Did you know that diabetes in dogs and cats is a common illness? Just like with people, certain factors make some pets more likely to develop diabetes. The good news is that a primary factor, obesity, is completely within your control.

Obesity Greatly Increases Risk of Diabetes in Dogs and Cats

Fat cats and pudgy pups are much more likely to develop diabetes than their svelte counterparts. Not only that, they are also more likely to end up with arthritis, kidney disease, heart disease, dermatologic conditions, lipomas, and more. Unlike humans, pets don’t have the ability to go out and buy chicken nuggets on a whim, and without us, even their exercise is limited. This means that their weight and corresponding health are our responsibility.

A 2017 survey by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention found that 60% of cats and 56% of dogs were clinically overweight or obese.

90% of pet owners of overweight cats and 95% of owners of overweight dogs incorrectly identified their pet as normal weight.

For diabetes in dogs and cats, prevention is worth more than a pound of cure… because there isn’t a cure. An early diagnosis and careful management can still allow pets to live happily for years. By comparison, late diagnosis and improper management can result in severe illness or death. This is why it’s so important keep your pets fit, be sure they have their annual wellness exams, and report any possible symptoms to your vet promptly.

Symptoms of Diabetes

• Excessive water drinking and increased urination
• Weight loss, even though there may be an increased appetite
• Decreased appetite as diabetes gets worse
• Cloudy eyes (especially in dogs)
• Chronic or recurring infections

Help Your Pet Lose Weight

Even if your pet has been overweight for years, it’s never too late to turn back the clock a bit. The internet is full of advice on pet diets, and much of it is inaccurate or incomplete. The perfect starting point is to talk to your vet about nutrition and weight management to determine what is really appropriate for your particular pet based on their age, activity level, and any other possible medical conditions. Remember, vets learned a ton about the science of nutrition over several years in veterinary school, so use them as a resource!

Broadly speaking, be sure that you aren’t ever feeding “junk food” to your pets. Unhealthy table scraps, high-calorie but low-nutrition treats, and too many treats are common culprits. Meal portions may also be too big for your pet’s needs. Looking for options for healthy treats? Your own kitchen is a good place to start. Learn more in our article, “11 Natural, Healthy Treats for Dogs in Your Kitchen”.

This is where exercise also plays an important role. It doesn’t have to be a chore. Exercise can be so much fun for both of you! Play with your cats with their favorite toys to keep them active, throw a ball for your dog every day, or take them for a neighborhood walk that is good for both your bodies! And the added bonus: this is great bonding time for your pets and your family.

You’ve heard it before. “Spay and neuter your pets!” There are several reasons why it’s important, but did you know that your pet’s health is a big one? It’s not all about preventing unwanted litters of puppies and kittens. From testicular tumors to pyometra, the medical benefits of spaying and neutering your dogs and cats are clear.

FACT: Unaltered dogs and cats are substantially more likely to develop potentially life-threatening illnesses.

Benefits of Spaying Dogs and Cats

Pyometra

Prevention of pyometra is a great reason to spay your pets. Pyometra is a potentially life-threatening infection of the uterus that can occur in any intact female cat or dog. A few factors that contribute to it include hormonal changes after estrus and the accidental introduction of bacteria to the uterus during estrus, when the cervix is relaxed.

Pet owners don’t often detect pyometra until it is advanced. At this point, the best chance your pet has of surviving this infection is to have an emergency spay surgery. The more advanced the infection is, the more risk is involved with the surgery. Unfortunately, pyometra is not terribly rare. It’s painful and quickly causes a systemic infection. Pyometra is an emergency.

Mammary Tumors

Yes, dogs and cats can get mammary tumors just like people can. In fact, they are one of the most common types of tumor in unspayed dogs. While less common in cats, they are far more often malignant when they do occur in our feline friends.

THE STATISTICS

• In dogs, nearly 50% of mammary tumors are malignant.
• In cats, nearly 90% of mammary tumors are malignant.
• Dogs spayed before first heat cycles have just a .5% chance of developing mammary tumors.
• A dog spayed after her 1st heat has an 8% chance of developing mammary tumors.
• A dog spayed after her 2nd heat spikes to a 26% chance of developing mammary tumors.
• Cats spayed before 6 months of age are 7 times less likely to develop mammary tumors.
• Cats spayed at any later age still reduces likelihood of tumors by 40-60%.

