Why Not to Overcrowd Your Aquarium

If you have an aquarium, you may be tempted to fill it with as many fish as you can or with as many fun accessories for your fish as you can. But you should know that there are problems that can arise with overcrowding your aquarium.

If you overcrowd your aquarium with too many fish, you may be allowing too many toxins to be present in the water. Each fish creates their own amount of waste and toxins, so the more fish that are present in your tank, the more toxins that you can have. If you do not keep the aquarium properly cleaned and clean it often, these toxins can build up and become very dangerous for your fish. Different fish also require different levels of alkaline in the aquarium. If your aquarium has a variety of fish, you should be aiming to keep the PH level about 6.8-7.0.

Be aware that having an overcrowded aquarium is also going to require a lot more maintenance than only having a few fish in it. You will have to be able to filter the water more often and pay closer attention and monitor the pH levels in the aquarium. Overcrowding in an aquarium demands more oxygen and having a lack of oxygen in the aquarium can be dangerous to your fish.

Usually when you have the right amount of fish in your aquarium, you are able to react to any situation that arises such as a heater breaking and you are able to safely remove all of your fish in time, but if you have too many fish and something like that happens to your aquarium, you may not have enough time to get all of your fish out safely.

When it comes to the amount of accessories that you have in your aquarium, be careful not to overcrowd it. It can be fun to have a lot of colorful accessories, but too many can cause problems for your fish. It is always a good idea to have the proper amount of fish in your aquarium and a couple accessories for your fish.

How you can Understand Rabies

Most everyone has heard of the rabies disease, but not everyone knows everything that they should about it. It is a very dangerous disease and you need to be prepared to take the necessary steps if one of your pets or someone in your family is bitten by an animal with rabies.

One of the very first things that you should know is all of the details of the rabies disease. Rabies is a viral disease that exists in mammals, and commonly in household pets. The rabies disease starts to attack and then takes over the central nervous system, which eventually can cause death in the animal affected. Rabies also causes the brain to become inflamed and this can cause fury and madness in the animal.

If you think that one of your pets has been bitten by an animal with rabies, one of the first things you need to do is take them to the vet and have them completely checked out. There are three different stages that your dog will go through when affected by rabies. The first stage is known as the prodomal stage. This is where the animal may begin to show signs of having rabies by showing behavioral changes, fever, or chewing at the site where he or she was bitten.

The next stage in rabies is the furious stage. This stage is often the most alarming because the animal begins to show signs of disorientation, irritability and aggression toward people and even the owners. The stage usually lasts about two to four days. The last stage in rabies is the paralytic stage where the animal will begin to show signs of paralyses and it is at this time that they will begin to show paralyses at the spot where they are bitten and then eventually all over.

It is important that you know these warning signs of rabies and take the proper steps if you think that your pet may be affected. Be sure to take them to the vet at the first signs of rabies to be able to start getting treatment right away before you will not be able to.

The Basics of Dog Grooming

Dog grooming is one of the most basic and necessary roles of the owner when you have a dog. It can help keep the physical appearance of your dog looking good and can also influence the way that he feels and looks. Clean dogs are happy dogs.

In addition to the physical benefits of dog grooming, it is also essential to his health and physiological well being. What your dog behaves like and what he feels like relies a lot on how he feels and what his physical state is. If you do not follow proper dog grooming basics, you dog may be likely to show bad behaviors and more be more likely to have excessive barking problems.

Here are some of the biggest benefits of dog grooming:

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  Dog grooming helps keep your dog healthy – grooming your dog will help eliminate germs and dirt.
• 
  Dog grooming helps make your dog feel comfortable – bathing your dog with a shampoo to rid him of fleas and ticks can help him feel good and keep him away from harmful insects.
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  Dog grooming by clipping your dog’s nails can help prevent germs from gathering inside of them and can also prevent scratching from your dog jumping up on your furniture.
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  Brushing your dog can help keep his fur healthy and shiny and also help prevent it from building up. Long haired dogs also require occasional clipping to help them stay nice and neat. Keeping the hair short around your dog’s eyes can help them have better views.
• 
  By keeping your dog nice and clean you can also help boost his energy. Your dog needs to be cleaned in order to awaken his senses.
• 
  Having a well groomed pet is also easier to love, clean dogs are nice to be around and you will be more likely to be loving and affectionate with your dog when he is properly groomed and clean.
  
  Caring for your dog by doing proper dog grooming is essential to his appearance and health and will help make for a happier dog. Dog grooming also helps keep your dog free of ticks and fleas and can help them stay clear of other harmful germs that can embed into their hair or nails by not grooming them on a regular basis. Keep up with the care of your dog and you will have a happy dog.

How to Take Proper Care for Pet Reptile Baby Bearded Dragon Lizard

One of the most popular kinds of lizards to have as a household pet is the bearded dragon lizard which is native to Australia. One of the reasons the bearded dragon lizard is a popular reptile pet in many homes is because it is docile and has a friendly disposition. It is a very social reptile and has been gracing the storefronts of pet stores all over.

When you adopt a bearded dragon lizard as a new part of your family it is important to know the planning and care that is required having your new pet. Here are some guidelines to follow when you have a new baby bearded dragon lizard:

• Your bearded dragon lizard requires a lot of food in order to keep up with their rapid growth rate. You need to feed your baby dragon at least two to three times a day. Typical food includes crickets, veggies, greens and water. You should feed them in sizes about the size of the distance between their eyes.

• Check your baby dragon for parasites on a regular basis. Even though they are bred in captivity, there is still a chance of them developing a parasite infestation that could come from worms, bugs or crickets.

• Provide enough room for your dragon to grow in. Usually, a ten gallon aquarium is recommended for a new baby bearded dragon lizard and when they grow in size after about six months, you should move up to a twenty gallon tank. When your dragon is fully grown, you should have a fifty gallon tank.

• Make sure that you clean their home on a regular basis. Bearded dragon lizards are messy by nature so you should make sure that their homes are cleaned twice a day. It is not healthy for your dragon lizard to live in a messy or dirty home.

