They purr, wrap themselves around us, and are small and cute. Cats can be very quiet and gentle. But they can also be very different: cats kill when necessary with a few well-aimed bites. A cat's teeth are a weapon.
A sleeping cat can warm many a heart. What a sight! Countless cat photos and videos circulate across the internet. Nevertheless, we should always remember that our adorable cuddly cats are also small predators.
Have you ever looked into the mouth of a cat yawning heartily? An adult cat has 30 teeth, while kittens have 26. Adult cats have 16 teeth in their upper jaw and 14 in their lower jaw. The four canine teeth protrude above all the others and are the main tool for catching and killing prey. Together with the fangs, they are used to tear food apart. A cat's teeth are not designed for grinding. Cats eat relatively large pieces of food and swallow them without chewing them very much.
Cats can also use their teeth skillfully for personal hygiene. Fleas and other parasites, for example, are simply bitten off.
Brushing a cat's teeth is almost impossible. If you manage to remove plaque from time to time with a simple toothbrush and cat toothpaste, this is very useful. However, many pet owners know from experience that cats tend to be rather stubborn in this regard. However, it is still a good idea to check your cat's mouth from time to time. This will allow you to see if there are any tooth or gum problems or if tartar has built up.
The best way to support your cat's dental care is with appropriate food or chews specially designed for cats. These are available from specialist stores. Dry food helps to remove plaque. If your cat has heavy plaque on its teeth, you should have them cleaned by a veterinarian at the next opportunity.
Unfortunately, more and more cats have poor teeth. This can be very painful for your pet. Sometimes it can even lead to tooth loss. In particularly severe cases, prolonged gum inflammation can cause damage to the kidneys or heart. The following symptoms require attention:
If you regularly check your cat's teeth, adjust their diet accordingly, and have their teeth checked regularly by a veterinarian, you are doing a lot to promote your cat's dental health.
Every rider has probably heard of this disease. It has been known for decades and is one of the most common causes of lameness in horses. Spavin is actually an umbrella term for all inflammatory and chronic changes in the hock joints. The disease is classified as lameness caused by wear and tear and affects older horses in particular. Contrary to popular belief, however, a diagnosis of spavin does not mean that your horse is no longer rideable. With a carefully tailored treatment plan and an appropriate exercise program, this condition cannot be cured, but it can be managed well.
Cataracts describe the clouding of the lens in a dog's eye, which, similar to humans, is one of the most common causes of blindness. The condition therefore requires veterinary treatment, as modern surgical techniques can now preserve vision in dogs.
Mites are small pests that belong to the arachnid family. Cats can be affected by various types of mites, which live either in the fur, on or in the skin, and in the ear area, causing severe itching. In addition, a mite infestation always carries the risk of transmission to humans, meaning that it is a zoonosis.
Hyperlipemia or hyperlipidemia syndrome is not a separate disease, but rather a disorder of fat metabolism that mainly occurs in ponies and donkeys. It primarily affects overweight ponies that suddenly start eating significantly less food.
Did you dream of galloping along the beach on horseback when you were a child? Day trips through the heath, maybe even a challenging week-long course with a renowned trainer – what a wonderful vacation with our four-legged friend. Especially since it's not always easy to find a suitable holiday replacement for your horse who will take care of your beloved animal in your absence the way you want them to. So why not take your faithful partner with you on vacation and make your dream of a horse vacation come true? To ensure that the adventure goes as smoothly as possible, you should make the necessary preparations.
Rabbits are very intelligent animals and are perfectly capable of following instructions or performing small exercises. If it doesn't work, it's usually due to a lack of patience or insufficient knowledge on the part of the humans. So, take heart! With loving perseverance, you're sure to succeed. Here are a few tips for successful training.
This viral infection of dogs, also known as infectious hepatitis, occurs worldwide but is now rare thanks to many years of vaccination. However, it is believed that the virus that causes it is still involved in chronic liver inflammation.
Cats are hearing experts. Did you know that they can hear at least three times better than humans? Their ears also serve as mood indicators. If you learn to understand your pet's physical signals, you can develop an even better connection with them.
Dogs are our companions, playmates for our children, and best friends. Some dogs even have jobs: there are a number of tasks that dogs perform. Dog owners often get their dogs specifically for this purpose, or at least train them accordingly. Here are a few dog professions and their areas of activity.
Ultrasound, medically known as sonography, is a standard procedure in veterinary medicine alongside X-rays due to its simplicity and non-invasive nature. It can be used to visualize various internal areas of the body in two dimensions.
As the name suggests, anemia means that your dog has too little blood, or more precisely, that the number of erythrocytes (red blood cells) and hemoglobin (the pigment in blood) is reduced. Anemia is not a disease in itself, but a symptom that can accompany many different diseases.
It's pretty much every cat owner's worst nightmare: your pet has eaten something poisonous! Now you need to act fast – get your cat to the vet immediately.
