General Articles

Read This Article To Find Great Dog Ownership Advice

Humans have been friends with dogs for as long as man has been writing his history. Humans and dogs have proven that they are just meant to be side by side, through thick and thin. Just remember that you have a responsibility to look after your dog’s health and well-being. Following are some tips that will help you make sure your dog is healthy and happy.

Always give your dog plenty of attention and affection. When your dog behaves properly, make sure you let the dog know you are happy and give them some affection. This will help reinforce the good behavior and the dog will try to behave in this manner for the positive attention..

Start training your dog as soon as you bring them home. Create a vocabulary list that all your family members will use to command the dog and stick to it. Dogs can become confused if the same words are not used to give them directions. The dog will see “get over here” and “come” as two different commands.

If your dog gets lost, it is very unlikely that you will see him again unless he has proper identification. Tags can come off, so the best option is a microchip. It is quick to put in your dog, and it causes minimal discomfort. Simply register the chip ID after it is put in, and your pet will always have his identification with him.

Anti-flea products are dangerous. Many have ingredients that are dangerous to kids. Talk to your veterinarian about safer alternatives.

If your puppy or dog is constantly chewing up your furniture, invest in some chew-toys. Scatter them around the floor, especially around the legs of the sofa and end-tables. Be enthusiastic about your offers to play with the chewies with your dog to encourage frequent use. This should eventually deter him from chomping your furniture.

If you are in the market for a new puppy, make sure you will have enough time to devote to his training. On average, you need to take a young dog outside to do his business eight times a day and that can take a lot away from your schedule. Training takes more time and patience than most people realize.

Make sure you have the correct dog supplies. Before bringing your dog home for the first time, be sure that you are equipped with the right supplies. Every dog needs a good sized food and water bowl, a collar and leash, toys, and a comfy place to sleep. Also, remember to purchase an identification tag immediately.

It is very important for you to keep your dog’s ears clean. Keeping the inside of the ears clean will help prevent infections of the ear. This is also a good time for you to inspect the ear for fleas, ticks and any other pests that could have made your dog’s ear home.

Remember that dogs are creatures of habit and anything you start with him will be expected in the future. If you’re not keen on him sleeping with you, don’t let him do it only on occasion. Likewise, if you don’t want him begging at the table, never offer him a bite of people food. He will learn and accept things if you are consistent.

When you get a new dog, schedule a vet visit for soon after you’ve brought him home. As soon as your dog is brought to your home you should get an appointment scheduled with the vet. Your dog will get a vaccination schedule and a checkup. Talk with a vet about your dog being spayed or neutered. There are lots of homeless dogs and you don’t want to make the problem worse.

Humane Society

Put your dog through obedience training. A well-trained dog is a joy to live with for both you and them. Teaching them simple commands like “Come,” “Heel,” “Sit,” and “Stay” can help curb or prevent troublesome behaviors in no time. You can either teach them yourself, or you can find out about obedience courses by contacting the SPCA or the local humane society for class recommendations.

When you have a dog, you are going to be responsible for it and will have to meet its needs. When learning from this article how to approach it, it becomes easier. Use what you learned here and you can have a healthy and happy dog.…

General Articles

Sneezing Cats – What Does This Mean?

Sneezing Cats – What Does This Mean?

A sneezing cat is not unusual. Just like humans, they can get something stuck up in their noses or their membranes can become inflamed or irritated and sneezing is the quickest and most efficient way to clear it. Some breeds just sneeze more often than others. No one really knows why, but breeds with short nasal passages and flat faces, such as Persians, end up sneezing more than other breeds of cats.

In many cases, an allergen is the culprit. Approximately 15% of all cats have some form of allergy. Most likely, these are due to:

Insects – Fleas are the most, as the flea’s mouth saliva can trigger an allergy. Even when the fleas are killed, itching can continue for some time.

Airborne Allergens – The same allergens that give us hay fever can cause allergies in cats too, including pollen, grass and mold.

Food & Drugs – Cats can be allergic to certain foods and medications, including some vaccinations.

If your cat is sneezing because of an allergy, you may notice other symptoms as well, including your cat constantly licking his paws, rubbing his face or coughing. These aren’t always present, but may be. Your cat may also get hives that appear roughly half an hour after exposure to an allergen. The hives can appear anywhere on your cat and go away after a day. The cause of hives can include insect bites, new foods, a drug or vaccination or insecticides used to treat your lawn.

If you suspect the sneezing is caused by an allergy, try to determine the cause first. If you’ve changed something in the home – the cat’s litter or food, used an insecticide around the house, etc., – eliminate them and see if your cat feels better. If it’s the food, your vet may recommend a little Milk of Magnesia to clear the tummy out more quickly. Benadryl and cortisone treatments can also be employed. A veterinarian needs to administer these. Don’t try to do it yourself.

If your cat is suspected of having an infection, isolate him from any other animals as the infection can be contagious. You’ll probably also want to keep the kids away as well, as some bacteria and even viruses can be spread through contact to humans.

An abscess in the upper jaw can also cause sneezing. It can spread into the nasal passages, causing them to swell and close.

Another cause can be dust and mites. When stirred up in the litter box, these can be inhaled by your cat or get into the fur. Keeping the litter box clean is the best way to solve this problem and don’t use the litter in the bottom of the bag – it’s usually mostly dust. Cat like a clean box and this may even eliminate some behavioral problems as well, such as spraying or going to the bathroom elsewhere in the home.

Finally, you’ll want to check your cat’s nose to see is something is lodged up in it. This is particularly true if your cat is sneezing constantly. They may be trying to expel the object. If you’re unable to get the object out or if it appears to be too far up the nostril, you’ll want to take your cat to the vet as soon as possible, especially if it is stressing your cat out or they are having trouble breathing.

