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Ways to Protect Your Dog from Foxtails
Foxtails can be a painful and dangerous problem for pets, so knowing what you can do to protect your dog from these hazards is a smart way to keep her both happy and healthy. To help avoid binging your canine to her local veterinarian in San Jose for foxtail removal, consider the following strategies for protecting your dog from foxtails:
Know What Foxtails Look Like
Being aware of what foxtails look like and where they come from are the first steps in keeping them away from your dog. Foxtails seed heads create a bushy-looking shape at the top of foxtail plants. These seed heads are designed to burrow their way into soil, but they can mistakenly burrow their way into skin, as well. Once in your dogâs skin, they can migrate, cause your pet pain, and lead to infection. Foxtails can be found in many outdoor areas, and while they are usually golden brown, they can also be colors like green, white, and yellow.
Remove Foxtails from Your Property
Recognizing foxtails in your area can help protect your dog from these troublesome plants. At home, however, eradicating them is ideal, particularly if your dog spends time outside in your yard. If there are only a handful of these plants on your property, then you may be able to trim the affected area and then clean up the clippings. However, if foxtails are a growing problem in your yard, then consider addressing them with an herbicide.
Keep an Eye on Your Pet
Finally, to help protect your dog from the dangers of foxtails, keep him on a leash in areas where foxtails are growing and be mindful of where he steps. Also, examine your pet for signs of foxtails after walks or when he comes in from the yard. During this process, donât forget to check in his ears, between his paw pads, and under his tail and legs. Finally, consider trimming your dogâs coat in summer, which is when foxtails tend to be most problematic.
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Caring for Your First Cockatiel
Cockatiels are fun and lovable birds that make great pets. If you are planning to add one of these birds to your family, then read on to learn what your veterinarian near Cupertino would want you to know about caring for your first pet cockatiel.
HabitatCockatiels have long tails and like to move around, meaning that you will need a large cage for your new pet’s habitat. While the bigger the cage, the better, you should look for one that is no smaller than about two feet in each dimension. To help keep your cockatiel healthy, you should clean and disinfect his habitat regularly. Also, ensure that both your pet’s cage and everything in it, like his bowls and toys, do not contain harmful materials like lead and zinc.
Food
To help ensure that your cockatiel gets all the nutrition that he needs, you can feed him primarily food pellets made for cockatiels. You can also choose to feed your pet seeds, but this diet should consist of a variety of other foods as well. When feeding seeds to your cockatiel, make sure that the bowl is clean and dry first. Also, keep in mind that your pet may leave the seed husks in the bowl, causing it to appear full even when the seeds have already been eaten. For this reason, you must empty and refill his bowl frequently. You can feed your cockatiel fruits and vegetables as well, such as spinach, broccoli, collard greens, bananas, apricots, and oranges. However, never feed your cockatiel any of the following: fruit seeds, caffeine, salt, avocado, chocolate, garlic, alcohol, mushrooms, honey, rhubarb, onions, or dried or uncooked beans. Also, do not feed your cockatiel foods that contain xylitol or are high in fat, sugar, or sodium.
Health
You should give your cockatiel filtered, chlorine-free water to drink every day, and remember to regularly provide him with a larger container of water for bathing. Finally, bring your cockatiel to a veterinarian if he exhibits any signs of illness, such as a loss of appetite, discolored stools, beak swelling, coughing, swollen eyes, or nasal discharge.
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How to Welcome Your New Hamster Home
Hamsters are fun, quiet, easy to care for, and can make great pets. If youâre thinking about adding a hamster to your family, then keep reading to learn some of the advice that your veterinarian in San Jose would provide when welcoming your new pet home .
Set Up Her Living Environment
To prepare your home for a new hamster, begin by setting up her cage with the appropriate materials and accessories. Itâs ideal to use the same food, bedding, and nesting materials that she is accustomed to, as this will make the transition easier and less stressful for your new pet. If you want to use different products, then introduce them slowly. Finally, use paper products for your hamsterâs bedding and avoid pine and cedar options because these can present health problems.
Give Your Hamster Time to Adjust
Once your hamsterâs cage is set up and youâre ready to bring her home, keep in mind that she will probably feel stressed by the changes in her environment, such as new sounds, unfamiliar smells, and separation from her littermates. For this reason, you shouldnât be in a rush to handle your hamster. Although you must provide her with fresh food and water every day, you should avoid picking up or petting your hamster for a few days. Also, discourage your family members or friends from handling her during this adjustment period. Finally, you can cover her cage with a light cloth to give your new pet more privacy and fewer distractions as she acclimates to her new home.
