Handling Your Pet Gerbil

Gerbil is one of the favorite pet choices, especially for kids and first-time pet owners. They are cute, entertaining, and very social. However, gerbils are also quick to feel frightened, often resulting in nipping their handlers. That is why pet owners should teach little children how to hold a gerbil properly to prevent injuries. As they are fragile pets, holding them should be with great care. Most gerbils tolerate handling if they have human interaction starting at a young age. But, if they have a negative experience while being held, they tend to feel cautious towards humans. Never hold a gerbil by its tail as its tails are sensitive and can break off easily. Pet owners should also place gerbils away from other house pets, such as dogs and cats that may see gerbils as prey. Just like other house pets, gerbils need regular wellness visits to a veterinary clinic McHenry IL.

Housing a Pet Ferret with Other Animals

 

Ferrets make wonderful pets. They are playful, affectionate, and trainable. Though ferrets are friendly and can quickly bond with their owners, they are different when it comes to other animals. A ferret can stay in an enclosure with other ferrets. But because ferrets are carnivores, it is best to avoid having other small animals in the house, particularly pet birds, guinea pigs, or rabbits. In the wild, ferrets hunt small animals for food and eat their prey whole. Ferrets nowadays are already domesticated pets, but they still maintain their predatory instincts. If small animals are in the household, always keep close supervision to avoid contact between the ferret and the other animals. Ferrets can get along with big dogs and cats provided socialization was present at an early age. Pet owners should also closely keep an eye on children as ferrets tend to bite if not handled properly.

Your pet will benefit from regular health and wellness checks at your vet Columbia MD.

Why Some Neutered Cats Continue To Spray Mark

 

Specific changes in a neutered pet cat’s surrounding environment may cause the spraying behavior to happen. Changes like a move to a home that is new, getting new pets, and possibly other modifications to the everyday routine can induce stress to your pet cat, and spraying is the usual reaction to situations like these.

One other reason why your cat that is already neutered would spray is marking territory.  This happens in homes with multiple cats where an unspayed female cat or a male unneutered cat also lives.  Having other cats around the home even outside can also make neutered cats spray.

Spray behavior can also be triggered by problems with the litter box.  If your cat is unhappy regarding the may the kitty litter box is maintained and cleaned, or perhaps the kind of litter used, litter box location, among others, then he may also engage in some spraying.

If you have concerns about your pet’s behavior, contact your animal hospital Coral Springs, FL. Check out their website to know more about their services.

Seizures In Dogs: What To Do And Not To Do

 

Dog owners must know the do’s and don’ts should their pet dog have a seizure.  A seizing dog could be something scary to see.  Below are useful items to keep in mind when you see a dog seizing:

Keep calm.  If you start panicking, you will not think rationally and clearly.  Even if you see your pet looking like he is suffering, your dog is actually unconscious, meaning he does not know that he himself is seizing and is not in pain.

●Avoid getting near the seizing dog.  Do not believe in tall tales of pet dogs that swallow their own tongues when seizing.  Do not put any object, most especially your hand inside the dog’s mouth.

●Keep kids and other pets away from the seizing pet.  Kids and other pets might get nervous or scared of what is happening and there is no way to know what their reaction will be.  There are cases where the seizing dog gets attacked by the other pets.

●Time the seizure on how long it lasts.  This is important information that your vet will need when you get your pet over to the animal clinic.

●Be vigilant.  If your reflexes are good, you may be able to record a video of the seizing pet so that the vet can view it.

●Protect the seizing animal by gently pulling him by his rear legs to move him away from sharp objects and/or stairways, among others.

Call your animal hospital Roanoke, VA is your dog has had a seizure so the staff can instruct you on what to do.

Add Fun To Your Pet’s Grooming Sessions

 

Every grooming session should be a fun activity for both pets and owners. But it can be stressful if the dog does not want to be groomed. Thus, your pet must get used to getting groomed when it is still young.  As it grows older, it will get used to the grooming session.

