Overgrooming In Cats

Cats are generally hygienic animals. They observe good toilet habits, and they groom themselves almost all the time or whenever necessary. Self-grooming is part of a cat’s daily routine. Why? This endeavor helps the felines get rid of parasites, dirt, and hair from their fur coat. 

So how many hours per day do cats groom themselves? Data shows that around 50% of the time cats are awake, they groom. This amount of time is the normal amount of time these animals self-groom. However, be aware that when your beloved pet cat self-grooms beyond this specified amount of time, your cat may be in danger. Why? Understand that excessive scratching, biting, chewing, and licking, which are all part of the feline self-grooming routine, may lead to a problem with the cat’s physical health. 

Here are some adverse effects of over-grooming: 

Lose fur in the cat’s back, inner legs, and belly

The unusually high number of hairballs

Excessive hair loss or other skin and hair coat issues should be brought to the attention of your veterinarians Tampa FL.

Does A Pet Ferret Need A Microchip?

Ferrets run a great risk of escaping, so it's just wise to use a microchip for them. With this, you may find them easily if he ever gets lost. Microchips are not required to have on your ferret, but it's a helpful tool for humane societies or pet rescuers to get in touch with you ASAP if they happen to find your pet. You may talk to the vet if you want to ask some questions or address concerns regarding microchipping pets.

Vet care is essential to all pets, including ferrets. Look for vets who are well-experienced with small animals, and be sure to get your pet checked annually. Ferrets are highly prone to heartworm and will require preventative care against fleas. If you're not planning to breed your ferret, it will be best to neuter/spay your pet to help them become less aggressive. Spaying/neutering also helps in reducing musky odor and alleviating stress that females experience when they're in heat.

If you have questions and/or concerns about microchips for pet identification, don’t hesitate to talk to your vet Tampa, FL. 

Are You Dealing With Litter Box Issues?

 

With a pet cat comes a litter box to deal with— including the odor and maintenance that comes along with it. Without proper maintenance, your house will smell like cat urine. And, of course, you don't want that to have some guests get turned off by the foul, feline smell you've become accustomed to. Indeed, many cat lovers find it difficult to control the odor of litter boxes, but fortunately, there are effective ways to do that— one of which is a daily scooping routine.

Scooping clumps out of the box reduces the amount of waste that gets exposed at home. You should scoop at least once every day to minimize the odor that the box gives off. However, busy or multiple-cat owners may find this routine tiresome. Luckily, there are now alternative ways you can try other than the good old scooping.

Persistent litter box issues should warrant an appointment with your veterinary hospital Tampa, FL to make sure that your pet’s behavior is not caused by an underlying health issue.

Elderly Cats Could Be Overwhelmed By Celebrations And Holidays

 

You might have been always boarding your pet cat to catteries whenever you go on a holiday.  If so, then you are likely inclined to continue doing so as the years go by.  But as your cat ages, she might not want to change her home routine and prefer to just stay home instead of being boarded.  If this is the case, you will need to have someone stay over or at least look into her to provide basic care.  You will want to choose a cat-sitter who is already familiar to your pet cat. 

An elderly cat could find home celebrations and parties a little too overwhelming.  Should you be having guests over, be sure that your pet has a quiet spot where she can retreat into.  Ensure that this spot has all of her basic needs easily accessible while the festivities are happening elsewhere in the home.

Take a proactive approach to your pet’s health with regular health and wellness checks at your animal hospital Tampa, FL. 

Creating A Senior Cat-Friendly Home

 

Should your pet cat have a particularly preferred toy, then you do not have a reason to throw it out as she ages.  With your elderly pet lying on her side, she can try grabbing onto larger toys while she kicks using her back legs.  Playing this way is enjoyed by lots of cats and can become an ideal stretching activity for your pet’s rear extremities.  Try using a cylindrical or rectangular toy that is around 15 to 20 cm ( 6 to 8 inches) in length and constructed from durable fabric like toweling or drill cotton as your pet’s kick toy. 

