Beechwood Veterinary Hospital

Choosing the Best Pet Snake for Beginners

Ball Python

#1 Choose a good Beginner snake

You might think any old snake will do, but you would be wrong. Many experts would recommend the corn snake, ball python, and kingsnake as good pet snakes.

#2 Know the risks

We’re not just talking bites here (though the risk is small, accidents can happen). Snakes, like all reptiles, can carry Salmonella, which can leave you feeling quite ill (it’s not a good idea to have a snake with kids under five because of this). If you have children in the house, make sure they learn to wash their hands after handling the snake. And you? Wash your hands, too!

#3 Understand what snakes like

Snakes are, by nature, typically solitary creatures. They most definitely do not enjoy crowds or loud noises, so you can just forget about taking them to see the latest Taylor Swift concert. And because of this solitary nature, it’s usually best to have just one snake per habitat. Try to keep the snake handling to a minimum, as most snakes aren’t the touchy-feely type. However, you do need to handle your snake for about five minutes a day so it is accustomed to human contact. They also love consistency and routine (who knew?), so stick to the same routine for feeding, changing of water, and cleaning the tank.

#4 The right environment is key

Now this doesn’t mean you have to grab some dirt, water, and flora from the tropical rainforests of South America, but you do need to create the right environment for your pet snake to live and thrive in. This means maintaining the temperature and humidity at the proper levels. Check out reputable resources, such as PetSmart’s Care Guides, to see the correct temperature and humidity ranges for your pet.

Once you know your pet’s requirements fit the terrarium with two thermometers and a hygrometer (humidity gauge) to ensure your pet is in the ideal environment. A heat lamp is an excellent heat source, but only use this for half the tank, as your snake likes having a cool retreat to hang out in from time to time, too. Heat rocks look nice, but in reality they are not safe for a snake’s sensitive skin. A plant placed cleverly inside the habitat, along with an extra water bowl under the lamp, can also help you reach the desired level of humidity. But if you live in a dry environment, you may want to place a humidifier near (not in) the tank or use a reptile fogging system designed to be used inside your snake’s habitat.

How Often Do I Bath My Pooch?

How often?

Unless your dog has gotten into something smelly or dirty, she will need to be bathed only every two to four months. Bathing her too frequently will dry out her skin and strip the natural oils from her coat.

How to get started?

Make sure to use a shampoo that’s made for dogs. Human shampoo can be too harsh for your puppy’s skin and coat. Put a non-slip surface, such as a bath mat or towel, in the bottom of your tub (or sink, kiddie pool, or wherever you are doing your bathing). Lather up the coat, and then rinse thoroughly. Be sure to rinse completely or the shampoo will leave a dull residue on puppy’s fur. Avoid getting shampoo and water directly in the eyes, mouth and inside the ears.

Paper Bag Hide & Seek

All cats love paper bags. Perhaps in another life they spent time shopping. Whether it’s a fancy, oversized department store tote or a plain brown sack from the supermarket, a bag is a magical hideout for a feline. Something about the crackle of the paper and the semi-darkness of the interior spells intrigue. Place one on the floor and watch your cat inspect, then explore. Some cats find paper bags so cozy, they’ll curl up for a nap, while others use the cover to peek out and pounce on the first pair of feet to walk past. Tap on the outside, and your cat will respond from inside, or a paw will shoot out to nab you. Toss a toy inside and watch your cat chase and capture it, or attach a toy or paper to a string, then pull it slowly past the bag’s opening.

If the bag has handles, always cut those off to keep your cat from putting his head through the loops. Never use plastic bags, as cats can choke on plastic or get hung up on the handles.

How to Care for Domestic Rabbits

Rabbits may be easy to love, but they’re not quite as easy to care for. These lovable, social animals are wonderful companions for people who take the time to learn about their needs. Though providing care for these adorable creatures isn’t difficult, rabbits have a long lifespan—more than 10 years—and many specific care requirements. Anyone considering adding a rabbit to their family should carefully research books and web sites on rabbit care before making a decision. Here are some quick tips to get you started:

Grey Lop Bunny

Home Sweet Home

Indoors or Outdoors?
Every rabbit owner should know that the safest place for a rabbit to live is indoors. Rabbits should never be kept outdoors! Domestic rabbits are different from their wild relatives—they do not tolerate extreme temperatures well, especially in the hot summer months. Even in a safe enclosure, rabbits are at risk from predators. Merely the sight or sound of a nearby wild animal can cause rabbits so much stress that they can suffer a heart attack and literally die of fear.

