How to Habituate Your Cat to a Carrier

 THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Does your cat need to take a trip to the vet?  It can take time for your cat to adjust to a carrier.  Here are a few tips to help make your cat’s trip to the vet as comfortable as possible.

Cat Carrier Tips:

• Introduction – Let your cat become used to the carrier.  This will help him or her become comfortable with the idea of taking a trip.
• Customization – Add your cat’s favorite toys and treats to the carrier.  Stuffed mice, catnip toys, feather toys, and cat grass can help your cat feel relaxed.
• Trust – Don’t lure your cat into the carrier and close it.  Make sure that they trust you and feel calm.
• Patience – It may take several months before your cat feel completely comfortable inside of their carrier. 

Read this article for more tips on how to habituate your cat to a carrier.  If your pet needs to take a trip to the vet, contact Bregman Vet Group.  With cat-friendly appointments, our experienced veterinarians can make sure that your pet is comfortable during the trip.

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photo credit: DavidMartynHunt via photopin cc

Keep These Household Hazards Hidden

 THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

We already know to keep chocolate hidden from our pets.  But did you know that other common household items can be just as poisonous?  Avocados, onions, and gum are just a few of the foods that can pose a serious threat to your pet’s health.  

Household Hazards:

• Human Foods – Chocolate, onions, avocados, grapes, raisins, salt, garlic, macadamia nuts, coffee grounds, yeast dough, fatty foods, tea, alcohol, and chewing gum are all dangerous to pets.
• Medications – Medications prescribed for humans differ from those prescribed by veterinarians.  If your pet is in pain, schedule a visit to the vet.  Giving them your medication or medication prescribed for another dog can have adverse side effects.
• Toilet Bowl Water – The chemicals used in toilet bowl cleaners can irritate your pet’s digestive tract.
• Plants – Certain plants like lilies, sago palms, azaleas, and tulips can cause a range of health problems in pets.  Be cautious about the plants you keep inside of your house and in your yard this summer.  Ask us if you’re not sure!
• Chemical Lawn Treatments – The chemicals that keep your lawn looking beautiful and green can be harmful to your pet after they have been recently applied.  New chemicals can stick to your pet’s paws and they may attempt to lick them off.
• Cooking Fumes – Don’t forget about your feathered friends!  Birds have unique respiratory tracks and shouldn’t be exposed to cooking fumes, smoke, aerosol products, or even air freshners.

While we love to share with our furry friends, we remind you to keep these hazardous household items out of reach.  If your pet has ingested something they shouldn’t have, contact Bregman Vet Group.  Our experienced veterinarians can help your pet get the care they need.

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photo credit: chwalker01 via photopin cc

Helping Pets Cope with Thunderstorms

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Photo Source: Wikipedia

Do thunderstorms cause your pet anxiety?  Your pet is not alone.  Many animals are afraid of the loud roar of thunder.  Fortunately, there are ways to help your pet cope with this fear and stay calm during a storm.

Calming Tips:

• Quiet Hideaway – Make sure that your pet has access to a quiet place where he or she can go to hide.  If possible, try to block out the lightening and cover up the sound of the thunder.
• Stay Distracted – Sometimes playing a game or distracting your pet with their favorite toy can keep them at ease.
• Conditioning Behavior – Behavior modification can desensitize your pet to the sound of a storm.  Try playing recordings in short intervals for conditioning.

If you are still having trouble keeping your pet calm during a thunderstorm, visit our office.  The experienced Veterinarians at Bregman Vet Group can help you determine the best possible coping method for your pet.  You can also read this article to learn more.

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Coping with the Loss of a Pet

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Coping with the loss of a pet is never easy.  Dr. Eric Bregman discusses moving through the process of grief with noted psychologist Tom Ferraro, PhD.

For more information, visit our website - http://www.bregmanvetgroup.com 
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Visit all of our convenient locations:
Long Island: 
The Cat Hospital - 2 Hillside Avenue, Suite E in Williston Park

Brooklyn: 
Paws and Claws Veterinary Hospital - 99 North 9th Street in Brooklyn 

Are you making any of these common pet-owner mistakes?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Photo Source: Wikipedia

Many pet owners make the same common errors when trying to keep their pet healthy and well-behaved.  Here are a few tips to help you avoid these common errors when caring for your furry friend.

