There are a variety of factors that can influence the frequency of elimination of dogs on a given day. Generally, 1-5 times a day is normal for dogs. But factors such as the quantity of food eaten in the past 24 hours, fiber in the diet, age of the dog, and other individual factors can have an effect on the number of times a dog defecates in a day.

Puppies, however, eliminate more frequently compared to most adult dogs, but as long as the feces are normal in consistency and your pet is not showing any signs of illness, there is really nothing to worry about.

A dog that has constipation will have problems eliminating every day. He may keep on straining and pass dry, solid waste. Some dogs eliminate frequently due to a heavy parasite load. Diarrhea, especially if the feces contain fresh blood or mucus, should be brought to the attention of your vet Fox Lake IL. ... Read more »

Puppies are born without teeth and they won’t start teething for several weeks until the first baby teeth (canines) emerge at 3-5 weeks old. The canines are then followed by the incisors when they puppy is around 4-6 weeks of age. As they turn 5 weeks old, their premolars erupt. A complete set of deciduous (baby) teeth in puppies will include 6 incisors, 2 canines, 6 premolars on both the top and bottom gums for a total of 28 teeth. Compared to the teeth of adult dogs, the deciduous teeth are very sharp.

A puppy’s gums may hurt when the teeth start coming in. Chew toys can help your pet ease the pain. There are also toys that can be soaked or filled with water and frozen; chewing on these toys can be particularly soothing. When your puppy is chewing, make sure not to give him anything of yours that you don’t want him to chew, such as your old socks or shoes. What the puppy learns to chew on early in life tends to be what he likes to chew even if he is alrea ... Read more »

When you live with a hamster, it’s normal to want to hold him. Unfortunately, this is a lot easier said than done. That’s because hamster’s sleep during the day and stay awake at night! You may be tempted to sleep train your hamster so you can interact with him during the day, but here’s why you shouldn’t.

First, it takes a lot of time and effort on your part to keep your pet awake all day. It can only be done while you’re at home, and you have to spend the entire day rousing your pet up from his sleep. That’s a lot of hours spent hovering next to his cage!

Secondly, it’ll make your hamster grouchy. These animals are meant to sleep during the day. You may find that your hamster is no fun to play with during the day anyway!

To learn more about living wit ... Read more »

Having more than one dog means more to love, but the logistics of owning more than one dog can be a bit of a challenge. Do your dogs need their own food and water bowls?

If you have more than one dog, you definitely need more than one food bowl. Every dog should have his own. Dogs are pack animals and are pretty picky about who gets to eat where and when. Feeding your dogs separately will help maintain harmony in your home.

As for the water bowl, you don’t really have to have separate bowls for your dogs. That’s because they take drinks whenever they’re thirsty, in contrast to eating at the same time. However, if both your dogs are thirsty at the same time, they would probably appreciate having more than one bowl.

For more tips on feeding and watering your dog, call your veterinaria ... Read more »

It’s obvious why litter boxes are smelly, but you may have noticed that some are smellier than others. Why is this?

Obviously, the more waste in the box, the smellier it is. The smelliest boxes aren’t scooped or dumped very often. Scoop your box every day to cut back on odors!

The type of box matters. A fully open box will always smell more than an enclosed or partially enclosed box. Self-scooping litter boxes are often the least smelly because they are cleaned every time the cat uses the box. The litter matters too! Clumping litter is best at trapping odors.

Washing the box can help. Waste can clump at the bottom and sides of the box. Hosing the box down in the yard every once in a while can keep odors at bay.

For more help dealing with litter box odors, ... Read more »

A pet dog or cat that has just been through surgery needs extra care and attention after leaving the hospital. Upon discharge, the vet will likely prescribe medications that will be given to your pet while he recuperates at home. You should check the surgical site and/or cats every day and keep your pet from scratching or chewing at the bandage or sutures. Your pet may have to wear an Elizabethan collar ( E-collar), if necessary. Make sure to keep a close eye on your pet’s behavior, appetite, and water intake. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, such as swelling on the surgical site, skin rashes, pressure sores, or unusual smell from the surgical site, make sure to contact your veterinary clinic MI.  Other discharge instructions may include keeping your pet on a leash at all times or using a towel to support your dog when he needs to be taken outside for bathroom breaks.

