Pet Advice You Can Use!

Afghan Hound: King Of Dogs
by Alex de la Cruz

One of the oldest breeds, its bloodline can be traced back 4000 years. This dog is quite tall. Its height measures an average of 27 to 29 inches. It can weigh from 57-64 pounds. People into sophisticated looks will surely love it as a pet. It has long, thick and silky hair, that can come in any color. There are white accents around the some areas of the coat. Its ears are flat, and neck quite long, giving it a royal look. The Afghan Hound is agile and has quick reflexes. It was originally used for hunting game and herding animals.

Its thick coat is what protected it from cold weather. But thats what it was used for thousands of years ago. It's now being bred as a house pet. Grooming a dog like this is but of the utmost importance, especially if it goes out often. It may require bathing once a week or as needed. Brush its hair when it is damp only. Brushing dry hair may cause damage to the hair strands and make it matted. A special set of grooming tools will be needed to properly take care and maintain its coats natural shine and beauty; as well as protect it from damage normal grooming tools can cause.

Avoid having it run around in dirty places. Make sure that the environment it is kept in is cleaned constantly. This will help lessen the frequency of cleaning this dog. Though an Afghan Hound loves playing outdoors, have it sleep indoors. A comfortable bed or even just a mat will be adequate. Disobedience may be an issue for this pet, especially when it isn't trained at an early age. So starting young can save you from the burden. Not just discipline, but love as well. Showing it care and giving it compliments is a must. Treats for good behavior is helpful, but remember not spoil it.

This dog will need daily exercise. Taking it on daily walks is necessary. Always use a collar and leash when walking in crowded areas. It is a curious dog, and may wander around if it gets the chance. It enjoys running around in open areas. If it sees other animals running around, it may have the tendency to chase it. Avoid areas where there are lots of other pets running freely. The Afghan Hound is an affectionate and loyal dog. It will serve as a good watch dog, barking at people it hasn't been acquainted with. Socializing with its owner's family members won't be a problem.

It gets along very well, making it great for children. There are times when it doesn't make friends with some other pets though, but it's nothing to worry about. It doesn't get aggressive unless attacked first. It learns pretty quick, so you won't have much difficulty with training it. A very beautiful dog, making it a popular choice for dog shows. Many winners of these kind of contests are of this breed. Taking it out with you will surely turn the heads of many. Like the sound of that? Then I suggest getting an Afghan Hound.

About the Author
The author of this article, Alex De La Cruz, is a Dog Expert who has been successful for many years. Because most people think that Arthritis is a humans-only disease Alex now informs dog owners with his http://dog_arthritis.doggybooks.info Ebook on how to discover this disease and let their dogs live as pain-free as possible.

The Reality of Pet Rabbits
by Tonia Jordan

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. With 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.

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

Choosing The Best Dogs For Your Family
by Kurniawan

Owning a dog is like raising a child. You must be a good parent, giving attention and affection to your dog. Owning a dog can be an enjoyable experience to your family. But the decision to own a dog is an important one, and it shouldn't be taken lightly. You must choose the best dogs for your family.

Size
The size of dog is an important factor when choosing the best dogs for your family. Not all If you live in a small house or apartment, it's better to choose a smaller dog. But if you live in a big house or you have a large yard, you can choose the larger dog. You must consider that owning a small dog needs extra attention.

Male or female?
When choosing the best dogs, you can choose by their gender. Generally, female dogs are smaller than the male one. And female dogs are more easily trained at earlier ages.

Personality
If you have kids in your family, it's better to choose a good temperament and intelligent dog. There are some best dogs for your kids :

- Poodle
Poodle is one of most intelligent breed of dog and have a moderate energy level. They have small, medium, and large sizes. But poodle needs a regular grooming.

- Beagle
It is a suitable dog for kids. Sweet, docile and lovable are the most common characteristics of the breed. They are intelligent and very friendly. Beagles can play with children, toys, or other dogs. Beagles comes in two sizes — under 13 inches tall and 13-15 inches tall. Weight for the smaller dogs is 18-20 pounds; for the larger dogs is 20-30 pounds.

