Humans aren’t the only ones who can suffer from dandruff – dogs too can suffer from itchy, flaky skin that creates unsightly white dander that spreads through the coat and falls onto everything else.   Technically known as seborrhea, dandruff is composed of dead skin cells that clump together and fall from the skin. Since dandruff is itchy, dogs are likely to start scratching themselves more than usual leading to scabs or bumps developing as well as the flaky skin.   All breeds can develop dandruff, yet terriers such as West Highland, Scottish, Fox and Cairn are especially susceptible to the condition. Schnauzers, Dalmatians, English and Irish setters, poodles and pugs are also more likely to develop dandruff than other dog breeds.   Allergies are a common cause of dandruff. Dust, pollen, household cleaners and food varieties are all possible allergens that could instigate a skin reaction. Chyletiella mite infestation is another potential cause as well as fungal skin infections and bacteria.   Sometimes it is simply the environment in which the dog lives. An area with low humidity can remove the moisture from a dog’s epidermis and cause skin flaking. A dog that is not drinking enough water may also suffer from dandruff for similar reasons.    A vet can help you to determine the most likely causes of your dog’s dandruff. If allergies are suspected as the problem, removing the substance from their diet or your home may be the solution or a course of antihistamines. Daily brushing, which helps to distribute oil over the skin and through the coat, as well as the use of gentle oatmeal shampoos can also help relieve symptoms.  Feature image credit

According to stereotypes, cats can live happily on a diet of milk and fish. But like dairy products, feeding fish everyday is in reality a very poor idea.   Many cats love the taste of fish and fortunately fish products can be a healthy addition to your cat’s dinner bowl. Yet it is important to keep the idea of ‘balance’ in the forefront of your mind when visiting the seafood market in order to spoil your kitty.   Fish is an excellent source of protein and omega 3. This is particularly the case with fish oil. Fish oil can assist with improving everything from eyesight to arthritis and thus owners should lean towards oily fish like salmon, mackerel and tuna when making their selection.   Despite the benefits, fish should always be a ‘sometimes’ food as overconsumption of fish can far outweigh the positives and lead to serious health problems. Vitamin E, which is essential in breaking down unsaturated fats in a cat’s diet, can be inhibited by a fish-heavy diet. Illnesses such as yellow fat disease or steatis are likely to result. It is commonplace for commercial brands to artificially add vitamin E to their seafood-based recipes to help compensate for this occurrence. Vitamin B can also be compromised by a fish-heavy diet. Certain species such as herring and carp contain thiaminase that actively destroys thiamine (vitamin B1).   When feeding fish it is also recommended it be cooked prior to being served to your cat. Raw fish is often high in bacteria and other contaminants that are neutralised through the cooking process.   Also note seafood is one of the leading causes of feline allergies and certain cats can develop an adverse reaction to eating fish. If you suspect this to be the case, consult your veterinarian and cease serving fish products immediately.    Feature Image Credit

Some dogs (looking at you, labradors) seem to have a never ending appetite for food – yet other dogs can be exceptionally fussy, turning up their nose at the dinner they have been lovingly served by their owners.    It can be frustrating as well as worrying when a dog leaves their dinner bowl untouched. Many owners fret that such behaviour will cause their pet to fail to receive the nutrition they require. In most cases, it is very unlikely a dog will make themselves seriously ill with their discerning tastes. A healthy but picky dog will not starve themselves to death with their appetite or lack thereof.   If you are concerned, a discussion with your vet will let you rule out any underlying medical conditions that may influence your pet’s interest in food. Generally, fussy dogs show a long-term pattern of rejecting food not up to their standards. Any sudden change from a usual pattern of robust appetite however is a red alert that something is probably not quite right.   Once you’re sure you simply have a picky pooch on your hands there are a few methods you can try to set them on the path of eating what they have been given without complaint.   Some breeds are known to be pre-disposed to fussiness over others, such as poodles and Yorkshire terriers. In most cases picky eaters are created, not born. Dogs not provided with alternatives from their regular balanced and complete food are apt to eat what they are given. However, if they find when they turn their nose up at their dinner they receive a tasty piece of meat or another treat they quickly learn to hold out to get something better than what they are first given.    To retrain a fussy dog to accept ‘normal’ dog food, provide them with what you wish them to eat. If they reject it, pick it up and serve it again for their next meal. Resist the urge to give them something else if they are stubborn. Dogs don’t have to eat every day to survive – wolves do not have regular meal times in the wild. When they are hungry enough they will eat. Praise them wildly when they do bend and eat to enforce the behaviour you desire.    Feature Image Credit  