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Did you know that some hamsters may not be social creatures? Some hamsters can be extremely friendly and sociable while others keep to themselves. Whether your Chinese hamster will be a sociable hamster or not simply depends on that particular hamster. For instance the dwarf version of the Chinese hamster is extremely social and loves to be around other hamsters and even people. If purchasing a Chinese or a Chinese dwarf hamster then you should consider buying a pair. However, Syrian hamsters are very territorial and are not accustomed to sharing anything. They tend to fight regularly. As for communication, Chinese hamsters and other breeds use body language and squeaks and squeals to “talk” with one another. High pitched squeaking may indicate your hamster is frightened. Yawning often communicates contentment more than exhaustion. To learn more about your Chinese hamster’s social skills, give your vet ... Read more »

It’s extremely important to make sure that your cat has access to fresh clean water every moment of every day. The trouble is, remembering to water your cat every day can be a bit of a challenge. That’s where jug water bowls come in, but are they good for cats?

Large water jugs allow water to fill the bottom basin as your cat drinks. Large jugs allow your cat to drink water for a week or more before the water needs to be refilled, but that can cause problems. Water that sits for a long period of time can develop a slimy film, which isn’t very appetizing. Water can also become dusty or stale.

You can try using a water jug, but if your cat doesn’t like it, you may have to go back to using a regular old water bowl. To learn more, call your veterinarian Grayson GA.

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Did you know that mouth rot is one of the most common conditions to affect reptiles such as snakes, lizards and turtles? Wood turtles, for instance, may develop mouth rot as a result of a compromised immune system. When the immune system is week from illness or stress it is unable to breakdown bacteria in the mouth. Inflammation and small hemorrhages may appear on the inside of the mouth or the edge of the mouth near the lip area. Thick amounts of mucus may also collect in the mouth. Other symptoms of mouth rot may include open mouth breathing and even swelling. Causes of mouth rot are typically linked to poor nutrition, poorly regulated temperature in the living environment, stress, and trauma. Proper diet and living enclosures can help prevent mouth rot. Knowing how to provide complete care for your turtle can also help prevent mouth rot. For more information, call your veterinarian Flower Mound, TX.

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It isn’t uncommon to find stray cats lurking around neighborhoods across the United States. Some cats are abandoned by their family, while others never had a family in the first place. Is calling the animal shelter or animal control always the best way to deal with a stray?

If the stray is friendly, you may have a few more choices. You can adopt the kitty yourself. You can also consider having him fixed and vaccinating him so that you can adopt him out to another family.

Unfortunately, not all strays are friendly. Feral cats have never had any contact with humans, so they aren’t likely to become good pets. In this case, you should definitely call the animal shelter.

If you do decide to bring the cat into your home, make sure that you schedule an appointment with your veterinarian Craig Road, NV.

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Dogs are usually known for being hearty eaters, but there are some times when a dog may lose his appetite.

If your dog loses his appetite for a day or two, there’s probably nothing to worry about. If your dog is feeling a bit under the weather, or if it’s really hot, he may not eat like his usual self.

If your dog doesn’t eat for longer than two days, there’s likely a larger problem. Some dogs stop eating due to stress. The stress will have to be eliminated before your pet’s appetite will return.

There are quite a few medical reasons why a dog might lose his appetite. Digestive problems are more common than you might think, but infections, respiratory diseases, periodontal disease, and severe problems, like kidney disease and cancer, can also cause a dog to lose his appetite.

To learn more, call your veterinarian Centennial Hills NV.

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Many people allow their cat to go outside simply because it’s a lot of fun, but they are taking a bit of a risk. How long can a cat be outside without returning home before you should start to worry?

The answer to this question depends on your particular cat. Some cats only like to venture outside for a few hours at a time while other cats may go missing for a day or two. The key is to be familiar with your cat’s schedule. If he should have returned home by now, it may be time for concern.

If the weather turns bad, you should be concerned a bit earlier. Severe storms can be rough on a feline if he can’t find a place to hide.

If you’re worried, ask your neighbors if they’ve seen your cat. You can also ask your veterinarians Cherry Hill NJ for help or click here.

