Anyone who shares a home with a feline friend knows the feeling all too well: One moment you’re walking barefoot through your den without a care in the world, the next… SQUISH… you feel a lumpy, mushy mound of fur between your toes.

Yes, hairballs are definitely gross. But before you whip out the clippers to give your beautiful long-haired Fluffy a lion cut, let us first examine the causes and potential remedies of this unsightly (but very, very common) feline phenomenon.

Where do hairballs come from?
Cats groom themselves frequently and, in the process, often ingest their own hair. Since the hair is not digestible, it can accumulate in a cat’s stomach, eventually forming a “plug” of hair. (The longer the cat’s hair, the more likely the problem.)

Hairballs can irritate the stomach and lead to vomiting, which may or may not purge the hairball. Some hairballs also can pass into the intestines, leading to constipation or even a dangerous obstruction. (While most hairballs can be passed harmlessly, in severe cases involving intestinal obstruction, surgery may be required to remove a hairball.) Note that if your feline friend vomits more than once a week, you should consult a veterinarian; there might be something else going on.

Are there any hairball remedies?
While there aren’t any guaranteed remedies for treating hairballs, there are several methods for dealing with them. Special lubricants – like a tasty paste – are designed specifically for cats and can make hairballs easier to pass. In addition, new hairball-formula cat foods and treats continue to pop up in the pet food market. These products can help hair to pass through the digestive tract.

Can I keep my cat “safe” from hairballs?
Hairballs are simply an unpleasant fact of life for many cats, but attentive and diligent owners can keep hairballs to a minimum and help to ensure that hairballs do not become a serious health risk to their pets.

Be on the lookout for common symptoms of hairballs: vomiting, dry coughing or hacking, constipation, hard stools containing hair, lack of interest in eating, and depression can all signal a case of hairballs or other maladies.

Perhaps the simplest, and one of the most effective, tools for protecting your cat is right at your fingertips – the hairbrush! Get into the routine of brushing your cat thoroughly and frequently. In addition to being an enjoyable bonding activity for both you and your kitty, brushed-away hair will not have the opportunity to develop into a hairball (or collect on your couch).

While we may never fully vanquish the curse of the hairball from our lives, with a little extra attention and care we can keep our feline friends happy, healthy and comfortable – and keep our floors a lot cleaner!

Sources:
• Paste, brushing can unravel hair ball problems
• Hairballs
• What can I do about my cat that vomits regularly?

The other day my Beagle, Lucy, was happily chomping on a treat stick one minute and then started coughing the next.  It took her just a few seconds to clear out the piece that was choking her, but it was a scary few seconds for me as I didn’t know what to do to help her.

I later asked my friend who works in a veterinary hospital if she could teach me how to do a doggy Heimlech.  She said she would have to find out!  That was not very comforting…

If your dog was choking, would you know what to do?  Here’s a Pet First Aid book I found that provides valuable instruction on what to do in case you have to act fast to help your pet in an emergency.  

Click on the picture below for more info:

Online Pet First Aid Course What would you do if your pet suddenly became ill or was injured? Are you prepared to respond to an emergency? Knowing the right steps to take could save your pet’s life.  Be prepared by understanding the basics of pet first aid.

A one-of-a-kind online course is being offered by PETCO, which gives you the opportunity to learn how to respond to an emergency involving your pet.  Throughout the course, you will learn valuable information designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills to handle a crisis. 

This online course begins by helping you to understand what is normal for your pet and how to recognize changes.  The topics are organized in an easy-to-understand format.  Images are provided to support your learning, as well as checkpoints along the way to make sure you understand the key information in each lesson.

Topics included in the course:

• Recognizing Emergencies
• Providing Emergency Life Support
• Handling Sudden Illness
• Wounds and Bleeding
• Burns
• Physical Injuries
• Poisoning and Environmental Emergencies
• Disaster Preparation

You are your pet’s protector and most trusted friend. Providing first aid could prevent a serious situation from becoming life-threatening.  Prepare now to respond tomorrow.  Register today for PETCO’s online training in Pet First Aid. Just click the BUY button at the bottom of the page. Here’s more info about the course:

This online pet first aid course is provided by our partner Connected Learning.  You will have 60 days from your order to complete the course. 

After placing your order, a link will appear on your order confirmation page to access the course on our partner’s site.  You will also be sent an email with the URL and instructions on how to begin the class.  You can access the course at any time through these links and complete at your own pace.

