Did you know that chinchillas can pick up ticks just like dogs and cats? It’s important to check your chinchilla for ticks after spending time outdoors. You should also check him frequently if you have other animals in your home such as a dog or cat. Keeping your dog and cat on a monthly flea and tick prevention medication can help ensure that your chinchilla won’t pick up a tick (or flea) either. If you find a tick on your chinchilla, you will need to grab the tick by the head and pull it straight up. Use your thumb and index finger and place them on the tick as close to the skin as possible before pulling straight up. Be sure the entire tick has been removed. Check the chinchilla thoroughly for other ticks. You may also want to check his bedding. For more tips, talk with your Anderson, IN veterinary clinic.

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Unlike dogs and cats, reptiles have not been raised to be domesticated. While reptiles make excellent pets for some people, they are still wild animals.  There are reptiles being sold as pets which have been captured from the wild; there are also those that are captive-bred.

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Spaying or neutering your cat is always a good idea. It reduces the feline population, which in turn can reduce the number of unwanted cats in shelters. The question is, when is the best time to fix your animal?

Any time is the right time! It’s always a good idea to spay or neuter your cat whenever you’re able. If you adopt a cat at any age, your first stop should always be the vet to have him fixed.

However, if you bring home a kitten, you have an opportunity to do the surgery early before he causes too much damage to your home. Not to mention, young kitties can bounce back after a surgery much more quickly than adult cats.

To learn more about spaying and neutering, or to schedule an appointment to have your furry friend fixed, call your veterinary clinic East Dallas, TX.

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Horses aren’t the only farm animals that are bothered by pesky gnats and flies. Swarms of flies can attach themselves to a herd of cows in no time. The flies can get into the cow’s eyes, ears, nose, and the utter or sheath areas. They can be extremely irritating and cause discomfort and itching. You can help your cows out by spraying them thoroughly with a cow or livestock fly spray. If the flies are particularly bad in your farmyard area, look for a animal safe fly spray to use on the yard. Make sure the sprays you use are safe for animals intended for consumption. You can also hang fly predator traps in problem areas to lure the flies away from the cows. Keep the barnyard clean of manure and make sure your manure pile is far from the caws as this also attracts flies. Talk with your Westminster, MD veterinary clinic for more ideas.

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You can get your dog to settle down when he will lie down on command. This position helps him understand that it is time to relax. Training your dog to lie down on command starts when he is sitting. Thus ensure that he dog reliably obeys the SIT command. Start with your dog sitting and hold a treat in front of his nose. Move the treat down and out in front of his feet. He will need to stretch out and lie down to keep following the treat. Say your dog’s name followed by the DOWN command. Once your dog approximates a lying down position, give him the treat and lots of praise. Practice this procedure often. As he becomes reliable in obeying the DOWN command, hesitate before giving him the treat. Gradually reduce and then eliminate the treats. Then your dog will lie down on your command and praise alone. Contact your Indianapolis, IN vet to learn more.

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Your pet needs to be looked after and you are happy to do this. However, there are likely going to be times that you need to head out of town for a while. How can you find a pet sitter to look after your little fur ball while you are away?

There is a chance that you will have a friend or family member willing to watch your pet, but most people will need to find a professional to meet the needs of their pets. This can be done by seeking out pet sitters in your area and evaluating their skills. You will need someone who can meet your pet’s needs without question and who will help your pet stay comfortable while you are away. This individual should be trustworthy, available when you need her, and asking for compensation that is reasonable for the services being rendered. For more information, please contact your local New Tulsa OK veterinarian.

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Your dog depends on you to offer her the medical care she needs when it’s time to offer it to her, but you aren’t exactly sure what this means. How often should you be bringing your dog to the vet?

This question can’t be easily answered by simply offering a number. This is because your furry friend will need to head in to see his veterinarian whenever you encounter something that is out of your hands or you aren’t sure how to handle. Based on his current health, your pet’s veterinarian will recommend the frequency you should bring him in for well-visits so you can schedule them ahead of time. Additional visits will likely be on an as-needed basis depending on what’s going on in your pet’s life at the time. For more information, please contact your local Loma Linda, CA veterinarian.

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Your dog is an excellent companion and you love adventuring out into the world with him. However, you aren’t always able to head out of the house and there will be times when you want to spend some time engaging in some calmer activities with your pet. How can you enjoy your downtime with your dog?

Your pet needs to be able to interact with you often, and he would likely enjoy this time with you as well. Consider the time you are able to relax with him, and make sure you involve him in your activities whenever you can. Talk with him as you go about your tasks and invite him to sit next to you when you rest in your home. Pet him when he plants down next to you or place his bed nearby so you can still see one another. For more information, please contact your local Bolingbrook, IL veterinarian.

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Your feathery friend needs you to keep your home in great shape for her, particularly when it comes to the aspects of your living space that will help keep her healthy and safe. What can you do to keep the air quality great?

Your pet needs you to refrain from using things that will harm her, like sprays that she will inhale. This includes perfumes, air fresheners, and cleaning products that could be hazardous to her health. You should also keep in mind how much fresh air is coming into your home and consider opening a window from time to time when your pet is safely tucked away in her enclosure. There are also air filtration systems available should you feel your home needs something in addition to these methods to keep her comfortable. For more information, please contact your local Longmont, CO veterinarian.

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Your hamster is a wonderful part of your life and you can’t help wanting to offer her a healthy lifestyle. How can you feed her a diet that will meet her needs?

Your hamster needs you to feed her food that will offer plenty of nutrients to keep her feeling great. This often means giving her a variety of food items. Your pet will need you to give her a good base to her diet, like a commercial mix that is made with natural ingredients. From here, you can add additional items, like nuts, seeds, and fresh produce. Make sure you talk to her veterinarian about the appropriate portion sizes for each of these items to ensure you are offering your pet a diet she can remain in great shape while eating. For more information, please contact your local Sugar Land, TX veterinarian.

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Your guinea pig is a big part of your life and you are always looking for ways to help her stay healthy. How can you help her stay fit?

Your pet needs you to offer her foods that will give her plenty of energy to move around and will help her body stay strong. She needs a lot of exercise, so you will also need to help her get up and moving whenever you can. This means offering her things to do within her cage to entice her to run around a bit and also bringing her outside of her enclosure to interact with you. The larger area gives her more freedom to move around as she pleases. Encourage movement through games and fun activities to help her enjoy her time with you and keep her body healthy. For more information, please contact your local Michigan City, IN veterinarian.

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