• Provide the right temperature control in the tank. You can do this by using a temperature gradient.

• Provide UV light. The lighting that you use should imitate the sunlight and this can help your baby dragon with their digestion.

• Use paper towels in the bottom of your tank. They are easy to clean with and replace when they are dirty.

• Handle your baby dragon daily. This can help them form a trust with humans and build a bond with you. Gently handle them and never pick them up by grabbing their tails.

Baby bearded dragon lizards can make excellent reptile pets; just make sure that you employ the proper methods for caring for them.

Right Way of Bathing Your Pet

When it comes to knowing how and when to bath your pet, you may not know the best practices to use and how often you should be bathing your pet. Bathing your cat or dog is very important part of pet ownership and caring for your pet. Shampooing your pet can help promote cleanliness and also a healthy and shiny coat and skin. How often you bathe your pet can depend on the needs of your pet.

Dogs and cats may be similar in a lot of ways as pets, but when it comes to bathing your pet, cats and dogs are very different. Cats are very good self groomers and they can truly go a very long time without requiring bath. Cats generally do not like to be bathed so the fact that they can take care of their own grooming is a good thing for them and their owners. There are times though when cats do require bathing if they have a medical condition that requires it. Infections or fungal infections like ringworm may require you bathing your pet in order to treat their condition and prevent it from coming back.

Sometimes cats require baths if they get into something messy or dirty and should not be licking if off themselves. Dogs on the other hand, usually require baths a lot more and thankfully for their owners they are usually a lot more receptive to the idea. Regular bathing of dogs helps to keep the coat and skin healthy and clean. Most dogs do not have to have regular or frequent bathing but once a month is generally recommended.

How often you should be bathing your pet depends on the type of breed and the activity level of your dog. If your dog develops an odor, it is generally time to give them a bath. Some kinds of dogs to require bathing more often than others as a matter of cleanliness but generally they do not require a bath any more than once a month. Some breeds like cocker spaniels that have oily coats may require a bath every two to four weeks, but thick coated dogs like Huskies many only need bathing a few times a year.

Bathing your pet is an important part of being a pet owner and keeping your dog healthy and help keep their coat shiny and healthy as well.

Tips for Having a Healthy and Happy Pet Hermit Crab

If you have a hermit crab and you want to keep him healthy and happy, here are some good tips for helping you do that:

· Provide a glass tank or aquarium for your hermit crabs – make sure that it is at least a five gallon tank for one crab, and ten gallon tank for more than one crab. Make sure that you also have a lid for the top of the tank and try to keep the humidity levels at about 70% of the minimum temperature.

· Use a tank heater for your hermit crabs – invest in a good thermometer and a gauge to monitor the humidity levels in the tank and make the changes that are necessary.

· Place about one to two includes of calci sand into the hermit crabs home – keep this sand a little bit moist all of the time.

· Make sure that you provide a fresh bowl of water for you hermit crabs every day - you need to keep the water declorinated and you can purchase the dechlorination tablets at pet stores.

· Buy a variety of shells in various sizes and shapes for your hermit crabs – they like to change into different shells and they molt and grow on a regular basis so it is important that you have large enough shells for them.

· It is not a good idea to keep only one hermit crab – they are very social animals and they live in colonies in the wild so it is best to make sure that they have companions.

· In addition to their normal food, it is a good idea to provide them with a variety of foods like apples, peanut butter, bananas and other foods.

· Have toys for them to play with – hermit crabs love to play and climb so keep a variety of different toys around for them to play with.

Keep your hermit crabs healthy and happy by using these simple tips. You can try different kinds of food and different toys to see what your crabs enjoy the most.

How to Properly Leash a Dog

You may think that it is not a difficult task to leash your dog. In general it is an easy process, but you should be aware of how to properly leash your dog. A leash is generally a strap or chain that you use to restrain your dog and control them around other people and animals. They can be made of leather, nylon or plastic and should be not easily damaged or won out.

Dogs anywhere in the public should always be kept on a leash. The kind of leash that you use may depend on the kind of dog you have and come in different styles and have different functions. There are retractable dog leashes, leather dog leashes, designer leashes and hands free leashes. One of the best ways to choose the right kind of leash for your dog is by the age of your dog. Adult dogs can suffer from weaker bones and joints while younger dogs are stronger and more playful.

Puppies can become irritated when you use a leash to walk them, so it is advised that you use a harness or collar as well. Older dogs may take longer to get used to wearing a leash and a collar. Be sure to be patient with your puppy when you are training them with a leash and be sure to give them full attention while they are getting used to wearing it. To help prevent your dog from leash irritation, place the collar and the leash on your dog while he is doing something that he enjoys, such as eating or playing. Try to leave it on and let it get used to it.

If you think that your dog is already comfortable with the leash and collar, then you may want to take your dog for a long walk in the park. Follow him around as he walks with the leash on and when he starts to notice it, you can give him a treat or food to help ease him into it.

Learning how to properly leash your dog from the beginning can make for a much more enjoyable time walking them as they get older and they can get comfortable with the leash and sometimes even forget that they have it on while they are enjoying the walk and the outdoors.

Can This Parrot Be Your Perfect Pet – The Scarlet Macaw

Scarlet Macaw parrot is one of the most beautiful and the most intelligent bird amongst all birds that are found in our nature. A special kind of pet keeper is needed to provide the right kind of care to them. Do you think you can take the challenge of raising this amazing parrot?

The Scarlet Macaw is truly a brilliant sight to lay your eyes on. He is striking scarlet red in color, with blue and yellow feathers mixed in his wings and tail. There is a characteristic white patch around his eyes. He can be up to 36 inches (3 feet long), including his tail and therefore he requires a very huge cage.

Parrot Cages:

Parrot cages are quite expensive. They should be at least 3 feet x 3 feet x 6 feet and made of long-lasting, durable, unrouged metal. This will enable them to stretch their wings to full span, which is very essential for their good health and well-being.