Common Pet Owner Mistakes:

• Buying a Pet Spontaneously – You should always look into whether or not a pet will be the right fit for your family before bringing it home.  Certain pets may be more active than others.  It is important to find the best cat or dog for your lifestyle.
• Handing Out Too Many Treats – We love to help our pets feel loved, but giving them too many treats will lose their training value.  Only give your pet a treat as a reward for good behavior.
• Not Allowing Enough Time for Exercise – Pets need to unleash their energy through physical activity.  This is both so that they stay healthy and so that they don’t channel their energy into barking, jumping, or hostile behavior.
• Failing to Make Your Home Pet-Friendly – Make sure that your home is comfortable for your pet.  Consider the location of your pet’s bed or litter box.  Make sure that they are in quiet areas where your pet will have some privacy.

Read this article for more top pet owner mistakes.  You can also contact Bregman Vet Group with any questions you have regarding how to care for your pet.

Keeping Your Pet Calm During Heartworm Treatment

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Image Source: Flickr/hebdromadaires

Is your pet undergoing treatment for heartworm?  As restless as your pet may get, exercise and activities that would elevate your dog’s heart rate are off limits.  Here are a few tips to help your dog stay quiet and calm during treatment.

• Stay Indoors – It is a good idea to keep your pet indoors or in a kennel through most of the treatment.  When your pet needs to go outside, keep the leash on so that a sudden encounter doesn’t send him running.
• Companionship – Make sure that you replace activity with affection.  Keep your pet close by at home and give them extra attention.
• Quiet Playtime – Making mealtimes last longer with feeding toys or puzzle feeders can let your dog quietly play for hour without increasing his or her blood pressure.  You can also try safe chew toys to help keep them from getting bored.
• Training – Learning new tricks is a great way to eliminate boredom and keep the body rested.  Try a game of stationary catch or train your pet to follow quiet commands.

Keeping your pet calm is essential to killing the heartworms and restoring your dog’s health.  Visit the American Heartworm Society to learn more about how to battle boredom.  If you have any questions about heartworm treatment, contact Bregman Vet Group.  We are happy to answer any questions you have regarding your pet’s health.

Pet Food Marketing Buzzwords

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Photo Source: Pixabay / bykst

We want to make sure that our pets are receiving high quality, fresh food.  However, the pet food market can be confusing and misleading.  With more than 3,000 different pet food brands, how do you know which option is best for your pet?  Here are a few tips to help you better identify healthy pet food.

Marketing Buzzwords:

• Natural
• Premium
• Gourmet
• Holistic
• Human-Grade

These marketing buzzwords don’t have a legal definition.  This means that there is no standard that products need to meet to say that their products meet any of these qualities.  However, marketers use them because they know they attract pet owners.  While pet foods that use these terms can be healthy, they do not necessarily guarantee that the pet food is healthy.  We remind pet owners to always read labels!  You can also look for foods that have undergone feeding trials as recommended by the American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO).  This will help ensure that the food is nutritious for your pet.

If you still aren’t sure what pet food is best for your pet, contact our office!  We can help you decide on a healthy and economical diet for your pet without all of the marketing hype.

June is Adopt-A-Cat Month

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Photo Source - kitsuneeko

Springtime is the beginning of kitten season.  This time of year is a popular time for newborn kittens to find a home in local shelters.  This also means that it’s a great time to adopt your first cat.  Here are a few things that you should consider before adopting a cat this June.

Cat Adoption Tips:

• Room for Two – Cats need regular exercise, stimulation and social interaction.  If you have the room, two cats can provide this for each other. 
• Personality – Just like us, each cat has a unique personality.  Cats with long hair tend to be more easygoing than lean cats with short hair.  Consider working with the adoption center to find a cat that matches your own personality.
• Vet Visit – Take any records you received from the adoption center with you to your first vet visit.
• Cat-Proof Home – If you have never had a pet before, you may be accustomed to leaving food out on the counter.  However, your cat might jump on the counter to reach it.  Hide electric cords and pick up any small objects that your kitten might accidently swallow.

For more tips on what you should consider before adopting, visit the American Humane Association website.  We also offer cat adoption tips at our office.  Contact Bregman Vet Group with any questions or concerns you have about cat adoption and caring for your new pet.