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Reviews Remington RM0818BPS 8-Inch 18 Volt Cordless Electric Chain Saw With Telescoping Pole

2010-02-16T01:27:00.000-08:00

Remington RM0818BPS 8-Inch 18 Volt Cordless Electric Chain Saw With Telescoping Pole

Product By REMINGTON

Available From 1 Sellers

Key Features :

2 Saws in 1 - Converts from pole saw to handheld chain saw
Detachable handle and powerhead for easy conversion
Adjustable telescoping pole provides up to 14-foot reach capability
Aluminum inner pole for added strength and control during extended reach operation
Interchangeable battery pack for use with all Remington Cordless products

Product Details :
Offers the perfect match of pole saw and chain saw features. Designed for trimming high, low and everywhere in between. Application: Polesaw and chainsaw, Operating Height (ft.): 14, Bar Length (in.): 8, Volts: 18
Amazon Description :

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Product Reviews
Average Rating :

\"WORKS WELL on MY PALM TREES\" 2009-12-13
By Richoo7 (Punta Gorda Fla.)
I bought this at Home Depot 2 years ago for about $130, the price Amazon has it listed for now seems high. Had I read the other reviews first I probably never would have bought it. I can understand there problem that it does not cut through most harder wood well, the blade does turn fairly slow. But I only use it on the 7 Palm Trees that I have. Palm branches are fairly soft and fibrous, and I have no problem cutting through them quickly. The old branches start turning brown and hanging after a while and need to be cut off about every 4 to 6 months or so.

This Pole Saw has worked fairly well for me, and I haven\'t had any problems with the battery running low in a short period of time. As a matter of fact I was out trimming branches yesterday for about an hour. I cut down about 30 branches and the battery still had some charge left. That probobly is because the branches were soft palm wood. Yes it starts getting heavy after you are holding the pole up a while \" I had to take a couple of breaks yesterday \" I\'m 71 and in somewhat decent shape and found it not to be that difficult though. My main gripe with this saw is the blade is to short. It\'s difficult reaching between branches with this short blade. Instead of a 8 inch blade, it would work a lot better for me if it was at least 12 inches long.

The local tree trimmers charge about $20 a tree, if I trim my own 7 trees 1 time this trimmer is paid for. If this one stopped working I would probably buy another one, unless I could find a better one for less money. Such as the comparable Black & Decker Pole Chain Saw.

\"Don\'t waste your money \" 2009-01-30
By K. Breaux
I purchased this saw in Sept 08. The battery will last about 10-15 min then it dies. After I used the saw about 3 times the battery failed to hold a charge. After repeated attempts to contact Desa Power Tools service center to get the battery replaced under warranty, I just give up. The sevice center phone bank is inoperable since mid Dec 08. If you need a pole saw just buy a gas model. This product is not ready for the market.

\"Does not perform as the manufacturer says it will.\" 2008-12-12
By D. Hill (Austin, Texas United States)
Poor design...tool needs to be withdrawn from the market and rethought. After a full battery charge, it only will cut about 5 small size branches, at most I got maybe 10, 1 to 3 inch branches before the battery needed to be recharge. Not recommended!

\"Cordless electric chainsaw\" 2008-12-03
By R. Jensen
I liked this chainsaw because it offered cordless features. But when the pole is extended full length it gets a little hard to hold in position. Not a problem after you get used to it.

\"Remington Polesaw poor quality\" 2008-11-07
By R. Barker
With many trees in our yard I wanted to be able to trim away fallen and
dead branches with more ease. I purchased teh Remington Cordless Electric 18-volt chainsaw/polesaw. Model number BPS188A. I took it out of the package and set it up. The saw portion is heavy and cumbersome compared to a gas powered model. Since I am in very good shape and handle large machinery regularly I was surprised at how fatigued I would get using this saw. The chain moves slow so it takes what seems forever to cut even small branches. In the mean time the overweight saw has to be held up over head. The operator has to oil the chain by hand using a little squeeze bottle provided with the saw. The battery lasts for about 10 minutes so I purchased a spare. Knowing that, I had about 20 minutes to trim branches and then a whole day and a half to recharge both batteries. About 20 minutes is enough to use the polesaw though since the saw portion is too awkward and cumbersome anyhow. Since the blade moves so slowly it takes too much effort to get the blade to seat itself into a cut and get started. After using this saw about three times, about an hour tota,l a gear sheared off inside the housing.I tried to return the unit after owning it for less than six weeks, or even to exchange it. The Remington policy is to have the customer call the company. I called the company. They had no service center that would repair the saw in my area. They didn\'t know what was wrong with it, but suggested that I could get a \"gear\" that they would send to me. Then I would have to figure out how to open the housing and repair the saw myself. If that was indeed the reason why it was broken. If I did the repair myself I would void the warranty. If I don\'t attempt to do the repair myself the saw is junk. I could do as they suggested and drive it to a certified repair facility three hours away. Or I could find an unauthorized dealer who could repair it and then send the bill to Remington for reimbursment. Except having an unauthorized dealer do the work would void the warranty and Remington wouldn\'t reimburse me for the repairs. So you see the quandry here? If you need to use a polesaw, rent a good gas unit. It will go 30 times faster. It will be cheaper. Avoid this unit, it is junky and the warranty is pretty much worthless.

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How Do You Take Care Of Ferrets?

2009-08-12T19:22:00.005-07:00

Perhaps you're thinking about buying a ferret, or perhaps you already have one. Either way, you may be wondering how to take care of ferrets, so you can make sure your ferret has the best life possible. Care of ferrets is simple but you need to have the right information, or you're just wasting your time.

Step one to learn how to take care of ferrets is to begin researching. Avoid the thousands of websites full of junky, useless information and go to a credible source to learn how to take care of ferrets. No point learning info
mation that doesn't work or is unhelpful.

While you're learning about how to take care of ferrets, have your children or friends learn too. They can research more than care of ferrets and maybe find some tips on teaching or training them. Again, let me mention, a credible resource that is specific to ferrets will cover how to care for ferrets and much more.

The care of ferrets goes beyond diet and training to use a litter pan. There are things to do when they become sick, things to do so the litter pan isn't so messy and ways to teach and train, all the while taking great care of ferrets.

All animals have unique qualities and ferrets are no different, so taking the time to learn how to take care of ferrets should include learning more then the basics. If you know anyone who has a pet ferret, they might be a good resource. However, friends and veterinarians, while helpful, can't answer every possible question - a good guide can though.

So as you progress on your journey of learning how to take care of ferrets, keep in mind a few things. First, make sure you're learning from a credible source, understand care of ferrets is more then feeding them, and that, most importantly, your ferret will benefit from the great care you're giving them.

Martin B. Kutcher is a Pets expert and director of CaringForYourPetsInfo.Com. Martin provides honest information and advice on things like Ferret Training and much more

The history of Rottweilers

2009-08-12T19:22:00.003-07:00

The history of rottweilers is rich one. Ranging from the Roman Empire to German butchers to cattle hearders and guard dogs. Through the years it has gained reputation for its great strength and intelligence.

Rottweilers have a history that goes way back through times. There are as with most different breeds, different versions of their past. Some claim the rottweiler is entirely German developed by butchers. Others say it is a descendent from the Bouvier. Yet others tell the story as we tell it below.

Lets ret
rn to the time of the great Roman Empire where they controlled large portions of land. In Germany there was a small market town called Rottweil, hence the name rottweiler. In these times the legions got their supply of meat by having it mobile, meaning they brought their cattle with them.

The assistance of working dogs was needed to herd the cattle and this is where the rottweilers come in to business. One travel route was through the town Wurttemberg and on to the market town of Rottweil mentioned above. This region became an imporant cattle area and here the cattle dogs really proved their worth. In these times the rottweilers were thought to be called Rover dogs and they also carried wood and other products to the market.

Not only did the rottweilers herd the cattle, they also protected it from anyone trying to steal some of them. It took quite some courage to even try to bypass this strong and intelligent dog. They did service also by guarding supply dumps and were the camp dogs of preference.

There is a painting by flemish painter Peter Paul Reubens (1577-1640) that depicts a dog biting a wof in the back. This dog carries strong reassemblences with rottweilers.

In the years to follow the breed started to decline though and it went so far that in the year of 1900 there was only one female dog left in the town of Rottweil. Then in the start of the 20th century came the First World War. This increased the demand for police dogs and the best dogs that could be found for this purpose was of course the rottweiler. As demand increased the breed flourished and again become well known for its strength, intelligence and ability to be well trained.

After those days the rottweiler also became very popular with dog owners. In 1935 the breed was recognized officialy by the American Kennel Club. A year later they were exhibited in Britain. It was widely used again as a guard dog during the second world war.

Through the years the rottweilers have gained a proven reputation as the best and most efficient guard dogs there are.

About the Author

Kari Eriksson is an infopreneur and a dog lover since many years. Lately Rottweilers have become a special interest and he operates The Rottweiler Directory at http://www.rottweilerdirectory.com alongsides with http://www.rottweilers-online.com where you can find articles, links and useful resources.

Dogs and Bull Frogs

2009-08-12T19:22:00.001-07:00

The Saint Francis Effect Extends To Every Day Life On Blue heron Farm

Friend Bull Frog has come to live with us in the basement.

This is the height of cricket season, and crickets live in abundance here on Blue Heron Farm.

Bull Froggy loves crickets.

S/he lives under an under water rock.

When we plop the cricket into the water, Bull Froggy, with the speed that the eye can see only briefly, zips and splashes and the cricket is gone.

What a show!

The dogs are first to line up for this natura
entertainment and wonder.

Froggy seems to in-joy being the center of such gleeful delight!

This reminds me of the Saw-Whet Owl we rescued after she crashed into our windshield, crossing the Gettysburg Battle Field.

Tom's Aunt Hilda was dying and we were traveling to her to offer our support.

We later found out that the Saw-Whet migratory pattern centers right there and was in place long before the Battle itself.

We took her home and nursed her back to good health, and she lived in the barn that entire winter.

A small owl of all types of woodlands, the Northern Saw-whet Owl can be found roosting in winter in small, dense conifer trees, sometimes even in parks and gardens. Its defense upon discovery is to sit still and not fly, leading people to perceive them as "tame."

The main prey items of the Northern Saw-whet Owl are mice, and especially deer mice of the genus Peromyscus. Adult mice usually are eaten in pieces in two different meals. One owl was found dead after apparently trying to swallow a large mouse whole.

The female Northern Saw-whet Owl does the incubation and brooding. The male brings all her food while she is incubating. She leaves the eggs for only one or two short trips each night, to defecate and cough up a pellet.

While the female Saw-Whet broods her nestlings, she keeps the nest cavity very clean. But, when the young are about 18 days old, she starts spending the night in another hole, and then the dirt starts to accumulate. When the young owls leave the nest after another ten days to two weeks, the nest cavity has a thick layer of feces, pellets, and rotting prey parts.

The food of our Saw-Whet consisted of a mouse or two each day. We'd carefully place the rodent into a coat pocket before walking quietly into her territory.

She was waiting for us.

Like the speed of bewitching magic, she's swoop and take that mouse out of pocket and return to her perch on a high barn beam, bowing each time with wide alert eyes.

A thank you.

A message of gratitude.

The day Tom's Aunt Hilda passed, our Saw-Whet buried herself alive in the corner of the barn.

Saw-Whet was a messenger of the after-life worlds, calling to all of us if we listen.

Bull Froggy reminds me of the owl, of the dogs, of the river where she will ultimately make her way back, to the depths of worlds made more mysterious by the unseen depths of moving water.

About the Author -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=- Kate Loving Shenk is a writer, healer, musician and the creator of the e-book called "Transform Your Nursing Career and Discover Your Calling and Destiny." Click here to order the e-book: http://www.nursingcareertransformation.com Check Out Kate's Blog: http://www.nursehealers.typepad.com http://www.katelovingshenk.com/blog -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Finding The Right Pet Stroller For Your Boxer Dog

2009-08-08T19:36:00.005-07:00

No need to leave your dog behind. Find comfort and ease strolling with your dog with the help of pet strollers. Find out the things to consider when purchasing...

Now that you have decided to get a stroller for your Boxer dog, the next step towards a relaxing, comfortable and safe trip is to purchase one. But before you finally dash to the counter and pay for your chosen pet stroller, make sure that the one you chose is appropriate for your dog and suit the activities you and your dog will be doing. Below are the few things
o consider when purchasing a dog stroller.

- Pet stroller capacity is one of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a stroller intended for your Boxer dog. Lucky if you have a small dog, pet stroller capacity is not an issue. However, if you have a large pet that weighs more than 25 lbs., make sure that the pet stroller you purchased can carry the weight of your pet.

- The functionality is another factor to consider. You may want or need to transport your pet by hand in carriers so it is a better idea to choose a pet stroller with detachable carriers that separate from stroller frame.

- There are several types of pet stroller. If you plan on jogging with your pet, then you need a stroller specifically designed for jogging. This type of stroller provides maximum stability. Other strollers are designed for long distance trips and some with detachable carriers. Choose which one best suits your needs.

- A pet stroller should have a lot of storage space especially if you are planning to take your pet on long journeys. Some strollers have pouches, pockets or trays used for storing things like pet treats, water bottles, keys and other. Consider this when purchasing.

- Naturally, pet stroller price varies based on the type, functionality and design. The price however, is not a guarantee that you will be getting everything that you need. Choose a good quality one and keep an eye on imitation strollers for they have already started showing up on market. Look for genuine and good quality brands to ensure safety and prevent wasting your money. When purchasing, consider also the shipping charges and shipment. Read and understand return policies to find out if the policy is fair.

With all the variety of pet strollers to choose from, be sure to choose carefully. Remember that your dog's safety is at risk so choose carefully.

About the Author Richard Cussons writes articles about Boxer dog. Visit boxersavvy.com and learn more about Boxer dog training.

How To Tips To Help Your Pets Avoid Holiday Hazards

2009-08-08T19:36:00.003-07:00

As we look forward to the many gatherings of family and friends during the holidays, we need to keep a few points in mind in order to keep our pets safe and healthy. Pet owners need to be aware that what may be considered harmless to humans, in the form of extra rich foods and decorations, may pose a serious health risk to our beloved family pet members.

Remember, your pets are not garbage disposals for any holiday leftover. If your dog/cat swallows poultry bones, they can splinter and cause blockages. If your pet is used to having le
t overs, make sure they get meats without rich sauces or spices. It is always a good idea to give them fresh vegetables. Also, candy and sugar may give your pet diarrhea or other intestinal problems. This is not what you want to see at any time of the year! Older animals have more delicate systems and nutritional requirements. Do not give your pet chocolates--chocolate is POISONOUS. Some other problem foods for our pets: any alcoholic beverages, coffee grounds, espresso beans, moldy or spoiled foods, onions or onion powder, salt or yeast dough, raisins and grapes.

Most animals do not like change. If you are a cat owner, then you already know that cats are creatures of habit. They definitely do not like any kind of change in their daily routine, so if you move your furniture around for a large gathering, this disruption could cause your kitty to stop using the litter box. Crowds, noise and holiday festivities can frighten our animals. If they do not handle noise or crowds around, then give them a safe, quiet place they can retreat to until everything settles down.

Any exposed wiring might look tasty to a puppy or kitten that loves to chew on things. Try to hide the wiring and tape down any exposed, loose wires to the baseboards. Holiday plants are another concern. Poinsettias, mistletoe, ivy, holly berries, bittersweet can all be poisonous or fatal if eaten. This is important to remember if you have small children in the house, also.

Cats and dogs love to romp around in the discarded wrapping papers and boxes. Be sure to cut away the handles on the shopping bags, as small dogs and cats could easily choke on them. Also, keep aluminum foil away from your pets. If they swallow any bits of this, it can cause intestinal blockage and vomiting.

If you decorate a traditional Christmas tree, be sure to anchor it to the floor, so that if your cat decides to go climbing, he doesn't topple it over. You might consider decorating with animal friendly ornaments. Baking cookie ornaments that your dog or cat could eat can be fun. Do not use raisins to decorate the cookies, or if you do not have the time to bake, then decorate with small pet toys. These can be purchased all year with this thought in mind, at many pet stores. Then you will be ready,and you will not have to worry about the safety of your pets, as glass ornaments can shatter in your pets mouth, cutting the tissues and causing an emergency visit to the veterinary hospital. It is easier and less expensive to protect your pet.

Believe it or not, some dogs and cats drink water from the Christmas tree stand. Do not allow this, as this water may contain fertilizers and bacteria which may lead to vomiting and diarrhea. Keep a tree skirt or covering around the bottom of the tree.

This has been reported many times, but it bears repeating. Antifreeze is very dangerous. It has a very pleasant taste, but it contains ethylene glycol, which can cause rapid and permanent kidney damage to your pet if he swallows even a tiny amount. One teaspoon can be deadly for an average sized cat, which can swallow it just by walking thru antifreeze puddles and then cleaning his paws. Four teaspoons can be dangerous to a 10 pound dog if he just laps it up off the garage floor.

It is always wise to inspect your home to make sure that it is safe for all who live there. Remember, many of these tips apply to the safety of small children, as they are usually playing with their pets. Using common sense will help to keep the family out of the hospital emergency room or the veterinary hospital.

For more articles, information and news on dogs,dog health and other issues pertaining to dogs read Sparrow Darling's site http://www.dogsandothercompanions.com

Feline Asthma And Your Cat

2009-08-08T19:36:00.001-07:00

Feline Asthma is a respiratory condition that involves inflammation and excess mucous build-up in the airways. Muscles spasm and cause constriction of the airway, resulting in respiratory distress. Feline Asthma shares some characteristics with asthma in humans, including symptoms.

Signs of Feline Asthma may be as mild as an occasional soft cough and/or a wheeze. At times it may seem as though your cat is trying unsuccessfully to bring up a hairball. In extreme and chronic cases, one might notice a persistent cough along with labored,
pen-mouth, harsh breathing. At this point, an asthma 'attack' could culminate in a life-threatening crisis.

There are a number of treatment options which might include oral medications, inhalers similar to those used in human medicine, and nebulizers. These serve to help with daily prevention and also manage more severe episodes as they occur by reducing inflammation and helping to relax the muscles of the airway.

Even though the exact causes of Feline Asthma are unknown, it is believed that allergies could play a part. In addition to medical management, it may help to watch for possible triggers in the environment. Consider whether your litter is low-dust and unscented. If your cat has allergies to grains, corn and wheat based litters may pose a problem as well. Be careful when using household products such as aerosols, cleaners and polishes. Reduce exposure to vapors from garages, work areas, and special projects. Vacuum frequently and wash bedding often to help reduce dust mites. Watch for areas where mildew and mold may build up. If you notice seasonal occurrences, be mindful of open doors and windows. Look for reactions in stressful situations and limit exercise when appropriate. You may even want to discuss your cat's diet with your Veterinarian.

It is beneficial to keep a detailed journal of episodes. Include any observations of your cat's behavior and activity level leading up to an event, indoor and outdoor temperatures, weather conditions, and any household activities such as vacuuming and cleaning or projects using paints or chemicals. Note any changes in the diet you offer, bedding, and with the brand of litter you use. It is especially helpful to describe the signs you are seeing. Developing a scale where you can measure the severity of attacks and the effectiveness of any treatments you are using will help to add a little bit of objectivity. In doing this, you'll have an invaluable resource for your veterinarian and a possible means of anticipating problems.

In case of an attack be certain that you have your emergency supply of medications on hand at all times because an episode can occur with little warning. Since an already panicked cat will sense your anxiety, try to remain as calm as possible. Sometimes with mild episodes, just simply talking quietly and petting lightly and gently can help settle breathing. Be sure that you don't hover too closely. Holding or wrapping in towels or blankets will only result in increasing the sense that one is suffocating. Allow for a short bit of time to pass after giving oral medications or using a rescue inhaler or nebulizer. This gives you an opportunity to see if the treatment has been effective and also helps you to calmly prepare for the next step if more aggressive treatment is needed.

Many other medical conditions including infection, heart worms, foreign bodies, lung worms, cancer, and heart disease may mimic Feline Asthma, therefore it is vital for you to take your cat to your veterinarian for a thorough exam and medical work-up. Feline Asthma is typically diagnosed through clinical presentation, radiographs (x-rays) and lab work. Once diagnosed, your veterinarian will work with you to determine the optimal approach to treating your cat.

Initially, the diagnosis and management of Feline Asthma can be a frustrating and unnerving process, but if you suspect that your cat has this disease don't ignore the signs. Untreated, this can be a very uncomfortable and potentially life threatening condition for your cat to live with.

Copyright ฉ 2008 Renee L. Austin/Whimsy Cats LLC All rights reserved
This article may be reproduced in its original format and with the author's name and contact information.

For more information about the author, or to find out more about feline health visit http://www.whimsycats.com.

Renee L. Austin is the founder of Whimsy Cats, a specialized home care business for cats with chronic medical conditions and special needs. She also provides consulting services for veterinary practices. For more information visit http://www.whimsycats.com

The Myth of 100% Complete Pet Food

2009-08-05T19:34:00.005-07:00

Every day people subject their loved animals to repetitious monotony that they would never allow for themselves, and yet, unthinkingly pass their actions off as beneficial for their pets.

Every day, people by the millions pour food from a package into their pet's bowl. Day in and day out, meal after meal, pets get the same fare. This strange phenomenon is widely practiced by loving pet owners who believe they are doing the right thing.

Why? Certainly because it is convenient, but also because t
e labels state that such foods are "complete and balanced," "100% complete," or that they have passed various analytical and feeding test standards. Furthermore, manufacturers, and even veterinarians, counsel pet owners about not feeding other foods, such as table scraps, because of the danger of unbalancing these modern processed nutritional marvels. The power of the message is so great that pet owners en masse do every day to their pets what they would never do to themselves or their children – force-feed the same processed food at every meal.

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Think about it. Our world is complex beyond comprehension. It is not only largely unknown, it is unknowable in the "complete" sense. In order for nutritionists and manufacturers to produce a "100% complete and balanced" pet food, they must first know 100% about nutrition. However, nutrition is not a completed science. It is, in fact, an aggregate science, which is based upon other sciences, such as chemistry, physics, and biology. But since no scientist would argue that everything is known in chemistry, or physics, or biology, how can nutritionists claim to know everything there is to know about nutrition, which is based upon these sciences? This is the logical absurdity of the "100% complete and balanced" diet claim. It is the reason a similar venture to feed babies a "100% complete" formula turned out to be a health disaster.

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In that instance, after sufficient disease and death resulted from attempting to retire the human breast to a mere appendage of adornment, government stepped in and controlled the commercial hype. Now doctors, nurses and purveyors of baby formulas cannot say these products are complete or that they are equal to or superior to breast-feeding. Good for the regulators. (Although they should have been proactive and prevented the disaster before it ever took root, not have merely stepped in after enough deaths accrued.)

Even with that lesson as a dire warning, pet food regulators turn a blind eye. Instead of preventing pet food producers from claiming a processed food concoction is 100% complete, they in effect promote the death and disease-dealing specious claim by setting bogus standards that supposedly justify and authenticate the claim. They legitimize sloppy science in order to win consumer confidence. All a manufacturer has to do is guarantee that their percentage of protein, fat and the like meets National Research Council standards. In the alternative, manufacturers can do feeding trials on caged laboratory animals for a few weeks, measure cursory blood parameters, and monitor growth and weight – as if survival after a few weeks on a food has anything to do with achieving optimal health and long life!

Down the primrose path millions of trusting pet owners go while at the same time unknowingly condemning their pets to terrible degenerative diseases. Pet food regulators then spend the majority of their time harassing pet food companies with picayune requirements about terminology on packaging and where certain words must be placed on labels. In this regard manufacturers must contend with the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), FDA (Food and Drug Administration), AAFCO (American Association of Feed Control Officials), and 50 State feed regulatory agencies. All for naught. It's like the entire police force busying themselves ticketing people for jaywalking while turning a blind eye to the murder and rape going on in the alleys.

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Claiming that anything is 100% is like claiming perfection, total knowledge, and absolute truth. Has pet nutrition really advanced that far? Does a chemist make such a claim? A physicist? Doctor? Professor? Did Einstein, Bohr, Pasteur, Aristotle, Plato, or any of the greatest minds in human history make such claims? No. Has the science of pet nutrition advanced to the point where everything is known about the physiology, digestion and biochemistry of animals, or that everything is known about their food? Certainly not.

The fact of the matter is that the "100% complete" claim is actually "100% complete" guesswork. At best, one could say that such a claim is the firm possibility of a definite maybe.

Each time regulatory agencies convene to decide how much of which nutrients comprise "100% completeness," debate always ensues and standards usually change. This not only proves that what they claimed before was not "100% complete," but this should also make us highly suspicious about what they now claim to be "100% complete."

Moreover, consider that in order to determine the minimum requirement for a certain nutrient – say protein – all other nutrients used in the feeding trials must be adequate and standardized. Otherwise, if vitamin E, for example, is in excess or is deficient in the basal diet, how would one know if the results of the study were because of the effects of protein or due to something amiss with the level of vitamin E?

If the minimum requirements for all 26+ essential nutrients were all set and absolutely etched in stone, that would be one thing. But they aren't. They are constantly changing. This means each time any nutrient requirement is changed, all test results for all other nutrients using the wrong minimum for this nutrient would then be invalid. Most nutritionists simply ignore this conundrum, feeling like cowboys trying to lasso an octopus – there are just too many loose ends. But they continue to perpetuate the "100% complete" myth, and excuse themselves by saying they make adjustments when necessary. An apology of "I'm sorry," when the false premise of "100% completeness" is still retained, deserves no forgiveness.

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Also consider that virtually all so-called complete pet foods are vigorously heat processed to gelatinize the unnatural starch components (making them "digestible" – meaning more easily converted to glucose) and to extend shelf-life by sterilization. Dry foods are extruded at hundreds of degrees and hundreds of pounds of pressure. Canned foods are retorted. Commercial pet foods also contain a mix of ingredients including meats, fats, starches (a variety of label dressing "natural" ingredient buzzwords) and vitamin/mineral "fortifiers." Although the ingredient label is evocative and beguiling, what is in the final product is another matter. Essential fatty acids are oxidized and isomerized. Cytotoxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic cholesterol oxidation products (COP) are formed, including C-7 derivatives, 5,6-epoxides, triols, 25-OHs and 3,5-dienes – the real culprits in human atherogenesis, incidently. The cooked meats form heterocyclic amines, proteins are degraded and amino acids destroyed or racemized. Carbohydrates are glycated, acrylamides are formed, vitamins destroyed, oxidized and racemized and minerals are complexed into unavailable matrices. The end result is a potpourri of imbalance, unavailability and toxicity – not "100% completeness."

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Yes, pets can survive for a time on such fare, but that is simply a testament to their physiological capacity to adapt. They seek equilibrium at higher and higher levels of toxicity until adaptive reserve is exhausted. Chronic degenerative diseases and immune failure is the end result.

The point is, don't believe the claim on any commercially prepared pet (or human) food that it is "100% complete and balanced." It is a spurious unsupported boast, intended to build consumer trust and dependence on commercial products - not create optimal health.

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Unfortunately, most people think animal feeding is a mystery. It is not. Animal nutrition is not a special nutritional science to which common sense human nutrition principles cannot be applied. Use the same reasoning in feeding your pets that you use for feeding your family. Nutrition is also not about some special ingredient, the absence of some boogeyman ingredient, or claims such as "natural," "organic," or the like.

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If you feed processed foods, use discernment since just about anyone can create a commercial pet food. The pet food industry has hundreds of brands. Business profiteers and the occasional movie star are the most common forces behind the labels. All one needs is a little money and they can go to any number of toll manufacturers and have them slightly modify a shelf formula. Then all that is needed is to dress it all up with a fancy package, a clever brochure, and some advertising. Voila! Another brand is added to the 20-billion-dollar pet food industry heyday.

http://www.wysong.net/images/myth/one_for_all.jpg

Nutrition is a serious health business, not a mere opportunity to turn dollars. Check the credentials of the decision maker at the head of the company you are entrusting your pet's health to and examine closely its operating philosophy. Health competence and principle should come before pretty packaging and beguiling hoopla. The public is not well served by exclusively feeding products from companies without any real commitment to health… or knowledge of how to even achieve it.

For the past 25 years, I have been a lonely voice in the wilderness trying to get people to understand the deadly health consequences of feeding processed pet foods exclusively. People want convenience in a bag and the industry wants the flow of billions of dollars to continue uninterrupted. In the meantime, the scientific literature offers compelling proof that millions of animals have been maimed and killed as a result of feeding thoroughly tested "100% complete" foods… with the full imprimatur of government regulation. (Exactly the same thing that abounds in the FDA-pharmaceutical industry.)

Examples of pet food disasters include dilated cardiomyopathy from taurine deficiency, potassium imbalances, fatty acid and carnitine deficiencies and numerous other problems that would be expected on a steady diet of dead, devitalized, carbohydrate-based processed foods. Moreover, the whole panoply of human chronic degenerative diseases such as cancer, obesity, arthritis, autoimmunities, dental deterioration and organ failure are at epidemic levels in the pet population… as should be expected on such a diet.

"Thousands of pet cats die each year with dilated cardiomyopathy… observed in… cats fed commercial cat food…" (Science, Volume 237, pages 764-8)

Not only is feeding the same processed food day in and day out a formula for disease, it is a cruelty to pets. It is one thing to take them from their interesting and active wild setting and confine them, but to not even offer them interesting natural meal variety is really quite inexcusable. The answer, like everything else good in life, is a little attention and common sense. Knowledge is the best beginning point.

To learn more, obtain a copy of my book, The Truth About Pet Foods. I will also see to it that you get a free copy of my CD, "The Thinking Person's Master Key to Health," and the brochure, "How to Apologize to Your Pet," which will give you specific guidelines for how to select packaged foods as well as prepare meals and treats to achieve optimal pet health.

Also you can go to Wysong.net, click "learn," then "pets" and read the "Don't Be Fooled" section.

Further reading and resources of scientific references:

Wysong, R. L. (2002). The Truth About Pet Foods. Midland, MI: Inquiry Press.

Science, Volume 237, pages 764-8

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Volume 199, pages 731-4

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Volume 201, pages 267-74

Feline Practice, Volume 20, Number 1, page 30

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Volume 202, pages 744-51

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Volume 191, pages 1563-8

Journal of Nutrition, Volume 129, pages 1909-14

Journal of Nutrition, Volume 126, pages 984-8

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Volume 203, pages 1395-1400

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Volume 198, pages 647-50

Veterinary Clinics of North America Small Animal Practice, Volume 19, pages 527-37

Veterinary Forum, Volume 9, pages 34-5

Veterinary Forum, Volume 9, pages 26-8

American Journal of Veterinary Research, Volume 62, pages 1616-23

Petfood Industry, May/June 1998, pages 4-14

Journal of Animal Science, Volume 75, pages 2980-5

Veterinary Business, Volume 2, page 1

Waltham International Focus, Volume 3, Number 1, page 9

About the Author Dr. Wysong: A former veterinary clinician and surgeon, college instructor in human anatomy, physiology and the origin of life, inventor of numerous medical, surgical, nutritional, athletic and fitness products and devices, research director for the present company by his name and founder of the philanthropic Wysong Institute. http://www.wysong.net. Also check out http://www.cerealwysong.com.

Puppy Training, a Positive Introduction to basic Obedience exercises

2009-08-05T19:34:00.003-07:00

Pups are learning all the time and there is no reason to wait for them "to grow up" before you begin training. You can start your pup's first lessons at seven weeks. Doing some early training will turn on circuits in his brain that will make all later training easier.

