1. It still isn’t going to be simple.  Keeping any animal other than fish tends to take work, and even many types of fish take a lot of work.  Like other pets, they have to be provided with clean housing, food, and water.  The feeding may not be as simple as visiting your local grocery store for a bag of kibble.
2. Do your research on the species.  Because they are less common pets, the pet store employees may not actually know much about them.  Frogs are complex animals and some species make better pets than others.  Some species can be venomous, while others will grow immensely.  For example, if you go to a pet store, you will see cute little frogs called “Pixie Frogs.”  Well, they can grow to be like this.  They are actually African Bullfrogs.
3. Try to get an active frog.  Much like geckos, some species of frogs are active, while others will just sit around and and eat and sleep.  Often, the cooler looking species will be on the less active end of the spectrum.  They will get boring quickly, so pass them up for an active frog.
4. Be ready to have to feed the frog some unusual things.  Like reptiles, many frogs will only eat live food.  Most eat insects, but some eat mice and even rats if they are large enough.  This said, you have to be okay with handling live prey or mice, which grosses many people out.

Keeping a frog can be very fun, but you must be prepared for it.  Keeping a frog can be a lot of work, so do your research and be prepared.

There are several ways to assist with this important cause. By doing one or more of the following things, you can help give a deserving pet a loving home (or make their wait in the shelter a more pleasant one).

1. Sponsor an Ad
Many local newspapers provide space for ads to aid the adoption process. Pictures of cute cats and dogs are pictured together with the animal’s name and a brief synopsis of temperament. If your local shelter works with the newspaper in this manner, consider providing the funds for one or more of these ads. The cost is relatively inexpensive, and they do work to match pets to the right owner.

2. Collect Free Food Samples
Free samples of cat and dog food remain easy to obtain, both from local vendors and over the Internet. All you need to do is be on the lookout for these offers. For example, Rachael Ray now has free samples of  dog food on her Nutrish website. Other offers are easy to find just by searching the terms, “free cat and/or dog food.” This would be a great project for a youth group or senior center to tackle. Once you, or your group, have accumulated a box full of samples, drop them off at the local shelter or rescue.

3. Actively Seek Pet Adopters
Can’t take another pet yourself? Maybe you have a friend or two who have been thinking about getting a purebred dog or cat. Why not steer them to the local shelter? The Humane Society claims that “25 percent of pets in shelters are purebreds.” You not only will save your friend lots of money by letting him or her know that the dog or cat they have been wanting can be found at the shelter, you will be saving an animal’s life.

4. Support Fundraising Events
Many shelters and adoption groups host fundraising events. Make a point to support these events. One unique fundraiser held in Fayetteville in 2011 was the PAWcasso event, where cats “painted pictures” with their paws! The pictures were then sold as a way to raise money for the shelter. (I can imagine one of those masterpieces hanging on my wall). Other shelters raise money by hosting 5K’s or even dances. You can have fun while helping out.

5. Donate Old Linens
Shelters are always in need of blankets and towels, especially during the cold winter months. Don’t throw away your faded linens, give them to the local shelter to make a cat or dog more comfortable.

Is it safe to put a little snow into a reptile tank for the animal to play with?

Reptile enclosures need to be set up so that the animal  can regulate their body temperature effectively.   Based on the species, you will need to determine what temperature to keep the tank, the ambient air, and the basking areas.  Due to the need to keep this temperature fairly consistent, I would not consider adding a frozen substance, like snow, to the environment.  Also, there is a possibility that there could be substances in the snow that could be toxic to your reptile.

The content provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute veterinary advice.  The content is not be used for medical diagnosis, treatment, or any other veterinary service and should not be relied upon to guide the medical therapy of an animal.Further, the information transmitted does not constitute the establishment of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship between you and Dr. Baker.  Always consult your family veterinarian in matters regarding the health of your pet.

Does a turtle need a UV light in its tank?

