Chew Toys For Pocket Pets

Do you have a small pet, like a hamster or gerbil? One thing that is very important about these little animals is making sure that they have suitable chew toys. Because these animals live on fibrous roots and plants in the wild, they normally wear their teeth down quite a bit. Their teeth have evolved to grow continuously, so that wear and tear doesn’t leave them toothless. Pets have much softer foods on the menu, so their choppers don’t get worn down. 

You’ll need to provide your pint-sized pet with plenty of suitable chew toys. You can buy these online or in stores, but there are also many options for those you can make your own. You can use paper, cardboard, and many types of wood or wicker. Just don’t offer anything small or sharp, or anything that could be toxic. 

Your local vets Ellicott City, MD are a great source of information about caring for a pocket pet. Don’t be afraid to ask questions! 

Why Do Cats Scratch ?

Cats have various reasons why they scratch. In some cases, cats need to remove the uppermost layer of the nails. They also need to tell others of their territory or announce their presence. All these are possible when your cat release scent coming out of the nails. 

Cats can also leave a mark that everyone can see when they scratch. 

Finally, cats can stretch their body as they scratch the various surface.

Cats have various reasons why they want to claw at things around your house. And if you are thinking of getting a cat, you should know that they will claw at some point to keep healthy. Your cat could claw to control their emotions. Or they can mark their territory. They do this by leaving a scent on the items they are clawing. And they can also leave visible marks to claim what is theirs.

Thus, it is essential to have a scratching post. Put at least one scratcher in the house if you have a pet cat. It would even be better to have more than one scratcher.

Your vets Ellicott City MD is a valuable resource when it comes to issues that affect your pet’s health and behavior.

Tips for Choosing the Best Cat Food

We all want to keep our cats as healthy as possible for as long as possible. Most of us understand that consuming high-quality food is one of the most excellent methods to do this. Finding the most suitable food for your cat, on the other hand, might be difficult. When deciding how to feed cats, the options appear limitless, and there is no shortage of controversy and dispute. With so many cat food options available in the market, cat parents are sure to be perplexed about the best choice to feed their pets. Here's how to find the best cat food for your pet:

·      Understand your pet's life stage. Different life stages (kitten, adult, senior) have different nutritional and calorie needs.

·      Consider your pet's overall health. There are cat foods that assist in weight management issues.

·      Learn about your cat's health history. Prescription diets are available for pets suffering from diseases such as urinary tract infections or dental difficulties. A hypoallergenic diet can also help pets that have food allergies.

·      Always respect your cat's choices. Some cats prefer canned food, while others prefer kibble.

Your pet’s diet is one of the important concerns that you should discuss with your veterinarian Ellicott City MD.

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

Symptoms Of Feline Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)

 

Cats afflicted with FLUTD urinate with difficulty.  Quite a number of conditions may be contributing to FLUTD.  Some of these conditions include infections of the urinary tract, bladder inflammation (cystitis), polyps in the bladder, bladder stones, stress, urethral plug, and perhaps even urinary tract cancer.  Even though there are a number of causes for FLUTD occurring, manifested symptoms are pretty much similar.

FLUTD symptoms

●Urination is painful

●No urine gets passed or very little urine even though the animal is already straining when peeing

●Inappropriate urination

●Urine has blood

●Licks the butt excessively

●Noticeable behavior changes

If you see your cat exhibit any of the symptoms above, make an appointment with your animal hospital Ellicott City, MD as soon as possible.  If a cat is not able to urinate, it can lead to complications.  Without effective and proper intervention and treatment, a blockage in the animal can be fatal.

Managing Your Dog’s Separation Anxiety

 

Dogs that have developed a powerful bond or those who have above average attachment to their owners could suffer from separation anxiety.  They tend to display signs of anxiety and nervousness when they become separated from a family member or their owner.  Such signs include incessant barking, destructive behavior, lethargy, or potty accidents.

Symptoms of separation anxiety are usually observed when the dog’s owner makes preparations to leave. Going potty, profuse panting, being destructive, excessive salivation, and refusal to eat are just some of these symptoms.  Other signs include becoming quiet and reserved.  Dogs like these tend to display extreme excitement upon the owner’s return. This anxiety can be dealt with using the same methods employed with other variations of anxiety.

You should take steps in familiarizing your dog with a routine when you prepare to leave, the actual moment of your leaving, and the time of your return.  Your dog should eventually adapt and accept lengthy periods where there is no one to provide him attention even when you are present at home.

Consulting with your vets Ellicott City MD is always best when there are modifications to your pet’s routine or behavior.

Grooming Long-Haired Cats

 

Did you know that shedding is a common problem for many pet owners whether they own dogs, cats, rabbits, or even guinea pigs? If you’re having trouble with a shedding dog or cat don’t worry. Chances are you’re not the only one. If shedding is out of control for your cat, you may need to take a trip to a local groomer for professional assistance. Long-haired cats especially need routine brushing and grooming to not only maintain a healthy coat, but to also keep the shedding down as much as possible. Shedding, for most cats, is typical, but if you notice your cat shedding much more than usual, call your vet. Your cat may just have an extremely messy shedding season or he could be coming down with an illness or skin allergy that is causing the excessive shedding. Learn more by clicking here or contacting your vets Ellicott City, MD.

Where to place your bird’s cage

Your feathery friend is a big part of your life and you want to make sure you are able to give her everything she needs to be both happy and healthy. Where should you place her enclosure to help make this happen?

Your bird needs you to offer her some space to call her own in an area of your home that will help her stay comfortable. This should be kept at a consistent temperature and offer her light at appropriate times of the day. She should be able to interact with family members often while still being able to meet her needs in her enclosure when required. Your little fur ball will also want you to make sure you can keep up with her care requirements in this area as well, so be sure to place her cage in an area where you can easily get to it. For additional information, please contact your local vet 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.

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.  

Tips to Get the Most out of Your Catio

Your cat is sure to love his new catio, no matter how you design it! However, there are some things you can do to help your feline friend get the most out of his new space.

First, make sure there are plenty of places for your cat to lounge. Most felines like to be up high, especially when they’re outside. Window shelves and chairs are a good start, but you should also consider putting a cat tree in the catio.

Your cat can’t go out and play in the grass, but there’s no reason why you can’t bring a little greenery to him! Place potted plants that are safe for felines in the catio space. Not only will it make it more beautiful, your cat will love munching on the greenery!

For more catio tips, click here, or call your veterinarian Ellicott City, MD.

Why your bird needs time outside of her enclosure

Your feathery friend appreciates all you do for her and she knows that you likely spent a long time choosing her cage for her. However, she will still desire and need time outside of this space. Why is this?

Take the time to consider what life is like within a small area like a bird cage. It may be a nice space, but it is still very limited. This means that your pet will need to get out for a while in order to enjoy the open areas she can safely have access to. She can do different things in these spaces and she will be able to get some exercise while enjoying some time interacting with you. This also gives her a change of scenery, which can offer her some mental stimulation as well. For more information, please contact your local veterinary clinic Ellicott City, MD.