Category: General Articles

Pet Insurance Comparison: When Should I Start My Pets Insurance?

The simple answer is as soon after they’re born as possible. It is best to take them to the vet soon and have a check up, and get them registered with date of birth etc. Treat this as you would with a new born baby. Get the birth registered and have your baby checked out and at the same time sort out their pet insurance. Reason is that you never know when there might be a problem. You never know when something will turn up and if anything becomes a pre-existing condition then you may not be able to insure them.

Then you could either have to pay out or have them put down which wouldn’t be a choice anyone would gladly face. So get your pet insured from the get go. I say as soon as they’re born but it will more likely be the week that you acquire them because, assuming you’re not the breeder, then you won’t get your pet until they’re ready to leave their mother. Even so, you should register their birthday for two good reasons: you will know how old they are in 10 years time and not have to think: “When did we get her, was it 8 years? No I’m sure it was more” etc. and the other more important reason is you can celebrate their birthday as another member of the family, which is fun!

The first examination is also important. Some breeds are prone to their own diseases and these are not always easy to spot. When we got our Westie, the breeder was not happy for us to handle the puppy because of cross infections, but she had a skin disease which,we found out, they’re prone to and we never picked that up because we never handled the puppy. This was a chronic disease which lasted her whole life and cost us dearly because we didn’t have pet insurance, but a vet would have noticed it straight away and maybe nipped it in the bud, but maybe that’s a good reason to take out the insurance before the first examination just in case.…

Common Genetic And Non-Genetic Cat Health Problems

If you are a new pet owner or are planning on getting a kitten, you should be aware that it is pretty normal for your kitty to fall ill every once in a while. However, cats are also prone to several genetic ailments and other serious diseases. As a cat owner, it would help you to know about some of these more common diseases. Though being cautious while getting a kitten can help you avoid a few genetic disorders, there are some cat health problems that you cannot prevent.

A majority of cats are vulnerable to worms. The presence of ringworms, hookworms, roundworms or tapeworms may make your cat suffer from stomach ache and vomiting. The presence of these worms may also cause discoloration of her coat and give her a bloated tummy. But you need not worry too much about these conditions as there are various medicines that can successfully cure such problems.

Cats love to groom themselves. However this frequent grooming can also result in hairball problems. While grooming themselves, cats often gulp hairs that remain undigested. Later, cats vomit these hairs out as hairballs.

Fleas too may bother your cats. These fleas would feed on the blood of your loving pet and too many fleas can also make it anemic. This uncomfortable situation may cause it to scratch itself more often, thus resulting in skin diseases. Keep a close watch on your pet and take her to a vet before the infestation gets serious.

Genetic cat health problems may include some kinds of kidney diseases, blindness and many others. Many Abyssinian cats are born with retinal dystrophy, progressive retinal atrophy and familial amyloidosis. Burmese cats are genetically more prone to diabetes, glaucoma and hypokalaemic myopathy. Gingivitis is another genetic condition that is present in many cats.

Despite their adorable appearance, even Persian cats have their share of genetic illnesses. The major genetic disorders that this breed suffers from include Chediak-Higashi syndrome, dystocia, progressive retinal atrophy and corneal sequestrum.

The list of cat health problems also includes feline leukemia. Unfortunately there is no permanent medication for this terminal illness and vomiting and weakness are some of its symptoms. Cats can also develop urinary tract infections and conjunctivitis. Injuries to the inner ear and ear mites can cause ear infection in cats. You should check the ears of your cat on a regular basis during her grooming sessions.

If your cat is falling ill, do not panic and remember to consult a vet or any reputable resource as soon as possible to prevent her condition from worsening. Good luck!…

Treating Ferret Fleas

If you own a ferret, fleas are a common problem your ferrets may encounter. Since these are parasites that suck the blood of your pet, it is imperative to know some important information about it so you can take suitable steps to remove them as well as avoid reinfestation. More than getting rid of it you need to know how to maintain your pet’s health and keep fleas away.

In warm and humid conditions, fleas multiply rapidly. What they cannot survive is hot or cold weather or high altitudes. They also cannot see very well owing to their bad eyesight. Since they respond to light, therefore light colored fur of the ferret is an attractive haven for the fleas to infest.

