PET HEALTH CARE ARTICLES
Sugar gliders are small, nocturnal mammals with a social and curious nature. They are also marsupials, meaning they possess a pouch in which the female raises her young. This handout describes the sugar glider's physical and behavioral characteristics along with recommendations for choosing one to be your pet.
Due to their well-deserved reputation as escape artists, ferrets should be housed in a cage that can be securely closed and/or locked. They also need a safe, "ferret-proofed" play area or room where they can explore and investigate while supervised.
Chinchillas are generally hardy animals but are susceptible to several unique health conditions; understanding them will help you care for your pet and manage potential health problems. This handout describes the most common conditions seen in pet chinchillas.
A cat’s ability to smell is far more advanced than ours. The Jacobson’s organ, located inside the nasal cavity, opens into the roof of the mouth behind the upper incisors and serves as a secondary olfactory system designed for chemical communication related to mating. Cats use their keen sense of smell, along with a visual assessment, to provide vital information about a new feline acquaintance. The way cats sniff rear ends can establish which of two cats is dominant and set the foundation of their relationship.
Cats are always going to lick but it is sometimes embarrassing when they lick their private parts. Licking after eliminating is normal; however, if your cat licks more frequently or you notice other signs such as discharge, swollen or red penis, vulva, or anus, pustules, discoloration of the skin, or you observe your cat straining to urinate, see your veterinarian for help. Appropriate medical therapy can reduce your cat’s discomfort.
Punishment is not recommended as a training or behavior management tool for pets. It can cause fear, frustration, and even aggression. Using punishment can seriously damage a pet’s relationship with people. Training should focus on teaching desirable behaviors rather than on simply stopping undesirable ones. When pets exhibit undesirable behaviors, it is important to determine and address the underlying reason for the behavior.
Turning around before bedtime has its origin mostly in evolutionary history where cat ancestors were practicing these habits for health or protection. These innate habits remain in their genetic code to this day but if your cat is seeming to be doing it excessively, it could be a sign of underlying medical problems, such as arthritis of neurological disorders. Contact your veterinarian if your cat appears to have difficulty settling down.
But whiskers are more than just facial enhancements. They serve an important function. Whiskers are finely tuned sensory equipment that guide a cat through daily functions. These specialized hairs aid vision and help a cat navigate the environment, providing additional sensory input, much like antennae on insects.
Pets readily learn to engage in appropriate, desired behaviors through positive reinforcement methods. Reward-based training improves communication and provides enrichment for pets and people alike.
Many pets are sensitive to being restrained for grooming. With slow progress and positive rewards, your pet can learn to accept or even enjoy having their teeth cleaned.
