We can count on our cats to let us know when their food bowl is empty, but what do you do when your pet is constantly demanding a second dinner?

A big enthusiasm for kibble may simply be a part of your cat’s personality, but changes to their appetite can be an indicator of underlying health or behavioral issues. If you’ve noticed increased hunger or changes in your pet’s weight, it’s important to investigate. Here are a few of the most common explanations for your cat’s fixation on food.

Feline Diabetes

If your cat is suddenly ravenous, their increased appetite may be related to elevated blood sugar. 

Feline diabetes is a disease that interferes with the production of insulin, the hormone that regulates blood glucose. If left untreated, diabetes can cause severe damage to cats’ nervous systems and possibly lead to death. 

One of the biggest risk factors for feline diabetes is obesity, which is why it is particularly important to manage your pet’s eating and exercise habits before they lead to health concerns. This is especially true for cats that belong to other higher-risk groups, including:

• Neutered males
• Cats older than age seven
• Cats with existing kidney issues or thyroid problems
• Cats that are prescribed corticosteroids 

Hyperthyroidism

As cats get older, their risk for thyrotoxicosis, or hyperthyroidism, increases. This condition usually occurs when a benign growth on the thyroid glands stimulates an overproduction of hormones. Because so many organ systems are affected by thyroid hormones, an unusually large appetite will typically appear alongside other symptoms, like:

• Weight loss in spite of an increased appetite
• A greasy, unkempt coat
• Hyperactivity
• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Parasitic Infection

Particularly for young kittens, cats who spend time outdoors, or cats that have been recently adopted from a shelter, intestinal parasites may be the explanation for a voracious appetite. 

Roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms live in the digestive tract and steal nutrients from their hosts. Infected cats may beg for seconds because they are trying to feed themselves as well as their parasites.  

If you suspect your cat or kitten may be infected, make an appointment with your vet to get your pet on the appropriate dewormer. 

Boredom

For cats, it’s all about the chase. Though domestic felines may spend hours each day napping by a sunny window, they retain their ancestors’ instinct to stalk prey. Food is just the byproduct of a successful hunt. 

Cats who don’t get enough stimulation from exercise or play may find that mealtime leaves something to be desired. Just like we may find ourselves standing in front of an open fridge or mindlessly snacking in front of the TV, cats can overconsume food when they are bored or disengaged. 

What to do About an Always-Hungry Cat

Managing your cat’s over-the-top appetite always comes down to identifying the root cause and addressing your pet’s needs. 

Visit Your Vet

If you’ve noticed changes in your cat’s weight or appetite, it’s important to rule out underlying medical conditions. Schedule a wellness exam to evaluate your pet’s risk for disease and check on their body condition score (BCS).  

Your vet can make specific dietary recommendations that can help your cat feel more satisfied at meal times, like incorporating lower-calorie wet food.  

Establish a Schedule

Many cats graze throughout the day without issue, but pets who are struggling to regulate their appetite may overconsume food if they aren’t fed on a schedule.

Setting regular mealtimes and measuring your cat’s food can prevent overfeeding and help get your cat into a healthier daily rhythm of play, sleep, and food. 

Make Mealtime More Interesting 

Remember that cats live for the hunt! If you’ve determined that your cat’s overeating is due to boredom, liven up meals by serving their food on a lick mat or adding kibble to a puzzle toy that rewards them for their hard work. 

If trimming your dog’s nails is a dreaded chore, you may be questioning whether or not it’s an entirely necessary part of their regular grooming routine. Many pet parents just don’t feel confident with this task, especially if their dog is already wary of having their paws handled. 

While the right technique may take some practice and patience, nail care is essential. Here’s what you should know about keeping your pet’s feet in good condition. 

Why Clip Your Dog’s Nails?

Unlike our dogs’ wolf ancestors that spend their days running across rough terrain, modern pets need our help to grind and file their nails down to the proper length. 

Well-maintained nails serve a few important purposes: 

Promote Good Foot Posture

If the nails are long enough to strike the ground with each step, this can be very uncomfortable for your pet. Dogs will sometimes adjust their gait to attempt to keep their nails from bumping against flooring or pavement. This unnatural stride can lead to inflamed joints over time.

Long nails can also make it difficult for the pads of dogs’ feet to grip the floor beneath them. As dogs age, the work of walking across slippery linoleum or hardwood can contribute to painful conditions like:

• Sprains
• Muscle tears
• Hip dysplasia
• Osteoarthritis  

Prevent Injury

Breaking a long nail is as painful for dogs as it is for humans. Poorly maintained nails are more likely to crack and split below the quick, leaving your pet vulnerable to infection. 