Learning How to Learn

Pups are learning all the time and there is no reason to wait for them "to grow up" before you begin training. You can start your pup's first lessons at seven weeks. Doin
some early training will turn on circuits in his brain that will make all later training easier.

The goal for this puppy work is not that the pup learns the individual exercises, nor is it reliability of obedience to command. Rather, the goal is to have fun with your pup, jumpstart the learning process and to establish early on that good things happen when he is with you, and that good things come from work.

Don't fret if you don't teach all the commands—doing any puppy work is better than none. While you are engaged in puppy training you are building a relationship with him. He learns to enjoy working with you as he learns about you.

The great majority of puppy training and raising should emphasize positive interaction. However, your pup does need to learn some manners. He should learn early that there are some things he must not do. There are two reasons for this: 1) so you can stand to live with him, and 2) so that he learns to accept correction and parameters to behavior.

The very short list of Don'ts includes:

Don't bite humans

Don't jump on humans

Don't chew on furniture

House breaking is better taught as a do rather than a don't. Teach your pup to do his business outside; try to avoid correction for going inside. Get a copy of "Eliminate on Command" by Dr. M.L. Smith. It's available on line at:
www.eliminateoncommand.com.

Pups have a short attention span, so keep lessons brief and emphasize action commands. These are commands your pup can complete quickly such as sit, here, and finish to heel. Save the long stays and long heeling sessions for later when his attention is sufficiently developed to stay focused longer.

Puppies learn exactly the same way as grown dogs (and people):

A pup acts.

He experiences the result of his action.

He makes a connection in his mind between his action and the results, creating a memory.

If the result is desirable he is more likely to repeat that action in the future.

If the result is undesirable he is less likely to repeat that action in the future.

Treat Training

Food is a good motivator for puppy training but a weak motivator for grown dogs.

Motivational training is only part of a complete training program. In the end we want a dog that will obey commands, not simply respond to cues when there is nothing he'd rather do. While the principles espoused here and the benefits of puppy training will be an asset to your dog throughout his life, treat training cannot substitute for a formal training program for grown dogs.

We will use food initially both to lure the pup into the action we want and as a reward for the desired action. When he knows the action we will put a cue to the action. When he will perform the action on cue, stop luring but continue to reward with food. After the dog is regularly performing correctly on cue, gradually reduce the frequency of the food reward. At first you are rewarding every correct response, and then go to every other response and then reward on an intermittent schedule. This is an important process—you do not want your dog to be dependant on the food lure, nor do you want him to be tied to a treat for every correct response. When you are rewarding intermittently he never knows which response will bring the treat so he will continue to work hard, hoping that each time may be the time.

Start in a quiet room. I like doing the puppy training first thing in the morning before the pup's first meal—the pup is fresh, excited to start the day, and hungry! You also don't want to compete with the other dogs or people in the home for the pup's attention.

You need a hungry pup and healthy treats that the pup can chew and swallow quickly. All-beef hot dogs cut to puppy-sized bites work well for most pups, although I use regular kibble for some chow hounds.

Sit in Front

Sit or squat on the floor with your legs or knees forming a V in front. This helps funnel the pup to the proper front alignment.

Hold a treat in one hand out in front of you a little above the puppy's head level. When your pup notices the treat, raise the treat close to and over his head. He should sit, when he does, verbally praise and pet him and then give him the treat. If the pup stands up to wrestle the treat from you, twist your hand to protect the treat and prevent him from hanging on your hand. When he sits give him the treat.

Don't worry if he jumps up as soon as he gets the treat; you're only concerned with teaching sit, not stay.

Pause a moment and then repeat. After a few repetitions your pup will be sitting quickly to get his treat. Now let's put a cue or command to that action. From here on say "sit" as you start the hand movement and just before the pup sits. Continue to praise, pet and treat him when he sits.

As soon as your pup is sitting, begin to work toward the perfect sit. You want to end up with straight sits, not flopped over on one hip. You want the pup in front and aligned facing you correctly.

When you have practiced this for a session or two wean him off the food lure. Without holding the treat out in front of him say "sit" and then verbally praise, pet and food reward him when he does.

After a few sessions begin to wean off treating the pup for every proper response, but continue to praise and pet him every time he sits on cue.

Go out and Here--- Dixie Cup Lining Drills

One of the easiest ways to teach your pup to come when you call him is to teach him to go away from you. Hold your pup and making sure he is watching, place a treat on top of a white eight ounce or larger Dixie cup. Put the pup down about five inches from the cup and let him go. After he eats the treat call him to sit in front. Praise, pet and treat for every recall at first.

Do several of these. When your pup is going straight to the treat and is sure of the location, begin to place the treat and then still holding the pup, back away, only a foot or so at first. After you have backed up, hold the pup in front of you to show him the cup and then set him down and release him to get his treat. This sequence will become a pattern and a useful cue for him when you start lining him longer distances. After he eats his cup treat call him "Here" and praise, pet and treat (PPT) him for the sit in front. As you increase the distance, begin to reward intermittently on the return, but continue to praise and pet him heartily on every return.

Be sure to gradually increase the distance you are sending your pup. As long as your pup is running straight to the cup and is not loosing focus on the task keep increasing the distances you back away.

Kennel

I teach grown dogs to go to a place board, half-crate, or pre-identified area on command. I use the command "Kennel" some like to use "Place." This serves to balance e-collar pressures because the action requires your dog to move away from you rather than toward you on command. This "kennel" command is also useful for loading a dog into boats, blinds, and crates. With grown dogs we will do initial force on casts using this command and introductory work on jumps. This is a versatile command.

You can begin work on the kennel command once your pup knows sit. Use a place board about 12" x 12" and 2" high. Your pup will outgrow several puppy place boards so don't make them too fancy—I bet an old college text book will do to start.

Use a treat to lure him on the board. When he climbs up on the place board or kennel give him the treat. Pause and allow him to explore and then climb off. Repeat.

When your pup is readily climbing up on the board you are ready to add a cue to the action. Say "kennel" just as he begins to climb up.

Begin to tell your pup to sit when he is on the place board. He has enough success now that you can stop giving the treat for climbing up and only treat for the sit when he is up. Very quickly you should be able to drop the sit command and his "kennel" will mean kennel up and sit.

Call him off the place board to sit in front of you near the board and then cast him to kennel again.

When your pup is responding quickly and reliably to your kennel command you can start gradually backing farther away from your place board. To make it easier for your pup walk toward the place board as you cast and cue him to "kennel."

Introduce Jumps and Avoidable Hazards

Once your pup is very comfortable on his kennel command and is lining out to the visible Dixie cups well you are ready to combine the two responses and introduce your pup to jumps. Start with a kennel close to you. Place your treat on the Dixie cup and back up. Hold your pup with the kennel just in front of you and between you and the Dixie cup. Release him to get his treat he should line right over the kennel to the cup and come back over the kennel on the return.

With practice you can increase the distance between you and the kennel and between the kennel and the Dixie cup. Practicing success at short distances is better for your pup than pushing to increase the distance too fast and teaching him to run around the kennel.

In Summary

Your pup is only a pup for a very short time; don't expect him to act or train like a grown dog. In addition to training, spend time with him just going for walks and let him run, jump and play.

In all your puppy training remember your goals:

Have fun with your pup

You want your pup to learn how to learn.

You want to jumpstart the learning process

You want to establish early on that good things happen when he is with you, and that good things come from work.

by Pat Nolan

About the Author

Pat Nolan of Ponderosa Kennels in Smithsburg has over thirty years experience training dogs just like yours. You can read more about him and his methods at www.ponderosakennels.com

How to Choose the Right Dog Breed for Years of Quality Companionship

2009-08-05T19:34:00.001-07:00

To bring a dog into the family is a big decision. The right dog can bring your family years of enjoyment and companionship, whereas the "wrong" dog can add miserly and annoyance to your life. There are many factors to consider in order to make sure you choose the best dog for your situation. This article discuss the important factors to consider before you bring home the puppy.

Dog owners don't just go out there and get any puppy they like! It is not as easy as you think. There are many factors to consider befo
e you decide to buy any puppy breed. Getting the right one will bring many years of happiness and quality companionship to you and your family. On the other hand, getting the wrong one will inevitably add headaches and irritations to your life.

Your financial standing, lifestyle, size and family type are important considerations to be factored when choosing a specific dog type.

While some breeds may required more attention, some require more exercises than the others, some are more suitable for families with young children, some are more prone to genetic health issues and some may simply required more money to own than others.

There are so many dog breeds out there to choose from and it is the dog owner's responsibility to find out which one is exactly suitable for his lifestyles and way of living. The number one reason for dogs to be surrendered to animal shelters is that they don't match the needs or the lifestyle of their owners. The idea of this article is to help you in choosing the right breed of dog to try and reduce the potential issues that could result when the wrong type is chosen.

Here are some important factors to consider before you proceed to bring your puppy home:

1. Accommodation - All dogs need some form of exercise in one way or another, but there are significant disparities among breeds. Small breeds tend to adapt better than large breeds to the smaller space available in an apartment. Nevertheless, some larger breeds who are not as active as others can still adapt well.

Consider how much room do you have for a dog, apartment and a house with or without fenced-in yard makes a different in the type of dog you should get. Having a fenced-in yard will cut down on the time required to walk your dog for bathroom breaks and exercising. All breed will adapt well in this type of setting, but the more active breeds will require more exercises. Giving a dog sufficient exercise is vital to having a good relationship with your dog. Many undesirable behaviors, such as hyperactivity, nuisance barking and destructive behaviors are results of insufficient exercise.

Regulations in your area regarding dog ownership also need to be considered. Some landlords do not allow dogs in their rental units at all, while some neighborhoods have strict guidelines regarding the size and the breed of dog that can be owned in that neighborhood.

2. Lifestyle - Dogs are social animals and require time from their owners, some more, some less. If you work long hours, a dog is really not the best pet choice, especially if you live alone. A pet like a cat or fish that require less upkeep may be a better fit for your lifestyle.

While there are some breeds that do not mind being left alone for longer period (Shetland sheepdog, golden retriever and bloodhound), many can suffer from separation anxiety and went on to develop undesirable behavior problems. Don't commit the crime of condemning an essentially social dog to lead a life of anxiety, and boredom. If you really cannot live without a dog, engage a dog sitter or put him at a dog daycare centre.

3. Family - Make sure that everyone in the family is supportive of a dog. There are breeds with tendency to show aggressive behavior and biting problems, which in most cases are unsuitable for families with younger children. Young ignorant children are likely to irritate the dogs through rough play without knowing what they are doing. Dogs joining a household with small children must be very tolerant of the children's play. Dogs from the herding group may not be the best choice as they have a natural instinct to herd livestock and may try to do so with your family. This natural instinct may cause nipping incidents to happen.

Existing pets in the household must be considered when getting a new dog. The temperament of the new dog needs to be compatible with those of the existing pets to make sure no problems will arise with the new addition. Territorial problems should be expected. They usually clear up within a week or so. It is recommended to feed the dogs in separate locations during the introduction period, as food is a common cause of conflict among dogs.

4. Financial Obligations - Dog ownership is a long commitment with on going expenses. The initial cost will vary depending on the breed and type of dog you select. On the whole, purebreds cost more than mixed breed dogs, especially if they are purchased from a breeder or a pet store. However, purebreds from breed rescues and animal shelter are less expensive. It is best to be able to see and meet your potential dog's parents.

Apart from the initial purchase price, you might want to go to a local pet warehouse to check out the prices of dog supplies. Dog food, collars, leashes, toys, food bowls, crates, and any other supplies you think you need for your dog, and not forgetting your veterinary bills, grooming expenses and even an insurance policy.

It is highly recommended to ask friends who own dogs about their expenses so as to give yourself a good idea of how much you need to commit financially to a dog.

5. Purpose of dog ownership - You should determine your purpose of dog ownership. Do you plan to breed, show, or hunt with the dog? Is the dog needed for service, therapy or for companionship only? For breeding or showing, you need a dog that meets or exceeds the standards for the breed and has all the appropriate documentation of its lineage. For hunting, you will require a good scent or sight-hunting dog. While many dogs are good for service or therapy, they need to have good temperaments, low ability to be distracted, and a willingness to learn. Knowing the purpose would inevitably help to select the right breed.

6. Size - Dogs can be largely divided into three size categories based on their weight at maturity. Small breeds are generally up to 20 pounds, medium breeds are from 20-50 pounds, and large dogs are greater than 50 pounds.

As a rule of thumb, bigger breeds are unsuitable if you live in a small apartment, or a home with a small or unfenced yard. Nevertheless, this is not the case for all dogs. Some breeds such as the golden retriever are still better suit living in smaller spaces than an active schnauzer. Temperament and activity level are equally important when selecting the right breed.

While smaller dogs generally do not require as much space as larger dogs, caution should be taken with small breeds due to their small and fragile bodies. Small dogs can be easily injured by rough play, either with people, or with larger dogs. On the other hand, large breeds can unintentionally cause harm to small children when playing. It is also found that large breeds have a shorter life span of 8-12 years while small breeds can live up to 15 or 16 years.

7. Temperament - Purebreds generally display well-understood mental temperaments and characteristics while mutts are more difficult to gauge. It is recommended to seek advices and consultation to choose a dog's temperament to complement your existing lifestyle. If you have children, look for dogs with a low tendency to bite and a high tolerance for handling. If it is a guard dog, you want it to be obedient but still able to effectively guard the territory. Dogs that are overtly aggressive should be avoided always.

In a nutshell, adding a dog to your family is a life changing and long commitment. Consider carefully before you decide to bring the puppy back. Take the time to choose the best dog breed. By doing so, I'm sure you will get to enjoy and be rewarded many times over by the love, affection and good company that he or she will bring into your life.

About the Author Moses Wright is an experience dog lover and owner of 3 beautiful dogs. He loves to help fellow dog owners with their dog obedience training problems. You can get a free copy of his book filled with useful and practical tips here: Free Dog Training Book

7 Important Dog Training Tips For You

2009-07-31T19:13:00.005-07:00

Dog training can overwhelm some people, but it really isn't that difficult once you have these important keys to guide you. Find out what works and what to do when it doesn't.

Dog training provides your dog with important lessons. They can save his life and they can protect you, your family, your neighbors and your household items.

Sadly, many dogs end up at the local pound because they never learned how to adapt to life within human society. This is often because owners don't know proper dog training metho
s. When their dogs seem unable to make the transition, owners feel their only alternative is to let the dog go.

This doesn't have to be the case for you. All it takes is knowing the right dog training techniques that work, how to apply them effectively and where to look for help.

One of the first lessons is for you.

Make dog training fun and enjoyable for you and your dog. That way, neither of you will become stressed or frustrated. Remember that dogs pick up on your emotions, the energy you emit. If you become tense, your dog becomes upset too. In this state, he is confused and unable to learn.

It takes time for a dog to learn and retain what he's learned. He might succeed admirably on your first training session, but the next day he's just as likely to have forgotten it. He might seem to have it down for an entire week or more and then fall back into his old habits.

He has a lot to learn in his youth. Because a dog's natural instincts are far stronger than any training you might apply, it's easy for him to slip back at this early stage.

This is a normal part of dog training, but it's not impossible to overcome. Simply reassert the training as a refresher course. Don't think that he just can't learn, because he can. He proved it by getting it right the first time.

Puppies love to play and interact with humans. While this is fun to observe and experience, it can present a problem during training. For an especially exuberant puppy, make extra effort to calm him whenever he loses focus.

You can do this by helping him expel some of that energy. Chase him around the yard, toss the ball, play tug-of-war, and anything else that will drain him. After about 15-20 minutes, or when you see he's slowing down, take a 5-minute rest and then begin the dog training.

Keep your training sessions short, especially at the beginning. He'll learn much better if you keep each lesson to under 10 minutes. Take a break, an hour or so, and start again.

Here are 7 basic dog training tips that will make training fun for you and your dog.

1. Seek out trained professionals. They can shorten the learning curve for you and your pet by using only the most effective dog training methods. No guesswork, just results. Refer to any of the great dog training books that are available for proper techniques.

2. Use positive reinforcement during the dog training sessions. Negative reinforcement, such as hitting your dog, can bring the opposite results to what you're trying to achieve. As well, negative punishment can make your dog fearful and even aggressive.

3. Make it fun! Dog training doesn't have to be a gruelling task. Dogs love to please their owners, so if the learning environment is relaxed and fun, your dog will learn much more easily.

4. Use small treat rewards to help make the training enjoyable. Choose a special treat to use only for the training process when your dog has completed a lesson correctly.

5. Choose appropriate training products. Speak to your dog trainer or pet store professionals for advice on the proper product for your specific needs. For basic training, you need the right collar and leash, which can be a clicker collar or one of the different types of harnesses.

6. Remember that it will take time for your dog to absorb and understand your dog training lessons. Allow him the time he needs but also remember to reinforce each lesson by using the same methods every time. This will help his retention.

7. Know when to change your teaching method. While you'll want to stick to one method, it must be one that actually works. Try different methods until you find one that gets the results you want, and then continue to use that method.

Once you see some results, you'll realize that dog training can be a rewarding experience.

You could consider it an art form or special talent reserved for people like you who have the envious ability to connect with their dogs on a unique level.

Done well, dog training is like poetry in motion.

About the Author Get more dog training tips!. Did you know: your dog's personality will determine the right to dog training method? Free book: Myths & Mysteries of Owning a Puppy

Proper Turtle Care

2009-07-31T19:13:00.003-07:00

Like most amphibians and reptiles, turtles are an exotically, fascinating species that many folks raise as pets owing to their 'novelty factor' and the fact that they need little "love" and attention. If you have large furry animals as pets, the pertaining to their care in terms of immunization, shots, operation and expensive accessories like dog houses, toys and grooming products is an inevitable expenditure and costly. By contrast, turtle care isn't as time consuming, expensive, and complicated provided they too are l
oked after with utmost care in regards to their diet, habitat arrangements and treatment to ensure a healthy and long life.

To keep your pet turtles safe, secure, and comfortable, you have to undertake a few measures like providing ample of room space to survive in, appropriate lighting, clean water and a basking lamp. If you want to keep your pet turtle free from any disease or infection, three rules of the thumb must be regularly administered: proper temperature in the aquarium, good water quality and regulated feeding habits. Your turtle's aquarium must be filled 2/3rd with water for swimming purposes and the remainder 1/3rd should be spared for basking reasons that is inculcated by bringing in a full spectrum ultra-violet light source. To ensure longevity and reduce the infections your turtle can get, it is very important to keep the water in the aquarium very clean and devoid of any contaminants with may be an aquarium filtration system. Algae can easy grow on a turtles shell. A strict regime must be followed when it comes to thoroughly cleaning the interiors as well as the exteriors of the aquarium. The very minimum is once a month but twice a month is much better.

When feeding your turtle, carry it out in another small holding tank, away from its normal enclosure as uneaten food and leftovers will invite disease causing microorganisms. If you are concerned about your turtles hygiene, rinse it's shell with slightly warm water after each feed. Make sure he is only feed proper turtle food.

Turtle care is a job for responsible adults. If not cleaned often and taken care of diligently, turtles emit a foul smell that can get unbearable. Avoid using tap water to fill your turtle's tank because tap water generally harbors chemicals like fluoride and chlorine which can cause the pH balance to go haywire. For swimming purposes, dechlorinated water must be utilized and filtered water for drinking.

Turtles are certainly interesting pets to raise, simply watch and interact with. They bring along a lot of selfless excitement and enjoyment for you and your family and in return expect a stable home and loads of love. However, it is important to care for them properly otherwise they will get sick and die. Without proper care, turtle shells will get bacterial infections. Be sure to take care of all the needs of your turtles.

Matt is the owner of many pet turtles and has been taking care of them for many years now. You can read more about turtle care and turtle tanks at his website on taking care of turtles

How To Buy A Parrot Cage

2009-07-31T19:13:00.001-07:00

Now that you've decided to create a beautiful home for your pet bird or Parrot you must now choose a birdcage to house your pet. Take into consideration some of the safety and health and growth concerns of your bird when checking out available options, choosing the right cage will be one of the most difficult decisions you can make for your bird. But if you follow our guide, you will have no problem in choosing the right cage for your Parrot.

One of your first concerns to consider is to purchase a relatively large cage for your bir
. Make sure that the bird cage has bars that are suitable for the size of bird. A couple things to consider are how widely spaced the bars are and how thick the bars are. If you have a large bird. Obviously, then bars will not work for your bird. Your bird will either bend the bars or break the bars over time. Also, make sure the bars are spaced so the bird's head doesn't get caught in between the bars. Either the bird cage bars need to be widely spaced so the bird's head doesn't get stock or are they need to be narrowly space of the bird can fit their head between the bars.

Choose a parrot cages that are made of stainless steel. Many cages have paint on the bars which can be chipped away by your parrot or large bird. The stainless steel cage is not only more durable but also doesn't have the paint that will get chipped away and digested by your parrot.

Another consideration before you buy a Parrot Cage is to make sure that the birdcage has pull out tray for easy cleaning. Without a pull out tray, you will have to take your bird out of the cage in order to clean the bottom of the cage. Also make sure that the door of the cage allows for easy removal of the water tray and seed tray.

Finally, one of the most important decisions is to make sure that your birdcage is tall enough and wide enough for the size of your bird. You want to be able to allow your bird to spread its wings and have some flying motion within the cage. So the larger the bird, the larger the cage he will need. Also make sure that the cage has a bird perch close to the foods so that the bird has something to stand on while eating.

If you follow these guidelines you will not be far from achieving the perfect birdcage for your Parrot or large bird. If you plan to put the cage in the corner of the house, make sure you purchase a corner cage that will be better suited for that area of your home. As stated above, the most important concerns are your bird's health, safety and growth. Choose a large enough cage and a cage. That doesn't have paint, and you will not be far from achieving the perfect cage for your parrot.

For more information on Parrot Cages try visiting http://ParrotCagesSale.com where you will find valuable information on Bird Cages, Bird Feeders and much more

Chronic Ear Infections In Dogs Are Caused By Inhalant Allergies

2009-07-25T20:10:00.009-07:00

Just as people suffer from hay fever in the spring and fall, pets can get inhalant allergies, called atopy. Atopy is a common disease, affecting 10% to 15% of dogs. The age of onset varies form 6 months to 12 years, with 70% of affected dogs showing clinical signs between 1 and 3 years. Atopy signs are usually seasonal in the beginning, but 80% of dogs eventually experience year-round symptoms. Atopy is associated with irritation in certain body parts of dogs, including the flank, feet, base of the tail, and facial areas
around the eyes, mouth, and ears. Female dogs are more likely to be affected than males.

Chronic ear infections are commonly caused by inhalant allergies. This is the most common cause of persistent ear infections in dogs. In certain breeds of dogs, the ears are covered by an ear flap which makes the inside of the ear canal moist and warm, somewhat like an incubator, which is the perfect environment for germs.

Dogs also have a lot of mast cells which can release histamine and other chemicals which are allergic. Thus, it is usual for dogs with allergies to have irritated and itchy ears. It is a long process where the ears are irritated by allergies and respond by producing more ear wax. Due to the inflamed ear canals and additional ear wax and the extra moistness and warmth of the ear canals of dogs, it is now obvious why dogs are so prone to ear infections.

It is important to control these ear infections early and consistently. If this is not done, the inflammation changes the structure of the ear canal and makes it harder to treat the infection. As a result, in many cases more difficult bacteria to kill eventually come to inhabit the ear. Take your dog to your veterinarian and find out if this is the problem and work with your veterinarian to develop a plan to control this problem consistently.

Atopy is sometimes controllable using a combination of essential fatty acid supplementation and an antihistamine like Atarax. This combination only works in about 10 to 15% of dogs but when it does work it is nice because there are far fewer side effects that with the use of corticosteroids.

About the Author I have studied the topic of dog allergies for about ten years. My goal is to help the dog owners to have better understanding of the treatment options in treating dog allergies. Find out more information about inhalant allergies in dogs at my site.

Choosing An Wireless Dog Fence - Rf Vs Wifi

2009-07-25T20:10:00.007-07:00

Until this year if you wanted an wireless dog fence, the only game in town was the PetSafe IF-300. Using traditional radio wave technology, the IF-300 creates a containment radius of up to 90 feet giving it a coverage of 0.5 acres. The IF-300 works well and gets good reviews from our customers, but the range limits its usefulness. After all the most common use for wireless systems, with their circular containment area is rural properties where a 90 foot range is simplify too small.

Perimeter Technologies is introducing in April 2009 a
iFi Fence, a wireless containment system based on the WiFi technology that is used in the wireless internet routers that are in most people's homes. This has two significant advantages, range and the ability for two way communication. It also has one significant disadvantage, power usage.

The WiFi dog fence claims a containment radius range of 200 feet giving it a containment area of over 2.5 acres, a major improvement over the IF-300. Although, we would love to see something even larger, using perhaps WiMax which has a reported range over a mile. WiFi still gives a large enough coverage area for your dogs to get some real space.

The WiFi fence also has two-way communication between the collar and the base station, telling the owner instantly how far the dog has wandered. I also gives you instant alerts if the dog challenges the boundary, if the battery is running low, or if the link between the collar and base station is lost. This alert is really useful and we hope it finds wider adoption, since particularly in the early days of the training you are constantly worrying about if the dog has escaped.

The downside is that WiFi is notoriously power hungry, so we are concerned that this will result in poor battery life. The collar for the WiFi dog fence is not rechargeable, and is likely proprietary so we hope that Perimeter has this problem solved because the feature set should make this the new leader in wireless dog containment.

DogFenceDIY.com is a resource written by professional dog fence installers that includes 100+ pages showing you system reviews, installation and training tips for an electric dog fence. The site features detailed DIY advice with videos, pictures and illustrations, system reviews and a dog training program to make your installation a success. Read more about the WiFi Dog Fence at http://www.dogfencediy.com/reviews/wifi-fence-dog-perimeter-technologies/

How To Care For Turtles As Pets

2009-07-25T20:10:00.005-07:00

Turtles can be great pets for children. They require very little attention and are usually very simple pets. In most cases turtles live for many years and require very little to stay healthy. If your child wants a pet but you are worried about who will take care of it or if it will die without proper care, a turtle could be the perfect choice. Most people agree it is very easy for children to care for these charming creatures with very little adult help.

Turtles do not require a large space to live in. You can use a terrarium or large
ish tank to create the perfect habitat. You will want to set up half of the space with water and half dry. Consider using a set up similar to a turtles natural habitat which would include rocks, plants, and tree branches. You will want to have a way to maintain the temperature when you care for turtles as well. Most species require a warm environment at 77-95 degrees.

When you choose to look after a turtle there are specific pieces of equipment that you will need to purchase. Turtles require a full spectrum UV light since the do not have the ability to store the D3 vitamin internally. You will also need a water filter for the water side of the tank. You can find these items at your local pet store or at online pet sites. Keeping the water clean is a major factor when you care for turtles. If the water gets dirty it can cause health problems.

When you are buying a new environment you will need to consider how easy it will be to clean. Most experts suggest that when you own a pet turtle you should clean the tank at least once a week to prevent fecal matter from piling up. You will need to clean your water filter at least once every month as well. If you don't it could become clogged and stop filtering. Make sure you get rid of any extras in the tank if they become wore out or can cause safety issues. Make sure anything you hang from the tank is secure after each cleaning. You do not want thing falling and harming your pet.

When you care for turtles you will need to choose a turtle food as well. You can find many types online or at your pet store. However, be aware not all food is made the same way with the same ingredients. You will want to make sure the food you purchase has all the proper vitamins and minerals that turtles need to stay healthy. Some turtles require a lot of protein as well. Each species has specific diet needs and In most cases buying one food and feeding it to all of your different pets is not the best option. As you can see it is pretty easy to care for turtles if you have the right tools and information. You can also purchase books that teach you all the basics of how to care for turtles.

For great turtle care advice, turtle food recommendation http://www.petturtlecare.net/how-to-care-for-turtles-as-pets.html or turtle health issues visit us at http://www.petturtlecare.net/

Cat Spraying

2009-07-25T20:10:00.003-07:00

Many people don't want to have a cat because they are afraid of cats marking their territory. You have to know that cats don't spray because they are malicious or wants to irritate you. It's their natural behavior. Spraying is territorial and can also be stress related. Neutering or spaying a kitten at an early age can prevent spraying problems in the future. Your vet will advise you on the best age to neuter your kitten.

Spraying is type of communication for cats, the mark some territory as their own. Sprayed cat urine con
ains pheromones which are like fingerprints, they are unique for every cat. Sometimes spraying is an invitation to love for other cats (they are easily attracted by the odor of urine). In many cases cats sprays also because of stress.

Although, for cats it's completely normal to mark their territory, the smell of urine is awful for people. The most effective method is to neuter or spay your cat. Most cats stop spraying immediately or after a short period of time. It's the best to do it as soon as possible but you should visit your vet because neuter or spaying time is individual for every cat.

What if you don't want to do it? You can use special pheromones in spray (ask your vet) or if your cat spray only in one specific place try to keep your cat away from that place and watch if he starts to spray somewhere else or not. If not, your problem is solved.

If you have some other pets try to separate them from your cat because it can be cause of the problem. Even if your neighbour has a pet and your cat can see it, try to block the view of it.

Maybe there is some other uncommon problem with your cat, if you are not sure visit the vet and ask him for advice.

Now, some useful tip, how to remove the odor. First wash the surface with some laundry detergent with enzymes, than mix half of white vinegar with half of water and spray the place to discourage cat from spraying the same place again.

In conclusion, spraying is normal for cats and it's their way of communication. If you want your cat to stop doing it you have to neuter or spay your cat. If you don't want do it you can buy some special drugs or pheromones.

If you want to know more, get some free stuff and improve your knowledge about cat spraying visit http://catobediencetraining.blogspot.com/ You will find there many articles and free stuff

The Ojos Azules Cat

2009-07-25T20:10:00.001-07:00

Ojos Azules is a domestic cat breed. It is made striking by its brilliant blue eyes.

One of the most recent feline breeds, Ojos Azules is a very pretty cat. Little is understood about the origin of this cat except for the fact that it was first reported in New Mexico in the mid nineteen eighties. The cat is known for its dazzling bright blue eyes. In fact the name Ojos Azules has been taken from Spanish words meaning 'blue eyes'. The unique eye color of Ojos Azules is a result of a genetic mutation. It is
a very rare and pretty cat and exists in hands of limited breeders worldwide. It is not widely recognized at the moment and is still looking for global acceptance as a distinguished breed.

Ojos Azules is a cat of medium build. Head is triangular in shape with big round eyes and angular muzzle. Coat is short, silky and occurs in a variety of colors and patterns. Prior to the appearance of Ojos Azules, blue eyes were seen only in white or Siamese cats. However, these pretty felids display blue eyes in all types of fur presentations. In fact the first Ojos Azules in record - the founding member of the breed - was a tortie.

The mutant gene responsible for the Opus Azules' eyes is dominant in character. If present in homozygous (paired) form, it leads to skull defects and mortality in newborns. Breeders therefore outcross these cats to other breeds, often domestic short and longhairs, in order to maintain healthy litters. The gene has proved to be harmless if existing in heterozygous formation.

Not much is known about the overall behavior and personality of Opus Azules owing to their rarity. Only a handful of the cats existed a decade or so ago. Furthermore their development was halted when it became clear that the 'blue eye gene' was potentially fatal. It took a period of dedicated genetic analysis to resume the breed's development. Therefore little conclusive data exists on the long term health, temperament and behavioral profile of these pretty cats.