Benefits of Neutering Dogs and Cats

Testicular Tumors

Again, we have a risk of tumors associated with intact pets. Testicular tumors are fairly common in older dogs, though more rare in cats. Most often, these tumors are benign, but there are actually several different types of cancer that can occur, and it’s not rare for more than one type to affect the same patient. Testicles that are not descended are at even higher risk to have malignant tumors. Benign or malignant, both testicles must be surgically removed by neutering to prevent painful or even life-threatening tumor growth.

27% of unneutered dogs will develop at least 1 testicular tumor in their lifetime.

There is also reason to believe that testicular tumors are hereditary, so dogs with any history of them should not be allowed to reproduce.

Behavior

Both male cats and dogs are at significantly higher risk of wandering off, getting lost, getting hit by a car, getting into fights with competing males that often result in infections and the spreading of disease, etc. It can’t be stressed enough how much neutering decreases roaming and related injury and illness in most males.

With cats, in particular, the spreading of disease is a big problem. Even the most innocent-seeming cats are likely to fight other cats when nearby females are in heat and males are on the prowl. Fighting cats often spread feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), for which there are no cures. Neutering can also reduce the urge for male cats to “spray”, or urinate to mark territory.

Spay & Neuter Your Pets for Longer, Healthier Lives!

Arthritis pain in dogs and cats doesn’t have to mean high doses of prescription pain relievers as the only source of relief. This is good news given that your pet’s liver can be affected by long-term use of many medications. As veterinarians, we’ve long had to be precise with our recommended dosages and regular follow-up bloodwork for this reason. And while laser therapy doesn’t mean the end of medications, it can mean reduced medications. That, in turn, means reduced side effects. Cold laser therapy for arthritis pain in dogs and cats is a favorite weapon in our battle against pain in your furry family members.

What is Cold Laser Therapy for Dogs & Cats?

Cold laser therapy, also known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT) or Class IV therapy, is a wonderful, non-invasive, painless laser that works beautifully to help reduce pain. It uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate the body’s natural ability to heal. This results in reduced inflammation, reduced pain, and increased circulation. The laser does not get hot, so it is completely comfortable to patients.

Cold laser therapy works by increasing metabolic activity within cells. This means we are able to work with the body at its most basic level in a way that produces no side effects. It is beneficial for more than just arthritis. We love using it to speed healing to injuries or after surgeries, too.

We use the most popular kind of cold laser equipment called K-Laser. K-Laser also makes cold lasers that have been used on humans for years!

What to Expect from Your Pet’s Cold Laser Therapy Treatments

Cold laser therapy for arthritis pain is a wonderful treatment method, but the effects are cumulative since we’re working with the body to stimulate its own abilities to provide relief. We usually begin to see notable improvement in pain within a couple of weeks of treatments.

Each treatment takes mere minutes. Because it’s not a good idea to look directly at the laser light, everyone in the exam room, including your pet, gets to put on a pair of protective glasses. Pets look pretty cute in theirs! Us? Depends on how into the ‘80s you are! Then a technician will turn on the laser equipment and move the laser back and forth over the target area of the body for a set period of time, just a few minutes. Then you’re done!

Your veterinarian will make a recommendation for the frequency of your pet’s treatments based on their needs at the time. Often, you can expect two or three visits the first week, a couple of visits the second week, then decrease from there into the third week. By this time, pain relief is usually obvious. Your vet will make a recommendation on how often to return for maintenance treatments. It depends on the pet, but this could be once every two or three weeks on average.

Cold laser therapy for arthritis results will vary depending on the severity of the arthritis itself, so we aren’t always able to stop use of prescription pain medications, but we can often postpone them or reduce the dosage and/or numbers of medications being taken overall. Keeping up the schedule of maintenance treatments helps us to determine exactly if and how much medication your pet might still need by giving us a consistent baseline from which to work.

