Can young children handle small pets safely?
If your child wants a hamster, gerbil or guinea pig, it’s best to wait until he or she is at least 5 years old. Younger children can be too rough with these “pocket pets,” says Dr. Gary Levy, a veterinarian at Lakeview Veterinary Hospital. These pets don’t have a very long lifespan, he adds; most live only four or five years. Should I have my pet micro-chipped? Locals have embraced micro-chipping their cats and dogs in a big way since Hurricane Katrina, says Dr. Daryl Haydel, a veterinarian at Metairie Small Animal Hospital. The procedure is quick, inexpensive and relatively painless; the chip is inserted via a syringe needle. If your pet is lost, the person who finds it can bring the animal to a vet and have it scanned. The scan reveals a number to call to find out who owns the pet. Many facilities that board animals require microchipping, and all pets adopted from the SPCA are chipped. Does my pet need a buddy? In general, a cat or dog left alone at home while its owner works is just
