Practical Guide to Nail Trims & Ear Cleaning
One of the biggest complaints I get at the clinic is owners who aren't sure how to cut their pet's nails or they are afraid of cutting the nail too short to make it bleed, OR their pet acts out & won't let them cut their nails. My goal for this article is to address all of these concerns in photo & video form.
Another common concern I see at the clinic is owners not knowing the correct way to clean their pet's ears. I am here to provide a step by step instruction along with some tips & tricks that I have learned over the past 5 years of being a furry mama to a Spring Spaniel mix & the last 3 years being an LVT.
Step 1: Have your pet lie on one side. You can also have someone else helping you keep them laying down. Standing is ok too, but they tend to wander if they are standing. Reinforce with positive words & treats that this is good behavior. Overtime, your pet will accept ear cleaning with little to no argument if you make it a positive experience.
Step 2: Squeeze a good amount of ear cleaning solution in the ear facing up & gently massage at the base of the ear. You will hear a "squish" sound as the liquid moves around the ear.
Step 3: Your pet may need/want to shake their head to get rid some of the cleaning solution -> totally ok, just have them lay back down afterwards. Wipe the ear out with a soft tissue or makeup pad.
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The best pad/tissue for this that I have found are the circular makeup wipes that you can get from Walmart, Meijer, or any Dollar Store. |
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Step 4: Gently clean all ear crevices with a Q-tip. Best rule of thumb with Q-tips is to ONLY use Q-tips in the ear where you can see the tip of the Q-tip -> this way, you will never go too deep into the ear.
Step 5: Repeat Steps 1-4 on the other ear.
Step 1: Similar to ear cleaning for a nail trim, have your pet lie on one side. You can also have someone else helping you keep them laying down. Standing is ok too, but they tend to wander if they are standing. Reinforce with positive words & treats that this is good behavior. Overtime, your pet will accept nail trims with little to no argument if you make it a positive experience.
Step 2: Start each nail by taking the tip off. If there is a large hook (picture seen below) you should be able to take the entire thing off without coming close to the quik, but whenever in doubt take smaller cuts.
Step 3: Continue cutting each nail back until you see the quik. I have inserted a photo below of both dark nails & clear nails so you can see what the quik looks like. The trick here is taking SMALL CUTS.
Try your best not to cut the quik since that will make their nails bleed & is painful for your pet, but if you do accidentally cut your pet's nail, you can use flour, corn starch, or pet grade clotting powder to stop the bleeding. Apply gentle but firm pressure to the nail to stop the bleeding.
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Step 4: I have found that most dog tolerate their back nails being cut better then fron nails. Test out cutting the front nails first then next time try cutting the back nails first. See which way your pet tolerates it better.
Step 5: Practice practice practice. A good rule of thumb is to cut your pet's nails every 2-3 weeks. You will find by keeping with a good schedule of nail trimming, your pet will keep shorter nails which are more manageable & better for their long term health. When you first start cutting nails, you may only be able to get your pet to sit still for one paw...or maybe two. That is ok...make it a positive experience & work on getting the remaining paws done the same day. Practice makes perfect and eventually your pet will tolerate nail trims well.
Cat Nails: Cat nails are formed differently than dog nails. They still have a quik but you won't trim them with the same method. For cats, usually all that is required is to take the hook off each nail (see below in the picture) & that will keep them short enough to not catch on the carpet or furniture.
Pro Tip: Do cats with another person unless your cat is well behaved. Sit them in your lap like a toddler. This allow you to cut their nails quickly with hopefully minimal resistance. Be purposeful in your actions when cutting cat nails...they can sense if you are nervous. Be confident & get those nails done!!
Pro Tip: Do cats with another person unless your cat is well behaved. Sit them in your lap like a toddler. This allow you to cut their nails quickly with hopefully minimal resistance. Be purposeful in your actions when cutting cat nails...they can sense if you are nervous. Be confident & get those nails done!!
Keep in mind, if you find that you cannot get your pet's nails trimmed by yourself or you continue to have difficulty, our clinic does off nail trims by appointment.
