Tips On Handling Guinea Pigs

Guinea pigs are living creatures that need care and attention. Like other living beings, these tiny, adorable-looking species have emotions and feelings too. Thus, when you plan to own two or three of them, prepare yourself to give them the love they deserve. 

You can show them you care by handling them properly. Here are the general guidelines you must follow:

• Remain quiet and respect your new pets when handling them.
• When other humans try to hold your cavies, be there to supervise.
• Allow your cavies to come to you by themselves, and then pick them up by placing your hand under their bellies.
• Avoid crunching their legs. Let them hang onto your hand.
• Place them near your chest so they can feel secure. You can gently pet them using your other hand.

Do these things while still sitting. When both of you are comfortable and have been accustomed to doing these properly you take it to the next level. You may begin to stand and walk around while holding them.

A sudden change in your pet’s behavior should warrant a call to your animal medical clinic Middletown, DE. Click here to set an appointment.

Tips To Keep Your Cat’s Teeth Clean

 

For your cat's dental care, brush her teeth at least once or twice a week. It's best to start brushing routines while she's still a kitten, so she won't be too resistant when she's older. You may use either a one-finger or full-handed glove or a toothpaste-covered gauze made especially for cats. To make the process more pleasant for your cats, you can cover your finger in water from canned tuna.

Always use the right equipment when doing your cat's tooth brushing routine, which you can buy in complete sets in pet shops and vet clinics. Also, never clean your cat's teeth using the toothpaste we use. Human toothpaste has a high amount of fluoride, which can cause severe illnesses when ingested by cats. As we all know, you can't control the amount of toothpaste that your cat swallows. Meanwhile, cat toothpaste is fluoride-free and comes in various flavors like chicken or beef.

Make an appointment at your veterinary hospital Fayetteville, NC for your pet’s health and dental checks.

Protecting Your Pet From Heatstroke

 

Heatstroke, also called heat stress, occurs when pets overheat too much that they can't any cooler their body temp down through ordinary means. Heatstroke leads to the obstruction of tissues in the body and worse, death. Needless to say, you should protect your pet from this.

Never leave your pet in a hot and unventilated space. Give him access to shade and freshwater, and don't let him exercise under hot/humid conditions. Also, don't leave your pet in the car regardless if you put down the window or parked the car in the shade. It's dangerous since the temps can go up quickly due to the car's material. Both brachycephalic or flat-faced cats and dogs are very prone to heatstroke. Here are some signs of eye heatstroke:

●Agitation

●Drooling and vomiting

●Difficulty breathing and weakness

●Weakness

●Neurological symptoms like tremors and seizures

●Collapse

If your pet is showing any signs of heatstroke, take your pet to the nearest animal hospital Lexington, KY immediately. Read more here.

Dwarf Rabbits As Pets

 

The smallest domestic rabbit breed is the dwarf rabbit.  These are quite popular in America as house pets.  If you are considering adopting a cuddly, adorable, docile pet dwarf rabbit, then there are some things you need to have so you can care for them properly.

This rabbit is also called the Netherland dwarf rabbit because of its European origins.  The earliest dwarf rabbit breeds were discovered in Holland, earning them the name ‘Netherland’ dwarf rabbit.  In 1969, these rabbits have become a breed recognized in America.

The Netherland dwarf’s small size makes it more attractive to people as an animal companion.  They appear similar to Polish dwarfs but only weigh about 2 - 2.5 lbs, thus earning them the title of the world’s smallest rabbit.  They have short ears that stand up straight and their fur is glossy, soft, dense, and short.  Because of these features, they have become among the more popular animal companions in America.

These dwarf rabbits come in various colors.  Twenty-four colors are recognized by the ARBA (American Rabbit Breeders Association).  Color selections include tan, steel, fawn, silver matte, chocolate, otter, opal, lynx, lilac, black, and blue.  You might also want to look for blue-eyed or ruby-eyed individuals.

Consult your veterinarian Seminole, FL about the best ways to protect your pet from various health issues. 

Keeping Your Cat Indoors

 

Did you know that one of the best things you can do for your feline buddy is to ground her? Cats are curious and playful, and they do like going outside and enjoying fresh air. However, your pet faces some very serious threats in the great outdoors. Cars, weather, chemicals, and wild animals are some of the biggest risks. Kitties that are allowed out are also at greater risk of being hurt, lost, or even killed. They are also more susceptible to parasites. 

One thing that is very important is making sure that your home is fun and exciting for your pet. Set out lots of toys and cat furniture for your kitty to explore and play with. You may also want to get some pet-safe plants, to give your furry little friend a taste of the outdoors. You can find many safe ones listed on the ASPCA website.

Make sure to bring your kitty to your animal hospital Anderson, IN regularly for exams and wellness care! 

Some Measures To Keep Your Pet Comfortable During A Storm

 

We're not the only ones who feel restless when a storm happens. Our animals feel the same -- it's just that they can't tell you directly how stressed they are. So it's up to us to observe their behavior and take action when needed.

If there is a quiet room in the house, stay there with all of your pets. That should muffle the banging and the wind noises coming from outside. You can even turn on the radio so that there is enough static noise to drown out everything else. It would also help to give your pet something to entertain them.

Also, consider that if you evacuate to a shelter, your pet might not be allowed to come in. Enter the services of emergency boarding facilities. After receiving the warning of a coming storm, you can leave your pet at one of their facilities. Just don't forget the basics like their identification and your contact info. If your pet has a microchip, so much the better.

If you have any questions and/or concerns about inserting a microchip on your pet, don’t hesitate to ask your veterinarian Dawsonville, GA about them.  Read more here.

Hedgehogs And Sugar Gliders As Pets

 

This world is filled with several species with unique personalities, traits, or characteristics. Though owning these animals may seem overwhelming at first, the experiences bring incomparable joy.

If you plan to adopt unique pets that are low-maintenance, have either a sugar glider or a hedgehog. Here are more things you need to know about them before you decide.

Hedgehogs

• Shy, nocturnal pets that choose to hide in their safe zone. They do not enjoy interacting with humans.
• These species have sharp spines. So, they are not easy to be handled.
• They must be housed in a spacious cage (20 gallons at least) with a solid lining made of paper.
• They feed on a few meat and insects, such as crickets and mealworms. They can also consume insect-based pellets, vegetables, and fruits.
• These animals should be sedated before veterinary examinations for their care routine which must be done twice a year.

Sugar gliders

• In contrast to hedgehogs, sugar gliders love interactions so much that they tend to be depressed when they do not get enough socialization.
• They are nocturnal that must be kept in captivity with other gliders.
• They require a tall cage with platforms or branches to sustain their climbing or flying needs.
• They are also insectivores-omnivores like the hedgehogs. But, they must not be given sweet snacks or too many fruits.

A sudden change in your pet’s health and/or behavior should warrant a call to your animal clinic Pickerington, OH . Click here to set an appointment.