Very overgrown nails will begin to curl under, making them likely to get caught up on fencing or other dogs’ harnesses during playtime. Regular trimming is the best way to avoid the trauma of a torn-off nail or a broken toe. 

Protect Furniture (and Skin!)

Short, rounded nails are less likely to do damage to clothes, furniture, and flooring. They’ll also save pet parents from being unintentionally scratched when your dog is excited to see you. 

How Often Should You Trim Your Dog’s Nails?

How frequently your dog’s feet need attention will depend on their habits and the rate of their nail growth. Pets that spend most of their time indoors on carpet or vinyl flooring will probably need more frequent maintenance than sidewalk jogging companions. 

Create a weekly habit of inspecting your dog’s nails to determine if it’s time for a trim. You’ll want to keep nails smooth, rounded, and short enough that they don’t make contact with the floor. 

What’s the Best Technique for Cutting Nails?

Take a moment to examine the anatomy of your dog’s nails. If they are light in color, it should be fairly easy to determine where the keratin ends and the living part of the nail, or the quick, begins. Trim the nail to create a rounded shape, and file to remove any sharp edges. 

Pet parents of dogs with dark nails should proceed with added caution. Since it’s not easy to tell where the blood supply begins, it’s best to shape these dogs’ nails a little at a time to avoid cutting them too short.  

Dogs that have gone a long time without regular maintenance may have very long nail beds. Fortunately, slight trims on a weekly basis will help the quick recede over time so that you can get your dog’s nails back to a healthy length. 

How to Make Trimming Dogs’ Nails Less Stressful

Any list of tips for cutting dogs’ nails should prioritize positive reinforcement. If your dog is still a puppy, you have the perfect opportunity to practice handling their feet regularly and building the association between nail trims and treats, pets, and praise. 

For older or persistently fearful dogs, however, the best solution can often be professional help. Licensed groomers have special equipment that can make nail care faster, safer, and more ergonomic. 

Your veterinarian can also offer support by demonstrating good nail trimming techniques you can use at home. You may find that your confidence is contagious — the more comfortable you feel caring for your dog’s nails, the more at ease they’re likely to be. 

Canine ear infections are most commonly associated with floppy-eared dogs like beagles and cocker spaniels, but all breeds are susceptible to this often quite painful condition. At any given time, 1-2 out of every 10 dogs are struggling with some form of ear disease, making it likely that your pet will experience one at some point. 

Because early intervention is critical for preventing serious complications and hearing loss, it’s important that pet parents recognize the warning signs. Here’s what you need to know about treating and preventing ear infections in dogs. 

Signs of a Dog Ear Infection

Some ear infections may go undetected until you or your vet notice built-up wax or discharge from your dog’s ear. In most cases, however, the first sign of an infection is discomfort. Common symptoms include:

• Excessive scratching of the infected ear
• Head shaking
• Redness 
• Swelling
• An unpleasant or yeasty odor

Types of Infections

Canine ear infections are medically classified into three types: otitis externa, otitis media, and otitis interna. 

Otitis externa refers to an infection of the outer, visible portion of the ear. If left untreated, the condition can progress to otitis media or interna, which are infections of the mid and inner ear, respectively. Otitis media and interna can threaten the delicate internal structures of dogs’ ears, causing (sometimes permanent) hearing loss and issues with balance. 

Common Causes of Canine Ear Infections

In general, ear infections are the result of an overgrowth of yeast or bacteria. There are a few common situations that are likely to throw off the microbiome in your dog’s ears: 

• Inflammation brought on by allergies
• Ear mites
• Excessive trapped moisture 
• Injury to the ear canal 
• Improperly cleaned ears
• Foreign bodies in the ear canal
• Endocrine or autoimmune disorders

Treatment

When it comes to ear infections, prompt, targeted treatment is crucial. Not only can worsening infections threaten your pet’s hearing, the scratching and head shaking that often accompany them put dogs at risk for painful aural hematomas — a condition that causes the ear flap to swell and fill with blood. 

If you suspect an ear infection, visit your vet right away. Because treating the condition and preventing recurrences depends on identifying the underlying cause, it’s best to come armed with helpful information. Talk to your vet about your pet’s medications; exposure to potential allergens; and any recent swimming, bathing, or ear cleaning. 

Depending on the results of the examination, your vet may sedate your dog for a thorough cleaning or prescribe medicated ear drops. To prevent infections from coming back or becoming medication-resistant, it’s important to follow instructions for home care exactly and finish the entire course of medication. 

Preventing Ear Infections

For dogs at average risk, keeping ears clean and dry and avoiding allergens are great steps toward keeping ear infections at bay. Unfortunately, some pets are predisposed to more frequent ear troubles. 

