Feather Cover in Chickens

Why is feather cover important? Without feathers, a chicken will not be able to regulate its temperature, keep protected from sunburn, dust bathe, or preen.

Losing its feathers can also lead a chicken to experience stress, injury and pain. In some cases it leads to cannibalism. It will also likely require more feedings and reduce the productivity levels of your chicken.

How do chickens lose their feather? One cause of feather loss is injurious feather pecking. This is distinct from aggressive behaviour. Here, chickens will pull out each other’s feathers, peck each other’s vents, and cannibalize one another. Majority of feather loss will likely occur in the chicken’s back and rump.

This is abnormal behaviour in chickens and is likely misdirected foraging behaviour. It could mean that there is disease in the flock or that the chickens are stressed out.

Visit a veterinary clinic Reynoldsburg. Head here.

Hazards in the Home for your Pet Bird

There are so many potential risks for pet birds in your home. Birds tend to be naturally nosy and love to explore with their beak, leading to potential ingestion of foreign body, toxicity, or injury.

Some of the hazards that may be present in your home include the following:

• Carbon Monoxide

Birds are highly sensitive to gases and fumes compared to humans. Their highly efficient respiratory systems make them more sensitive to toxins which are airborne. High concentrations of carbon monoxide may come from space heaters, poorly vented fireplace, gas stoves, or other combustion devices. Installing CO detectors can help protect you and your pets.

• Electrocution

Birds will chew anything, even electrical cords. Electrocution can potentially cause burns, spinal fracture, cardiac arrest, and possibly, death.

• Teflon

Birds are particularly sensitive to the non-stick coating in Teflon, the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). These chemical may also be present in waffle irons, roasters and turkey roaster bags, griddles, ironing board covers, and other heating appliances. When overheated, these items can give off PTFE fumes that can damage the respiratory system of birds, which can eventually lead to suffocation.

Be sure to have your pet bird checked by a veterinary clinic St Clair Shores. Click for more information.

Caring for the Coupari Cat

The Coupari is also known as the Longhair and Highland Fold. The breed is the long-haired version of the Scottish Fold.

The Coupari looks like an owl, with large round eyes, full cheeks, and a short nose. Its distinct feature, however, is its folded ears, a trait that do not manifest until the cat is three months of age. Its long, single-layered coat comes in a variety of colors and patterns.

Extremely affectionate and passive, the Coupari loves to be in the company of humans. He will rub against your leg to tell you he wants a quick pet. In fact, they can become vocal when they feel lonely and demand for attention.

They can get along well with children and tend to get attached to one person in the household. The Coupari is extremely intelligent and can be trained to walk on a leash or play interactive games.

For more information about your cat's dietary needs, visit a veterinary clinic Brighton, check out the link.

How to Properly Position Your Red-Eared Slider Turtle’s Basking Lamp

The goal when your red-eared slider basks is to have the top of its shell reach a temperature of approximately 90F to 95F. In order to achieve this, the lamp needs to be placed above the slider. Use a thermometer to ensure that the temperature is correct. Make sure that there is no way that your slider can reach the lamp and conversely, be sure that it isn’t too close that your slider could get burnt. Splashing water should also not be able to reach the lamp as this is extremely hazardous. Do not position the lamp above a glass surface.

Some options for a heat or basking lamp include an incandescent lamp, a ceramic heat emitter, a red heat bulb, halogen bulb, or a mercury vapour bulb. Be sure to use a ceramic or porcelain socket.
Visit an animal hospital Poulsbo. Click here.

The Irresistible Burmilla

The Burmilla is a cat breed that resulted from the accidental mating of a male Chinchilla and female Burmese. The breed looks like a Burmese, except for the Burmilla’s silver color.

The Burmilla can easily be recognized by its striking large green eyes which have a black outline, making it appear that the cat is wearing eyeliner.  The breed’s main distinguishing feature is the soft, dense silver coat with an undercoat. The coat may be tipped or shaded by various colors.

The Burmilla is a “people-cat”, always keeping their owner company. He will surely bask in attention and will often beg to be caressed.  He won’t take to strangers immediately, but will eventually warm up to them in time. Your Burmilla gets along well with children and other pets in the household.

Since the Burmilla is a shedder, you should groom him at least once a week. Thorough brushing can remove dead hair. Ears can be cleaned using a damp cloth. Tooth brushing should be done at least once a week.

Bring your cat to the veterinary clinic Brighton for regular wellness check.

What to Feed Your Pet Rat

The key to feeding your pet rat a healthy, beneficial and nutritious diet is balance. If you achieve this, you are on the right track. First, purchase a commercial pellet diet at a pet store or vet clinic.

Secondly, supplement your pet rat’s pellet portion each day with small servings of fruits, grains, veggies, cooked egg, and/or grains. Rats are omnivorous creatures and not that difficult to feed. Be sure to feed them only small portions of the aforementioned as doing otherwise could lead to an obese or sick pet rat.