As usual, keeping track of your cat’s personality and knowing his behavior is a good way to tell if something is wrong. If your cat sneezes occasionally it’s not a big deal. But if he suddenly starts sneezing when they never did or the sneezing just gets worse, it could be a symptom and not just a sneeze.…

General Articles

How To Take Care of a Kitten

How To Take Care of a Kitten

Don’t let the cuteness of a new baby kitten fool you, these lovable critters can be a lot of work. Kittens are normally done with their weaning period at 12 weeks of age, so you shouldn’t be bringing home a kitten that is younger than 12 weeks old. A healthy kitten will have pink ears, pink gums and clear eyes. Keeping your kitten healthy while it’s growing is an important part of raising a cat that will live a long and happy life.

Just like any young pet, kittens need some guidance. Letting a kitten roam around your house doing whatever it likes will only result in messes and frustration, so begin acclimating your kitten to its new home as soon as possible. At first, a kitten should have its own little space like a part of a kitchen, a bathroom or even a spare bedroom or den. Fill this room with the kitten essentials: a litter box, food, water and toys. This will keep the kitten occupied, while also beginning to teach it that it needs to pee in the litter box.

If you have other pets or children in the home, you’ll want to gradually introduce them to the kitten after the kitten is showing signs of being comfortable in its new environment. Pay close attention to the kitten, not leaving it alone for long periods of time and giving it plenty of loving and affection. After all, you’re its new parent. Playtime helps the kitten build muscle and develops a strong bond between you and the kitten. Also make sure that anyone else that lives in the home plays with the kitten when it’s young so that it begins to form bonds with all members of the family.

Once your kitten is comfortable in its room, you can begin doing a little bit of training. Litter box training is important, and starting this training at a young age will only help the kitten, and save you the trouble of cleaning up messes around the house. Spending a lot of time with your kitten, especially after it eats and drinks, will allow you to know when your kitten is about to do its business. If you see that your kitten is about to urinate, gently lift it and place it in the litter tray or litter box that you have set up. Reward a kitten with praise and treats when it uses the litter box to encourage the repeated behavior.

You can also get your kitten used to grooming while its young. This will lead to a much easier time down the road when your adult cat needs to be groomed. Brush your kitten’s fur and teeth regularly so that it becomes comfortable with this kind of touching. You can also touch your kittens paws a lot so that it gets used to paw touching for future nail clipping and other grooming.

The key to raising a happy and healthy kitten is making sure it’s comfortable in its new home, and that you are spending enough time playing, grooming and training the new kitten. Your kitten will grow up in no time, and you’ll have a fun and lovable cat if you put in the time and effort when it’s young.…

General Articles

Caring For Your Kittens

Caring For Your Kittens

There is no doubt that kittens are absolutely adorable but they also require proper handling and care, especially in the early days to avoid both cat health problems and cat behavior problems. Whilst they are not really difficult to look after, they require certain attention to specific areas. This article examines some of the things that you need to take note of before getting a kitten.

Visit to the Vet

Before bringing your kitten home or immediately thereafter, make sure that you schedule a visit to the vet. It is important to check your kitten for major as well as minor cat health problems and also discuss with your vet its vaccination schedule. This will ensure a healthy cat in the long run.

Creating a Place for the Kitten

Similar to any new member of your family, kittens too require their own space in your home. It is important that this chosen place is comfortable, fun and safe for the kitten. Shopping for a bed for your kitten to sleep on or toys to play with is equally important when bringing home your new pet. Apart from ensuring that they enjoy their surroundings, new toys should be able to keep them occupied and not encourage them to attack your expensive and precious furniture.

Feeding Your Kitten

Kittens eat solid food at about four weeks of age and hence you can start with ready made cat food that is available over the counter. Make sure that all the necessary ingredients for good health and growth are in the chosen cat food. You can supplement her diet at times with minced meat or fish or even chicken but it is important to understand that this does not give kittens all the nutrition it requires.

House Training Your Kitten

Kittens are often litter trained by their mothers but in rare cases when you get one that is not, it is important to start litter training immediately. Signs such as sudden panic, vocal outburst, digging in bed or paper display the need to go to toilet and should be carefully considered when litter training. Praising your kitten for using the litter box correctly will help in training your kitten faster.

While these are just a small selection of things that you need to do to get involved in caring for your kittens, we hope that it’s a good starting point for new cat owners. Remember that you will have to cat proof your home before bringing home any kittens so as to minimize any damage to your furniture. Good luck!…

General Articles

Seeking Advice On Caring For Cats? Check Out These Great Tips!

Is there any pet more remarkable and intriguing than a cat? They are independent and have a busy life, even if you’re not at home all the time. Use the things that this article will teach you, and you’re going to have a cat that is happy and healthy throughout its life.

If you have a male cat, it is important to have him neutered before he goes into heat. When male cats start maturing, they will begin to spray around the house. It smells like ammonia and is hard to remove. Having your male cat neutered can help to prevent this from happening.

Never have your cat declawed. Many people misunderstand declawing, thinking it is the simple removal of a cat’s nail. This is not true. In fact, the veterinarian must remove the top knuckle along with the claw during the procedure. This can result in arthritis pain later in life and many behavior problems, such as biting. There are many alternatives from scratching posts to glue-on claw caps that can protect your belongings from a cat’s claws without resorting to such a harsh surgical solution.

An inexpensive rubber welcome mat helps keep cat food off your floor. This is also a great tool to keep your cat from tracking litter out of the box. Black rubber mats cost about three dollars at dollar stores. Put your cat food dish on one and your litter box on another.

Cats love to much on grass and plants such as catnip. There are plants however that are poisonous to cats. Chrysanthemums and holly are beautiful and common around the Holidays, but can be very toxic to cats. Other plants that are toxic or lethal include lilies, rhubarb and daffodils.