Work with your vet to discuss products that can help control the buildup of yeast and moisture in your dog’s ears, and get instructions on proper home cleaning techniques. As with human ears, never attempt to use cotton swabs or other cleaning tools inside the ear canal — they can easily push wax and debris further into the ear and cause injuries that make infections more likely. 

Dog parents know that heartworms are a serious threat, but do we also need to worry about our feline friends?  

While feline infections are less prevalent, cats can and do contract heartworms — and the consequences can be devastating. Get the facts on heartworm disease in cats to assess your pet’s risk and choose the right options for preventative care. 

How Common Are Heartworms in Cats?

Compared to dogs, cats are about 5-20% as likely to contract the parasite — a fact that makes some pet parents complacent about prevention. Cats’ body chemistry and physiology make them less-than-ideal hosts for heartworms, but they are certainly still susceptible to infection. 

Even though heartworms are less likely to survive to maturity in a healthy cat’s body, worms at the larval stage can still cause deadly inflammation in the organ systems. Because of their relatively small body size, a worm load that would be considered quite low for a dog can be overwhelming for a cat. 

Which Cats Are at the Greatest Risk for Heartworms?

When a mosquito bites an animal with mature heartworms, it becomes a temporary host for the parasite’s pre-larvae. When that same mosquito moves on to feed on healthy animals, it can transmit this microscopic pre-larvae through the bite wound. 

For this reason, heartworm infections are most prevalent in areas with heavy mosquito populations. The Southeastern US reports the most heartworm cases, with infections rising in the summer. 

Naturally, cats that spend time outside are vulnerable to mosquito bites, but even indoor-only cats are susceptible to tiny pests that find their way inside the home. In fact, 1 in 4 cats diagnosed with heartworms were reported to be indoor-only. 

Symptoms of Heartworms in Cats

Symptoms of heartworms in cats can vary tremendously. Some cats clear the infection on their own, while others experience severe respiratory distress. Unfortunately, some cats are asymptomatic but die suddenly due to acute complications. 

Even though worms may not be able to thrive in cats’ bodies, inflammation in the lungs caused when the heartworms die can lead to HARD (heartworm associated respiratory disease). The associated symptoms are fairly non-specific and can be mistaken for a number of other conditions like the flu or feline asthma. Be on the lookout for:

• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Increased respiratory rate
• Trouble breathing
• Vomiting
• Gagging
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy

How to Treat Heartworms in Cats

There are currently no FDA-approved heartworm drugs for cats. Medications that are effective for dogs aren’t safe for cats. 

While there is no way to address the heartworm infection directly, your vet may be able to manage symptoms with steroids, antibiotics, and bronchodilators. Unfortunately, surgical options are typically considered too risky. 

Prevention is the Best Treatment

While feline heartworms aren’t treatable, they are preventable. 

The best way to reduce your cat’s risk of facing this tricky prognosis is year-round preventative care. Heartworm prevention is available through monthly chewables, topical drops, or bi-annual injectables. 

Talk to your vet to choose the best solution for you and your cat. 

Thunder and lightning may put a damper on your summer plans, but for some pet parents, the worst part of bad weather is struggling to console a distraught dog. 

If a stormy forecast sends your dog into hiding, or brings out obnoxious or destructive behavior, it’s important to lead with empathy. The better you understand what your dog finds upsetting about rumblings in the sky, the simpler it is to find solutions to help you weather the storm with less anxiety. 

Why do Storms Make Dogs Nervous?

Like other common causes of anxiety, such as sirens and fireworks, claps of thunder can startle and frighten dogs. Given that a dog’s sense of hearing is roughly four times as sensitive as the average human’s, loud noises alone are an understandable source of fear. Unfortunately, other factors can make your dog’s storm phobia more complex than other scary sounds.  

Dogs’ heightened senses may contribute to an overall more intense experience of inclement weather. Scientists believe that the ability to detect dropping barometric pressure can activate your dog’s deeply-rooted instincts to seek shelter. Despite being safely inside, dogs may feel an urgent need to dig or burrow, often at the expense of your carpet or furniture. 

Storm anxiety can also be the result of much less abstract fear. Bad weather can cause a buildup of static electricity in dogs’ fur, especially in those with thick or double coats. Much like when we’ve shuffled across carpet while wearing socks, contact with a metal surface can cause a painful zap when the electricity is discharged. Dogs who associate storms with being shocked will understandably learn to dread darkening skies. 

What Are Common Symptoms of Anxiety in Dogs?

