Advice From Your Vet

The Top 10 Pet Friendly Hotels in the US

2011-10-14T16:23:00.000-07:00

Top 10 Pet Friendly Hotels in the USA

TripAdvisor, one of the world’s largest travel sites, announced the results of its pet travel survey of more than 1,200 U.S. travelers, revealing that the majority of animal owners feel pets make for prime vacation companions. Sixty-one percent of pet owners traveled with their furry friends last year, while 33% often bring their pets on trips and 5% percent always do. Twenty-six percent consider their pet an inseparable part of the family that goes everywhere (including vacation) with them and 14% believe that bringing Fido is more cost-effective than using a kennel.

TripAdvisor editors and travelers recommend the following hotels as their Top 10 Pet Friendly Hotels in the USA.

1. Hermitage Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee
This TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice award-winner offers a Pampering Pet program, featuring treats upon check-in, cozy beds and a menu of delicacies to satisfy animals’ appetites. A dog-walking service is available on site ($15 per walk), while massage and grooming services can also be arranged. A $50 pet-surcharge will be added per night.

2. Hotel Monaco Portland, Portland, Oregon
The pet amenity program at this boutique downtown hotel is overseen by Timmy, the four-legged “Director of Pet Relations.” Complimentary amenities and services include bowls and beds for the d duration of pets’ stays, while travelers can also select the “Portland Unleashed” package, featuring a doggie makeover, a map of pet friendly breweries and more.

3. Affinia Dumont, New York City, New York
It’s no coincidence that the bar and restaurant of this Midtown East property is called the Barking Dog—four-legged friends are welcomed with open arms at this hotel, whose amenities include plush dog beds and a travel water bowl for guests to take home. Additional services include pet taxis and even a pet psychic. A $25 pet-surcharge is added per stay.

4. Argonaut Hotel, San Francisco, California
All creatures great and small are welcome as guests at the Argonaut Hotel, which does not restrict the type or size of pet that can stay. Travelers visiting in the fall can participate in the hotel’s annual “Pet Howl’oween” event, in which dogs showcase their creative costumes. The hotel supplies pet necessities from beds to bottled water, and all pets stay free.

5. Nine Zero Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts
Located across from the Boston Common’s 50 acres of public park-land, this downtown hotel’s setting is every bit as pet-friendly as its amenities. A complimentary “In the Doghouse” pet package includes a designer pet welcome treat, in addition to an in-room pet bed and bowl, ensuring that travelers’ four-legged friends can put their paws up in style.

6. The Broadmoor, Colorado Springs, Colorado
This property’s “Pitty Pat Pet Club” program provides bedding, bowls and a 24-hour in-room dining menu, featuring gourmet treats for cats and dogs. While pet-walking is allowed in designated areas of the grounds, maps of local pet parks and scenic spots are also provided, ensuring that four-legged friends have the option of exercising in spectacular surroundings. A $35 pet-surcharge is added per stay.

7. Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch, Scottsdale, Arizona
This resort’s “4Paws” pet-friendly program offers numerous amenities for dogs and cats, including beds and a “Beastro” menu, featuring delicacies such as Canine Veggie Bruschetta and feline Seafood Parfait. A $50 pet-surcharge is added per night and pets must weigh a maximum of 40 pounds (larger pets may be allowed at the resort’s discretion).

8. Hotel Solamar, San Diego, California
In addition to providing complimentary treats for pets upon check-in, as well as cozy dog beds and food and water bowls in guest rooms, Hotel Solamar’s VIP (Very Important Pet) Program can arrange additional services—from pet bonding sessions, to pet massage—ensuring both pets and their owners unwind during their stay.

9. Sheraton Seattle Hotel, Seattle, Washington
This hotel supplies a Pet Welcome Pack, crammed with information and supplies, to any traveler checking-in with their furry companion (up to a weight of 80 pounds). Hounds can enjoy sweet dreams free of charge in an inviting Sheraton Sweet Sleeper Dog Bed, while signage noting ‘Dog in Room’ will ensure they do not receive any unexpected visitors.

