Adopting Your First Snake

A snake can be a unique pet but it might not be easy care for. Do your research before you bring your snake home. Consider a snake variety whose needs are more forgiving as you learn proper snake care. Do not take a snake from the wild. You will have difficulty meeting a wild snake’s needs and it could lash out and bite you since it has no socialization with humans. Get to know a reputable snake dealer. Ask for suggestions regarding snakes for beginners. You need to set up an enclosure to accommodate your snake when it is its adult size. Get familiar with your snake’s dietary needs. This is especially important for snakes that prefer live food. Learn about humidity, heat and lighting needs for your particular snake. The more you learn about your snake before you adopt him, the better you can care for him. For more information, contact your veterinarians Dallas, GA.

Cats without Tails

Did you know that some cats are born without tails? While some owners may have their cats tails purposely docked (which can be a questionable practice), other cats are naturally born without their tails or with bobbed tails. One of the tailless breeds is the Manx. This cat originated of the coast of English in area called the Isle of Man. The Manx has a dominate tailless gene but can actually be born with a long tail, short tail, stubby tail or no tail at all. A litter of Manx kittens can include all tail types. Other tailless or bobbed tail breeds include the Japanese Bobtail and the American Bobtail. These breeds tend to carry a genetic mutation that causes the cat to be born with a bobbed or stubby tail or in some cases no tail at all. For more details, give your vet clinic New Orleans, LA a call.

Fruits You Should NOT Feed Dogs

There are a variety of fruits that dogs can enjoy during the summer months or any time of the year. Those include fruits like watermelon, pears, and mango. You can a find a complete list online or call your local vet. As with any food, however, there are also plenty of fruits you should not feed your dog. For instance, grapes are the number one ‘no no’ for dogs. Grapes can be toxic to dogs of any breed and age or size. Although these are one of the most common fruits found in the home, they are the most dangerous for canines. Grapes and raisins both can lead to kidney failure and should be avoided. Cherries should also be avoided as they contain cyanide and can poison dogs. If your dog has accidentally gotten into grapes or cherries, please call your veterinary clinic New Orleans, LA immediately for assistance.

Dogs and Rocks

Two things that don’t go together are dogs and rocks and yet dogs tend to love exploring and hunting for rocks, picking them up with their mouth and hiding them places, and sometimes even trying to chew and swallow them. Rocks, small or large, can be dangerous for dogs. If your dog has a habit of putting rocks in his mouth try to remove the rocks from your yard or fence off the area so your dog can’t get to them. If your dog has swallowed a rock, call your vet immediately. Eating rocks has a clinical name of Pica. It’s common and can be brought on by curiosity or frustration, anxiety and stress. If your dog is lethargic and refusing to eat and he has a history of eating or chewing rocks then he could’ve swallowed one. Your animal hospital Murrieta, CA team will need to run x-rays to determine the location and how to remove the rock.

Boarding Cats

Did you know that you can board your cat at quite a few dog boarding facilities? The facility may not advertise boarding for other animals, but if you have a kennel close by call and ask if they board cats. Cats may appear to be independent and able to stay on their own, but they shouldn’t be left alone for more than a day or two at the most. Even if you think you set out enough food and water, your cat can still become lonely or even anxious not understanding where you might be or when you might return. Some cats will actually eat up all of their food and water on the first day and then they won’t have anything for the rest of the time. If you can’t board your cat then it’s best to hire a sitter to come in and at least replenish food and water and provide some company to your cat. Call your veterinarian Murrieta, GA if you need help in finding a sitter.

Considerations in Adopting an Adult Cat

You might think that adopting an adult cat is akin to taking on someone else’s problems. There is little truth in this belief. Many adult cats are put up for adoption because circumstances changed in their original home. These changes could be cat allergies, the family relocated where pets are forbidden, or even their owner has died. There are benefits of adopting an adult cat. They are generally litter box trained. You can evaluate your cat’s personality type. Basically, you know what you are getting with an adult cat. Your adult cat will not have the frenetic activity level of a kitten. Your adopted adult cat needs transition time to find her place in your household. Provide her with a feeding station, litter box, and her own bed. Wait to cuddle or pet your new adult cat until she approaches you. Be patient and treat her with kindness. Schedule an appointment at this website vet Fort Collins, CO.

