Dachshunds and Back Injuries

The Dachshund breed of canine is such a fun breed. These pint size dogs have big ears, long bodies, short legs, long tails and big personalities. They don’t realize they’re small and often times try to do things that big dogs do including jump on and off furniture and play with children. What’s wrong with these two common canine activities? Nothing if it were another breed. The Dachshund, however, is an exception. Because of his long body the Dachshund is prone to different back pains and injuries. Playing with children when supervised is fine, but not unsupervised. If a child tries to pick up the Dachshund without support the irregularly long back of the dog then there is risk the dogs back could be injured or even break. The same for furniture, if he misses when jumping on or jumps off too hard he could severely injure his back. Read more here or call your local  pet clinic Riverbend, ON.

Dog Foods for Seniors

Looking for a new dog food now that your canine pup has reached the senior years (i.e. 7 or older)? If so, ask your pet store associate for suggestions on senior dry food and wet food. You should also consult your vet since your vet knows your pup’s health and history best. One recommendation is the Royal Canin senior dog food based on breeds. There is one that is for 8 and old that comes in different size kibble depending on the dog’s size. Another comes in 12 and older as well. If your senior is OK with dry food this would be an option. You can also compare ingredients on this brand with your favorite brand if you choose to purchase that one instead. Wet canned food is available in this line for 8 and older in case your senior can’t handle the dry food. Read here for more information or contact your pet clinic East Dallas, TX.

Should you hire a dog walker?

You have a dog in your life who seems to want to be outside at all times. This makes you wonder – should you hire a dog walker?

Your dog needs to head outside for a walk each day and she likely looks forward to this. She needs to be able to rest and relax in your care, but heading outdoors is really a necessity as well since it gives her a lot of sensory information to process. Hiring a dog walker can be helpful as it will allow your pet to head out and about while you are otherwise occupied. If you can find someone you trust to bring your pet out when you are unable to do it, it could enhance your pet’s life a bit. Your reputed animal hospital London, ON can help you care for your pet. Click here for additional information.

Caring for a canine companion who isn’t feeling well

Your dog is a wonderful companion and you want to make sure he is able to get everything he needs in your care. This makes you wonder – how can you care for him if he isn’t feeling well?

Being close with your dog and taking the time to determine his mood each day can go a long way in helping you care for him. If you think he is sick, you will need to seek out the attention of a professional so he can get the care he needs right away. You will then need to make a point to follow any directions that are given to you and follow-up as suggested. Help your pet stay calm and comfortable by being with him as often as you can and taking the time to take his mind off of how he is feeling. Your local animal hospital London, ON can help you better understand your pet.

Handling Your Pet Snake

Many snakes enjoy handling and your snake may enjoy your touch. Others snakes may lash out and shouldn’t be handled unless it is urgent. Do your research and choose your snake carefully based on your knowledge and experience with snakes. Snakes taken from the wild don’t make good pets since they haven’t been handled and may lash out at you. Choose a captive-bred snake instead. Always handle your snake with kindness and respect. Be confident and act efficiently when handling your snake. Support your snake’s full length as you pick up your snake and as you handle him. Make sure that your snake knows there is no food at stake as you pick him up. Otherwise he might inadvertently bite you. Watch for signs of aggression that could put you at risk of injury. Wash your hands thoroughly after you put your snake back into his enclosure. For more information, contact your pet clinic Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Handling Your Hedgehog

You need to handle your hedgehog to remove him from his enclosure while you clean it plus during socialization, and during daily socialization and exercise time. The spines can be threatening and pokey. Only handle your hedgehog when he is calm to reduce injury from the spines. Make sure he is okay with you handling him. Talk or sing to him softly while sitting close to the enclosure. Drape your hand in the enclosure for exploration and try feeding him. Act efficiently by scooping him up from underneath with one hand. Use the other hand over the spines to keep him from failing. If you keep your pet calm and the spines evenly distributed on your hand, there shouldn’t be any damage. You might need to cover the spines at first to prevent getting poked. Be prepared to set him on a safe surface to keep him from falling. For more information, contact your vet clinic Bourne, MA.

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.