About the Author The author is a blogger about cats and an expert on Ojos Azules cat.

My Cat Is Urinating Often - What Are The Causes?

2009-07-18T19:38:00.005-07:00

A cat with frequent urination problems more than likely has a urinary tract infection (UTI). An infection in the urinary tract can spread to the kidneys making it a life threatening situation. Please be sure and follow up with your veterinarian.

When people ask me "Why is my cat urinating often?" I ask them;

How much urine does he produce?
Is he in pain?
Is there blood in his urine?
Does his urine smell terrible?
Is he licking his genitals repeatedly?
Has he lost his appetite?
Does he seem letha
gic?
Does he avoid the litter box?

If your cat frequent urination problem is not an infection it could be from bladder stones blocking the flow of urine. It could be from a disease; and the only way to find out is to make an appointment with the vet and have her checked out thoroughly. If no infection or disease is present she may just need and little assistance to boost her immunity.

People have had excellent results with homeopathic supplements that are safe with absolutely no side effects. If you cat is urinating often these supplements might be all your feline friend needs in answer to your question "Why is my cat is urinating often?

Find a supplement that is targeted just for urinary tract problems. These natural supplements will assist your feline friend's immune system giving her the ability to fight any bacteria that might enter the urinary tract. Even humans have had success with certain vitamins and homeopathic remedies that are targeted for specific purposes, such as urinary tract infections.

Rebecca Shelly has been studying alternative health conditions for pets for many years. She is a regular contributor to http://www.pet-natural-cures.com a site discussing some of the most promising natural treatments for pet health on the market today

Buying A Horse - The Pre-purchase Exam

2009-07-18T19:38:00.003-07:00

You've done the searching, you've combed the classifieds, you've test ridden several horses and you've settled on THE ONE. What do you need to do now? Write the seller a check, load up and head down the road? You can... but depending on what you want to do with the horse, your level of long term commitment to the horse and your goals for the horse, a pre-purchase exam might be money well spent.

What is a pre-purchase exam? A pre-purchase exam is a series of tests performed by an equine veterinarian that determines the h
rse's current soundness and health and can identify problems that might affect future soundness. There are few things more heartbreaking than having your perfect horse go lame or have some other problem that turns him from your best riding companion in to a lawn ornament. A pre-purchase exam is best performed on a potential purchase prior to falling completely in love with the horse and deciding that you can't live without him. The pre-purchase exam is requested by the buyer, the buyer contacts a veterinarian of their choosing and the buyer is responsible for all costs incurred from the exam. It is usually recommended that the buyer select a veterinarian that is not the seller's usual veterinarian, both to eliminate conflict of interest and to not put the veterinarian in an awkward position of potentially reporting negative results which might cause the sale to fall through for his client.

When your veterinarian shows up to perform the pre-purchase exam, the first thing he or she should ask is what your intended purpose is for this horse. What do you want to do with him? Are you looking for a trail horse that will go on leisurely rides 2 or 3 days a week? Or is your ultimate goal with this horse to be a high end competitor in your sport of choice? A good veterinarian will take this information in to account when evaluating a horse for you and this information will influence the final report made on this horse.

There are three main types of pre-purchase exams: a basic pre-purchase, a full pre-purchase and a breeding soundness exam A basic pre-purchase exam entails a complete physical exam and lameness exam. A full pre-purchase typically includes x-rays and often other diagnostic measures such as a routine blood panel. Breeding soundness exams are performed on animals intended to be used as breeding stock and are often performed in conjunction with a basic or full pre-purchase exam.

In a basic pre-purchase exam, the veterinarian will listen to the horse's heart, lungs and gut sounds. He'll examine the horse's eyes, dentition (both the condition that the horse's teeth are in and how well the horse's teeth align), legs, joints and overall conformation and condition. He'll likely ascertain the horse's health history, such as whether or not the horse has had problems with colic or lameness in the past and whether or not the horse is current on his vaccinations and deworming. The veterinarian will then ask to see the horse move, both at the walk (in hand) and at the trot (usually on a lunge line). He is looking to see how well the horse tracks and whether the horse wings, paddles or interferes when he is in motion (signs that can indicate a conformational issue and can lead to unsoundness). He'll also be looking for obvious or subtle signs of lameness. The next set of tests will involve using hoof testers on the horse's hooves to apply pressure to very specific parts of the hoof and internal structures. Hoof testers can find signs of laminitis, stone bruises, navicular disease and other problems that may lead to the need for a career chance for the horse.

Once the horse has passed these tests, the veterinarian will move on to flexion tests. In a flexion test, the veterinarian will hold the horse's leg in a flexed position, focusing on each individual joint or series of joints (hock and stifle for example) for about 60 seconds at a time. He'll then ask the handler to trot the horse off in a straight line. The veterinarian is looking for signs of lameness following the flexion that can indicate an issue that requires further diagnostics such as x-rays or nerve blocks. It is not uncommon for a veterinarian to advise the buyer not to proceed with a horse that cannot pass his flexion tests as it often can indicate the presence of bony changes or arthritis.

A full pre-purchase exam has the same elements as a basic pre-purchase but also includes diagnostic radiographs (x-rays) of at least the front and rear fetlocks, front feet and hocks. Depending on the intended use of the horse, some practitioners will recommend radiographs of the stifles and knees as well. These x-rays will allow the veterinarian to look for bony changes such as arthritis, bone chips, high and low ringbone, navicular syndrome and OCD lesions that can all affect the horse's performance and lead to future unsoundness. A full pre-purchase exam may also include bloodwork to rule out metabolic disease, thyroid problems or the use of masking drugs which may make the horse appear sound or sane at the time of the pre-purchase exam.

A breeding soundness exam is requested on a mare or stallion whose intended purpose is that of a breeding animal. For a mare, the veterinarian will perform a rectal palpation and ultrasound to make sure the uterus and ovaries are of normal size, consistency and free from any abnormalities. A vaginal exam will ensure that the mare has a normal cervical seal and is free from scarring or tears. The veterinarian will also look at the mare's perineal conformation (whether her vulva is tipped in relation to the anus) and check her udders. Stallions will have their semen collected and evaluated, testicles measured and palpated and behavior noted.

Many times when a buyer is having a pre-purchase exam done on a horse, the question they are dying to ask is, "Well, did he pass or fail?". In reality, the veterinarian is not there to "pass" or "fail" the horse and can only point out all abnormalities and potential causes for concern. Veterinarians don't have a crystal ball and they do not have the ability to predict a horse's future soundness; they can only report on what they see on that day. It is up to you, the buyer, to make the final decision on whether or not you can live with his findings.

Julia A. Patton, owner of Aviance Arabians in Loveland, Colorado (http://www.AvianceArabians.com), a successful breeding a sales barn, Julie has been breeding horses for over ten years. The long time breeding manager at a 350+ head Arabian horse farm, Julie brings current, hands on knowledge in the areas of breeding horses from stallion collection to foaling and foal handling. She also spent several years at Colorado State University as a project manager working on reproductive safety trials for pharmaceutical companies. From there, she went to Florida to set up an embryo transfer and frozen semen station for a veterinary practice in Ocala. Now the resident horse expert at http://www.horsesportscentral.com, Julie shares her passion for horses, horse sales and breeding in articles, blogs and posts

Ten Tips for Cats Who Are Forced to Relocate With Their Owners

2009-07-18T19:38:00.001-07:00

When you're on the move, the cats may have something to say about the process.

If you sense your owner plans to move, be on your best behavior. Revive those terminally cute poses you used to get yourself adopted. Let your owner sleep past 5 AM. Keep your paws out of your owner's hair. Use the litterbox religiously. If you must throw up, head for the bathroom and skip the windowsills. You do not want your owner to entertain thoughts like, "I don't want to ruin the beautiful floors in our new home,"
or, "You know, it's really hard to rent an apartment when you have a cat."
Here's a great game. Jump into an empty box, stick your head out and hold the pose while your owner runs around looking for a camera. As soon as she appears, finger on snap button, turn around and point your tail at the camera. You'll learn some new cuss words, guaranteed.
The arrival of the moving van is your cue to hide. You can have lots of fun with this one. Your owner will run around frantically, cursing the movers: "You idiots! You left the door open! Now little Furball is gone forever!" After they've wasted an hour running around the neighborhood, appear out of nowhere and begin to wash. When they shriek, "Oh there she is!" and try to hug you, summon an aloof glare and wash your face again. Bonus tip: If you really want to freak them out, hide in your cat carrier.
As you begin your twelve-hour drive, remember that your owners would rather listen to your yowling than to the latest tapes or the local weather and news. Keep it up!
Demand a sandbox break as soon as your owner begins driving on a road where it is absolutely impossible to pull over. A narrow bridge with bumper-to-bumper traffic is a good choice.
Motel etiquette calls for you to sit in the window, looking absolutely adorable. Encourage passers-by to tap on the glass at all hours, especially if your owner has forgotten to draw the curtains. If you suspect your owners snuck you in past the desk clerk, begin yowling as soon as they try to move you to a more secluded spot.
When it's time to hit the road at 6 AM, you don't want to be found. If you can position yourself under the queensize bed, out of reach of your owner's arms, you can delay everyone's travel plans for a good half hour. The award for the most creative hiding place goes to the feline who wedged herself between mattress cover and springs. Caution: This only works if your owner really adores you. If you can't be found in twenty minutes, you might be looking for a new home.
Insist on being present when boxes are unpacked. Jump into each box to make sure the contents arrived safely. If your owners lock you into the bathroom "so kitty can't escape," use the opportunity to practice your singing. The movers need entertainment, too.
Demand to test each windowsill of the new home. If you still have claws, test the curtains to see if they'll hold your weight. Fifteen pounds? Should be no problem. Regardless, those miniblinds offer limitless opportunities for new versions of torture-the-owner. How many blinds can you bend? How about breaking off a little hole for your head to peek through? Cute.
Encourage your owner to get a dog. You may never have to move again. "Honey, we can't move. We could never afford another place where Spot could have a yard."

About the Author Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D. author, career consultant, speaker http://www.movinglady.com If you're a human embarking on a major move, defuse the emotional stress with Making the Big Move: How to transform relocation into a creative life transition. http://www.movinglady.com/bigmove.html

Why "Doggie Breath" is nothing to joke about.

2009-07-18T19:37:00.003-07:00

Your dogs health is important to you. You show him how important by keeping him well fed and groomed, making sure he gets plenty of exercise and providing a collection of fun, safe toys for his entertainment. You don't skimp on the quality of his food. And to reward good boys and girls, there are always lots of delicious treats in the cupboard.

But if he has bad breath, you could be overlooking a serious problem with your dogs health.

"Dog Breath" is such a common condition that we make jokes about it. Sometimes
e even tease our human "friends" using "dog breath" in play-ground style name-calling ( although hopefully this is limited to teenage boys.) And I know many pet owners who comment that they love their dog or cat like a child, but just can't stand the smell of the animal's breath! Well, guess what? "Dog Breath" isn't normal.
It's estimated that 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats over the age of three suffer from the periodontal disease — a serious deterioration of the gums and supporting bones of the teeth. Yes, it's periodontal disease that's responsible for "dog breath". But the problem doesn't confine itself to your furry baby's mouth. It's an infection, and the tiny creatures responsible for it can break loose and enter the bloodstream. Once they do, they can infect vital organs such as the liver and kidneys, endangering your dogs health by causing a far more serious illness.The best way to insure your dogs health, especially where periodontal disease is concerned, is with prevention. It can make all the difference.

Periodontal disease begins as gingivitis, which is virtually harmless and completely treatable. If allowed to move to the next stage--Periodontitis-- it can be stopped, but not cured. And the worse it gets, the faster it progresses. This applies to all animals, two legged and four legged alike. Think of a car parked at the top of a hill. The emergency break is released, and the car begins to roll downhill. Now, if you hit the breaks right away, no harm done. But the farther the car rolls the faster it goes, and the more momentum it builds. It gets harder and harder to stop it. By the time it's halfway down the hill, you could be headed for disaster!
You can maintain your dogs health nicely with proper home care. But, like the rolling car, if disease is already present, stopping and controlling it is a bigger job.

Prevention involves, above all, regular veterinary checkups and professional cleanings beginning early in your dog or cat's life. I'll show you how you can help maintain oral health at home, but it's impossible to do a thorough cleaning on an animal who's awake. Trust me on this. It's hard enough to do a thorough job with a cooperative human patient. When we're talking about animals who don't understand what we're doing or why, forget about it.

Most veterinarians recommend annual cleanings, but more frequent or involved treatment may be needed depending on your animal's condition. Please, no matter what you're doing at home, follow the vet's recommendations. As for your part, introduce your dog or cat to the idea of having his teeth brushed as early as possible. I know, it's not easy, and it takes time and daily conditioning to get your little guy or gal used to it. But your dogs health is worth it!

So how do you prevent the most common of threats to your dogs health? Brush her teeth, of course! Every day. Just like you would your own (twice a day for you, and floss too!!). This isn't easy, but it can become an expected part of your dog's routine if you do it right. Here are some suggestions:

Start when your dog is a puppy. The earlier the better.

At first, you just want her to get used to you handling her head and looking inside her mouth. Practice lifting up her lips and looking at her teeth and gums--front, back and both sides of her mouth.

Now begin gently touching the gum tissue with your finger and rub along her gums and teeth as if your finger were a toothbrush. Let her get used to the sensation. This is exactly the way you would introduce a human baby to brushing, beginning with just her gums. Even before there are teeth, there are harmful bacteria. So don't worry about a tiny puppy who doesn't have a full set of teeth yet--rub her gums, swab out her little mouth with your finger, and get her used the this kind of contact from her owner.

Your next step is to wrap gauze or a soft washcloth around your finger and rub the gums on both the outer and inner surfaces of the teeth.

Finally, introduce a tooth brush in one small area. As your dog gets used to the brush, you will be able to use it in place of the gauze or washcloth. Remember to brush the inside surfaces!

A little brushing a day, beginning with the first step and working your way up gradually, will eventually lead to a one to two minute session. Your dog will learn that it doesn't hurt and that she gets a couple of minutes of your undivided attention every day. It generally takes 8 to 16 weeks to get there, but in the end your dog will accept brushing as part of her daily routine.

If a little brushing is done every day at a set time, eventually your pet gets used to it, and some will even look forward to it. It will take most pet owners from 8-16 weeks until the pet accepts it readily. Now the pet realizes it doesn't hurt and that it will get 1-2 minutes of your undivided attention. Your pet enjoys your attention, and will eventually wait patiently for you to brush his teeth.
There's a toothbrush with three heads that will allow you to brush all three surface of the tooth at one time, which makes life a lot easier for both of you! It also has nice, soft bristles so you won't harm your pet's delicate gum tissue.

There are also products that can be rubbed on the gums and added to the drinking water to help reduce bacteria in an animal's mouth and promote the dogs health and healing. Bad breath is actually a by-product of the bacteria that populate the mouth. They break down proteins and carbohydrates from your dog or cat's diet, and produce something called "volatile sulfur compounds", or VSC's. It's the sulfur that make the breath smell extra special!

Certain dental products have an agent that neutralizes the VSC's. Many owners have commented that their cat or dog seems to like the drinking water better when these products are added--even though they have no flavor! And there's a gel available that, although formulated for the gums, can be very soothing for skin conditions, cuts, and surgical wounds thanks to the Aloe Vera it contains.

The best oral care products work without the use of fragrances and flavors, which entice human consumers, but don't benefit your cat or dogs health in any way!

I was a practicing dentist for over 20 years, and I saw a lot of human patients who had terrible breath (and periodontal disease) and weren't even aware of it. People don't like to tell each other about bad breath. Even the dentist has to be delicate with this piece of bad news.

At least when dealing with a pet, you don't have to worry about social embarrassment in order to address your dogs health problem! Don't be shy, get in there and do something about it. Not only can your dog get rid of her breath odor, but she could even live 2 to 5 years longer as a result. And you'll be able to get close again, without holding your breath.
About the Author ฉ Copyright 2004 Carolyn Schweitzer DDS. Dr. Schweitzer was a family dentist for 20 years and is now owner and editor of several websites. You can learn more about specific dental care products by visiting her website at http://www.great-dog-gift.com/dogs_health.html#LocationOXY

Providing Good Koi Care Can Ensure Your Fish Live For Many Years

2009-07-18T19:37:00.001-07:00

The Koi fish has been on the planet for hundreds of years. A descendant of the Japanese magoi carp they are prized for their beautiful shapes and brilliant colors, especially with the right Koi care. There are several varieties including the fancy fantail Koi which has draping fins and tails. The beautiful fish can be a combination of black, red, yellow, white and orange and it has been known to grow to three feet long and weigh more than forty pounds with the right Koi care.

While the original magoi carp had the ability to endure para
ites and survive in poor conditions, the current species is not quite as hardy. The fish has been a victim of inbreeding to capture the shapes and colors that are so prized. Even so, the Koi still can live for decades and it seldom sickens or dies without an underlying reason. Some of the top reasons for Koi death include poor water quality, parasites, ulcer disease, predators, and lack of oxygen. Other reasons could include medication overdose, virus, tumor, toxic pesticides and jumping out of the water. As you can see, most of the problem could be avoided by simply being diligent in care.

Doing research on proper care can assist you in selecting a pond that is sized correctly to keep your Koi healthy and happy. Koi love the deep water and they exercise by diving to the bottom and then back up to the top. If you want to keep the Koi happy, choose a deep pond. You will also want to avoid your shallow end be too shallow. It is necessary that the Koi be kept safe from too much heat and easy access to predators. Providing good care will require being involved in every aspect of Koi life. Be careful that you do not end up with an overcrowded pool. Koi reproduce rapidly and grow just as quickly. Be mindful that you are utilizing the entire pool and ensuring good water circulation in all areas. Dead areas could mean dead fish.

When considering care, you will want to be mindful of the pond temperature. Koi will not be as active in cooler temperature; they will go to the bottom of the pond and stay. While the Koi is able to withstand the cold, you will need to insure that your pond does not completely freeze. Adding a pond heater can help you not only to maintain the proper temperature needed to keep you Koi happy, it can also help you to avoid disease and sores.

While Koi care specialists recommend that you hand feed your Koi watermelon and lettuce to develop a relationship with them, they also need a daily diet of nutrients provided in the form of pellets. On of the great things about the fish is that they learn to recognize their feeder and will gather to be fed. Feeding time is a wonderful time to get to know the fish as they have distinct personalities.

According to the Japanese, Koi are symbols of friendship and love and the Chinese believe they bring good luck. Regardless of whether they can change your fortune, they are beautiful, interesting fish and with the correct Koi care they can live in your garden and bring you decades of enjoyment. So make Koi care a priority.

About the author: Paul S. Lake is the founder of Koi Fish Center and can be considered an expert in koi care. Paul has been caring for Koi Fish for over 20 years. Get his koi keeping ebook at http://www.koifishcenter.com

Cat Pregnancy - What You Should Really Know About This To Avoid Any Mistakes

2009-07-16T19:21:00.009-07:00

Your pregnant queen's temperament may change for better or for worse. Hormonal changes may result in her not wanting other cats near her. She may even go so far as to attack one of her favorite companions.

This is natural behavior, so do not punish her. It may be best to confine her to a room or confine the other pets until this phase passes. As she progresses through her pregnancy, her temperament will probably change yet again and she may actually seek out other cats.

She will want to cuddle up to them and she will even all
w then to nurse on her. She is in full maternal bloom. Do not be surprised is she picks up a soft toy in her mouth and carries it about the house, mewing softly.

This is her make believe kitten and she is practicing being a mother. She will also be inclined to show you more affection, and may expect you to show her more attention too. As her tummy increases in girth, she may flop in her back to have you gently stroke her abdomen.

She will fall asleep purring while you stroke. Watch closely throughout your queen's pregnancy for signs of illness or listlessness. If you spot these signs, take her to the veterinarian as she could be suffering from a uterine infection or false pregnancy, or she could be having a miscarriage.

Make sure you record the exact date that she was bred as this is vital information for your veterinarian in determining the possible causes of her ailments. It is also important for you to know this in order to prepare for her birth and to be on hand when she delivers.

A cat will generally carry kittens for 63 days, although she cat have them as early as 58 or 59 days and as late as 67 or 68 days with no ill effects. Any period of time shorter or longer generally indicates trouble, and you should contact the veterinarian.

Want More Information And Discount On Cat Pregnancy? All You Have To Do Is Click http://www.CallPetMeds.com Now!

5 More Puggle Training Tips

2009-07-16T19:21:00.007-07:00

Know more training tips for easy and successful Puggle training...

Finally you are taking home with you your new Puggle dog. After battling with what breed of dog you are going to bring home, it is now time to, again think, this time of the right Puggle Training Techniques.

Training your Puggle is not as difficult as it seems to be. All you need is a little bit of your patience and some techniques on how you are going to do it. Below are some tips dog owners must be aware of in order to properly train their adorable
uggles.

1. It is important to consider the age of your puppy because his age will help determine his potty time. The amount of time between potty breaks should be equal to the puppy's age in months plus one hour. So a three month old puppy should be taken outside for his potty break approximately every four hours. Exception to this is when your three month old puppy is doing his thing every three hours; therefore he should be taken outside every three hours instead of every four hours.

2. Bear in mind these two essential facts. Your puppy has to urinate when he starts sniffing around the floor and has to have his bowel movement when he starts walking around in circles. It is important that you will pay close attention to this behavior so that you will know the times when he will need to use the bathroom.

3. Establish where you want your puppy to eliminate. Take them to where you want them to do their thing and train them to use it consistently. If you want your puppy to eliminate outside, it helps if they are trained to follow the command "outside".

4. There are two useful methods used once you've established the perfect spot for your Puggle to do his thing. The first one is the paper method. Cover the area with newspaper and once he starts to sniff and walk in circles, it is your responsibility to ensure that he does his business on the paper. The other one is the crate method. Remove him from his crate and take him to that perfect spot to do his thing. If nothing happens after like five minutes, bring him inside and give him food and water. Wait for about ten minutes and take him out again. Make sure to praise him as soon as he has done his thing. This will make him understand that you appreciate him thus he will gradually do what you want him to do, which is to eliminate at your specified spot.

5. Another important thing is to control your puppy's feeding. Remember that most puppies eliminate after a few minutes they have finished eating. Once your puppy has moved from its bowl, immediately take him outside. Do not forget to praise him quickly.

About the Author Richard Cussons trains about types of dogs. Learn about Puggle training and the Puggle dog breed in general here.

The Reality Of Pet Rabbits

2009-07-16T19:21:00.005-07:00

Rabbits can be playful, entertaining and lovable pets. As Easter nears, baby bunnies are a popular gift for children. Problem is, within a few months owners learn what a chore they are and how much care (and cost) they require. Too often, rabbits end up unwanted and abandoned. So before you purchase that adorable baby bunny, it's a good idea to know a few things first.

Rabbits require a lot of attention and affection. They require daily exercise and handling. You can't just put them in a cage and leave them alone for a while. W
th regard to cages, rabbits require a fairly large habitat, but they're also better as indoors pets where they can be near your family and safe from weather. Habitats require daily cleaning (picking out uneaten food, cleaning out water dishes and spot cleaning) and weekly thorough cleanings.

Rabbits are not great for young children. Although they're quiet animals, young children may not be capable of being careful enough not to hurt the pets. While rabbits crave attention and love being around people, they often don't like to be held.

These pets can also be expensive, requiring vaccinations and spaying or neutering (which will require a veterinarian with rabbit experience who can perform the surgery).

Rabbits can be trained, which is a good thing, particularly toilet training. Rabbit urine can have a very strong odor, so you'll have to change their litter box often.

For food, rabbits require a good quality hay and lots of fresh vegetables. You can feed them rabbit pellets, but their diet must be supplemented by vegetables and hay, too.

Another big consideration factor is lifespan. Rabbits can live up to fifteen years. Be sure you can keep up with its daily maintenance, feedings, exercise and attention. These are definitely not low maintenance pets!

So after learning all this, and being well-informed on the commitment required to own a pet rabbit, I strongly urge you to consider adopting a rabbit. There are many rabbits out there abandoned by their families. Spend some time with the rabbits, and you'll get an idea of its personality fairly quickly. If taken home, the new pet will bond with its new family just as well as a baby rabbit. Look for a healthy rabbit by checking its fur, eyes, nose, teeth, etc. Any abnormalities may indicate illness.

Before you purchase any pet for you and/or your family, it's wise to research and consider what is required of you for its care. Rabbits can be very rewarding pets, as they bond with their owners and are quite social. They do require a lot of care, though, so be sure you're up for it.

This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.PetLovers.Com/ which is a site for Pets

Cats Impact Human Behavior

2009-07-16T19:21:00.003-07:00

Are you a cat owner? Was there something about your cat when you picked her out that drew you to her? I own a cat named Pepper that I picked out of a litter when she wasn't quite 24 hours old. I know, what can you tell about a little kitten who doesn't even have her eyes open. I'm not really sure, but whatever it was that made me pick Pepper, it worked correctly.

There are several studies that have been done to test if there's a relationship between cats and their owners' interactions with other humans. Specifically
does owning a cat ellicit compassion towards animals and then translate into being more compassionate toward fellow humans. An Australian study conducted at Central Queensland University proved such a link does exist.

The University of Pennsylvania looked at another aspect of this - whether having a pet as a child would make one more compassionate towards both animals and humans as adults. The results showed that children who had strong relationships with their cats or dogs as children had more humane attitudes toward animals and humans as adults. It also showed children who had pets growing up and had strong relationships with them, developed stronger relationships with people in adulthood.

Why is it that cats, in particular, that brings out our compassion? I know as a cat owner, that I can tell what Pepper is saying by the tone of her voice, her facial expressions and her posture. It's like having an infant that can't speak, but as you get to know her, you start to understand her moods and needs. Developing this sense of your pet's needs and moods could very well allow you to better "read" others as adults.

There's something about cats and puppies that makes us want to nurture them. They're soft, small, cuddly and provide love. They bring forth compassion in us naturally. Studies have proven this is true more for women, maybe because of the innate maternal instinct inside. Although men who had strong relationships with their dogs or cats as children showed more compassion in future relationships than those who didn't have pets. Whatever it is, the compassion shown towards animals does translate into showing more compassion toward our fellow human beings, which is a positive thing.

Most of these research studies utilized cats and their owners since cats can still be picked up and loved even as adults. For those who have never considered cats to bring any value to us or society in general, you may want to reconsider. They may just be helping us to treat each other a little better.

An animal lover and advocate, Debbie Foster owns http://petbedsunlimited.com where you'll find a wide selection of quality pet beds, dog crates, dog carriers, dog pens, cat beds, cat carriers, large dog beds, pet strollers and more

Five Element Feeding - Five Flavors

2009-07-16T19:21:00.001-07:00

Most people think of food from only its nutritional value which they consider the same for every horse but when viewed energetically foods have different effects on different horses depending on their Five Element type. In addition to looking at foods from a standpoint of different types we should also look at what we feed our horses in different seasons.

Each Element has a flavor associated with it and this flavor is often needed for that type when it becomes out of balance. The same horse may need a different flavor to help him balan
e for seasonal changes. For example, bitter is the flavor assigned to Fire because the Fire element has a tendency to overheating conditions. A Fire horse might benefit from some bitter foods in the diet on a regular basis but might need some sweet, warming foods in the heat of summer to help keep his energy moving outward to the periphery of the body to match the heat of the environment. Alfalfa is an example of a bitter food and grains such as oats are considered sweet according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. So an overall diet for a Fire horse could be include grass and alfalfa hay with minimal grain during the winter or cold weather and slightly less alfalfa and more grain during the summer. Alternately, you could leave the alfalfa the same and instead of grain give sweet vegetables such as carrots during the summer months.

Therapeutic use of the Five Flavors:
Bitter - Fire, heart and small intestine, yin, cooling, moves energy inward
Sweet - Earth, spleen/pancreas and stomach, yang, warming, moves energy outward
Pungent - Metal, lungs and large intestine, yang, warming, moves energy outward
Salty - Water, kidneys and bladder, yin, cooling, moves energy inward
Sour - Wood, liver and gallbladder, yin, cooling, moves energy inward
It is important to remember to balance first to the Five Element type of the horse and then if needed to the season. Never go to extreme with any flavor because too much can cause the opposite effect and weaken the organ you wanted to support.

Bitter
Properties: Horses that have excessive energy and impulsive behavior benefit from bitter foods because they have a centering effect of bringing the energy deeper into the body. Also good for slow moving, lethargic horses that have damp conditions such as stocking up or are just generally overfed and under exercised.

Uses: Very helpful in horses with inflammations, infections and damp skin conditions.
Organ functions: helps support the heart and blood vessels by removing deposits which lowers blood pressure. Celery is a vegetable which is perfect for this and could certainly be fed to horses. Bitter foods like celery can be given to help clear heat and inflammation out of the liver after overeating. Sounds like a perfect treat instead of the high sugar and starch store bought ones. I will have to try this out with my Fire horse, Cerise. Bitter foods help drain damp conditions such as yeast infections, parasites, moist skin eruptions, abscesses, tumors, cysts(including the aggravating ovarian types) and swellings. Bitter foods help with intestinal function by increasing motility. In addition to the liver and gallbladder, the lungs and kidneys also benefit from the bitter flavor. Any condition that shows thick, yellow discharges suggests dampness and heat and the bitter flavor is perfect to break this up and get it moving out of the body. Think about upper respiratory infections, uterine infections and hoof abscesses and just a few typical damp heat examples that benefit from the addition of bitter foods.

Season: Increase bitter foods throughout the fall and winter to pull energy in to protect the body from cold external temperatures or any season when heat symptoms appear.
Cautions: Horses that are weak, thin nervous, and dehydrated should be given bitter foods sparingly.

Examples: Bitter herbs include, dandelion leaf or root, burdock leaf or root, yarrow, chamomile, hops, valerian, chaparral, echinacea and pau d'arco. Alfalfa is a strictly bitter food, celery and papaya are bitter and sweet, citrus peel is bitter and pungent and vinegar is bitter and sour.
More on the other flavors later.

Madalyn Ward, DVM, is a recognized author and veterinarian in the field of holistic horsekeeping. For free tips on horse health, horse personality types, laminitis, and horse nutrition, plus one-stop shopping on holistic horse products, visit http://www.BuyHolisticHorse.com and her blog at http://blog.horseharmony.com

De-clawed Cats At Risk

2009-07-15T20:16:00.009-07:00

Many cat owners will take their cats in to get them de-clawed. Before you take your cat in to get them de-clawed you should look at the risks that are associated with de-clawing cats.

When you take your cat in to get de-clawed it is a surgical procedure that requires your cat to go under general anesthesia. Anytime you have a surgery with general anesthesia there is a risk of complications that are possible. Your cat may have a reaction to the anesthesia causing them to have permanent damage or even die. Your cat could stop breathing w
ile under anesthesia and die. Improper monitoring can put the life of your cat in danger.

There are also behavioral risks involved when you de-claw your cat. Some cats do have a change in personality once they have become de-clawed. Cats that were once friendly and lively animals become withdrawn or introverted. Many cats that have become de-clawed and have lost their primary form of defense may then become nervous or fearful where they never were before. Some cats will become more aggressive even to a loving owner because of their loss of claws, or de-clawing. Cats that become more and more fearful because of the de-clawing can become prone to disease. Fearful cats will begin to use their teeth more and have been known to bite their owners. De-clawed cats will stop using the litter box when they become too scared of their surrounding environment if they feel they have no protection.