10. Loews Coronado Bay Resort, Coronado, California
All pets receive edible treats, a pet tag and bowl upon check-in—but the pet-friendly fun also extends to the sand and surf. Travelers booking the “Su’ruff Camp” package receive accommodations, a doggie surf lesson, board shorts and a bandana for their furry friend, and a Surf and Turf room service pet meal. A $25 pet-surcharge is added per stay.

Calling all dog owners in Los Angeles

2011-08-29T14:26:00.001-07:00

Calling all dog owners in Los Angeles! There is a great new social networking site on facebook called MetroPUP. It's an excellent place to go for all sorts of dog information and places to take you dog in Los Angeles.

Do You Travel Outside Los Angeles With Your Pet?

2011-08-17T15:31:00.000-07:00

Do take your pets outside of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area?
We often ask clients if they travel with their pets. The answer is usually "no". People don’t consider Big Bear, Mammoth, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Riverside or Frazier Park “traveling”. The Centers for the Disease Control and the California Veterinary Medical Association recognize that while, we are safe from the below parasites and diseases inside the Los Angeles County boundary, once we take our pets outside this area, they are at risk.

Leptospirosis. This is a bacteria with 4 sub-groups commonly found in America. It is the L in the DHLPP vaccine given to dogs. In the Los Angeles Metro Area, we do not have this bacteria. But it does exist in Central and Northern California, the east coast and many states in between. It is carried by deer, raccoons, field mice, foxes, skunks, squirrels, cattle, mice, rats, opossums and dogs. It is transmitted orally, through broken skin (a bite wound), contaminated water, soil, food and bedding. Water from contaminated urine is the most common means of transmission. The bacteria are killed by freezing and so it is primarily seen spring through fall. It has a 10 to 14 day incubation period and causes a wide variety of clinical signs. Acute renal failure is a major one. This bacteria is also transmissible to humans.

We highly recommend this vaccine to any dog that will travel outside of LA and could come into contact with any of the sources named above in suburban or rural areas. Think about hiking, visiting a friend who lives out in the country, camping, etc. It is a series of two vaccines, given a month apart, followed by yearly boosters.

Lyme Disease. This is carried by ticks, primarily found on deer mice and deer. It is found on the east coast, the west coast north of San Luis Obispo, the Santa Monica Mountains and many states in between. There is a vaccine for this disease but it is still controversial as to how well it actually protects. It is not given unless a dog is in an endemic area. The best protection is wearing a tick preventative collar, monthly application of a Frontline/Advantix product, and by checking your dog daily for any ticks and removing them right away. People can get Lyme disease as well from the bite of a tick carrying the disease. Fever, along with arthritis and renal disease are the primary clinical signs of Lyme Disease. Preventing tick bite is the best protection. You can also seek the advice of a local veterinary clinic where you will be staying to find out the status of Lyme disease in that area.

Heartworm Disease. This is caused by a nematode, which is a worm-like organism carried by mosquitoes. Transmission occurs with the bite of a mosquito. It occurs virtually everywhere in America. Here, locally, a small number of cases have been reported in the San Fernando Valley and the areas towards Big Bear. All areas North of Santa Barbara and South of Orange County have endemic heartworm disease. Any pet traveling outside of LA should be on heartworm preventative medication. There are numerous products available. They all require a yearly heartworm test after a dog reaches one year of age. The reason for yearly testing is to be sure that no pills or solutions were missed and the dog is actually carrying heartworm. The medicine could potentially make the animal ill if that were the case.

High Blood Pressure and The Cat

2011-07-08T17:22:00.000-07:00

In one study, 18% of cats nine year of age and older were found to be hypertensive; ie, to have high blood pressure. Where do they get it from? Soemtimes there is an underlying cause such as problems with the kidneys or hyperthyroidism. There are some cats in which it is an idiopathic condition, meaning that there is no known reason.

