What Happens If You Ignore Your Cat's Urinary Tract Infection?

If you are a cat owner, it is very important that you pay close attention to the health of your feline. After all, our cats rely on us to take the best possible care of them. This is why you have to watch for certain health problems such as a urinary tract infection. Just as with humans, a urinary tract infection can be just as painful and as harmful for cats.

There are several different issues that can lead up to a urinary tract infection. Sometimes, there may be some type of a tumor or another sort of infection that brings on the urinary tract infection. In some cases, owners will find out that urinary tract infections have been caused by some type of trauma. What actually happens with a urinary tract infection is there will be a build up of struvite crystals that end up blocking the natural flow of urine. A good majority of cats that come down with a urinary tract infection are in fact male. This can also occur in male cats that eat dry food that has a high ash content. Ash in cat food is the inorganic mineral content left over when the organic substances have been removed. Ash is a mixture of potassium, magnesium, and sodium salts, along with smaller amounts of other minerals and recent studies show it may very well be the magnesium content that is causing urinary tract infections in male cats.

You should never let some of the signs or symptoms of a urinary tract infection go without seeking the advice of a veterinarian. The result of a urinary infection can lead to a coma, possible kidney failure and even death. Some of the signs that you can look for when your cat is developing a urinary tract infection include strange behavior, straining during urination and even urine tinged with blood. If you see any of these symptoms, get your cat help immediately.

Keep your cat healthy through regular feedings of good food, always have fresh clean water available and regular exercise will go a long way to keeping your furry companion in your life for years and years to come.
 by www.pawshop.com - Your pet gift headquarters
   

Can Obesity Shorten Your Dog's Life?

If you are going to be a dog owner, it is very important that you do everything possible to ensure the health of your pet. This not only means regular veterinarian check ups and a decent amount of exercise, it also means feeding them the right kinds of foods. You would be pretty amazed to find out just how much of a problem that obesity is causing with the dog population today.

Many of the problems with dog obesity are being caused by certain factors such as lack of exercise. With the majority of people being much less active today, dog owners are doing less to get their dogs the exercise that they need. Keeping your dog on a regular exercise regimen can do wonders for their heart and respiratory system. The other problems can be due to the type and the amount of foods that they are being fed. Many of the dog foods on the market today are loaded with all kinds of unnecessary fillers, additives and unhealthy fats. Besides the terrible ingredients, many dog owners are also unknowingly feeding their dogs much larger portions than they need on a daily basis.

Some of the problems that a dog can acquire due to obesity include injuries due to their weight and stress on many of their major organs such as their liver, heart, lungs and kidneys. Due to a combination of obesity and age, a lot of dogs will also develop problems with their joints and begin to have troubles getting around. One of the best ways to remedy the possibility of the onset of obesity in dogs is to feed them all natural foods and treats made for dogs and forego the temptation to give them "people food". By eliminating high fat and low nutrition food and offering regular exercise, you will by helping your pet lead a healthy life, free from all of the health complications of being obese.
 by www.pawshop.com - Your pet gift headquarters
   

Are Persians More Prone To Health Problems?

There are many people who just love the look and style of a Persian cat. Persians have a gorgeous and thick long coat that is just wonderful to touch. They also carry distinct features such a broad head with big, beautiful eyes and an almost pushed in muzzle. It is said that the Persian happens to be one of the oldest breeds, dating all the way back to the early 19th century. The breed can come in a variety of wonderful color markings that include tabby, tortoiseshell and blue, making them quite desirable to many cat lover's. However, you must know that the Persian breed does come along with the possibility of several health problems, many of which are easily managed.

One of the common health problems found in Persians is problem breathing and irritation to their sinuses which can also lead to upper respiratory infection. This is believed to stem from the actual shape of their muzzle, being so short and seemingly pushed in. There have been times where some Persians have been born with nostrils that are smaller than normal, which cause severe breathing difficulty but can be fixed through a very simple surgery.

Another and more problematic health problem with some Persian cats is called polycystic kidney disease. This is a problem that usually comes about between the ages of 3 and 10. This condition causes cysts to grow on the kidneys, thus enlarging it and hindering proper function. Polycystic kidney disease is a problem that does require proper attention by a veterinarian.

All in all, Persians are a wonderful breed to own, as long as you have the time and dedication that it takes to keep them healthy. Regular grooming, attention and veterinarian checkups should keep your Persian free from troublesome health issues and you'll have a beautiful companion for years to come.
 by www.pawshop.com - Your pet gift headquarters
   

Is FLUTD in Cats Hereditary?

Feline Urinary Tract Disease, otherwise known as FLUTD, is a potentially serious health problem that can affect the lower urinary tract in cats. Though FLUTD can go on for some time without being recognized, letting this type of a health problem go untreated can cause other problems and even death. This is why it is so important to learn about the things that can cause FLUTD as well as some of the warning signs that you may look for to protect your cat.

Causes of FLUTD include hereditary or congenital defects, trauma, acquired anatomical defects, stress. Even though FLUTD can affect all cats, it does seem to be more prevalent with the male gender. One of the possible reasons why FLUTD may affect males more could be due to the fact that when a male is neutered, their urethra will change shape to become much more narrow. If you own a male cat who has been neutered, you should always keep a watch on their bathroom behaviors so that you may pick up on any early warning signs of FLUTD.

Some of these early warning signs of FLUTD may not be as noticeable as others. You may notice that your cat seems to have problems while urinating, or they may stop using the litter box altogether. Strange behavior such as crying and taking extra care by frequently licking their genitals can also be a sign of FLUTD. It is also a good idea to keep track of your pet and their bathroom habits by checking their litter box often to see if there is blood present in their urine. There is also a wonderful environmentally friendly cat litter that will actual change color if your cat is becoming ill with FLUTD. Using all of these tips could help you keep your cat healthy and free of FLUTD.
 by www.pawshop.com - Your pet gift headquarters
   

Haute Dog!

Winter can be hard for your canine pal. Even though he's wearing a fur coat, he will still feel the winter chill. If you enjoy taking your canine friend out and about for the holidays, dress him up in style and let your hound wear a spiffy hounds tooth coat.

This stately looking jacket has a turndown collar to accommodate long and short necks and the waist belt can be adjusted to fit any size belly. The turndown collar is made from faux suede and Velcro tabs at the chest and belly will ensure a secure fit.

The jackets are fleece lined for additional warmth and comfort and best of all they wipe clean easily with just a damp cloth. They are fully washable and they come in four fun sizes, X-Small fits up to 8", Small fits 8"-12", Medium fits 12"-16", Large fits 16"-20", X-Large fits 20"-24". It's easy to find out what size your dog wears, simply use a measuring tape and measure from your dog's neck to the base of his tail.

Add a red bow to your dog's ensemble for a little holiday flair or for even more holiday shine, a shiny crystal encrusted bone pendant or other shiny collar accessory will look excellent! If you want to get a gift for a furry friend, this coat will make a great gift he will use all through the winter months.

Dress up your pooch for the holidays and make sure he not only looks outstanding, he is warm and comfortable as well.
 by www.pawshop.com - Your pet gift headquarters