Not only are there medical and behavioral risks associated with de-clawing your cat there are also safety risks that will affect your cat. Cats that are de-clawed should not be allowed to go outside at all. The cat has lost its ability to defend itself from predators or other attackers because the cat no longer has its claws. If your de-clawed cat goes outside and is attacked, the cat will find it hard to climb trees in order to find protection or to jump over fences to get away from the attacker.

Indoor and outdoor cats that are de-clawed will share in most of the same safety risks. Physical safety is one of the main risks that can befall a de-clawed cat. Because cats use their claws to aid them in stretching the neck and back muscles, a de-clawed cat doesn't get a good enough stretch. This lack of stretching can lead to the gradual weakening of a cat's muscles in their legs, shoulders and back.

Cats that are de-clawed are also seen as less graceful because they have lost their ability to grasp quickly to objects with the claws. De-clawed cats are not as surefooted as their clawed cat peers. Cats use their claws to gain traction on any surface whether they are jumping or running. A cat is not surefooted is actually putting themselves in danger for being injured in a fall.

De-clawed cats will also become more prone to stress. Cats use their claws for stretching and when cats stretch they are also relieving stress. Cats' claws help them to dig in a little to any surface for some traction while they are stretching and this gives them a really good stretch. While a cat is stretching they release the stress from their bodies. As previously stated your de-clawed cat may also become more stressed because they have no way to defend themselves now. Partner this new stress with no way to get rid of the stress and your cat could become a whole other, possibly unhappy, cat.

Visit http://www.litterboxroundup.com for more cat care tips, including all about cat breeds

Handling Cat Emergencies

2009-07-15T20:16:00.007-07:00

When you are at home and a cat emergency should arise there are thing to do, first and foremost you must try and keep a cool head, and in control as well, then you can take quick action, you will want to get your cat to your vet as soon as possible. You will want to call your Vet to let them know that you have an emergency, and what it is about. The vet will give you advice as to what the correct things to do for your cat; it just might save your cats life in the long run. Here are some are something's you will want to know about taking
are of injured cat.

Car injury: Vary carefully lift the cat, putting one hand behind the neck and chest and the other behind his hips. Very carefully place the cat into a carrier or a cardboard box large enough for the cat to lie as comfortable as possible on his side. You will want to pad the carrier with newspaper or even with a towel or maybe a blanket to keep him warm and fight off shock as well. Contact your Vet and explain what has happened, and carefully get your cat to the Vet as quickly as possible.

Cat Burns: with a burn locate the injury exactly then you will want to apply cold water or even an ice pack to the infected area, be very careful and try to avoid coming in contact with the burn. The area will be very sensitive to touch. Contact the Vet and let them know what has happened and you are on your way to the office with your cat.

Cuts and abrasions: You can use a clean wash cloth or a towel or maybe even a handkerchief to cover the wound and press lightly but firmly to help with the bleeding, contact your Vet for instructions for caring for the abrasion and transport your cat to Vet office quickly as possible.

Cat Choking: The cat could have already swallowed that which is making him chock. Open the cat's mouth by pressing on both sides of the jaw and see if the obstruction is still visible. NOTE: Be sure not to tilt the cats head back, because this will cause him to swallow and could be lost deeper in the cat throat .If you see the obstruction use a pair of needle nose pliers and remove the object, if you can. You may even try to hold the cat upside down and press on his chest firmly with both of your hands. Even if you not able to see the object, or remove the blockage check around the cat throat for damage. Again contact Vet let them know what happen and transport to clinic as soon as possible

We hope that these directions just might help you in a serious condition, but as always first control, and then contact your Vet for complete direction on care of the cat.

NOTE: This article is for information only. See your veterinarian for medical advice.

We plan to post articles that are informative and helpful to other cat lovers. Having been "owned" by cats for years, we know they can be demanding, but also be very entertaining and fun

Best House Cat Care

Visit our website for products your cat may enjoy http://www.besthousecatcare.com

Dog Pepper Spray

2009-07-15T20:16:00.005-07:00

Dog is one of the first animals that comes into your mind if you are looking for an animal to keep as pet. Dogs are very friendly, faithful and can be wonderful as pets. Dogs are so lovable that you may even feel like pet stray dogs. For many people, nuisance is what they can think of when it comes to stray dogs. You can find stray dogs in every nook and corner of your residential area.

At night, you may find dogs barking loudly and disturbing your sleep. You may find them following you, when you are riding your cycle or walking down t
e lane. If bitten by these dogs, one may get infected by diseases like rabies. Hence, it is necessary to stay away from these dogs. There are thousands of people who are bitten by these dogs every year and most of them had to be given medical assistance. There are instances about a few people who have just because of dog bite.

If you know of a route where there are dogs, you must avoid it and take a different route. Many people especially small children do not know what to do when they are faced by ferociously barking dogs. Hence, an elder should be present with children while moving across such areas. However, there are times when even elders find it difficult to handle such situations.

As the idiom goes 'barking dogs seldom bite' can be true if you do not panic when faced by such howling dogs. The key is to remain calm and quiet. Do not do anything that will enrage even more. Do not throw things at them on the intention to hurt. Do not do eye to eye contact with them. Do not think of running away from the scene. Do not try to touch or pet the dog unless it has sniffed you to satisfaction.

If you are brave enough to allow barking dogs to come near you, allow it to sniff you. Sniffing will hardly take a minute, so you need to stay cool. Once it understands that there is no threat from you, it will soon become quiet and move away from you. You can now touch or pet it safely. However, sometimes it may not sound that easy to quiet a barking dog. In such case, you can make use of dog repellents.

Just like women make use of pepper spray as a defensive measure against perverts, same way you can make use of dog pepper spray when are faced by fiercely barking dogs. This spray is milder as compared to the ones used by women against perverts. You need to spray it on the face of the barking dog and within seconds you will find it moving away from you. The dog pepper spray is harmless and only causes momentary irritation in the nostrils and eyes making it difficult to breathe and see.

Thousands of people are now making use of dog pepper spray to get rid of barking dogs. So, If you are someone who encounter such irritating dogs, you must carry the dog pepper spray wherever you go.

Iguana Care Tips - How To Identify An Iguana's Gender

2009-07-15T20:16:00.003-07:00

There are several iguana facts unknown to many people. A few will be illustrated here. This reptile is commonly found in forests in tropical and subtropical regions, along seashores and even in deserts. Various kinds of iguanas are found in locations such as South America, Canada, the Galapagos Island, Madagascar, the Caribbean Islands, and Central America off the East African coast and Fiji.

An additional iguana fact is that iguanas constitute the largest section of the lizard family. It is by far the most common and popular reptile.
heir characteristics such as laying eggs are common to reptiles. Furthermore, their cold-blooded nature allows them to easily adapt to their environments.

The different types of iguana species vary greatly in characteristics. They differ in size, behavior and even color. However, they are an endangered species in the wild. The green iguana and red iguana are the more familiar of the iguanas and are also still present in very large numbers. However, the Brachylophus vitiensis and the Fiji Island iguana are becoming endangered species.

It is hard to discern different species of iguana as being from the same family due to large differences in physical appearance as well as behavior. Their colors vary from bright to muted shades. The different habitats in which iguanas can be found give each species a different adaptation.

Pet Iguanas

Americans believe the extinction of the iguana species can be prevented by keeping them as pets domestically. Furthermore, the correct handling and care of iguanas is fundamental knowledge. This includes knowledge of their eating habits, their habitat and other information relating to their upkeep.

Iguanas are herbivorous creatures and their diet constitutes fruits, flower buds and young leaves. The rare mealworm, crickets and the wax worm provide occasional treats for the iguana. Dark and leafy greens as well as various fruits are the iguana's staple food in some locations in America.

The growth of iguanas is relatively fast. An iguana can multiply its length by five from the time it hatches and grow up to one hundred times heavier, in a period of two years.

It is therefore fundamentally important that a pet iguana receives sufficient food and water as well as being housed in an appropriate enclosure that is well heated. Slow growth rates are often the result of improper diet and housing and inadequate exposure to sunlight. Furthermore, this results in weaker bones thereby exposing them to severe bone fractures and disease.

How to Determine the Iguana's Gender

A characteristic of male iguanas is the presence of huge pockets of fat present on the back of their heads. Their jaws are large and heavy and they possess larger femoral pores under their thighs. Additionally, the heads of females are smaller and less blocky than that of females. Furthermore, females lack the large pockets of fat and heavy jaws. Moreover, the femoral pores are tiny. These iguana facts can help distinguish the male from the females.

Courtship behaviors such as the erection of the spines present on its back as well as head bobbing are unique to the male. The male iguana is usually aggressive during courtship, a huge difference from their mild and shy nature during other times. They tend to flee when approached. This iguana fact should help a pet owner interact with them.

Many female iguanas tend to dig a hole in an area that receives plenty of sunlight and lays their eggs there. They then cover the eggs and leave them alone. The eggs incubate due to the warm temperatures. All eggs present in the nest hatch simultaneously. Conversely, some of the dangers iguanas undergo vary from loss of their habitat to captivity by man for consumption. The survival of the iguana can be aided by taking measures such as educating people who live in iguana habitats, imposing limitations on hunting and the breeding of iguanas in zoos. These are just some of the interesting and more common Iguana Facts.

Abhishek is passionate about Iguanas and he has got some great Iguana Care Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 100 Pages Ebook, "How To Take Great Care Of Your Pet Iguana!" from his website http://www.Wonderful-Pets.com/820/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available

Ten Things You Should Know About Pet Lizards

2009-07-15T20:16:00.001-07:00

If you are about to obtain your first pet lizard, congratulations. Lizards are, in my view, the most wonderful, fascinating and beautiful creatures on Earth. Part of their appeal is their incredible diversity; there are more species of lizards than all the mammals or amphibians, and they range from three-inch legless burrowers to the mighty 200-pound Komodo dragon. Some are coloured with somber tans and ochre, and others rival the most ostentatious of butterflies with gaudy green, red, and yellow markings. Some glide on fragile wings, some r
n across the water, and some can stick to ceilings. With my sincere apology to Samuel Johnson, it is my opinion that "when a man gets tired of lizards, he is tired of life"!

That said, here are ten valuable guidelines to help you and your lizard get off to a good start, and stay on a safe and happy course. I speak with a wee bit of experience, having kept lizards since 1961, and going on to spending over 30 years as a professional herpetologist. These tips are just a starting point, but they cover ten really important points!

1) Start by getting a lizard that is easy to care for! Many lizards are very demanding in captivity, and those should be left to experienced keepers. Among the best starter lizards are the Australian bearded dragon and blue-tongue skinks, which grow to a total length near 13-inches. They do not become stressed when properly handled, are generally tame, and eat a wide variety of foods, from fruits, vegetables and flowers to insects, moist dog food and small mice. Savanna monitors are also good for beginners, but get a young specimen and raise it to adult size; freshly imported adults may be aggressive, but captive bred/raised specimens are excellent animals for beginner keepers.

2) Avoid getting a species that people think of as "pets" but are really very challenging to keep properly. Among those species to avoid: iguanas, Nile monitors, chameleons, and small species that grow to only 3 - 8 inches in length.

3) Read up about your lizard, because there is no excuse for doing a poor job as its keeper. For books, you can consult Bibliomania! at www.herplit.com, one of the largest reptile book dealers in existence. Then subscribe to one of the magazines published for reptile keepers, which include REPTILES (www.reptilechannel.com/rmrc_portal.aspx), REPTILIA (www.reptilia.net/html_english/inter-print2.html), REPTILES AUSTRALIA (www.reptilesaustralia.com.au/), and Britain publishes REPTILE CARE (www.reptilecareuk.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=10&Itemid=11).

4) Remember that lizards and snakes are very closely related groups of animals, but lizards need very different care. Unlike snakes that may need food only once a week or month, lizards usually need to eat every day, and sometimes more than once per day. But do not leave rotting or dirty food in the terrarium, because it could be contaminated with germs and cause your lizard to become sick.

5) Do not grab or hold a lizard by the tail. Even though the tail of a bearded dragon, blue-tongue skink, or savanna monitor will not break off, it is uncomfortable for the lizard. Get used to holding the lizard by putting your hand under its belly and supporting its weight from below.

6) Never use your lizard to frighten anyone! Strange as it may sound, some people are afraid of reptiles, and that kind of fear has led to many laws and regulations being passed that make owning reptiles in some places difficult. It is much better for the lizards - and the rest of us keepers - if you use your lizard to help teach other people how wonderful they really are!

7) Never release an unwanted pet reptile into the wild. Most pets are from other continents and will not live long where you live. It is also possible, especially in a place like Florida, that the released pet will do well and, if many such pets have been released, found a colony of foreign animals. This is not good for the local wildlife and really upsets conservationists and Fish and Wildlife officials.

8) All diurnal (active during the daytime) lizards need some ultraviolet light in their lives. But UV light does not penetrate glass, so it doesn't help to put a terrarium near a window. In addition to a heat light (all lizards need a temperature of at least 78 degrees F, many much more), you will need a good full-spectrum UV light. These are now produced to fit in either a screw-in socket or a standard fluorescent tube socket. For examples of excellent products check the Zoo Med website at www.zoomed.com.

9) Always be sure your lizard has access to fresh, clean water! Some lizards only drink dew drops from leaves, but these species are not among the beginner's species. Even desert lizards - and that includes all of the beginner species I've listed - can and will drink from a dish, and even enjoy soaking if the dish is large enough. Soaking also makes skin shedding easier for your lizards.

10) Do not crowd your lizard. If you are getting two lizards to start with, make them both the same species, preferably one of each sex, about the same size, and house them in a terrarium that is large enough. Overcrowded lizards become stressed and may refuse to eat. They are also more likely to catch an illness. If you cannot offer enough space, do not get the lizard. Period.

BONUS TIP 1) A fourth excellent starter lizard is the leopard gecko, a delicate and very popular nocturnal species that has been bred into many colour morphs (it's something like the lizard keeper's equivalent of the guppy!). Unlike the other starter species I mentioned, leopard geckos are smaller (to about 6 inches), have soft, delicate skin, and have tails that are easily broken. Yes, they grow back, but only as stiff rods that never look as good as the original. They also require more gentle handling than the larger starter species. They do not need UV light, but they still need a warm terrarium (70 - 78 degrees at night, 78 -95 degrees by day), sandy soil, and places they can hide. Feed them live insects, especially crickets, young roaches, and wax worms.

BONUS TIP 2) Do not use heat rocks to keep diurnal lizards warm! The lizards are, frankly, not "wired" to know that their bellies are actually cooking, and they may stay on the rock until badly injured or dead! Leopard geckos, however, will be fine with a heat rock or two.

Other things that you should know include washing your hands well after handling your lizards, do not tease or annoy the animals, and be sure to keep the terrarium clean.

The second edition of Dr Sprackland's classic book, "Giant Lizards," is scheduled to be released in October 2008. It not only covers the world's largest lizards, but includes chapters about lizard care and biology that are useful to all reptile keepers. Look for "Giant Lizards, 2nd Edition" published by TFH, Inc., at your favourite pet shop or book seller's

The author is a professional biologist who teaches human anatomy and physiology. His blogs present a view of human nature as might be observed by a visitor from another world..

Alpaca Farms

2009-07-14T19:17:00.009-07:00

With strict regulations in place, countries such as Chile, Bolivia and Peru, don't allow significant exportation of their "national treasure" to foreign countries. However, alpacas continue to be growing business. Worldwide demand is high for alpaca fiber in the arenas of fashion and textile manufacturing.

Alpacas are slow to mature and their fiber is of the highest quality. The demand for alpaca products is greater than the alpaca farmers can supply. This means that prices for not only alpaca products, but the price of
alpacas themselves will continue to remain very high. Alpaca farms can be a great investment for anyone who loves animals and has some land where they can pasture these gentle creatures.

When you decide to invest your future in an alpaca farm, you will receive tax discounts available to individuals who breed alpacas. There are more than 25 ways in which you can enjoy tax advantages if you decide to invest in alpacas. You may be eligible for tax write offs regarding the value of your outbuildings that house the alpacas, any machinery or equipment that may be involved in alpaca farming, breeding alpaca stock and items whose useful life exceeds one year. You can also enjoy a full write off on quite a few of your operating expenses such as medical costs, feed and the electricity for buildings housing your alpacas.

You need to be aware of the deferral of capital gains through the use of the compounding plan that protects your profits until you actually sell the alpaca. For information regarding this, you will need to speak to a trained accountant. Before you begin any business venture, especially one as unique as alpaca farming, it's recommended to talk with a professional.

When you compare the cost of keeping other types of livestock, you will find that alpacas are fairly inexpensive to maintain. Your initial investment in the purchase of the alpacas can be devalued over a span of five years. These robust little animals coexist easily with nature. All you need to provide them is fresh water, some room to roam with their fellow alpacas, a bit of hay and grain, fencing to ensure their safety, shelter from the elements and all the love you have to spare.

Many publications are available for you to learn more about the fascinating world of alpaca farming. You can find alpaca clubs where other aficionados will be more than happy to share the joys of owning an alpaca farm. You can find flexible ownership plans and all the advice and strategies you need to start your own alpaca farm.

Though precise tax rules will vary according to the kind of plan you decide to follow, the return on your investment is fairly high. Many sites on the internet offer detailed information devoted to the care and husbandry of alpacas. When you invest in an alpaca farm, you will find that these sweet animals can give you more than you ever hoped to receive, not only financially, but personally as well.

To find out everything you need to know about Alpaca Farms, sign up for my free course on Alpaca Farms, a Business Course

How To Train A Pitbull - 3 Keys To Training Pitbulls

2009-07-14T19:17:00.007-07:00

Learning how to train a Pitbull is essential for any Pitbull owner who wants a dog who wants a sociable, well adjusted, companion. Pitbulls are, by nature, faithful and loving pets. However, because of their size, strength and reputation, certain steps must be taken in the training process to ensure success.

1) Start The Training Process As Early As Possible

We made the mistake of waiting until our Pitbull was almost an adult to begin learning how to train a Pitbull.

BAD mistake! At that point, "Rocco" was almost
0 lbs, and had developed many undesirable habits and behaviors. He was very difficult to control, strong willed, and nasty to other dogs. We soon discovered that the old adage, "you can't teach old dogs new tricks", was indeed the truth. We eventually did train "Rocco", but only after we received professional guidance from an expert. It is possible to begin training with one word commands as early as 9-10 weeks. More advanced training has to wait until 5-6 months. Before that time, the chances are that your Pitbull will not have an appropriate attention span.

2) Obtain Your Pitbull From A Reputable Breeder

To obtain a Pitbull from any source that cannot be researched can be a risky proposition. When we were learning how to train a Pitbull, we discovered that a Pitbull with the proper temperment makes the job MUCH easier. With a reputable breeder, it is often times possible to meet your puppy's litter mates and at least one of the parents. You can then observe the temperments of Pitbulls in your puppy's bloodline. While temperments do vary, it will at least give you an idea of what you may possibly expect from your puppy,

3. Begin Socialization At An Early Age

Introduce your Pitbull puppy to as many social situations as possible at an early age. Pitbulls are great with humans, not so friendly to other dogs. For this reason, taking your puppy to places where other dogs congregate can be helpful. Dog parks, for example, can be excellent places for your Pitbull puppy to get used to other dogs. Socialization is part of how to train a Pitbull.

My wife Laura and I had almost given up trying to train "Rocco". He was fast becoming very obnoxious and hard to live with. We tried ALL kinds of training techniques, followed other Pitbull owner's advice, NOTHING worked! Finally, when we were two steps from putting Rocco up for adoption, a "light bulb" went off and we learned How To Train A Pitbull

Pet Parrots And You - 7 Answers To Questions About Parrots

2009-07-14T19:17:00.005-07:00

Parrots are marvelously intelligent, and beautiful birds that run the gamut in terms of color, life span, size, and temperament. If you are considering a Parrot as a pet, you'll have no trouble finding exactly the right bird for you and your lifestyle. Here are 7 answers to frequently asked questions about Parrots that will help you make a good decision for you and your bird.

What is the typical life span? There is no typical life span, it simply depends on which one you choose. Macaws, African Greys, and Cockatoos can l
ve anywhere from 40 to 60 years, Quakers between 20 to 30 years, Parrotlets between 15 and 20 years, and Budgerigars (commonly referred to as Budgies or Parakeets) from 7 to 10 years. Be sure you are aware of the average life span of the Parrot you are considering, and that you are prepared to make a commitment, in some cases, for a lifetime.

What colors are available? All the colors in the rainbow can be found among Parrots. Peach-face Love Birds, brilliant blues in the Hyacinth Macaw, spectacular reds in the Scarlet Macaw, a myriad of flashy colors in the Amazon, snowy white of the Cockatoo, and the brilliant yellows, oranges, reds in the Sun Conure are just a few of the vivid choices they present. To say they are colorful doesn't come close to describing the amazing variety of colors available.

What do they eat? They need a well balanced diet of fresh, organic vegetables fruit, sprouted seeds, cuttlebone, and a high quality pellet diet as a base. In fact, having a bird has been known to help the owner eat healthier. Each species is slightly different in their needs and preferences. Your avian vet can be more specific in helping you determine what, and how much is best for your bird.

How much attention do they need? The bigger Parrots such as the Cockatoos, African Greys, and Macaws need a minimum of at least several hours of daily human interaction to stay physically and emotionally healthy. Lovebirds if purchased in pairs can provide attention for each other. Many of the smaller Parrots need less attention but still need the cage placed in an area that makes them feel a part of the household activities, regular time outside the cage, and human interaction.

Are they all able to talk? Some Parrots speak better than others, and some speak not at all. Buying one for their speaking ability is risky for you, unfair to the bird, and not recommend because each bird is an individual that may or may not conform to the norm. In general, the African Grey, Budgerigar, Amazon, Parakeet, and Quaker are all known for their ability to learn to talk. However, the only way to guarantee that your bird will talk is to get one that already does.

How are they with children and other pets? Great care should be taken when mixing Parrots with children and other pets, including other birds. These birds have hooked bills that are capable of crushing nuts, and can inflict horrible injury to children, other pets, and even their caregivers who may be inexperienced at handling them. Each parrot is different, and birds that are hand fed from an early age, and are given regular training and attention are more likely to remain tame, and coexist with all in the family. But again for the sake of all involved, take great care before adding children or other pets to the mix.

How much of a mess do they make? Some Parrots like African Greys, Cockatoos, and Macaws produce much more wing dust, and as a result are dustier than a lot of the other species. But they all need to have their cages cleaned daily, fresh water provided as often as needed, droppings remove daily or as frequent as necessary to prevent ingestion and dried particles of feces from becoming airborne and potentially spreading bacteria and viruses that create disease and infection.

An excellent HEPA air purifier to remove airborne pollutants from your air and your Parrot's air is offered by PurerAir.com-- the Bird Dander Purifier which can be seen at http://purerair.com/bird_dander_air_purifier.html

Praise and Correct your Dog - The Cornerstone to all Proper Dog Behavior

2009-07-14T19:17:00.003-07:00

You will need to build a trusting relationship with your dog for your training to be effective. Your dog craves your love and attention more than anything and this desire is very useful in training.

Below are some of the basic training principles you should follow as you begin to train your dog.

PRAISE AND CORRECTION

Your dog will not know whether he is doing something right or wrong unless you tell him. Teach him early that training is about praise and correction. You should always praise your dog when he
does something right and do it immediately. If you wait longer than three seconds to praise him, he will most likely forget what he is being rewarded for!

A reward is anything that your dog gets excited about, such as treats, petting, praising words, playtime, food, a walk, a car ride, etc. Positive behavior is praised and wrong behavior is corrected or ignored. Each time a behavior is rewarded, he will most likely repeat that same behavior.

DISCOURAGING NEGATIVE BEHAVIOR

Even if you practice hours upon hours of training with your dog, he will still behave inappropriately on occasion. Therefore, you need to make him aware when he is behaving badly.

Here are TWO OF THE FOUR BEST WAYS to discourage negative behavior:

This is when you stop a bad behavior and replace it with a correct behavior.

Let's say you are walking your dog on a leash and you approach another dog. Your dog tries to jump, so you correct him immediately by saying "no" while simultaneously tugging lightly on the leash. Then you say "heel."

After he heels, praise him. This exercise let's the dog know what he did wrong and what he should do instead. Verbal reprimand. Choose a word that you can say that will indicate to your dog that he should stop whatever it is he is doing. It could be "no," "hey", "eh-eh,""enough," etc.

When you use a verbal reprimand, don't yell it or say it in an angry tone. Instead, just say it in a short and sharp tone that will capture his attention. When you see your dog doing something he shouldn't such as chewing on a plant, say your verbal reprimand word and redirect his behavior to another activity.

Once your dog gets used to this command, he will automatically redirect himself to another activity. Teaching your dog new commands and activities can be an overwhelming experience at first, but your dog will learn soon enough what is right and wrong with certain aspects of his behavior. Always make sure you correct the wrong behavior with the right.

About the Author For more information on dog training behavior , health tips, and large dog breed profiles, visit us at http://largedogbreedz.com.

What's The Best Diet For A Pregnant Cat?

2009-07-14T19:17:00.001-07:00

Pregnant cats have to eat for two, three, four, five, even six cats. So her regular meal is just not enough. What should you give instead?

Pregnant and lactating queens need more calories than normal. However, you won't have to force her to eat. Cats are very intelligent animals. They know when they have to eat and how much.

Don't get worried if your cat's appetite decreases in the very early stages of pregnancy. Soon her appetite will increase, and this time dramatically.

The quality of
the food is essential. Of course you should always give your cat a nutritionally balanced meal, but this time it's even more important than usual. You are not feeding one cat anymore, but a few (soon-to-be) kittens as well!

It's recommended to buy food from a pet store. Most experienced breeders agree that kitten food is the best for your pregnant cat – yes, even when the kittens are not there yet. Why? Because kitten food contains more calories and protein, and that's just what your queen needs.

Gradually start mixing your cat's regular food with this high-quality kitten food you found in your pet store. Add more kitten food every week. During the week of birth your queen should eat only kitten food.

Some breeders also serve raw meat and say that's good for a pregnant cat as well. However, there is some controversy about this.

About 24 to 48 hours before delivery a pregnant queen will refuse food. Her appetite should return within one day after she gave birth.

Keep her on a kitten food diet until the kittens are weaned.

About the Author Journalist Marc de Jong is a long-time cat lover and owner of http://www.cat-pregnancy-report.com - More in-depth information about food for kittens and pregnant cats is found in How To Take Care Of Your Pregnant Cat, his acclaimed ebook on cat pregnancy, birth and kitten care.

Animal And Cat Fights

2009-07-13T19:07:00.006-07:00

Many cat fights in cartoons, movies, and beer commercials end with at least one of the participants missing several clothes. The careers of both actresses in this cat fight commercial, Kitana Baker and Tanya Ballinger, enjoyed a major boost. You have said all that I feel and think about the "Cat Fight" but haven't taken the time to put into words.

Animal and bird phobias can produce all the unpleasant symptoms of 'normal' extreme anxiety. Animals ground me and teach me what is important and what not to take too
seriously. Animals are forced to inhale and ingest excessive amounts of chemicals such as pesticides, coffee sweeteners, diet pills and genetically modified organisms (GMO's), for weeks or months on end. Animals are restrained for days in stereotaxic chairs to avoid the experimenter's inconvenience of having to handle them for procedures as simple as blood withdrawal. We carry a complete line of stuffed animals. It reviews the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of PMED DNA vaccines in nonhuman primates and swine and studies that have directly compared the effectiveness of PMED in these large animal models to existing licensed vaccines and intramuscular or intradermal delivery of DNA vaccines with a needle.

Cats can also be held on a lead, as in Steps 10 and 11, but it would probably be easier to restrain the animal in a cat basket. Cats on bicycles sounded just up my alley. Cats Cradle dedicates time and care so that each cat has a happy and healthy time. Cats taken to shelters, unless the shelter is of a specifically "no kill" practice, are quite often euthanized due to limited space and resources. Cats with no owner tags will go to the nearest animal shelter. For: Rats, mice, cats, dogs, chinchillas, guinea pigs, rabbits, people.

The applicability of DNA immunization technology for vaccine development in companion animals was investigated by immunizing dogs and cats by the intramuscular (i. inoculation of cats appeared to be a superior route of delivery in this species, resulting in higher seroconversion frequency than i.

Dogs, cats, pigs, rabbits, ratsand mice have not been cleansed. Owners can relax while they are away in the knowledge that their cats will be well cared for, safe from road traffic, straying and other cats. There was a small market which sold pets such as dogs, cats, mice, snakes, etc.

Mesocestoides (Mesoทcesทtoiทdes) (mez"o-ses-toiดdez) a genus of tapeworms of the family Mesocestoididae, whose larvae are often found in the coelom or peritoneum of dogs, cats, mice, snakes, and other vertebrates; the adult form is found in the intestines of carnivorous animals, including man, dogs, cats, racoons, and meat-eating birds.

This includes animals like squirrels, raccoons, opossum, deer, dogs, cats, mice, rats, birds, chipmunks and people. Breeders of other animals, for example, cats and dogs would benefit from the ability to trackanimals, particularly registered animals, for title and genetic purposes.

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Kid Proofing Your Pets

2009-07-13T19:07:00.005-07:00

You teach your kids to be ready with the unexpected. Now, it's time to teach your pets the unpredictable stuff when it comes to interactions with your kids. Kids will learn how to respect animals and other similar creatures. Remain watchful so you'll see that your kids and your pets are perfect match.

Before you introduce your children to a pet, you have to make sure that both your children and the pet in question are ready for the encounter. In this regard, it is important that your children properly are trained to
handle and to interact with the pet. In addition, it is equally important that your pet be trained to appropriately interact with your children.

By making certain that both your children and your pet are prepared for each other, you will be able to ensure that they enjoy a mutually healthy and enjoyable relationship. There are some specific steps that you need to take in regard to kid proofing your pets, in regard to making absolutely certain your pet is ready to begin a healthy relationship with your children. By appreciating some of these steps, you will be in a far better position to appropriate integrate your pet with your children

Basic Training and Your Pet

The first step that you have to take when it comes to kid proofing your pet is making sure that your pet has received all of his basic training. You want to have a pet that already has mastered the basic parameters of how it is to behave before it does have any actual contact with a youngster.

You might as well consider hiring a professional pet trainer to help you deal with your companion animal. In this regard, you will have a better chance of having a pet that will be most likely to get along smoothly with children in a home. Professionals understand some special techniques that can be helpful in training a pet in anticipation of ultimate interaction with children.

Transitional Introduction

When it comes to your pet and your children having actual contact, you will want to make sure that you employ a transitional process. Certainly you will not opt for leaving your pets in a room where your children are also present.

You will surely want to see your children spending some time with your pets at home with your supervision. The important elements are time and careful supervision.

You will be able to observe how your children and the pet are bonding and getting along. Through these observations you will be able to gauge how far you should go in accelerating the process.

You need to keep in mind that you should never leave very young children with a pet unattended. It simply is not safe for either the child or the pet. Definitely you want to see both your children and your pets be as safe as possible.

Kid Proofing Your Pet and Your Vet

Your vet will be a solid resource when it comes to kid proofing your pet and preparing your pet to better interact with the younger members of your family. You should consult with your vet and get advice from him or her about any suggestions that your vet might have in regard to helping ensure that your children and your new pet best come together.

