Pets

Like human beings, cats can suffer from a variety of health issues. But unlike humans, cats are unable to vocalize the problem. Therefore, an owner’s knowledge of warning signs must be depended upon so that a cat can receive treatment for health problems it may have.

Probably the number one problem with a cat’s health is the notorious hairball. Cats clean themselves incessantly by licking their coats. The hair that clings to their tongues is swallowed. This will eventually form in a ball, and in most instances, the cat will be able to expel it. If the hairball makes its way into the cat’s intestines, then this can cause serious complications and will need medical attention. A common symptom of this would be constipation.

Urinary tract infections (UTI’s) are another common cat health problem. Although this is most common with a male un-neutered feline, it can also affect the females. If your cat stops using the litter or his urine has a strong odor, a UTI should be highly suspected Cats can also develop stones in their urinary tract developing feline lower urinary tract disease.

Another common problem with cat health is worms. These would consist of tapeworms, round worms, and hook worms. This would occur in outdoor cats. The symptoms would be diarrhea and inability to gain weight. This is highly troublesome, since owners can get this from their pets. In addition, the outdoors cat can also be afflicted with fleas, parasites, or ticks. Ticks can give the cat Lyme Disease. If your cat is lethargic, has a fever and loss of appetite, he may need antibiotic treatment for this. So, it is important to check his coat often.

Digestive problems, such as vomiting and diarrhea, are also health problems in cats. If your cat is vomiting for more than 24 hours, then you should seek medical treatment. Initially, you should withhold food for a several hours and start by reintroducing water, in limited quantities, to see how it is tolerated. Remember, one of the most frequent causes of vomiting is the hairball, so make sure to brush his coat daily. Diarrhea lasting one to two days is normal, as long as the cat is eating well. Anything beyond this requires a visit to the vet.

There are several dangerous diseases a cat can contract in its lifetime. One is feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), which is a virus that is difficult to diagnose. There is no known treatment for this disease. Another is feline immunodeficiency virus, which is “cat aids.” This virus targets white blood cells. The last is feline leukemia virus (FLV), which can be avoided if the cat is immunized before contact with it. These diseases are more likely to be seen in outdoor cats.

Cats can also suffer from eye problems, because their eyes can get scratched during fights. They are also subject to abscesses, which result from bite wounds, anal gland problems, and cat allergies. There are also the occasional cold and respiratory infections.

There are many common health ailments that can affect cats. With proper attention, care and possible medical treatment, most need not be fatal. With your help, your cat can live a long, healthy, happy life.

While none of the following examples are by any means strictly small dog health problems, they do present extra challenges for small dogs and their owners.

Teeth and Gum Problems

Many small dogs have a tendency to develop teeth and gum problems which lead to tooth loss, because they are often fed canned food as an alternative to larger kibble. Although tooth loss in itself is vexing, oral disease can lead to even more serious heart disease, compromised immune systems and other complications.

Bi-weekly tooth brushing will help prevent this typical small dog health problem. An attractive supply of crunchy treats and chews (high-quality natural ingredients and not too large, please) will also help your pup keep his sparkling smile.

“Small Dog Syndrome”

Even the smallest toy dogs are infamous for their willingness to take on dogs the size of a full-grown man. Your dog may be that brave, but he’s almost sure not to be that lucky. Protect your small dog from his oversized ambitions by picking him up when a larger dog approaches.

Injuries

Injuries make up more than their share of small dog health problems. Their tiny bones are more easily broken – sometimes, even when a small dog jumps off of the furniture onto a hard surface. As much as possible, try to cushion the normal launch spots by placing carpet and rugs underneath.

Small dogs tend to get underfoot more, and unlike the case with a larger animal, those tiny bones can easily be injured if the dog is accidentally stepped on. Many owners find the best solution is learning to “shuffle” around their dog and not lift their feet too high.

Illness

Although small dogs are typically long-lived, illness has even greater ramifications when it comes to small dog health problems. Many opportunistic illnesses like viruses and bacterial infections can take over a small dog’s system much more quickly, causing them to go downhill rapidly.

Small dogs are also more prone to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) because of their faster metabolism. Paying attention to the first signs of any illness and taking immediate action can greatly help to keep small dog health problems in check.

