Gerbils are sociable pets that are fun to watch as they go about their business. But they also need attention. Before you know it, these little speedsters can jump out of their enclosure with a high leap.
It is best to keep the mice in a terrarium with a cover. Desert gerbils can jump very high.
Gerbils should be kept in pairs at least, but of the same sex to avoid unwanted overcrowding. For a little fun, you can create a great play paradise for two desert gerbils.
It is important not to skimp on bedding and exciting toys. Wood shavings combined with a little straw and hay make a suitable substrate that they can dig and tunnel in. Small tubes to crawl through, clay bowls filled with sand for grooming sand baths, small nests for resting, maybe even a sleeping house—all this makes the perfect home for desert gerbils.
These little creatures have a different rhythm to us humans. They are active for two to three hours, then they have a rest period of the same length, and then they start again. So think carefully about where to place their home, perhaps not right next to your relaxation area.
In the wild, desert gerbils live a sparse lifestyle and their bodies function accordingly. Grass and herb seeds are part of their diet; budgie food is a good example. The mice need hay, straw, and fresh water every day. High-energy foods such as pine nuts, corn, and nuts should only be given in small amounts as a treat. The same applies to dried vegetables. A little animal protein can also be included in the diet; mealworms and crickets are good choices for these little speedsters. Please give your pets anything new on their "plate" in very small portions at first so that they can get used to the new food. You can also give them a little fruit now and then, such as a few small pieces of pear, apple, or grape. But be careful: too much of this can cause stomach ache.
Gerbils are quite robust animals. However, if you still feel that something is wrong with your pet, it is best to act quickly. Transport your little patient in a small animal carrier equipped with bedding and perhaps a slice of cucumber as food and a source of water. A veterinarian specializing in pets is best equipped to help. If you need to give your pet medication for a while, it is best to mix the drops or paste into a treat for your mouse.
Sometimes it helps the patient if they don't have to go to the vet alone and you take the rest of the gang with you to calm them down a little. The most important thing is that you trust your vet, because then your gerbil will too.
Basically, senior cats are just like people who are getting on in years: not everything works as well as it did when they were young. They have a few aches and pains, and sometimes, unfortunately, serious illnesses. And everything can slow down a little. It happens gradually: age becomes more and more noticeable over the years. Some cats age earlier, while others remain young and fit for longer. In any case, the aging process can be accompanied by good care.
Horseback riding is a wonderful hobby, especially with your own horse! When humans and animals form a strong team, you develop a completely different connection than when you are "jumping" from one horse to the next at a riding school. But how can you find happiness with a permanent horse partner if you can't afford to buy your own horse? Or if you can't find the time to devote to a horse on your own? A riding partnership could be the best decision for you and your horse.
Malassezia dermatitis is a skin disease caused by yeast fungi, which often manifests itself in dogs as an outer ear infection but can also affect the entire body.
Echocardiography refers to the ultrasound examination of the heart, which is used in the diagnosis of heart disease. This requires a special ultrasound device and a veterinary practice specializing in cardiac ultrasound.
Birds groom themselves almost constantly: they clean themselves, sharpen their beaks and bite. But sometimes our feathered friends need a little help.
Stomatitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane in a dog's mouth. It can develop primarily (on its own) or secondarily as a result of other underlying diseases and can affect only a limited area or the entire mouth. Small dogs and dogs with misaligned teeth are particularly affected.
We always want the best for our four-legged companions: to care for them, spend quality time together, and share our world with them. But despite all our care and attention, accidents and emergencies can happen. With an emergency kit, you'll be well prepared. Of course, the kit is no substitute for a visit to the vet. But especially for minor accidents, sudden illness, and stressful situations, a well-stocked emergency kit is an important tool. And in an emergency, you may even save your dog's life if you have the right equipment and know what to do.
You've probably experienced a dog wagging its tail at the door even though the person who was greeted minutes later was nowhere to be seen or heard. It's well known that dogs have better hearing than humans. But did you also know that your dog can block out certain sounds?
Endocrinology is the field of medicine that deals with disorders of metabolism and hormones. Hormones are messenger substances that are produced in the ovaries or testicles and by the endocrine glands, such as the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, pancreas, and adrenal glands, and released into the blood. Hormones transmit information and thus control all important bodily functions.
Rabbit snuff is a chronic, recurrent infectious disease of the respiratory tract caused by various bacterial pathogens. It can be fatal and, due to its high contagiousness, can lead to high losses in large rabbit populations.
Who hasn't dreamed of galloping along the water's edge on horseback? The wind in your hair, a hint of salt on your lips, and the feeling of flying. Okay, maybe that was a bit dramatic, but admit it: you'd love to go horseback riding on the beach..
Which horses get osteoarthritis? It very often affects older horses that have already covered many miles in their lifetime or those that have been actively involved in sport for some time. However, horses that have not had regular exercise appropriate to their species can also develop osteoarthritis. Basically, though, there is no general rule. It is also not easy to recognize osteoarthritis in its early stages. Sometimes, horse owners think that their horse is just experiencing a temporary period of overexertion when it has difficulty getting up from the straw. Or they believe that the cold winter is the reason why their horse is a little stiff-legged. After all, who likes to run around at minus 15 degrees Celsius? So where does osteoarthritis start and how can a horse owner best deal with it?
