Deal with pets

Cute Kitty

2022-07-16T12:56:00.006+01:00

Why do dogs sleep all the time?

2022-02-26T19:13:00.002+01:00

Wondering why dogs sleep so much? We'll show you that dogs sleep 90% of the day, and that's completely normal. This allows them to be healthy and rested. However, we recommend that you always monitor your pet's sleeping habits.

It depends on his age.

Depending on your dog's age, he will sleep more or less. Adult dogs sleep, intermittently, up to 13 hours a day. They usually sleep around 8
hours at night and take naps during the day. If your dog is still a puppy, he will spend most of his day sleeping, which is fundamental for his development. Dogs sleep 90% of the day, but they never sleep straight. If your dog is an adult and has health problems, he will sleep little, but rest a lot.

It may be because of health issues.

If your dog is sleeping more than usual, this could be a red flag. If he sleeps more than 16 hours a day, it may indicate a problem. He may be bored, sad and depressed, or even sick. Dogs are active animals. If they are passive and inactive, it may be a symptom of something serious that you need to watch out for and address. So you will have to keep an eye on him.

Because of his physical activity

Another important reason that makes your dog a great sleeper is its characteristics and daily activities. Depending on his activity, your dog will need more or less sleep. Very active dogs need plenty of exercise to sleep well. Other dogs sleep very easily without much physical effort. What is obvious is that physical exercise will have a great influence on his rest needs. If you want your furry friend to sleep soundly, give him a good walk and play with him. You will see that he will sleep soundly at night.

How many hours does a dog sleep?

As we pointed out to you, an adult dog sleeps about 13 hours a day. They usually get 8 hours of sleep at night and have a few hours of light sleep, spread throughout the day. Age greatly influences a dog's sleep. A puppy, for example, sleeps 90% of the day, albeit in restless sleep. He will then find his balance and will be able to sleep in his bed. To allow your puppy to rest, it is recommended to leave near him some clothes that remind him of his mother, or for example a watch that will make the same sound as his heart. Adult dogs, although they spend a lot of time at rest, sleep less, especially if they have health problems that cause them pain. With any luck, they'll sleep through the night.

Factors That Influence Your Dog's Sleep

For your dog to sleep well, he must have a comfortable place to sleep. Make a corner just for him in the house. It should be a comfortable, quiet place that isn't your bed so your dog won't disturb your sleep. But this place can be near your bed, so that he feels confident. The cold also has a great influence on his desire to sleep. In winter, dogs are lazier. They are groundhogs who want to spend more time in bed. Watch his temperature, put blankets on him so he's warm and sleeps well. Good nutrition is essential for your dog's sleep. If he eats well and in a balanced way, his sleep will be restorative. Let him sleep as long as he needs. If you notice that he is lethargic, very tired and listless, consult your veterinarian.

What are some health benefits to owning a pet?

2014-08-31T12:08:00.001+01:00

Boost Your Immunity

Owning a cat or dog has also been shown to boost your immune system. Dr. James Gern from the University of Wisconsin-Madison also found that having a pet in the household reduced the incidence of childhood allergies by more than 30% in some kids. The same research showed that kids exposed to common household pets had more robust immune systems later in life.

Lowers Blood Pressure and Stress

With approximately half of American households being the home of one or more dogs, what's the real reason behind man's best friend's appeal? Well, according to WebMD, owning a pet can actually lower blood pressure and help to lessen anxiety.

Increase Sociability and Lifespan

It's already been shown that people who become very isolated and depressed live on average eight years less than their more emotionally-stable peers. Owning a dog is actually a great way to interact with people in your community. Whether in a dog park or on your dog's afternoon walk, striking up conversation becomes that much easier with a pet in tow.

Stronger Heart

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently showed that owning one or more pets significantly reduces the risk of heart disease. This is done indirectly, however. You see, owning a pet has been correlated with lower blood pressure and better cholesterol scores. Owning a pet has also been correlated with more favorable triglyceride levels. These things together indirectly help lower heart disease.

Just owning a pet has been associated with a three percent reduction in the chances of dying from a heart-related condition (e.g., heart attack). Considering that heart disease and cancer each kill approximately a half-million Americans annually, maybe owning a pet is a justifiable alternative to taking out more health insurance!

Great for Kids

Aside from improving the immune systems of kids, having a pet in the household can enhance the intellectual development of children as well as improve their self-worth and nurturing behaviors. Owning a pet also makes kids more resilient to the death of a loved one, according to recent research.

Keep Your Head Up

Dog ownership has been correlated with having more of a sense of purpose, especially in elderly people who have retired or are unable to work consistently. The companionship that owning a dog or a cat can foster can help to lower feelings of loneliness or detachment.

Go Figure: Surprising Findings

Research into the area of pet ownership and health sometimes uncovers odd correlations. For instance, the Delta Society found that having garishly-colored fish improved the appetites and reduced the disruptive outbursts of Alzheimer's patients.

It has also been found that people who own pets have better psychological profiles overall and are less likely to sweat the small stuff. Interestingly, pet ownership has been correlated with worrying less about a home invasion.

Stick to Fitness Goals

Dog owners tend to be less sedentary during the day. Walking, jogging, biking or running with your dog are all options during the warmer months. The National Institute of Health polled over 2,000 people and found that dog owners who walked their dogs themselves, instead of having a family member or someone else do so, were far less likely to be obese.

What to Do If Your Pet Is Poisoned

2014-08-31T11:58:00.000+01:00

Poisoning can be accidental or deliberate. The latter is rare, but when an animal is deliberately poisoned, it is especially distressing. Usually, the poison is hidden in an attractive bait, such as a piece of meat. This type of poisoning is an appalling form of cruelty to animals. Whenever it is suspected, the police are informed and all efforts are made to arrest and prosecute the culprit.

Most households possess substances which are potentially toxic to animals. Examples include rat poison, anti-freeze, slug pellets and weed killers. These substances are often perfectly safe when used according to the manufacturer's instructions, and if safely stored out of the reach of pets. But accidents do happen.

