Domestication has resulted in many pets living a sedentary lifestyle. Many pet cats and dogs spend the day lazing around, napping or sleeping the day away. These couch potatoes are fertile grounds for the development of problem behaviors as they try to find avenues to release pent-up energy. These bored pets have more than enough energy to fuel digging holes in the yard, engaging in persistent vocalization, chewing and other forms of destructive behavior.

In the wild, cats and dogs spend their days walking near and far in search for prey. As pets, it is now the responsibility of pet owners to provide for their pet’s basic needs including their basic sustenance. To prevent boredom, make sure your pet receives adequate physical and mental stimulation each day to keep him busy and away from mischief.

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Your dog spends a lot of time in your home, and you want to make sure that he is as clean as the rest of your living space is. This means that you will need to bathe him regularly in order to help him stay clean and happily dirt-free. Since he can’t bathe himself, he will need you to determine the best way to do so in addition to how frequently he will need it. Generally speaking, your pet should be bathed when he is dirty. This will mean different things for different pets, as some will get dirty after one trip outside while others will accumulate dirt over time. Be sure to use bathing supplies that are designed for canine use to get the best results for your pet, then brush his fur with a brush made for his specific fur type. Your local South Miami, FL vet can offer additional advice.

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Your dog likes to dig in your backyard, but you don’t really understand the behavior. Why does he do this?

Your dog is an animal that is very curious about his surroundings, and digging offers him an outlet to explore things a bit further. This is because it offers him the opportunity to check out what’s underneath the grass he stands on. He may be looking for a spot to hide a favorite item, or he may be trying to see where an animal he was watching went to, but either way he is curious about what’s just below the surface. This offers him a fun activity that will also help him burn off some energy. There is also a chance that he is attempting to produce a den like his ancestors used to remain safe from the elements. For more information, please contact your local South Miami, FL vet.

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Are you raising a litter of Beagle pups without their mother? If so then you may be wondering when you should start the weaning process. Talk to your vet to find out the best schedule for you and your Beagle pups. In general, the weaning process can start as early as three or four weeks of age. As orphans, the Beagles are most likely being bottle fed on a routine basis. You will want to start the weaning process by cutting back on the bottle feedings and instead providing the pups with canine milk replacer in a bowl. The next step will be to introduce moistened dog food. Once the Beagles have taken to the moistened food try introducing regular dry or canned dog food. Remember, what you feed them during the weaning process should be the food you plan to feed them throughout their first few years. Call your veterinary clinic Cambridge, MA for more details.

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