Do not use medicine meant for a dog on a cat. This is especially important for topical medicines. Cats do their own cleaning, and if a dog medicine is used on a cat, your pet can ingest it. There are some medicines that work for both cats and dogs, but only use them if the vet says it is okay.

Create a tablecloth for the feline. Certain cats prefer removing their food from their bowl and putting it on the side to eat it. Sometimes, this results in food outside the bowl that you have to clean up. It’s easier to clean up this food by purchasing a placement and inserting it under your cat’s food bowl, or you could simply cut some fabric and make it into a tablecloth so you can easily pick up the food and throw it away.

Pet

Use petting to check on your cat’s health. Petting isn’t just a way for you and your cat to spend time together, but it’s a great way to find anything abnormal on their body. You can pet them to feel for bumps, lumps, or sores. This is also a great time for you to check their ears.

Do not use medicine meant for a dog on a cat. This is especially important for topical medicines. Cats do their own cleaning, and if a dog medicine is used on a cat, your pet can ingest it. There are some medicines that work for both cats and dogs, but only use them if the vet says it is okay.

Help keep your cat’s fur soft and healthy with regular cleaning. While your pet might object violently to a dunk in the bathtub, there are other options. Many pet stores sell feline cleaning wipes. These convenient disposable wipes reduce allergens and remove oils and dirt. Some are scented with chamomile, which helps to calm your cat. These are especially useful if you have an older or injured pet that cannot groom itself properly.

Pet Adoption

If you are looking for a new home for your kitty, consider registering with an online pet adoption agency. Some of these companies screen applicants, so you will be sure that your pet is going into a good home. This is better than selling him to a creep who lurks around Craigslist all the time.

Cats make the best pets. However, you must know how to properly care for them. Keep the advice from this article in mind to become the best cat owner you can be. Educating yourself properly will improve the quality of the time you share with your cat for both of you.…

General Articles

Safety for Outdoor Cats: How to Keep Your Kitty Safe While Playing Outside

Safety for Outdoor Cats: How to Keep Your Kitty Safe While Playing Outside

With the new smells, scenery, and areas to explore, it is no wonder that cats love to have outdoor adventures. Although the outdoors can be exciting for a cat, they can also be quite dangerous. In addition to the frightening idea of a feline friend becoming lost, there is also the threat of poisonous garden plants and flowers, bug bites and ticks, and unfriendly neighbours and animals. Although those sound like reasons to keep kitty inside for good, rest assured that there are safety measures you can take to ensure that your feline can have an enjoyable time outside.

Use a Leash and Harness.

If you want to keep your kitty contained to a specific area of your yard, you can equip him with a harness and attach that harness to a leash. Make sure the leash is securely tied in place, and allow Kitty to explore the area as much as he wants (under your supervision, of course). Using a harness as opposed to a collar ensures that your cat cannot easily wriggle out of the collar. Most importantly, this option can save you and your cat from a traumatic choking experience if he gets stuck on something.

Use a Cat Stroller.

If you have a cat that can sit still for long enough, you may be interested in the idea of a cat stroller. Although a bit silly looking, this product will allow your kitty to see the world from the safety of a netted cat carrier with wheels. Although this does not allow your kitty to roam around the outdoors, it still allows him to see, smell, and hear the exciting outdoors.

Build a Cat Run Outside.

Outside cat runs are netted or caged in enclosures that are much longer than they are wide. The style of the cat run can be anything from a long tube, to a large tunnel with toys, hammocks, and different levels to stand on. These runs are great for allowing felines to run and play outside, while being safely enclosed in a specific area of the yard.

Invest in an Outdoor Cat Enclosure.

A step up from the outdoor cat run is a large enclosure that is almost like a second home for the cat. These enclosures feature a feeding area, many play areas, and towers for bird watching. You can even connect the enclosure right to your house via a tunnel attached to a window. This direct access can let a cat wander in and outside as she pleases. If you have the budget and the motivation, you can even design the enclosure to match your outdoor decor.

Ensuring a fun and safe outdoor environment for kitty to enjoy is the key to a happy experience outside. You can be worry free the next time you take your cat outside, because you will know that you have taken the time to create a safe outdoor play area.…

General Articles

Things to Consider Before Adopting a Kitten

Things to Consider Before Adopting a Kitten

Adopting a kitten is a major responsibility, and is unlike adopting a cat or other adult animals in many ways. Adult pets do not need as much attention and care as do kittens and other young pets. As their foster parent, it is your responsibility to care for them, and to nurture them to a healthy and mature adulthood. Before you get your furry friend, we propose you go through this checklist we have prepared for you. It shows what all do you need before you can seriously consider bringing home a kitten.

How many Kittens

You have to first decide how many kittens you want. Kittens love to play with each other – so of you get two or more kittens, the chores you need to do double, but the fun quotient of having kittens more than doubles. The rest of the factors we have listed depend on whether you want just one kitten, or more.

Time and Attention

Apart from the time you will spend cuddling and playing with the kitten, you will need to take care of their feeding, their litter box and a host of other care related tasks. This requires time. Also, were to happen that you had to leave your home for a few days, you will need to leave the kitten, and your other pets if any, in someone’s care. So if you are living alone, and plan on taking a long trip soon, it would be better if you adopted a kitten after you returned.

Money and Financials

Apart from the adoption fees you may have to pay to adopt a kitten, you will also need to pay for its medical care, vaccinations, general checkup or neutering. You will also need to spend money on cat food for your kitten. So go ahead with the adoption only if you are prepared for a small financial cut from your monthly budget.