Cardboard boxes have become perennial favorites of pet cats.  But if your pet is advancing in years, some modifications might be necessary.  An older cat might still like to poke around and investigate but is not flexible or mobile enough to move around and jump.  Try tipping the box over to its side and rotating it so that its opening faces your cat.  This lets her enter the box to check it out.  Paper and carrier bags could also offer the same exploratory activities, particularly if these make crinkling sounds.  Be sure to remove the handles so that your cat does not accidentally get caught in them.

Your senior pet will benefit from regular health and wellness checks at your animal hospital Tampa, FL. 

How To Properly Groom Your Chinchilla

 The good thing about owning a chinchilla is that they know how to groom themselves regularly. Chinchillas are very clean creatures and don’t necessarily need heavy grooming since their style of cleaning keeps them in good condition. Your chinchilla prefers to groom itself through dust bathing. With dust baths, it is critical to use a type of sand specifically for your chinchilla’s fur. Note that dust collects grime, oil, and grease to help keep their coat in top shape, this kind of sand must be powdery, soft, or exceedingly fine. If you are unsure what sand to purchase, it is best to ask your vet or pet store for recommended options. 

Remember that your chinchilla might need dust baths frequently during the summertime, as humid temperatures and hot weather are at their peak. On the other hand, you can reduce how often your chinchilla takes its dust bath once wintertime rolls in. It’s easy to prepare your chinchilla’s bath, just put a bowl or tray with dust in its space and watch as your chinchilla will happily do its own thing by rolling around while coating itself with so much dust. 

There is no need for you to comb your chinchilla. Your chinchilla is not a big fan of having its fur brushed. The only exception to this is if it has matted its fur. You can use a lengthy comb to clear out the gunk only if it is unavoidable. Be very gentle and make sure not to stress your chinchilla so much when you do so. Luckily, the only occasional maintenance your chinchilla needs, and if it is not tired, is having its toenails trimmed from time to time. 

Any skin and/or hair coat issue exhibited by your pet should warrant an appointment with your pet clinic Tampa, FL. 

Holidays And Celebrations Can Be Overwhelming For Your Senior Cat

 

Cats are animals that need constant care and attention. This case is especially true for cat breeds that must be looked after. But some cats can go a day or two without a constant companion.

If you have always been a busy fur parent because of work, you may have tried leaving your furry feline in a boarding cattery. There is nothing wrong or bad with this practice. Just be sure that the cattery you have chosen provides the best cat care services. 

However, understand that senior cats may not adapt easily to changes in companions or environment. Thus, a boarding cattery is not recommended for senior cats. Experts advise getting a cat-sitter instead of leaving your senior cat in a cattery.

During family gatherings and reunions at home, you may need to place your feline in a quiet, safe place. Understand that senior cats are more sensitive to noises around them.

A sudden change in your pet’s health and/or behavior should warrant a visit to your animal hospital Tampa, FL. Visit their website to know more about their services.

Do Hamsters Make Great Pets?

Hamsters are very adorable and furry. Hence, kids and even yourself often stop at the pet stores to sneak peek at these cute guys. Hamsters are notable for being a little nippier than the guinea pigs, cousins of their family line. Nevertheless, having a hamster as a pet is still fun and a good idea for beginners like kids and even for grown-ups to look after. Like the typical cats, female hamsters are more likely to have an attitude issue, as they are commonly known to bite more than male hamsters.

Having a female hamster may seem like a difficult task, however, they are all special in their way. Your hamster's character might have possessed more or less than the typical ones. Raising a hamster is very easy, especially for your kids. Hamsters would only require enough space for their cage to stay in with some additional tunnels for them to play with, an exercise wheel, and of course, comfortable space for nesting.

Make an appointment at your veterinary hospital Tampa, FL for your pet’s health and dental checks.

Life Jackets for Cats

There are life jackets for people and people’s pets including cats. If your cat is learning how to swim then you may want to purchase a cat style life jacket. The life jacket can be used as a tool to help your cat learn to swim as well as used as a tool to keep your cat safe when around water. Life jackets for cats are typically sold at pet stores and water sporting goods stores. Depending on where you live or where you take your boat out, there may be a law in place that states your cat must be in a life jacket to ride in a boat. Call your vet to find out if he knows the rules for your particular region. There are a variety of life jacket options available for cats. Click here for more details from your vets Tampa, FL.

