How to encourage cats to drink more water？

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Why don’t cats like to drink water much?

The reason lies in the fact that cats’ ancestors lived in desert areas where water sources were scarce. As a result, they evolved a gene that makes them less thirsty and less prone to actively seek water. Cats often obtain moisture from their prey, as the blood of their prey contains 70% to 80% water. This survival strategy has been passed down to this day.

But don’t worry, you can try the following methods to encourage your cat to drink more water:

✅ Consider changing the feeding method, try wet or raw food

✅ Regularly clean the water bowl to maintain freshness

✅ Place multiple water bowls in different locations at home

✅ Try making ice cubes or ice bricks to make water more interesting

✅ Use a flowing water dispenser to attract your cat’s attention

✅ Add entertainment elements to drinking, such as placing toys next to the water bowl or using special water bowls

Remember, cats that don’t like to drink water are prone to dehydration, which can lead to health problems in the urinary tract, bladder, kidneys, and more. Prolonged lack of water can cause serious kidney disease, bladder inflammation, urinary stones, constipation, and related issues.

Therefore, for the health of your cat, consider the above methods to ensure they get an adequate intake of water.

The Language of Dog Tails !?

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A dog wagging its tail doesn’t necessarily mean it’s happy; in fact, the way a dog’s tail moves can reflect various emotions. Here are six tail signals to help you understand the messages your dog is conveying:

  1. Raised Tail: A tail held high represents a relaxed and confident dog. A gently wagging tail indicates friendliness towards people.
  2. Upright Tail: Lifting the tail high signifies confidence and authority. However, a tail held upright and still might suggest the dog is in an angry state.
  3. Rapid Wagging: Swift and wide side-to-side wagging signifies the dog is extremely excited and happy.
  4. Tail Wagging to the Left or Right: When a dog experiences positive emotions, it will wag its tail more to the right. Conversely, negative emotions might result in a leftward tail wag.
  5. Tail Hanging Down: A drooping tail usually indicates a dog in a low emotional state, often accompanied by feelings of anxiety, tension, or uneasiness.
  6. Tucked Tail: When a dog feels scared or desires to escape, they might tuck their tail between their hind legs.

By observing the wagging of a dog’s tail, you can gain a better understanding of their emotions and feelings！

How to detect if your pet has diabetes？

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When our furry companions no longer exhibit the same level of liveliness as before or start showing some unusual symptoms, it could be a warning sign of pet diabetes. Here are some possible symptoms, and if you observe any of them, please don’t ignore it and promptly take your beloved pet to the vet:

  1. Increased appetite, increased water intake, and weight loss: Your fur baby’s water consumption, urine output, and food intake will noticeably increase. Pay attention to whether your pet needs to urinate more frequently.
  2. Breath with a fruity scent: You might notice a fruity ketone odor coming from your pet, often accompanying a decrease in their appetite and water intake.
  3. Lethargy: Due to the body’s inability to convert blood sugar into energy, your pet may feel lethargic. Observe whether your pet’s activity gradually decreases and if they lose their appetite.
  4. Dull, less elastic fur: Your pet’s fur may lose its shine and elasticity due to dehydration, along with an increase in dandruff.
  5. Decreased visual ability: Dogs may bump into objects while walking or show cloudy or milky white pupils in their eyes.
  6. Abnormality in the hind legs: Observe whether cats have their hind leg paws close to the ground while walking or struggle when attempting to jump.

Don’t wait for the symptoms to worsen because prevention is better than cure. Diabetes in pets is a manageable condition, and early diagnosis and treatment can help your pet lead a healthier life. If you observe these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian immediately to provide the necessary medical care and support for your beloved pet. A healthy pet is a happy family member.

What conditions are more likely to increase the risk of pet diabetes？

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Did you know? Diabetes is a potential health threat to pets, and certain conditions can increase their risk of developing diabetes, including factors such as gender, age, and breed. Let’s take a closer look.

1. Breed:

  • For dogs: Samoyed, Maltese, Schnauzer, etc.
  • For cats: Burmese cats and larger breeds like Norwegian Forest Cats.

2. Obesity:

Insufficient physical activity or overeating in pets may lead to excessive body weight or obesity, which can result in reduced sensitivity of cells to insulin.

3. Diet:

Inappropriate diet may lead to cats overeating or excessive calorie intake, resulting in obesity；Feeding dogs excessive fat can potentially trigger issues such as pancreatitis.

4. Gender:

  • For dogs: Unspayed female dogs are more susceptible to diabetes compared to male dogs.
  • For cats: Male cats naturally have lower insulin sensitivity, making them more prone to diabetes compared to female cats.

5. Inflammation:

When dogs and cats experience an inflammatory response in their bodies, it can affect their insulin sensitivity and thereby increase the risk of diabetes.

6. Medication:

When dogs and cats are on medications that impact blood sugar over an extended period, using higher doses, for longer durations, or if they already belong to a high-risk group, it may lead to the development of diabetes.

While these factors may increase the risk of pets developing diabetes, they are not uncontrollable elements. Regular health check-ups, proper nutrition, exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight can all contribute to reducing the risk of diabetes. Remember, prevention is better than cure, so work closely with your veterinarian to ensure your beloved pet stays healthy and minimizes the risk of diabetes.

Why use animal-specific blood glucose monitors？

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Human blood glucose monitors and pet-specific blood glucose monitors are significantly different!

Compared to humans, the physiological differences in cats and dogs result in a distinct distribution pattern of glucose in the bloodstream. In humans, blood glucose is primarily distributed between blood cells and plasma, while in pets, the majority of blood glucose is found in the plasma.

If you are still using a human blood glucose monitor to measure your beloved pet’s glucose levels, it is strongly recommended to switch to a pet-specific blood glucose monitor as soon as possible.

News

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The Global Pet Diabetes Care Market size is expected to reach $2.5 billion by 2028, rising at a market growth of 8.3% CAGR during the forecast period

Diabetes is a metabolic condition that frequently affects elderly pets, though it can also occur in younger animals. Unlike humans, some pets are genetically predisposed to acquiring diabetes; yet, obesity raises the risk of diabetes in animals. Since pet diabetes cannot be treated, growing efforts are being made to manage it as best as possible by pet owners and major players in the market for pet diabetic care equipment.

Read full article
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/global-pet-diabetes-care-market-112200957.html

News

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Reasons for your dog drinking a lot of water

There are a number of reasons why your pup’s drinking a lot of water, and not all of them are cause for concern. It’s normal for your dog to drink a lot of water when he gets inside on a hot day or after a long walk. Some medications, such as steroids, and food can cause excessive thirst and urination in dogs. But sometimes, excessive drinking can be a sign of certain illnesses.

Read full article
https://www.thedodo.com/dodowell/dog-drinking-a-lot-of-water

News

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Educate yourself on pet diabetes

It can be overwhelming to have your pet diagnosed with diabetes; however, most diabetic pets live a happy and healthy life with properly regulated treatment and continued monitoring. Prevention is key! Ensuring your pet stays active and maintains a healthy weight can significantly reduce the risk of the disease, especially as they age.

Read full article
https://www.pilotonline.com/life/wildlife-nature/vp-nk-animal-connections-1114-20211110-w5zhdwdhfvfxzlk3cdj3qifpvi-story.html