The dogs are kept inside when the rat bait is laid out, but somebody accidentally leaves a door open and the dogs find the poison. The bottle of anti-freeze in the garage is knocked over, and the cat licks the liquid up. The playful puppy chews his way into a bag of slug pellets in the garden shed. I have personally seen all of these situations .

If it is suspected that an animal has eaten a poison, it is essential to contact a vet on the telephone immediately. Poisons only harm an animal if they are absorbed into the bloodstream, so the first aim is to minimise the amount which is absorbed. The vet may advise you on the telephone steps you can take at home to reduce poison absorption.

The vet will usually also advise you to rush the animal to the surgery as soon as possible. Drugs can then be given through an injection, which will cause vomiting. In some cases, it may be necessary put the animal under a general anaesthetic, and perform gastric lavage, which involves flushing out all the stomach contents.

If it is more than a few hours since the poison was consumed, it may be too late to remove it from the stomach, since it will already have moved down the digestive tract and been absorbed. In these cases, it is necessary to commence treatment for poisoning, to try to prevent serious illness.

A few poisons have direct antidotes (for example Vitamin K is used to combat certain rat poisons). However, in most cases, there is no simple answer. General supportive treatment must be used to keep an animal alive until the body has metabolised and excreted the poison naturally.

This may involve hospitalising the pet, giving intravenous fluids via a drip, and continuous intravenous infusion of different drugs to relieve the symptoms. This may involve intensive round-the-clock nursing.

Sometimes, such efforts are in vain, and the animal may pass into a coma or even die. However, animal's bodies are remarkable creations, and I have known animals to survive doses of certain poisons which would overwhelm an adult human. It is always worth the effort, and there is great satisfaction in saving an animal's life against all odds.

But of course, it is far better never to need to treat an animal for poisoning. Pet owners should be very careful with the storage and use of any poisonous substances.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarah_A_Bevan

Factors To Consider When Buying A Family Dog

2014-08-24T17:37:00.000+01:00

When buying a family dog you need to consider the following factors:

Type of family

You should consider the type of family that you have. If every member of the family is busy and no one has time for the animal, you go for a dog that doesn't require much attention.

You should also go for an animal that is not energetic. This is because if you go for an animal that is too energetic and you don't exercise him, he will start engaging in destructive behavior. Some of the lower energy dogs that you should consider going for are: Basset hounds, Boston terrier, and pugs.

History

You need to consider the history of the dog that you want to buy. As rule of thumb you should ensure that the breed has a history of being used as a family dog. To guide you through, here are some of the most common breeds that have been used as family dogs: Newfoundland, Papillon, golden retriever, Pug, and lovable mutt.

Dog size

You should go for a dog that will be able to feed without any problems. The dog should also be able to fit the space of your home. You should note that large dogs usually cost more in both feed and veterinary bills. The large dogs are also too rambunctious for small children and elderly members of the family.

Temperament

The dog should have a great temperament. This means that he should be able to easily interact with the family members. He should also interact well with other pets at home. For training to be easy, you should go for an intelligent dog.

While independent dogs are easy to live with, you should avoid those that are very independent. This is because they tend to be very problematic to train.

Where you live

Some dogs are banned in some states. For example Akitas, Rottweilers and others are banned or restricted in certain municipalities and keeping them in your compound would amount to a criminal offence. Before you make a purchase always ensure that you check the laws of the country or state you live in.

Health status

As rule of thumb you should avoid an animal that is prone to many diseases. This is because he will easily die or cost you a lot of money on veterinary bills. If you are unsure of the best animal to go for you should ask your veterinary to suggest to you some of the best breeds.

By visiting its website you will find the best dog for sale .

Five things to know while keeping chinchillas as pets

2014-08-19T14:31:00.000+01:00

Five important things to know while keeping chinchillas as pets are below. After all, deciding what you want to keep as a pet isn't easy and it is always a good idea to brush up on information. Keeping an exotic pet like a chinchilla will also make you the neighbors' envy for sure. After all, not many around you have a chinchilla as a pet, do they?

1. The chinchillas are quite active and the females' rodents are also known to be aggressive, especially with the same sex chinchillas. The females mature by the time they are 7 months old. They have a gestation period of 111 days and can have 1-2 babies per litter.

2. These little pets have a life span of 12-20years. They weigh as little as 1.1-1.5 kg. They are about 12-14 inches long and have a tail which is about 4-6 inches long. These are bigger than the ground squirrels and smaller than rabbits.

3. Chinchillas need a good amount of roughage in their diet. Therefore green grass is the best food for them. Apart from the occasional treats can be given. These rodents are crepuscular in nature i.e.; they are most active during the dusk and dawn. Care should be taken to feed them as per their habits. Treats can be given once a day, however, too much is not recommended since their digestive system cannot assimilate too much sugar.

4. It is recommended that the chinchillas be kept in a cage. If kept out in the open, they might end up chewing whatever they find.

5. Chinchillas are sometimes seen biting their fur; this could result due to poor diet, boredom, stressful conditions or too much noise around.

You need to remember that a chinchilla needs to be handled with care. Gentle handling and providing the pet with attention will tame the pet soon.

We are talking about the chinchillas of South America.

Choosing Zebra Finch as Pets

2014-08-14T12:03:00.002+01:00

Zebra Finches are undeniably attractive animals, while also being some of the easiest birds to care for and having endearing personalities, so it's easy to see why so many people are choosing to keep them as pets.

These finches don't have any particularly unusual or awkward care requirements, and as such they are not difficult birds to look after. A cage is of course necessary, but it doesn't need to be as big as it would be for many other birds. A larger cage will always be preferred though, and for any more than a single pair of finches you'll need a much larger enclosure. Still, this is the case for any pet bird species.

One frequent concern amongst potential buyers is how noisy the finches will be - constantly squawking birds may well make you unpopular with your neighbors! However Zebra Finches are fairly quiet birds, and while they are not silent, they can easily be kept in a flat or apartment without annoying anyone living nearby.

