Search Results
131 results for “cat shaking”
What to Do When Your Dog’s Ears Smell Bad
A smelly dog ear is usually caused by wax buildup, infection, ear mites, improper bathing, or a salty diet. Clean gently with a pet ear solution, keep the ears dry after baths, and watch for redness, discharge, or head-shaking that warrants a vet visit.
Things to Consider When Taking Your Dog Home for the Spring Festival
Traveling home with your dog for the holidays takes planning: confirm your dog is healthy, pack its essentials, and get it used to the car (or sort out pet shipping papers 1–2 weeks ahead for train or air travel). Once at a new environment, ease its anxiety with a quiet space and familiar routine, and during the festival guard against fireworks stress, escape risks from frequent visitors, and toxic human foods such as chocolate, grapes, and onions.
After the Swim: Preventing Ear Infections, Skin Trouble, and Tummy Upsets in Dogs
Swimming is a great low-impact workout that cools dogs off and supports their joints—but skipping the clean-up afterward can lead to three common problems: ear infections, skin irritation, and digestive upset. A dog’s L-shaped ear canal traps water that shaking alone won’t fully remove, creating a warm, moist space where yeast and bacteria thrive. Thick or double coats that aren’t fully dried breed the same trouble on the skin. And a cold abdomen plus post-swim air conditioning or ice water can upset a sensitive gut. The fix is simple: clean and dry the ears, blow-dry the coat layer by layer (especially armpits, belly, and paw folds), and let the dog rest before any AC, cold water, or rough play—offering a probiotic if its stomach is delicate.
Why Dogs Shake Toys Side to Side
Shaking a toy mimics killing prey—dogs' front paws are less dexterous than a cat's, so the head shake helps tear meat. But if a dog shakes not just plush toys but also furniture, doors, and floors, the owner likely isn't meeting its needs. Most destruction comes from unmet daily exercise or too little companionship. Separation anxiety makes it chew items smelling of you (shoes, socks). The real fix is the root cause: spend more time with the dog—one extra hour a day is a week of extra happiness for an indoor dog.
Ear Mites in Dogs: Why the Smell Means Trouble
Ear mites (Otodectes) are ear-canal parasites that feed on lymph and fluid; females are 0.35–0.45 mm, males 0.275–0.36 mm—barely visible white dots. Left untreated they cause inflammation and crusting within about two weeks and can progress to middle or inner ear infection, even hearing loss and loss of balance. Signs: foul-smelling dark ear discharge, head-shaking and scratching, and sometimes worsened tear stains (the ear and facial nerves connect). Treat by isolating the dog and disinfecting its space, cleaning the canal, and applying a miticide as directed until gone; prevent with routine ear care. If it won't clear, see a vet. (Mites rarely infect people.)
CoQ10 Transparency: Why ‘Stated and Tested’ Matters
CoQ10 is one of the fastest-growing pet supplements, yet a large share of what is sold may be placeholder. In some regions CoQ10 is not an approved pet-feed ingredient, so labels cannot state it — and many brands hide behind organ-meat or fish powders while promising 'high content' with no amount shown. Industry data suggests over 60% of products are mislabeled, and a 2025 blogger lab test found two of four best-sellers had no detectable CoQ10 at all. This guide explains why a stated, tested product is the only one worth buying.
Canine and Feline Otitis Externa
Otitis externa is inflammation of the outer ear canal, commonly triggered by ear mites, foreign material, or improper cleaning that lets bacteria or fungi take hold. Treatment means cleaning the canal and tackling the underlying cause, with surgery reserved for chronic, end-stage cases.
Canine and Feline Aural Hematoma
An aural hematoma is a pocket of blood that forms between the skin and cartilage of the ear flap, usually triggered by vigorous head shaking or scratching. Small collections may be drained, but most require surgery to prevent a permanently scarred, thickened ear.
Maternal Hypoglycemia in Bitches
Maternal hypoglycemia is low blood sugar in a mother dog around whelping, caused by the heavy energy demand of pregnancy and nursing. It brings fever, tremors, and even coma, and needs quick glucose and good nutrition.
Dog Ear Discharge: Symptoms and Treatment
Ear problems are among the most common dog complaints, and discharge is usually the first sign — most often from infection. Scratching and head-shaking start it, then secondary bacterial or yeast infection sets in. Here is how the vet works it up.