While on the surface, small dog health problems might appear to be much the same as any other dog’s, health issues can have a bigger effect on their tiny systems. Extra diligence on your part will help more effectively treat and prevent many small dog health problems!

Buying a collar and lead is probably one of the first things a new dog owner does as they are a necessity for proper control of your dog and an essential piece of equipment when training a new dog or puppy.

If you have a puppy then it’s likely they will quickly outgrow a collar or lead, so it is perfectly acceptable to buy non-expensive and lightweight equipment during this early stage of their life.

Many people like their dogs to wear a collar all of the time, but some ornamental collars will not stand up to a sudden movement or constant straining. You should therefore consider having 2 collars; one for ornamental purposes and another one for training your dog or puppy.

Even though puppies get plenty of exercise through play you should try and get your puppy accustomed to wearing their collar and lead at the earliest age possible.

Even if you do not intend your dog or puppy to wear a collar all the time you can buckle a light collar around their neck and leave it there for a number of days until your dog or puppy ignores its presence.

Do be aware that the neck hair of a long haired dog will be permanently marked if it wears a collar at all times so use common sense depending on your breed of dog or puppy.

A bolt and spring clip is best on the end of a lead and you should buy clips where the opening does not come at the point of most strain as they are liable to come apart.

Leather and nylon leads are a good choice and although many owners think chains would be stronger they can be very uncomfortable from the owner’s point of view.

If you are serious about training then you will be using a slip collar as this will provide you with much more control. A slip collar consists of a chain with a ring at either end, the chain is dropped through one of the rings to form a loop, which is then put over the dog’s head.

A pull on a slip collar is slightly uncomfortable for the dog providing focus for training, but when the lead is slack the collar is loose. The slip collar will only work well if the collar is put on correctly so you should practice to ensure the fit is best for you and your dog.

When using a lead take it in your right hand and ensure your dog walks on your left hand side. If using a slip collar the ring through which the chain is slipping should be underneath. Practice as much as possible with your collars and leads so that both you and your dog or puppy become familiar with them and you can both use them in the best possible way.

Once you have the right equipment you can begin basic exercises and lessons to train your dog for obedience, competitions or shows, providing pleasure and companionship for you and your dog or puppy.

Bacterial (food poisoning - salmonella) or viral infections, organ infections or failure, foreign material, travel sickness, parasite infections, food allergies and gorging food, mega-oesophagus and normal regurgitation.

At the first sign of vomiting remove available food and water.

You will then need to assess the overall condition (brightness) of the dog or pup whether it is very poor or normal. If it is very flat and depressed after vomiting just wait 1/2 an hour and re-assess. If no better, take it to your vet ASAP.

Animals dehydrate very quickly especially young pups. There is a number of causes that all need veterinary attention in this situation. The dog often needs intravenous fluids containing essential electrolytes (Salts) It will also be given drugs and medicines to counteract the effects of vomiting. A cause will also be researched at the examination. I.e. diet, vaccination status, age, history etc.

A blood test may be necessary to examine organ functions. Hospitalisation may be needed for several days or even weeks. Back to your initial assessment if the dog is acting normally apart from the vomiting, then fast (remove food) the dog for at least 12 hours.

Allow only very small quantities of water. Ie. 1/2 cup an hour apart then gradually increase to 1 cup over the next few hours. But only continue if vomiting has ceased. If it continues stop giving oral liquids. Electrolytes can be purchased to add to water for convalescing dogs. If the dog continues to improve then you can gradually introduce food again.

You MUST feed very small amounts ie.1 cup of food (less for pups and small dogs). You MUST feed bland food only. That means no red meat! Boiled rice is very good flavored with chicken broth or boiled chicken meat.

Complete article can be found at www.Here-Is-Your.Info/About/DogTraining

Housing

Normally, adult Iguanas can grow to 5-6 feet and thus should be housed in a larger cage. Tall cages or optimal for this type of lizard as they are tree-dwelling and consequently would prefer to be as high from the ground as possible. It is very important to sterilize all branches that will be placed in the enclosure with a mild bleach solution. The relative humidity level of the enclosure should be kept at approximately 70-75%, and this can be obtained by misting the enclosure a couple times daily. Although many people feel that their Iguana could safely roam around the house, the opposite is generally true. Not only do you run the risk of your lizard knocking over it’s heat lamp and starting a fire, it is also common for large amounts of damage to be done to furniture, carpet, wiring, etc.