Their diet can be catered for with a wide range of commercially available products that any pet store will supply, and the cage can even be lined with newspaper if you don't want to buy anything more expensive. Further research is obviously recommended to see exactly what your pets will need before you get them, and there are many comprehensive care sheets both online and in books.

Zebra Finches will live comfortably at room temperature and so they can be very easily integrated into the average home, although they should always be kept away from cold draughts and air conditioning units. They may need some exposure to UV light, and some people choose to buy special lights to achieve this, but it shouldn't be an issue in most houses.

Choosing to buy a couple of these birds is a reasonably long term commitment as they should live for at least six years, but this isn't exceptionally long and is shorter than many species, making them a good choice for a first bird. If you've never owned a bird before, then Zebra Finches are certainly a better choice than something like a parrot that may outlive you!

In conclusion, Zebra Finches make excellent pets, both for first time owners and for more experienced keepers who want something new. Being so beautiful and straightforward to care for, it's no wonder more and more people are buying these birds!

For more information Zebra Finches .

Patiently waiting Cats

2014-08-04T20:14:00.000+01:00

Here are 15 devoted cats patiently waiting for their humans to return:

source

Advantages of Using a Pet Seat Cover

2014-07-28T22:35:00.000+01:00

Many individuals are interested the top pet seat cover for their cars. The product provides extensive benefits for the owners. It really is ideal for all customers which bring their pets when you are traveling making use of their cars.There are also some excellent seat covers which might be available. You can compare some available products, in order to select the best one on your own. Read on this post to determine some advantages that you can get from this incredible product.

Help make your pet feel safe
Some seat covers are made of comfortable materials. You can bring any pets to your cars, including dogs and cats. They will feel safe once they sit on top of your seat cover. If you want to make your pets feel safe, you ought to install this cover on the carseat properly. Ensure your pets can sit as well as this seat cover properly before you start your journey.
Clean your seat easily
This can be another excuse why the product becomes very beneficial today. You can minimize any damage that is a result of the toileting accidents. When you're using this item, you can clean your seat quickly and easily. You can easily clean this pet device as soon as you arrive at your house.. You can minimize using any harsh cleaning chemicals to clean your seat.
Protect your seat
Here is the main benefit that you can get from this pet accessory. This cover will help you protect your seat from a pets' bites. You should understand that a majority of seats have become expensive for most of us. Therefore, you don't want to damage your seat whenever you bring your pet inside your car. Some seat covers are specially made up of durable effective materials. It indicates that you can be confident the grade of they.
These are some benefits that you can get by such an item. There are some excellent products you could find on the pet stores today. You can select the best one that is ideal for your car or truck size, your pets, budget, plus some other critical indicators. It is important that you buy the best cover that is made from excellent materials. Make sure you install this cover on the carseat properly, so you can get all gains advantage from this pet seat cover.

Three of The Best Places Online For Pet Advice

2014-07-27T22:29:00.002+01:00

If you have a furry friend at your house, one thing there is a good chance you have a desire to do is provide them with the best possible life you can give them - ensuring that they are happy, healthy, and in a position to thrive - but as easy as it is for one to "hope this is the case" for one's pets, it is another thing entirely to actually take the steps necessary to make this a reality; if you are looking to ensure you are giving your pets the best life possible, one thing you will want to make sure you are doing is continually picking up knowledge and advice on the things you can do to make this "desire" your "reality" - and so, here is a look at three of the best places to go online for pet-related knowledge and advice.

Websites from the pros: You may not have been aware of this, but many of the top pet retailers actually have great advice sites attached to their main websites, in order to help pet owners navigate the sometimes-choppy waters of caring for their furry friends; of course, not every one of these sites will be a perfect fit for you, but once you take a bit of time to explore the various sites available from top pet retailers, you will be able to find the site (or sites) that are a great fit for you, and you will be able to start gaining lots of extra knowledge and information as a result.
Pet owner websites: Believe it or not, a lot of pet owners who run websites on which they talk about their pets (and their experiences with their pets), and these can be extremely beneficial to pet owners who are looking to take better care of their pets themselves - and the really great news, in this area, is that there is no shortage of websites available in this area! If you invest a small amount of time each day finding new "pet owner websites," you will eventually have a nice list of sites you really enjoy (and really find valuable) that you can visit every few days; and as you visit these sites, realize that you can not only learn valuable information from the person running the website itself, but can also learn lots from people commenting on such sites!
Pet owner forums: And truly, one of the best places of all where you can go in order to start expanding your knowledge of the things you ought to be doing to take better care of your pets is pet forums; when you visit such forums, you will not only be able to share the knowledge you have gained over your years as a pet owner, but you will also be able to ask questions of others (or simply read the questions others are asking and learn from the answers people are providing!), which can ultimately prove more valuable than anything else when it comes to taking the best possible care of your pets!

If you are looking for more great information : http://pet-forums.net/

Happy Cat Pictures

2014-07-18T13:47:00.000+01:00

A happy and content Cat not suffering from anxiety. Panic attacks in Cats can be avoided by treating them with love and attention.

Taking care of your pet's health

2014-07-17T12:23:00.000+01:00

Taking care of your pet's health is a obligation just like taking care of your own health. Just like you, you can prefer a health insurance plan for your animal. There are so many excellent health care companies to decide from.

You may want to consider a company that offers a wellness insurance plan that would help with some of the costs associated with keeping your pooch healthy through regular wellness check-ups.

These plans may be a admirable choice if you visit your veterinarian on a regular basis and have your furry friend on a maintenance schedule.

One should have their animal on a schedule anyway.

Happy Dog

2014-07-15T12:09:00.000+01:00

A happy and content dog not suffering from anxiety. Panic attacks in dogs can be avoided by treating them with love and attention.

How to choose the right LED lighting for your particular aquarium

2014-07-07T13:58:00.002+01:00

Below are some tips on how to choose the right LED lighting for your particular aquarium setting.

