Going out to eat can be such fun, but if your pooch looks up at you with big, soulfully sad eyes as you walk out the door bringing on the guilts, perhaps the time has come to take your pet with you. Yes, doggie dining may be available in a restaurant near you. Europeans either love their dogs more or simply turn the other way when it comes to health codes. Local health codes do not allow dogs in restaurants with the exception of seeing-eye dogs making it impossible for adoring pet owners to dine out with their pooch. However slow Americans have been to the European trend of doggie dining, ther... [continue reading]

Guinea pigs are talkative little animals. It is easy to know when they want food, for they will call – or rather whistle-to you, ‘wheep-wheep!’ A slower, less continuous whistle means they are protesting about something, and when they are anxious their teeth chatter, or they make a shuddering ‘Brrrrr!’ A cheerful ‘chut-chut-chut!’ means they are busy exploring, and when contented, perhaps while being stroked, they make a soft bubbling sound. You will be able to recognize these sounds when you have had your guinea pigs a little while, and understand bet... [continue reading]

Before breeding guinea pigs you must make sure you can find good homes for the babies, where they will be well looked after. Guinea pigs are one of the easier pets to breed, because the mother carries the babies safe inside her until they are fully developed. They are born with full coats of hair and eyes open, and are running about within an hour. When should a sow have her first litter? She can mate at eight weeks old, but this is not good, because the babies may not be strong. On the other hand, it is important she has her first litter before she is 10 months old, or she will have difficult... [continue reading]

On the whole, guinea pigs have very good health and rarely get ill. But if they do get ill, they are not good at getting well again. So it is important to watch for the first signs of illness, and never put off taking a sick guinea pig to the veterinary surgeon. There are some of the illnesses guinea pigs can suffer from, and a little advice about what to do. But remember, only the vet can give you the best advice. The guinea pig is off its food, and makes almost no droppings. It may have constipation, which is most often caused by the food being too dry. Try giving more vegetables for a day ... [continue reading]

It is not essential to groom short-haired or rough-haired guinea pigs, but it is a good idea to give them a gentle brush once a week. They enjoy it, it makes them more friendly, and it gets rid of loose hairs when they are moulting. A long-haired guinea pig needs grooming every day if possible, because its hair gets very tangled and dirty. Tangles can be teased out with a comb before brushing. Badly matted hair has to be cut away with blunt-ended scissors. Be gentle when you groom your guinea pigs, and be careful not to poke their eyes with the brush. Guinea pigs’ eyes can easily get hur... [continue reading]

It is important to keep the hutch clean and dry if the guinea pigs are to be healthy. Guinea pigs like to be clean, and would be miserable living in a damp, dirty hutch. Once a day Remove uneaten food and wash dishes. Check there is enough bedding hay —the guinea pigs may have eaten it. Every other day Clear out dirty wood chips, throw on compost heap or in dustbin, and put down fresh. Once a week After clearing out the dirty wood chips, wash the floor and dry well before putting down fresh wood chips. Once a month Scrub the whole hutch out thoroughly with a teaspoon of mild disinfectant in... [continue reading]

Wild guinea pigs spend a lot of time roaming about in search of food. Your guinea pigs have all their food brought to them, but they still need the exercise they would get if they had to find it for themselves. In warm, dry weather your guinea pigs can run free in the garden if it is well walled or fenced in. But check first that there are no gaps through which they could squeeze, and that there are no cats or dogs around, which might attack them. Guinea pigs have no way of defending themselves, except by hiding. A safer way of giving guinea pigs exercise is to use a portable run which can be ... [continue reading]

Are you happiest when you are a quarter of your mass overweight? Then why should your cat be? There is an old saying that “a fat cat is a happy cat”, and back in the day of the barn cat that may have been true. With today’s specially formulated diets and high standard of living, a fat cat may actually be unhealthy. Cats sleep more than any other mammal. This does not mean they are lazy. It is part of their natural energy conservation system from a more primitive time. If your cat is not given the opportunity to exercise their hunting skills the body may use that sleep time in the co... [continue reading]

Thinking about getting a dog and don’t quite know what to look for? Here are six questions you should ask yourself before you starting shopping for a dog. Do you want a male or female dog? This is a basic question, but few potential dog owners don’t bother to ask themselves this question. A dog’s gender plays into their size, disposition, and trainability. Potential dog owners need to ask themselves what size dogs do want? It matters because you don’t want a huge dog that needs a lot of room when you have a small apartment. Do you want a puppy, adolescent, or an adult dog? All three h... [continue reading]

The thought of bringing home a new kitten or cat is often a thrilling idea for anyone who wants to have a new kitty! If you are planning on getting a kitty, you may need some information on the proper kitty preparations! First, where are you getting your new kitty? Also, do you want a pure bred or a mixed breed cat? Lastly, do you want an adult cat or a kitten? Kitties can be obtained through ads run in your local newspaper, your local animal shelter, or through reputable breeders. Now for some kitty preparation. There are many things you should obtain before you get your kitty. This inc... [continue reading]