pet life archives

What To Do When Your Pet Has Recurring Urinary Infections

2011-06-04T09:51:00.000-07:00

About one out of every seven pets become infected with a urinary tract infection serious enough to require treatment, with about half of those infections becoming a chronic long-term condition known as a recurring urinary infections. It is also safe to say that seventy percent of all cases will be female and that most will involve pets who are advanced in age, have diabetes mellitus, are prone to stones in the urinary tract, have some sort of bladder condition, or are on long-term corticosteroid therapy.

As you can see there are many reasons that could make a pet susceptible to recurring urinary tract infections. It might also be helpful to know that infections of the urinary tract can be acquired through oral ingestion of bacterial laden food or water that is spread through the blood or by opportunistic bacteria gaining access through the urethra and working its way up the urinary tract to the bladder and worst case scenario to the kidneys.

*So the first rule of thumb for ridding your pet of this condition is to make sure they don't accidentally ingest any food or water that might contain bacteria. No pet owner would intentionally feed their pet food teaming with bacteria but I know with my pets sometimes they can find, and eat or drink, gross stuff including old food and unclean water.

*As we briefly touched on above these types of infections typically become recurring in older animals primarily due to a weakened immune system which is no longer capable of eliminating and repelling bacteria that happens to gain access to the urinary tract. For these pets special care should be taken to make sure that they don't come in contact with feces while urinating or eliminating. For pets using litter boxes the threat is even greater since they are prime breeding grounds for bacterial and should be kept very clean and checked regularly. Additionally, a daily exercise routine should be implemented to boost waning immune system function.

*Another area of concern in older pets with arthritis. Pets that require long-term corticosteroid medication to reduce bone and joint pain are at high risk for developing recurring urinary tract infections. If your pet falls into this category switching them to a natural arthritis remedy containing glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate might be something worth considering since both of these substances have been shown to help animals (especially cats) with recurrent urinary infections.

*As we have mentioned bacteria generally enters through the urethra and works its way up the urinary tract. In order to accomplish this feat it must be able to adhere to urinary lining and then to the bladder wall. Certain compounds called ellagitannins help prevent this from happening. Blackberries and raspberries are good sources with cranberries and blueberries having similar action. Since most pets aren't going to beat the door down to get to your blackberry stash adding low sugar fruit juice to their water regularly probably is the simplest and cleanest delivery method.

*And lastly adding a homeopathic urinary tract supplement specially formulated to relieve bladder discomfort, reduce urine leakage, boost immune function, and improve overall bladder and urinary tract health could be an idea worth considering. One advantage of these types of natural remedies is they can be safely used in conjunction with other therapies (antibiotics) commonly used to hold recurring urinary tract infections at bay.

About the Author

R.D. Hawkins is an enthusiastic consumer advocate for natural health and natural living

with over 10 years experience in the field.To discover more about pet health along with information about safe and effective herbal and homeopathic pet urinary tract conditioning supplements

Dog Training in Simple Steps

2011-06-04T09:44:00.000-07:00

You must remember that patience is your biggest virtue when dog training. Fear of punishment will simply make your dog confused. By simply ignoring your dog you will send him a clear enough message that he should not repeat that particular behaviour. Your dog might do the wrong thing several times but patience and persistence will win through in the end. Your dog just wants to please you and this is the key to him learning how to obey you.

Dog training is essentially a process of instant positive reinforcement, it should be fun for both you and your dog and neither of you should be getting bored with the process. Bearing this in mind you should limit training periods to no more than about 15 minutes a day. Initially you should use a quiet area of your home or garden and start with basic commands like heel, sit, stay and come. Praise him as soon as he does something right, ignore wrong behavior. Reinforce the praise with a small treat. You don't want to make your dog fat so small treat is important. Do not move on from these four basic commands until your dog correctly obeys them every time.

When your dog begins to obey these commands delay the treat but continue to provide instant praise. Eventually he should perform the command without any treat at all. You should also go to busier and louder places where the dog's attention will be compromised and make obeying more demanding.

I should also emphasize what I mean by 'instant positive reinforcement' because this is where so many owners go wrong. Instant in this context means within 2 seconds of the action. Any longer and your dog will fail to connect the action with the reinforcement. It is so easy to confuse your dog if you are slow with the encouragement. For example, suppose you are teaching the 'Sit' command. An untrained dog when first learning the 'Sit' command will will sometimes sit and then stand almost immediately afterwards. If you are at all slow with the praise then you could cause your dog to associate the 'Sit' command with a 'stand' action. So be careful!

Only advance to new commands when the four old ones are obeyed first time in all circumstances.

Finally you have to be consistent. If there is more than one person involved in the training then to avoid confusing the dog they have to agree on a general approach.

About the Author

John Thompson: Go to my dog training guide to get more detailed information on dog training. In this website you will find detailed articles covering house training, crate and clicker training as well.

Common Viral Infections in Cats: Basic Knowledge (Part 1)

2011-05-26T08:15:00.000-07:00

Cats are animals which possess a high level of curiosity. Sometimes this behavioral instinct leads them to be in contact with some pathogens from their environment or from other animals which may be carriers of diseases. To give you a brief rundown, here are the most common viral infections that may affect them. As pet owners it is our responsibility to at least understand and have a little knowledge of these posing threats.

Viral rhinitis

· Commonly known as influenza in cats.
· There are 2 viruses involved: the feline calicivirus and feline herpesvirus.
· Common signs typically are coughing and sneezing, there is apparent discharge from the nose and eyes. The cat shows a distressful behavior and may exhibit some ulceration on the mouth or tongue. The cat usually gives a rasping sound as a result of the inflamed lungs and the trachea.
· Cats should be kept warm and they should be encouraged to eat or drink. Some antibiotic treatment is helpful to prevent secondary infections to occur. A proper vaccination is deemed as a good preventive measure.

Chlamydial infections

· One of the common causes of upper respiratory infections.
· These are organisms midway between bacteria and viruses.
· One of the obvious sign that we can observe is the inflamed eyes with some discharge.
· A more progressive infection entails nasal discharges which consequently decrease the ability of the cat to smell.
· So far a treatment involves the use of antibiotics similar to bacterial infections.

Feline infectious peritonitis

· Caused by corona virus
· This viral infection has no obvious sign but on mild infections you can observe diarrhea or constipation coupled by loss of appetite, lethargy and weight loss. Loss of balance and tremors may also be present.
· There is no cure for the disease but the supportive care is vital for the survival of the cat.

Feline distemper

· Also known as feline panleukopenia viral infection.
· This is a severe infection in cats which mostly affects the first year of life in the cat.
· Common symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea and seizures.
· There are no known treatments but supportive care is a must.
· A vaccine is available to protect cats from acquiring the disease.

About the Author

Joel Francis is a well driven writer and a pet care educator. For relevant information visit http://petlifearchives.blogspot.com/

Dog Behaviour Tips and Tricks

2011-05-26T07:24:00.000-07:00

When a person brings home a puppy from the pet store or from a rescue shelter, there are a handful of individuals that he/she will look to for help as he/she begins to take care of his/her new pet. Veterinarians are the ones dog owners approach in case of health problems, while dog trainers are handy when the time comes for the puppy to be trained in proper behavior. For those who don't have money to spend on dog training and behavioral sessions, they can always read self-help books concerning dog behavior tips and tricks that they can easily teach their pet.

The first behavior owners can notice in their dog is its incessant barking. Those who dream of having their puppy or dog stop barking permanently are deluded; barking is a dog's way of speaking, and having its vocal cords cut is plain cruel. Besides, a barking dog is a good alarm in case a robber gets inside the house or something amiss happens around the house. However, long bouts of barking can be annoying not just for the family, but also for the neighbors. There are a few tips a dog owner should know to prevent this from happening.

First, before berating the puppy for barking, the owner must first establish a concrete reason why it barks in the first place. Is it because the children are making too much noise? Is there a cat nearby? Or does it bark because nobody has been paying any attention to it? If it's because of the latter, then owners can solve this by playing with the dog more often and even taking it on long walks. Dogs usually bark for long periods of time because they feel bored, neglected, and perhaps even unloved. By showing the dog that it's not unloved can help improve the situation.