Once you click through to our partner’s site, you will see a welcome screen that walks you through the course features and lists the different course sections.  If you leave the site and come back, you will always begin in the last section you were in, but you are always able to click ‘home’ for the course outline and choose where you’d like to go next.

When you are finished with your coursework, you will be able to download a PDF file of the content to keep for reference.

There’s nothing quite so traumatic as seeing your beloved animal companion in physical distress. While any and all ailments warrant some sort of attention and care, just what exactly qualifies as a bona fide pet emergency?

Knowing what to look for and what to do in case of emergency are crucial parts of responsible pet ownership – and can sometimes mean the difference between life or death for your furry friend.

An excellent rule to follow when it comes to pet emergencies: “Always err on the side of caution.” If you are worried, call your vet, no matter what time of day or night. (If it’s after-hours, your vet should have a recording that refers you to a local emergency veterinary hospital.) Don’t feel embarrassed or worry that your pet’s problem might not be “serious” enough to warrant a call. A good veterinarian will understand and appreciate your concern, and he or she always has your pet’s best interests at heart. Often simply conferring with a veterinarian over the phone is enough to determine if your pet is in real danger and needs to receive immediate care.

So, what constitutes a pet emergency? Many emergencies are obviously identifiable as such. If your pet is hit by a car, or is having a seizure, or is unconscious, for instance, you should take him to the hospital immediately. Others, per the American Animal Hospital Association’s website:

• Your pet isn’t breathing or you can’t feel a heartbeat.
• Your pet has been vomiting or has had diarrhea for more than 24 hours, or she is vomiting blood.
• You suspect any broken bones.
• Your pet is having trouble breathing or has something stuck in her throat.
• Your pet is bleeding from the eyes, nose or mouth, or there is blood in her urine or feces.
• You think your pet might have ingested something toxic, such as antifreeze, rat poison, any kind of medication that wasn’t prescribed to her, or household cleansers.
• Your pet, particularly your male cat, is straining to urinate, or is unable to.
• Your pet shows signs of extreme pain, such as whining, shaking and refusing to socialize.
• Your pet collapses or suddenly can’t stand up.
• Your pet begins bumping into things or suddenly becomes disoriented.
• You can see irritation or injury to your pet’s eyes, or she suddenly seems to become blind.
• Your pet’s abdomen is swollen and hard to the touch, and/or she’s gagging and trying to vomit.
• You see symptoms of heatstroke.
• Your pregnant dog or cat has gone more than three to four hours between delivering puppies or kittens.

(Note: These are only a few signs of emergency; consult your veterinarian for more information.)

Remember, your pet cannot communicate his distress to you in words, but there are often unspoken means of communication between owner and pet. You know your animal best, and if you sense something is wrong, there is a good chance you’re right. Trust your instincts, and seek veterinary care.

Being prepared in the event of emergency is of supreme importance. Some ideas?

• Learn first aid (such as CPR) for your pet.
• Keep a first aid kit and reference manual in your home.
• Map out the routes to nearby animal hospitals before an emergency strikes.
• Keep a list of emergency numbers (including a 24/7 emergency vet and Poison Control) by the phone.

Perhaps most importantly, whenever in doubt, always play it safe. Don’t take chances with the health of your furry friends.

Sources:
• When Is It an Emergency?
• When to Call Your Veterinarian

One spring, my indoor-only kitty named Sybil started raising her back legs with increasing frequency – to scratch behind her ears and under her chin. The fact that she scratched herself at all was strange; Sybil just wasn’t one of those cats that had a lot of itches to attend to. So I knew something was up.

A friend suggested that maybe my lovely feline had picked up a case of the fleas. At that, my mouth dropped open. I was horrified by the suggestion. After all, Sybil was a princess of a cat who never, ever went outside. My friend told me to look through her fur and check for black flecks… and, well, there they were! Those black flecks, or “flea dirt,” are actually flea droppings (yuck) and are tell-tale signs of a flea problem.

After some quick research, I found out that, yes, indoor pets can indeed pick up fleas. How? Fleas are known to “catch rides” into our homes by latching onto our shoes or pant legs or other clothing. And once inside, they can spread to other household pets.

