Anaheim Veterinarian Tips

Pets are a lot of work. From having to keep them clean to cleaning after their messes, dogs and cats can become a huge commitment, but you may also find your life very disorganized after getting a pet. Many American households may find themselves with a variety of animals, from dogs to reptiles. Cleaning after them and keeping an organized structure may become difficult when you don’t know the ins and out of living with mini pigs, birds, cats, reptiles, and such.

Don’t fear, maintaining your pets is not as hard as you think. Here is a list of tips that help when trying to live an organized life when your household has cats and dogs.

To stay organized with multiple pets, it’s best to separate and organize all pet belongings. It starts with veterinary organizing appointments to bedding designation; pet living must be kept organized to help the owner and pet’s happiness.

Organization for Cats and Dogs:

Medication and Record Organization:

We, humans, keep files of paperwork of our health records, taxes, and other necessary paperwork, so why don’t we have a place for our pet records? Pet records include adoption records, traveling paperwork, veterinary visit history, microchip records and any other documentation needed to keep your pet safe and healthy. Keeping separate folders that contain information for each pet will help in case of any unexpected event.

Many pets require medication given to them daily. Organizing the medicine will make it easier to administer medication and lower the risk of feeding the wrong medication. Making it a part of your everyday routine will make it easier to remember to give it to your pet

Pet Supplies and Toys Organization:

It starts with just one squeaky ball, but suddenly, toys and pet supplies multiply, and soon, you are tripping over chew toys and stepping into your dog’s water tray. It is important to remember to maintain pet belongings just as organized as you maintain yours.

1. Separate Feeding Location: If there is ever tension between your pets when they eat next to each other, it might be a good idea to provide a separate feeding location to avoid food hostility. This will allow peaceful eating because all pets have different styles of how they eat their food. It is also recommended to pick an appropriate location to store your pet’s food bins.
2. Storing and Separating Pet Toys: Our pets are very territorial, so providing separate toys for each pet will decrease the possibilities of disagreements between pets. We don’t know how many toys we own, but having a selected place where all of them end up at the end of the day will make cleaning less stressful. This also lowers the chances of losing your cat’s favorite feather toy!
3. Litter Box: Provide a litter box for each cat. Cats will appreciate you for their clean litter box. If you want to go the extra mile, train your cat how to use the toilet!
4. Multiple Beds: It all starts with a success ful slumber. Providing Multiple Beds around the house will allow each pet to have their space that will enable them to nap and rest. When there is a lot of sharing that needs to be done between the pets, it is helpful to give each pet something that is just theirs. Providing multiple beds will also make the sofa less tempting for your pets.

Additional Organization Tips:

Protecting Furniture

There is that one thing that we all hate as dog owners: dog shedding. Some shed excessively, leaving hair everywhere. One way to maintain it is by placing fleece blankets and throws around your home. This gives your living room a trendy look that also hides the hair. If you are allergic to pet hair, you can control your pet allergies with an air purifier. 

Achieving Control

Depending on the canine you own, at times you may find yourself trying to accomplish a task, but your three pets running around the house can make it very difficult. Having baby gates will provide a space for the dog and allow you to cook or clean without complications.

Lastly, more pets mean more fun times, love, and attention! Not just more messes. Make sure you, as an owner, are prepared to provide the quality of care each pet desires.

Difficulties may arise when a household fosters several pets, but the memories and love are unmeasurable. Organize and maintain for your pets as you would for your belongings, and this will help keep an organized life while owning several pets. Organize your next pet appointment with Dr. Lopez, an experienced veterinarian in Orange County, to make sure your pets are healthy and happy! 

Does This Human Make Me Look Fat?

Approximately 2 out of 3 American pets are considered overweight or obese. According to a 2017 study from the Association of Pet Obesity Prevention, 56% of cats and 60% of dogs are overweight due to poor diet and lack of exercise. Despite the recent push toward healthy, balanced eating for humans, there has been significantly less information about how to improve the diet and lifestyle of some of our most beloved family members, our pets. Without nutritious food and exercise, animals can easily develop costly and even life-threatening health problems such as diabetes, kidney dysfunction, respiratory disorders, or worse.