Another behavior one can observe in dogs - especially puppies - is chewing. A puppy can chew at Mom's shoes, at Dad's socks, and even Sister's favorite book. Dog owners can stop the puppy from chewing at something important (like Dad's notes for an important business meeting) by keeping these out of reach. Puppy-proofing one's house can certainly go a long way, and dog owners can now focus on training their puppy to stop chewing.

The main reason why puppies chew is because like human babies, they tend to explore their new world by putting things into its mouth. Puppies also have this desire to chew continuously until they turn 6 months old, and most dogs even chew things when they grow older. Owners should teach the puppy the things it cannot chew. Whenever they see the puppy chewing on someone's shoe, they should interrupt the puppy with a loud noise and then hand it a chew toy (one can buy these at the local pet store) and then praise it when the puppy drops the shoe and reaches for the chew toy instead.

Another method to teach good dog behavior in terms of chewing is by giving them its own chew toys. Some owners give their puppies knotted old socks and secondhand toys. Unlike humans, puppies wouldn't know the differences between an old sock and a new one.

These are just some of the dog behaviors one can observe while a puppy is growing up. Other behaviors include nipping, biting, urinating or defecating (pooping) everywhere, and even displaying aggressive behavior. Proper dog training is a must in order for dog owners - and the dog - to have a happy and content life.

About the Author
John Greer
Interested with cats?, I suggested to read about Common Surgical Procedures for Cats.
Feel free to read Veterinarian Orlando Florida here. Enjoy reading!

Hermit Crabs: Some Basic Information

2011-05-19T02:32:00.000-07:00

As great as hermit crabs are to keep as pets, it's no surprise that you're looking for info on these fun little critters. Most people know little about these "oh so unique" pets, but I'd like to change that. The following article will include some of the basic information that anyone interested in "adopting" them should know.

"Hermies" are quite different from many other common pets. They are easy to take care of, inexpensive to purchase and maintain, and are just plain cool! Add to that the fact they can be found in just about any pet store, and you've got one good candidate for a new pet.

In the interest of getting you informed, I'll explain what hermit crabs are, and then I'll expound on why I think they make such terrific pets.

When you see these shelled creatures at your local pet store, you're looking at land-based or terrestrial hermit crab. This type of crab belongs to the family of coenobitidae.

These creatures are pretty unique. Not only does his "shell as a home" distinguish him from most other animals, but he starts off his life as a sea creature. They can survive for a few months away from the water, but will periodically travel back to the shore and take a dip to sustain them for a while.

On a personal note, I've been continually surprised by how much personality "hermies" have once you get to know them. Each individual crab I've owned has been a little different than the rest. As a matter of fact, I usually wait about a week before naming a new one, so I can pick a name that matches their personality!

What Do I Need to Take Care of My Hermit Crab?

Well, they don't require much in the way of supplies. If you're thinking of buying one, however, I'd recommend thinking again.

These crabs are very social in nature. As you become friends with yours, you'll see what I'm talking about. These crabs didn't earn their name from being loners. If you're considering keeping them as pets, let me give you a word of advice - the more you buy the happier they'll be.

These social creatures need each other's company, I recommend purchasing 4-12 of them at a time. In fact, many crab owners I know purchase their pets by the dozen. It replicates the social environment they would thrive in in nature.

About the Author

CR Tucker is is the author of "Secrets To Raising Healthy Hermit Crabs". Visit his website Hermit Crab Hub. For more basic hermit crab information click Basic Information on Hermit Crabs.

Caring For Siamese Fighting Fish

2011-05-18T12:13:00.000-07:00

New to becoming a Betta Owner. Then you should know of Siamese Fighting Fish Care. Has to which factors are important in ensuring the well being of your fish.

Siamese Fighting Fish are about 3 inches in length. They are found in different number of colors such as blue's, green's, red's, yellow's etc which makes them eye catchy.Siamese Fighting Fish has the scientific name of Beta Splendens. Both Male And Female can live in the same environment but males tend to get a little more than females also if in a confined tank and you have a lot of Siamese fish then they might adapt hostile attitude.So make sure that you have sufficient space for the fish to swim.

Another thing you should take of is to not use too many rocks or such decorations which can cause the fish to be stuck in it.

Maintaining the fish tank and ensuring the it has clean water is utmost essential and directly effects the health of your fish. Also it is good to have the tank or fish bowl covered as you so do not need the fish getting out of the tank. And if you have another pet such as a cat. Then covering the tank becomes a necessity.

Make sure the bottom of the tank does not have debris. If the debris has settled at the bottom this will lead to the water becoming cloudy.And is also unhealthy for the Fish.

One important factor to note is not to use to many chemicals as it may alter the pH of water and as a results kill the Fish. If you use chemicals to clean the tank leave it for a while. Clean it thoroughly with water before filling up the tank for the fish.Another Tip for you if to take notice if you have just got your fish. That you do not place especially males together. Mix them up including both males and females.You known in care of Siamese Fighting Fish the name in itself implies very much just what they are capable of doing. And when it comes to the health of your fish feeding them is important do not over feed them feed them once a day which is sufficient.

So here were few tips to assist you in caring for your Siamese fighting fish. Although Betta's do not have a very long life span. They live for about 3-5 years but you can with the proper care can increase their life expectancy.

about the author

If you would like to know about Betta Fish Care & Siamese Fighting Fish Care & Betta Fish Care Step By Step Guide. Look at :
Siamese Fighting Fish Care

Odd Dog Behaviors: Decoded!

2011-05-18T11:47:00.000-07:00

Why is he doing that? How many times have you caught sweet old Domino chasing his tail, scooting across the living room rug, biting his own foot or shaking his head and wondered "what is that all about?" A handful, or should I say a "pawful" of these odd dog behaviors are finally explained!

Tail Chasing:

Play can come in a whole lot of flavors and for dogs, when nothing is going on and boredom sets in, sometimes your own tail is the best plaything around! Often, but not always, tail chasing is nothing more than boredom and play, egged on by an owner's laughter.

While tail chasing sure looks like playful antics and nothing more, some interesting research has recently been published. Apparently, there is a correlation between high cholesterol levels and tail chasing behaviors. Before you rush to check Hector's blood levels, though, check a few other things first. Fleas, ticks, an injury, or an anal gland problem can all lean to tail chasing. If chasing leads to biting and licking, examine the areas carefully, looking for evidence of fleas or a hot spot. Hector may be going after a painful or itchy spot and not really playing after all.

Scooting:

It looks so cute! Little Domino, his spotted butt glued to the carpet, dragging himself forward with his speckled front paws. What's that behavior all about?

Well, actually, it's not so cute after all. Dogs have glands at the base of their tails, one on each side. These glands secrete tiny amounts of anal fluid when a dog defecates that identifies the dog, sort of like fingerprints or a business card, if you will. The openings to these glands can get kind of "gummed up" and then the glands get full and impacted or worse yet, infected. Scooting is a sign that there is an anal glands problem.

While there are myriad instructions on the Internet letting owners know how to free the anal sac, it really is best to have your vet perform this quick and minimally invasive and smelly procedure. It will take him or her 30 seconds with no risk of injury. Unless you are an experienced anal sac/anal gland remover, you can cause serious injury to your Domino. Just let the vet do this and in seconds Domino will forget about scooting. On occasion this needs to be repeated twice or even three times, however, this is rare.

Paw Licking or Biting:

On this one we need to move from the obvious to the obscure. First: is there something in the paw, either in a pad or in between the pads, that is bothering her? Check for cuts, scrapes, thorns, a pebble, a skin lesion or "pimple," etc. How about fleas, a tick or other parasites?

Once you are sure that there is nothing in there, and the licking and biting hasn't stopped, consider allergies. Sometimes food allergies can manifest as itchiness and paw licking/biting is the result. Check with a vet regarding allergies, and try to identify the culprit. With guidance from your vet, you might find that a raw food diet will help.

Finally, if you are able to rule out both localized problems, like a thorn or a cut and allergies are not to blame, paw licking can also be due to anxiety or boredom. In some cases, this is just a bad habit, kind of like a human biting their nails. In other cases, this can blossom into full-blown obsessive compulsive disorder and requires treatment.

