What Not To Do With Your New Kitten

When rearing a freshly acquired kitten, parents should focus on being tolerant and compassionate while rewarding appropriate behavior with positive reinforcement. In the instance that any purposeful or inappropriate activity, negative punishment, i.e. removal of some advantage, can be used. Even knowledgeable owners may fail to recognize the extreme no-nos of kitten rearing.

No yelling, threatening, or physical punishment. Punishment teaches a cat nothing but finds a way to avoid it. It is kinder and more humane to educate the kitten on what it should do instead of punishing it for what it is doing. Punishment is the administration of a stimulus that reduces the likelihood of a behavior being repeated. It must correspond with the bad behavior and be unpleasant enough to discourage the cat from repeating it. Punishment, when used incorrectly, can generate dread, anxiety, and owner avoidance, making it the least ideal technique for modifying behavior. Remember, you're penalizing the behavior, not the animal.

If you have concerns about your pet’s health and/or behavior, make an appointment with your veterinary clinic  Derby.

Dandie Dinmont Hair Coat

 

Dandies' crisp topcoats grow up to 2 inches, two-thirds of which are hard and the remaining one-third soft. Under the topcoat is a downy, soft, and water-proof coat, and a soft, silky topknot completes the look. Dandies' color may be pepper— ranging from silvery gray to bluish black— or mustard— ranging from pale fawn to reddish brown (with the topknot being cream-colored). Surprisingly, their "natural" look takes moderate to high maintenance. Brushing 2-3 times each week is necessary even though they have minimal shedding.

Do hair plucking 1-2 times annually— even more often for show dogs— to promote the growth of new hairs. You may opt to have professional groomers do it— cutting gives softer, lighter hairs than stripping.

Last but not least, don't forget to trim the hairs above your Dinmont's muzzle, so they can see easier. In addition, pluck the hairs in their ears regularly. You may also use scissors to trim the hairs on their legs, heads, underbodies, and between their paw pads.

Excessive hair loss or other skin and hair coat issues should be brought to the attention of your veterinarian Marietta, GA. 

Set an appointment here : https://www.smyrnaveterinary.com/.

What To Consider When Choosing A Litter Box

 

In choosing the perfect litter box for your cat, you must consider something that she will be comfortable with,  her preference, and how she is trained in using one. You have to analyze your cat's needs so you can potty train her. Ideally, cats prefer a clean, spacious, and uncovered litter box. 

You may try and test your cat’s preference because it is important to make her comfortable using the sandbox. You can test it by giving different options or locations. Some suggest that the litter box must not be scented as cats want stinky boxes.

Placing the box in the right place can also help her get comfortable when using it. You can set up the litter box in an area of the house that is free of clutter, loud noises, or distractions. When it's time for a pee or poop break, cats prefer some quiet and privacy.

Persistent litter box issues should warrant an appointment with your nearest veterinary hospital Marietta, GA to make sure that your pet’s behavior is not caused by an underlying health issue.

How Long Can A Dog Go Without Water?

Studies show that humans and animals can generally last without food for at least a month or two. But dogs specifically, can only last without eating or drinking for up to five days. This is only if the dog is healthy before he stopped eating or drinking.

Dogs can get easily dehydrated when the weather is too hot, or if he has a medical condition such as vomiting and diarrhea. There are also several complications caused by dehydration, hence, it must be taken seriously. Major body organs get damaged when the body is dehydrated.

Observe your dog if he does not seem to tolerate any food or water intake. He must be examined by a vet to determine the cause of his loss of appetite. He must be given proper management and medication to avoid further complications.

If your pet is showing signs of dehydration, contact your veterinary clinic Wichita, KS immediately. 

Training Pet Rabbits To Use A Litter Box

 

A typical misconception regarding rabbits is that they are messy animals.  Rabbits make ideal indoor pets, partly because they, like cats, could be trained to use litter boxes. 

Use a small litter box that has no top and low enough sides.  You could also try using shallow storage tubs instead.  If the sides are too tall, cut out an entryway on one side.  Avoid the litter boxes advertised to be specifically for rabbits because they are usually too small. 

You could use old newspaper or other recycled paper as litter material.  You can try using kitty litter, but select unscented ones.  Kitty litter could negate undesirable urine smells.  Try not to use clumping or clay-based litter because this is dangerous to your pet rabbit’s respiratory tract.  Wood shavings are a no-no too. 

Lay down a thin spread of litter material to line the box’s base, enough to soak up wetness.  You do not have to fill up the box too high because rabbits do not dig and bury their poop like pet cats.  In addition, whenever you clean out your pet’s litter box, just dump out everything every time.  So filling the box deep will just waste lots of litter.

A sudden change in your pet’s elimination habits should warrant an appointment with your veterinary health center Derby.

Cocker Spaniel Personality

 

Well-bred Cockers are sweet, cuddly, affectionate, and love to be included in the activities of the family. They're alert, playful, active, and do well with exercises like hunting and brisk walks. However, they're physically and mentally sensitive. Harsh treatment is highly discouraged as it only leads to snapping and growling. Cocker Spaniels need early training and socialization, but be kind and careful to them.

With that, Cocker Spaniels are prone to temperament and health problems. Before buying a dog of this breed, be sure to carefully cross-check the people or places where you're planning to get your pup. Choose trusted breeders instead of puppy mills, pet shops, and backyard breeders. Aside from doing a health check, reputable breeders consider the dog's temperament, too. Before breeding, they ensure that the parent dogs don't have any genetic disorders that their puppies may be born with.

A sudden change in your pet’s behavior should warrant a visit to your animal hospital New Orleans, LA. 

How To Approach A Stray Dog

 

At least once in your life, you may have encountered meeting a stray dog along the road. Most likely, you would hesitate as to what to do next, especially if you do not own a pet yourself, or if you are not familiar with the area where you saw the stray dog.

Here are some tips and steps that you can do in case you encounter a stray dog:

●Remain calm and speak in a low voice. 

●Slowly approach the dog if you sense that he is somehow friendly.

●Check if the dog has an ID or tag. Most pet owners put an ID or tag on their pet’s leash and if the dog has one, try to reach the person listed on the tag. 

●Take the dog to an animal shelter. This is recommended if the dog does not have an ID or tag for you to know who the owner is. Most animal shelters have a microchip scanner so they can scan the dog and see if they can track who his fur parent is.

Your nearest veterinarian Metairie, LA can enlighten you about important health issues that can affect pets.