For sanitary and health reasons, the cage needs to be cleaned at least once a week, which can prove to be a challenge in itself. It’s not that easy as it seems. But over time you'll get used to it.A large perch is usually attached on the outside of the cage. This allows them to spend their time outside their cage during the day.

You need to provide your parrot, a variety of toys to play and chew on for maintaining the parrots’ beak and for effective mental stimulation.

Human Interaction

Scarlet Macaws have high levels of intellect and involve a good deal of human attention every day. If they don't get adequate attention, problems may arise. They tend to suffer from depression and they often nervously chew off their feathers and skin. Also, sometimes they engage themselves in constant squalling, and assail anyone who approaches them.

If no one’s present at home during the day in your household, then a parrot is probably not the right pet for you. Special supervision is needed in case children are there in your home -- for both the child's and the bird's safety.

Price Tag

Scarlet Macaws are not that cheap to buy. They can cost you anywhere between $1500 -- $3000. When you add on the cost of the cage, you're looking at a pretty heavy price tag. They require a scheduled veterinarian visit too -- make sure you have a vet in your area who is qualified enough to care for parrots.

Parrots Can Live 40 - 80 Years

Are you prepared for the coming 40 years to take care of your SCARLET MACAW? It's quite a commitment, involves special care and is definitely not meant for everyone. It requires a special sort of pet keeper to own a parrot as they're a special kind of pet.

Hatching Eggs – A Step By Step Guide To The Whole Procedure

The process of hatching eggs can be a fruitful experience for those who work in poultry farms; poultry farm owners, science classes and 4-5 club members. In today’s world, the hatched eggs are artificially incubated and this requires a person who can monitor the environment inside the incubator. It is done in order to ensure that eggs receive the correct heat, air and moisture to hatch successfully. No incubator gives 100 percent efficiency. This is an important point that should be kept in mind while incubating the eggs. To make up for the less efficiency of the incubator, be prepared for a 5-10 % loss for your flock that can occur after hatching. This happens because the eggs grow to maturity. Also it is advisable to order a few extra eggs. 50-85% hatching rate can be expected by an incubator employing a good regulation of temperature as well as, humidity, egg turning, and ventilation.

Necessary precautions before starting the process:

Before beginning with the process of hatching eggs, it is considered a good practice to wash your hands thoroughly and dry them to prevent the growth of bacteria, fungi and other microbes that may harm the eggs. For prevention of diseases and health reasons, it's best to get all the eggs from one source. If you buy the eggs from a local market but cannot get the number you want in a single day then try not to hold the eggs for a longer duration than three days before keeping them for hatching.

The actual procedure:

Set the incubator to a working temperature and check your user’s manual. Once the temperature is stabilized, allow all the stored hatching eggs to warm gradually to room temperature before putting them in the incubator.

Special Tip: Care needs to be taken for ventilation, temperature and humidity. Its very important to remember that the growing chicks are living organisms that exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide through the shell during the incubation process. To help the incubator control the egg environment, it should be kept in a room free from drafts, where the room temperature remains constant. Addition of water to the incubator helps in monitoring humidity, depending on the species being hatched.

The eggs must be turned over from time to time, while in the incubator to prevent the embryo from sticking to the shell. If your incubator is not rendered with the optional mechanical turner, you must turn them manually, by hand.

Each species of poultry require different incubation time. Ducks and geese take longer time to hatch than Quail, which hatches in a very short duration.

Once the eggs begin to hatch, the baby chicks will need to be transferred to a place where they can be given proper care - this should be set-up ahead of time.

The Leopard Gecko as a Pet

Leopard geckos can make great pets for reptiles. Anyone from an older child to an adult can enjoy having a leopard gecko. They are among some of the most common household pets because they are small in size, easy to care for and are very clean reptiles.

Leopard geckos can have a typical life span of nineteen to twenty two years. They have a very wide variety of colors and they can grow very used to being handled. Children should always be monitored when handling the leopard gecko because if they frighten the gecko too much, it can cause a lot of stress and fear to the gecko and their tails may fall off.

Leopard geckos also make really good pets because they are easily found at pet stores and you usually can find one right away and walk out with it. If you are hesitant about having a leopard gecko as a pet, you can be assured that is one of the few lizard breeds that are bred in captivity. They are an affordable option to have as a pet and are very beautiful to look at. They come in all different colors, designs and breeds and become very tolerant to being handled.

Leopard geckos are toothless reptiles, so you do not have to worry about them biting. They are generally very non aggressive and typically will not attempt to bite at you. Sometimes when they are babies they may try to bite your finger, but without having any teeth it is not a painful experience. They are great to have around as pets and they are fun to watch and look at. If you spend a lot of time handling them and being around them, they can truly form a trust and bond with you that can last for a long time.

It is important to remember that leopard geckos have a longer life span that a lot of pets so make sure that you are ready to care for them for up to twenty or more years. That is also important to remember if you are getting them as a pet for a child. Make sure that you are ready to spend enough time and commit to the gecko as your pet. They do not require a lot of materials and are an affordable choice to have as a pet.

Development of Puppies and Kittens

In the first few weeks of life, both puppies and kittens should be nursing at least four to six times a day. Weak nursing or infrequent nursing can indicate chilling, congenital problems and illness and should always be attended to right away by a vet or breeder. There are two primary activities that all newborn puppies and kittens do – sleeping and eating. Between days ten and sixteen, the eyes of puppies and kittens begin to open and they can start to see. Between days 15 and 17 the ears begin to function. The normal body temperature for puppies is about 94 to 97 degrees during the first two weeks of life. Kittens have a body temperature of about 95 degrees. By weeks 4 and 5, the body temperatures reach their adult temperature of about 101.5 degrees.

Puppies and kittens do not have a shivering reflex for their first six days and because of this, an external heat source is necessary. After six days, puppies and kittens begin to shiver, but they still are at risk of chilling. You should always keep the environment warm and free from drafts as much as possible during the first few weeks. You should keep the temperature about 70 degrees.