Chewing "Air:"

Ever notice that some dogs "chew" even when there is nothing in their mouths? They make funny lip smacking, "air chewing" sounds as if they have a bad case of cotton mouth! What's that all about?

Apparently that sound is deeply soothing to a dog. It reminds them of one of the first sounds they ever hear, a sound associated with all good things: suckling or nursing. Dogs do it to convey a sense of contentment and to help others around them feel at ease. In other words, "don't worry and be happy!"

Rolling in Smelly Things:

Ask any dog owner: this nasty habit always occurs when the timing is at its absolute worst! Wearing white? Need to go to a wedding or funeral in five minutes? That's when Nemo will find the freshest pile of something horrid to roll in. Why?

Three theories have been suggested, but experts are not sure which explanation is correct. First, some think that dogs may do this as a predatory behavior to "cover up" their own scent. Others suggest that dogs gain status within a pack from being highly scented, since all the other pack members will stop what they are doing to sniff. Finally, some believe the behavior has to do with communicating to other pack members that a food source has been found.

Although there may not be full agreement among vets and researchers why dogs do this, it is, well apart from stinky and poorly timed, normal, healthy and nothing to worry about long term.

Muzzle Nudging or Poking:A poke, or "ponk" (combination of poke and bonk) is a common enough dog-to-human gesture that usually means "pet me" or "pet me more." But have you ever seen dogs do it to each other? Dogs push or poke their nose into another dog's muzzle at a ninety-degree angle. What's that all about?

Apparently a throwback to puppyhood, the muzzle-to-muzzle ponk is about submission. It is a pacifying gesture, the ponker saying to the ponkee "I am not a threat. I'm just a friend. Got any food?"

Mounting or Humping:

No discussion of dog behavior would be complete without at least mentioning the dreaded humping behavior. Mounting or humping, is when a dog climbs on top of another dog to feign sexual intercourse. To humans, this behavior sure looks like it needs no explanation, but believe it or not, it isn't what it looks like! Humping or mounting can occur between two females or when a dominant female meets a submissive male. Humping can be about seeking sexual contact, but it is often just a display of dominance. It is extremely common to see within your pack as one is establishing and continuing to reinforce his or her place as pack leader.

Again, unless it gets too forceful or appears that one is hurting the other (unlikely), chalk it up to one of those dog-like behaviors. It's harmless, in other words.

About the Author

Puppy City has been around for over 50 years, we pride ourselves in being the home for quality puppies for sale in Brooklyn, New York. We also have all of the supplies you will ever need, from dog food, to wee wee pads, to all the treats you will ever need in a lifetime. Visit us at http://www.PuppyCityNY.com

5 Cat Behaviour Problems And How To Treat Them

2011-05-14T10:14:00.000-07:00

You cannot discipline cats as you would dogs. Cats form social groups by necessity and based on respecting territory, rather than respecting "top dog". Use of punishment will only teach your cat to fear you. It is better to train cats into behaviour that is alternative or incompatible to the problem behavior.

Prevention, or making certain behaviors impossible is another tactic, such as keeping food in containers and breakable, dangerous (or irresistible) objects out of reach. The key is to train your cat away from undesirable behavior as soon and as young as possible, give praise and treats when they demonstrate acceptable behaviour - and to remain consistent!

1. Scratching

Cats need to scratch! It is essential to their need to maintain their main source of defense, sharpen and wear down their claws and to develop strong sinewy muscles. Scratching is also a way for the cat to leave his scent. Destructive scratching need not be a problem if you provide allowable alternatives to your furniture. Place scratching posts in areas of the house that your cat seems to like. Mildly scented 'no scratch' sprays are available to be used on furniture that deter scratching.

Keep your cats nails trimmed or dull claws by sheathing them with nail "caps" which are glued onto the cat's claws and last 4 to 6 weeks. Use of facial pheromones is also effective in reducing territorial scratching. These can be sprayed on surfaces you wish to protect or as a diffuser in an entire room. Avoid punishing your cat! It will aggravate the problem and may encourage further destructive behaviour.

2. Urination outside of the liter box

There may be a number of reasons why your cat urinates outside the litter box, including inadequate cleaning of the litter box, unacceptable type of litter being used, a urinary tract infection or other medical condition, stress or even old age. Ask your veterinarian for a complete pet medical exam and try to identify any cause of anxiety.

3. Urine spraying

This territorial behavior mechanism of spraying of urine on drapes, furniture and other surfaces is most common among male cats and in multi-cat households. It can be aggravated by a move, a new cat joining the family, a neighboring cat gaining entry into the household, stress, or in male cats excited by females in heat.

Have your cat spayed or neutered by the time it is six months old. Most cats will not start spraying if they are fixed before the behaviour starts. If you have more than one cat, try to foster positive relationships between them by giving each equal attention and have them eat and sleep together.

Change can cause anxiety in cats. Try to keep things (like feeding times) routine. A facial pheromone spray or diffuser can help reduce stress and unwanted spraying. Reduce his view of outside by moving furniture away from windows or covering the lower part of the window. This way, if your cat sees another cat he will not have the urge to "mark his territory".

Pet repellents can also be used to keep pets away from areas they prefer to spray- don't let the cat get into the habit of spraying in one place continually. Keep the place clean and use a pet odour eliminator (do not use ammonia, this sometimes is confused by the cat as the scent of an elimination area).

4. Anxiety

Common causes of anxiety are often due to a change in the cat's environment- moving the litter box to a busy or new area, a visitor or new occupants (people and other animals), new furniture, aggression between cats, travel or transport and boarding. If you move to a new location, keep the cat indoors for a few weeks. Make the set-up of beds, food bowls, litter box, toys as similar to the old house as possible. Natural facial pheromone sprays can be used to calm cats in new and stressful environments - including hospitalization.

5. Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety in cats occurs when the cat is separated from its owner or another companion pet. Signs may include vocalizing, urination or defecation (sometimes near a door or on owners' personal items) and destructiveness such as chewing or scratching.

Cats may also show distress by becoming too anxious to eat or vomiting, when the owner is away. A less common sign is excessive grooming, even to the point of creating a bald spot on the body.

Consult your veterinarian and have your cat undergo a complete medical examination to rule out any medical condition that may be causing his behaviour. A cat that is urinating outside of the litter box or is howling may have a urinary tract infection or obstruction of the urinary tract. A cat that over-grooms may have a food allergy.

Here are some things to try to alleviate separation anxiety:

Make the cat's environment more stimulating. i.e. A perch with a view from a window, carpeted towers with attached toys. Leaving a T.V. or radio on softly can be comforting.
Ignore the cat 15 minutes before departure. Leave a distracting toy or put favorite treats in various parts of the house. Ignore the cat for another 15 minutes upon your return.
Bring out toys that the cat especially likes just before you leave and put them away when you return.
Ask your vet about the use of cat facial pheromones. Cats rub their whiskers on things when they are happy and content and this leaves facial pheromones on the objects as well as the sense or message that "things are ok around here". These natural pheromones are available in a spray or room diffuser that can be placed in the home, which calms and reassures the anxious cat.

In extreme cases, anti-anxiety medication may be needed. Use must be prescribed and carefully monitored by your veterinarian.

About the Author

Blue Plus Vet provides a wide range of vet and animal services in their Wagga Wagga vet clinic and also in clinics located in Junee, Hillston and Griffith. Visitblueplusvet.com.au for more pet care information and details on Blue Plus Vet products and services.

7 Common Dog Behaviour Problems And How To Treat Them

2011-05-14T10:05:00.000-07:00

Pets, like people, are sensitive to factors that may result in unwanted behaviours. Poor training, change in routine or environment, or specific instinctual pet characteristics may be some of the reasons why your pet is misbehaving. Contrary to what some believe, pets are "not trying to get back" at owners for any reason. All behaviour is a form of communication. It's our job as owners to try to understand and help our pet overcome undesirable habits.