Different Pets, Different Breeds

As a final thought, you do need to understand that different types of pets and different breeds of animals get along better with children. Therefore, as you go about selecting a particular pet to be added to your own home, you will want to seriously consider which animals have a better track record with children in the age categories of your own. By doing so, you will significantly enhance the chances that your children and your pet will have a healthy, safe and enjoyable relationship today and well into the future.

About the Author Portrait Kingdom is where you can transform your fugacious pet into an infinite one through pet portrait painting. Portrait artists like Tracy Hargraves combine non-modern experience and non-classical to create a lasting pet portrait from photo.

Types Of Aquarium Filters - Examining Saltwater Aquarium Filtration Systems

2009-07-13T19:07:00.004-07:00

Choosing the right aquarium filters for your saltwater tank is a big part of the setup process and also one that people frequently get wrong. An undersized aquarium filter can lead to alot of problems including algae, sick fish and constant problems in the tank. Below you will see an overview of common aquarium filters and the tanks they should be use on.

Types Of Saltwater Aquarium Filtration You Can Use

Hang On Tank- This type of filter hangs on the back of saltwater tanks and u
es filter pads to remove debris from the water. In most cases filter media like activated carbon is used inside the filter pads to remove more organics from the water. These filters offer lower flow and there fore should be used on saltwater aquariums nor more then 35 gallons in volume.

Canister Filters- This is by far one of the most popular forms of saltwater aquarium filters in use today. It is basically a pressurized canister that water is forced through and cleaned. These offer a large surface area and many have high gallons per hour flow rates. They come in many sizes and can be used on saltwater tanks up to 180 gallons. On bigger tank extra units maybe needed to get the required filtration.

Sump Type Filters- Often referred to as wet dry filters this is the most expensive and also the most advanced type of saltwater aquarium filtration systems that you can use. It involves using a special box to bring aquarium water down to the filter. The filter resembles another aquarium but often has areas for biological filtration, chemical filtration and other equipment like heaters and protein skimmers. The water is returned by a separate pump back to the aquarium. this type of filtration system can be used on any size tank and is often found on large custom saltwater aquariums.

To create a stunning and easy-to-maintain saltwater aquarium grab a copy of our Saltwater Aquarium Guide. This illustrated guide will show you step by step how to properly set up your aquarium with the right equipment. It's crammed with tips and tricks that the pros use to create stunning marine displays! Learn more at http://www.saltwatermethods.com

Don't Bring Your Pet to an Ugly Vet

2009-07-13T19:07:00.003-07:00

How do you choose a good veterinarian? There are so many horror stories about callousness and poor care; how can I be sure my veterinarian is going to give quality care to the animal I love?

In my work with people whose pets have passed away I have gained a lot of experience about pet health care and safety. One of the most surprising things I learned is that all veterinarians are not alike. I don't know why this was a surprise to me. Perhaps it was because like most pet lovers I just assumed that people in the anima
care business had great big hearts and were very conscientious about an animal's well being.

Unfortunately, I found that this is not true. The veterinarian field is no different than any other. Its ranks are populated by people with different ethics, values and motivations. Most veterinarians are great people who care about both their human and animal clients. But there are those few who do not. They care only about making money and being affluent. The care they give may sometimes be adequate, but often it is not. They lack compassion and just do not care. They are ugly veterinarians.

Complaints about veterinarian indifference and poor conduct arrive in my mail routinely. Unless a veterinarian commits an extremely egregious or unlawful act, there is not much recourse that you can take. There are regulatory bodies and a legal system, but I think you will find that animals and their people do not usually get a fair shake in these situations. One only needs to look at the number of animals put down in shelters each day to know what importance society places on them.

The best cure then is prevention. We who keep animals need to set the bar on what is acceptable to us in terms of animal care and then choose only those veterinarians who meet our standards. The following suggestions are offered as a guide and should be at least your minimum considerations:

• Meet with the Veterinarian. A veterinarian who understands the importance of your pet to you should have no problem finding a few minutes to meet with you. My veterinarian always comes out to talk with me before he sees one of my pets and once in awhile he calls me unexpectedly to see how they are doing. If you detect reluctance by either the Veterinarian or their staff to accommodate a short introductory meeting, you probably should take this as a negative signal.

• During your introductory meeting, you should ask about services that they provide. You may have a special need that they do not accommodate. One of your concerns might be after hours and weekend emergency care. They may or may not provide that service and you need to know before your need arises.

• You should observe the general appearance of the office and facilities. Are they clean? Is there an overpowering foul odor? Is the waiting room adequate? How professional does the staff look and act? If possible and if it can be done discretely, ask a waiting client how they like the clinic.

• Ask for a schedule of costs. Most veterinarians charge about the same for services, but some have greater overheads than others (i.e. upscale neighborhoods, more employees, etc.) and must charge a little more. You don't want any surprises on your visits. Animal care can be expensive. Added or unseen expenses might hurt your budget. Don't be afraid to ask.

• If you are satisfied with the veterinarian, the staff, the facilities and costs, then call and make your first appointment. Even though you may not need to, ask for a specific date and time to see how responsive they are to your personal needs. Don't be unreasonable. Select a day and time for the following week. If they cannot accommodate you, ask them why they cannot. There may be a good reason (i.e. the veterinarian might be going on vacation, etc). If they say they are just too busy, this might not be a bad thing. Generally, good clinics draw the clients. You need to look at all the facts and then decide. It might be worth the wait.

There should never be routine complaints about a veterinarian. If people would do their homework, they would select a capable and caring veterinarian and not an ugly one. If everyone would do this, those ugly veterinarians who come up short would not get new clients. They would soon be out of business and most us would not miss them.

About the Author The author is a retired Coast Guard Officer with over 32 years of service. He is also a Baptist Preacher and Bible Teacher. He helps those grieving the loss of a pet to understand the Biblical evidence that proves they live on. His most popular book, "Cold Noses at the Pearly Gates" delivers hope and comfort to the reader in a very gentle, yet convincing way. Visit at http://www.coldnosesbook.com for more information and tips.

The Mysterious Helmut Iguana

2009-07-13T19:07:00.001-07:00

The helmut iguana is a mysterious creature and they are not found widely throughout the world and are can be found in the warmth and sun of Costa Rica. It's most recognized feature is it's helmut shaped head as it appears as though it is wearing a helmet on it s head and is named accordingly so. It is also found in other tropical settings such as Mexico and other Central American countries where it has warm climates and access to low trees and other forms of greenery.

The Helmut Iguana: Forest Chameleon?

The helmut ig
ana has other tell tale characteristics besides it's fantastic helmeted head such as a slender body that has the appearance of being squeezed in supported by long limbs. The tail is twice as long as the front of the helmut iguana and is used to defend itself against predators by swiping at the predator with his tail and biting. It is often called the forest chameleon because of the colors and it's ability to hide very well in the bushes and tree limbs. The helmut iguana is generally colored with a wide array of browns, grays and even olive colored with markings of these colors in all kinds of shades.

The helmut iguana generally eats small crawly bugs like earthworms, spiders, and grasshoppers in the wild however, if you have a helmut iguana captive, it is recommended to provide calcium supplements as well as vitamin supplements. Iguana species are known to get their supply of calcium from the sun, which helps the iguana to absorb calcium so it is essential to provide the iguana with a supplement.

The Helmut Iguana in Captivity

Although the helmut iguana is not the most common iguana held in captivity and is most definitely not one that you will often see in the pet store, there are many people who have been able to locate and get a helmut iguana. They are typically the same care as any other lizard or iguana species with the exception that they are not limited to water and require a large and spacious environment so that they can flourish. The helmut iguana also requires a large variety of plants and branches and should be out of the water as well and in so that the iguana can climb on them.

The helmut iguana also requires a lot of moisture as well as ultraviolet light and the temperature should be maintained at 26-32 degrees Celsius. In order to provide the required amount of humidity, it is generally easily achieved by very gently heating the water dish. There should also be some type of system that will spray the helmut iguana or alternatively, you can choose to spray the iguana with a water bottle periodically.

If you want to learn more about iguana diet please visit our site which is free to the public. You'll find the best tips on everything to do with iguana

Luxury Pet Ceramic Dog Treat Jars Blue

2009-07-11T00:57:00.019-07:00

The ceramic treat jar Blue made of heavy-duty, ceramic plastic jar that is dishwasher safe and easy to clean. Treat jar Blue features air-tight lid, so snacks stay fresh and tasty. Our sites for newly introduced products of Ceramic treat jar red, ceramic treat jar Blue, Ceramic treat food bowl, Ceramic water bowl.

The beautiful Ceramic Treat Jar from katiewongnyc.com features an airtight seal on the lid to maintain freshness. Ceramic Treat jar features air-tight lid, so snacks stay fresh and tasty. Our sites for newly
introduced products of Ceramic treat jar red, ceramic treat jar Blue, Ceramic treat food bowl, Ceramic water bowl.

Ensure pets always get a fresh, flavorful treat with this stylish Desert Stripe Treat Jar. High-plastic ceramic bowls feature a fabulous and fun design, with warm hues and pastel stripes. Lid has a rubber seal inside to guarantee treats stay fresh. The

Ceramic jar Blue made of heavy-duty, ceramic plastic jar that is dishwasher safe and easy to clean.

The high-quality, heavyweight Pet wear Ceramic Treat Jar - Blue come in eye-catching designs. Tight seal gasket to keep treats fresh. Ceramic treat jar with little paw prints is so cute you'll want to display it on a kitchen counter or shelf. The Ceramic treat jar Blue has airtight lid keeps treats crisp and fresh.

Ceramic Treat jar Blue is beautifully plastic designed, yet dishwasher safe. Treat jar features air-tight lid, so snacks stay fresh and tasty. Ceramic treat jar has makes a great gift for a pet lover, or can also be used for a decorative cookie jar on any kitchen countertop. Please purchase online http://www.katiewongnyc.com in Newyork.

About the Author

Representing the Ceramic Treat Jar - Blue in the website http://www.katiewongnyc.com

German Shepherd Rescue

2009-07-11T00:57:00.017-07:00

This article provides useful, detailed information about German Shepherd Rescue.

German shepherd rescue operations across the US and throughout Europe foster and find homes for German shepherd dogs and puppies.

These rescue missions are often linked to provide a network of caring for unwanted German shepherds. Volunteers who have a profound love for German shepherds run the rescues. Most have their own jobs and families, but manage to find the time to rescue and shelter these poor animals. The German shepherd r
scues are supported by public donations.

Rescues specialize in finding homes for dogs of all ages. In fact, older dogs are more settled, need less exercise and make loyal companions. People are encouraged to either adopt or foster a German shepherd until a home is found.

If you have rescued a dog and think it is a German shepherd but are not sure, you can look at pictures of German shepherds online to verify. Their color is usually cream and brown, but there are also white versions and long-haired versions due to certain recessive genes (recessive meaning uncommon, not defective.) Most trained German shepherds are not violent at all, but do be careful with any dog you find. German shepherds have especially strong jaws; their grip is nearly impossible to escape.

If you would like to adopt a rescued German shepherd, you may do so. You can also adopt through kennels and breeders. You must get it registered with the AKC, get a vet to give it a full check-up for health and vaccinations, and assess its pre-existing training regimen.

About the Author German Shepherd Breeders provides detailed information on German Shepherds, German Shepherd Breeders, German Shepherd Kennels, German Shepherd Puppies and more. German Shepherd Breeders is affiliated with Golden Retriever Training.

Parakeet Bird Care

2009-07-11T00:57:00.015-07:00

Parakeets, or Budgies, as they are nicknamed, are wonderful pets and quite hardy to raise and easily tamed. They require some hands on however and until you're well versed in parakeet bird care, they may present you a few small problems.

Parakeet bird care isn't rocket science by any means, but they do take some extra touches, just like any other pet.

FOOD: You budgies diet should be a seed mix that has been fortified with vitamins. It should usually include canary seed, millet, and some larger seed such as oat groats. Wh
le some seeds come with a lot of extra additions such as veggies or dehydrated fruits, in reality, it's often difficult to get your parakeet to each of those. Do keep away from any type seed that seems to be colored using artificial means. Buy seeds that use natural ingredients, or if colored that use natural colorants such as beet juice for your parakeet bird care.

Seeds can become prone to a parasite called a seed moth, when it gets a bit older. If this happens discard it and purchase new materials. Freeze the seed overnight after you bring it home from the store to avoid future moth problems with your seed. Parakeet bird care is something that will take some time to grow accustomed to.

For instance, not all folks realize that in the wild, seeds are not the only thing their budgie would be eating and in captivity, or in his cage, that's not all he wants or needs either. Proper parakeet bird care in fact requires that he have a few extras. Those birds that live only on seeds will probably live a much shorter life span and may be victim of malnutrition. You should add some fruits and veggies to your parakeet's diet, and although it may take a bit to get him or her to accept them, it will most likely double their lifespan.

Parakeet's which live on seeds alone can be expected to survive about 4 years, while those which have other things added to their diet many times will survive to be about ten years old or more. Offer your parakeet some variety. Give him fresh fruits or vegetables at least one time per day. Carrot tops or leafy greens will be things he will most likely accept readily, however steer clear of those such as iceberg lettuce which are primarily watery. They may cause loose stool.

Parakeet bird care requires that you also keep fresh water in his cage at all times and don't skimp on the food. Keep the cage as clean as you can, and remove droppings daily. If you give your parakeet bird care the same attention you would give to any other pet he will be with you for many years to come.

Ian Pennington is an accomplished niche website developer and author.
To learn more about parakeet care, please visit Caring for Birds for current articles and discussions

Dog Obedience Tips You Should Know About

2009-07-11T00:57:00.013-07:00

Dog obedience tips that will make training your dog fun for you and your canine.

When it comes to training your dog, you have to make it fun for both you and him. Dogs are much like us in a way. They want to have fun, and harsh training is not fun. You are smarter than your dog, and you have to come up with a way to outwit them into training. Doing this is easy when you make training kind of like a game to them. Today we are going to cover a few dog obedience tips that you can use to make training your dog just that much eas
er!

The first tip we kind of already covered. You have to make dog training fun, so it becomes one of the dog's favorite activities. This will make learning a lot easier for the dog. It does not take too much to get your dog to fall in love with training. After all, anything your dog gets to do with you, they normally enjoy. The best way to show your dog that it's โ€�fun timeโ€� is to not get upset with the dog when it makes a mistake. Positive reenforcement is the best way to go. When your dog does good, reward them with a small treat. However, you do have to make sure that they are small treats. Giving them big treats will actually do nothing more than help the dog to gain weight.

Now, just because you are allowing your dog to play, you need to make sure that your dog still knows that you are the master. This is one of the most important dog obedience tips to remember. The easiest way to do that is by teaching it small tricks like handshaking and laying down. When you give the dog these commands they remember that you are the one in charge. It can help them calm down when they start playing a little over the top.

The best time to train dogs is when they are puppies. The old saying, you can't teach an old dog new tricks, works really well here. The first thing that you should note about training puppies is that you have to get down on their level. Whenever you get down on all fours to play and train your puppies, this gives you the look and appeal of top dog. This allows you to have the dominant role over the dog, and it helps the small dogs to understand it better. Also, when puppies are playing, do not let them jump all over you. Although it may be cute now, they will learn that this is โ€�okโ€� behavior, thus, when they grow up, they will keep acting like that, and this is something that you want to avoid.

The most important thing that you can do is remember that you do not have to use extreme measures to prove that you are the boss to your dog. Dog obedience tips are here to make this process more rewarding for you and the dog. If you want a non-extreme measure to show your dog that you are the boss, always make sure that the dog eats after you. This will show the dog (just like in the animal kingdom) that the dominant males eat first.

About the Author Kelly Hunter owns and operates http://www.bestdogobediencetips.com and writes about Dog Obedience Tips

Anal Gland Disease- Is It Common Among Labrador Retrievers?

2009-07-11T00:57:00.011-07:00

Anal gland problem causes discomfort and pain to your dog. Don't let him suffer...

Do you think it is normal for Labrador Retrievers and other dogs to lick their rear? Others believe that it is normal for dogs to lick their rear because they think it is a dog's way of cleaning their anal and its surrounding area. In case you do not know, a dog licking his rear may indicate anal gland disease.

The anal glands, also called anal sacs are two small glands located on both sides of a dog's rectal opening - at 8
and 4 o' clock positions. Each gland holds a brown and strong smelling liquid which is released when your dog defecates or urinates. Dogs use this brown secretion as a scent marking device to mark their territories because each dog has its own unique smell. That explains why dogs raise their tails and sniff each others butt when they meet. This behavior is just like a human shaking hands with someone he just met.

These anal glands empty naturally when the dog urinates and defecates but some dogs are not fortunate enough to empty these glands naturally. Failure to empty these glands cause discomfort and even pain to some dogs. This may give way for bacteria to build up leading to various problems such as anal gland impactions, infections and abscesses. There are signs to watch out indicating gland problem in your dog. Excessive licking of the anal area is the most common sign. You will also see your dog scooting or dragging his rear across the floor. Check your dog's stool if it has become soft and mushy. If one or more of these signs are present, visit your veterinarian immediately for check up and treatment of this problem.

There are different ways to treat anal glands problem in Labrador Retrievers and other breed. The most common process is emptying these glands manually. Manual emptying can be done by a veterinarian, a groomer or even by the pet owner himself. It is best to empty the anal glands during bath time. Wear a latex gloves and insert a finger into the rectum. Squeeze the gland until the size shrink. This process is uncomfortable to dogs so be sure to do it slowly and gently. The secretion will help you identify the main cause of the problem. Dry or toothpaste-like secretion indicates blockage while foul smelling liquid indicates infection. Antibiotics is often prescribed to dogs with infection. In some cases wherein manual emptying and antibiotic cannot treat anal gland problem, flushing and ointments are used. After emptying the glands, it is flushed with iodine solution and packed with a special ointment. If all other treatments failed, one more measure is to remove the gland. Removing of the gland should be done in an operating theater and the patient should be under anesthetic because it is a full surgical procedure.

About the Author Richard Cussons writes articles about Labrador Retrievers and other dog breeds. Discover tips on training Labradors at labradorsavvy.com.

What To Look For When Choosing A Bearded Dragon?

2009-07-11T00:57:00.009-07:00

Many times people get a beardie and just love the creature but unfortunately the animal dies in a couple of weeks or months. In fact, statistics show that more than 70% of beardies die in their first year of life, if they live together with a new owner.

So, when you want to get a Bearded Dragon, you should look it over carefully. Some things you should notice right away is how alert and active the Dragon is. Do not buy a Beardie which looks to be lethargic and is unable to lift its head.

Before deciding which Beardie to buy
do ensure that you check them for sores, burns, external parasites or any deformities. One of the most important things is to look at the size of the Beardie. If too young, bearded dragons can be very fragile and more apt to become ill or overly stressed. It is much easier to care for a more developed Bearded Dragon. If you are a beginner owner it is highly recommended to start with a juvenile rather than a hatchling.

Good signs

When buying a dragon, look for good signs. This is a good start. If the dragon can claim these signs, then you might have found your new pet:

1. No missing toes or tail nip

2. A tail curled up towards the head

3. An active animal or basking

4. Eyes are clear and open.

Bad signs

Also, check for these bad signs:

1. Lethargy

2. Any form of excretions around the eyes

3. Missing toes, tail nip

4. No movement

5. Depressions in back of head

You should also pay attention where the dragon is kept. If the place claims poor conditions, there is a good chance you'll get an animal with a poor health.

Florian Ross is a freelancer and small lizard expert. For more tips on raising Bearded Dragons Lizards and having them live 3 times longer, go to http://www.pets-lovers.com/bd/beardeddragons.htm

The 3 Simple Guidelines To Proper Koi Care

2009-07-11T00:57:00.007-07:00

Although Koi are closely related to goldfish, they are far more expensive and difficult to replace because of their size. In order to ensure good health and well-being, Koi owners should follow these simple guidelines for proper Koi care.

The first and most important guideline is making sure that your Koi pond is the proper size. The fact that Koi can grow up to several feet long means that a pond of five hundred gallons or more of freshwater will be needed for them to thrive and prosper. If the pond is smaller, then the size of your K
i should be closely monitored. As they grow in size, you can do one of two things:

1. Expand the size of your pond

2. Find new homes for the larger Koi and replace them with smaller ones.

The second guideline is to monitor the water quality of your pond very closely. A larger amount of water translates into a more favorable environment for your Koi because the waste products are more diluted and the water chemistry will stay favorable for their health.

Maintaining an ideal temperature for your pond water is the third guideline in proper Koi care. Koi are a cold water fish and they are at their healthiest when exposed to water temperatures between 61 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Please keep in mind that although they prefer these temperatures Koi can remain outside during the winter months if you are in a part of the world where your pond won't fully freeze.

When the temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, Koi do not need to eat because their slowed digestive systems will not process foods at that temperature, essentially they enter into a winter hibernation.

Douglas Cain is a Koi expert. For more great tips on Koi Care and Koi Ponds, visit http://www.koifishinformation.com

Check Your Labrador For Worms

2009-07-11T00:57:00.005-07:00

Discover different kinds of intestinal parasites that could possibly infest your Labrador ...

It could be alarming knowing that your Labrador is infested with worms. What we are talking here are worms, meaning to say, different types of worms. Maybe some thinks that worms are all just the same but, no they're not. Worms vary and are different from one another.

RoundwormsRoundworms, as the name implies, have round bodies of about three to five inches long. They live in the dog's intestines but they do not atta
h to the intestinal wall like hookworms. Also called ascarids, they consume partially digested foods. Dogs pick up roundworms by sniffing the ground, especially sniffing other dog's feces. They can also pick it up through their coat, paws and muzzle and ingest them while grooming. Infected mother dogs can also pass roundworms to their puppies through nursing. Symptoms of roundworm infestation in dogs include vomiting, diarrhea, pot-bellied appearance, dehydration, weight loss and loss of condition. Some cases may show no symptom but severe infestation may lead to lung damage causing breathing problems.

HookwormsHookworm, just like in roundworm, is named based on its characteristic. They feed by hooking onto the wall of the intestine. These parasites can cause the dog's intestines to bleed because of their sharp teeth. Hookworms can be picked up by your dog from the ground or from an infected nursing mother. Severe infestation of hookworms can be life-threatening to puppies. Symptoms of hookworm infestation include dermatitis, pneumonia, enteritis, bloody diarrhea, blood loss, weight loss and anemia.

WhipwormsWhipworms are about ผ of an inch long, smaller compared to other intestinal parasites. Whipworms, as the name implies, are whip-shaped with skinny head and enlarged tail. The head is its digestive end and the enlarged one is its reproductive end. Large number of whipworms in a dog can inflame the intestine tissue and may result to bloody diarrhea. Whipworms can be picked up from the ground or from feces of other dogs. Symptoms of whipworm infestation include watery and bloody diarrhea, weight loss and general debilitation.

TapewormsTapeworms have long, ribbon tape appearance, that's why they are called tapeworms. They live and lay eggs in your Labrador's guts and these eggs are then released with the fogs feces. Adult tapeworms are about eight inches long and are made up of small segments of about 1/8 of an inch long. Itchy anus and crawling segments in the surrounding area may indicate tapeworm infestation. Severe infestation of this intestinal parasite may cause debilitation and weight loss.

Infestation of these intestinal parasites can be very much treated. Ask your veterinarian for suggestions on the proper deworming of your puppy.

About the Author Richard Cussons is not just a writer but also a great lover of dogs. Discover more about a Labrador at this site dedicated to Labrador dogs.

How Diet Affects The Longevity Of Your Aging Dog's Life

2009-07-11T00:57:00.003-07:00

It's a well known fact that a wholesome diet which is both natural and nutritious can greatly affect the longevity of your aging dog's life. Make sure that your dog's diet is free of anything artificial first and foremost, as these ingredients oftentimes produce an unhealthy scenario for the animal. This type of diet will usually result in an improvement in your dog's overall health so always try to feed them natural foods. Following this type of diet will result in a decrease in conditions and diseases that normally befall a
aging dog because you are eliminating deficiencies in the animal's nutrition.

We cannot overstate how important proper diet and nutrition is with canines, especially those that are approaching their -senior- years. Keep in mind that all foods are normally classified in one of the following three categories:

- carbohydrates - necessary to create the energy that drives bodily functions
- fats - enables maximum production of energy
- proteins - aids in the formation of antibodies, blood clots, enzymes, hormones, and milk during lactation, as well as tissue growth

What is critical to remember is that your dog requires a properly balanced diet that includes carbohydrates, fats, and proteins just as human beings do. Only then can your aging dog's health be properly maintained.

This category classification above characterizes the key ingredients or major components of most foods and you should be aware that no food is comprised solely of any one of the above - all foods contain them. Despite being classified as a carbohydrate, wheat also contains some proteins. Conversely, liver is recognized as a source of protein, however it also contains carbohydrates. Whatever substance is significantly present in the food will determine which one of the above categories it is classified in.

Cellulose, starches, and sugars are what carbohydrates are comprised of and these have become very popular as a rapid source of energy. Typically, they benefit the body in the following ways:

- assisting the digestive process
- providing fuel to burn fats
- regulating the metabolism of fats and proteins

Fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K are carried by fats and they can yield more than twice the calories that carbohydrates and proteins yield during the oxidation process. Additionally, the body benefits from fats as follows:

- body heat is maintained because fats insulate the major organs
- carotene is converted into Vitamin A by fats
- fats absorb Vitamin D which increases the body's supply of calcium

In addition to the benefits of proteins listed above, the following is also evident:

- acid and alkaline balance in the body is regulated by proteins
- proteins compensate insufficient amounts of carbohydrates and fats where energy production is concerned

Other scenarios regarding the importance of a properly balanced diet would be certain health conditions that some dogs fall prey to. As an example, dogs can develop diabetes and the feeding of semi-moist foods should be avoided since these packaged foods typically contain high amounts of sugar.

Written by Jeff Nenadic from My-DogShop.com - check out the largest provider of dog car seat covers online!

Human Dog Affinity: Dogs Read Humans Like A Book

2009-07-11T00:57:00.001-07:00

Risking the anger of cat lovers, I daresay that there is no other animal that has been able to establish as close a relationship with human beings as dogs. The question that lingers in many minds is "having descended from wolves which are known for their ferocity" how a dog can be a man's friend.

It is not inconceivable that earlier in the history of human evolution the wolves must not only have vied for prey with humans but must have also been quite comfortable gorging upon human flesh. How did this very conce
vable enmity turn into such close affinity?

It is a known fact that dogs are very docile, unless of course they have been trained to fight or hunt. So, is it really true that dogs are the most compatible human companions. One Mr. Brian Hare of Harvard University performed an experiment some time back wherein he found that no animal is as sensitive to social cues from human beings as a dog. As per his study, even chimpanzees who are supposed to be closest to human being in the chain of evolution are not as sensitive as dogs. This is what, that makes them best suited to live in human company and respond well to human surroundings.

To test his basic hypothesis Dr Hare put two inverted cups before a dog and a chimpanzee and then put a small piece of food under one of them without letting the animals see. The job for the animals was to pick the right cup. Without any cue, both of them were right nearly 50% of the time. Then it was signaled to them as to which one was the right cup. The signal could be pointing, tapping or just looking at it. The dog was right every time while the chimpanzee did not improve much.

The inference drawn was simple that the Chimpanzees can not understand social signals of this kind while the dogs read them like a book. Perhaps, that's where the reason for a better human-dog understanding lies. They can take the cue soundlessly. If someone understands someone so well, it is natural for them to build a lasting connection.

About the Author The auther writes articles on different topics. To get more pet dog articles visit http://www.thepetdogs.com/

Goats - Crucial For The Self-reliant Homesteader

2009-07-09T06:33:00.009-07:00

When most people think of farming, the cow usually comes to mind. But "Bessie's" milk isn't always the best for human consumption, and cows require far more hay and grain - and produce way more milk - than most small homesteads can handle.

For the self-sufficient homestead, the goat is a far superior animal. Depending on the breed you choose, a goat can produce up to a gallon of milk per day. Goat milk is much easier for humans to digest. It doesn't taste any different from cow's milk, but the fat globules in
oat's milk are smaller. It is also "naturally homogenized". It lacks a fat-agglutinating protein found in cow's milk that causes the fats to stick together..

Recently, research has shown that homogenizing cow's milk increases cholesterol in the bloodstream. Goat's milk won't do that. Also, when raw, it is less likely to cause high cholesterol. Newborn infants who are lactose intolerant thrive on raw goat's milk.

A Delicious Benefit

You can also use the excess milk from your pet nubian or nigerian doe to make cheese. Yes, feta is the traditional goat cheese, but you can also make Cheddar, Edom, mozzarella and queso blanco. The milk can also be used to make yogurt and even ice cream.

Goats can be bred up to twice a year. The meat they produce is called chevon and is delicious. The meat from a young wether (a castrated goat) is similar in taste to lamb. Older goats can be processed into salami or jerky.

Your Garden Will Love You For It

One goat can produce up to a pound of manure per day. That along with the dirty straw you take from their bedding make an excellent compost. Also, unlike cow or chicken manure, goat manure can be safely added directly to your garden bed. The manure isn't as strong and won't burn your plants.

Cause They Got Personality

Goats are gentle, friendly animals. On the whole, they are excellent with children.

One Word of Caution

Because they are such sociable animals, goats do not like being left alone. A doe left on her own will become depressed and will produce less milk. A billy left alone will likely become ornery, so be sure to provide companions for your goats and give them plenty of love.

Sue Merriam is author of the website, Organic Gardening and Homesteading. http://www.organic-gardening-and-homesteading.com

Online Pet Supply Business - 40 Billion Dollars Up For Grabs

2009-07-09T06:33:00.007-07:00

The pet industry generates about 40 billion dollars of online sales annually, 70 million homes have pets and the average spent by a typical American is 150 dollars per month. Of course these are rough estimates but nevertheless, it is one hell of a lot of money.

Would it not be exciting to grab just the tiniest piece of this action?

Well anyone can do exactly that. You can set up an online pet supply business with very little trouble. If you have a real passion for pets, this could be right up your street. Even if you have no int
rest in pets, the online pet supply business is for everyone and is very profitable. Some people are making a very, very good living by selling other peoples pet supplies online for them

It is a very real business and should be treated as such. You can put a little effort into the business and make some extra spending money but if you want to take it to extremes and drive huge amounts of online web traffic to your pet store business, the world is your oyster.

Your online pet supply business comes with a free start-up kit that will enable you to get your online pet store up and running immediately. It is a pre-built store so there is no worry about having to set up your own website. Your online business comes equipped with a large amount of pet products in many categories that will ensure your customers will keep coming back for further products in the future.

There are numerous guides that are supplied. There is a marketing guide that will explain how to drive customers to your online pet supply business by various methods. There are other marketing tips and general techniques designed to help grow your online pet store. There are other guides that help you with general business aspects like cash flow, accounts, taxes and wealth and retirement issues.

If you are thinking where and how do I store all of the pet products? Don't worry because of that side is taken care of. All that you do is get the customers to your online store where they buy the supplies and you get your hefty commissions. The actual storage and mailing of the pet supplies is totally in someone else's hands.

Everything is included that you need to create a successful online pet store. Once you have it up and running and you have all of the customers that you want, you can take a back seat and leave it alone and it will take care of itself. Of course you will have to spend time on your pet store now and again to keep it current.

Your online pet supply business will continue to earn you money when you are asleep, when you are on holiday and when you are busy enjoying your free time. It will work for you 24 hours a day 365 days per year, you don't have to pay wages and you won't have any employee-related problems.

