Your pocket pet is a wonderful part of your family, and you want to make sure she has everything she needs. This includes the space to move around freely and enjoy her daily life. How can you tell if her enclosure is too small?

Most pocket pets will need a ton of exercise in order to be happy and healthy. This means that not only will they require plenty of items to help them get up and moving, but also enough space to use them in. Generally speaking, your pocket pet should be provided with the largest enclosure you can afford and safely maintain within your household. She should also be able to get out of her enclosure and move about freely in other areas of your home that hinder her movement less, like open floor. For additional information, please contact your local Omaha NE veterinarian.

... Read more »

It’s important to feed your cat on a daily basis, which means making sure he has plenty of food. However, life can get busy, and you may wake up to discover your cat is out of kibble. What can do you?

The best solution is to take a quick run to the store to pick up a bag. Even if you have to get a small bag at a local convenience store just to tide your cat over, it really is the best option.

If you simply don’t have enough time, you may be able to find a substitute. Dog food doesn’t make a good substitute because it contains other ingredients that aren’t very good for cats. Instead, try whipping up a meat-based treat from the fridge. Just make sure you use meat that is cooked.

For additional information on tiding your cat over, contact your veterinary clinic Mount Pleasant, SC.

... Read more »

It’s important to find a quality cat food that is high in nutrition and tasty for your cat, but that’s not all you have to consider. What size bag should you buy? There are a couple of reasons why you should buy the biggest bag you can.

First, by purchasing the largest bag possible, you can greatly reduce the number of times you visit the store to buy cat food. It greatly reduces the possibility that your cat will run out of food, which can be a pain when you’re already running late for work in the morning.

Second, buying a big bag allows you to save more money. Although that big bag costs more than a small bag, but you’ll pay less per pound. You’ll save money over the long run with big bags.

Just make sure you store the food properly! To learn more, call your veterinary clinic Racine, WI.

... Read more »

Hedgehogs are unique and fun pets but they are more than a fancy guinea pig or hamster. Hedgehogs require some special feeding care. Hedgehogs are insectivores and would love to eat insects but will thrive on a few tablespoons of dry cat food or commercially available dry hedgehog food. However, hedgehogs are lactose intolerant so avoid any foods with dairy products in them such as cheese. Hedgehogs like meat but cook meat well without seasoning. You can feed your hedgehog farm-raised insects marketed as pet food. Insects found in your yard could contain poisonous chemicals and insecticides. Hedgehogs love fruit as treats but only give your furry friend a tiny bit to avoid digestive issues and never feed him grapes or raisins, which can be toxic. Limit fruits to three times per week and remove uneaten fruit daily to prevent decay. Contact your Tipp City, OH vet to learn more.

... Read more »

Do you have a habit of giving antibiotics to your pet without consulting your veterinarian? Then you are probably unaware that the misuse of antibiotics in pets has resulted in serious problems that can have a negative impact on your pet’s health and wellbeing. Here are some important things that cat parents should remember about antibiotic and their use in pets:

• Antibiotics are only used to treat bacterial infections; they are not effective in treating all types of infection.
• Since there are various types of antibiotics, using the right one for your pet’s illness is of utmost importance. Thus, veterinarians conduct certain tests to know what bacteria is the culprit so the right antibiotic can be used.
• Make sure to complete the round of antibiotics as prescribed by your vet to ensure efficacy.

Avoid the urge to self-medicate your pet’s illness. Seek the advice and attention of ... Read more »

Your dog needs your help sometimes, and if he is like most, this likely includes taking his medicine. Pills can be difficult for dogs to swallow, as they don’t taste very good and they don’t understand why they need to be ingested. Luckily. There are ways you can help your pet get their medicine down without much fuss.

Your dog likely loves to eat, and now is the time to take advantage of this. Since he is able to relax more readily when presented with a familiar food, try hiding your pet’s pill within it. This may mean adding it to his regular bowl, but being a bit sneakier. Your pet may need you to place the pill inside a treat, like a bit of peanut butter or a piece of rolled up meat. Both of these should conceal it nicely. For more information, please contact your local Greenwood, IN vet. Click here.

... Read more »

Getting your pet cat to engage in any type of exercise can be difficult because it actually goes against a cat’s natural behavior. Their cousins in the wild don’t spend much time moving around.  Most of their days are spent sleeping, while nights are devoted for hunting. When they hunt, they often spend hours sitting and watching, and when they do spot potential prey, they need a quick burst of energy to fuel their chase. After catching prey, these wild cats return to their position, watching and waiting or the next prey to come along, while their bodies recover.

As pets, cats don’t have to hunt for food. If they are not encouraged to play or engage in other types of physical activity, their pent-up energy can fuel undesirable behavior. Sedentary cats are also prone to piling on the pounds, increasing their risk to developing serious health problems.

Make sure that your kitty is receiving adequate physical and mental stimulation; he also needs ... Read more »

If you’ve taken a peek inside your rat’s mouth lately, you’ve probably noticed they’re quite yellow, if not orange! Is it okay for your pet to have such discolored teeth?

There’s no need to start brushing your rat’s teeth. It’s completely normal for them to have yellow or even orange teeth. Their chompers grow continually throughout their entire lives, which means their teeth don’t need the same amount of protective calcium that we have, giving their teeth a discolored look.

Just because you don’t have to brush your pet’s teeth doesn’t mean you don’t have to take care of them. Because they are always growing, it is important to provide your pet with plenty to chew on. That way, his teeth don’t end up overgrown.

Want to make sure you’re caring for your pet rat’s teeth? Make sure you schedule regular appointments with your local v ... Read more »

You gerbil will need a periodic dust bath to keep his coat clean and shiny. Some people give their gerbils dust baths once a week or more but once a month is usually sufficient. Purchase chinchilla sand from a reputable pet supply store. You can purchase a bath as well or use a plastic bowl or container. Put some of the sand in the container and leave it in your gerbil’s cage. He will come to investigate and will roll in it on his own. If your gerbil doesn’t show interest in about 15 minutes, remove the bath and try another day. Eventually he will get the hang of it and enjoy rolling around. You can try spot clean sticky messes with a moist cloth. However, do not submerge your gerbil since this could be terribly frightening to your gerbil. Contact your South Miami, FL vet to learn more.

... Read more »

You’ve established that your pet needs a dog walker, and you’re ready to make the commitment to having someone care for your pet in your absence during the day. So how do you find the right dog walker for your pet?

Your dog is unique, so you will need to find the right person to care for your pet. Look for someone who is available the times you need her, and is asking a reasonable price for the services rendered. You should be able to trust her thoroughly, as this will impact how comfortable you are with her spending time with your pet. See how she interacts with your dog prior to hiring her, and be sure to contact any and all references furnished. Your local Eagle, ID vet clinic can help you care for your pet. Schedule an appointment today.

... Read more »