Picking Up Your Guinea Pig

Your guinea pig is pretty sturdy but you could injure him if you pick him up incorrectly. He could die if you drop him. Before picking up your guinea pig, check that he is comfortable with you. Talk or sing to him softly while sitting close to his enclosure. Drape your hand inside for exploration and try to hand feed him. Once you are sure your guinea pig is comfortable, act efficiently and with purpose. Use one hand under his chest behind the front legs and as you lift him, use the other hand to scoop up his rear end. Pull him close to your chest so he can’t wriggle away. Be prepared to place him on a safe surface rather than falling. Never pick up your guinea pig by a limb or the scruff of the neck. Supervise your guinea pig when he is outside his enclosure. For more information, contact your veterinarian Portage, MI.

How Often Should I Feed my Guinea Pig?

How often you feed your guinea pig will depend a lot on your guinea pig’s disposition, how much hay he eats during the day, and how many treats or snacks he has. In general, guinea pig’s should be fed a pellet food one to two times a day. You can fill your guinea pig’s food bowl half way in the morning and half way at night if you want to spread out the feedings. Or, you can fill the bowl every morning so that you feed just once a day. In addition to pellet food, you should give your guinea pig timothy hay throughout the day. As long as he’s eating the hay there’s no set number of times he should receive it. It’s good to keep a fresh pile in front of him continuously. Water should be refreshed daily. It should be checked multiple times a day. For more instructions and tips, call your vet Portage, MI.

Declawing Can Give Your Pet Cat Long-Term Physical Pain

Declawing is not similar to having your fingernails trimmed; it is an irreversible surgical procedure that involves the amputation of the last bone of each toe.  There are cat parents who choose to have their cat declawed because they think it is the easiest way to deal with their pet’s scratching behavior. However, what they don’t know that is that they are sentencing their cats to a lifetime of pain and undesirable behaviors. If the procedure is performed on humans, it will involve cutting off each finger at the last joint. Declawed cats often develop potty issues and have a higher tendency to bite. There is really no medical benefit to the cat, except when it is done to remove a tumor on the nail bed or similar health problems. Consult with your veterinarian Portage, MI if you have any problems or concerns about your pet cat.