Traveling with Pets & Alternatives
When you’re planning a trip, you have dozens of details to worry about. If you add a pet to the mix, those details may begin to feel overwhelming. This information I provide below will help you and your pet navigate every phase of the journey. At the end of this article, I will also provide you with a variety of options if you prefer not to travel with your pet.
Prepare for your Traveling
Pre-travel preparation is one of the most important parts of successfully traveling with or without a pet. By making the right plans, you can save yourself and your pet much discomfort or even trouble.
1. If you are taking a long car ride, try taking several shorter rides in the weeks before, gradually increasing the time & distance to acclimate your pet.
2. If you are flying, make sure you show up with plenty of extra time. Go on a long walk at the airport so they have time to expend energy & do the necessary bathroom functions so they are comfortable.
3. If you are using a crate, make sure the crate fits any requirements for flight travel or fits snugly in the car. The last thing you want in the car is for the crate to shift around or even tip over.
4. Pad your crate with your pet's favorite blankets, toys, or even maybe an article of your own clothing. The key is to make your pet's crate as cozy & familiar as possible.
5. If you are not using a crate, always ensure your pet is correctly restrained in the car or flight. Use harnesses to buckle them in. Allowing your pet free range in your car can be dangerous.
1. If you are taking a long car ride, try taking several shorter rides in the weeks before, gradually increasing the time & distance to acclimate your pet.
2. If you are flying, make sure you show up with plenty of extra time. Go on a long walk at the airport so they have time to expend energy & do the necessary bathroom functions so they are comfortable.
3. If you are using a crate, make sure the crate fits any requirements for flight travel or fits snugly in the car. The last thing you want in the car is for the crate to shift around or even tip over.
4. Pad your crate with your pet's favorite blankets, toys, or even maybe an article of your own clothing. The key is to make your pet's crate as cozy & familiar as possible.
5. If you are not using a crate, always ensure your pet is correctly restrained in the car or flight. Use harnesses to buckle them in. Allowing your pet free range in your car can be dangerous.
Research any rules for travel
If you are flying, most airlines have requirements & guidelines available on their website. As before, I have taken all those websites & left quick links below.
If you are driving, make sure you have researched any paperwork requirements for the state or country you are traveling to. Some states require just a Rabies Certificate while others require a full Health Certificate. Having all your necessary documents in a folder or other organization binder will keep any trip/travel stress free & easily accessible.
Pack a Pet Travel Bag
This list can vary depending on your pet's needs & mode of transportation, but it's a good starting list.
1. Pet food
2. Small collapsible bowl
3. Medications & pet first aid items
4. Any required travel documents
5. Pet's favorite toy/blanket
6. Treats
7. Your vet's contact information
1. Pet food
2. Small collapsible bowl
3. Medications & pet first aid items
4. Any required travel documents
5. Pet's favorite toy/blanket
6. Treats
7. Your vet's contact information
Schedule a Pre-trip Vet Checkup
Maybe not always a necessity, but taking a quick trip to your vet's office prior to a trip allows you to get any paperwork needed like Health Certificates, Rabies Certificate, & also update any lapsing vaccinations, & purchase more Heartworm, Flea & Tick prevention for your pet to keep them safe on your travels.
What if traveling with your pet isn't an option....
There is an app/website that now allows you to hire a dog sitter to either house sit/pet sit for you while you are on vacation & also allows you to become a pet sitter if you so desire. I have linked their website below in addition to copying their website description below. You can find pet sitters for both dogs & cats so make sure to check them out if you are looking for a boarding alternative.
About Rover (From their Website): "Rover connects pet parents with a nationwide network of dog lovers who can't wait to watch their dog. Search for nearby dog sitters, day care providers, and dog walkers who’ll help care for your pet—at their place or yours. By removing common pet care obstacles, Rover ensures dogs nationwide are happy and well-cared for even when their human is away, and empowers dog lovers to live happy and fulfilling lives.
In addition to connecting pet parents with the best neighborhood pet care, the Rover platform offers the Rover Guarantee for all services booked through Rover, 24/7 support and vet consultation, mobile apps, photo and video sharing, and general background checks for sitters and dog walkers."