Choose the Color for the Effect You're Looking For

Once the light needs of your organisms are met, you get to play with a whole spectrum of colors, depending on the way you want to present your aquarium. For example, if you want a true realistic water shimmer in your aquarium, concentrate on white LED bulbs that give your setup an appearance of being in the sunlight.

LED lights in the blue spectrum, such as actinic LED bulbs, can really bring out the details and beauty of your living coral reef. LED lights that enhance the color of the water from the warmer end of the spectrum are very good for bringing out the best in livestock when all your aquarium holds is fish.

Consider the Organisms You Support

The types of organisms you raise in your saltwater aquarium can help you determine what kind of LED lighting you need. For example, if you have clams, coral or some types of plants that grow at somewhat deeper ocean depths, these organisms have adapted to the blue and white wavelengths of light, and the choice of LED bulbs should reflect this.

For aquarium setups with vast amounts of plants, blue and red wavelengths are the most crucial for the plants to effectively photosynthesize and live healthy lives. But with LEDs, you can also literally have your cake and eat it, too, because they allow you to create a natural looking light that mimics both sunlight and moonlight, while providing your organisms what they need for a proper environment.

Other Considerations When Choosing LED Aquarium Lighting

In the case of LED lights for saltwater aquariums, the best rule of thumb is to buy the best system of lighting you can afford, and any LED lighting system you buy may have a hefty price tag. But the more expensive LED lighting modules can come with some very nice options.

For example, you can buy a setup that contains three full rows of full-spectrum LED bulbs. Because these bulbs are so small, you don't notice them as part of the whole aquarium experience, and their small size makes it easier to move them out of the way to work in your aquarium. Another option is an automatic timer that changes the LED bulb intensity to mirror an actual daytime/nighttime event, without you needing to remember to manually dim the lights.

Natural Pet Food

2014-07-01T12:14:00.003+01:00

Most people with a pet rely on commercial pet food, with little thought to how nutritious it might be. This is understandable when you realise that most people don't feed themselves with nutritious food, instead relying on junk food, fast food, restaurant food, anything other than real food.

The fact is, food is vital to health. If you, or your pet, are not eating nutritious (ie quality), species-specific (ie that which your ancestors evolved on) food, then don't expect either you, or your pet, to be healthy. It really is very simple.

However, humans like to make things more complicated than they really are. That is, humans with a vested interest.

Only a few decades ago, it was common to feed a pet scraps from the table. This was in the days when the family diet was more healthy than it is today and when agriculture grew real food, rather than the chemically laden 'food' produced today.

And, for the most part, the pets thrived. This was not an unreasonable diet for dogs and most cats supplemented their diet by a little hunting.

Then, the pet food industry was born. Clever marketing ridiculed this practice as inadequate. Nothing affects people more than thinking they aren't being good parents or good pet carers. We are easy to manipulate.

Slogans such as 'veterinary approved', 'scientifically formulated', 'balanced', 'healthy', and so forth were convincing if not accurate. Advertising, then as now, does not have to prove it is being truthful. Careful wording can be legal, but still untruthful.

This industry was not wanting you to improve the diet of your pet. They couldn't care less about that. No, what they wanted, and still want, is to make a profit. This is the only aim of corporations. This is the sole role of every CEO.

To turn the best possible profit, the raw, that is the basic ingredients of pet food, comes from the cheapest resources. Quality is not considered. Neither is the natural diet of the species, such as the nature of the food, the balance, etc.

All pet food is cooked at high temperatures and pressures in an attempt to kill off the bacteria that is so rampant in the factories. This process destroys any vestiges of nutrients that may be present. And still food is constantly being recalled from contamination.

To address the shortfall of nutrition, to colour the end result, to flavour it to ensure the poor animal eats it, to preserve the end result, often indefinitely, synthetic chemicals are used. All synthetic chemicals are toxic by nature.

The importance of natural pet food cannot be over-emphasized if you want a healthy pet, if you don't want to shell out on expensive veterinary treatment. But you won't find it on any supermarket shelf. The best way is to learn how to make it yourself.

Don't expect your vet to come to the party. They have been trained well - by the pet food industry.

For more information, see Single Deadliest Mistake for Dogs and Three Natural and Economical Feline Treatments

Funny Dog Faces Pictures

2014-02-27T17:31:00.000+01:00

One can always depend on a dog to derp hard, causing all who view the hilarious dog face to forget their troubles and cheering up everyone indefinitely.
Dog pictures give you a glimpse into the world of our favorite canine friends.

Funny praying Cat

2014-02-25T18:29:00.001+01:00

Funny praying Cat - funny Cat photos:

We pray when times are bad and when we want healing for a loved one.....and believe it or not...even cats pray!

Deal with the loss of a pet !!

2014-02-20T15:43:00.000+01:00

If you are suffering with the loss of a pet, here are some tools to find relief.
Find a support group
The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement offers a list of pet bereavement support groups in several states. Most humane societies also offer group sessions. Psychotherapist Marcia Breitenbach recommends this approach because it allows pet owners to see that they are not alone. If your community does not have a pet grief group, she suggests attending bereavement group sessions, which typically are offered at churches or hospitals.

