Cats hate water, and that is the reason why cat owners have tough time giving bath to their cats. How to bathe a cat can be tricky as cats get nervous and sometimes hostile at the idea of having a bath. Owners have to really careful while giving bath to their cats.

Why cats are scared of water is a reason still unknown. In fact there are certain types of cats like Turkish Van that enjoy water to their fullest. So much so, that they are known as Swimming Cats. However, most of the common species of cats and most of the pet category are scared of water and particularly bathing. One interpretation is that since cats are so fond of their fur that they get scared of losing them while bathing. Fur provides a kind of protective layer to the cat’s body. But it is the owner’s duty to maintain the hygiene of his cat and bathing is an important step to maintain the cleanliness of the cat.

However, it is important for the owner to know how frequently the cat should be given a bath. Obviously giving your cat a bath every day or even alternate day is the worst thing you can do to the delicate being. Frequently bathing the cats can turn their skin dry by reducing the moisture. For pet cats that have short hairs and mostly stay indoors, bathing once or twice in a year is perfectly fine. Cats with long hairs however might require little more bathing, say 4-5 times a year.

God has given barbed tongue to the cats which they use to lick their skin and clean the dirt and debris. But still there can be occasions when the cat’s fur becomes too oily, or it acquires dirt that they cannot remove by licking. In such cases giving bath to the cat becomes important.

Cats might become aggressive and also cause physical harm to the owners in the process of bathing so one should be careful and follow some necessary steps.

Tips to bath you cat

• Select a warm day to bathe your cat. If it’s a bright sunny day prefer giving bathe in open air so that cat feels less cold and enjoys the bath.
• It’s better if you have a companion while bathing the cat. The other person can hold the cat and also keep it playful so that the cat is distracted and the process of bathing takes place smoothly.
• Check the temperature of the water. If using running water first check the temperature and then get the cat under it.
• You won’t have much time after you finally bring the cat to the spot for bathing. So it’s better to arrange everything beforehand and keep things in your vicinity. Some important things being pet shampoo, towel, jug to rinse, and so on.
• It is also important to protect yourself while bathing your cat. Wear gloves so that the furs do not settle on your skin. Also, if chances are that the cat can get aggressive and scratch you, wear a mask, boots and leather gloves to prevent wound.

With these important tips in mind, bathing your dear cat will not be much of a challenge. Of course it is important to assess the mood and temperament of your cat before you finally take it near water. It’s better to avoid bathing when the cat is sick or grumpy due to some other reason.

Lack of proper nutrition in dogs can lead to various problems. Most of the owners only focus on serving tasty food to their dog. But taste and health should go hand in hand. If your pet dog is undernourished it will lose the lustre of its skin. If you feel that your dog’s skin is no shinier and looks flaky, it means that the dog’s food lacks nutrition. When dogs become lazy and sluggish and no more exhibit the same zest and vigour, that also indicates that the pet is not getting the required energy from the meals.

With the availability of so many dog foods, the owner gets really confused as to which is the best one for his dog. All brands claim to be the most suitable for the dog and hence selecting one becomes a difficult task. For this reason it is important for the dog owner to know the nutritional requirements of his dog which definitely varies depending on breed, age, size, and so on.

Most important nutrition for dogs:

Protein is one of the major nutrition required by dogs. The 10 amino acids present in protein are the major nutritional requirement of a dog. These amino acids cannot be produced by dog’s body and needs to be given through diet. The 10 amino acids are such an important biological need of a dog that it does not relish foods that lack in protein. So a high protein diet is must for your pet dog. An adult dog requires 25 gms protein everday.

Other important type of nutrient required for dogs is fatty acids. Fatty acids help in carrying fat-soluble vitamins in the body. So in other words fatty acids are required by dogs for proper absorption of vitamins in their body. High fat diet is particularly recommended for growing dogs or puppies to develop good quality skin and fur. To avoid vision problem in dogs, a diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids is recommended. An adult and active dog requires 14 gms of fat in daily diet.

