Some dog breeds, like the Chihuahua and Cairn terrier, are known to bark than most, but there are also those that just like to hear the sound of their own barks.

But there are instances when barking becomes a persistent habit and becomes an undesirable behavior. In order to address the problem, measures should be undertaken to identify the reason/s behind your dog’s persistent vocalization. Here are some possible reasons for your pet’s undesirable behavior:

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Quills cover a considerably large portion of the body of hedgehogs. It is a process where a large number of quills come loose during the shedding period that normally takes place while hedgehogs are still babies and juveniles.

The first quilling generally takes place when they’re about two months old at which time fine baby quills are shed off to make way for thicker and longer quills to grow. When hedgehogs are about 4 months old, the second quilling takes place. Compared to the first quilling process, this second shedding is quite uncomfortable to the hedgehog because new quills have to push through the holes of t ... Read more »

Short-tailed opossums are now becoming popular household pets. In order to meet their basic needs adequately on a daily basis, pet owners should try to learn as much as they can about these short-tailed marsupials.

They differ from most marsupials because they do not have any pouch where their immature offspring stay until they develop to full term. Instead of being inside a pouch, the immature offspring attach to the mother’s nipple and continue to latch on until they can wean themselves from their mother’s milk. They are nocturnal animals which mean they are most active at night, and spend most of the day sl ... Read more »

Your guinea pig needs a variety of foods to keep her healthy and happy. Start with a high-quality nutritionally complete guinea pig pellets. Buy these pellets from a reputable pet supply store with high turnover so you are sure they are fresh. Give your guinea pig fresh leafy greens such as romaine lettuce, kale or spinach. Offer your pig other crunchy vegetables such as carrots and squash for added nutrition. Small pieces of fruit such as apple slices or strawberries make a good treat. Your guinea pig cannot create vitamin C on his own so ensure that some of the fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamin C. Your guinea pig also needs lots of timothy hay. This hay helps your pig’s digestive system work well and all that nibbling help keep his teeth trim. And make sure your guinea pig has access to fresh, clean water at all times. For more information, contact your Marion, IA veterinarian.

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