
Although small mammals are cute and tiny, they can be a big responsibility. If you’re interested in owning a chinchilla, ferret, hamster, hedgehogs, gerbils, guinea pigs, rabbits, rats, and other small mammals, it’s important to learn how to properly care for each of these furry creatures before bringing them home with you.
Consider what size, temperament, and activity level are right for your household so you can choose the option that best matches your lifestyle. Are you looking for an animal that will take kindly to being petted and interact with you? Rabbits or guinea pigs are pets that enjoy cuddling once they’re gotten used to you. Be sure to choose a small mammal that has what you’re looking for and you’ll love having it around. Check out the articles below to learn more about the general care of each of these animals.
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A Guide to Pet Nutrition
Category:
Newsletter Library, Nutrition & Food
In 2007, several million bags of pet food were recalled in the United States due to contamination. Though some of the recalls were done by the manufacturers voluntarily to "be safe," some of the recalled food was found to have contaminated vegetable proteins. Several pets unfortunately died, and even
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Are You Leaving Your Pet Alone?
Category:
Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners
Many of us can't stay home with our pets all day long, but that doesn't mean you can't have a happy dog or cat. As with children, quality can help make up for lack of quantity, according to animal behaviorist and CALLING ALL PETS host Patricia "Trisha" McConnell. "What's really important is what happens
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Do Cats Really Love Milk?
Category:
Newsletter Library, Cats
Cats, unlike dogs, are true carnivores which means they thrive on meat only diets and require no vegetable, grain, or dairy supplementation. Cows milk is not recommended for cats because it can be too rich for their digestive systems. This is because most cats can't digest milk properly because it contains
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A Great Tool for Pet Owners
Category:
Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners
Apps for Smart Phones
Of the 1.3 million apps available, at least a few are related to pets!
One is the Whistle Activity Monitor which is a device that attaches to a dog's collar, and has an app to monitor the dog's daily activity. It also can chart food and medications, and can be
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Anesthesia Free Dentistry
Category:
Newsletter Library, Visiting the Vet
Does your dog have stinky breath? Do your cat's teeth look brown? In fact, periodontal disease is the most common disease that pets develop. It is estimated that 80 to 85% of dogs and cats have some degree of infection. It is not just a cosmetic problem, chronic infection shortens their life because
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Camping With Your Pets
Category:
Newsletter Library, Newsletter Archive, Fun with Pets
Camping is an increasingly popular activity for families and their pets. Many dogs and some cats enjoy traveling with their families. Here are a few tips to help make your pet's adventure into the great outdoors a success.
Research the campground or area that you are planning on visiting. Not all
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6 Rules to Improve Your Cat's Diet
Category:
Newsletter Library, Cats
Do Not Overfeed
"Obesity is the most common nutritional disease seen in cats," says Joe Bartges, DVM, PhD at the University of Tennessee's College of Veterinary Medicine. It is a common bad habit for cat owners to feed their cats too much. Cats only need 24 to 35 calories per pound of body weight each
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All About Hairballs
Category:
Newsletter Library, Cats
Does your favorite feline leave you hairballs as gifts? If so, you’re not alone. Although we love cats for being meticulous groomers, it’s safe to say we don’t like finding hairy presents around the house. Let’s explore what causes hairballs and how to prevent them.
What Causes a Hairball?
Hairballs
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5 Ways to Protect Your Dog's Hearing
Category:
Newsletter Library, Keeping Pets Healthy
The acuity of your family dog's hearing far surpasses that of humans. Hearing is a critical sense to dogs, and when diminished, will increase dependency on the sense of smell. When a dog hears something, he can hear it without moving his head. Many muscles surrounding the ears help dogs get premium sound
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Captive Reptiles May Have Nutritional Deficiency
Category:
Newsletter Library, Nutrition & Food
Pet owners keeping reptiles in captivity as household pets may sometimes find that their pets have a nutritional deficiency. Metabolic bone disease is "the most common nutritional deficiency affecting captive reptiles," advises veterinarian Fredrick L. Frye in Reptile Care: An Atlas of Diseases and Treatments.
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Bringing Dog Vision in Focus
Category:
Newsletter Library, Keeping Pets Healthy
Veterinary ophthalmologists are often asked, "How well do animals see?" Visual function involves a combination of many factors, including: the field of view, depth perception, acuity, perception of motion, and color differentiation. All of these functions must then be integrated by the brain to produce
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How to Clean Your Pet's Teeth
Category:
Newsletter Library, Keeping Pets Healthy
Per their dentist’s recommendation, most people brush their teeth twice a day and floss once a day. Practicing regular at-home care and routinely visiting an oral health professional can help prevent bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease. Having good oral hygiene practices is also essential for helping
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How to Control Bad Breath in Pets: Tips & Tricks
Category:
Newsletter Library, Keeping Pets Healthy
There’s nothing fun about getting a slobbery wet kiss from a dog or a cat with bad breath! Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is generally caused by excessive build-up of odor -producing bacteria inside your pet’s mouth, lungs, or even gut. While most cases of bad breath can be traced back to poor
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Adopting a Pet Is Just the Beginning
Category:
Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners
Your Pet's First Wellness Exam
Your veterinarian will perform several services essential to the animal's immediate and long-term well being. A typical evaluation will include blood and fecal tests to check for parasites or diseases that might require immediate treatment. Your pet may also
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Bird Grooming - Wings, Beaks & Nails
Category:
Newsletter Library, Keeping Pets Healthy
The grooming that is necessary for birds is something that may get overlooked, since typically we don't let them constantly roam freely around our houses like with other pets. However, just because they are set on a perch safe within their cages doesn't mean that their maintenance should be any less.
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Does Your Cat Need Vaccines?
Category:
Newsletter Library, Cats
In a word, yes.
“No other medical development has been as successful as vaccination in controlling deadly diseases in companion animals,” says feline veterinarian Dr. Arnold Plotnick.
The Exception
Dr. Plotnick and other veterinarians acknowledge that, rarely, vaccinations in cats have been linked
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