Give yourself permission to grieve
Even if others do not understand the loss, Breitenbach and Simpson say that it's important to take time to grieve.
"One of the things that astounds me is when people say, 'It's just a cat, you can get another one.' But they would never say at a funeral, to a widow, 'there's more fish in the sea,'" says Breitenbach. "It's hilarious to think about that, and yet we do say that to someone who lost a family member -- they just happened to be furry or feathered or slithery or whatever."
Ask loved ones for space to heal
Feelings of guilt and isolation can fester if loved ones are not supportive. Breitenbach notes that many mates are simply uncomfortable with their partner's grief.
"They want it to go away and they want it like it used to be," she says.
Be honest with your employer
If the grieving process extends to the workplace, Breitenbach suggests open communication with supervisors. It helps to be specific about what you need. It might be as simple as saying that you may need a bathroom break to have a good cry, or it may be that you will have a funeral tomorrow and would like time off.
Use the loss as a teaching opportunity for kids
Most children under the age of 5 do not have a real concept of death, so the loss can be a teaching opportunity. Simpson recommends that children be part of the grieving process, as long as it is age-appropriate. That may mean allowing children to participate in the burial or help select a memorial.
"So many of us want to shelter our children from suffering," she says. "They know what's going on. When you let them say goodbye to the remains, you normalize grief in general."
Step out -- even if it hurts
Breitenbach suggests enrolling in activities that you could not pursue when you had a pet. Try a new cooking class or continuing education course that takes you out of the house at least once a week.
In time, consider another pet
Simpson says that you will know when it's time to adopt another pet. To avoid feeling disloyal to your deceased pet, she suggests approaching the process slowly. Visit an animal shelter or a foster organization, but don't commit.
Sources: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/08/26/living/handle-losing-pet-mnn/

10 Tips on Coping with Pet Loss

2014-02-19T15:31:00.001+01:00

Anyone who considers a pet a beloved friend, companion, or family member knows the intense pain that accompanies the loss of that friend. Following are some tips on coping with that grief, and with the difficult decisions one faces upon the loss of a pet.

1. Am I crazy to hurt so much?

Intense grief over the loss of a pet is normal and natural. Don't let anyone tell you that it's silly, crazy, or overly sentimental to grieve!

During the years you spent with your pet (even if they were few), it became a significant and constant part of your life. It was a source of comfort and companionship, of unconditional love and acceptance, of fun and joy. So don't be surprised if you feel devastated by the loss of such a relationship.

People who don't understand the pet/owner bond may not understand your pain. All that matters, however, is how you feel. Don't let others dictate your feelings: They are valid, and may be extremely painful. But remember, you are not alone: Thousands of pet owners have gone through the same feelings.

2. What Can I Expect to Feel?

Different people experience grief in different ways. Besides your sorrow and loss, you may also experience the following emotions:

Guilt may occur if you feel responsible for your pet's death-the "if only I had been more careful" syndrome. It is pointless and often erroneous to burden yourself with guilt for the accident or illness that claimed your pet's life, and only makes it more difficult to resolve your grief.
Denial makes it difficult to accept that your pet is really gone. It's hard to imagine that your pet won't greet you when you come home, or that it doesn't need its evening meal. Some pet owners carry this to extremes, and fear their pet is still alive and suffering somewhere. Others find it hard to get a new pet for fear of being "disloyal" to the old.
Anger may be directed at the illness that killed your pet, the driver of the speeding car, the veterinarian who "failed" to save its life. Sometimes it is justified, but when carried to extremes, it distracts you from the important task of resolving your grief.
Depression is a natural consequence of grief, but can leave you powerless to cope with your feelings. Extreme depression robs you of motivation and energy, causing you to dwell upon your sorrow.

3. What can I do about my feelings?

The most important step you can take is to be honest about your feelings. Don't deny your pain, or your feelings of anger and guilt. Only by examining and coming to terms with your feelings can you begin to work through them.

You have a right to feel pain and grief! Someone you loved has died, and you feel alone and bereaved. You have a right to feel anger and guilt, as well. Acknowledge your feelings first, then ask yourself whether the circumstances actually justify them.

Locking away grief doesn't make it go away. Express it. Cry, scream, pound the floor, talk it out. Do what helps you the most. Don't try to avoid grief by not thinking about your pet; instead, reminisce about the good times. This will help you understand what your pet's loss actually means to you.

Some find it helpful to express their feelings and memories in poems, stories, or letters to the pet. Other strategies including rearranging your schedule to fill in the times you would have spent with your pet; preparing a memorial such as a photo collage; and talking to others about your loss.

4. Who can I talk to?

If your family or friends love pets, they'll understand what you're going through. Don't hide your feelings in a misguided effort to appear strong and calm! Working through your feelings with another person is one of the best ways to put them in perspective and find ways to handle them. Find someone you can talk to about how much the pet meant to you and how much you miss it-someone you feel comfortable crying and grieving with.

If you don't have family or friends who understand, or if you need more help, ask your veterinarian or humane association to recommend a pet loss counselor or support group. Check with your church or hospital for grief counseling. Remember, your grief is genuine and deserving of support.

5. When is the right time to euthanize a pet?

Your veterinarian is the best judge of your pet's physical condition; however, you are the best judge of the quality of your pet's daily life. If a pet has a good appetite, responds to attention, seeks its owner's company, and participates in play or family life, many owners feel that this is not the time. However, if a pet is in constant pain, undergoing difficult and stressful treatments that aren't helping greatly, unresponsive to affection, unaware of its surroundings, and uninterested in life, a caring pet owner will probably choose to end the beloved companion's suffering.

Evaluate your pet's health honestly and unselfishly with your veterinarian. Prolonging a pet's suffering in order to prevent your own ultimately helps neither of you. Nothing can make this decision an easy or painless one, but it is truly the final act of love that you can make for your pet.

6. Should I stay during euthanasia?

Many feel this is the ultimate gesture of love and comfort you can offer your pet. Some feel relief and comfort themselves by staying: They were able to see that their pet passed peacefully and without pain, and that it was truly gone. For many, not witnessing the death (and not seeing the body) makes it more difficult to accept that the pet is really gone. However, this can be traumatic, and you must ask yourself honestly whether you will be able to handle it. Uncontrolled emotions and tears-though natural-are likely to upset your pet.

Some clinics are more open than others to allowing the owner to stay during euthanasia. Some veterinarians are also willing to euthanize a pet at home. Others have come to an owner's car to administer the injection. Again, consider what will be least traumatic for you and your pet, and discuss your desires and concerns with your veterinarian. If your clinic is not able to accommodate your wishes, request a referral.

7. What do I do next?

When a pet dies, you must choose how to handle its remains. Sometimes, in the midst of grief, it may seem easiest to leave the pet at the clinic for disposal. Check with your clinic to find out whether there is a fee for such disposal. Some shelters also accept such remains, though many charge a fee for disposal.