Ultraviolet (UV) light is critical for turtles to be able to produce Vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is essential for proper absorption and metabolism of calcium, which is needed for growth and overall health.  Deficiencies in Vitamin D3 and calcium can cause problems with shell growth, bone density, and can even lead to death.

UV light is divided into two main types, UVA and UVB, which are both required for healthy turtles.  UVB light is especially crucial for vitamin D3 productions, but UVA is needed for normal activity and behaviors.  Sunlight is the best source for UV light and should be provided if possible.  Unfortunately, UVB cannot penetrate glass, plastic, or fine mesh, so animals that are housed indoors need additional lighting.  Special bulbs are available that can provide broad spectrum light and there are UVB bulbs manufactured that are able to pass through glass.  The distance away from the enclosure that the light is placed is also important.  Refer to the manufacturers recommendations for exact distances to use.  Based on the species of your turtle, you can determine the which bulb to use that emits the correct amount of UVB light and decide how many hours a day to keep the light on.  It is important to remember that these bulbs have a decreased output over time and need to be replaced on a regular basis.

The exact amount of vitamin D that is required varies by species, so you will want to research the exact requirements for the type of turtle you have.  The variations in vitamin D can stem from differences in the characteristics or the turtle and their normal environment.  Is it a land or water species?  Is it an herbivore or
carnivore?  What is the normal geographic range (temperature, climate, etc.)?  The age of your turtle and the diet you feed can also affect the requirements. Supplementation of vitamin D and calcium may still be required even with proper lighting and diet.

The content provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute veterinary advice.  The content is not be used for medical diagnosis, treatment, or any other veterinary service and should not be relied upon to guide the medical therapy of an animal.Further, the information transmitted does not constitute the establishment of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship between you and Dr. Baker.  Always consult your family veterinarian in matters regarding the health of your pet.

She stated she has three cats, as she had just rescued another one from her friend’s house. She proceeded to explain how the kitten had shown up on her friend’s porch one cold morning, tired and hungry, in search of a home.

This story reminded me of my own cat rescues, including Muffy and Joe. My mom and I rescued Muffy from the lobby of a credit union where we both worked at the time, and Joe showed up on the door step of a local farmer, who was a friend of a friend.

By now you must be seeing the pattern? Cats are not dumb. I believe if they are in need, they will search out people in hopes of finding shelter, food, and love. Sometimes they are lucky, such as in the cases I described above, and they find a human who is a cat lover. Unfortunately, I am sure they find other humans who are not so kind.

Here’s another interesting example of a cat asking for help. Several years ago, I met an intelligent feral male. As if on a mission, he used to peek into the windows of my friend’s living room, and you could see he was meowing frantically. A gorgeous feline, his coat was jet black and sleek, yet his paws were white, just like he had on tube socks. Over the course of a few days, another cat, grey and fluffy, began to hang around Socks, not looking into the windows, but standing back a bit. Socks continued meowing for days, so my friend set a trap to find out what was going on with this pair. Unfortunately, he only managed to capture the fluffy one.

Renamed “Mama Cats,” the female proved to be pregnant, and in desperate need of vet care. Sadly, Socks ended up being hit and killed by a car about a week later, but Mama Cats – rescued from the wild – gave birth to seven healthy kittens. She now lives with a single lady – in a home fit for a queen. And the woman who rescued her found loving homes for all the kittens.

That is how my cat, Bear, came into my life. He was one of Socks and Mama Cat’s kittens, and I have been privileged to have known him his entire life – from hours after birth, until now…six years later. I have never had a black cat before, or one that meows quite so much!

That’s the great thing about cats…you never know when a new one might come knocking at your door – literally!

Below are listed some of the ailments that betta fish can develop. With all of these conditions, as soon as you discover them in your betta fish, it is important to keep the Betta isolated so it does not contaminate any of the other fish in the tank. Also, even if  no other fish live in the tank, move the sick betta into a one-gallon bowl, where it will be much easier to administer the doses of medication. Use the same water that is in the tank to avoid any abrupt changes in the water that may actually make the fish sicker. Read on for the  list of common betta fish ailments. If you see any of these symptoms in your fish, be sure to call a vet for a proper diagnosis and treatment.

