Petmasterclinic

  Pet Master Clinic is where pet owners can find simple tips & advice on how to live a happier, healthier, and peaceful life with pets.  

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How to feed your Jack Russell Terrier?

Jack Russell Terrier belongs to hunting breeds, which are increasingly acquired for decorative purposes. These dogs are popular because of their cheerful disposition, friendliness, activity, and small size. Let’s figure out what to feed and how to choose food for such a dog.

Feeding the Jack Russell Terriers puppy

In the first months of life, it is important for a Jack Russell Terrier puppy to receive all the necessary nutrients: in the period from 1 month to 4, the dog’s body is formed. At this time, the skeleton, muscle corset are actively developing, internal organs and systems begin to fully function. Lack of certain vitamins or minerals can manifest as health problems in the future.

One very important aspect should be taken into account – what the breeders fed. When buying a two-month-old pet, they clarify what exactly the previous owners fed him with, whether they gave him special dry food or regaled him with natural food. If the puppy is faced with a sharp change in diet, then this may be fraught with disruption of the digestive tract. The dog can first pounce on food, and then completely refuse to eat, be lethargic, vomiting and diarrhea are possible. This situation requires seeking advice from a veterinarian and further nutritional adjustments.

It is believed that a month-old Jack Russell Terrier puppy should be fed natural food after weaning. it is easier to digest. Ready-made food can also be included in the nutritional system of a young pet. Their advantage lies in the full spectrum of essential vitamins and minerals for an animal of a certain age.

As for natural food, the terrier’s diet must necessarily include products of animal and plant origin in a ratio of 70 – 30%. A puppy under 4 months old should eat 4-5 times a day:

dairy products (milk, cottage cheese, fermented baked milk);

boiled meat (beef, chicken, rabbit);

boiled fish without bones;

vegetables and fruits (apples, carrots, cabbage, corn);

porridge (rolled oats, barley, millet, rice).

At 4-5 months, puppies are fed 4 times a day. After six months – 3 times, and you can give in equal shares of animal and vegetable food.

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What temperature should a fish tank be?

A comfortable water temperature in the aquarium is one of the most important conditions for the existence of fish. How to define it correctly and not harm pets?

Why is it so important to monitor the temperature of the water?

First of all, you need to know that for each fish there is a certain temperature range at which it will feel good. Please note: this is the range, not a specific indicator because in the wild there are no aquarium heaters that guarantee that the temperature will always be constant. Rain, hot summer days, cold winter nights – all these factors affect the habitat of fish and can affect the stability of temperatures. Freshwater fish experience daily temperature fluctuations, and even in a reef environment, the daily temperature ranges from 20 to 32 ° C, which can be measure through a thermometer.

If so, why are the fish owners so worried about the temperature stability in the tank? It all comes down to how quickly conditions change. Because oceans and rivers contain a lot of water, it takes a long time for temperatures to rise or fall. This change can take an entire day or even a season. Also, in the wild, freezing fish simply swim towards warmer waters. This is not possible in an aquarium. A small amount of water can quickly heat up or cool down depending on the temperature outside the tank. It is this drastic change that is the problem.

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How to brush your cat’s teeth

Brushing a cat’s teeth is an important hygienic procedure that will help prevent tooth decay, gum inflammation, and remove odor from the mouth. Today we will talk about means for cleaning teeth in cats, how to carry out the procedure correctly.

Do cats need to brush their teeth?

Can I brush my cat’s teeth? Need to! More than half of cats over 3 years old suffer from periodontal disease – inflammation of the tissues to which the crowns are attached. It begins as gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) due to plaque accumulated on the teeth, where bacteria colonies live. If plaque is not removed, tartar will form, creating a good environment for germs to grow. In addition, the stone comes into contact with the gum, irritates it, causing inflammation. If the disease is started, the pet may lose its teeth.