Grooming, after sleeping, is probably the activity that consumes most of a cat’s day. It is thus likely an affront to feline pride that certain conditions can cause a cat’s coat to become unpleasantly greasy.   In cats, a greasy coat is far more than an aesthetic problem. It is a prominent symptom of a variety of health issues, from minor to life threatening. Therefore, a greasy coat means a trip to the vet is absolutely in order.   A cat feeling ill or in pain may neglect to groom themselves as usual due to the discomfort they experience when attempting to do so. Parasite infestation or ringworm is another potential cause. Feline hyperthyroidism, an overproduction of the thyroid hormone, is also known to cause greasy fur as the body is stimulated to secrete excessive amounts of sebum. Due to the large range of issues that can cause greasy fur a proper diagnosis is essential in fixing the underlying issue. Simply bathing a cat with greasy fur may fix the fur for a short time, but will leave the true health problem untreated.   Keep in mind simple feline curiosity can also be the cause of suddenly greasy fur - a cat climbing into garbage or crawling beneath an oily car could coat them in grime leading to the appearance of a greasy coat. Unless you are sure mischief has led to the greasy coat it is best to be on the safe side and visit your vet due to the seriousness of the potential instigators.    Feature Image Credit

Most often we think of dogs as the ones to drag their bums across the carpet, but cats also do this when something is bothering them back there. What’s referred to as the “scoot”, cats will drag their bottoms across the floor usually when their anal sacs are irritated. The anal sacs, located on either side of the anus, collect fluid produced by the anal glands. This fluid needs to be emptied regularly, which typically happens during regular bowel movements. When the fluid isn’t emptied, the sacs can become impacted, infected, or even rupture. If your cat is scooting, it means they’re feeling uncomfortable. Other symptoms you may notice along with the scoot are straining to defecate, discharge, and scratching, licking, or biting around the anus. This is most commonly caused by irritation, likely because of diarrhea, or impaction, which is when the sacs become clogged with thick secretion from the glands. Other possibilities include allergies, parasites, matted hair, and tumors. Scooting isn’t something to be ignored. If the behavior is occurring frequently, you should make an appointment with your vet as soon as possible. When the anal sacs remain unemptied, impaction could occur and lead to abscessation and/or rupture, causing your cat a great deal of pain. When you bring your cat in, the vet will manually empty the sacs as long as they’re still intact. If they are abscessed, your vet will drain them and then flush them with antibiotics. If your cat has these issues repeatedly, they may be suffering from a chronic anal sac disorder. In this case, it is possible to surgically remove the sacs. You should also talk to your vet about how to empty the anal sacs at home. Cats are known for hiding illness well, and anal sac issues are no exception. So if you notice your cat doing the scoot, it’s for the better that they are telling you something is wrong.   Feature image credit

The workplace is often viewed as a sterile, stressful, and boring place to be. There is a reason that most people look forward to Fridays and exhibit disdain for Mondays. The Great Recession that wreaked havoc on economies around the globe over the past seven years resulted in lower wages, threats of layoffs, and shrinking benefits. In an effort to bolster the mood and productivity of employees in recent years, many companies now allow workers to bring pets to work.   Are there benefits to having a so-called "office dog," or is it simply a distraction in the workplace?   Reduced stress A study from Virginia Commonwealth University found that employees who bring a dog to work had less stress. Specifically, the study found that individuals who brought a dog to work produced lower levels of the hormone cortisol. This hormone is directly related to elevated stress levels. The study focused on a company that had anywhere between 20 and 30 dogs on the premises on any given day.   Those workers who had brought their dog to work with them saw their stress levels drop 11% as the day went on. On the other hand, workers without a dog in their office saw their stress increase 70%. Workers involved in the study said that simple actions such as rubbing their dog's ear, scratching its belly, or patting its head helped lower stress levels.   Forced breaks As counterproductive as it seems, having an office dog that forces individuals to take breaks actually makes them more productive during the day. Numerous studies have found that taking frequent, short breaks helps increase productivity by giving the brain a break and helping refocus efforts when returning to work. With an office dog, employees have a chance to take numerous breaks during the day to take the dog for a brief walk or outside to use the bathroom.   Fostering a friendly environment It can be easy to go about the workday with your head down and your mouth shut. Sometimes people just want to come and go, do their work, and get on with life. This might work for some people, but humans are inherently social and suffer without socialization. Office dogs create a natural conversation piece and offer employees a chance to interact as they take their dogs outside for a bathroom break or a brief walk over the lunch hour.   Not everyone in your office is going to be a fan of dogs. It is important to consult with everyone in the office before adopting an office dog, or allowing someone/everyone with pets to bring them in. Some people in the office may be allergic to dogs, making their day worse with the presence of an office dog. Others may simply find the movements and even noises of a dog distracting.   Additionally, there are good office dogs and bad office dogs. A good dog to bring to the office is one that gets along well with other people, and other dogs. You'll need a dog with good socialization and a calm demeanor to ensure that the office dog doesn't become an office distraction. Feature image credit