Clamped Fins. If the fish’s fins are close to its body, this may be a sign of clamped fins. This is a sign of poor water quality, and can be easily fixed by changing half the water every day until the quality is good. With this process, the fish’s fins should return back to normal.

Ich. Small, noticeable white spots on the beta’s body and fins may be the sign of this serious infection. Another major sign is if the betta rubbing on things in the tank as an attempt to “wipe off” the parasites. Fluctuating water temperatures or stressful conditions can easily cause this disease. Ich needs to be treated immediately.

Tail or Fin Rot. The sure signs of fin or tail rot are fins that appear to be shredded, have holes, or simply appear to be rotting. Rot can spread quickly around the entire body, making it imperative to treat immediately.

Constipation. If a betta fish seems to be acting normally, but has a swollen abdomen, chances are that it is constipated. The most common way that this occurs is if the fish’s food is not changed regularly, as betta fish are most healthy on a variety of foods.

Dropsy. Dropsy is a severe, yet common ailment for betta fish. A bloated belly and noticeably raised scales are clear sign of this ailment. Many experts claim that the raised scales look much like an open pinecone.

Tuberculosis. Surprisingly, this is the only disease that betta fish can pass on to humans. That being said, be very careful when handling the water of a fish that may have tuberculosis, especially if dealing with an already weak immune system. The worst it can do in humans is a skin infection, but wearing gloves can easily prevent this. Some symptoms in bettas are swelling, scale protrusion, weight loss, skin defects, loss of scales and appetite, and clamped fins.

The main reason is that curiosity often gets them into trouble. Everything is a potential toy. They love to play with things that they shouldn’t. It isn’t easy to ferret-proof a house. Their bodies are long and lean. This means they can get into more places then most cats. As a result, they have a higher potential to get hurt. They are harder to keep up with than a crawling baby.

Toddlers and ferrets don’t mix well. Both are insanely curious and it is easy to lose track of a ferret in the chaos. Dealing with the very high energy of both will quickly overwhelm a parent. It can be chaos at its finest.

Ferrets do need to have their scent glands removed. This is called descenting. It is important to do this for the health of the ferret. If you intend on getting one for a pet, check into these costs with your vet. Also, make sure that your vet has experience in treating ferrets, since they tend to get into a lot of trouble.

They like to eat kitten food and fruit. However, avoid feeding them anything in the dairy or grain department such as milk or bread.You also should not feed them nuts.

They can be litter trained and will use a litter box. The important thing is to make certain that they have access to the litter box during the day.

They can be housed in cages for safety reasons. The cage should be comfortable enough for them to sleep in and they should have some space to play around in. You don’t necessarily need a large space for them to play in.

The ferret does well in pairs and will play with other ferrets. Just keep in mind that two of them can be more trouble than one.

Ferrets are the third most popular pet to have. However, their insatiable curiosity does not suit them well to some families. Wait until children are much older and more responsible before you decide upon this type of pet. When you do decide to adopt, consider getting them from a rescue organization.

There’s been an outbreak of feline calicivirus in our community – would it be a good idea to wash our cats’ things with a bleach solution?

Feline calicivirus (FCV) is a virus that is one of the possible causes of upper respiratory infections and oral disease in cats. This disease cannot be transmitted from cats to humans.  Cats that are infected by feline calicivirus can have an acute infection, chronic infection, or may not show any signs at all.  Cats can become carriers of the infection after they contracted the virus, become sick, and recovered.  The virus can be transmitted in several different ways.  Direct contact from secretions from the eyes, nose, or mouth and in the urine from a sick or carrier cat is one mode of transmission.  It can also be transmitted via indirect contact with things such as food and water bowls, bedding, litter boxes, and carriers.  Calicivirus is resistant to many disinfectants and can live in the environment for long periods of time.  A 1:32 bleach and water solution can be effective against the virus.