1. Digging

Some dogs may have a naturally greater digging instinct. Dogs dig out of boredom, so make sure there are toys for your dog to play with outdoors. Extra exercise may help. Always provide a cool shady place for your dog to rest. Dogs dig in cool soil to find relief from the heat. Don't use blood or bone meal to fertilize your garden - the scent may be irresistible. There are some products on the market that create a scent that is repugnant to animals that can be put in areas where the pet is digging.

2. Chewing

If your pet is no longer a puppy and is engaging in destructive chewing, he may be suffering from boredom or separation anxiety. Make sure your dog has plenty of exercise and appropriate objects to chew (i.e. knotted rawhide or durable rubber Kong toys). In the case of separation anxiety, ask your veterinarian about dog appeasing pheromones. An "appeasing" pheromone spray provides natural reassurance and comfort and can prevent or even stop stress-related destructive behaviour.

3. Barking and whining

Some breeds are more prone to frequent barking. Improper confinement - leaving an anxious dog alone in a locked room or crate, restricted tethering outdoors, an enclosed yard without shelter from the elements can all cause excessive barking. Environmental sounds (i.e. other dogs, cars, thunder, etc.) can also trigger barking. An overly territorial dog may bark at any stranger, invited or uninvited, entering your property. If your dog barks and whines excessively when you leave the home he may suffer from separation anxiety.

4. Anxiety

A dog may develop separation anxiety if there is a change in the owner's work schedule or change of environment. Anxiety often increases the longer the owner is gone and may result in behaviours such as whining, pacing, salivating, excessive licking, barking, howling, hyperactivity, scratching, chewing, digging, urinating or defecating and destruction of property.

Dogs with separation anxiety also have an overly excited response when the owner returns home, even if they have only been gone a short while. Scolding or punishing the dog leads to more confusion, more anxiety and worse behaviour. Noise phobia (i.e fear of thunderstorms) is also common in dogs. Do not comfort your pet - this may be interpreted as reward for his fearful response. Punishment will only cause more anxiety.

Ask your veterinarian to suggest behaviour modification techniques or refer you to a behavioural specialist or trainer. Dog appeasing pheromones are also an innovative way, used along with other behaviour modification practices, to control and manage unwanted canine behaviour associated with fear and stress in adult dogs and puppies.

5. House soiling

House soiling may occur if your dog was never fully housetrained, suffers from separation anxiety or may have a urinary tract infection or other medical condition. Ask your veterinarian for a complete medical exam to rule out any health issues.

6. Stool eating (coprophagia)

Dogs who eat faeces usually do not have a dietary deficiency, though some rare severe disorders of the pancreas or intestine, extreme malnutrition from parasitic infestation, or starvation may cause a dog to do so. Some dogs, especially those in kennels, may eat faeces due to stress or anxiety. Some dogs may just eat faeces because it tastes good (to them).

Keep yards and kennels free of faeces. If your dog likes to eat other dog's faeces keep him on a leash on walks. Products can be added to the food of the offending dog that make his faeces taste terrible. If you believe stress is a factor, the cause of stress should be identified and reduced.

7. Aggression

If your dog exhibits dangerous behaviour toward any person, particularly toward children, seek professional help from your veterinarian, an animal behaviourist or qualified dog trainer. Aggressive behaviour toward other animals is also a reason to seek professional help.

The key preventative measures you can take early in your dog's life are: adequate socialization in varied situations (with people and other dogs), consistent and proper training, spaying or neutering (spayed or neutered dogs are three times less likely to bite than intact dogs), teaching appropriate behaviour - avoid playing aggressive games with your dog such as wrestling, tug of war, or "siccing" your dog on another person. Don't allow puppies to chew your hands. Set limits!

About the Author

Basic First Aid For Pets

2011-05-14T09:52:00.000-07:00

Owners that have a basic knowledge of pet first aid are better able to give their pet a fighting chance in an emergency. Basic first aid skills can help keep your pet alive, alleviate pain and suffering and prevent further harm when transporting the animal to the veterinarian or hospital.

Do not panic, protect yourself from injury and prepare in advance

When faced with an injured or severely ill pet, take a moment and assess the situation. Decide if there is danger of further injury to the animal or first aid giver. Ensure that you will not be injured, either by the surroundings or the animal. Determine if the pet needs to be moved immediately.

How you approach an injured pet safely is important. Animals may respond to pain and fear instinctively and react with aggression. You cannot assume a docile pet will not bite. Try to remain calm and speak in a soothing voice. Towels may be used to cover the pet's head to make him feel safer while you transport him.

When appropriate or required to avoid bites, handmade muzzles may be used. Use a strip of soft cloth, rope, necktie or stocking. Wrap around the nose, under the chin and tie behind the ears - make sure the animal is able to pant. Muzzles are helpful in avoiding bites. Prepare in advance by familiarizing yourself with the location and phone numbers of emergency animal care facilities.

Have an Animal First Aid Kit on hand

An animal first aid kit can be bought or you can also make your own. If you decide to make your own animal first aid kit, make sure to include the following items. Check the expiry dates on all medications to ensure efficacy.

Pet first aid manual

Roll cotton

Cotton balls/gauze pads

1" white tape

Elastic bandage wrap

Antiseptic cream

Scissors

Eyewash/eye ointment

Ear swabs

Tweezers

Oral syringes

Balanced electrolyte fluid

Plastic gloves

Pet thermometer

Instant ice pack

Muzzle

Basic First Aid Procedures

All of the emergency situations listed below require veterinary care, but in cases when a vet is not immediately present, follow the first aid procedures described to increase your pet's chances of survival.

Wounds

Muzzle animal if required

Wash your hands thoroughly, if possible

With blunt point scissors, gently clip hair from margins of wound

Clean the wound with a gentle stream of cold water

Apply antibacterial cream or solution

Wrap large wounds to keep them clean. Apply pressure to profusely bleeding wounds

See your vet as the wound may become infected and require antibiotics

For external bleeding, apply firm direct pressure to areas with a thick gauze pad until bleeding stops. If you suspect your pet has internal bleeding, check for symptoms that include bleeding from the nose, mouth, rectum, coughing blood, blood in urine, pale gums, collapse, rapid or weak pulse. Keep your pet as warm and as quiet as possible.

Shock

Shock often accompanies severe injury or extreme fright. Check for symptoms that include weak pulse, shallow breathing, nervousness, and dazed appearance. Keep your pet restrained, quiet and warm. If your pet in unconscious, keep its head level with the rest of the body.

Burns

For chemical burns, muzzle your pet first to avoid being bitten. Flush burn immediately with large quantities of cold water. For severe burns, muzzle your pet and then apply ice water compresses onto burn area. Bring your pet to the vet immediately.

Choking

Signs of choking include pawing at the mouth, gagging, drooling, and difficulty breathing. Force your pet's mouth open, pull tongue forward and inspect mouth and throat. If your pet is cooperative, grasp with pliers and remove. For small dogs and cats, if the object is lodged hold your pet with its head down and hind quarters elevated and give 3-4 sharp taps to the chest.

For large dogs, stand over the dog with arms around the body, just behind the last ribs. Make a fist with other hand and exert a quick, forward and upward thrust. Repeat. Perform mouth to nose respiration if necessary.

Mouth to nose respiration

To perform mouth to nose respiration, first clear mouth of any foreign object or vomit. Clamp your pet's muzzle with closed with hands. Exhale into your pet's nose at a rate of 12-15 breaths per minute. Combine with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

To give your pet CPR, first lay your pet on its side on a flat surface then hold muzzle with one hand and begin mouth to nose respiration. Place heel of other your hand on the chest wall behind the shoulder to apply cardiac massage. Compress chest wall rhythmically at 60-80 times a minute. For small dogs and cats, place fingers under the chest wall then place thumb over the chest and compress chest from both sides.

Fracture

The symptoms of fracture include pain, limb at an odd angle or inability to use a limb. If you suspect your pet is suffering from a fracture, muzzle your pet and look for bleeding. If bleeding is present, see if you can control it without causing further injury. Do NOT try to set the fracture by pulling or tugging at limb. Transport to the vet immediately, supporting the injured part as best you can.

