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Autor: Udo8best
Just like human beings, animals have emotions and feelings too. They need the assurance that their masters love and care for them. In return, pets often reciprocate their love by demonstrating various forms of affection to their owners. These may include making soft purring sounds, licking and even body contacts like rubbing their heads or furs against them.
Pet care is an important responsibility of pet ownership. Pet care requires a lot of patience and is also a way of showing the animals that they are important to us. Pet care will include feeding our pets carefully and ensure that they are groomed properly to maintain a good health.
There are educational videos on pet care, that is, how to maintain the wellness and health of pets. These include various demonstrations on how to care for the different types of pets and what are the attentions required.
For four-legged pets such as dogs and cats, good pet care will include giving them regular baths, checking their paws and ears, trimming their nails as well as fixing regular health checks with a professional veterinarian.
Sanitation plays an important role to the health of the pets and their owners. Bathe your pets regularly and ensure that they are clean at all times. Buy a set of dishes especially for the pets and keep them separately from those used by human beings. After every use, wash the pets' dishes thoroughly with soap and water, then give them a final rinse them with boiling water.
It is common for pets, especially dogs, to have fleas. Their bites are irritating and annoying; and make the pets feel uncomfortable if the scratching developed into skin rashes. Fleas are also the cause of other more dangerous and serious skin problems such as allergies or dermatitis. As such, good pet care will include conducting regular checks on the animals and getting rid of the fleas.
Dental care is another essential part of pet care. Most canine pets need to maintain a proper dental healthcare routine. A professional pet shop owner will be able to demonstrate the correct way to brush the animals' teeth. This will prevent gum diseases or other health conditions related to poor oral hygiene.
Products such as detergents, cleaners, fertilizers and pesticides, must be kept well out of the way in the house. These contain chemicals that may be lethal or poisonous to animals and should not be within their reach. This is another way to exercise proper pet care.
Every pet owner, especially those first time owners, should be prepared for the big responsibility of having and owning a pet, as pet care takes more than just skills and experience. Value the existence of nature's creations and ensure that the animals are given the best pet care. Lastly, always choose the best pet products and supplies so that your pet will have the best nutrition and pet care available.
Source: Free Articles
How to Protect Your Pets From Bird Flu, and Protect Yourself From Bird Flu From Your Pets
Author: rickstooker
Several months ago, a cat in Germany caught bird flu -- and pet owners throughout Europe dumped their poor dogs and cats.
I trust you have more concern for the animals under your care than that, and there are ways to reduce the risk that they catch bird flu even during a serious pandemic.
The current A/H5N1 bird flu virus is unprecedented in the way it's proven it can infect not only birds and pigs (which can normally catch the flu from both chickens and people), but in how it's infected other mammals.
The cat in Germany. Allegedly lions and tigers in the Bangkok Zoo, and so on.
You must also remember this -- YOU can catch bird flu from your pets.
And your pets can catch bird flu from other animals and from other people.
So protecting them from bird flu is one way you must also protect yourself and your family.
I'm writing this article before bird flu has become contagious between people. There is no pandemic yet, but you should be concerned about transmission of A/H5N1 between animals. The virus has been found in Europe, though it's not yet in North America.
You should keep all your pet birds such as parakeets and canaries inside. That should shelter them from the virus.
If you're in Europe, Asia or Africa, I must say that it's risky to let your dogs and cats run free, especially if you're in a rural or wooded area frequented by wild birds. If you're in North or South America, this is not yet a problem.
Once a contagious bird flu pandemic starts, your options are more limited.
Pets should NOT leave your house or yard. I realize that dogs and cats used to running around free will not like being confined to home. They should remain on a leash or behind a fence that holds them in.
By the way, electronic fences don't count, because during the pandenic you cannot depend on electricity. I have a friend who delivers pizza. One night after an electrical storm, she had to stop her car in a very wealthy area to chase a bunch of peacocks off the road. I'm sure that they had been confined to the yard of one of the surrounding mansions behind an electrical fence -- until the power outage turned that fence off.
If you let your pets escape you will have to make a difficult decision -- because during a bird flu pandemic dogs and cats that have been running around loose should NOT be allowed back into your house or yard. I realize some of you will ignore this advice, but you'll be taking a big risk.