Guinea Pig Playtime

Your guinea pig is a highly social animal. Give your guinea pig apparatus to climb on and tunnel through in his cage. This will keep him busy and add exercise to his routine. Plan for supervised play sessions outside the cage daily. He will need room to run around but protect him from accidental kicks falls or attacks from other pets. Keep him away electrical wires and don’t allow him to eat toxic plants. Let your guinea pig climb on you or run through a maze. Consider hiding treats throughout the room to entice your guinea pig to run around. Never use a hamster ball or even one that seems large enough for your guinea pig. These balls put too much stress on the spine. Exercise wheels aslo cause too much curve to the spine and could injure your guinea pig. Visit this website for more information.

Cat Training

Cat training is very different than obedience training in dogs. It’s more about teaching your cat what behaviors are inappropriate in your home. Write down a list of behaviors that are strictly forbidden. This list is the minimum work needed so your cat is welcome in your home. Minimally, you training list should include consistent litter box usage, no scratching of your furniture and personal belongings, and no biting or scratching of people or other pets. Other behaviors to work on depends on the needs of your household. Lure your cat into behaving well with food treats. Use deterrents to guid her into not doing things she shouldn’t do. Redirect your cat as often as necessary to reinforce appropriate behavior. Never physically punish or yell at your cat for bad behavior. She won’t make the connection between her action and your punishment so you would just be acting cruelly. For more information, contact your Moore Animal Hospital.

Health Condition of the Basenji

Taking care of a dog long term is a big responsibility and knowing what may or may not develop as the breed grows older is also important. Generally speaking, the Basenji is a fairly healthy breed, but that wasn’t always the case. In fact, the breed was almost wiped out in the 1980s due to a disease of the kidneys called the Fanconi Syndrome. The wipeout was particularly in the U.S. and it sent breeders back to Africa to bring more of the Basenjis to the U.S. in hopes of revitalizing the breed. It worked. They were able to revive the breed and help breed out most of the Fanconi genetics. Today the Basenji needs to be tested for Fanconi in order to determine the presence of the gene. If you want to purchase or adopt the breed, have your pet clinic Sugar Land, TX test the dog first.

Facts about the American Bobtail

Looking for a cute, fun-loving, family cat? Check out the American Bobtail. This cat is energetic, fun to play with, easy to get along with, and a loyal feline companion. Here are some more interesting facts about the breed. First, did you know the bobtail is very sensitive to people’s emotions and is affectionate and comforting? The American Bobtail is also incredibly smart, eager to please and easy to train. They love to go on car rides and even travel long distances. Color-wise, the bobtail has no set pattern, coloring, or coat length meaning they could be just about any color, pattern, and coat length is whatever the cat ends up with. In addition, the bobtail has a naturally bobbed tail due to a genetic mutation. Your veterinary clinic Sugar Land, TX can tell you the breed is generally healthy and low maintenance.

Skin Problems In Cats

Did you know that cats spend about 50% of their awake time grooming themselves? This daily routine helps keep the cat’s hair coat clean and free from any odors. It also keeps the skin healthy. With a cat’s fussy grooming habits, a sore or a scab on the skin can surely mean something is wrong and needs to be seen by a veterinarian.

Cats that are ill can stop grooming and may end up with dull and dirty hair coat. Some important causes that can interfere with their ability to groom themselves include:

Obesity - the extra pounds can affect the cat’s flexibility, making it hard for them to reach certain parts of their body during grooming.

Tooth and gum problems

Arthritis and other joint and bone problems

An ill cat won’t have the energy and desire to groom

Stress can cause cats to become anxious and engage in over-grooming in an effort to find relief and comfort.

A visit to your animal hospital Las Vegas, NV can help identify the problem.

Zinc Deficiency In Dogs

Dogs that lack zinc, an essential mineral, can suffer from excessive shedding and skin problems. The deficiency is technically called zinc responsive dermatosis. Zinc is just one of the important components that play an important role in the optimum function of the body, thus it should be a normal component of a dog’s diet. The absence or lack of zinc in the diet can pave the way for various issues that affect the skin which is the largest organ of the body, as well as metabolic and immune function.