If you prefer a more formal option, several are available. Home burial is a popular choice, if you have sufficient property for it. It is economical and enables you to design your own funeral ceremony at little cost. However, city regulations usually prohibit pet burials, and this is not a good choice for renters or people who move frequently.

To many, a pet cemetery provides a sense of dignity, security, and permanence. Owners appreciate the serene surroundings and care of the gravesite. Cemetery costs vary depending on the services you select, as well as upon the type of pet you have. Cremation is a less expensive option that allows you to handle your pet's remains in a variety of ways: bury them (even in the city), scatter them in a favorite location, place them in a columbarium, or even keep them with you in a decorative urn (of which a wide variety are available).

Check with your veterinarian, pet shop, or phone directory for options available in your area. Consider your living situation, personal and religious values, finances, and future plans when making your decision. It's also wise to make such plans in advance, rather than hurriedly in the midst of grief.

8. What should I tell my children?

You are the best judge of how much information your children can handle about death and the loss of their pet. Don't underestimate them, however. You may find that, by being honest with them about your pet's loss, you may be able to address some fears and misperceptions they have about death.

Honesty is important. If you say the pet was "put to sleep," make sure your children understand the difference between death and ordinary sleep. Never say the pet "went away," or your child may wonder what he or she did to make it leave, and wait in anguish for its return. That also makes it harder for a child to accept a new pet. Make it clear that the pet will not come back, but that it is happy and free of pain.

Never assume a child is too young or too old to grieve. Never criticize a child for tears, or tell them to "be strong" or not to feel sad. Be honest about your own sorrow; don't try to hide it, or children may feel required to hide their grief as well. Discuss the issue with the entire family, and give everyone a chance to work through their grief at their own pace.

9. Will my other pets grieve?

Pets observe every change in a household, and are bound to notice the absence of a companion. Pets often form strong attachments to one another, and the survivor of such a pair may seem to grieve for its companion. Cats grieve for dogs, and dogs for cats.

You may need to give your surviving pets a lot of extra attention and love to help them through this period. Remember that, if you are going to introduce a new pet, your surviving pets may not accept the newcomer right away, but new bonds will grow in time. Meanwhile, the love of your surviving pets can be wonderfully healing for your own grief.

10. Should I get a new pet right away?

Generally, the answer is no. One needs time to work through grief and loss before attempting to build a relationship with a new pet. If your emotions are still in turmoil, you may resent a new pet for trying to "take the place" of the old-for what you really want is your old pet back. Children in particular may feel that loving a new pet is "disloyal" to the previous pet.

When you do get a new pet, avoid getting a "lookalike" pet, which makes comparisons all the more likely. Don't expect your new pet to be "just like" the one you lost, but allow it to develop its own personality. Never give a new pet the same name or nickname as the old. Avoid the temptation to compare the new pet to the old one: It can be hard to remember that your beloved companion also caused a few problems when it was young!

A new pet should be acquired because you are ready to move forward and build a new relationship-rather than looking backward and mourning your loss. When you are ready, select an animal with whom you can build another long, loving relationship-because this is what having a pet is all about!

(For more information on choosing a new pet and determining when the time is right, please see Ten Tips on Choosing a New Pet.)

Sources:http://www.pet-loss.net/

Care for an English Bulldog

2014-02-16T19:09:00.000+01:00

The English bulldogs are a very famous breed among pet lovers as they are calm and apathetic. Well, they actually snore a lot, but by calm I mean they won't drive you acorns with the moving around or barking or abolishing the furniture. Plus, they're extremely cute.

But one thing that future possessors do not comprehend is that the English bulldog is probably the breed that obligates the closest and most complex maintenance. At the origins the bulldog didn't look similar it does today. It was more supple and lighter with a more elongated nose, resembling today's Boxer breed. But somewhere along the line it was mixed with the pug. I still don't understand why, even though he does look funnier and it's cuter, but it's a pain both for the owner and the dog. It lost its form and now it looks like a sack of wheat. It is probably the only dog that cannot curl. It is artlessly absurd to its current anatomy. It also cannot scratch itself, which should be drastically annoying to it, as you no doubt imagine.

But the worst part is that most of them have inherited a ton of allergies, allergies so weird that almost none of them were detected. By that I mean they cannot be cured. You have to fire any sort of medication away until something works. But it's not ideal to conserve any animal on medication for a long time as it affects its organs. So it needs special food, and special diet, which is pretty expensive as well. Also, it needs to be cleaned daily on the face and between the paws as the common bulldog's anatomy doesn't allow some parts of its skin to breathe. If you don't disinfect those daily there are chances of irritation that can lead to wounds that need to be operated and frequently skin gets cut away, just like plastic surgery.

Also, being a lazy animal, it covets a lot of care as far as training goes. You need to find out what makes it click, and it's not a lot, and use it to the max to bring out some exercise from it, otherwise the dog will put layers over layers of fat. That affects its heart, the main deduction why it is say the average life span of the English bulldog to be about 6 years.

Keep Your Cats Occupied

2014-02-15T18:57:00.004+01:00

Cats basically disregard what you want and are almost impracticable to train them to the point you would train a dog.
Have empty bode ready. Cats adore boxes, or any other tight spaces they can snuggle into. Take a shoe box and put it on the floor and wait. In about three minutes there will be one cat in it, I guarantee it. It will love the box so much that it will sleep in it, play with it to the point of turning it into ribbons. Cats don't play nice, they usually destroy their plaything. We just want to make sure that's not you.