- German Shepherd Dog
German Shepherd Dog is a large-sized dog. They are serious and highly intelligent. They are considered to be the third most intelligent breed of dog. They have a high learning ability.

- Labrador Retriever or Golden Retriever
These breeds are exceptionally affable, gentle, intelligent, energetic and good natured. They are generally considered good companions for people of all ages and they tend to be quite patient with children.

- Bichon Frise
Bichon Frisé is lovable, playful, and affectionate small dog. They have an independent spirit, is intelligent, affectionate, bold and lively. Very suitable for your children.

- Collie and Shetland Sheepdog
These are both very calm, gentle and love to chase and herd things, including squirrels, ducks, and children.

With these tips, I hope you can choose the best dogs for your family and which one is suitable for your kids.

Check out other guide on http://vet-petinsurance.net
Find informations about Dog and Cat Care Tips, Pet Insurance, Pet Meds and many more.

About the Author
I'm a fresh graduated architecture student


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Dog Obedience Training For Pets
by Jerry Mace

A dog is a man's best friend. However, true this might be, the fact always remains that dogs are after all wild animals, and training your beast in to a civilized pet is a very important task that you cannot ignore as a responsible dog owner.

Dog training apparently might sound a very easy 'do it yourself' task, however, there comes a limitation on how well you can train your dog all by yourself. There are many dog obedience training professionals that can do this job for you, at a small cost. You might be able to train your dog for routine tasks like following you, toilet training, playing games, etc, but living in a city will require more than this basic training. Formal dog training is quite important, for instance if you are taking your dog for a walk on the street, it needs to know how walk in a straight line with a leash around. You don't want your dog scurrying around dragging you all over the park while scaring other commuters. The other important aspect of dog training is the age of your pet.

The age of a dog has a direct bearing on how much adaptive and receptive the dog remains to the training efforts and for his 'trained-memory'. A young pup is considerably easier to train compared to an adult dog that is over a year or two. In case of adult dogs it might be almost impossible to train him on your own, and this is where professional dog obedience training will come in helpful. Finding professional dog training has now become quite effortless with the internet. There are a number of dog training course websites that provide a complete package of different solutions for dog obedience training.

No matter what city you are located, Harrisburg, York, Lancaster, or Dover Pa., you can easily find a dog training professional help right in your locality. If you visit one of these dog training websites you will be amazed at the amount of informative resources you have at your disposal, and at no expense at all. You can find more information about the particular breed of your dog, its peculiarities, food habits, and all other such stuff that will come in handy when you maintain a pet in your house. Typically, different training course are offered on these websites that are aimed at meeting different owner and pet dog requirements. For instance, training techniques and courses significantly are different for dogs of different breeds and age groups. The best part is that you can also do corrective behavioral changes for your dog using these training courses no matter how much you have spoiled your pet

About the Author
Jerry Mace owner and head trainer for http://www.mydogneedshelp.com

Aquarium Fish Tank: Easy To Maintain Pets
by Eddie Lamb

If you've considered getting a pet, you have to decide how much time you want to devote to your new pet. Some pets require a lot of attention while some don't require much at all. For instance, a dog will require so much attention that if you're not going to be home constantly, a dog probably isn't the best idea for a pet. Cats don't require as much attention as dogs but they still require attention. If you're not going to be home that often and want a very low maintenance pet, why don't you start your very own aquarium fish tank? An aquarium fish tank doesn't take much maintenance at all and it effectively brightens nearly any room in your home.
Ask Plenty Of Questions

To start, visit your local aquarium store and tell the sales representative that you're interested in starting your first aquarium fish tank. They'll likely be able to point you in the right direction and can assist in providing you with everything you need to sustain a group of your favorite fish for a long time. For instance, you'll first need to decide what size of aquarium fish tank you want. Once that's decided, you'll need a pump and filter to keep the water clean, you'll need a temperature gauge to make sure the water isn't too warm or too cold so that your fish don't die and you'll need food as well as other materials to maintain your fish once you set your aquarium fish tank up.