Other problems that cats may have if you decide that cats do not need to brush their teeth:

caries;

bleeding gums;

bad breath;

poor appetite;

depressed mood;

diseases of the digestive system due to putrefactive bacteria that came here from the oral cavity.

Of course, one could argue that wild cats boast good teeth, and they do not need any cleaning. But they have a different situation. They hunt, gnaw on solid food, which allows them to clean the enamel from deposits. In addition, tough pieces of meat are less likely to get stuck in the teeth, while soft food, which is mostly eaten by domestic cats, is easily deposited between the crowns.

How to brush your cat’s teeth at home

To clean the mouth of a cat, use an animal toothbrush. On sale there are:

a toothbrush with curved handles to make it easier to handle the mouth;

brushes that fit comfortably in the hand;

fingertips – brushes that are worn on the finger.

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Paw protection for dogs

Winter walks bring a lot of pleasure to the owner and the dog, but the cold period is fraught with great danger to the pet. For comfortable movement of people, sidewalks are sprinkled with reagents or road salt, which is absolutely safe for humans, but critical for unprotected pads of animals. The problem is relevant for residents of large cities. For owners with the first snow, the question of how to protect the dog’s paws from reagents comes first.

The danger of reagents on the roads

The list of aggressive reagents used by public utilities is growing every year. They become more effective for fighting ice but more dangerous for animals. Constant contact of open pads with substances has unpleasant consequences:

the simplest and most popular mixture is salt and sand. Although it does not sound intimidating, the granules penetrate between the fingers, prevent the dog from bringing the paw, scratch the pads, forming small cracks. The salt mixture acts on damaged skin, threatens with severe depression, pain, tissue inflammation, as well as the formation of open ulcers that are difficult to treat;

other deicing chemicals (including chlorides of calcium, magnesium, sodium) eat into the skin, provoke allergies, penetrate into minor lesions, cracks, causing itching, unpleasant burning sensation, with prolonged contact – serious inflammatory processes.

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Why does the fish tank water become cloudy?

This problem can be encountered by both novice aquarists and experienced fish breeders. Muddy water in a fish tank is dangerous: it makes both fish and plants sick. What to do?

First of all, you should not panic and refuse to breed fish. You can get rid of cloudy water once and for all if you approach the problem thoughtfully and seriously. Let us find out why the water ceases to be transparent.

1. Careless care

Pour clean water into the aquarium slowly and carefully, without splashing it along the walls. Clouding of water immediately after changing it sometimes happens, but mostly goes away on its own in a week. If a high-quality filter is installed in the aquarium, it will dissolve all unwanted particles without harm to the fish. Do not rush and change the water again: this, on the contrary, will worsen its condition and lead to the multiplication of harmful bacteria. There are two common types of water replacement – full and partial. The first should be addressed when your pets are sick. The second one must be carried out 2-3 times a week, and the replacement should be made by 20-30%.

2. Overpopulation of the aquarium

Sometimes fish lovers have too many pets, and so it becomes crowded together in one fish tank. Then the filter will not be able to properly purify the water, and it will acquire a greenish tint.

3. Overfeeding

Remember, it is better to underfeed your fish than to leave too much food for it. Feed the pets as much food as they can eat at a time. Otherwise, uneaten food will settle to the bottom of the aquarium, start to deteriorate, smell unpleasant and pollute the water. Ichthyologists advise occasionally arrange fasting days for fish: this is useful for pets, and the biological balance of water will be restored.

4. Improper tank decorations...

And many more...

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Allergies in cats: causes, symptoms, and treatment

Allergies in cats are one of the most common problems. It manifests itself as itching, sneezing, tearing, baldness. In severe cases, severe edema, coma, death is possible. Today we will talk about why an allergic reaction occurs in cats, how it manifests itself, how to treat it.

What is an animal allergy?

Do cats have allergies? Yes. Its main reason is a pathological malfunction of the immune system, which takes a harmless substance that has entered the body or on the skin for an enemy, and attacks, producing antibodies. The reaction can be mild or moderate. In some cases, anaphylactic shock occurs, which can result in the death of the animal.

