How to Teach Your Dog to Like Getting Their Teeth Brushed

While dogs aren’t prone to cavities to the degree that their human companions are, they can certainly develop tartar, plaque and gingivitis. Not only do these issues cause foul breath and discomfort, they put your pet at risk for tooth decay and dental infections that can lead to cardiovascular disease. Unlike children, however, it’s not enough to chide your pooch about his or her brushing habits, and very few pets are ready and willing to “open wide” without a bit of preparation and training.

Most dogs are not comfortable with unfamiliar handling. Before beginning to work on a brushing schedule, it can be helpful to take a few weeks to get your pet used to the basic idea of having your fingers in his or her mouth. Many veterinarians recommend starting with a damp, clean cloth. It’s also a good idea to choose the right time. After exercise or before bed are typically good moments: a tired-out puppy is less likely to put up too much of a fuss.

Once you have your dog secured and comfortable, flip up the lips to expose teeth and gums, wet the edge of the cloth, and using your index finger rub it gently in a circular motion. Make sure to speak in a calm, soothing voice as you do this. If he or she becomes impatient at first, it’s fine to stop for the moment and give out a treat. This allows your pet to become gradually accustomed to brushing, and helps him or her to begin to associate brushing with positive feedback. Over the next few weeks, continue to practice, slowly lengthening the amount of time you spend cleaning.

When you feel that your pet is ready, you can begin to experiment with actual brushing. While some people prefer to use a soft-bristled children’s brush, you might also consider using a rubber finger brush. You should be able to get recommendations from your veterinarian, or pick one up from a well-stocked pet store. Using the above training technique, a finger brush offers an easy transition from the cloth massage to actual brushing.

To begin, squeeze out a small amount of doggie toothpaste onto the brush, and let your dog lick it off, to become accustomed to the taste. Then, use the same steps as before: flip up the lips and gently rub in a slow, circular motion. If your pet becomes irritable or uncomfortable at this new procedure, make sure to once again start, stop, reward and slowly increase the amount of time you spend cleaning. With a little patience and a little time, you should eventually build up enough trust to give your dog the dental hygiene they deserve. For more information on dental hygiene for dogs, visit this website of an emergency animal clinic in Morgan Hill.

How to Cat Proof Your House

Before you pick the perfect feline for your family, you must prepare your home so it is a safe place for your pawed pet to live in and explore. Follow these steps to cat proof your house.

• Put the toilet lid down so your cat doesn’t fall in. Young, old, and injured cats are susceptible to drowning.
• Keep medications and toxic cleaners in a secure place and get rid of poisonous plants. If your cat is allowed outside or in the garage, lock up lawn and garden chemicals, paint, pest poisons, and antifreeze.
• Install child-proof latches on all the cabinets and drawers in the house.
• Don’t display fragile objects. If they get knocked over and break, your kitty may step or chew on the shattered pieces.
• Put the trash away. Keep trash bags and other plastic bags in a safe place because they are suffocation risks.
• Unplug and bundle electrical cords and keep curtain and blinds cords out of reach.
• Make sure your screen doors and window screens are sturdy so your cat can’t get out.
• Check the dryer, dresser drawers, and other dark places for your cat before closing them. Keep them closed so your cat can’t hide inside.
• Remove tablecloths and table settings to prevent a curious kitty from making a messy, dangerous disaster.
• Avoid using candles. Your cat can easily catch on fire or knock the candles down.
• Properly store yarn, floss, fishing line, rubber bands, and other string-like items so your kitty doesn’t eat them.

Your cat will be healthy and happy in such a safe environment with loving people. To learn more about a veterinarian for cats in San Jose, visit this website.

Secrets to Good Feline Health

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Top 5 Rodent Pets

Inquisitive, active, and often surprisingly intelligent, many types of rodents make excellent companions. These five pint-sized pets are among the most popular in the U.S.

1. Hamsters

With their big eyes, stubby tails and stocky bodies, hamsters are one of the most common types of rodent pets. Hamsters are highly active, and love running though tunnels, playing with chew toys, and hitting the exercise wheel.

2. Rats

While they get a lot of bad press, rats are among the most intelligent rodent pets. Not only can they learn tricks, many of them are extremely affectionate, and will even come to their owner when called by name.

3. Degus

Also known as brush-tailed rats, adorable degus are intelligent and personable. Unlike many other rodents, which are primarily nocturnal, degus are active during the day, and highly vocal. While less common than their cousins, these pets do have the advantage of living longer than domestic rats (6-8 years vs. 2-3).

4. Chinchillas

Cute, cuddly and curious, chinchillas are relatively long-lived, with an average lifespan of 8-10 years. They are a bit more skittish than other rodents, but can be affectionate when handled gently from an early age. These pets keep clean by rolling energetically in finely ground pumice, much like their wild Chilean relatives.

5. Guinea Pigs

One of the easiest rodents to care for, Guinea pigs are extremely friendly by nature, making them ideal for families with children. They require a very modest living space, but do need a constant supply of chewing hay to keep teeth in check, as well as a daily dose of vitamin C. Visit this website to learn more about a veterinarian for rodents in San Jose.

Littermate Syndrome

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Too cute: Disney’s Doc McStuffins Opens a Pet Vet!

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A Rare and Beautiful Breed

This gorgeous, rare Carolina dog is North America’s oldest canine species and shares genes with the Australian Dingo and New Guinea Singing Dog. The social hierarchy rules of this breed make it a better fit for veteran dog owners.

Most Popular Mice Breed as Pets

Any mouse can be made into a pet, but some make a better choice than others. So, before you decide to capture that mouse that has been making a home in your attic and claim his as your pet, take a few minutes to learn more about the most popular pet mice breeds.

The mouse you see up in your attic is a wild mouse. This type of mouse is not domesticated and isn’t used to being caged. Making a wild mouse into a pet would be like trying to make a wolf into your family dog. It just won’t end up very good. Not only do wild mice lack that natural affection and compatible behavior that a domesticated mouse does, but they also may carry diseases. Your better bet for a pet mouse is to go to the pet store or to a reputable breeder.

Sellers generally offer two main breeds of mice as pets – white and fancy. Both breeds are domesticated and bred for captivity. They have been raised to interact nicely with humans and to understand that humans won’t hurt them. They lack the natural fear that a wild mouse has because they know they can rely on humans to feed and care for them.

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Keep Your Chinchilla Health and Happy With Regular Baths

Chinchillas require very specific and unique care that differs from other household pets. In particular, you cannot give your chinchilla a water bath like other pets because their heavy coats are impossible to air dry and can produce fungus and fur erosion. Below is some important information on how to bathe your pet.

Purchasing Dust

In the wild, volcanic rocks are eroded into dust, which chinchillas collect in their fur. The dust then absorbs dirt, oils and other particles, leaving the fur clean. Because the dust found in the wild is unique, it is important that you purchase the appropriate dust from a respected retailer. The dust should be collected naturally and contain no added chemicals that could harm your pet.

Selecting a Container

When looking for a container for your chinchilla’s bath, you can use a non-tipping bowl or deep dish. However, a fish bowl or a specifically designed bathing house may be more adequate. Your chinchilla is likely going to bathe excitedly, and you want to prevent a larger mess than necessary. Therefore, a more enclosed container will keep your home cleaner.

Bathing Your Chinchilla

Once you have gathered the appropriate tools, you can bathe your chinchilla two ways. First, after purchasing a dust house, you will fill it with approximately 1 inch of dust. Then you will gently remove the chinchilla from its cage and place it in the bath. Secondly, you can fill the bathing container with dust and place it in its cage. This is likely cleaner and less stressful for the pet.