Poisoning

The symptoms of poisoning include convulsions, diarrhoea, salivation, weakness, and depression pain. If you suspect that your pet has been poisoned, record what the pet ingested and its amount then immediately call the veterinarian. Do not try to induce vomiting. If toxins are on the skin or coat, ask your vet for directions on if and how to wash them off.

Heatstroke

The symptoms of heatstroke include rapid or laboured breathing, vomiting, high body temperature, and collapse. If your pet is suffering from heatstroke, place your pet in a tub of cool water, or gently wrap in a cool wet towel. Do not overcool animal. Stop when rectal temperature reaches 39 degrees Celsius.

These situations may not require immediate veterinarian care, but it is best to consult the vet to be sure:

Vomiting

If your pet is vomiting, withhold food for 12-14 hours then slowly increase the amount of water and foods given over a 24 hour period.

Diarrhoea

If your pet is suffering from diarrhoea, withhold food for 12-14 hours, but not water. Avoid home treatments as they can make the situation worse. Consult the veterinarian for the best treatment for your pet.

Be safe, not sorry

Responsible pet owners keep their pets from harm by keeping them close at all times while outdoors, removing dangerous substances from their reach in the home, keeping all medical files and vaccines up-to-date and ensuring pets are clearly identified. It is also beneficial in an emergency situation if your pet is healthy and happy, so make sure they get a nutritional diet, plenty of exercise and of course, lots of love.

About the Author

Sources Of Pet Stress

2011-05-11T10:56:00.000-07:00

Even pets can suffer from stress. Stressed pets live unhealthy lives and are burdensome to their owners. You owe it to yourself and your pet to keep stress out of your lives.

There are many sources that can cause stress for a pet. Here are some of them.

You. The pet and its owner have an undeniable bond. If you are stressed yourself, or if you are depressed, unhappy or anxious, your pet will pick up on it. Your pet can sense your emotions through their senses and they will be influenced by it. If the person you love is sad, you'll be sad too. Same thing with your pets.

Sickness. Especially sickness that lasts a long time. If your pet isn't getting better there must be a reason. Stress is one of those possibilities. It could be that the sickness made your pet more prone to stress. But whatever the true reason is, you will have to find out. Place your attention on the situation and be sure to be prepared for any situation that may come up. Unrelenting stress can make your pet's sickness a chronic one. Don't let it happen.

Stressed eyes. Visual stimulation and irritation comes everywhere but the modern world has many and varied sources. Our eyes and the eyes of our pets can't cope with them all. There is TV, smoke, pollution, flashing lights, etc. All these can put a strain on eyes. Turning off or avoiding these stresses can be a welcome break for you and your pet.

Noise pollution. TV once again gains a spot here. They get this honor far more than radios these days, as a lot of listeners use ear buds. Loud noises can stress a pet very much. Their hearing is a lot better than ours. They hear more and are bothered more by sound than we will ever be. Turn of noise sources so that your pet won't feel the stress. If you feel like leaving something on, try classical music. Mozart's tunes are universally loved by animals. There are even music for pets that exist.

Nose stress. For many animals, the nose is more useful than the eyes. The odors they smell can be a source of much irritation for them, if the smell of your perfume, or deodorant, or air freshener, or hair spray, etc. is annoying to you. Imagine how your pet must feel. Try to use natural fresheners instead of artificial air fresheners. Don't use the smelly beauty products around your pet. Keep those products segregated. If your pet's nose stress is confirmed, let them smell relaxing scents. There are dog appeasing pheromones available or you can take an even more natural route. Lavender scents are relaxing to humans as well as pets.

Poor Diet. The things that go into your pets' digestive system can cause a lot of stress to them. Unhealthy food causes stress to our bodies and it should be no surprise that it does the same thing to our pets. Make sure your pet is eating a balanced diet. Maybe try the raw food system or other nutritional diets. Keep the water fresh too.

Weather. If it's too hot or too cold, stress follows. Don't place your pet in harsh environments.

Physical pain. We train our pets as well as we can, but we can inadvertently make them do more than they should. It's not fun to keep on running for your master when you're tired. Pet exercise should be appropriate for the species, breed and age of your pet.

Jonathan Russell is an artist and blogger that has been writing articles on many different topics for the last 2 years. You can find him contributing articles at Guinea Pig Hutch a website dedicated to taking care of guinea pigs and their homes, the guinea pig hutch.

Pet Care With Home Remedies

2011-05-11T10:28:00.000-07:00

Does the idea of spending massive amounts of money on the medications that your pet needs leave you with a bad feeling? This occurs quite frequently, but sadly, your pet cannot tell you how they are actually feeling. In order to get the biggest benefit possible you need to be well aware of all of the details pertaining to a home remedy for your pet to ensure that they are safe, no matter what you are trying to do. With a bit of research put into finding the best home remedies you are certain to find some results that are highly effective, yet much friendlier for your wallet.

One of the biggest problems that strikes pets is fleas. These little pests are extremely difficult to get rid of once you have them, but as miserable as they make you it is worse for your pet. A cheap way to rid your pet of fleas and have them smell great with no greasy feel is to use Pert Plus shampoo. This is actually a remedy that is highly recommended by groups such as Greyhound rescues since so many flea treatments are actually toxic to the breed. Using the shampoo to bathe your pet not only keeps them smelling great, but it is wonderful for their skin as well. With affordable prices, you can give weekly baths to keep them looking great without hurting your wallet, or potentially overdosing them on the treatment.

If you suspect that your pet has dirty ears that need to be cleaned thoroughly cleaned reaching for the vinegar is a safe and cheap cleaner that you can use. Carefully using the solution and thoroughly drying the ear after cleaning will help to clean your pet's ear and also reduce the chances of an actual infection. However, if your pet does develop an actual ear infection then you can treat the infection using natural remedies such as Marigold and even Tea Tree oil. By inserting small amounts of the oil into the ear it is effective in killing the bacteria that causes the infection.

Other remedies that can be used is looking to Rosemary extracts to help build up the immunity of the ear. If the ear has a very weak dermal layer, it is much more likely to fail against an infection. A strong ear that is well protected, clean, and includes a sufficient dermal layer will hold up much better against ear infections and reduce the number of vet trips that you will need to make.

Another common problem that animals tend to have is their nails grow quite excessively. If the nails on your pet are quite long and you cut them slightly too far back you run the risk of them bleeding. To stop the bleeding and help soothe the nail you can apply a small amount of baby powder to the nail that was cut to the quick. This is extremely effective to help stop the bleeding and prevent the nail from becoming infected. If you leave the nail exposed without any protection, you will find it much easier to allow infection in.

A small bit of effort will allow you to ensure you are able to protect your pet from any undue pain or difficulty. A small bit of prevention is often essential to preventing the majority of problems for your pet, but at times, this is not always possible. If you suspect that your pet has a serious problem it is best to seek the advice of a vet who can determine the best treatment plan for your beloved pet. Never continue with a home remedy if it seems to be causing your pet additional problems.

With affordably priced home remedies easily available, you will typically find that getting the perfect home remedy for your pet is quite possible. There is no reason to worry that you will not be able to use a home remedy for your pet. There are plenty of great options that you can use to keep your pet happy and healthy.

Visit http://www.clinicherb.com to learn more about herbal and home remedies. Urooj Fouad is the webmaster of clinicherb.com, a site dedicated to providing effective and natural alternatives for optimum health.

Hamsters As Pets -Prepare Yourself

2011-05-10T02:01:00.000-07:00

Have you ever dreamed of what it might be like to retain and train hamsters as pets? The purpose of this journal is to bring clarification to many of the doubts that you may have.

For starters, hamsters as pets don't require much space compared to a mutt or kitling. The area that you must set aside in your own home is no more than the size of a ichthys (fish) household. Because they take up such little space, hamsters are very excellent pets for apartment living or for a modest home.

Do not underrate, however, the time that you will need to care for your hamsters as pets. The degree of time required to care for them is roughly the same as it would be for a whelp. Hamsters want to be fed and watered each day. Anticipate that the toilets must be cleaned frequently. Every day, the hamsters demand an hour of out-of-cage playtime. Their homes will need to be cleaned on a seven day schedule.

