday, January 22, 2010 at 6:14AM Cats spend the better part of their day either sleeping a lot, or cleaning and preening themselves. So it is no wonder that every now and then they suffer from a hairball.
It is considered normal for your cat to suffer from hairballs every now and then. If your cat is having problems with hairballs on a regular basis it is worth trying to understand why.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 5:00AM Dr. Liz,
I am thinking of getting a French Bulldog for my boyfriend and I, we have never had a dog before. We live in an apartment, but it is fine to have pets. Can you tell me a little bit about what they are like. There is one that is always at our local coffee shop, my boyfriend loves him. He seems like a great dog. What are your thoughts?
- Sandra. F
The French Bull dog makes a great companion, Frenchie is their affectionate nickname. They are a stocky little dogs who are playful, affectionate and pleasant to be around.
Monday, January 18, 2010 at 5:12AM Winter is upon us, and much of the country is experiencing below freezing temperatures. For pet owners this can be a problematic time. I have had many of my clients come to me in the past weeks to get advice about caring for their dogs in snow.
Dogs, like children, love the challenge and adventure of the winter wonderland. There are a few steps that you can take to protect your pet from the harsh conditions of snow.
Friday, January 15, 2010 at 4:04AM So many people these days suffer from allergies, I am constantly being asked by clients to suggest the best breed of pet to choose. Hypoallergenic pets are breeds ones who produce fewer allergens than others.
The allergens produced by cats that cause allergic reactions in humans are commonly found on the cats skin and in the saliva. There is a protein in the saliva that causes sever allergic reactions in humans. The reaction that is experienced is a histamine reaction that is similar to hay-fever.