The month of February is National Cat Health Month, and while we always think your cat’s health should always be a priority, we wanted to share some extra special cat care tips with you.      Let's dive into some of our favorite tips

The month of February is National Cat Health Month, and while we always think your cat’s health should always be a priority, we wanted to share some extra special cat care tips with you.

 

Let's dive into some of our favorite tips for improving your cat's physical and emotional well-being!

Pay Attention to Diet and Thirst

A cat’s diet and thirst haven’t changed much from their desert-dwelling ancestors–they’re strictly carnivores and need to get most of their daily water intake from their food.

 

Most dry food is made with too many carbohydrates, which can cause obesity and diabetes. High-quality wet food is the best option for your cat since it mimics their diet in the wild.

 

Let’s break down some food sources and their water content:

●       Mice - 70% water

●       Wet food - 78% water

●       Dry food - 5-10% water

 

Cats need access to fresh water at all times to prevent dehydration and common health issues like urinary tract infections and kidney disease. If your cat paws at the sink or their water bowl, they likely prefer running water.

 

Here are some great fountain options for your home:

●       Veken Pet Fountain

●       Stainless Steel Cat Fountain

Give Your Cat A Clean & Safe Space

Even the most social cat will want a quiet place they can retreat to whenever they want. They'll be thrilled if you can provide a bed, cat tree, or window perch.

 

The litter box needs to be a safe place too. Consider getting a lidless one because cats need to be able to see around them when going to the bathroom–it’s a very vulnerable time for them!

 

If you have more than one cat, be sure to have one litter box per cat. It’s important that each cat feels like it has its own place to go to the bathroom.

 

Keep your cat’s litter box as clean as possible—no on likes using a dirty bathroom. And if your cat seems to hate the litter box, it may have an issue with the type of litter you’re using. Cats can be quite finicky about texture.

 

If you’ve exhausted your traditional litter options, try cat litter substitutes like:

●       Shredded paper

●       Wood shavings (avoid pine, it’s toxic to cats!)

●       Sand

●       Alfalfa pellets

●       Horse bedding pellets

Enrich Your Cat’s Environment

If your cat is an indoor cat, they likely need some extra enrichment. Cats are natural-born hunters. They want to chase, smell, touch, and explore their surroundings–so make it as fun as possible for them.

 

Adding different types of enrichment toys and activities will keep your cat active and stimulated.

 

Some fun toys to try:

●       Laser Pen

●       Lure Pole

●       Catnip-Infused Toys

●       Floppy Fish

●       Tunnel

 

Another important outlet to give your cat is somewhere to scratch, or your furniture, carpets, and curtains may suffer the consequences. Try placing scratching posts in high-traffic areas of your home, and if your cat needs encouragement to use the, rub it down with catnip.

Brush Your Cat Regularly

This one might feel like overkill since cats are excellent at grooming themselves, but brushing your cat one or two times a week is important.

 

Regular grooming sessions with your cat will remove dirt, dead hair, dead skin, and help cut down on shredding. If your cat is prone to hairballs, a regular brushing regimen will cut down on them developing in the digestive tract.

 

Make Annual Vet Visits a Priority

Annual vet appointments for your cat will give your vet the chance to catch any potential health problems early. Finding a vet you trust should be a top priority for you and your cat.

 

Vets will help you with vaccine schedules, flea and tick prevention, teeth cleaning, deworming protocols, and so much more.

 

Vets will also help you decide the best timeline to spay or neuter your cat. Spaying prevents uterine infections and ovarian cancers and reduces the risk of mammary tumors in female cats. Neutering will reduce a male cat’s urge to roam and mark territory.

 

Click here if you need to find a vet in the Miami area.

Halloween Safety Tips for Your Pets    

Halloween Safety Tips for Your Pets   

For many of us, Halloween is an exciting time: candy, costumes, decorating, haunted houses. For our pets, Halloween comes with its own set of hazards and stressful moments. It’s our duty as pet owners to minimize both and keep them safe during Spooky Season.  

 

These Halloween safety tips are easy to implement to ensure that you and your pet get the most out of the holiday. 


Be Cautious with Candy and other Festive Foods 

 

Halloween candy is everywhere before summer even ends. If you love to stock your house with it, keep it in a high cabinet or somewhere with a child-safety lock. Many of the candy we love is toxic our pets and can even be deadly. And we don’t want a horror movie unfolding in the confines of our own homes. 

