Q: We want to get a small pet for our 10-year-old son. We cannot
decide which would be better, a guinea pig, a hamster or a rat. Any
suggestions?
Q: We want to get a small pet for our 10-year-old son. We cannot decide which would be better, a guinea pig, a hamster or a rat. Any suggestions?
A: No matter which you choose, you’ll have a good time. The Keesling kids had some of these interesting and entertaining pets, and it was a terrific experience. Contrary to what some people think, these “pocket pets” can be affectionate companions, and they are relatively easy to maintain. They’re particularly nice for people living in small homes or apartments because they require a very small space.
But consider these facts. Hamsters and mice and rats have an average life expectancy much shorter than that of guinea pigs. Hamsters live an average of just 2 years. Mice and rats have a life expectancy of about 3-5 years, while guinea pigs live anywhere from 5-8 years. Quite a difference, don’t you think?
Nonetheless, here’s the best suggestion. Why not let your son look at a few books about these little critters, and then he can decide which one he would like? Whichever he chooses, he’ll have a fun and educational experience.
Q: The cat in our apartment was recently neutered. Ever since, his fecal droppings have had a really bad smell. Is there anything we should worry about here?
A: Truth is, surgery shouldn’t have any effect on your cat’s droppings. But we hear this question several times a year. Neutering, a simple castration, simply removes the testosterone-producing testicles. Testosterone dramatically affects the behavior of a male cat. Once these guys lose that hormone, they mellow and become less likely to wander and be aggressive.
Neutering may affect food and water intake. And perhaps that’s the reason things seem a bit more smelly in his box. But other factors are more likely to be the cause of this new stink. Perhaps you’ve recently changed his food or started giving him some new treats. Any change in diet can cause a change in his “output”.
The bottom line here (if you’ll excuse the choice of words) is that unless he has diarrhea or feels ill, I wouldn’t be too concerned. If the smell is too much to bear, try switching to a different cat food and see if that helps. Otherwise, remember that there are different types of litter and some are more odor-absorbent than others.
Whatever you do, don’t banish him to the outdoors. Outside cats have a life expectancy less than half that of inside cats. Living outside is just too dangerous for cats. Try some dietary changes before you give up.
Q: We recently adopted a small kitten that is very active and healthy. We named him Homer Simpson because his stomach is huge. We’ve had him over 2 weeks now and his stomach keeps getting bigger, but I don’t think he’s growing at all. My dad says he’ll start growing later, he’s just a kitten. What do you think?
A: I think that Homer needs to go to the vet’s office right away. The most common cause for slow growth and a distended tummy in kittens or puppies is a roundworm infection. Roundworms can sap the strength and the growth right out of a young animal like yours.
If Homer’s problem is indeed roundworms, treatment is simple and your veterinarian can prescribe the correct medication to eliminate these parasites. But here’s a word of warning. Some kittens with intestinal parasites can develop a blockage after the worms are killed by medication. After Homer receives his medication, he’ll need to be closely monitored at home to be sure he is able to defecate normally.
And a final note: it’s always good to remind our readers that roundworms are a contagious parasite that can affect other animals as well as young people. If you have a kitten or puppy, be sure he is given a prophylactic dose of roundworm medication so that he is free of these very dangerous parasites. If they are contracted by a child, they can cause devastating health consequences.