Build shelves. Put some shelves at various intervals and heights on the wall so the cat can climb up and jump from one to another. Cats also love heights because they give them a sense of security. Try putting some shelves up and see the effect.
Buy toys. Static toys are not fun for cats, but they enjoy something that squirms and won't stay still, like a dangling rope with a ball on the end of it or something similar. Or you can buy mice. A lot of them.
But scratching pads. Those are usually for sharpening their claws, otherwise they will redecorate the furniture. You can have the vet remove their claws through surgery, but keep in mind the claws are their only weapon and without them the cat cannot defend itself, and no one knows what the future may bring. Plus, it's a pretty invasive surgery that I consider barbaric.
Buy excellent food for the cat. Good eating will usually make it lazy. It also makes it fat, but that's a small amount to pay for your security, isn't it? Cats, enjoy humans, desire a certain level of calories and protein, otherwise they will become obscenely fat and that can be a important impediment for their vitality.

Choosing the right size tank

2014-02-07T18:16:00.000+01:00

The tank you choose will be the foundation of your very own Marine Aquarium. It's good to get this right the first time. If you do, it will save you a lot of time and money. The reason I say this is because people buy a tank and then later on realize that they want a bigger one, so if you know what type of setup you want before you buy your tank you have more of a chance of making the right decision on the size.
In a previous article we spoke about the different types of Marine setups, now you know what setup you are going to have you need to decide what size aquarium you want, now comes the part where you have to ask yourself questions, Where is it going to go? How much space do I have? Of course you are limited to what size house you have, and by space, also how much do you want to spend? Fish tanks can range from £100 to over £1000, how much you spend is down to you. Before you start it's good for you to know owning your own Marine Aquarium is no cheap hobby.

Hopefully After reading this article you will come to the conclusion on what size marine tank you want.

What shape?
Depending on what type of setup you are having different shaped tanks will have their own effects.

Tall tanks
Tall tanks have the effect of height; this is nice on a reef tank because it allows you to create different shelf levels to place corals with different lighting needs. The Lighting needs to penetrate through to the bottom, so strong lighting is recommended.

Bow fronted tanks
These tanks give a lovely magnifying effect and the illusion that the tank is bigger than what it is.

Cube tanks
Cube tanks are great for compact spaces; they also provide a 360 degree view of everything in the tank, not great for big fish as swimming space is limited.

Standard Rectangle tanks
These tanks are the best choice for reef aquariums as they have space for everything, you can have big reef fish and there is plenty of room to aqua scape the tank the way you want it.

Corner tanks
These tanks are great space savers. They have a very modern feel and make great show tanks due to their shape because they have a custom made look to them. These tanks are surprisingly spacious.

Pet Chinchillas - How to Care for Your Chinchilla

2013-12-18T14:54:00.000+01:00

Chinchilla care is quite simple. All you need is to know the right way to provide their basic needs. This will contribute a great deal in raising the animals and ensuring they are in excellent condition every day. The following are some of the ways of caring for chinchillas including:

· Bathing

It is not advisable to get chinchillas wet because they have thick fur that makes air-drying impossible. Moisture tends to remain on their skin, making them prone to fungal problems. If the pet gets wet by accident, it is important to consider drying their fur using a towel or a hair dryer that is set in "cool" condition. Chinchillas need a dust bath twice or more times a week. Pet owners can buy dusting powder that is specially made for chinchillas. To bath the pet, use a large container to allow the chinchilla to roll around comfortably. For the best result, it is advisable to consider a container that has a cover. This will prevent fine dust flying around when the animal starts to roll. The dust bath helps to get rid of dirt and excess oil in its fur.

Shelter

Chinchillas enjoy jumping around. Therefore, it is advisable to consider keeping your pet in a spacious cage that features numerous platforms. This will allow the animal to jump freely. Furthermore, you may consider placing an igloo or box in their quarter for hiding and sleeping. Because these animals have dense fur, they cannot tolerate intense heat. Therefore, it is advisable to keep them in a controlled environment, with temperatures remaining below 80 degree. Chinchillas are extremely active during the night and thus it is important to keep their cage away from your bedroom. This will help you get a peaceful night.

· Feeding

There is a range of good feeds to choose from. Pellets are a favorite with many pet owners because most of them are high quality products, available at competitive prices. 2 tablespoons can help a great deal. In addition to these pellets, you can consider a handful of hay every day. The animal also requires fresh drinking water from a water bottle you may consider fastening to the cage. It is important to ensure the pet can reach the bottle easily. Furthermore, you may consider giving your pet chew sticks occasionally. Chinchillas like to wear down their teeth and thus chew sticks come handy. Make sure to buy chew sticks that have been formulated specifically for chinchillas.

Best info about Chinchilla Care .

Different Ways to Remember Your Pet

2013-12-17T14:38:00.002+01:00

A persons pet can be a big part of their lives, and can even help them in times of needs, so the loss of a pet can hit a person or a family quite hard. When losing a pet happens to you, there are a number of different ways in which you can remember your pet. In this article we will look at some of the different ways in which you can commemorate your pet's life.

Planting a Tree or Bush

One of the most popular ways in which you can commemorate your pet's life is to plant a tree. This then acts as a permanent living memorial to help you to keep the memories of your pet fresh in your memory. If a tree seems a bit too much or you only have a small garden, then a flowering bush is an alternative and another great way to commemorate your pet.

Photo Memorials

Another popular method for remembering your pet is to have a picture of them framed, so that you can hang it on the wall. Or better still; get a professional portrait painter that specializes in painting animals to paint a portrait of your pet from an old photo.

Giving to Charity

One way to help keep your memories of your pet alive is to give money or time to an animal charity. With this method you are giving something back, whilst at the same time helping those animals that are less fortunate and in need of help. A lot more people are using this option to in order to occupy themselves in the days immediately after the loss of their pet.

Pet Burial

One traditional way in which to remember your pet is to have them buried when they die, although this is not something that will appeal to everyone. Although burial is not to everyone's taste, there is the option of preserving the ashes of the pet after a cremation, and either scatter them in one of your pet's favorite places, or store them somewhere at home. If you are looking to bury your dear departed pet, then you might want to consider a specially designed and built pet burial casket. Pet cemeteries offer the pet owner a chance to lay their pet to rest, whilst at the same time, giving them somewhere to go and visit their pet.

