Golden retriever should sleep you first have to consider very well where you want him to sleep now and in the future since it will depend on what you teach him to get used to. Assuming that it is better for dogs to sleep indoors and not outside, do you want them to sleep in bed with you, inside the room, or in another room in the house?

If your dog gets used to sleeping in one place, it will be difficult to teach him again that the right place is a different one. Therefore, it is important that you decide consistently where you want him to sleep to avoid discomfort in the future.

Where do you want your golden retriever to sleep?

Sometimes we like that our dog sleeps with us in bed, and it is not a bad thing, but we must bear in mind that if he gets used to sleeping in it, he will always want to do it.

If you have just acquired a golden retriever puppy, you may want him to sleep next to you in bed when he sees him so tiny and vulnerable. If you let your puppy get used to sleeping with you later, it will be very difficult to teach him that his place is in his dog bed. Are you going to allow a 35-pound dog to sleep in your bed? If the answer is yes, then there will be no problem, your dog will be happy to rest by your side!

Although we all like to spend time with our dogs, it is not the most common for such a large animal to sleep in bed, especially because of the limited space it leaves you to sleep. If you decide to let him sleep in the room with you, he will rest just as well having you around and feeling safe in your presence. You do not want him to sleep in the room, you can offer him another place in the house such as the living room, kitchen, or hall, a comfortable place where he can rest calmly.

If you have a safe outdoor area like a patio or garden, you can offer them a great space to sleep in summer; in winter it is better to sleep indoors to avoid getting cold or wet. ANIMAL has an extensive catalog of kennels for dogs so you can choose the one that best suits your pet. You can choose between wooden kennels or plastic kennels with different designs and sizes, even with two floors. Do not forget to put a comfortable and soft bed inside the house so you can rest in a soft and warm place.

What bed to choose for your golden retriever’s rest?

In addition to knowing where a golden retriever should sleep, referring to which room in the house is the best, we must correctly choose a bed for him. Adult golden retrievers sleep an average of 13 to 15 hours a day, so it is very important that the place you provide is comfortable and pleasant for them.

You might also like:  3 “Silent” Killers of Cats

You should think about the comfort of your pet to select the most suitable for him from the different bed options. Choose from a wide variety of cots, mattresses, and plastic beds such as those offered by Tíanimal to provide maximum comfort to your golden retriever. You must take into account the size of your dog, choose a bed in which it can be fully stretched comfortably, without its legs coming out or hanging due to lack of space. It is important that the padding of the bed or mattress is very padded, avoiding thin beds that do not isolate you from the cold of the floor. It is also advisable to choose a waterproof and removable bed to be able to wash the exterior and that it is always as clean as the first day.

Every few weeks, my exotic pet hospital in New York receives a call from a desperate exotic pet owner somewhere far away seeking advice about their sick pet. Sometimes it’s about a reptile, sometimes about a bird or bunny. The caller might be from the Midwest, Canada, or even from another continent. Unfortunately, in most cases, there is little we can recommend over the phone, and we generally advise pet-owner to take their animals to an exotic pet-savvy veterinarian to be examined. While there are several great resources online directing people to terrific local vets who are comfortable treating exotic species, for some people in certain remote locations, exotic pet veterinarians can be hard to find. What are the most important things to look for when you are seeking out care for an exotic pet vet? Here are 5 essential considerations:

1. How many (snakes, birds, ferrets, rabbits, whatever species) has this vet ever treated?

While the practice may not always make perfect, it certainly makes better. The more of any given species a veterinarian sees, the more likely that he or she is to recognize the disease and be able to recommend the appropriate treatment. Most vets receive little to no training in school on exotic animal species, so if they really want to learn about how to care for these animals, they have to seek out information on their own. These vets who take the initiative to go the extra mile to learn about exotic pets are the vets you’d want to see.

You might also like:  5 tips for taking care of your dog

2. Is the veterinary hospital set up to accommodate exotic pets?

While many cat and dog hospitals will see exotic pets, they often do so because they are the only game in town. Many cat and dog hospitals will only treat an exotic pet when no one else will, and the pet is really sick. You can really tell whether a veterinary hospital is set up to treat exotic pets if they have some of the basic equipment and supplies needed to do so, such as a small scale that weighs in grams for weighing little exotic pets or a tank for safely enclosing a reptile. If they have no equipment specifically designed for treating and examining typically smaller exotic patients, it is likely they don’t treat many of them.

