Mites In Hedgehogs

Hedgehogs living in the wild often are infested with parasites like ticks, fleas, and mites. The same goes for pet hedgehogs. Hedgehogs can get mites from other infested hedgehogs, which they may contact at the breeders, in pet stores, shelters, or previously contaminated bedding. Fortunately, they are easy to prevent and treat, and they will not bother human beings. Mites are tiny parasites, which are arachnids similar to small spiders or ticks. They bite and irritate your hedgehog's skin, just like its spine, hair, and quills. You may or may not see the actual mites on your pet hedgehog, but you probably will see the damage the mites cause to your pet. Mites irritate and can lead to hair and spine loss; while hedgehogs will normally shed some of their spines, areas of apparent spine or hair loss are abnormal and an indication that your hedgehog may have mites. Other symptoms may include:

• Biting, licking, chewing, or scratching itself
• Weight loss
• Low energy
• Dandruff and very flaky skin

Any sign of illness exhibited by your pet should require a visit to your veterinary hospital Scottsdale, AZ for proper medical attention.

Does Your Fischer’s Lovebird Need a Vet?

Yes! Routine vet care is as important for your Fischer’s lovebird as it is for your dog or cat. If you’ve just received your bird, give your local vet a call to find out if he offers services for birds. If so, schedule a first time appointment for routine care and possible vaccinations. You will probably find that Fischer birds are a generally healthy species; however, it’s a good idea to take them in for a first time visit in order to establish a base line of health. This way if your bird is sick in the future you will have a history of sorts to go by when treating. Vaccines will depend on your region and your particular bird so be sure to talk to your vet. Schedule your Fischer’s routine health appointments ahead of time. If you have additional questions, talk with your vet Scottsdale AZ. 

Changing Your Pet’s Food

Offering your pet high-quality food suitable for its life stage is vital and its importance cannot be overstated enough.  Each stage in life has distinctive dietary needs that have to be adequately fulfilled by food that is formulated specifically to meet these everyday needs for certain calorie levels and nutrients.

At about nine months to one year old, most puppy diets are changed from puppy food over to adult formulation.  But large breed puppies may need to remain on the puppy growth formulation for longer periods when compared to other breeds.  Adult diets will most often be switched over to special elderly pet food at about seven years of age.  With most puppies, being fed with the puppy growth food formulation for an extended period will just raise their risk of becoming obese or overweight.  Check with your veterinarian Scottsdale, AZ regarding your pet’s dietary requirements. More tips can be found at Raintree Pet Resort & Medical Center.

Traveling With Your Pet Cat? Find Out If She Needs A Seat Belt

State rules vary regarding the use of a seatbelt or harness for your pets. Before going out, check with local authorities or your vet if you need to install a restraint in your vehicle.

If your pet kitty likes to ride in your cat, then it is necessary to put her in a seatbelt or harness. In pet stores or online, you can find several seatbelts that are built specifically for cats. You will easily comply with the state rules if your cat stays in her seatbelt.

However, if local rules do not require any form of car restraint, it would be better if you place your kitty in the back seat. You can concentrate on driving because your cat won’t interfere with what you are doing. However, you can put your kitty in a carrier if she keeps wandering around the car. You can ask your local veterinary clinic Scottsdale AZ for more information about seatbelts or harnesses.

The Importance Of Keeping Your Bird Indoors

 

For thousands of years, birds have been kept as pets. In Ancient Egypt, they were used to hunt, while luxurious birdcages were a status symbol in Ancient Greece. But even if birds have been living with humans for a very long time, they still possess strong instincts. This means the call of the wild is still very strong for them and they may try to escape. Undertaking measures to prevent your feathered friend from escaping can go a long way in keeping your pet safe. When pet birds escape, this can lead to several serious issues. Considering that they have been domesticated, they don’t possess the skills that are necessary to survive in the wild. As pets, they are used to having their basic needs --food, shelter, etc.-- provided by their owners. Pet birds that escape will find it a struggle to look for food. They might also attract the attention of the wild bunch when they roost in another bird’s territory causing them to be attacked. The risk of being exposed to infectious diseases is also very imminent. 