Cat allergy causes

The reasons for the abnormal reaction of the body are not fully determined. It is known that the allergen awakens antibodies that activate inflammatory mediators (histamine, prostagin, etc.). These substances are released into the surrounding tissues, causing:

dilation of blood vessels;

irritation of nerve endings;

secretion of mucus;

contraction of smooth muscles of the bronchi.

This manifests itself in the form of itching, runny nose, diarrhea, shortness of breath, and other symptoms. In the place of contact of the allergen with the body, inflammatory processes occur.

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What to do if a Yorkie refuses to eat?

Yorkshire Terrier – a miniature dog weighing about 3 kilograms – the most popular four-legged pet living as a full member of the family in many homes. Every responsible owner worries about keeping playful adorable dogs. Going to veterinarians, reading literature, chatting on Internet forums – and it seems that everything is known about the animal. But it still happens that the doggie becomes lethargic, apathetic, turn away from the usual, previously loved food. The owners are sounding the alarm. What do you do when your Yorkie won’t eat? How to solve this problem?

1. Increased anxiety

Some Yorkies become alarmed due to loud, frightening, panic-stricken sounds: salutes, thunderstorms, gunfire. Food is such situations is out of the question: the animal is frightened, trembling. This condition quickly normalizes when the irritating factor disappears.

2. Refusal to eat from the bowl

A decrease in appetite is associated with the frequent habit of the owners of giving food to the pet outside the bowl, from their hands, because the Yorkie is a small dog, it needs only a little to saturate it. If during the day the pet was treated to a common table, he may well refuse his food. The dog gets used to such a diet, does not eat from the bowl, and waits for him to be fed again in this way. You do not need to force-feed the animal – it will ask for food when it gets hungry.

3. Avoiding dry food

If a Yorkie doesn’t eat dry food, what to do? When the dog is tired of the monotonous food, she is fed up with this taste, and she no longer wants to eat granules, veterinarians advise transferring the animal to natural products. Here the choice is huge, and when you get used to porridge with meat, the boring cereal is exchanged for another. Food must be fresh, otherwise, the dog may not only refuse to eat such food but also get sick after eating a spoiled product.

Poor appetite is due to the transition to a new dry food made by another manufacturer, the taste of which is not to the liking of the dog.

4. Poor appetite during estrus and pregnancy...

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There is a difference between the state of sleep and wakefulness. An animal in consciousness is characterized by brain activity and awareness. When the body enters sleep, many of its reactions.

There is a difference between the state of sleep and wakefulness. An animal in consciousness is characterized by brain activity and awareness. When the body enters sleep, many of its reactions slow down.

After a series of studies in the mid-2000s, it was shown that the transition from sleep to wakefulness occurs by neurons located in the hypothalamus. Hypothalamic neurons secrete a substance – orexin (in other words – hypocretin). It is a neuropeptide that regulates wakefulness. Too little orexin leads to conditions such as narcolepsy.

In subsequent studies, it was shown that fish also possess this neuronal nucleus, which suggests that they have physiological possibilities for sleep.

How do fish sleep?

While we have evidence that fish can sleep, it is still difficult to tell if they do. In mammals and birds, sleep studies use an electroencephalogram – a test of brain activity obtained by stimulating the cerebral cortex, which is absent in fish. And the use of an electroencephalogram in an aquatic environment is almost impossible.

However, there are other criteria by which we can find out. There are certain sleep patterns worth paying attention to, including:

Prolonged inactivity. The fish remains motionless for a long time.

Cover use. When the fish are resting, they seek refuge. It could be a small cave, a gorge under a rock, or even in the sand at the bottom of the ocean.

Decreased sensitivity. While fish are sleeping, they become less sensitive to environmental stimuli.

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How to feed a newborn kitten without a mother?

