Articles
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Most cats settle into a new home fairly easily. They crave familiarity, so it is best to bring along many familiar objects, such as litter boxes and favored furniture. Cats must be initially secured to prevent their escape, as they may attempt to return to a prior home and could be lost or injured along the way. It is best to introduce your cat to your new home gradually and with supervision.
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Most dogs seem to take moving in stride, if they are with are with their familiar social group. Try to anticipate changes in the dog’s routine and introduce the changes prior to the move. Familiarize your dog with any novel noises that might be associated with the new home. If there will be new pets or people in the new home, arrange introductions ahead of time in a neutral location. When you arrive at your new home, give your dog plenty of time to adjust before trying to leave him alone.
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In an emergency situation, a dog that can easily wear a muzzle can be easily and safely handled. Dogs may show aggressive behavior when frightened or in pain and having a muzzle ensures that no one will be injured and that your dog will be able to be taken to the hospital. Muzzles can also be helpful as part of treatment for behavioral conditions such as fear-based aggression.
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Mynah birds are best known for their ability to talk and mimic sounds. They are lively, social birds and have wonderfully outgoing personalities. A young, hand-raised mynah will be easier to tame and train compared to a wild, colony, or parent-raised bird. As with all pets, mynah birds require regular, routine veterinary checkups.
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Off-leash adventures such as trail hikes or park visits can be enriching for both dog and human. Before going off-leash, you should teach your dog key skills for success, and these skills must be reliable and tested in the presence of strong distractions.
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Pica is a condition where a cat persistently ingests non-food items. There are multiple behavioral and medical conditions that can cause pica. This handout outlines the causes, signs, diagnosis, and treatments for pica in cats.
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Pica is a condition where a dog persistently ingests non-food items. There are multiple behavioral and medical conditions that can cause pica. This handout outlines the causes, signs, diagnosis, and treatments for pica in dogs.
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The domestic pigeon includes over 300 breeds, all descending from the rock dove. They originated in Eurasia, but are now found all over the world. They are generally hardy birds that are easy to tame and care for. As with any pet, pigeons and doves need regular, routine, veterinary health checkups.
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Play is an important part of feline health and enrichment, but some cats can become overstimulated or direct their play toward people. Learn how to recognize early warning signs, redirect inappropriate behaviors, and encourage positive play habits through training and environmental enrichment.
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Mouthing, nipping, and biting are used by all puppies during social play with their littermates. Once they leave their littermates, you can easily teach them a new set of games that are appropriate for social play with people. It is important to provide puppies with outlets for appropriate play from the start. Puppies should never be punished for playing with their teeth, as it can cause them to become permanently fearful of people.