The heat cycle is the mating period for female animals. Cat's normally have their first heat cycle between 5 to 10 months of age with the average being 6 months. Dog's first heat cycle are normally between 6-12 months. Some females of larger breeds may not have their first cycle until they are 12-24 months of age. Remember the above information is general not all females follow these patterns. Consult with your veterinarian if your pet does not seem typical.

A dog will begin her heat or estrus cycle at different times depending on the breed but typically it begins between 6 and 8 months of age.

Cats - Polyestrus, this means during the spring and fall they go in and out of heat every 1 ? 4 weeks. The winter and summer is a time when they usually don't go into heat.

Although Estrus cycles can vary greatly among individuals, small breed dogs typically come into heat around 6 to 8 months old. Large breed dogs may not come into their first heat cycle until 8 to 10 months old and may be even later for some giant breeds. Puberty in kittens typically occurs at 6 to 10 months of age depending on when the kittens are born. Typical breeding season for cats is February to August.

We recommend against spaying a dog that is in heat but it can be done. During this time the ovaries and uterus are swollen and filled with blood, increasing the risk of hemorrhage. We prefer to wait until about 4 weeks after your dog goes out of heat to perform surgery. We can spay cats that are in heat. What is a neuter and what are the benefits? Neutering is the surgical removal of both testicles.

Animal Rescue Center does not accept stray animals unless they are injured. All stray animals should be taken to your local Animal Care & Control so that their owners have an opportunity to find them.

This can vary from one dog to the next. Typically, the heat cycle lasts around two to three weeks. The female's vulva will swell and then bleed for several days. Mating is typically done after being in heat for a good 10 days. Some females have what is called a silent heat. This occurs when a dog does not show the typical signs of being in heat but can still get pregnant. Be careful if your dog is in heat and you do not wish her to be bred.

Canine heat cycle occurs 2 times a year,and lasts for 3-4 weeks. They bleed for a week, cease for a week during their fertile period, then bleed for the last week. If you think your dog is pregnant, gestation is 63 days from time of breeding.

Yes. During pregnancy, flea baths or dips which have long-acting synthetic insecticides should be avoided if possible. If necessary to use them, consult with a veterinarian.

Most people understand puppies and kittens have to go through a basic series of vaccinations to be well immunized but it’s also important to get them boostered on an annual basis. For dogs, the minimum basic vaccination requirements would be distemper-parvo combo vaccine, and rabies. For cats, the minimum would be the FVRCP and rabies, and for outdoor cats we recommend the feline leukemia vaccine. Those same vaccines are boostered each year.

The first set of permanent vaccinations is given at 8 weeks of age. Sometimes a temporary vaccine will be given at 6 weeks of age.

We can never know in advance if two animals will get along. When considering adopting another pet, always consider a trial period when both animals can be exposed to each other to see how they both will react. Cats and dogs have a natural tendency (instinct) to not like each other. In the wild the feline and canine are enemies. The hyena takes off lions and the lion takes off hyenas. Which is natural. The same with wolves and bobcats, cheetahs and coyotes, etc.

Ans : Yes, Gourdin is absoloutely safe, non-poisonous for both wild and domestic cats and dogs. It does not result in any side effects. Since cats (& dogs) have already been given human insulin, they can be given Gourdin also. However, we have not conducted any trials specifically on feline and canine diabetics.

If ingested, make sure the pieces pass in the pet's bowel movement. If nothing passes within 24-48 hours or the animal seems uncomfortable, contact your vet and let them know of the incident.

Please check FDA's Web site at www.fda.gov/oc/opacom/hottopics/petfood.html to see if your pet food has been recalled: If your pet food is not listed, the pet food is not affected by the recall and you can continue to feed it to your pets. If your pet shows a sudden onset of symptoms, including loss of appetite, vomiting, or lack of energy, stop feeding the pet food and contact your veterinarian. If the pet food is one of those being recalled, do NOT feed it to your animals.

Yes - Although rare cats have been infected by the H5N1 avian influenza virus. Dogs at this time have not been found infected with the H5N1 avian influenza virus, however other mammals have become infected and it is thought dogs could also become infected.

For any dead animal in the road, call Public Works at 561.804.7000 and they will remove it. If the animal is on private property, it is the property owner's responsibility to remove it.

Please refer to the list provided on Metro Animal Services website). An application can also be downloaded from the Metro website.

Call the Oakland Pet Adoption Center at 248-391-4102 to find out if the pet has been reported missing. If so, you will be given the name and phone number of the possible owner. If you wish to keep the pet for a few days to see if the owner turns up, you should leave a found report at the Pet Adoption Center. Otherwise, you can bring the pet to the center or request that the pet be picked up.

All Rock Island County residents should obtain their pet registration tags from Rock Island County Animal Care and Control. Pet tags may be purchased at the county animal shelter located at 4001 - 78th Avenue in Moline, or by calling (309) 558-3483 and requesting a tag by mail. Pet owners must have a copy of a current rabies vaccination certificate to buy a tag.

The typical cat with hyperthyroidism is middle aged or older; on the average, affected cats are about 10 years of age. The rapid rate of metabolism causes the cat to lose weight. It tries to compensate for this with an increased appetite. In fact, some of these cats have a ravenous appetite and will literally eat anything in sight! Despite the increased intake of food, most cats gradually lose weight. The weight loss may be so gradual that some owners will not even realize it has occurred.

A dog is in season about 21 days. The first 10 days include bleeding from the vagina, then your dog is ready to accept the male. A cat is completely different from a dog. They go in and out of season from January to June. It is always best to neuter your pet if you do not intend to breed her so that she does not develop breast or uterine cancer.

If pups are not wanted it is best to spay before the 1st heat. Also, the risk of breast cancer in female dogs can be significantly minimized by spaying before the first heat period.

Cats come into heat seasonally. They cycle at approximately 21-day intervals during the spring, summer, and fall.

Your cat will suddenly become more affectionate, more vocal, and will sometimes roll on the floor as though in pain. This is normal behavior and should not be cause for undo concern.

In the world of breeding cats, the female cat is usually called a "queen". Her heat cycle is often called the "estrus cycle" or simply "estrus". There are many factors that contribute to the length and frequency of the estrus cycle, including the female's age, her overall health, her genetic background, and also environmental factors such as temperature and daylight hours. Once a queen begins her estrus, she may stay in heat anywhere from several days, to 2-3 weeks.

A female goes into heat about twice a year. They may skip a heat cycle occasionally, but will seldom have an extra one. The cycle lasts 21 days in dogs. Cats will go into their first heat between 5-8 months. A cat will remain in heat until she is bred. Small breed dogs at about 6 months and medium breed dogs at 8 or 9 months.

Many people ask why their dog eats grass. The reasons can vary from they like the taste to possibly an empty or upset stomach.