Once you've set your aquarium fish tank up the hardest part is nearly done. It doesn't take much at all to maintain your fish tank. You may need to clean the tank every now and again but if you have a good pump and filter, the work is mostly done for you. All you need to do is make sure that your fish are fed to help them live as long as they're able.

An aquarium fish tank looks great in any room of your home. It can also add a little something special to your office. Especially if you fill your aquarium fish tank with brightly colored fish, the effect it gives off is amazing.

Once you become more experienced, you can experiment with different types of fish or even different types of environments. For instance, instead of the normal aquarium fish tank, you could start a salt water fish tank. Salt water fish are more expensive and are harder to care for than regular freshwater fish but they look amazing and, for that reason, many people say that the money is well worth it.

However, to start out, you'll want to get yourself some regular fish to practice. There's nothing worse than buying a bunch of expensive fish only to have them die on you. Practice makes perfect and perfect practice makes for a great looking aquarium fish tank.

About the Author
Eddie Lamb publishes an abundance of information on a range of topical subjects. This article Aquarium Fish Tank: Easy To Maintain Pets, is just one of a host of useful articles about Tropical Fish and Aquarium Care listed on our site map at Tropical Fish Aquarium Care.

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Information On Disciplining Your Cat
by Joshua Simms

Cats tend to be a more independent type of pet which is why many people prefer them over other types of pets. However, you might find that your feline friend doesn't always do what he is supposed to. At this point you need to find a way to discipline your cat that doesn't involve hitting and screaming at him. If you bought your cat as a kitten, the odds are they will pick on what is allowed and what isn't fairly quickly. If you bought an adult cat you might have to work on a few bad habits, but need to remember to be patient while doing so.
Below are a few ways that might help you deal with the disciplining of your cat, especially when it comes to particular areas.

The first thing that you should know is that it helps to use the same words when disciplining your cat, don't change it up all the time because you will end up confusing your cat in the long run. If there is more than just you in the house, you need to make sure that your discipline techniques are uniform so that the cat will not be confused as to who they need to listen to.

Come Fluffy, Come!

You need to realize that you cat is not like a dog. They are not always going to obey when you call because they basically have a mind of their own. Although they do have a completely different personality, it is possible to get your cat to come to you if you call it and reinforce your command with positive behavior. You can do this by offering them so sort of reward such as petting them, brushing them, or giving them a treat.

If you are screaming at your cat to come to you with the thought that such an action will shock them into coming right over, you will soon realize that such tactics will not work with a cat as they saunter off in the completely opposite direction.

It's Green and Leafy, it's a Plant!

If you happen to have plants in your home that are not harmful to your cat, the odds are that you don't want your cat to destroy them. As mentioned earlier, cats are very curious and will try getting into everything. It is also important to note that it is instinctive for cats to claw or dig as they do in the litter box so if you are not care, they might do the same to your plants. In order to prevent the certain mess that will occur otherwise, you need to go to a craft store and purchase plastic needlepoint mesh.

Then cut it to fit the opening of the pot and a spot for your plant and then apply it over the dirt. This will keep your cat from clawing at the dirt in your plant. Chewing on plants is another matter entirely. All you need to do is spray the leaves and coat them with a cayenne spray or a bitter apple spray that you can get at most pet shops. The bad taste will keep your cat from chewing further.

Ouch! He Bit Me!

Biting is not a fun thing when you cat has sharp little teeth. Often cats tend to bite or nip when they are playing around and in reality it is quite a painful shock when those teeth connect with your skin. In order to get your cat to stop this painful behavior, you need to take the right steps. The next time he decides to take a playful nip at whatever skin is handy you can choose to do one of two things, you can either hiss at him like another cat would do, or scream in pain. Either one of these reactions is sure to get your cat's attention and make him stop.