Overall, the benefits are wonderful with cold laser therapy:
Reduced pain. Reduced prescriptions. No side effects. Cool glasses.

Check out this video by K-Laser, and come see us to learn more!

As much as we sometimes view our pets as human-like and happily to spoil, adore, and talk to them, it is very important to remember that in some regards they have very different biology than we do. The very same things that we enjoy can make them incredibly ill. This is especially true when it comes to food items. Foods that are toxic to dogs and cats are in every home, and it’s our job as their caretakers to be familiar with what they are.

Grapes and Raisins Can Cause Renal Failure

Both cats and dogs can become incredibly ill from consuming grapes or raisins, though dogs are most at risk. Exactly why grapes and raisins are toxic to your pets is not completely understood, but we do know that ingesting these can cause the kidneys to fail. Early intervention can save lives. Initial symptoms within the first few hours include vomiting and/or diarrhea leading to lethargy, dehydration, weakness, etc. Renal failure begins after that, at which point the affected pet often cannot be saved.

As with why these are toxic, it is also not clearly understood exactly how many grapes or raisins it takes to cause toxicity, but a mere 4-5 grapes have been associated with the death of an 18 lbs dog which is alarming.

Onions, Garlic, & Leeks

Of the household foods toxic to dogs and cats, onions, garlic, and leeks are mild to moderately toxic. Cats and certain breeds of dogs are more susceptible to the problems caused by ingesting these. Illness isn’t typically seen immediately following ingestion, so it may be a day or more before you see symptoms. Onions, garlic, and leeks can cause damage to red blood cells leading to anemia as the body is not able to distribute oxygen effectively. Gastroenteritis is also a common problem with allium consumption.

It is tempting to think that most pets, especially cats, would never want to eat something as pungent as an onion, but it is important to note that cooked onions can be quite mild and sweet. They are more tasty to pets but no less toxic.

Xylitol is Highly Toxic to Pets

Not sure what xylitol is? Think it’s not in your home? It probably is. Xylitol is a common sweetener found in everything from chewing gums, toothpastes, and sugar-free candies to even being used in some nasal irrigation solutions or flavored dental floss.

It is well documented that even low amounts of it can cause a severe drop in blood sugar and liver damage in dogs that can be life-threatening. There are no documented cases of toxicity in cats, but given that in many cases cats are more sensitive than dogs, it should be assumed that they would also have similar reactions to xylitol.

Read your ingredient labels, and keep this far out of reach of your pets. Seek help quickly if you know your pet has consumed xylitol.

Chocolate is Toxic to Dogs and Cats

Most people know that chocolate is bad for dogs, but given the prevalence of it in homes, it’s worth mentioning again. Also, many cat owners don’t realize that it’s dangerous for the kitties too.

The two culprits that make chocolate life-threatening for pets are caffeine and theobromine. These cause tachycardia, an abnormally rapid heartbeat, as well as other cardiac dysfunction. They also affect the central nervous system causing ataxia, tremors, and seizures.

If your pet gets into some chocolate, it’s important for you to contact your vet immediately. Your vet will also want to know how much chocolate was consumed and if it was unsweetened, milk chocolate, etc. This determines how much caffeine and theobromine the dog or cat consumed.

What You Should Do

If your pet consumes any of these foods that are toxic to dogs and cats, you should treat the situation as an emergency and call your vet immediately. If it’s outside normal business hours, contact your local Emergency Clinic or call the Pet Poison Hotline for advice, though they will most likely tell you to get to a vet.

See our list of healthy treats for your dogs right from your kitchen!

Polydactyl cats, thumb cats, mitten cats, Hemingway cats, Cardi cats. We’re talking about cats with extra toes, and they have many names. The origin of the word “polydactyl” is Greek: “poly” means many or multiple and “dactyl” means digits or fingers and toes. Curious about these many-toed felines? Read on for four interesting facts about them.

Stay with us below as we feature two adoptable, digitally-enhanced cats right here in Raleigh who are waiting patiently with our friends at Purr Partners cat rescue for their purrfect forever homes! You’re going to love them.

