Last updated 1 month ago
Anyone who has ever owned a puppy knows that it is hard to resist its begging eyes when it wants another helping of food or just one more treat. However, few things can ruin a puppy’s health faster than raising it on a poor or excessive diet. Read on to learn three tips that will help you feed your puppy a proper diet:
Use High-Quality Food
To ensure that your puppy grows and develops normally, it’s crucial to feed it a nutritious, high-quality diet with the perfect balance of protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. You can identify a good brand by consulting your veterinarian and doing some investigative work of your own at the supermarket. You should seek out foods that bear a label stating that they meet the nutritional guidelines of the Association of American Feed Control Officials, as these are specially formulated for optimum nutrition.
Develop a Feeding Schedule and Set Portions
Puppies have higher nutritional requirements than adult dogs, and should be fed about three times per day. You can switch to twice-daily feedings after they reach six months of age. The amount of food that puppies need is up for debate by veterinarians, but the feeding charts on the backs of food packages are usually accurate as reference points. These charts recommend food amounts based on age and weight, which takes a lot of the guesswork out of the feeding process.
Limit Treats
Treats are important to keep puppies happy and also to jumpstart their training. However, treats should constitute no more than 5% of a puppy’s daily caloric intake, and they should only be genuine dog treats, to avoid it developing unhealthy food tastes or gastrointestinal problems.
If you are in need of a professional opinion on puppy diets, look no further than Heart of Chelsea Animal Hospital. Our expert veterinarians are always happy to answer any questions you may have about ensuring that your furry friend is always happy, healthy, and well-fed. Call us at (917) 675-3708 for more information.
Last updated 2 months ago
Pets need proper dental care just as much as they need proper medical care. That’s why Heart of Chelsea Animal Hospital offers some of the area’s best dental care for pets.
In this video, you can listen to our founder, Dr. Marc Siebert, talk about our dental care options. He starts by discussing the importance of good dental hygiene before outlining the cleaning process from start to finish.
Heart of Chelsea Animal Hospital offers your pets the best in dental care, as well as answers any questions you may have about home dental care. Call us at (917) 675-3708 to speak with a member of our team.
Last updated 2 months ago
Vaccinations may not make your cat the happiest member of your family, but they are certainly necessary for your cat’s health. Missing even just one vaccination could result in painful and sometimes even fatal consequences for your pet cat. Read on for an overview of the three most important vaccinations your cat needs:
Distemper
Distemper is a highly contagious upper respiratory infection that is spread between cats through contact with contaminated saliva or feces. This highly debilitating disease can cause such symptoms as vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, loss of motor control, and unexplained fatigue. In extreme cases, it can result in death. The distemper vaccine should be administered once a year.
Rhinotracheitis
This upper respiratory infection closely resembles distemper, but with the additional symptoms of conjunctivitis, anorexia, excessive drooling, and gluey discharge from the eyes and nose. It can be spread relatively easily between felines through sneezing and physical contact with saliva. The vaccine that prevents rhinotracheitis should also be administered annually, and you should monitor your cat closely after it receives the vaccine for signs of an adverse reaction.
Rabies
One of the most feared of all animal-borne diseases, rabies attacks and destroys the brain from the inside out. In many municipalities, routine rabies shots are required for a cat to be licensed as a pet. Even if your municipality has no such law, it’s always a good idea to have your cat vaccinated anyway, as rabies can easily spread from cats to humans. In either case, there is no cure for rabies, which is why these shots are essential. The frequency of administration depends on the type of cat as well as your area’s municipal laws.
When the time comes for your cat to get its shots, bring it down to Heart of Chelsea Animal Hospital. Our expert veterinarians will administer their shots and perform a full checkup to ensure that your furry friend is in top physical shape and good health. To set up an appointment with us, call us at (917) 675-3708.
Last updated 2 months ago
When pets are part of your life, keeping them happy and healthy is always on your mind. Whether it’s at home or on the road, and whether you are using traditional or holistic methods, you want your pet to have the best care possible. At Heart of Chelsea Animal Hospital, we provide gentle, loving care for pets. Call us at (917) 675-3708 for a thorough pet examination. To learn more about playing your part in pet health at home, take a look at these resources.
Have you ever considered using alternative methods like herbology for your pet? You can begin your research on this ancient practice with this article.
If you have a foreign trip coming up, be sure to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to get the health certificates and vaccines you’ll need for your pet to travel with you.
Want to grow an herb garden that will both delight and benefit your dogs and cats? Click on the link to check out a guide to herb gardening for pets.
Does your dog like to ride in the car with his head out the window? The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says that’s a safety no-no. You will find the rest of the ASPCA’s tips for car rides with pets at this page.
