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.

Habitat

Cockatiels 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.

Hamsters are fun, quiet, easy to care for, and can make great pets. If you’re 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. It’s 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 hamster’s bedding and avoid pine and cedar options because these can present health problems.

Give Your Hamster Time to Adjust

Once your hamster’s cage is set up and you’re 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 shouldn’t 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 you’re 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 isn’t 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.

Rats are intelligent, friendly, and make great pets. If you’re 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, it’s 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

It’s 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 rat’s 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 rat’s 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.

Because felines are prone to occasional vomiting, it can sometimes be difficult for pet owners to judge when it’s time to see a veterinarian about this problem. If your cat has vomited and you’re 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 can’t 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 cat’s 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 you’ve noticed any of these signs.

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 dog’s 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

It’s not uncommon for pet owners to be shocked when they learn of their dog’s 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 Pet’s 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, it’s 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.

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.

Brushing your dog’s coat regularly can mean less shedding, fewer mats, and even fewer fleas. Keep dog fleas in San Jose at bay and keep your pup’s 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 you’re doing so. If you do notice fleas, ticks, or other pests, see your vet for treatment.

If you are ready for a pet but aren’t 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 don’t require walks, they don’t need to be housebroken, and they don’t require trips to the groomer. Keeping your bird’s 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 don’t 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 don’t charge pet fees for them, so they are easier on your budget than other animals.