How to Know Your Pet is Overweight

The first step to solving pet obesity is identifying pet obesity. Your dog’s pot-belly might be kind of adorable, but could it also be a sign of poor health. Sometimes, it can be difficult to differentiate between a little puppy fat and a serious underlying problem. Here are a few symptoms of pet obesity you can keep an eye out for:

• No palpable rib cage                 
• Lethargy
• Shortness of breath
• Overeating
• Weight gain
• Waddling

Like humans, all animal body types are different, so make sure to do your research on the healthy size for your pet’s breed. Some dogs are naturally lean and others are perfectly healthy couch potatoes. If you’re still not sure, you can always take your pet to a veterinarian for a professional evaluation.

What to Feed Your Pet

Unfortunately, there are few regulations on pet food to ensure animals are receiving the nutrients and vitamins they need. A lot of products in the market are low-quality and unhealthy for animals. Many owners are unaware that their cat or dog’s favorite food is the animal equivalent of eating junk food with little nutritional content. Check the ingredients before you purchase any pet food.

Avoid the following:

• BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole), BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene), and ethoxyquin are artificial preservatives commonly used in items like chips, cereal, gum, fast food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. While these preservatives can be harmless in small doses, experts recommend limiting the consumption of them because they might have low doses of potentially toxic content. It’s better to stay on the safe side and opt for a brand with minimal or no synthetic preservatives, especially if you’re feeding your pet the same thing every day.
• Simple carbohydrates such as white flours, corn flour, and corn syrup can be unhealthy for humans and animals alike when consumed in excess. They cause a quick spike in blood sugar and don’t fill the stomach for long, which may lead to overeating. For animals like dogs and cats, who are primarily carnivores, it’s unhealthy to be eating more filler carbs than healthy protein. When these animals have too much sugar, it can have harmful effects in the long run.
• Meat, meat-product, rendered fat, or meat byproduct are seemingly harmless, but these names typically indicate low-grade processed meat. These vague terms could mean anything from expired meat and sick animals to unwanted parts such as hooves, organs, or intestines.

Ingredients to look for:

• Easily identifiable sources of protein such as lamb, chicken, beef, and fish are optimal for cats and dogs who need a protein-based diet. These should be the first few ingredients listed in the food. A meat source followed by the word “meal” is also a sign of quality protein.
  
• Whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, and oats can be healthy for dogs and cats. The complex carbs in whole grains are a soluble fiber that keeps your pet full and help with digestion. They can be really healthy in moderation.
• Vegetables such as carrots, green beans, and broccoli provide nutritious vitamins and minerals that can boost the immune system. While they’re not necessary, they have many health benefits and add flavor to pet food.

To improve your pet’s diet, take a second to read the ingredients label on pet food and treats the next time you go shopping. You can also get some fresh ingredients to cook for your dogs and/or cats! It’s not 

as expensive and time-consuming as it seems and it can definitely benefit your pet to have some variety in their diet. Lastly, stop feeding your animals table scraps! The extra calories  add up and more often than not, human food isn’t healthy for dogs and cats.

How to Feed Your Pet

How you feed your pet is almost as important as what you feed your pet. Portion control is really important to regulating diet. Overeating can result in digestive problems, choking, or bloating. When dogs or cats eat t

oo fast, they ingest large amounts of air, resulting in discomfort and even vomiting. In the worst case scenario, they may develop Gastric Dilation Volvulus, which is when air expands in the stomach and ruptures.

Luckily, there are many ways to avoid this problem. If your pet eats dry food, you can scatter food on the floor, so your pet has to eat each piece separately. This method is only viable, however, on clean hardwood floor or concrete. You don’t want your pet ingesting any harmful chemicals, dirt, or other objects.

There are also plenty of slow feeder bowls that are designed with obstructions in the bowl your dog will have to eat around, slowing them down. For cats, puzzle balls are a great option for both mental stimulation and controlled eating. The food is placed in a ball with food inside that the cat must move around for the food to fall out of the holes. A simple way to slow down your pet’s eating is to feed them more meals in smaller quantities throughout the day.

How to Exercise Your Pet

The exercise required to maintain a healthy lifestyle depends on your dog or cat’s breed and age. Ask your local veterinarian to assess just how much is appropriate for your pet. For obese animals, so much exercise all at once can be laborious, so owners may have to slowly incorporate more and more exercise into their pets’ daily routines with time.

