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.
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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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Lameness in Horses
Category:
Newsletter Library, Equine
Horse lameness is a condition that occurs when a horse is unable to move normally. While the majority of horse lameness is related to the foot, this condition may be caused by problems in a horse’s bones, muscles, nerves, tendons or ligaments. Repetitive injuries, infection, poor nutrition, tooth problems,
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Do I Have to Vaccinate My Pet?
Category:
Newsletter Library, Keeping Pets Healthy
Not sure if your furry friend really needs those vaccinations? Skipping them can cause serious health problems - for your pet and you.
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Understanding Renal Failure in Cats
Category:
Newsletter Library, Cats
Acute renal failure and chronic renal failure are two health problems that commonly affect cats. Acute renal failure can affect cats at any age; emergency care is essential to treating this condition and saving a cat’s life. Chronic renal failure typically occurs in senior cats. According to the American
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