The blood sucker causes ferret anemia. Ferrets, being allergic, lose hair and develop rashes and an itchy skin. The tiny, lovable creature may well die if it is not treated. They must be given medical treatment and kept clean to get rid of it.

You can find products such as sprays, powders, oral suspensions, topical applications, shampoos and bombs made of chemicals that keep out fleas. An effective remedial application is Pyrethrum which repels fleas. Since they have nerve endings, post-synaptic products like Avantage are effective as they contain Imidacloprid that blocks the nerve transmission killing the fleas right away. Vets recommend Frontline. However, a problem with these remedies is that only full grown fleas are killed and not eggs.

Recent years have seen the development of anti flea products which also destroy the eggs of fleas. A popular inhibitor is Lufenuron which can be bought in the market under the names of Program and Sentinel oral suspensions. Precor and Nylar are flea growth inhibitors which when sprayed on cages, carpets and bedding of the ferret keeps the fleas away. Use a shampoo for the ferret called D-limonene which has a pleasing citrus odor and repels and kills adult fleas.

Fleas can be difficult to control once they infest the ferret. It is still better to prevent the advent of fleas by keeping your pet clean and dry. Take care of basic sanitation of the ferret and its surroundings and automatically your pet will be blessed with a long and healthy life.…

Finding the Best Beatrix Potter Books on the Internet

Do you find Beatrix Potter books fascinating? The delicate art work, the attention to detail, and most of all the amusing characters, which are perennial favourites in child fiction. If you have not stepped into the magical world of Beatrix Potter books in the form of Peter Rabbit, the Flopsy bunnies, the mischievous Tom Kitten, Jemima Puddle buck, Mrs. Titmouse and other amusing characters, you are missing something. No wonder, Beatrix Potter books are still an important part of child fiction, today as they were, when they appeared more than a century ago.

Tom Kitten

One of the most popular of Beatrix’s characters is Tom Kitten. Even though Tom Kitten appeared in only two of her books, the Tale of Tom Kitten and the tale of Samuel Whiskers, he gained plenty of popularity as a fat and mischievous little kitten.

In the Tale of Tom Kitten, Tom’s mamma, Mrs. Tabitha Twitchit is expecting company to Tea. That is the reason why she dresses Tom and his sisters Mittens and Moppet, with an admonition not to get dirty before the guests come visiting. Tom Kitten, and his sisters decide to go for a walk, while awaiting the arrival of the guests.

On the way Jemima Puddle duck and Mr. Drake puddle duck find Tom Kitten’s clothes, which he had taken off and thrown on the road. These clothes were put on by Jemima and Mr. Drake. So Tom and his little brother and sisters come home, in a state not fit to be seen, and were put to bed by their angry mother immediately!

In the Tale of Samuel Whiskers, Tom Kitten falls in the clutches of 2 rats, Samuel Whiskers and Anna Maria, his wife. They decide to make him into a roly-poly pudding and eat him! But he is rescued by his mother and another friend of the family, Mrs. Ribby.

Beatrix’s books can be considered to be a part of juvenile fiction, which is popular with adults, as well as with children. And so we can enjoy the original Beatrix Potter books, even though a century has passed since children first saw the tale of Peter Rabbit, the tale of Mrs. Tit mouse, the tale of Benjamin Bunny, the tale of the Flopsy bunnies, etc in print.

You can get all these books as well as colour prints of the original paintings she did, on the Internet. So look for the best website which is going to give you your choice of Beatrix Potter books!…

Kitten Behavior Problems – How To Tame Your Frisky Kitty

Sometimes, dealing with kitten behavior can be so daunting and confusing. One minute, he wants all of your attention and the next minute, he just wants to be left alone. There may also be times where he’ll even use your leg as a scratching post! If you’re having difficulty figuring out your frisky feline, here’s what you can do about kitten behavior problems.

WHY DOES MY KITTY ACT SO CRAZY?

At times, dealing with a misbehaving cat can test your patience. But the fact of the matter is kitties are hyper. It’s a part of kitten-hood. Like human adolescents, they also go through a teenage stage. This is when they will push boundaries and test their limits. Chewing, scratching, biting and jumping are all behaviors that your little fur ball might display.

WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?

