Interesting Facts About The Great Pyrenees

 

Do you want to know more details about the Great Pyrenees included in the list of big cuddler dogs – with Newfoundlands and Golden Retrievers? It is your lucky day. See below for additional facts about them:

· These dogs are native to the Pyrenees Mountains, a natural border between Spain and France. They were originally bred to guard sheep, goats, and livestock.

· They are known as the “Pyrenean Mountain Dogs” in the United Kingdom and Europe.

· These pups are affectionate and loving. So they are okay to be around children.

· They bark a lot and aloud.

· Because of their thick coat, they do well in places with cooler weather or temperature. But experts recommend not clipping their hair during summer. Their coat serves as their natural protection against the sun.

· They do not need extensive exercise (only 20 to 30 minutes a day).

· They have double dewclaws that must be trimmed and not removed.  

Your pet clinic Derby is a valuable resource regarding issues affecting your pet’s health and well-being.

Hedgehogs Can Be Very Easy To Care For

Have you seen a hedgehog? Hedgehogs are known for their spines. They do not belong to the rodent or the porcupine family. They belong to the Erinaceinae family, which was previously called insectivores. Hedgehogs are one of the most beginner-friendly exotic pets because, among the rest, their tiny size makes them easier to care for. Here are some facts about them. 

• Longevity – Hedgehogs do not have long lives as cats and dogs have. They can only stay for around 5 to 7 years. A hedgehog is the best if you want a temporary pet for this particular time frame. 

• Diet – Their diet does not necessarily need to be extravagant. You might think that they are picky eaters, but simple food can do. They like to eat fruits and other small insects. 

• Home – Their housing preference is related to their social attitude. They prefer enclosed areas because they are not sociable. This behavior makes them suitable for working owners. 

• Behavior – Taming a hedgehog can be difficult at first. However, if all of his needs are provided for, and he feels safe in his new home, you will eventually be able to create a bonding like no other. 

Take a proactive approach to your pet’s health with regular health and wellness checks at your veterinarian Derby.

Training Pet Rabbits To Use A Litter Box

 

A typical misconception regarding rabbits is that they are messy animals.  Rabbits make ideal indoor pets, partly because they, like cats, could be trained to use litter boxes. 

Use a small litter box that has no top and low enough sides.  You could also try using shallow storage tubs instead.  If the sides are too tall, cut out an entryway on one side.  Avoid the litter boxes advertised to be specifically for rabbits because they are usually too small. 

You could use old newspaper or other recycled paper as litter material.  You can try using kitty litter, but select unscented ones.  Kitty litter could negate undesirable urine smells.  Try not to use clumping or clay-based litter because this is dangerous to your pet rabbit’s respiratory tract.  Wood shavings are a no-no too. 

Lay down a thin spread of litter material to line the box’s base, enough to soak up wetness.  You do not have to fill up the box too high because rabbits do not dig and bury their poop like pet cats.  In addition, whenever you clean out your pet’s litter box, just dump out everything every time.  So filling the box deep will just waste lots of litter.

A sudden change in your pet’s elimination habits should warrant an appointment with your veterinary health center Derby.

Precautions When Handling Pet Snakes

 

A few species of slightly poisonous rear-fanged snakes have caused fatalities within their ranks. Bites have resulted in severe edema and tissue loss. Vipers, sea snakes, and cobra allies are among the poisonous species, and humans should avoid their bites at all costs. 

How does one handle a captured snake with all of its potential for danger? The response is to be cautious. Snakes commonly express their purpose by body language - they coil, flat themselves, and form an "S" shape to permit a strike. Humans can study their routines and silent language and modify their handling techniques correctly.

Unlike other amphibians and reptiles that are averse to being touched, humans can handle snakes safely and regularly. If snake-keeping is new to you, talk to other enthusiasts and personnel at the dealerships that sell them about your snake's behaviors. Read everything about the animals that pique your interest.

If you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s behavior,  don’t hesitate to contact a pet hospital Derby.

Cleaning Of Substrate In Snake Enclosures

 

Though snakes are simple animals with simple needs, they still need comfort so they can thrive well. Thus, in housing one, do not forget to place a substrate inside the tank. This material is what snakes use as their resting place that seems more comfortable and natural than glass. 

So, what can you use as a substrate? Here are some suggestions.

• Paper towels
• Smooth sand
• Newspaper
• Rolled corrugate
• Aspen shavings
• Cypress bark mulch
• Dry leaves

Do not use aromatic wood shavings. This substrate also acts as the repository of the waste of your pet snake. So, be sure to remove and replace the substrate when your snake poops. Experts suggest cleaning the whole cage when you remove the substrate. What should you use to clean the entire tank?

• Mild soap and water
• Alcohol-based glass cleaners
• Diluted Clorox solution
• Diluted Roccal solution
• Avoid using cleaners that contain phenol.

If your pet is showing any signs of illness, make an appointment with your animal hospital Derby. 

Healthy Coat For Dogs: Supplements For Coat Health

 

Do you intend to make the best of being a fur parent? Congratulations on this decision. The journey may be overwhelming, but it is possible. You can simply start by helping your pup have a healthy fur coat.

Apart from feeding your canine buddy a nutritious and balanced diet, you should give him supplements too.

One of the popular supplements for pups is an omega-3 fatty acid. This substance is proven effective in keeping your dog’s skin and coat healthy and in prime condition. You can find this supplement in cold-water fish, like sardines, salmon, and anchovies. Note that omega-3 is also an anti-inflammatory agent and provider healthy fats to support your dog’s shiny coat.

Another helpful supplement you can consider is coconut oil. This substance is a good source of healthy fats that can fortify your dog’s skin barrier and can nourish his coat. Coconut oil can also be used to moisturize your pup’s dry paw pads and nose.