Apart from these a dog’s diet must contain Carbohydrates in the recommended dose to fulfil the energy needs of a dog. Dog’s food rich in carbohydrates are cereals, legumes, plant foods. Minerals like calcium and phosphorous are required for strong teeth and bone and also proper functioning of nervous system.

So when you go to buy the best dog food for your pet don’t forget to read the ingredients mentioned on the pack. It is important that the food contains right measure of all the required nutrients. If your dog is lactating, pregnant, or sick, then consult the vet for special diet.

Macaws are long living birds so if you want a pet as a lifelong companion then Macaws are a great choice. On an average Macaws live for more than 50 years. Macaws are great lovers and start considering their human caretakers as mate for the purpose of breeding. They are hungry when it comes to their owner’s love and attention. Macaw’s are quite intelligent birds and like to be interactive either with their companions or caretaker. Their loud and shrill voice however can be disturbing for owners at times.

Caging Macaws

Some Macaws can be as huge as 3 feet measuring from head to tail. Hyacinth Macaws are most huge in size. However, small Macaws, mostly 12 – 15 inches are also commonly found and preferred for caging. In order to tame huge Macaws you need special cage with suitable size. An acrylic cage is highly recommended for caging Macaws. Acrylic cage is easier to clean and disinfect. It is advisable to use acrylic cage for Macaws because they have sharp beaks and keep scratching the cage. To an extent acrylic cage resists scratch marks.

Feeding Macaws

Macaws generally thrive on fruits and vegetables. Some of the common foods that Macaws eat are:

• Nuts – Almonds, Brazils, Walnut
• Green Leafy Vegetables – Broccoli, Cucumber, Beets, Cauliflower
• Fruits – Orange, Guava, Banana, Palm fruit
• Hookbill Seeds
• Commercial Pellets

If you want to serve some fresh food to your pet Macaw then you can choose from hard-boiled egg, meat, oatmeal, millet, or brown rice. It is advisable to peel and de-seed fruits before serving the Macaw. Also wash the fruits and vegetables thoroughly in order to reduce the effects of pesticide. At the same time it is important to properly remove the leftover food from the Macaw’s cage before it gets stale or rotten.

Do’s and Dont’s of Caging Macaws

Taming Macaws also pose challenges sometimes as these birds are impopular for biting hard. They have got very hard beak also known sometimes as can-openers. So it is important to properly train the wild Macaws. Also care should be taken not to leave children unattended near the cage to avoid injury by Macaw’s beak.

History has proven that Macaws are great pets if the owners are successful in winning their trust and love. These huge parrots can be aggressive when they are mentally or physically tortured, or neglected by owners. But if provided good care, love, and enough opportunity to be free, Macaws can adorn the homes of owners for a long period.

Cat and dog being hostile to each other is very common. Dogs have the predominant desire to prey, hunt, and chase weaker species like rabbits and cats. So whenever a dog sees a cat it is urged to chase, grab, and scratch the meeker species. Cats also since the time they are born have the habit of running away in defence even before the dogs start chasing them. However, in most of the cases dogs overpower cats and bite them after defeating them in a good long chase.

We as pet owners have got somewhat used to the idea that cats and dogs by nature will not get along and need to be kept apart. Most of the owners do not take the risk of taming cat and dog in the same house. It is especially not a great idea to pet together a kitten and dog, as kittens are more vulnerable.

Moreover, the chances of a cat being bitten by a dog are quite high as these two creatures frequently fight over food, owners love, and ego clashes. So what to watch out for when a cat is being bitten by a dog?

Any animal bite can be dangerous as saliva has bacteria and potent of causing bacterial infection after the bites. It is advisable to take the cat immediately to the veterinary once you discover that the cat is bitten by a dog. What at first might appear as small puncture on the skin can become severe wound with the passage of time and thus a doctor’s examination is must. But before you rush to the doctor definitely give some first aid to the cat.

