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FAQ

Do I need to bring my pet into the clinic?

If you are unsure whether or not to bring your pet in, then "yes," you should bring him in.

How old is my dog actually?

Relative Age of Your Pet in Human Years

	0-20 Lbs	20-50 Lbs	50-90Lbs	>90Lbs
6Years	40	42	45	49
7yrs	44	47	50	56
8yrs	48	51	55	64
9yrs	52	56	61	71
10yrs	56	50	66	78
11yrs	60	65	72	86
12yrs	64	69	77	93
13yrs	68	74	82	101
14yrs	72	78	88	108
15yrs	76	83	93	115
16yrs	80	87	99	123
17yrs	84	92	104
18yrs	88	96	109	ADULT
19yrs	92	101	115	SENIOR
20yrs	96	105	120	GERIATRIC

What should I feed my pet?

We recommend ProPlan for normally active dogs and cats. Puppies and kittens are generally on puppy/kitten food until approximately 7-8 months of age, unless he/she is a large breed dog; then they are usually on puppy food for 12 months. Sometimes we switch young pets to adult food at an earlier age if they are gaining too much weight on puppy food. There are many types of dog food out on the market today. Generally, the type of food you feed depends on the age and lifestyle of the dog/cat. Furthermore, some pets that have medical problems are on an appropriate diet for that condition (i.e. kidney problems, liver problems, bladder stones, etc). These special diets are prescribed through your veterinarian. Older/geriatric pets usually are on a diet especially made for senior pets. There also exists diets for less active pets, highly active pets, etc.

When should I spay/neuter my pet?

We recommend that you spay/neuter at 4 months of age. We feel this is a good age and they tend to recover faster from surgery the younger they are.

My pet is itchy. Does he/she have fleas?

Pets can be itchy for many reasons, such as: fleas, dry skin, mites, allergies, etc. A good way to check for fleas is to look around the rump/groin area by looking at the skin, separating the fur by going against the grain (towards the head). If your pet has fleas, you can either see the fleas on your pet, or you may see what appear to be grains of pepper that are actually flea feces. Fleas feed on your pet by biting them and ingesting blood. To tell if it is flea feces, put your pet on a white surface and rub/shake their fur. You should see the black specks on the white surface. Wet your finger and smudge the black specks. If they turn red, these are flea feces and your pet has fleas. If you do not see any indication of fleas, you should contact your veterinarian to rule out other medical problems.

What treats can my pet have with allergies?

There are treats manufactured for allergy pets ( for example: Purina makes Gentle Snackers which are hypallergenic). However, you can make homemade treats out of your pets specific diet ( this recipe is not stictly for allergy animals, any food may be used for any pets special diet).

Using canned food: Open the can and shake the loaf of food out of the can. Cut the loaf into 1/4" thick sliced and then cut the slices into bite-sized pieces. Bake the treats in the microwave oven on high for approximately 21/3 to 3 minutes or place on an un-greased cookie sheed and back at 350F for approximately 30 minutes or until crispy ( in conventional oven).

Using dry food: In a blender, add 2 cups of dry food and grind into a powder. Pour powder into a mixing bowl and gradually add about 1 to 1 1/4 cups of water stirring until it forms a dough consistency. Shape into a "treat" or "cookie" and flatten the dough using the back of a spoon ( the cookies will not flatten like standard "people cookies" do). Place treates on an un-greased cookie sheed and bake in the oven at 350F for approximately 30 minutes or util crispy.

This recipe bakes approximately 2 dozen treats. Store baked treats in the refrigerator and discard leftovers after a week.

Is it "okay" to feed my pet people food?

There are some foods that can be safely fed to your pet, such as: raw vegetables or fruit. We do not recommend foods such as meats, bones or fatty foods such as dairy products - they usually cause diarrhea, and bones can pose a choking hazard, or if lodged in the intestines, usually require surgery to remove. Chocolate is toxic to cats and dogs and should be out of reach of pets at all times.

Why do dogs always roll in smelly things?

It is thought that dogs rub in foul-smelling things in order to pick up that particular scent. Wolves do this to disguise their own scent when hunting. If the wolves smell like feces or dead carcass, that gives them the advantage to sneak up on prey. Another reason dogs may roll around in appalling smells would be to "advertise" or "show off" what they found to their owners or to other dogs. Furthermore, it is a fact that what we, as humans, think smells good, our dog may think it is awful! For this reason, many dogs show this "rolling" behavior after a bath- to find a scent that they prefer, rather than our scented shampoo. For whatever reason our canine friends decide to exhibit this behavior, unfortunately, it is a trait which they have inherited.

How often should my dog be groomed?

We usually recommend grooming for dogs that need haircuts every 6-8 weeks- dependent upon the hair coat. Some dogs that keep a longer cut should come in more frequently. Dogs with short coats (i.e. Labradors, Boxers, etc.), should also be bathed regularly- every 10-12 weeks. Breeds that required undercoat maintenance (i.e. Samoyeds, Shepherds, etc.) should be brushed weekly at home and professionally groomed every 6-8 weeks. All pets should have their nails trimmed and their ears wiped out at least every 3-4 weeks.

How do I know if my dog has Arthritis?

Many older dogs develop arthritis, just like many elderly humans do. There really is not much you can do to prevent arthritis from striking your dog. Sometimes arthritis is brought on by injury or an infection, but age is still the most commonly known factor and, unfortunately, you cannot keep your furry friend from getting older. You will suspect your dog may have arthritis when he begins having trouble getting up and down or doing any of the activities he used to enjoy. Stair climbing, running, and jumping will probably decrease and doggy may even seem to be in pain some of the time. His joints will start to swell and he may eventually, in the worst cases become lame. There are several types of arthritis, but the most common we see in animals is called Osteoarthritis which is an inflammation of the joints caused most of the time, by everyday normal use. Prescription pain medication such as Rimadyl can offer some relief for your still and aching pooch, as well as medications that help increase the lubrication in the joints. Some pet parents however prefer to try alternative remedies such as herbal medications and acupuncture. If you believe your animal has any of these symptoms please contact us here at Heritage Animal Hospital for any answers to your questions.

How do I go about brushing my dog's/cat's teeth?

There are several ways to accomplish this. Special toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental chews and oral rinses are manufactured specifically for dogs and cats (only pet products should be used- not human). While it is easier to start oral care when your pet is younger, it is never too late to start. If your pet already has bad breath and plaque build-up, scheduling an appointment to have the teeth professionally cleaned should be done prior to home care. This way, the teeth are cleaned and evaluated to ensure that your efforts are being put to good use. It is best to brush daily; however, every other day is okay as long as a dental chew or an oral rinse is used on the "off" days. If you have more questions or need help determining the best products to use, please call us at (763) 559-PETS.

Contact information

Heritage Animal Hospital
12624 Bass Lake Road
Maple Grove, MN
55369

Office: 763-559-7387
Fax: 763-551-3982
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