{"id":354,"date":"2019-02-28T18:53:09","date_gmt":"2019-02-28T18:53:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/?p=354"},"modified":"2019-02-28T18:53:09","modified_gmt":"2019-02-28T18:53:09","slug":"march-2019-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/march-2019-newsletter\/","title":{"rendered":"March 2019 Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"

Spring Allergies in Pets and What You Can Do to Help<\/a>
\nThe Good, The Bad and The Ugly: Choosing the Right Pet Food<\/a>
\nHow to Care for Your Senior Family Pet<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/a>Spring Allergies in Pets and What You Can Do to Help<\/strong>
\nAlthough you might be happy that spring is approaching with some warmer weather, it also often means allergy season is not far behind. Those allergies might not just affect you, they could also affect your pet.<\/p>\n

While human allergies usually are respiratory in nature, pet allergies typically affect the skin more often than not, such as skin irritation or inflammation, \u201ca condition called allergic dermatitis,\u201d according to the article, \u201cIf Your Dog is Itchy or Your Cat is Wheezy, You Need to Read This\u201d at Healthy Pets.<\/p>\n

Your pet\u2019s allergies will cause itchy skin leading to excessive scratching. \u201cAs the itch-scratch cycle continues, her skin will become inflamed and tender to the touch,\u201d the article said. \u201cOther signs of allergic dermatitis include areas of hair loss, open sores on the skin, and scabbing.\u201d Additionally, pets who have allergies often get ear problems, especially dogs. It is evident when the pet scratches her ears or shakes her head. An infection can bring about discharge and a bad smell as well.<\/p>\n

The article said that other signs in pets with allergies include:
\n\u2022 Puffy red eyes
\n\u2022 Red oral tissue
\n\u2022 Red chin
\n\u2022 Red paws
\n\u2022 Red anus<\/p>\n

And because allergies can easily become worse with time, seeing a veterinarian is important. \u201cYour veterinarian may perform diagnostic tests to identify skin and ear infections and rule out diseases that mimic the symptoms of allergies,\u201d according to the article, \u201cIt\u2019s Spring and My Pet Itches! A Look at Seasonal Allergies\u201d at American Veterinarian.<\/p>\n

Treatments can vary but may include medicated shampoos and conditioners, antihistamines, antibiotics, and antifungal drugs, among others. According to the American Veterinarian article, your pet may do well to see a veterinary dermatologist.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t let your pet\u2019s allergies go without proper treatment. Seek out professional help to ensure your pet\u2019s condition is managed properly.<\/p>\n

<\/a>The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: Choosing the Right Pet Food<\/strong>
\nIt\u2019s not uncommon these days to see articles all over the Internet about pet food recalls, essentially scaring pet parents. What food should you choose? Dry food? Wet food? Store bought? Specialty store bought? Raw food? Home-cooked food? Natural food? How do you know?<\/p>\n

First, begin reading labels and doing your own research. According to the Petful article, \u201cA Quick Guide to Choosing the Best Pet Food for a Long, Healthy Life,\u201d maybe your pet has been OK on a low-quality brand, but it might not be the best choice. \u201cEven a claim of \u2018human-grade meat\u2019 is questionable,\u201d the article said. \u201cFor example, meat that was once deemed safe for people may have spoiled and found its way into the pet food.\u201d<\/p>\n

The article states that if you\u2019re searching for a commercial dog or cat food that is healthy as a base, when looking at labels, search for \u201chigh in protein and low in fillers.\u201d Also, try to avoid the inexpensive fillers often found in lower-quality pet food.<\/p>\n

Typically, many supermarket and chain store pet foods are low quality. Oftentimes \u201canimal fat\u201d is present, which can mean a variety of negative things. \u201cNot to mention, the chemical additives and preservatives used to process animal fats may cause chronic allergies and skin problems,\u201d the article said. \u201cWith a super premium food, you\u2019ll get higher-quality fats \u2014 vegetable oils rather than highly processed animal fats.\u201d<\/p>\n

High-quality pet foods are free from by-products, fillers, and chemical preservatives and instead have ingredients that \u201cinclude unrefined, minimally processed foods such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy fats and proteins,\u201d according to the article, \u201cWhy You Should Feed High-Quality Dog Food and Cat Food\u201d at Chewy.com.<\/p>\n

While a lower-quality food may meet basic requirements, the higher quality foods are better for your pet\u2019s health and wellness.<\/p>\n

<\/a>How to Care for Your Senior Family Pet<\/strong>
\nAs your pet gets older and becomes a senior, it\u2019s important to be aware of any of the physical and mental changes that occur. Caring for a senior pet is different than a younger one, and that can include changes in diet and exercise, and more trips to your veterinarian.<\/p>\n

If you have a dog, keep your eyes open for anything that seems out of the ordinary, as dogs can hide health issues, according to the article, \u201cCaring for Senior Dogs: What You Need to Know\u201d at Vetstreet.com. \u201cRoutine exams, preventive medicine and adjustments to your dog\u2019s lifestyle can help your pooch stay healthy even as the years creep up,\u201d the article said.<\/p>\n

According to the article, here are some issues that may arise in your senior dog:
\n\u2022 Arthritis
\n\u2022 Cancer
\n\u2022 Cognitive disorders
\n\u2022 Intestinal problems
\n\u2022 Deafness
\n\u2022 Dental disease
\n\u2022 Vision problems<\/p>\n

Just as in dogs, cats\u2019 health requirements also change with age. \u201cLike people, aging cats are often faced with a wide variety of age-related, life changes and basic healthy habits become even more important with passing time,\u201d according to the article, \u201cCaring for a Senior Cat: 7 Healthy Habits\u201d at Pet Health Network.<\/p>\n

The following are some things you can do for your senior feline:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Keep senior cats indoors
\n\u2022 Ensure your senior cat doesn\u2019t become overweight
\n\u2022 Keep up on regular veterinary visits for appropriate vaccinations to prevent infectious diseases
\n\u2022 Grooming and hygiene including dental cleanings
\n\u2022 Keep senior cats active<\/p>\n

Just as in humans, your senior pets face a variety of age-related health changes both physically and mentally. Monitor them carefully, take note if any major changes occur, and keep your veterinarian abreast of any issues. By doing so, senior pets can continue to live healthy and happy lives.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Spring Allergies in Pets and What You Can Do to Help The Good, The Bad and The Ugly: Choosing the Right Pet Food How to Care for Your Senior Family Pet Spring Allergies in Pets and What You Can Do to Help Although you might be happy that spring is approaching with some warmer weather,… Read more »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/354"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=354"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/354\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":355,"href":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/354\/revisions\/355"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=354"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=354"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.secondhomepetresort.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=354"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}