3. Are the veterinary technicians comfortable handling exotic patients?

Knowing how to safely handle exotic pets is truly an art that takes years to master. Most exotic animals are prey species that become stressed when restrained. No matter how good a veterinarian may be at the medical care of exotic species, without great technical staff to comfortably hold these animals, that vet cannot perform great medical care. By just watching how veterinary technicians restrain and manipulate your exotic pet, you can get an idea about how often they actually handle exotic pets. Technicians and veterinarians trained in exotic pet restraint should be relaxed and have a plan on how to pick up and hold your pet. If they are floundering around trying to figure out how to catch your pet, their experience is very likely limited.

You might also like:  HOW TO REDUCE YOUR DOG’S ANXIETY

4. Are the veterinarians and/or the veterinary staff members of any exotic pet professional organizations?

There are several professional exotic animal groups, such as the Association of Avian Veterinarians, the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians, and the Association of Reptilian and Amphibian Veterinarians, to which many veterinarians who are interested in exotic pet care belong. These organizations provide continuing education to veterinary professionals, and typically, individuals who want to remain knowledgeable in exotic pet care will join one or more of these groups to stay current. Veterinarians who belong to these groups typically display the organization’s logo on a decal in their hospitals’ window or printed on their hospitals’ client literature. Each of these organizations have websites, too, that list current members geographically. If a vet has taken the time and money to join any of these organizations, then he or she at least has a strong interest in exotic pets.

5. Does the veterinary hospital provide care for exotic pet emergencies?

This is something most exotic pet owners don’t think about until they are faced with their own pets’ emergency. While a few animal hospitals have veterinarians on call and technicians who remain in the hospital overnight to care for critical cases, the most veterinary hospitals are not open 24/7 but have arrangements with local 24-hour emergency clinics to care for their patients overnight and on emergency basis. However, while local emergency clinics are generally happy to take in dog and cat emergencies, they are not always equipped to handle exotic pet emergencies. When choosing an animal hospital to care for your unique exotic pet, be sure to ask the veterinary staff exactly how they handle exotic pet patients with emergencies after hours. If they have no contingency plan, they likely treat very few exotics. Just as your dog and cat vet should have a plan for after-hours emergencies, so should your exotic pet vet. This is perhaps the most important question to consider when choosing a doctor for your beloved pet. Don’t be afraid to ask it. The answer could be the difference between life and death.

When it comes to caring for your cat, I have a few simple recommendations:

• Maintain a safe environment (keep him indoors)
• Feed a high-quality food (e.g., a meat-based protein)
• Think about preventive care (e.g., an annual physical examination, laboratory tests, and the appropriate vaccines)
• Provide lots of affection and exercise

By following these basic tips, you can help keep your four-legged, feline friends healthy–potentially for decades! But as cat guardians, you should also be aware of five “silent” killers in cats. By knowing what the most common silent killers are, you can know what clinical signs to look for. With most of these diseases, the sooner the clinical signs are recognized, the sooner we veterinarians can treat them.

1. Chronic kidney disease

One of the top silent killers of cats is chronic kidney disease (CKD) (This is sometimes called a chronic renal failure or chronic kidney injury). These terms are all semantically the same, and basically mean that 75% of both the kidneys are ineffective and not working. Clinical signs of CRD include:

• Excessive drinking
• Excessive urinating
• Larger clumps in the litter box
• Weight loss
• Bad breath (due to toxins building up in the blood and causing ulcers in the mouth, oesophagus, and stomach)
• Lethargy
• Hiding

Thankfully, with appropriate management, cats can live with CKD for years (unlike dogs where CKD usually progresses more rapidly). Chronic management may include a low-protein diet, frequent blood work, increasing water intake (e.g., with a water fountain or by feeding a gruelling canned food), medications and even fluids under the skin (which many pet guardians do at home, once properly trained).

