Featured Articles
Common Ferret Diseases
Ferrets are sweet, intelligent little animals that many of us love. Before introducing one to your family however, there are a few things to know about ferrets, namely the common diseases they may suffer from. Here is a list of some of the diseases that ferrets commonly get, along with how they are diagnosed and treated.
Pyoderma: Pyoderma literally means pus (pyo-) in the skin (derm-). This is due to a bacterial infection; usually secondary to trauma or self-inflicted wounds from having itchy skin. Clinical signs are variable, either from mild superficial lesions to areas of furunculosis, which means the hair follicle itself is completely damaged from all the bacteria hiding in and around the hair shaft.
Cat Litter and the Environment – Pet tip 178
Did you know that in the United States alone there are 100 000 trucks of kitty litter dumped in landfills every year? That’s over 2 million tones of clay, or silica, that sits in landfills almost forever. In this article …
White Cats
White cats, like all white animals in general, are both valuable – and vulnerable. The white of their coat is not a real colour but rather the absence of colour, which also means absence of protection from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. It is the variety and distribution of natural “dyes” in an animal’s skin and fur that explain different coat colours and patterns. One of these dyes is melanin, the chief protector of skin against ultraviolet radiation. The skin of white cats has either no melanin at all or very little of it, which is why they are far more vulnerable to sunburn and cancer of the skin than coloured cats. The “classical” wild-type cat is a brown tabby, which combines optimal protection from the sun with a camouflage pattern that hides it from predators.
Tip 1 – Cat Litter Box – Trouble
If you have a cat litter box that has a top part with an opening that sits on top of the regular litter box , you may be experiencing occasional problems with the cat not defecating in the litter box. …
Tip – 25 – Bonding with your dog through touch – Touching and stroking your dog
SYSTEMATIC STROKING TO STRENGTHEN THE BOND BETWEEN A DOG AND ITS OWNER:
Touching has a powerful emotional effect on many dogs. It is part of the bonding process between the owner and the dog. Furthermore, the dog must be willing …
Good Breeds for New Dog Owners
You have decided to take the big step and own a dog. However, you are at a loss for how to choose one. You may have flipped through dog magazines or dog breed books, but are overwhelmed by the vast array of breeds. This article is a guide to help you narrow down your search to choose a breed that is suitable for you.
First-time dog owners may have difficulties training their dog at first because they are still learning how to read and understand their dog’s body language. Therefore, it might be easiest to choose a breed that is easy to train. All dogs can be obedience trained, but some are more willing to learn new things and are eager to please.
Clipping Dog Nails and Cat Nails – Pet tip 184
Did you know that it is recommended that you clip your dog’s or cat’s nails every 3 to 4 weeks? Feeling like a neglectful owner now? Don’t feel too bad; most of us seem to forget about our pet’s nails …
Tip – 34 – Dog training – Desensitizing dogs
PROBLEM – AFRAID OF, OR DOESN’T LIKE, BEING TOUCHED:
The secret, is to desensitize the dog to reacting to being touched, especially when cleaning paws. Start by touching casually WITHOUT making eye contact since eye contact is always seen as …
Congestive Heart Failure in Dogs
You’ve always known that your dog has heart problems. But lately it’s been more tired and doesn’t seem to be able to exercise as long. Perhaps you even notice some coughing. So you bring your dog into the veterinary clinic, …
