Why your bird may be plucking out her feathers

You share your home with a feathery friend, and this means that you are able to be there to see what she is up to quite often. She has started to pluck out her feathers a bit, and you find this distressing. Why is she doing this?

Feather plucking may seem strange to you, but it’s actually a common issue that veterinarians are often contacted about. There are a lot of birds who keep to large groups in the wild, and this tends to offer them a sense of safety and security. When these birds are then brought into a home setting on their own, they don’t know how to handle the solitude. Feather plucking is often their way of expressing the distress they are feeling as they aren’t sure what else to do about it. For additional information, please contact your local Louisville, CO veterinarian.

The Hamster basics

You have been looking into all the pets that you feel drawn to, as you want to bring a pet into your home soon. A hamster sounds like an appealing option. What should you know about caring for a pet like this?

Hamsters are wonderful little creatures, and they allow pet owners to care for a furry friend even if they don’t have much living space available to them. Because of their size, they wind up being great for apartment living. This is also true because they are relatively quiet. Hamsters will require daily attention and lots of time outside of their enclosures. You will need to make sure they are well-fed, get enough exercise, and that they are safe within your home. Daily cleaning will need to be performed in their enclosures as well. For additional information, please contact your local Sugar Land, TX vet.

Causes for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) in Cats

There are no definite causes of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) in cats. However, it is believed that it can be a genetically related disorder or result from pre-existing heart conditions such as congestive heart failure, heart murmurs, and blood clots. A cat with these pre-existing conditions may not have HCM. Cats with HCM may not have these pre-existing conditions, which can make early detection and diagnose extremely difficult. HCM causes a thickening of the heart muscle and is known as the silent killer because it can cause sudden death. It is generally found in young or middle-aged male cats. Breeds prone to the disease include the Cornish Rex, Maine Coon, and Ragdoll. HCM causes scar tissue to form on the heart which makes the heart too muscular and the main pump too small. Space for blood flow becomes limited. Your Rochester, NY vet can tell you that HCM is the most common cause of sudden death in house cats. Learn more here.

Bird cage basics

To keep your feathery friend safe within your home, you will need to offer her some space to call her own. This will most likely take the form of a bird cage. What should you look for when shopping for one?

Your bird’s cage should be an ideal place for your pet to meet her needs. This means that your new companion will need to be able to get something to eat, stay hydrated, get some exercise, and entertain herself within this area. She should also be able to be safely contained in this area when she is not being supervised outside of this space. Consider your pet’s individual needs and determine how they can be met within a potential cage. This will help you figure out what will work for your pet and what won’t. For more information, please contact your local Orangevale, CA veterinarian.

Feeding your guinea pig

You are now looking after a guinea pig of your very own and you can’t help but want to give it your all. How can you feed her so she will stay healthy and strong?

Your pet needs you to take the time to determine what the ideal foods are for her. This will likely take some independent research on your pet in addition to some discussion with your guinea pig’s veterinarian. Most pets like this will require plenty of hay to help with digestion, so be sure to choose a high-quality option. They also consume a combination of commercial pellet food and fresh produce that has been washed and cut to a convenient size. Both of these will likely be offered in specific portions to ensure your pet is eating enough to stay strong but not overindulging. For additional information, please contact your local Matthews, NC veterinarian.

Choosing pet supply items for your cat

Your cat may like to think she is an independent creature, but she actually depends on you for quite a bit. One thing she definitely needs you to do is find, purchase, and bring home the pet supply items she requires to meet her needs.

To choose the ideal options for your pet, you will have to look at each need individually. Different items will need different traits to work well for your pet. This means that it won’t automatically be the most popular brand or the most expensive product that gives your pet what she needs. Consider all your options, but don’t be swayed by marketing techniques designed to make you purchase more than you need. Talk to your pet’s veterinarian if you have questions about these items so you can make a more informed decision. For additional information, please contact your local London, ON veterinarian.

Services for Your Cat

Just because you’re busy doesn’t mean you can’t take care of your cat! Instead of trying to find time to do everything on your own, try one of these feline-friendly services.

Taking your cat to the groomer can solve a lot of your chore problems. They can give your cat a bath, brush his hair, and trim his nails. They can even shave him, if you’re tired of dealing with mats!

Tired of dealing with your cat’s litter box? You might not have to do it on your own! See if you can find someone to come over and scoop it for you by posting an add on an app or Craigslist.

Don’t have time to play with your cat during the day? Hire a sitter to stop by! You can also ask your veterinary clinic Lakeville, MN for more ideas that will make your life easier.