Contrary to popular belief, a hedgehog and a porcupine are not related nor are their quills alike. Yes, they both have quills and they are used for protection, but that’s where the similarities stop. A porcupine uses his quills defensively and shoots them at predators. Hedgehogs roll up into a ball and use their quills to form a protective shell when they are scared, anxious or stressed. The quills activate with the rolling motion which triggers tiny air chambers in the quills. The quills rise up and point straight up, but they are not ejected. Instead, they point outward and form a protective shell or shield. Most animals will see the quills and leave or even touch the quills and move on. Although the quills aren’t ejected they can hurt so keep other pets at a distance. For more information, contact your Sugar Land, TX veterinary clinic.

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It’s fun to give our pets treats. We love to reward them for learning tricks and we love show them love through food. But before you give your guinea pig any kind of new treat, talk with your vet to make sure it’s OK first. Commercial guinea pig treats available at pet stores are usually fine to feed your cavy. He may especially love a treat stick or a treat ball that he can nibble on for several days. You can also give your cavy Timothy hay or other vet approved hay. Guinea pigs love to chew on hay and it keeps them happy for long periods of time. Some guinea pigs enjoy pieces of fruit (i.e. apple) as well as pieces of vegetables (i.e. carrots). Just make sure you talk with your Los Gatos, CA veterinary clinic team first to ensure the fruit or vegetable is safe.

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There are a lot of foods that rabbits like the Holland Lop like to eat. Carrots are probably one of the first things that come to mind. Rabbits also like to eat lettuce and other fruits and vegetables from the kitchen. One thing you should not feed your pet rabbit is bread. Bread cannot be digested easily for rabbits. It is also filled with unhealthy carbohydrates and sugars. What bread is one of the worst kinds of bread. Although bread may look good to us or your rabbit may even appear to be begging for bread, it’s not healthy for him to eat. Sugars and carbs are not only hard for your rabbit to digest, but they can also cause diabetes and obesity. If your rabbit accidently eats finds a piece of bread, take it away from him. If he digests some of it, call your Oshawa, ON veterinarian to find out if you need to take further action.

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Some people are looking for cats that have a canine personality because they want a pet that can take care of itself yet wants to be interactive and playful with people. Very seldom is someone looking for a canine with cat like characteristics. However, those that are looking for such a canine will find one in the Basenji. This small dog is described as grace, agile, smart and independent. He stands between 16 and 17 inches and weights between 22 and 24 pounds. The average lifespan is 13 to 14 years. The breed has a sleek short hair coat and curly tail along with almond shaped eyes and a wrinkled forehead. He is described as sweet-faced and compact. In addition to a catlike appearance, your Oshawa, ON veterinary clinic team can tell you that the Basenji is also a self groomer. That’s right, the Basenji actually keeps his own coat clean with self grooming just like its feline counterpart. Click this site to learn more: ... Read more »

Rolling is perfectly natural in horses. Some believe it is a sign that the horse is happy or content. This could be true considering a horse has to let down his defenses in order to drop to the ground and roll comfortable. Rolling is usually done to relieve itching from insect bites or to rub away dry sweat after being tacked up for a ride. Some horses will head straight a sandy area to roll right after a bath. As much as you may cringe at this, it’s perfectly natural. The horse is rubbing away the wet and recovering himself with dirt. Some horse owners believe a layer of dirt can help protect the horse’s skin from sunburn and insect bites. Most horses will roll on one side, get up, and then drop to roll on the other side. You should call your Teller County, CO veterinary clinic if your horse doesn’t get up or constantly rolls without stopping.

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Exercise is important for any type of pet or animal. If you own a cat then talk with your vet to find out how much exercise your cat should be receiving on a routine basis. House cats are pretty well known for their ability to lounge around and sleep all day, but they need to be up and moving and exercising too. You can help your cat exercise more by encouraging him to walk with you outdoors or follow you around the house. You can also play with your cat with different cat toys. Dangling a toy mouse on a string can motivate your cat to play. If your cat likes to play fetch then roll a small ball around on the floor so he can chase it and bring it back. Some cats can be trained to walk on a leash. For more tips on exercising your cat, ... Read more »