Heating

Reptiles in general are Ectothermic which means that they do not produce their own body heat. Thus, reptiles must be given a combination of both warmer and cooler areas in their enclosure. This will allow them to choose their own temperature. Proper heating is vital to a lizards survival, as it allows for a healthy immune system and proper digestion.

Lighting

“Full Spectrum Lighting” is vital to a lizards survival. When selecting a light source ensure that it provides ample UVB rays. For Iguanas this is particularly necessary. The most optimal lightin conditions would provide natural sunlight to the Iguanas. This however is normally not practical as even a standard window can filter out the beneficial UVB rays.

Let’s start out by saying that dogs do not “need” clothes. Most are born with their permanent wardrobe intact. You know, it’s that furry thing all over their bodies. Depending on the breed, they may even leave their clothes all over your house…it’s called shedding. But no matter what I say about dog clothes, there is still that group of dog owners out there who will still insist on spending more on their dog’s wardrobe than their own. So if you insist on doing this, at least be fair to your friend.

If you are the proud owner of a championship Rottweiler or a well-trained German Shepard, don’t dress them up in little dresses and bright pink tutus. That’s more embarrassing for you than it is for them (and it is embarrassing for them…just look at their faces). And if you own those little purse dogs, you know the ones I mean, don’t dress them up in spiked collars and full blown leather. That’s a powerful image to live up to. But that advice won’t be listened to either. So if you are going to dress Fido or Princess up in the latest fashions, be sensible.

First and foremost, make sure the clothes fit. Make sure there’s plenty of room across the shoulders. Make sure the straps that go under the front legs leave plenty of room so the dog has full range of motion. If the clothes don’t fit, you’re just going to make your dog more irritated than he already is. Also, listen to your dog. If you just have to put that “cute sweater” on Fido and he is constantly fighting you on it, he’s trying to tell you something. Listen to him.

Now for those of you who still insist on dressing up your dogs in clothes, don’t worry, the pet industry was listening. Dog clothes are a billion dollar a year business and you can dress your pampered pooch up in the latest fashions from Paris all the way into the Walmart special. There are costumes for Halloween. There are tuxedos and prom dresses for the pooches who just have to look their best. There are workout clothes for the fitness gurus living in your doghouse. And there are casual clothes for the fashion impaired who prefer comfort over style.

There are also a wide variety of shoes you can purchase for your new best friend. But if you want him to remain your best friend for very long, I wouldn’t make him wear them that often. Have you ever seen a dog walking with shoes on? They look like they are walking across hot pavement. There’s a reason for this…THEY DON’T LIKE THEM!

So as you can see, I personally am not a big fan of clothes for dogs. But I am obviously wrong. Pet clothes manufacturers have built entire empires on the product and dog clothes are one of the few items pet stores have a hard time keeping in stock. And there are plenty of choices out there for the fashonista pooch. But pay attention to the styles. After all, there’s nothing more embarrassing for your lovable mutt than being seen in last year’s fashion line. Except maybe of course being seen in clothes at all.

Like many older breeds, the origin of the Maine Coon is unclear and steeped in rumor. Some believe Maine Coons, also known as American Longhair, American Shag, American Forest Cat, American Snughead and Maine Trick Cat, are a cross between semi-domestic wild cats and raccoons (doubtful if not impossible). Others believe that Marie Antoinette sent her beloved Angoras to America for safety. They escaped and inbred with wild cats. Still others believe a cat was brought to Maine by Captain Coon and the cat escaped to live in the wilds of Maine.

Whatever the origins, it is generally agreed that the Maine Coon is the one of the oldest Native American breed of cat and they were an established domestic and hunting cat by the 1800s, but were not recognized as an actual breed of cat until 1967. Maine Coons are a hearty breed due to the New England winters they endured early on. This has resulted in a semi-long shaggy coat in almost all colors that makes it look like a wild Lynx. This coat does require regular grooming, which is enjoyed by the cat.

