Answers to common pet questions

[putnamwitches]

Here are some commonly asked pet questions. Give them a read and see if you know the answers.
Is your cat getting into your plants? You can do several things: Put the plants up and away from those prying paws. Put pine cones or rocks over the soil -- their paws won't like that. Spray the leaves with a commercial anti-chew product.
What should you do when you first get a new bird? Avian experts say that you should take it to the vet annually for a checkup. But if you notice a change in your bird's behavior; take it to your vet right away.
How often should you groom your dog? Pet experts say it depends on the kind of dog and how active it is. Dogs with short coats can be brushed once a week; dogs with long coats should be brushed daily. If your dog runs around outside, you might have to brush and bathe it more often than every three months.
Should you keep a goldfish in a bowl? No -- fish experts say that goldfish should be placed in a 20-gallon aquarium. Chat with the fish experts at a pet store.
How often should I change my bird's water? Avian experts say to change it daily. Your bird should always have cool, fresh, clean water available.
Are there foods I shouldn't feed my dog? Yes -- never give your dog grapes, raisins, poultry bones, chocolate, coffee, onions, alcoholic beverages or yeast dough.

Written by Heloise

[sandra mutter]

my cat has decided that she doesn't like her food. i've tried several other brands but no luck. what should i do? my hubby says she is fine as she's catching mice when outdoors but i still worry.

sandy

[putnamwitches]

I am not sure what to do but I will look into it for you. Thanks for posting something! I really don't want is site to have to leave because I started this site for my late poodle "Monica". Thanks again!

[putnamwitches]

I found this info. on the internet and if this doesn't help I suggest that you talk to your vet because there can always be an underlying reason why your cat doesn't want to eat.

The amount of food your cat needs will vary depending on its age, weight, physical activity, metabolic rate and whether it's pregnant or not. Since every cat is different, you should tailor the amount of food it's given on your cats own individual needs. Here are some general rules you can follow.

1.) In general, cats tend to be overfed and under-exercised, so if you're unsure about the correct amount to give your cat initially, it's a good idea to start with less food. However, if your a new cat owner and your cat is constantly meowing for food, make sure that it gets enough food to put the cat at ease. A cat that is thrust into a new environment, may become nervous and want more food than it would typically. Once your new cat becomes comfortable with its new surroundings, which may take anywhere from 1 to 6 months you should start reducing the amount of food it gets to normal levels.
2.) Check the product label on the cat food you buy for the pet food makers recommended guidelines on how much to give your cat.
3.) Try to feed your cat wet and dry food each day. Split up the meals by giving your cat dry food in the morning and wet cat food at night. A cat might not eat all of its food in one sitting, so by giving your cat dry food in the morning, your cat will be able to nibble on whatever he doesn't eat during the day. As long as your cat does not gain excessive weight, leaving dry food out all day is not a problem. This should be avoided with wet food, because of the spoilage factor.
4.) In general, an Adult cat that weighs between 5-10 lbs should have between 2 to 4 oz (¼ to ½ cup) of dry food, or 5 to 9 oz of canned food per day. Kittens, senior adult and pregnant cats will typically require more food than these amounts.
5.) Feed your cat Premium pet food whenever possible. Premium foods contain higher quality ingredients and will provide your cat with better overall nutrients that make for a healthier cat.
Avoid feeding your cat table scraps. Feeding table scraps can disrupt the balance of your cat's diet, which can lead to obesity. It may also encourage your cat to beg for food, or even to stop eating its own pet food and want to eat human food only.
6.) Try to establish a specific feeding schedule, so your cat will know when to expect its next meal. Most often this schedule will be based around your work or school schedule. Because of this, it usually makes sense to feed your cat once in the morning, and once when you get home from work or school.
7.) Lastly, always provide fresh water for your cat. Make sure you do not allow your cat to drink from unsanitary sources of water, such as the toilet bowl or a fish tank.
In general, most adult cats weigh between 6 and 14 pounds, so if your cat weighs much more than this you should consider putting it on a diet. To get an accurate measurement of your cat's weight you should take it to a veterinarian and have them weight it. However, to quickly determine your cat's weight using your bathroom scale, try the following. Step on your scale and weigh yourself while holding onto your cat, then weigh yourself without your cat. Now subtract the difference and you will get your cat’s approximate weight.

Foods that you should not feed your cat include: dog food, raw fish, raw eggs, large amounts of tuna or liver, chocolate, and any bones. You should avoid feeding your cat people food from your own meals. Also, while most cats like drinking milk and it is a nutritious snack, you should only offer it to your cat after it has eaten its solid food. You should also be aware that a surprising number of cats are lactose intolerant, and milk will often cause them to develop diarrhea if they drink too much. So if you suspect that milk is causing your cat to have an upset stomach, then you should avoid giving it milk or any other types of dairy products.

[sandra mutter]

thanks for the help. it looks like i'm doing right by her so maybe a trip to the vet is in order if she keeps it up. last night i put out a packet of wet food that has fish in it (the good food) and most of it was still there this morning. :( she does seem to still like the dry food so that's good at least. lol she's a bit spoiled and thinks she rules the roost.

sandy

[putnamwitches]

A spoiled pet is the best kind! LOL I am glad I could help.