Planning Your Guinea Pig’s Daily Routine

 

Cavies are nocturnal, so they're generally active during the night. Consider this fact in planning your daily routine. If you're not a night owl, give your Guinea pig special attention during early mornings when he's still active. Make this your bonding, grooming, and playtime. It's best to give your cavy's breakfast during early mornings. Include lots of hays, especially if you're going to be away for the day. After eating, your cavy will likely nap, so keep the house quiet.

Guinea pigs sleep all day, waking up only for some snacks. He'll be ready to play in the evening, so it's also the perfect time to feed him again. Take him out of his cage to exercise and interact with you. It's okay if you can't make a cavy-perfect schedule at first. It'll surely take time before you get used to it.

Take a proactive approach to your pet’s health with regular health and wellness checks at your animal hospital Chesapeake, VA. 

Aleve Should Not Be Given To Dogs

 

Have you ever heard of Aleve? It's an anti-inflammatory medicine that contains no steroids. You might have encountered names like Anaprox, Naprosyn, and Naprelan because those are the brands that manufacturers sell them on.

Aleve is associated with relieving body pain in animals. But unlike other painkillers, it has yet to receive approval for pet use. Pet owners should only use this drug as a final option when all the other alternatives have not delivered the much-needed relief from pain.

The reason is that Aleve leaves very little room for error. Add a little bit more than the amount you were supposed to administer, and all the danger alerts go way up. Dogs are nosy animals, so if you have Aleve in the house, put it in a spot where your fur baby can't get at it. Never drop a pill on the floor. Don't do anything Aleve-related when your dog is around. Find a private spot.

Your veterinarian Virginia Beach, VA can enlighten you about important health issues that can affect your pet.

Alopecia In Rabbits

 

Many things can cause a rabbit to lose its hair. Barbering and sebaceous adenitis are on this list. And then there's ringworm and mites, to which bunnies are also susceptible.

Sebaceous adenitis has visible effects on the rabbit's skin, but it's often painless. A clear sign of this condition is being flaky or rough to the touch. You'll notice this early because the first lesions appear on the bunny's face.

Barbering happens when a more dominant rabbit not-so-playfully attacks a softer, gentler bunny. It will pull on the other's fur because it can, although there are times when a rabbit would do it to itself. It happens when there's a fiber deficiency.

The mites that attack rabbits are different from the more common type of mites. But the side effects are all too familiar. Itchiness, skin inflammation,  and bald spots are only a few of the symptoms. Arrange a trip to the vet to get proper recommendations on medicating your bunny.

Did you know rabbits can also have ringworms? It often affects bunnies with no hair in some body parts. Younger rabbits are also more prone to ringworms because their defense mechanisms are still in the process of developing.

Excessive hair loss or other skin and hair coat issues should warrant a visit to your animal hospital Virginia Beach, VA. 

Achieve Better Results With Portion Control In Pet Cats

 

Numerous studies have shown that a controlled feeding habit is more suitable for our domesticated cats. After all, their lives are nothing like their ancestors'. The latter had to go to great lengths to secure food. They needed all the protein they could get. Our cats, on the other hand, enjoy a more peaceful existence.

If we gave them unlimited access to food, they would only gain weight that would be difficult to remove. A diet that consists only of your pet's favorites would encourage a cat to eat more than what's necessary. But if you give your animal scheduled meals containing a good balance of nutrients, the feline is more likely to stay fit.

The relaxed nature of life with a good caretaker means they don't need to conserve their strength to look for food. A sedentary life combined with excessive food intake would do more harm than good. It's true enough for us humans, and we're so much bigger than they are.

Your pet’s diet is one of the important concerns that you should discuss with your veterinarian Virginia Beach, VA during your pet’s wellness checks.

What’s In Good Quality Cat Food?

 

Our feline friends are natural hunters. And while feeding them kibble and canned foods is convenient, it goes against that very nature. Meat has always been an integral part of their diet, and you can't exclude that from their daily meals without noticeable behavioral changes.

 

But many pet food brands these days tout that theirs contain muscle meat, which is necessary for cats younger than 12 months. It's okay for kittens to grow accustomed to kibble foods, but it wouldn't hurt to give them actual meat now and then. They tend to become pickier as they mature, so watch out if your cat starts rejecting its meals.

 

Aside from containing meats, other components of a premium cat food are the lack of preservatives and artificial seasonings. Those that didn't go through too much food processing make for excellent ingredients. Of course, many manufacturers can claim this, so it's up to you to do some digging so you can make informed choices.

 

A veterinarian can help you with recommendations that should help narrow down your list. After all, your cat's the one who will be eating it. Why not have your pet examined by a veterinarian New Orleans, LA, and see if there's any particular ingredient you should avoid? Click here.

Other Ways To Care For Your Pet’s Dental Health Other Than Brushing

 

Should your pet cat or dog be quite unwilling to let you brush their teeth, there are still various other options available that might work instead.  Various water supplements, chews, gels, and dental wipes are available commercially.  Before you purchase anything, try consulting your veterinarian.  You may also want to check the product list that has the VOHC Seal of Acceptance or Veterinary Oral Health Council for cats and dogs.

 

To add to your pet’s everyday tooth brushing home regimen, your pet needs dental cleaning with your vet.  These are more thorough procedures compared to what home care could offer.  Have them done starting when your pet celebrates their first birthday so that periodontal disease affecting pet cats and dogs can be held at bay.  Cleanings like these can be performed annually, but how often will ultimately depend on how successful your home dental hygiene is.

 

Take your pet to your pet hospital New Orleans, LA for regular health and dental checks. 

Is There “Organic” Dog Food?

 

The word quality can mean several things in this day and age. For some, it means a seal of approval from a well-known organization combined with endorsements of those we consider experts. But our fur babies are individuals too, and what works for one dog may not work for another. We should go beyond these definitions to determine what brands are good and which ones we should ignore.

Anyone can call a product organic. But we can always ask a few questions to know for sure. How and where did they manufacture it? Did they use pesticides, medicines, or any chemical that would extend its shelf life? You will be feeding this brand to your dog daily, so no one can blame you for being curious.

Also, remember that being organic is not the only thing you need to consider when buying dog food. Sure, it means there will be no chemical intake. But it also means you have to purchase smaller amounts more frequently. You cannot stock up on organic dog food because the lack of preservatives could mean they will not stay fresh for long.

Your local veterinarian New Orleans, LA is a valuable source of information about your pet's diet and nutritional needs.