Prepare your house for your pet's arrival. A special place should be designated for it to eat, sleep, and eliminate. Obtain any necessary accessories (eg, collar, leash, ID tag, crate, cage, aquarium and dishes) before you bring your pet home. For most pets, you will need to pet-proof your home just as you would child-proof your home to avoid accidents. Harmful cleansers, plants, electrical cords, and breakable objects should be kept out of reach. Open windows should be screened.
Roaming pets are prime candidates for fights with other animals, traffic accidents, and communicable diseases from other animals. Their life span can be expected to be considerably shorter as a result.
Most pets are strictly indoor pets and are perfectly content, as long as they have access to food and fresh water at all times. AVMA strongly recommends that for a healthier, happier pet you consider keeping your pets indoors only. If your pet must go outside, make sure you know where it is at all times, that the pet is old enough to manage on its own, that it is identified in some fashion (microchip ID or breakaway collar and tag), current on vaccinations, and not outdoors in extremely cold, hot, or inclement weather.
If you don't want your pet in certain areas of the house, start training it immediately to avoid those areas. When choosing where your pet will sleep, keep in mind some pets are nocturnal animals and will be active at night. Placing soft bedding materials in secluded corners will help your pet to feel at home.
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Salamanders
Category:
Choosing Your Pet, Exotics, Amphibians
Salamanders make great pets. They’re ideal for apartment residents because they’re quiet. They don’t take up a lot of room because they’re small. They don’t need a background to run around like a dog. They don’t require a lot of personal attention, so they’re also perfect for busy working
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Macaws
Category:
Choosing Your Pet, Exotics, Birds
If you've decided to enter the entertaining world of bird ownership, you may be thinking about adopting a macaw. These giants of the parrot world make fun companions, but here are some things you should consider before making that purchase.
What You Should Know About Macaw Ownership
Macaws can make a
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Cockatoos
Category:
Choosing Your Pet, Exotics, Birds
If you're looking for a lively, affectionate, intelligent pet, you don't have to limit yourself to a dog or cat. Members of the Cacatuidae family, better known as cockatoos, can provide those qualities in abundance. However, before you bring a cockatoo home for the first time, you need to understand
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Parrots
Category:
Choosing Your Pet, Exotics, Birds
If you’re thinking of adding a feathered friend to your family, you might be surprised at what it takes to care of this type of pet. While parrots are highly intelligent and fun pets, there are a few aspects that make them more difficult to care for than a cat or dog. Here’s what you need to know
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How to Help Your New Cat Feel Welcomed in Your Home
Category:
Newsletter Library, Cats
Adopting a cat or kitten? Here's what you can do to help your cat adjust to its new home.
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Box Turtles
Category:
Choosing Your Pet, Exotics, Reptiles, Turtles, Choosing Your Pet, Exotics
North American box turtles are mainly terrestrial turtles, although they do spend some time in shallow water (Asian box turtles tend to be a bit more aquatic). Compared to aquatic turtles such as red eared sliders, they are more challenging and complex pets, and are not the best choice for beginning
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Fleas
Category:
Pet Health, Pests and Parasites, Pet Health
A common parasite, fleas are found in almost every area of the world and can be found on dogs, cats, and many other mammals. They survive year to year even in cold climates because they live on pets, in buildings, and on wild animals.
There are four stages to the flea life cycle. Eggs are laid by an
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Hypothyroidism
Category:
Pet Health, Chronic Conditions, Pet Health
Hypothyroidism is the natural deficiency of thyroid hormone and is the most common hormone imbalance of dogs. This deficiency is produced by several different mechanisms. The most common cause (at least 95% of cases) is immune destruction of the thyroid gland. It can also be caused by natural atrophy
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Most Common Digestive Issues in Dogs and How to Relieve Them
Category:
Newsletter Library, Nutrition & Food
Do you know which digestive issues are most common in dogs?
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Glaucoma in Cats
Category:
Newsletter Library, Cats
Do you know the signs of glaucoma in cats?
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Keep Your Pets Safe From Toxic Household Items
Category:
Newsletter Library, Pet Dangers
Do you know which household items can sicken your pet?
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Preventing Obesity in Cats
Category:
Newsletter Library, Cats
Even one extra pound could affect your pet's health. Find out how you can keep your cat slim and trim.
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Pet Dental Care - Tips to Manage Your Pet’s Oral Health
Category:
Newsletter Library, Keeping Pets Healthy
Do you know how to keep your pet's teeth and gums healthy?
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Learn How to Master Walking Your Dog for Walk Your Pet Month
Category:
Newsletter Library, Seasonal Topics
Does your dog need a little help walking on a leash?
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Bringing a New Pet in the Home in the New Year
Category:
Newsletter Library, Seasonal Topics
Are you planning on adding a pet to your family this year? These tips will help you prepare for the arrival of your furry, feathered, or finned friend.
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Cold Symptoms in Dogs
Category:
Newsletter Library, Keeping Pets Healthy
Could your sneezing, sniffling dog have a cold?
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