You likely get a lot of comfort from your pet by holding him. After all, so many people choose a cat or dog because they enjoy the attention! What about other animals? Do hamsters like to be held?

Hamsters don’t naturally like to be held. After all, they are so tiny and you are so huge! In the wild, a larger creature could mean the end. If you want your hamster to put up with being held, you have to make sure that you socialize him.

Even after socialization, your hamster isn’t likely to look forward to being held. He could probably take or leave all the extra attention, that is unless you provide him with a treat! He may be more likely to enjoy being held if he knows he gets a snack afterwards!

Your veterinary clinic South Miami, FL can help you socialize your hamster.

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Most people adopt a cat as a companion animal, but that doesn’t mean you wouldn’t like a little help around the house every once in a while! Will your cat hunt a mouse that has taken up residence in your home?

The answer depends on your particular cat. Felines are natural hunters, so your pet definitely has that instinct. However, if he’s fed well on a daily basis, he may not feel the need to hunt down an animal in order to eat it. Instead, he may be more interested in playing with it, like he would a toy.

If you have a rodent in your home, it’s a good idea to try and trap it for release. If your cat does end up catching and eating that mouse, it could make him sick. To learn more, click here, or call your veterinary clinic Racine, WI.

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Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal disease in dogs both young and old canines and felines. Heartworms can affect any breed including the Bichon Frise. The heartworm is usually a large worm that is capable of invading the heart, lungs and blood vessels of your Bichon. The disease, if not caught early, can be fatal as it can cause permanent damage to your Bichon’s main organs including the heart and lungs. Heartworm disease is usually transmitted in dogs through mosquitoes. Adult female heartworms produce baby worms that circulate in the bloodstream. The mosquito picks up these baby worms when it sucks the blood from the infected dog. It takes 10 to 14 days for the baby worms to enter the infective stage. Once the mosquito bites another dog, it deposits the larvae into the dog. Your vet Lafayette, LA can tell you that heartworms can live five to seven years in dogs. You can visit http://youngsvillelavet.com for more inf ... Read more »

Scooping your cat’s litter box is extremely important if you want him to continue using it, but it’s also important if you don’t want your home to smell bad! The trick is remembering to scoop your cat’s box often.

The best way to scoop a box regularly is to get on a schedule. Plan to scoop your cat’s box the same days each week at the same time. When you get into the habit, it’s a lot harder to forget.

Sometimes, the smell will alert you to the fact that the box needs to be scooped. Some cats may help with this on purpose. For example, some felines won’t bury their waste when the box needs to be scooped!

You can always get a self-scooping litter box! If you’re looking for more scooping tips, schedule an appointment with your veterinary clinic Montgomery, TX.

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Owning a Dutch rabbit is more than just providing food and shelter. Owning a Dutch rabbit also requires interaction with your rabbit and teaching him basic commands and even encouraging positive behaviors. Your vet may have told you already that rabbits like the Dutch rabbit are extremely intelligent creatures that pick up quick on actions, emotions, and attitudes of their owners. It’s important to teach your rabbit that he can relax around you and be his natural self. For instance, rabbits love to play with toys and things that they can chew on. You can help build and strengthen a positive bond and behavior in your rabbit by playing with him. Give your Dutch rabbit a toy that he will enjoy. Play with the toy and your rabbit; don’t just throw the toy in the cage and walk away. Talk with your veterinary clinic Moorpark, CA about ways to encourage play time between your rabbit and your family!

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Corgis often face difficulty walking as they age. They are particularly prone to arthritis and other joint related disease such as Degenerative myelopathy. For this reason, your corgi may be in need of a doggie wheelchair or mobility cart. There are several online retailers that offer a variety of wheelchair carts for dogs. Be prepared to shop, research, and consult with your vet about a specific make and model for your dog. Carts can run anywhere from $100 to $400. Online stores such as K9carts.com offer brand new carts, used carts, and carts for rental purposes. Similar options may also be available at other retailers. Once you decide where to buy from, you can request a sales representative to help walk you through the process of measuring and fitting your Corgi for the cart. Your vet Lafayette, LA may be able to assist in measuring your Corgi for a cart or wheelchair. Visit their Homepage to know more.

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If you are a cat owner then you may already be aware of various health conditions that can effect cats of all breeds. For instance, the Ragdoll may be susceptible to myelopathy paresis and paralysis. Most conditions with myelopathy in the name refer to a disease or condition that affects the spinal cord. When the spinal cord is involved there is always risk of the development of muscle or limb weakness (paresis) or complete loss of feeling or mobility (paralysis). In cats, myelopathy paresis and paralysis can affect all four legs, just the hind legs, just the front legs, or even just one leg depending on the location and severity of the spinal cord disease. If you notice your Ragdoll cat is having difficulty walking or moving around call your vet to set up a check-up. For more details along with treatment information and possible medications, please talk with your veterinary clinic Lafayette, LA. Learn more here.