Any sign of illness should be brought to the attention of your vet Scottsdale, AZ. Learn more by visiting website https://raintreepetscottsdale.com.

Combs and Brushes For Cat Grooming

 

Even though cats are fastidious groomers, they will still need a helping hand every now and then. But with all the different grooming tools for pets that are available, choosing the right combs and brushes for your pet can be outright confusing. The primary factor that you should consider when choosing is your cat’s hair coat, specifically the texture and length. If your cat has shedding issues, a de-shedding tool will come in handy. Most cats look forward to grooming sessions with their cat parents. Brushing your cat’s hair coat is also one of the best ways to prevent hairballs because you remove loose hair thus preventing your cat from ingesting hair. The following grooming tools are suitable for cats:

● Slicker brush - Removes knots and tangles, spreads the skin’s natural oils throughout the cat’s hair coat, and smooths fur. 

● Molting comb - Extremely useful for long-haired cats to detangle mats and prevent them from forming.

● Bristle brush - Great for short-haired cats. 

● Rubber brush - Recommended for long-haired cats and heavy shedders.

● Flea comb - Removes fleas, flea dirt, and eggs from a cat’s hair coat. 

● Pin brush - Help removes knots and tangles and prevents matting.

Signs of hair coat and skin problems should be brought to the attention of your vet Scottsdale AZ.

Finding pet supplies for an exotic companion

 

You are the proud owner of an exotic pet and you want to make sure you have everything she needs on hand so she can lead the best life she possibly can. How can you find the supplies she needs?

The first step in finding the right supplies is understanding what they are in the first place. Think about what she needs in order to thrive and take the time to talk with her veterinarian to determine the right options. Seek these items out locally and request a special order if the stores you head into don’t carry the items you are looking for. You may find that, in time, they start regularly stocking them. You can also seek certain items out online and have them delivered right to your home. Your local veterinarians Scottsdale, AZ can help you care for your pet. Click here for additional information.

Negative Litter Box Association In Cats

If a cat that keeps on using the litter box suddenly starts to do his business somewhere else, there could be something wrong. Taking steps to find out what could be causing your pet’s behavior can help nip the problem in the bud before it can become a deeply ingrained.

One common reason is a bad experience that the cat may have been through while using the litter box. The cat may appear hesitant to use the box, entering it but then leaving quickly. Sometimes, the cat may leave before doing his thing.

Painful elimination is a common cause of negative litter box association. Certain medical issues can cause pain during elimination. Unfortunately, the cat may associate the pain with using the litter box. Even if the cat has already recovered from the illness, this negative association may still cause litter box avoidance.

A visit to your veterinary clinic Scottsdale, AZ can help identify what is causing your pet’s negative behavior.

Spending time with your feathery friend

Your bird is a wonderful part of your life and you want to make sure she knows that spending time with her is a priority in your life. How can you do this?

Your pet needs to be able to understand that there may be a lot of things you need to take care of throughout the day, but dedicating time to simply enjoy her company is still possible. Be with your pet as often as you can and make sure you are bonding with her. Schedule this time into your day so it can become a habit you can enjoy regularly. Play with her, offer guidance, and give her some supervised time outside of her cage to help break up her day a bit and help her get some socialization in. Your local vet Scottsdale, AZ can offer additional guidance.

Helping your gerbil stay well-hydrated

You share your home with an adorable gerbil and you know that he needs you to look after him in more ways than one. How can you help him stay well-hydrated?

Your pet needs to be able to really enjoy his time in your care and the only way for him to do this is to help him stay healthy. Hydration will need to be a top concern of yours because it is so important. Make sure your pet has plenty of fresh, clean water available to him. This should be offered in a water bottle designed for gerbils to use to he will be able to access his water with ease. Make sure to keep refreshing his water as needed and cleaning out the bottle it is placed in regularly. For more information, please contact your local vet Scottsdale, AZ.