Spoiled Rotten Pet Sitting Tampa

Fact:  There are no health benefits to pets by having a litter before being spayed.  Spayed dogs are at a lower risk for breast cancer and uterine infections.  The benefits of spaying or neutering your pet outway the reasons not to.  Odds are your pets will get fat and lazy as they age regardless if they have been altered. 

Seriously though, pet overpopulation is a big issue.  One unaltered pet can contribute to hundreds of homeless pets in just a few years.  Hundreds of homeless pets have to be euthanized every year in Hillsborough County alone.

Fact: The temperature of a dog's nose is not an indicator of health or sickness.  If it were only that simple to take his temperature...  An accurate reading may be taken rectally.  The normal range is between 100 and 102.5 degrees F.  Ear thermometers designed specially for pets are now available but can be expensive. 

It is normal for a dog's nose to be either moist or dry.  A clear runny nose is often no cause for concern.  However, a green or yellow nasal discharge or a nose that is scabbing or peeeling may be a sign of illness.  Consult your vet.

Fact:  It is true most cats like milk but it is not necessary if they are being fed a balanced diet.  It can cause diarrhea because many cats are lactose intollerant.  This is especially dangerous for kittens who can dehydrate easily.  Give kittens specially formulated kitten milk.

Fact:  It only takes one bite from an infected mosquito to transmit heartworm disease to your dog.  Mosquitos can be a nuisance all year long in Florida.  They can easily sneak into your house or bite your dog when she goes out to potty.  So, it is important to keep your pets on year round heartworm prevention.

Fact:  Happiness is not the only reason a cat my purr.  They also purr when they are in pain to self-soothe.  Sometimes they purr while giving birth or dying. 

 A wagging tail in a dog may also indicate excitement, agitation or aggression.  Look for other body language such as position of ears or hair standing up to be sure of a dog's demeanor. 

Fact:  All mouths are full of bacteria, no matter what species.  The type of germs can vary from specie to specie and many germs are "species specific", meaning they cannot cause illness in another species.  For example you cannot get HIV (a human virus), from your cat that has FIV (a feline virus).  It is perfectly normally for your pet to lick her wounds (or yours), but it is not a miracle cure.  If it were, we can be sure dog saliva would be patented by the drug companies.  Excessive licking can actually irritate wounds and prevent them from healing.

Fact: Cats do react to falling by twisting their bodies around to attempt to land feet first.  This does not guarantee that they will not be injured or even killed.  If they fall a short distance they may not have time to maneuver the body to a feet first position.  If they fall from a high distance, they will be injured by the impact of hitting the ground and the position of their body won't make much difference anyhow.

Fact: Humping can be an embarrassing problem in dogs of either sex.  Spaying and neutering (which is a good idea regardless) does not always solve the problem because it is often an act of dominance.  It is not uncommon for pets to hump people, other pets, pillows or toys.  Humping transfers the dog's scent to mark it's territory.  The actual act also puts the dog at a height advantage over the one it is attempting to establishment dominance over.

Fact: Cats perceive staring as a threat.  Cat lovers will often look at a cat.  The person who doesn't like cats will often ignore the cat.  The cat approaches the person who is not looking at them and therefore not seen as a threat.

Fact: Dogs eat grass because their ancestors did it.  They are omnivores.  Before we domesticated our animals and created convenient, prepackaged foods for our pets they ate a diet consisting of prey animals and roughage.  They may still show predatory behaviors and they may still eat grass.

Fact: Many infections are airborne and can easily be brought into your house.  Organisms can also be brought in on your shoes or clothing.  Most indoor cats escape outdoors at least once (usually followed by intent meowing to "Please let me back in!Why did I ever go out there?  I miss my couch!"

Fact: Most reptiles for sale in the U.S. are wild-caught.  An estimated 90% of these  reptiles kept in captivity die within the first year.  This is due to the fact many people who buy and sell these animals do not know how to care for them properly and do not seek information on their proper care. 

Even with a complete nutritional diet, birds have very complex behavioral needs.  Neglecting these needs can cause severe mental and behavioral issues.  They can be become destructive, aggressive and even harm themselves.  These issues can also lead to physical health problems as well. 

Fact: Dogs age at different rates throughout their lives.  They age more quickly in the first few years and final years of their lives.  Dogs are sexually mature by one year.  7 year old humans are not.  Not all breeds have the same life expectancy.  Some breeds only live to be about 8 years old while others are still pretty robust at 12.  One rule that we have for our human children applies to our furry children as well;  Enjoy them while you can because they grow up so fast.

Fact: Parrots are aware of their environment.  They do understand much of what is going on around them.  They are capable of thinking and do associate many words and phrases with objects or actions.

Fact: Pet birds bite when they have no other means to communicate.  In the wild, most birds will show body language,  postures and verbalization before resorting to using their beaks as a weapon.  Bird's beaks and tongues are very sensitive and often used as hands for sensory exploration.  Young birds who chew to hard should be told to be gentle and given a chew toy but never punished for exploring.

Fact: Most snakes can convert to eating prekilled rodents.  Feeding dead prey can prevent injuries to the snake.  Some people feel that feeding prekilled rodents is more humane.

Fact:  Shells are made of living tissue and cutting or poking into them hurts.  The wounds can easily get infected.  It is not a good idea to paint the shells either.  A turtle that is chained up on concrete will continue to try to dig and may turn their feet to bloody stumps.  They cannot burrow or get out of the sun.  Chaining can cause shell fractures and stress to the animal.

Fact: Baby birds need more attention.  They are developing both physically and emotionally.  They need more guidance and instruction while their personality is developing.  They need to be properly socialized.  They can become spoiled if cuddled  for hours.  Time should be spent playing, training and learning.  They do need to develop their independence to be happy and healthy.

Fact: You catch warts from human viruses not from amphibians.  It is still always a good idea to wash your hands after touching pets (and most humans).