 

While cats are typically picky eaters, dogs will eat anything if given the opportunity. The candy below is especially hazardous to your pets, so be sure to keep them out of reach. 

  • Chocolate – Dogs and cats who’ve eaten chocolate are the top reason for emergency vet visits during October. Chocolate contains chemicals, theobromine and methylxanthines, that is toxic and sometimes fatal. Baking chocolate and dark chocolates have higher levels of this chemical. Symptoms to look out for are vomiting, diarrhea, muscle tremors, abnormal heart rhythm, abdominal discomfort, increased thirst, and seizures. If you discover that your pet has eaten chocolate, contact your vet or emergency vet hospital immediately. 

  • Sugar-free candy – The artificial sweetener, Xylitol, is found in many foods, including sugar-free candies. This sweetener is extremely toxic to dogs and cats causing low blood pressure, seizure, liver failure, and sometimes even death. Be wary of companies hiding Xylitol in their products by calling it wood sugar, birch sugar, or birch bark extract. 

  • Raisins & chocolate-covered raisins – Raisins are very toxic to dogs and cats and can lead to kidney failure. If you notice your animal has eaten raisins, grapes, or the chocolate-covered variety, get them to your vet as soon as possible. 

  • Sugar – In general, small amounts of sugar are okay for your dog (e.g., a small handful of blueberries or strawberries), but if consumed in large amounts, it can cause gastrointestinal upset. Expect your dog to have severe diarrhea and vomiting if they get into any candy, like candy corn, that has high sucrose and glucose levels. 

  • Macadamia nuts – This nut isn’t often found in candy, but it is a popular nut in our holiday baked goods. Macadamia nuts are toxic to both dogs and cats; even a tiny amount can cause weakness, tremors, and lethargy. 

  • Dairy – A common misconception is that cats love milk. And yes, they will lap up a small dish of it, but cats are lactose intolerant. Try to keep any food that may contain milk products away from them. 

 

Also, be aware of candy wrappers and apples. Candy wrappers can block your pet’s throat or intestinal tract, requiring surgery, while apple seeds contain a form of cyanide. If you suspect your pet has eaten anything toxic, call your vet or the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center 24-hour hotline: (888) 426-4435. 


Pick a Comfortable Costume 

 

There are all types of incredible pet costumes available now. Even small pets like guinea pigs and lizards are getting in on the fun. Be aware of your pet’s boundaries and comfort level when wearing their costume. If they’re afraid of their costume or look uncomfortable, consider getting a Halloween-themed or autumn-themed collar or bandana instead. 

 

Here are our tips for choosing a pet costume: 

  • Make sure it’s comfortable, fits properly, and doesn’t restrict your pet’s ability to move or breathe. 

  • Beware of small parts, buttons, or dangling pieces that can be ripped off and ingested. 

  • If your pet becomes stressed while you’re dressing them up or wearing their costume, take it off them and return it. Make sure to keep that receipt! 

  • If they are comfortable, don’t keep the costume on for very long. 

  • Don’t leave your pet unsupervised while they’re wearing their costume. 


Beware of Dangerous Decorations 

 

Who doesn’t love to decorate for Halloween; the pumpkins, the bats, the orange and black lights, and the fun yard decorations like that 12-foot skeleton that went viral recently. 

 

Here are the Halloween decorations that can pose a safety risk: 

  • Small decorations – Anything small enough to be swallowed whole should be avoided or kept way out of reach on a high table or shelf. 

  • Glow sticks – Fun for adults and children, glow sticks can easily be mistaken for a toy by your pet. While the goo inside them isn’t toxic, it tastes awful. 

  • Electrical cords and lights – Easily seen as something to chew, if electrical cords are plugged in, your pet could get shocked or tangled in them. 

  • Fog machines – The fluid inside fog machines is potentially toxic, so keep the bottle away from your pets and don’t let them be exposed to an active fog machine for too long. 

  • Candles – We love lighting up our Jack-O-Lanterns, but a lit candle can pose some danger to your pet. Curious noses will sniff out a candle and get too close to the flame. 

  • Corncobs – Yes, they’re beautiful, but if your pet eats them, it can cause intestinal obstruction and may require surgery to remove them. 