Maine Coons males will reach an average weight of thirteen to eighteen pounds and females of nine to twelve pounds, though with their thick coats, they may look larger. They mature slowly and are not considered adult until somewhere between ages three and five (when they stop growing) and will live approximately twelve years.

Maine Coons do enjoy their human companions, but do not need their attention. They prefer instead, to spend time with them in the same room, but not necessarily to interact. They are not a lap cap, and can be quiet independent, but will follow people into other rooms to be near them. Unlike many breeds, Maine Coons do not like to jump or perch in high places, instead preferring to chase things on the ground.

Some Maine Coons can be trained to play fetch and generally do well with children, thanks to their loving nature. This breed is generally healthy but can be prone to hip dysplasia and cardiomyopathy. Some Maine Coons are born with an extra toe, though this does not mean anything for them medically, it will only disqualify them from being shown.

There is a website that has great information on Maine Coon and most other breeds of cats. It has details that pertain to a cat breeds health, grooming, living conditions, best food choices and more, the website is called: Dog And Cat Facts, and can be found at this url:

http://www.dogandcatfacts.com

By Robert W. Benjamin

Copyright © 2007

You may publish this article in your ezine, newsletter, or on your web site as long as it is reprinted in its entirety and without modification except for formatting needs or grammar corrections.

A pet can be a wonderful thing for a child. Not only can they provide lover and friendship, but they can also spark a child’s intellect and further the mind’s understanding and comprehension of the world. What kind of pet should one get? Well, there are many choices, but one of the best might be a dog. They are called man’s best friend for a reason.

Most children love animals. Most children beg their parents for a pet if they don’t already have one. Children love the affection that a pet can give. They love the fun they can have with one. They’re a friend when no one else is around. They’re a relief and comfort when things get too sad or tough in life. They’re a great way to get a child to be more active and take on responsibilities of helping to take care of a pet.

Why a dog and not another pet?

Dogs generally provide the most interaction with humans, especially children. Cats can be very anti-social to children, particularly smaller ones. Unlike dogs, they don’t show so much attention towards babies either and probably won’t be as entertaining or amusing to the young child.

Rodents, birds and other caged animals take much longer to get adjusted to their new family. A child won’t really understand how to properly react and treat these creatures to get them to be more affectionate with them. Dogs are more social and therefore can be the best choice to being a child’s pet companion.

When is a good time to get a pet?

It’s never a bad time to get a pet, but having one already accustomed and a part of the family before having a child can be a good idea. This isn’t always able to be planned, of course, but having a pet before working on having children can be a good idea for the future parents too. This is a good idea because it can get the pet trained and keep all attention on this training.

People worry that the pet might become jealous of the child. This is only true if the owners neglect the pet and focus solely on the child. The thing to remember that the pet is still a family member and isn’t just a placeholder until something “better” comes along.

Why get a pet before having a child?

There are a few important reasons here. Along with the already stated getting the pet adjusted with its owners and trained, it also allows the child to get used to the pet growing up. It can really strengthen their bond. The dog may see the child as more of a family member than just an owner. It can be more protective and loving as the child grows up. This can help to assure that the dog will know not to play too rough with the child and also to keep a close eye on the child, almost like a friendly chaperone.

What are the benefits to the baby?

A baby is constantly learning new things and adjusting to the world. Their minds are developing everything and anything they will need to survive, to live, to experience their life. One example is their understanding of nature and animals. A pet can be both a way to learn and a way to amuse the child while still being a pet and a friend to the family.

The child’s curious mind can further develop with the interaction of the dog. Not only does it help the child to understand what a dog is, but it also helps the child to develop concepts of color, movement, texture, friendship, and new sensations. The dog will amuse the child and interest their mind to further try to figure out what this thing is. This is not to say that the dog is a toy. It is always a pet and a family member, but it can hold more interest and curiosity to the child that will help development.

A pet isn’t just something to get because you want a child to be happy. It is a huge responsibility and requires a lot of time and attention. But it is important to realize how much a child’s growth from the early years, to teen and adult years, is affected positively by a good pet. Animals can be great friends and provide a lot to all of us regardless of our age. Getting your child to love animals at a young age can help them have a better appreciation for the world and teach them life lessons effectively and positively.