Because of their sensitivity to barometric pressure and changing wind directions, dogs with thunder phobia can sometimes begin behaving strangely before their humans are even aware that a storm is approaching. 

Classic signs of canine anxiety include: 

• Whining
• Howling
• Licking lips
• Yawning
• Widened eyes
• Shaking
• Destructive behavior
• Resource guarding or aggression
• Drooling or panting
• Tucked tail or pinned ears
• Excessive barking

How to Keep Your Dog Calm During Thunder or Fireworks

Summertime means long walks and sunny days at the dog park, but it also comes with a heightened frequency of anxiety-provoking thunderstorms as well as celebratory noises. Here are some strategies for helping your canine companion manage their fears. 

Offer Some Distraction.

Dogs respond well to positive reinforcement — and they tend to take behavioral cues from their humans. If storms in the forecast fill you with dread over anticipated problematic behaviors, you’re likely to help create what you fear. 

Look for ways to form more positive associations with bad weather for both you and your dog. Set aside favorite toys and treats and be ready to offer a little extra attention and affection. With patience and persistence, you may be able to establish a link between dark skies and playtime. 

Create a Safe Space.

At the end of the day, our dogs are den animals. Ensuring that your dog has a place to hide away that feels secure and fully their own will discourage them from trying to create one by destroying your bedding or furniture. 

Start early to establish your dog’s personal space, whether it’s a crate or an area of your home, such as a closet. When storms roll in, ensure your dog has easy access to this space to take some quiet time. Playing soft music can also help counter noise phobias in dogs. Calming classical music has been shown to help with thunderphobia, as well as other anxieties. 

Try an Anxiety Vest.

Some pet parents swear by anxiety vests, like Thunderworks’ ThunderShirt, which fit around dogs’ bodies to apply gentle compression. In the same way that swaddling soothes babies, the feeling of being wrapped can calm pets’ autonomic nervous systems and reduce the “fight or flight” sensation triggered by thunder. 

Team up with Your Vet.

Make your veterinarian your partner in managing distress brought on by storms, sirens, or fireworks. 

Take note of your dog’s triggers, how their anxiety typically manifests, and how long it takes for it to resolve. Your vet may recommend medications that can help your canine companion feel more at ease during stormy weather. 

Is your dog suddenly shying away from ear scratches? If your dog is being protective of an ear or you notice redness and swelling, a hematoma may be to blame. Though fairly common, this condition is painful and will require treatment from your vet.

Here’s how to recognize a hematoma and look out for your best friend’s ears. 

What is an aural hematoma?

photo credit: Senior Tail Waggers

An aural hematoma is essentially a blood blister that occurs on the pinna, or flap, of your dog’s ear. They are almost always the result of trauma. 

Minor injuries can break the blood vessels that run between the delicate skin and cartilage of a dog’s ear, causing a blood-filled pocket to form. Hematomas can vary in size and may feel firm or squishy to the touch, though your pet will likely protest if you try to handle their ears. 

What causes hematomas in dogs’ ears?

Though any kind of injury to the ear could cause a hematoma, they most frequently occur when allergies, infections, or ear mites cause dogs to scratch their ears or shake their heads excessively. 

Dog breeds most at risk:

Because they are usually the result of self-injuries from scratching and pawing, breeds prone to ear infections are at the greatest risk for aural hematomas. Be extra vigilant with pups with floppy ears and heavy skin folds like: 

• Basset hounds
• Cocker spaniels 
• Beagles
• Shar-Peis
• Labradors
• Boxers
• Bloodhounds 

Can I prevent them?

The best way to prevent hematomas is by addressing their common root causes. This means treating your dog’s seasonal allergies, keeping their ears clean, and seeking help for ear infections right away.

How are aural hematomas treated?

This condition won’t typically resolve on its own. Untreated hematomas can cause pets pain, block the ear canal and prolong infections, due to scar tissue. They may also leave behind a pocket in the tissue of your pup’s ear that is likely to quickly refill with blood. 

Your vet will place a drain to resolve the hematoma so that it doesn’t recur and treat the underlying condition that caused it to develop. 

What to do if a hematoma bursts on its own:

If a hematoma does rupture on its own, clean the area with mild soap and water and apply gentle pressure to the ear to stop the bleeding. 

A veterinarian will still need to repair the area to prevent infections and keep the hematoma from refilling with blood.

If your pup is whimpering, panting, or favoring a limb, it’s likely they are experiencing discomfort. Arthritis and common injuries like sprains, ACL tears, and luxating patella can stop even the most active canines in their tracks.

It’s completely understandable that concerned pet parents might start looking for solutions to their dog’s pain in their own medicine cabinet, but attempting to treat your pet with human analgesics can have dire consequences. 

