Your dog may love spending time with you, but there are likely some times when you would rather he gave you some space, like when it’s time for you to sit down to a meal. How can you teach him not to beg at the dinner table?

Your pet needs you to take the time to understand why he begs. He is likely either looking for attention or food, so it’s your job to offer neither when he engages in this behavior. Make sure all his needs are met prior to settling down at dinner time, then ignore his attempts to get your attention. He will eventually learn that this behavior isn’t rewarded, and will likely stop taking part in it. However, if you give in and offer some food, you will be reinforcing his behavior and making it more difficult for him to stop. For more information, please contact your local Greenwood, IN vet clinic.

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Guinea pigs don’t respond to their names as a cat or dog would. However, taking the time to choose a name for your pig is still an important task. This is the name your family will call your pig for his entire life. It imparts a sense of personality and is the first step in bonding with your guinea pig and welcoming him into your family. Some people choose a physical characteristic or attitude as a name such as Curly or Skitter. The name of a sports hero or a character from a favorite TV show, movie or book is also popular resulting in pigs names Kobe, Sheldon, Nemo or Potter. Some guinea pigs are named after cherished childhood pets leading to names like Spanky III. Whatever name you choose, use it consistently and ensure that all family members are comfortable saying it aloud. For more information, contact your Moorpark, CA veterinarian.

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Mice are fun pets and can be trained to do a number of fun tricks. Training your mouse to stand up and beg is a great first trick. Use a food treat to lure your mouse into a begging position. Unsweetened, oat loop cereal makes a fun treat. Ensure your mouse is comfortable with you before training. Talk to your mouse or sing to him softly by his cage. Drape your hand into the cage for your mouse to explore. And try hand feeding your mouse. When you take your mouse out for training, put him on a safe surface. Hold the treat in front of him to get his attention. Say the UP command as you raise the treat over your mouse’s head. Once he is up on his hind legs, give him the treat. Practice this and increase the begging time before giving him the treat. Contact your Conyers, GA vet to learn more.

Cats are crepuscular, meaning they are most active in the dawn and dusk hours. Thus your cat may be very active when you are trying to sleep. Don’t try to keep your cat awake all day since this could stress her and lead to illness. She could also lash out at you and bite or scratch you. However, you can take advantage of your cat’s dusk alert hours to play with her and ensure she gets enough exercise. This could help her sleep longer into the night. Give your cat fun toys to play with outside your bedroom at night. Consider getting an automatic feeder so your cat won’t wake you to feed her in the wee hours of the morning. And ignore your cat if she jumps on you or meows throughout the night since this will reinforce undesired behavior. For more information, contact your Flint, MI veterinarian.

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Your cat may spend a lot of time in your home and receive a lot of your care, but she also needs lots of your attention on top of this. Spending time with your pet is an important part of being a pet owner, as it is what solidifies your bond with her.

To make the most of your time together you will need to be able to dedicate yourself to the task at hand. Focus on your pet, and try to have some fun with her. Pick activities that will allow her to enjoy herself, get some exercise, and interact with you. The more you get to know her, the quicker ideas will come to you when playtime rolls around, and the more time you will spend enjoying each other’s company.  Your local Lafayette, LA vet can help you offer your pet a wonderful place to call home. For more information, visit this site. ... Read more »

Your cat is as adorable as adorable can be, and she really enjoys spending her time in your home with you. This is evident by the amount of shed fur she leaves behind.

Shedding is an issue for many pet owners, but it is a natural part of your pet’s life and can’t be avoided. However, it can be controlled, and this will not only minimize the amount of fur you find around your home, but also the number of hairballs your pet experiences. Brushing your cat regularly is key to both of these, as it will help remove fur that has been shed but is still present within her fur. This gets it out of the way so it won’t be left behind in different areas of your home or be ingested when your pet cleans herself. Your local La ... Read more »

Your cat needs a litter box in your home in order to have her needs met and live harmoniously with the others that occupy this space. However, not all litter boxes are the same. Will your pet benefit from a hooded option?

Litter boxes with hoods can serve several purposes. They can help your pet focus on the task at hand, and block out distractions around her. They can also keep others, like small children and other pets, from invading this space. Things your pet doesn’t prefer can also be blocked or diminished by the hood, like drafts, bright sunlight, or noises. In addition, a hood can help prevent your pet from kicking litter onto the floor surrounding her litter box. This will leave you with a better contained litter box and a cleaner home in general. Your local Lafayette, LA vet can offer additional guidance. For more in ... Read more »