It’s a sad fact that many cats are surrendered to shelters because of behavioral issues. When it comes to kitten behavior problems, you may not be able to figure out what he is doing and just cannot tolerate it any longer. Maybe he keeps using your favorite rug as his toilet or he’s shredding your couch to pieces. You may feel like giving him up for adoption as well. But before you make any hasty decisions, you should take your kitty to the vet to rule out any medical problems that could be causing him to act up.

If he has a clean bill of health, consider talking to a feline behavioral counselor. They are experts who may be able to help with matters such as extreme aggression, eating disorders, destructive clawing and scratching and litter box issues.

Kitten behavior problems can be corrected. All you need is a little time and patience. Once you understand why your feline is being bad and have the tools to correct it, you’ll be well on your way to a happier relationship.…

Top 3 Best Cat Toys

Cats, like any other pet, enjoy being playful-alone and with human interaction. Cats who play, and are played with, benefit physically and mentally and enjoy the social activity. Here are some of the best cat toys guaranteed to keep your cat playing for hours.

1. Petstages Cat Cuddle Coil soothing toy. The Cat Cuddle Coil soothing toy is perfect for any kitten or cat and can be considered a toy as well as a safe area for napping or hiding out. The Petstages Cat Cuddle Coil soothing toy is made of colorful nylon and is lined with a cuddly, soft material allowing your cat even more comfort. The Petstages Cat Cuddle Coil soothing toy has only one entrance/exit, securely pops up and stays open when in use, and folds away easily with velcro attachments when not in use. Your cat will find many uses with the Cat Cuddle Coil soothing toy and will offers hours of enjoyment.

2. Petlinks System Fun Beam. The Petlinks System Fun Beam is a laser light beam toy that your cat will go crazy for. The Petlinks System Fun Beam will provide your cat with the exercise that he needs while enjoying some interactive playtime with you. The Petlinks System Fun Beam will get your cat running and jumping and will definitely keep him entertained.

3. Petstages Cat Nip Chew Mice. The Cat Nip Chew Mice are a fun toy for your kitten or cat to play with and are beneficial to your cat’s dental health as well. The Petstages Cat Nip Chew Mice are mouse shaped cat nip filled toys that your cat will love to play with. They are covered with a netted material that is chew resistant and not harmful to your pet. Your cat will not be able to resist chewing on the Petstages Cat Nip Chew Mice and will actually remove tarter and act as a dental floss.…

Buying a Ferret

Today when people decide to get a pet, they often want to go beyond the conventional. Hence they prefer exotic and playful creatures such as ferrets. These small, playful creatures can be as cute as a cat and even as loving as a dog. However, before you actually buy a ferret make sure you have taken care of a few things.

Places to get a Ferret from

– Once you have done your initial preparation regarding a ferret and its requirements, the next time is to find places to buy your ferret from. This is assuming that you have checked the local laws of course; because you need to ensure that keeping a ferret is legal in your specific state. Consult your local vet or research online before you buy a ferret.

– Keep some finances ready because the ferret alone could cost you anything ranging from $75 to $100. Some of the rare breeds such as Angora ferrets are quite expensive. These are genetically rare and besides need to be lactated by other ferret mothers, this only mounts the cost.

– A good place to start searching for ferret sellers and breeders is your local newspapers. You could even visit a vet in your area and get expert advice on the same.

– Like most things, even ferrets can be purchased on the Internet due to rise in the number of pet care websites. Do confirm and check all details, especially the authenticity of rare breeds.

Checklists before you get your Ferret home

Don’t be in a rush to get your ferret home after you’ve completed all the procedures. Before getting it home, you need to stock up on some vital things.

– The most important thing to stock is dry ferret food. These tiny creatures need high protein foods and have an appetite for meat.

– Another essential thing to buy is an exercise pen where your ferret can frolic around. Remember that these small animals love moving around and have bundles of energy to use. Therefore this exercise pen will channelize their energy and provide a safe place for them to play.

– Next you will need other basic items of ferret care such as a bad or hammock, litter box, special shampoo, tiny water bottles and most important a special air spray to minimize the odor coming from your ferret.

These items can be easily purchased from any pet store or website. You can even get bargain deals. Once you have the basics ready you can get your ferret and see how enjoyable and loving these creatures can be.…