Medical and Allergies

Make sure that no one in your family is allergic to cats. You do not want the kitten to be a source of discomfort for anyone, especially when it can easily become discomfort bordering on medical misery. If it a small case of allergenic reaction, anti-histamines may help.

Family and Small Kids

If the kitten is very young, there is a chance that it may get injured while playing with a baby or a child. So before you get a kitten, make sure kids in the family know how to play with a kitten. Also, you should also ask whether everyone in the family wants a kitten. Yes, there are people who do not like kittens as much as you do!

The above factors all add up to this: do you want a kitten and are you prepared to make small sacrifices to keep one? One you are prepared for them, get them!…

Animal Rescue

The Domestic Ferret

How is the domestic ferret different from other kinds of ferrets? And do ferrets make good pets?

The domestic ferret is the most common breed of ferret in the world. These make good pets, as long as you can take care of them properly. It is necessary for anyone who will be purchasing a ferret to realize that they require a lot of work and attention. However, they do make for interesting pets, well suited for children as well as adults. The domesticated ferret is one which you can feel comfortable adding to your home. You simply have to be able to make the committment to meet its special needs.

There are other ferrets that are wild. These have been used for years to control the rabbit population in various countries. Yet, they are also banned in many countries because of how well efficiently destroy the ecology of the area. The Black-Footed ferret is one that is fighting its way back from extinction today. These non-domesticated ferrets do not make good pets, and should not be used as such.

On the other hand, there are many domesticated versions that are perfect to add to your home. These creatures live for about eight to ten years and will exhibit curiosity similar to a kitten that just won’t grow up. The ferret is a creature that likes to get into things and play. It likes to explore its surroundings, so you will need to insure that your home, or any other areas that the ferret will be in, are safe for it.

There are many important things that you should realize about the ferret. Anyone who is looking for a pet that is full of energy and curiosity, that is somewhat different from the other animals, and that can provide the pet with a good home with lots of entertainment, should consider the ferret. Most people who have owned ferrets have enjoyed them, and would be willing to invite another one into their home.…

General Articles

Ferret Care – A 3-Step Guide For Beginners

Ferret Care – A 3-Step Guide For Beginners

One of the main concerns of ferret owners is ferret care. In fact, browsing online would bring you sites and resources that have something to do with ferret owning and ferret care sheets. It has been proven that some ferret owners tend to seek advice not from professionals but through other owners and friends. This may not be such a bad idea but an expert’s opinion is definitely advised for starting owners. So, how do we really care for our ferrets? Here’s a list of pointers:

1. Ferret nutrition and diets. These are considered basics. In feeding your pets, what matters is the type of foods as well as the nutrients that come with it. For baby ferrets, you can opt to give them special kit or growth foods. On the other hand, once they reached their sixth week, you may also try giving them foods that are similar to the ones you give to adult ferrets.

Cat food is often utilized in terms of ferret care and nutrition. However it is best not to compare your ferret’s needs with that of kittens or dogs. Surely, these commercially-prepared items consist of vitamins and nutrients meant for animal needs. On the other hand, cats and ferrets have different dietary requirements.

2. Ferret shelters and cages are also part of total ferret care. If choosing for diamonds bring us the top C’s which are clarity, carat and color, ferret cages have the following elements. We have the space, security and sanitation.

Go for cages that are spacious and have large doors. Think of giving your pets the easiest access to their nest boxes or litter trays. Provide additional support by placing tiles or cabinet liners to your ferret’s cage floors.

Cleaning your ferret’s cage is definitely a must. Besides, ferret care is all about the general condition and maintenance of everything that would help our pets lead better lives. Make sure that litter trays and basins are clean. You may also need to teach your pets how to use the litter box.

3. Toys and accessories are truly secondary items, but ferret care also includes these provisions in general. Be cautious when shopping for these supplies. Consider the toy’s materials and small parts. Specialty stores usually have an array of items good for ferrets, which is why checking out these shops is greatly advised.

The given list is often referred to by beginners, with hopes of increasing their knowledge about ferrets. Ferret care may be an overwhelming idea but making time to learn them is beneficial in the process. There are other resource sites where you can get great tips, all you need to do is constantly search and digest what’s best for your ferret.…

General Articles

What You Should Know About Cats

Cats are among the most popular pets in the world. They make excellent companions and require much less work than owning a dog. However, it is important to note there you still have several responsibilities to take care of when you own a cat. The article below will show you what those responsibilities are.

Make a free toy for your cat by placing a little dry rice or a few dry beans inside an empty pill bottle. Close the lid and roll the rattly toy across the floor. Most cats can’t resist the sound and motion. You can also tie a length of twine around the neck of the bottle to make a pull toy or a dangly toy.

Keep a clean litter box. Like you, a cat will generally not use a bathroom that is filthy. Find a quiet area out of the way that the box can stay in, and don’t move it unless absolutely necessary. Scoop solids out a couple time of day. Make sure to dump the whole box, wash it with a gentle detergent, and refill it once a week.

To keep your cat healthy and strengthen its bond with you, always set aside lots of play time. Kittens especially need lots of attention, which you can easily give to them through play. Pull a piece of string around for a fun and gentle way to keep a cat entertained for hours!

Give your new cat some space. Moving to a new home can be stressful on a cat, especially one who is no longer a kitten. To help them adjust, give them a quiet place that they can call their own, such as a spare bathroom or laundry room. This gives them a safe space they can retreat to until they have become comfortable with exploring the whole house. Depending on the cat, this process may take a few days up to a month or more.

Keep your cat indoors. Unlike dogs, it is nearly impossible to confine a cat to a yard. This can lead to many dangers for your cat, from cars, dogs, diseases from feral cats, and simply disappearing to parts unknown. Loose cats also be a nuisance to others, often killing songbirds and leaving unwelcome “deposits” in neighbor’s gardens. If your cat really enjoys the outdoors, they can be trained to wear a harness and leash or you can invest in a specialty cat fence or screened-in porch.

