Pet

5 Tips For Finding The Right Name For Your Dog

Naming your dog can be difficult. Your dog’s name says as much about your pet as it does about you. There are thousands of names to choose from, but choosing the right one is important.

You could consider one of the following categories to name your pet:

1. Choosing a name according to gender:

This is probably the most obious way to name your dog. The most popular girl names for dogs are Molly, Lady, Princess, and Missy. The most popular boy dog names are Sam, Max, Duke, and Rocky. These are just a few names out of the thousands available.

2. Choose a name according to your dog’s personality:

Your dog’s personality is unique, no matter what breed. You could consider getting to know your dog before naming it.

3. Choosing a name according to your pet’s characteristics:

Every dog has unique characteristics, no matter what breed. Whether it be marks, coat, colour or size, I’m sure you could find a name suiteable for your dog!

4. Choose a name according to its breed:

Some names are better suited for different breeds. Small show dogs may be suited by impressive names, while strays may be suited with cute names.

5. Choose a name according to your interests:

You may want to give your dog a name that inspires your dog or interersts you.

REMEMBER: Dog names should be no longer then two syllables. They should also not sound similar to commands your dog will be learning. These things could confuse your furry friend.…

General Articles

5 Tips For Choosing the Right Nutrition For Your Kitten

5 Tips For Choosing the Right Nutrition For Your Kitten

What you eat is what you are! This is right for the humans and also for the pets. You have to choose the right nutrition for your kitten so that it remains healthy always. Giving the right nutrition to your kitten would save you a lot of trips to the veterinarian and even a considerable amount of money spent on treatments. You can easily avoid serious medical conditions if you give proper nutrition to your kitten.

1. The cat needs proteins, amino acid, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, fatty acids and water. You have to ensure that the food that you choose for your kitten is well balanced with all these ingredients in the right quantities. Protein can be got from fish, meat, and poultry. You might ask whether a cat needs carbohydrates. Although it is not necessary it is used to fill the stomach and is found in canned foods as fillers. The color and flavor vary with the brands.

2. You can give both dry and canned foods. Alternate these so that the cat gets both of these. Most of the cats do not drink much water. Hence canned foods are better since it has water in it. Dry foods are better for feeding freely. Minerals and vitamins are to be added to the food that you give. Do not give the same food all the time. Change the menu frequently so that the cat is not bored with the same food. Do we eat the same food all the time? We don’t. So it is fair that we do not expect the kitten to have the same food for every meal.

3. Give foods from different brands so that the kitten is not addicted to a certain brand or flavor. Food addictions should be avoided as you might not get the same food always. Hence it is better to rotate the brands of foods from the start.

4. See whether any particular food causes allergies in the kitten. Just like humans, the kittens are also allergic to certain foods. You have to note them down and avoid such foods in the future.

5. Cheaper brands are not cheaper on your wallet. Cats eat as much as they get the nutrition needed. Premium foods have the right nutrition even if fed in small quantities. Cheaper foods might not have the required nutrition and they are just fillers. Cats will eat more of such foods until they get the required nutrition. So you will end up spending the same amount on cheaper foods too. Hence it is better to choose premium brands.

Apart from these it is important that the cat food you buy adheres to the protocols set by the AAFCO. The nutrients should be at that level or more than that. Check for the protein source in the label and the expiration date of the food. Avoid labels that have ‘by-products’ and ‘preservatives’. Avoid cat foods that have corn meal fillers and excess of other fillers.…

General Articles

Licking Away Fur – How to Put an End to Your Cat’s Baldness

Licking Away Fur – How to Put an End to Your Cat’s Baldness

What would you think if you had a lovely, fluffy kitty and it suddenly started to lose its hair? Unfortunately, this problem is more common than many people realize and, in many cases, the hair loss is actually the result of your kitty simply overgrooming or doing other things that are causing hair loss to occur. Just as humans can suffer from obsessive compulsive disorders that cause them to repeatedly engage in the same behavior, your cat may do the same thing when it comes to grooming. As a result, baldness, which is also referred to as alopecia may occur. At the same time, there are other potential causes of feline baldness that needs to be ruled out before you assume the alopecia is the result of overgrooming.

Exploring Other Potential Causes of Alopecia

In addition to excessive grooming, there are several other potential causes of alopecia. Some of these include:

o Skin Parasites – parasites such as fleas and mites may cause your cat’s skin to become irritated, which can lead to overgrooming. Fortunately, it is usually pretty easy to spot fleas and mites, so it shouldn’t be too difficult for you to diagnose this as the cause of the baldness. In addition, there are several medications and other products available on the market that can help you get rid of these parasites and give your cat some relief from the irritation.

o Fungal Infections – fungal infections can also cause hair to fall out or make it brittle, which makes its break easily and for your cat to appear bald. If your cat is suffering from a fungal infection, you will likely need to visit your vet for medication to clear up the condition.

o Hormones – certain hormonal conditions can also lead to hair loss. By performing a simple blood test, your veterinarian will be able to determine if hormones are causing your cat’s hair loss to occur.

o Allergies – allergies can cause several problems to develop in your kitty, including hair loss. In addition, allergies can lead to skin irritation, which may cause your cat to overgroom.

If all of these conditions have been ruled out, you may have a cat that suffers from obsessive compulsive disorder. It is important to keep in mind, however, that there may be certain triggers or environmental factors that are causing your pet to overgroom. By understanding these triggers, you can more effectively treat the problem and, hopefully, put an end to your cat’s obsessive grooming.

Treating Overgrooming

In many cases, cats who overgroom are doing so in response to stress or anxiety. Therefore, one step in the treatment process may simply involve giving your cat anxiety medication or better yet, making changes in your household that will alleviate stress. For example, your cat may begin the behavior when a new cat is added to the household. By separating the cats and gradually reintroducing them, your cat’s stress and anxiety may be reduced and it may slow down on the grooming.

Providing your cat with other activities may also help reduce its tendency to overgroom. By introducing new toys or engaging in new activities, your cat may find other ways to entertain itself that do not involve licking its fur away!…

Dog Adoption

Emery Cat Scratcher Files The Cat's Nails Without Harm To You And Your Cat

From the second i found out about the Emery Cat Scratcher I knew that it was manufactured by cat lovers because it features catnip. Cat’s just adore catnip, as a matter of fact my cat Livie has a desire for cat nip. She’ll get in a bed of it and rolls around in the fragrant herb untill she gets all of it over her body. To mention she loves catnip is undoubtedly an understatement.

Due to the catnip, cat adore the emery cat scratcher and often will spend a lot of time scratching there claws, rolling around around the board and just having a good time. The not so good part is that if you’ve multiple cats your going to need the 2nd board mainly because cats don’t share. Don’t even want to think about sharing, it isn’t within there nature.

