Can Dogs Like the Irish Setter have Chocolate?

 

Whether you own an Irish Setter or another type of canine, you should never give him chocolate. Also be careful not to leave chocolate in a place where your dog can get to it. If your Irish Setter does eat chocolate, call your vet. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning may include extreme thirst, diarrhea, unusual amounts of energy, pacing, shaking, or seizures. Do not wait for symptoms to appear as they may take six to twelve hours to develop. Be prepared to tell your vet your Irish Setter’s weight, and the amount of chocolate he may have eaten. Small amounts of chocolate may not affect a Pomeranian the way it would an Irish Setter. In less extreme cases, your vet may tell you to give your dog one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide for every twenty pounds he weighs. This will make your dog vomit. Click for more information or call your vets Davie, FL.

Ways to Exercise Your Syrian Hamster

 

Are you looking to buy or adopt a Syrian hamster? Perhaps you already own a hamster and may be wondering how much exercise he requires. Your vet can help you with this. Most hamsters require exercise on a daily basis. You can encourage your Syrian hamster to exercise while in his cage by buying him an exercise wheel. You can also place toys, tunnels and other vet approved items in his cage to encourage him to move around. If you have time, try your hamster in an exercise ball. This will give him the opportunity to explore the world around him from the safety of the exercise ball. Some owners suggest allowing your hamster playtime in the exercise ball or outside of his cage at least three times a week. Try these suggestions to give your vets Louisville, KY a call to learn more.

Why Do Cats Become Overweight?

  

Cats have different metabolism rates, especially if they are active or if they stay indoors. An average cat needs about 20 calories per pound to be considered healthy. On the other hand, an outdoor cat needs 35 calories per pound. If you do a rough estimate, this means that your kitty needs 200 calories every day.

But if your cat is already carrying excess pounds, you should limit the number of calories she consumes in a day. This translates to about 40 calories or less per day. Veterinarians are already concerned about the growing number of obese cats in the household. It can even be considered an epidemic.

An obese cat can develop complications like heart ailment, diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, or liver diseases. Your cat might become lazy and lethargic due to the excess weight. And worse, the cat might die early due to complications. You can do something about this condition. Control your pet’s diet, and give her a well-balanced meal.

Do consult your vet Shreveport LA before starting your pet on a weight loss regimen.

Is Homemade Food Appropriate For Cats?

Cats are considered to be true carnivores.  Therefore, their nutritional requirements are specific, meaning that their diet should be meat-based.  If you fail to fulfill your pet cat’s nutritional needs, it could lead to health problems and certain nutrient deficiencies for her.

The increasing recalls of pet food products have prompted cat owners to prepare their pet’s food themselves.  Even though this is made with the pet owner’s best intentions, mistakes are likely to occur with how the food is formulated, most especially if a veterinarian or pet nutritionist is not consulted first.  The different stages of life (senior, adult, kitten) of a cat differ in their nutritional and calorie requirements.  Pet owners may think that the food they made is safe and healthy, but it could have some unintended consequences.

Several of the usual mistakes in cat food formulas made at home are not enough meat used leading to a deficiency in taurine, excessive tuna used leading to joint and bone issues and vitamin-A toxicosis, and excessive raw fish leading to vitamin B1 degradation.

Consult with your animal hospital Bossier City LA regarding your plan on making homemade food for your cat.

How To Choose The Appropriate Litter Box For Your Pet

 

An ideal litter box is big enough to allow your pet to move around as it pees or poops. The litter box should be more than half the size of your pet. You can use a storage bin or tote container for a litter box. You should have enough litter boxes for your multiple cats. You can even add more than one so they don’t crowd in one litter box.

Put the litter box in different rooms and different floors around the house. Having a convenient litter box encourages your cat to use it when she needs to go potty. It is also not advised to put two litter boxes together since your kitty might think that it is just one big litter box. If you have an older pet, you can get a litter box with a low opening. A low opening allows your pet to get in and out without trouble. You can also put a litter box near your pet's favorite place. Replace litter boxes often because they tend to retain the scent. The plastic material used is porous, that’s why the odor remains.

A sudden change in your pet’s litter box habits should prompt a visit to your veterinary hospital Middletown, DE sooner rather than later. Learn more here.

Mite Infestation In Hedgehogs

 

Mites are a kind of parasite that easily spreads between hedgehogs. Mites look like ticks or spiders but are smaller and have a reddish color. A hedgehog that has a mite infestation can suffer from irritation of the skin and also hair and spine loss, affecting the animal’s quills. And since mites are so small, it is possible that you may not see them, but they do leave their mark on your pet. Spine shedding is a natural process undergone by hedgehogs, but if you see spots devoid of hair and spines, this is far from normal and might be brought about by mites. Some other possible signs that there could be an infestation of mites include low energy, weight loss, and constant scratching, biting, licking, or chewing at any body part or just all over. Skin flaking off or dandruff can also be an indicator.

Your vet Middletown, DE will take a hair and skin sample and then examine them with a microscope. Even though the test might not have one hundred percent accuracy, mites can be easily detected if the infestation is heavy.

Tomato Leaves – Toxic for Hamsters Like the Chinese Hamster

Did you know that Chinese hamsters are particularly small creatures with small stomachs and digestive systems? There are certain foods that are recommended for hamsters and certain foods that hamsters should avoid. Talk with your vet about an appropriate diet for your hamster. In general, follow your vet’s guidelines and don’t add anything outside of the list. If you have a question about a food not recommended by your vet, give him a call and ask. For instance, hamsters can eat some fruits and vegetables, but not all. Some vegetables are harmless; however, some vegetables have parts that are harmless and parts that are toxic. For instance, your Chinese hamster may love tomatoes, but you must be careful not to allow him to get hold of the stems or leafy green parts of the plant. A fruit may be OK to feed your hamster, but you should always ask your animal hospital Louisville KY first.