Wednesday 29 July 2015

When Does Your Dog Need a Bath?


 


While most dogs are less than enthusiastic about bath time, bathing can play an important part in your pet's overall well being and happiness. In addition to improving coat and skin health, brushing and scrubbing can help to keep your pet free of dirt and parasites. Regular bathing can also give you the chance to check your pet for unusual lumps, bumps or cuts that you may not have noticed otherwise.

There are no hard and fast rules about how often to give your pet a bath, but most recommend two or three times a month as a baseline. However, ultimately bathing frequency will depend on a variety of factors, including environment, coat type, activity levels and any existing skin issues. If you have an indoor pet, you may not need to bathe them as frequently to keep them smelling fresh. However, regular grooming can help to minimize unwanted shedding, and can reduce the number of allergens in your home. Outdoor dogs with high activity levels, or pets that spend a lot of time running through thick underbrush may need to be cleaned more frequently, especially since they are much more prone to picking up parasites.

Coat type can also be an important factor. Dogs with more oily coats may benefit from more frequent baths, but too much shampooing can wreak havoc on the coats of pets with fine or dry hair. While Basset Hounds, with their dense, oily fur, may need a bath nearly weekly, short-haired breeds and dogs with water-repellent coats needn't be bathed as frequently. In fact, shampooing too frequently can strip the water-repelling oils from the coats of certain types of dogs, including Golden and Labrador Retrievers, Malamutes, Great Pyrenees, and Samoyeds and other working breeds. Whatever your pet's coat type, remember that washing too frequently can leave him or her prone to frizzy, dried out hair, which can lead to dandruff, matting, or irritation. Dogs with especially sensitive skin may benefit from specially medicated shampoos, which should be available in most well-stocked pet stores.

You should also keep in mind that shampoos intended for human use are not appropriate for pets: even baby shampoos or brands that are pH balanced. Dogs have skin that is much thinner, lacks sweat glands and has a different pH profile. You should avoid any shampoos that are heavily perfumed, since they can easily cause an allergic reaction. Finally, always make sure to rinse your pet's fur thoroughly, especially if your dog has long or thick fur, since shampoo residue can cause irritation. If you're not sure about your particular pet, your veterinarian should be able to give you recommendations. Click here for more information on a veterinary clinic in San Jose.

Tuesday 28 July 2015

Top 5 Rodent Pets


 


Inquisitive, active, and often surprisingly intelligent, many types of rodents make excellent companions. These five pint-sized pets are among the most popular in the U.S.

1. Hamsters

With their big eyes, stubby tails and stocky bodies, hamsters are one of the most common types of rodent pets. Hamsters are highly active, and love running though tunnels, playing with chew toys, and hitting the exercise wheel.

2. Rats

While they get a lot of bad press, rats are among the most intelligent rodent pets. Not only can they learn tricks, many of them are extremely affectionate, and will even come to their owner when called by name.

3. Degus

Also known as brush-tailed rats, adorable degus are intelligent and personable. Unlike many other rodents, which are primarily nocturnal, degus are active during the day, and highly vocal. While less common than their cousins, these pets do have the advantage of living longer than domestic rats (6-8 years vs. 2-3).

4. Chinchillas

Cute, cuddly and curious, chinchillas are relatively long-lived, with an average lifespan of 8-10 years. They are a bit more skittish than other rodents, but can be affectionate when handled gently from an early age. These pets keep clean by rolling energetically in finely ground pumice, much like their wild Chilean relatives.

A Rare and Beautiful Breed



This gorgeous, rare Carolina dog is North America’s oldest canine species and shares genes with the Australian Dingo and New Guinea Singing Dog. The social hierarchy rules of this breed make it a better fit for veteran dog owners.



Pets That Are Illegal in California


 


One of the best parts about having a pet is choosing which one you want. There are the classic cat and dog options, cute and furry rodents, a colorful assortment of fish and birds, cool reptiles and amphibians, and exotic creatures from around the world. However, for you Californians, these animals are illegal to own as pets, making your job of choosing just a little bit easier:

  • African clawed frog
  • African lion
  • African pygmy mouse
  • African striped grass mouse (zebra mouse)
  • Alligator
  • Arctic fox (blue fox)
  • Cacomistle (cacomixl),a relative of the raccoon
  • Caimin, a relative of the crocodile
  • Chimpanzee
  • Chipmunk
  • Coatimundi(coati or Brazilian aardvark), also a relative of the raccoon
  • Degu (trumpet-tailed rat)
  • Dormouse
  • Egyptian spiny mouse
  • Fennec  fox
  • Ferret
  • Flying squirrel
  • Gambian giant pouched rat
  • Garfish
  • Gerbil
  • Hedgehog
  • Jird, a type of gerbil
  • Monkparakeet  (Quaker parrot)
  • Monkey
  • Prairie dog
  • Raccoon
  • Ring-tailed cat (miner’s cat), a subspecies of the cacomistle
  • Serval, an African wildcat
  • Short-tailed opossum
  • Skunk
  • Snapping turtle
  • Squirrel
  • Sugar glider, a possum that can glide through the air like a flying squirrel
  • White-eye (zosterops), a yellow bird with a white ring around the eye
  • Wolf-dog hybrid

Too cute: Disney's Doc McStuffins Opens a Pet Vet!

If you have dog-loving wee ones at home, prepare for some super-cute TV programming: Disney's beloved Doc McStuffins....read more

Most Popular Rabbit Breeds


 

Adorable and full of personality, rabbits make great pets. While many people keep them outdoors in specialized hutches, plenty of species are easily house trained, and make excellent indoor companions.

Mini Rex

The Mini Rex is a smaller version of the larger Rex rabbit. Highly intelligent, personable and sporting a thick velvety coat of short, plush fur, this rabbit has gained quite a lot of popularity over recent years. Rex rabbits come in a range of colors, including solid black, gray, or agouti, as well as patterned variations.

Lionhead

Tiny and irresistibly fuzzy, Lionhead rabbits weigh only about 4 pounds, and seem to be mostly made of fur. These popular "pocket pets" can be a bit skittish, but have a gentle personality and are always happy to play.

Dutch Rabbit

Dutch rabbits are one of the oldest domesticated rabbits, and are, in fact, native to Holland. While the most common coat coloration is black and white, some rabbits sport brown, blue-gray or tortoiseshell fur. Laid-back and serene, these pets thrive on human interaction.

Netherland Dwarf

This dwarf rabbit is among the smallest breeds, and they come in a wide range of colors. A popular show pet, the Netherland dwarf makes an excellent family companion as well. However, they are high-energy, and should be given plenty of opportunity to run and play.

New Zealand White

The New Zealand White is a large, sweet-tempered rabbit that is easy to care for. Typically happy to be handled, these animals make a good "beginner bunny" for families, and are known for their social and outgoing behavior. Visit this website for more information on a rabbit vet in San Jose.

A Bored Bunny Becomes a Bad Bunny

Your bunny is a smart creature that needs and enjoys mental stimulation just as much as other pets recognized for their intelligence do. Keeping your bunny mentally entertained through engaging activities can prevent bad behaviors such as excessive chewing.