It is possible to feed a kitten on your own. The main thing is to get the right mixture or learn how to cook for the animal, as well as choose the right bottle for the orphan’s breakfast.

How to take care of a kitten?

Nursing a newborn kitten without a mom cat is not an easy task, but it can be done.

You have to fulfill several conditions for the successful upbringing of a kitten at home:

1. Find a mixture that looks like mother cat’s milk;

2. Observe the temperature regime (food temperature – 36-38 degrees);

3. Keep the cat warm, from 25 to 30 o C and wipe it after feeding;

4. Follow the signals of the kitten’s body. Diarrhea, constipation, or nausea in the person concerned indicates that the mixture is not suitable.

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How to feed a pug?

Pugs are the oldest dog breed bred in China. They have retained their popularity to this day and are especially loved in our country by connoisseurs of decorative dogs. Many people dream of such a pet, they strive to find out everything about the habits of the animal in advance. Pugs are very loyal to their owner, they try to constantly be closer to him. A caring owner should remember that an active pet is important not only for a variety of leisure activities – walks, games – but also proper, complete, balanced nutrition. How to feed a pug is a rather serious question, it is important to know such features of the breed as sensitive digestion and a tendency to obesity.

How many times the dog is fed:

during the period of active growth of puppies – up to two months they are fed six times;

at 2 months and up to 4 – 5-4 times, from 4 months to six months – three to four times;

6 to 8 months and older — provide 3 meals;

from 8 months to a year, the puppy is given food 2 times;

an adult animal (over a year) is fed three times, but it is also possible twice a day, skipping lunch if opportunities do not allow.

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What kind of water is right for a fish tank?

Water quality is one of the most important conditions for the comfort of your fish. Let’s figure out how to choose the safest water from the whole variety of options.

Tap water

Deionized water

Softened water

Bottled water

Rainwater Water from streams, rivers, lakes, etc

So what kind of water should you choose if they are all imperfect? Fish owners with little experience should still choose the easiest option – tap water. The main thing is to remember about dechlorination and change filters in time. Tap water usually has known and relatively stable parameters, so sudden fluctuations in pH are unlikely, which means your pets will be as comfortable as possible.

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Pregnant Maine Coon cat feeding guide

Pregnancy is an important stage in the life of any domestic cat, at this time all body processes are rebuilt. Their course affects the health of both the adult animal itself and the formation of its babies. It is important to create comfortable conditions for your cat in which she will be calm. Proper nutrition during a special period plays an important role, it will depend on how kittens will grow and develop.

The question of what to feed a pregnant Maine Coon cat worries many owners. In addition to changes in internal organs, there is often a significant improvement in appetite and an increase in metabolism. All this often causes an increase in the weight of the animal. By the end of the gestation period, the pet can lose weight, and due to improper feeding, it can be completely depleted. Maine Coon food “on drift” is not strikingly different from the diet of other domestic felines, there will be a fairly balanced full feeding. It is hard to believe that an animal of this mass can grow up on ordinary food. But there are nutritional characteristics of this breed.

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How to feed a husky dog ​​at home?

Husky – hardy dogs with piercing blue eyes, adapted to exist in a harsh harsh climate – can safely live in a house or apartment. In order for a dog to be in good shape, to live a long, happy life, you need to know how to properly care for and what is the best way to feed your husky at home.

What not to give?

There are recommended and prohibited foods. The taboo applies to the following types of food, the abuse of which leads to indigestion, kidney failure:

1. sugar leads to skin problems, disrupts the growth of teeth;

2. the husky dog’s pancreas cannot cope with oily pork;

3. you can not feed smoked products;

4. the use of seasoning is unacceptable: spices destroy the mucous membranes of the digestive system;

5. grapes, potatoes cause fermentation in the intestines;

6. you can not add whole milk, sweets, salty, pickled foods;

7. boiled chicken, meat bones cause constipation, intestinal obstruction.