Newborn puppies and kittens should be weighed during the first two weeks and again every three to four days until weaning. Puppies should gain about 25 to 50 grams a day and kittens should gain between 50 and 100 grams per week. There is not a lot of information available about milk intake and nursing for puppies and kittens, it depends on the breed and the size of the cat or dog that usually determines how much milk is produced for them. It also makes a difference how big the litter is what kinds of supplemental food are provided, when the food is provided and the age at weaning. In most healthy puppies and kittens, the milk supports normal growth until about four weeks old.

Supplemental food can and should be introduced by that time to make sure that the puppies and kittens are able to eat on their own and can survive the move to a new home and family without the need of being with their mothers and nursing. There are also nursing bottles and formulas that are available that you can use if your puppy or kitten was weaned to early and still needs the nutrition of the milk.

Treating Pet Depression

The idea of your pet being depressed may not seem realistic to you, and you may think that depression affects only people, but in fact there are many cases of pet depression and you should know how to tell if your pet is depressed and what you can do to help them.

There are antidepressants on the market that are available for treating pet depression. The effects of these medications differ depending on the type of pet you have and the behaviors of the pet that need to be altered or controlled. For instance, clomipramine can help to calm down dogs and make them less likely to react and overreact to situations. For pets that obsessively groom and lick themselves, medications like that can also help to curb their behaviors.

Pet depression can be treated by certain medications and many pet owners find that different medications can really make a big difference. Treating pet depression is done by antidepressants. These can help treat problems that range from anxiety, depression and behaviors like urinating on furniture and tearing up furniture.

There are side effects to antidepressants for pets that include:

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  Anxiety
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  Lack of appetite
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  Sluggishness
  
  Some vets recommend dietary changes and behavior management techniques as an alternative to antidepressants. There are also other medications that can help treat aggression and anxiety such as valium and Elavil. These medications usually are used to treat pets that have aggressive personalities and territorial issues. Pet depression is usually better treated with antidepressants.
  
  To keep your pet safe, make sure that you are administering the medications properly. The vet needs to give your pet a thorough check up before prescribing any medications. If you think your pet might have pet depression, it is always advised to seek out the guidance of a vet to see what is the best remedy for your pet. Sometimes changes in dietary habits and exercise can be all that your pet needs to overcome their anxiety or depression. It is best to try all methods if necessary to find what best works for your pet. Don’t ignore the symptoms of your pet being depressed and if they are acting out of character it could also indicate other physical illnesses and conditions as well, so make sure you get them checked out to help keep them healthy and happy and have a long life with you.
  

How to Make Pet Food Your Pets Will Love

There are many kinds of pet food on the market today. Pet stores and other grocery stores carry a wide variety to choose from. But if you want to provide your pets with healthy and nutritious food, you should consider making it yourself. Pet food that you find in the stores contains preservatives and other chemical agents that could be not as healthy for your pets. Making your pets homemade pet food can help keep their food free of chemicals and other harmful agents.

If you want to make your own pet food, the ingredients you will need are meat, green vegetables, grains, starches, milk and fruits. You need to keep in mind that if you do make your own pet food, it is important to keep it stored correctly as it does not contain the preservatives that commercial pet food contains. You need to keep it stored in a clean container and make sure that it sealed. You should always talk to your vet to make sure that you can meet the nutritional requirements of your pets.

When you consult your vet, they can help guide you to choose the right ingredients and amounts of food that your pet needs depending on their age and type of pet. In most commercial pet food there is typically 40 percent meat, 30 percent vegetables and 30 percent starches. Don’t feed your pet’s raw meat because it contains bacteria that can be harmful to your pet.

You should incorporate meats like kidney, liver and heart into your homemade pet food because it can be very beneficial to the health and growth of your pet. You can include blends of rice, carrots and ground turkey in your homemade pet food also. You can make custom made meals for your dog that contain brown rice, ground beef, carrots and yeast. You should also make sure that you alternate the kinds of pet food that you give to your pets.

If you want to add a lot of flavor to the food and ward off fleas, adding garlic can be a great choice. But again, make sure you check with your vet first because spoiled garlic can be toxic. You should also incorporate oatmeal, rice, potatoes and pasta in your homemade pet food. Experiment and try different combinations when you make homemade pet food, and show your pets how much you love them and want to make sure they are healthy.

How to Toilet Train Your Ferret

Ferrets can be trained to use a litter box just like cats can be trained. They are intelligent animals and prefer to be clean and can pick up the training to use a litter box very quickly. You can begin toilet training your ferret at any time, but it is best to start early. This will enable them to get used to the idea of using the litter box right away before they find other places that they would like to use.

You have probably noticed that your ferret will pick a spot to go to the bathroom, and it is usually in a corner or other private area. Ferrets are not able to relate you punishing them when they do not use their pan by rubbing their nose in it. They do not cover their waste, so when you do get them used to using the litter box, you will have to scoop it out all the time. If you do not keep the litter box clean enough, you will probably find that your ferret will choose to go next to the litter box instead.

When you are starting your toilet training with your ferret, you should put some feces in the litter box and then set him into it next to it. This can help accustom him to what he should be doing in there. You may have to do this a few times, but eventually he should understand what to do in there.

You should avoid using clumping litters. They do not always like the texture of clay litters, and tend to wipe their bottoms of the litter after they use it, clumping litter can stick to them which they do not like. Usually, simply reminding them of where the litter box is is enough to get them to use it. Don’t use litter that is too dusty and omits dust particles as well.

You may need to spend some time working with your ferret to get them to completely become litter trained and used to the litter box, but it can be worth it and you will find it is a lot easier once they are trained to clean and keep your house free from unwanted elimination in hidden areas.

