Hedgehogs in a Multi-Pet Household

 

Thanks to their unique defense mechanism, hedgehogs usually thrive in a house with multiple pets. Their quills, or the thick layer of spikey hair, serve as a deterrent to other pets' would-be aggression. The quills become pointy and upright when a hedgehog feels threatened. Other pets get acquainted with the quills through time. Cats and dogs are aware of the hedgehogs' prickly armor, so they avoid getting close. Ferrets, too, are wary of getting in close contact with the quills. There are, however, large dogs that are rough and aggressive that could harm a hedgehog despite the quills. Hedgehogs are amiable and generally agreeable living with other pets under one roof. When introducing a new pet to the resident ones, it is best to supervise each pet's reactions closely. If symptoms of stress or aggression show, isolate the pets from each other by placing them in separate rooms.

Any sign of illness should prompt a visit to your experienced vet clinic Fayetteville NC.

How to Help Your Dog Overcome Anxiety

Dogs can experience fear and anxiety in a similar way to people. For instance, some dogs are afraid of crashing thunder and some are afraid of the random flashes of light we are known as lightning. If your dog is showing signs of anxiety or fear, please talk with your vet about ways to help keep your dog calm and to ease the dog’s fears. One way you may want to try is to distract your dog from what is causing the anxiety. If it’s thunder, then take him to a quiet room in the house where the thunder is the least heard and play with your dog or teach him a trick or anything that takes his mind off of the thunder. You could play an indoor game of fetch with a soft or plush ball. You can help your dog to become more relaxed and maybe by the next storm he won’t be so worked up. Talk to your animal hospital Fayetteville, NC for more tips.