Why Does Your Cat Love to Nap?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

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Ever wondered why your cat spends so much time sleeping?  On average, cats sleep an average of 15 hours a day!  Here are a few reasons why your cat loves to sleep.

• Active Hours – Many new cat owners find it surprising that cats are actually the most active at night.  When you are getting ready for work, your cat will probably be getting ready for a nap.  However, cats are also highly sociable and can adapt their sleeping habits to their feeding schedules.
• Energy Reserve – Although cats are domesticated, they still retain the instinct to creep in the shadows and pounce on their pray.  When your cat is sleeping, they are reserving energy for running, pouncing, climbing and stalking.
• Sleeping Patterns – Cats switch between a light sleep and a deep sleep.  Cats doze off for fifteen minutes to a half hour at a time, positioning themselves so that they can spring up into action at any time.  They alternate this with a  five minute deep sleep.
• Weather – Just like us, cats tend to be sleepier on cold and rainy days.

To learn more about your pet’s habits and health, visit Bregman Vet Group! 

Why Dogs Tilt Their Heads

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

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Does your dog tilt their head when you speak or when they hear a strange noise?  It’s common for pets to tilt their head in response. It looks like they are listening.  Lots of pet owners find this move adorable, but why does your pet really tilt their head?

These are a few possible explanations:

• Improve Hearing – A slight change in head position can provide a dog with the ability to more accurately locate the location and distance of a sound.
• To Understand – When dogs listen to your voice, they are trying to identify familiar words or tones.  This helps them associate what you are saying with a reward.
• Vision – Facial expressions, body language and eye movements all play a role in being able to better understand what someone is saying.  Dogs with longer muzzles have a particularly difficult time viewing a person’s face.  Tilting their head could mean that they are trying to better see your expressions.
• Positive Reinforcement – We love when dogs tilt their heads!  We tend to be more positive or offer a treat when a dog tilts their head.  This reaction encourages the activity and they are more likely to repeat the gesture in the future.

Learn more about why your dog might tilt their head here.  You can also contact Bregman Vet Group with any questions you have regarding your pet.

Tips to Prevent Pet Theft

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Pet theft is unfortunately common.  Pure breeds, designer dogs, and smaller breeds like Pomeranians, Yorkies, and Boston Terriers are all popular targets.  No matter the value or breed of pet that you own, you always want to make sure that your best friend is safe.

Here are a few simple tips that can help prevent pet theft:

• Avoid Doggie Doors – Although you may feel like your backyard is a safe place for your pet, you should always be conscious of when they are outdoors.  Those looking to steal neighborhood pets might sneak in unnoticed if your yard is visible from the street.
• Keep Gates Secure – Install a spring latch on the backyard gate that forces the door closed.  This will help keep your pet from getting loose.
• Never Leave Your Pet Unattended – Treat your pet like a child.  Don’t leave your pet in the car while you shop or leave them tied to a pole.  It’s not safe and it leaves an opening for theft.
• Check References – Hiring a pet sitter, dog walker, groomer or trainer can be helpful for you and your pet.  However, check your references first.  Make sure that you can trust the professional you choose to hire.
• Permanent Identification – If your pet goes missing, you want to have all the necessary documents to prove ownership.  Microchips are a great way to ensure you can find and identify your pet.  Just make sure you keep all the paperwork!
• Spay or Neuter – We recommend that you do this anyway (there are several health benefits), but spaying or neutering your pet will also make them less desirable to thieves. This is especially true for pure breeds.

Learn more about what you can do to prevent a dognapping or catnapping by clicking here.  We also offer free microchips for your cat or dog with any regularly priced spay or neuter.  Contact our office for more information on how you can keep your pet safe.  We look forward to helping ensure you and your pet have a long and healthy relationship.

Today is National Napping Day! Will You Catch a Cat Nap?

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Did you know today is National Napping Day?

Will you have some spare time to catch a cat nap? We sure hope so!

CLICK HERE to read about 6 benefits of napping! Let us know what you think on our Facebook page!

Happy Valentine's Day from the Bregman Veterinary Group!

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Happy Valentine's Day from the Bregman Veterinary Group! We hope that you enjoy your day with your furry friends and show them just how much you love them!

Be sure to visit and LIKE our Facebook page!

Fat Camp....For Pets?!

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

For Americans, obesity has become a big problem over the last few years. People aren’t the only ones suffering with this issue anymore- animals are too! 

In Chicago, Integrative Pet Care has started to crack down on overweight dogs with a pet fat camp!

With help from underwater treadmills and resistant pools, Integrative Pet Care has helped dogs shed their extra pounds.

