Treating Dog And Cat Allergies

Pets can inhale a variety of elements from the environment which can trigger allergic reactions in dogs and cats. These elements induce cells to release substances such as histamine. Irritation begins when histamine is released.

Offending elements in the environment that affect pets are called allergens. Some examples of these allergens are pollen from surrounding flowering plants, accumulated dust in the home,

or mites and similar tiny creatures that survive and live on dust. Allergens are also caused by

mold, and fungus. Allergic reactions can be triggered by the spores inhaled by dogs and cats.

Pets that have been exposed to allergens will show several symptoms. Among dogs, the major symptoms include constant itching of the face and feet, as well as itching and irritation in other areas of the body. There will be a loss of hair, accommodated by the appearance of discharging sores. Cats with inhalant allergies suffer from intolerable itching in the face, neck, and thighs, loss of hair, and inflammation and sores in different parts of the body.

During spring or summer, dogs and cats may be affected by pollen allergy. To accurately determine the occurrence of inhalant allergies, pets should be taken to the veterinarian. She or he will conduct a skin test to find out if the dog or cat is suffering from inhalant allergies. Some pets may require a blood test as well.

The best treatment is to prevent the allergy from becoming worse. To do this, the source of the allergens must be promptly removed. Sometimes, this is easy if the allergens are dusts and the mites that live in them. Ridding your home of dust may solve the problem. But sometimes, removing the allergen could be difficult. If the allergens are caused by a flowering plant, it should be be removed.

There are two types of treatments for pet allergies, anti-itch medicines, and allergy shots.

Anti-itch medication suppress the production of histamines. These can be taken orally or gently rubbed onto the infected area. Allergy shots can make pets less sensitive to the presence of allergens. Allergy shots will be provided by your veterinarian.

Not all cats and dogs suffer allergies when exposed to pollen and other inhaled allergens. The reason for this is their heredity. Other pets have genetic characteristics that predisposes them to have allergies.

Tips For Training Your Cat

Training a cat can be a difficult task, trying g to do so may cause behavioral problems later on. While it is possible to teach them not to perform bad habits, most times the owner will have to conform to fit in with the cat. Along with patience and care, these tips can make training your cat a little easier.

The first rule of thumb is that everyone in the home should agree with what the cat will be allowed to do. Once the rules have been established, changing the routine may cause difficulties.

Earn your cat's trust by speaking calmly with a soft voice. When your cat trusts you, it will most likely do what you want. Your cat can tell if you are anxious, so don't stress if things go wrong. Keep calm and start over again. Don't force training on your cat, only attempt it when it seems happy to do so.

Don't move too quickly, or the cat might misunderstand. When teaching a kitten, restrict training to an hour a day, and only repeat each exercise a few times. Try to avoid aggravating the kitten, it will not learn if it is annoyed. If you are forbidding something, be consistent. Stick to the same command.

If your cat is behaving badly, give it a quick squirt of water from a plant sprayer. This will soon curb the behavior. Never hurt or shout at your cat, or it will associate you with unpleasantness. Instead put some dry beans in a tin and shake it briefly if you cat is being unruly.

When the cat obeys, praise and stroke it. Treat your cat with food when it does well, it will learn to associate good behavior with food. But don't over do it, too many treats or excessive food can lead to unhealthy weight gain.

Do not ignore your cat when you are mad at it, cats do not understand this behavior and will feel insecure. Your cat will not know from the start that it has to use a scratch post to sharpen its claws. You need to teach it to do so.

If your cat begins to attack the furniture, say "no" in a clear and firm voice, and then take it to the scratching post and put its paws on it. You can scratch with your own nails too, as the noise will make the cat curious. If your cat refuses to use the scratch post, then it may not like the fabric that covers it. Try putting an old piece of clothing that smells like you over the board, put some hemp rope around the scratching tree, or put down some straw mats. Cats often like these types of materials.

Make sure your cat has a quiet and comfortable place to sleep. Provide your cat with a covered basket that has a soft filling such as a blanket or towel. Your cat will feel safe and still be able to see things going on.

Don't let your cat beg, once it has formed this habit, you won't be able to break it. Don't give in to a meowing cat. Keep your cat away from the dining area, don't give your cat food from the table, and never put your cat on your lap when eating dinner at the table.