Spending all of this time on the emery board, your cat’s claws is going to be filed and ideal in a very few weeks doing away with the frustration of cutting their nails. Which is the one job that my cat hated with a passion. One glance at the nail trimmers and she can be gone and not found for the remainder of the day. Using the Emery Cat Scratcher that job is in the past and thankfully forgotten about.

The big downside of the Emery Cat Scratcher is that it is very light and tends to slide around a great deal on solid surfaces. You need to put it to use a rug or carpet therefore it doesn’t travel all over. My cat doesn’t mind a bit , she’ll just travel with the catnip laden board but, you may not want it being underfoot everyday.

I forgot to note above the fact that catnip is only going to work for a couple of months and you might want to replace it. This is a simple task since you can grow your own as I do and easily cut some of the nip and set it on the emery board once or twice on a monthly basis. Or however you can purchase some, it’s available all over in pet stores and do in the same way.

Would I suggest the Emery Cat Scratcher. Yes, and my cat Livie would too. Obviously she would recommend any scenario that included catnip. It take just a couple of minutes to assemble, last for many years and being you can get two of the boards plus a free de-shedder I feel it’s a good bargain.…

General Articles

How To Set Up Your Home For Your New Ragdoll

How To Set Up Your Home For Your New Ragdoll

Before you can bring home your new Ragdoll kitten, you must make sure that your home is ready to receive it. You would want to ensure that your new addition to your family will find its new home welcoming, safe and comfortable.

Here is a breakdown of 5 places in your home that you should kitten-proof:

Bathroom

The bathroom can be place of danger for any kitten because more often than not, water can be left unattended in a bathtub or in a bucket. If your Ragdoll kitten gets thirsty, it may wander to the bathroom and try to drink from the tub or bucket. Your kitty could possibly fall into either the bucket or the tub so to avoid that, be sure to keep your bathtub drained and have a lid to cover buckets filled with water. Always keep the toilet seat covered, too.

Outdoors

Cats, by nature, love to explore and the outside world is just as fascinating to them as the inside of your home. However, Ragdoll kittens should not be allowed to go outside the confines of your home or apartment. You should also check which plants you have in your home that can be poisonous to your new pet. Do what’s necessary to keep them away from it.

Kitchen

As a place where you cook and prepare food, kittens love hanging out in the kitchen. You have to be watchful of your new Ragdoll kitty around kitchen appliances, their wires and other electrical appliances. Try to keep your sink drained of water to avoid having your pet fall into it. Keep cleansers, soaps, liquids and powders that they can open and spill or even ingest in high cupboards or cabinets with child-safety locks to avoid poisoning.

Living Room

Ragdoll kittens like to play on the floor but will also like to play on sofa, chairs and tables. It would be best to have a scratching post or a cat tree around so they have a proper place to relax or have fun. You should also put away your favorite breakables in another cabinet that is far from your new kitten’s reach.

Bedroom

To avoid choking, personal items that include needles, pins and other small objects should be kept in a drawer. Your Ragdoll kitten is curious about everything and will try to taste or swallow those small items. Curling iron, blowdryer and other accessories should also be hidden away after use to avoid burning and other accidents. Cats also find laundry baskets appealing so it would be good to have a cover for your laundry pile.…

General Articles

Florida’s Snake Problem

Florida’s Snake Problem

Florida is being overrun with snakes like the Burmese python. They are putting the natural wildlife in the Everglades in danger. The population, estimated to be over 100,000 in the Everglades, will attack and consume any type of wildlife including an alligator.

The governor of Florida is considering signing a bill putting a bounty on a captured snake to reduce the population. This procedure was used to control the alligator population. Besides the bounty, the licensed trappers will keep the proceeds from selling the meat and skin. The trappers will be licensed and trained by the state to capture them. It will be considered very dangerous for anyone to try to capture them without the proper training. It is competing with the alligator as the number one predator in the area.

The burmese python is one of the six largest snakes in the world. It can be found near water or in trees. It can grow up to 18 feet and weigh 160 pounds. It is lighted colored with brown blotches outlined in black. It is found throughout Southeast Asia but has a presence in the United States due to the pet trade.

It is native to Southeast Asia. It is an excellent swimmer and climber and needs a source of water to survive. The Everglades is a perfect habitat for it. It is active during the night and will sleep during the day. It tends to live in the underbrush. Florida’s marshes and wetlands are ideal locations for it. It’s diet consists of birds and mammals but will attack anything for food. It will seize its’ prey with it’s teeth and crush it’s prey with it’s body.

It has been hunted for it’s skin, folk medicines and in some areas, food. It has also been captured for the pet industry. It has a reputation as being docile, but can kill a human being with it’s strength. It is usually afraid of people, but like any wild animal, it is unpredictable and may attack a human. It has an instinct to hunt and will try to escape from it’s cage in captivity. It is recommended that two people be presented when handling the python. If it does attack one person, the other person can unwrap it.

Because of the size it reaches at adulthood, it can outgrow it’s surroundings in captivity. As an adult, it requires a large amount of food and an expensive enclosure. Owners tend to overfeed it. Many owners cannot deal with it as an adult and will release to the wild. As in the situation in Florida, it can start to breed and overwhelm an area causing an imbalance with the natural wildlife.…

Dog Rescue

Basic Dog Training Tips

Training your dog should be a fun experience where both you and your pet benefit from working together. Unfortunately, too many owners get discouraged in the training process when they fail to make any noticeable progress. This tends to happen when the owner is unprepared from the beginning. In order to help prevent this mistake, here are some basic dog training tips to get you off to a successful start.

Be Patient

It takes time to establish communication channels with your pet. You have to start at the most basic level, assuming your dog knows nothing about what you are doing. This requires a great deal of patience at first, but it is imperative that you display a calm demeanor. Your dog can sense when you are frustrated or upset, and this could intimidate or scare them. Take things slow and know when to stop for the day. This will help insure that your sessions stay fun and productive.

Use Encouragement

Frustration can bring on negative reactions such as scolding or yelling. If you are not careful, then you might find yourself constantly reprimanding your dog throughout the training sessions. This will only confuse your pet and lead to a disinterest in learning. Constant positive reinforcement is the best strategy to creating a constructive learning environment. Make sure to reward your dog for effort, even if he dog doesn?t get a command exactly right.

Repetition is Key

It is understandable to want to move on to the next lesson when your dog performs a command correctly. You are excited about your pet?s progress and you want to keep things moving in the right direction. But the best strategy is to master one task before starting the next one. This is accomplished through repetition exercises, and it is by far the most important step in successful training. Start every new lesson by reviewing previous lessons. Build your dog?s confidence by letting him perform tasks he is familiar with before progressing with new material.