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Cats in multiple cat homes share almost everything from food and water bowls to toys and even your attention. However, cats need their own litter box. Cats are not pack animals and they need privacy at times. One of these times is when using the litter box. Litter box use is usually easy to encourage but relatively minor things can push your cat to find less inappropriate places to go. If your cat feels a lack of privacy or that she has to compete to use the litter box, she may become stressed. In addition, cats are territorial so if the litter box happens to be in another cat’s territory, there will be conflict. Thus each cat should have her own litter box. Keep all the litter boxes clean so your cats find the litter boxes pleasant. For more information, contact your veterinary clinic Moorpack CA.

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Lyme disease is a tick-borne infection that can affect any breed of dog. Since some infected dogs may not always manifest signs of the infection, periodic testing is a reliable way to identify dogs that are harboring the problem. Even if you have a year-round tick control program for your dog, or your dog does not spend a lot of time outdoors, regular testing for Lyme disease cannot be overemphasized. Periodic testing helps identify dogs that require treatment against Lyme disease, or whether there is a need to adjust or change the type of tick control medication. Even if ticks are not prevalent in your area, travel habits of pets and their owners, and changes in the patters of tick migration may increase your pet’s chances of being infected. Your South Jordan, veterinarian may also choose to vaccinate your dog against Borrelia burgdorferi, the organism that causes Lyme disease.

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Most parrots share a number of characteristics that are unique to the parrot family. For instance, if you own an Amazon parrot then you may have noticed that he has a curved bill or beak. Most other birds have a pointed shape to their beak. In parrots, the curved bill is designed to give the bird the ability to climb trees, large shrubs and other things. In the wild, the Amazon parrot is more accustomed to climbing trees in search of food or nesting. They can stick their bill into the tree and the curve serves as a hook providing a secure hold for the Amazon to climb. This is a key point to remember when holding your Amazon. If he feels uncomfortable in any way, he may use his bill to latch on to your finger! The curved bill also helps the Amazon eat a variety of foods. For additional information, call your veterinarian Carrollton, GA.

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Did you know that Ketoacidosis is a condition that can develop as a part of or as a result of feline diabetes? Talk with your vet to learn more about diabetes and about this particular health condition that can develop. This information is key especially if your Scottish Fold has already been diagnosed with diabetes. Your vet can tell you that Ketoacidosis is a condition or a metabolic imbalance that occurs with unmanaged or poorly regulated diabetes. Ketoacidosis is caused when fat and protein is broken down due to a need for more metabolic energy. The excessive breakdown of these reserves causes a toxic by-product called ketones. While the ketones continue to build in the blood stream, the pH and electrolyte imbalance continues as well. Symptoms related to Ketoacidosis include loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, weakness, dehydration, and difficulty breathing. For additional information about Ke ... Read more »

If you’re Bernese Mountain dog has been diagnosed with canine diabetes then your vet may ask that you test your dog’s blood sugar on a daily basis. Testing your dog’s blood sugar is actually very similar to the way people test their blood sugar. Ask your vet if you can use a handheld home glucometer to test your dog. Some pet owners have found that the people version of the meter not only works better, but is also cheaper than ones made specifically for pets. To test your Bernese’s blood sugar simply take a blood sample from the front paw. Your vet may also suggest taking a sample from the ear as well. Make sure the blood drop makes it onto the strip and insert the strip into the meter as directed. It’s a good practice to compare your home readings with the readings by your vet. Call your vet Myrtle Beach, SC if you have any questions.

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Canine diabetes typically occurs when there isn’t enough insulin in a dog’s body causing the body to break down fat and protein reserves as an alternative. Diabetes can occur in just about any dog breed including the Bernese Mountain Dog. Diabetes can be caused by a variety of factors including obesity, gender, and age all of which are categorized as genetic predisposition. In addition, it is also believed that some dogs may develop diabetes due to various hormone therapies. For instance, females that are being given medications to control heat cycles appear to be at a greater risk for developing diabetes. Pancreatitis is also said to cause diabetes as it disrupts the normal production of insulin. Research shows that immune system disorders and viral diseases may also be contributing factors. If you’re concerned about your Bernese developing diabetes, please contact your vet Myrtle Beach, SC. Visit this website ... Read more »