How To Take Care of Dogs: A Pet Parent Checklist
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Why Are Dogs Scared of Vacuums?
Many pet parents don’t recognize that encountering a vacuum for the first time can be a traumatic experience for dogs. Canine reactions to vacuums can range from entering attack-mode to running away in fear. Since vacuums are a necessary evil, the best way to help your dog tolerate cleanup day is to train him to make a positive association with his dust-sucking nemesis. Here’s some insight on why dogs are scared of vacuums and what you can do about it. Why Do Dogs Hate Vacuums? It’s no surprise that many dogs are afraid of vacuums; they’re big, noisy and disruptive. Add self-propelled cleaners to the scary equipment equation, and our dogs are forced to cope with yet another frightening household foe. Vacuums are unlike any other type of household equipment, and a single scary run-in can set the stage for a lifetime of fear. Sure, hairdryers and mixers are similarly noisy, but they don’t emerge from closets and take over the room the way vacuums do. Self-propelled cleaners, like Roombas, are especially frightening because they make noise, move unexpectedly, and appear and disappear without warning.
The Benefits of Pets in the Classroom: 4 Ways Pets Are Transforming and Helping Kids at School
The start of the school year is upon us, and soon will come field trips, school plays, and group projects. Perhaps there’s another highlight that could make this year even more special: pets in the classroom. From therapy dogs and cats to smaller companions like rabbits and guinea pigs, animals can offer a wealth of benefits for students.
22 Holiday Items That Can Harm Your Pet
4. Sugar-Free Candies and Pastries Sugar-free pastries and candies often contain a sugar substitute ingredient called xylitol, which is extremely toxic to dogs. Xylitol poisoning in dogs can cause low blood sugar levels and possible liver failure. ,5. Onions and Garlic On the savory side, onions and garlic can affect red blood cells and cause anemia if excessive amounts are consumed. Keep all forms—raw, cooked, chopped, or powdered—out of your pet’s reach, and call your vet right away if you suspect that your pet has ingested onions or garlic. Cats are especially susceptible to onion and garlic toxicity. ,The holidays bring plenty of joy and celebrations, but the merrymaking could put your pet in harm’s way. Many of the decorations, foods, and festivities we associate with the holidays could cause big problems for your pet, putting them at risk for everything from indigestion to severe injury. Here’s a list of potential holiday pet hazards, plus tips for keeping your pets safe this season.
What You Need to Know Before Bringing Home a Rex Cat
It’s completely possible for cats to have curly hair. Known as “Rex” cats, these curly kitties have genetic mutations that give their fur a curly or wavy appearance. Due to their unique appearance, Rex cats are in demand. But before you decide to adopt a Rex cat, there are a few things you should learn about the breed, including their unique care requirements. Types of Rex Cats There are three types of Rex cats recognized by the Cat Fancier’s Association (CFA): Devon Rex, Cornish Rex and Selkirk Rex. According to the CFA, the Devon Rex cats and Cornish Rex cats originated in the 1950s in Devonshire, England, when individual cats each gave birth to a curly-furred kitten. Selkirk Rex cats, though, come from an entirely different line of curly kitties. This breed can be traced back to curly-coated kitty born to a Montana house cat in 1987. Devon Rex and Cornish Rex cats have short fur, big eyes and big ears. They’re also bred to be slim and elegant. Selkirk Rex cats can have short or long curly fur, and their overall appearance is more robust, as they are bred to be larger and heavy-boned.
13 Friendliest Cat Breeds
5. Siamese Photo credit: Adobe/sunlike If being a conversationalist earns points in the friendly cat category, the Siamese ranks highly. They’re also sometimes called “meezers,” which is a term of endearment due to their low-toned but loud meow, Quandt says. Of course, cats are individuals, so some Siamese cats may have less to say than others. And while you may hear this mischievous kitty before you spot them, Siamese cats are generally “Velcro cats” who become shadowlike to their favorite humans. ,6. Sphynx Photo credit: iStock/Nelly Senko Their looks aren’t for everyone, Quandt says—but you won’t find another kitty that appreciates a warm cuddle quite like the nearly hairless Sphynx. They’re also chatty cats, likely sweet-talking the pup into cuddling, too. Between playing with other pets and children of the house or socializing with guests, Sphynx cats will always make time for one-on-one bonding, such as during their routine baths. ,Right now, 86.9 million U.S. households—or 66%—share their home with at least one pet. If you’re looking to become one of those households (or want to add another cat to your clowder), you might be wondering about the friendliest cat breeds. Learning more about the common temperaments of different cat breeds can bring you closer to finding the right companion. Here are the most affectionate cat breeds.
Salmonella Infection in Rats
Salmonellosis in Rats Salmonellosis is a diseased condition that is brought about by infection with the Salmonella bacterium. Salmonellosis is very rare in pet rats and infection is usually found to have been spread via ingestion of food and water contaminated with infected feces, urine, and bedding material. Infected rats can be potential sources for spread of this infection to humans as well, classifying this as an infection with zoonotic potential. Therefore, this condition should be managed with caution. Treatment is often not effective for the control of salmonellosis, so taking steps to prevent the spread of this infection is the best way to manage this condition in rats. Symptoms and Types Depression Dehydration and rough body coat Distended/swollen abdomen Diarrhea and weight loss Spontaneous abortion (in pregnant rats) Fatal (in most cases) Causes Contact withbacteria belonging to the salmonella species is the most common cause of salmonellosis. Other causes include: Eating food that has been contaminated by salmonella tainted feces Food, water, or bedding contaminated by carriers of salmonella, such as wild rodents Diagnosis Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam on your rat, taking into account the background history of symptoms and possible incidents that might have led to this condition. Observing the clinical symptoms exhibited by the infected rat can help in making a diagnosis, but collecting fecal samples for culturing and identifying the bacterial species responsible for the infection will be necessary for making a confirmatory diagnosis. Treatment Treatment for this bacterial infection is often not an effective option. Broad-spectrum antibiotic drugs may be used in some recovering cases, along with administration of supportive therapy with fluids and electrolyte supplements to aid your rat in its recovery. Living and Management Segregate any rat that is affected with this bacterial infection from your other rat, and from other household animals. Because this infection is also transmissible to humans, you will need to take care while handling your rat during recovery. Wearing disposable gloves and changing your outer clothing will be necessary during the period that your rat is capable of transmitting the infection. While it is important to take note that this is a serious infection that often has a fatal outcome, not all rats die as a result of infection, so you may choose to encourage recovery. Your rat will be very weak during this time and will need your maximum care. Consult your veterinarian regarding the care and diet to be given to your pet rat during the recovery period. Prevention Salmonellosis infection is highly contagious and is mainly transmitted in rats through ingestion of food and water contaminated with infected feces, urine and bedding material. Therefore, properly cleaning the cages regularly, removing any feces and urine, and changing soiled bedding material routinely are essential. As much as possible, try to avoid housing rats of different age groups together, or new rats with established rats. Following these simple steps will go a long way in helping to prevent the spread of salmonellosis bacterial infection amongst rats.
Why Do Dogs Shake?
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