Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” collection, the place each Monday we convey knowledgeable recommendation straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to assist our readers higher perceive their canine’s well being and well-being.
Whether or not you’re a brand new pet father or mother or a seasoned canine lover, Dr. Paola is right here to offer solutions to your most urgent questions. From diet suggestions and preventive care to troubleshooting frequent behavioral points, Dr. Paola is able to supply insights that may hold your furry pal pleased and wholesome. Keep tuned for knowledgeable steering on a spread of subjects that matter most to you and your canine, so you may make knowledgeable choices and supply the absolute best care in your canine companion. Have a question? Send it in here! 
Assist! My Pet Doesn’t Like Pet Meals!
“ My tiny Maltese pet Mindy has determined she not enjoys the Royal Canin moist pet meals we had been feeding her. She’s solely 4 months outdated and a couple of.7 lbs, I’m questioning if it’s OK for us to strive the Hill’s Science small breed pet food, or which different meals we must always strive? ” – Elaine
Hello Elaine,
Because you point out Mindy is a pet, you shouldn’t swap her meals for grownup meals simply but. Puppies require a “growth and development” formulation AKA “puppy food” to assist their ever-changing anatomy throughout this significant a part of their lives. The Hill’s Science small breed pet food is for adults. Since most canine meals comply with the AAFCO necessities for this life stage, that are based mostly on the minimal essential vitamins (corresponding to protein, fat, calcium, and so on) {that a} meals can include, if you feed adult food to your puppy they are going to be poor in vitamins and ultimately develop into ailing. If you’re on the lookout for some nice meals to feed her, I’d extremely advocate much less processed fresh, and natural ingredient diets. Most of those are formulated to cowl the dietary wants of all life levels as a result of they’ve sufficient vitamins for all. Puppies and grownup canines love them and may dwell a wholesome and pleased life acquiring one of the best diet.
Greatest needs!
Dr. Paola
Assist! My Canine Hates Strolling within the Snow!
“Hello Dr. Paola! My canine Ginger, a Golden Retriever, completely refuses to stroll within the snow. The second she sees it, she freezes and provides me this appear to be, ‘You possibly can’t be critical.’ I’ve tried booties and treats, however nothing works. She’ll exit on a shovelled path to do her enterprise however we will’t get a lot else out of her. She’s grown up figuring out snow and by no means liked it however has solely gotten extra cussed with time (she’s
5). Is there a technique to persuade her that somewhat snow received’t freeze her, or do I must put money into an indoor treadmill for winter?
” – Leslie
Hey Leslie—it seems like Ginger was meant to be a Florida canine as an alternative! Jokes apart, I’d have her checked by the vet to make sure she shouldn’t be affected by hypothyroidism, an endocrine situation that slows down a canine’s metabolism and causes them to be illiberal to the chilly (amongst different indicators). Joint issues like inflammatory arthritis or early arthritis-related ache additionally will get exacerbated with the chilly, so I’d recommend you rule these prospects first as a result of most Golden Retrievers love the snow. Additionally, have you ever tried a couple of type of booty? There are different types available and a few are extra comfy and most popular by every canine’s requirements over others. The booties must also be gradually introduced to make sure Ginger associates sporting them with optimistic outcomes. If the snow is taken into account aversive to Ginger, the booties can shortly develop into a sign that anticipates one thing undesired is about to occur after which develop into a detrimental stimuli for her. So, you’ll have to have her put on the botties at random instances not simply when going out to the snow… for instance earlier than dinner. Anyway, I believe the indoor treadmill is a good concept to have a risk of getting bodily exercise whilst you dig deeper into this and work on the booties optimistic affiliation.
Greatest luck, and if attainable, hold us up to date!
Dr. Paola
Assist! My Canine Gained’t Go away My Socks Alone!
“Why do canines like to eat socks? My canine actively seeks them out from the each the clear and soiled laundry hampers—nothing is sacred! He doesn’t need to ingest it, simply chew and suck on it till it turns into one thing I’ve to throw away. Assist!” – Steven, dad to Dolly
It’s a canine factor! There are several possible reasons, more than likely as a result of Dolly loves your scent, and the soiled socks odor such as you, so the sensation of the sock in Dolly’s mouth then turns into one thing very gratifying. By affiliation, the sensation of the sock itself turns into one thing fascinating, and optimistic to Dolly. Now she doesn’t care if soiled or freshly washed—a sock is a sock!
You’re very fortunate that she is not ingesting them, although, as that might be an actual drawback. In addition to placing her life in danger it will require an endoscopy or surgical procedure. If you’re not 100% positive she has by no means ingested one, I’d recommend to get her checked. As for changing your socks, probably the most easy resolution to this drawback is to make it bodily unimaginable for her to succeed in them. A dog-proof laundry hamper, a closed door, or something that blocks Dolly’s entry to the socks. Additionally please ensure you redirect her chewing needs to an acceptable chew toy. Simply keep in mind to maintain a detailed eye on her. I hope this helps!
Greatest needs!
Dr. Paola
This text is part of our weekly Ask Dr. Paola collection
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