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.

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

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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.

How to Keep Your Rabbit Cool in the Heat

Bunnies need to stay cool in temperatures above 80 degrees, especially young, old, long-haired, and lop-eared rabbits. Here are some simple ways to keep your fluffy friend from getting heat stroke:

• Keep the blinds closed.

• Set the AC below 80 and remember to keep it on when you are away from the house.

• If you don’t have an AC, get a swamp cooler or window AC unit.

• Create your own cold air by hanging a damp sheet on the pen or cage and place an oscillating fan (so the air doesn’t directly hit your bunny) nearby.

• Arrange a living space in a cool location, like the basement.

• Freeze water in plastic bottles or use boxy ice packs for your bunny to cuddle with to cool down. Some rabbits prefer the frozen block to be wrapped in a towel or blanket so it’s not as hard, wet, and cold. Just make sure your bunny doesn’t try to eat the cloth.

• Buy ceramic tiles for a cool area your bunny can lie down on. Another idea is to fill a bag with ice, put it on a dish, and cover it with a terra cotta lid.

• Dampen your rabbit’s ears with your hands or a towel.

• Set out ice cubes in a bowl of water for drinking or wading in.

• Freeze diluted fruit juice or chopped fruits or herbs in water for a cool treat.

• Groom your rabbit’s coat of excess hair.

• Sunglasses.

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How to Cat Proof Your House

 

Before you pick the perfect feline for your family, you must prepare your home so it is a safe place for your pawed pet to live in and explore. Follow these steps to cat proof your house.

• Put the toilet lid down so your cat doesn’t fall in. Young, old, and injured cats are susceptible to drowning.

• Keep medications and toxic cleaners in a secure place and get rid of poisonous plants. If your cat is allowed outside or in the garage, lock up lawn and garden chemicals, paint, pest poisons, and antifreeze.

• Install child-proof latches on all the cabinets and drawers in the house.

• Don’t display fragile objects. If they get knocked over and break, your kitty may step or chew on the shattered pieces.

• Put the trash away. Keep trash bags and other plastic bags in a safe place because they are suffocation risks.

• Unplug and bundle electrical cords and keep curtain and blinds cords out of reach.

• Make sure your screen doors and window screens are sturdy so your cat can’t get out.

• Check the dryer, dresser drawers, and other dark places for your cat before closing them. Keep them closed so your cat can’t hide inside.

• Remove tablecloths and table settings to prevent a curious kitty from making a messy, dangerous disaster.

• Avoid using candles. Your cat can easily catch on fire or knock the candles down.

• Properly store yarn, floss, fishing line, rubber bands, and other string-like items so your kitty doesn’t eat them.

Your cat will be healthy and happy in such a safe environment with loving people. To learn more about a veterinarian for cats in San Jose, visit this website.

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How Much Should I Be Exercising My Dog?

The amount of exercise your dog needs will depend on its breed and size. However, all dogs do need to participate in some type of exercise during the day. If a dog is not walking enough and is constantly stuck inside the home without much space to roam around, it may become obese, which could lead to several other serious health problems that are avoidable.

Getting on an Exercise Plan

Although you do not have to spend six or seven hours straight playing with your dog, get into a routine to ensure that your pup is getting enough exercise. Consider going for a 30-60 minute walk in the morning and then going for an additional 30-60 minute walk at night. While you are at home with your pet, consider trying a few of these other activities between the walks that would also help with exercise:

• Frisbee
• Fetch
• Hide and seek with a treat
• Tug of war

How Will the Exercise Help?

If your dog is active, it will stay in shape instead of becoming obese. Active dogs tend to be a lot healthier than those that never get to go on walks or run around. You may notice an improvement in your pet’s behavior after you start following an exercise plan. Dogs that participate in physical activities often have an easier time falling asleep instead of staying up at night too. Speak with a veterinarian in Scotts Valley to learn more about the benefits of exercise for your pet.

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Make Your Home Safe for Your Pets

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