More Than A Number

For several reasons, a guinea pig is a good choice for children to have as pets these days. Their submissive nature along with the ease with which even a child can take care of them makes it a popular choice. Not forgetting the fact that it doesn’t cost much either to take care of them as well.

However, if one as recently bought (or would like to buy) a guinea pig, here are some tips that can help you take care of your pet:
Tip #1: Since these rodents are normally kept in cages, it wouldn’t hurt to buy a roomier cage which will help them move around a lot more rather than work as a restriction. It’s even better when you house two guinea pigs together as they are social animals.
Tip #2: Avoid areas of your house that are humid, hot or windy. Find a location that is around 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. This will most likely be the ideal spot for its cage to be placed.
Tip #3: Remember to clean its cage and keep a bedding of 2-3 inches thick on a weekly basis.
Tip #4: Vegetables, hay (specifically the unlimited Timothy hay), fresh fruit and water are options that you can use to feed your pet, and please don’t feed the little animal the same thing, day in and out or decayed food. As humans, we wouldn’t like it either. Other options are commercially available food pellets.
Tip #5: Keep its nails trimmed every 4-6 weeks to prevent infections and pain.
Tip #6: Very importantly, keep the guinea pig away from larger animals (read: predators).

Parrots, also known as psittacines are found on all tropical and subtropical continents including Australia, the islands of the Pacific Ocean, Asia, South America, the southern regions of North America and Africa as well.

The largest number of parrot species is found in Australasia and South America. A few endemic species are found in the Caribbean and Pacific islands, while the Lories and Lorikeets are found from Sulawesi and the Philippines to Australia and across the Pacific. The greatest diversity of parrots is in and around New Guinea.

The subfamily Arinae covers all the Neotropical parrots, which includes the Amazons, macaws and conures. They are found from northern Mexico and the Bahamas to Tierra del Fuego in South America.

The pygmy parrots, subfamily Micropsittinae, are restricted to New Guinea. The subfamily of Nestorinae is three species of unusual parrots from New Zealand. Broad-tailed parrots, from the subfamily Platycercinae, are restricted to Australia, New Zealand and Pacific islands as far as Fiji. The final true parrot subfamily, Psittacinae, includes a range of species from Australia and New Guinea to South Asia and Africa.

Very few parrot species are wholly sedentary or fully migratory - most of the parrot species fall somewhere in between. This would explain the poorly understood movements, with some species found to adopt fully nomadic lifestyles.

Amongst all parrot families, the largest parrots are from the three Nestoridae species. The Psittacidae parrots vary in size. The most obvious physical characteristic about parrots is their strong, curved, and broad bill. With a prominent upper mandible, it curves downward to a point. The lower mandible is shorter and has a sharp, upward cutting edge.

If you talk to any veterinary assistant, they will tell you one thing about the fall: it is prime flea season for pets. The reason for this is simple: fleas breed during the spring and summer but die off during the colder winter months, meaning that they are alive in the greatest numbers in the fall. They are always looking for a place to stay, meaning that your dog or cat could be in danger.

Getting rid of fleas is something that any vet assistant can do, but those fleas could already be doing damage to your pet. As vet assistants know, fleas can be very difficult to get rid of, as most collars won’t stop an infestation from attacking your dog or cat. Most veterinary assistant schools recommend a topical medication like Frontline for dealing with fleas, along with vacuuming and washing clothes, rugs and bedding.

For the animal lover looking for a new occupation, many fields offer work that deals directly with animals. Some people are surprised by how many options one has when seeking a job that involves helping animals. Attending veterinary colleges is one way of finding a rewarding animal career, but there are also many other industries and types of training for work involving animal care, including the following:

• Medicine: Veterinarian, vet technician, and veterinary assistant
• Law: Animal law, animal rights, animal cruelty prevention, and humane investigator
• Caretaking and Training: Kennel assistant, animal trainer, pet store employee, zoo worker, and dog trainer
• Business Owners: pet sitter, dog walker, kennel owner, and dog or animal trainer

Each field has its own advantages. Jobs in the fields of medicine and law tend to be high-paying. However, education and training must be considered. Becoming a veterinarian typically requires four years of college plus six years at a college of veterinary medicine. Attorneys typically attend four years of college plus at least three years of law school. To work with animals, however, many jobs require only a few months or years of education.

Individuals who want to own a dog training school might go to animal school to learn more about dog training for several months or a few years. However, owners of a business like this may be successful without years of training, provided they have a sharp mind for business, natural marketing skills, and do high-quality work that satisfies clients. The same goes for owners of a pet store, kennel, or other business that provides services involving animal care or daily routines. Other positions such as veterinary assistants might work in a dog rescue shelter or a variety of other workplaces. These workers can attain certification relatively quickly and still look forward to jobs that provide a steady paycheck and often benefits as well.