In addition to connecting pet parents with the best neighborhood pet care, the Rover platform offers the Rover Guarantee for all services booked through Rover, 24/7 support and vet consultation, mobile apps, photo and video sharing, and general background checks for sitters and dog walkers."
I hope that this article has given you a little more information for your next adventure with or without your pet(s).
The Great Food Debate
In an ideal world, all kibble would be created equal. Instead, dog owners are presented with an overwhelming array of options, all claiming to be the best dog food on the market. Wading through these choices to find a dog food brand that is healthy, affordable, and appealing to your pet is often frustrating. Luckily, we have some advice to help you narrow down your options.
Every pet has different needs. Learning your pet's needs will greatly improve your ability to find the perfect brand & type of food to allow them to thrive.
The More You Know...
AAFCO requires that if the food is advertised to contain a single ingredient, it must contain at least 95% of that ingredient, not including added water. Likewise, if a combination of ingredients is advertised, that combination must comprise at least 95% of the food. For instance, if the food claims to be made solely of beef, beef must make up 95% of the food. If the claim is turkey and beef, then the food must be 95% turkey and beef combined.
Foods with descriptive phrases (such as dinner, platter, entrée, etc.) in their names must contain at least 25% of the named ingredient. Products that carry a name that states “with” a specific ingredient (such as “with cheese”) need only contain 3% of the named ingredient. Products that advertise specific “flavors” (such as “chicken flavor” or “beef flavor”) need to contain only a detectable amount of that ingredient.
Foods with descriptive phrases (such as dinner, platter, entrée, etc.) in their names must contain at least 25% of the named ingredient. Products that carry a name that states “with” a specific ingredient (such as “with cheese”) need only contain 3% of the named ingredient. Products that advertise specific “flavors” (such as “chicken flavor” or “beef flavor”) need to contain only a detectable amount of that ingredient.
Choosing Your Food....The Steps
Pick Your Protein
For cats, protein is very important since they are carnivores. Leaner proteins, such as fish or turkey (same as humans), will be proteins you see in weight loss or weight management foods with less fat content. Common proteins, such as chicken or beef, are common choices for a lot of pet foods due to cost & for more budget conscious owners this is a great way to go since you will have the most options across the board. Rare proteins, such as kangaroo, vension, & even alligator, are proteins found in dermatology foods for our food allergy patients.
Keep in mind, food allergies are extremely uncommon. Consult with your veterinarian prior to switching to a rare protein food. These foods are extremely expensive & most of the time will not resolve your pet's allergy symptoms as most allergies are environmental.
Don't discount grains
The current running trend in the pet community is to feed grain free food. Some pets do have a grain allergy, & those pets should absolutely be fed grain free food. However, most pets thrive very well on foods that do include grains that provide an excellent source of carbohydrates which is an important component of energy in your pet. If you are still concerned about including grains or not, consider a low carbohydrate diet, or even a pet food that includes potato instead of grains as their carbohydrate source.
Age does play a factor!!!
Is your pet a puppy or a kitten? Maybe they are getting up there in age. Age is absolutely a factor that needs to be taken into consideration when finding your perfect food. For our puppies & kittens, please stick with puppy/kitten food until atleast 10 months, ideally until they are a year old. At that point, you can do a gradual switch over to adult pet food, but puppy/kitten food is specifically designed to encourage growth & development that is critical within their first year of life.
For our older pets, their needs are different as well & around age 8-10 for dogs or 10-12 for cats, you should consider switching to geriatric food specifically formulated to help promote health in our older pets.
For our older pets, their needs are different as well & around age 8-10 for dogs or 10-12 for cats, you should consider switching to geriatric food specifically formulated to help promote health in our older pets.
Wet or dry food?
This is mainly your pet's preference. Keep in mind wet food does go bad faster when left out so will need to be thrown out if left out for a few hours where as dry food can be left out all day. If your pet is eating wet food also be aware there there is a much higher amount of water in the wet food so they may not drink as much water.
Pick Your Brand
When it comes to picking your pet's food, the final step is deciding what brand to go with. There are plenty of great food brands out there. I have included several below along with their websites so you can read more about them to help decide which works best for your pet.
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These are only a sampling of the food brands available. St. John's Animal Clinic does not endorse any particular brand. As always, do your research to find which brand works best for your pet's needs.