Typically, 30 minutes to two hours a day is a good amount of exercise for dogs. Take your dog for a walk, play a game of fetch, or go swim! It’ll be good for both you and your pup to head outside for some fresh air and outdoor activity. If you’re located around Anaheim like us, we have a list of fun things to do for you and your dog to doright here in Orange County.

Unlike dogs, cats have extremely high metabolisms that allow them to lounge about without too much consequence. Nevertheless, you should still consult your veterinarian about a fitness plan for your cat, especially if they’ve been getting a little pudgier than usual. For most cats, aim for around 15 minutes of exercise. Get some toys like yarn, a laser light, a wand, or a ball. Kittens can actually be trained to go on walks similar to dogs, but that does require proper training and equipment. Cats like to climb, so getting a cat tree could encourage your cat to exercise more.

Pet obesity is no joke! It can lead to tons of expensive, painful health issues later down the road such as liver disease or osteoarthritis. Just because your little buddy is somewhat fluffier than normal, that doesn’t necessarily make you a bad owner. Now that you know, there are numerous ways to prevent and treat obesity for pets, so they can live the long, healthy lives they deserve. If you’re worried about your pet, it’s never too late to ask your veterinarian for a checkup, pet food recommendations, and an exercise plan. If you have more questions about pet obesity, Dr. Lopez is an experienced veterinarian in Orange County who can answer your questions and help your furry friend.

Our pets bring happiness and joy into our lives every day. We all know of the perks that come with owning a pet, including the emotional support and physical health benefits they provide us. But unfortunately, some of us just can’t enjoy spending time with furry friends without facing a stuffy nose, itchy eyes, or rashes.

If you’re allergic to animals, know that you aren’t alone. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, 3 in 10 people have allergies to dogs and cats.  A common misconception is that pet hair is the main cause of allergic reactions, which is untrue. Allergies are triggered by dander (dead skin cells), saliva, and pet urine. Some of the annoying reactions you might get include mild irritations such as sneezing, a runny nose, itchy eyes, or skin rashes.

So what can you do if you are allergic to furry animals?

We know – it’s tough being an animal lover who is allergic to animals. If you have only mild allergic reactions to animals, and they are not life-threatening, there are a few things that you can do to ease your symptoms.

1. Keep Your House Clean

The first thing you can do to alleviate your allergy symptoms is to keep your home clean. Wipe down surfaces, wash your clothing, and vacuum or mop the floors regularly. These can collect dust, pet hair, and other particles that might be causing your allergies.

2. Use Air Filters (HEPA)

Invest in a High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filter, or HEPA air cleaner, for your home. These can improve the air quality in your rooms by removing allergenic particles, relieving you of your allergy symptoms.

3. Have an Animal-Free Zone

Ideally, this zone would be your bedroom. Keeping your furry friends out of your bedroom will let you sleep peacefully, without the threat of allergic reactions. You’ll also want to create animal-friendly zones in your house as well, where your pet can roam around and play to his heart’s content.

4. Remove Carpets & Rugs

Rugs and carpets can often trap the allergenic particles that cause your symptoms. While vacuuming seems effective, it can stir up the allergens that got stuck to the carpeting and worsen your allergies. You may find it more convenient in the long run to simply remove the carpets and rugs, and replace them with hardwood floors or tiles instead. These are easier to clean, and they do not trap dust and pet hair like carpets do.

5. Over-the-counter Medication

If you have mild allergies, you are probably already familiar with antihistamines. This over-the-counter medication can relieve mild symptoms, allowing you to play with your pets without worrying about allergic reactions.

6. Allergy Shots

If you have more severe allergies and plan to have furry pets for a long time, you may want to consider allergy shots. While it takes a while for allergy shots to fully take effect, it is the most effective way to get rid of your allergies in the long run.

7. Adopt A Fur-less Animal

Lastly, if you are an animal lover looking to open up your home to a new pet, consider adopting an animal without fur. Some of your options are fish, turtles, bearded dragons, geckos, and more fur-less and featherless animals.

If you have any questions about your pet, contact our Anaheim veterinarian, Dr. Lopez, at Brookhurst Animal Medical Center. Our team is always here to help!