Educational Articles
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Senegal parrots are small- to medium-sized birds. They are generally very friendly and are very adept at mimicking household sounds like the microwave or telephone. They generally bond with one to three household members.
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Several changes occur in the aging cat; they often progress slowly, so it is essential to have your senior cat examined by a veterinarian twice yearly. This is important so that if your cat develops a disease, it can be recognized and treated as early as possible, thereby maintaining her quality of life for as long as possible.
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Senior dogs are in the stage of life where aging begins to affect every organ system. Some organs wear out faster or are more susceptible to cumulative damage than others, so certain observations are critical. While it is true that old age is not a disease, older dogs do merit special attention, including routine health exams twice yearly. This is important so that if your dog develops a disease, it can be recognized and treated as early as possible, thereby maintaining his quality of life for as long as possible.
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At certain times of the year, birds are under the powerful influence of sex hormones and will behave instinctively in distinct ways that you may not have witnessed before. Humans may cause frustration or confusion in their birds with what may be our inappropriate responses to their sexual behaviors. This handout describes several of these behaviors in birds and how to prevent or manage them.
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Is your dog lovable, smart, and obedient? Is she/he also really good-looking? If you want others to know just how great your dog is, perhaps you should consider showing them off!
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The most common skin problem in mini-pigs is dry skin that results from a dietary deficiency of fatty acids. In addition to dry skin, mini-pigs commonly suffer from sarcoptic mange, parakeratosis, yeast dermatitis, and sunburn. Hooves of mini-pigs grow continuously throughout life and need to be trimmed periodically. The canine teeth (tusks) of male pigs grow throughout life, while those of female pigs stop growing at about two years of age. Starting after the pig is about a year of age, your veterinarian will trim tusks during an examination.
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Skunks spray volatile compounds from their anal sacs if they feel threatened by a potential predator such as a dog. If sprayed in the face your dog may need veterinary care, as corneal damage can occur if sprayed in the eyes, and vomiting, diarrhea, or anemia can result if sprayed in the mouth.
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Dogs, like people, need to practice their social skills. Spending time with other dogs will help your dog hone his ability to read his friends’ body language and to communicate effectively. These skills decrease the development of dog related fear and aggression. Play groups in an organized or more relaxed setting are beneficial for both your growing puppy and adult dog. Canine and human socialization occur simultaneously and dog owners enjoy meeting new friends, too. Watching dogs play is a great way to reduce your stress level. Socializing should be pleasant for you and your dog, so find a comfortable group and setting and have fun!
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Socialization is the process during which the kitten becomes familiar with people, other animals, and many aspects of their environment. Kittens are primed for socialization when they are between two and seven weeks old. As soon as kittens have settled into their new home, they can begin gentle exposures to a wide range of stimuli that they may encounter as adults.
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There are lots of ways to find adoptable pets, and large or small, local or national, online resources and shelters have the same goal: match available pets with the most suitable homes. Social media has helped find homes for countless dogs and cats. Well-developed websites that are updated frequently and actively used by rescue groups and humane societies make shopping for a pet online a fruitful experience. Shelters are another great option if you want to see many pets at one time.