I hope that this article gave you more information in your quest for the perfect food for your pet. Keep in mind, every pet is different & their needs may be different as well. Take a leisurely stroll in your nearest pet store & see what foods are available.
National Rabies Day
Rabies remains a major concern worldwide, killing tens of thousands of people every year. The most affected countries are in Africa and Asia, and almost half of the victims are children under the age of 15. In the United States, one to two people die annually, and there were more than 4,900 reported cases of animal rabies in the U.S. in 2016.
In the United States, rabies deaths are very rare thanks to successful animal control and vaccination programs.The good news is that rabies can be prevented through vaccination of both animals and people.
In the United States, rabies deaths are very rare thanks to successful animal control and vaccination programs.The good news is that rabies can be prevented through vaccination of both animals and people.
What Can I Do To Prevent Rabies?
1. Vaccinate your pets & keep their shots up-to-date
Rabies vaccine can be administered as early as 8 weeks old, but is usually done at 16 weeks along with final boosters & spay/neuter surgery.
In dogs, this first Rabies vaccine is considered good for 1 year, but subsequent re vaccinations of the Rabies vaccine are good for 3 years in dogs.
In cats, unfortunately, the Rabies vaccine is always only good for one year.
2. Protect Your Home
There are several things you can do to protect your home & limit the possibility of contact with wildlife/possibely infected animals. Keep all trash & food outside limited to decrease attracting wildlife or stray animals to your yard. If at all possible, only allow your pets outside when supervised. Keep ALL pets, including indoor cats up to date on Rabies vaccine in case a bat enters your home. If a bat does enter your home, I have included a link to directions on how to handle that situation. Click the button below.
Rabies vaccine can be administered as early as 8 weeks old, but is usually done at 16 weeks along with final boosters & spay/neuter surgery.
In dogs, this first Rabies vaccine is considered good for 1 year, but subsequent re vaccinations of the Rabies vaccine are good for 3 years in dogs.
In cats, unfortunately, the Rabies vaccine is always only good for one year.
2. Protect Your Home
There are several things you can do to protect your home & limit the possibility of contact with wildlife/possibely infected animals. Keep all trash & food outside limited to decrease attracting wildlife or stray animals to your yard. If at all possible, only allow your pets outside when supervised. Keep ALL pets, including indoor cats up to date on Rabies vaccine in case a bat enters your home. If a bat does enter your home, I have included a link to directions on how to handle that situation. Click the button below.
3. Stay away from wildlife
rabies is most often seen in wild animals such as raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes. One of the best ways to protect yourself and your family is to avoid contact with wild animals. Do not feed or handle them, even if they seem friendly. Also avoid picking up or touching dead animals. The virus can still be present on saliva so if you come in contact with any infected animals you still have the chance of contracting the disease.
4. Limit interaction with pets/animals you don't know
Same guidelines from wildlife section above also apply to pets or animals that you don't know. You have no way of knowing their vaccine status so avoid or strictly limit interactions with stray pets. If you are in a dog park or out in public, keep an eye out for odd behavior from other pets. I have included things to look out for below.
rabies is most often seen in wild animals such as raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes. One of the best ways to protect yourself and your family is to avoid contact with wild animals. Do not feed or handle them, even if they seem friendly. Also avoid picking up or touching dead animals. The virus can still be present on saliva so if you come in contact with any infected animals you still have the chance of contracting the disease.
4. Limit interaction with pets/animals you don't know
Same guidelines from wildlife section above also apply to pets or animals that you don't know. You have no way of knowing their vaccine status so avoid or strictly limit interactions with stray pets. If you are in a dog park or out in public, keep an eye out for odd behavior from other pets. I have included things to look out for below.
Recognize the Symptoms
What does Rabies look like? How do I know if wildlife or a pet has it? Look for the following signs & ALWAYS report any suspicious animals/wildlife to animal control or your local health department for further investigation.
- General sickness
- Problems swallowing
- Lots of drool or saliva
- An animal that appears more tame than you would expect
- An animal that bites at everything
Don't forget, Rabies is preventable!!! To recap, I have included the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) video on Rabies Day.