Why does it matter? Just as in humans, having hypertension may cause damage in multiple organs, including the brain, the eyes and the kidneys.

The treatment is relatively straightforward - there are medications that may be used to lower their blood pressure. Routine screening is recommended twice yearly to check for early signs of problems.

People Helping Beagles

2011-06-15T12:31:00.000-07:00

Go to www.beaglefreedomproject.org to help research beagles find new homes!

Pet Food Recall

2011-06-06T10:20:00.000-07:00

Primal Pet Foods recall
Primal Pet Foods has initiated a voluntary recall of their Feline Chicken & Salmon Formula due to possible Salmonella contamination, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reports.

The only product affected is Feline Chicken & Salmon Formula, packaged in the form of four-pound chicken & salmon nuggets (UPC# 8 95135 00025 0) with a "Best By" date code of 043112-17

The "Best By" date code is located on the front of the package on the right side of the product label.　 The affected product was distributed through retail stores sales in the United States.

No other Primal Pet Foods products are affected, and no pet or human illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this lot code.

Celebrate National Hairball Awareness Day with us!

2011-04-29T15:21:00.001-07:00

I have just learned that today is National Hairball Awareness Day. I was unaware that there was a holiday for these nasty things, so, getting into the spirit, I looked up information on hairballs to share with you.

National Hairball Awareness Day is April 29
Every cat owner, at least once (usually in the middle of the night), has stepped into a pile of something that looks and feels like anything but hair and wondered, "Does she do this on purpose?!" No, she doesn't. In fact, hairballs are the number one health condition reported by 35% of cat-owning households.1,3 Is your household one of them? If so, Hill's honors and educates you this April 29, 2011, on National Hairball Awareness Day.

What are Hairballs?
The formation of hairballs is a common feline condition that is brought on by self-grooming and the associated ingestion of hair. The ingested hair can accumulate in your cat's throat or stomach, causing irritation. Cats with hairballs are often seen gagging, regurgitating or vomiting hair and mucus. All breeds are susceptible to hairballs, so all cat owners should know that controlling this issue is as easy as feeding their cats Science Diet® Hairball Control cat food.

"It's often an unsightly situation for cat owners, but not uncommon," said Dr. Debbie Davenport, a Hill's veterinarian. "Some 50-80% of cats produce hairballs as frequently as once a month. In most cases, hairballs are normal but unpleasant, but in a few cases, hairballs can be a symptom of something more serious happening in the cat's digestive system." If you suspect your cat has a serious problem with hairballs, you should consult your veterinarian.

Phenobarbital Recall - Reprinted from DVM Magazine

2011-03-31T15:59:00.001-07:00

FDA alerts veterinarians to Phenobarbital recall
Mar 10, 2011
DVM NEWSMAGAZINE

Rockville, Md. -- Veterinarians are being advised to take note of a new recall of human Phenobarbital tablets, which are prescribed by DVMs as an extralabel use for treating seizures.
The tablets affected by the recall are actually another drug, mislabeled as Phenobarbital, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Qualitest Pharmaceuticals issued the voluntary recall Feb. 5 for several lots of Phenobarbital, and Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Acetaminophen tablets because of a label mix-up between the two drugs.

“As a result of this mix-up, pets may unintentionally be given Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen tablets instead of the intended drug, Phenobarbital,” FDA says.

The agency’s Center for Veterinary Medicine already has received three adverse event reports for dogs treated with the company’s Phenobarbital tablets, FDA adds.

The affected lots were distributed nationwide to retail and wholesale pharmacies between Sept. 21 and Dec. 29, 2010 and include:

• Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Acetaminophen Tablets, USP 10mg / 500mg, NDC 0603-3888-20, 60 count, Lot Numbers T150G10B, T120J10E and T023M10A; and
• Phenobarbital Tablets, USP 32.4 mg, NDC 0603-5166-32, 1000 count, Lot Numbers T150G10B, T120J10E and T023M10A.