Since dogs and cats can catch bird flu, it's likely that some bird flu patients will transmit the virus to their pets. Who will then escape or be homeless because their owner died from that bird flu.
You don't want your pets exposed to those dogs and animals that'll be running loose through the streets.
You don't want your dogs and cats sniffing or eating dead birds.
You don't want your dogs and cats petted by strangers who may not even know they have bird flu.
If you let them out of your house or yard, they may well do some or all of those things before returning home to you -- bringing bird flu with them.
Therefore, the best way to protect your pets during a bird flu pandemic is to keep them away from everybody outside your family. Keep them inside your house as much as possible or at least in your yard.
They must stay isolated -- just as you should.
The best way to beat the bird flu is to avoid the virus.
Source: Free Articles
Pasadena Star-News
WARM UP
Warm up your pet before strenuous activity. Start with a brisk, 10-minute walk, and cool down for the same amount of time afterward.
LIMIT EXPLOSIVE EXERCISE AND TAKE BREAKS
Any strenuous activity, such as rough play, should be limited to intervals, ideally 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Force your dog to take a break. "A dog in a dog park will push itself beyond what its body can do," said veterinarian Jessica Waldman, founder of California Animal Rehabilitation. "Dogs don't say, `No, I need a break.' "
BUILD CONTROLLED ENDURANCE
The majority of exercise should be controlled (on a leash, or just no running, jumping or rough play) so that when your pet does strenuous exercise, he is better prepared, similar to how people train for competitions.
BE CAREFUL NOT TO OVERDO IT
Your pet should end a walk at the same pace he begins the walk. If your pet sits down or lags behind on a walk, you are pushing him too far.
SENIOR PETS
As your pet ages, he won't be able to do the same activity he did when he was younger. (Think of a 10-year-old Labrador as a human senior citizen.)
STRETCH YOUR PET
You stretch before and after exercise; why shouldn't your dog? Try these simple stretches after your pet is warm, and after exercise, to prevent injuries:
Shoulder extension: With your pet lying all the way on its side, keep the front leg straight and progress the whole limb forward until the leg reaches your pet's face. Stop progressing the leg when your pet seems uncomfortable or it is tight. Hold for 15 seconds and repeat three times, once a day.
Hip extension: With your pet lying all the way on its side, keep the hind leg straight and progress the whole limb backward, keeping the leg parallel to the ground. Stop and hold at the point your pet seems uncomfortable or it is tight. Hold for 15 seconds and repeat three times, once a day.
Source: Veterinarian Jessica Waldman
By Laura French - Minneapolis Pet Central
Superstitions about black cats are probably a matter of guilt by association. Cats in general are crepuscular creatures—their most active times are at dawn and dusk, a time that always seems mysterious and haunting to human beings. A black cat creeping through the shadows looks more mysterious than a bicolor or tabby—and seems more likely to be on its way to meet with witches, whose rituals were also said to be carried on under dark of night.
Cats were said to be the “familiars” of witches. They were four-legged servants who acted as spies and otherwise did the witches’ bidding. In some cases, it was believed that witches were “shape-shifters” who assumed the guise of cats to move through the dark. Stories abound of black cats injured by night and “witches” seen limping around with the same injuries the next day.
In the Puritan colonies in America, magic was fervently feared. At the height of the Massachusetts witch trials in 1692-1693, more than 150 people were arrested and imprisoned, and 20 were killed. Many of the accused were elderly women. Some were poor, many were widows—groups likely to befriend stray cats in the neighborhood. Four centuries later, witches are still among the most common symbols of the American Halloween, and black cats are regarded as bad luck.
Magic isn’t automatically feared and rejected in all cultures. In some cases, the black cats’ association with magic can actually raise their value and popularity. In England and Scotland, sailors’ wives used to keep black cats to assure that their husbands would return home safely. A black cat given as a wedding present brought happiness to the new couple. A black cat walking toward you was said to be bringing good fortune. A black cat walking away took the good luck with it.