If your cat kicks litter all over the floor, simply use a bigger container. A large, roomy tote with high sides makes a good litter box. A big round tub also makes a good litter box. A restaurant size bus tub is a capacious litter box. Providing higher sides and more space will solve your cat’s litter kicking problem.

Do not feed your cat any kind of human food that contains bones in it. If you are giving your cat chicken or fish, be sure to remove the bones beforehand to prevent a choking hazard. Chop the food that you serve into small bits to make it easier to digest for your cat.

If you want to have your cat for many years, it is a good idea to keep them indoors. While a cat may enjoy going outside, it is statistically proven that outdoor cats live shorter lives than indoor cats. There are dangers to a cat that spends time outside, not least of all other animals.

When training a cat, take the proper approach. Encouragement works better than anger. If you are trying to teach a kitten to use a litterbox, for instance, yelling will only frighten a small cat. When the cat starts to go outside the box, gently place them in the box so they learn.

Animal Control

Keep track of your feline friend by having the animal microchipped. This small device is implanted beneath the skin between your cat’s shoulder blades. Microchip implantation may sting for a few seconds, but the implant is otherwise unnoticeable and will not cause your pet any discomfort. This chip makes it easier for animal control to locate your cat if it goes missing.

As was mentioned in the beginning of this article, owning a cat can be a wonderful experience. However, it is going to require some work on your part. Be sure and use the information provided in this article so that you are taking proper care of your cat. Doing so will ensure that your cat lives a long and happy life.…

General Articles

Understanding Cat Adoption

Understanding Cat Adoption

I have found that many people adopt a cat on a ‘spur of the moment’ decision. They may be vaguely thinking about it, or have a friend with a beautiful new kitten, or just be walking past the pet shop when they see this adorable kitten that just can’t be left there. Sometimes it can be a friend who has a litter of kittens to find homes for and many times it is your children saying ‘please, please’ just one time too many.

Kittens are really like children. Absolutely adorable when they are young and playful but then they grow up. And like children, they are a lot of work to begin with when all the training is needed.

However, just like with children, if you treat your cat with love and respect and train it properly, it will give you much joy and love in return for many years.

I have a friend who loves cats. Like me, she is lucky enough to live in a rural setting on a fairly large block of land. However, she has never had any of her cats neutered or spayed and so they keep breeding. And keep breeding. The last time I was at her house there were well over 20 cats of all ages there. It got too hard trying to count them as they never stayed still.

This is her choice so I’m not criticizing her but for me that would be irresponsible. The feeding of that many cats would be way outside my budget, and the vet bills would be prohibitive.

Because your cat will be a part of your family for anywhere up to 20 years, it would be prudent to make sure you choose wisely and make a considered decision.

Make sure you know what sort of cat you want to adopt before you go into to that pet shop. How much are you prepared to pay for your kitten. Do you understand the ongoing costs of food, toys, litter, vet bills etc? There are also the ‘start up’ costs such as bedding, litter tray, feeding bowls etc.

You also need to take into account the wear and tear on your furniture, especially at the beginning. You will need to train your cat not to use your favorite couch as a scratching post. We have chairs that have been shredded because we didn’t introduce the scratching post early enough. Funnily enough when we finally bought some new furniture, the cats didn’t scratch it.

Are you prepared to invest the time to train your new kitten and put up with messes and puddles for a while? You also need to have time to play with and bond with your kitten, getting to know each other. The more you can understand your cat’s body language, the better your relationship will be.

If you have children, who is going to be responsible for the day to day care of your cat. It is wise to instill in children early on that a cat, or any pet for that matter, is for life, not just while they’re in that ‘cute’ stage. Teaching children to be responsible for their pet will have life long positive repercussions.

Understanding what is involved in cat adoption before you choose your new pet will not only help you make a truly informed decision, it will also help you deal with problems as they occur.…

Pet Rescue

Diabetic Cat Food – How You Can Reduce the Need for Insulin

It is now generally accepted that human diabetes is an immune disorder. There seems no reason to suppose that feline diabetes is any different. This particular immune disorder has the form of failure of the pancreas to produce immune system brakes down because of the burden put upon it, mostly a chemical burden. When you consider all the chemicals most pets are subject to, there is little wonder their immune systems go on strike. Drugs, vaccinations, pesticides in the garden, harsh cleaners in the house, but perhaps worse of all by virtue of it’s frequent ingestion, are the preservatives in their daily diet.A typical cat food is processed and comes in a box, packet or can. The dried cat food must contain high levels of preservative to keep it at room temperature, indefinitely, despite what the packet may say. Believe me, there’s no other way to have such a long shelf are particularly sensitive to chemicals, so readily succumb to them. A stay in a cattery may well overload them, as most catteries fastidiously clean their pens with strong disinfectants or bleach, to ensure there’s no cross contamination.There are several things you can do immediately, to help your cat overcome this serious disease, even if they have had it a while. You never know how much good you can do until you try.

A good diabetic cat food, like any good cat food, is as close to that of a wild cats food as possible. Cats have evolved to efficiently use raw food. They can’t use processed and cooked food in the same way, as they lack the nutrients destroyed by you have your cat regularly eating good quality raw food, she may need less insulin. And if it isn’t too far advanced, there’s no reason why she shouldn’t recover completely. Recovery from serious disease is not uncommon when the cause is addressed. Ensuring your cat only eats a healthy, high quality, raw, diet, at the very least will reduce her need for insulin.…

General Articles

What You Must Know If You Have Cats

Cats combine strength, grace, and intelligence to a superlative degree. Cats are definitely a very common pet and are in every major city. Learning to live in a home with these intriguing animals can sometimes be a challenge. These creative, smart, and agile animals can often be stubborn and need special tactics.