Consumer who purchased the affected lots should contact Qualitest at (800) 444-4011 for reimbursement.

Weighted Belts Help Dogs Shed Pounds

2011-03-17T13:03:00.000-07:00

Study: Weighted Belts Help Dogs Shed Pounds

A new study found that overweight dogs walking with the TrimDog Weight Belt were more likely to lose weight than those that walked and didn’t wear the belt.
The randomized clinical trial was conducted by Michele Rohrer, DVM, of Atlantic Animal Hospital in Wilmington, N.C.

Other studies have shown that humans walking with a weighted vest can increase the metabolic response and result in a greater weight loss than those who do not wear such a vest when walking. Dr. Rohrer conducted a similar study in dogs with TrimDog’s belt product.

Rohrer’s study included 12 canines, aged 2-10 years, all classified as overweight. The dogs were randomized into two groups: canines that walk with the TrimDog Weight Belt and canines that walk without it.

The owners were instructed to walk five times per week for 30 minutes a walk at a brisk pace, for a total of eight weeks. All participants were instructed to make no changes to their existing diets during this period.

Weigh-ins were conducted at Atlantic Animal Hospital prior to the start of the study, at week four and upon completion of the study.

The weight of the belt was determined by the size of the canine. Sizing of each canine is specific to the circumference of the canine through the torso, specifically at the inferior costraphrenic angle of the rib cage, according to Rohrer.

The breakdown of sizes:
• X-Small: canines measuring 7-10 inches. Total belt weight = 7 ounces (3-ounce weights on each side and the belt itself weighing one ounce).
• Small: canines measuring 11-16 inches. Total belt weight = also 7 ounces.
• Medium: canines measuring 17-24 inches. Total belt weight = 11 ounces.
• Large: canines measuring 25-32 inches. Total belt weight = 16 ounces.

After eight weeks, dogs that walked with the TrimDog Weight Belt lost an average of 4 percent of bodyweight, according to the study. Dogs that walked without the belt lost an average of 1 percent of bodyweight.

A follow up study involving 24 canines will incorporate dogs walking with the belt in conjunction with a diet plan, according to Ike Kinlaw, developer and founder of TrimDog. The study was slated to begin by the end of January

The Pet Obesity Epidemic - Reprinted from the Wall Street Journal

2011-03-07T15:01:00.000-08:00

By GWENDOLYN BOUNDS

More than half of America's pets are obese, according to recent report. Kelsey Hubbard talks with the WSJ's Wendy Bounds about the growing epidemic and what people can do to pare down their pooch.

Nunes family

Daisy Mae, a Folsom, Calif., beagle, weighed 41 pounds when she was adopted in 2009.

A diet and exercise regimen has brought her down to 29 pounds.

For 12-year-old Buffy of Calabash, N.C., the trouble began with too much steak (and chicken and ice cream) at dinnertime. In nearby Ocean Isle Beach, six-year-old Hershey harbors a fondness for beef and cheese snacks. And 14-year-old Fridge of Longwood, Fla., gets cranky if his bowl isn't full.

Buffy, Hershey and Fridge are pets battling excess weight and obesity. As more Americans confront their own weight issues, furry housemates increasingly struggle alongside them. New data due out this week indicate the problem is reaching epidemic proportions, with more than half of U.S. dogs and cats now overweight or obese. Of pets considered to be "obese"—defined as 30% above normal weight—one-fifth of dogs and cats fit the bill, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, which conducted the survey with Mars Inc.'s Banfield Pet Hospital, the nation's largest general veterinary practice.

The main culprit: owners who routinely overfeed pets, don't exercise them enough and are unaware of the severe, and costly, health problems caused by excess weight. Common woes include diabetes, arthritis, kidney failure, high blood pressure and cancer. Research also suggests that pets fed less over their lifetime can live significantly longer.