In Italy, on the other hand, black cats have not fared well since Pope Gregory IX denounced them in 1233. However, the current Pope, Benedict XVI, is a cat lover. The fact that he would be sharing his 2008 summer holiday with his brother and a black cat named Milly actually made headlines on the “Popenews” blogspot.
Let’s hope that Milly and her influential mentor will create a kinder, gentler era for black cats everywhere.
Laura French is a freelance writer who lives in Roseville with three cats — Gracie, Tennessee Tuxedo and his pal Chumley, and Sofie, whose breed(s) will forever remain a mystery.
Pet Product News
A Pennsylvania bill aimed at improving the conditions of commercial kennels was signed into law today by Governor Edward Rendell, two days after the state Legislature approved the measure by a wide margin.
Rendell said the new law will help improve Pennsylvania’s reputation as “The Puppy Mill Capital of the East.”
“Pennsylvania law previously allowed dogs to be kept in cramped, stacked cages their entire lives with no opportunity for exercise and minimal care,” Rendell said in a statement. “These deplorable conditions led to dogs with physical and psychological problems and a poor standard of living. With this bill, those standards of care are finally raised.”
The law bans wire flooring, double-cage sizes, eliminate cage stacking, and require regular exercise and semiannual veterinary care for dogs. Commercial breeding kennels are required to meet the new physical standards for cage size and flooring within one year, unless granted a temporary waiver by the Department of Agriculture. The law also mandates that only a veterinarian may euthanize an animal.
The requirements for other types of kennels, like sporting and hobby dog kennels, are virtually unchanged, according to the governor’s office. Those entities do not operate with the purpose of breeding large quantities of dogs to sell for profit.
Posted by JennyMontgomery - Houston Pets
It really gets me how my dog Abby knows just how to please every person in our family. I always wanted a calm dog, so I love how she rests her head on my lap while I'm reading a book on the sofa and dozes on my feet when I'm typing at my computer. My husband wanted a dog who would roughhouse, and when she's around him, she begs to play Flee the Beast (my husband being the Beast). At night she starts out in one son's bed and in the middle of the night switches to my other son's bed, so one gets to go to sleep next to a dog and the other gets to wake up next to one. When she visits my mom, who's frequently bedbound, she bounces through the door and zips straight to the bed for an enthusiastically sloppy dog greeting. When she sees my dad, she immediately flops on to her back for a belly rub, always eliciting a laugh.
What's the Most Endearing Thing Your Dog Does?
FED_UP wrote:
My husky Cotto is a hugger! When I come home from work, I crouch down and say "Come to mama, and he runs to me putting his arms on my shoulders giving me a huge bear hug and kisses. My maltese Junior loves to play hide and seek with me. He is usually the seeker, and when he finds me I scream, he barks and runs away from me to hide. We go back and forth until mom get's tired. And my Shitzhu, Wicked..the oldest out of the two...loves to take baths. It's so cute, usually if I can't find him in the house....he is laying in the tub. So cute. When it is bath time, he will just lay on his stomach and enjoy it...Doesn't rush me at all.
MrSandman wrote:
My dashund mix is very greedy. She'll be laying on the couch sleep and as soon as she hears what she thinks is a potato chip bag crinkling, her head shoots up like she was never sleep to begin with. She also has moments where she gets so excited that she starts running really fast all around the house. I've noticed that she uses her paws a lot like a cat would.
geofizz56 wrote:
I can't hug my husband without our greyhound wedging himself between us. He won't move until one of us reaches down and gives him scratchies. Cute, but moderately annoying if we're barefoot!
FED_UP wrote:
Oh god, My maltese does the same. After every bath, he get's this huge amount of energy and runs back and forth in the house like a wild child!! Too funny!!
kimwillis1 wrote:
We are fostering a pit bull named Murray. Murray had clearly endured a level of abuse when we found him. It is very inspiring to see how gentle he is, how he knew to jump right on the bed for a good rawhide chew break and to sleep with us. He, of course, likes the sofa as well. He plays well with other dogs in the house and most amazingly has 2 cat buddies who nuzzle right up to him and he nuzzles back.
JasonNemeck wrote:
My dog is my nurse.
When I am not feeling well, my nurse takes extra care to monitor my activities, and anytime I sit or lay down for any length of time, she's right there to sniff and examine me.