About the Author
To read about cat biting and cat disease, visit the About Animals site.

Cockatoo Parrots - 7 Answers to Questions About Cockatoos As Pets
by Debbie Davis

Cockatoos are strikingly beautiful Parrots with regal crests that set them apart from all others. They are affectionate, playful, and make charming companions. Here are answers to 7 frequently asked questions that will give you more general information, knowledge, understanding, and appreciation of the Cockatoo.
How well do they speak? They are not known as one of the best talking birds, but they can learn some words, but differences in ability will vary greatly between species and in individual birds.

What should normal maintenance include? Too's need to have their cage cleared of droppings daily, water freshened as often as needed, and a daily supply of fresh fruits, vegetables, high quality pellet mix, and sprouted seeds. Keep an extra set or 2 of dishes for food and water to make daily cleaning of food and water dishes easier.

Be sure to remove fresh food after several hours to prevent mold growth, and avoid having your bird ingest spoiled food. Keep an eye on toys and remove those that are worn and present a safety issue. Clean perches and cage bars weekly, and clear away debris on the walls and floors.

Are Cockatoos available only in white? Even though white is the color seen most often, there are an amazing variety of colors available. Pink, glossy black/dark brown, black with yellow, red or white tails, gray with rose-colored breast, black with yellow ears, and white are just some of the fantastic color combinations. Be prepared to pay handsomely as the Red-tail Black Cockatoo can cost as much as $20,000 USD.

How noisy are they? To answer this question in one word-very. In the wild, their screams are so loud they can be heard for miles. Training, and proper daily attention will eliminate a lot of this, but nothing eliminates it completely. And the noise your individual bird makes may differ from what is considered normal-either more or less. Your ability and your family's ability to tolerate it will also be a huge determining factor. They may not make the best bird for apartment, townhouse, or condo living, but again, a lot of this will depend on the individual bird.

How are they with children and other pets? Cockatoos can become excited very easily when exposed to quick movements, and loud unexpected sounds. A home with small children may not be the best place, but older children can be well tolerated. Proceed with caution with other pets, particularly smaller ones like hamsters and guinea pigs. Keep other animals separate until you are sure that they all get along. Never leave your bird alone or unsupervised with a child or pet.

How often do they need to be bathed? They need a shower or bath weekly to get rid of the feather dust and keep plumage healthy. Some will handle this bit of grooming if a bowl of lukewarm water is made available as a bird bath. Otherwise, use a spray of lukewarm water, or equip your shower with a shower perch for your bird and let it shower with you once a week making sure to keep the water temperature warm and on the mist setting.

What can be done about the feather dust they create? Feather dust is a natural part of their growth and development. They are exposed to this dust in far greater amounts in your home than they would be in the wild. It is important to keep this dust level down for you and your bird because it can clog their air passages and your lungs which can lead to respiratory infections and disease.

And while weekly baths will help, one of the best ways to virtually eliminate this dust is to use a high efficiency particle arresting (HEPA) air purifier that will remove all airborne pollutants, especially this dust down to .3 microns.

About the Author
An excellent HEPA air purifier for Cockatoos that will remove feather dust and other airborne pollutants from the air is offered by PurerAir.com - the Bird Dander Purifier See it now at http://purerair.com/bird_dander_air_purifier.html Debbie Davis, President, PurerAir.com



Dog Barking Behavior - 3 Top Tips To Stop Dog Barking
by Al Bullington

Barking is part of what dogs do. They must enjoy it. At least many dogs look like they have fun making noise. But dog barking behavior is a challenge to your sanity when it just goes on and on without end. It may be fun to your dog, but it's not to you. That uncontrolled noise must be stopped.
Consider these three tips for changing your pet's behavior.

1. Look for a cause.

Dog barking control starts best with a good understanding of why your dog barks so much. At least you need a guess. Please take the time to closely observe when the barking happens and where you are and where the dog is. Maybe you need some input from neighbors or friends too. It could be most of the racket is when you aren't home.

