Search Results for: blog grooming an older cat

Ask a Pets Blogger: Helping Pets with Flaky Skin

My cat has terrible dandruff… at least I think it’s dandruff! She’s always got flakes on her skin and in her coat. What can I do to clear this up? This is a conversation I get to have often at the cats-only boarding facility where I work. As part of our check-in process, we give each cat a quick brushing with a very fine-toothed comb. Our goal is to check for fleas, but we often end up talking to owners about skin and coat care… and dandruff. Dry skin can be a seasonal problem, especially in the winter months when … Continue reading →

Grooming: Sanitary Clip

For long haired pets, a sanitary clip may be a good grooming option. What is a sanitary clip? A vet or groomer will remove hair from areas that can get stinky and dirty from urine and feces. The area may be entirely shaved or simply trimmed to make cleaning easier and prevent cling-ons. Who might benefit from a sanitary clip? Very young animals. Kittens, for example, learn how to groom themselves between the ages of one and four months. A sanitary clip can help keep them clean until they learn how to handle things themselves. Pregnant animals. That round belly … Continue reading →

Hyperthyroid Disease in Cats

At the cats-only boarding facility, I see a lot of guests who are taking a medication called methimazole — enough that I looked up the medication to see what it treats! Hyperthyroidism is relatively common in older cats, and owners have a variety of treatment options available. The thyroid is a gland in the neck that helps regulate the body’s metabolism. When the thyroid overproduces hormones, the entire body can be affected. The heart may beat (and pump blood) faster, eventually causing high blood pressure and other problems. The cat may have an insatiable appetite, yet still lose weight. Digestive … Continue reading →

The Pets Blog Week in Review for May 26 – June 1

I goofed and missed last week’s Week in Review. Rather than catching you up on two week’s worth of articles, I’ll just start anew with what Aimee and I wrote last week. Enjoy! Monday, May 26 Aimee educated us about the Bichon Frise breed. Tuesday, May 27 In a Diary of a Cat Care B&B entry, Aimee mused about smelly cats. (It was very educational. Who knew there were so many kinds of bad cat odors? And causes of them too!) Wednesday, May 28 I wrote about the incredible video of a baby water buffalo surviving a lion and crocodile … Continue reading →

Grooming an Older Cat

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Older cats may groom themselves less than younger cats for a variety of reasons. Perhaps pain makes it difficult to reach certain areas. Perhaps an illness is impacting skin and coat, making it harder to keep up with grooming. As your cat ages, you may need to take a more active part in grooming! Helping your older cat with grooming is a good way to monitor changes in health. Look for changes in your pet’s skin as they age. Some pets develop dry skin and dandruff as they age; others tend to get oily skin that leaves the coat feeling … Continue reading →

Love Your Pet but Not the Cost? How to Reduce the Cost of Raising Your Best Friend

Have you ever taken the time to calculate how much your furry or feathered friends are costing you each month? There is food, vet care, that regular application of flea and tick protection, grooming fees, litter or bedding, and of course toys, treats and equipment such as carriers, cages and the like. Depending on where you live and how eco-friendly or upscale you want to go with food and supplies, expect to pay up to $1,500 for a cat and $2,000 for a dog during the first year. Rabbits, hamsters, birds and fish are somewhat less expensive. Let us take … Continue reading →

Cash for Kids

How much would you pay your kid to sweep up spilled Cheerios from the kitchen floor? With summer just around the corner, many kids are looking for ways to make money to fund summer fun. In most cases, younger children look to their parents for spare change or cash in exchange for hard labor. Okay, maybe that’s just my house. Older children may look for outside work to pad their wallets; though securing a summer job is not always easy. It pays to start the search for summer employment early. Many businesses start posting seasonal positions as early as March. … Continue reading →

Helping Kids Earn Money

With Christmas looming, my 7-year-old daughter’s gift wish list seems to grow by the day. She’s been combing through toy catalogs since October and has dog-eared so many pages I’m afraid that Santa won’t be able to deliver all the goods. In fact, I know Santa won’t be bringing half of the things on her mile-long list. Without blowing her belief in the big guy, I have been gently reminding her that if (more like, when) Santa doesn’t grant all of her wishes, she still has the opportunity to get them by paying for them herself. Currently, she earns a … Continue reading →

For the Strength of Youth Series: Dress and Appearance

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As LDS men and women, our attitude toward our bodies is different than many peoples’. We believe that our bodies are sacred—even temples—given to us as a gift from God. How we choose to clothe and take care of our bodies through our dress standards is an outer expression of our devotion to God and our respect for His gift to us. Dress standards are important in youth, but they’re just as important in adulthood. Modesty in dress is not antiquated or outdated, nor does it make you seem odd. The pamphlet outlines that immodest clothing includes: short shorts and … Continue reading →

Skin and Coat Care for Senior Pets

Did you know that the skin is the heaviest organ in your pet’s body? It can account for an average sixteen percent of your pet’s total weight! What does the skin do? Prevents water loss Allows us to perceive touch Allows swelling after injuries Protects against impact and friction injuries Protects against damaging UV rays Helps regulate body temperature Acts as the first line of defense against germs, bacteria, parasites, and other disease-causing organisms. Skin and coat care is important for pets of all ages — but especially for the senior pet. Taking care of your aging pet’s skin and … Continue reading →