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Feeding and keeping guppies

Guppies are the most unpretentious fish living in home aquariums. There are countless colors variety of this species, due to the fact that fish of the same color are not averse to interbreeding with an individual that is completely different from it. Male guppies are distinguished by a large, colored, fluffy tail, the color appears earlier than in females. You need to know how to keep and choose the right food for guppies.

The best foods for guppy fish:

1. Live food (guppies love such food): bloodworms, daphnia, tubule worms (contain a lot of proteins), the fruit fly. In winter, they give frozen cyclops, bloodworms, salted, soaked food.

2. Plant food. They teach it on fasting days, give it a suitable size. Fresh boiled nettle leaves, lettuce, spinach, seaweed are suitable. Sometimes bread, biscuits, slightly overcooked semolina, and rolled oats are allowed.

3. Dry food. Gammarus, daphnia are used as additional, mixed with try vitamin A, C, E (3 drops per size of food from a matchbox) or fish oil (a few drops).

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How to feed a castrated British cat at home?

When a British cat is worried, marks, tears furniture, persistently asks for a cat, the best way out is to castrate the animal. This procedure will save the castrated British cat from torment, and the owner from unnecessary trouble.

After the operation, the pet may develop new problems: obesity, urolithiasis, constipation, heart disease. A well-chosen balanced food, suitable for home British cat, will help to save the animal from trouble.

What you can’t feed a Briton?

At home, you cannot feed a castrated Briton with homemade food containing spices, salt, sugar. List of products prohibited for operated animals:

fish, seafood;

smoked, salted, fried, spicy foods;

fat meat; sweets;

semi-finished products;

bakery products.

Sweet, baked, starchy foods lead to diabetes, obesity, other foods are the cause of kidney and gastrointestinal tract diseases.

Magnesium, which contains fish, seafood, leads to the formation of stones, so fish is contraindicated in castrated British cats.

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How to feed a German shepherd?

The German Shepherd can rightfully be considered a versatile breed. They can be a faithful friend, a good companion, excellent watchdogs, and service dogs, performing many tasks assigned to them. The Germans are smart, easy to learn and trainable, unpretentious in their care. Many people dream of having just such a dog. But before you bring your four-legged friend home, take a responsible approach to this issue. The eating habit of a German Shepherd is the key to a long, healthy life. And although these German dogs are undemanding in food, for a large breed, careful selection of the diet and menu is required, which is quite troublesome and entails considerable costs. The question of how to feed a German shepherd dog is devoted to a mass of special literature, where the schemes of proper feeding are described in detail and there are even recipes for dishes.

Fundamental rules

The diet of a German shepherd should take into account not only the composition of the feed, its calorie content but also the amount of load and the temperament of the animal. If the dog walks a lot, is physically and emotionally involved, the extra calories will be burned easily. Such a pet will not be hurt by a large amount of fatty and carbohydrate foods. An excess of nutritious food is contraindicated in a calm, sedentary shepherd dog.

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What to feed the astronotus?

Freshwater fish astronotus (or cichlids) are quite large in size and heavy in weight, so their feeding in aquarium conditions should be sufficiently rich and thoughtful. The species diversity available today does not pose any particular difficulties. These fish are not too demanding, and if simple rules are followed, even beginners can successfully keep them, giving preference to either ready-made or live food. In this article, we will analyze what is the best way to feed astronotus.

Fundamental rules

When choosing food for astronotus, it is important to understand that these fish are gluttonous. They can absorb food even after full satiety, so food should be served in well-proportioned portions to avoid digestive problems. The preferred feeding scheme is every other: one-day food is served 1-2 times, the next the fish are left without a portion (food in their body is digested for two days). For young individuals, frequent feeding is required – 2-3 times a day in small portions to avoid overfeeding. Scheduled days without food for the growing fry are prohibited – this will be extremely harmful. A healthy daily intake is an amount that the fish can handle within a few minutes. All unnecessary things must be removed from the aquarium.

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