If you want to find out more about how to divert some of the billions spent with your own online pet supply business and start living your life how you want to, click here Online Pet Business Store

The Benefits Of Crate Training A Standard Poodle

2009-07-09T06:33:00.005-07:00

A crate keeps your dog safe during travel besides being an excellent tool in housebreaking...

A well-trained Standard Poodle is a pride of its owner and a joy to people around. That is why many dog owners, experts and enthusiasts alike consider training as an important part of every dog' life. There are various ways and training methods in order for a Standard Poodle to become well-mannered and pleasant to be around. Regardless of the objective of the training, be it housebreaking, obedience or agility training, training
for circus acts, guide dog or rescue dog, appropriate training method plays an important role in this part of the story. It is one of the contributing factors to achieve successful training result.

One method widely used and found effective by most experts is crate training method. Perhaps some might wonder how could some people find crate training effective when the process involves confining a dog. But contrary to what other people think, crate is in fact one of the best things an owner can offer his dog provided it is properly used. By nature, dogs are den-dwelling animals - they consider their den as a safe place they can call their own and can find shelter during cold and warm season alike.

A crate is used as a den substitute. It is one of the effective methods to help train dogs to act appropriately - eliminate at the right place at a certain time or chew only his toys not your precious shoes and other household items. Dogs will try not to soil their den as much as possible, thus motivating a dog to wait until taken outside. Just determine your dog's regular potty time so that you can be able to take him outside at the right time.

A crate also provides safety during travel. Placing a dog inside the crate when transporting by car keeps him in place thus ensure safe driving, prevents him from becoming lost, prevents him from running freely where he is not allowed and prevents him from being hit if in case accident occurs.

Just bear in mind that the crate should not be used to punish your dog. Never lock up the dog and forget him for extended periods of time, especially without water and food. You may also want to add toys and soft bedding material in the crate to make it more comfortable for your furry friend.

Crate is indeed an ideal training tool - a must have for every dog owners.

About the Author Richard Cussons writes articles of diverse topics. Learn more about Standard Poodle and effective Standard Poodle training tips at poodlesavvy.com.

Foods Dangerous To Your Labrador Retrievers

2009-07-09T06:33:00.003-07:00

Almost all foods are tempting but not all are safe for our dogs...

Not all foods edible to humans are safe for Labrador Retrievers. Sometimes, what we thought is safe and healthy for us is also safe for our four-legged friend to consume. But since dogs and humans do not have the same metabolism, some foods pose threat causing mild stomach upsets while some may cause severe illness and worst, death. It is important for every dog owner to know which foods are safe and not.

Listed below are some of the foods safe for hu
an but not for dogs:

Chocolate and CaffeineChocolate, cocoa beans, cola, tea and even milk chocolate and unsweetened chocolate contains theobromine. Caffeine can also be found in coffee, tea, chocolate and colas. Theobromine and caffeine affects animals the way they affect humans. Too much ingestion of these foods increase the breathing and heart rate, sometimes causing irregular beating of the heart. Signs of too much dose include vomiting, diarrhea, panting, hyperactivity, restlessness, ataxia, muscle tremors, increased or decreased heart rate, irregular heart rhythm, increased body temperature, seizures, coma or even death.

Grapes/RaisinsGrapes and raisins should be given to Labrador Retrievers only in limited amount because of the unknown toxin that could damage the dog's kidneys. Symptoms of poisoning from grapes or raisins include abdominal pin, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhea, lack of appetite and a halt in the production of urine.

Garlic and OnionsGarlic and onion contain sulfoxides and disulfides that can damage red blood cells and can lead to anemia. Symptoms include lethargy, weakness, discolored urine, diarrhea, liver damage, asthmatic attacks and vomiting. Whether fresh, cooked or powdered forms, these two should be avoided in preparing your dog's meals.

Macadamia NutsMacadamia nuts are soft, light-colored nuts derived from the trees of Macadamia integrifolia and Macadamia tetraphylla. These nuts are often used in cookie recipes. An unknown toxin present in macadamia nuts negatively affects the nervous and digestive systems as well as the muscles. Symptoms include gastrointestinal upsets, muscle tremors, stiffness, lethargy, vomiting, weakness and sadness. Symptoms usually start within three to twelve hours after of ingesting the nuts.

MushroomsToxins in mushroom vary with species. Some causes abdominal pain, shock, hallucinations, diarrhea, vomiting and coma. Some causes kidney failure, liver failure and even death. Ingesting any type of mushroom should be prevented.

Other items to avoid are:

alcoholic beveragesmilk and other dairy productsraw eggsraw fishsugary foodstobaccolarge amount of table scrapschicken bones

About the Author Richard Cussons writes information articles on different breed of dog such as Labrador Retrievers. For more tips on training Labradors, check out labradorsavvy.com.

Newman's Own Organics - Raising The Bar On Dog Food

2009-07-09T06:33:00.001-07:00

If you are planning to buy an organic dog food, you will find a number of different types to choose from. While each brand differs in taste, they are made to be extremely healthy. One type that stands out among the pack is Newman's Own Organics.

Newman's Own recently updated their formulas to offer new concepts in dog food nutrition by creating diets that are holistic in nature. The main features of this product line is that they contain natural, human grade meats, use whole grains, include essential vitamins and minerals, are
esigned to be highly digestible and promote healthy skin and coat.

Newman's Own Organics has two new formulas that have complete and balanced nutrition. They have an adult chicken and rice diet and an advanced diet for puppies and older dogs. Each have a unique blend of goodness including natural chicken, organic brown rice and vegetables, are naturally preserved with vitamin E and contain other essential vitamins and minerals.

Now you know about all the good stuff in Newman's Own Organics, but it is also important to let you know what is not. These tasty meals are all natural and organic, which means they contain no artificial flavors or colorings. They are also free of hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, herbicides and chemical additives. Plus, they use no corn or wheat in their formulas, a common allergen.

Some of the benefits of these organic dog foods include a healthy skin and coat because of the omega fatty acids present, antioxidants to help boost the immune system, chelated minerals which help with the absorption of nutrients and probiotics which help support intestinal health.

There is no question that an organic dog food can make your dog's dining experience much more enjoyable. Newman's Own Organics is one of the more widely known brands of this category. If you want to give the very best for your canine and want a happy and healthy lifestyle for them ,I recommend giving this product a try.

Dog Food provides detailed information on adult dog food, puppy food, senior dog food, organic dog food and more. Including brands such as Newman's Own Organics

Tips For Buying Horses - Know Great Horse Facts

2009-07-07T18:56:00.009-07:00

Before you purchase a horse is it is important to understand that you will have a long-term commitment. You want to make sure that you do your homework and research all that is involved in owning and taking care of a horse. Always make sure before you make a purchase that you have enough room that is required so that your horse will be able to move around. You also want to have a good idea of what type of force you are looking to purchase. If you have been to the stables and have been riding then you may have a pretty good idea of what you
like and what you don't like.

The most important thing that you do is take your time when searching for a horse. The biggest mistake that most people may is that they are so excited to make this big purchase they rush into it. Just by being patient and not rushing to make a purchase you can save yourself a lot of time and headache buying the wrong one. It is important that before you buy awards you have some knowledge of writing and what it takes to be patient with these animals. You may want to also consider leasing a horse before purchasing that will give you a better idea of what you will be getting into.

Remember before you make any purchase that you need to have all your homework done and understand what it means to own a horse. It is also very important for you to have enough room to keep the horse so they can move around. Never accept any first offer that a person makes who is trying to sell you this type of animal. In many cases people can make the wrong decision and purchase a horse only based on excitement.

How to: Buying a Horse

Advice for: Horse Buying Tips

Bryan Burbank is an expert in the field of Horse Riding and Training

How To Be A Better Pet Owner

2009-07-07T18:56:00.007-07:00

How to be a better pet owner is an issue I frequently discuss with my veterinarian. I have two dogs who I dearly love. I do not have any children, so I indulge my pets, and I must admit it. There are moments when the dogs' wellness is an obsession. The most important things. I have learned are really quite simple. Sometimes I have to go to my boring day job while my boyfriend is at work also.

My dogs do not like to be home alone. They are not bad, knock on wood. They feel neglected. My vet told me to bring home a small surprise eac
time they are home alone. I reward them for staying home basically. If I am gone every day, I pay my neighbors children to give the boys a walk. This is a little extravagant at times, and expensive. However, it is certainly worth it. My two dogs, are very interactive and they are happier when they have had special visitors.

My dogs are still puppies, as they are not yet two years old. I keep them supplied with busy bone and time consuming toys to shorten the day. My redbone has an anxiety issue, so sometimes I call the answering machine to leave him a message. My boyfriend heard me call and he said the dog went wild, my voice made him so happy.

My vet told us, that although they are inside dogs, we should provide them with a secure tie down area outside, so they can sniff and dig and bark. Dogs like to be dogs. Some priceless advice is what to never feed a dog. First alcohol, beer, and coffee, are big no nos. Also, never give your dog chocolate, raisins, onions, garlic, or chicken bones. These foods are extremely toxic to dogs. Usually its best to just feed dog foods and treats.

Never shampoo your dog with human shampoo, it will cause the dogs skin to be dry. Instead use a bubble bath, as it contains no soap, and it smells great. Rawhide is very bad for a dogs digestion, the treats made of rawhide are widely available, but a bad choice for your dogs health. Also it is important to take your dog for frequent walks, get the dog out for some exercise. Feed quality food and provide plenty of water for your pet. Your dog will thank you, for remembering these little things.

http://pet-store-review.blogspot.com

Pet Turtles Vs Sea Turtles

2009-07-07T18:56:00.005-07:00

Have you ever thought the difference between a Pet Turtle and Sea Turtle? Are you interested to know about having a pet turtle?

Keep on reading the article; you will have an idea of Difference between Pet Turtles and Sea Turtles.

Sea turtles live in the ocean and There are 7 difference species of Sea Turtles:-

Flatback
Green
Hawksbill
Kemp's Ridley
Leatherback
Loggerhead
Olive Ridley

Sea turtles have much longer life
than any other species of turtles even hundreds of years. Because sea turtles have been hunted by humans across the globe, many of them are now an 'endangered species'; a special breed of animal protected by law to live freely in the oceans.

Pet turtles have certain varieties of semi-aquatic or even freshwater turtles but generally the most common pets are those that live in a mixed environment. Red-eared slider turtles are most common breed of Pet Turtles. Each of these breeds requires different care, and each requires their own specific diet and environmental needs. Before owning a pet turtle, you should do some research that which kind of care and type of conditions you can provide to your to be Pet turtles.

Most pet turtle diet consists of fresh fruit and vegetables. Whatever kind of pet turtle you keep, you should know that pet turtles have much longer life than any other pets so it will require a lot of care from your side. Usually pet turtles do not any kind of training like other pets, but they do require the right surroundings, plenty of fresh water and special care. Make sure that you find any changes in their behavior or appearance which can help to catch certain diseases and illnesses early on.

About the Author

Though keeping a pet turtle is as easy as any other pet, but they require some kind of special care. Turtle Care Guide ensures your turtle lives a long and happy life. Check out Turtle Care Guide Review.

The Elegant Eclectus Parrot - 7 Reasons Why Eclectus Parrots Make Wonderful Pets

2009-07-07T18:56:00.003-07:00

The Eclectus Parrot is a medium size and strikingly beautiful member of the Parrot family ranging in size from just slightly more than a foot long. Unique in its plumage, not only is it physically beautifully but its intelligence and personality make it an excellent choice for a pet. Here are 7 reasons to choose an Eclectus as your pet bird.

Uniquely Different Look-The texture of their feathers appear like suede on their heads, necks, breasts and stomachs because, rather than the usual feather construction, they are made of sing
e hairs that make their overall plumage look wonderfully different from other Parrots. The tail feathers on both male and female have more of the usual feathering which appears more layered. The male is very flashy with Kelly green over most of its body, brilliant red and blue feathers beneath the wings, an orange beak, and a sleeker body build. Not to be outdone, females have a red head, with bluish purple on their back, shoulders, and stomach, a black beak, and a stockier body. Since females tend to be more colorful, they are generally more expensive, but either sex makes handsome pets. And because of the striking differences between them, tests are rarely if ever needed to determine their sex.

Easy Going Personality-They fit easily into a routine that is consistent and established early on when they arrive in your home, and are more likely to accept various family members rather than bonding to one particularly care giver. These traits can be helped along by having more than one person in the family interact on a regular basis. Some believe the male to be more gentle, less likely to become neurotic or aggressive because of hormonal changes, therefore making it easier to train. And while these generalizations may often apply, most of it will depend on your bird, as they each have their own personalities.

Eat a Varied Diet-The Eclectus needs a large amount of fruits, vegetables and fiber to provide proper nutrition that will keep them healthy. Sprouted seeds, soaked seeds, and a small portion of a high quality pellet diet is a good base. (Avoid colored pellets as they interfere with their ability to produced normal colored feathers and beak.) Since they are prone to Vitamin A deficiency, dark green leafy vegetables, peppers, and cooked carrots and sweet potatoes are all great natural sources of Vitamin A. Fresh fruits should include but are not limited to apples, bananas, cantaloupe, pomegranate, mango, and watermelon. Organic produce is best.

And while many people see the large amounts of fruits and vegetables needed as a factor that makes them high maintenance, think of this diet instead as an excuse for you to eat healthier as well. Fats and proteins should be given in limited amounts (particularly for mature birds) as they increase cholesterol levels and arterial sclerosis and can contribute to an early death. And in many cases that's true for the owner as well.

No Feather Dust-Unlike their dustier cousins, the Cockatoos and African Greys, the Eclectus does not produce feather dust because they are equipped with oil glands for preening. This makes them a good choice for those who are allergic.

Extremely Intelligent-They are able to learn easily, and are very sensitive to changes in their surroundings including their owner's moods. This instinctive intuitiveness makes them able to bond more closely with their family which is yet another reason that makes them wonderful companions.

Great Vocabulary-Buying any bird in hopes that it will speak is a risky proposition at best. And even though these birds are well known for their ability to do so, the only way to make sure your bird will speak is to buy one that already does. With that said, they have a reputation for their fantastic ability to speak with great diction, and mimic sounds with great accuracy.

Healthy and Long Lived-With a balanced diet, housing that allows them to move and exercise, care that keeps their stress levels low, and consistent maintenance that prevents disease, these parrots can live as long as 50 years!

An excellent HEPA air purifier for your Eclectus Parrot that will remove airborne pollutants from the air is offered by PurerAir.com - the Bird Dander Purifier which can be seen at http://purerair.com/bird_dander_air_purifier.html

Dog And Dolphin--Lean, Serene Love Machines

2009-07-07T18:56:00.001-07:00

Are Dog And Dolphin Reincarnational Counterparts? This Article May Give A Clue.

The following is an interview I conducted with Hungarian Film Maker Ildiko Minko.

Her love for Dog and Dolphin has prompted her to set up a foundation to enlighten the world about the healing capacities of these 2 species.

Read and In-Joy!!

1) Kate Loving Shenk: You plan to set up a foundation for the protection of Dogs and Dolphins.

Ildiko: Yes. THE NYอRSษGFIA HUSZมR FOUNDATION, named after my Dog.

KLS: What do you
erceive are the links between these 2 beautiful creatures?

Ildiko: I think they are both Heavenly creatures. LOVE is the biggest link between them.

2) KLS: Dolphins are drawn to humans, and seem to abandon their own families to be with us.

People are also drawn to Dolphins and swim with them, more and more in the wild without supervision.

This is a practice that may have dangers for Human and Dolphin.

Will your foundation also serve as an educational portal for humans to learn respect for the Dolphin, by teaching all about their history, life cycle and habitat?

Ildiko: Yes. We will bring awareness to all these issues.

3) KLS: What are your experiences with Dog and Dolphin?

Ildiko: I have a Dog, a Hungarian Pumi breed. My love for the Dolphins comes from my readings.

4) KLS: How do you plan to get the word out about your foundation?

Ildiko: I have a friend who works at one of the biggest advertising agency in the world. Also I started a topic at the Secret Forum which is a very nuturing environment for my plan. It is called DOGS AND DOLPHINS.

5) KLS: And finally, do you believe Dolphins heal the people they contact?

If so, what are your experiences with Dolphin Healing?

Ildiko: I can only talk about my own experience with them. I think they have an ability to communicate through space and time and I didn't even have to go to swim with them. Healing took place in my life by looking at films and pictures of them.

KLS: Do you believe Dogs heal the people they contact?

Ildiko: My Dog brought tremendous healing into my life.

KLS: What are your your experiences with Canine Healing?

Ildiko: By walking with him, he brought people into my life whom led me to healing experiences. Not to mention MILES of walking every day. That by itself is keeping me healthy!

6) KLS: Please give me examples of how you have experienced healing by looking at paintings or pictures of Dolphins.

Ildiko: I had some emotional pain and wanted to go to swim with the Dolphin to heal it. so I was searching the net the places where I can do that. To my amazement, by ONLY looking at videos and pictures of the Dolphins on the net, the pain WAS GONE. It was healed.

KLS: Yes, I too, have had profound experiences with Dog and Dolphin healing.

I went to Virginia Beach with the man I eventually married.

This was our first date.

We went swimming way out in the ocean on a raft and lo and behold, hundreds of Dolphin surrounded our tiny raft.

Mamas with babies and many others. They were jet black and peered into our eyes. Then they swam around and around, made noises of communication, and kept coming back to look into our eyes.

This went on for quite some time--long enough that I was able to recognize the individual traits of certain Dolphins.

Also, I felt myself lose all sense of "time."

A feeling of eternal, infinite, timeless silence permeated my consciousness, except for the noises of communication between these beasts.

I also felt they were communicating with us, as well.

I felt a "high" I will never forget--a feeling of love for all creatures on planet earth--and beyond.

I felt that I was connected to all living things, to nature and rocks.

I felt everything around me was moving and breathing and full of joyful vitality.

This I will always remember.

Naturally the man I experienced this with, was similarly affected.

And we eventually married and have remained so for 21 years.

We have 2 Dogs whom we commune with, sleep with, play with and discuss them and laugh about their joyful antics.

I believe that because of these Dogs and the Dolphins, we remain partners for life.

About the Author -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Kate Loving Shenk is a writer, healer, musician and the creator of the e-book called "Transform Your Nursing Career and Discover Your Calling and Destiny." Click here to find out how to order the e-book: http://www.nursingcareertransformation.com Check Out Kate's Blog: http://www.nursehealers.typepad.com -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Making Sure Your Cows Have Good Feet To Put Forward

2009-07-05T20:26:00.009-07:00

There are two good reasons to look at your cattle herd's feet regularly. First, problems with hooves may cause your cattle unnecessary pain. Secondly, whether you are raising dairy, beef or bucking stock, foot trouble costs you money in decreased production and performance. These are the practices we employ here at our bucking stock operation.

Here are some basics to be mindful of. Cattle that spend most of their time on rough natural ground need less care typically. Cattle that are standing on concrete, or other artificial surface
need more care to their feet. Cattle need to be able to lay down for about four or five hours a day to rest their legs and feet. If they are not allowed this rest time, they will have more problems. Watch how far your herd needs to travel, what they are walking on, and make sure they have enough suitable space for this laying down time.

Based upon the particular character of your operation, you should establish a regular schedule for hoof maintenance and care. This would typically be about twice a year for the average dairy program. This should include checking the first calf heifers about 60 days before they come due to make sure they will be well set for carrying the extra weight of the last phase of pregnancy and their coming full udders.

Most lameness in cattle is due to hoof injury or disease versus leg injury. The exception here is with bucking stock, where injury to legs is much more common. These are usually incurred in the course of competition and are observed though. Handlers should become familiar with locomotion scoring and use this tool regularly to scan herds for foot problems. We do this daily in the course of our pasture work at our ranch.

The cattle should be tended by a trained hoof trimmer unless you have gotten this training yourself. These can be difficult to track down outside dairy belts but it is worth the time to make sure that the work is done correctly. A confinement cage appropriate for the purpose is absolutely needed to do the job safely. Most trimmers prefer chutes that tilt and lay the animal over horizontally once secure. Professional trimmers have these and travel with them to job site.

The cost of an unprofessional job or lack of attention here can mean the needless sacrifice of an animal, or pain that could have been prevented. It is our responsibility to make sure that our animals are well cared for from nose to toes while they are in our herds. These tips should help.

By author Dr. Eileen Schweickert

For more information about livestock care and best ranch practices please check out our web site. The story of the start of of the 4B Ranch is available in Funny Farm, available at our ranch website

http://www.bluewaterbaybuckingbulls.com

Bird Toys - Bird Toy Safety Every Parrot Owner Should Know

2009-07-05T20:26:00.007-07:00

Birds are kind of like children. They love their toys and they love to play. But just as a responsible parent would practice good safety measures with their children and their toys, a bird owner also needs to practice good safety measures with their pet as well.

The first step to proper bird safety comes with buying the actual bird toy itself. Though it shouldn't be this way, many bird toy manufacturers make toys that are actually quite unsafe for birds. Ideally, these toys would never be allowed on the market, but unfortunately th
t isn't the way it is. So when you go to purchase new bird toys, you need to make sure that they are safe toys that will not be harmful to your bird.

Bird toys should be made with safe materials. While there are some bird toys made from plastics that are quite safe, you should still thoroughly examine these toys before you purchase them. Plastic ingestion can be very harmful to birds. Before you buy the toy, make sure it does not have cracks in it that will easily split. Avoid buying the toy if the plastic looks brittle or damaged. These toys may easily break, and the bird could end up swallowing the plastic and getting sick.

If you are buying toys that are made with wood, make sure the wood is a type that is safe for birds to chew on. Some woods are toxic to birds and can make them ill or even be lethal. Before you purchase a wood toy, make sure you know what type of wood that it is made from so you can ensure it has been manufactured from a wood that is safe for birds.

You should avoid buying toys with small chains to them, as bird claws and nails can get tangled in these chains and cause injury. Instead, look for toys that are hung with rope. When looking for toys with rope, make sure the the rope is a cotton rope with a tight weave to it. Do not buy toys that have loose weaves, or look like they may come apart easily, because this can also cause the bird to become entwined in the toy.

Proper bird toy safety continues after the purchase of the parrot toys too. The second step to proper bird toy safety is to be mindful of the toys after you have given them to the bird. When the toys start to become worn and are breaking apart very easily, take them out of the cage and throw them away. If there are rope toys in the cage, snip loose ends of the rope as you see them or throw the toy away all together if it is getting very loose.

Following these few simple bird toy safety tips will not only keep your bird healthy, but will also show it how much you care for it. When you are mindful of your birds toy safety, you can rest assured they will live a long and healthy life with you.

If you read this article and found it helpful, consider stopping by my website
http://www.BirdToys.com

You can also find me and over 17,500+ other parrot owners at http://www.BirdBoard.com where you can ask questions and get immediate feedback

Hermit Crab Habitat

2009-07-05T20:26:00.005-07:00

You goal is to make your hermit crab habitat as close to tropical environments as you can. Keep in mind, that the habitat should be already prepared when you bring your crabs home.

Substrate

The perfect substrate for a hermit crab habitat is sand or coconut fiber. They are great because they are not usually inhabited by germs. On the other hand, you should never use cedar/wood chips; it's a breeding ground for germs.

Enclosure

The recommende
habitat for two medium sized crabs is a ten gallon aquarium, and thirty-five- forty gallon tanks for more/bigger crabs. Get a secure lid, because hermit crabs can escape a non-secure aquarium. Do not expose the aquarium to direct sun light, this will change the temperature and humidity levels in it, endangering your crabs.

Lighting

Special lamps are not required for your aquarium, you can use any lamp. Just keep in mind that a fifteen watt bulb fits a ten gallon aquarium. The bigger the tank, the more watts are needed. Keep a close watch at the humidity and temperature gouges when you start using your lamp, you can put your crabs in danger of overheating easily.

Humidity

Hermit crabs breathe through their gills, which need to be kept wet in order to work. If for some reason the air is too dry, your crabs will slowly die by suffocation. There should be a tropical, moist feel in you hermit crab aquarium. You need temperature of 70ฐ-80ฐ F and humidity of 75%-90%. The substrate in the tank has to be moistened from time to time; it should be wet enough to make holes that don't fall in. Be careful to not make it dripping wet, this is dangerous for your crab.

Cleaning

You need to clean up your hermit crab container every day, remove the leftover food, and change the water. Also, you need to strain the sand once a few months to get rid of waste. Decorations and dishes Hermit crabs are climbers in nature, so it would be wise to let them climb in their aquarium. You can get them some fake plants, climbing toys, sanitized shells. The water dishes have to be deep enough for the crab to submerge. Avoid steep dishes because it might be difficult for your crabs to get out of them, this might drown the crab. Don't forget to always have at least a few empty shells lying around in your crab container to avoid shell fights and slow growth of the crab.

More info about Hermit Crabs : http://hermitcrabcaretips.com/
http://hermitcrabcaretips.com/Hermit%20Crab%20Habitat.html

Agility Builds Confidence in Your Dog

2009-07-05T20:26:00.003-07:00

Agility training can build up confidence in your dog with lots of encouragement from you, and making it a fun event. As your dog succeeds in each obstacle, you will see his/her confidence grow.

Is your dog timid around people or other dogs? Is your dog sensitive to sounds? Agility training can provide the environment and structure to build confidence in your dog. Agility classes are a great place for people to learn about the sport and learn how to train, but the timid dog may t
ke a long time before he is ready to venture from under your chair or off your lap.

A timid or shy dog can only learn inside their comfort zone. So, training must begin where they feel safe and behaviors must be taught in very small increments. Home will probably be the best place to train and have learning take place for your dog.

So, how do you train at home? You will need guidelines and equipment. There is a multitude of websites that can give you information on agility training. There are also books and videos that will give details and visual aids and lesson plans for beginners thru expert levels.

There is a variety of equipment that is useful and helpful to have at home. Equipment recommendations are based on your available space and location of training. Do you have a large yard that will hold 10 obstacles? Do you have a small yard where you will need setup equipment and then tear down before you can setup again? Will you be training in your garage or basement, or as some agility addicts, in your living room.

For the timid dogs make sure your equipment is safe and sturdy. The pause table is a good place to begin your agility training. A 12" high pause table, with adjustable legs for later use, is a good starting place for all size dogs. Remember with your shy dog, setup your table in an area that is very familiar to your dog. If your dog barks at anything new, just leave your pause table in your house or yard for several days, let your dog inspect and smell it on his own or with a little coaxing, but don't push to fast, remember baby steps with the insecure dog. With treats in a dish or his favorite toy placed on the table encourage your dog to get up on the table. This may take more than one lesson, be patient. If your timid dog looses interest in food or toys when you attempt something new, trying holding him and you sit on the table. If your dog is too big to hold, have him on leash and you sit on the table. If he backs away coax him, only treat or reward him when he comes to you, never when he's pulling back away from you or the table.

Eventually, you want your dog to be able to jump on the table with your cue word, "Table", "Box", "Kennel", whatever word you use, Stay on the table as you back away and then Come when you call. Build your distance slowly so that your dog is not pushed to soon.

From Pause Table to Contact Trainer is a nice transition for shy dog. A Contact Trainer comes in different designs. We recommend a 3-Piece Contact Trainer that has one mini A-frame side, a Pause Table, and then a mini Dog-walk side. Your dog can Sit on the table and then be coaxed down the A-frame side or the Dog-walk side. Just remember with the shy dog, training is done in increments, slowly and comfortably, with a little push to stretch him, but not enough to overwhelm him to cause a shutdown.

You can follow the above techniques introducing new obstacles as your dog is able to succeed. As your dog succeeds on each new piece of equipment you will see his confidence grow.
About the Author Brad Carlson is a dog trainer at Agility by Carlson. For more training details, visit our website at http://www.carlson-agility.com/

Is Spaying Important To Great Danes?

2009-07-05T20:26:00.001-07:00

Help stop the spread of unwanted dogs in the world! Make responsible choice by spaying your dog...

Having Great Danes as additional members of the family means a lot to most dog lovers. Of course, a lot of people will be delighted to have these gentle giants wandering around the house, loving each and every member of the family. Great Danes are indeed wonderful dogs and widely loved by many dog lovers around the world.

It is the owner's responsibility to provide proper nutrition, regular exercise and every little
thing these creatures need in order to grow healthy, happy and to live longer. As part of being a responsible pet owner, dog spaying is an important task that must be done to prevent your female dog from health problems such as ovarian cysts, uterine infection, tumors of the womb and ovaries, abortion, whelping difficulties, caesarian section, ruptured uterus, injuries during mating and other related problems. Contrary to what others think as cruelty, spaying will not cause a dramatic change in your dog's personality but in fact, leads to longer and healthier life of a female dog.

Dog spaying, also called ovario-hysterectomy (OHE) is the complete removal of the female reproductive tract, performed under general anesthetic medicines. Through this procedure, the ovaries, oviducts, uterine horns and the uterus are removed. This therefore prevents your female Dane from becoming pregnant. Moreover, dog spaying also eliminates the heat cycle which happens twice in a year. The source of production of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone (which stimulate the heat cycle), is removed during the surgery.

There is no definite age at which spaying must be done, but it should best be done before your dog's first heat. Heat cycle depends on the dog's size and breed, usually somewhere between five to eight months. But many humane shelters and veterinarians prefer to go on with the procedure at a younger age, even as young as two months. Early spaying does not affect the growth of the puppy - be it in skeletal, physical or behavioral aspect. In fact, animals spayed at younger age often have faster recoveries than those spayed when they are older.

The cost of spaying a dog is small compared to the amount you are going to spend on food and other things she needed in her lifetime. Not to mention the damages on your favorite rug caused by her spotting when she is in season. Spaying a dog has indeed many benefits! Will you still believe that this is another form of cruelty?

About the Author Richard Cussons is a dog enthusiast. His site about Great Danes is filled with information about this breed as well as effective tips in Great Dane training.

The Nitrogen Cycle

2009-07-02T20:36:00.009-07:00

Possibly one of the most critical yet misunderstood components in managing an aquarium is the nitrogen cycle. The nitrogen cycle is responsible for your harmonious ecosystem. When the nitrogen cycle isn't established or is interrupted the end result is usually the death of your aquatic creatures. Unfortunately because most people aren't aware of this natural cycle they fall victim to what is known in the aquarium community as "New tank syndrome", which essentially translates to the poisoning of your fish until they can no l
nger sustain life.

So how exactly does the nitrogen cycle work? There are 4 main phases and we'll break them down. Here are some terms and their identifiers that you'll want to familiarize yourself with:

Ammonia (NH3)

Unionized ammonia is extremely toxic to fish even at low levels if the pH is alkaline(above pH: 7). It is excreted by your fish in their waste and generated by decomposing organic matter within your aquarium.

Ammonium (NH4)

NH4 is ionized ammonia and less harmful compared to NH3. It's present in acidic water levels (below pH: 7). I've never maintained an acidic tank so this is merely informational.

Nitrite (NO2)

Nitrites are the by-product of NH3 oxidation performed by the Nitrosomonas bacteria. It is still harmful to your fish, however much safer than NH3.

Nitrate (NO3)

Nitrates are the the by-product of NO2 oxidation performed by the Nitrobacter bacteria. This is the least harmful for your fish however it needs to be removed by water changes.

Now that you have a grasp on the terms and what each is/does let's go over the cycle.

Phase 1:

Ammonia is created by fish waste and decomposing organic matter. That ammonia is extremely toxic and can kill your fish rapidly. Signs of ammonia poisoning are: gill damage and fish "gasping" for air at the surface of the water. Ammonia is battled by a bacteria called nitrosomonas, nature's way of creating a balance.

