FAQ |
Below are listed some of the Frequently Asked Questions from our Customers. Read o and if you do not find the Question you are looking for feel free to Contact Us so as to answer any question you may have. Details on how to Contact us can be found on the Contact Us link to the left menu. Which is the right Pet for Me? To choose the suitable pet for you can be very complex. There are many factors you need to take into consideration before deciding the pet you will adopt. Firstly you should ask yourself "why do you want a pet animal"? Is it a companion you require or just another living creature to care for? You need to evaluate your living space. How much room do you have? Will your lifestyle be compatible with your choice of pet? Have you enough money in your budget to afford the ongoing and any veterinary or emergency costs? Next, if you are part of a family, each member should decide, and agree realistically, how much responsibility and time they will have to spend with the pet. Another consideration is the medical history and fears (especially allergies) of everyone in your household or regular welcome visitors. If you live alone, this task is, of course, a lot easier. Lastly, before you choose a pet, do your homework. How? But of course surfing to our Pet Profiles Section and reading on and on about all pet needs, temperament, colors etc. Find out what the animal and breed you are considering is like. Investigate breed-specific behaviours. This is really important with pet animals that have been bred over the centuries for certain characteristics. Why my dog seems to eat grass sometimes? Eating grass is basically a normal behavior for dogs. They commonly vomit after eating grass, they eat grass in order to vomit. They may have an upset stomach or have eaten something bad and thus feel compelled to induce vomiting. You should not discourage your dog from eating grass when he feels so inclined, unless your dog is eating grass excessively, it's really not a concern and you needn't be worried about it. How great is the sense of smell in dogs? A dog's sense of smell is, indeed, very great. In fact, their sense of smell is about 50 to 100 times more powerful than a human's. Puppies are born with their eyes closed and greatly rely on their sense of smell to survive. My dog scratches a lot. I've tried using flea powder and I give him frequent baths, but I don't see any signs of fleas and yet he's still scratching. What could be wrong? Since you've ruled out fleas, it sounds like your dog may very well be suffering from dry skin. Depending on just how frequently you're giving him baths, it may be too often and that may contributing to his condition. Most dogs will do best with a bath no more than once a month. In addition, you can add some vegetable oil to his food. At what age should housetraining begin? Most people take home puppies around the age of 2 months and, given that, it's really never too early to start housetraining. One of the best ways to get started is to pick up your puppy if you notice him starting to go the bathroom and carry him outside where you want him to go. Be sure to reward him well, and he'll no doubt begin to learn simply by association. Just keep in mind that housetraining can take a great deal of patience and understanding. I have a cat whose young, about three years old, but it seems that her whiskers are falling out. Should I be concerned about this? Dandruff is typically not a serious problem. With cats it can sometimes be an indication that they're not getting enough fat in their diet, which can occur with many generic or low quality foods. You can try switching to a better quality food or even adding a fish oil supplement to your cat's diet to see if the dandruff improves. If the dandruff includes scabs, crusting or itching, or if your cat is not eating or appears particularly lethargic, this can be a sign of a more serious problem and you should take him to your veterinarian. Why do cats sleep so much? On average, cats sleep about 16 hours a day, which equates to about two-thirds of their life. In fact, cats get more sleep than virtually any other animal, about twice as much as most mammals. Thus, sleeping is simply a normal behavior for cats. Just how much a particular cat will sleep, however, can depend upon many factors, including their age, their degree of hunger, their sense of security, the temperature and the weather. My cat seems to be getting more aggressive as she gets older. Is this normal? It's not uncommon for cats to become more aggressive as they age, either toward people or other pets. It is, however, important that you have your cat checked by your veterinarian. There are many medical problems that can lead to an increase in aggression, including arthritis pain, a loss of hearing or vision, and a number of diseases effecting the nervous system. If there are any medical conditions present, treating them can help to change your older cat's behavior. Certain stresses or changes, such as a move, can also lead to aggression. Are there some breeds of dogs that are better suited for homes with children? Just how well a particular dog will get along with children depends a lot on how that dog was raised. Dogs need to be introduced to and socialized well with children from an early age in order to get along with them. Nevertheless, there are some dog breeds believed to be just naturally better suited for children. The age of the children, however, is also an important factor. For small children, you'd generally want to avoid large, boisterous breeds like German Shepherds or Bullmastiffs, though these breeds may be ideal for older children. On the other hand, small or toy dogs can do well with children, particularly older, considerate children, but many will not tolerate the antics of young or ill-behaved children. A few breeds that many believe to be good with children include Beagles, Bearded Collies, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Boston Terriers, Bulldogs, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Newfoundlands, Pugs, Samoyeds, Siberian Huskies, Springer Spaniels and, of course, the all-time family favorites, Golden Retrievers and Black Labs. Keep in mind, though, that just because a particular breed is believed to be good with children, there are no guarantees. All dogs need to be well socialized and trained. How long does a dog's pregnancy usually last? The average gestation period lasts between 60 and 65 days. Smaller breeds may have shorter gestation periods while larger dogs may have longer ones. My dog has had diarrhea for several days, but otherwise seems fine. Should I be concerned? Any type of diarrhea that lasts that long needs to be addressed. One of the main concerns with diarrhea is the threat of dehydration. Dehydration can become dangerous and cause further complications. You should make certain that your dog is getting lots of water, and have your dog examined by your veterinarian. How often should cats get a check up at the vet? One check up per year is usually sufficient for most cats, though more frequent check ups may be required for cats with chronic medical conditions. In addition, older cats may need to be seen more frequently, usually twice yearly. How can you get an overweight cat to lose weight? A reduction in caloric intake is necessary for an overweight cat to lose weight and, if possible, an increase in activity. You can start by reducing the quantity of your cat's food by one quarter. It may also help to divide your cat's food into several small meals given throughout the day if he seems overly hungry once you've decreased the amount. Also be aware of the amount of treats you're giving to your cat on a given day and try decreasing these as well. How can you train a cat to stop going to the bathroom throughout the house and to use the litter box instead? If a cat is going to the bathroom throughout the house, first have him checked by your veterinarian to make sure that he doesn't have a urinary tract infection. Once that has been ruled out, try confining the cat to a small area like a bathroom or cat carrier, making certain that the cat has a litter box, food, and water. You can slowly increase the amount of space allowed to the cat once he starts successfully using the litter box. Make sure that you're consistent and, if a mistake occurs, go back a step and repeat the process. How many times a day do kittens need to be fed? Kittens need to be fed about 3 to 4 times a day or else have their food left down so that they can eat freely of their own choice. During your kitten's repeated visits to the veterinarian for his vaccinations, he should be weighed and your veterinarian can tell you whether the kitten needs to eat more, less or the same. What type of food should I feed my kitten? Kittens generally do best on a growth diet which provides more fat and protein than an adult maintenance diet. Whatever you decide to feed your kitten, be sure to monitor him to see if he tolerates the diet, is growing adequately, has a shiny coat, or if he could be allergic to the diet. |