Regarding the monetary requirement, you will discover that hamsters are on par with other pets. Hamster supplies are not terribly expensive, but they are not free either. Although your hamster eats very little, you will use up quite a bit of bedding material.

Hamsters are known to be a healthy species, yet any animal can become ill. Save money for occasional trips to the veterinarian. Hamsters as pets may or may not be cuddly. The hamster that is most amenable to handling is the Syrian. The dwarf hamster species have not been kept as pets for as long a time as the Syrian, and thus retain more of their wild nature. Rather than being cuddled by their caretakers, the dwarf hamsters prefer to play "on" their human keepers. Syrian hamsters are slower than dwarfs, and cannot fit in such tight spaces as dwarfs can. Thus, escapees are especially hard to catch.

Dogs and hamsters are similar in that they look forward to human company. Once a hamster gets used to your voice, it will consider you part of its community. As a result, never leave a hamster alone for more than a day or two.

Hamsters do not tolerate warm to hot temperatures. They live underground where it is continuously cool. You must have continual air conditioning if you live in a climate where it will get warm. Whereas you yourself may be able to suffer through days of 85° F (30°C), this temperature can quickly kill your hamster.

The final thing to know about keeping hamsters as pets is that hamsters are nocturnal or crespuscular. This means that they are active at night or at dawn and twilight. As a result, plan to interact with them only during these times.

Lastly, as long as you're willing to make the effort, hamsters do make gratifying pets.

About the Author

Matthew Alexander Boreau has been fascinated with dwarf hamsters for as long as he can remember. To him, it isn't just a hobby. Matthew's philosophy is that to be the best hamster owner that you can, you need to understand dwarf hamsters, and see the world from their point of view. To learn more about keeping hamsters as pets, visit The Dwarf Hamster Centre

Dog Allergy Symptoms: Does Your Dog Have an Allergy?

2011-05-09T11:56:00.000-07:00

Dog allergy symptoms often tend to be similar, irrespective of the cause of the allergy, and this does not help when you are trying to find out the cause of the problem. However, there are small indicators you should look out for if you believe your dog has an allergy, and that can be used to determine a likely cause.

Dogs are no different to humans when it comes to allergies, and dog allergy symptoms are very similar to ours - sneezing, itching, and watering eyes. However, we humans generally have a rough idea of what is causing our allergy, and we also know that we have one, but your poor dog has no idea what is causing that awful itch.

He sure can't tell you, so let's have a look at the more common dog allergy symptoms, and how they can be used to perhaps determine what is causing them. 'Perhaps' is used because dog allergies are notoriously difficult to diagnose, but the dog itself might help you.

Itching, Redness and Scratching

Itching is caused by irritation to the skin, and causes the dog to scratch the affected area. This turns it red and perhaps even inflamed if the dog starts biting and gnawing at the irritation. As inflammation sets in and the immune system kicks into gear, then the dog can get really agitated and distressed. The skin can become broken and subject to bacterial contamination that causes pustules to form.

There are two major causes of these dog allergy symptoms: contact allergens such as fleas, and food allergies. It is not so much the 'flea bite' that causes these symptoms, though it can be irritating, but the flea's saliva. A flea bite is not an allergic reaction, but many dogs will have an allergic reaction to the saliva of the flea, which is used to prevent the blood from clotting as the flea feeds.

Other contact allergens include detergents, hairs (even human hairs) and some airborne allergens that land on the skin such as pollen, dust mites and other types of dust - they affect dogs just as they affect humans. The behavior of dogs suffering from any type of irritating itching is scratching and rubbing its skin on the ground - particularly a carpet or something slightly rough. Dog's sometime sit down and walk with their front paws and their behind on the ground when they have itching at their rear end.

Food allergies in dogs can cause exactly the same symptoms unfortunately, but the 'tell' here is that a dog may also vomit, have loose stools or the abnormal behavior can often coincide with a change of food. If you notice this, and change the food back to regular, then the problem should go. Alternatively try only tinned foods, preferably organic if you can afford it, and that should cure a food allergy.

Running Eyes, Licking Paws

Just like humans are affected by pollen, hay fever is also a form of dog allergy. Their skin can become irritated, so they may scratch with most of the symptoms above, but the 'tell' here is that bitches are more affected than dogs, and their eyes tend to water just as with humans. Not only that, but another of the specific dog allergy symptoms is licking their paws.

They do this to alleviate itching in their paws, and you should give their feet a careful examination because ticks and fleas can be picked up from grass, and of course, dogs do not usually wear shoes so can pick up all sorts of infections when they are outside, not only allergens. However, by walking in clover fields, or even among daisies and buttercups in your garden, they can experience severe itching from the pollen, in which case their eyes my not water but they will be seen to be licking their paws excessively, and sometimes even gnawing at them.

So, while it is difficult to establish the exact cause of dog allergy symptoms, you can narrow it down by keeping your eyes open and observing your dog's behavior. You can generally tell a contact allergen from a food allergy, and frequently hay fever can be diagnosed by the time of the year, your dog's exposure and the way its eyes water or it licks its paws.

Nevertheless, if you are unsure, and your dog is suffering and displaying extreme dog allergy symptoms, you should play safe and pay a visit to the vet.

About the Author
More information on Dog Allergy Symptoms can be found on Warren's website Dog Allergy Treatments where you will also find comprehensive information on dog allergies of many kinds.

Useful Information You Need to Consider Before You Get a Cat

2011-05-09T11:52:00.000-07:00

Are you considering the idea to get a pet? In case you are thinking about getting a cat, you need to know a few things.

You need to keep in mind that the kitty is a living creature that needs love and attention. In addition, the cat should be treated like a family member. Here are some useful facts about cats that you should consider carefully before you take a cat at home.
Cats can't be trained like dogs.

Many people believe cats are similar to dogs but this is a serious misconception. Kitties and dogs are very different. Of course, like every living creature, cat and dogs need food and water, but they don't have anything else in common. Dogs are trainable; they can learn to do many things, while cats can't be trained at all.

They are mainly interested in their own needs. You may want to train your feline to do tricks, but they certainly won't do this just to please its owner. Now, this doesn't mean cats don't do tricks at all, but you have to find out how to make them do the things you want. Once in a while your cat may just do something you want, but don't think the feline is doing it because of you.

Cats need a place of their own
Just like you need your own bed, they need some place that is theirs. Usually, cats want small and comfortable beds where they can sleep undisturbed. Some felines will prefer a window seat bed because they will be able to enjoy the warm sun while they are curling by the window. Others will be happy to sleep in some dark corner in a secure and soft small bed.

Cats love climbing
They are very fond of the idea to be at the top of the world. So it is not surprising why these animals often climb on your furniture and try to find the highest place in the room. Once they get there, felines can stay high for hours. The owners of these pets often purchase their pets pieces of cat furniture, including cat trees. These structures are tall and provide felines with a great place to climb and play.

Most of the cat trees combine various purposes. Some of them have incorporated scratching pads which allow your cat to sharpen its claws without damaging your furniture. Others have multiple cat toys attached, so the cat can play with them. Also, many cat trees have perches on different levels where the cat can climb or sleep. Most cats like such pieces of furniture because they provide them with a place of their own - a place to climb, play and sleep. Cat trees are very useful if you have other animals or small children, because felines feel more secure and undisturbed on them. In addition, cat trees are very helpful for your cat's health, as they give cats the opportunity to exercise.

About the Author
Shop at O2Cats.com for fun furniture for cats and kittens - everything imaginable for cats, such as: cat houses trees and more quality cat beds furniture. You will find best deal with us. Visit Us!

Exotic Pets: What Kinds Are There?

2011-05-09T11:48:00.000-07:00

Pet lovers typically have standard pets: birds, fish, cats and dogs. But if you're a dedicated animal lover, you may want to think about getting an exotic pet. They range from not too odd to very odd. Without a doubt, there's one for each personality.

A more moderate, not so peculiar form of exotic pet is a reptile. Lizards and geckos are mainstream here, however, there are those who enjoy owning turtles and snakes. Dependant upon the legislation in the state in which they live, you'll find some folks who even have crocodiles and alligators.

