Protecting Your Pet's Skin in Winter

When the snow starts flurrying outside, you might start seeing “flurries” in your pet’s fur. Low humidity and dry air in your home can make for one flaky pup. If your pet experiences dry, itchy skin during winter, help him out with these tips.

Start from the Inside Out

Omega-3 fatty acids are great for improving skin health. Supplements or pet foods that contain healthy fats can soothe pets’ dry skin and keep them from feeling itchy. Since not all supplements are made the same way, make sure to ask your doctor which ones are best for your pet.

Fight Dry Air

A combination of low humidity and increased heating in your home makes for some seriously dry air. Use a humidifier in the rooms your pet hangs out in the most, like your living room or bedroom.  This will add moisture to the air and keep your pet’s skin from drying out.

Swap Out the Shampoo

Shampoos tends to dry out your pet’s skin, so try cutting back (or cutting out) bath time during the winter. If you really need to give your pet a bath, make sure to use skin-calming shampoo, or even baby shampoo, to avoid irritating his skin. Also use a leave-in conditioner to hydrate your pet’s skin after using shampoo.

Bring on the Brushing

Just like brushing your hair eases dryness, brushing your pet’s fur during winter naturally soothes his skin. Brushing distributes oils around your pet’s body and reduces the chance of him having dry skin.

The cold winter air can be brutal on your pets’ skin. It’s important to take extra steps to make sure they stay itch free so they feel comfortable heading into spring.

At Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital, we’ve been caring for your pets since 1979, treating them just like one of our own. If you’re in need of a trustworthy veterinarian in Berkeley Heights, Summit, Murray Hill, or New Providence, NJ, schedule an appointment at our office by calling 908-464-0023.

Pet Safety and Home Heating

During these chilly months, there’s nothing like snuggling up with your fur baby to beat the cold. However, when you need a little extra warmth, you’ll likely crank up the heat in your home. If you use other heating methods besides your furnace, consider your pet’s safety.

Space Heaters

Every year, there are thousands of house fires caused by space heaters, so make sure the one you use has every safety feature possible. Space heaters can also affect your pet’s safety if they get too close. Consider placing the heater in an area of the room that is well-ventilated, but less accessible to your pet.

Hand Warmers

Hand warmers are an easy way to keep your fingers a little more toasty when you’re out in the cold. However, hand warmers can be toxic to your pet since they contain high levels of iron.  Keep these items far out of your pet’s reach. If he happens to get ahold of one and snacks on it, call your vet or the poison control hotline right away.

Heat Registers

If you live in an older home with heat registers built into the floor, don’t make those spots your pet’s home base. Setting up your pet’s crate near floor vents can cause them to overheat even on the coldest of days.

Fireplaces

The flickering flames in a fireplace can be fascinating to your pet, but furry friends and fires don’t mix. If your pet gets too close to the flames, he can suffer from singed fur or skin burns. Make sure to surround your fireplace with a properly fitted safety screen.

Sweater Weather

During the winter, some small or short-haired dogs could benefit from wearing sweaters to keep warm. To ensure their safety, only outfit your pets in clothing that has a snug fit so they don’t get caught on their surroundings. Also, choose clothing that is zipper-free if your pet is a chewer.

Of course, keeping your pet safe during winter is important to you. Keeping your pet safe year-round is important to us! At Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital, we’ve been caring for your pets since 1979, treating them just like one of our own.

If you’re in need of a trustworthy veterinarian in Berkeley Heights, Summit, Murray Hill, or New Providence, NJ, schedule an appointment at our office by calling 908-464-0023.

Signs of Kennel Cough

New Jersey is getting hit hard today with tons of snow and freezing temperatures. Even though you probably know when the winter conditions are making you sick, do you know how to tell when your dog is getting sick? Just like humans, dogs can come down with illnesses, like kennel cough, when cold weather strikes. It is important to know the causes and signs of kennel cough so you can protect your canine and those around him.

What Are the Causes of Kennel Cough?

Kennel cough is the canine equivalent of a the common cold. Dogs can become infected with this virus when they spend long periods of time in poorly-ventilated areas, such as kennels and shelters. They can also develop kennel cough if they are exposed to cold temperatures, dust, or smoke. This is why shelter dogs can commonly develop this illness.

What are the Symptoms of Kennel Cough?

While kennel cough is not a serious illness, you should know the warning signs to keep your pet away from other dogs and avoid spreading the virus. Dogs with kennel cough will have a forceful, hack-like cough, often sounding similar to a goose honk. Other symptoms include sneezing, a runny nose, and eye discharge. In extreme cases, some dogs may lose their appetite, become lethargic, or develop pneumonia.

How Do You Treat Kennel Cough?

Your dog’s treatment will depend on the severity of his illness. In mild cases, his kennel cough will go away on its own. Your dog will simply require some rest and good hydration. However, if the case is more severe, your veterinarian will most likely prescribe your dog a mild medication to clear up the cough.

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital is committed to keeping your dog healthy so you both can enjoy life together. Call us today at 908-464-0023 to schedule an appointment with our caring staff.

Diet Tips for Pets with Heart Disease

If your pet gets diagnosed with heart disease, as his owner, it is important for you to be proactive in helping your furry friend live with his new condition. Heart disease occurs when a pet shows evidence of a heart abnormality, such as a heart murmur, enlarged heart, or valve changes. While there is no end-all-be-all, best diet for your pet, there are steps you can take to improve what goes into his body.

1. Maintain an Ideal Body Weight: This is a major factor in helping your pet live with heart disease. Both weight loss and obesity can be a killer in pets with this condition. When a pet with heart disease losses weight, its muscles are broken down before its fat, which leads to muscle wasting and negative effects on its strength, immune system, and length of survival. Talk to your vet about what your pet should be eating to maintain an ideal weight.
2. Keep Up the Protein Levels: While some older research suggests limiting your pet’s protein intake, protein restriction for pets with heart disease can have a negative impact. Losing important muscle mass can decrease your pet’s chance of survival. Most times, a high-protein diet with at least 25-30% for dogs and 40-50% for cats is recommended.
3. Address Nutrient Deficiencies: Certain kinds of heart disease are caused by taurine or carnitine deficiencies, so your vet may suggest testing these levels. Even if your pet’s form of heart disease is not caused by these deficiencies, adding these supplements to his diet could help, since carnitine supports heart muscle energy production and metabolism. You can get these supplements at any health food store.
4. Add Beneficial Supplements: There are several other supplements your pet can take to improve his life with heart disease. Omega 3 fatty acids can reduce inflammation and extend his life. Vitamin E and coenzyme Q10 are both antioxidants that can also improve your pet’s condition. Talk to your vet about the possible benefits that can come from adding supplements to your pet’s diet.

There are several high-quality commercial pet foods that provide suitable nutrient levels for dogs and cats living with heart disease. Your best bet is talking to a trusted veterinarian about the best approach to take when adjusting your pet’s diet to its condition. Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital has been trusted to treat pets since 1989. Call us today at 908-464-0023 to schedule an appointment to keep your pet healthy.