Introducing Your Dog to a New Baby

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Bringing home a new baby is an exciting time.  While you make adjustments to your own life, you should take the time to gradually adjust your dog’s life too.  Now that you have new responsibilities, your pet care schedule is likely to change.  Here are a few tips to help you and your dog adjust to life with a newborn.

Dog Introduction Tips:

• Bad Habits – Everyone gets a bit lax on the discipline from time to time.  However, now is the time to ensure your dog is well-behaved for your child’s safety.
• Grooming - Make sure that there isn’t pet hair hanging around and that your dog doesn’t bring dirt into the house.
• Acclimate – When your new baby arrives, it is going to be your number one priority.  Unfortunately, this means that you might be spending less quality time with your dog.  Gradually adjust your pet by practicing baby routines throughout the day so that your pet learns how to entertain itself for a few hours of the day.
• Introduction – Try to introduce your dog to your friends’ babies.  This experience will give them a better understanding of what it will be like when your newborn arrives home.
• Dog Sitting –Make sure that you schedule time for any dog walkers/sitters, depending on your work and life schedule.
• Exercise – Before introducing your pet, let them exercise.  This will reduce your dog’s energy and help make sure that he or she is calmer when around the baby.

Don’t wait until the baby is born to make these changes.  Give your pet plenty of time to adjust to everything associated with your newborn.  Contact Bregman Vet Group if you have any questions regarding your pet!

Does Your Pet Suffer From Allergies?

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Did you know that pets can develop allergies too?  When sensitive pets are exposed to certain allergens, they may experience a number of skin, digestive and respiratory symptoms.  Here are a few of the common allergens we test for through Nelco Vet.

Common Allergens:

• Grasses
• Weeds
• Trees
• Mold Spores
• Foods
• Dust Mites
• House Dust
• Fleas
• Epidermals

If a test determines that your pet has an allergy, there are several treatment options available.  Depending on the allergen, you may be able to remove the substance from your pet’s environment.  If it is impossible to avoid the allergen, we can recommend the best way to safely relieve your pet’s symptoms.

We are offering a promotion through Nelco Vet this allergy season.  For a limited time, pet owners can receive a 20% discount on allergy testing and a 10% discount on oral spray.  Contact Bregman Vet Group for promotion details.

Introducing Your Child to a New Pet

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Have you decided to buy or adopt a new pet?  During this exciting time, we encourage you to teach your kids how to interact with this new member of your family.  Here are a few tips to help your kids adjust to a new cat or dog.

How to Interact With a New Pet:

•  Be Gentle – Make sure that kids know to interact with your new pet in a non-threatening way.  Allow your pet to sniff and become familiar with your kids.  Offering a low, closed fist or open palm is a great way to become introduced.
• Be Cautious – New pets are often scared and timid.  Emphasize personal space and keep your kids at a safe distance to make sure that they don’t feel overcrowded.
• Be Calm – Pets react differently from humans.  Loud noises and quick movements can startle them.  Your new pet will feel more at ease if you are gentle and attentive.
• Be Aware of Warning Signs – It is easier for adults to judge when an animal feels uncomfortable.  If your pet turns their head, walks away, puts their ears back, cowers, hides their tail, or bares their teeth, kids should know that it is not a good time to play.

Read more about how you can introduce your child to a new pet here.  New pet owners can also contact any of the Bregman Vet Group offices for advice, medical care, and new pet assistance.   

Why Should You Microchip Your Cat?

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In the unfortunate event that your pet goes missing, a microchip is a great way to identify your feline friend.  Microchips are identification tags used to help animal shelters and animal control officers reunite you with your cat.  Here are a few common questions that pet owners have about microchips.

Frequently asked questions:

How is it placed? – The placement procedure is simple and only takes a few minutes to complete.  The non-toxic computer chip (about the size of a grain of rice) is placed under the skin in an area that will not cause your cat discomfort.

When is your cat ready? – Health and stability are key factors in determining when your kitten is ready for a microchip.  Some kittens may be ready for placement as young as five weeks old.  Although the process is non-invasive, kittens younger than five weeks old are still very fragile.

How do they help with identification? – Microchips contain information regarding your phone number, home address and name.  Although the microchip cannot locate the current position of your pet, they can help identify the owner once they are found.

How are they better than identification tags? – Identification tags can become lost.  Microchips are a secure way to make it easy to identify your pet.  Animal Shelters and Animal Control Centers use microchips to quickly reunite owners with their pets.

No one wants to think about their pet going missing.  However, it is important to be prepared when accidents happen.  At Bregman Vet Group, we recommend that all pet owners take the time to provide their pets with a microchip.  We offer free microchip services for cats and dogs with any regularly priced spay or neuter.  Contact one of our Brooklyn or Long Island offices for details.

Poisonous Spring Lilies

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Warmer weather has left us excited for spring!  While you might be looking forward to adding new flowers and plants to your home, pet owners need to be extra careful.  We remind pet owners that certain seasonal plants can be deadly to our feline friends.

Although lilies are a common springtime flower, pet owners should think twice before keeping them around the house.  It is normal for many cats to eat plants and grass in small amounts, but these seasonal plants are dangerous if ingested by your pet.  Calla and Peace lilies can irritate a cat’s mouth and esophagus, while Lilies of the Valley can cause abnormal heart rhythm. 

The Easter lily is the biggest danger to your cat.  Even licking the pollen of the Easter lily can cause your pet to suffer from acute kidney failure.  If a cat eats part of the Easter lily, whether it is the leaf, flower, or pollen, they will begin vomiting and urinating frequently.  Early veterinary treatment is critical in this situation. 

