Library
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Controlled, regular physical exercise is one of the core treatments of canine osteoarthritis, along with weight control, physical rehabilitation, and pain management. Exercise increases circulation to the muscles and joints, decreases stiffness in the joint capsule and soft tissues, reduces pain, maintains strength, and benefits the cardiovascular system. Left untreated, the chronic pain of arthritis causes a continually worsening cycle of less movement, weight gain, muscle loss, decreased strength, and loss of cardiovascular fitness.
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Obesity occurs when a cat consumes more calories than they expend. Therefore, managing obesity in cats often requires both dietary changes and increased exercise/activity. There are several methods for increasing activity in cats, including play, using cat trees and climbing structures, outdoor enclosures, and intentional, active feeding practices. Each of these can be beneficial in promoting weight loss.
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You’ve probably heard lots of funny cat anecdotes; about how you don’t own them…they own YOU; how they feel superior to everyone, especially dogs; that they expect to be treated like royalty. If you are considering a feline acquisition, first consider this: lots of those remarks are true! This handout explains the other factors to consider in selecting the cat most likely to choose your family, too.
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Dogs can be amazing family members and greatly enrich our lives! Adding a dog to the family is also a serious commitment, and research before choosing a dog will help set the family and the dog up for success. This handout goes over some factors to consider when selecting a dog.
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The goal of feeding growing kittens is to lay the foundation for a healthy adulthood. Growing kittens need higher amounts of all nutrients in comparison to adult cats, but excess energy and calcium can create serious problems. Work with your veterinary healthcare team to give your puppy the best chance for success at growing into a healthy adult cat.
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The goal of feeding growing puppies is to lay the foundation for a healthy adulthood. Proper nutrition is critical to the health and development of puppies, and it directly influences their immune system and body composition. Work with your veterinary healthcare team to give your puppy the best chance for success at growing into a healthy adult dog.
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Orphaned kittens need extra care to compensate for the absence of their mother, and this article outlines the basics, including how and what to feed, how to monitor their weight, how to help them eliminate, and how to keep them safe from infection.
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Orphaned puppies need extra care to compensate for the absence of their mother, and this article outlines the basics, including how and what to feed, how to monitor their weight, how to help them eliminate, and how to keep them safe from infection.
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Feeding raw food to cats is potentially dangerous - not only to the cat eating the raw food, but also to other pets and humans in the environment, due to the high likelihood of bacterial contamination. Raw food may also not be complete and balanced and could lead to nutrient deficiencies or toxicities. Consuming raw food with bones can lead to life-threatening foreign body obstruction.
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Senior cats should be assessed by a veterinarian at least every six months. A nutritional assessment can help the veterinarian identify changing energy or nutrient requirements, which may warrant a diet change. Senior diets vary widely in nutrient profiles as there are no established standards. It remains vital that older cats stay well hydrated. Recommendations for senior cat diets need to be based on regular evaluations and discussion between veterinarian and owner.