How to Care for Basset Puppies and Their Mom

Did you know that weaning is the process of gradually reducing a Basset Hound puppy’s dependence or access to his mother’s milk and her care? In the weaning process a lot of focus will be placed on the puppies, but make sure you pay close attention to the mom as well. For example, talk with your vet about setting up a weaning schedule for the pups. Sticking to a schedule can help prevent the mother Basset from overproducing milk, which can cause painful or enlarged mammary glands. You want to make sure the puppies receive an adequate source of milk during the process while at the same time slowly weaning them. Remember weaning the puppies off of their mother’s milk also helps the mother to slowly dry up and stop milk production. Consult with your veterinarians Tampa, FL about the mother’s diet since a decrease in milk production usually calls for a decrease in food amount.

Ticks in Dogs

Ticks are one of the typical nasty parasites that plague our pet dogs. Adult ticks love to get fat on the blood of dogs and other hosts that they thrive on. A serious infestation of ticks can bring about anemia. Not only that, but ticks can also be harbors of certain diseases and the worse part is that some of these health issues can be transmitted by dogs to humans. Spring, as well as the autumn months, are the typical flea seasons, but they are hardy parasites that can thrive on their hosts for most parts of the year.

Ticks can stay on bushes as well as shrubs while waiting for their hosts. If dogs or humans pass by them, they can quickly hop on for a ride to other places including the house of the dog or pet owner. This is one good reason why you should do tick searches every time your dog goes out for a walk outdoors or in the park.

Work with your veterinarian Tampa, FL in creating a good preventive program that will include comprehensive tick protection. Make an appointment today!

Reasons to Bathe Your Cat

Most pet parents can get away without bathing their feline friends. After all, cats don’t like water anyway! However, there are some good reasons to reconsider bath time for your cat.

Is your cat struggling with dandruff? If so, he may have dry skin, and a bath could help. You just have to make sure you choose the right shampoo. Look for a moisturizing formula with oatmeal. Medicated shampoo may also be an option.

Bathing your cat can help you get rid of dead hair. It can be especially helpful for cats with thick, double coats that can be difficult to brush. Just make sure you have a hair stopper in the tub, so it doesn’t all end up down the drain!

For help bathing your cat, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian Tampa, FL, and they can provide you with a recommended groomer near where you live.

Litter Box Cleaning Tips

Every cat parents should know the importance of keeping their pet’s litter box impeccably clean and free of undesirable odors. With their keen sense of smell, cats can immediately tell if their pet owners have been amiss in their litter box maintenance chores. Cats won’t have second thoughts about doing their business elsewhere if they have issues with their litter box.

Litter box cleaning tips

Scooping must be done at least twice a day to help keep undesirable odors at bay. If you have several cats, there is a need to do more scooping of lumps throughout the day. Cats are such fussy creatures and they won’t like the feel of stepping on icky stuff when they use the litter box.

Waste from the litter box should be disposed of properly to prevent odors from being dispersed throughout your home. It is also the best way to avoid attracting flies and other pests.

A sudden change in your litter box habits can indicate an underlying health issue that requires an appointment at your animal hospital Tampa, FL.

What To Feed Pet Sugar Gliders

It is a sad fact that many sugar gliders that are kept as pets suffer from specific nutritional disorders because their owners are unaware of their pet’s nutritional needs and how to meet them appropriately on a daily basis.

In their natural habitat, they thrive by eating insects, nectar, and pollen. Unfortunately, it is difficult to replicate this diet for pet sugar gliders. In order to meet their needs, experts recommend that 75% of their ration consist of pellets and the rest is fresh fruits and vegetables which should be washed thoroughly and placed inside the sugar glider’s enclosure at night. Anything that is left in the morning should be removed and disposed of properly.

Know more about your pet glider’s nutritional needs by visiting your veterinarian Tampa, FL.