Pet Chinchillas

Like cats, chinchillas spend a good part of their day grooming themselves. Even though they are fastidious groomers, they still possess a distinct chinchilla odor that many people may find quite offensive. While you cannot altogether get rid of your pet’s characteristic scent, regular cleaning of your pet’s cage and cage accessories can help reduce the odor. It is also a good idea to place your pet’s enclosure in a well-ventilated location.

Chinchillas benefit from regular grooming because their dense fur can make an ideal environment for lice, fleas, and other parasite species. When kept together in the same cage, chins may gnaw on each other’s fur, which can lead to bald spots. Some chins bite or chomp their own fur.

There are specific factors in a chin’s environment that can stress them out, thus make sure to keep a close eye out for potential stressors that can wreak havoc on your pet’s health and wellbeing.

Know more about how to take care of your pet’s needs by visiting your Cherry Hill, NJ veterinary clinic.  Visit this website to find out more.

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How To Give Medications To Your Pet Dog

One of the things that dog owners must know is how to give medications to their pet dogs. Even if your pooch is healthy and well, there will always come a time when your pet will need some medication for an illness or other health concerns.

A dog should get used to having his mouth handled while still very young. This training is essential so he will tolerate regular tooth brushing and mouth checks. It would also be easier for the pet owner to give medications.

An effective way of teaching your puppy to open his mouth willingly is to condition him to expect a treat when he does. Start by placing him securely on your lap so it will be easier for you to position one hand over his muzzle while the other hand is placed under his jaw. Gently pry his upper and lower jaws wide open and place a treat on the front of his tongue to prevent him from choking, and then release his mouth.

You can ask your Carrollton, GA veterinarian to show you how the procedure is done during your next visit. Read more about pets and their care on this website.

Does Your Dog Have to Be on a Leash?

Many dogs are quite ill-behaved, which means they need to be leashed at all times, but what if you have a well-behaved dog? Does he always have to be on a leash too?

The answer to this question depends on where you live. If you live out in the country, you can probably head outside with your furry friend without the need to clip him to a leash. If you live in the city, he probably needs one. Not necessarily because he’ll bolt, but because it provides peace of mind to your neighbors, as well as pedestrians in your neighborhood.

The same is true if you go for a walk. Even if your dog doesn’t need a leash, he should probably wear one anyway. It’s actually the law in many places!

Your veterinarian Indianapolis, IN the Noah’s Animal Hospital – Caring Hands Geist can provide you with more information.

Is Crystal Cat Litter the Right Choice for Your Furry Friend?

Finding the right litter for your cat can be a lot more trouble than you bargained for. One unique option you’re likely to run into at the pet store is crystal litter, but is it the right choice for your furry friend?

Crystal cat litter is much more absorbent than traditional cat litter. It can literally absorb up to 40 times its own weight, which makes for a much cleaner cat box. The cleaner the cat box, the more likely your kitty is to use it.

However, once a crystal has reached absorbency, it no longer holds liquid. If you don’t scoop or replace the litter often, you’ll end up with a puddle of urine in the bottom of the box.

In addition, crystal litter can be extremely harmful if ingested. If your cat has a habit of chewing on cat litter, you should avoid crystal litter.

For more information you can consult your Animal Hospital Indianapolis IN.

Crate Training Your Puppy

A crate is useful for housetraining. It also gives you a safe place for your dog when you are not at home. And the crate makes a nice lair for a nap or just to be alone. Your puppy may be somewhat crate trained when you bring them home but you’ll need some adjustment to a crate in your home. Position the crate with the door open and put a toy or treats inside to lure your dog in. Play with your puppy and toss the toy in the crate so your puppy goes inside. Close the door for a few seconds and then let your puppy out. Repeat this often until your puppy is comfortable for a few minutes. If your puppy cries, don’t let him out till he is quiet for a few seconds. Keep working at it until the crate becomes a comfortable home. Learn more from your Montgomery, TX veterinary clinic.

Dogs and Kids

Dogs and children are a wonderful combination and can add an extra joy to your home. However, you need to establish a few rules to ensure a positive experience. Be sure your dog is reliable and consistent with his obedience training and has good household manners. On the other hand, you need to teach your child to respect the dog. No tail or fur pulling, hovering over the dog, screaming in a way that could scare the dog (even in joy) or any other behavior that could upset the dog. Teach your child your dog’s body language so any signals are not missed. Supervise your children, especially very young children, during interactions with the dog to prevent either the dog acting out or the child getting too rough with the dog. Reward both the dog and your child for good behavior and successful encounters. For more information, contact your Montgomery, TX veterinarian.

Do you have problems with your pet’s body odor?

The bodies of ferrets emit a distinct scent that many people find offensive. At first, experts thought that de-scenting can effectively get rid of the odor; however this is not necessarily true. You can however, reduce the distinct scent indoors by keeping your pet and his immediate environment clean.

The ferret’s scent is even more pronounced during the mating season because intact males and intact females produce extra amounts of greasy secretions from glands on their skin. Spaying or neutering can help reduce the extremely pungent body odor of ferrets, so does a weekly bath. Other ways that can help reduce a ferret’s strong odor include weekly washing of the animal’s bedding and cage furniture, emptying and cleaning of the litter box at least twice a day, and thorough cleaning of the enclosure at least once a week.

If you are not familiar with the scent but would like to bring home a ferret, try smelling a baby ferret. If you don’t like the scent, you should consider choosing another species to care for.

Be sure to have your pet ferret checked by a Fort Collins, CO vet. Visit this site for more information.

Pet Hedgehogs

Hedgehogs are NOT rodents; they belong to the subfamily Erinaceinae, which is composed of a group of insectivores. Also, even if hedgehogs have quills, they are not associated with porcupines.

Hedgehogs are fast becoming popular household pets because they are relatively easy to care for. They are solitary creatures and are best housed alone inside a comfortable enclosure. It is also for this reason that they make ideal pets for people who are working during the day.

With proper care and nutrition, the average lifespan of pet hedgehogs is about 5-7 years. Being insectivores, they need a nutritionally balanced diet that is rich in fruits and insects. These low-maintenance pets make great pets for families with children. They also make excellent starter pets for newbies. Early socialization will make them more friendly and relaxed when handled.

Bring your hedgehog to a Fort Collins, CO animal hospital for regular wellness checks. Click this link to know more about your pet’s needs and set an appointment.

Where is the best place for your cat’s litter box?

 

The location of the litter box is one of the important factors that can determine whether a cat will use it or not. If your pet does not feel comfortable doing his business because he is not comfortable with the location of the box, he will stop using it, and choose to eliminate somewhere else. Many pet owners think that cats like to have their litter boxes placed under the stairs or sink, where it’s dark and/or cold. However, this is definitely far from the truth. Cats like to do their thing in private, thus you should place the litter box in a location where there is less household traffic.

If there are other pets in the house, make sure that the litter box is easily accessible, without your kitty having to pass by a dog or bully cat each time he needs to heed the call of nature.

For more information about your cat’s needs visit a veterinarian Fort Collins, CO. Check out this link.

Would your dog benefit from a life stage diet?

Your dog is a great companion, and you want to make sure you care for him as best you can. Would he benefit from a life stage diet?

Your pet is constantly changing, and this means that his needs are as well. A life stage diet helps to take this into account. Not only does it help you better understand your pet at any given time during his life, but it also gives you the ability to address his care differently as he himself changes by evaluating his dietary requirements at different times. As he grows and matures, his body will need different nutrients in order to stay healthy, and a life stage diet allows you to adjust his food as needed so he will always be on the most appropriate diet for his age. Your local Westlake Village, CA vet can offer additional advice.