So besides the fact that these nasty little hitchhikers were driving Sybil crazy – itch, itch, bite, bite – could they really do any other harm? Yes, they can. Some pets are especially sensitive or “flea-allergic,” and their itching can become severe and even lead to hair loss, inflammation, rashes and secondary skin infections. Other concerns? Fleas can pass along certain blood parasites, tapeworm, and cat scratch disease.

Experts say that once the fleas are on your pet and in the house, you need to address not only your pet’s flea problem but also your home environment to avoid re-infestation. Let’s focus on our furry friend first.

Those topical and oral remedies you’ve probably heard about (such as Advantage and Frontline) treat flea problems as well as provide ongoing protection against infestation.

Sprays, powders, and other items are also available for “itch relief” for your pet.  Natural flea and tick remedies are also very popular and effective, and all natural shampoos which contain flea repellant ingredients like citronella and essential oils, provide protection while being chemical free and gentle on your pet’s skin. Of course, be sure to ask your veterinarian what’s best for your pet, because they are all different! And it is VERY important to only use cat products on cats, and dog products on dogs.

Get out the vacuum! After your pet is all taken care of, you’ll probably need to do a deep cleaning of your home, from washing all bedding (yours and the pet’s) in soapy, hot water, or frequent, heavy-duty vacuuming and/or steam cleaning. In addition to the rugs and carpet, give the furniture a good cleaning as well, especially if your pet hangs out on certain chairs or sofas. Remember to throw away the vacuum cleaner bag… you don’t want it to become a flea incubator!

You also may need to more thoroughly treat the inside and outside of your home with sprays, powders, or foggers. Options abound; ask your veterinarian which ones are safe for you and your pet. He or she also can tell you whether you need to call in a pest control specialist.

Remember: It’s true that fleas are more likely to be a problem when the weather is warm and humid, but they can also cause problems during cooler seasons. Talk with your veterinarian about the best way to control fleas and other parasites year-round!

(Sybil kicked her flea problem pretty quickly, thanks to a topical remedy and my many, many trips to the Laundromat.)

Sources:
• What you should know about external parasites
• How to Control and Prevent Fleas

As a pet owner, taking care of Frisky’s and Fido’s dental health is very important as well.   Here’s some information on how you can help your furry friends keep a healthy set of chompers and gums.  And the added bonus?  Better breath when you get those sloppy kisses from your pet! 

Here’s the facts:

• Amazingly, the American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS) reports that 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats show signs of oral disease by the time they’re 3 years old.       

• Periodontal (gum) disease is the number-one diagnosed problem in dogs and cats. Yikes! Even scarier? Dental disease doesn’t affect just the mouth; it can affect your pet’s whole body (especially the heart, lungs and kidneys).

According to the AVDS, there are three basic steps to follow to ensure good oral health for your pets – entailing (no pun intended!) both professional and home care:

Step 1:  If you suspect a problem, take your pet to the veterinarian for a dental exam.  Don’t wait!  What are some “red flags” to look for?  Bad breath, a change in eating or chewing habits, pawing at the face or mouth, red gums, bleeding from the mouth, loose teeth, or withdrawal/depression. Make it a point to regularly – and carefully – take a look in your pet’s mouth. If you spot a problem, ring your vet.

Step 2:  Following advice from your vet, start a dental care regimen at home. The vet may tell you to start brushing your pet’s teeth on a regular basis (see below for how-to resources) or to switch to a certain type of pet food. Some foods are specially designed to combat plaque and tarter buildup. Note: It’s a myth that any old dry food acts like a toothbrush for your pet. In fact, traditional hard foods have little to no dental benefit. Ask your vet about toys and treats that are recommended for curbing plaque and tartar buildup. (Your pet will thank you!)

Step 3:  Schedule regular veterinary checkups. As with most health issues, preventive care and early detection of dental problems are key! During regular checkups, your veterinarian can perform oral exams and monitor your pet’s dental health on an ongoing basis. Just like with human dental care, routine dental cleanings at the veterinarian’s office help to prevent gum disease in your pet. They also allow the vet to perform an even more complete exam because the pet is under general anesthesia.

Remember, even though preventive care may seem expensive, if it is not done, the costs to manage advanced dental disease can become much, much higher. Caring for your pet’s teeth and gums is crucial for overall health. Following these three steps will help to make sure Frisky and Fido can smile and meow/bark “CHEESE” for years to come!