A short while ago, I was asked, due to the menagerie we call our pets here, if I wanted to chat briefly with a veterinarian connected to Iam’s and P&G Pet Care. I said sure, despite the fact that we currently don’t feed our animals Iams Pet Food. I thought that any advice about our pets would be helpful to those readers with animals in their homes as well as children. Thank you, Dr. Amy Dicke, for taking the time to answer my questions.
Dr. Amy Dicke, is the technical advisor for the Consumer Relations team at P&G Pet Care. With over 14 years of experience as a Technical Services Veterinarian, Dr Dicke’s expertise lies in nutritional consultation and technical communications. Based in the Ohio Iams office, she primarily works with breeders, pet owners and veterinarians in the North American region.
Should dogs and cats have ‘wellness’ checkups like humans do? I ask because we lost a dog at age 5 and she was apparently RIDDLED with tumours that we had NO clue about.
Dogs and cats should definitely have regular check-ups with their doctor. A physical exam is vital to your pet’s health and is the best preventative health care tool. It is recommended dogs and cats get a routine exam at least once per year and as they reach their mature adult or early senior years (more than 7 years for most dogs and cats) exams should be done every 6 months. Your pet cannot easily communicate health issues; therefore, physical examinations by your veterinarian are key to early detection of health issues. In addition, dogs and cats age on average seven times faster than people, resulting in significant health changes in a short amount of time. Try to make sure your pet does not miss even one exam, as every year for a dog or cat is equivalent to five to seven human years.
What sort of flea treatment do you recommend the most to your patients?
If your pet has been contaminated by fleas; don’t panic, there are many good flea treatments. In recent years, some extremely effective flea prevention products have been introduced. These work by either preventing fleas from effectively reproducing or slaying the adults. These products are the flea control methods of choice and when used faithfully as directed, most pet owners report dramatic improvements in their pets’ condition.
Consult with a veterinarian on the best products to use in your set of circumstances. Product choice will be based on age of pet, whether the pet has flea bite allergy, number and species of pets in the household, whether the pet has outside access and sensitivities to particular products.
For further information on dealing with fleas and the flea cycle visit iams.ca
What common household products are dangerous and or toxic to animals?
There are many household products, plants and some foods that are dangerous and even toxic to your pet. I encourage you to visit the Pet Poison Helpline in your area or speak to your veterinarian regarding questions you might have on specific products, plants or foods.
For those of us with more ‘exotic’ pets such as a Leopard Gecko – what signs would you look for that would indicate ill health?
When it comes to exotic pets I recommend speaking to a veterinarian that specializes in that area. Their expertise and experience can help ensure your pets live long and healthy lives.
What sort of kitty litters do you recommend to cat owners?
Pet owners are now faced with a multitude of kitty litter product choices. And what may appeal to the owner could be rejected by the cat. Factors to consider for the owner, the cat or both are scent, texture, flushing ease, frequency of scooping, dust level, cost, and environmentally friendliness of the kitty litter.
The two most common types of litters are clay and clumping. Clumping cat litter is scoopable and more convenient as you do not need to dump out the entire box when soiled. The box should be scooped twice daily and you have the option of a low-dust variety. The clay cat litter is the traditional kitty litter. It is not scoopable and needs to be entirely tossed into the trash. Clay litter is heavy and absorbs urine well.
Whether or not you use a scented or unscented kitty litter is up to personal preference. Scented litter may smell nicer, but some cats don’t like this and it may cause them to avoid the litter box.
My recommendation would be to try both options and see which one your cat likes best. For tips and information or if your cat is potty naughty visit iams.ca
DISCLAIMER: The information provided is for informational and educational purposes only. This information should not be substituted for the guidance and advice of your veterinarian or animal behavior professional. For nutritional information please visit www.iams.ca or contact the Iams Consumer Care Nutrition Specialists toll free at 1-800-675-3849.
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