As you prepare your dog for grooming, you can do the following:

●       Release your pet’s excess energy by letting it run or walk. It will be calmer after a walk, so it will not object to being groomed

●       Teach your pet to go potty before the session begins

●       Don’t reinforce your pet’s anxiousness in being groomed. If you appease or pamper it, the anxiety will only be heightened

●       Ask recommendations from other pet owners regarding their groomer. They might point you to someone who understands your pet’s needs

 

For more questions regarding your pet’s grooming needs, ask your vet Washington DC.

Some Cats Do Like Traveling

 

Some cats can like traveling more than others.  Then there are some pets that just become stressed when visiting the groomer or the vet.  Getting your pet to get accustomed to being inside a moving car must begin while the cat is a young kitten.  Make sure to keep your pet kitten inside a crate so that she is safe.  Socialize your pet properly as well because it is an aspect that can help her get accustomed to traveling.  Socialization helps your pet to acclimate to different situations that you may encounter when on the road.  There are cats commonly known that are okay with traveling, like the Japanese bobtail, Chartreux, and Chantilly.  Before making the journey with your cat, schedule a visit with your veterinary clinic Washington DC for a thorough health checkup to make sure that your pet stays healthy during your trip.

Three Possible Signs That Your Pet Dog Has Gingivitis

 

Gingivitis is a dental disease that can affect your dog. When the teeth are not cleaned regularly, tartar and plaque may build up in the gums.

These are some of the signs to watch out for:

• Halitosis or bad breath. When your dog develops bad breath, you should be concerned. If its cause is not gingivitis, perhaps your dog has other dental conditions that need your attention.

• Difficulty in eating. When you start noticing that your dog is having a hard time eating, his aching gums might prevent him from doing so.

• Swollen, reddish, and irritated gums. Too much plaque and tartar in the gums will cause this reaction later on.

• Inner cheeks have a reddish color. This is another reaction brought about by the irritation in the gums.

• Always check your dog’s gum condition. If you see any of these signs, it is best to consult your veterinarians MuraBella, FL to know whether your dog has gingivitis or not.

Is Your Cat Suffering From Joint Pains?

 

Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD) or osteoarthritis is a condition that presents itself in senior-aged cats and/or cats that have a high risk of developing various mobilization-related problems like hip dysplasia. However, unlike arthritis where joints become inflamed and swell, osteoarthritis causes the joints to completely disintegrate. Should you notice that your cat seems to have some trouble making it inside and then getting out of her litter box, or going up or down the stairs, or jumping up to her best spot, inform your vet as soon as possible. This doesn’t necessarily mean that arthritis or DJD has developed, but rather it means that your pet will have to undergo a full checkup from your veterinarian to make certain what the problem is. Your veterinary clinic St. Augustine, FL will be able to conduct thorough physical examinations and run tests to better make sense of what illness your cat might have and then formulate the appropriate treatment measures.

Causes Of Feline Gingivitis

 

One early symptom of periodontal disease is gingivitis. This often results from the buildup of food on your pet cat’s teeth, causing tartar and plaque to continue being deposited. Additionally, your pet cat could also have halitosis or severe bad breath. In general, pet cats should get their teeth regularly cleaned by bruising or even just wiping down using dental wipes for pets. The absence of dental hygiene may cause issues like gingivitis. Then there are cases where the gingivitis becomes so severe that the treatment can only be deep cleaning done by a professional. If so, your cat must be sedated in order for the veterinarian to check her mouth for any missing or loose teeth and for spots where tartar and plaque buildup are really bad. Other factors that can bring about gingivitis could include poor overall hygiene, genetics, or resulting from illnesses like FeLV. Your vet St. Augustine, FL might recommend that you feed your cat kibble or dry food to assist in the natural breakdown of this buildup after completion of the dental cleaning. Learn more here.