1. Polydactylism is Hereditary

Cats with extra toes have them because of a genetic mutation that often results in a dominant gene being shared down a family tree. If one parent is polydactyl, odds are good that at least some of their children will also be polydactyl. This is fairly common, and the reason for the famous “Hemingway cats” being so frequently associated with the mutation. Ernest Hemingway was a cat lover whose cat had extra toes. She had kittens with extra toes, then they had kittens with extra toes. So now, the many-toed offspring of that family line still live today at the Hemingway Museum and are a tourist attraction in their own right.

2. Some Parts of the World Have More Thumb Cats Than Others

Long ago, many sailors believed polydactyl cats brought good luck! Ships often traveled with a cat on board to catch stowaway mice, anyway. A lucky cat was even better! It is thought that this is why there are many old port cities that even now have much higher than average populations of these kitties. Generally, the east coast of North America and western England and Wales are known to have many digitally gifted cats.

3. The Extra Toes Aren’t Always in the Same Location

Most cats have their extra toes on the inside of their front paws, hence the reference to them resembling thumbs or making their paws look like mittens. But far less often, the toes may appear on the back paws or both! There are a couple of world-record holding cats with 28 toes because they have them on both feet!

4. Extra Toes Don’t Cause Problems… Most of the Time

Generally, the worst thing for a cat about having extra toes is having extra claws to trim if needed. Occasionally, some of these kitties might have recurring issues with particular claws tending to be ingrown if not managed well, so it’s a good idea to keep a eye out for this if you adopt a polydactyl furry family member.

There is a condition often confused with common polydactylism known as feline radial hypoplasia, but it is genetically different. In addition to more toes, this condition can cause twisted forelimbs and pain. Fortunately, it’s rare.

Raleigh cat rescue has polydactyl cats for adoption!

Purr Partners has two polydactyl cats available for adoption! Contact them to adopt or please share this to help them find their forever families.

Ernie is a polydactyl kitten looking for the purrfect forever home.

Meet Ernie! Born in May 2018, he came to rescue because someone dumped him at a landfill. Fortunately, he was found by a caretaker of the local feral cat colony there. Ernie is an awesome little boy with super big feet and thumbs and loves to gently pat your face with them!

While his thumbs are very cool, the best thing about Ernie is his super personality. He is playful and entertaining, but he is also very much a cuddler and a lap kitty. When you sit down, he’s there. He’s all about snuggling and being close…really close…to you. However, he’s still a kitten, so he has lots of energy, and he adores toys and running and romping. He loves his foster playmates, and there’s nothing better than a good game of chase. He is wonderful with all cats, and people, he meets.

Could you be Ernie’s purrfect match?

Nicole has big, beautiful eyes and extra special thumbs! She’s available for adoption.

Meet Nicole! Born June 2016, she’s a beautiful, affectionate girl who is also blessed in the thumb department. She loves to play and snuggle and is happy to be your lap cat.

Nicole has very firm beliefs, and one of them is that she shall be the one-and-only princess in the household, and any other felines shall be jumped upon and bullied into submission. Therefore, we do not recommend an adoption to a home with another cat (that is, of course, unless you really don’t like your other cat). She also tends to sound stuffy a lot. Her vet says that her “stuffiness” is due to an issue when she was a kitten and will remain with her for the rest of her life, but it does not bother this brave girl at all. So, really, as long as she’s allowed to be someone’s princess, she has no issues and will make someone very happy with their new furry family member.

Family meals, especially around the excess of holiday feasts and gatherings, are often tempting times to share the bones of your leftovers with your dog. But is that a good idea? Even if you aren’t sure, is your pup’s best begging face too much for you to bear?

The short answer: when in doubt, just stick to other healthy dog treats you are probably already cooking with. Bones can be dangerous.

The long answer: there are a few different things you must consider. Let’s look at bones as dog treats from a medical perspective.

Yes, Bones Have Nutritional Value

There’s a reason for the human diet trend lately of buying or making “bone broth”. Bones can provide some minerals and other nutrients. The caveat, is that cooking reduces that anyway, so you probably aren’t sharing as much nutrition with your dog as you think. Add to that the fact that cooked bones are risky business anyway.

