Rocks are not meant to be digested. The problem is, not all dogs realize this. If your Corgi or other breed of canine enjoys digging in the dirt and finding rocks, make sure he doesn’t actually eat those rocks. Dogs love to dig, hunt, and find all kinds of ‘treasures’ including rocks. Sadly, they don’t realize that rocks are not meant to be chewed or eaten. Eating rocks is actually an illness or behavior that is known as pica. Although often done for fun, eating rocks can also be brought on by frustration, anxiety and stress. Signs that your Corgi may have swallowed rocks or some other foreign object include lethargy and a lack of appetite. If you think your Corgi has eaten a rock and he is showing any of these symptoms, call your vet Orangevale, CA immediately. In serious cases, rocks my need to be surgically removed in order to protect the dog’s intestines.

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Your family is getting ready to bring a pet into your home, and you can’t wait for her homecoming. However, you want to make sure you are all ready for arrival. How can you determine who will take care of each task to be done?

Your pet will need to be cared for on a daily basis, and this means taking the time to look at everyone’s capabilities and preferences. See who would prefer which task, then discuss who can tackle the responsibilities that no one else claims on their own. Take the time to find additional ways to meet your pet’s needs in case a back-up plan becomes necessary. You will likely need to revisit this conversation as time passes to make sure everything is continuing to go smoothly. For additional information, please contact your local Fort Collins, CO vet.

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Albino guinea pigs and other small pocket pets can be prone to ticks if you let them roam around outdoors for any length of time. They can also be prone to ticks if you have other pets living in the home. Keeping your other pets on a routine flea and tick preventative can help protect your guinea pig from getting ticks too. Often ticks that come in on a dog or cat will transfer to the Albino guinea pig once the jump off the cat or dog. If you find a tick on your Albino guinea pig, call your vet for assistance on how to remove the tick. Your vet can tell you that when you remove the tick you must make sure you get all of it. Check your other pets for ticks as well and clean all animal bedding thoroughly. Consult with your vet Flushing, MI for more information.

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Even though you may love sharing your favorite treat with your pup, it’s not a good idea to feed him large amounts of ice cream or small amounts of ice cream on a routine basis. Your vet can tell you that ice cream is not an ideal treat for your Havanese or any type of canine companion. Why? Ice cream is a sugary filled food. Diets high in sugar can cause dental problems or even obesity. In addition, ice cream is a dairy product that contains lactose, another form of sugar that most dogs cannot digest. Most dogs, including your Havanese, are probably lactose intolerant. They could develop loose stools or other stomach issues if they are given ice cream. Alternative treats include special made dog safe ice cream, frozen yogurt, and other dog friendly sweets. For more information on what you can feed your pup, consult with your vet Matthews, NC.

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Your pet is a big part of your life, and it’s important to you that she is getting all the care she needs. When you are unavailable to care for her, you will need someone else to perform necessary care tasks. What should you know about looking for a pet sitter?

There are generally two types of pet sitters – people you know who are familiar with your pet, and professionals who will care for your furry friend in your absence. Both of these can be great options if you know the right person. Your goal should be to find someone responsible that will care for your pet in a way that keeps her safe, happy, and comfortable. Your pet should be able to enjoy time with her pet sitter and this individual should be able to handle anything that comes up while you are away. For additional information, please contact your local Garden City, NY vet.

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Spray marking is an important feline behavior. It’s commonly seen among cats that have not been neutered or spayed. But the behavior can also be seen in both intact male and female cats. In most cases, spraying or marking can be addressed by having your pet spayed or neutered.

Spray marking is a mode of communication in cats using their olfactory sense.  Cats also engage in the behavior to leave their signature scent in places they would like to claim, declare their status in the social hierarchy, broadcast that they are sexually available, or to echo their stress or frustration.

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Your cat is a big part of your life, and you spend a lot of time with her. This means that you have become very familiar with her habits, though you may not fully understand all of them. For example, why does your pet knead so much?

Kneading is a common feline behavior, and you will find that many cats take part in this action. It is particularly prevalent prior to settling in for some time to rest. This is because your pet associates kneading with a very calm time in her life, and it can help soothe her. Kneading allowed your cat to get a better meal from her mother as a kitten, as this would stimulate milk production. The relaxed feeling of being content and well-fed likely carried on into adulthood, and your pet now kneads to recreate this serene feeling.  For additional information, please contact your local Omaha NE vet.

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There are times when you need to leave your pet bird at home alone. Your bird needs to stay in its cage during this time. Since birds are social animals, you need to give your bird plenty of in-cage activities to do during this time. Leaving a radio or television on while you are away can entertain your bird with something to look at and listen to. Talk radio offers human voices so these programs are especially effective. Give your bird plenty of toys and climbing apparatus to play with. However, don’t put so many things in the cage that your bird can’t move around freely. Citrus fruits or mint in your bird’s cage can stimulate its sense of smell. Check that your bird has plenty of food and water and consider giving her a special food treat. Learn more from your Crown Point, IN veterinary clinic. Schedule an appointment today!

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Ensure that your cat has access to fresh, clean water at all times to keep her hydrated. Proper hydration is vital in maintaining a healthy urinary tract. Dehydrated cats are more likely to develop urinary tract infections and kidney or bladder diseases. Plus your cat can become constipated if she has too little water. Some cats are picky about the placement of her water bowl. You may have to move the bowl further away or closer to her food bowl, depending on your cat’s preference. Your cat may prefer a particular temperature of her water. Add a few ice cubes to cool down the water if your cat likes it cold. The choice of bowl makes a difference too. The material, depth and width may impact the amount of water your cat drinks. She may refuse to use the bowl until you get it right. Contact your Crown Point, IN vet to learn more. Or click this link: http://merrillvillevets.com/

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Some breeds of dogs are more susceptible to earaches than others. The warm, moist environment within the ear can worsen this condition. Check your dog’s ears regularly for signs of infection such as redness and swelling, dark wax or other debris and an unpleasant odor. Your dog may shake his head, scratch or rub his ears on the carpet if his ears are uncomfortable. Ear infections need prompt medical attention. Your vet will examine your dog to determine what is causing your dog’s ear infection. A culture will provide guidance of what type of treatment is needed to cure the infection. Most treatment includes cleaning the ears with a dog-safe rinse and inserting antibiotic or steroidal drops into the ears. Follow all instructions carefully. Your dog may need a return visit to ensure the infection has been completely cured. For more information, consult with your veterinarian Crown Point, IN.

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A lot of pet food products contain grape seed extract and grape pomace because of their excellent antioxidant properties. Antioxidants improve the body’s immune system, delay aging and even fight free radicals.

Grape pomace, which was extracted and dried from grape skin and seed, can be fed to dogs. It is considered safe for dogs to consume grape pomace because the toxic substance associated with renal failure in dogs is found in the flesh, which is removed in the making of grape pomace. Consuming the whole grape or even raisins can be an important cause of fatal renal failure in dogs; but the seed and skin of grapes are considered safe.

Moreover, pet food manufacturers include antioxidants in their products because of the benefits derived from antioxidants. Quercetin, rosemary extra ... Read more »