Pets are too curious for their own good. They may accidentally ingest something detrimental to their health. We recommend taking your cat to a vet for any health issues. However, you can induce vomiting in your cat to rid it of the foreign or harmful object. Keep reading to learn how to make a cat throw up.

 Hydrogen Peroxide

This is the safest way to induce vomiting in your cat. Give your cat one teaspoon of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide per five pounds of body weight every ten minutes. You may give a maximum of three teaspoons at a time. Do this until your cat throws up. Try using a baby syringe to inject the hydrogen peroxide in the cat’s mouth.

If you do not have hydrogen peroxide, INSTEAD use…

Syrup of Ipecac

Syrup of Ipecac is also effective in making your cat throw up. Do not mistake Syrup of Ipecac for Ipecac Fluid Extract, which is much stronger. Give the cat one teaspoon of Ipecac syrup per ten pounds of body weight. Do this only once and wait for your cat to vomit. Giving a cat more than the recommended dose could have toxic effects.

When to NOT Induce Vomiting

Do not make a cat throw up if it has ingested a sharp object, any petroleum product, an acid or alkali-based chemical, or a household cleaning product. If your cat is unconscious, do not try to make it throw up. If you do not know what your cat has ingested, do not make it vomit. Call your veterinarian immediately.

Find A Veterinarian For Your Pet Emergency

If you are looking for a veterinarian to treat your cat, TalkLocal can help connect you with quality, local vets. Simply enter our website and provide us with a brief description of your problem, your availability, and where you are located. You can expect a call from top veterinarians in minutes. Try Seva Call today!

In an attempt to keep ourselves from falling on ice, we may actually be harming our pets. Rock salt is the most common form of de-icer used on walkways and driveways.

While it can help melt ice quickly, pets can walk across the material and subsequently lick their paws to prevent irritation. Once ingested, rock salt can have some harmful effects. Here is what to do when your dog eats rock salt:

Call Your Vet — Immediately

The following information is a general guideline and should not be taken as expert advice. If you have a regular vet for your pet, most will answer questions over the phone without the need for an expensive office visit. It is important to consult with your vet if you are worried about the health of your dog.

Monitor Your Pet

If you know how much salt was ingested and it was only a small amount, your dog may only have a few adverse effects. Excessive drooling is a sign of nausea, and your pet may also have burns in his or her mouth. If you notice more severe symptoms, it could be time to act. You can try Famotidine which helps reduce the stomach acid. Get the highest rated Famotidine for Dogs shipped overnight from Amazon starting at $7.10.

Make sure your dog has water, as the rock salt can dehydrate him or her.

When Your Dog Ingests A Medium-Sized Amount Of Rock Salt:

In medium-sized amounts, your dog may vomit repeatedly. This is due to the irritation of the stomach lining. In large dogs, an adult dose of Pepto-Bismol may be given to help soothe the stomach, but, again, double-check with your vet first. Let the dog fast for around 24 hours until the vomiting ceases, then start him or her on a salt-free broth.

Large Amount:

In large amounts, rock salt can be deadly. It can affect the pancreas, liver, and kidneys, or it can severely dehydrate the animal. If your dog drank from a puddle of melted snow that contained rock salt, it is likely he or she ingested a large amount. Seek vet care immediately. If your dog is showing stomach pain, you can try some of these medications that help with stomach relief for dogs. You can find some options and have it shipped overnight starting at $7.49.

TalkLocal Makes Finding A Vet Fast And Free

To get in touch with a vet in your area who can tell you what to do when your dog eats rock salt, TalkLocal provides a free locator service. We’ll connect you with a local vet within minutes. Every second counts when your pet’s health is on the line.

Keeping track of your dog’s activities is important for monitoring its health. If your dog is incessantly coughing, you should consult your veterinarian. Stop wondering why your dog keeps coughing and continue reading to familiarize yourself with possible causes of a cough.