Cooked Bones Are Dangerous

You might end up rushing your dog into emergency surgery because of this. Cooked bones of any kind are far more likely to splinter and break as they are chewed than raw bones. This is extremely dangerous. Bone shards can injure the mouth, throat, stomach, and/or intestines. They can become stuck which quickly escalates into a life-threatening situation, not to mention a painful one.

Poultry and pork bones are especially dangerous because of splintering. Steer clear of these completely. There is no safe poultry or pork bone that you can share with your pet.

What About Raw Bones?

Raw bones are both more nutritious and less likely to splinter, depending on the type of bone. The only kinds of raw bones that are generally considered to be safe from splintering are beef and lamb.

But, again, the caveats:

Keep in mind that raw animal products bear an increased risk of bacteria like salmonella causing illness.

Also, never give a dog any bone that is small enough to swallow. Many dogs will surprise you with what they seem to find an appropriate size of item to swallow, so it’s up to you to make that call regardless of the type of treat you are giving them. Bones must be large enough that there is no risk of this.

A Final Bit of Advice

Keep an eye on your dog anytime they are given a chew treat. Dogs can choke, just like people can.

Brushing your dog’s teeth is an important step in maintaining whole body health for your dog. It’s no secret that the bacteria that build up in your pet’s mouth over time cause more than just bad breath, tartar, gingivitis, and damaged teeth. It is also proven to contribute to heart, liver, and kidney problems over time. All of these potential problems are why the best thing that you can do for your dog to prevent these issues is to learn how to brush your dog’s teeth, and do it often.

When brushing your dog’s teeth, there are a few things to keep in mind to make the experience easier for both of you. The first is to be patient. Most dogs find the experience odd to begin with but will get used to the routine over time as long as you keep the conditions calm and pleasant. Think in terms of positive reinforcement. You want to reward cooperation (or even just mild tolerance!). Do not punish a dog who’s wiggling around and just doesn’t get what’s going on. This can end up creating a negative association. Praise them during brushing, and reward them with a healthy treat after you’re done!

This leads us to the second thing to consider: doggy toothpaste. Many dog toothpastes come in a variety of flavors like beef or peanut butter so that your dog enjoys the toothpaste itself! This can be really beneficial when creating a positive association with a new routine. Unlike human toothpastes, they are safe for your pet to swallow. Never substitute human toothpaste for dog toothpaste. Many human toothpastes include the sweetener xylitol, which is highly toxic to pets.

Next, consider your toothbrush options. We recommend starting out with a finger brush to get both you and the dog used to brushing. A finger brush fits over your index finger and has soft, short bristles on it that you will use to gently brush the teeth and gums. You can also find handled brushes that are similar to what humans use but longer and angled. They can take a little more getting used to for most dogs, though.

How to do the actual brushing? Pull back your dog’s lips so you can see the teeth and gums, and gently brush, working your way around to the other side of the mouth. Pay attention to the crevices between teeth, and don’t forget the teeth at the back of the mouth. Don’t worry if you don’t feel like you’re able to do a thorough job initially. Any brushing is better than no brushing! This also gives you a good opportunity to keep a check on the condition of your dog’s teeth and gums.

Now that you’re brushing your dog’s teeth, how often should you do it? Well, ideally, daily. You’d be amazed at what a difference your veterinarian is able to tell over time with patients who get their teeth brushed daily. However, if you aren’t able to do it every day, you can still be very beneficial to your dog’s health by just keeping a regular, frequent schedule.

What Happens If You Don’t Brush Your Dog’s Teeth?

The ugly truth is that while most dogs need a professional, veterinary dental cleaning at some point in their lives (these require general anesthesia), dogs who never had their teeth brushed are far more likely to need multiple cleanings, to have infections in the mouth, to require tooth extractions, or to develop major organ diseases because of the damage done by bacteria over time.

If you think your pet may already have symptoms of some of these problems, contact your vet for an exam. Also, check out the AVMA’s list of periodontal disease symptoms.

The good news is that it’s never too late to start!

What About Cats?

Cats have the same dental problems that dogs have. Brushing a cat’s teeth can be more challenging, though, as most cat people would rightly guess. Some will tolerate it, others won’t. Feel free to reach out for some tips on keeping your feline’s teeth fresh and clean! We’re cat lovers, too!