To prevent infection it is important to keep your cat up to date on all vaccines.  The vaccine may not always be 100% effective, but it has been shown to reduce the severity of infection if a vaccinated cat does become infected.  If there are no new cats that have been brought into your household, there is no reason to disinfect your cat’s things with a bleach solution.

The content provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute veterinary advice.  The content is not be used for medical diagnosis, treatment, or any other veterinary service and should not be relied upon to guide the medical therapy of an animal.Further, the information transmitted does not constitute the establishment of a veterinarian-client-patient relationship between you and Dr. Baker.  Always consult your family veterinarian in matters regarding the health of your pet.

They purify the water of ammonia, nitrate, and nitrite, and also act as a part of the filtration system. If the plants are healthy and growing, they will also produce oxygen that will keep your fish happy and healthy. When choosing the plants it is very important, though, to do much research into the species of plant that is right for your purpose and your tank. If you are planting for landscaping, be sure to get species that the fish will not eat. Otherwise, the new plants will be gone in a matter of days or even hours. Larger fish can uproot the plants and consume them faster than you would ever expect. If the plant is for the purpose of feeding, be sure to purchase a plant that is suitable for your particular species of fish, as every plant is not suited for every fish.

These are a few species of plants recommended for tanks with goldfish, with the purpose of decoration and not food. Java Fern, Anubias, Java Moss, and Hornwort, are all fairly hardy and can live in low light. Goldfish are not attracted to them, and they grow rapidly. Crypts and Swords, Valliisneria, Hygrophilas, and Anacharis are also beautifully colored and are resistant to fish. Also, many of these species are hardy enough to be planted in the nutrient-rich soil of outdoor ponds.

Anacharis can also be the object of a goldfish’s appetite depending on the exact species that you have in your pond or tank. Duckweed is a tiny plant that is perfect as a floater in aquariums and outdoor ponds. It provides great cover for the pond, and also acts as great nutrient absorber. But beware; the fish are sure to treat this plant as a snack. For Betta fish specifically, it is important to go to your local pet store or research online which plants are appropriate for your tank or vase.

Many of my Betta fish owner friends prefer that natural look of bamboo in their tanks, especially because it almost completely takes over the need to feed the Betta fish at all. It is extremely common to find Bettas in vases with bamboo, as this is probably the most effective plant for them.

Remember that no matter what kind of fish you own, plants as food are usually a convenient and inexpensive way to keep your fish happy and healthy, but also spruce up the tank and save you tons of time.

The first question you need to ask is about the gender of the mice. Female mice are the ones to buy. They are generally calmer and do not fight when placed with another female. The males are a lot more aggressive, especially towards other males.

You do not want to buy your mice in male-female pairs. Mixing a male with a female is a quick way to run out of cage space. They can produce a lot of baby mice in a very short period of time. If you do find some baby mice appearing after a short time, separate the adult mice immediately. Then separate the babies after they are weaned until the sex can be determined.

You can keep your mice in an aquarium or a cage with metal bars that are closely spaced. Pick a solid floor over one that is meshed.

You want to avoid pine or cedar shavings for the bedding. This is because those shavings have very strong odors that can hurt your mice. You can use sawdust. Don’t forget to include a little bit of paper for a nest.

They eat mouse food, which can be mixed up with some seeds. You do want to avoid giving them anything other than their food, because things like chocolate can be very toxic to them.

They will also need some toys to play with. The most common and popular mouse toy is the wheel. If you do intend on getting your mice a wheel, make sure it is a solid wheel to prevent the mice from damaging their feet.

You will need to spend some time accustoming them to being handled. Start off slowly after they have adjusted to your home. Then use treats and gradually build up to the point where they will tolerate being handled.

Be aware that the lifespan of a mouse is generally rather short. At best, you should expect around two years. Mice may not be the best pet for children who feel loss very deeply or who have a hard time understanding death.

Mice can make very good starter pets. But just like any other animal, they need to be taken care of. It is important to understand their needs before buying one.