Concerns for Overweight Pets

We all hear about obesity problems in people, but what about our pets? Pets can also develop obesity problems and there are real health risks associated with having overweight pets. It is becoming more common to find animals of all types that are becoming obese if they are not fed properly. They also need to get enough daily exercise. According to recent research, 50 percent of dogs and almost 20 percent of cats in the United States are overweight pets. This means that as pet owners, we need to step up and take charge of the health of our pets.

These extra pounds that overweight pets carry around can begin to develop into serious health problems. They can start to develop problems with their internal organs, joints and muscles. The extra weight can make pets feel lethargic and not want to exercise which causes them to gain more weight.

Most pet owners make the mistake of giving their pets too many treats throughout the day. It is fun to spoil our pets and show them how much we love them but we need to be concerned about their health and well being first. Overweight pets are not going to stay as healthy and we need to take care of them. Don’t feed your pets too much table food. This is another leading cause for overweight pets.

Some of the more severe kinds of health problems that overweight pets can develop include:

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  Heart problems


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  Diabetes


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  Increase of risk of cancer


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  Problems with the skin and hair


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  Shortened life span risk


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  Respiratory problems
  
  If you fear that your pet is overweight, there are some things that you can do to help get them back to a more healthy weight. Make sure that you are not feeding them too much. They only need to eat enough to get the vitamins and minerals that they need and for energy, monitor how much they are really taking in and cut back if needed. Make sure you give your pets enough exercise and play with them. Instead of giving your pets treats for a good deed, reward with them with a new toy or an extra long walk. Play with them and show them that you love them by making sure that they do not become overweight pets.
  
  Ask your vet if they recommend a special food that is lower in calories for your pet to help them get back down to a healthy weight, they can also help give you ideas on what to do to help keep your pets healthy.
  

How to Train Your Kitten to Use a Litter Box

Most of the time when you have a kitten, they already know how to use a litter box and are familiar with it. But sometimes kittens do not always have the best of litter box habits; here are some ideas to help you develop good litter box habits for your kitten:

· Start litter training your kitten when he is three or four weeks old. They are usually able to train themselves to use the litter box by the time they are a few months old, but if they go to a new home, they may become confused.

· As soon as your kitten eats, place her in the litter box. She can learn to associate the feeling of eating and elimination and develop the reflex to go to the litter box.

· If you find your kitten squatting down in a corner, or sniffing around, pick her up and place her in the litter box before she uses the floor or carpet.

· Keep the litter box close by to where your kitten spends most of her time. They do not have the control that mature cats do, and cannot hold it for a long period of time.

· Don’t put the litter box by her food area, most cats do not like the idea of eating next to where they use the bathroom, if they do not like to use the bathroom by their food, they will find another place to go to the bathroom.

· Try not to put the litter on a carpeted area. The kitten might prefer the texture of the carpet over the texture of the litter.

· Try to avoid cedar-based litters that contain a strong scent. Your cat may not like the smell of the litter and find another place to go to the bathroom.

· Do not use strong smelling cleaners on or around the litter box, cats may not like the scent of the cleaner.

· Keep the litter box clean all the time.

Use these helpful hints to help your kitten successfully become litter trained.

Is Your Cat Food Healthy?

Are you a cat owner? Do you truly love your furry friend? Do you know how important it is to understand the need of healthy cat food?

Cats have unique nutritional needs. If these needs are not fulfilled, your cat can become sick or this can even shorten its life span. The good news is, that nowadays it is very easy to find a GOOD cat food full of nutrients for your cat.

Is Your Cat Happy?

Cats cannot talk. If they’re unhappy about a particular thing, they cannot let their owners so know. This means that your cat might feel terrible due to the cat food you are feeding her. You should however know the signs of a healthy and a sad cat. A happy and healthy cat will be playful and satisfied whereas a sick or sad cat would usually spend its day hiding in corners.

Shocking Discover

Recently, many cat and dog foods were found “unhealthy”. By using these pet foods, you were harming your dear pet and the poor little fellow can not even complain. Due to this discovery, more and more people took interested in finding the perfect food for their cutest family member.

Is Consulting a Vet Necessary?

You should always consult your vet to decide which cat food is best for your cat’s health. Kittens and adult cats have specific needs which should be fulfilled for a nice and happy life.

Along with proper cat food, you should feed your cat vitamins and other supplements to help her lead a healthy and playful life.

How to Deal with Pet Allergies

Allergies are not only for humans. Animals get and develop allergies also, and you should be aware that your pet may have allergies. Most of the time, allergies can rear up during the winter because both humans and animals are spending more time inside together. This can bring up allergies that are not usually as noticed especially if you tend to keep your pets outside when it is nice out.

Our dogs and cats are very susceptible to the dirt and dust indoors that doesn’t get a chance to be removed as easily in the winter, and can build up in the carpet where they spend a lot of their time. The mold inside of the walls are also a breeding ground for pet allergies. Allergies are actually one of the most common conditions that affect our pet dogs and cats. It has been researched that 15 percent of dogs are allergic to household allergens such as house dust and pollen. An allergic reaction to those things is really a response of the immune system when it is overacting.

Contact allergies are one of the least common types of allergies that affect cats and dogs. Those include flea collars. Sometimes materials such as grass and bedding are also causes of allergens. When it comes to inhalant allergies, this is this the most common type that affects cats and dogs and is caused by the hypersensitivity of the immune system to different environmental substances. Flea allergies are the most common dog allergy but also are prevalent in cats.

Food allergies are also common in pet allergies and cats can often become allergic to protein sources in their food such as tuna. Dogs can develop allergies to protein sources like chicken and beef in their food. So what do you do when you suspect or know that your pet has developed allergies? The most common treatments used are topical products such as shampoos and also antihistamines. There are supplements available that you can give your cat or dog to help relieve their pet allergies as well.

The best thing you can do to help avoid certain types of allergens is to give your pet’s regular baths and watch for any excess scratching. Help keep them clean to prevent further allergies from forming.

How to Choose a Vet Who Really Cares About Your Pet

How do you know what to look for in a vet? If you are like most pet owners, you want the best for your pets and want to keep them healthy. Part of keeping them healthy is finding a vet that truly cares about them. How do you know what to look for?