You might also like:  The welfare and protection of pets

2. Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is an endocrine disease where the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone. This is seen in middle-aged to geriatric cats and can result in very similar clinical signs to chronic kidney disease including:

• Excessive thirst
• Increased water consumption/urination
• Vomiting/diarrhoea
• Weight loss

However, as hyperthyroidism increases the metabolism of cats, it causes one defining sign: a ravenous appetite despite weight loss. It can also result in:

• A racing heart rate
• Severe hypertension (resulting in acute blood loss, neurologic signs, or even a clot or stroke)
• Secondary organ injury (e.g., a heart murmur or changes to the kidney)

Thankfully, treatment for hyperthyroidism is very effective and includes either a medication (called methimazole, surgical removal of the thyroid glands (less commonly done), a special prescription diet called y/d® Feline Thyroid Health) or I131 radioiodine therapy. With hyperthyroidism, the sooner you treat it, the fewer potential side effects or organ damage will occur in your cat.

3. Diabetes mellitus

Another costly, silent killer that affects cats is diabetes mellitus (DM). As many of our cats are often overweight to obese, they are at a greater risk for DM. With diabetes, the pancreas fails to secrete adequate amounts of insulin (Type I DM) or there is resistance to insulin (Type II DM). Insulin is a natural hormone that drives sugar (i.e., blood glucose) into the cells. As a result of the cells starving for glucose, the body makes more and more glucose, causing hyperglycemia (i.e., high blood sugar) and many of the clinical signs seen with DM. Common clinical signs for DM are similar to those of Chronic kidney disease and hyperthyroidism and include:

• Excessive urination and thirst
• Larger clumps in the litter box
• An overweight or obese body condition with muscle wasting (especially over the spine or back) or weight loss
• A decreased or ravenous appetite
• Lethargy or weakness
• Vomiting
• Abnormal breath (e.g., acetone breath)
• Walking abnormally (e.g., lower to the ground)

You might also like:  5 tips for taking care of your dog

Treatment for DM can be costly, as it requires twice-a-day insulin injections that you have to give under the skin. It also requires changes in diet (to a high protein, low carbohydrate diet), frequent blood glucose monitoring, and frequent veterinary visits. With supportive care and chronic management, cats can do reasonably well; however, once diabetic complications develop (e.g., diabetic ketoacidosis, hyperosmolar, hyperglycemic syndrome), DM can be life-threatening.

If your cat or dog is coughing, the good news is that it’s probably not due to COVID-19. Experts from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)  and the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) agree that COVID-19 is predominantly a human illness, and it’s unlikely for pets to be infected with the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. There are many types of viruses that can make cats or dogs sick. So, your veterinarian will check your pet to make sure that the symptoms aren’t being caused by a more common virus or other health problem.

Opinions about testing pets for COVID-19 are changing as we learn more about the virus and cases around the world. Public health authorities and veterinarians are working together to determine if an animal should be tested. Right now, there’s no evidence that dogs or cats can spread the virus to people. But there is growing evidence that in rare cases people may be able to infect animals. In the past month, two dogs and a cat in Hong Kong, a cat in Belgium, and a tiger at the Bronx Zoo in New York City were found to have been infected. In each situation, there was exposure to a COVID-19 positive person.

If your cat or dog is sick, the best thing to do is speak with your veterinarian. Be sure to let them know if your pet has been exposed to anyone who has COVID-19. Your veterinarian will let you know what to do and will work with public health authorities to determine if a test is recommended.

The post Where Should a Golden Retriever Sleep? appeared first on The Petster.

Some canine breeds are more prone to snoring than others when they sleep. However, excessive snoring can indicate a health issue with your closest companion.

While your dog’s snoring might be completely natural, you should be concerned. So, if you’re considering taking your snorer to the vet, here is what you should know.

Even if your dog has a snoring habit, it is good to check its face to see any unusual features. Certain breeds of dogs snore far more than others. Snoring is more common in dogs with shorter snouts and flat faces. These traits are brachycephalic, which means “short-headed.”

Pugs, Boxers, and Bulldogs are the most common short-headed dog breeds. The small muzzles of these lovely creatures can cause them to snore. Due to their short head faces, these dog breeds are more likely to create noise while they sleep.

If your dog snores all the time, you don’t need to worry. However, you should consult a veterinarian if you observe a change in your pet’s breathing pattern or if he appears to be gasping. Otherwise, these charming buddies snore regularly.

In the same way humans snore, dogs snore when airflow is restricted in their nasal passages or throat.

Like people, dogs make noise when they snore because of their soft tissue vibrations in the throat when they sleep. When something interferes with the dog’s regular airflow, vibrations occur. This can have a simple explanation.