Maintain Structure

Getting your dog into the proper mindset for learning can help improve his retention rate. This can be accomplished by adding consistency and structure to your training sessions. If possible, work with your dog at the same time everyday and keep you?re the sessions under one hour. Start and end each session with a review of tasks they are already familiar with, and try to work on only one new command each time. Familiarity with your training structure will help your dog feel more comfortable. They will know what to expect and they will understand what is expected of them.

There is much more to dog training than just the lessons you teach. There is a psychological element that must also be addressed if you want to save time and frustration. Use the basic dog training tips above to establish the parameters of your training. From there you can concentrate on teaching the actual tasks and commands.…

General Articles

Shoe Lexicon – Part 1

Shoe Lexicon – Part 1

These days the fashion magazines, blogs, and catalogues are littered with terms that are so alien, so unfamiliar, we simply don’t know what we’re buying anymore. Which is why I’ve put together a shoe lexicon that will serve as your guide when shopping for new shoes.

Peep Toe. As you probably can tell, a peep toe is a style of shoe that shows off a little bit of your toes. Typically, peep toes have a small crescent-shaped opening at the tip of the vamp of the shoe, big enough for your big toe and the one next to it to “peep” through. Although these days, some shoes just have a tiny teardrop-shaped hole big enough to shoe your big toe. Because of its playful design, many consider it the easygoing cousin of the pumps.

Tips When Wearing Peep Toes:

Get a pedicure. Granted that it only shows two of your toes or even less, the fact remains that it shows. So best to get a good pedicure when wearing peep toes. This can also be a great chance to show off your awesome nail color.

Brogues. Brogue shoes are a style of shoes that was extremely popular fashion among men. Also called wing tips, they are low heeled shoes that are ornately decorated with perforations, holes and different kinds of leathers. Just think back to what mob boys would wear for shoes and you typically have an idea what brogues are. However, fashion mavericks like Marlene Dietrich wore brogues that helped it transcend from a men’s shoe to a masculine-inspired fashion for women.

Tips When Wearing Brogue Shoes:

Balance it out. Because brogues are very manly, balance the look out by wearing a very girly A line skirt and a tank top. Don’t forget to add in accessories like a charm bracelet or silver bangle bracelets to complete the look.

Kitten Heels. There are many speculations on how the kitten heels came to be known as kitten heels. My favorite theory thus far is that it earned its moniker because as compared to the killer high heels models wear when they sashay down the catwalk, the modest height of these particular shoes’ heels are just kittens. I don’t know if the theory is true or not, but it’s a rather cute explanation though. However, kitten heels have slowly made their way to the catwalks middle of this year.

Tips When Wearing Kitten Heels:

Show Off Your Shoes. Maybe it’s its 1950s origins that make me want to favor dresses with this style of shoes, but generally wear something that will show them off is a good rule to follow. Bodycon skirts paired with a flowy top and kitten heels is a number one recommendation.…

General Articles

Cat Sneezing Symptoms – 5 Main Causes

Cat Sneezing Symptoms – 5 Main Causes

Kitten sneezing symptoms and cat sneezing symptoms, like human symptoms, are not in and of themselves a necessarily bad sign. However, chronic sneezing coupled with other symptoms can be especially concerning. Let’s take a look at some common cat sneezing symptoms and cat cold symptoms.

1 – Dust, Pollen, Cleaning Supplies, etc

Little Muffy sticks her investigative nose everywhere… in corners, under furniture, in old smelly shoes. Her sneezing may be nothing more than a healthy reaction to a common household irritant such as mold, dust, cleaning supplies or pollen, or some other mild cat sneezing allergies. As long as your cat is not frequently sneezing, mark it up to her curiosity.

2 – Upper Respiratory Infection

Cat upper respiratory infection symptoms can mirror cat sneezing allergies, and are the most common cause for continual cat sneezing. Comparable to the common cold in people, they can usually be cured by good food and rest. If the sneezing continues, a natural application of homeopathic medication can help. Borax and Phosphorous are two elements found to help alleviate kitten sneezing symptoms in cats of all ages. As always, contact a reputable source to obtain these remedies.

3 – Dental problems

The next major cause of sneezing in cats is dental disease. This is not generally something that cat owners think to check, but a disease in Tabby’s teeth can easily creep into her sinuses and infect her there. If your cat has pain when eating, or shows swollen gums, take her to a veterinarian for a dental cleaning.

4 – Feline Herpes

Actually rather common, the herpes virus usually causes cat sneezing symptoms and upper respiratory problems, possibly even cat vomiting symptoms, but only lasts a few weeks, then goes back into hibernation. If this virus inhabits your cat, he will have it his whole life. However, it is rarely a danger to his health. Pulsatilla was used in ancient Greece to cure runny eyes and noses, and is still used effectively in many homeopathic remedies for cats today.

5 – Feline Leukemia

The most dangerous cause of cat sneezing is Feline Leukemia. Leukemia weakens your cat’s immune system, and can cause your cat to contract other more dangerous diseases such as asthma. If the application of other common remedies and medication does not help, take your cat to a vet for a comprehensive checkup.

Cat sneezing symptoms can be early warning signs of a more serious problem, and are more serious when you notice kitten sneezing symptoms because of the youth of your pet, but are generally treatable by the application of safe, non-invasive, natural homeopathic medicines. Always make sure that anything you use on your feline friend is FDA approved and contains no artificial colors or preservatives.…

General Articles

Should I Get Insurance For My Kitten

Should I Get Insurance For My Kitten

If you have a kitten and you are wondering whether you should get insurance for your pet, then the answer is a resounding yes. Kittens are just as prone to things like stomach upsets and ear infections as older cats, and it costs just as much to treat them.

It is always better to get a pet insurance plan while your cat is still young as most insurance policies exclude existing conditions, if you get it before problems can develop then your pet should be covered for everything. If you want the best for your kitten right from the beginning, then you really need to give serious consideration to purchasing pet insurance.

It’s an idea to take a good look around on the internet and at the information board in your local vet’s surgery because they often have some quite reasonable pet insurance plans. Take your time over making a decision because you don’t want to take on a plan and then find that it doesn’t cover everything that you want it to cover. In the UK pet plans have certain terms and conditions, understanding these fully is key to ensuring that your cat is fully covered. There are a number of things that you need to take into consideration when you are looking for a pet plan.

The breed of kitten that you have is important because some cats are more prone to certain conditions than others. Many people think that the alley cat is usually the most hardy but this is not always the case. If your kitten is a pedigree breed then you probably know something about its family history and this could be important when it comes to getting insurance for your pet. Where you live should also be taken into consideration here, cats and kittens are notorious for exploring the area where they live. If you live in an area where there is a lot of traffic then your kitten may be more at risk of being hurt in a road accident than if you lived somewhere quieter.

