Pet Advice and Pet News

Choosing the Perfect Kitten Name
by Catherine L. Conway

So you bring home your brand new kitten for the very first time. You're looking forward to all the wonderful years ahead with your beloved new pet. You have everything she needs: Food, water, toys to play with, a litter box, and a bed to sleep in. But does she have a name yet?

It's not difficult to choose names for kittens, but you'll want to bear a few things in mind. To begin with, your kitten isn't going to stay a kitten forever. She will grow up to be a cat. If you focus too much on the way she is now as a kitten, you might choose a name that she'll soon outgrow. So think ahead. Is Tiny going to be the best name for your kitten five years from now? What if she puts on some weight and becomes a 15 pound cat?

Your kitten's appearance may help determine the name. For example, if you have an orange kitten, you might call her Ginger, Tabby, Cinnamon, Spice, or Sandy. If you have a grey kitten, you could choose a name like Ash, Soot, Dusk, Dusty, or Silver. If you have a fluffball of a kitten, perhaps Furball should be her name.

And then there is your kitten's personality to consider. Does your kitten run so fast through your house that all you see is a flash of fur? You might call her Zoom or Flash. A nervous, shy kitten might need a name like Mouse or Ghost. If you have a kitten that does all kinds of silly antics, you might decide to call her Clown or Jester.

You could also pick names from history. Plato and Aristotle are very dignified names for an intelligent male kitten. Or you might enjoying naming your kitten after famous fictional characters, such as Sherlock Holmes or Cinderella.

The perfect name just might occur to you all of a sudden while you're watching your kitten. If your kitten's favorite toy is a ball of yarn, maybe you decide Yarn is the best name for her. If your kitten's favorite box used to be filled with pippin apples, you might call her Pippin.

When it comes to picking out names for kittens, there is no right or wrong way to do it. The important thing is taking your time to choose a name for your kitten that you'll be happy with for years to come.

About the Author
Catherine L. Conway is a freelance writer who loves cats. If you want more ideas on what to name your kitten, be sure to visit her site at http://kittykittennames.com

Top 5 Cat Names - Houston Pets

1. Smokey

2. Lucy

3. Angel

4. Oreo

5. Midnight

Stylish Gear for Dogs and Cats
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Easy and Fun Ways to Make Your Ferrets Happy
by patrik.ewriter

One of the more fun pets available in pet shops, eager and ready to have a new home, are ferrets. If you donâ€™t have one yet, it is suggested that you find out more about them before you take one home.
Ferrets are one of the most active pets around. They are playful by nature and can become anxious enough to actually hurt themselves when they have no one around to play with for most of the day. If youâ€™re thinking of getting one, make sure that you will have enough time to shower them with attention and play time for most part of every day, or that you can someone around to do this for you. (Also, ferrets are banned from some city, so find out first if your city allows you to keep one.)

Once you can assure that you will have the time to take care of your ferret, you need not worry about how to make them happy. There are many ways with which you can make your ferrets happy, and information on the subject abound on the internet.

The first thing you have to do after you buy a ferret is to get him a huge cage. Ferrets really like to move around a lot; a large space that doubles as a play area can help curb his boredom. Consequently, youâ€™ll need to provide with a lot of toys that he can play with. Most toys for ferrets include all sorts of knick-knacks, such as balls, stuffed animals, socks, towels, hammocks, and even squeaky objects. Ferrets also like to go through tunnels and run in mazes. You can readily find these in online pet shops and on eBay.

Browsing through different websites that are offer information on ferrets can also lead you to articles written by real ferret owners that give away more detailed instructions on how to make your ferrets happy. For example, one ferret owner listed steps that you have to perform in order to do a certain dance which, he claims, never fails to get a dook â€" the laughing sound that ferrets make â€" out of his ferret. Another gave advice on the many things you can do with the toys, like dropping the socks on your ferret or making tunnels out of the towels.

It is important that your ferret gets time out of the cage. You can take your pet on walks (you can use a leash) to help him develop his bones properly and to expose him to fresh air and natural light. Some ferrets like water; if yours does, you can take him swimming for additional exercise.

