Cats are one of the most popular and favorite pets to own, but it does take some training to protect your furniture and to get them to go to the bathroom in the correct location. Cats are much different than dogs, especially when it comes to training. Cats are not as social as dogs and are much more independent. That leads to cats not responding as easily to training as dogs. It will take more time and patience to train your cat, but it is possible.

Find out what a really special treat is for your cat. Maybe they love fresh chicken cut up into tiny bites. Maybe they love tuna or other cat treats. Some cats love meat-flavored baby food. Use those tasty treats together with positive reinforcement techniques. Make sure you praise your cat with their favorite treat as soon as they do what you are asking them to do. To help your cat learn more quickly, you can use a clicker. When the cat does a correct behavior, make a clicking sound with a clicker or a pen and then offer them their reward. It will take practice and repetition, but your cat will associate the clicking sound with reward and continue to do that behavior.

Remember that punishment is not an effective training method and should never be used. Punishment can teach cats to run away and can cause stress. Stress can cause other health and emotional problems. Bring your cat to Celebration Veterinary Hospital if you would like individualized advice on how to train your cat.

Photo by Gualberto107

We love our cats and want to take great care of them. Sometimes we don’t know what symptoms to look for and can miss the symptoms that our cat is showing us. Learn more about common cat health problems to take the best care of your cat.

Fleas – Many cats get fleas, especially in the summer months. Your cat can show several different symptoms, such as red or irritated skin, black dots on their skin, skin infections, hot spots, or hair loss. These might cause your cat to scratch or lick themselves frequently. Bring your cat to the vet to get proper care.

Vomiting – Cats often regurgitate, but it is unsafe when they vomit. If you are not sure of the difference, you will need to bring a sample in to your vet. Vomiting can quickly lead to dehydration, so look for the common symptoms of drooling or abdominal heaving. Vomiting can have many causes, such as eating something poisonous or something not intended to be eaten, cat diabetes, or a urinary tract infection.

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Diseases (FLUTD) – A lot of cats suffer from FLUTD and they need to be treated quickly by a veterinarian to avoid other problems or permanent damage. It can be caused by obesity, stress, or by eating dry food. Pay attention to difficulty urinating or blood in the urine. Cats can show signs up depression, dehydration and a lack of an appetite. Vomiting is also a symptom of FLUTD. If you see these signs, go to your vet immediately.

Diarrhea – If diarrhea has lasted for more than 12 hours, is bloody, or is accompanied by other symptoms, take your cat to the veterinarian. Also, make sure they are drinking plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Diarrhea can be a sign of allergies, infection, liver disease or cancer.

Tapeworms – Tapeworms live and grown inside your cat’s small intestine and can grow up to two feet in length. If your cat is losing weight, eating more or vomiting, monitor their feces. Look for small white worms that look like grains of rice and take them to the vet.

Eye Problems – If your cat has watery eyes, fur stained from tears, eye gunk or other concerns with their eyes, take them to the vet. They can be symptoms of eye problems like glaucoma and cataracts. They can also be symptoms of retinal disease, viruses and trauma.

Obesity – Studies show that 40-50% of cats are obese, which can lead to many other health problems. Visit your veterinarian to discuss your cat’s diet.

Celebration Veterinary Hospital would love to discuss medical concerns and find solutions with you. We are located in the Water Tower Shoppes on 192 in Celebration, Florida. If you are near Disney World in Central Florida, we are easy to find. Come in for a consultation.

- Photo by Carlos Porto

Dogs are great pets! They are very loyal and love their owners deeply. They are a vital part of our lives and we want them to be happy. Trained dogs are able to express themselves to their family. They are also better behaved and don’t need to seek negative attention. Good communication leads to a happier life. So, who wouldn’t want to train their pet?

Training your dog is a process that starts when your dog is only a puppy. As you spend time with your puppy, pay attention to how they express themselves. They communicate with their entire bodies, but especially with their eyes and ears. As you learn about their reactions, you will be able to communicate with them more effectively. For example, if you know your dog puts their head down and their ears back when they are frightened, you will know how to protect them. Their barks also communicate many messages. Listen for the subtle differences between a dog barking for attention and the bark to express the need to go to the bathroom.

Start training your puppy from the first day you have them. Puppies are very curious and are paying attention to everything. Like a child, they are soaking up knowledge like a sponge! The most successful way to train your dog is with positive reinforcement. Simply petting your dog is a reward that your dog loves. Don’t give them food every time they do something right, as obesity in dogs is very dangerous to their health. Praise your dog. Remember, you are focusing on the positive behaviors and ignoring the negative behaviors. Don’t punish your dog and definitely don’t hit your dog. If the bad behaviors are ignored and the positive alternative is rewarded, you are successfully training your dog. Just be careful to not reward negative behaviors unintentionally. For example, if your dog is barking, do not pet them to get them to be quiet. That is rewarding their behavior of barking.

For more assistance with your dog, bring them to Celebration Veterinary Hospital. We are passionate about getting to know your pet and giving you more specific advice. If you are in Central Florida, you can find us in the Water Tower Shoppes. We are on 192 in Celebration near Walt Disney World and near Kissimmee, Florida.