1. First aid measure when cat is bitten by dog:
2. Immediately wash the wound with plenty of warm water. The idea is to remove saliva and its bacterial effect as much as one can.
3. If the cat is excessively bleeding tie a clean piece of cloth or gauge to hold the blood.
4. If you plan to take the cat to a veterinary after a while then watch out for signs like swelling, breathing difficulty, dizziness, and other life threatening symptoms.
5. If you have iodine or chlorhexidine at home then apply to the wound to lessen bacterial growth.
6. If the cat is hurt at a sensitive part of the body like eyes, neck, stomach, and so on, then better rush to the emergency.
7. It is better to take the cat within 12 hours of the bite so that severity can be reduced.

Once the cat is under veterinary’s supervision the situation will be better controlled. The treatment of cat bitten by dog depends on the severity of the wound. The vet’s first and the foremost approach is to reduce the severity of bacterial infection that might affect other systems of the cat’s body. The veterinary might decide to drain the wound to stop further growth of bacteria. If such is the condition then the cat will be first given sedative and then the rest of the treatment.

The cat will be given antibiotics for drying up the wound and iodine or chlorhexidine for local application in order to disinfect the wound. If the vet feels that the wound is deep or at a sensitive spot like near veins, eyes, or on the neck then the cat will be supervised for a day.

Cat bitten by dog is common though dangerous for the pet. Cats are sensitive creatures and vulnerable too, so owners must be careful.

Putting more than one bird in the same cage is not
impossible though. With little extra care and safety measures we can
successfully put two birds in the same cage. Though the best strategy is to
gradually introduce the birds to each other, which means it is better to first
put them in different cages. Especially if the birds or any one of the birds is
new, it should first be put separately in another cage. However, it is
important to see that the bird does not remain alone in the cage for a long
time otherwise it might get used to staying separate and face problems
adjusting with other birds.

Tips for caging birds together:

1. The process of caging the birds together should
   be gradual. The attempt should be to familiarize the birds first. The owner can
   start by putting the cages next to each other during the day. This way the
   birds will see each other and get familiar. After the birds get pretty familiar
   with each other, then the owner can put the birds together in the same cage for
   few hours in a day and watch the bird’s behaviour. If they seem compatible then
   the owner can prolong the duration of caging the birds together.

2. In order to successfully cage more than one bird
   together, it is important that they are given some play time out of the cage
   together. If they mingle with each other in an open and free environment, they
   are more likely to get along with each other when using the same cage. The
   owner should ensure that the birds interact with each other outside the cage.

3. Another tip is to start caging the birds
   together when they are pretty young. It is seen that like human beings, birds
   are also innocent when young. Birds get into the habit of staying with each
   other in the same cage since they are young. In most of these cases the birds
   get addicted to stay with each other and become inseparable.

4. Experts also believe that birds of different
   species do not get along well when caged together. So it is advisable for the
   owners to preferably put birds of the same species together.

Bird Owners will definitely face multiple problems while
caging the birds together, for example, birds getting hostile towards each
other, one bird bullying another, birds getting addicted for each other, and so
on, but it is definitely a great experience to cage birds together.

Moreover, the owner should first patiently observe whether the birds are comfortable sharing the cage with each other.
There is no point giving up at the first attempt as the birds might not like
each other instantly but start getting along gradually. So to say caging birds
together is more of an art rather than science.

Causes of Toxoplasmosis in dogs:

The main cause of Toxoplasmosis in dogs is Toxoplasma gondii. Your pet dog can acquire this parasite either from rooting in infected soil or from ingesting cat feces. The dogs that are few raw or imcompletely cooked meat are at a great risk of developing this disease.