Protecting your cat from household chemicals is something that you may already know, but did you know that protecting them from medications is just as important? Common over the counter medicines such as ibuprofen can be toxic to your cat, even in small doses. Keep your medication safely out of the reach of your cat.

Do not flush clumpable litter in your toilet. This can lead to problems with your plumbing. Instead just lift the clumps and dispose of them in a trash bag. Don’t forget, moisture is what makes the litter clump in the first place! Avoid doing that to your pipes and just dispose of it properly.

Cats are pretty low maintenance pets. They do not need as much attention and one-on-one time as dogs do. Cleaning the litter box is one of the most dreaded chores in the house. Investing in a good self-cleaning litter box can help to reduce the amount of times you have to clean it out.

Are you the owner of a dog and a cat? Dogs will always try to eat a cat’s food. For this reason, you need to place your cat’s bowl in an area that is to high for a dog to reach. This also makes sure that the two don’t fight over water.

You should do regular checkups of your cat between veterinarian visits. A good time to do this is when you are petting the animal. Check the entire body for things like scabs and lesions. Also look in and around the ears for any discharge, which can be a sign of ear mites. Check the cat from head to tail.

While there is nothing wrong with using clumping cat litter for older felines, you should stick with sandy litter when dealing with kittens. The clumping litters are usually treated with all types of chemicals that may nto be safe for smaller cats. Once they are older, you should be able to make the switch with no issue.

Your cat will thrive if allowed to say indoors. Cats who stay inside for most of their lives have a much better life span and are less likely to get diseases and parasites. While cats can get their exercise roaming the neighborhood and squaring off against other cats, they can also get diseases and injuries this way. Vigorous indoor play with an owner is a preferable way to get exercise.

Protect your cat and your kid by demonstrating the proper way to show affection for the animal. Few things are more appealing to children than the sight of a soft, fluffy cat, and they might be tempted to hug or squeeze the animal. Instead, teach your child to allow the animal to come to you rather than pursuing it. Tell them to use a light touch and avoid making direct eye contact with the cat

Try your best not to feed your cat any table scraps, even if you are sure this would be better than throwing the extra food away. Once you feed your cat this type of thing, they will no longer want to eat the cat food that you give them regularly.

Clean your cat’s litter box. Cats will use litter boxes on instinct if they know where to find it. Let your cat go naturally and don’t manually force it to go by putting it in the box or pushing it to scratch the litter. Keep the box in a private place, scoop its contents on a daily basis and give it a periodic wash.

Animal Control

Keep track of your feline friend by having the animal microchipped. This small device is implanted beneath the skin between your cat’s shoulder blades. Microchip implantation may sting for a few seconds, but the implant is otherwise unnoticeable and will not cause your pet any discomfort. This chip makes it easier for animal control to locate your cat if it goes missing.

With the tips provided you can stay on top by outsmarting your cat. They will know what they can and cannot do. Though they are very unlike dogs, cats are very loving animals and very rewarding to own.…

Dog

Getting Your Cat Ready for a New Baby

Having a new baby join your home is a change for everyone there. It is no different for pets that you have. Indoor pets are, especially, affected by the new bundle of joy. They may see a new baby as an intruder to their territory. There are some things you can do to get your cat ready to share the home with a new child.

Before you begin your training make sure that your cat is healthy. A check-up with a veterinarian is a good idea if your pet hasn’t had one lately. A couple other basic things to do are to play sounds of a baby to let your pet get used to the sound of a newborn human and to let him or her explore the nursery. Don’t let the cat set up camp in the nursery, though. This will make the situation worse when the baby starts using the room and displaces the cat.

If the child isn’t born yet and the pregnant woman is the person that does most of the caring for the cat, the responsibilities should be shifted before delivery. Cleaning the litter box should have already been a duty given to someone else for health reasons. Feeding and playtime should also be taken over by someone else in the house. This will keep the cat from feeling as jealous of the baby taking all of the mother’s time after the child comes home.

Get your cat used to the sounds and smells that come with having a baby in the house. Set up the baby swing and let it swing empty. Put some baby powder on a couple blankets and play with some baby toys. Allow your pet to associate these sounds and smells with you or the other caregivers before the child is in the picture.

Crib covers are available to keep the cat from getting into the crib and thinking that is his or her new bed. These can be used after the child comes home, as well. Another idea is to replace the door on the nursery with a screen door. This will allow you to keep the cat from getting into the room but still allowing you to hear if the baby is awake or upset.…

General Articles

Taking Part In Kitten Competitions

Taking Part In Kitten Competitions

Kitten competitions are shows where kittens are paraded and made to compete with one another to win a variety of titles. Owners are used to training a kitten to enter these kinds of competitions. Kitten owners register themselves and their cats at such shows where judges check their breed standard and award them ribbons.

Kitten and cat competitions admit pedigreed as well as moggy cats, though the rules of admission differ with each organization hosting the competition. Often a kitten owner will register the pet at multiple kitten competitions to be held throughout the year. Based on points collected over several shows, the kitten is awarded an annual title. Additional titles at the national and regional levels are also awarded at times.

At any kitten competition, a kitten or a cat is judged against other felines of the same breed, age, sex and color. Kitty behavior is also an important criterion on which they receive points. Kittens which are not properly trained have a tendency to hiss, spit, scratch and bite. Such kittens are awarded negative points or no points at all. For this reason, training a kitten properly is very crucial. The largest and most prestigious cat competition in the world is held in November each year at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, UK. This competition is often described as the Crufts of the world of cats and kittens.