Third, make sure your pet rat has access to clean and fresh drinking water 24/7. Use a water bottle as opposed to a bowl so that the water doesn’t become contaminated. Provide multiple bottles if you have several rats so that they do not compete.

Visit a vet Rapid City for more info. Click Here.

Top Behavior Issues in Dogs

Well-behaved dogs are a product of training, positive reinforcement and socialization. Here are the top behavior issues in dogs which have been identified:

• Jumping on people

When dogs jump on people, they can scratch legs or ruin clothes. Jumping on children and old people may unintentionally knock them down.

• Nonstop barking

Although barking is a normal canine instinct, it can become irritating to you and your neighbors when your dog does it all the time. Some dog breeds tend to bark and yap particularly when there are strangers or they hear noise that is out of the ordinary.

• Gnawing and biting

Puppies pass through a phase when they are cutting teeth. During this time, they chew on anything they can get their teeth on including shoes, books, furniture, etc. They usually outgrow this phase however there are growing and older dogs that may chew on things for various reasons.

If you are having problems with your puppy's behavior, talk with a veterinarian Brookfield.

How to Handle Your Pet Goat Properly

The key to proper handling of your goats is to do so with confidence, patience and gentleness. Handling them on a regular basis from a young age will help greatly in getting them habituated to human interaction. Otherwise, it will likely be a stressful experience for your pet goat.

When restraining your pet goats, place your hand or arm below its neck. On the other hand, your other arm should be positioned on or around your goat’s rear. When lifting it, the safest way to do this would be grasping it above the top of its legs and firmly supporting its chest and abdomen.

Do not drag your goat by any of its body parts or handle it roughly by its horns under any circumstances. Doing so will likely break or damage its horns.

Visit a veterinarian Long Beach for more info.

African Spurred Tortoise’s Needs: Accommodation & Environment

The floor of your tortoise’s enclosure should be lined with suitable material that will keep it comfortable. This includes shredded newspaper, alfalfa pellets, artificial turf, or paper towels. Be sure to inspect the lining each day and clean or replace it as needed.

Don’t use materials like gravel, cat litter or wood shavings as these pose as a serious risk to your pet tortoise if consumed and will result in the blocking of gut. Equip your tortoise’s enclosure with hiding places and a sleeping area that is covered with shredded paper or leaves. What is important is that your tortoise is able to achieve burying itself completely. If your tortoise is on the large side, you can add rocks and branches to its enclosure. Just be sure that they are sturdy so your tortoise won’t fall of them.

Visit a vet clinic River Oaks.

How to Stop Barking in Dogs

If you have been bothered by your dog's non-stop barking, it is important to assess the possible reasons why your dog is acting this way. Some dog breeds are "barkers" having been bred as watch dogs or herd dogs. For most dogs, barking is appropriate when startled, responding to the bark of other dogs, or to alert the rest of the pack of anyone approaching the territory.

Most often, inappropriate barking is a result of boredom or loads of pent-up energy. It is also a way of getting attention from the other members of the pack. Knowing what these causes are will help you address your dog's barking behavior. When putting a stop to your dog's barking, it is always important to remember not to yell. When you yell, your dog will perceive it as your way of joining what he is doing. Just a firm, one-word command, such as "stop" or "enough" can be used to tell your dog to stop barking.

If you are having problems with your pet's behavior, talk with a vet North Park.

Teach Your Dog to Stand

Teaching your dog to stand is usually undertaken when your pet already knows how to sit or lie down upon command. A dog that knows how to stand still can be a challenge since standing is a normal thing for your pet. You may have to conduct several training sessions until your dog realizes that standing up is what you want him to do.

Start by telling your dog to lie down. When he stands up, click and give him a treat. This action will have to be repeated several times, until your dog will realize that he has to stand up in order to get a treat.

The next step is to introduce a visual cue such as an upward gesture of your hand, and a verbal command "stand" so your pet can associate these cues with standing. Once he follows through, click and give his treat.

For more information ask your veterinarian Heber Valley about dog care. Check out this site.

Supplements & Vitamins for Your Red-Eared Slider Turtle

Despite feeding your slider all the foods that will ensure its health and well-being, it is likely that it will still require additional supplements and vitamins to fortify its diet. No matter what type of supplements or vitamins you purchase, be sure to follow manufacturer’s guidelines very carefully for the sake of your turtle. Excess elements in its body may lead to toxicity or death. Visit vets Ludington.

Calcium is probably the most common supplement that is given to sliders and turtles and tortoises in general. It is important that the amount of calcium turtles receive is always greater than the phosphorus that they consume. If your turtle is breeding, below one year of age, or in recovery from a shell injury, it will require supplementary calcium. There are also vitamin D3, vitamin A, and amino acids supplements available in pet stores.