Although a fitness and therapy center for dogs and cats might seem a little extreme, the results speak for themselves. Rather than paying for hip surgery in the future, why not spend the money and get your pets healthy now!

Is your pet overweight? Are you worried about the health risks associated with pet obesity? Schedule an appointment at one of the Bregman Vet Group locations to talk about your pets options now! 

Click HERE to read the full article!

Canine First Aid Important Training For Police Officers

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

When police officers are on the job, they face danger and do the best they can do to save human lives. But whoever thought that they would need training to save the lives of canines?

The volunteer training gave K-9 handlers from the Oakland Police Department, the Redwood City Police Department, the Dos Palos Police Department and other Northern California public safety agencies the chance to learn emergency medical techniques that could save the lives of the dogs that serve with them (http://goo.gl/zNy2W).

Believe it or not, K-9’s have been shot at and exposed to different types of narcotics while they are on the job. It would be unlikely that paramedics would be able to assist with canine trauma since their training and number one priority is to help humans. The training help officers learn what to do minutes after the canine is hurt, which is a critical time that could decide whether they survive or not.

The police officers also trained on how to apply splints and bandages to live dogs and also practiced CPR on dummy dogs with the assistance of volunteer veterinarians. The officers were also given animal first aid kits so they would be prepared when out in the field with their canine partners.

Reports were that less than70 handlers attended the training, but there is a waiting list for the next upcoming session in the Sacramento area.

Starter Pets For Children

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Children love all types of animals. When you take them to the zoo, they want to see all of them – elephants, monkeys, giraffes, bears. But what will you do when your child asks you if they could have a pet?

Getting your child a starter pet could be helpful as it could teach them responsibility. Say for example, you choose to win your son a goldfish at the local carnival. They can live up to several years in a bowl or a tank, and without a filter or heater. Just have them keep the tank clean and feed them when necessary.

Also, an ant farm is also something that young kids would like to have, especially since they don’t have to do anything with it. They can sit and watch the ants dig their way to other areas. It is entertaining for them and can get them interested in how it can be done.

Pocket pets could also be a good learning lesson for taking care of a pet. Gerbils, hamsters, mice, rats and guinea pigs are termed pocket pets. They need to be handled gently by your children and they often last a few years. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals estimates that is costs about $300-$635 a year to maintain a pocket pet (http://goo.gl/VJY8e).

Rabbits and birds are also fun animals to have, but rabbits take a little more maintaining and can cost a little more per year in feeding them, cleaning their cage and so on.

No matter what pet you attend to adopt, you should teach your children that they should make a lifetime commitment to any animal that joins your family. They are great to have around and are always happy to see you!

If you have any questions in regards to adopting a pet and want to check with one of our great veterinarians, please call us at one of the Bregman Vet Hospitals. 

Safety Tips For Your Pets During The Summer

THE BREGMAN VETERINARY GROUP 

www.BregmanVetGroup.com

Although the summer hasn't officially started, the warm weather has begun and the pools and beaches are open for your pleasure. Just as important as it is to keep yourself and children safe this summer, the same goes for your pets. Here are some helpful tips to help your pets stay healthy and safe this summer.

Make sure to have sunscreen handy to put on your pets. Like humans, pets can sometimes get sunburn on their bodies if they have light hair or a thin coat. Look to apply a fragrance free, non-staining, UVA and UVB barrier sunscreen or a special sunscreen made for pets so that it can help prevent your pet from being burned.

Make sure to have your pets stay in the shade and provide them with plenty of water. Pets also enjoy the warm weather and may become dehydrated after extended play outside. Providing plenty of fresh water to your pets can help prevent your dog or cat from being dehydrated.

Do not leave your pets in the car. Just as with children, leaving a pet in the car for even a few minutes can cause it to have heat stroke. Even on a 70-degree day, a car in direct sunlight can heat up to 100 degrees within minutes (http://goo.gl/QMSOK). 

Keep an eye on where your pets tend to roam. Many people use fertilizers and pesticides on their lawns in the summertime, which can be poisonous to cats and dogs. When clients walk their pets, they should avoid grassy areas that have been treated and take them to an area where they can run around and play.

Last but not least, make sure to keep your pets away from antifreeze. Antifreeze is poisonous to dogs and cats, but many pets are attracted to its scent and taste. When walking dogs, be alert to any spills, leaks, or containers of antifreeze that pets can accidentally ingest.

If you have any other concerns about your pet and the hot summer sun, please give us a call at one of the Bregman Vet Hospitals. We are here to help you and your pet in any way possible!