Nowadays, a lot of kitten competitions are held online. The criteria for winning these competitions are of course based solely on the cuteness of the kitten as it is hard to judge breeding and pedigree online. The online kitten competitions do not require the owners to train their cats. Owners send a nominal subscription fee along with their kitten’s photo to the site owners who then display the pictures to a public vote. The kitten which gets the most number of votes in the good looks section wins the competition. Online kitten competitions hold no real value. Rather, they are more of fun events and work well to boost the ego of the kitty owners. Perhaps this is the reason why competitions like ‘Cutest Pet Contest’ and ‘Cute Kitten’ have become very popular with kitten owners.

If you wish to register your pet for a competition, by all means go ahead and have fun. It is important to remember that while it is good to be competitive, sometimes there can only be one winner and you should love your kitty all the same no matter how she is ranked.…

Dog

Animals in the Wild – Television Viewing at Its Finest

Some of TV’s finest moments come from performances that don’t involve trained actors. TV documentaries fascinate many people. News and information shows also serve to “entertain” those who thirst for knowledge.
Wacky programming that feature dysfunctional individuals with over-the-top problems help create an audience for people like Jerry Springer and Maury Povich. Their shows are far-out and, while the problems presented may be real, live audiences don’t share in the pain shown by invited guests. They often squeal with laughter at them.
However, there is a TV format that is worthy of respect and the time it takes to watch an entire show unfold. This format, generally presented by National Geographic, follows the daily lives of animals in the wild. This is truly fascinating TV – educational and very entertaining, absorbing and often exciting – words from an encyclopedia that come “thrillingly” to life.
I, for one, believe that TV that educates often does a better job of entertaining than TV that intends only to entertain. In other words, trailing “gorillas in the mist” is far more entertaining than today’s hottest half hour sitcom.
Others may disagree, but that is what I believe… and feel. Education is intoxicating. Education you can “see” is almost irresistible. I love it and I’m not alone. When you tune in to one of these shows and see close-up footage of lions in their natural habitat – resting during the day, hunting in the night – you wonder (at least I wonder) what the photographer had to endure to get the film footage. Surely, there was no 5-star hotel nearby.
Moreover, “getting the footage” had to be incredibly dangerous. Wild animals follow their instincts and that can turn a photographer who is not careful into prey. In fact, that happened several years ago to a “naturalist” who had dedicated his life to living part of each year in the habitat of grizzly bears.
His experiences lasted for thirteen years until a grizzly turned on him, attacked and killed him. It’s a dangerous life, but it must be a satisfying life, as well. The film footage of bears… lions… wildebeest… crocodiles… and so many other forms of wildlife make TV interesting, entertaining, educational and incredibly compelling. I love it.…

General Articles

Some Important Tips on Your Ferret’s Care

Some Important Tips on Your Ferret’s Care

Ok, so you have your new pet ferret, you eagerly brought him home and introduced him to the family. The kids probably fell in love with him as soon as they saw him, and the wife turned her nose up at the smell.

Well, after all the introductions have been made, the fun really begins. You are going to have to start training your new family member. Now at this point he is probably either very nervous, or he is jumping about all over the place. This is where you have to make it very clear to your ferret, what he can, and can not do.

If you or your kids are handling or even playing with your ferret, he will probably have the tendency to start nipping. This is one of the things that you are going to have to start dealing with, especially where your children are concerned.

If he does start nipping, you will have to tell him in a stern voice “no”. Eventually he should start associating the word no, and the tone of your voice, with the fact that he has to stop. If this measure is not taken, then your ferret will soon start to be resented by other members of your family.

The ferrets teeth are specifically designed to cut through meat and bones, so they could inflict some serious damage. This is why it is so important to deal with this problem, right from the onset.

Ferrets also love to be cuddled, but more than that they love to play games. The rougher the games are the better, and they seem to enjoy it. I am not talking about throwing him around the room, but having mock fights with him. Or even letting him tug on a length of cord, or a bit of old material. They really seem to enjoy a contest of strength.

As long as you treat your ferret gently when appropriate, and play with them when they want to have some fun. Your new family member should quickly form a bond with you, and with the rest of your family. For much more information on a ferrets care, click on the link.…

General Articles

How to Stop a Kitten From Biting You

How to Stop a Kitten From Biting You

Before going into further detail about how to address kitten aggression, it is important to first bear in mind that all members of the cat family – no matter what their size – share common traits. One of those traits is that they have a naturally aggressive side to their nature. This stems from the fact that all cats are hunters, and even though a domestic cat will most likely not ever have to go out and hunt for food or fight for survival in the same way as her wild cousins, the basic instincts are still there. Understanding what triggers a kitten to behave in an aggressive manner is in fact the key to learning how to stop her from directing her aggression at you.

The first golden rule is never to use your hands as a “toy” when playing with your kitten. As soon as your kitten sees your fingers dancing around on the floor in front of her, they are no longer a part of your body. They are quite simply prey.

Kittens and cats love to chase moving objects. What they are in effect doing is fine tuning their hunting skills. So rather than using your hands as the “target”, try keeping some distance between you and the kitten and let her chase a soft toy attached to a piece of string instead (or even just a piece of string on its own!) A small soft ball that your kitten can bat and chase around is another good substitute. Just keep her well away from you when she is in hunting mode and she is less likely to view your body parts as something she should attack.

The second golden rule is respecting the fact that although kittens may look cute and cuddly they do not always want to be picked up and stroked. A good indicator of the kitten’s mood is to keep your distance from her in the first instance and hold out your hand to her. If she comes across and sniffs your hand then that suggests she may be more receptive to being petted. If she ignores you, then take that as a signal she wants no further attention at the moment. If you push ahead and pick up a kitten when she clearly does not want to be fussed over, the kitten will retaliate in the only way she knows how… by biting and scratching you.