Introduce New Pet Hamsters Slowly
If youâre bringing home a dwarf hamster to be a companion for another dwarf hamster, then do not introduce them to one another right away. This is important because you should quarantine your new hamster for about 2 weeks to be sure that she isnât sick. Finally, placing your hamsters in neighboring cages can give them time to get used to one another, which can lead to a smoother face-to-face introduction.
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Caring for Your Pet Rat
Rats are intelligent, friendly, and make great pets. If youâre planning to bring one of these rodents into your family, then read to learn what your veterinarian in San Jose would want you to know about caring for your pet rat:
Environment
Before you bring your new pet rat home, itâs important to acquire some essential pieces of equipment. When picking out an enclosure for your pet, you will probably see a variety of aquariums and cages available. For rats, wire cages that have solid bottoms are usually ideal. Also, be sure to choose an enclosure that has a secure top because rats are smart and can climb. You will also need bedding for your rat, so look for something corn or paper-based to use in his enclosure.
Activity
Itâs important for your pet rat to get plenty of exercise and have the chance to explore. To provide him with a stimulating environment within his enclosure, offer your pet tubes, boxes, and ladders to play on. When looking for accessories for your ratâs environment, keep in mind that ferret and parrot toys often work excellently for rats, as well. Your pet rat may or may not enjoy running on an exercise wheel. If you decide to try this type of toy for your pet, be sure to pick up one that is large, made of plastic, and solidly built.
Food
Your rat will need clean, fresh water available at all times, and the water bottles designed for rodents work well for this purpose. Also, rats require something to chew on to prevent their teeth from growing too long, so offer him parrot or dog chew toys. The bulk of your ratâs diet should come from a pet food that is formulated for rats. However, you can feed these rodents a wide selection of foods as treats, such as cheese, yogurt, fruits, and vegetables. However, rats should not be fed alcoholic, carbonated, or caffeinated beverages. Finally, avoid feeding your rat junk food, sugary treats, green potato, raw beans, raw sweet potato, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, or chocolate.
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When to Bring Your Cat to the Vet for Vomiting
Because felines are prone to occasional vomiting, it can sometimes be difficult for pet owners to judge when itâs time to see a veterinarian about this problem. If your cat has vomited and youâre wondering if you should bring her to your local veterinary clinic in Cupertino, then watch for the following signs which mean that she should be seen by a veterinarian:
- There is blood in the vomit.
- Your cat canât keep any of her meals down or is uninterested in food.
- She is vomiting multiple times in a day or over the course of several days.
- Your catâs toilet pattern has changed, for example with diarrhea or more frequent urination.
- She seems lethargic or weak.
- Your cat is grooming more often.
- She is drinking water more frequently.
- Your cat is displaying changes in behavior or appears to be in poor health.
Vomiting can be a sign of a serious problem, so contact your veterinarian if youâve noticed any of these signs.
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Tips for Preventing Obesity in Your Canine
A common canine health problem seen by veterinarians in Cupertino is obesity. Carrying extra pounds can lead to a wide range of health problems for your dog, and preventing weight gain is easier than reversing it. Continue reading for some helpful tips on preventing your canine from becoming obese.
Give Your Dog Exercise
Being provided with enough exercise is important for your dogâs overall health and for keeping off extra pounds. Physical activity can promote good digestion, strengthen circulatory and respiratory systems, prevent boredom, and release energy for your dog, and staying active will support healthy weight maintenance. Speak with your veterinarian about how much exercise your dog should be getting.
Weigh Your Dog Regularly
Itâs not uncommon for pet owners to be shocked when they learn of their dogâs weight gain during annual veterinary checkups. Because you probably see your pet every day, it may be challenging to notice when her weight increases. To help prevent your dog from becoming obese, routinely weigh your pet and adjust her diet and exercise routine if unhealthy increases occur.
Limit Your Petâs Treats
If you have a habit of feeding your dog treats throughout the day or providing her with table scraps, then you may be putting her at risk for weight gain and obesity. These foods tend to be high in calories and low in nutritional value and can be a major culprit when it comes to dogs putting on excess weight.
Provide a Healthy Diet
There are several factors to consider when choosing the right type of food for your canine. The age of your pet affects how many calories she should be consuming, as well as her state of health and her activity level. While some dogs do a good job of regulating how much they eat, itâs more common for canines to overeat when given a chance. For this reason, you should only feed your dog as much food as she needs to help prevent obesity in your pet.
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Spotlight on Fatty Liver Disease in Cats
Also known as hepatic lipidosis, fatty liver can be fatal for cats if left untreated. For this reason, you should bring your pet to your veterinary clinic in San Jose immediately if she exhibits the symptoms of this condition, which can include decreased appetite or no appetite, weakness, lethargy, jaundice, vomiting, drooling, and dehydration. A cat with this condition may hide, exhibit weight loss or muscle wasting, and have constipation or small fecal sizes.