Dogs may snore because they like to lie on their backs, where their tongues might partially obstruct airflow. Alternatively, your dog may be hypersensitive to dust or smoke, which can also cause snoring.

Also, there are more significant health concerns, such as an abscessed tooth entering the nasal sinus tract or sleep apnea. Both problems, of course, may necessitate surgical intervention.

The sound of a dog snoring may be both amusing and irritating. It is common in healthy dogs. However, canine snoring is sometimes a sign of health issues, specifically if the dog snores while awake.

Hearing your dog snore may amuse you from time to time. If you have a dog that sleeps in the same room as you, you might find it irritating at other times. The fact is that snoring is usually absolutely natural and harmless.

While there are several causes for dogs to snore, the following are the most prevalent:

A healthy dog’s throat is meant to keep him calm and oxygenated. Too much or too lax tissue might compress the throat.

Dogs snore when their nasal passageways or throat are blocked like all humans. This is entirely natural and could be caused when your dog lies on his back. The tongue can retract into the throat, preventing easy breathing.

Snoring is far more prevalent in breeds with extremely short muzzles, as there is little space in the dog’s mouth to accommodate all soft tissue.

Obesity is also another common factor in canine snoring. Excess fat can accumulate in the throat of overweight dogs, causing them to choke. Giving your dog cookies may seem like a beautiful idea, but it may result in his noisy breathing.

When a dog is highly obese, excess fat can accumulate in the throat, obstructing the airways and snoring.

Sleep apnoea is a less likely reason for your dog snoring. Sleep apnoea causes people and canines to breathe shallowly or cease breathing entirely during sleep. Like humans, dogs can get this condition, but it is rare.

They usually continue breathing with a strong inhale that sounds like snoring. If you believe your dog has sleep apnoea, it is vital to take it to the veterinarian for treatment.

Infections such as Kennel Cough – a type of canine flu – can block and inflame the airways, resulting in temporary snoring. If so, the snoring usually stops after the dog improves.

Nasal secretions in dogs should not be ignored. Nasal discharge is generally an indication of an infection that requires medical attention. A sinus infection or an eye problem like conjunctivitis can induce a runny nose. This could be a symptom of an allergy in your dog.

Like people, dogs can develop allergies. This could be dust, perfume, or several other pets in the house, causing your dog to have an allergic reaction. They may have hayfever, leading them to snore. Cleaning your dog’s feet, showering them with a hypoallergenic cleanser, and dust with a damp cloth will help lessen allergies.

Your dog might be suffering from a dental abscess or an oral / sinus growth. This will cause him to snore. Tooth problems can usually be painful, so take your dog to the veterinarian instantly if you suspect he may have dental issues. Untreated infections can spread throughout a pet’s body, causing significant issues.

Aspergillosis is a fungal infection typically spread via grass clippings, hay, straw, or dusty things. It is caused by mold entering the dog’s nose via the moist lining. This is more prevalent in pet dogs and canines that spend a significant amount of time outdoors.

Sneezing, swelling, nasal discharge, and snoring are all common symptoms. It’s dangerous if left untreated but usually clears up with antifungal medication.

Occasionally, you may find that your dog began snoring just after starting a medicine course. It is possible, as several medications have side effects that include narrowed airways. Painkillers and other medications might induce the throat to relax, causing snoring.

Consult your vet if you suspect a medication is causing your dog’s snoring. If your dog requires medication, you will almost certainly have to put up with the snoring, though your veterinarian may be able to alleviate the symptoms.

Like the common cold in humans, Rhinitis in dogs affects the nose. Your pet may develop a runny and stuffy nose due to the inflammation of his mucus membranes. If your dog has Rhinitis, it may sneeze, breathe slowly, and snore. Antibiotics can be used to treat this. However, adding moisture to the air with a humidifier can also make breathing more comfortable.

Smoking in the same residence as your dog can damage their lungs, which can cause things such as bronchitis and asthma. It should be avoided if you value the health and well-being of your dog and yourself.

Snoring is more common in certain breeds than others, and in these cases, it may indicate more severe health difficulties. Consider brachycephaly, the most susceptible breed.

It is common for breeders to select short, broadheads, and short snouts for several canine breeds, such as the English bulldog, Pug, and King Charles Cavalier. These dog breeds are brachycephalic, and they are considerably more prone to snore. This naturally results in reduced nasal passageways for these short-nosed breeds.

