Your hamster may escape from his cage or wander off during playtime. Don’t panic but act quickly so youare more likely you’ll find your hamster soon. Start by questioning family members to determine the most probable room your hamster may be. Check that all access to the outside and other rooms is restricted. Keep other pets outside the area as well. Start a comprehensive search of the area. Check shoes, closets, under furniture, in boxes, under blankets and the like where your hamster may be hiding. Put food out on the floor to try and lure your hamster to come out of hiding. You may need to wait till nighttime for your hamster to come out since he may be napping. Keep your searches low-key and quiet so you don’t frighten your hamster. If you don’t find your hamster, expand the search area and keep looking. Contact your Flat Rock, NC vet to learn more.

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Your cat has been a part of your life for quite some time now. You’ve loved getting to know her, and now that she’s getting older, you can use this familiarity to determine how to care for her as she ages. Her body is facing a lot of changes, and your care will need to reflect these.

Your cat’s eating habits may change, and so too may her nutritional needs. This may cause you to change to a different type of food for her, as another brand may nourish her body better at this stage in her life. She may also be slowing down a bit when it comes to physical exertion. Your cat may not be able to perform the same tasks she always has in exactly the same way, so be sure to augment things as needed. For more information, please contact your local Cameron Park, CA veterinarian or schedule an appointment today.

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Diabetes can be a dangerous illness if it is not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner. If you suspect your Birman cat may have diabetes, call your vet Sayville, NY to discuss concerns and schedule an exam. Your vet can tell you about feline diabetes and things to watch for. Generally, the disease occurs when a cat’s body doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t use the insulin correctly. Insulin is a hormone that is produced in a cat’s pancreas and is in charge of regulating the flow of glucose from the bloodstream into the body’s cells. When there isn’t enough insulin then the cat’s body starts breaking down fat and protein as alternative energy sources. An exact cause for feline diabetes is not known. However, various hormonal diseases such as obesity, chronic pancreatitis, hyperthyroidism, Cushing’s disease has been linked to feline diabetes. In addition, certain medications have also been associate ... Read more »

As your cat ages, she may develop mobility issues from osteoarthritis or obesity. Exercise can help prevent mobility difficulties or help your cat regain some comfort during movement. Play with your cat using toys that stimulate her hunting instincts to encourage exercise. A ball, laser pointer or a fishing rod toy with a feather lure can entice your cat to chase, pounce and jump. Work up to at least 15 minutes of playtime daily and gradually increase the intensity of your exercise sessions as your cat gets into better shape. If your cat is especially obese or has major mobility difficulties, you may need to keep things slow and short for a long period of time. Follow your cat’s lead. If your cat reacts to catnip, it can stimulate your cat to move and run around more frequently while having fun. Contact your Brookfield, WI vet for more information and to evaluate your cat’s readiness for exercise. ... Read more »

It isn’t that uncommon for a cat to end up with ear mites, especially if your pet goes outside or frequently interacts with other animals. The question is, how do you treat ear mites?

First, you have to know if your cat has ear mites. It’s fairly easy to diagnose. They leave behind a gunky brown residue in the ears. They also have a very pungent smell.

If your cat ends up with ear mites, it’s usually a matter of getting the right medication in the form of ear drops. If the infestation is really bad, you may have to clean the ears out first.

It is extremely important that you schedule an appointment with your veterinarian Jacksonville Beach, FL. Many of the symptoms of ear mites can be mistaken for other medical issues. Your vet will make sure you’re prescribed the right medication. Schedule an appointment at this website ... Read more »

Fleas can make life downright miserable for your cat and your dog, but what about your pet rat? Can he get fleas too?

Technically, rats can get fleas, but it isn’t very likely. That’s because there are many different kinds of fleas, and the kinds that make a home on your cat or dog usually aren’t interested in your rat. However, if your rat goes outside, he may be exposed to fleas that don’t mind making a rat their home.

If your rat does end up with fleas, you’ll know right away. Traditional flea medications for cats and dogs won’t work for rats. Instead, it’s usually easiest to comb them out one by one. You can also try giving your pet a bath with a mild dish soap.

If you’re having trouble dealing with your rat’s flea problem, schedule an appointment w ... Read more »

Your guinea pig can’t head to the store and pick up his own food, so he will need you to offer him a diet that will help to keep his body healthy. This will mean not only finding things that she can eat, but also finding the best quality of them available.

Your pet will need a commercial mix that includes natural ingredients and leaves out the artificial ones. This should have several different whole food options within it, and will be the base for your pet’s diet. You should also supplement this with fresh produce that has been thoroughly washed and checked for freshness. Hay will also be a necessity for your pet, and should be offered as needed, unlike fresh produce and commercial foods that must be measured and offered in specific portions. For additional information, please contact your local McHenry, IL vet.

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