Four out of five dogs have periodontal disease. Yet, we spend far more time and energy focusing on our teeth with toothpastes, specialty toothbrushes, mouthwash, floss and teeth whitening strips. It’s easy to often forget about our pet’s dental needs, but that cause major problems and even shorten their life span. Pets can have the same problems that we can have if we don’t take care of their teeth (periodontal disease, gingivitis, bad breath, bleeding gums, gum disease, mouth tumors/cysts and a shortened life).

Taking care of our pet’s teeth is similar to our own dental hygiene. To start out, inspect your dog’s gums and teeth to look for any signs of problems (inflammation, bad breath, red gums, bleeding, plaque, broken or missing teeth). You will want to lift up their lips for a good inspection of their teeth and gums once a week. If there are any signs of a problem, take your dog to Celebration Veterinary Hospital (if you are in or near Celebration, Florida) so that our professionals can check your dog.

If there are no signs of problems, it is time to choose a dental regiment that you will keep up with. An easy option is to put a capful of dog dental rinse (don’t use your own dental rinse, as it is dangerous for your pet) in a quart of water. When dogs drink from their drinking water, it will help their dental hygiene. You can also give your dog treats that are specifically designed for dental hygiene, which work as an edible toothbrush. Having chew toys are also helpful to remove some plaque as they chew away. It takes time and energy, but it is important to brush your dog’s teeth at least 2 – 3 times a week. Don’t start out immediately brushing their teeth, but help them get used to the idea and the taste of it. You know your pet and when your pet is comfortable with one step, move to the next. You might have to work on a step for a few weeks to get them comfortable, though. First, start by massaging their lips like you were brushing their teeth to help them adjust to you touching their mouth like this. Then, massage their teeth in the same way in a circular motion. Afterwards, purchase a dog toothpaste and put a bit on their lips to get them used to the taste. Now, it’s time to start with a dog toothbrush (don’t use a human toothbrush). There are also dog toothbrushes that you can put on your finger to use. When they are used to you touching their teeth, the taste of toothpaste and the toothbrush, it is time to start brushing their teeth. Brush in a circular motion, just like we are taught to do for our teeth. Pay special attention to the part of the tooth that touches their gums, as that is where most plaque builds up.

If you have specific questions about dental care for your pet, please contact Celebration Veterinary Hospital for an individual consultation.

Photo by Victor Habbick “Dog on Grass”

Living in Florida, we know how hot it can get in the summer. Don’t forget that your pets need to be protected
from the heat, just as we do. Pets can easily suffer from heat exhaustion, sunburns, and dehydration during the summer months. The Celebration Veterinary Hospital, in Celebration, Florida, has some tips to offer, but as always, keep a close eye on your pets and bring them in if you have any concerns.

Make sure that your pet always has a fresh supply of cool water. Leaving water outside will cause it to be too hot to drink very quickly, so make sure you have ample shade and replenish the water regularly. If you will be leaving your pets alone in the day, freeze a bowl of water so it can thaw and provide cool water for a longer period of time.

Bring pets inside during the hottest hours of the day. If it’s too hot for you to be outside, it is too hot for your pets. Remember, they have extra fur and their body temperatures can rise quickly. While they are inside, consider purchasing a pet bed that can be filled with cool water or placing a fan near them.

When they are outside, make sure you have provided a comfortable shaded area. You can wrap an ice pack in a towel or sock and place it where your pet rests. You can also purchase cooling pads, bandanas or collars that can help keep your pet cool. Allow them to rest in the heat of the day and wait until it cools off to take them on a walk.

Never leave your pet alone in a car. It isn’t enough to crack the windows for them, as the temperature rises too quickly in the car. Take an extra key with you so you can leave the air conditioning on for your pet while you run your errands.

Pets, especially dogs, can sunburn easily. Pet sunscreen can be purchased, but avoid rubbing it on their belly or in locations where they can lick it off. The sun reflects off of sidewalks and sand, so don’t go to the beach unless you can assure there will be sufficient shade.

If you have a pool in your backyard, supervise your pets as you would supervise children to avoid accidental drownings.

Celebration Veterinary Hospital is here to help you keep your pet happy and healthy, so contact us to give you specific advice.

Don’t you love it when your cat snuggles up in your lap or you get to spend time in the backyard playing catch with your dog? What about watching your children play with your pets? We love our pets and they bring happiness to our families. They have dynamic personalities and our houses wouldn’t be the same without them.

Celebration Veterinary Hospital exists because of our love of animals and we understand how much they mean to you. We are dedicated to caring for your pet as we care for our own. We are a full service pet healthcare center in Celebration, Florida, near Walt Disney World and Kissimmee, Florida. We offer and encourage preventative medical services, including annual health exams, vaccines, internal/external parasite prevention and dental cleanings to keep pets and their families healthy. We also offer boarding services when you will be out of town.

When your pet is not feeling well, we understand that you worry about your pet and want to provide the best care possible. We are committed to offering compassionate patient care at Celebration Veterinary Hospital. Our highly trained team works with state of the art medical instruments to accurately diagnose and treat your pet. We also want to help you be a great pet owner through education. In our location, we offer services to help, such as behavioral consultations and therapeutic diets. Online, we will write blogs to help spread awareness about pet care and offer helpful tips. Come on in to our location in Water Tower Shoppes next door to Carpet One and check back online to keep up to date with us.