After the death of a much loved pet, many people find a memorial service to be a cathartic experience, as it gives the owner a chance to say a final farewell to their beloved pet. Not only that, but it gives the owner and family members the chance to grieve and express their feelings for their long lost pet.

Losing a beloved pet is difficult and memorializing them is an important part of the grieving process. Choosing appropriate pet cremation products can help, whether that means choosing an ornamental urn or one of the many available pet scattering urns .

Caring For Goldfish

2013-12-09T14:54:00.000+01:00

Goldfish are great, rewarding pets to have. If you're looking to breed goldfish, have one as a pet, or are simply curious about what it might be like,they’re not hard to meet, but doing so is key to keeping a happy and healthy goldfish.

Goldfish Food

Goldfish food contains less protein and more carbohydrates than other fish food (such as tropical fish food). Manufacturers of goldfish food have produced food with the specific dietary requirements of goldfish in mind, so you shouldn’t just pick up a tub of generic “fish food”. Your goldfish need to eat proper goldfish food that meets their specific needs.

The goldfish food you buy will be in the form of flakes (which float) or pellets (which usually sink – thoughfloating pellets are also available). There are a few factors to consider when deciding whether to feed your goldfish flakes, pellets or a mixture of both:

Is your fish big enough to eat pellets? Some pellets can be too big to fit in the mouths of young fish.
Sinking pellets may be more difficult to find and remove. This means that uneaten pellets will rot and pollute your water.
Goldfish may swallow air when eating flakes or floating pellets off the surface of the water, which can cause digestion problems.
Flakes can lose some of their nutritional value after the tub is opened and the flakes are exposed to air. Pellets retain their nutritional value better than flakes do.

Climate

While they’re typically sold alongside a bevy of various other species of tropical fish , which tend to prefer what could be thought of as tropical temperatures, goldfish are actually considered a cold water species. In fact they can tolerate temperatures close to freezing, although in the aquarium something in the mid 60s to low 70s in preferred (or roughly 18 to 23C). Even though they do just fine at lower temperatures a heater still isn’t a bad idea, however. Temperature swings are never a good thing for any fish. A heater ensures things don’t change too rapidly on particularly cool days.

This doesn’t mean your goldfish have to live alone, though. There are lots of other fish out there who enjoy a cooler temperature. White Cloud Minnows are quite popular coldwater fish, and the common Zebra Danio is quite adaptive and does just fine in cooler water. Just make sure they’re not too small as your goldfish may mistake them for a tasty snack! Some species of loaches and plecos are compatible as well, though care should be taken if you’re keeping a pleco and goldfish with frilly tails as the pleco may harass them.

Goldfish Breeding:

In order to breed successfully, goldfish need their usual quality care – including plenty of space, good nutrition and excellent water conditions – plus specific temperature changes to induce breeding.

Before commencing a goldfish breeding program, always think about the amount of tank or pond space available to you. Do you have room for new fry in addition to your existing fish? If not, don’t try to breed goldfish!

Size

The number one thing that seems to slip past most people looking to keep goldfish is that they get BIG. Even for smaller varieties expect adults to reach about 8 inches in length with some easily passing a foot. This of course means that fish bowls, which goldfish are so commonly portrayed in, are virtually worthless for keeping goldfish (or any other fish for that matter). Really anything under 30 gallons is too small for even a single goldfish long term and if you want more than one the tank will need to be even bigger. Without adequate room to grow fish will become stunted, leading to health problems and most likely an early death.

Lighting:

Goldfish definitely do need light.

Like most animals, goldfish would not be healthy if permanently kept in dull or dark conditions.

However, you should not keep your goldfish in direct sunlight (as the water may get too hot) and you don’t necessarily need to add an aquarium light.

The only reasons to add a light to your aquarium would be to grow plants or if your goldfish are in a particularly poorly lit area.

If you do add a light to your aquarium then switch it off at night.

Water Temperature

Goldfish are classified as cold water fish and can live in an unheated aquarium at a temperature comfortable to humans. However, rapid changes in temperature can kill them.

Maintain a steady temperature. The immune system of fish gets compromised below 50^oF(10^oC). Parasites and other infections can often become more active when the temperature increases rapidly.

If the water temperature in your house varies considerably from day to day, then you need to install a heater in your tank. "Fancy" goldfish varieties require a water temperature between 60^oF(15^oC) and 75^oF(24^oC).

Water temperature is also very important when breeding goldfish. Goldfish breeders stimulate their goldfish by increasing the water temperature during the day.

Upkeep

Goldfish also differ from most common aquarium fish in that they are quite messy. Their digestive system works a little differently from other fish and can be considered somewhat inefficient. Add to this that they are just plain big fish and it’s easy to see why they need a lot of filtration to keep their tanks clean. Generally you’ll want about double the filtration that you would normally want for the tank size. Good circulation and mechanical filtration are of particular importance for keeping the bottom of the tank free from waste. This also means that regular upkeep is all the more important. Even with a good filter the substrate tends to get quite dirty necessitating vacuuming.

Along with their unique digestive system comes a need for unique food. When picking a food for your goldfish make sure to get something specifically sold as goldfish food. Normal tropical foods will likely prove too hard to digest leading to a messy tank and malnourished fish. But, just like other fish, they will get bored with the same thing day after day so don’t forget to change up their diet every now and then. You can even branch out into fresher alternatives. Goldfish are quite fond of peas and may accept other cooked vegetable bits.

So, to recap, or if you’re just looking for a quick guide to goldfishes’ needs:

-Goldfish are messy- include extra filtration and be prepared to clean their tank weekly.

-Goldfish are coldwater fish preferring temperatures in the mid 60s to low 70s.

-Goldfish get big and thus need a big home. Expect them to reach at least 8” and need at least 30 gallons.

-Make sure to feed your goldfish food formulated specifically for them.

Without any control over their own environment, goldfish rely on us to provide them with the proper goldfish care that they deserve. To enhance the quality of the goldfish's life, it's important to plan things right from the beginning, not rushing trough any part of the process.

Source:http://www.aquarium-setup.net/caring-for-goldfish/