Since it's just the two of us, she's very tuned-in to my health & knows when things are not right.
Sometimes (like this week) she knew I was getting sick before I did.
ChaosAngelfire wrote:
I have a Boston Terrier that loves to have my husband take her for a ride in the pickup truck. She sits up on the toolbox and acts like she is the queen. (She is on a harness so she is safe.) Also, any time we go anywhere she comes to greet us looking for a doggie bag. When she sees my dad's car she knows that treats are close at hand!
Different Toys For Different Cats
by Jay Schindler
When the mouse is away, cats play. And cats have the tendency to both play hard and play soft. Toys are to cats the same as toys are to dogs. It helps fight the boredom experienced by these pets as well as gives our feline friends the opportunity to practice and use their natural inclination to chase and hunt for prey. It also gives the cat owner that great chance to play with their pets, an experience that will aid in bonding their relationship.
But what toys are best for cats? The following are tips and helpful advice to get that perfect toy for the cat owners perfect pets.
Play safe
The good thing about cats is that they can play ball inside the house and the owners will never know it. Still, there may be things inside the house that cats could find attractive yet might actually endanger their health and safety. Houses must be cat-friendly. As much as possible, take away any string, yarn, needles, rubber bands or other objects that could easily be swallowed by cats. These things could be lethal to cats. Do not let them play with these articles no matter how cute they may appear to be.
Play soft
Choose soft toys that can easily be machine-washed. It is best that the toys chosen to be played with by cats are also the toys marked as safe to be played with by children below three years old. Toys such as these usually contain fillings that are not hazardous. Also, avoid giving cats toys that are hard and rigid, these types do not appeal to them that much.
Know your cat, know their toy
It is best that one also familiarize themselves with your cat. Doing so helps in ones selection of the kind of plaything that best serves the size of ones cat - the kind of activity the cat likes and its unique preferences. Know the environment in which the cat likes to spend its time the most.
Choose active toys
Toys that are great to play with for cats are usually the round plastic ones (such as rings from shower curtains, plastic balls, golf balls, balls used in ping-pong) as these give cats the opportunity to chase and paw around. They could also carry these in their mouths, make sure though that these are big enough they cannot be swallowed but not so large that they cannot carry them in their mouths.
Choose active play
Balls can be placed inside bath tubs filled with water. Watch as cats frolic and play on and around the toy. It is just as enjoyable to the cat as it is fun for the cat owner. Another added feature that could be placed on balls are bells. One not only sees how cats play, one could also listen and take pleasure in the playful sound . Another simple yet effective plaything for cats is a paper bag. Use paper bags that do not have handles. These bags are good for pouncing around. Cats hide in them too. As much as possible, avoid the plastic ones as cats have the tendency to chew these and they may eat the plastic. This is not good.
Toys with tails
Cats like playing with soft toy animals - specially the ones that have tails. They either bite them, paw them or chase these little stuffed toys around. It is best if these toys are as big or as small as the cats playing them.
Toys with catnip
Catnip is sometimes used as stuffing for toys that are soft. Putting catnip in such playthings make the toys more enjoyable to carry, kick and throw around. More importantly, it is safe for cats to chew on, roll around in, or eat. It is okay for owners to place catnip on carpeted floors, or (to make clean-up easy) on towels. There are now catnip oils that can be placed on carpets, and they usually stay there. Cats detect these too. Although small cats, specifically kittens who are younger than six months have shown a certain kind of immunity to catnip.
All in all, it is best that cat owners define what kind of toy should be played by their cats. It is advisable that different kinds of toys be given on certain days, and that displaying all toys simultaneously may not be a good idea. Cats can easily tire of seeing the same fluffy toy animal again and again. Variety always works best. However if cats show a certain liking to a specific toy, let them play with it, or sleep with it - whichever they like.
About the Author
For tips on fish facts and shark facts, visit the Animals Facts website.
Franklin Pet Memorials“Remember them with a custom solid bronze memorial.”