Will Over-the-Counter Pain Medicines Work for My Dog?

Tylenol, aspirin, and ibuprofen are toxic to dogs. 

Tylenol is one of the most widely recognized brands of acetaminophen, an over-the-counter drug that reduces fever and relieves pain. Acetaminophen is metabolized in the liver. Healthy humans taking the recommended dose are able to break down the drug and safely excrete any toxic byproducts through their urine. The same can’t be said for our canine companions.

Differences in weight, organ systems, and metabolic rate mean that medications like Tylenol and ibuprofen can do serious damage to dogs’ bodies, even in very low doses. 

Symptoms of Acetaminophen Toxicity in Dogs

Between accidental ingestion and misinformed pet parents, OTC medications are first on the ASPCA’s list of the most common pet toxins of 2022. 

If your dog has eaten Tylenol, symptoms will likely appear within a few hours. Be on the lookout for: 

• Heavy or rapid breathing
• Discolored gums
• Vomiting 
• Swelling of the face or paws
• Lack of energy
• Weakness
• Discharge from eyes

What to Do If Your Dog Has Tylenol Poisoning

If you have a reason to suspect that your dog has ingested Tylenol, don’t wait for symptoms to appear before seeking help. Damage to your pup’s liver builds up as time passes, so an early intervention is critical to avoid permanent damage. 

Contact your vet or a pet poison helpline right away. A veterinarian can safely induce vomiting or administer medications to flush the drugs from your pet’s system and mitigate harm. 

How to Safely Treat Your Dog’s Pain

If you have a pup in pain, work with your veterinarian to explore safe, effective treatment options. 

Gentle Exercise

Dogs who are aging or recovering from an injury can benefit tremendously from moderate amounts of gentle activity. Promote a healthy weight, strong bones, and stable joints by making exercise a consistent part of your pup’s routine. 

Laser Therapy

Laser therapy uses very targeted wavelengths of light to encourage cell activity and speed healing. These treatments are a non-invasive way to help pets recover from injuries or surgeries and ward off pain from arthritis. 

Veterinary NSAIDs

Fortunately, there are pain relieving medications specifically formulated for pets. Your vet will examine your dog and take into account their size and any pre-existing liver or gastrointestinal conditions to prescribe a safe and effective dose to help your pup’s pain. 

Notice a smooth, bright red or pink bulge in the inner corner of your dog’s eye? Your pup is experiencing a prolapsed nictitating gland, more commonly known as cherry eye.

This condition is common and fairly unmistakable, but prompt medical attention is important to avoid complications. Here’s what pet parents need to know about cherry eye. 

What is cherry eye in dogs?

Puppy eyes are irresistible, but did you know that dogs have a unique third eyelid? This eyelid, called the nictitating membrane, produces the tears that keep dogs’ eyes lubricated and serves as a barrier that protects the cornea from scratches as they run through tall grass and brush. 

Sometimes, the connective tissue of the eye can weaken, and the tear duct housed within the nictitating membrane can thicken and slip out of place. The prolapsed tear duct somewhat resembles a cherry pit — hence the name “cherry eye.”

Can you prevent cherry eye?

Unfortunately, there’s nothing pet parents can do to prevent cherry eye. It’s primarily caused by genetics and is more common in younger dogs. 

What are the risks?

Cherry eye may be common, but it requires quick attention from a vet. 

The nictitating gland prolapse will inhibit the production of tears in the affected eye. If left untreated, it can lead to dry-eye severe enough to cause extreme pain, eye damage, and even blindness.

Dogs may also scratch or paw at a prolapsed tear duct, causing it to bleed or become infected. 

Dog Breeds Prone to Cherry Eye

Breeds with short muzzles, like pugs and Pekingese, are disproportionately likely to experience cherry eye.

While it can happen to any pup regardless of breed, it’s commonly seen in:

• Beagles
• Great Danes
• Shih Tzus
• French Bulldogs
• Boston Terriers
• English Bulldogs
• Cocker Spaniels
• Shar Peis 

How is cherry eye treated?

Occasionally cherry eye can be resolved with prescription steroid drops, but the condition typically requires an operation. 

Your vet will confirm the diagnosis of cherry eye, and then surgically reposition the prolapsed gland and stitch it into place. 

A word of caution:

 Certain “home remedies” may recommend attempting to massage the prolapsed gland into place. Not only can this cause your pup severe pain, but it can also injure the extremely delicate structures of the eye.

Reach out to your veterinarian to explore treatment options as soon as you notice cherry eye. Acting quickly can prevent permanent damage to your dog’s vision.