1. A vet who is understanding and impartial – there is a lot of times when your pet may get sick or injured and you have to make a lot of difficult choices that can be costly on their behalf. You should make sure that your vet has the best interests of you and your pet in mind and that he is a pillar of support and strength. Make sure he is someone who can truly empathize with you and will not push you into making a decision that you are not comfortable with.

2. Find a vet who practices preventative medicine – only the best of vets encourage and practice preventative medicine that includes routine checkups, treatments and follow up appointments that can catch and fix a small problem before it gets out of control. This not only can help keep your pets healthy, but can also save you a lot of money down the road.

3. Find a vet that can put your pet at ease – really good vets have a certain personality that is comforting to your pet. They should be calm and soothing and have a very gentle personality. You can tell by the way they touch and talk to your pet. They should use a soft touch and soft voice that is comforting to you and your pet.

4. Find a vet office that is full of animal lovers – it is not just the vet that you should be concerned about, but also everyone else that is in the office. They all in one way or another could be working with your pet, so make sure that everyone in there is truly caring and will be loving and gentle towards your pets.

5. Find a vet that will listen- your vet should listen to your concerns and questions and be patient and understanding. They should have an open mind and you should feel comfortable approaching them with any questions that you may have.

Aromatherapy for Your Pets

You may have heard of aromatherapy or you may use it yourself for certain kinds of conditions and as a natural healing treatment, but you may not have known that it can also be used on your pets. Pets can also enjoy the benefits and therapeutic treatments of aromatherapy. In addition to eliminating bad odors on your pets, essential oils can also be used to boost your pet’s immune system, fight off different types of bacteria and viruses and also prevent the growth of certain kinds of molds and yeasts.

Aromatherapy is being used by pet salons and groomers to treat mild kinds of ailments such as fleas, skin and ear infections, skin inflammations, rashes, flatulence, bad breath and motion sickness. Oils have also been found to have calming effects on animals and help them relax. For instance, using lavender oil on kittens can help them repel insects and also helps them to feel content and sleepy. Roman chamomile has been used to treat certain conditions such as ear infections and also soothe dogs that are in pain.

Essential oils are often used as home based remedies, but before you try to use aromatherapy yourself, you may want to learn a little more on how to use essential oils safely. They need to be diluted because they are very potent. Before you use them on your pet, make sure that you have properly diluted them first. Almond oil, jojoba oil and olive oil are common base oils that can be used to apply the essential oils. Normally, only a couple drops are all that it takes to use the essential oils effectively.

Essential oils can be diluted by adding them to a spray bottle of water and simply misting them on the bedding area that your pet uses. If you want to use acupressure, dilute the essential oils in vodka or brandy and dab the bottom of your pet’s paws with it. Don’t forget that your cat or dog has a lot more sensitive sense of smell than we do so it is important that you dilute the oils enough before you use them on them.

Essential oils can also be used as effective aromatherapy for flea and tick treatments, and can be less toxic that treatments and chemicals that you can find in the stores. Essential oils like peppermint, lavender, lemon, geranium and bay are commonly used to treat ticks and fleas.

Purchasing a New Baby African Grey Parrot

If you are looking for the best place to purchase a baby African grey parrot, the best place to start is with a breeder of birds or pet store. The African Grey parrot is the most popular of talking parrots and is known for its clean pronunciation and the tones that it can use. It is very intelligent and a sociable bird. African Grey parrots are smaller in size than other kinds of parrots and are an ideal choice to have in your home.

When you find Grey parrots in your pet store, they are typically 12 weeks old and fully weaned. They are strong enough by this age to be able to be handled by people. Before you purchase the bird, make sure that it is tested with a DNA sex test and also is issued a certificate. You may need to ask for a hatch certificate as well. You will want to make sure you collect these details when you bring your new bird home. Make sure you are also familiar with the diet of the grey parrot to make sure you know what kind of food he requires to eat. There should be a list of the types of food and that list should also contain the various plants and poisonous foods that should be avoided.

If you are still uncertain about anything to do with caring for the bird, there are aftercare hotlines and help lines available to assist you. Make sure you obtain those numbers and keep them with you in case you need them. You may want to consider taking out insurance on your grey parrot also. Some breeders will be able to recommend insurance companies that they use that can offer you good rates and proper coverage on your grey parrot.

You can ask the breeder what vet they recommend and use for their grey parrots as well, some areas have a variety to choose from, and while some may not so you want to make sure you are aware of the closest experienced vet when you bring home your new bird. They require focused attention and treatments at times so it is important that you choose the best vet that is available for you. You also want to take that in consideration before you purchase your pet and make sure that you are aware of the costs involved.

The Best Kinds of Parrots for Pets

When you decide that you want to have a parrot as a pet, do you know which ones would make the best choice for a pet for you? You may not be aware of the different things to consider when choosing a pet parrot and there are things you need to know in order to make the best choice.

Parrots can live up to 70 years so you need to be willing to make a lifelong commitment to the bird. They are also very social animals and thrive on attention and company. You need to be willing to take the time to spend with your parrot in order for them to be happy. Some people assume that because they are in a cage, or do not require the amount of time and attention as a dog does, that they are fine on their own but this is not true. You cannot leave your parrot alone for more than a day or two.

When it comes to choosing the best kind of parrot for you, there is not really a solid answer. You should determine your availability and time limits and what you are willing to invest in the care of your parrot. The easiest kind of parrot to care of is the humble budgerigar. These are easy to tame and can be trained like other bigger kinds of parrots but require less attention. They often are not as talkative so if you are looking for a more talkative parrot, you should consider a different kind.

African grey parrots are intelligent birds and can very easily pick up a broad vocabulary. They need a lot more care and can live much longer. These are very popular parrots because of their ability to talk and mimic. They can have vocabularies of up to a few hundred words.