How to Prepare your Puppy to Tolerate a Body Exam

A puppy needs to learn how to put up with an examination of his whole body. He needs to be tolerant when having his nails clipped or temperature taken. The earlier he becomes used to being moved or handled, the better. Here is a procedure on how to train your puppy to become used to a body examination:

1. Grabbing his front legs, make the puppy lie down on the floor. Massage his back and neck while continue to praise him.

2. Once your puppy is totally relaxed, roll him over so he is lying on his side. If he struggles, press gently on his shoulders and say "no" or "stay".

3. Continue to massage him, until you reach his feet and tail. Always remain eye contact with your puppy when you show your praise or displeasure.

4. Next, grab all four paws and roll him over. Give him praises as you massage him while rolling him from side to side. Your puppy may think that you are playing with him; if he becomes playful, stop and hold him until he calms down.

Keep your puppy health and active by bringing him regularly to a vet Oceanway.

Releasing a Captive Red-Eared Slider Turtle

First off, before you make the decision to release your captive red-eared slider turtle for whatever reason, understand that it will not have the deference and instincts that it will need to survive as compared to wild red-eared slider turtles.

Having said that, it is advisable that you reach out to a re-homing organization if you wish to dispose of your red-eared slider. A re-homing organization will be able to help find a new home for your turtle. However, because of their abundance, this may not be an easy task.

You can also opt to ask your family members and friends if they are willing to adopt your turtle. Other venues that you can inquire in are small zoos, educational facilities, and reptile specialty stores. Online forums are also another venue where you look for potential adopters.
 
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Precautionary Tips for Cat Toys

Cats love spending time playing with their favorite toys. However, once playtime is over, there is a need to put away the toys and secure them in a place which is inaccessible to your cat. Here are some important reasons for putting your cat's toys away after playtime:

• Toys should only be available to your cat during playtime for it is a way to spend quality time bonding with your pet.
• Before putting away the toy, check it for loose parts or pieces of string that might get swallowed by your cat. You can also check whether it's time to throw away the toy and get a new one for your cat.
• When letting your cat play with catnip toys, be careful about petting or rubbing your cat.

 Many cats love catnip and can become overexcited when they catch a whiff of catnip scent on your hands. Sometimes cats may bite when they become overexcited.

For more information ask your veterinarian Cumberland County about cat care. Check out this site. 

A Pet Pig’s Housing Requirements

The housing requirement of your pet pig will depend on how many you have. However, the general rule of thumb is 36 square metres per pig. If you can provide even more space, that’s even better. Pigs are not to be underestimated in terms of physical strength. That said; you will need to ensure that the fencing you use is reinforced so that they are unable to escape.

Their housing should be draft-free; temperature should be relatively constant; and they should not be exposed to sunlight for a prolonged period of time. Thermoregulation is one weakness of pigs and they will need assistance in the warmer and cooler months. In the summer, provide your pigs with a container filled with cool and clean water. Ensure that they have somewhere to seek shelter as well. On the other hand, they will need straw as bedding material in the winter. More on this from Cedar Park Animal Hospital, click here.

Behavioural Issues in Goats

If you wish to assess the health and well-being of a goat, its behaviour is a telltale sign. It would benefit you greatly as a pet owner to become familiar with the behaviours and characteristics of your goat in order to learn more about it and moreover, pinpoint if something is wrong. Check with your vet if there's issue with behaviour of your pet.

Overall, a healthy goat is lively, curious and playful. If it is happy and content, it is generally quiet. Nonetheless, vocalizing loudly is not uncommon if it is uncomfortable, hungry, thirsty, injured, ill, or in season.

Goats are naturally destructive animals. They like to chew at woodwork and rub themselves against or climb on fences. Sometimes this leads to the breakage or collapse of the fence. That said; any structures used for or around goats should as strong as possible.

Bringing Home a New Kitten

A new addition to the family will certainly be a big event for everyone. Your children will surely be excited to play with their new four-legged friend but there is a need to take things slow and easy. However, always remember and remind each of the family members to tread slowly to ensure that your new pet's adjustment to his new surroundings will be smooth and problem-free.

To prevent your new kitten from being stressed out, give him enough time to get to know his new surroundings as well as the other members of the household. Some new kittens spend the first few days in a new household hiding under the furniture or bed. This is just normal and you just have to remind your kids that their new pet needs a chance to get comfortable in his new environment. When introducing the kitten to your kids and other pets in the household, always proceed at a snail's pace. Let them spend short periods of time every day to make sure that they are getting adjusted pretty well to one another.

Head to veterinarian Saint Lucie County for professional tips on Kitten Care. Click here to know more about your pet's needs.

Should You Keep Your Cat Indoors?