  • Styrofoam – Styrofoam is often used to create Halloween decorations like ghost heads or tombstones and is poisonous to your pet. Consider keeping the ghosts aloft and out of your pet’s reach and making your yard tombstones out of wood. 

 

Other decorations to keep out of reach are rubber eyeballs, fake blood, synthetic cobwebs, and potpourri. 


Minimize the Spooky Season Stress 

 

Let’s go over some general tips to lower stress for you and your pet during the Halloween season: 

  • If you get a parade of trick-or-treaters coming to your door on Halloween night, keeping your pets away from the front door might be best. If they’re comfortable confined to a bedroom or cage or even a fenced-off area in your house, find what works best for you and your pet. 

  • Keep a collar with tags on all your animals just in case they slip out the door. And if they’re microchipped, make sure your contact information is up to date.  

  • Anxiety manifests as panting, hiding, barking, and pacing. If your pet is prone to anxiety, call your vet and discuss any medical issues or if a calming supplement is necessary. 

  • Keep them inside during the week of Halloween, especially black dogs and cats. Some tricksters are more devious than others. 

 

Keep all these tips and tricks in mind during the Halloween season to ensure your and your pets' safety. 

 

MVF Kitten Season Flow Chart

MVF Kitten Season Flow Chart

It's Kitten Season! Kitten season is the time of year when most cats have their litters, starting in spring, peaking in summer, and ending in fall.

Check out this kitten season flow chart for some life-saving tips and free resources. MVF Kitten Season Flow Chart

Joining @PetcoLove’s commitment to provide 1 million free pet vaccines for pets in need

Joining @PetcoLove’s commitment to provide 1 million free pet vaccines for pets in need

The Miami Veterinary Foundation is excited to join @PetcoLove’s commitment to provide 1 million free pet vaccines for pets in need! We’re doing our part in Miami-Dade and providing free pet vaccines at participating in-network clinics: miamivetfoundation.org/find-a-vet. Now, eligible dog owners will receive a free DAPPv vaccine when they bring their dog for a spay or neuter.

#Petcolovevax #PetcoLovePartner #MiamiVetFoundation

FAF Grant Release

FAF Grant Release

Miami, FL - February 2022. Miami Veterinary Foundation (MVF) is the proud recipient of a $25,000 grant from the Florida Animal Friend License Plate program, which raises funds from specialty plate sales. In 2021, 30 Florida non-profit animal welfare organizations were funded a total of $617,645. Irving Lerner DVM, President of the Board of Directors of Miami Veterinary Foundation stated, “We are honored to be among the groups to receive funding. Our 20 member clinic network is fast as work conducting spay/neuter procedures, which will help slow the pace of unwanted litters and animal suffering in Miami Dade County.”

MVF encourages all Florida drivers to purchase the Spay/Neuter specialty plate. Ana M. Sanchez, Member of the Board of Directors stated, “The work carried out with these funds is critical. It’s proof of what can be accomplished when like-minded individuals get together and do their part.” MVF encourages Miami Dade residents to bring homeless and stray community cats in for sterilization entirely free of charge thanks to this grant: www.miamivetfoundation.org/find-a-vet. By purchasing the Spay/Neuter license plate Florida residents can help raise even more funds in the future.

In 2021 MVF carried out more than 5,500 spay and neuter surgeries. Other programs operated by MVF include the first ever Miami Chapter of the Pets for Life program in conjunction with the Humane Society of the US, Kitten Adoption Transport Prep, Community Cats TNVR programs and wellness and prevention veterinary services for the under resourced pets of Miami Dade residents in need. MVF conducts a variety of educational workshops for the public on important and often misunderstood pet related topics. Visit miamivetfoundation.org for more information.

Our mission is to increase access to veterinary care, promote responsible pet ownership, strengthen the human animal bond and support reduction of pet overpopulation in our community.

PETCO Love MVF Release

PETCO Love MVF Release

Thank you, Petco Love, for supporting our mission to help save animal lives. 🐾💖🐾

 

This grant will enable us to continue our mission “to increase access to veterinary care, promote responsible pet ownership, strengthen the human animal bond and support reduction of pet overpopulation in Miami-Dade County” through spay/neuter services and veterinary care. 