There are a number of different ways that you can insure your cat and it is easy to get a quote online or over the telephone. Some companies offer a discount when you pay for your cat insurance online and that is worth investigating further, particularly with some of the leading insurers. Before you start asking for quotes you need to know exactly what you want for your kitten and also what you can afford to pay in premiums and in excess.

With most pet insurance plans a higher excess, i.e., what you are required to pay towards the cost, which might be £50 or it might be 10 or 20 per cent of the total cost of a course of treatment. The more that you can pay in excess, then the less you will pay on your premiums – just as you might find with a car. It’s a good idea to insure your kitten once it is about eight weeks old, that way there is less chance it will have a pre-existing condition. Once you know what you want and what you can afford to pay, it is time to start looking for pet insurance quotes.…

Humane Society Near Me

Train Your Pit Bull Terrier: Whistle Dog Training

Pit Bulls are an intelligent breed that can be taught nearly anything, as long as they have a good trainer. Having a good trainer doesn?t necessarily mean a trainer that you hired. Many Pit Bull owners are finding that their pets not only are eager to learn, but they also gain much when they opt to train their Pit Bull themselves. Owners who opt to be their dog?s trainer will find that they enjoy spending the extra time with their beloved pet.

Many methods of training exist, and just which type you wish to pursue is totally up to you. Depending on what you wish to accomplish as well as how much time you can devote to the task is just a couple of things you?ll need to factor in when picking a type of training for your pet.

Over the years, one of the training methods which has began to rise in popularity is whistle training. This type of training uses a whistle to give the dog commands rather than using the spoken word. Each task is allotted a certain amount of blows, or pips, on the whistle.

If you?d like to attempt whistle training for your Pit Bull, then the first thing to do is to pick out a good quality whistle with which to give out the commands. Using your own mouth to do the whistling isn?t a good idea. Your pitch would vary, and if you needed to give your Pit Bull a command from a distance, he may not hear you. For these reasons, it?s best to go with a good quality metal whistle.

One whistle command you can teach your dog is to come when called. A good way to do this is to use his feeding time as the starting ground. At mealtime, as you put his food down give two short bursts on the whistle. Continue to do this at every mealtime for about three weeks. Always remember to use the exact number of bursts on the whistle.

Once you have made it for about three weeks with the mealtime whistling, try blowing the same command when your Pit Bull is not expecting a meal. Be sure to have a nice treat for him at the ready, for when he does come you?ll want to reward him with a nice snack and a reassuring rub.

This type of training is useful if take your dog to the park or anywhere in the outdoors. By whistle training your Pit Bull, you?ll know that wherever he is, he can hear you and come at your beck and call.…

Humane Society Near Me

Rules To Remember When Traveling With A Cat

Traveling with a cat can bring unique challenges to your holiday. Dogs are often trained ahead of time, but people rarely think about training a cat. So, where do you start with travel-proofing your fussy feline and making sure you all get along on the road?

Before you leave home, it’s a good idea to spend a few weeks preparing your cat for holiday. They need to get used to three things before you travel: wearing a harness, using a leash, and being in a cat carrier.

Practice getting your cat used to these before you take your pet on holiday and it will make for much smoother sailing when it comes time to depart. Your cat needs to be comfortable during your holiday, but the only way to keep control while traveling with a cat is to keep them confined in a small, comfortable and secure area.

While your cat is in the vehicle, they should be in a cat carrier at all times, and it should be buckled into the back seat with an approved harness for added safety. When you go to release the cat from the carrier, you need to be ready for her to come out quickly. Before you open the carrier door, all car doors should be closed, and all of the windows rolled up. With these precautions, if your cat gets spooked and runs, she is still confined to the vehicle.

You should be seated in the back seat beside the carrier, with a leash in your hand and ready. Open the cage door, let your cat out, and secure the leash clip to the cat’s harness before opening any car doors and moving inside. Alternatively, keep your cat inside its carrier until you are inside the holiday accommodation and enclosed with all doors and windows closed.

On holidays, you should always use a harness, which are much more secure than collars for cats. It also stops them choking on a collar if they become spooked or get caught on something in an unfamiliar environment.

Of course, you should also make sure that the hotel or rental booking you have chosen specifically allows cats. Traveling with a cat can be challenging in pet-friendly accommodations, because many hotels that call themselves ‘pet friendly’ are actually only welcoming of dogs. Double check that the pet-friendly holiday option you have chosen will allow cats before you leave for holiday.

You should also bring food, litter and favored toys that your cat is used to using at home. Cats can be disturbed by new surroundings on holidays more than other pets, but little comforts like a favorite toy or their own brand of litter can make them feel more at home. Taking your pet’s food along will also prevent upset stomachs during your trip.

Make sure they know where their litter, food, and bedding is as soon as they get to the holiday location, and keep these items in the same place while you are travelling with a cat.

Like many humans and other pets, cats are creatures of habit, so as long as they know they are safe and secure, and have familiar routines and items around them, they can make great holiday companions.

Just know before you go how to be clever when travelling with a cat!…

General Articles

Did She Miss the Litter Box Again?

Did She Miss the Litter Box Again?

Is “Oops, she did it again…” the new kitty pop song playing over and over in your head? When a cat develops disdain for and avoids the litter box he’s frequented in the past, you might want to consult your pet’s veterinarian.

A new habit like missing the litter box could be attributed to health issues like urinary tract infections, gastritis, or even cancer. Or your cat may be suffering from environmental stress. Moving to a new house, bringing a newborn baby home or introducing a second pet could be stress-inducing events for your cat whose selected protest involves that kitty toilet.

If you have ignored the litter box’s upkeep, your cat may very well ignore it too, choosing to use your shining clean bathtub or your nice, quiet bedroom closet. Think about how you’d feel about your own toilet if it were only flushed every few days. Ewwww. That’s precisely your kitty’s reaction too.

Cats are meticulously clean creatures, and they prefer a tidy quiet place to take care of their toilet needs. If you don’t provide it, they will find their own creative special place.

If you have a second cat, you might want to consider a second box for kitty litter. Make sure that your pet’s litter box is placed in a quiet, cat-friendly location away from the main traffic of your home. A bedroom or bathroom would work well as long as the cat has easy access and isn’t accidentally shut out from her necessary room.

Missing the litter box isn’t vengeful on your pet’s part and may signal a problem your vet can pinpoint. Book an appointment today and consult with your vet about your pet’s changed behavior. Your observations combined with the experience of the vets can provide the solution your cat needs.…

Dogs for Adoption

Can Healthy Cat Food Contain Preservatives?