Governments and numerous health agencies have spent the last two decades raising awareness about the dangers of smoking. Citizens across the world have learned about what dangers smoking poses to their own health and the health of those around them. Secondhand smoke has been shown to have negative impacts on the health and well-being of those living with smokers.   Overlooked in all of these awareness campaigns has been the health and well-being of pets. Does your smoking pose a health risk to your dog? According to available data from the ASPCA, there are 71 million pet owners in the United States, and about one-fifth of those people are smokers. Exposure to secondhand smoke kills an estimated 50,000 Americans each year. Additionally, there are as many as four million children living in homes where they are exposed to secondhand smoke and in many of these homes there are also dogs.   Numerous studies have found that dogs, as well as cats, face health risks similar to those of humans exposed to secondhand smoke. These risks include decreased lung capacity, sinus issues, and cancer.   Exposure to secondhand smoke has been found to cause a number of health problems in dogs living with smokers. Cardiovascular disease, asthma, chronic lung infections, eye problems, and respiratory disease are some of the illnesses that dogs suffer from as a result of secondhand smoke.   It is also possible for dogs to develop lung cancer or nasal sinus cancer. A study from the State of Colorado found that dogs living with smokers had a higher incidence of nasal cavity tumors than dogs living in a home with no smokers. Dog breeds with longer noses, such as Collies, face a significantly higher chance of contracting nasal sinus tumors and cancer compared to breeds with short to medium noses.   Experts believe this higher rate of occurrence is linked to the longer nasal passages in certain breeds. Those dogs with longer noses have a greater surface area in the sinus cavity for toxins and carcinogens to be deposited before reaching the lungs. Additionally, all dog breeds are at risk for lung cancer as a result of those carcinogens eventually reaching the lungs.   Cigarettes, cigars, and pipe tobacco release more than 4,000 chemicals in secondhand smoke. These chemicals include dangerous toxins like carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, arsenic, benzene, chromium, nickel, and vinyl chloride. Each of these toxins poses a serious threat to your dog's health, increasing its risk for chronic illness and death. Feature image credit

It is frustrating when your cat refuses to use a litter tray, but it can also be cause for concern. As it turns out, your pet might be urinating outside of the designated area area due to medical reasons. Here's what you need to consider if you want to understand and fix the problem. Most cats care a lot about hygiene, and so a dirty or poorly filled litter tray could be so off-putting that it might prompt your pet to go elsewhere. If you think the tray could be cleaner, make a commitment to cleaning it at least once a day and see if your cat's behavior changes. If you have more than one cat, having several litter trays can help to ensure that one is always clean. In addition, think about where the litter tray is placed. Cats feel vulnerable doing their business, so if the tray is exposed or difficult to escape then they might choose to go somewhere more private. Furthermore, it might be worth trying a different type of litter to find out whether your kitty doesn't like the feel or smell of your current product. No matter what litter you use, most cats will prefer it to be no more than two inches deep. If your cat is of a mature age, then that may be the reason why you have seen a change in litter tray use. Firstly, some elderly cats can develop a degree of dementia that may leave them feeling confused about where they are or cause them to forget where they are supposed to urinate. Secondly, arthritis is a fairly common complaint in older cats, and the joint pain associated with the condition can make it difficult to get into the litter tray. If your cat has arthritis then it may need a litter tray with low sides. Certain health problems can strike a cat of any age and lead to a reluctance to use the litter tray. It can be useful to make an appointment with your vet and discuss all of the following: Urinary tract infections: If your cat enters the litter tray but does so more often than normal and only manages to pass small amounts of urine, a urinary tract infection may be behind the new tendency to urinate elsewhere. Interstitial cystitis: This inflammatory disease affects the bladder and makes your cat feel like urinating more often. As a result, your pet might start urinating in unusual places instead of (or as well as) the tray. Bladder stones: Bladder stones are very painful, so if your cat is suffering from this problem then you might hear crying when the animal tries and fails to urinate. In any of these cases, treating the underlying condition should eliminate the problem with inappropriate urination.

