Pet Health Articles
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Counterconditioning occurs when the pet's reaction (emotional response) to a stimulus is changed from one that is anxious or fearful to one that is positive and enjoyable. To accomplish this, favored rewards should be paired with each exposure to the stimulus.
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For many cats, a visit to the veterinarian can be stressful. Familiarize your cat with being inside a carrier: make the carrier a cozy and pleasant place to be – it is essential for your cat’s safety. Upon arrival at the veterinary office, try to relax and talk calmly to your cat. Bring delicious, favorite treats and a familiar towel that your cat can snuggle in during her examination.
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A cat’s claws are an integral part of their anatomy. Scratching behaviors are normal and serve many purposes, yet cats can cause damage and injury with their claws. By gaining an understanding of the reason that your cat uses her claws, you can provide her with alternative outlets and prevent her from causing damage to your property.
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Socialization is the process during which the kitten becomes familiar with people, other animals, and many aspects of their environment. Kittens are primed for socialization when they are between two and seven weeks old. As soon as kittens have settled into their new home, they can begin gentle exposures to a wide range of stimuli that they may encounter as adults.
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Many pets are sensitive to being restrained for grooming. With slow progress and positive rewards, your pet can learn to accept or even enjoy having their teeth cleaned.
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When leaving home for vacations, pet owners are confronted with the problem of what to do with their pets. Should they take them along or leave them at home? Reviewing a summary of boarding options and travel guidelines will make the decision easier while safeguarding the well-being of your pet and providing your own peace of mind.
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Deafness does not affect a cat's learning abilities, but it does impact what kinds of cues they can learn. The keys to success are choosing a set of consistent signs and signals and learning what the cat finds rewarding. Deaf cats need special supervision such as leashing or a catio if allowed outdoors, and may startle more easily than cats that can hear, but otherwise can be trained with all the same methods used for a cat with normal hearing.
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Is your pet's doleful look an indication of guilt? Do they realize they did something wrong, or could their “guilty look” be a reaction to your emotional response upon learning of the crime?
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Behaviors that people sometimes consider undesirable are often a cat's natural and evolved behaviors that are essential for their mental and physical health. Rather than trying to stop your cat from engaging in instinctual and naturally rewarding behaviors, provide your cat with substitute behaviors and outlets that satisfy their needs.
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Considerations When Getting a Second Cat
Me gustaría tener un gato, pero alguien me ha dicho que debería coger dos, ¿es verdad? Los gatos se consideran tradicionalmente criaturas solitarias, pero a pesar de que es cierto que en su conducta manifiestan aspectos de independencia, se sabe que en realidad son animales sociales que disfrutan de la interacción con individuos de su misma o de otra especie.