Pet Tips Archives - Desert Paws

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How to Keep Your Pet Hydrated in the Extreme Heat

The summer is here, and it is hotter and drier than ever which means your pets are at an increased risk of suffering from dehydration and heatstroke. So, it’s essential that you help them stay hydrated.

6 Tips to Keep Your Pet Hydrated in the Heat

1. Provide Plenty of Fresh Water

To stay adequately hydrated in the summer heat, your pets need access to plenty of fresh water at all times during the day and night. Be sure they have enough available that they don’t drink it all while you are away.

2. Purchase a Fountain Bowl

If your pet is reluctant to drink enough water, a fountain dish with a built-in water pump can help keep their water from going stale and encourage them to continue drinking all day long.

3. Clean Your Water Bowls Frequently

In warm water, your pet’s dishes will grow bacteria and get dirty more frequently than in cooler weather. Be sure to keep your pet’s water bowl clean so that their water is fresh and safe for drinking.

4. Put Ice Cubes in Water

Pets love playing with floating ice cubes in their water dishes. They also help keep the water cool and more refreshing to drink.

5. Add Water to Dry Pet Food

You can also help your pet stay hydrated by adding water to your pet’s dry food before feeding them. Simply fill the dish with kibble, cover the kibble with water, and let it soak in. Your pet will then be getting extra moisture in their diet, too.

6. Keep Your Pets Cool

Simply allowing your pets to stay indoors out of the sunlight and in the air conditioning will help prevent them from dehydrating. Keep pets indoors during the hottest times of the day.

Mobile Emergency Veterinary Care for Tucson Pets

If you notice any signs of heatstroke in your pet or suspect they could be dehydrated, you should seek emergency veterinary care right away as these issues can cause permanent organ damage and even be fatal. In the event of an emergency, our veterinarian with Desert Paws Mobile Veterinary Care will come straight to your doorstep with life-saving treatments to help rehydrate and stabilize your pet’s condition.

To learn more or schedule an appointment to establish your pet’s care with our mobile veterinary clinic, we welcome you to contact us today.

At-Home Pain Management for Your Pet

Your pet’s quality of life is essential to their overall happiness, and adequate pain management is necessary for a pet to have a high quality of life. At Desert Paws Mobile Veterinary Care in Tucson, we offer a variety of treatments and therapies that can be beneficial for pets who suffer from

At-Home Pain Management Strategies for Pets

1. Recognizing Pain in Pets

In order to treat your pet’s pain, you first need to be able to recognize it. Pets don’t always show their symptoms with outward signs, so you have to pay close attention to notice changes in your pet’s behavior, attitude, energy level, and appearance. Changes to posture or gait can indicate pain in addition to shivering, not wanting to stand up or lay down, less active, vocalizing excessively, whimpering, yowling, yelping, panting excessively, not wanting to be touched, and acting more aggressively.

2. Pet-Safe Medications

Most pain relievers that are formulated for humans are not safe for pets. They are either toxic or compounded in inappropriate doses for pets. We offer a variety of pet-safe prescription medications that can be used to manage both acute and chronic pain in pets.

3. Laser Therapy

Cold laser therapy helps manage pain in pets that occurs as a result of arthritis, an injury, surgery, or other musculoskeletal conditions. Laser therapy helps reduce inflammation and increase blood flow for less pain and faster healing.

4. Nutritional Supplements and Prescription Diets

Pets suffering chronic pain often benefit from prescription diets to manage their weight and also from nutritional supplements to reduce inflammation in their joints. Our veterinarian might recommend supplements like Omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin. Always talk with your veterinarian before giving your pet a new supplement.

5. Lifestyle Adjustments

Pets suffering from pain – especially musculoskeletal pain – benefit greatly from adjustments to their activities and their environments. Low-impact exercise like swimming is great for pets with arthritis. Additionally, pets with arthritis benefit from having raised food and water bowls, orthopedic pet beds, and stairs or ramps into the car or onto the sofa.

Chronic Pain and Disease Management for Pets in Tucson

Pets with chronic pain and diseases that cause chronic pain or other symptoms most often experience the best results with a multifaceted approach to managing their health. This means providing them with more than one treatment or therapy. To learn more about managing your pet’s pain at home, we welcome you to contact Desert Paws Mobile Veterinary Care today.