Now, new efforts are afoot to stem what many vets believe is the single most preventable health crisis facing the country's 171 million-plus dog and cat pets. They include software for doctors to track a pet's "Body Condition Score," a blood test that could quickly determine animals' body-fat percentage, Weight Watchers-type pet diet plans and doggie treadmills.

"Obesity in pets is almost the equivalent of smoking in human medicine," says Steven Budsberg, director of clinical research at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. "There's the high cost to people, and it's self-induced. I never met a German shepherd who could open the refrigerator or food bag and pour himself another bowl."

To keep a healthy weight, Folsom, Calif., beagle Daisy Mae gets walked three to four miles several days a week.

In 2010, pet owners holding insurance policies with Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. shelled out $25 million to vets for obesity-related conditions, such as ligament ruptures (about $860 to treat), disc disease ($649) and asthma ($163). At Petplan USA in Philadelphia, five of the top insurance claims all have a close correlation to obesity.
When Cindy Nunes and her husband Joe of Folsom, Calif., adopted their beagle Daisy Mae, she was 41 pounds, suffered abdominal pains and couldn't roll over. Through a special high-protein and fiber, low-fat diet that's down to one cup a day, Daisy Mae has dropped to a more normal 29 pounds and walks three to four miles several days a week. Ms. Nunes estimates she's spent upwards of $1,800 in the past two years treating Daisy Mae.
For years, the topic of "fat pets" was considered taboo in the veterinary community, says Ernie Ward, founder of the pet obesity association and author of "Chow Hounds: Why Our Dogs Are Getting Fatter." Says Dr. Ward: "There are sensitivities to an owner's own weight condition and to making them feel guilty for overfeeding their pet."

To encourage weight discussions, Banfield is rolling out software into its 770 hospitals that will require vets to give pets a Body Condition Score on a scale of 1 (too thin) to 5 (obese) during routine office visits. "The power is in the fact that it will spark an important conversation with the owner," says Denise Elliott, a Banfield veterinarian and nutritionist.

Eric Frew of Longwood Fla., lifts Fridge, who weighs 30 pounds, despite weight-management cat food.

View Full Image

GoPet

The Tread Wheel by GoPet, left, comes in various sizes, depending on the breed of the dog, and retails from $375 to $971.

One hurdle: people's idea of what constitutes a fat pet often differs from clinical reality. A study by Pfizer Inc.'s Animal Health business showed that 47% of veterinarians felt their canine patients were obese, while only 17% of dog owners agreed. For instance, a 90-pound female Labrador retriever is roughly equivalent to a 186-pound woman who is 5-foot, 4-inches tall—a human body-mass index that's considered obese, Dr. Ward says.

Similarly, he says, a fluffy, domestic short-haired cat weighing 15 pounds is comparable to a 254-pound man who is 5-foot-9. (Recommended weight range is eight to 10 pounds.)

Charles Dolcimascolo, owner of the 12-year-old cocker spaniel Buffy, routinely fed his dog table scraps until she ballooned to 42 pounds, double normal weight for the breed. "You couldn't tell if she was a dog or a pig because she's beige," Mr. Dolcimascolo, 72, says. "She'd get depressed if I didn't feed her."
But after Buffy became plagued by arthritis, Mr. Dolcimascolo, who says he struggles with his own weight, reduced Buffy's dry food back to 1½-cups a day, cut back on table scraps and made steamed vegetables the only snack. Recent weigh-in: 33 pounds.

Fat Pets at Home?

Send us photos of your pets with his or her weigh story, for possible inclusion in a photo gallery. Please include your name and your pet's name. Email pictures to yourphotos@wsj.com

Knowing how much to feed pets can be confusing. Many cat owners leave out full bowls of food for pets to graze, but feeding just 10 extra kibbles of a typical dry cat food could add up to one pound of weight gain annually, says Dr. Ward.

