National Geographic Complete Guide to Pet Health, Behavior, and Happiness: The Veterinarian’s Approach to At-Home Animal Care

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From the Publisher

Ask Dr. Gary!

How Often Should I Clean My Pet’s Cage?

Whether you have a hamster, rat, mouse, rabbit, guinea pig, or other small pet, a clean habitat is important for overall health. Spot-clean the cage, and wash the food and water containers daily. Do a complete cage cleaning at least once or twice a week. First, remove your pet and confine him to a safe place. Then, dump all the old bedding, wash the cage with dish soap and water or a pet-safe disinfectant, dry thoroughly, and replenish the bedding.

Love is a Wet Nose

Whether it’s your sleepy cat or tail-wagging dog greeting you every day, nuzzling means love. Loving back is making your pet’s life the best it can be. For this, turn to renowned veterinarian Dr. Gary, and his expert advice on health, behavior, and training for your pet—including rabbits, birds, and more! Combining first aid, medical reference, and tips and tricks of the trade, here is your go-to guide for at-home animal care.

Consider these criteria when searching for your one-of-a-kind pet:

1. Activity Level: You must balance the pet’s needs and your own. 2. Organization: Some pets are messier than others. Who will be responsible for cleaning up after the dog? 3. Time management: How much time are you at home? 4. Space: How big is your house? 5. Family dynamics: Do you have other pets? Have you considered how they will react to a new pet in the house? 6. Commitment: Are you in it for the long haul? A pet is a lifelong commitment.

Human Happiness

The human–animal relationship is one of the cornerstones of a just and compassionate society. Beginning in childhood and continuing throughout life, the bonds we form with our companion animals can provide the basis of respect and regard for all living things.

—Gus W. Thornton, former president of MSPCA-Angell and the World Society for the Protection of Animals

Homemade Diet Do’s and Don’ts

If you want to cook for your pet, use fresh ingredients, and store them properly. Follow these simple rules:

Do follow a complete-and-balanced recipe approved by a board-certified veterinary behaviorist Don’t make major changes to recipes without consulting a vet. Do feed whole, unprocessed foods. Don’t feed too many carbohydrates. The bulk of your pet’s food should be meat. Do ensure your pet gets the essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients he needs. Don’t feed your pet a vegetarian diet. Dogs are omnivores, and cats are carnivores. I applaud you for choosing a human vegetarian diet, but dogs and cats
are simply not designed to be vegetarians.Don’t give up. Cooking for your pet takes effort, but if you do it right, your pet will certainly benefit.

Preventive Veterinary Care

Your veterinarian is your partner in your pet’s health care, even when your pet is not sick. Let me change that: especially when your pet is not sick. Visiting your vet for preventive care is just as important as going when your pet is ill or injured. In fact, staying on top of your pet’s health when he’s well can help spot diseases early, so they can be treated fast. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure doesn’t apply only to humans. If you’re a first-time pet owner, if you haven’t owned a pet in a while, or if you have recently moved, you’ll have to select a veterinarian for your pet. Asking friends, family, and neighbors for referrals is great. If that’s not an option, turn to the internet for help.

Five Tips For An Effective Lost Pet Poster

The Missing Pet Partnership (MPP) recommends a highly effective method for creating lost pet signs. According to the theory, you have only five seconds and five words to get the attention of walkers or drivers passing your sign. Use these tips from the MPP to grab people’s attention so they can help you find your missing pet:

1. Make signs huge.

2. Choose fluorescent poster board.

3. Post signs at major intersections near where your pet was lost.

4. Keep wording brief, using huge capital letters: HELP FIND LOST DOG! BEAGLE! RED COLLAR!

5. Tape a smaller flyer with a photo and your phone number to the center of the poster, with the large capital lettering above and below it.

Publisher ‏ : ‎ National Geographic; Illustrated edition (April 2, 2019)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1426219652
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1426219658
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.8 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.7 x 1.07 x 9.75 inches