Amazon and ring neck parrots are also good birds to have as pets and live to be about 20 years old. They need varied diets that include lots of vegetables, although they are not as talkative as African grey parrots, they still can have a wide vocabulary.

Blue macaws and gold macaws are also a good type of parrot to consider. They have beautiful feathers and are generally a very laid back kind of bird. Cockatiels are another option if you do not have a lot of money to spend. They can talk but are more reluctant to than some species.

What does it Cost to Buy a New Hamster?

Have you been thinking about buying a hamster but are unsure of how much it will cost and what it will take to bring your new hamster home? You should be aware of the costs involved with bringing a new hamster home; here are some costs you will incur:

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  Hamster cage – between $10 and $40 dollars. The price you pay depends on the type of cage that you choose and the type of hamster you have. There are wired cages, aquariums and bins. The kind of cage you choose can depend on the size of your hamster. For instance, Syrian hamsters have been known to get stuck in the tubing on some kind of cages so make sure you talk to the salesperson at the pet store to know which kind of cage is best.
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  Bedding – this ranges from $2 to $10 and has various purposes. Bedding lines the floor, it absorbs the odor, and it is where your hamster goes to the bathroom and where your hamster can hide. There are different types to choose from that include wood pulp fiber, recycled newspaper, pellets and aspen shavings.
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  Paper bedding – this is a less expensive option and some hamsters really like it. You can use toilet paper in the cage.
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  Food dishes – these can range from $2-$5 and are a necessity for your hamster. The bottle type is usually the best because your hamster can not spill it and make a mess in the cage. But you do need to place it high enough so that the hamster can not chew on the plastic part.
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  Hamster mix – this ranges from $2.50 to $5 and is the food that you should use for your hamster. Do not buy rabbit mix because it can be toxic to your hamster. You can also feed your hamster fruits and vegetables according to its protein needs.
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  Hamster toys – these can range from $1.50-$30 depending on what kind you want to buy. You should buy your hamster a wheel in order to let him exercise. Hamster balls, tunnels and chew toys are other fun toys that your hamster will like.
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  Hamster books – these range in price and are good to have for your reference. They can be filled with information that can be very helpful to you and your new hamster.
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  This is a good list to help get you started on getting ready to bring a new hamster to your house.
  
  
  

Using Hydrotherapy For Your Pets Pain

If you prefer to follow a natural healing approach to deal with health conditions, you can apply that to the health treatments of your pets as well. You may want to try hydrotherapy to help treat your pet’s pain and health conditions.

What is hydrotherapy? It is a technique that uses a combination of water and massage techniques to help reduce the pain and swelling of an area on the body. Many people use this type of treatment for dealing with sports injuries or other injuries that result in pain.

Using hydrotherapy on your pet can help treat their pain after an injury. Depending on what kind of injury it is, you can either use warm or cool water. After you spray the affected area with the water, you can rub the affected limb. You do this by gently moving toward the trunk of the body. By using this method of moving, you are moving any fluids that have accumulated around the spot away from the injury. If your pet does not like to be sprayed or soaked with the water, you can also use a warm or cool compress on the area.

What kinds of injuries can hydrotherapy treat?

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  Leg pain, paw pain and joint pain
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  Swelling of the area due to an injury
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  Swelling of the area due to insect bites

Hydrotherapy can help treat those conditions because it is able to increase the amount of blood circulation in the area. It can also be used to treat chronic conditions like joint disease or arthritis. Using hydrotherapy on your pet can save you time and money on other forms of treatments. If you are concerned with how to perform the treatment, you may want to talk to your vet.

How to Identify Pregnancy Symptoms in Dogs

If you are not sure if your dog is pregnant or not, there are some symptoms that you can look for to help find out if she is or not. One of the first things that you want to know is if she has been in heat recently or not. If your dog is between six months and sixteen months, chances are that she has been in heat.

Not all dogs experience the same symptoms or all of the symptoms, so it is important to know what to watch for:

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  Anything that indicates your dog is acting differently. Most of the time you will notice a significant change in her behavior.
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  Many dogs experience a drop in their appetite during the first few weeks of their pregnancy, they may become reluctant to eating and do not want to eat anything at all. This will change eventually, and they will later experience an increase in appetite.
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  Some dogs may start vomiting during the first few weeks of pregnancy. They can vomit anything from clear mucous to food. This does not always occur in the morning hours, and can occur at any time of day.
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  Most dogs will show indications of breast development after they have been in heat; however, breast growth is also an indication of pregnancy.
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  Most dogs will begin to spend a lot of time resting or sleeping.
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  There may be discharge, but if the discharge is foul or brownish in color, or green this could be an indication of a problem in the pregnancy.
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  Growth in the abdomen usually does not occur until mid-pregnancy.
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  You will be able to feel the puppies in late pregnancy by placing your hands gently on the abdomen of the dog. Don’t be alarmed if you do not feel movement, it probably means that the puppies are asleep.
  
  
  
  

Symptoms of Pregnant Cats

If you have a cat that you suspect may be pregnant, it is important that you find out as soon as possible to make sure your cat gets the proper nutrition and care. If you are uncertain what to look for in symptoms of a pregnant cat, here are some guidelines to help you:

· By week three you may start to notice that the nipples on your cat are enlarged and begin to turn pink in color. You will not be able to see any swelling in her belly area at this time.

· By week four your cat may start to show some swelling in her belly and there will be swelling in her nipples. Her appetite will be increasing as well.

· By week five, you should consult with your vet to determine the proper growth formula. This can ensure that your cat will get the proper nutrition that she needs and keep up with her increased appetite.

· By week six, you will be able to know that your cat is pregnant. You will start to notice changes in her behavior. She will be much more careful in the way that she moves around, she will be avoiding motions that involve stretching and twisting. She will most likely want to remain indoors and her appetite will continue to increase.

· By week seven, the largest symptoms will be her behavior. She will be showing signs of excitement and she will begin to feel the fetus move. She will be rolling and stretching and finding her place to give birth. You should keep your cat indoors at this time.