 

Thank you again, Petco Love!  #PetcoLovePartner  #miamivetfoundation 

Thank You, UFCVM!

Thank You, UFCVM!

A BIG shout out to the students, faculty, and alumni from UFCVM for the work they did in Roatán, Honduras for Students for International Veterinary Opportunity (SIVO) clinics! 👏

3 days of clinics

23 students from UFCVM

10 veterinarians including UFCVM faculty and alumni

8 administrative and technical support staff

They served a total of 312 patients and performed 83 spay/neuter procedures!

THANK YOU for making a positive difference in the world and your exceptional dedication to animal health and well-being! 🐱🐶 #ufcvm

Video courtesy of UFCVM SIVO.

Is Your Cat Happy?

Is Your Cat Happy?

The Feline Practitioners Association is hosting a FREE cat lecture - Cat Chat: Is Your Cat Happy? Join cat expert, Dr. Kelly St. Denis, in learning about your cat's unique behaviors, as well as tips to make sure your cat is living his or her best life!

This class is geared to both older children & teens, families, and adults who love and want to know more about cats! This live class will take place on June 9, 2021 at 5 p.m. EDT and registration is free!

Register here:

https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_V6DvEHS-Q5asqYfW-B-zkw?_x_zm_rtaid=ZYCHeB5xRD6pAQntqTotIA.1621626859634.7a741954a3d5e98950328b15a86190ba&_x_zm_rhtaid=38

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Hurricane Season is Here

Hurricane Season is Here

Hurricane season begins today (June 1st) through November 30th. To learn how to prepare your pets before, during and after a storm, download below the Emergency Planning with Your Pets guide (courtesy of Miami-Dade Animal Services).

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Keeping Your Cats Safe This Easter

Keeping Your Cats Safe This Easter

With Easter and Mother’s Day approaching, lilies are abundant, but did you know they are highly toxic to our feline friends? All parts of lilies are toxic, including the leaves, petals, stamen, pollen and water from the vases. Keep your cats safe by keeping them away from these beautiful bundles!

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#WorldSpayDay #MiamiVeterinaryFoundation #SpayNeuter

#WorldSpayDay #MiamiVeterinaryFoundation #SpayNeuter

The Miami Veterinary Foundation is proud to support World Spay Day.

Tuesday, February 23, 2021 marks the 26th anniversary of World Spay Day. World Spay day is recognized across the nation and internationally as a day to promote spaying and neutering, and to educate communities regarding the plight of homeless animals.

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#SPAYTOGETHER Surgeries Help Miami Catch Up

#SPAYTOGETHER Surgeries Help Miami Catch Up

Miami Veterinary Foundation is thrilled to announce it has completed and surpassed its commitment for spay / neuter surgeries under the #SPAYTOGETHER grant.  In barely eight weeks 5 clinic participants performed 250 surgeries on community cats and kittens held in foster care.  

The grant, funded by a coalition of the most impactful organizations in animal welfare, has been instrumental in helping Miami Dade County's feline friends continue TNR operations and stay on track with sheltered and fostered cats and kittens slated for adoption.

Dr. Irving Lerner, President of Miami Veterinary Foundation stated, "The grant arrived at a time when animal welfare advocates and residents were awaiting spay/neuter services and providers were facing a backlog of appointments.  Our clinic partners quickly ramped up and created safe sustainable ways to offer the needed services immediately.  We are equally thankful to Miami Dade residents and to our veterinarians and clinic staff involved in this effort."  

These 250 surgeries provided under #SPAYTOGETHER were instrumental in relieving that backlog and preventing thousands of unwanted litters. Below are comments from some of our clients.

  • Volunteering with TNR programs opened my eyes to its tremendous benefits, including controlling the population of feral cats and reducing the incidence of rabies through vaccinations. I will be forever thankful for the organizations that dedicate their time and/or resources to these programs, all the volunteers that spend their nights doing this labor of love, the fosters that nurture the tiny kittens, and to the vets that bring their expertise! THANK YOU! - Adriana B. Muniz (trapper and foster)

  • This Grant has been amazing for us and I do not know what we would have done without it. We had an all-time high of 28 adoptions for the month of August alone. - Cindy Goldman Founder, Adopt A Stray (adoption partner)