Have you noticed your cat moving to one side, tilting their head or other similar symptoms? They may be suffering from ataxia, a sensory dysfunction that affects the coordination of the limbs, head or trunk. Generally when your cat's brain and spinal cord are compromised this prevents their ability to communicate with the rest of the body's nervous system which is what will cause many cases of ataxia and loss of balance. While cats are typically elegant and graceful creatures, they are not exempt from balance issues. If you notice one or two instances where your cat is being a little clumsy, it is probably nothing more than that. But if it's beginning to occur on a fairly regular basis, then it may be something more serious. There are three different types of ataxia that all affect the nervous system in various ways: sensory, vestibular and cerebellar. Sensory ataxia This is when the spinal cord is slowly compressed. A cat with this type of ataxia will often be misplacing their feet and experiencing progressive weakness. Vestibular ataxia This is when the nerves that carry information from the inner ear to the brain are damaged. Some signs that indicate this may be what your cat is experiencing include: changes to the head and neck, problems hearing, falling or rolling over, changing eye movements, weakness in the legs and drowsiness. Cerebellar ataxia This is when your cat's motor skills and activity are affected. You will notice that the limbs, head and neck are uncoordinated. They may be also stepping oddly, having tremors of the body or head and the body swaying. Symptoms There are various symptoms that could indicate that your cat indeed has ataxia, many of which are listed above, but let's recap here: Lack of appetite Nausea Weakness of the limbs (can affect one or all of the limbs, or just the limbs on one side of the body) Stumbling or swaying Excessive sleepiness Changes to behaviour Tilting head to one side Not responding to being called Abnormal eye movements Causes There is a huge variety of conditions that could be the cause of your cat's ataxia: Cysts Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) Inflammatory diseases Middle ear or fungal infections Cancer Degeneration of spinal cord and nerves Malformation of spinal cord Anemia Low potassium Low blood sugar Spinal cyst Blockages of blood vessels (blood clot) Encephalitis - acute inflammation of the brain Ear infections Ear mites Neurological disorders Other causes for loss of balance include arthritis, senility and Alzheimer's disease. In other cases, medications used to treat other conditions can cause a loss of balance. And sometimes, it's just old age causing your cat to not be as coordinated as they once were. Treatment What's important to note is that many of the conditions above are degenerative so if you suspect something is up, don't hang around to see if it gets worse-take your cat to the vet ASAP. Your vet will need to know thorough details on your cat's health and what symptoms they are experiencing. Most likely, blood tests and urine samples will be taken to try and make an initial diagnosis. Medical imaging including X-rays and ultrasounds will also be required to see the exact location of any diseases and to evaluate it's progression. Feature image credit  

Puppies, like babies, receive complete nutrition from their mother’s milk. Eventually though, they’ll need to be weaned off which typically begins around the four week mark, when mama dog’s milk is no longer 100% sufficient. By 7-8 weeks, the puppies should be completely weaned from their mother and eating solid food regularly, and by solid food I mean puppy food. To answer your question, yes puppies need puppy food. Because puppies grow so fast, they need to take in more calories and more nutrients, and puppy food has just that. Your veterinarian should be able to recommend specific brands, but in general quality puppy food is high in protein, calcium, and calories. Look for brands that list meat as the first ingredient. Most brands will have a feeding chart printed on the bag for you to use as a guide. The amount of food recommended for your puppy will likely change on a weekly basis as they grow. When choosing a puppy food, also make sure to select the type right for your breed. Large-breed puppy food is different, with less calcium and phosphorus than other puppy food to help prevent future skeletal issues. When a puppy is almost at their expected adult weight, it’s time to switch to a food that will work to maintain their weight and nutrition. Generally, smaller dogs reach maturity faster, around 9-12 months, while larger breeds can take up to 12 -18 months. If you feed your dog puppy food for too long, your dog will be taking in more calories than they need, and could be at risk of obesity. If you have any questions on weaning your puppies or choosing a brand of puppy food, remember to consult your veterinarian!   Feature image credit