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Your cat's skin and coat condition are good indicators of her health. A healthy coat should be shiny and smooth, not brittle or coarse, and healthy skin should be supple and clear, not greasy, flaky, or bumpy. Selective breeding has led to the development of cats with various coat characteristics requiring varying grooming needs. To maintain healthy skin and coat, your cat also requires a properly balanced diet.
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The general condition of your dog's skin and coat are good indicators of his health. A healthy coat should be shiny and smooth, not brittle or coarse, and healthy skin should be supple and clear, not greasy, flaky, or bumpy. Selective breeding has led to the development of dogs with various coat characteristics requiring varying grooming needs. Nutrition also plays an important role in skin and coat maintenance.
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Cockatiels make excellent first birds for families. Larger than budgies and smaller than larger parrots, these entertaining birds are easy to maintain and provide endless hours of entertainment and companionship. They are beautiful flyers and enjoy lots of activity and play. Cockatiels love to chew, so providing bird-safe toys will distract them from unwanted destructive chewing. They may be adopted from shelters or purchased from a pet store or a reputable breeder. They require annual, routine veterinary health check-ups to help prevent disease and help maintain a long-lasting, healthy relationship between you and your bird.
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Cockatoos are a suitable family pet for families with adult children. Their jumpy nature and strong bite make them inappropriate for families with young children. These birds are high maintenance both physically and emotionally, as they demand a lot of attention and a great deal of time outside their cages. Without adequate attention, cockatoos sometimes become excessively boisterous and are potentially destructive. Cockatoos need to chew, so provide a continuous supply of non-toxic wood or cardboard bird-safe toys. Cockatoos may be adopted from shelters or purchased from pet stores or reputable breeders. They require annual, routine veterinary health check-ups to help prevent disease.
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Cocker Spaniels, as one of the most popular breeds, suffered a bad reputation for a few years because of poor breeding practices by some eager for a dollar, but these dogs are now safely secure as a treasured family pet once again. Their cheerful "ready-to-go-when-you-are" demeanor makes them great companions.
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Choosing the right collar or harness for a dog requires understanding how each device works and what is best for the dog and the owner. Correct selection, fit, and use are crucial for any training tool's success.
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Gentle, graceful and sweet, the Collie wags her tail gently whenever approached. Eyes seem to smile their welcome. They're willing to do the same chore again and again, only asking a loving touch in thanks.
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Pet birds often become ill when they are not cared for or fed appropriately. Birds can develop infections with bacteria (e.g., Chlamydia psittaci) and parasites (e.g., Giardia). They also commonly suffer from reproductive problems (e.g., egg binding and tumors) and feather-picking. Birds on all-seed, high-fat diets may become obese and develop fatty liver syndrome. Older birds may develop cloacal papillomas or cancer. Your veterinarian familiar with birds will formulate an appropriate diagnostic and treatment plan if your pet bird becomes ill.
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There are several problems that can occur in aquatic turtles. This handout discusses the most noted problems: calculi, tissue prolapses, irregular shell growth, shell fractures or trauma, algae on the shell, skin and shell sloughing, Salmonella infection that can be passed to humans, dystocia, and hibernation.
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Snakes have several unique problems and understanding these problems will allow you to better care for your pet and minimize future health care problems and concerns. This article outlines some of the most common problems.