  • The #SPAYTOGETHER program created safer environments for community cats and promoted public health by reducing the number of unvaccinated/unaltered cats. Thanks to the funds provided by wonderful donors, the work of the TNR/foster networks can continue and does not go unnoticed. And as such, we are grateful for all their hard work.  Thank you, and may there be many, many more years of TNR success ahead. - Isirett Aguilar (foster and trapper)

  • The unprecedented shutdowns in Miami-Dade simply crushed me. As a volunteer Trapper for the last 13 years, I had to stop cold, right before the explosion of kitten season. This grant felt literally as a lifeline, and like a shooting star, it gave me hope. I was able to resume some trapping, and found myself having to scoop up kittens galore, suddenly becoming a rescuer and a foster. This grant supported our efforts to spay and neuter, and to save many kittens that would have perished otherwise. I only wish it were larger and lasted longer, the catching up has just began. - Ly Bibiana Salmon (super trapper and foster mom)

Doris Day Animal Foundation Grants the Miami Veterinary Foundation $10,000 of Funding

Doris Day Animal Foundation Grants the Miami Veterinary Foundation $10,000 of Funding

The Doris Day Animal Foundation granted the Miami Veterinary Foundation $10,000.00 of funding to steward on behalf of the pets suffering in Puerto Rico because of the devastation of Hurricane Maria.

With the funds supplied by the Doris Day Animal Foundation, and with the help of Dr. Roman, board member of the Miami Veterinary Foundation who is also a native Puerto Rican, we were able to arrange shipments of much needed veterinary supplies and vaccines to the veterinarians still on the island. We were able to help coordinate efforts for free spaying and neutering as well. 

Miami Veterinary Foundation is proud to have been able to provide such significant assistance during a time of deep need. Disasters are a shared experience. Thank you, Doris Day, for allowing us to work together to ease suffering.

Banfield Foundation & Miami Veterinary Foundation Send Critical Aid For Pets In Puerto Rico Following Hurricane Maria

Banfield Foundation & Miami Veterinary Foundation Send Critical Aid For Pets In Puerto Rico Following Hurricane Maria

Banfield Foundation is answering the call for help from Miami based veterinary groups. In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, veterinarians from Miami and Puerto Rico with help from the Banfield Foundation, organized bringing needed supplies to pets and people in distress. Banfield Foundation is supplying nearly $49,000 in critical aid consisting of antibiotics, flea and tick prevention, Rabies and Leptospirosis vaccines, heartworm and deworming medication among other needed items. Mosquito infestation and unsafe living conditions have made disease prevention a top priority in Puerto Rico to protect both pets and people.

“At the Banfield Foundation, we believe all pets deserve access to veterinary care no matter their circumstance. We are working closely with the Miami Veterinary Foundation to ensure that as many pets as possible have the opportunity to receive highly important medical care and vaccinations in order to reduce the risk of disease and other illnesses,” said Kim Van Syoc, Executive Director of the Banfield Foundation. “We applaud the great work of Miami-based veterinarians—Dr. Hector Roman and Dr. Pedro Armstrong—both native Puerto Ricans who have been critical in establishing a network of veterinarians who are quickly mobilizing to provide care to animals in the remote parts of the island.”

Thousands of units of veterinary supplies will being arriving on the island as early as Thursday, October 19. Triage clinics will be established in four key locations and residents of Puerto Rico are encouraged to bring their pets in for free assistance. 

Dr. Irving Lerner, President of the Miami Veterinary Foundation stated, “Our colleagues at the Banfield Foundation have reacted quickly and generously. The next challenge at hand is setting up adequate facilities from which to administer the essential disaster assistance for pets. We are working to address the immediate issues and plan for long-term care.”  

Dr. Claudia Valderrama, President of the South Florida Veterinary Medical Association and a Board Member of the Miami Veterinary Foundation was helpful in bringing together the parties, resulting in a very generous gift from the Banfield Foundation of thousands of units of needed veterinary medical supplies. 

In December, 2017 The Doris Day Animal Foundation generously provided a $10,000 grant to continue our work in Puerto Rico into 2018. Many residents are still without homes, power and the basic necessities. We are so proud to partner with the Doris Day Animal Foundation, and are grateful to Ms. Day, her Board, and staff for their faith in the Miami Veterinary Foundation in providing funding to continue the work we began in partnership with the Banfield Foundation.