Blog Posts by Webvet

By WebVet.com

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1. Adopting a cat is a lifelong commitment. Cats can live up to 20 years; be sure you're ready to provide food, shelter and love for your cat's life. Major changes, such as switching owners and houses, can be very stressful for cats.
2. Be prepared for the financial responsibilities that come with having a cat. The average annual cost is anywhere from $800-$1,000. That includes quality food, litter, toys, and routine medical costs. Emergency care or treating an illness can range from $250-$2,000.
3. Cats, like all pets, need sufficient love and attention. Creating a human bond is crucial to developing a lasting relationship with your cat. Most cats will want to be near you when you're home; make an effort to pet your cat whenever you pass it. Devote time every day to playing with your cat and engaging it in physical and mental stimulation. Each cat is different and desires different levels of attention. As you and your cat get to know each other, you'll know when your

By WebVet.com

How can you tell the difference between a minor and major injury? When do you rush to the emergency room and when do you take a deep breath and reach for the hydrogen peroxide and doggie biscuits?

Consider this story:

When Mary got home from work and saw bloody paw prints on her floor, she tried not to panic. Instead, she quickly determined which of her two dogs was bleeding and located the offending abrasion on her Jack Russell Terrier's paw. An avid reader of any and all pet first aid books, Mary decided against heading to the animal emergency center and watched her dog closely for signs of infection (fatigue and loss of appetite are among the symptoms in pets).

In August of 2008, the Veterinary Pet Insurance Group (VPI) released a list of the 10 most common pet injuries based on their comprehensive data of claims in 2007 and anecdotal reports from claims officers.

According to VPI, though some pet injuries can take owners by surprise, there are some

By WebVet.com

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Traveling with your dog can be a rewarding experience if you prepare ahead of time and ensure your pet's comfort during the trip.

Make sure that your dog is used to being in a car before you take it on a long journey. Begin by taking your pet for short trips and rewarding it with praise and a treat afterward. Avoid feeding your pet just before short rides.

Car (motion) sickness can make travel difficult for both you and your pet. Signs of motion sickness include restlessness, drooling, and vomiting. Do not feed your dog for five to six hours before long trips. If necessary, your veterinarian can prescribe medication to relieve your pet's discomfort.

Dogs should ride inside the car rather than inside a camper or in the bed of a pickup truck. Restrict your dog's movement so that it cannot interfere with the driver. Special harnesses and car seats are widely available. Do not let your dog stick its head out the window, which can lead to eye injuries.

By WebVet.com

2120080606164850catanddog2A new report from Global Industry Analysts, Inc. (GIA) predicts that the global market for pet food will reach $95.7 billion by the year 2017.

Why so much? The researchers single out regional economic conditions, pet population, and changing consumer attitudes as reasons for the growth. According to GIA, the rise of "alone or single-person families" and a decreasing birthrate means that pets are increasingly being considered family members and companions -- not just animals.

This change in attitude, combined with growing urbanization and an increase in disposable income, have contributed to the increase in number of households owning pets -- which in turn -- drives the demand for pet foods.

GIA noted that pet foods represent one of the fastest growing sectors in the food industry. Why? They cite increased market segmentation and producer innovation. They pointed to the rising popularity of organic pet food, and owners' ever-growing interest in the nutrition and health

By WebVet.com

The holidays are all about giving and unwrapping wonderful surprises in packages both big and small. But one Yuletide surprise you should think twice about foisting onto an unsuspecting recipient is a new puppy, kitten, bird, small mammal or other pet -- the kind of Christmas gift that can open a Pandora's Box of troubles, say the experts.

While it may be exciting to choose a new pet companion for a child or loved one during the holiday season, the timing couldn't be worse, according to Adam Goldfarb, an issues specialist in the Companion Animals Department of The Humane Society of the United States.

"The holidays are such a busy time for people, with all the travelling, shopping, decorating and such that goes on,'' Goldfarb said. "When you bring a new pet into a household, you want to make sure it has an easy time adapting. But with all the hustle and bustle of the season, it's harder for the pet to adapt.''

Linda Register, DVM, a veterinarian from Tampa, Fla., said

By WebVet.com

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning pet owners that chicken jerky dog snacks might cause their pets to be ill. The FDA issued the alert after a surge in complaints by dog owners and vets, who claim the made-in-China treats may have led to sickness and death.

Despite the alert, the FDA has not pinpointed the problem or issued a recall, meaning there is no specific product to look for.

Veterinarian Dr. Carla Cloud, who examined a dog experiencing symptoms believed to be from the jerky, said of the warning signs, "Her appetite has been a little bit decreased, she vomited once this weekend which is pretty abnormal for her. So just feeling a little under the weather."

In 2007, the FDA issued its first caution alert related to chicken jerky snacks after taking 156 complaints associating them to illness and death. The FDA issued another bulletin when cases multiplied again between 2008 and early 2009. The most recent caution alert comes after at least 70

By WebVet.com


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PREPARING YOUR PETS' MEALS YOURSELF IS BETTER FOR THEM: In the wake of the pet food recalls in 2008, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) issued a statement saying, "The AVMA does not recommend that people attempt to prepare home-cooked meals for their pets because pet nutrition is very complicated and unique to species and individual animals.'' One AVMA expert added, "Commercial pet foods are thoroughly tested. I don't know of any homemade recipes for pets that are put through tests before they are marketed.''

STORE-BOUGHT PET FOOD MAKES YOUR PET FART A LOT: Feeding your pet soybeans, peas, beans, milk products, or fatty or spicy foods commonly causes flatulence. Dairy products are especially a problem, because adult dogs and cats are lactose intolerant and often experience digestive upset and flatulence when given milk, cheeses, or similar foods.

'NATURAL' AND 'ORGANIC' FOODS ARE THE SAME: Organic foods are a subgroup of natural foods. In other words, all

By WebVet.com

If you are planning to travel by air with your pet, make sure to check with the airline well in advance of your trip to learn of any specific travel requirements. If you are flying on an airplane going internationally, also check with your destination country for any pet-related requirements. Health certificates are often necessary to travel with your dog, cat or other pet, and some countries require a period of quarantine for your pet on its arrival.

Before traveling with your pet, make sure to visit your veterinarian for a complete physical and to make sure that your pet is up to date on all vaccinations. You may need to obtain a signed health certificate, which can take additional time.

Whey flying your pet, safety is paramount. Check with your airline to be sure your pet carrier is an "airline-approved" crate. Familiarize your pet with the carrier before your travel date to minimize stress. The carrier should be large enough for your pet to stand up and