If you don’t take care of your dog’s nails, they can make life difficult for your furry friend. Not only can long nails make it hard for your dog to walk, they can end up cracking or breaking, which can be very painful. To avoid the discomfort of long nails, you have to know how often to clip your dog’s nails.

Unfortunately, there isn’t one right answer. The answer will depend on your particular dog. Some dogs need to have their nails clipped often, while others may never need to have their nails clipped at all.

It’s best to take a good look at your dog’s nails at least once a week. If the nails scrape on the ground when your dog walks, they should be clipped.

Don’t want to clip your dog’s nails on your own? Ask your veterinary clinic Temecula, CA for a recommended groomer in your area. ... Read more »

Most pets should visit the vet on a regular basis. There’s no question that cats and dogs need regular visits, but what about more exotic animals? Does a spider ever have to visit the vet?

There’s no need to schedule annual appointments with the vet when you have a spider. They do not need annual vaccinations and they do not need to be regularly medicated. It’s best to let your spider settle into your home and leave him be.

However, spiders can get sick just like any other animal can. If you find that your spider is behaving strangely, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with your veterinary clinic Coon Rapids, MN right away. If you aren’t sure about what kind of cage to get, or what to feed your eight-legged friend, your vet can help too.

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There are many animals that could use a forever home that get stuck in the animal shelter instead. Cats and dogs are commonly found at the shelter, but other critters can be found there as well. Should you adopt a hamster from the animal shelter?

You can definitely adopt a hamster from the animal shelter, but there are a few things you should know. If the animal has been ignored, you may spend quite a bit of time socializing it when you get home.

You also have to consider the hamster’s age. These little critters only live for a few years. The hamster at the shelter could be a year old, which means you won’t have a lot of time with your furry new friend.

Need help deciding where to get your next pet? Click here, or plan a visit with your veterinary clinic Fort Collins, CO.

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Before taking a pet home, it’s always a good idea to know how long that animal lives and the age of the particular animal you’re interested in. When it comes to hamsters, they only live for a few years, so it’s especially important to know how old that hamster is at the pet store.

Chances are, the hamsters at the pet store are quite young. Most hamsters will only be a few months old. This is a good thing because you want to spend as much time with your new pet as you can, but it also means you’ll have to plan on socializing your animal when you bring him home.

Older hamsters may be found at the pet store. Animals as old as six months can be adopted, but they will usually be listed at a discount.

Want to know how old your hamster is? Schedule an appointment with your veterinary clinic Flushing, MI.

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Inappropriate urination in cats is often traced back to various important reasons that include litter box issues, health problems, behavioral problems, urethral obstructions, as well as an inflammatory condition of the urinary bladder with unknown origin (feline idiopathic cystitis).

Inappropriate urination in cats means that their owners have to deal with the undesirable odor and destruction to property, not to mention cleaning up after the mess. This undesirable behavior is almost always indicates that something is wrong.

The first step that pet owners should take in addressing the problem is to seek the help of their veterinarian so the underlying cause can be figured out. You should also take a closer look at your kitty’s litter box – the type of litter used, location of the litter box, maintenance, etc. Stress can also cause changes in the cat’s behavior, including ... Read more »

Quilling is a normal physiological process which is characterized by the loss of quills in hedgehogs. It is actually a cycle of quill loss and quill growth. However, some hedgehogs may experience excessive loss of quills, a problem that can be caused by any of the following:

• Poor Diet – A diet that lacks specific essential nutrients may cause excessive quill loss.
• Hormonal Problems – Some hormones exert an important influence on the loss and/or growth of quills in hedgehogs. Any problem that may interfere in the production of these hormones or in their action may possibly give rise to the problem.  
• Stress –Chronic exposure to certain stressors in the environment may trigger quill loss.
• Mites ... Read more »

If you want to keep your rat happy and healthy, it is important to clean his cage. Most people know that the cage needs to be completely cleaned every week, but there are also some things you should clean each and every day.

If there are any hard surfaces in the cage, they should be wiped clean each day. This is most common in cages with multiple levels, where some levels aren’t covered in bedding.

Litter boxes should be cleaned out each and every day. If your pet is still learning to use them, leave a little waste behind.

You should wipe the food dish clean, and you should rinse and refill the water bottle. To make this even easier, have a few around so you can place them in the dishwasher.