Symptoms of Toxoplasmosis in dogs:

Though most dogs infected with Toxoplasma gondii do not exhibit any symptoms of infection, however dogs those have clinical illness can show a number of non diagnostic signs of infection such as seizures, depression, neurological symptoms, fever, muscle weakness, weight loss, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, diarrhea, jaundice, partial or complete paralysis, inflammation of tonsils, respiratory problems, lethargy, inflammation of the cornea, inflammation of retina and many more.

Diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis in dogs:

The best ways to diagnose Toxoplasmosis in dogs is by the measurement of antibodies to the organism. Your vet might perform some tests such as complete blood count, ocular examination, biochemistry profile, fecal examination, chest x- ray, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, transtracheal aspirate, analysis of pleural, ELISA test, antibody test in order to diagnose Toxoplasmosis in dogs

Treatment for Toxoplasmosis in dogs

If you found that your pet dog is suffering from clinical toxoplasmosis then you should immediately take your infected dog to a vet for proper treatment. Your vet will prescribe certain antibiotics to get it treated. Your vet can either prescribe clindamycin or a combination of Sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine to your pet dog in order to get toxoplasmosis treated. In severe cases of toxoplasmosis, these treatments might not work. The severe cases of toxoplasmosis in dogs can get treated with diaminodiphenylsulfone, atovaquone or spiramycin.

Causes of vomiting in cats:

1. Gastritis: It is the most common and primary cause of vomiting in cats. Depending on the extent of gastritis the cat can have diarrhea and also vomiting. In such cases, owner should take her pet cat to the vet for the proper treatment. This infection can be treated by providing only water to your cat for 24 hours and no food. If can serve her a bland diet as well. Some of gastritis infection can be serious and can cause diarrhea to your pet cat so take your pet cat to a vet for proper diagnosis.

2. Rich diet: Some cats have sensitive stomach and aren’t able to digest a rich diet which results in vomiting. If the cause of vomiting in your cat is the same then you need to serve her prescribed diet. You can serve chicken and white fish to kitties but ensure that you don’t serve them wholly as otherwise they wouldn’t get al the required nutrients. You can take advice form the vet regarding your pet cat’s diet.

3. Infections: Infections such as cat urinary tract infection, fever and many more can be the cause of vomiting in cats.

4. Diseases: Diseases such as liver, cat diabetes, cat enteritis, nervous system disease, cancer, heart failure, gastric ulcers, kidney and pancreatic diseases can also be the cause of vomiting in cats.

Treatment for vomiting in cats:

If your cat is continuously vomiting then you should immediately take your infected cat to a vet for proper treatment. The treatment for vomiting in cats depends on the severity and its cause. If there is no serious disease is present in your cat and your cat is continuously vomiting then you need to treat it yourself. You can do it by proving only water or a special drink to your pet cat as that will help in keeping the chemical balance of her body normal. No food should be provided to cat during such situation and after she becomes normal, you can serve her bland diet in a small quantity.

Brain tumor is a common problem in middle age and older dogs; however it can also be caused to younger dogs too. The common types of brain tumor that are often found in dogs are astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas and meningiomas. Brain tumors can be spread on different sites of the brain. Low blood sugar and heart problem can be the cuase of brain tumor in dogs. If your dog has a seizure then there is a change that the brain tumor is present in him. Brain tumor is commonly found in breeds like boxers, golden retrievers, boston terriers, Scottish terriers, old English sheepdogs and Doberman pinschers.

Symptoms of brain tumor in dogs:

The symptoms of brain tumor in dogs vary according to where in the brain the tumor is growing. At times, dogs don’t show any symptoms during the beginning of the tumor growth. When the tumor grows, dog can show symptoms such as lethargy, behavior change, compulsive walking, irritability, lower intelligence, facial paralysis, partial or full blindness, low energy level, confusion and disorientation.

Causes of brain tumor in dogs:

Though there is no identified cause of brain tumors in dogs, however veterinarians suspect some causes that can be responsible for brain tumor in dogs. Factors such as genetics, exposure to radiation, serious injuries and trauma to the head and pesticides can be responsible for brain tumor in dogs.

