My Dog Isn’t Eating

If your dog skips a meal, don’t panic. Keep an eye on him and see if he shows any signs of an illness. For instance, is he lethargic? Does he want to go out for walks? Is his stool and urine normal? Is he shaking, hunching over like he’s in pain, have a hunched back which also signals pain, vomiting, drooling, etc.? If he has any of those symptoms call your vet to schedule an exam right away. If your dog doesn’t appear to be acting any different than usual then wait him out and see if he will eat his next meal. Sometimes dogs will eat a lot one day and skip a meal the next day. If your dog gets a lot of treats in between meals then he may not be hungry. Offer your dog his meal at a later time and see if that makes a difference. Consult with your Marion, IA veterinary clinic as well.

Benefits of Wet Food for Cats

The type of food you feed your cat can have positive and negative effects on your cat’s growth and wellbeing. For instance, feeding a food that is mostly filler is going to affect your cat negatively. Not only will he not get needed nutrients, but he will most likely gain weight quickly because of the fillers in the food. When buying wet food, look for wholesome ingredients such as real fish or real meat. Wet food is great for young kittens transferring over to regular food. It is soft on their teeth and more appealing than dry food. Wet food is also great for older cats that might not be able to chew on dry crunchy food. Wet food also has extra moisture that can help keep your cat hydrated especially if your cat is not a big water drinker. For more tips, talk with your Mt. Pleasant, SC veterinary clinic.

Why You Shouldn’t Let Your Child Ride Your Dog

If you have a large dog, your children have probably been tempted to ride him. You may be tempted to let them because it would make such a cute photo opportunity! No matter how cute or fun it sounds, it’s a bad idea.

First of all, your dog isn’t trained to carry a human on its back. That means an accident is likely to happen. After all, riders get thrown from horses that aren’t properly broken, so you can expect this to be the case with a dog that isn’t trained to be ridden.

Why aren’t dogs trained to be ridden? They don’t have muscles or a spine that can withstand the weight of a person, no matter how small. Even a Great Dane can suffer major problems when ridden by a small child.

Your veterinary clinic Lakeville, MN can tell you more about why it is a bad idea.

Should You Put Your Parrot on Your Shoulder?

When you envision a parrot, you probably think of the bird hanging out on his owner’s shoulder. It may not be a problem for you or your bird, but you should think carefully about whether you want to take the risk.

First, it can be dangerous to your bird, especially if you have a smaller breed. It’s easy for those little claws to lose their footing which could cause your pet to tumble to the floor.

You might be asking for trouble as well. No matter how well behaved your parrot, these animals can be startled easily. If he gets startled on your shoulder, he may lash out at your ear, nose, or lip.

You may have the opposite problem. Your bird may like your shoulder so much that he refuses to get off!

Your veterinary clinic Glendale, AZ can provide you with training tips that will make putting your bird on your shoulder easier.

Common Illnesses in Senior Birds

Pet birds can live anywhere from five years to fifty years or more depending on the species. For instance, the Finch can live 4 to 7 years while the African Grey can live 50 years. Lovebirds can live between 8 and 14 years. As your bird grows older he may develop common illnesses and health conditions associated with senior birds. Vitamin deficiency and obesity are very common for senior birds. It’s important to see a vet regularly to know how to adjust your bird’s diet. Seizures are common in older birds a well. African Greys and Cockatiels are the most common to develop neurological health issues. Cataracts are also seen in quite a few senior birds especially parrots. Mobility is another common illness as many birds start to develop arthritis in their joints. Talk with your veterinarian Farmers Franch, TX to learn how to spot these ailments in your senior bird.

Reasons Why a Sugar Glider Is a Challenging Pet

Sugar gliders are cute pets. They can also be very loyal pets. But that doesn’t mean they are easy pets!

One of the biggest problems with sugar gliders is the cage they require. They will be unhappy in any cage that is less than three feet tall. The bottom of the cage should be at least two feet wide by two feet long. However, these animals are much happier in a much larger cage!

The kind of food they eat can make it difficult to own one. They need stuff like meal-worms, fruit, and vegetables, not food that can be purchased in a bag from the pet store.

These critters are very social, which means they’ll take up a lot of your time! If you still think a sugar glider is a good choice for your family, click here, or plan a visit with your veterinary clinic Happy Valley, OR.