Because birds are prey animals, they'll mask signs of illness until they can't fake it any longer. This helps them survive in the wild, where predators look specifically for the weak and ill animals in a flock in order to take them down more easily. As a bird owner, therefore, you need to be aware of the common signs of illness so that you can get your pet bird help as soon as possible. Keep in mind, though, that once symptoms occur, the bird is usually very sick, so treatment may be difficult. If your pet bird is showing any signs of neurological problems, such as seizures, if he is having difficulty breathing, or if he is injured or weak, bring him to an avian veterinarian to be examined right away. Below are just five of the many signs that indicate your pet bird isn't feeling well. As with all other ...
Questions to Ask Before Choosing Your Pet Food
With all of the pet food recalls that have occurred over the last few years, it has never been more important to be an informed pet parent, especially when it comes to the nutrition that you provide to your dog or cat. It's also important to bear in mind that there are a lot of pet food companies vying for your attention and your money, so they'll do and say whatever is necessary to get you to choose their products over the competition. And they're also businesses that are out for profit so, even though they may claim to really care about your pets, remember that they still have costs to cut and profits to make. How can you be sure you're buying a high quality pet food? Asking the right questions will guide you in the right direction. Start by looking on a company's website for the answers to the ...
Benefits of Agility Training for Your Dog
Training your dog is an important step in ensuring he'll be properly socialized and always willing to take commands and behave. But, in addition to traditional forms of training that teach your dog to respect you as the alpha in his "pack," there's a form of training that tests his strength and gets his body moving to keep him in tip-top shape. It's known as agility training. Agility training is an exciting activity for dogs, especially if they're typically restless and bored. It's perfect for canines who become destructive or unruly when they have a lot of energy to expend and nowhere to go with it. And it's appropriate for dogs who love to be the center of attention and who actually enjoy being trained. This form of training and exercise will test your dog's athletic prowess and his intelligence. Plus, it will make him more obedient. But, most importantly, it's a ...
4 Ways to Keep Your Pet Safe During a Tornado
It happens so fast, you barely know what hit you. While hurricanes take days to make their way to landfall, a tornado can pop up in an instant, and wreak havoc on everything that falls in its path. And although tornadoes have been experienced on every continent on the globe - minus Antarctica - the vast majority of twisters develop in the central region of the United States, known as “Tornado Alley.” There, in Tornado Alley, twisters are far too common. Many cause minimal damage. Sadly, that’s not always the case. In 2013, Moore Oklahoma was hit hard with a tornado that had winds of up to 190 miles per hour, causing EF-4 damage (EF-5 is the worst). 24 people died, and 377 were injured. While we do all we can to prepare for tornadoes (build shelters, create structures that are designed to keep us safe), sometimes we forget to come up ...
3 Tricks to Help Give Your Dog a Pill
Dogs are like children in so many ways (let’s hope fleas isn’t one example of their similarities). They can’t be left alone for too long. They’re far more pleasant to be around with when they’re utterly exhausted, and they both hate to swallow pills. And just like with kids, we tend to hide our dogs’ medicine inside their food. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t. If you find yourself on the losing end of the hide-the-pill-in-a-heap-of-food game, here are 3 alternative tricks to help give your pooch a pill. 1. We’d be remiss not to mention that the tried and true practice of hiding pills inside of food does, indeed, work. It does. It just doesn’t always work. That’s because if you give your dog the same old food every day (which is fine), he’ll be far more likely to sniff out the pill and avoid it at all costs. So, ...
The Perfect Pocket Pets for Kids
Children who grow up with pets develop a respect and love for animals that they carry into adulthood. Caring for another creature also teaches children how to be responsible, gentle, and nurturing. Pocket pets, in particular, are adorable, docile, and easy to care for, making them a perfect choice for kids who want a pet of their own to look after. Guinea Pigs Guinea pigs are a lot of fun because they really enjoy interacting with their human companions and they make quite a few funny sounds to communicate what they want. Children can hold guinea pigs, groom them, feed them, and give them treats to chew on to trim their teeth. Just keep in mind that you shouldn't bring a guinea pig into your home if any member of the family is allergic to hay, which is their primary food. Also, you can choose to keep a single guinea pig if ...
Things to Consider Before Getting a Real Easter Bunny
No one can deny how adorable a bunny really is, especially a baby bunny. And there seems to be no better time than the spring, especially around Easter, to introduce a new rabbit into your family. But before you head out to your local pet store or animal shelter, you should consider how difficult it can be to properly care for a rabbit. Otherwise, you could make a purchase you'll end up regretting. They're Not Easy to Care For Although some pocket pets are surprisingly easy to care for, rabbits can be challenging. In addition to buying a diet that's properly balanced, you'll also need to provide your pet with plenty of grass hay every day. Green, leafy vegetables are a great supplement, while pellets should only be given in small amounts. The bedding in your pet's cage needs to be changed quite frequently or else strong odors will occur. You can, however, ...
Body Language and Vocalizations: What’s Your Cat Really Saying?
Unlike dogs who wag their tails, smile, whimper, and give other pretty obvious clues about what they're feeling and thinking, cats can be a lot harder to read. But, according to the Humane Society, there are many ways that cats tell their human companions exactly what's going on in their minds. You just have to know what to look for in their body language and vocalizations. It's All About the Eyes If you observe your cat closely, you'll notice that his eyes are one of the primary indicators of his emotions. If the pupils are fully dilated, he might be scared and may do what it takes to defend himself, so beware. On the other hand, if they're only slightly dilated, he might be a little uneasy and needs some reassurance that everything's okay. And if the pupils are constricted, he may be on the offensive and ready to get aggressive. However, ...
A Holistic Approach to Hyperthyroidism in Cats
Hyperthyroidism is a common condition that affects many middle-aged and senior cats. And, according to the ASPCA, it's also the most common glandular disease in felines. It's caused by an overactive thyroid, and the symptoms typically include weight loss despite an excessive appetite, along with skin issues and vomiting. Regular blood tests can catch this disease before it becomes advanced, thus making it easier to treat. If you notice these symptoms in your cat, don't hesitate to bring her to the vet as soon as possible for a proper diagnosis. This is especially important because the symptoms are also common in many other feline diseases. Conventional Treatments Conventional treatments for hyperthyroidism in cats usually involve either the surgical removal of the thyroid, the administration of prescriptions that will reduce thyroid activity, or the use of radioactive iodine to destroy thyroid tissue. But the problem is that prescriptions come with side effects and need to ...
How To Introduce Your New Baby to Your Dog
We often say that babies have a unique smell and presence that changes our lives and homes instantly. We’re dead on, and our dogs are well aware of it. Babies don’t smell, or act, like us, and so our dogs may or may not know how to act around a newborn. If you’re getting ready to introduce your dog to your baby (or just a baby in general), take these steps in order to ensure that the first impression sets the foundation for a safe and healthy relationships. Before baby and dog meet The nose knows - Your dog’s nose is the key to its mind and heart. He gets to know all about the world around him through his nose. Before you bring a newborn into your home, take baby steps (yup, pun intended), by introducing your dog to your baby’s scent. One of the best ways to do this is ...