| Additional notes of interest
You work out, you eat right, you get plenty of sleep. What else can you do to maintain a healthy lifestyle? How about getting a pet? Studies have shown that the strong emotional bonds that form between pets and their owners can relieve depression, lower blood pressure, and may promote cardiac health.
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| Aquarium maintenance
There are several elements to consider when creating and maintaining a fresh-water aquarium. First, though aquariums are available in various shapes, a rectangular one is advantageous because it allows the most oxygen to reach the fish.
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| Bird care
Proper bird care consists of three main factors: housing, nutrition, and sanitation. A bird's cage should be large enough for the bird to fully extend its wings and have enough room to exercise.
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| Boarding a pet
There are several factors to consider when boarding a pet. First, the facility should be clean and well-maintained, and you should be allowed to fully inspect the premises.
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| Breeding and reproduction
With the worldwide surplus of unwanted animals, pet owners are strongly advised to breed only if good homes can be provided for the offspring. If breeding is to take place, the appropriate time to do so must be decided.
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| Cardiac care
Believe it or not, the majority of heart disease in dogs and cats is caused by dental problems. Animals on a diet of soft food don't get the chewing exercise they need.
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| Caring for your fish
The most important factor of proper fish care is maintaining a well-running aquarium. It should have clean, well-oxygenated water of a consistent temperature, and be free of wastes and chemicals.
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| Caring for your new kitten
Preparing for your new kitten's arrival is the first step in providing a new, comfortable environment and a means of making your home safe for pets. Before you bring your new kitten home, think carefully about possible hazards around your home.
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| Caring for your new puppy
There are many ways to prepare for the arrival of a new puppy. Once the puppy is weaned and you have brought it home, be sure that it has adequate warmth and a dry place to sleep.
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| Common cat problems
There are certain behavioral and medical problems associated primarily with cats. Included among these are house soiling, destructive scratching, and hair balls.
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| Common dog problems
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the most common problems in dogs include failure to have dogs vaccinated, overpopulation caused by not spaying and neutering, and obesity.
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| Eye problems in pets
You can tell a lot about your pet's health by looking into it's eyes. Many diseases, cataracts, and infections can cause problems with your pet's eyes.
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| Feline urological syndrome
Feline bladder disease or feline urological (yer-row-logical) syndrome is a disorder of a cat's urinary tract. It is characterized by the presence of mineral crystals (often called 'sand') which can irritate the lining of the urinary tract, plug the urethra (yer-ree-thruh), and form bladder stones.
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| Fleas and ticks
Fleas and ticks are external parasites often found on dogs and cats. Because they are responsible for a vast majority of the illnesses and disorders seen in these pets, special attention should be made to treat and prevent them.
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| Gerbils and guinea pigs
Gerbils and guinea pigs have the same basic needs as other pets, but require less maintenance. Care of these pets consists primarily of a clean, appropriate house and a nutritional diet.
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| Heart disease
Heart disease is one of the most frequent problems seen in veterinary medicine. Because heart problems can also result in poor circulation, high blood pressure and even heart failure, special attention should be paid to treating a pet with this disease.
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| Heartworms
Heartworms are a serious disease of an animal's cardiopulmonary (kar-dee-o-PULL-mah-nare-ee) system and generally affect dogs. Worm larvae (LAR-vee) are carried by mosquitoes which ingest the infected blood of one animal and transfer the disease to healthy animals through bites.
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| How do you determine which teeth will be pulled?
Pulling a pet's teeth is a last resort, and only a veterinarian can determine if it's necessary. If you give your pet proper dental care, it probably won't be.
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| Pet ear infections
Red, swollen, painful ears, detectable ear odor, and drainage are all signs of possible ear infection and inflammation of the ear canal. These infections are not uncommon, and there are many ways for ear problems to develop.
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| Pet first aid
All pet owners should have a basic knowledge of first aid in order to recognize emergency situations and temporarily manage them until the pet can be taken to a veterinarian.
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| Pet nutrition and care
The increasing use of commercially-prepared foods instead of table scraps has greatly improved the nutrition of dogs and cats, but care should be taken to chose the brand best suited to your pet.
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| Reptiles
Several types of reptiles, including snakes, lizards, and turtles, are kept as pets. Though they can be dangerous, reptiles are advantageous because they require very little attention.
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| Routine check-ups for pets
One thing our pets cannot always do is let us know when they are sick. That's why regular visits to the veterinarian are so important. During a check-up, your veterinarian will often take your pet's weight and temperature along with asking you any questions about your animal's behavior and diet.
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| Selecting the right pet
There are several factors to consider when trying to select the right pet. These include the size of your home and yard, the amount of money you want to invest, and the time and attention you can give the pet.
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| Skin disorders
There are four main skin disorders commonly seen in dogs and cats. These include excessive itching, hair loss, bacterial skin disease, and skin lumps.
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| Spaying and neutering
Spaying and neutering are the most popular forms of birth control for animals. Spaying is a procedure used for female pets in which the internal reproductive organs are removed.
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| Weight problems in pets
Obesity is a common nutritional problem for dogs and cats, especially for females and older breeds. Overweight pets are often fed too much and lack adequate exercise.
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| What will be done when my pet's teeth are cleaned?
If you feed your pet dry food, occasional raw bones, and brush its teeth frequently, it should never develop dental problems. But even the most careful pet owner can occasionally discover that your beloved dog or cat has teeth that need cleaning.
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| Why should I be concerned about tartar on my pet's teeth?
When you visit the dentist, you probably have your teeth cleaned to remove tartar. In humans, tartar leads to gum disease, which can result in infection.
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| Worms
Because treatment for worms can be both dangerous for the pet and expensive for the owner, preventing worms is the best way to deal with the problem. Cats and dogs are susceptible to at least two kinds of worms: intestinal and heart worms.
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