Geckos can make good pets because they are so colorful and supply a good deal of pleasure by climbing around on branches and walking on the sides of the housing. You will find numerous varieties of geckos.One of the most loved sorts for the home is the leopard gecko. They are good for hobbyists who enjoy breeding them.

Rare birds can be excellent pets, albeit expensive ones. Although they can be fine-looking and entertaining, besides pricey. Most of them are multi-colored and full of remarkable and happy noises.

The fox family is an exotic that many people enjoy keeping as pets. The family includes arctic, fennec, red and tame silver foxes. These can be very stunning critters, as can the wolf. If you plan to keep a wolf as a pet, though, you need to be very well-informed about them. They are passive when they are young, but they will get aggressive when they gain some years.

Other furry friends that folks enjoy as pets include bears, skunks (go figure -- most people will try to keep away from them), hares, genets, degus, civets, raccoons, kinkajous, capybaras, and wallaroos.

Of course, a number of the cool kids have monkeys. I'm not sure that having a pet that makes fun of me is ideal. In this group are baboons, chimpanzees and gibbons. There isn't any doubt that if you've got a monkey, you'll be in for a swinging time.

Exotic pets are not only animals; there are those who are attracted to bugs: spiders, scorpions, praying mantises, beetles and even cockroaches (again, the majority of us try to get rid of those). It could be lucrative, though. More than one person has made a sizeable wad of change because a movie studio paid them to use their insect collection in a film, particularly tarantulas.

It all verifies that it does really take all types -- of people and pets.

About the Author
Written by Stephen Ayer. Stephen is an Internet marketing consultant, a breeder of geckos, and has a passion for helping others. Please visit his website at Boston Geckosand Leopard Geckos for Sale

Pet Care and Nutrition Basics

2011-05-01T11:08:00.000-07:00

Most people who own cats and dogs for family pets will certainly recognize that they are more like children and require a considerable amount of attention. Taking care of your household pets is very important. Almost all pedigrees call for a lots of good care and particular attention.

Getting Ready For a brand new Arrival

So, a little dog or even a kitten will soon be arriving? Most of these little ones may be up and about in a few days and tend to grab everything within their reach. Exactly what you need is an effective way to make your home cat proof or dog proof. Make an effort to find soft balls, stuffed animals and other small playthings to keep them busy.Most people who own cats and dogs for family pets will certainly recognize that they are more like children and require a considerable amount of attention. Taking care of your household pets is very important. Almost all pedigrees call for a lots of good care and particular attention.

Getting Ready For a brand new Arrival

So, a little dog or even a kitten will soon be arriving? Most of these little ones may be up and about in a few days and tend to grab everything within their reach. Exactly what you need is an effective way to make your home cat proof or dog proof. Make an effort to find soft balls, stuffed animals and other small playthings to keep them busy.

Feeding your pet dog healthy nutritious meals isn't rocket science but they do require to be fed in accordance with their ages. Uniquely formulated meals are available for sale for dogs and cats of every age group. It's also possible to make great homemade food for your pets. Get started adding adult food to your puppy's' diet only after 6 calendar months.Nutrition with regard to cats is a touch complex. Homemade diets may not often suit their requirements.

Pet cats are apart of the family connected with carnivores and may need particular diets so as to live for a longer period and stay healthy. Good cat diet programs can be found in the supermarket which consist of all the right raw components your cat might require. Only feed them cat food that gives a trusted seals of acceptance.

Various other Elements of Cat and dog Health:

Pets aren't just pretty pieces of furniture but they are living creatures just like us. They must be always petted as well as cuddled to give them the required attention. You need to communicate with your pets as well as teach them to be able to develop some basic habits of eating.

You must shower praises to them regarding their good conduct rather than take notice to the bad.

Heath Care Treatment and Medication

Both dogs along with kittens and cats have to have regular medical assistance. One way to ensure their well being as well as continue to keep them from illnesses is to make repeated trips to the vet's. Search on-line to any kind of pet health care internet site and have a look at every one of the conditions as well as their signs or symptoms. Some diseases in addition to small ailments that your doggie may take a hit from tend to be asthma, joint disease, flu, bowel irregularity, hearing difficulties, dental issues, diarrhea, ticks as well as ear mites etc. A number of prominent cat conditions tend to be cat scratch fever, cherry eye, Cushing's disease, hearing problems, seizures, skin allergies and also ringworm. A lot of these illnesses can be curable and many aren't. You'll want to consult your veterinarian routinely. The operation of healing might generally take a lot of time, so you must be patient.

In addition to all that has been mentioned above, you will need regular up-dates on Cat and dog Nourishment strategies, thereby registering to a pet care website is highly advised.

For more information on pet care and other family pet related issues visit EZ Pet Care

Before You Keep a Pet: An Evaluation

2011-04-27T21:43:00.000-07:00

Well, we can’t deny the fact that keeping a pet is a truly rewarding experience. Since from the dates that history can provide, they have served the humankind in enumerable ways. But first, what does the term pet means? Well in my own point of view, it means an animal that we care for as much as we care for ourselves and the other people around us. They are one symbol of our humanity and our likeness to care and to be taken care of. They are our companion on which we find abounding and unconditional love and respect. So it is as much important to have the guidelines and considerations to take note before we keep them in our humble home. As we know that they are lifetime commitments.

Here are few questions that we need to ask ourselves:

Am I ready to keep a pet?

It's just like saying; do i have the confidence to give comfort to a companion? If so, then you must weigh the impact that will arise if you chose to take care of them. Let us not make haste and keep pets upon impulse. It would only end up to an illicit situation where neglect reigns. We wouldn't want our companion pets to serve only as obligations and then ending up not being taken care of properly.

Do I have the time?

Time is really of the essence whichever way we look at it. When we want to establish a long and lasting bond with our animal companions, it's a must that we devote a quality time with them and let them feel that they are loved. Be it a time where we take them out on the yard for a walk, a simple conversation (yes we can converse with them and they listen to us not by words but with affection) or a tap or a hug to show them that they are valued. Also through routine activities like giving them a bowl of food or going for vet check-ups, these counts as a bonding moment for you and your pet.

If you're in control of your time, it wouldn’t hurt if we take care of a dog or cat. If you are on the busy side choose a pet which have more independence and requires lesser attention like hamsters for instance. But of course this doesn't mean that we have the excuse of ignoring them which some people often do. Remember that constant mingling and interaction with your pet will establish a good, solid and respectful relationship.

Do I have the necessary resources?

You must have the means of supporting your companion pet. Keeping a pet is just like rearing a child. They have their needs that we must address and support as pet parents. Say for example their daily nutrition or their vet schedules. In order for them to stay healthy and live longer we must prioritize their basic necessities. Let us try to consider that once we take them in, we are inviting them as part of our family circle. Hence, all members of our family should receive adequate, appropriate and quality support.

What do I know about them?

Why don't we take a little time to read or research about the pet we are aiming to foster and provide? We must have an ample knowledge or at least a simple know-how to help us better understands their subsequent behavior and characteristics. It gives us the opportunity to know them better and appreciate them better. When we do this we are giving ourselves a favor. Think about this, how we help our animal companion is merely dependent onto the extent of our knowledge about their kind.

What we are trying to point out here is our capacity and ability to provide time effort and most of all love to our supposed to be companions. I'm sure once we have a very strong foundation and rapport with our pets; the rewards are off-the-charts. It would be a healthy and unconditional respect and love from our furry friends.

Joel Francis is a well driven writer and a pet care educator. For relevant information visit http://petlifearchives.blogspot.com/

Pet Ownership Responsibilities

2011-04-27T20:31:00.000-07:00

There are certain responsibilities that every person will assume when they consider owning a pet. Pets require the same amount of love and tenderness that a person would bestow upon a newborn child. Pets need attention and interaction with the people inside the home, and an animal needs to be exercised on a regular basis in order to help keep weight gain from occurring and to help the animal feel more like socializing with others in the home.

Pets ownership responsibilities do not end there. Many pet owners are quick to select a pet from a pet store and even quicker to select a certain pet food. The quickness is usually founded on cost issues because owning a pet is a major responsibility that will incur costs of many kinds. Pets will need to visit the veterinarian as early as possible after entering the family because pets need to be checked for rabies and any other diseases that they might carry that would affect the health of everyone at home if left unchecked.