Phase 2:

The nitrosomonas bacteria we've spoken about requires two things two survive: Ammonia and Oxygen. Nitrosomonas has a very important job which is converting ammonia (NH3) to Nitrites (NO2). Nitrites are much safer than ammonia (NH3) however they can be just as dangerous if uncontrolled. Unlike ammonia which cause physical damage to the fish there by essentially suffocating them, nitrites cause irreparable damage to the internal organs of your fish. Nitrites are battled by a bacteria called nitrobacter.

Phase 3:

The nitrobacter bacteria operates similarly to the nitrosomonas except it feeds off nitrites instead of ammonia. It creates nitrates (NO3) which are even less harmful then nitrites (NO2) for your fish. While nitrates (NO3) are the safest for your fish, they still require removal.

Phase 4:

The only thing that removes nitrates (NO3) are plants and water changes. Unfortunately most of us cannot maintain enough plant life to consume all nitrates so water changes are required.

Those are the 4 phases that complete the cycle. If we were to draw it out it would look something like:

Fish/Matter -> Ammonia -> Nitrosomonas -> Nitrites -> Nitrobacter -> Nitrates -> Intervention (water change).

You should have already established that each phase feeds off the previous, and because of this it takes time to establish all the bacteria colonies to complete the cycle. This time is the difference between a cycled tank and an uncycled tank. Because of the quasi food chain outlined if you monitor the presence of NH3/NO2/NO3 during the cycling period and chart it you will see a chart that had increasing nitrites when the ammonia was decreasing and increasing nitrates when the nitrites were decreasing.

Eventually there are enough nitrosomonas to convert all ammonia, enough nitrobacter to convert all the nitrite, and that dip of nitrates at the end is you doing your part via water changes. As you can see the Nitrates will forever be on a uptrend. Once your tank is cycled you should always have readings of 0 for ammonia and nitrites.

There are two ways to start the cycle: 1) add fish and allow their waste to generate ammonia (stocked cycle) 2) Add pure household ammonia to your tank daily until the cycle is complete (fishless cycle). I'll write another article on cycling options but for now just keep in mind the damage that can be done to your fish if you are not super diligent with water changes. Anytime you see Ammonia/Nitrite levels above 0.3mg/L you need to perform a water change.

The original copy of this article can be found at http://fishfort.com/posts/the-nitrogen-cycle complete with graphic depictions. Cichli Delic is and avid fishkeeper and owner of FishFort.com Please feel free to visit our site and read our blog, or participate in our forums

First Time Iguana Owners - Learn Some Important Facts

2009-07-02T20:36:00.007-07:00

Did you know that some animals take an extra amount of time to be taken care of? One of these pets happens to be the reptilian iguana. They are aggressive by nature and need plenty of care, more than the usual pet animals people tend to keep such as cats or dogs.

When people get an iguana for the first time, they haven't properly researched the background on the reptile and do not know how to adequately care for them. The first thing to do before even getting an iguana is read about them. Learn what their habitats are, what they ne
d and what they will or will not eat. Consulting a professional about the iguana is also a way to go.

Although they have good intentions but mainly want to make a sale, do not listen to the advice of pet shop owners. There are some who think they know about iguanas and really do not have a single clue how to take care of them.

With many books available, people can get a bit confused by what is out there either in books or online and have no clue which information is the correct one to follow. To double check the information you think is legit, make sure the rules are given an okay. Checking out sites that include myths and misconceptions in taking care of them can help a person realize what they should not do.

The best thing to do to make an iguana feel at ease in their new surroundings is not moving it from its small place first. This means letting the iguana find a small, away from everyone space. Watch the iguana for a few weeks, which you should then chart down any changes the animal will project.

Like most animals and even people, moving an iguana can be stressful on them. Do not worry if you cannot handle your iguana in the beginning. The taming process happens in the first few weeks of its life and it makes the iguana grow faster.

Finding a good veterinarian is essential in the animal's health and well-being. Be sure to wait until he has acclimated into his new surroundings then start taking him for a regular checkup.

Remember that iguanas are herbivores and are usually fed with a vegetable and fruit diet. They should be fed early in the morning when their digestion works better. Some books recommend giving them insects. However, it was found that the iguana needs its green and leafy herbs for a better diet.

Like any other pet, fresh food and water is essential in the reptile's being. You do not need to feed your animal three square meals a day so long as it is getting the nutrients it needs and is healthy.

An iguana's habitat must be cleaned at all times since this is where it will live most of the time. Be sure to buy a cage much longer than the size it is now. Your iguana will growabout four times bigger than when you first brought the animal home. Make sure to clean their cage on a regular basis to avoid hidden parasites that cause sickness and an odor in his or her habitat.

Remember that iguanas will take a chunk of change to deal with. This is not a simple task as is watching a cat or dog be a cat or dog. This can be extremely financial and even physical. Be ready to shell out the cash to take care of your new pet.

How To Build "The Bond" With Your Dog

2009-07-02T20:36:00.005-07:00

Building the bond with your dog is really quite easy. If you recognize that you have a relationship with your dog, then building the bond comes down to nothing more than increasing the strength of that relationship.
And as with any relationship, building a bond requires:

1.) Spending quality time together.
2.) Getting out in the world and experiencing life together.
3.) Establishing and promoting a level of mutual respect.
4.) Developing a way of communicating so that both individuals understand the other's n
eds. (Hmmm... maybe I should be writing self-help books for humans???)

Let's take a look at each of these key points to see how they can have a positive affect on your daily dog training:
1.) Spending quality time together.
Spending quality time together does not mean sharing a beer with Fido while the two of you lay in front of the television. Well, okay... maybe it does.
But more importantly, it means committing to a series of rituals and behaviors that you and your dog can look forward to.
For example, I often throw Forbes (the Pit Bull) in the back of the truck when I wake up in the morning and we go for a drive down to the local McDonald's Drive-thru. For most of the drive, Forbes is either still wiping the sleep out of his eyes, or he's doing the guard dog routine if someone walks up to the back of the truck.
But the highlight of this morning ritual begins when we get home. It's Forbes' job to hop out of the back of the truck and take the empty McDonald's brown paper bag in his mouth, walk down the drive way, around the gate, into the back yard, and then over to the trash can... where he drops the bag.
Sure, it's a stupid pet trick. But see how disappointed the dog is when *I* insist on carrying the bag to the trash can!
From the dog's point of view, it's the 30 or 40 little things throughout the day (that he can help me with) that make his life worth living. And for the dog, this is spending quality. It all boils down to being an active participant in each other's lives.

2.) Getting out in the world and experiencing life together:
It had been years since Bud and Janice's kids had grown and left the house for college and later, corporate jobs. Bud had wanted a dog for several months and Janice finally gave in.
They decided to adopt a beautiful 5 year-old Golden Retriever and proceeded to train "Mac," using many of the techniques I describe in my book, "Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!" (To learn more about this book, go to http://hop.clickbank.net/?1greatdog/agkatz).
Janice got scared when Bud came back from his first walk around the neighborhood with "Mac" and ran into the house yelling, "Janice! Janice! You won't believe what happened!!!"
"Oh my gawd," though Janice, thinking that perhaps "Mac" had bitten a child, or run away.
"What happened?" Janice questioned her husband.
"You won't believe it, Janice," said Bud, "I took 'Mac' for a walk... AND PEOPLE ACTUALLY CAME UP AND TALKED TO ME!!!"
Imagine that! Here's a guy who had lived in the same neighborhood for eight years and didn't know any of his neighbors until he got a dog and started taking it for walks. Dogs are a wonderful excuse to get you out of the house and interacting with the world around you.
It's also one of the many reasons that handicapped people like owning service dogs... because it makes it easier for other people to come up and start a conversation.
And do you think that "Mac" minded all of the attention? Absolutely not.
As a matter of fact, I think that my dog Forbes is happiest when we're out in the world, meeting new people and experiencing new things together. Two best friends, out on the town.
You should see the look on Forbes' face when two or three beautiful women walk up and start rubbing his belly.
Even better... you should see the look on my face!

3.) Establishing and promoting a level of mutual respect.
Just like with any relationship, there must be mutual trust and respect.
Trust comes with time, and proving to your dog that you will keep him safe and happy.
Respect, just like with human relationships, comes from establishing boundaries and treating any breach of those boundaries with firmness and fairness. Without enforceable boundaries, there is no respect. And when there is no respect, your relationship with your dog will be out of balance. And trust me, when your relationship with your dog is out of balance... nobody's having fun.

4.) Developing a way of communicating so that both individuals understand the other's needs.
Developing a way of communicating gets back to laying a proper foundation with your dog training. And this relates specifically to making your praise and your corrections motivational.
Once your dog understands clearly when he's doing something RIGHT... and when he's doing something WRONG... a magical thing starts to happen. You find that you are actually COMMUNICATING!!!
And being able to communicate with your dog is what allows you to go anywhere and do anything with your dog and know that he'll listen to you.

There are four primary ways that dogs communicate with us, and with each other:
1.) Body language.
2.) Vocal tonation and voice inflection.
3.) Touch.
4.) Scent.
All of my dog training techniques try to incorporate as many of these elements as possible. In sum, you can think of dog training as a word that can be easily substituted for the word, "communication."
Do you want to be able to take your dog anywhere, and KNOW that he'll listen to you... even if tempted by another dog, a cat, or even a piece of food??? Then check out: "Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer: An Insider's Guide To The Most Jealously Guarded Dog Training Secrets In History!" By Adam G. Katz, Owner of South Bay K-9 Academy. For more information, go to:
http://tinyurl.com/4efaq

About the Author

Author, "Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!" which you can read more about at: http://tinyurl.com/4efaq

Floor Coverings For Iguanas

2009-07-02T20:36:00.003-07:00

Now, when it comes to your habitat's flooring, take this consideration closely. You want to have something that is easy to replace or at least to clean. But, you don't want to have anything that your iguana can pick up with his tongue or even worse get wrapped around his toes.

You'll find many materials available in the pet stores but don't waste your time on them. Instead consider other easier to afford materials. Here are some options you have.

Floors of Newspaper, ensure that it does not have any type of toxic
nk on it. Paper towels work just fine, too. Plain papers without any type of toxins in them. Indoor/outdoor carpeting.

The carpeting is a great choice but if you purchase it, make sure it has nothing that can get caught on your iguana's toes. You'll want to wrap it around the edges and tape them underneath to keep them from being torn up or getting caught on his tongue.

In addition, whatever you use, keep extra on hand so that you can easily clean up any messes that happen to be made by your iguana.

There are several things you don't want to use in this environment. For example, anything that is made of particles like wood chips or even sand. Don't use these as they'll cause numerous problems for your iguana when he uses his tongue flick to get a taste of what's happening around him.

One probably that you may run into with any of the listed options for floor coverings is that water can pass through these and get onto the wood below. If the wood gets too wet or stays wet for a long period of time, mold growth or warping can happen.

The best way to avoid this is to purchase a piece of vinyl sheeting to place over the bottom of the wood and then you can place whatever materials you've selected over the top. This will help to keep the underneath completely easy to maintain. Just a wipe and its clean. Make sure that it is properly secured to the bottom, with nothing that can injure your iguana.

Learn about red iguana and green iguanas at the Iguana Care site

Tips For A Successful Fish Only Saltwater Aquarium That Your Saltwater Fish Will Thrive In

2009-07-02T20:36:00.001-07:00

Setting up a saltwater aquarium setup to be a fish only saltwater aquarium is much more easy then if you were trying to keep live coral in your tank along with the fish. But even with just fish you still need to set it up right to avoid potential problems down the road. Listed below you will see some great tips for setting up your fish only saltwater aquarium for long term success.

Tips To a Great Fish-Only Saltwater Aquarium Setup

Pick Your Fish- Decide the types of saltwater fis
you want to keep before you decide on your tank size. Many times new aquarium keepers by the tank first only to find out the fish they really like will get to big for the one they bought.

The Tank Itself- Get The biggest tank that will fit in your home and that you can afford for the fish you are interested in. Having a bigger tank will give you a more stable environment for your marine fish and also keep the temperature swings down to a minimum. This is important because temperature swings are a big contributor to saltwater fish disease and stress.

Filters- Buy the right size and type filter for the aquarium you buy. Many new saltwater tank owners often buy the most inexpensive filters for their fish-only saltwater aquariums in hope to save money. This will set you up for disaster down the road and you will end up spending more money on larger adequately sized filters to correct the problems.

Maintenance- Stay vigilant on the care and maintenance tasks that need to be preformed on saltwater tanks. Failure to have a consistent and predictable maintenance schedule for your tank will result in algae and sick or dead fish and lost of frustration and lost money.

To create a stunning and easy-to-maintain saltwater aquarium grab a copy of our Saltwater Aquarium Guide. This illustrated guide will show you step by step how to properly set up and stock your aquarium. It's crammed with tips and tricks that the pros use to create stunning aquatic displays! Learn more at http://www.saltwatermethods.com

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

2009-07-02T03:32:00.007-07:00

Deciding to own a pet, in particular a dog is a serious matter, and shouldn't be taken lightly.

Well considered, objective decision can lead to much pleasure and happiness. Conversly a hasty, unwisa choice may result in frustration and uhhppiness.Rember, as barbara woodhouse, a world faamous dog trainer said "There are no bad dogs, only inexperienced owners."

Unfortunatly many people do not take into consideration all the factors involved when they decide to buy or adopt a pet.

Many times
children have a great influence in these matters. Often with unhappy results and sometimes with tragic consequences.

I live in an area where many people have seasonal homes. More times than you can imagine parents buy their offspring puppies when they come here for the summer and abandon them when they leave in the fall.

Part of this problem is that we are a very rich society as some of these abandoned waifs are purebred dogs. I can attest to this because we have a six-year-old purebred Shi-Tzu that we adopted five years ago. And we have adopted neglected dogs before. We have also purchased AKC registered dogs so we aren't against that practice. Whatever suits you and yur pocket book is fine.

When rescued she was emaciated and the skin was torn off her back. The SPCA nursed her back to health and when we got her she still only weighed seven pounds. In less than six months she doubled her weight. She's a wonderful dog but still terrified of people, particularly men.

This is one example of the many incidences. This one has a happy ending. Many don't they're put to death, because of the overload Facilities and help.

But let's get back to some of the basic sources of this dilemma. A lot of the problem is due to the fact that often people don't take he time to consider all the factors involved before they procure a dog. Then you end up with either unhappy people or miserable pets. Not every one abandons or abuses them, but many live to regret their choices.

Here are some factors that warrant consideration.

Resposibility:

You are taking on the responsibility of a helpless creature that is entirely dependent on you. It cannot feed or shelter itself. If injured it can't take care of itself. Dogs need grooming bathing and above all attention and love; they can't do for themselves.

Expense:

Today it's expensive to keep a pet. Many need expensive grooming. Dog food is not cheap. There are mandatory medical bills and license fees. Even adopting a dog is fairly expensive and usually you're obligated to pay to neuter them.

Environment:

This is very important and frequently the root of serious problems. Large dogs need large facilities for living and exercise. Yet people who, live in small apartments often buy monsters. Older people buy big dogs then they are unable to walk well enough to exercise them.

Allergy Problems:

Some owners have respiritory problems. Some types of dogs are a greater problem than others. Some dogs like Shi-Tzus and some others are practically allergenic. Before you buy check it out, there's plenty of information on the Internet.

Shedding:

Dogs have basically three types of coats.

Short hair no undercaot. They shed but not too bad and are easy to maintain. Examples: fox terriers, bull dogs.Beagles, whippets.

Medium long with undercoat: They shed a lot and need a lot of brushing, but not expensive grooming,

Examples: Germann Shepherds, reteivers, Collies.

Hair: They don't shed at all and have very little odor. Often do not present an allergy problem

Require a lot of brushing and expensive frequent grooming.

Examples:

Poodles, Shi-Tzus, Lhasa-apsos.

If you or your spouse is fussy about your home, clothing and furniture this can be a big issue.

Children:

Create mny problems, Little children should not have dogs. The best natured animal if provoked by an innocent but rowdy kid can get bitten. A dog is still a dog. The older ones want the pet and promise to care for it. You know what happpens. Mom or Pop end up taking care of the dog.

The Time Factor:

Today with most parents working it's difficult to care for a dog. Then need care and affection. They're part of the family. They need attention, they need brushing, bathing, feeding and exercising. If you don't have the time to devote, don't own one.

Temperment:

Dogs like people are individuals and have temperments. Sometimes you can get a pet that you're incompatible with. This is one reason I advocate adopting dogs that are a little more mature. This is important if you are considering a mixed puppy. They're all cute when they're babies, but you never know what they'll look like when full grown.

Mixed breeds however are worth considering. Often they have better temperments than finely bred species. Also, some of the most gorgeous dogs I have ever seen were cross bred. As for intelligence, just look at the movie dogs; almost all of them are mutts.

Consider all these factors and others that are relevant, and if you're as we are, you'll find it worthwhile to have a loving friend for life. Go For It.

For more information regarding pets go to :http://www.caveatemptorus.com/pets.html

About the Author

Written by:George W. cannata, Author and publisher of tthe web site

A shopping guide/ fraud digest web site: http://www.caveatemptorus.com

The author is a retired manufacturing executive with many years experience in procurement.

You may copy or reprint this article so long as it is not altered in any way and that all links are include and the author receives full credit.

The Afghan Hound History, Origin, and Breed Information

2009-07-02T03:32:00.005-07:00

Detailed info on specific Afghan Hound large dog breed characteristics, history, origin, dog health issues and more.

The Afghan Hound History, Origin, and Breed Information

Origin:

The Afghan Hound is a very ancient breed. This dog has been mentioned several times in the Egyptian papyruses as well as pictured in caves of Northern Afganistan more than 4,000 years ago. This beautiful sighthound was used as a shepard and hunter for many centur
es, hunting such game as deer, wild boars, goats, and even wolves. They were also used by shepards as watchdogs and herders due to their fast and agile running. History: The Afghan was discovered in the west on the regions of Afganistan in during the 19th century. These dogs were later sent to England in the later part of the century. Some say that Afghan Hounds served as guard dogs and herd dogs, which are within the capabilities of the breed as we know it. The major role of these dogs, however, was undoubtedly that of hunting. The Afganistan kings would breed a kennel of these hounds for many generations with these purposes alone.

History: The Afghan was discovered in the west on the regions of Afganistan in during the 19th century. These dogs were later sent to England in the later part of the century. Some say that Afghan Hounds served as guard dogs and herd dogs, which are within the capabilities of the breed as we know it. The major role of these dogs, however, was undoubtedly that of hunting. The Afganistan kings would breed a kennel of these hounds for many generations with these purposes alone.

The real start of the breed in the US started with the first Ghazni imports in 1931, when Zeppo Marx and his wife brought from England a bitch, Asra of Ghazni, and a dog, Westmill Omar. Asra and Omar were later acquired by Q. A. Shaw McKeans Prides Hill kennels in Massachusetts. Mr. McKean soon added a young English champion, Badshah of Ainsdart. These three - Asra, Omar and Badshah - formed the cornerstone of the breed in America.

Summary:This dog has become a luxurious pet in America and Europe due its aristocratic look. The Afghan Hound is prized and loved by many of their owners and family members. With its distinctive personality and long coat that requires regular care and maitenance, its not the breed for wanna-be dog owners, but when the matchup between owner and this hound is right, there is no other dog that can equal the Afghan hound as a great and welcome addition to any family.

Aristocratic, but very sweet, loyal, affectionate and emotional, with a low dominance level. The Afghan Hound has been described as "a king of dogs." Majestic, elegant, noble and courageous, suspicious of, but not hostile to, strangers. Although resilient, they will pine if they are deprived of attention. They will do best with more mature, considerate children. At one time, the breed had a reputation for being untrustworthy, but has now been replaced by a character that, while still energetic, is said to be more agreeable to training and discipline, as they can be disobedient if allowed to do so. This breed can be problematic to housebreak.

About the Author Visit our site, Large Dog Breedz regarding detailed information pertaining to the different large dog breed origins, history, background, work groups, dog training, and health issues specific to your dogs breed.

Expert Tips On Caring For Baby Budgies

2009-07-02T03:32:00.003-07:00

If you're breeding budgies, you will soon have a few chicks on your hands. Although the mother and father will do most of the work, there are a few things you'll need to do also. Here are a few tips on caring for baby budgies.

Development

It's important that you check on the chicks everyday. They may experience development problems which can be fixed if caught early. It's common for the little ones to get food stuck under their top mandible, or beak. The accumulation of food can cause an unde
shot beak, so you'll need to remove it with a toothpick or something.

Another common developmental problem is splayed legs. Since their bones are still forming, the problem can easily be corrected. To treat the problem, you will need to tie the chick's legs closely together. Also, mothers sometimes don't wash the baby's feet well enough. If droppings are allowed to accumulate and harden, it can hinder the little one's ability to move its toes. You will need to prevent this by washing them yourself.

Taming

Most owners want a tame budgie. If you plan on selling them, you'll need to keep this in mind. You can easily start taming baby budgies after they're two weeks old. Simply handle them carefully 10 minutes everyday. Two weeks after this, you can start handling them for longer than 10 minutes.

Light

If you'll be taming the chicks, you will need to take them out of the nestbox. Their nestbox is very dark inside. When you take them out, it's important that you shield their fragile eyes from the bright light. After they get a little older, you won't need to shield them from the light anymore.

These are a few tips on caring for baby budgies. To ensure the ideal health of your birds, it's important that you learn everything you can about proper budgie care. So, click here now to learn how to care for pet budgies properly

How To Use Leading Your Horse To Get Control And Response

2009-07-02T03:32:00.001-07:00

I've been around many people who try to lead a horse by controlling their head with a lead rope. They end up pulling or jerking the lead rope and the horse will typically pull back or push around the person with the lead rope.

Ultimately, you want slack in the lead rope while leading your horse because you don't want to pull or jerk him. If your horse moves incorrectly while leading him then you can stop and correct him by making him move his body.

To really be successful in having control the secret is having control
ver your horse's body. How do you do that? By controlling his feet by making him move his rear end away from you. (Also known as "disengaging the hind quarters) Why this works so well is it alleviates stiffness and tension and almost magically forces your horse to focus on you.

There are few ways to get your horse to move his rear end away from you. Much of the time, you can stand facing his shoulder and point to his hip. If he doesn't move keep pointing and cluck at him. If he still doesn't move, twirl the end of your lead rope at his hip and cluck. If he still doesn't move tap him with the lead rope while clucking at him.

At any time he moves, take the pressure off him immediately. Give him a pat and a "good boy" and ask for another move. Repeat. Then ask for more steps. Remember to do this on both sides of the body too. It won't be long when you will simply point at his hip and he'll move them for you. Do this every day for a while to get it in his mind that you are in control.

Okay. Now that you moved him, turn your body to walk forward while holding your lead line. Something magical happens right here. Your horse suddenly focuses his attention on you. He's very aware of your movement and what you're doing. If he messes up because he was distracted or something scared him, all you have to do is move his rear end again. Eventually your horse will start gauging your pace and keep up with you at the same pace you move.

If your horse starts to get ahead of you while leading, move his hindquarters. If he's lagging behind you, move his hindquarters. If he goes off into La La Land, move his hindquarters.

Having good control leading your horse is perhaps the most basic training technique there is. But it is also the way we get horses in trailers, moving them around, bathing them, and even riding them. This will help teach your horse to be soft and responsive. And if you have a soft responsive horse while you are on the ground, then you will more likely have the same kind of horse while you're sitting in the saddle. And that is the ultimate goal.

About the Author Andy Curry is a nationally known horse trainer and author
of several best selling horse training and horse care books.
For information visit his website at www.horsetrainingandtips.com.
He is also the leading expert on Jesse Beery's horse training
methods which can be seen at www.horsetrainingandtips.com/Jesse_Beerya.

Rainbow Lorikeet Pets

2009-07-02T03:31:00.001-07:00

Rainbow Lorikeets are colourful parrots that are very active and entertaining as companion pets. This species is monomorphic, meaning both sexes are identical in appearance.

They are approximately 30cm (11.8in) in length. The body, including the back and outside of wings is green with a lighter green nape. The head is violet-blue with shaft streaking. The abdomen is also violet-blue. The chest is mostly red with yellow markings. The wings are orange-red underneath with a broad yellow band.

They have a specially adapted 'brist
e-tongue' for eating pollen and nectar.

As Companion Pets

When it comes to Rainbows, every object and noise will be investigated with great delight and often turned into a game. They are born clowns as they like to be silly and exaggerate their movements. Lorikeets love to play and will often roll onto their backs to wrestle with your hands or play with a foot toy. A lorikeet may decide to hop instead of walk to get from A to B.

As they are so active, Rainbows need to be provided with plenty of toys. They are particularly fond of things they can swing on, make noise with and foot toys. While they like to shred things and occasionally chew, they aren't huge on chewing compared to many other parrot species.

Rainbow Lorikeets need a large-sized cage as they are quite energetic and tend to use every corner of it. They also love water and enjoy a bath or shower nearly every day.

They go to the toilet frequently, and tend to 'squirt' their liquidy droppings rather than simply 'squat'. This increases the risk of feces landing on the walls and outside the cage. Many lorikeet owners prevent this by putting plastic barriers on the wall behind the cage or clipping a sheet to the back of the cage. However, being liquid droppings does make them easy to wipe and clean up.

Diet and Health

Lories and lorikeets are specialised in eating nectar as their main food source. They also require more fruit compared to other parrots.

In captivity a lorikeet's base diet should be either wet or dry nectar mix (or both). Wet is often preferred over dry, however a high quality dry version can be provided and the lorikeet will mix it with water itself (therefore, the water should be placed close to the dry lorikeet food).

Lorikeet food can either be bought commercially or there are a number of recipes for making it yourself, usually composed of baby cereal, rice flour, breadcrumbs, glucose powder, skim milk powder, semolina (wheat hearts), pollen mixture, etc. Lorikeets pellets are also available but are generally not recommended or accepted by the birds.

As well as the base diet, Rainbow Lorikeets should also be feed fruit and vegetables. Native Australian chemical-free flowers such as bottlebrushes are also appreciated. Be aware of foods high in iron as lorikeets are prone to health problems due to high levels of iron.

A Rainbow Lorikeet's lifespan is around 20-30 years.

Mutations

There are now a number of established mutations (colours) of the Rainbow Lorikeet.

Rainbow Lorikeet mutations include:

Greygreen (Olive)
Dilute (Pastel)(often incorrectly referred to as cinnamon)
Cinnamon
Blue-fronted (Melanistic)
Lutino (sex-linked)
Fallow
Recessive Pied
"Olive"
"Aqua"
Black-eyed Yellow (Clear)("Acquired Yellow")(not yet established)
Khaki (not yet established)
"Mustard"
"Jade"

There are also numerous different combinations of these mutations, creating even more variety.

A blue mutation was also found in a young wild lorikeet. Unfortunately the individual died from injuries due to a bird of prey attack.

Clara Hollins is the founder of Wiki Pet Bird, a new interactive resource for birdkeepers all over the world. Members can share their knowledge in all aspects of bird care, submit toy and product reviews, and join in at the forum. You can visit Wiki Pet Bird at (http://www.wikipetbird.com)

Who is the Gourmet? You or Your Dog?

2009-06-23T20:41:00.008-07:00

Thinking of cooking up a storm for your pooch? And that I assume you're having difficulties in convincing your pooch eating his premium dog food.

There are two issues here—Home-cooked meals verses commercial premium dog food.

Whether or not one is better than the other is a matter of preference—you not your dog. And whether or not your dog becomes a demanding "gourmet" is also depending on you; not your dog.

In choosing varied "gourmet" diets for our dogs (diets which are quickly becoming expensiv
), we fall into an anthropomorphic fallacy—a tendency where human characteristics for animals.

Dogs and all animals are creatures of habit. A pup raised on an ordinary feed (even he's strictly on commercially packed food) will grow to like it, sometimes shunning rarer delicacies in favor of "the usual."

Occasionally, your pooch may clamor for your steak while his own kibbles waits in his bowl, he'll eventually go for his regular meal if other temptations don't compete. Variety is not as crucial to him as it may seem to you.

Dogs are not finicky eaters by nature. We inadvertently create this problem by substituting food for love. We think that every time our dog does something cute, we should give him a treat. After a while, our dog wants nothing but treats, especially if they come from our plate or the refrigerator!
If you feed your dog a variety of food in hopes that one will appeal to him, he will demand a greater and greater variety, and you will have created a finicky eater! Choose a high-quality food and stick to it. Do not feed table scraps or give in-between meal snacks to your dog.
Some "gourmet" dog foods (and especially dog "treats") are designed to appeal more to the human purchaser than the animal consumer. Color-blind canines are indifferent to the pastel hues that beckon the buyer of dog candies. We pay extra for such gimmicks because we consciously or unconsciously equate human tastes and needs with those of our pooches.
What matter most to them is the taste, not the shape, size or colour. Dogs don't know a clue about calories that gamey treat can add to their waistline. So is up to us to be the sensible one to give treats in moderation. If possible, limit it to training and party times.

Dogs become finicky when they are given too great a variety and by overfeeding. I'm not surprise that at this stage, they may already have weight and health issues to add to their existing dilemma.
If you do change foods, do it gradually by adding a bit of new food each day to the old food. The reason for this is that the digestive flora gets used to one food and a rapid change can cause diarrhea and digestive upsets.
If you choose a high quality food, there is really no need for vitamin supplementation. You will pay more for premium dog food, but you will use less because a small feeding amount has more nutrients and is more thoroughly digested.

And if you should decide on home cooked meals instead, just remember that you should depart from a "complete and balanced" pet diet in favor of a more specialized program. These reasons may include age, disease, or even stress.

A good rule of thumb to apply to your dog's diet system is "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." And with this notion, your pooch will soon know you are truly the Gourmet—The Boss.
About the Author Ren้e Alexandrea—a former professional show-dog handler, breeder and volunteer at animal shelters. She has written numerous articles from dog behavioural problems to dog party themes. Get a Free copy of her "21 ways of Budgeting Tips & Thrifty Ideas" ebook at http://www.small-dogs-breed-lovers.com Spend Less and Pamper More.

How to Adopt a Puppy

2009-06-23T20:41:00.007-07:00

Have you ever passed by a pet store only to turn around and walk back to stare at the antics of an adorable bundle of fluff. When this happens you may find yourself in the pet store looking into the idea of how to adopt a puppy. Once you have finished with the various procedures that are necessary for the adoption of your new pet you are ready to go home with this little bundle of fluff.

Now if you are prepared for the realities of having a puppy then adopting a puppy will not cause much havoc in your lifestyle. On the ot
er hand you may have thought to adopt a puppy as a spur of the moment decision. The result of an action like this is that both you and your new puppy are in somewhat of a mess.

The best way to avoid falling into a mess like this is to think carefully about the various facts that are present when you adopt a puppy. You can ask your various friends about matters like good puppy food, a place for your puppy to sleep, training your puppy not to make a mess in your home and what should you do if the puppy does have an accident indoors.

Once you have found the answer to the matter of your pet's health and well being you will need to see which type of puppy you want to adopt. It is best if you see what kind of puppy you want before you go to adopt a puppy. There are many adorable puppies that you will see. You have the pure bred puppies like golden retrievers, Labradors, English Collies, great Danes, Dalmatians and many others.

