Birds need exercise. Put toys and apparatus to climb on in your bird’s cage to encourage play and movement. Perches at several levels entice your bird to hop from place to place. However, don’t add so many items to the cage that it impedes movement. Your bird will also need time outside the cage daily for socialization and exercise. Flying is the best exercise so set up an area where your bird can fly safely. Close and latch all windows and doors. Turn off ceiling fans. Remove other pets from the room so your bird isn’t injured. Always supervise your bird while it is out of the cage. Set up objects to climb and hop. And take this time to train your bird to land on your shoulder, push a ball or whatever fun things you want to do to interact with it. For more information, contact your Cameron Park, CA vet. Click here.

... Read more »

If you’re trimming your Scottish Fold’s claws on your own you will need to be prepared for the possibility of cutting too low and hitting the quick of the nail. Talk to your vet to find out ways to avoid trimming the claws too close. You should also ask your vet what to do if you do cut too much and hit the quick of the nail. The quick of a cat’s claws is where a blood vein runs and if cut it could bleed a little or a lot. The first thing to do if this happens is to remain calm. Your Scottish Fold will be in pain and you will need to move quickly to stop the bleeding and relieve the pain. Immediately compress the wound and apply styptic powder or a mixture of corn starch and baking soda to stop the bleeding. Call, or make a visit to your veterinary clinic Marietta, GA if the bleeding doesn’t stop. Learn more  at : http://smyrnaveterinary.com/

... Read more »

Female and male Golden Retrievers require doggy diapers for several different reasons. For instance, female Golden Retrievers that are not spayed may require diapers to keep down the mess when she is in heat. Males may need a diaper for uncontrollable urinating. Different reasons call for different types of doggy diapers. Knowing the difference between male and female doggy diapers is crucial. If you don’t know the difference, ask your vet for assistance. Like diapers for people, doggy diapers are also designed to fit a female or male dog’s needs. The female diaper is a full diaper that goes over the back end of the dog. There are slots for the back legs and the tail. A male diaper usually comes in the form of a belly wrap that covers the male’s penis. Washable brands usually require or recommend liners to help keep the diaper cleaner longer. Consult your veterinary clinic Marietta, GA for additional details.

... Read more »

Guinea pigs don’t actually respond to their names but the exercise of naming your pig is the first step in making him a part of your family. Choose carefully since this name will be said a lot and imparts a certain personality to your pig that your family members can identify with. Some families choose names that describe a physical characteristic of their pig such as Curly or Blondie. Other people name their guinea pigs after popular TV, book or movie characters. Sports figures and rock bands lend their names to a lot of pets. And some guinea pigs are named after their owner’s favorite childhood pets or another guinea pig they had. Whatever name you choose, make it fun and easy to say and be consistent in using the name you choose. Involve the whole family for best results. Contact your Orangevale, CA vet to learn more.

... Read more »

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Generally speaking, rabbits are pretty much mute but there are some distinct sounds that they make. Knowing what your rabbit means through these sounds can help you better care for him. A low grunt is a sign of attention. He may want to mate but most likely he just wants to cuddle. However, with agitated behavior, a grunt may indicate that your rabbit is excited and somewhat agitated. This needs attention so you can remove whatever stressor is causing him to be upset. A content bunny may make a purring sound. If your bunny is unhappy or alert to some danger, he may thump his feet on the ground. This is to warn other group members of impe ... Read more »

Did you know that keeping your Cocker Spaniel’s ears clean on a routine basis is part of maintaining his overall health? Talk with your vet to learn how to go about cleaning your pup’s ears. Most dogs don’t mind having their ears clean, but they do like to wiggle and squirm around during the process making it a little more difficult for you. You can clean your dog’s inner ears by dampening a cotton ball with mineral oil, hydrogen peroxide or another vet recommended solution. It’s a good idea to see your vet demonstrate this process before trying it on your own. Never insert anything into your dog’s ear canal and never clean your dog’s ears so frequently that it causes irritation. If your dog has hair growing in his ear canal, consult your vet before removing it. For additional suggestions, give your local veterinary clinic Marietta GA a call.

... Read more »

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some medication must be given in pill form so you will need to learn to administer a pill to your dog. Some dogs will allow you t ... Read more »

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snakes are cold-blooded animals so they rely on you to keep their environment warm. Learn about your particular breed of snake and what their heat needs are. You will probably need heat lamps to keep your snake’s enclosure warm. Control the lamps so they offer even warmth so there aren’t hot spots where your snake can get burned. Heat is need round the clock so you will need to use lamps at night too. However, both you and your snake will need some periods of darkness. Nocturnal lamps will provide the heat your snake needs while emitting very little light. There is enough light t ... Read more »

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The cost of a pet rabbit is more than just picking one up and bringing him home. Never adopt a bunny from the wild. This can be stressful for the rabbit and he may lash out at you. Purchase your bunny from a reputable dealer instead or adopt from a shelter. You will have several expenses for items that last a long time and only need periodic replacement such as a secure cage or maybe one for indoors and one for outdoors, a harness and leash if you plan to allow your bunny to explore the outdoors, food bowl and a water bottle, some toys and grooming supplies. Plus you will have regular ... Read more »

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your cat’s ears are self-cleaning for the most part but you should examine your cat’s ears regularly for infection, mites or other cuts or abnormality. Sometimes the buildup of dark wax is the beginning of an infection. Cleaning your cat’s ears during normal grooming can help keep them healthy. Consider asking another person to hold your cat so you can concentrate on cleaning the ears. Use an ear rinse made for cats. Squirt a little in each ear and use the earflap to rub the rinse around and loosen dirt and debris. Use cotton balls to clean out any excess wax and dirt. You can use a cotton swab but don’t insert it any deeper th ... Read more »