The term “pocket pets” refers to small animals, often rodents, that are kept as pets and can fit in your pocket. This definition has expanded to include a few animals that are not quite that little, but that are housed in cages. Common pocket pets include rats, mice, rabbits, gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs and ferrets. Owning a pocket pet can be a big responsibility. It is very important that you learn how to properly take care of your pocket pet since the majority of health problems in these pets is related to nutrition and housing.

Start with a well balanced diet. There are complete and balanced commercially prepared foods for all kinds of pocket pets. For most owners, this is the best choice. Supplementing with lettuce, carrots etc. may be fun to do and your pet may like it; however, too much can cause an imbalance in the diet. Before you give supplements of any kind — and especially before attempting to make your own diet from scratch — do some reading and educate yourself on how best to feed your little friend.

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Cats can be a handful in the tub without proper preparation. Some cats simply are not good candidates for bathing. Here are a few tips to make it a lot easier for cat and owner alike.

• Start them young. The earlier in life a cat is exposed to water the better.
• Does my cat really need a bath? Cats are known for their constant grooming, yet there are times when a discolored coat, a soiled coat or odor will benefit from bathing.
• Where to bathe? A bathtub works for adult cats and very small cats or kittens may feel better in the kitchen sink.

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“We have been using Oxyfresh Pet Deodorizer for years. We have two dogs and a cat and when people come into our house, they say there is no animal smell at all! We have many uses for it: We put it in our animals’ water for their breath, spray it in the litter box and even spray our animals’ coats to keep them shiny.”
Dennis Hyde
Gainesville, Virginia

“I have two Schnauzers and we use Oxyfresh Pet Shampoo. We love how clean it leaves their coat. It cleans better than other shampoos we’ve used. We don’t have to wash them as often as we did with other products.”
Jim Goldfrank
Ocala, Florida

There are so many different dog food types and brands that it can be very difficult to know how to choose the right dog food. Here are some tips to help guide you:

A good first step is to call your veterinarian’s office and ask if they have a list of dog food manufacturers they recommend. Also, have them check the medical file on your dog and see if there have been sensitivities or allergies to foods or ingredients identified that you should stay away from. Armed with your list, go to a pet store — not the grocery store. Generally, better quality pet foods are sold in pet supply stores and if you can shop at a smaller, independent store, you can often get additional guidance from a knowledgeable staff member.

Look for meat protein sources listed high in the ingredient list. Dog food manufacturers are required to list the major ingredients first. Often, low quality dog foods will list a meat ingredient first, which will be followed by several by-products and fillers. In this case, although meat is listed first, there are actually more fillers than meat.

The ingredient list should also contain whole grains, vegetables and an Omega 3 source. Whole grains supply fiber, vitamins and minerals. The best grains for dogs are rolled oats, barley, quinoa, millet and brown rice. Some examples of great Omega 3 sources are Salmon Oil, Flax Oil, and Canola Oil.

Dry food can be moistened with a little warm water or a good liquid nutritional supplement. While dry kibble may not seem appetizing to us, dogs love it and it’s better for their teeth than canned food.

Be aware that while preservatives may be necessary to keep the food edible, preservatives do not have to be artificial chemicals that might be cancer-causing agents. Avoid pet foods that use chemical preservatives BHA, BHT and Ethoxyquin. Vitamin E & Vitamin C are great preservatives that are much better for your dog.

Choose your dog’s food as you would choose brands and ingredients that are better for you and your family. After all, they are a valued member of your family and deserve the best ingredients that your budget will allow. A little knowledge should make the choice easier the next time you’re in the market for pet food.