Healthy, natural treats for your dog that are already in your kitchen? Yes! No trip to the pet store required. Many fruits and vegetables make wonderful treats for dogs. Obviously, they are nutrient-dense foods, which makes them great for health. They are often really convenient because many are staples you probably keep handy for your family anyway. And unlike many dog biscuits or similar treats, they are low in calories. This really helps to relieve the challenge that many of us face in striking a balance between treating our pups and managing a healthy weight for long-term health overall.

Medical Considerations for Dog Treats

For any kind of dog treat, it’s important to keep a few things top of mind.

First, diabetic pets need to avoid high-glycemic treats. This includes high-carb or sweet treats like most dog biscuits or fruits. If you have a well-managed diabetic dog and are interested in changing its diet routine, discuss this with your vet ahead of time to create a plan for how to go about it safely.

Second, be mindful of any substantial changes in your dog’s calorie intake. Obesity is a major contributing factor to developing diabetes, but weight loss should also be monitored.

Finally, despite being omnivores, suddenly introducing a high volume of plant fiber could cause gas or diarrhea. Fiber is regulating and beneficial to good gut microbes, but just as with humans, a sudden intake of too much can cause some discomfort. Go slowly.

So, what simple, natural dog treats can you incorporate into your routine? Here are some of our favorites!

Fruits and Vegetables That Are Safe for Dogs

Apples

An apple a day doesn’t necessarily keep the veterinarian away, and a whole apple would be a bit much for a dog anyway, but they are good for dogs just like they are people! Full of nutrients and fiber, these are great snacks. Just be sure not to let your pup have the seeds or the core.

Green Peas

Frozen or fresh, green peas are good treats, and most dogs love them. Hand your dog a couple as training treats or even put some in their bowl. Easy-peasy!

Carrots

Loaded with beta carotene and other vitamins, carrots are almost guaranteed to be in your kitchen anyway. Why not cut up some bite-sized pieces and use them as a healthy reward? Some dogs can be bad about swallowing without chewing (we’re looking at you, labs and beagles), so if yours is one, be sure that the carrot pieces are an appropriate size.

Green Beans

Dogs can eat green beans, too! Just be sure that cooked green beans aren’t seasoned. Plain, please. These are a great source of greens and fiber.

Watermelon

Like humans, most dogs love watermelon as a tasty, hydrating, and beneficial snack. Be sure to remove any seeds and don’t give your dog the rind.

Cooked Sweet Potatoes

Cooked sweet potatoes may not seem to smack of convenience, but since they keep well in the refrigerator, it’s actually really simple to roast up some extras to share during the week with your furry family member. It’s best to keep them plain. Do not give dogs raw potatoes of any kind.

Bananas

We all know that bananas are loaded with healthy nutrients. Most dogs love them, too, so they are a natural choice that you probably keep handy all the time. Just be sure not to overdo it. Given their high sugar content, it’s best to give bananas to dogs in moderation.

Broccoli

Cruciferous veggies have well-known health benefits, and broccoli is a good choice for pups. Feel free to give them a few small pieces as a treat. These can be raw, roasted, or steamed, just unseasoned, please. Like humans, dogs often have an easier time digesting high-fiber foods that have been cooked, but either is safe.

Cooked Squash

Cooked squashes are great natural treats for dogs! And since there are several kinds of squash that are safe for dogs, this is a good option year-round. Butternut squash, yellow squash, or zucchini are all great. Even pumpkin! Just be sure to remove seeds, and for the butternut, the rind, as well.

Strawberries

Strawberries are sweet little vitamin C nuggets that dogs love. Like bananas, they are high in sugar, so just keep that in mind when you decide how many to give.

Blueberries

Like strawberries, blueberries are great, healthy, and easy little treats to share with your pup!

You Should Know…

When trying out new treats for your dog, it’s always best to start with small portions and see how your dog’s GI tract responds. Some dog treats are okay to feed raw, and others are best served cooked. Always hold the salt!

There are also a number of foods in your kitchen that can be dangerous for dogs to consume. See our list of common food items that are toxic to dogs.