Manufacturers aren't required to list caloric content on labels unless the product bills itself as low calorie, according to the Food and Drug Administration, which says there's now a proposal circulating to change that. Meantime, feeding directions are listed for the "most demanding" life stage for which the product is intended, such as reproduction. Subsequently, "feeding directions can overfeed by 25%," says Dr. Elliott of Banfield.
Getting owners to follow feeding guidelines can be hard. The owners of Hershey, a six-year-old Labrador retriever with joint problems, are trying to cut his 80 pounds to the mid-70s. His treats are broken into smaller pieces, and he now gets two measured cups of low-calorie food daily with a tablespoon of wet food. "Before, we were just dumping it in," says owner John Pannullo.

Top Dogs' Diet

See guidelines for daily calories and recommended activity for the top ten dog breeds.

And as with humans, vets say some animals are more genetically prone to obesity, meaning they may need fewer calories than similarly sized pets who are metabolically lean.
Heather Noelte and Eric Frew own Fridge, who weighed a hefty 25 pounds when they adopted him eight years ago. Since Fridge had come from a shelter, "we didn't feel a forced calorie-reduction regimen" was fair, Mr. Frew says.
His current diet consists of 2/3-cup dry food in the morning and a weight-management turkey-and-rice cat food in the evening. Even so, Fridge currently weighs 30 pounds and needs a ramp to get onto his parents' bed, and Ms. Noelte said they cut off the side of his litter box because his tummy scraped it climbing in.

Weighty Matters

How to tell if your pet is pudgy and what to do:

Is my pet portly?
Can you feel your pet's ribs easily? If you have to dig around, your animal is likely too heavy.
Look at the animal from the side—you should see a tucked abdomen. A hanging belly indicates excess fat. Cats whose bellies drag the floor are often called 'swishers.'
Look at the animal from above. You want to see a moderate tapered 'waistline,' not a broad, flat back.

Weight-loss tips
Calculate calories—check with your vet for proper amount. Food label recommendations may be too much for inactive, spayed or neutered pets. Calories for many food brands are listed at petobesityprevention.com.
Measure meals—don't just fill the bowl. Try small high-protein, low carbohydrate meals two to three times daily. Look for lowcalorie, no-sugar treats or substitute vegetables and fruits, such as sliced carrots and apples for dogs, or salmon flakes for cats.

Exercise daily—for dogs, 20 to 30 minutes of brisk walking or play time is recommended. With cats, try several short bursts (five to 15 minutes) of activity chasing toys or a laser pointer. Hiding food will trigger a cat's natural hunting instinct.
Source: Association for Pet Obesity Prevention

Food makers are expanding their offerings to make cutting back easier. Last fall, Nestle Purina, for example, launched "Project: Pet Slim Down"–designed to help pets achieve 1% to 2% weekly weight loss. In January, Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc., maker of Science diet and Prescription Diet, introduced a line of weight-reduction food systems with meals and biscuits in pre-measured packets.

Exercise is another hurdle, especially when owners don't keep themselves fit. Larger breeds such as Labradors and German shepherds need 30 to 60 minutes of active play daily, vets say, or two to three miles of walking. Smaller breeds still require about 15 to 30 minutes of play, while cats benefit from short five- to 15-minute bursts of activity like chasing toys.

The pet industry is hungry to help pets shed pounds. Sales of specialty "DogTread" treadmills costing $599 to $999 have risen 200% since Ogden, Utah-based PetZen Products LLC began manufacturing them in 2007.
At the Morris Animal Inn pet resort in Morristown, N.J., 32 dogs participated in "Fido's Fit & Spaw Retreat" clinic this January, complete with swimming and dog yoga. And in April, Camp Bow Wow, a 125-location doggy day and night camp franchise will launch a "Furry Fitness Challenge" contest for owners and pets to lose weight together.

"It goes to the dynamic of people looking like their pets," says Heidi Ganahl, CEO of Camp Bow Wow. "If the owner is focused on health, then the pets will be, too."