The third golden rule is to observe the kitten’s body language. If a cat is in “hunting mode” he or she is likely to react aggressively to anyone or anything that gets in the way. If your kitten displays any of the following behaviours, the best thing you can do is keep out of her way.

The kitten is crouched down on all fours and has a steady gaze

The kitten shows her teeth when you attempt to touch her

The pupils start to dilate

The fur fluffs up

The ears are turned down

The tail starts swishing sharply from side to side.

Once a kitten develops into an adult they become less playful and excitable and usually any aggression shown towards their owner subsides. They also find other ways to develop their hunting skills once they have access to the great outdoors – and this is something that continues for the rest of their life.…

Dog Shelters Near Me

Are You Big-Hearted? These Jobs Might Be Suitable For You

So, you are a big-hearted person and you just love helping others. Well, here is a list of care-giving jobs that could just be the right job for you:
Amusement Park Attendants
Don’t ever underestimate them! They are the guys and girls at the theme parks who make it all happen! They set up games, operate ride machines, clean up games and ride areas and collecting tickets. So, imagine what will it be if they weren’t there! It may look easy, but there’s definitely a lot of work involved in this job.
What it takes: You’ll need a whole lot of stamina and the ability to do repetitious tasks with a smile. Besides that, you must be able to feel comfortable in crowds, noise and laughter. As for some positions, you may even need to be physically strong to lift up certain objects.
Where the jobs are: If you patronize amusement parks regularly, you already know where all of them are. If you don’t, flip through the Yellow Pages to find the different theme parks, amusement parks, go-cart rental places, miniature-golf courses, waterslide parks and skating rinks. If you just want a temporary job, you can check the newspaper for upcoming small-towns carnivals or country fairs.
What this job could lead to: Be prepared, this job could lead to so much fun as an amusement park manager, camp director, city recreation worker, hotel manager or any other positions in the customer service line.
Zookeeper’s Helper
If you love animals, this is definitely the job for you! Zookeeper’s helper assists zookeepers to take care of the animals. Here’s a brief description of what your tasks will be like.
-Prepares special animal diets.
-Clean animals’ enclosures.
-Assist Zookeepers to raise very young animals.
-Monitor the animals for any signs of illness, injury, eating disorders or behavior change.
-Answers questions raised by visitors and ensure that they follow the zoo’s rules.
What it takes: You’ve just got to love animals and be able to follow directions to a T. At the beginning, you’ll need to be physically strong to help the zookeeper with some tough tasks. Besides that, you have to be able to learn new things quick and be extremely safety conscious.
Where the jobs are: Zoos of course! As for similar jobs, you can find them in animal safari theme parks, circuses or nature preserve exhibits.
However, no matter how much you love animals, if you’re allergic to animals’ fur or dander, don’t even go near to any of these animal care-giving jobs! Instead, you can find a position with an animal advocacy group, a publication about animals, or somewhere that doesn’t deal directly with the furry critters!
Are you interested in any of the jobs mentioned above? If you are, apply them and show your love and care today!…

General Articles

How to Be A Sexier Wife?

How to Be A Sexier Wife?

Sometimes women are busy in their career, children and daily life that they forget how to be a sexy little kitten for their hubbies. This article highlights some important tips on how to be a sexier wife.

1. Wear High heels: A women walking on a pair of heels always look sexy and attractive. So if you can properly walk on a pair of heels, then you can look sexier.

2. Wear Bifocals if you hubby likes you in a character of a sexy school girl.

3. When your husband is there at there at home, create a sexy environment by having sexy grooves and playing on the stereo.

4. Send your hubby text SMS when he is at office. Give him something special to look forward to when gets home.

5. Wear a sexy baby doll lingerie when you hubby gets home from office sometimes.

6. Go and have a lunch with your hubby at a romantic place.

7. When you come to bed, spray yourself with a light perfume and don’t wear panties under your night gown.

8. Keep in touch with your girl friends and talk them about fashion, hair and make up when you are on shopping with them. Thus, you can keep yourself updated with the latest fashion and trends and maintain your sexier look.

9. Experiment with fashion and sport your own style. I am sure your hubby will love it.

10. Try some new sex techniques: Unless it goes against anything God says, you should try new sexual techniques to fulfill your husband’s fantasies.

11. Plan nights outs where you can get dressed up and hang out with your female friends at least once a month or once every month. No matter it is a lunch, shopping, dinner or whatever it is. You need to show your hubby that you are looking your best at outdoors. Men are sometimes excited by challenge and for some reason, this gives them a challenge.

12. Keep your figure and eating habits in check and do an exercise that suits you the best.

13. If you are uncomfortable in watching porn with your hubby, then watch some by yourself and get some innovative ideas. Remember that it is only you and your hubby in your bedroom and keep all others out from your bedroom.

14. Sometimes, when your hubby is just about to reach at home, engage yourself in a naughty maid costume with the duster and heels on clearing around the home or bending over scrubbing tubs and toilets. Thus, your husband will drive crazy while watching you as a sexy young maid cleaning the house.

15. Call your hubby by using some pet names like baby, sweetie, honey, darling and make him feel that you love him the most.

16. Keep your home neat and clean. Also, keep your kids primped and tidy as well. As all men feel proud when their wife and kids look at their best.

17. Be a freak in the bed. A man loves a lady in lanes, but a freak in the bed. Here, freak means tramp, hooker or anything being a complete sex maniac.

18. If you need to make an argument with your hubby, do it in a respectful and tactful way.

19. Don’t control your hubby like his mother. You can control him with your sexy figure and behavior.

20. Avoid making excessive arguments with your husband. It can’t be you on the winning side always.

21. If you have kids, they should not sleep in the bed with you every night.…