Pet birds require a nutritionally balanced diet that is designed to meet their specific dietary needs. Since different species of birds don’t have the same needs for specific nutrients, pet owners should try to learn more about their pet’s nutritional needs so they can meet them adequately. Pet birds need much more than the so-called bird seeds that you can get in pet stores. An all-seed diet lacks essential nutrients, leaving your feathered friend undernourished.

Advancements in veterinary medicine and animal nutrition have resulted in formulated diets that provide a nutritionally-balanced ration for pet birds. This diet will be your pet’s base diet, and should be supplemented with pellets, because these are rich in essential nutrients.

A bird’s appetite can be enhanced when there is variety in their diet. They like it better when the seeds are of different colors and sizes. They will also benefit from fresh greens and colorful fruits and veg ... Read more »

Your hamster spends most of his life in his housing so setting up a pleasant environment will keep your hamster happy and healthy. Some people choose cages with wire bars, fish tanks or fancy expandable enclosures with tunnels. Each type of housing has pros and cons so the choice is a matter of personal preference and budget. Line your hamster’s housing with a thick layer of kiln-dried pine bedding to absorb waste and give your hamster lots to burrow in and hide food. Cedar or bedding that is not kiln dried can cause respiratory issues. Feed your hamster in a ceramic bowl and provide a water bottle with a stainless sipping tube. Add a hiding house and lots of toys and apparatus to keep your hamster busy and mentally stimulated. However, don’t add so many things that your hamster can’t move around the housing easily. Contact your Fort Collins, CO vet to learn more.

... Read more »

If your cat gets lost she is at risk of injury from fights or by getting hit by a car. She can also contract diseases or become disoriented in bad weather. Outdoor cats are at risk but even indoor cats can slip outside on occasion so you need to take all the same precautions to protect your cat. Check that all windows and doors are secure. Make sure that your cat wears a breakaway collar with an ID tag. This will help people know your cat is a pet and contact you immediately. Also have your cat microchipped. This small chip is coded with a number and can be scanned and looked up in a database of contact information. Make sure you keep your contact information up to date so if the police or animal shelter scans your cat’s chip, they can find you quickly. For more information, contact your Fort Collins, CO veterinarian to learn more.

... Read more »

Did you know that the best enclosures for pet mice are wire-coated cages and aquariums? If you can’t decide which one is best for your pet, you should try to do some reading and talk to friends who have pet mice. While you are still deciding which one you will buy, here are some enclosures that are unsuitable for mice.

Shoebox Cages

These cages are very small. Mice can easily chew their way to freedom because these cages are made of plastic. You can’t place some cage furniture for your pet. Poor ventilation will increase your pet’s risk to health problems.

Habitat Cages

These are ones you commonly see in pet stores; the ones with colorful tunnels, tubes, and other cage accessories. They may appeal to you but take note that they are difficult to clean. Habitat cages are also made of plastic thus it can be easily damaged. There is also poor ventilation. Call your Las Vegas, NV vet if you have any quest ... Read more »

Dogs in your multi-dog households are more likely to keep each other company and out of trouble. There will be a lower instance of separation anxiety. And the dogs have the comfort of a friend in the house while you are away. You don’t need to choose dogs of the same breed or even the same size. The key is getting the dogs to bond with each other. Encourage play between the two dogs but supervise the play especially if there is a size difference. One dog will probably step up as the more dominant dog and it may even be the smaller dog since many small dogs have giant personalities. Help the dogs learn to share toys but make sure they have their own personal space – separate beds and a few toys they don’t have to share. Be patient and use encouragement to build a bond. Learn more from your Fort Collins, CO veterinary clinic.

... Read more »

Pet owners who have developed the habit of observing their pets more closely can quickly detect any abnormal changes, even in their pet’s elimination. If you find worms in your dog’s stool, you can bring a stool sample to your veterinary clinic for examination. However, the question of whether the worm was excreted with your dog’s feces or found its way into the waste material still exists. If you have noticed the worm soon after the feces were voided, the answer is quite obvious. However, if your dog had defecated in the yard and you chance upon the stool later, the crawling creatures you may find are likely maggots or earthworms.

It should be noted that dogs that don’t pass visible worms in their stool are not necessarily free of gastrointestinal parasites. Most dogs with parasites only pass microscopic eggs with their feces. This is an important reason why veterinarians recommend routine stool exam to check for the presence of intestinal parasites. ... Read more »

Is your Great Dane having trouble with his ears? If you’re not sure, watch him to see if he is shaking his head constantly or even biting or rubbing at his ears excessively. If you’ve checked your pup’s ears and cannot find the source for irritation or you notice the ears are red on the inside or even the outside, call your vet and set up an exam. Small signs of an ear infection may include head shaking, ear scratching or even pulling away when the ear is touched. Your dog may also have trouble opening his mouth or having his head touched because of the severity of pain. If the ear infection reaches the inner ear, your dog may become dizzy, lose his balance, walk in continued circles or even start vomiting due to dizziness and pain. If other symptoms occur, please call your veterinary clinic Flower Mound, TX or click here.

... Read more »

Parrotlets (like most parrots) are social birds that love being the center of attention. If they’re not the center of everyone’s attention they tend to get bored and start to develop some bad habits that you are sure to notice. For instance, if you have to leave your bird alone for long periods of time then he may start picking at his feathers. This small habit can turn into a big problem if he starts pulling his feathers out completely. In addition, parrots are known to scream or screech for attention. If you do not “love” on your Parrotlets then he may start screaming until you do. Don’t give in or he will start associating attention with screaming and it will be hard to break him of that association. Exercising your Parrotlets can help prevent bad habits. Talk to your veterinarian Flower Mound, TX for other ways to prevent bad habits. Visit this website to learn more.

Did you know that Parrotlets are a type of part? Like most other parrots, Parrotlets thrives when given the opportunity to burn off energy on a daily basis. Exercise gives the Parrotlets a chance to stretch his muscles both physically and mentally. Your vet can tell you that physical and mental stimulation are important for your Parrotlets’ overall health. Exercise can also keep your Parrotlets busy and keep them from developing bad habits out of boredom. If you’re just starting your Parrotlets out in an exercise routine, make sure you start slow and take your time working up to long workouts. Some examples of ways to exercise your Parrotlets include encouraging him to flap his wings, letting him out of his cage to roam around, encouraging him to go up and down steps, playing with toys, and even dancing. For additional information and suggestions, contact your vet Flower Mound, TX.

... Read more »