About the Author
If you own a cat or a dog, they can serve as playmates for your ferret. Ferrets usually get along with these other domestic creatures. You also have the option to buy another ferret (and another one and another one) and they can keep each other company.

For more information on ferrets - and how you can make and keep them happy, visit ;.

6 Summer Safety Tips for Dog Owners with Gun Shy Dogs
by Sylvia Dickens

Most people have heard of gun shy dogs. It's really a misnomer, because they aren't afraid of guns as such. They're afraid of any loud noises that resemble a gun being shot. This includes vehicles backfiring, fireworks, thunderstorms and, of course, gunfire.
Many gun shy dogs have been seriously injured and even killed when fireworks displays have scared them. Their first instinct is to run and, unfortunately, that often means running into the path of an oncoming vehicle.

Dog owners with gun shy dogs have to be watchful, especially in summer, when there often are loud noises that come out of the blue. Apart from running into harms way, gun shy dogs can be extremely destructive.

They climb on and destroy furniture, they scratch in corners, at walls and doors. They dig under fences in a desperate attempt to escape. Some dogs have severely injured themselves jumping through glass windows in fear.

Dog owners who inadvertently leave a door or gate open will soon discover that their beloved dogs have disappeared. If you're lucky, your dog will return when the fear and the perceived danger has stopped.

Here are six safety tips you can use to protect your gun shy dog.

Dog Safety Tip #1. Travel safety

If your gun shy dog travels with you, be aware of areas where there might be loud noises, such as while driving past road construction. The workers often use dynamite and heavy machinery that can scare your dog. Keep your car windows rolled up.

Dog Safety Tip #2. Keep an ID on your dog

A gun shy dog should always wear a secure collar with an ID tag attached that contains the dog's name and dog owner's phone number, and a current rabies tag.

Be sure to include any special information that finders might need to know. For instance, if he requires medication (ie: diabetes, thyroid, epilepsy), just in case you don't get him back before his next dose. If he does go into a health situation, the finder won't have to worry that he might have rabies or other dangerous disease. Besides, the person will know to get treatment for your dog.

Dog Safety Tip #3. Find a safe place for your gun shy dog

Dogs will seek shelter where they can hide, often somewhere tight and dark such as under a table or in a cave. You can ease his distress by making a spot for him in a closet or under the bed where he can head when he becomes afraid. Get him used to that area prior to such an emergency. Put a familiar blanket on the floor and include a favorite toy to help distract him from the noise. A radio will help.

Dog Safety Tip #4. Seek medical advice

Some gun shy dogs are absolutely terrified and anxious during fireworks displays and thunder storms. Ask your vet if he can prescribe a sedative you can keep on hand for such events.

Dog Safety Tip #5.

Get training for your gun shy dog. Dog trainers can advise you on how to desensitize your pet to those alarming loud noises. It will take some time, but it can be done.

Dog Safety Tip #6: Watch your own reaction

The first instinct of many dog owners is to hold their trembling dog and talk sweetly to try to calm him. This is one of the worst things you can do because it confirms his beliefs that something is wrong.

The best approach is to talk normally to your dog, reassure him by telling him "it's okay, relax", and pet him normally. Don't make a big fuss. Laughing is a good response because it's the opposite of what he's experiencing and sends the message that there really is nothing to fear.

Distraction is extremely effective. Call his name when he's listening intently to the noise. Offer his squeaky toy. Play with him while constantly talking to keep his ears busy.

With these six dog safety tips, dog owners can alleviate their pet's fears and keep them safe from harm.

Preparation is important. Have a leash handy for when things get too noisy. Have sedatives on hand. Make sure all the doors, windows and gates are secured. Close your car windows. Get your dog used to a safe hideout in your home where he can feel protected.

Dog safety is of prime importance for any dog owner with a gun shy dog.

About the Author
Want more dog tips? Get Sylvia's free dog guide, "Unveiling the Myths & Mysteries of Owning a Puppy" at http://ebook-haven.com/PuppyGuide1.php . Read her Dog Training product reviews and recommendations at http://www.ebook-haven.com .