Diagnosis of brain tumor in dogs:

Vet will perform MRI and CT (Computer tomography) scan on your dog in order to detect whether you dog has brain tumor or not. Vet might perform complete blood test and urinalysis in order to find out the particular cause of symptoms. Biopsy test of dog is a good way to be certain that a brain tumor exists or not.

Treatment for brain tumor:

If you found that your pet dog is suffering from brain tumor then you should immediately take your infected dog to a vet for proper treatment. The options that are available for the brain tumor in dogs are surgical removal of tumor, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and palliative treatment. The removal of brain tumor can be difficult as it depends on the location and size of the tumor. Your vet will help you in choosing best treatment for your dog.

Hyperthyroidism is a common disease in older cats. It is caused by an increase in production of thyroid glands which is basically located in the neck and plays an important role in regulating the body’s rate of metabolism. Clinical signs associated with Hyperthyroidism are quite serious and need proper treatment. Fortunately in most of the cases, hyperthyroidism is treatable and most of the cats recover soon. It is generally caused due to the overproduction of thyroid hormone and subsequent increase in the metabolic rate. This disease is mostly caused to old cats. Most of the cats suffering from hyperthyroidism have high blood pressure.

Symptoms of Hyperthyroidism in cats:

The symptoms that can be noticed in hyperthyroid cats are unexplained weight loss, loss of muscle mass, frequent vomiting, increased appetite, diarrhea, weakness, lethargy, excessive thirst, unkempt looking coat and irritability or nervousness. If you notice any one or two of these symptoms in your pet cat then immediately take it to vet to confirm hyperthyroidism. Vet will perform a blood test of your cat to determine whether or not a cat’s thyroid is producing more hormone than it should. Once it is determined that thyroid is producing more hormone then vet will suggest a proper treatment for hyperthyroidism in cats.

Treatment for Hyperthyroidism in cats:

Hyperthyroidism in cats can be treated with three basic treatments. There is a chance that these three basic treatments will help to return the thyroid gland to normal function. Though each of the treatment has some advantage and drawback, however you can take advice from your vet that which treatment will be best for your pet cat. The best and easiest method for the treatment of Hyperthyroidism in cats is anti thyroid medications. A common anti thyroid medicine which is prescribed by vet to treat Hyperthyroidism in cats is methimazole. This medicine helps to control the production of thyroid hormones. The other two treatments for Hyperthyroidism in cats are surgery and Radioiodine treatment. It is better to take to diseased cat to vet for the treatment. He will suggest you a proper treatment for Hyperthyroidism in cats. If it left untreated, then there is a chance that it can become serious and can even pose a threat to a cat’s life.

Causes of sneezing in cats:

The main causes of sneezing in cats are upper respiratory infection, irritants such as cigarette, smoke or dust, allergies, dental abscess, nasal polyps, fungal infection, nasal cancer and it can be caused due to foreign object such as grass, seeds etc.

Treatment for sneezing in cats:

If you found that your pet cat is sneezing continuously then you should immediately take infected cat to a vet for proper treatment. As the treatment for sneezing in cats depends on the cause of the sneezing therefore the vet will perform certain test in order to find the cause of continuous sneezing in your cat. If the cause of continuous sneezing in cat is bacterial infection then vet will prescribe antibiotics and if the cause is fungal infections then he will prescribe antifungal. For dental abscess, vet will perform dental treatment and for the cancer he will choose between chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

You can prevent your pet cat from sneezing problem by providing vaccination to your cat. If your cat has already caught flu then it is important for owner to provide proper care to infected cat. Applying saline nose drops will relieve your pet cat from the irritation that causes sneezing. Providing fatty acid supplements to pet cat will help to boost her immune system and will help to prevent her from sneezing problem. If you notice that your cat is sneeze blood then you need to take her to a vet immediately as it can be an indication of nasal cancer in your pet.