Why Canaries Are Everybody’s Favorites?

These days, canary enthusiasts are becoming more in number. Who would adore canaries? They are often described as poetic because of their mesmerizing appearance and beautiful voice. These are just two of the many reasons why people love canaries. They are also cheerful, intelligent, and pleasing. They like initiating interaction by singing and chatting with people who pass by. 

Another good thing about canaries is their trainability. They come in different bright colors, such as red, orange, yellow, and white. However, canaries only like to observe and do not appreciate handling too much. This is one of the characteristics that makes them low-maintenance, which is perfect for busy owners. Still, it would be best to spend time with your pet to exercise him through playing and other activities inside or outside his cage. 

Ironically, a male canary has a more beautiful voice than a female canary. Therefore, choose a male canary if this is your main reason for adopting one. 

If you have any concerns about your pet's health and/or behavior, make an appointment with a veterinary clinic Ellicott City, MD.

Fostering Orphan Kittens Can Be A Challenge

Many cats that live alone, on the other hand, do not have long or healthy lives. Rescue groups get a lot of calls about kittens abandoned by their mothers during kitten season.

The mom's hunt for sufficient food to live and keep her kittens healthy might put her at risk. The life of a female cat is put in danger by predators, automobiles, or insensitive people.

Orphaned kittens are very hard to care for, and they require devoted foster families to live and survive:

• Kittens are used to their mother's milk for approximately eight weeks. Kittens less than eight weeks old are bottle-fed or supplemented.
• Kittens need feeding every two hours while small. It is only possible if a person is there at all times, which most foster homes are unable to do.
• It will be necessary to teach orphaned kittens how to use the box for the litter. Cats, by instinct, dig in soils for their waste. It is the mother who teaches them how to use the litter box properly. Foster parents have the time and compassion to teach a cat this crucial ability. Improper use of litter boxes causes many cats to lose their homes.
• Orphaned kittens are at a handicap without their mother's milk, no matter how perfect the kitten formula is. A house is safer than a shelter for keeping kittens healthy.
• A foster home can provide a relaxing, stress-free environment without the common cat illnesses that spread swiftly at shelters.

Consult your veterinary clinic Ellicott City MD about the best way to protect your pet from various health issues.

Cornish Rex Cats and Feal and Tick Prevention

Cats like the Cornish Rex can get fleas and ticks just like canines, If your Cornish Rex spends a lot of time outdoors then he may be more prone to picking up fleas and ticks. A great way to prevent this is to place your cat on a flea and tick prevention program. If you’re not sure if your cat is already on such a program, give your vet a call to find out. There are a variety of options available including topical or injectable monthly treatments, monthly oral treatments, and flea and tick collars. Most indoor cats only require basic treatment plans while outdoor cats require a more aggressive plan. If your cat already has fleas or ticks, call your vet and find out how to rid your pet and home of the fleas as well. Ask your veterinary clinic Ellicott City MD about a placing your cat on a prevention program.

What to Know About the Bearded Collie

 

The Bearded Collie is often confused with the Old English Sheepdog. One of the best ways to tell the two breeds apart is to check their tails. In short, the Bearded Collie has a tail and the English Sheepdog doesn’t. Another interesting fact about the Bearded Collie is that his eyes are often the same shade of his coat. When the collie is first born his coat is a dark solid color. He only begins to lighten or gray out as he grows older. Over the course of the Bearded Collie’s lifetime, his coat will continue to change colors; however, the original birth shade will always been one of the main undertones. And speaking of the coat, the Bearded Collie’s shaggy fur requires daily brushing and combing. He should also be bathed every 6 to 8 weeks. Contact your vets Ellicott City, MD to learn more about this large and affectionate breed.

Five Steps To Build A Home For A Cockatiel

 

Cockatiels belong to the parrot family. It will exhibit similar characteristics to the other birds from the same family.

If you are bringing home a cockatiel, the first thing you should provide is a cage. Here are some guidelines when preparing its home: 

 

●       The cage size should at least be twice the width of the bird’s wingspan.

●       The cage should be lead-free so that the cockatiel will not get poisoned while climbing or biting at the bars.

●       Include accessories such as water dish, food dish, and perch that will be placed inside the cage. These accessories will create a homey feel for the cockatiel.

●       Buy a self-standing perch that will be placed right outside the cage and will be used when you let your pet out.