My Dog Keeps Coughing…

Dogs may cough every now and then if they have something lodged in their throat. Your dog might eat too quickly and choke on its food, or it may have a piece of hide stuck in its throat. If this is that case, keep an eye on your dog, but it should be able to cough up the small morsel. Be sure to not give your dog small objects to chew on, including small or broken toys and small pieces of hide or chew sticks. If you notice your dog’s chewing object is decreasing in size and becomes too small, throw it away and replace it with a full-sized chew object to prevent future choking.

If your dog continuously coughs, it might be facing a more serious medical condition, such as a respiratory problem, an infection or heart disease.

Kennel Cough

Kennel Cough is highly contagious, but easily treatable. It can be distinguished by soft dry coughs. The dog might also vomit foam and food due to tracheal irritation and enlarged tonsils. It is more serious with flat-nosed dogs or dogs with narrow windpipes. Treat it as soon as possible before it worsens.

Respiratory Problems

Flat-faced dogs, such as Pugs, English Bulldogs, and Boston Terriers, are more prone to respiratory problems. Their airway could be obstructed due to narrow nostrils, collapse of the larynx, or a long soft palate. Be wary of these common health conditions among flat-nosed dogs, and make sure your dog stays healthy.

Heart Disease

Heart disease is often accompanied by a persistent cough. It causes pressure on the dog’s trachea and fluid build up in the lungs, which lead to a cough. See a veterinarian immediately.

Find A Local Veterinarian

If you are looking for a veterinarian to treat your coughing dog, TalkLocal can help connect you high-quality, local veterinarians. You can speak with up to three professionals in just minutes, for free!

Before you consider getting any pets for an apartment, carefully read your lease and consult your landlord. Many apartments do not allow pets, or have restrictions on pets. If you are allowed to have a pet, verify which animals are permitted and which are not. In general, small, quiet animals are good apartment pets.

Fish

Fish are probably the best apartment pets because they do not take up space, they are relatively low-maintenance, they are cheap, and they are quiet. Your neighbors and your landlord will never know you even have pets! The most common fish that are kept as pets are goldfish and betta fish. You may keep several goldfish in the same fish tank, but you must always keep betta fish separated from all other fish—even from their own species! Betta fish are beautiful but fierce, and will kill any fish that is near it.

Rodents

Hamsters, mice, rats, gerbils, guinea pigs, chinchillas, ferrets, and rabbits are apartment-friendly pets. They are small and easy to take care of. Just be careful to not let it out of its cage or out of the apartment. Some of them, like rabbits, can be trained to use a litter box, which is useful for cleanup. Rabbits need space for exercise and play time, so make sure they can hop around.

Amphibians and Reptiles

While you may scare your neighbors and guests, amphibians and reptiles are cool apartment pets as long as they stay in their tank. Frogs, geckos, lizards, and snakes are silent and fascinating to watch. If you are bold and daring, these are the pets for you. Make sure to keep a weight on top of their tank, as some of them can escape.

Cats

If you are looking to cuddle your pet and not keep it caged, cats are great pets for an apartment. Although they can be more expensive than the aforementioned animals, cats are fun pets. Cats are also more hands-on than other pets, so they require attention and play time, as well as exercise.

Birds

Birds  can be good pets, but they can also be loud. Some birds chirp and squawk loudly, which might annoy some of your neighbors.

Dogs

Dogs usually need space to run around or else they get bored and chew up your apartment. Also keep in mind that many apartment buildings have restrictions on the breed and weight of your dog. “Aggressive” breeds like German Shepherds, Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, and Dobermans are frequently prohibited from apartments. Some apartments even require that you dog weigh less than 20 pounds.

Properly Care For Your Pets

Make sure you have a reliable veterinarian to take care of all of your critters. TalkLocal can help you find quality vets in your area. Just tell us what you need and your availability, and we will connect you with up to three veterinarians for free!

It is important to closely monitor your dog’s habits, nutrition, and behavior daily to be able to notice when something goes wrong. Vets often receive the concern, “ My dog has bloody stools. What should I do?” Inform yourself of the potential causes below before you speak to a veterinarian.

