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AAFCO Pet Food Labeling
May 4, 2023
Pet food labeling does not provide detailed nutritional information and it’s easily misunderstood by pet owners
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Antibiotic Use in Pets
January 28, 2019
Antibiotics are useless against viruses and will not cure viral infections. Previously, people and pets with viruses were given preventive antibiotics to prevent secondary infections, but this approach is not favored anymore because of the bacteria's ability to develop antibiotic resistance.
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Chinchillas
February 5, 2020
Chinchillas are social and interactive, but also messy and destructive
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Classroom Pets: Things to Consider
October 7, 2011
Having pets in school classrooms is a somewhat controversial subject. For every good point that's raised (e.g., promoting empathy, entertainment, learning about animals and their care) there are bad points (e.g., poor environment for the pet, rough handing, disorganized or absent medical care, disease transmission, fear, allergies, distraction). Some organizations have developed detailed guidelines for using animals in classrooms, but animals are often in classrooms with little consideration of the issues.
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Degu Care
October 22, 2020
Unlike some rodents, degus are active chiefly in the daytime.
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Did You Want a Bunny for Easter?
March 30, 2024
Ask any rabbit fancier and they'll tell you what makes rabbits so great. These affectionate, high-spirited herbivores are full of mischief and games. Their amusing behavior coupled with their quiet nature and convenient size makes them wonderful house pets, for those owners who can meet their unique needs.
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Ferret Husbandry
August 25, 2021
Ferrets are complex little creatures and are interactive members of the household that need and value interaction with their families. They can build social and cognitive bonds similar to those we associate with dogs and cats. They have specific care and husbandry needs.
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Gerbil Care
June 23, 2020
Gerbils are highly social and it is unhealthy to keep one gerbil in solitude for its life.
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Guinea Pigs as Pets
September 15, 2021
They are not from Guinea and they are not pigs. They are, however, cute, easily handled, and quiet. If you are thinking of adding a guinea pig to your home, here is a primer.
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Hamsters as Pets
October 26, 2022
A very popular pet for decades, hamsters are peculiar little rodents with large cheek pouches and short stubby tails. Since their domestication, several color and hair coat varieties have arisen through selective breeding. The three basic groups which now exist include the common 'golden' hamster, colored short-haired 'fancy' hamster, and long-haired 'teddy bear' hamster. All three varieties are popular as pets.
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Head Tilt in Pet Rabbits
February 13, 2019
Head tilts in rabbits are seen with some frequency and can be caused by a variety of diseases. Another common name for head tilt is “wry neck” and the “scientific” name is vestibular disease (which can include other signs besides the head tilt). Rabbits exhibiting a head tilt also experience a loss of balance. They may fall over or walk in circles.
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Health and Husbandry of Mice
April 10, 2024
A well-outfitted mouse home includes numerous items for play and enrichment
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Hedgehogs
October 12, 2020
Hedgehogs are small animals but a large addition to the household.
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How Does Anesthesia Work?
May 19, 2020
It works by interrupting nerve signals in your pet's brain and body.
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Husbandry and Health of Rats
April 27, 2020
Rats are quiet and easy to care for, have minimal odor, and are affectionate and friendly animals. With adult supervision, they make excellent pets for children.
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Husbandry and Medical Care of Hamsters
April 22, 2020
In the right environment and with the right people, hamsters make great pets as long as you provide proper nutrition and care.
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Mouse and Rat Care
October 18, 2011
People envision many different things when thinking about rats and mice. Some consider them as vermin or pests, many envision laboratory specimens, others think of them as snake food, while a chosen population treasure them as pets. These rodents make excellent pets if they are cared for properly.
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Neutering Rabbits is Best
December 6, 2011
Everyone knows about neutering and spaying for cats and dogs, but isn't it going too far to spay or neuter a rabbit? Absolutely not. It may even be more important to for the rabbit's health to be sterilized at a young age.
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Nutrition for Ferrets
November 8, 2017
Ordinary grocery store cat food is a poor choice for ferrets. Premium dry cat foods or balanced commercial ferret diets are better choices.
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Nutrition for Small Mammals
May 17, 2018
Diet is an important part of the care of these pets and each species should have its own specific nutritional needs met. A rabbit is not a rodent is not a ferret, and so on.
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Orphaned Rabbits are Rare, But Here's What you Do
November 25, 2013
It may surprise you to find that rabbit mothers nurse their young for a total of about 5 minutes a day and leave the nest alone most of the rest of the time. This means that most of the time you should not step in when you find a bunny nest but what are the exceptions to this rule and what should you do for a true orphaned bunny?
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Pain Control for Pet Rabbits
January 16, 2012
The vast majority of veterinarians are caring professionals that are truly concerned about the health and welfare of their patients, however, some practitioners still do not use pain-relieving medications in their rabbit patients even though they routinely use these drugs in dogs and cats and surely even themselves!
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Rabbit Care
February 5, 2014
Rabbits make intelligent, friendly and quiet house pets. The average life span for a bunny is 7 to 10 years with records of up to 15 years of age reported. How can you provide the best care for your bunny?
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Rabbit Care Questions and Answers
January 5, 2011
Can rabbits eat cat or dog food? What do rabbit owners need to know before visiting the veterinarian? How can you tell if your rabbit is overheating, getting the right diet, or is healthy? Get your questions answered!
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Rabbit Gastrointestinal Stasis
December 13, 2010
Many rabbit owners are familiar with gastrointestinal (GI) stasis and its common causes. Stasis is a stoppage or slowing of blood, body fluids, or intestinal contents. Rabbit owners are aware that GI stasis is not a disease per se, but rather it is a common symptom of many rabbit diseases.
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Rabbit Pee Carries E. cuniculi
February 16, 2017
E. cuniculi is one of a group of microorganisms that became much more important when the HIV/AIDS epidemic hit.
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Rat Dental Incisors
July 30, 2010
If your rat's teeth do not meet properly (malocclusion), keeping teeth trimmed to a normal length is necessary to maintain normal function. Some overgrown teeth will block the ability to eat properly, but others can grow outward and make it easy to snag the tooth and break it.
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Rodent Reproductive Patterns
July 9, 2007
When are male rats sexually mature? (6 to 10 weeks of age.) How many ejacul*tions per mating does a guinea pig have? (1, but a rat has 7). How long is the estrus cycle of a female mouse? (4 to 5 days). Learn about the reproductive patterns of rats, mice, and guinea pigs.
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Urinary Stones in Guinea Pigs
March 16, 2022
Urinary stones, also known as uroliths, are common in guinea pigs.These stones are rock-hard masses of minerals that have crystallized in the urine, andcan be found anywhere along the urinary tract.Learn to recognize the signs and bring your guinea pig to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
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Vegetables and Fruits for a Rabbit Diet
January 16, 2012
Fresh foods are also an important part of your rabbit's diet and they provide additional nutrients as well as different textures and tastes. Fresh foods also provide more moisture in the diet, which is good for kidney and bladder function. The bulk of fresh foods should be made up of leafy greens (about 75% of the fresh part of the diet). Any leafy green that is safe for a human or a horse to eat is safe for a rabbit to consume.
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Vitamin C Supplements for Guinea Pigs
January 28, 2020
Guinea pigs who do not receive enough vitamin C in their diet can suffer from vitamin C deficiency (commonly known as scurvy in humans). What foods and supplements are best sources of vitamin C for your guinea pig?
