Tag Archives: veterinary clinic Troutville VA

Cat Care, Dog Care, General Health

Keeping Your Pet Safe on the Fourth of July

In just a few days, we’ll be celebrating Independence Day with family and friends. Are you planning on including your animal companion in the festivities? Remember: the Fourth presents a few pet hazards to be aware of! Learn more below from a vet in Roanoke, VA.

Fireworks

Tempting as it may be, don’t bring your dog to the local fireworks display. Each year, thousands of pets are frightened into running off thanks to the deafening booms of fireworks. You don’t want to search for a lost pet in the dead of night! Keep your animal friend safely secured at home in an escape-proof area. If you plan on setting off smaller pyrotechnics at home—firecrackers, sparklers, and the like—it’s always best to keep your pet indoors.

Toxic Foods

Plenty of common party and picnic foods can prove harmful for pets. The list includes onions, garlic, chocolate and candies, avocado, salty foods like chips or pretzels, grapes and raisins, fatty foods, and much more. Alcohol is another big pet no-no. If your celebration will include adult beverages, make sure your animal companion doesn’t have a chance to sneak a sip! To be safe, keep your pet far away from the treat table; give them their own meal instead to keep them satisfied.

Heat and Humidity

The Fourth of July means heat and humidity, and that can be a dangerous combination for your four-legged companion. Make sure that your pet doesn’t stay outside for too long this holiday; allow them back indoors, where it’s comfortable and air-conditioned, on a frequent basis. Also make sure that there is a dish of cool, fresh water for your pet to drink from as they please. This is the best way to avoid deadly dehydration!

Outdoor Pests

When your pet does venture outdoors, summertime pests like fleas, ticks, heartworms, roundworms, flatworms, and much more present a real danger. If your pet isn’t set up to fend off these pests, infestations and infections can result that will cause serious health trouble! Keep your pet on high-quality pest preventatives to ward off fleas, ticks, and worms—talk to your vet if your pet is in need. You can also reduce the number of mosquitoes in your yard by removing sources of standing water, trimming back tall shrubbery and grasses, and getting rid of any garbage lying about.

For more tips, call your Roanoke, VA veterinary clinic today.

Behavior, Cat Care, General Care

Catnip: Your FAQs Answered

Most people have heard of catnip, but there are many questions surrounding our feline friends’ favorite indulgence. To get answers to your most frequently asked questions regarding catnip, read on as your Troutville, VA vet goes over the basics.

What Exactly is Catnip, Anyway?

Catnip is actually an herb, classified together in the same plant “family” as mint. Catnip plants in the wild stand a few feet tall and are a leafy green with white flowers. The plant is originally from Europe but has since spread to many different parts of the world, including most of North America.

Catnip is dried and processed to create the product you’ll purchase in a pet store. Raw catnip looks almost like dried basil or oregano that you probably have in your spice cabinet. Catnip can also be infused into toys, sprays, and a variety of other products made just for cats.

How Do Cats React to Catnip?

Cats respond to catnip in several ways. Some run around erratically; some rub their faces and bodies in the area where catnip has been sprinkled; others simply stretch out their limbs and relax in a state of bliss! It all depends on your cat.

Why Does Catnip Affect Cats?

The oils of the catnip plant contain a chemical substance called nepetalactone. It’s this substance that triggers a chemical reaction in your cat’s brain, producing the results that you see. Experts liken nepetalactone to a sort of aphrodisiac-like substance—it’s believed that catnip produces a nearly sexual response!

Typically, the effects of catnip wear off after only a few short minutes. The potency of catnip, and therefore how long the effects last, does depend on the type—raw catnip is usually more potent than catnip that’s been included in toys or other products.

Why Isn’t My Cat Reacting to Catnip?

Have you tried using catnip on your cat to no avail? Don’t worry—your feline friend isn’t broken! It turns out that cats require a specific gene, inherited from both parent animals, to feel catnip’s effects. If your cat does not possess this gene, catnip won’t have much of an effect at all!

Is Catnip Harmful in Any Way?

No, catnip is not harmful to your pet. There is no possibility of your cat “overdosing,” and you can give your cat catnip as often as you’d like.

For more information on catnip, call your Troutville, VA veterinarian.