Dogs Feel Happy When They Are Part Of A Pack

 

Dogs are social creatures. They like to feel that they are part of a pack, wherein they share the same territory and mission. Allow your dog that they are part of a group. As the pet owner, you assume the leadership role. If you have other dogs in the household, you should foster a sense of belongingness among your pooch.

Aside from providing solidarity, you should also ensure the well-being and safety of the pack. You can initiate group activities such as walking or playtime. Through these activities, you encourage interaction among the pack. You will also help your dogs become more confident in their group.

Maintain a regular schedule to instill control and consistency in the pack. If your dogs do not have a leader, they will become confused and nervous. They might even get into fights as they establish leadership among themselves. The one dog that ends up being the leader will be restless and nervous because of the responsibility he now holds.

If you have concerns about your pet’s behavior, contact your animal hospital Wake Forest, NC. Click to know more about their services.

Vitamin C Is Essential For Guinea Pigs

Vitamin C is a primary dietary requirement for pet guinea pigs, as their bodies cannot produce vitamin C naturally. Guinea pigs deficient in vitamin C suffer may from scurvy. Symptoms of scurvy in guinea pigs include lethargy, weight loss, bleeding, and hair loss. As such, they must get vitamin C from the food they eat and supplements. Among the fresh vegetables and fruits, pet owners may feed their pets with kale, carrots, spinach, parsley, oranges, bell peppers, and apples. Guinea pigs primarily feed on pellets, which are rich in vitamin C. However, vitamin C loses potency over time. It is best to purchase pellets in small quantities and store the unused ones in cool and dry storage. Guinea pigs can also take vitamin C tablets which can be crushed and mixed with their food.

A regular visit to the veterinarian Tipp City, OH for a checkup is necessary to ensure pets are always in good health.

Scurvy In Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs develop scurvy because they lack Vitamin C. To treat this disease, the vet should give enough Vitamin C to reverse the effect.

Here is the treatment plan to cure scurvy:

• Vitamin C could be added to the cavy's meal, including food and water.

• If the scurvy is in a serious stage, the Vitamin C could be given as an injection to maximize the effect.

• The cavy could be given 30 mg of Vitamin C depending on their weight. This is the set amount that will make up for the usual dose of 5-10 mg that a healthy cavy takes. The added dose of vitamin will be gone until the scurvy symptoms are resolved.

The Vitamin C regimen will usually take about one week. The cavy will recover afterward.  Experts do not recommend giving multivitamins to guinea pigs because they might overdose. Excess vitamin could lead to poisoning.

If you notice any changes in your pet's health, you should bring them to a vet Salisbury, NC. It is better to prevent the disease from developing rather than treating it.

Paw Care Tips For Winter And Summer

 

Pet owners need to care for their dog’s paws, too. This body part is essential for the dog’s mobility. Paws require a different kind of care per season.

Winter Care Tips

The cold environment can cause the paws to get cracked and chapped. What’s more, there could be rock salt or chemical ice melters on the pavement. When your dog makes regular contact, he might end up having foot sores, skin infections, or blistering.

Protect the paws by washing these after you go out. You can also put Vaseline or salt barrier on the paws before leaving the house. If your dog will allow you, put some doggie booties on him. 

Summer Care Tips

The hot pavement can also hurt the paws. When it’s very hot, avoid walking in the sand and pavement so your dog will not get blisters.

In case your dog suffers from minor burns, you can wash the paw with a bar of antibacterial soap and cover it with a bandage after.  But for serious burns, bring your pet to an veterinary clinic Washington DC for proper medical intervention.

Breeds Ideal For New Rabbit Keepers

 

Not every rabbit breed will make a good beginner’s pet.  Below are 3 rabbit breeds that are very much recommended for new keepers:

●New Zealand rabbit breeds can make ideal pets.  Rabbits of this breed can weigh somewhere around nine to twelve pounds.  They have medium-sized well-rounded bodies and they are usually kept by laboratories.  The New Zealand rabbit is not really from New Zealand but rather is an American breed from California, bred during the early 20th century.

●Mini Plush Lops are another ideal choice for new pet rabbit keepers.  They can weigh around two and a half to four pounds.  This rabbit breed is a mix of Mini Lops, Mini Rex, and Holland Lop breeds.  This Mini Plush can be affectionate and will make a good companion pet for novice and beginner keepers as they have great temperaments.  This breed is fragile, however, and must be handled carefully.

●Dutch Rabbits can make good children’s pets.  Caring for this breed of rabbit is easier when compared to the other breeds.  This rabbit can weigh anywhere around three to five and a half pounds and they have big upright pointing ears.  They were initially bred in Holland as their name suggests, and they were originally called Hollander rabbits.

Your new pet will benefit from regular health and wellness checks at your animal hospital Savannah GA.

How To Shampoo Your Dog

 

If you want to keep your doggie clean, you should use the right products during bath time. You can use shampoo on your pet, but make sure that the shampoo is specially formulated for animals.

The right type of shampoo will not contain any ingredients that may be harmful to your pet. In contrast, a shampoo for humans may contain other ingredients that could be toxic for your pet.

Here are some points to consider when using shampoo on your dog:

• Cleaning products such as shampoo or soap can irritate the eyes

• Use a vet-approved eye lubricant to protect the dog’s eyes during bath time

• A sprayer or hose with a showerhead is best to use when rinsing the dog. You can control the flow of water this way.

• You can use a washcloth so you don’t have to shampoo the dog’s head. The washcloth is effective in removing any dirt or debris that forms on the dog's face.

• Cover the dog’s ears with large cotton balls to protect it during bath time.

You can ask your vet Seminole, FL for a recommendation on the right shampoo you can use for your pet.

Accommodating Your Elderly Pet's Special Needs

 

If you are going to be caring for your elderly dog, you will need to make changes in your home to allow your pet to live an easier life.

An arthritic pet or one with joint problems will have difficulty floors that are hard or going up furniture or beds by jumping, most especially if his vision is impaired. Try laying down a rug or a carpet so that your arthritic pet will not be too exposed to surfaces that are too hard. If your home has stairs, try not to let your dog climb them often as it will surely cause them pain. See if you can set up ramps to allow your pet to join you easily when riding the car or even just going up or down levels of your home.

Ensure that your pet’s water and food dishes are readily accessible anytime and put his bed where it is simple enough for him to get into at any point in time. An elderly dog’s favorite resting areas have to be modified to be more comfortable too. Like perhaps acquiring softer beddings or one that your pet need not jump or climb high to get in. Also try looking at heated beddings, most especially if you live in areas that have freezing winters and your pet is arthritic.

Any sign of illness exhibited by your senior pet should warrant an appointment with your vet clinic Brampton, ON.