In this day and age of the mighty dollar masquerading as king, it becomes more and more difficult to trust businesses who have a vested interest in gaining your sale. As cats can’t talk to us, or perhaps I should say, as we can’t hear what cats are telling us, we don’t have that all important input to know if we are providing our cats with a healthy cat you do a quick search on the internet, you’ll come across practically all pet food manufacturers proclaiming their brand is ‘all natural’, ‘healthy’, ‘holistic’, even ‘organic’, but in every single case they are selling dry think about it for a minute. Dried food which contains any form of meat just won’t keep at room temperature. Try keeping your steak out of the refrigerator for a few days and see what how do pet food manufacturers keep cat food indefinitely at room temperature?The only possible way to do this is to add preservatives. Despite many claims saying there are no preservatives, logic tells you there has to be.Cooking in itself may preserve meat a little longer than raw meat, but not for weeks, or even what, you may be thinking, I know there are preservatives in some of the foods I eat and I seem to be OK. Surely a few preservatives doesn’t mean I’m not feeding my cat a healthy cat food?I personally don’t think any preservative is OK. It may appear to be harmless in the short term, but in the long term there will be apart from my personal opinion, there are some laws, perhaps rather basic or not well enforced, in almost every country around the world, that protects human food. So all preservatives used in human food has to be considered ‘reasonably safe’ by some standards.Unfortunately, there are no such safe guards in pet food. Or the laws are even less effectively enforced than the human the preservatives used in cat food can be the most toxic. Does cat food containing highly toxic preservatives sound like a healthy cat food to you?Ever heard of formalin? Embalmers use it to preserve dead bodies.Formalin, also known as formaldehyde, is widely used in pet food to preserve probably haven’t heard of ethoxyquin. That’s a preservative used in the rubber industry. It’s in the tyres of your car. So what on earth is it doing in your cat food? Lets look at ethoxyquin’s history. When factory workers were exposed to it, they exhibited side effects similar to those of agent orange:

Are you getting a bit concerned? Perhaps your cat is suffering from some kind of organ damage? Here are a few other common preservatives used in cat food to keep it at room temperature indefinitely;

No manufacturer can keep preservatives out of dry cat food if it has a long shelf , if you don’t feed your cat a commercial cat food, what can you feed her?To my way of thinking, the only sure way of knowing you are providing a healthy cat food is to prepare it yourself.Before you throw your hands up in horror, saying you don’t know how, you don’t have time, that’s where I come in.I’ve done the research for a balanced, healthy cat food.I’ve made all the mistakes and can show how not to fall into the traps I feeding your cat a healthy cat food, you’ll have fewer trips to your veterinarian and your cat will live longer.…

Dog Shelter

The Actual Portrait Description For Maine Coon Breed Pet Cats

Start

There are thousands of narratives that. Among all some of these misconceptions which the sort derives on the name from the pet cat that had been the sizable powerfully established long haired moggy local of the America. The best term appears to be then-identified as mainly because it was initially identified to provide a special class as part of Maine state, United states of america, and after that thanks to the fact it should be reasonably raccoon animal considering in features.

Complete body, legs, appearance and additionally length and girth

Some of the male whole body weighs about at 7 so as to eleven kg. Females have been compact- right from 5 with seven kilograms. The height concerns twenty five- forty cm, though they could certainly cultivate towards a 1 meter right from heads up to trail. This relies for an unique individual cat the way they may differ present in each and every especial case. Currently the trail is definitely perfect of most thirty five cm. Trunk is generally intense, has a muscle physique along with very well-produced since it needs to facilitate and then carry how much they weigh; it breed of cat is the owner of an experienced looking vast upper body. Specific shape shape is literally square. The next cool characteristic with the breed of cat is because they never reach maturity fast. Always, a cat develop into a grownup in only a year. Bear in mind, this Maine Coon pet absolutely need all-around 3 or more or simply five years to arrive to older maturation. Unquestionably the lower limbs are almost always right and also central-measured as compared to the physique.

Maine Coon cat Tail

It is quite extended, spool-developed and additionally actually covered with fur. You will observe all the likeness through the raccoon longest tail. May possibly arrive at in length regarding 35 centimeters.

Fur and in addition Colours

The texture associated with fur is surprisingly soft and simply cushy. Whether it is shorter attached to scalp but also shoulders, it’s actually currently being lush so more lengthy through stomach location then sides. The very underneath hair will be thick and therefore heavy also watertight. The most important colouration and in addition colour scheme differ can vary greatly phenomenally. Their particular colours offer spanning mixture of all a purple pallette, toffee candies as well as Siamese type forms. To discover you the straightforward fact, they just don’t go well with the average expectations which can be why they were as a consequence excellent. A single of the endemic colour including Main Coon is without question darkish brown tabby hue, still That I may see the perfect tiger striped kitten with more splendid functions.

Brain on top of that Barrel

Scalp associated with maine coon often is basic and simply considerably longest. Muzzle looks as if rectangle-shaped, however it’s conventional. Mouth is firm and strong. The specific view are quite eye-catching, significant, sizeable and simply considerable set up. All the fur in their ears can be very rather long as well as the imperials tend to be in use in the event that around the all judges for a symbol for the outstanding kitten whenever they are inside a evaluating setting.

Everyone loves this kind of lovely maine coon kittens, actually soft or sweet animals.…

General Articles

Bring Your Kitten Home

Bring Your Kitten Home

Before bringing a cat home

You need to make your house cat proof, it’s not just for the their safety but helps protect your goodies too. Make sure there are no loose wires they can get themselves tangled up in such as blind cords. Tidy away and electrical cables, I’ve known kittens who love trying to chew through them. Check if your house plants are poisonous to cats, as many are. If they are, you can guarantee your cat will try to eat them (after all curiosity killed the cat), so give them away to friends or family. Your cat will see areas of your home you haven’t seen in a long time so get down on the floor and see if there are any hazards at that level too.

Just before bringing them home make sure you’ve been shopping and have everything your they need. This is just a basic shopping list, there are extra things that you will need very soon after you’ve brought your new addition home such a scratching post and outdoor cat house.

litter tray

cat litter

grooming brush

food

toys

litter scoop (if you get clumping litter)

litter tray liners – changing the cat litter tray so much easier with these

carrier to carry your new cat home in and take to the vets

food and water bowls

Things to organise before bringing a cat home

You need to find a good vet and arrange an appointment for your new friend to have a check up and to discuss their vaccinations. It might also be an idea to arrange some time off work so you can spend time in the day with your new kitty – think of it as the cat owners alternative to maternity leave!