When to Buy your Horse a New Rain Sheet

Some horse owners blanket their horses in the rain while others do not. A lot depends on where the horse lives, temperatures, age of horse, etc. It’s a decision up to the owner. If you do use rain sheets, a good sign that it’s time buy your horse a new rain sheet is when you remove the sheet after a day in the rain and find your horse is soaked. Water proof and water resistant materials on your horse’s blanket do not last for the lifetime of the blanket. In fact, if you wash your blanket with regular detergent you could strip the water resistant properties right off the blanket. You have a couple of options when your rain sheet is no longer protecting your horse from the rain. You can buy a new one, you can apply a water resisting spray yourself, or you can have it treated professionally. Learn more from your vet clinic Wichita KS.

Timeline for Weaning Puppies Like Golden Retrievers

If you’re caring for a litter of Golden Retriever pups then you may be wandering when you should start the weaning process. Contact your vet for help in setting up a weaning schedule and to learn the steps that are involved. Typically, weaning takes place when you gradually reduce a Golden Retriever puppy’s dependence or access to his mother’s milk and her care. Weaning typically begins at three or four weeks of age and should be complete by the time the Golden Retriever puppy reaches seven or eight weeks of age. The Golden puppies will need time to learn certain behaviors before weaning. For instance, they will learn how to interpret signs of dominance, restrain their own biting habits, and submit to more dominant dogs during their time with their siblings and mother. Talk with other puppy owners that have gone through similar processes and always feel free to consult with your animal hospital Derby.

Are Rawhide Chews Good For Pet Dogs

The chewing of rawhide produces motion in the jaw muscles that can exercise them and also aid in the reduction of the accumulation of tartar and plaque.  But there are dogs that have a negative response to rawhide.  These adverse responses include diarrhea and/or diarrhea right after chewing.  When the rawhide material softens, your pet could bite off pieces that could possibly become a choking hazard or perhaps block the gastrointestinal system and getting stuck somewhere there.  Also, there has been some talk regarding China-based rawhide sources, therefore select rawhide items made of US beef with processing done in the United States.  When selecting rawhide, try looking for something like an approval seal coming from the Veterinary Oral Health Council.  And to further reduce the possible risks that are linked with rawhide-based chews, select an item that is just right for your pet’s shape and size.  Should you have multiple pet dogs in your house, keep each other separate when providing them chew treats so that they will not end up gulping the treat down fearing that another pet could take it.  Having them in separate areas also reduces possible competition.

Your veterinary clinic Norwalk CA is an important information source when you want to know about issues concerning your dog’s well being and health.

How To Introduce Your Kitten To Other Pets

 

Introducing your new kitten to other pets is an important process. At first, keep your little fur ball in a separate room. Allow your pets to sniff at each other under the door.

Feed your kitten and your other pets on opposite sides of the door. This will establish an association between your furry friends—food! It’s a good idea to exchange bedding. Rub a towel on the kitten and allow the others to smell it. This way they become familiar with each other’s scent.

Next, open the door and let them see each other. You could also put the kitten in a carrier and bring it out so the others can see. It is natural for cats to hiss at each other at first. An introduction can take several weeks so it is important not to rush. Once things cool down, it’s time to let the kitten out. Supervise all interactions at first.

For more information on kitten car visit veterinarians Mesa AZ.

Poop-Eating In Dogs

 

Dogs eating excrement tends to be more typical than it is thought of by most people.  Should your dog be exhibiting this behavior, you will want to identify what makes him engage in this gross habit so that you can stop it.  The technical jargon for this behavior is coprophagia, and it will not matter if it is their own or another animal's poop.  For the most part, puppies that exhibit coprophagia generally outgrow it as they age.  There exist quite a few theories offered by experts attempting to explain why a dog develops this habit.  Perhaps the dog enjoys the taste or also be because of the canine scavenging instincts.  It might be the animal’s method of recycling the nutrients that could be in the excrement like undigested protein and fat.  It might also have been a learned behavior from seeing their mother behave that way at the time when they were still young puppies and still with her.  Have a conversation with your vet Newmarket, ON if you are concerned about this behavior or any other behavior of your pet. Check out more information here.