Contact: Cynthia Linnon
191 Howard Street Franklin, PA 16323
clinnon@franklinbronzeplaques.com
814-346-7205 ph 814-346-7047 fax
Weight Loss Tips for Dogs
by Jane Dinunzio
Dog Health Diet
An overweight dog does not look healthy, and this only occurs because of overfeeding, not because they choose this lifestyle. It is only through overfeeding that we make this happen to our pets.
DISEASES CAUSED BY DOG OBESITY
If you want to learn about weight loss for dogs, the first thing you should do is consult your vet and get his approval and advice. That said and done, there are many reasons and tips to help you achieve the goal of a healthy pet.
Obesity in our pets is ultimately our responsibility. After all we are in control of their nutrition. It has become an epidemic that is associated with our own "couch potato" lifestyle. There are many problems that can be caused by obesity in our dogs which can be prevented if they are fed an all natural healthy organic diet. Some of these ailments (which mimic our own problems with over indulgence) include:
JOINT AND WALKING DIFFICULTIES - this is due to added weight and stress put on joints, bones, and muscles. This can cause back problems, hip dysplasia, lethargy, and aggravation of arthritis.
HEART AND RESPIRATORY DISEASES - Obesity causes extra stress on the heart and lungs, making them tork harder than a dog that is physically fit.
DIABETES - This is more prevalent in obese pets.
LIVER DISEASE - This is also associated with obese pets.
SKIN PROBLEMS - Being fat causes difficulty in your pet's grooming ability. Just as overweight humans have trouble reaching their feet to tie their shoes when a fat belly is in the way, a dog can't reach all areas that need self cleaning. Dirt and bacteria can become embedded in fat rolls and cause infections.
STOMACH PROBLEMS - There is a painful and life threatening condition, called pancreatitis, which is seen more and more in obese pets.
Just as the above diseases mimic our own obesity related problems, they are curable or preventable if you keep your dog healthy, active and fed nutrionally premium dog food.
WEIGHT LOSS TIPS FOR DOGS
Putting your pet on a fat reducing diet and increasing exercise, as prescribed by your vet, is the best way to show your love to your pet. There are several high protein, low fat organic dog foods available specifically for your dog's health. Check the labels carefully and make sure you buy the best organic dog food you can afford, with the highest amount of organic ingredients and low fat content.
Elimination of bad high calorie treats and table scraps is the easiest weight loss for dogs tip there is. Extra calories from treats pile up quickly. Choosing the wrong type of high fat, high calorie treat for your dog is not a good practice, so be aware of the difference between good and bad treats. Choose healthy!
TREATS
At 40 kcals is KARMA ORGANIC DOG TREATS
Bonz treats for small dogs 70 kcals
Milk Bone Dog Biscuit - one large 115 kcals
Fresh Carrot - baby size 3 kcals
Green Beans - 1 cup canned (this in my girls favorite) 25 kcals
Air popped popcorn (1/2 ounce) 54 kcals
1 slice Pizza Hut Cheese Pizza (NOT RECOMMENDED) 259 kcals
20 Dorito brand chips (NOT RECOMMENDED) 260 kcals
At 17 kcals is: MOTHER NATURE NATURAL DOG BISCUITS
At 45 kcals is: SOLID GOLD NATUR-BONE BISCUITS
At 50 kcals is: INNOVA HEALTH BARS - SMALL SIZE
Oreo Cookies - 2 (NOT RECOMMENDED) 130 kcals
McDonalds Quarter Pounder with cheese (YUCK!) 525 kcals
A kcal is a kilo calorie per unit or calorie as we call it in every day terms.
(A 20 pound dog needs 690 kcals daily for optimum health.) A few Doritos here, a Oreo cookie there and sharing a Quarter Pounder will equal your dogs total calorie need for a whole day. This on top of his regular dinner is simply unhealthy and easy to change.
Sometimes, just eliminating the unhealthy treats and going on a daily walk is all that is necessary is helping your pet become fit and energetic again.
Our bond with our pets is extremely special, so always remember that you speak for your pet and give him the best that you are able.
About the Author
I am an animal lover and advocate of raising healthy, happy pets, as part of the family. I truly believe this starts with proper, adequate nutrition, which in turn extends your pets life. Check out what is the best of the best for you dog here: http://www.recipes4gourmetdogs.com
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