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Contrary to popular belief, not all dogs enjoy the water or even a swim. Different breeds react to the water in different ways. For instance, Retrievers love to swim and are bred for the water and especially retrieving from the water. Bulldogs; however, aren’t typical swimmers due to their heavy weight. If your Akita is scared of the water or stressed when it comes to being around water then talk with your vet. Akitas aren’t usually afraid of the water so your pup may just need to be re-introduced to water in safe and slow moving environment. You may start him off with water in a bathtub. Show him that water can be fun. When you do place him in the water, do so in an area where he can get his paws wet as little or as much as he wants. For more tips and suggestions, talk with your veterinarian Richardson, TX.

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Feline epilepsy can occur in a variety of cat breeds including American Curls. The episodes usually involve seizure activity. As with human seizures, feline seizures are believed to be related to the miscommunication of neurons in the cerebrum of the brain. Your vet may need to run a thorough examination of your cat to diagnose her condition. You will need to provide your vet with a detailed health history of your American Curl. A physical and neurological exam may be conducted. Laboratory tests and X-rays are often part of the examination process. The cause for these miscommunications that trigger seizures is unknown. If a trigger or underlying cause for the seizure cannot be determined then it will be diagnosed as idiopathic or a genetic disorder. If a cause is determined, additional treatment will be recommended to treat the cause in hopes of treating the seizures at the same time. Talk with your veterinarian Richardson, TX for ... Read more »

Is your American Bobtail having trouble moving around? If so, you may want to call your vet and schedule a checkup. Your bobtail’s lack of mobility could be from a number of things including arthritis, Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), or Schiff-Sherrington phenomenon. Schiff-Sherrington phenomenon occurs when the cat’s spinal cord is severed or cut across by a small yet severe lesion on the cat’s lower back (usually the second lumbar vertebrae). This causes an extreme posturing of the upper limbs. The hind limbs may also suffer from paralysis or loss of strength and muscle. This occurs due to the damage to the border cells and interneurons that are located in the second lumbar vertebrae. The overall result is pain and the inability for the cat to move as she did once before. Your vet services Richardson, TX will need to examine your cat to determine if this is the problem. Not all cats with mobility ... Read more »

There are four basic symptoms of sugar diabetes in American Wirehairs and other feline breeds. These include an increased appetite, weight loss, increased urination, and increased water consumption. Diabetes most often occurs in older, obese cats and is commonly seen in males more often than females. This does not mean; however, that younger cats or females cannot have diabetes.  If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, call your vet to schedule an exam. Feline diabetes can occur when your cat’s body doesn’t produce enough insulin or the insulin that is produced is not used properly. When this happens your cat’s body will start breaking down stored proteins and fats to use as energy instead of the glucose that should be regulated and distributed by the insulin. Your cat may start to lose weight and develop high levels of sugar in the bloodstream. For more details, consult with your veterinarian Wake Forest, NC.

Your cat needs to scratch on something in order to maintain her claws, and it’s important that you are able to provide her with something suitable for this. Otherwise, your pet will likely choose a place to scratch that you aren’t too happy about.

To find the ideal place to scratch, consider the places she heads for now. You’ll want to mimic them in feel, and place new items in an area where your pet will utilize them readily. Consider putting it near areas she tends to scratch now so she will have this alternative right nearby. Take into account if she scratches horizontally or vertically, as the item you choose will need to be able to be used in the same manner. Consider the variety on the market, like traditional scratching posts, mats, and climbing trees, to find the best option for your cat. For more information, please contact your local San Leandro, CA ... Read more »

If your Ragdoll is having trouble moving around or she has been diagnosed with a disease that is effecting her mobility, talk with your vet about the possibility of using a cat wheelchair or cart as an aid. Specialized carts have been created to give your cat back some of her mobility. For instance, Eddie’s Wheels develops carts for cats that are immobile due to injury, disease, or other condition. The cart allows the cat to take her regular stride with the front legs while the cart rolls along carrying the backend or vice versa if the cat should be immobile in the frontend. Unlike dogs, a cat’s initial response to a cart may be to escape or find a way to get out of it. For this reason, Eddie’s Wheels first provides cats with a harness to help them begin the adjustment process. For more details about using a cat cart, talk with your veterinarian Grayson, GA.