My Dog Has Bloody Stools!

Diarrhea and bloody stools often go hand in hand. Your dog’s intestinal tract is irritated, which causes the blood to be released and could indicate serious health problems. Black or red streaks in your dog’s stool indicate blood. Save a fecal sample for your dog’s veterinarian to examine.

Black blood means your dog has Melena. This means the blood is coming from the upper intestinal tract because it was digested. Red blood means Hematochezia. In this case, the blood is fresh, so it must be coming from the lower intestines, such as the colon and rectum. See a veterinarian immediately.

Causes of Bloody Stool

The main causes of a bloody stool in dogs are:

– Viral infection

– Parasites (i.e. hookworm, whipworm)

– Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis

– Cancer

– Tumor

– Ulcer

– Foreign object

– Allergies

– Liver failure

Further safety tips

Pay attention to what your dog eats and what animals it interacts with. Keep a close eye on your dog and make sure it does not eat other dog’s feces. Parasites can also come from other contaminated dogs. Dogs are also very likely to chew up objects into small pieces, such as bones, which can get stuck in the gastrointestinal tract and cause bleeding. Make sure your dog’s toys are sturdy and your dog is not chewing on any dangerous objects.

Take Your Dog to the Vet

TalkLocal can connect you with the best local veterinarians in your area. Our FREE service connects you with the best professionals in just a few minutes. All you need to do is tell us your specific issue, location, and availability, and TalkLocal will contact multiple veterinarians who will then call YOU directly, ready to help.

It is important to closely monitor your cat’s habits, nutrition and behavior daily in order to be aware when something goes wrong. Vets often receive the concern, “My cat has bloody stools! What should I do?” Inform yourself before you speak to a doctor.

My Cat Has Bloody Stools!

A bloody stool is also known as hematochezia, and can result from intestinal problems or a more serious condition. Bleeding in the lower intestines and rectum causes hematochezia; melena, on the other hand, comes out much darker and is caused by bleeding in the upper intestines.

If blood is present in your cat’s stool one time, then your cat may have simply experienced a minor gastrointestinal issue, like eating something unfamiliar or being exposed to drastic environmental changes. If this is the case, do not worry. Try to keep your cat’s diet consistent. If you must change your cat’s food or environment, try to do so gradually so as to not shock its intestines. If your cat has multiple bloody stools, then your cat may have a more serious condition and you will need to take it to the veterinarian.

Colitis, an inflammation of the cat’s colon, commonly causes bloody stools. You can recognize colitis if your cat defecates frequently and in small amounts. Colitis causes dehydration, so make sure your cat is drinking plenty of water and take your cat to see its veterinarian so you can receive a proper diagnosis.

A parasite could also be causing bloody stools. They upset your cat’s intestines and can cause bloody stools, vomiting, and frequent eating. Bring a fecal sample to the veterinarian for testing.

Find A Reliable Veterinarian Near You

If your cat is experiencing bloody stools or other health problems, contact a veterinarian as soon as possible. TalkLocal can help connect you with quality local veterinarians in minutes. Try TalkLocal today, for free!

Pets can get sick for various reasons. Understanding your cat inside-out is crucial to its well-being. Before you call the vet screaming, “Help! My cat keeps throwing up!” you should learn the possible signs and causes of vomiting.

Possible Symptoms of Cat Throwing Up

Your cat will retch, heave, and expel any food that may be partially digested and covered in slimy mucus. A yellow liquid called bile will be present in the vomit. Look out for traces of blood in your cat’s vomit, as this could indicate more serious health issues such as ulcers or even cancer. Take a sample of the vomit to show the veterinarian. The doctor will likely run tests to better assess your cat’s situation.

Causes of Cat Throwing Up

Many conditions could cause your cat to throw up, so it is important that you are aware of the possibilities.

– Cancer

– Ulcers

– Tumors

– Gastritis

– Liver failure

– Heartworm disease

– Food allergies

– Stress/anxiety

Pay close attention to your cat’s symptoms so that you can speak to your veterinarian about why your cat is throwing up; film your cat, if necessary, especially if it is exhibiting unusual behavior.

