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by Enrico Pallatzo
Canned Dog Food
This type of dog food is often very expensive, especially if you're trying to feed a large Labrador Retriever with small cans of food. Canned dog food also contains up to 75% water which means your dog will only be receiving 25% meat, and the meat is definitely not the choice cuts of meat, it is usually the scraps blended up. Canned dog food is best used when your dog is having digestive problems or would just like a little added flavor to their dry dog food.
Semi-Moist Dog Food
Because semi-moist foods taste better than dry dog food and are easier to prepare than canned dog food, many people choose to use this type of food to feed their Labrador retrievers. Semi-moist dog food usually comes in an easy to open container or even in a package that looks like a hamburger patty. This type of food contains a lot less water than canned dog foods but can often been more expensive and contain other preservatives. Some dogs will have an allergic reaction to the variety of preservatives or additives that are in this type of food. You should limit the amount of food your dog eats from this semi-moist dog food category.
Dry Dog Food
Your veterinarian will often recommend the type of dry dog food you should use for your dog. Dry dog food is best used as the base for your dog's diet, but used alone this type of dog food can become very boring for your pet. The nutritional value of dry dog foods varies greatly so you should be sure to discuss the type of food that is best for your dog with your veterinarian.
Table Scraps As Dog Food
Many people feel like they are giving their dog a treat when they feed them table scraps, but often the scraps are very high in calories, sugar, and fat. A diet of table scraps alone would be very unhealthy for your dog. Labradors need lots of energy and energy comes from the combination of protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Too much of any one of these groups can cause health problems for your lab. Use table scraps as an added treat with your dog's regular dry dog food.
About the Author
Enrico Pallatzo is a professional dog trainer. Graduate of Temple University. Hobbies include opera singing and scuba diving. Currently is a full-time freelance writer in the pet industry. Get more information regarding dog information.
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Pet Birds Require Daily Interaction to Keep Your Bird Happy and Healthy
By Barbara Delgiudice
Owning a pet bird or birds, whether they be a parrot, dove or canary, require daily interaction from you, the bird owner. Birds are highly intelligent creatures who are very social beings. They give unconditional love and need to receive the same unconditional love back to them.
Alex the gifted parrot proves to us that the idea of a " bird brain" is completely wrong. In fact the study that Dr. Irene Pepperberg did with Alex an African Grey parrot for 30 years of research, shattered scientists understanding of the Avian brain. Alex eventually learned enough speech elements to identify 50 different objects, 7 colors and 5 shapes. He learned to count quantities up to 6 including 0 and was able to articulate certain desires and could even express frustration with repetitive scientific trials. Alex's emotional development was similar to that of a 2 year old human child, , and his intelligence was that of a 5 year old child.
This evidence about Alex tells us that birds definitely need interaction. My experiences with my cockatiels and one parakeet (little parrots) also prove that pet birds need daily interaction and affection. Affection is highly important as well and the interaction. They ask me with their body language to pet them every day. They also like me to stay near them as if in a flock. They may ask to get on my shoulder or lap. I take my birds for a ride in the car about once a week to my Mom's. She loves to see them, and they love going for a ride in the car as well as visiting my Mom, sister and their dog. I don't let them out of the cage when I am there because of too many dangers. I take them in one bird cage which I bundle up in blankets for protection. The thickness I use depends on how warm or cold outside it is. Birds like to feel safe in their cage so the blankets covers all sides except half of the front part to look out of. I completely cover the front in bad weather or too much sun until we get into a more comfortable environment.
Great care must also be taken when feeding your bird. Each species requires different nutritional needs. If you put any bird on an all seed diet, he will get very sick or die from malnutrition. My cockatiels for example are given organic parrot pellets, Dr. Lafeber's Nutriberries for Cockatiels and some oatmeal, flax seed meal and a little millet seed. There is a nice variety of nutritional bird food in their dish which they can forage through. Foraging helps stop the boredom of your pet bird's meals. Even fresh fruits and vegetables are highly recommended and necessary for your bird's diet. I give my birds a little piece of berry from my frozen berry medley every day and some soybeans that were previously frozen and heated. But when I can get fresh vegetables and fruit, I give them apple, cooked broccoli, chopped carrot, sweet potato, white potato and corn. First thing in the morning, I give them a couple of Trader Joes O's which are almost like Cherrios. I will also give them little pieces of Spelt bread which has whole grain goodness.