· By day 61, your cat can go into labor. You will be able to notice this by her growling or purring and being restless. Next, her contractions will begin. They can be every thirty minutes or longer.

It is important that you notice the signs of pregnancy in your cat and give her the care she needs.

How Can You Find the Best Pet Stroller

Until recently, many people may have scoffed at the idea of taking your pets for a walk via a pet stroller. But it is becoming more and more popular to see pet owners taking their cats and dogs out for a walk in a pet stroller. If you are interested in trying one out, there are some things that can help you find the right pet stroller.

There are two popular designs in pet strollers – ones that are collapsible and ones that have a lift out basket. The collapsible models are usually better suited for traveling and people that are always on the go. They are also better for use with dogs. The lift out style is easier for cats and other pets, but do work well for dogs also. The basket in those models can make it easier for a pet to sleep comfortably while you are transporting them.

The pet stroller you choose needs to be able to handle safely the weight of your pet and their size. Pets need to be able to sit, stand, turn or lay down without losing their comfort. You also need to keep in mind what kind of terrain you will be using the pet stroller the most. If you are on pavement, regular size wheels are fine to use, but if you are off of pavement, larger size wheels are better to use.

You can also increase the quality of your walks with the pet stroller by purchasing additional accessories such as cup holders and spots to keep pet treats. Finding the right pet stroller can make you and your pet enjoy talking a stroll outside. They are a great way to transport your small pet and not have to worry about them running off or getting attacked by another animal. You can enjoy the nice walk and have your pet enjoy the comfort of the pet stroller.

The Seven Parasites You Need to Know About that Can Harm Your Pet Fish

Your pet fish need to be protected from seven known parasites that can harm them. When fish have parasites they are very contagious and must be separated from the other fish in the tank. The infected fish have to be treated and the tank completely disinfected.

The seven most common parasites you should know are:

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  Fish lice - these parasites are lice that attach themselves to the fish and can turn just about the same color as the fish so they are hard to detect. The fish will be rubbing up along side of the tank when infected with the lice in order to try to remove them.
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  Anchor worms – these parasites are females and have an anchor shaped head. They will bury themselves into the fish and there may be a little bit of bleeding on the fish where the head has attached itself. There also may be a little worm that is white that is coming out from that spot.
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  Leeches – these parasites are wormlike and attach themselves on both ends of the fish. You must remove these as soon as possible.
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  Flukes – these parasites are gill flukes that turn your fish’s gills a pink or red color. Your fish will tend to stay toward the surface of the tank where he is able to get air. These skin flukes can cause localized sores and swelling.
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  Ichthyophthirius – these parasites are known as Ich or white spot. You will be able to see a raised white spot on your fish that is about the size of a grain of salt. It is one of the most common types of parasites that are found.
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  Oodinium – these parasites are known as velvet and can create a golden velvet coat on the body and the fins of your fish. It is hard to find on gold fish because of the color.
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  Hexamita – these parasites are also known as hole in the head disease. They are basically internal parasites. These are harmful to your fish when he is weak because of age, stress or bad water conditions.
  
  
  
  
  

What Pet Fish are the Best Choice for New Pet Fish Owners?

When you are looking for a new pet and decide the best way for you to go is pet fish, what kind are the best? You may not know a lot about what it takes to have pet fish and if you are new to being a pet fish owner, there may be some kinds that are better than others to start out with.

Some of the best types of pet fish for you to try as a beginning pet fish owner are:

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  Betas – these beautiful fish are often displayed in bowls at the local pet stores and have long fins that are shades with blue, purple or red and are very easy to care for. They have to be kept alone in a bowl because the males are known to bitterly fight and there are rarely female fish available in pet stores. Don’t put them with other species of fish either because other fish will nibble on their fins.
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  Goldfish – these are a relatively easy fish to care for as long as you provide them a tank of the right size. They need to have a big enough bowl or aquarium or they will not survive very long. Goldfish are very common pet fish and you should not have more than one or two in the aquarium.
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  Zebra Danios – these pet fish are very hardy and can survive well in any size of aquarium. Being tropical fish, they will need a heater in the tank in order to maintain the water temperature of at least 70 degrees.
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  Platys and Swordtails – these pet fish are in the same category because they are similar in appearance the have basically the same kind of requirements. They are tropical fish and can be found in most pet stores. Their aquariums need to be kept at 72 degree.
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  Corydoras – these pet fish are easy to care for and very active. They are a type of fish that spends most of their time swimming alone in the bottom of the tanks. They are tropical fish and need to have their tanks at 72 degrees.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Feline and Canine Dental Health

Your furry companions need dental health just as you and the rest of your family do. Cats and dogs rely on their teeth to be able to properly chew and digest food, and can develop dental health issues just like people can. It is important to take good care of your pet’s dental health needs.

Periodontal disease and inflammation of the gums are two common dental health concerns with cats and dogs. Gingivitis is caused by plaque forming on the surface of the teeth. If it is not treated, it can continue to progress to periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is associated with oral pain, ulceration and the loss of alveolar teeth and bone. It also may lead to damage of other organs in the body.

Some diseases like periodontal disease have been linked to include kidney disease, cardiovascular system disease, lung problems and damage to the immune system.

There are types of dental health problems that occur in cats and dogs and are different that some that occur in people. Because dogs and cats have sharp inclined planes in their dentition, they are not susceptible to cavities. Three major dental health problems that are seen in cats and dogs are oral malodor, gingivitis and periodontal disease.

Periodontal disease is one of the most common dental health diseases that is found in cats and dogs. It has been reported for over seventy years and is a problem across the world. Dogs seem to develop periodontal disease due to factors like old age. This most prevalent in small breeds and toy breeds. Cats seem to also develop periodontal disease, but the causes and links are not as well known as with dogs.

Make sure you consider the dental health of your pets when you are seeing your vet. If you are concerned with any possible problems or diseases that your pet may have, it is a good idea to get them checked and have a dental check up as well.