Having looked at the many puppies you should remember that while you want to adopt a puppy eventually this puppy will grow into a full size dog. Therefore you must be prepared for the necessary care of your puppy with the knowledge that most its behavior patterns will be set once your pet has become a full size dog.

These facts and the other requirements that are needed for the health and happiness of a puppy will need to be considered. Therefore when you desire to have a puppy in your life and home these factors will need to be found out and kept ready for all of the mischievous antics that your new puppy will engage in.

Even though you can easily adopt a puppy you should remember that one day this little puppy will become a dog. So you should adopt a puppy only if you are prepared to have the adult dog as a life long companion.

About the Author Author's Sites: Cat Food Recipes Dog Food Recipes and Natural Pet Care

To Buy Koi or Not To Buy Koi

2009-06-23T20:41:00.005-07:00

Interested in Koi fish? I hope you are because they're the most rewarding and unique pets I have ever owned. This article will provide you with information on this great fish.

Koi are unique in the fish world. Let's face it… most fish you keep in an aquarium are pretty to look at, but as a pet, they're pretty passive. Koi, however, have personality and will actually interact with you. Once you buy Koi, they will steal your heart with their bright patterns, intelligence and friendliness.

Before you
un out and buy one at the nearest fish store, there are a few things you need to do first. If you want your Koi to grow large enough to be impressive, you need a large outdoor pond. If you don't already have one, you'll need to look into building one and making sure that there is adequate filtration to keep your Koi happy and healthy. Make sure your Koi pond has hiding spots for your new Koi so they can avoid potential predators like Great Blue Herons and other predatory birds who fish. Other predators they will need protection from may include raccoons, snakes and kingfishers. You will also need to make sure your pond is safe from water runoff that may contain insecticides and herbicides. As your experience grows, you will learn to routinely test your water for chemical composition, since fish and food waste can convert to ammonia and other chemicals that are harmful to your Koi.

While your pond is being built and being readied for fish, learn about what Koi need to survive. Koi are known for their longevity. Are you prepared to care for these beautiful carp for 20 years or more? Yes, you read that right. Unlike most tropical fish in an aquarium, your Koi will live a long time, and may even outlive you in some circumstances! In 1965, a very large Koi was examined by a Japanese professor and was declared to be 215 years old, according to a study of its scales under a light microscope. Before you buy Koi, you need to know they require the right kind of high protein food. Feeding time is usually the Koi fancier's favorite time of day. Koi will learn to come up and eat from your hand. They may also do acrobatics and create a small feeding frenzy that can be very entertaining. Koi are able to taste, hear and smell quite well. They even blush when they are stressed, so they have a way of communicating with you when something is wrong.

Koi can not only make an interesting and unique pet, they can become a profitable hobby if you have the room. With enough space, Koi breed easily and those with good markings can bring in a pretty penny. There are many pattern classifications to describe these colorful fish and it can be lots of fun trying to identify the patterns your fish have. For serious hobbyists, there are shows where your brightly decorated carp can compete with others.

For most Koi enthusiasts, however it is enough to enjoy the capers of these smart, attractive fish and spoil their favorites with treats like watermelon rinds and spinach. Watching fish swim can actually help relieve everyday stress and strain. You'll soon find that koi are addictive and you'll look forward to your time out by the pond relaxing while you watch these captivating fish.
About the Author To find out more about these wonderful fish or if you woud like to buy Koi fish, you can visit http://www.live-koifish.com/.

The Best Dog Training Books

2009-06-23T20:41:00.003-07:00

Why is it that my neighbor can't seem to figure out that when he locked his untrained payout and goes off to work all day that the dog does nothing to bark, bark and bark. What an idiot, a neighbor I mean, not that the dog. I don't plan a little puppy, how is he supposed to know better? He barks out of loneliness, out of frustration, out of anxiety, and out of fear.

Occasionally he barks to protect his territory, pitiful as it is with its leftover poop, a water bowl turned over, and a single ratty chew toy the dog o
tgrew the first week it was brought to the house. I wonder if this moron has ever heard of dog-training books? I know I'm about ready to clue him in.

When your fat freak of a self gets home, you enter your houseto the barkingand take your sweet time (to eat) before retrieving your supposedly beloved pet. Then you take the were animal off and sequester it into some room or he is once again all alone. Instead of paying an idiot and doing the dog a great disservice you could be reading one of the many EASY-to-comprehend dog-training books, and teach that beautiful little animal how to cope with daily life.

He is after all just a baby. You could be surfing amazon.com or powells.com or another of the hundreds of Internet bookshops for dog-training books. They number in the thousands. That will show you how to condition your dog not to bark at every living being and every leaf that happens to fall from a tree. No, you fat ignoramus, amazon.com is not a place to find amazons to amuse you, and powells.com is not a play on words for closet masochists. This is about the dog, not you. If it were we would be talking to the dogwho clearly has a great deal more sense than you apparently do.

In fact, you could read at least one of the thousands of general and specific dog-training books to understand WHY your poor little puppy needs to be treated. HOW you can keep him from chewing furniture (so you dont have an excuse anymore for why you lock him away outside so he wont bother you but the neighbors instead). We need to get up and go to work too. The constant barking doesn't do anyone any good. If you can't handle owning a dog then maybe you should find a more hospitable home for it.

We chose to be dog-less. You have made a choicenow take some damned responsibility for it. By some dog-training books and read them, put them into action. You may even be well served by some damned human-training books. The problem lies with you, not the dog.

About the Author Morgan Hamilton offers his findings and insights regarding pets. You can get interesting and informative information here at Dog Training Books

Discount Pet Food

2009-06-23T20:41:00.001-07:00

This article provides useful, detailed information about Discount Pet Food.

Food for your pet is the most important thing to maintain a healthy life. Not all animals have the same digestive system, and feeding your pet the wrong food can be disastrous. The ingredients and the balance of the minerals, vitamins and carbohydrates for your pet is one of the most important things to maintain its health and well-being. For such matters one might depend on specially processed food for pets, rather than giving the pet the food that
was leftover from your dinner.

However, nowadays there is a great debate on the topic of organic food for pets, including foods that contain chickens, hormone-free lamb, and insecticide-free crops. Nonetheless, there is a great confusion regarding these kinds of food for pets. Many people are under the assumption that anything which is organic in nature is superior. These organic foods might taste better than other pet foods. The US government is in a great dilemma regarding the issue of organic food. The usual ingredients that should be in food for your pets should be rich in folic acid, all the vitamin supplements, ascorbic acid and other such ingredients.

In order to store your pets' food, you need proper storage material to sustain freshness. Pet food storage boxes are ideal for the purpose. These are available from the pet suppliers who cater your needs. Discount pet foods provide you with excellent opportunities to buy quality food for your pet at affordable prices. Discounts on food prices give you the opportunity to buy more quality food products for your pet, in order to maintain its health.

About the Author Wholesale Discount Pet Supplies provides detailed information on Discount Pet Supplies, Wholesale Discount Pet Supplies, Discount Pet Drug Supplies, Discount Pet Food and more. Wholesale Discount Pet Supplies is affiliated with Custom Dog Tags.

Cat Giving Birth - What You Should Really Know When It Is Time For Labor

2009-06-15T00:53:00.005-07:00

You will usually see a mucus discharge from the vaginal opening, which indicates that birth is imminent. You should be on hand to comfort her but do not be too hasty about stepping in to help.

You may do more harm than good. The queen should deliver the first kitten within 15 minutes of her first beginning to crouch, strain and cry, and she will purr throughout the entire delivery.

The remaining kittens will be delivered at intervals of between 5 and 30 minutes. If the kitten is delivered head first, the queen should need no help
If it is delivered hind feet first or breech birth and it does not arrive for five minutes or so, you will need to assist.

Make sure your hands are clean, wrap a soft towel around the kitten's body and gently manipulate him, trying to coordinate with the mother's contractions, if possible. Do not pull on the tail or the legs or they may come off in your hands.

Do not squeeze the abdomen either. If labor continues and no kittens appear for more than an hour, or if a kitten or two have been born and labor goes on for another hour or so without another kitten appearing, then you should call the veterinarian.

He will instruct you as to the best course of action; this might involve taking your queen into his office so that he can assist. If you allow labor to go on too long without kittens appearing, you risk not only having the kittens die but also possibly losing your queen.

When preparing for a home birth, make sure that you have the following items on hand:

- hand towels
- kitchen towels
- sterilized scissors
- heating pad or hot water bottle
- clean bedding
- garbage bags

The queen delivers her first kitten within about 15 minutes of the onset of labor. Depending on the number of kittens, labor will last for up to two or three hours. Soon after being born, the kittens will shakily make their way around their mother's nipples and start feeding.

Want More Information And Discount On Cat Breeds, Cat Pregnancy And Cat Birth? All You Have To Do Is Click http://www.CallPetMeds.com Now!

Best Chicken Coop For Raising Chickens At Home

2009-06-15T00:53:00.003-07:00

Finding the best chicken coop isn't a tough task. It all depends on how much money you're willing to spend and how many chickens you're planning on having. Larger coops are generally better because they provide a large, secure are for the birds to run, thus improving egg yields. This article provides a basic guide on the best chicken coops, and shows you where to download some great chicken coop plans.

A Closer Look At Sizes

There are generally 3 sizes of chicken coop. As I previously stated, bigger i
better. This is because chickens need running space to stay fit. Healthy chickens will lay 5 or more eggs a week if you're lucky. The 3 sizes are:

- Small/Portable

- Mid-sized (box shaped)

- Large (with hen house and secure run)

How Many Chickens?

It is said that you shouldn't count your chickens before they hatch. Unfortunately, if you don't know how many chickens you've got, you don't know how big of a coop you need! It's best to adhere to the following guidelines:

1-4 chickens - Small/Portable coop is generally enough if you've got a decent backyard.

5-9 chickens - A mid-sized box coop is the way to go. It allows for good running space.

10+ chickens - You're going to need a premium coop if you want to maintain healthy, high yield birds.

How Much Money?

If you're on a budget, you're much better off buying a chicken coop kit or even building your own from scratch. If you're a pretty handy person, or know someone who is, there are plenty of high quality building plans you can download from the internet.

To take a look at the best chicken coop available, check out this Building A Chicken Coop website now

Lighting A Reef Aquarium

2009-06-15T00:53:00.001-07:00

For some time now the only available lighting options for Reef Keeping are T8 tubes, T5 Tubes and Metal Halide. The cheapest option is T8 tubes, these are not very bright but are great for a fish only system.

T5's are much better and will allow you to keep quite a few corals. This includes many soft and a vast amount of Large Polyp Stony corals. Stocking these types of Coral can create an attractive looking Aquarium. The problem is to achieve enough light you need numerous tubes and this increases the power consumption.

Me
al Halide is the brightest option and allows reefers to keep almost all corals including Small Stony Polyp Stony corals that are considered the most difficult to keep. These units start with a minimum power consumption of 150 watts, increasing up to 400 watts. Running these 8 to 12 hours a day can put a big increase on energy bills. At the moment that is the last thing that people want in the financial situation and economy.

The problem with all these lighting options is that they all need the bulbs replacing every 6 to 9 months increasing costs much more. Bad to the environment in more ways than one. The impact on finances lessening our budget for corals and other live stock.

The good news though, now with the introduction of LED lighting we can now have cheaper lighting bills and not have to worry as much about changing units because of their long life span. Up to five years is claimed by Tropic Marin Centre on the new aqua beam. Having just installed these to my Reef Aquarium I can confirm they are really good and have reduced my lighting bill 50%. The overall cost can be expensive to set up, but with less usage of power and no need to replace the unit. I will benefit the savings in the long run.

Read the latest information on this technology on my reef aquarium blog

5 Steps To Be A Perfect Pet Parent

2009-06-15T00:52:00.003-07:00

A happy, healthy pet is a responsibility when you have taken the leap to become their parent. In return, your furry friend gives unconditional love and understanding. Therefore, if you are considering becoming a pet owner its best to take into account the steps below to help you become an excellent parent.

Step 1: Exercise and play with your pet each day for at least twenty-five minutes. Studies show that exercising 25 minutes a day will improve health and fitness of your pet. Just like humans, overweight dogs and cats are more likel
to get a number of diseases and health problems, including diabetes, heart disease, skin conditions, liver disease, and joint problems. In turn, exercise and play reduces those costly trips to the veterinarian that we all dread. So remember a walk a day or a string to play keeps the vet trip away!

Step 2: Ensure your pet is warm in the winter months. If you have a dog or cat that loves to be outdoors and roams your property freely, remember these animals are domesticated. Like people, pets become accustomed to the warmth of the inside. Leaving your animal outside for extended periods of time in the winter can make them vulnerable to serious illness. Watch out for frostbite. Frostbite occurs when the pet's body gets cold and the blood from the extremities moves to the center of the body to keep warm. Ice crystals can form in the tissue of the ears, paws, or tail and damage it without revealing the damage for days. If you suspect your pet has frostbite, bring them into a warm environment. Soak the extremities in warm water for about 20 minutes (without rubbing) to melt the ice crystals and restore the circulation. Wrap them up in a blanket and take them to a veterinarian. If they spend too much time in cold temperatures, it can suffer from hypothermia, a condition in which the body temperature falls below normal. Symptoms of hypothermia include shivering, depression, lethargy and weakness. Eventually, the heart and breathing will slow down, the muscles will stiffen, and they will not respond to stimuli. Immediately get your pet warm and take it to a veterinarian.

Step 3: Read your pet food labels. It is very important to know what goes into your animal's food. The main idea when reading the labels on wet and dry food is to remember, if you can not pronounce the word then it is probably not good for your animal. Chemicals like Ethoxyquin, BHA, and BHT are preservatives and have been linked to numerous health problems. BHA and BHT are known to cause liver and kidney dysfunction. Ethoxyquin is suspected of causing cancer. Fortunately, there are many natural and organic pet foods on the market today and you can ask your local pet food supplier for more information.

Step 4: If you have kids, it is important to have a mutual respect between your children and pet. Remember that each member of the family needs boundaries. The children (all ages) must learn not to hit, poke, or pull on your animal. Supervising the children at all times with your animal is very important and can prevent accidents from happening. Although the hitting is not okay, your animal must not react in a vicious way. If this does happen consider speaking to an animal trainer referred by your local veterinarian. Having a pet and children can create a special friendship so setting the boundaries mentioned makes room for both family members to enjoy each other.

Step 5: Administer heartworm medication and make sure you are up to date with their vaccines. Heartworm is a severe infection transmitted by a mosquito and if not detected or prevented can be fatal for your pet. There are a variety of ways to preventing heartworm. Your animal's heartworm medication can consist of monthly tablets, chewables, topicals or a six-month injectable product available only for dogs. This medication is important especially if you intend to socialize your pet with other animals at pet parks or they are outside where there are a lot of mosquitoes. You can purchase the medicine at your local veterinarian office or online pet sites at discounted prices. Also, immunizing your pet with preventative pet vaccines to ward off dangerous diseases is necessary. Talk with your veterinarian and they can offer information on these regular rounds of pet vaccines. Also remember, if you are planning to go on vacation and board your animal, their vaccines must be up to date and have record of such.

These five steps are the responsibilities that constitute being a perfect parent. Be determined to make sure they have their updated medications and scheduled trips to the veterinarian. Ensure that there is mutual respect between your children and animals. Furthermore, make sure the food you are feeding your critter is a healthy choice, no chemicals! Lastly, take your dog for a walk or just play with your cats for at least 25 minutes a day. If you follow these steps, you are guaranteed to be a great pet parent of a happy and fit animal.

Article sent in by Ken Adamas - visit his site to save on pet products like electric dog fences and dog training collars

Potty Training a Puppy - Things You Ought To Know - Part 2

2009-06-15T00:52:00.001-07:00

All puppies make mistakes when they are going through potty training. It is in fact part and parcel of the training. This article reveals numerous advance tips and guide to help new and inexperience dog owners to potty train your puppies and adult dogs.

Similar to human babies, puppies should not be left alone unsupervised. Just like babies, puppies are not fully aware of what is the expected protocol and might make mistakes. Do ensure that there is somebody who can be with the puppy to make sure he is monitored. This lessen
the frequency of mistakes committed. Time and patience is a natural part of the learning curve. A puppy is not seen to be house-trained until he manages to avoid defecating in the house for at least 4 weeks. Bear in mind that it might take slightly longer if you are training older dogs.

Monitor him constantly, and baby gates can be used to restrict his wanderings within the house and crates can be use to constrain him when there is no supervision. Take note that if your puppy squats and urinates when he greets you, he may probably suffer from submissive urination. Such dogs are hypersensitive and should not be scolded for this behavior, since punishment only worsens the problem. However, as he grows older, he will no longer do this if you are calm and quiet. Or you could ask him to sit down for a tasty treat till someone greets him.

Try to get rid of the smell of urine or defecation to reduce the chances of your puppy going back to the exact spot to conduct his business and this will reduce the occurrence of committing the same mistake. Dogs tend to return to the same spot they have targeted earlier.

A good deodorizer is key to ridding the home of pungent doggy smells. Soak the carpet with cleaning agents should he relieve himself on it. Shut off all those rooms in your house where your puppy has made frequent mistakes. Let him enter here only when accompanied by a family member.

An extra tip to remove urine from carpet is to use black lights to find the exact urine spot to make cleaning more efficient. You can use commercial or create a homemade deodorizer by mixing 50% water and 50% white vinegar. Do bear in mind that ammonia should not be used on a spot of urine. It will encourage your dog to return to the same spot.

As mention earlier, it is quite natural for a dog to make a mess during the potty training period. This is why you need to be ready to handle these problems.

a. Don't punish him when he makes a mistake already as this only delays training.

b. Be patient. Like any training endeavor, potty training requires a lot of patience. Don't rub his nose into his mess. This will not teach him not to repeat it and will only end up making him frightened of you.

c. If you catch him while he is in the midst of doing, stop him with a quick grab of his collar and pull him up while making a startling sound, a sharp noise or say "No" using your deep, stern tone loudly. Do this only when you catch him red-handed, but be sure not to be too loud or he will eliminate in front of you or perhaps even outdoors.

d. Bring him out to the gardens to let him complete his business. Lastly, pat him on his head while saying "Good boy!" or praising him. It is important to show your dog praises whenever he does something correct. Giving him food as a reward when he does his business in the appropriate spot can help too.

During potty training, the use of common sense will aid you big time in dealing with your puppy's housebreaking endeavor. Logical thinking should inform you not to give your dog too much water before bedtime if his tendency is to pee often at night. Catering to his schedule first will prove to be very helpful in making it gradually change and adapt to yours.

Aside from patience and common sense, consistency is also one of the important factors of this dog training activity. If you suddenly forget about the routines yourself, don't blame if your dog if he starts committing accidents more often.

The risk is great - a filthy and smelly home. If you would like to succeed in this potty training feat or just about in any other training drills, don't treat it as a game. You need to be responsible and spend enough time on your side.

About the Author Moses Wright is a proud owner of 3 beautiful dogs and loves to help new dog owners deal with their dog problems. You can get his dog obedience training book, a collection of his dog ownership experiences for free here: Free Dog Obedience Training Book

Keep Your Dog Smiling With Preventative Dog Dental Care

2009-06-13T19:10:00.009-07:00

What should pet owners know about dog dental care and periodontal disease?

An important aspect of the good dog dental care is proper dental hygiene. One of the most common ailments treated by veterinarians is periodontal or gum disease. Gum disease is progressive. It starts out with the formation of plaque, a sticky bacterial film that forms in the mouth at the gum line. If not removed plaque will harden into tartar above and below the gum line. This build up causes the gums to become red and swollen, a condition known as gingivitis.
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If gingivitis is left untreated it can lead to advanced gum disease. Red swollen gums will begin to recede as the infection travels down into the root of the tooth and the jawbone. Once the gums have receded the damage is irreversible and the gums will not grow back. This is known as periodontal disease and results in loss of bone and loss of teeth. At this advanced stage the bacteria from the oral infection may now enter the bloodstream. This can lead to more serious problems such as heart, liver and kidney disease. These conditions if left untreated can eventually become life threatening. These problems can also be prevented by implementing a good dog dental care routine.

Why should I routinely inspect my dog's mouth?

By two or three years of age many pets start to show signs of oral disease. By implementing a home dog dental care routine you can assure that your dog's mouth stays healthy, clean and pain free. Start by routinely inspecting your dog's mouth. A healthy mouth will not smell offensive. The teeth will be clean and will not have any yellow or brown spots. The gums will be a healthy pink color and will hug the teeth.

What are the signs of gum disease in dogs?

Persistent bad breath, brownish deposits around the gum line, especially on back teeth, red swollen gums, loose teeth, painful and or bleeding gums are all indicators of oral disease. Although bad breath or "doggy breath" is the most obvious sign of a problem, many pet owners fail to recognize it as an indicator of dental problems until it's too late. As part of a good dog dental care routine check your dog's mouth at the slightest sign of a persistent offensive odor. Other indications can be decreased appetite and weight loss, a change in chewing habits, lethargy, and pawing of the mouth or the face.

What should I do if my dog's mouth shows signs of gum disease?

Dog dental care starts by checking your dog's mouth regularly. If you see any of these signs call your vet to schedule a dental exam. Your dog may just need a routine cleaning. The cleaning process is performed under general anesthesia. If the condition is minor, it's not much different than a dental cleaning that you or I would have done. Your dog's teeth will be scaled to remove tartar above and below the gum line and then they will be polished. Since your dog can't rinse and spit the mouth area will be flushed to clear it of any loosened debris.

If the condition is more serious your vet may need to administer an antibiotic to clear up any gum infection before cleaning your dog's teeth. Blood work will usually be taken so that your vet can determine if the infection has spread into the bloodstream. If the disease is in the advanced stages your vet may also need to extract some teeth. Whatever the outcome, your dog is sure to feel a lot better after receiving some much needed dog dental care.
Remember to regularly inspect your pet's mouth, schedule periodic dental check ups, and perform routine home dental care.

How important is home dog dental care?

Regular cleanings by your vet followed up by a home dental care program can help keep your dog's mouth healthy and disease free. Even if your dog's teeth are currently in good condition a preventative home dental care routine is essential to your dog's health. If not regularly removed, plaque and tartar build up can progress very quickly into full blown periodontal disease.

If you're new to dog dental care ask your vet to show you how to brush your dog's teeth. Also find out if there is anything else that your vet would recommend adding to your dog's preventative home dental care routine.

One recommendation is to entice your dog to chew. Daily chewing exercises will help remove food debris and prevent tartar build up. They're also great for relieving boredom and separation anxiety. So put your pet to work. Give your dog plenty of fun and yummy real bones, dental dog chew toys, and edible dog chews as part of your home dog dental care routine.

Do I need to brush my dog's teeth?

The most direct method of preventative dog dental care is brushing your dog's teeth regularly. Vets usually recommend that you brush your dog's teeth at least two times a week. If your dog is prone to dental disease you may need to do this more often.

What should I use to brush my dog's teeth?

If you have a young puppy introducing a tooth brushing routine will probably be much easier then if you have an adult dog. In either case start slow, keep the sessions short, and be very gentle while working in your dog's mouth. Use lots of praise and reassurance to reinforce good behavior. You will not want to give your dog treats during this task for obvious reasons.

Since a dog will swallow whatever you use never brush your dog's teeth with "people" toothpaste. This toothpaste is not formulated to be ingested and can upset your dog's stomach. It's also designed to foam which is not desirable when brushing a dog's teeth. So use a pet toothpaste formulated for dog dental care that does not require rinsing.

You will also need a pet toothbrush. There's a great triple sided pet toothbrush that will get the job done faster than a traditional style toothbrush. Or if you have a small dog you may want to try a pet finger toothbrush. Finger toothbrushes slip right onto your finger and are easily controlled to reach the common trouble spots up near the gum line. Add some specially formulated tartar removing toothpaste and you're all set. Dog toothpaste is even available in all-natural formulas and yummy flavors like chicken and vanilla.

If this is your dog's first toothbrush look for a pet dental care kit to get you started. These kits typically include a pet toothbrush, a tube of pet toothpaste and a pet finger toothbrush.

Pet dental wipes are great for use on dogs that resist brushing. These easy-to-use pet teeth cleaning pads help remove food debris and plaque, kill germs and help to control bad breath. If your dog will not allow you to use the toothbrush method try using dental wipes regularly as part of your dog's home dental care program.

You may also want to try to increase the amount of time your dog spends chewing on real bones, dental dog chew toys and edible dog chews.

This type of chewing helps remove food debris and prevents tartar build up. If your dog chews enough you may be able to reduce how often you need to manually brush your dog's teeth.

How do dog's in the wild keep their teeth clean and healthy?

Dogs in the wild are generally much more active than our domesticated pets because they must hunt for their food. They also spend much more time chewing and gnawing on fresh bones, which helps to keep their teeth clean and healthy.

Our domesticated dogs can spend a lot of time sleeping with their mouths closed while passing long period of time alone. It is commonly believed that the lack of fresh air circulating over the teeth and gums can encourage certain types of bacterial growth in the mouth. And since our pet dogs get their daily rations served to them in bowls it isn't necessary for them to spend much time chewing. Although gnawing on bones is how dogs in the wild keep their teeth free from food debris, bacterial accumulation and tartar buildup, our domesticated friends rarely spend as much time at such pursuits.

Encouraging your dog to chew will make a big difference in the effectiveness of your dog dental care routine. Real bones are nature's edible dog chews. But if you prefer not to give your dog real bones there are plenty of wonderful dental dog chew toys and edible dog chews that will get the job done.

Will real bones help keep clean my dog's teeth?

Give your dog some real bones – Nature's own edible dog chews. Most people don't provide their dog with quantities of real bones, so as to avoid the mess and unsanitary residue. It's great if you have an environment in which your dog can indulge in working on a fresh bone. But if not, you can buy some natural sterilized marrowbones. These hollow bones are also available pre-filled with tasty treats like beef, chicken, cheese, and granola.

If you get some unfilled bones you may want to try filling them with your dog's favorite treats. Try peanut butter, cheese or one of the yummy pre-made fillings available at pet shops and online stores.

If you would rather not give your dog real bones there are many enticing dental dog chew toys and edible dog chews available that will encourage your dog to chew.

Besides real bones what other types of dog chews will help keep my dog's teeth clean?
Traditional chew toys are still available and are just as popular as ever. But there are also a variety of very good dental chew toys, rope bone chew toys and edible dog chews designed to keep your dog engaged, with the added benefit of cleaning the teeth. These toys will entice your dog into playfully attending to the required dental hygiene. They can also keep your dog entertained and out of mischief during those times when you must leave your dog alone.

Rope Bone Chew Toys –
Try a dental rope chew toy for great flossing action. As your dog happily chews on these toys the rope fibers clean between the teeth. Spray on some dog dental care spray or rub on a little flavored pet toothpaste to really enhance the cleaning action of this enticing dental chew toy. Check out a pet dental care spray & rope chew toy kit and get your dog dental care routine going today.

Dental Chew Toys –
For long lasting chewing fun, and a great dental workout, get your dog a dental chew toy. Some brands are manufactured with grooves that make these dental toys real winners for cleaning your dog's teeth. Some dental chew toys can also be stuffed with your dog's favorite treats for hours of stimulating chewing. And for smaller dogs there are dental chew toys that not only have teeth cleaning grooves but also are combined with a rope chew. Just add some pet toothpaste to the dental grooves and your dogs will eagerly participate in their daily dog dental care routine.

Edible Dog Chews –
Are you concerned about giving your dog rawhide chews because they can "ribbon" and cause your dog to choke? Many pet hops and online stores now carry a variety of composite chews. These all natural rawhide dog chews can't ribbon, are easy to digest and dogs love the baked in flavor. There is even an edible dog chew treat available that contains no animal by-products.

Dogs, like people, have different tastes and preferences. Choose whichever dental dog toy or dog chew treat that will keep your dog happily chewing his or her way to clean and healthy teeth and gums.

And remember that there are many convenient dog dental care products available that will help you to keep your dog's teeth and gums in great shape between regular visits to the vet and grooming salon. Unattended dental health problems cannot only distress your beloved pet, but can lead to serious conditions and ailments. Many of these problems can be prevented by implementing a regular home dog dental care routine.
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Dogs And Cats - Can They Be Friends?

2009-06-13T19:10:00.007-07:00

I'm a sucker for anything with fur - so having dogs OR cats isn't a consideration. Why have one when I can have both? The easiest way to have good pet relations is to raise those pets together. That isn't always possible if you are one who adopts pets who have been abandoned or mistreated as I often do.

Over the years, I've never brought a dog into my home that could not accept the presence of cats. At times it's been necessary to oversee the introduction for a few weeks but in time the animals set the boundaries
themselves. Your felines may be comfortable with the canine living in your home - but don't be surprised at a different reaction when a new canine moves in.

The key to successfully introducing a new addition into a multiple pet household is patience. I have one cat adopted as an adult who simply has little tolerance for other animals. For weeks there was much hissing, growling and spitting but eventually my dogs simply began ignoring Cilla. She is now accepted as the aloof princess she has chosen to be.

Cats seem to choose the dogs they like. They seem to form friendships or to dislike another animal for no reason I can see. People do that, too, don't they? You can't force alliances between your pets but you can facilitate them. When bringing a new cat or dog into your home, it's crucial to provide that animal with a "safe" place where he can hide. If the new family member is small (kitten or puppy) protect the animal from your other pets. Even a cat-loving dog can harm or kill a kitten in rough play. Friendly puppies may receive a warning bite or scratch that can become infected.

Keep interactions with a newly introduced furry family member safe by limiting contact to times you are present and separate the new pet when you are absent. Time will solve most pet interaction problems. Cats and dogs will form friendships with each other or will define the personal space they require. Most accomplish this in 2-3 weeks; with older animals it may take a bit longer.

http://My-Dogs-Rule.com is for dog lovers and http://Our-Cats-Rule.com for cat fanciers. If you like anything with fur and like a variety of pets in your home, learn to understand the traits and instincts of your pets and your responsibilities as their owner

Amino Acids And Their Benefit In A Reef Tank

2009-06-13T19:10:00.005-07:00

Amino Acids are quickly becoming one of the most popular additives to any serious reef keeper's arsenal. There are many different reasons why they are being used and many why I suggest everyone should use them. Many vitamins and proteins are including in one easy dosing supplement to provide your corals with much needed elements they would not otherwise get in a closed aquarium environment.

In Nature corals will receive these proteins via plankton, micro plankton or even bacterial plankton. However in a close aquarium environment t
ese are normally absent. Zooxanthellae which live symbiotically in many corals "excrete" these acids which in turn feed the coral along with many other substances. In most aquariums the activity of these symbiotic algaes are greatly reduced in which the corals are only "Surviving" and not "Thriving".

Indirect and Direct feeding's are generally not the best method to approach feeding your corals as it generally results in increased nutrient levels such as phosphates and nitrates. This is where the Amino acids come in handy. By dosing high quality products such as Zeovit Amino acid concentrates you are introducing the correct proportions of amino acids found in coral skeletons. This is helping to create the natural living conditions found in a wild living coral reef.

Higher end amino acids on the market are supplying up to 17 important amino acids essential to stony coral growth. These supplements also help coral utilize the absorption of calcium seen in their natural environment and increasing your coral growth in the aquarium. From our experience you will also notice increased polyp extension during their "daylight" hours.

There are many options on the market for amino acids but really there are only a few that aren't using preservatives which decrease the quality of the product. Some are Zeovit Amino Acid Concentrate, Zeovit Amino Acid Concentrate for LPS. Elos OMGEA and Selcon.

Bubble King Skimmers, Calcium Reactors