Actually bringing a cat home

When you get home, only allow your them to explore a very limited number of rooms so it’s not too overwhelming. Also make sure they have everything they need and they know where it is, so take them to their food and water. Pick them up and place them in their litter tray, they don’t have to stay there until they use it, just allow them to familiarise themselves with it.

If your kitten hides when you first bring them home, then leave them be and let them venture out in their own time. Try not to scare to them, don’t be too noisy and don’t invite everyone round to look at your new furry friend. If they’ve has been hiding for hours try to coax them out with a toy, food or catnip.

If they still don’t venture out move their food nearer to them and leave them for a while longer, once they get hungry enough they’ll come out for a munch. Don’t forget to move it back to where it belongs after they’d had this nibble as it’s important to show your cat where their things belong. It’s important to find out what brand of food your cat was previously on and stick to that for the time being, you can always change it later when they are more settled.

After a few days you’ll find they begin to come out of their shell and you should spend time interacting with them and develop a bond, but don’t pester them all the time, just like us they like to be left alone for a while as well.

You might find that after their visit to the vets for their check up, that they’re not too happy with you once you bring them home again, after all you did just put them in a little cage and take them to be prodded and poked, don’t worry, they’ll soon be demanding attention again.
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net
trekvietnamtour.net

General Articles

A Startled Ball of Fur

A Startled Ball of Fur

Something was moving down in the tall river grass of the jungle. I looked at Pedro, but his wrinkled face showed he knew no more than I. Again those tasseled tops of grass waved curiously, but the brooding stillness of the Mexican jungle remained unbroken. Expectantly we waited. It might have been many things. It might have been wild pig; those fierce little fearless devils that once had kept me perched in a mahogany tree throughout a long, sunny afternoon. Or it might have been alligator, or tapir, or even one of those half pygmy people of the poisoned darts. And since in jungle wisdom the unknown lies always close to the realm of danger, we kept very still behind our screen of low bamboo. And now all movement had ceased, and suddenly a cry, a kitten’s cry, thin and wailing, rose to our biding place.

Downstream a lurking alligator heard and cruised hopefully toward us as again, plaintive and despairing, came that whimpering cry. In two strides I was beside the riverbank and looking down upon a small, spotted face, from which two blue eyes blazed up in mingled fear and defiance. Behind me came Pedro’s grunt of surprise. “Tigritol A jaguar kitten!” Then he looked about in quick misgiving. “A poor place to meet the mother, senor.” But I was watching that startled ball of fur and life at my feet. He couldn’t have been more than two months old, perhaps less.

Watching me narrowly, he tried to draw back his lips and snarl and look very fierce, but he wasn’t quite equal to it, and finally, giving it up, he sank back on his haunches. I knelt beside him and held out my hand, but he raised a diminutive soft paw to tell me he was not to be trifled with. Very slowly I moved my hand nearer, and after a time his gesture of defiance faltered. Instead a look of interest crept into his eyes, and the bewhiskered nostrils twitched. Now he took a step forward, another step, and at last I felt his cold, wet nose touch my palm. Then a rough, red tongue emerged and scratched eagerly over my hand and along my wrist. It was tempting to accept this as a gesture of friendship, but I knew it was the taste of salt that drew him, probably the first this kitten had ever known, for he was still too young to have tasted blood.

For a time we watched each other, then very slowly I reached forward with my other hand and lifted him from the ground. He gave a faint hiss of fear, and I felt his claws close over my arm, but beyond that he made no move, and in another moment I was carrying him back toward camp. Disconsolately the alligator returned to his nap downstream. All the way back I could hear Pedro grumbling. What would the senor be doing with a jaguar kitten?…

Dog Adoption

Do You Know This Secret About Your Kitten

My spouse and i realize one failed to forget the cute cooking dish using little striped bass about it which means that your pussy-cat could be eating inside style. I am aware anyone definitely do not your expense cat kitty litter box or possibly litter, right? Precisely what more is it possible you probably demand?

Properly, it may possibly be that not really. In first your pussy-cat with care sniffed released just about every individual corner and cranny when only its grasp, consumed 50 percent the particular handbag regarding foodstuff, possesses been recently consistently splitting on his innovative cat kitty litter container. Probably there are usually many way more pieces that you need to consider into consideration when getting over these kinds of dangerous kitty trouble. Look us; a number of other get already discover the requirement in some general great suggestions on kitten workout to raised all the conduct on their total new kitten.

Consequently the proper way can a friend or relative go concerning beginning pussy-cat knowledge, while when some people turnaround, his or her fresh pussy-cat is displaying the walls, gnawing with their distinct owners’ palms, moving onto the your kitchen desks, preventing on the kitchen table, along with hitting the gym ones own paws upon your brand-new bedroom furniture?

Funds concerned, you happen to become not necessarily the main owning met beast kitten challenges. It fails to must become elegant, almost any marring blog post from your nearby work group shop work.

Nevertheless imagine if machine pussy-cat is normally still doing damage to bedroom accessories? If you find your ex boyfriend reddish person (or just pawed for the lawsuit could be) diligently caress an individual’s feet straight the actual uncovering submit mimicking that movement the affected individual naughtily performs in your house furniture. Currently dog along with reward your ex partner! Currently, anyone may need to try often, nevertheless ultimately your brand-new home fellow member begins to determine what you will prefer.

Next you will certainly have a great aluminium may. Pack the could in conjunction with rocks and record your opening closed. This specific shall be innocuous for the cat still he’ll uncover that when he actually one thing “naughty” he’ll spot the loud, difficult appear.

One particular last thing worth specializing in during pussy-cat instruction could often be the concern about what you can actually do about pussy-cat gnaws. A new kitten squeaky toy similar to some jingle bell golf ball and even rodent will continue to work basically great.

That is probably this! You could have simply get to understand techniques of pussy-cat coaching. Can end up appearing earning! to bathe your pussy-cat together with lots of really like and additionally compliment when he actually the very first thing good. Educating your own pussy-cat various elementary guidelines could actually help prevent person of legal age kitty trouble after. Pussy-cat coaching generally would require training the software possibly not to the begining bedroom furniture, which in turn might solved using a exposing post. Yet another approach to help you free ones own pussy-cat about unwanted symptoms is always to shake a fabulous may filled up with stones or even capital if she’s misbehaving, that will discourage the woman’s. kittens training, cat training, cat training,…

General Articles

Deafness in Cats

Deafness in Cats

The ears of cats are sensitive and delicate; as such, they are prone to being damaged or infected, sometimes leading to deafness. Cats can also be deaf right from birth through a genetic defect. Deafness in cats isn’t terribly common of course, but it is more common in blue eyed, white haired cats. Cats can be deaf in one ear or in both ears and your cat has to be tested in order to check for deafness and how prevalent it is. There are two forms of deafness in cats: conduction and neurologic.

