Call the Vet - an insider's guide to dog and cat health

I'm tackling two completely separate topics this week

• Why a cat could be leaking urine after suffering from a blocked bladder (01:45)
• How to prevent cystitis in cats (09:52)
• The causes of a hard, bloated abdomen in a Chihuahua (25:32)

For full show notes, mentioned resources, and to get your dog and cat health questions answered by veterinarian Dr. Alex, simply head to callthevet.org

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Does your dog tremble every time they set foot inside the vet clinic? Is your veterinarian fear-aware? the truth is veterinary visits can be fun! This is what you need to know...

In this episode, we talk all about why your dog or cat is scared of the vet and how to tell if your veterinarian is doing everything they can to reduce their fear, anxiety, and stress. We then move on to talk about the fear-free movement as well as the action steps that you can take to help your pet enjoy their veterinary visits!

Head over to the full show notes

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Vaccines are a fundamental step in having the healthiest dog (and cat) possible. It is though important to only vaccinate against diseases that actually pose a threat. Otherwise, the risk of side effects outweigh the potential benefits.

Vaccinations is just one of the 5 topics I discuss in my free guide Pet Health Essentials

Although vaccines are very safe, you do need to be aware of potential side effects, and deciding on the type of vaccine and frequency of administration is very much based on a risk:benefit assessment performed in conversation with your veterinarian.

Head over to the full show notes

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Grapes can be incredibly poisonous but they can also be completely harmless...so when should you worry?

• A single grape will be absolutely fine for a dog of this size
• I have a raisin and grape toxicity calculator to help you know when there could be a problem in the future
• There is a lot of uncertainty about grape poisoning because the actual toxin is unknown and there is a lot of variation in individual dog sensitivity
• If you have a question where emergency treatment might be needed, it is always best to contact your veterinarian or emergency service straight away so that, if treatment is needed, it won't be too late.

Head over to the full show notes, and download your free guide to keeping your pet as happy and healthy as possible

Love the show? Sharing this episode or leaving a review helps others know it's worth a listen! - https://ourpetshealth.com/review

On this episode, I chat with dog trainer Niki French of Pup Talk who has a surprising answer to the question ‘how often should I walk my dog?’.

Niki is an experienced dog trainer who tells owners that not every dog should be walked every day. In fact, in some cases, it’s not only better to stop walking your dog completely. This will actually make them happier!

For many dogs and their owners a walk can be a real source of stress. Instead, Niki says that you should focus on your dog’s mental stimulation, which can be more beneficial for dogs than walking.

Niki and I have a detailed discussion about how you can start to mentally stimulate your dog at home, in an environment where the dog is safe and not confronted by things that they are afraid of.

Niki emphasizes the importance of learning to read your dog’s body language so that you can tell their moods, and she also encourages dog owners to keep working on their dog’s confidence at every stage of their life, to keep them ready for any challenges they may face.

She also suggests games that you can play with your dog on a walk to keep them mentally and physically active, all of which are quick and easy to do and don’t require expensive toys.

We finish the podcast by discussing how to reintroduce walking back into your dog’s routine in a way that’s safe and satisfying.

I’d love to hear from you if any of these dog mental stimulation tips have worked for you, so please do get in touch on Instagram @ourpetshealth, and be sure to share this important message with any dog parents in your life, to help them give their dog a happier, healthier life.
For all the links mentioned and to dive deeper into this topic be sure to head over to the full show notes

Timestamps

[01:40] The surprising message of today’s show

[03:35] Niki introduces herself and talks about her experience of being a dog trainer

[06:30] Walking nervous dogs

[08:53] The mental shift of not walking your dog

[10:05] Changing your attitude towards walking your dog

[11:13] How to mentally stimulate your dog without walking

[13:45] Telling the difference between an excited dog and a nervous dog

[14:50] What to do if your dog barks at someone during a walk

Written by Sarah Hopkinson for the Call The Vet podcast copyhop.co

[16:30] Keeping your dog calm and confident

[18:51] Keeping your dog mentally stimulated throughout the day

[19:36] Games to play with your dog on a walk

[22:19] Making games for your dog to play in the house

[24:59] Tackling age-related mental decline in dogs

[27:13] Reintroducing walking back into your dog’s routine

[32:13] Stop Walking Your Dog: Niki’s dog training guide

Love the show? Sharing this episode or leaving a review helps others know it's worth a listen! - https://ourpetshealth.com/review