For more cleaning tips, schedule an appointment with your veterinary clinic Livonia MI, the Healthy Pet Company - Country Ridge.

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Your dog relies on you to take her out and about to get some exercise each and every day. This means not only spending time walking her, but doing so in a way that is accommodating to those around you.

To be polite when walking your pet, you will need to be vigilant. Be sure to avoid approaching other dogs or people too closely, as everyone needs some space to be comfortable. Make sure you are easily visible to other walkers and any nearby traffic. Help your pet act appropriately around others by encouraging kind behavior. If there are any aspects of your pet’s behavior that you know could be problematic while walking, try to help him through them with consistency and patience. You should also make a point to pick up after your pet to keep your community looking great. For more information, please contact your local Garden City, NY veterinarian.

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There are a few different reasons why you might shave your cat. You might shave him to get rid of mats or to help you get rid of fleas. No matter what the reason, your bald kitty still needs to be groomed.

If you shaved your cat to get rid of mats, there are still areas of your cat that can’t be shaved. For example, you shouldn’t shave your cat’s face or head. It’s still a good idea to go through this hair with a comb, especially if the hair behind the ears or under the chin is prone to matting.

If you shaved due to fleas, you should comb the entire body with a flea comb. Fleas can hide in very short fur, so it’s helpful to comb everywhere.

For help grooming your cat, no matter what kind of coat he has, contact your veterinary clinic Livonia, MI or set an appointment at this website ... Read more »

Mouth rot, which is also called ulcerative stomatitis or infectious stomatitis, is a general term which is used to describe infections affecting the mouth of reptiles. These infections can be caused by any type of pathogen – bacteria, viral, fungal, or parasites. Cancer, fractures of the jaw or foreign bodies in the mouth are also potential causes of the condition. The important predisposing factors of mouth rot in pet reptiles include poor nutrition, incorrect temperature and humidity inside the cage, and forced feeding.

Tortoises are more susceptible to infections caused by bacteria and viruses, which can eventually lead to mouth infections and pneumonia. This can occur even when husbandry and management is excellent. If you suspect your pet reptile has a mouth infection, it is always important to have your pet examined by your Walnut, CA vet to treat your pet at home or ... Read more »

When the weather is hot, many dogs like to take a dip in the lake or a pond. It’s perfectly fine to let your dog swim around, but you should make sure you rinse him off before he comes back inside.

There is a lot of bacteria swirling around in lakes and ponds. Although it isn’t likely to hurt your dog while he’s swimming, there’s no reason to let him drag that bacteria into your home. Hose him off first.

Rinsing him off is also a great way to keep your house from getting messy. Wet dogs have a way of dirtying carpets and making furniture smelly.

If you have a pool, it’s a good idea to rinse your dog off too. All that chlorine smells bad, but it can also make your dog’s skin really dry.

Your veterinarian Livonia, MI can tell you mor ... Read more »

Allergic dermatitis is a collective term for skin allergies that may be caused by a variety of factors in cats. Allergies occur when a cat is exposed to a specific allergen and the immune system over-reacts because it recognizes the allergen as foreign. The most common causes of allergic dermatitis include food allergy, flea bite allergy, and atopy. Less common causes include hormonal allergies, drug reactions, bacterial allergies, allergies to parasites, and contact allergies.

Young adult cats usually suffer from atopy and flea bite allergy, but food allergy can affect cats of any age. Allergic reactions may also by influenced by genetic factors. Allergy symptoms may be seasonal, depending largely on the type of allergen.

Important allergy symptoms that cat owners should watch out for include:

• Scratching, licking, biting, or chewing of t ... Read more »

Cat parents should be aware that their pets can be just as afraid of fireworks as dogs can. Many may not be aware of it because cats are not as demonstrative of their feelings as dogs. Here are some tips to keep your kitty safe and comfortable when there are fireworks displays in your place:

• If you have an indoor-outdoor cat, it is a good idea to bring him inside before the fireworks display is scheduled to start.
• Provide some safe hiding spots for your cat, such as a cardboard box with a single opening or an open cat carrier. Place a favorite toy and your pet’s blanket inside to make it more appealing to him. Having something familiar inside may also help allay his fears.
• Make sure to block access to narrow spaces where your kitty will likely get stuck such as behind the refrigerator, drier, dishwasher, and cupboard drawers. ... Read more »