Conduction

Deafness through conduction is caused by things like wax build up, infections and damage done to the delicate membranes in the ears. Conduction deafness usually comes about if the cat’s ears aren’t cleaned routinely, they come into contact with a lot of bacteria, which is transferred to the ears or if your cat gets sick and has a lingering infection in the ears.

Conduction deafness is, for the most part, temporary. The best way to deal with it is to clean out the ears and apply any antibiotics needed for any infections. Letting it go for too long though will result in damage that will be more long term and permanent, so make sure to keep your pet’s ears clean!

Neurologic

Neurologic deafness is more serious and long term. This form of deafness is caused by damage done in the sensitive parts of the ear, as an example, the cochlea or abnormalities found anywhere from the ear to the brain. This form of deafness can be inherited and is also caused by things like toxicity or simple old age. Neurological deafness cannot be cured or reversed and though hearing aids can help, most cats don’t want anything to do with them, so they simply put up with the deafness instead.

Diagnosing a Deaf Cat

There are a number of signs you’ll get that something is amiss with your cat’s hearing. The most obvious way is that your cat won’t respond to you when you call his or her name, but since some cats live to ignore you, this is not the best test used to determine deafness. Other ways to tell if something is awry is if your cat is sleeping more than usual, your cat not responding to a noise in another room, or shaking and pawing at ears in discomfort. These are all good indications that something is wrong with your cat’s ears.

Living with a Deaf Cat

If your cat is diagnosed with deafness, either in one ear or both of them, then your pet’s life need not be over; you just have to take special care of your furry friend. Make sure to carefully supervise any outdoor excursions of your cat because the slightest thing can cause injury to him or her. Also make sure to keep your cat’s ears clean no matter what the cause of deafness was because a build up of wax and toxins will make your cat even more uncomfortable and irritated. Finally, make sure to apply any antibiotics as needed.

Deafness in your cat need not be the end of the world for your pet. In fact, it takes little more than a lifestyle adjustment for your pet and for yourself. With some care and attention, your cat can go right back to living the life it always lived, deaf or not. As with anything, when you’ve got a chronic illness on your hands, it’s recommended that you maintain a good relationship with your Vet. New therapies are developed all the time for pets and your Vet can continue to advise you as your cat advances in age.…

General Articles

About Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)

About Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is not a well understood disease. It’s believed Feline Enteric Coronavirus (FECV) – (Felin Coronavirus FeCoV) mutates within the cat into Feline Infectious Peritonitis Virus.

FECV infection – especially in multi-cat environments – is common but most infected cats don’t develop FIP. FIP shows a strong preference for immune weakened cats – kittens under 2 years, cats 12 years and older and cats who are immune compromised.

Technically speaking, Peritonitis is an infection of the abdomen – the peritoneal cavity. FIP actually can affect all body systems, tho it’s often recognized first (and most visibly) as fluid accumulation in the abdomen.

There are two forms of FIP:1. Wet – “effusive” – results from fluid in the chest and abdomen. If in the chest, the cat will have difficulty breathing. If in the abdomen, the cat will develop a “pot belly”.

2. Dry effects the same organs at wet, but without fluid accumulation. Dry is the more common form.

It takes about two weeks for the FIP virus to become widespread. Cats generally become symptomatic within two months following and often don’t live a year.

Symptoms include:- Fever- Vomiting- Diarrhea- Loss of appetite and weight loss- Anemia- Conjunctivitis- Jaundiced- Weakness- Seizures- Kidney failure- Liver failure

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis is difficult. There are a number of different test but no single test gives a definitive result. Vets will often use a combination of tests as well as clinical signs and symptoms.

There is no cure for FIP. Treatment is for supportive care and discomfort.

Prevention

The only sure prevention is lack of contact with infected cats. Since infection alone is no guarantee FIP will develop, keeping your cats immune system strong is the best defense. Good nutrition and limited stress are immune supportive. This is especially true for kittens and seniors.

There is a vaccine for FIP but it’s not necessarily beneficial.

A study done at Cornell University showed the vaccine could in fact enhance the disease. There have also been reports of severe reactions to the vaccine. Also, the vaccine does not work with previously infected cats. Since corona virus infection is fairly common, many cats are already infected.

It’s always important to weight the risks and rewards for your individual situation.…

General Articles

How to Choose The Perfect Ragdoll Kitten For You

How to Choose The Perfect Ragdoll Kitten For You

Pet owners agree that taking care of an animal is quite a challenging task. One is never aware of this until you have experienced owning a pet. Much like rearing a child, you have to be responsible, nurturing and firm. When you’re looking for the ideal Ragdoll kitten to become your lifelong pet, there are some things to consider. Here are 3 factors that can help you find the ideal Ragdoll kitten for you.

Factor #1 – Your Personality

As a Ragdoll kitten owner, your personality is a factor because it can determine your pet’s reactions, habits and routines. Owning a pet demands interaction and mutual understanding and Ragdolls like owners that are open with their affections. They like to be close to you and will most likely find ways to make themselves endearing. In general, Ragdolls are indoor cats that are fairly docile and affectionate. They love to be petted and cared for. They are a laid-back breed and often mature to have a calm disposition. If you are not comfortable with a pet following you around or one that loves to be in your presence, then you should think of other breeds of cats or animals to have as a pet.

Factor #2 – Your Lifestyle

As a breed, Ragdolls make great housecats. They can live peacefully in your home without much trouble but due to their nature of being friendly and serene, they are not used to being outdoors. Although you can train them for this, most Ragdolls can’t defend themselves well against any attack. Ragdolls like curling up on your lap while you’re reading a book. So if you’re the traveling kind, going in and out of town on a regular basis, you might need to have someone look after your Ragdoll while you’re away because they can’t stand to be left alone for long periods of time.

Factor #3 – Where To Get Ragdoll Kittens

The final factor that you should consider is availability of Ragdoll kittens. You can check out your local animal shelter to see if there is an owner surrendered Ragdoll cat or you can also look up Ragdoll breeders in your area as well as Ragdoll rescues. Knowing where you can get one is important because that’s where you can also gather more information about Ragdoll cats in general. Take your time to research and learn more about Ragdolls before taking home a kitten. Ask questions and get in touch with other Ragdoll owners in your area to hear a first hand experience on how to take care of your own Ragdoll kitten.…

General Articles

How to Introduce a New Kitten to Your Cat

How to Introduce a New Kitten to Your Cat

So you decide your cat is lonely when you are gone all day. You think that you should get another cat so he will have company. Most people believe that cats just automatically get along. But cats are typically very territorial and will his and act in a negative way as soon as you bring that new kitten home.