Avoid giving your cat treats outside of feeding time, this is another habit that will be impossible to break. Set specific feeding times, it is a good idea to feed your cat when you eat, this will keep it occupied, and away from the dining table. If your cat jumps on your lap or the chair next to you while you are eating say "no", and promptly remove it from the table.

How To Care For Dogs With Hypoallergenic Conditions

Some dog breeds are more susceptible to allergies than others. This may be due to a small nasal passage, allergic reactions to flea bites, a sensitive stomach that makes digesting food difficult, or they may be allergic to their own hair and dander. Some dogs commonly suffer from allergies include terriers, retrievers, beagles, setters, and boxers. While these breeds are the most susceptible, all dogs have the potential to be allergic to something.

Allergy Symptoms

The most common signs of allergies include raw skin where the dog has scratched, patches of missing hair, red skin, hives, coughing, sneezing, excessive chewing and licking of paws, watery eyes, vomiting, and diarrhea. While these symptoms may go away after a few days, you should monitor your dog's behavior to see if the symptoms return. If they do, you should take your dog to see a vet. Sometimes changing the type of dog food or buying a flea collar or spray is enough to help eliminate your dog's allergy problems.

Allergies can cause your dog's mood to change. They may become irritable, lethargic, clingy, or angry. Discipline will not work when the dog is suffering from an allergy. The best way to combat this problem is to learn how to care for your dog once you have isolated the cause of the allergies. The easiest way to do this is by keeping a journal of your dog's activities, diet, and symptoms. This information will be handy when you visit a veterinarian, who will be able to recommend treatment.

What Works

If you notice fleas on your dog you should bathe them with a mild shampoo that kills fleas and their eggs. You may need to rid your home of fleas as well so that re-infestation does not occur. Buying carpet spray can get rid of the infestation, but if the problem is too big, you should call a professional exterminator. Once the fleas are gone, you should spray your dog whenever he (or she) goes outside. This will prevent new attacks from occurring. If the dog has open bites or wounds from scratching, you will have to wait for them to heal before using a spray or shampoo on your dog.

Many small breeds have breathing issues as they age. When this occurs it is important to keep their sleeping area clean. You will nee to vacuum often, and you may consider buying a hepa filter to trap dust, particles, and other air pollutants in the air. When it is cold outside, keep small breeds indoors, this will keep them from getting head colds, which could make breathing even worse.

Dogs that are allergic to their own hair and dander have the worst allergies of all because there is little that can be done. You should make sure your dog is groomed regularly. Brush them everyday to remove excess hair and dander, and bathe your dog at least once a month. Your vet may prescribe an anti-histamine if the allergies persist.

Successful Secrets For Housebreaking Your Puppy

Housebreaking a dog can be a stressful task that many pet owners are not prepared for. It requires patience, commitment, discipline, and consistency. Following a few simple steps will help minimize accidents on the carpet. It is not unlikely for puppies or a newly house trained adult dog to have an occasional accident. The more consistent you are in your housebreaking procedures, the quicker the puppy will learn the appropriate behavior. Effectively housebreaking a puppy usually takes several weeks, some small breeds may take longer.

Establish A Routine

Dogs learn faster when you put them on a routine. To help your dog do better, take them outside once every two hours. They should also be taken out after eating or drinking, waking from a nap, and playing. The spot where your dog does his business should be near the door you take him through. Go to the same spot every time, and only reward him with a longer walk or a play session after he has gone to the bathroom.

Bestow Praise

Praise your puppy every time he "goes" outside. Show them what a good boy (or girl) they are, make a big deal of it. Praise them verbally, pet them, and even give them a small treat. Make sure you do it immediately after they are done. Don't wait until you get them back inside the house or they will not understand why you are praising them. Rewarding is the only way they will understand what they are supposed to do, so this type of positive reinforcement is essential.

Love & Patience

Accidents happen. When they do, sooth your pet's anxiety with kind words, show them you are not angry. If you have to clean up an accident in the house, take whatever you used to clean with and leave it on his bathroom spot. The smell will help him identify and understand that this spot is where he is supposed to go. While the puppy is in the act of eliminating, use a positive phrase such as "Go, Buster!" Use the same phrase every time. This will help you and your pet communicate their need to go to the bathroom.

