When you hear the phrase domesticated animals, you probably automatically think of cats or dogs. But, what about fennec foxes, prairie dogs, pigs, sugar gliders, and even skunks? Although it’s not very common, each of these animals can also be domesticated. More and more people are opting out of getting a traditional pet and deciding to add a more unusual addition to their family.
Before you decide to become an owner of one of these animals, it’s important that you take into consideration the special care it will need compared to other, more typical pets. You will also need to review your state’s laws and regulations to make sure that it is legal to own one of these animals. Select one of the articles below to find out more about the options you have for domesticated animals as well as what they eat, what type of habitat they need, and more.
-
Deciding to Spay or Neuter Your Pet
Category:
Newsletter Library, Visiting the Vet
Spaying and neutering your pet is a common practice in the United States. With so many animals in the United States (and around the world) nÂeeding homes, spaying or neutering your pet is the responsible way to help end pet homelessness.
Spaying and neutering (also referred to as "sterilizing" or
Read more
-
De-Skunking Your Dog
Category:
Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners
De-Skunk Your House
Now that you have gotten the smell off of your dog, you will need to get the smell out of your house. The same solution that is described above works both for dogs and for items around your house such as carpets, couches, etc. However, the peroxide in the solution can
Read more
-
Canine Environmental Enrichment
Category:
Newsletter Library, Newsletter Archive, Fun with Pets
Does your dog like to bark, dig and chew everything in his line of sight? Before you panic and head straight for doggy boot camp, the solution may be simpler than you think. Just as humans do, dogs get bored. Unlike humans, however, dogs have fewer means of passing the time. Instead, bored dogs can develop
Read more
-
Assisting Anxious Pets
Category:
Newsletter Library, Behavior & Training
Pet anxiety can be a huge problem for pets and their families. Being home alone for several hours a day while their humans are at school or work can cause separation anxiety. Thunderstorms and fireworks can also really panic pets. Some pets are so anxious that any new situation (car trips, moving, unexpected
Read more
-
Does Your Young Dog or Puppy Have Pain or Lameness?
Category:
Newsletter Library, Keeping Pets Healthy
Young puppies are expected to be full of life and energy. They are enthusiastic about playtime, walks and exercise. Puppies will often follow you wherever you go, can disrupt your nap or quiet time in their excitement to show you something new, and be always ready for playtime and fun. When puppies and
Read more
-
A Tired Dog is a Happy Dog
Category:
Newsletter Library, Newsletter Archive, Fun with Pets
No species on earth varies as much as the domestic dog. Dogs can weigh two pounds or two hundred pounds. We have developed different breeds of dogs to fit all kinds of different occupations. Some dogs such as retrievers are bred to return things to us. Herding breeds such as border collies have been
Read more
-
A Moving Experience
Category:
Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners
Did You Know?
Fish are the only pets that require no certificates or permits of any sort when they are relocated from one state to another. The more exotic the pet, the more complex the regulations are surrounding its entry into a new state of residence.
Moving, whether across the street or
Read more
-
Does Your Family Have a Dog Theft Prevention Strategy?
Category:
Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners
Finding Lost Pets
Losing a pet can be a heartbreaking experience that devastates entire families. Keep medical history and information about medical conditions with you at all times, always have current photos of your pet and be able to describe coat color/markings.
Read more
-
Creepy, Crawly Critters
Category:
Newsletter Library, Fleas & Parasites
There are many parasites we need be concerned about that can affect our pets. Ticks are one of the most common and frightful. Most people shudder just at the thought of a tick, let alone finding one on their pet or in their house. Unfortunately, the people who study these things tell us we should expect
Read more
-
Assistance Dogs Offer Many Benefits
Category:
Newsletter Library, Newsletter Archive, Unbelievable Pets
Assistance dogs are not just for blind or visually impaired people. Today, these dogs help people with a range of conditions enjoy full lives.
Guide Dogs
Guide dogs, also known as Seeing Eye dogs, help blind and visually impaired people live independent lives. These dogs "see" for their owners and
Read more
-
Can Pets Sense Pregnancy?
Category:
Newsletter Library, Newsletter Archive, Unbelievable Pets
Your pets probably don't understand that in nine months a new baby will be joining your family, but dogs and cats do detect differences in mood, posture, behavior, and body chemistry that clue them that an enormous change is happening.
Your dog or cat will pick up other signs, too: Our four legged
Read more
-
Creating A Pet Friendly Yard
Category:
Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners
Yard Plants Can Be Toxic
"A few usual plants you might never think to suspect are baby's breath (for dogs and cats), elephant ears (for dogs and cats), and grapefruit (toxic to dogs, cats and horses)," says Caitlin Williams in Pets and Backyard Poisons.
Jenna Trethewey, a care
Read more
-
Does Your Bird Need a Blankie?
Category:
Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners
The answer to that is …it depends on the situation. Some birds prefer to remain uncovered during bedtime; where as other birds cannot sleep without their "security blankets".
On average, birds need about 12 hours of good, quality sleep each night to remain in peak condition. Much like
Read more
-
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
Read more
-
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
Read more
-
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
Read more