When a cat goes without food for a few days, this can cause a problem with fat filtration into the liver and lead to hepatic lipidosis. Fatty liver disease occurs more commonly in obese cats and can be caused by the introduction of a new diet or stressful situations like a new pet or baby in the home, moving to a new location, or having guests visit.
If your cat is diagnosed with fatty liver disease, she will probably require constant care for a few days. Some components of her treatment plan may include I.V. fluids, the placement of a temporary feeding tube, antibiotics, appetite stimulants, and anti-vomiting medication.
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Keep Your Dog’s Coat Looking Great with These Brushing Tips
Brushing your dogâs coat regularly can mean less shedding, fewer mats, and even fewer fleas. Keep dog fleas in San Jose at bay and keep your pupâs coat looking healthy and shiny with the advice in this video.
The kind of brush you should use on your dog depends on the type of hair he or she has. Use a pin brush for long hair and a bristled brush for medium to short hair. Brush all the way down to the skin, being careful not to cause abrasions. Perform brushing every few days, and be sure to check for fleas and other parasites while youâre doing so. If you do notice fleas, ticks, or other pests, see your vet for treatment.
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Why Birds Make Good Pets
If you are ready for a pet but arenât sure you want to deal with things like spaying or neutering, rounds of vaccinations, and flea medications in Cupertino, then a bird might be right for you. Cats and dogs may be more common, but birds can be great pets for families and single people alike. Could a bird be the right pet for you? Here are some of the benefits of choosing a bird for a pet .
Birds are low-maintenance animals.
Birds are easy to care for and require very little maintenance. They donât require walks, they donât need to be housebroken, and they donât require trips to the groomer. Keeping your birdâs food and water bowls full, scooping out his or her cage once per day, and trimming his or her nails occasionally are all that is required. Most bird owners also rinse their birds with plain water once or twice per week. Since they require much less maintenance than other pets, birds are ideal for busy families, small children who are learning responsibility, and single people who work long hours.
Birds donât need large spaces.
Unlike dogs and cats, who need space to spread out and roam, birds only need small living areas. Small birds can thrive in tiny cages, which are also ideal for small apartments. Although large birds need bigger cages and like a little more space to explore, they still require much less space than a cat or a dog. This means that they are great pets for any kind of home, from studio apartments to spacious house.
Birds are inexpensive to own.
Cats and dogs in particular can be extremely costly to own. In addition to the regular vet care they need, they require special food, vaccinations, grooming, and more. When you live in a rental property, your landlord is likely to charge you a non-refundable deposit and even additional rent in some cases if you have a cat or dog. Birds require much less care, and many landlords donât charge pet fees for them, so they are easier on your budget than other animals.
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The Importance of Routine Checkups
Itâs a common misconception that pets only need to visit a veterinarian in Cupertino when they become ill. But actually, regular wellness exams are a cornerstone for good health. Responsible pet owners take their furry friends to the veterinarian at least once per year for a wellness exam . During certain times of a petâs life, the veterinarian may recommend more frequent wellness exams.
Vaccination
Dogs and cats must receive certain routine vaccinations. Your petâs vaccinations will consist of core and non-core vaccines. Core vaccines, which include shots for distemper and rabies, are essential vaccines that veterinarians recommend for all pets. Some pets may also require certain non-core vaccines, depending on the breed of pet and your familyâs lifestyle. These can include feline leukemia vaccines for cats and leptospirosis shots for dogs. Unfortunately, itâs easy for pet owners to lose track of when their pets need their booster shots. Each time you bring your pet in for a routine exam your vet will review the vaccination record and determine if any shots are needed.
Disease Detection
During every wellness exam, your veterinarian will perform a comprehensive ânose to tailâ check of your furry friend. The veterinarian will evaluate your petâs respiration, heart rate, mouth and teeth, weight, and temperature. He or she will check your petâs eyes, ears, skin, and fur, and palpate your petâs entire body. Your veterinarian will also carefully observe your pet as he or she sits, stands, and walks. This thorough exam allows vets to detect health problems as early as possible. These can include injuries, infections, swelling, masses, dental disease, and nutritional deficiencies. Itâs always best to detect health problems as quickly as possible to improve the chances of restoring pets to wellness. Scheduling routine wellness exams for your pet facilitates the early detection of problems.
Parasite Control
Another reason to schedule wellness exams is to improve parasite management. Your vet can look for signs of flea bites and recommend effective, safe flea treatments. Your vet can also provide products for tick control. Parasite management is important throughout the year to help your pet live a long, happy life.
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