The domestication of cats has made it possible for humans to undertake the responsibility of providing for their needs. If you are a first-time cat owner, here are important reasons to keep your cat indoors:

1. Outdoor cats have higher chances of having chance encounters with other animals. These can increase their exposure to external and internal parasites as well as infectious diseases.
2. Light-colored cats are prone to developing skin cancer due to overexposure to the UV rays of the sun.
3. Cats can get hit by passing vehicles. Injury can mean thousands of dollars for veterinary care, treatment, and rehabilitation.
4. Outdoor cats can be mistaken for strays and can get picked up by other people, rescue groups, or animal control officers.
5. You may have to deal with "neighbor problems" when your cat uses your neighbor's flower bed as a litter box.
6. A roaming cat can easily be considered fair game for dogs, coyotes, and other predators.

An indoor cat can still suffer from potential health problems thus regular checkups with your Fulshear Vet is recommended.

Importance of Kitten Socialization

Kittens need to undergo socialization as early as possible. Socialization gives them the opportunity to be familiar with the sights and sounds of their environment. From riding in a car to being around other pets, a kitten should be able to adjust well to prevent stress as well as the development of various negative behaviors.

 Once your pet has been vaccinated, you can bring him to places such as to a grooming facility to expose him to new sights, sounds, and smells. Each time your pet is introduced to a new stimulus, make sure to give positive reinforcement such as his favorite treats, praise, or petting so that your kitten will associate meeting something new to being a positive experience.

 Even if you plan to raise your pet as an indoor cat, socialization is still very important. However, make sure to limit the number of pets and type of environments that your kitten is exposed to minimize potential exposure to parasites and infectious diseases. Vet from Logan Circle can help you design a socialization program for your kitten.

Common Household Chemicals Harmful to Dogs

Dogs are naturally curious and when you combine this with ignorance about potential risks, they become more prone to suffering from the harmful effects of common household chemicals that can be found around your home.

 Oftentimes, even though how you take extra care in keeping household chemicals inaccessible to your pets, there are unseen health hazards that are often overlooked. Some of these include:

•     Tick and flea control products

Indiscriminate use of these products can expose everyone in the household, including your pets, to toxic chemicals. If your dog is harboring external parasites, it is best to look for products that contain ingredients which are not harmful to your pets. Safe alternatives include using diatomaceous earth and electric flea traps.

•     De-icing salts

These substances are often used during winter to melt snow and ice. Dogs can take in de-icing salts unintentionally when they walk on surfaces where the product has been applied and lick their paws.

•     Antifreeze

Many brands of antifreeze contain ethylene glycol which has a sweet smell that can attract animals. However, it is very toxic even when consumed in small amounts.

If you think your dog has ingested a potentially toxic substance bring him immediately to a Animal Clinic in Kenosha for prompt treatment.

How to Provide Your Rabbit with the Best Environment

In order for your rabbit to thrive in its home, it will need sufficient bedding so that it stays warm and comfortable. Choose bedding material that is safe to eat such as dust free straw or hay.

For sanitation and health purposes, your rabbit should also have a designated place to do its business. Purchase a litter tray and lay out newspaper, shredded paper, hay or straw on top of it. Alternatively, you can also use paper based cat litter.

Get your rabbit to eat hay by placing a portion on top of your rabbit’s litter tray.

If you need to be away whether for a few days or a few weeks, find somebody trustworthy to look after your rabbits. Be sure to instruct them well on how to look after your rabbits. More on this at veterinary clinic Stafford for best pet care tips.

Rabbit Gardening 101

One of the most fun aspects of owning a pet rabbit is that you can grow some of their food yourself right from your own backyard. This will save you some money and ensure that the veggies are fresh!

You can grow the veggies in a wooden container or a pot to make things easier. Ensure that the wood is chemical free. One veggie that you can try growing is lettuce. The great thing about this veggie is that it’s possible to grow quite a few of them even with limited space. However the outside temperature needs to be between 10 to 15 degrees Celsius. Spring and fall are the best seasons to plant them. Head to Animal Hospital Pasadena to learn more on this.

Another good veggie to plant is carrots. Loose, rock free soil is the environment where carrots will thrive. Weeds also need to be removed right away.

Caring for Senior Cats

As cats turn seven years old, they are now in the twilight of their life. These senior or geriatric cats require special care and management to make sure that they are free from problems that may threaten their health. Here are some tips to help you take care of your senior cat:

 

• Since older cats have a tendency to scratch less, you have to undertake the job of trimming his nails on a regular basis.
• 
  An older cat is not as flexible as before so he will have a hard time reaching some parts of his body. You can give your cat frequent brushings to keep his fur clean while preventing him from swallowing too much hair.
• 
  Your cat's sense of hearing may slowly deteriorate as he grows older. Have your vet Racine check your pet's ears to rule out medical problems or parasites that could interfere in his ability to hear.