●       Provide commercial pellet food so the cockatiel will get the needed nourishment

  

To know more about the proper care for a cockatiel, visit your veterinary clinic Ellicott City MD

Tips To Keep Your Dog Happy

Your dog has been sharing your life and living space as your faithful animal companion.  You, as his owner, ensure that your care and presence are enough to maintain her health, but what can you still do to make him also stay happy?

A pet dog needs his owner to understand that he has preferences as well as needs.  Knowing these will let you care for your pet in a manner that will give her satisfaction since you can adjust according to what he likes and does not like.  Efforts like this can have a major impact on your pet’s everyday life as he feels more appreciated by you and your family.  This effort, combined with nurturing your bond together, will foster happiness between you and your dog in both your daily lives.

A sudden change in your pet’s behavior should warrant an appointment with your veterinary clinic Ellicott City MD.

Feeding Tips For Cats

 

When cats are fussy, it may be due to their food preferences - regarding the time and place they are being fed. Provided below are tips to avoid trouble when feeding your fur babies:

● Leftovers of canned pet food must always be stored in the refrigerator to prevent spoiling.

● Resealable bags or airtight containers are essential in storing dry pet food.

● Fresh clean water should always be easily accessible and available since cats can acquire health problems affecting the urinary bladder and kidneys.

● Separate rinsing and washing a cat’s water and food bowl from the human ones. Ceramic and metal bowls are of best use since plastic ones keep odors that cats may find unpleasant.

● To avoid disruption of the nutritional balance of your cat’s diet, always be responsible when giving treats since these are sources of additional calories.

● Visit your veterinary clinic Ellicott City, MD for more information regarding your cat’s dietary needs. Learn more here.

Causes and Remedies For Your Dog’s Swollen Paws

Dogs naturally love to go outside and play. From time to time, it’s normal for them to stray from our homes and do lots of things. While outside they’re going to be stepping on different terrains. It’s not uncommon for our dog’s paws to catch some debris or worse, sharp objects such as thorns, between their paws. If your dog has difficulty walking, be keen to spot this so you can remove the foreign object or take her to the nearest vet to be treated. However, there may be other reasons why your dog is limping. Here are some reasons why:

• Allergies
• Hard impact while running or walking over different terrain
• Bee or wasp stings
• Burns and blisters from walking over hot surfaces
• Problems affecting the heart
• Presence of foreign bodies
• Infection
• Broken or injured toe
• Tumors on his paws

To properly remedy any ailment, determining the root cause should be done. If inflammation is observed only in one paw, three possibilities arise; a small object is lodged between its toes, a bee sting or an injury. Whatever it may be, don’t hesitate to have a closer look to know what’s going on. If you haven’t the slightest idea what’s causing the ailment, go straight to your vets Ellicott City MD.

Choosing a Gerbil to Take Home

Looking for a pocket pet to take home as a pet? Why not try a gerbil. This are little pocket pets that live anywhere from 2 to 3 years. They are easy to care for and are on the low expense side. If this sounds like a pet for you, here are a few tips on how to pick the right one to take home. First, a gerbil should have a neat appearance, clean nose, clear eyes, and no visible signs of injuries. When walking, the gerbil should scurry about but should not be limping or tilting to one side or the other. The fur should be clean, healthy, no bald patches or irritated spots. The nails should be trimmed and the feet free of sores. Take note of the gerbil’s habitat. The bedding should be clean, food bowls should be at least half full and water should be available. Read more here about purchasing a gerbil or call your veterinary clinic Ellicott City, MD.

Feeding Senior Pets

Dogs are generally considered to be in their senior years when they are about 7-12 years of age. Large canine breeds enter the golden years earlier than smaller breeds of dogs. As for cats, they are considered to be seniors when they are about 10 years of age. Considering that they have entered a new lifestage, there is a need to switch to an appropriate diet to help keep them happy and healthy. Distinct body changes soon take place as they enter their senior years. Their metabolic rate decreases which is due in part to an overall decrease in the lean body mass as their body fat increases. This is one reason why senior pets tend to gain weight even if they are consuming the same quantity of food just a few years back. Your pet’s diet is just one of the important topics that you should discuss with your animal hospital Ellicott City, MD during your pet’s wellness check.

