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Whisker Fatigue is a term you may not have heard of. Whisker fatigue is actually a condition among cats that can cause significant stress.

The Incredible Whisker

It’s hard to imagine a cat without a set of luxurious, adorable whiskers. The primary function of whiskers is to serve as touch receptors that tell a cat a great deal about the world around them.

Whiskers transmit information about a cat’s environment via tiny sensory organs known as proprioceptors. These organs are located at the base of each whisker. They help cats navigate their environment in the dark, hunt for prey and determine whether or not they can fit into a tight space.

It sounds like a great idea – take your dog to a large, fenced-in area where it can run free with other canine friends. You get to skip the daily walk, check your email, maybe chat with other dog owners, then leave with an exhausted-but-happy dog. What could be better?

Dog parks can be big on the convenience factor for us humans, but being in close proximity to lots of other dogs can also present some problems for your dog. Before taking your pup to the park, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons, so we at Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center have some important points for you to consider.

Spring is a notoriously fickle time in Colorado. One day, we’re enjoying temperatures in the 60s, and the next day we’re hit with a snow storm! This variation between cold and warm weather can make it easy to ignore your pet’s parasite prevention. Unfortunately, a little spring snow isn’t enough to keep fleas and ticks at bay for long. Although they may seem inactive during a cold spell, it only takes a few 50 to 60 degree days for parasites to become active again.

Pets most often pick up fleas and ticks outdoors after these parasites drop from other animals onto the ground, grass, or shrubs. Even indoor pets face exposure when people carry the parasites inside on their clothing. Typically, these parasites go unnoticed until they bite your pet, causing itching, skin rashes, and hair loss. Or, as with a tick, you’ve discovered a little round bump on your pet that wasn’t there a few days before.        

If you’re a longtime Denver area resident, you’ve surely noticed how much the metro area has grown over the past 10 years. And, our population growth continues to extend outward beyond the city and surrounding suburban areas.

While Colorado’s popularity as a great place to live is mostly a good thing, it also affects us in ways that we may not think of, such as how it affects our pets. With more and more people and pets moving here, the number of heartworm disease cases seen by local veterinarians has increased every year.

The benefits of cat ownership extend well beyond the joy of companionship (although that’s important too!). At Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center, we absolutely adore cats of all ages and breeds, which is why we want to share our thoughts on why your cat is good for both your mental and physical health.

Health Benefits of Cat Ownership

It’s generally accepted that there are health benefits associated with owning a dog. But cat owners also reap the physical benefits of spending time with their feline companions:

Heart Attack and Stroke

Cat owners are 30-40% less likely to die of a heart attack than non-pet owners. People who live with cats have a reduced incidence of stroke. The calming presence of cats may naturally lower human stress levels. Additionally, the daily routine of caring for a pet creates a helpful mental distraction. Pet owners have lower blood pressure and reduced levels of stress compared to those who don’t live with a pet. This combination shifts focus away from the typical pressures of everyday life.

Levels of Oxytocin

Levels of oxytocin (the hormone responsible for feelings of love and trust) are higher in cat owners.

Allergies and Asthma

Children who grow up with a cat are less likely to develop allergies and asthma. This is because early exposure to pet dander helps them build up necessary antibodies.

Other Reasons Why Cats Are Perfect

As we settle in for another season of tinkering around in our garage and backyard, it’s important to keep your pet’s safety in mind. Many of the chemicals we commonly use for outdoor maintenance can injure or even kill a pet. Although you may not expect your pet to get into trouble in your garage or yard, pets can be known to eat just about anything, so protecting them from outdoor pet toxins is essential.

Do dogs get cavities? Answer is yes. Just like humans, dogs can develop cavities if their oral hygiene is neglected. In this blog, we’ll explain how to identify a cavity, treatment and prevention of future cavities.

There’s no question that pets are wonderful; all that snuggling and playing fills our hearts with contentment, and makes the duties of pet ownership worth it. However, no matter how cute or sweet your dog or cat may be, some behaviors still remind us their wild cousins. Even the most placid and domesticated pet possesses many natural tendencies, including the drive to chew.

Providing a dog or cat with an outlet for chewing seems to be a reasonable solution, but there’s a lot more to chew toys than many pet owners realize. Every year, thousands of pets become sick or injured by chewing and swallowing toys, or parts of toys. Since our pets can’t distinguish between a safe or unsafe toy, it’s up to us to keep our furry friends safe and sound by paying attention to what we allow them to chew.

Starting the New Year with a list of resolutions? We’ve compiled 10 New Year’s Resolutions for Pet Owners to inspire you! From eating healthier to getting more exercise, there are plenty of ways to kick off the year on a positive note for you and your pet.

It’s hard to believe that a new year is already upon us! As we reflect on the many valuable lessons and special moments of 2018, we’re reminded that none of it would be possible without our beloved patients and clients. Serving Denver area pets and their families is a privilege, and we’re so grateful for the relationships we’ve formed, both old and new.

Our monthly pet care blog is part of our ongoing service to you, and we’re thrilled that so many have been reading and enjoying it. Without further ado, we’re proud to present our top 10 most popular pet care blogs of 2018!