Generally, after the dog is trained, you will be able to say your phrase, and if he needs to go he will act excited and head for the door. If he doesn't need to go, he might beg for snack instead. Never punish your puppy for having an accident in the house. If you find a spot where an accident occurred, it's too late to do anything about it other than just to clean it up. Don't rub their nose in it, scold them, or try to punish him in some other way. Punishment is never helpful.

Feeding Time

Feed your dog at the same time each day. This will increase the likelihood of their need to go to the bathroom on a consistent schedule as well. It will make the housebreaking process quicker and easier for both you and your pet.

Housebreaking Hints

Keep an eye on your puppy when they are indoors and don't give them the opportunity to have an accident on the floor. Watch for signs that indicate their need to go (sniffing or circling), and immediately take them out to their spot. Don't forget to praise them immediately when they are done. If your pet has been confined for several hours, you should immediately take them to their bathroom spot.

When you catch your pet in the act of going to the bathroom in the house, do something to interrupt him. Call their name loudly, but make sure not to scare them. After the interruption, take them to their spot and praise them when they finish. Make sure you clean and deodorize the scene of an accident thoroughly. An area that smells like urine or feces will encourage him to do it on that spot again.

Consistency in these methods is the key to successfully housebreaking your puppy. Understanding this responsibility before you get a new puppy will help you to train them effectively.

Companion Spotlight

Australian Mist
The Australian Mist was developed in 1976 by Dr. Truda Straede. Native to Australia, this breed is a cross between an Abyssinian, a Burmese, and other short hair domestic cats. This method enabled Dr. Straede to breed short haired cats with spotted coats. They were called "Spotted Mist" until 1998 when marbled coats became an excepted part of their breed.

Temperament
Australian Mist are the ideal pet for cat lovers of all ages. They are playful and lovable companions that enjoy human contact. They rarely scratch, and they can tolerate handling, which makes them an ideal pet for small children. Kittens are energetic and lively, while adults prefer to curl up in your lap. Typically, Australian Mist are indoor cats.

Physical Characteristics
An Australian Mist is a medium sized, short haired cat with spotted or marbled coats. They have round heads, a domestic feline face, and their eyes are large and expressive. The neck and face may have pale color lines, and the pattern of their coats can have a misty appearance. Their tail and legs may be barred, ringed, or a solid color. Cats that are spayed or neutered will get along well with other household pets.

Life Expectancy
With the proper care and treatment, the life expectancy for an Australian Mist can range from the mid teens, to early adult.

Companion Spotlight

Afghan Hound

Afghan Hounds can be clearly identified by their silky, thick coats and the curled ring at the end of the tail. Known to be one of the oldest breeds of sighthounds, they were used as hunting dogs in the cold Afghanistan mountains. Sighthounds depend on their sight and speed when hunting. These agile hunters have sharp vision that can detect the slightest motion, and their speed allows them to overpower fast moving prey like gazelle, hare, and deer. Depending on the location, Afghan Hounds are also known as Kabul Hound, Baluchi Hound, Galanday Hound, and Shalgar Hound. Because Afghan Hounds are hunters by nature, they may not be suitable for homes with small dogs or other animals.

Appearance

The general height for an Afghan Hound is between twenty-four, and twenty-nine inches tall, an adult male can weigh as much as sixty pounds. They have long coats, and a black or brown facial mask. The color of their coat may be red, white, gold, brindle, or black. The coat of a black Afghan Hound may have a slightly reddish tint. Their long coats must be groomed regularly. Long legs and high hip bones aids in the ability to overcome their prey.

Traits

The litter size for an Afghan Hound is usually between six and eight puppies. They can be temperamental, but are generally happy and playful. Adult males may have a facial hair that resembles a mustache.

Health Concerns

The primary health concerns for Afghan hounds are cancer and allergies. Due to the scarce amount of body fat, Afghan Hounds are highly sensitive to gases or drug injections. They can also develop an uncommon condition known as chylothorax. When thoracic ducts are affected by this condition, large amounts of digestive fluid accumulates in the chest cavity. This will cause the lungs to twist, and immediate surgery will be necessary. Without surgery, the organs will harden from scar tissue. It can be fatal without adequate treatment. The average life span for an Afghan Hound that has been properly cared for is between twelve and eighteen years.