Despite their shorter snouts, the soft palates of brachycephalic dogs have remained unchanged through the generations, giving them an enlarged appearance in certain breeds. Dog snoring is a common occurrence among certain breeds, and their owners should be aware of what it can signify.

Brachycephalic dogs frequently develop ‘everted laryngeal saccules,’ or blocked airways. This results in excessive snoring, sometimes even while awake. Numerous brachycephalic dogs also have entirely or partially blocked nostrils, resulting in a ‘crescent’ entrance rather than a lovely open ‘tunnel.’

Nasal stenosis is a congenital disease that blocks nasal passageways and restricts breathing.

The noise occurs when the dog inhales or sucks air into its lungs. The suction effect creates muscle vibrations that cause snoring.

When there is a strong breeze, the clothing moves and makes snapping, slapping noises.

At the rear of a dog’s throat, the same rules apply. If the dog has an extended soft palate (the fatty portion of the nose that separates it from the throat), it flaps around when it breathes.

However, elongated soft palates are not the essential features contributing to dogs’ snoring. Anything that disrupts the air circulation in the nasal passages might result in snoring or snorting in dogs.

Breathing problems associated with smush-faced dogs include everted laryngeal saccules.

Snoring can cause significant health issues. Research on rabbits found that snoring has been related to more energy, mainly in the carotid artery. One study revealed that dogs with sleep apnea (snoring) were also associated with high blood pressure.

Most vets would agree that snoring isn’t likely to cause any harm to your Labrador. Dogs’ sleep apnea is quite rare, and Labrador retrievers have a typically healthy respiratory system. Of course, this may vary for various dog breeds, particularly those with brachycephaly.

If your dog’s snoring is unusual or getting worse, immediately take him to the veterinarian. For now, there are things you can do that might help your dog not snore as much.

There is no sure way to prevent a dog from snoring, but there are a few things you may try. These include the following:

Although your dog is skinny and slim, you may care to try losing a few pounds. This may, in some situations, be all you need to do to stop the snoring. Additionally, your dog will feel much better, be more active, and have better overall health.

Cigarette smoke undoubtedly irritates your dog’s lungs and may cause canine snoring. If you smoke and don’t plan to quit soon, one approach is to smoke outside. A week is enough time to see whether it helps your dog. If you make these changes for the long term, you reduce your dog’s cancer risk from passive smoking.

You may find it beneficial to change your dog’s sleeping position. It’s simple to accomplish, and there’s no risk in trying something new.

You are making sure your dog curls up rather than sprawling out on her back is one of the most effective cures for mild snoring. This is best accomplished with a circular or oval bed, which you can cuddle her into and make her feel special.

Some owners provide a raised, padded edge bed to encourage the dog to sleep with his head elevated.

Surgery may be an option if your dog’s issue is primarily a result of their facial structure.

Rather than a facelift, this is surgery to shorten the soft palate. By narrowing it down, doctors can eliminate it from the windpipe’s entrance, reducing vibration and alleviating or preventing dog snoring.

Many veterinarians in general practice suggest referring structural issues to specialists. This benefits the professional to examine additional soft tissue structures, such as eliminating tonsils or enlarging the nostrils, for remedial measures.

If your dog’s snoring is due to irritations that produce inflammation and worsen their condition, it may be time to make a change.

Vacuum every day, deep clean the dog’s bedding, and avoid using scented candles.

A specialized camera is placed up the dog’s nose to monitor the situation.

Rhinoscopy can aid in detecting obstructions and allow for the harvesting of tissue samples for investigation.

A grass awn can be removed endoscopically, which would solve the problem right away. If they detect something more serious, such as a tumor, Samples can be taken to determine the best course of action.

Snoring can occur whenever the overweight dog has excessive fat around the throat. Please consult your veterinarian about reducing the dog’s diet and boosting their activity to burn off the fat.

A heated room dries out nasal discharge and increases snoring. Using a humidifier can help relieve irritation and discomfort in the airways.

Dogs sometimes snore while they are awake. This isn’t snoring at all, but rather noisy breathing. This could be because you chose a brachycephalic dog.

However, there are numerous other reasons for dogs to snore when awake. The primary cause is a lack of air flowing.

The post Why Does My Dog Snore? appeared first on The Petster.