The Food and Drug Administration is warning pet owners of these serious dangerous and reminding people to keep these seasonal plants away from pets.  If you suspect your pet is suffering from ingesting a poisonous plant, contact Bregman Vet Group immediately.  We can help make sure that your pet receives the treatment it needs.

Tips to Prevent Cat Odor

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Don’t let your cat keep your home from smelling fresh!  There are several ways to minimize and fight cat odor.  Keep your home clean and your cat happy with these simple prevention tips.

Tips to Prevent Cat Odor:

• Litter Type – The type of litter that you use can play a role in controlling odor.  Certain litter varieties have built-in odor eliminators that help mask the scent.  Each home should have one litter box per cat. 
• Deodorizers – If the litter your cat prefers isn’t naturally deodorizing, try sprinkling the litter with baking soda.
• Air Freshener – Find the right non-toxic air freshener for the rooms of your home with litter boxes.  Purchase an air freshener that destroys odor molecules, not one that simply masks the scent.
• Location – Litter boxes should be in quiet areas of your home both for your cat’s comfort and yours.  Just make sure that the area is well-ventilated.
• Clean Often – Don’t forget to clean the litter box!  One of the biggest reasons litter boxes smell is because pet owners forget to clean them.  Litter boxes should be scooped at least once a day.
• Diet – What your cat is eating has an effect on odor, as well as how often they go.  Good nutrition keeps your cat healthy, but it also keeps your litter box less smelly too!

Read more tips on how to fight cat odor in your home here.  If you are still having trouble keeping your litter box from smelling, contact Bregman Vet Group.  Our experienced veterinarians can help you determine if a change in your cat’s diet will help reduce odor.  

Common Pet Pain Signals

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You always want to make sure that your pet is happy and well cared for.  Since dogs don’t show pain in the same way that we do, it’s important to be able to recognize when they aren't feeling well.  Here are a few tips to help you identify common signs that your dog is in pain.

Common Pain Signals:

• Heavy Breathing – Panting is normal for dogs.  However, if they are panting for no apparent reason, it could be a sign that your pet is in pain.
• Licking and Biting – If your dog is licking or biting a specific area, they may be doing so because they are in pain.  Dogs have a tendency to lick or bite and broken nails, wounds, irritated paw pads and tumors under the skin.
• Loss of Appetite – Has your dog been eating lately?  If your pet is refusing to eat, they may be in pain.  Your dog might not want to bend over to eat from its food bowl if it is causing pain.
• Limping – It seems obvious, but limping is a sign of arthritis, a pulled muscle, ligament damage, back injury, neck injury, stiff joints, or broken bones. 
• Drooling – Certain dog breeds have more of a tendency to drool than others.  However, if your dog is experiencing excessive drooling for their breed, it could be a sign that they are having stomach pain or nausea. 
• Behavior Changes – Is your dog acting more aggressively?  Does your pet seem sad and depressed?  Any abnormal behavior could mean that your pet is in pain.

Learn more about common pet pain signals here.  Remember, if you think that your pet is experiencing any of these common pain symptoms, visit Bregman Vet Group.  Our experienced veterinarians can determine if your pet is experiencing any health issues.  We can help provide your pet with the care they need for a speedy recovery.

Training Tips That Teach Your Cat to Play Nice

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You love your cat – but it can be frustrating when they scratch or bite you or a family member.  If your cat is struggling with behavioral issues, take the time to train him or her.  While you don’t want to inhibit their biological instincts, it’s okay to discipline your cat to play nicely.  Here are a few tips to help train your cat to get along with you and your family.

5 Cat Training Tips:

• Verbal Commands – When your cat does something it’s not supposed to - say “No!”  Don’t scare your cat by yelling, but let them know that you are serious and that what they are doing is wrong.
• Cold Shoulder – The other option is to give your cat the silent treatment.  Stop playing and showing affection as “punishment.”
• Spray Bottles – If your cat is prone to biting often, keep a spray bottle on hand.  Once it bites, immediately spray it with water.  This behavioral method will teach your cat to avoid the action that results in getting sprayed.
• Play Areas – Set up a play area with a scratching post and toys.  This will help your cat let out its need to scratch things without hurting you or a family member.
• Rewards – Offer rewards for good behavior!  If you notice your cat chooses to leave a situation rather than attack, offer a treat.

If you are still having trouble disciplining and training your cat, contact our office.  Our experienced veterinarians can offer tips and tricks to help improve the relationship between you and your cat. 

Springtime Pet Safety

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Springtime means warmer weather and more time spent outdoors.  As you get ready for the change in seasons, remember to keep your pet’s safety in mind.  The ASPCA offers a few seasonal tips to keep your pets safe this spring.

Spring Safety Tips:

• Easter Candy – Chocolates and candies are toxic to most pets, including cats and dogs.
• Window Screens – As the weather warms you want to open your windows to let fresh air in.  Make sure that you have screens in your windows to keep pets from falling or jumping outside.
• Cleaning – Spring is a great time to clear clutter and clean your home.  Remember to keep cleaners and chemicals away from your pets.  Don’t leave home improvement products like paints, nails, staples and power tools out in the open.
• Gardening – Many popular springtime plants are highly toxic to pets, including rhododendrons, azaleas, and Easter lilies.  Pet parents should also be careful when using fertilizers, insecticides and herbicides on their lawns and gardens. 
• Allergies – A change in seasons brings about allergy problems for both you and your pet.  If you notice your pet might have springtime allergies, bring them to our office!

Read more about springtime safety tips on the ASPCA website.  You can also contact our office with any questions or concerns you have about your pet’s health!