There are several causes and risk factors for zinc deficiency in dogs. These include:

• A diet that is deficient in zinc
• Calcium-rich diets (because calcium prevents absorption of zinc by binding with it)
• Genetic predisposition of certain canine breeds such as the Alaskan malamute or Siberian husky. They are unable to absorb zinc properly.
• Diets that contain excessive amounts of zinc prevent normal absorption of the mineral.
• Diets that are low in essential fatty acids and total fat negatively influence the absorption of zinc.
• High-fiber diets (or plant-based diets) because plants contain phytate, a substance that can interfere in zinc absoption.
• Abnormal absorption of zinc in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

If your pet is ill, you should make an appointment to have him checked by a veterinarian Las Vegas, NV.

Why your cat needs some time alone each day

You have a cat in your life who you really enjoy spending time with. This makes you wonder – why does she seem to sneak off on her own every now and then?

Your pet may be an important part of your life, but she also needs some time to herself each day. This has nothing to do with your care, as she likely loves your company as well. She simply has a personality that requires a bit of time on her own each day and you might find that some cats tend to seek this out more than others do. Your pet will be heading off on her own in order to meet her needs as well, so take note of what she is up to when she sneaks off. She is likely to be in need of a nap. Your local vet Bolingbrook, IL can help you care for your pet. Visit this site for more information.

Collars for Cats

You may have noticed that there seems to be a huge selection of collars for dogs at the pet store, but did you know there are just as many options for cats? Do cats really need collars though? One of the main reasons for a collar is so that your cat can be identified. Whether the collar has the cat’s name and  your phone number stitched on it or the collar carries an ID tag, it’s an easy way to make sure your cat has identification on her at all times. When looking for a cat collar make sure you get one with a break-away function that way if your cat gets caught in a tree or under a fence and the collar catches it will break so your cat doesn’t choke. Ask your veterinarian Rochester, NY for help in finding a collar for your cat.

What to do when your cattle get sick

You have cattle to look after and you take your job seriously. What should you do if you think they are getting sick?

Take a good look at your cattle and try to determine if they are exhibiting any symptoms of sickness or showing any atypical behavior. It’s common for cattle to show changes to their eating patterns or activity habits if they aren’t feeling well. They may also have labored breathing or visible discharge from their eyes or nostrils. Make sure to contact a veterinarian immediately should you take note of anything that seems a bit off, as your cattle will need an evaluation to get the care they need. Offer any information you can to the vet to help him reach the proper diagnosis. Your professional vet clinic Mt. Airy, MD can help you care for your pet. Schedule an appointment today.

Scat Mats

Ever heard of the scat mat? This is a mat that can help train your cats to stay off the furniture. How does it work? First, you place the scat mat on your sofa, couch or chair. The mat is run by battery or electric cord. Set the mat to the voltage you want it. Start with a light voltage and only increase it if your cat is not responding. The voltage running through the mat is activated when your cat touches it. Your cat will receive a slight shock to warn her to get off the furniture. If this doesn’t work, increase the voltage so your cat will take the warning and stay off the couch. After your cat learns to stay off you can turn the voltage off and just keep the mat on the couch as a visible reminder.  Your veterinarian Webster, NY may even suggest removing the mat once it looks like your cat has learned her lesson.

Caring for a cat who tends to scratch a lot

You have a cat in your life who loves you very much and needs to scratch in order to keep her claws in great shape. This makes you wonder – how can you help her do this?

Some cats will need to scratch more than others, so you will need to take note of your pet’s needs as well as where she tends to scratch. This means taking the time to seek out places for your pet to scratch that will appeal to her. She may want to scratch vertical surfaces like the traditional scratching post or horizontal surfaces like a scratching mat. She may also prefer certain types of surfaces to others as well. Make a point to place these items in areas where your pet will be able to easily find and utilize them. For additional information, please contact your vet clinic local Westminster, MD .

What your dog needs to feel safe in your home

You have a dog in your life who shares your home with you and you feel that spending time in your living space should be a soothing thing for her. What does she need to feel safe in this space?

Your pet needs to interact with family members so she can get to know them well. This will help her feel more secure in her family and know that you will be looking after her. She will develop some trust in you as well as in her surroundings the more she is able to see that they are safe for her to spend time in. Familiarity will help as will her needs being consistently met within this space, since both will help her associate your home with positivity. Your local veterinarian Newmarket, ON can help you care for your pet. Learn more here.