How you should be feeding your puppy is perhaps one of the first concerns of the new puppy owner. After all, you want the little guy to grow up big and strong, or at least as big as he will grow. So just how will this puppy feeding be carried out?

First off, realize that your puppy is not just a miniature version of an adult dog. He has his own nutritional requirements that go into puppy feeding. Pound for pound a puppy needs about twice the nutrition of the adult dog. What the requirements are for feeding an adult dog varies with breed, size, activity level, etc.

And although you may have thought dogs were carnivores, understand that they are really omnivores just like us. This means they can and will eat more than just meat. In fact to have a balanced diet, they require more than just meat. So, first off, don’t begin your puppy feeding with just meat. (Have I repeated that enough?)

Dogs, like humans to some extent, require protein, fat, minerals and vitamins. Studies have shown that dogs seem to have no need for carbohydrates although many prepared dog foods and puppy foods may be up to 50% or more carbohydrates. This is why it is very important to read puppy food and dog food labels.

When feeding puppy, realize he usually requires about 28 - 30% protein in his diet. Protein can, and should, come from more sources than just meat. Include milk, eggs and cheese along with meat when feeding your puppy.

When considering feeding fat to your dog, the amount you feed varies by the requirements of the dog. An inactive dog may only need 5% fat. A very active working dog may need up to 20% fat. Going with puppies needing generally twice what adults need, you can see you need quite a bit of fat when feeding your puppy but it does vary. Best thing to do when adding fat to your puppy food is to keep an eye on your puppy. Don’t let him start getting fat.

Just like with humans, too many carbohydrates can be bad for your puppy. Usually carbs are used to bulk up a prepared dog food with 50% or more of the food coming from inexpensive carbohydrate, and especially starchy, sources. This is not necessary for dogs and studies have found that dogs do not need carbs as an essential part of their diets.

Reading puppy and dog food labels you may find carbohydrate sources such as grains, potatoes, rice, milk and even sugar in some form. As these usually have been cooked, a dog can digest them somewhat. Give a dog a raw potato or whole grains and you will find a dog that will not be able to handle these. In other words, you will have a dog with an upset digestive system. Some uncooked starches cause diarrhea and some, such as whole grains, pass right through untouched by his digestive system. Not a good thing when puppy feeding.

So read your dog food labels and make sure the puppy food or dog food you buy has these elements within it. Don’t buy anything with too much carbohydates in it as dogs just don’t need it. But do buy puppy food and dog food with protein sources, fat and vitamins and minerals. Some green vegetables in the mix won’t hurt at all.

copyright 2005. Sandra Dinkins-Wilson

Pets that are delicate and vulnerable to many ailments require different ways of special care. This is because these animals need “customized” care so that they will remain healthy and live long lives. Cats are examples of such animals because they have “special” needs that need “special” attention. Cats need to have a place to scratch as they grow because it is part of their development to “practice” their claws. Unfortunately, most house cats use home furniture as scratching post and therefore destroy valuable pieces of furniture. In response to this, scratching posts designed and built for cats to provide them with a fixed and permanent place to scratch instead of your home furniture have been developed.

Training Your Cat to Use Scratching Posts

In training your cat to use a scratching post, the first thing you should do is to place it near your cat’s favorite sleeping space or play area because it will help familiarize your cat with the scratching post. To make your cat use it, you should not put its paws on the post and force it to scratch because doing so may be unpleasant for the cat and will make it avoid the post. Instead, you can use your own fingers to scratch the post, which will give your cat a good idea of what it is supposed to do with the post. In addition to this, you can also dangle toys on the post to encourage scratching. When your cat gets in contact with the post, it will discover the texture of the post and begin to scratch it at that point. It would also be a good idea to train your cat to use the post after their nap. Most cats scratch after waking up and stretching. To encourage your cat to use the post regularly, you should praise or reward it every time it uses the post. On the other hand, reprimanding it when it scratches your furniture is also a good way of discouraging the cat from doing so.

Scratching posts can be considered customized cat furniture as they are designed to cater to the need of cats to scratch. However, buying the right scratching post and training your cat to use it are two different things. Pet owners need to know how to effectively train their cats to use scratching posts so that their home furniture will be spared from the claws of their cats.