Distinguish Between a Hairball and Vomit

A hairball will have several hair particles in it. A cat does not cough up hairballs very often. It depends on the length of their fur, shedding, grooming, if they swallow the hair, and how their stomachs react. The frequency of hairballs can range from once a week to once a month; it really depends on your cat.

Take Your Cat to A Veterinarian

If your cat is throwing up food or throwing up often, it is not a hairball, and you should contact your local veterinarian. TalkLocal will connect you with up to three, reputable veterinarians in your area, saving you the time and hassle of finding one yourself.

Kidney failure in dogs is usually hard to detect until a significant portion of the kidney is destroyed. The kidney will often try to cope with the remaining part, but eventually it won’t be able to keep up filtering waste chemicals from the dog’s bloodstream. Harmful chemicals that are a byproduct of the dog’s protein-heavy diet begin to build up in its bloodstream, such as ammonia, nitrogen, and acids. Symptoms of kidney failure in dogs (also known as uremia) are similar to those in cats, and can include:

– Apathy

– Depression

– Lethargy

– Loss of appetite

– A dry coat

– Vomiting

– Increased thirst

– Weight loss

– Diarrhea

– Constipation

– Frequent urination

– Blood in the urine

– Blindness

– Ammonia breath

– Ulcers in the mouth

– Brownish discoloration of the tongue

Treatments For Kidney Failure In Dogs

There is no treatment for chronic kidney failure, but a lifestyle adjusted to deal with kidney failure could lengthen and slow down the kidney failure’s progression. A diet with low amounts of protein, salt, phosphorus, and calcium is recommended for dogs with kidney failure. There are diets specially formulated for dogs with kidney failure, with high levels of potassium and polyunsaturated acids that have been proven to be beneficial to kidney health. However, these diets tend to be bland, so a bit of flavoring is often added to make it more appealing to dogs. A large supply of fresh water is also very important, as water will go through the dog’s body very quickly.

Find A Veterinarian

The most important thing you need to do if your dog is showing symptoms of kidney failure is to get it to a veterinarian. It’s very hard to determine how far the kidney failure has gone in your dog, and the precise treatment needed for a dog of your breed and size. Use TalkLocal to find a vet right now in just minutes, for free!

You may love your dog more than anything else in the world, but even that won’t always make your dog’s breath bearable when it is.  While a clean and healthy dog’s breath isn’t the sweetest smelling odor in the world, persistent bad breath (or halitosis) in dogs may indicate health problems in the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, or even kidneys. When dog breath smells bad, you should have it checked out as soon as possible.

What Causes Bad Breath?

The cause of bad breath in dogs is very similar to the cause of bad breath in humans; most often, it will be the result of dental or gum diseases, creating a build up of plaque and tartar that creates bad breath.  However, if your dog has persistent bad breath, it may also indicate more severe health problems in its digestive or respiratory system.

How Should I Treat Bad Breath?

You should go to a veterinarian to get a full diagnosis for your dog since there can be a multitude of underlying problems.  If you are still looking for a veterinarian, TalkLocal can help make that process simple by automatically connecting you to the highest quality local veterinarians in the area in just minutes!

If it’s just plaque and tartar build-up, your dog is going to need a professional dental cleaning. You may also need to change your dogs diet to prevent halitosis. Always consult your vet to find out what needs to happen if there are more serious underlying health problems.

How can I prevent bad breath in the future?

Dental hygiene is the easiest way to prevent halitosis; for the best results, your dog needs to have his or her teeth brushed daily with a dog-formulated toothpaste.  Certain dental treats containing a special formulation to mask the bad odor can also improve your dog’s breath.  Lastly, provide your dog with hard and safe chew toys, as the natural chewing action will automatically clean his or her teeth.  As always, consistent check-ups with the veterinarian can help monitor and track your dog’s health and teeth, making sure that your dog is always as healthy as can be!