Some pet owners do not take pet ownership responsibilities very seriously and rely on the rule of supplying food, shelter, and water as the minimum daily requirements that a pet will need once they enter the home. For the pet to be happy, other needs must be met on a regular basis or the animal could begin exhibiting some odd behaviors that could be compared to temper tantrums that a child would do when they were unhappy about something happening in their life. People that believe pets do not have souls should not become pet owners.

Pet owners have the responsibility to report unsafe and inhumane treatment that is garnered toward other animals they come in contact with. Pet ownership responsibilities can bear harsh penalties for those that mistreat animals in any way. Abusing pets is a crime punishable by time in jail and it is a pet owner's responsibility to ensure that animals are treated equally and fairly. Some pets are better in sports than their owners are but that should not keep an owner from exercising the animal properly.

Many pet owner's run into difficulties with owning a pet when pets bark excessively or make a mess on the carpet. Animals can be trained for certain behavior corrections and the pet owner's responsibilities often extend to finding a pet analyst to diagnose and treat a pets odd behavior patterns. Often the problems with the pet will originate with the original owner and human interaction and a little kindness are all that will be needed to rectify the behavioral problems.

Pet ownership responsibilities might be adjusted somewhat to fix a problem that is occurring with an animal. The pet owner might be asked by an animal psychologist to consider finding a playmate for the animal to alleviate the sheer boredom that is driving the animal to behave so erratically. Some pet ownership responsibilities seem too much to bear and the pet owner will usually return the animal to the person that had them before. Others will comply and learn that this solution was the best thing that could have happened because everyone is again happy at home.

James Brown writes about BIGDOGS.com discount codes, Only Natural Pet Store discount codes and PETCO discount codes

The Importance Of A Pet's Health

2011-04-23T11:04:00.000-07:00

There are plenty of pet owners who take their pet for granted especially when it concerns the health of the pet. Pets cannot tell their owners what they are feeling so there is no way to communicate the illness that is bothering them. As a responsible pet owner, one would have to carefully monitor their pet for any sign of being sick. These pets don't exhibit much signs except for a few cases when the illness has gotten worse already.

Being able to determine if the pet's behaviour is normal or not is very important to know what the condition of the pet is. When a pet is ill it never tells the owner of what it is feeling and this can make the illness worse if not treated early. As the owner, you would have to make an extra effort to be able to identify if the pet is not feeling normal. There would be subtle signs and with a very observant eye you can catch these signs at an early stage. Being able to have your pet treated early would help maintain its health and can also lower the cost of treatment because this is the top concern of pet owners. The cost of veterinary medicine is getting expensive and most pet owners would not want to spend more on vet fees for their pets. Being able to get the sick pet treated at an early stage would lessen the cost considerably compared to having it checked at a stage when it would have many complications.

The health of a pet is very important just like with us humans. With a healthy pet, its owner would be happy and would not have to worry about getting it to the vet for check-ups. With the economic situation now it is always better to have prevention than spending too much too late. Regular visits to the vet clinic would be a wise practice to keep the pet healthy and catch diseases at an early stage to be treated as soon as possible. This way the cost would be lower and the pet would be healthier. There are more that can be done to help in maintaining the health of your pet and a good veterinarian can give advice on this. This can help in preventing the pet getting ill and also helps the owner lessen the expenses. With a healthy pet, a pet owner would be happier.

John is a leading author on how to take care of your pets. His other articles about pets can be found at http://dailyideas.posterous.com/ and
http://www.morestar.ca/author/JohnUy/.

The Importance of Pets

2011-04-23T10:54:00.001-07:00

Pets come with their own agenda. Whether you be rich or poor, king or pauper, a pet is oblivious to all of that and will simply treat you as it sees fit. My experiences have been with stray animals, dogs and cats, and I know that they have added a great deal to my life.

What is it about pets and why are they so important to us?

- They need looking after. Pets rely on us for their food, warmth, safety and so, no matter how we're feeling, we have to get up, get out of bed and look after them. Someone I know with ME found her symptoms improved when she got a dog. She had to get up and let it out into the garden. And the companionship she got from him made her become more alert and engaged in life. She found it easier to make more of an effort and become more active.

- They are demanding. Many of us spend more time trying to choose the correct pet food for our beloved pets than we do for ourselves. I regularly join several other animal owners in the pet food aisles, trying to determine which brand and flavour they are going to decide to eat. But that situation is one that we undertake with love, humour and commitment.

- They are welcoming. What a difference it makes coming home to a house with animals in it. For one thing, there is more of a requirement but also a desire to come home when there are animals waiting. Single people sometimes delay coming home to an empty house. But when there are animals in it people are often loath to leave them for too long and it is welcoming to return home to their companionship.

- Life is put into better perspective. Priorities change when you appreciate that you can't move because a purring cat is on your knee or a dog is lay across your feet. Somehow the days stresses and irritations fade into a calmer place when you're taking your dog for a long walk or are concerned about the health of your cat. Other things are put into a different perspective. Anyone with animals recognises getting ready for an evening out only to discover the animal hair on their outfit, or the fruitless search for a missing shoe that is eventually discovered in the dog's bed. Priorities change as you ruefully smile at the discovery and determine to be more careful next time.

- It becomes easier to be calm. I've lost count of the things that have been broken by a cat jumping onto a surface, but I've learned to shrug and just treat it as an opportunity to replace something old with something new. The main concern is that the animal is unhurt. A friend had to rent an office space because his cat kept sending out emails, walking across the keyboard before he had finished his work. There's no point in being angry. The animal hasn't a clue what's going on. So it's better to just be pragmatic and deal with the situation in the most constructive way.

Animals are a valuable addition to our lives. They teach us about patience, love, companionship, responsibility. They rely on us and give such a lot in return. When they die we are often devastated but value the gift of having had them in our lives for a time. The memories and anecdotes can stay with us all our lives.

Susan Leigh is a Counsellor and Hypnotherapist who works with
- stressed individuals to promote confidence and self belief,
- couples in crisis to help improve communications and understanding
- with business clients to help support the health and motivation levels of individuals and teams

What To Think About When Considering Pet Ownership

2011-04-23T10:53:00.000-07:00

Owning a pet, no matter what kind of pet you have, is a wonderful experience. Pets will love you no matter what, through every circumstance.

Pets require an amazing amount of attention and love. They will love you no matter what so it is important to remember that they should never be mistreated in any way.

If you are thinking about getting a pet, you need to make sure you understand what it takes to own a pet. You will want to be certain you can meet the pet's needs no matter what.

The first thing you will want to check on is make sure that you can have a pet where you live. If you live in an apartment or condo complex you will want to make sure you are aware of the pet policies because landlords set strict policies regarding pets. If you own your home, you will want to make sure your homeowners association does not have regulations regarding pets.

You will also want to make sure you have enough room for the pet you choose. It is good to consider the amount of room you have before you consider which pet is best for you. If you live in a small place, you will want to consider a smaller sized pet.

However, if you own your home and you have a good yard for a pet to run and play in then a bigger pet, such as a larger breed dog, can be a consideration for you. Owning your home and having a large yard gives you the freedom to choose just about any type of pet.

It is also a good idea to take your pet to obedience classes. This will help ensure that your pet is well-behaved and trained. This is good, especially if you do have a smaller space for your pet. Your local pet store should have information on pet obedience classes, and may even have a class there that you can take your pet to.

No matter what you decide, you will want to make sure your landlord is given notice if you are planning to get a pet. If you live in a complex where you share common space with neighbors, you may want to let your neighbors know of your plans as well. This can be a great way to ensure that you new pet will be welcomed into a loving home.

Brett Chimay has been writing about living with pets for the past six years. Moreover, he likes to contribute articles about NYC neighborhoods, including Ditmas Park real estate as well as Downtown Brooklyn apartments.

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Interested with cats?, I suggested to read about Common Surgical Procedures for Cats.
Feel free to read Veterinarian Orlando Florida here. Enjoy reading!