Litter Lessons to Please Your Fickle Feline

2011-02-16T13:54:00.000-08:00

A variety of cat litters are available commercially, including those made of clay, plastic, wheat, sawdust, newspaper pellets and corn cobs. The choice depends on what matters most to you and your cat. You may have to try a few to see what you and your cat like.

Many cats readily accept unscented, scoopable litter because of its sandlike texture. Many owners prefer scoopable litters because they control odors and absorb liquid (clump) well, making it easy for owners to scoop out urine “balls.” This leaves the remaining litter dry and odor free.

Unscented litters are preferred by cats because they want to be able to identify some of their own scent in their litter. Perfume, fragrance or deodorizer may smell “too strongly” for cats. Scented litter is not usually necessary to prevent litterbox odor. If you scoop out the waste at least twice a day, the litterbox should be odor free.
If you require a completely dust-free litter, you might prefer newspaper pellets, which, although not sand like, readily absorb urine. Regular shredded newspaper is not recommended because it is messy, lacks preferred texture, and is not absorbent enough to hide odor.

Cats are usually easy to litter train because they are naturally clean and prefer to bury their waste, one reason they prefer litter that allows easy digging. However, cats may stop using the litterbox if something about it becomes unappealing.

If your cat will not use the litterbox, he or she may have a medical or behavior problem that requires veterinary advice. If there are no medical problems, try addressing the following bulleted list, but above all, do not punish your cat.

The type of litter was changed too quickly. Cats can often adjust to a change in litter but, too sudden of a change can make them avoid using the box. If you have a new kitten or cat, provide the litter that he or she has been using. If you would like to start using a different litter, gradually start mixing it into the original litter so that your cat won’t reject it.
The litterbox location was changed. Most cats prefer a quiet place with several escape routes. If the area becomes too "busy" or another animal "surprises" your cat at the current box location, he or she may stop using it.
The litterbox is dirty. Scoop it out at least twice daily, add new litter as needed, and wash the box with baking soda or an unscented soap and fill it with clean litter at least once every 2 weeks.
The litterbox is too small.
The type of litterbox was changed.
The litterbox has a liner or hood, which some cats dislike.
The litterbox isn’t easily accessible.
There aren’t enough litterboxes. Provide one litterbox per cat, plus one extra box.
There’s too much litter in the litterbox. Most cats prefer the litter to be one to two inches deep.
Your cat’s food dishes are too close to the litterbox.

If you continue to have litterbox issues with your cat, seek additional veterinary behavior advice.

The Importance of Taking Care of Your Pets' Teeth

2011-01-26T11:14:00.000-08:00

Why is dental health important? Over time, bacteria deposit plaque on your pets' teeth. If left alone, this plaque turns into a harder form called calculus, or tartar. Tartar provides a scaffolding for the bacteria in the mouth to thrive in the small space between the teeth and gums. This leads to a breakdown of the tissue that connects the roots of the teeth to the surrounding bone in the jaw. Eventually, the tooth loses its attachment and may need to be extracted.

There are other potential consequences of poor dental health. For example, a more severe dental infections know as a "root abscess" may form where there is bone loss at the tip of the tooth root. Halitosis, drooling, pain and loss of appetite may all result from this infection. There is also a chance that infections in the mouth may spread, via the blood stream, to other parts of the body, causing problems for other organzs such as the heart and intestinal tract. Cats may have a particular type of cavity called a "resportive lesion", which is painful and necessitates extraction of the affected tooth.

In order to remove the tartar from your pets', we perform an ultrasonic scaling of the teeth under general anesthesia. Anesthesia ensures that we can do a thorough job of cleaning and evaluating your pets' teeth. We check for loose teeth, cavities and pocket depth between the teeth and gums. Polishing them smooths the enamel to help prevent future backeria from getting established on the surfaces of the teeth. Your pet may need antibiotics if there is significant infection found. As early as a week after the cleaning, we recommend that you start brushing their teeth. This will help remove plaque and prevent future tartar buildup, increasing the odds that you will have a happy, healhty pet!