Guinea pigs are popular pets for kids, but they're misunderstood. To keep your child's first pet happy and healthy, don't believe these three myths about guinea pigs. Guinea pigs can live alone While a lone guinea pig is a common starter pet for children, they're actually a very social species and should never live on their own. In the wild, guinea pigs live in herds of as many as 10 animals, and as pets, they still need to live with other members of their species.

Dandruff is a common problem in many animal species, even cats. It is defined as the shedding of dead skin flakes and appear as small white spots on your cat's fur, especially if it's dark. Most of the time, dandruff is minor and doesn't cause any problem. Other times, it can be severe and may indicate either a need to treat a medical condition or a need to change your grooming routine.

Owning a cat comes with the responsibility of needing to bring them to a vet for routine care, shots, and exams. While you may have vet visits already scheduled to take place twice a year or annually, you may need to make an appointment to visit the vet if you notice that your cat has been itching themselves a lot. If the amount of itching has increased lately, you'll benefit by scheduling a visit to the vet since they can help with any one of the following scenarios and help your cat get the relief they deserve.

While it's completely normal for your cat to spend a great deal of time grooming themselves, it's important that you recognize if they suddenly began focusing on a specific area. If you notice that your cat has been licking their paws more than usual, it could be a sign that something is wrong. Your cat may be licking their paws due to pain or discomfort, making it a smart idea to visit the vet as soon as possible.

When it comes to catnip, some cat owners question whether or not it is ethical to provide their cats with a substance that appears to induce behavior that can be compared to when a human gets high on illicit drugs. Learn the facts about catnip, and discover how you can use this harmless herb to enhance your cat's contentment. What Is Catnip? Catnip is a perennial herb that can grow wild or be cultivated in pots and garden beds.

Massage therapy for dogs is an alternative animal therapy. For dogs suffering from arthritis, massage therapy can have many benefits. Knowing what massage therapy can do for your dog and how you can get massage therapy services for your dog is an important way that you can improve your dog's quality of life. How can massage therapy help your arthritic dog? Arthritis is a degenerative disease that causes inflammation, pain and stiffness in the joints.

Potbellied pigs love to eat, and if you let them, they'll overeat and become obese in no time. Obesity is a major health problem for potbellied pigs, just like it is for people, so you need to monitor your pet's weight. Here are four things potbellied pig owners need to know about obesity. How else can you tell if your pig is obese? There is no one-size-fits-all guideline regarding the weight of potbellied pigs; just like people, their ideal weight will vary based on their height, frame size and other factors.

Just like humans, dogs require basic dental hygiene to avoid decay and other oral problems. Unfortunately, very few dog owners actually take the time to brush their dogs' teeth or bring their dogs in for dental cleanings. Maybe that's why by age two, an estimated 80% of dogs have some form of periodontal disease. For those who are unfamiliar, periodontal disease is a progressed form of gum disease that can ultimately result in the permanent loss of teeth for your dog, along with other ailments.

In an effort to save money, some pet owners may be considering skipping future vaccinations for their pet. Regardless of your reasoning, there are a number of good reasons not to do this, and it's important that you understand these. As a responsible pet owner, you owe it to your animal to make any decisions involving them with their best interests in mind. Health Concerns Even for those who live in areas with minimal risk of certain viral infections, there's still good reason to vaccinate against the most common fatal illnesses.

It is important to take your cat to the veterinarian when it is ill or injured, but noticing the signs can sometimes be difficult. Pay close attention to the cat's behavior and bring it to the vet if you notice any of the following signs. The Cat is Having Trouble Breathing If it looks like your cat is having difficulty breathing, this is an emergency situation. If your veterinarian's office isn't open, bring it to the nearest animal hospital.