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If you are planning to purchase or adopt a Himalayan guinea pig, then you may want to talk you’re your vet or pet store associate to learn everything required for caring for and raising a guinea pig. For instance, it’s important to recognize when your cavy is sick or in need of a vet. Find out what health concerns are most common and how to recognize them. For instance, pneumonia is one of the main diseases to look out for in your guinea pig. Streptococci pneumonie are pathogenic bacteria that can cause agents for pneumonia. The infection is deadly and is highly infectious to other guinea pigs. If you notice your guinea pig suddenly stops eating, appears stressed, appears to have arthritis or pain in his joints, is sneezing, appears depressed, or even has an elevated body temperature call your vet. Only your vet North Las Vegas, NV can diagnose the illness and provide treatment.

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The American rabbit’s eyes are a fragile feature and require constant care and attention even if it’s just a quick glance to make sure all is well. There may be times when you check your rabbit and notice his eye is irritated or even swollen. If this happens, call your vet to schedule an exam. On rare occasions, your American rabbit may actually have an eye that is bulging or appears to be coming out of the socket. This usually happens as a result of an injury that causes pressure to build up behind the eye. In this case, you should quickly cover the eye with a damp, clean cloth and hold it in place with a loosely wrapped bandage around the head. If possible, soak the cloth in warm, salty water to help preserve the eye especially if it’s out of the socket already. Take your rabbit to the veterinarian Louisville, CO or call an emergency vet immediately.

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Once you’ve adopted or purchased your Dutch rabbit then you will need to provide him a shelter and food to eat. If you’re not sure what to feed your rabbit, give your vet or local pet store a call. In general, your rabbit’s diet should consist mainly of free choice hay and a pellet rabbit feed. Special snacks of fruits and veggies are also recommended in moderation. For instance, some not so familiar veggies that your rabbit may enjoy include artichokes, celery, cauliflower, cucumber, fennel, green beans, peas, peppers, and pumpkins. Various fruits that may not be on your general list of safe foods for your rabbit include bananas, blueberries, kiwi, mango, nectarines, papaya, peaches, pears, plums, raspberries (and leaves), strawberries (and leaves), and even tomatoes (not the leaves). Always talk to your vet before giving your rabbit any kind of people food. For a list of acceptable people foods, call your vet Cherry H ... Read more »

Did you know that ferrets like the Cinnamon Mitt ferret can be curious creatures with a natural desire to explore? This curiosity or natural instinct often gets them into trouble as well. Some ferrets may find themselves in troubling situations with other ferrets or even cats that often result in an injury to the eye. Ferret’s are susceptible to numerous eye related conditions and illnesses. For instance, lymphoma or cancer to the eye is common in ferrets. Lymphoma occurs in the form of a tumor behind the eye. It often looks like glaucoma in the beginning stages as it causes the eye to bulge. The only way to diagnose lymphoma is to do an ultrasound of the back of the eye. Treatment is the removal of the mass and possible chemotherapy.  In some cases the eye must be removed to prevent the spread of the cancer. Talk with your veterinarian Bucks County, PA for more details.

Your pet is a big part of your life, and you spend an immense amount of time in her company. You love her company, and like that you can share your life with her day after day. However, you know that sharing everything with her isn’t a great idea, but what about when it comes to food?

If your pet is like most, she would likely love the opportunity to share some of your food with you. However, this isn’t the best idea, particularly when you are eating items that aren’t homemade and you don’t know each ingredient that is in them. There are a lot of foods humans eat that are safe for dogs to consume, but there are also a lot that aren’t. The chances of something unsafe being in any given meal is reasonably high depending on how you eat. Your local Katy, TX vet clinic can help you care for your pet. Schedule an appointment today.

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It’s no secret that cats love an open window. It’s obvious that they like watching the birds fly by and they love sniffing the fresh air, but there are a few other unexpected reasons why felines like an open window.

Cats like condensation, and the window can be a great source of a little extra H2O. Don’t be surprised if you catch your cat licking the window every now and then!

Cats like to watch squirrels, birds, and other animals wander by the window, but if you’re in the yard, your cat may want to gaze outside to keep an eye on what you’re doing.

In some cases, the window can provide a challenge to an adventurous cat. From climbing the screen to maneuvering around blinds, gazing out the window can be a fun challenge!

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Cats are picky eaters. Sometimes they simply don’t like the food they’re eating. Maybe they prefer dry food. It could even be where you’re feeding your cat, but what do you do if you’ve addressed all the normal reasons why your cat has lost his appetite and he still isn’t eating?

Your cat may find it painful to eat, and it may not be because he has sensitive teeth. Instead, your cat’s whiskers could be to blame.

Those whiskers are extremely sensitive. They have many nerve receptors and they go much deeper down in the skin than regular hair. It could be painful for your kitty to press his face into his bowl!

Instead, try a large, shallow bowl to see if that fixes the problem. If your cat still isn’t eating, ask your vet Mt. Pleasant, SC.

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