Caged or Free to Roam?
Whether you decide to let your rabbit roam free in your entire home or just a limited area, it is important that you make everything rabbit-safe. One little bunny can easily find a whole lot of trouble in an average home. Because rabbits like to chew, make sure that all electrical cords are out of reach and outlets are covered. Chewing through a plugged-in cord can result in severe injury or even death. Their chewing can also result in poisoning if the wrong objects are left in the open or in unlocked low cabinets. Aside from obvious toxins like insecticides, rodenticides, and cleaning supplies, be aware that common plants such as aloe, azalea, Calla lily, Lily of the Valley, philodendron, and assorted plant bulbs can be poisonous to rabbits.

If kept in a cage, rabbits need a lot of room to easily move around. A rabbit’s cage should be a minimum of five times the size of the rabbit. Your rabbit should be able to completely stretch out in his cage and stand up on his hind legs without bumping his head on the top of the cage. Additionally, cages with wire flooring are hard on rabbits’ feet, which do not have protective pads like those of dogs and cats. If you place your rabbit in a wire cage, be sure to layer the floor with cardboard or other material. Place a cardboard box or “rabbit condo” in the cage so the bunny has a comfortable place to hide, and respect your animal’s need for quiet time (rabbits usually sleep during the day and night, becoming playful at dawn and dusk).

When rabbits are kept in a cage, they need to be let out for several hours each day for exercise. Aside from running and jumping, rabbits also enjoy exploring their surroundings. This is an ideal time to play and interact with your rabbit. Make sure that he has a safe area to play and explore.

Bunny And Mommy

Bunny Bathrooms

Just like cats, rabbits can easily learn to use a litter box. Place a litter box in the cage to encourage this behavior. If your rabbit roams freely through multiple rooms of your home, it’s a good idea to have litter boxes in several places. Many rabbits enjoy spending time relaxing in their litter box, so make sure that it is of ample size. For bedding (litter), stay away from cedar or other wood shavings, which may cause liver damage or trigger allergic reactions in rabbits. Also avoid clumping or dusty kitty litters, which can cause serious health problems if eaten. Instead, stick with organic litters made of paper, wood pulp, or citrus. Newspaper can work too, but may not be as absorbent. Be sure to put fresh hay in the litter box daily, as many rabbits like to have a snack while sitting in their litter box.

Doggy Nail Trimming

Since dog’s nails grow in a curve, allowing them to get too long will cause the “fingers” and “toes” to splay or twist when the dog walks. This can be very uncomfortable and can ultimately lead to broken fingers and toes. Regular nail clipping can prevent this, as well as reduce the risk of torn nails. It can also save on wear and tear of your floors and carpeting.

How often?

Nails should be checked and clipped approximately every two weeks. They are probably too long if you can hear them “click” as your dog walks across the floor.

How to get started?

There are two styles of nail clippers made just for pets. Either style is acceptable as long as you are comfortable with how it feels in your hands, you have a clear line of sight to exactly where the blade is cutting, and the clipper has a sharp blade on it. Keep a jar of styptic powder handy to stop the bleeding in case you accidentally clip the vein.

Where to clip?

If your puppy has white nails, you can see the pink vein through the nail. Clip off the tip of the nail, but not so much as to clip the vein. If your puppy has black nails, you will need to clip off a little at a time, looking at the nail tip straight on after each clip. When you start seeing a pale oval in the tip, it means you are near the vein and should stop clipping. If you keep the nails clipped on a regular basis, you will notice a hook at the end of a thicker part of the nail. The hook portion is what can be clipped off. Don’t forget to clip the dew claws if your dog has them!

Remember to start slow

In the beginning, let your puppy sniff the clipper, hear the sound it makes, and feel it against the paw and nail before you start clipping. If you get just one nail done, that’s a success! When you’re just starting out, it may take a week or longer to do all four paws. Keep the sessions positive and reward your puppy with lots of treats and praise while you’re clipping.

Bathtub Ping-Pong

Bouncing a ping-pong ball into an empty bathtub will bring your cat running. Take all soap, shampoo and other products out of the way, and close the drain to keep the ball from settling there. Cats will enjoy chasing the ball as it rolls from side to side. They’ll hit it with extended paws, kick it with hind feet or carom it off the edge to see it fly high. More than one ping-pong ball turns your tub into a kitty arcade as the balls cross paths and the cat does his best to follow both. If the rocketing sound of a ping-pong ball is too loud for you, substitute one of those plastic Easter eggs that cats also love. Lighter in weight, these oval shapes will spin and tumble as your cat bats them back and forth. The eggs also come apart, and cats enjoy capturing the halves between their paws, or picking one up in their teeth, making Kitty look like he’s wearing a colorful surgical mask.

Once you’ve played bathtub ping-pong with your cat, he may start a rousing game on his own at midnight unless you hide the ball for next time.