Pet Info
WHEN DO PUPPIES OPEN THEIR EYES?
They open their eyes about the second week. But before they open their eyes, they spend a great deal of time nursing and growing. Environmental temperature at this crucial stage should be monitored and kept in the high 8o’s, particularly if the mother leaves the whelping area. This temperature support can be phased down and eliminated as the puppies grow.
Puppies are not only born blind, but also deaf. Both senses develop at about the same time.
It is also important to socialize the puppies at this early stage in life, by handling and sensory stimulation.
By about eight weeks, both dogs and cats are capable of being weaned and eating on their own. Kittens should be hitting the litter box with reasonable accuracy. Kittens, like puppies, are also born deaf and blind, and mature similarly.
Cats and dogs mature through life at approximately the same rate as each other. When they reach adulthood, the maturation process slows down somewhat, and then speeds up again in old age. Following is a maturation table in comparison to man’s.
CAT’S AND DOG’S LIFESPAN IN COMPARISON TO MAN’S
|
PET’S AGE |
MAN’S AGE |
|
|
|
|
2 Months |
9-10 Months |
|
3 Months |
2-3 Years |
|
4 Months |
5-6 Years |
|
5 Months |
8-9 Years |
|
6 Months |
14 Years |
|
7 Months |
15 Years |
|
8 Months |
16 Years |
|
1 Year |
18 Years |
|
2 Years |
25 Years |
|
3 Years |
30 Years |
|
4 Years |
35 Years |
|
5 Years |
38-40 Years |
|
6 Years |
42-44 Years |
|
7 Years |
45 Years |
|
8 Years |
48 Years |
|
9 Years |
55 Years |
|
10 Years |
60 Years |
|
11 Years |
62 Years |
|
12 Years |
65 Years |
|
13 Years |
68 Years |
|
14 Years |
72 Years |
|
15 Years |
74 Years |
|
16 Years |
76 Years |
|
17 Years |
78 Years |
|
18 Years |
80 Years |
Cats remain true to their “meat-eater” heritage, and have special food requirements. Taurine, for example, is a vital amino acid. Non-meat eaters can make taurine in their bodies, but cats cannot. They must eat foods that contain taurine. Commercial diets for cats must be balanced and nutritional, specialized and concentrated in small portions. Therefore. feline foods are slightly more expensive than dog foods. Wet or dry food for a cat should contain 30-40% protein.
Pets should never be left alone in a car, because of a risk of heatstroke. Never feed a pet before leaving on a road trip, as the car movement may upset digestion (vomit, salivation). Upon arrival at the destination, take time to calm the pet.
Make sure you feed you pet high quality food. There are foods on the market that contain a very low percentage of protein, and there are others which contain animal parts which you would not choose to feed your pet. This is another area where your vet’s recommendation would probably be helpful.
Any ingestibles (other than real foodstuffs) should be kept off limits for all pets or at minimum, under adult supervision, as swallowing these items could result in death or injury. These items include string, buttons, yarn, marbles, but are not elusive of other items that are small in nature and may draw the curiosity of the animal.
Cats are usually lazy and would not exercise by themselves. They love to cat nap all day long. You need to set up a playtime and a play area. Keep Strings, ball, catnip items, or simple home made items that your cat will love. See that the items kept are without any sharp edges which might hurt your pet. This will help it get into a good habit of keeping itself occupied while you are busy with something else.