Boredom, isolation, lack of exercise are all common causes of too much noise. Just with minor changes of routine you may be able to help your dog and stop some of the commotion.

2. What about you?

Have you trained your dog to bark? Not on purpose I know. If your dog starts barking, do you go outside and holler? That may be a little interaction that your dog craves. Is it "bark" and you open the door? Are you rewarding the dog bark behavior at least in the mind of your dog? Try to see your own behavior as your dog would. Hard isn't it? Actually maybe some of us are better at thinking like dogs than others!

3. What about a tool?

An anti bark collar might help too. These collars are just tools. Don't skip the hard part of trying to understand the barking and go right to the tool. Actually some dogs become more neurotic and more prone to crazy barking from using barking collars. Especially a dog that suffers from isolation may act even nuttier when dog barking collars are used. Be careful when choosing a collar, but sometimes they can help with training.

Dog barking behavior can be improved with work. Remember the importance of observation and with patience you can regain some peace and quiet in your life. Plus your dog will be happier and more contented too.

Believe me I know how stressful dog barking can be! Visit our site to get more dog barking behavior help.

Go to http://DogBarkingHelp.com and stop uncontrolled barking fast.

About the Author
Al Bullington's nerves cannot handle constant dog barking in the daytime or at night.

Recognizing If Your Cat Is Sick
by Joshua Simms

As with people, there are things that you need to look for in your cat to recognize if they are sick or not. Below is a list of symptoms that might trigger some concern.
• Unexplained weight loss
• It's hard for your cat to breathe
• Your cat is constantly throwing up
• Really bad diarrhea
• The cat doesn't want to eat or drink
• Abnormal inactivity
• Lumps on the body
• Blood in urine or not urinating at all
• Abnormal behaviors
• Sneezing and hacking
• Abnormal aggressiveness
• They aren't using the litter box

If any of these behaviors catch your attention you should take your cat to the veterinarian.

No matter how clean you keep your cat there is always the chance that some little parasite is going to call your cat's body its home. If you are keeping a good eye on the health and well being of your cat, you might be able to determine when one of these pesky parasites are moving in.

Listed below are some of these parasites that you need to keep a look out for and how to treat them if they invade your cat's body.

• Ticks or Lice: Ticks and lice can be a very annoying problem for you and your cat. In order to determine if you cat is suffering from ticks and lice; you need to check your cat's body. You can decipher a tick because you will either see the parasite or will feel it like a bump on your cat's skin. You can actually remove these yourself if you know what you are doing. You just have to pull the tick out with tweezers, but don't break the body while doing so.

After the tick is removed you should clean the area with an antiseptic. Lice are much easier to remove; you might notice your cat scratching a lot and find that these pests are the cause, just use a spray or powder to send these parasites packing.

• Fleas: Fleas are a common problem with cats. Again, you can find these parasites with a quick examination of your cat's body, this can even be done while grooming your cat. Fleas are not something that you can get rid of on your own; you will need your veterinarian's assistance for this.

You may also need to look over your cat's environment to see if there is a particular reason they contracted the flea infestation. Make sure that after you have treated your cat that you do a thorough cleaning of your cats thins, wash beds, vacuum, and use other flea killing products to help clear these pests out of your home and away from your cat.

• Ear Mites: Ear mites have been mentioned earlier in this article because they are quite common in cats and can lead to many other health problems. This is why it is recommended to clean your cat's ears on a monthly basis. If your cat's ears begin to look a bit questionable and are not pink and clean, but waxy and icky smelling, your cat might have ear mites. You should take this concern to your veterinarian and have your cat treated right away.

• Mange: Mange can be transmitted by a variety of different mites, but you should be wary because this is something that humans can be affected by as well. If you cat begins to lose fur in patches, bleeds, or has issues around the ears, nose, and ears, you cat might have mange. You need to get your cat to your veterinarian right away if this is a concern for your feline friend.

About the Author
Find tips about cheetah facts and cheetah pictures at the About Animals website.

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