Asthma In Cats

Feline asthma is a chronic condition affecting the bronchial airways of cats. The primary culprit is exposure to specific allergens that cause inflammation in the airways and lungs. The disease process is slow but progressive. While it is difficult to treat, the symptoms can be controlled with medications. Some potential allergens that can trigger asthma in cats include cigarette smoke, pollens, strong-smelling cleaner or perfumes, air freshener, dusty cat litter, and molds to name a few. Cats that harbor heartworms also have a higher risk of manifesting chronic asthma symptoms. While mild cases of asthma in cats are usually self-limiting and characterized only by coughing, more serious cases can cause difficulty breathing as cats find it difficult to get oxygen throughout the body. Affected cats can suffer fainting spells and collapse. This is brought about by the severe inflammation and narrowing of the smaller airways of the lungs. If your cat is prone to bouts of asthma attacks, be sure to follow the instructions of your veterinarians Ellicott City, MD regarding the dosage and frequency of medications to prevent potential complications.

The American Leopard Hound

You’ve been learning about the different dog breeds that are out there, and the American Leopard Hound has caught your eye. What should you know about this pet?

The American Leopard hound is one of the oldest tree dog breeds in the United States, so they are rather well-known and have a lengthy history. These dogs are known for their intelligent minds and loving personality. Their athletic nature and hardiness make them well known for being hunting companions. Their ability to thrive in a variety of weather conditions only enhances this. They make great family dogs and are eager to spend time with and protect children. This is a large breed which can vary quite a bit in coat color and markings. This means that you may find solid colors or leopard and brindle patterns. Your local veterinarian Ellicott City, MD can help you care for the pets in your home.

Ear Infections In Cats

Ear infection in cats is often accompanied by pain. Without prompt veterinary intervention, it can damage the ear canal. Fortunately, ear infection is not as common in cats as it is in dogs. Some of the important predisposing factors of ear infections in cats include allergies, ear mites, abnormal growth, and abscess in the ear canal. Ear mites are very contagious and commonly found in kittens, although cats of any age can be infected. Ear infection should be suspected in cats when they exhibit the following symptoms:

l  There is a dark discharge or crusty debris that can be seen in the ear canal opening.

l  The cat scratches at his ears persistently often causing injury

l  Massaging the base of the cat’s ears tend to cause pain and discomfort. A wet sound may be heard when the ears are massage.

l  Lack of coordination in body movements

l  The cat’s head appear to tilt

l  They size of the pupils are uneven

 After a thorough examination and perhaps some tests, your veterinarians Ellicott City, MD may prescribe antibiotic ointments or drops for the ear, and oral antibiotics. Surgery may be needed for cats suffering from recurrent ear infections or those that don’t respond well to prescribed medication.  

Bark Control Collars

Bark control collars are designed to reduce barking in dogs. However, these collars have no effect on the underlying cause of the behavior. Thus, there is still a need for pet owners to identify what is causing their dogs’ persistent or excessive barking. The most common bark control collars include spray collars, ultrasonic collars, and shock collars.

Spray collars

Spray collars are designed to release some citronella in response to a dog’s barking. Catching a whiff of citronella can interrupt and discourage a dog from barking. However, spray collars don’t respond to high-pitched barks, thus they are not fool-proof answers to barking problems in dogs. It is not advisable to let your dog wear a spray collar when around other dogs because the bark of another dog may trigger the collar to release citronella.

Shock collars

Barking triggers a shock collar to give the dog a mild electrical shock. This is often considered the least humane of all bite control collars.

Ultrasonic collars

Ultrasonic collars are designed to interrupt a dog’s bark with an ultra-high frequency sound that only dogs can hear.

Know more about your pet's needs during your pet’s next visit to your Ellicott City, MD veterinary clinic.

Choosing a bed for your dog

Your dog is an excellent companion and you know that he will need a place all to himself where he can get some rest when he uses up all his energy. How can you choose the ideal bed for your pet’s needs?

Your dog needs to be able to rest in a location that will offer him some quiet, so make sure you are considering where you will put the bed of your choosing to ensure it will fit. It should be large enough that your pet can relax on it no matter how he chooses to rest and it should be relatively easy for you to keep clean. Your pet needs you to take the time to figure out what he needs for support and to find a bed that will offer this to him. For additional information, please contact your veterinary clinic Ellicott City MD.