Wet food vs dry cat food is not a contest with one winner for every cat. Both formats can provide complete nutrition when the product is formulated for the cat’s correct life stage and carries an appropriate nutritional-adequacy statement. The biggest practical differences are moisture, calorie density, storage, portioning, texture and how each format fits…
How much should I feed my cat? The answer depends on more than the number on the scale. Age, ideal weight, body condition, muscle condition, activity, neuter status, health, treats and the calorie density of the food all affect how much an individual cat needs. Veterinary nutrition guidance therefore recommends assessing the cat, the diet…
A dog health check at home can help you notice changes in your dog’s appearance, behaviour, appetite, mobility and daily habits between veterinary visits. Once a month, take a few minutes to look at your dog’s eyes, ears, mouth, skin, coat, paws and overall body while also reviewing drinking, urination, stool, sleep and activity. The…
Dog dry flaky skin can look like white flakes scattered through the coat, but dandruff does not automatically mean the skin simply needs more moisture. Dogs can develop dry scaling, oily scaling or a mixture of both, and excessive flaking may occur with allergies, parasites, bacterial or yeast-associated skin disease, grooming problems, nutritional issues or…
Dog lumps and bumps are common findings, but you cannot reliably identify what a mass is simply by looking at it or feeling whether it is soft, hard, movable or fixed. Some harmless growths and more serious tumours can resemble one another, and non-cancerous conditions such as cysts, inflammation and abscesses can also create noticeable…
Dog coughing and gagging can be confusing because coughing, gagging, retching, reverse sneezing, regurgitation and vomiting can look surprisingly similar when they happen quickly. A cough may even finish with a gag or small amount of foam, making it seem as though the dog is trying to vomit. If your dog is coughing and gagging,…
Dehydration develops when a dog loses more water than it takes in. Vomiting, diarrhoea, heat exposure, illness, reduced drinking and excessive urination can all upset that balance. Common signs of dehydration in dogs can include dry or tacky gums, reduced skin elasticity, weakness, lethargy and changes in the appearance of the eyes. However, no single…
Persistent bad breath in dogs should not simply be dismissed as “dog breath.” Halitosis is often one of the first changes owners notice when dental disease is developing, although food, something stuck in the mouth, broken or infected teeth, oral growths and some medical conditions can also change breath odour. AAHA specifically notes that bad…
Occasional paw licking can be part of normal grooming, but repeated licking, chewing or biting deserves a closer look. A dog may focus on its paws because they itch, hurt or have been irritated by something in the environment. If you are wondering why does my dog lick its paws, start with the pattern. One…
If your dog keeps scratching, licking or chewing but you cannot find fleas, there are several other possibilities to consider. Allergic skin disease, mites, bacterial or yeast-associated skin problems, irritated skin, ear disease and local problems around the paws or anal area can all cause itching. It is also important not to assume that no…