My 2 cockatiels require attention from morning till evening, and I do enjoy spending the time with them. They love to be petted and have their little heads scratched. They love being talked to and like to spend play time on the floor with bird toys, ladders and special wood for birds to chew on. Their cages require daily cleaning as well as the bird dishes. Birds are messy. Water will be splashed around with seed husks, loose feathers and droppings that require daily clean up. When I go out, I put them in their cages, one in each cage if the younger bird is pushing the older bird around too much. Some times they like to decide which cage they want to stay in. I also turn on the radio with soft music or cartoons on TV. They enjoy very young childrens cartoons.
Birds may create allot of work, but the rewards of unconditional love and companionship from your feathered friends are priceless.
Parrot Health, Training
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barbara_Delgiudice
Common Meanings Of Cat Behavior
by Karen Fairham
A lot of people think that cats work on their own agenda, not paying much attention to their owner provided they have clean litter, food, and water. Cats can behave in odd manners at times, which can easily confuse their owners and make it really hard to determine what the cat wants. As much as cat behavior can be confusing, there are some ways that you can solve common cat behavior mysteries.
A common behavior that almost all cats do is push their heads into any type of object that will allow them to do it. You've probably seen your cat do this before, probably against table legs, TV stands, or another object. This can be noticed more when you have other people who own animals or those with allergies over at your house. When a cat notices this, he will rub his head against the person. In doing so, he will put a touch of saliva on the individual. In a cat's mind, he owns what he puts his saliva on.
By putting his saliva on something, that object or person will have a familiar scent. Although this can be very annoying, you have to understand that other people in your home are seen as odd or weird to your cat. When a cat does this, he is simply trying to make the visitor belong. When he brushes up against them and puts his saliva on them, he is trying to put his scent on them which in his mind will mean that they belong in his territory.
Even though marking someone or something with saliva is beneficial to the cat, saliva is one of the most common forms of pet allergies. When someone wipes the saliva off of them, the scent will be gone and the cat will go back and attempt to do it again. Even though it may appear that cats target those with allergies, cats are actually just trying to make the visitor belong at the house. If the guest simply cannot take the saliva, allow the cat to rub himself on their pants leg a few times. Normally, this is all takes for a cat to leave the person alone.
Those of you who an indoor cat should expect the cat to spend quite a bit of time lying near windows. During this time, you may hear your cat make very strange noises or weird movements. You shouldn't fear though, as he is simply acting out his hunting instincts. Whether it's another cat or object outside moving about, the cat will see it and simply go into his native hunting instinct.
As most already know, cats love to play. They love to played with, especially with toys. They will pounce on things on occasion, which should always be expected. If you try to prevent this type of behavior, your cat will take a very negative approach and you'll end up with a lot of broken things in your home. You can always play with your cat using a string, as he will love to chase the string around the room.
The longer you own your cat, the more odd behavior you'll see him exhibit. Cats behave in strange ways, although they always have a reason for behaving the way they do. If you can understand why your cat behaves like he does, you'll have no problems keeping him healthy and happy. If you simply pay attention to your cat and the way he behaves at times you'll be able to understand him better than ever before.
About the Author
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PetLoveShack
Hi Petie
M dog eats grass all the time, in the yard and when we go for a walk
eats it all the time almost never throws up from it, only if I let him eat to much
he seems to like it seeks out the best most tender young long grass he can find on walks he smells all the grass look for just the right kind so I let him eat it for a bit, since he seems to like it so much then I stop him when I feel its too much
I have asked vets why and they don't seem to know are surprised he eats it
so much, but have no answers for me how bout you???
Can you explain this??
thank you
sincerely
Janet Kruzel
Dear Janet,
Sometimes dogs eat grass when they have a mild stomach upset and usually they'll vomit soon after that, this has led to the belief that dogs eat grass when they're unwell to make themselves vomit.
Eating unusual objects can arise from a dietary deficiency, so it' s a good idea to get them checked by a vet. If everything is okay medically, consider ways to discourage your dogs' eating habits.
Most indoor, and many outdoor, plants are poisonous to dogs. It can be the leaves, berries, stems, or roots that cause the poisoning. The only plant easily identifiable and safe for a dog to chew and swallow is grass.
Eating grass is quite often followed by vomiting and it is thought by some researchers that the grass acts as an emetic. Some researchers also feel that many dogs simply like its taste
Keep your dogs on a lead when they encounter any substance you don' t want them to eat. When your dogs approach the grass or compost, say "no". Give another command, such as "heel", and reward your dogs when they comply.
The following is a few links with more information..
Love and Licks
Blue Dobie Petie
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