Any skin and/or hair coat issue exhibited by your pet should warrant an appointment with your animal hospital Derby. 

Cold Weather Care Tips For Dogs

We all know it's tempting to wrap your dog in layers of blankets and cuddle together while waiting out the winter. But believe it or not, they still need to go outside on cold days, if only for a few minutes. As a pet owner, it falls on you to ensure the safety of your fur baby while you humor the little bugger.

Ahead of the start of the winter, it is common practice to take your dog to your trusted vet for a check-up. Doing so will allow you to address any underlying condition that the cold might make worse. It's okay to use medicine to help mitigate symptoms, especially the extreme ones, but try to limit it to what the vet recommended.

If your pet is still young enough to be called a puppy, the little guy will likely have more challenges dealing with the cold. An adult dog is needy enough, so it's a safe bet that a puppy would require more care. If you like dressing up your pet, this is the perfect opportunity as the added layers will help keep them warm.

If your pet is showing signs of hypothermia, contact your veterinary health center Derby immediately. 

Cats And Hairballs

If your pet cat is one of the long-haired breeds then you have encountered hairballs at one time or another.  It might not be something that you will adore about your cat, but having the knowledge on how to manage this issue significantly helps long-term.

When your pet cat is trying to hock up a hairball, you might feel somewhat overwhelmed because it will seem like a more serious thing is happening.  Knowing what signs to watch out for could let you help your pet cat better as she is working through this problem.

Your cat will groom herself by licking her fur.  This habit is chiefly where hairballs start.  Try having a feel of your pet’s tongue.  Cat tongues are somewhat rough.  The texture is due to barbs that face backward, a feature of a cat’s tongue which helps with the grooming.  Stray hairs get caught in these barbs, and because they point backward, the only direction these stray hairs go is down the throat.

Frequent hairball episodes should be brought to the attention of your veterinarian Derby.

Loud Noises Can Be Stressful To Parakeets

Loud noises can cause parakeets to respond in a variety of forms. While some parakeets can tolerate a noisy environment, sensitive ones become agitated even upon hearing the doorbell. When subjected to continuous noise, some parakeets get anxious, while others exhibit negative behavior in response to unexpected loud noises. Some parakeets become agitated by the sound of a blender or vacuum cleaner, although they can tolerate music playing at an average volume. It may take a few adjustments to discover what kind of noises disturb your pet parakeet and the degree of the effect.

A bird agitated by a noisy environment may chatter incessantly, pull its feathers, avoid using the perch, refuse to feed, or remain silent. If your parakeet behaves in this manner, consider decreasing the amount of household noise and giving your bird some privacy to see if the behavior changes.

If you have concerns about your pet's health and/or behavior, make an appointment with your pet clinic Derby.

How to Achieve Good Water Quality For Pet Turtles

The essential factors in achieving the ideal water quality for your pet turtle are changing the water often, as well as the use and maintenance of a high-quality filter for turtle tanks.  It is that simple.

 

The fact is, aquatic turtles are quite messy and will perform all their needed business while in water.  Since it lives in water, it will eat while in water and will do its bathroom necessities while in water too.  So, your pet’s health is highly dependent on how you maintain quality water in its tank.  You can achieve this by scheduling regular changes of the water along with a water filter of high quality so that the water is kept clean between changes.

 

Feeding your pet turtle properly is also essential in keeping the water quality in ideal parameters.  Ensure that your pet gets to eat everything placed inside his tank.  Any uneaten turtle food must be removed so that ammonia does not accumulate in the water.  You can use the strips that aquarium fishkeepers use to test ammonia levels in the water.  Just wet them inside the take for a reading.

 

Your professional pet clinic Derby is a valuable resource when it comes to your pet’s health and needs.

Keeping Your Barred Rock Chickens Hydrated

It’s important to make sure your Barred Rock chickens, both young and old, are drinking plenty of water throughout the day. If you suspect that your Barred Rocks are not drinking as much as they should, call your vet for assistance. Signs of dehydration or heat stress in Barred Rocks may include lethargy or behavioral changes. In order to keep your chickens hydrated, make sure cool, fresh water is available throughout the day by setting up multiple watering stations. You may also want to place ice cubes in the water to help keep it cooler longer. If your baby Barred Rock chicks aren’t drinking, pick up one of them and dip his beak into the water. He may just need to be shown where the water is. On the really hot days, talk to your vet clinic Derby about adding electrolyte supplements to the water to encourage your chickens to drink more.

Rough and Tough Canines

Are you looking for a rough and tough canine companion that can keep up with your life on the wild side and your love for the outdoors? If so, check out the Australian Cattle Dog. This breed was developed to endure long distance travel over rough, rugged terrain of Australia. Designed as a working dog, the Australian Cattle Dog is known for his ability to nip at the heels of cows and sheep and literally herd and drive them over long distances. Because of this instinctive nature, the Australian Cattle Dog loves to be on the go and he loves to play rough and tough. He also requires very little maintenance. He has a double coat with a top layer that is rain resistant. He requires little to no grooming although frequent baths are needed due to his active lifestyle. Call your animal hospital Derby for more information.

Goat Horns

 

Are you a goat owner? If you have goats are your farm do you regularly trim their horns if they have them? Some goats don’t have horns or their horns don’t grow very long. Some goats have long horns that grow in such a way that they can hurt other goats or people. Trimming or removing goat horns can be a sensitive subject. It’s important to learn all you can about the procedures and consult your vet before making any type of decision. It’s also important to know that most horns are only removed if they are dangerous to the goat or others. Some owners do “disbud” their goats to prevent the horns from growing. It is ultimately the choice of the owner when it comes to goat horns. Some horns just need a trim to keep them from growing backwards into the goat’s neck or back. Talk to your pet clinic Derby to learn more.