Many times this invasion will cause fighting, going to the bathroom outside the litter box, the older cat bullying the younger cat and spraying if it is a male cat. This causes causes a lot of tension not only for the cats but the entire household.

The key is the proper introduction of the new kitty into the household.

Do not rush the introductions it will cause resentment on the cat that was there first. Cats are very in tune to changes in the household. Even a loss of a person in the household can bring on an emotional reaction from your cat.

Bring the new kitten in very gently, take your time and keep them separate from each other completely at first, sometime for up to 3 weeks. Give the new kitten a lot of attention but do not let the other cat see you give that attention and always have the door closed. Then each day let them spend a few minutes together 3 or 4 times a day, making sure you supervise this interaction. Gradually increase the time they spend together each day.

If there is hissing or fighting or if it escalates into a chasing and attacking scenario, separate the cats and try again the next day. If the behavior is extreme separate the cats for a couple of days, then try again.

When you start to observe positive interactions between the two cats then you can gradually increase the time they spend together.

Since the cats have been separated for a while and have separate litter boxes already I would continue this for quite a while, maybe even up to 6 months. In some cases you may need to keep two litter boxes forever. For some reason the litter box seems to be a very territorial issue.

Be sure to have one on one time with both cats each day. Sometimes the cite kitten gets all the attention and the older cat is left out, this will just reinforce the resentment and may make the older cat return to his bullying ways.…

General Articles

What is Rhinotracheitis (FVR) – Feline Herpes Virus?

What is Rhinotracheitis (FVR) – Feline Herpes Virus?

Rhinotracheitis (FVR) is caused by the feline herpes virus. It’s a common disease in cats worldwide and causes an upper respiratory infection.

The virus is highly contagious and can be cat-to-cat transmitted by nose, eyes and ingestion. In can be indirect contact such as food and water bowls, bedding, etc. Being among other infected cats, crowded conditions, physical or emotional stress can all increase the risk of infection.

In most cases it’s not lethal and tends to pass in two weeks. Immune challenged cats such as young kittens, ill or stressed cats are likely to experience more severe symptoms.

Rhinotracheitis creates respiratory symptoms such as sneezing, nasal discharge, inflammation of the nose (rhinitis), coughing, watery eyes, inflammation of the eyelid lining (conjunctivitis), fever, loss of appetite in part due to diminished smell. In some cases a cat may develop corneal ulcers on the eyes.

Approximately 80% of infected cats will become lifelong carrier of the virus and can become symptomatic numerous times.

Rhinotracheitis can be detected with lab tests, tho, often in milder cases, a Vet may rely on health history and symptomology.

Treatment

As far as treatment, there are a number of options. Your main goal is to keep the eyes and nasal passages clear. For eyes it’s mostly tending to the discharge using a clean cloth. For the nose, a nasal decongestant may be helpful. The easiest treatment (for you and your cat) is to increase the humidity. You can use a humidifier or simply bring the cat in the bathroom with you when you take a hot shower.

Make sure you cat gets enough food and water. This can be challenging since cats rely heavily on smell to get them eating. Since their sense of smell is diminished, you can make their food more “smelly”. So something like tuna. You can sit with and hand feed your cat but force feeding – while getting food in him – creates a lot of stress. You want to reduce stress as much as possible and keep your companion warm and quiet. Antibiotics are sometimes indicated to control secondary infections such as pneumonia. And Antiviral eye ointments or drops may be indicated if there are cornela ulcers. In most cases, the infection will run its course in a week to 10 days.

Prevention

Prevention from infection is a bit difficult since the virus is so common and easily spread. A cat can be infected with the virus and not develop symptoms. Good nutrition and a low stress clean environment lead to a strong immune system.

There is also a vaccine. It does not provide immunity against infection but seems to decrease the incidence and severity of disease. It should be received before any infection. It’s commonly given as a core vaccine – typically the “3-in-1” which includes Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitis and Calici Virus vaccines.…

Animal Rescue

Best Chicken Coop Guide For The Diy Adventurer

Chicken coops are very simple to make. Chicken coop plans will of course make it a lot easier, but at the end of the day it’s a simple job, especially if you’re already familiar with hammers and nails. This article outlines what you need to think about before building a chicken coop.

To start off, you need to decide on how big your flock is going to be, thus how big of a coop you require. There are essentially 3 sizes here: a portable triangular prism coop, a larger box-shaped coop, or a full blown premium coop with a run. I highly recommend starting off with a medium coop, since you never know how big your flock is going to get, and they’re easily expandable in the future.

Next comes positioning. Most chicken breeds need sunlight to remain in peak laying health. Place the coop away from light blocking trees or walls, and try to position it to get as much morning sunlight as possible. Placing your coop correctly can be the difference between 2 eggs a week and 5 eggs a week.

Research what kind of predators live in your geographical area. You really should build security precautions depending on what wild animals are around. For foxes you should bury a length of wire mesh around the perimeter of your coop to prevent them from digging underneath. There is not a lot you can do about snakes, but it pays to know what the risks are anyway.

Chicken Coop Plans Online

There are plenty of options available when it comes to downloadable building plans. However, some plans are much better quality than others, and will provide you with additional information about different types of chicken coops.…

Pet Rescue

Owner's Guide to Herpes in Felines

Feline herpes is also known as feline viral rhinotracheitis or FVR for short. The upper respiratory tract is affected by this illness. Caused by the feline herpes virus type 1 (FHV-1), it can affect a cat of any age or breed.

Transmission

Cats infected with this virus shed it in secretions from their mouth, nose, and eyes. These secretions will infect cats who come into contact with them. Cats that come into contact with contaminated food dishes and litter boxes are also at risk. Owners can also harbor the virus on their clothes and hands.

There are also felines who are particularly prone to this type of infection. Those who live in poorly cleaned or ventilated conditions are at risk. Kittens and cats around plenty of other cats are also susceptible. Cats are also at risk when they’re sick from some other diseaes and have a weakened immune system.

Symptoms

As you should already know by now, the upper respiratory tract is affected by this illness. Some of the most common signs include nasal discharge, sneezing, and nasal inflammation. Cats with this condition also routinely develop pink eye, or conjunctivitis. Complications during pregnancy is also a side effect of the herpes virus since it affects the reproductive tract too.

Diagnosis

This virus is pretty simple to diagnose in cats. Your cat’s nasal and eye secretions can be tested in a lab for the virus. The virus can be detected using various tests.

Treatment

Treatment of feline herpes virus mainly consists of supportive care since there is no cure. You will need to ensure that your cat eats and drinks. You will also need to clean any discharge from the eyes and nose. Cats that develop eye inflammation may be given eye drops.

It is also beneficial to minimize the amount of stress that your cat endures while he’s sick. If secondary infections occur, your cat may need to take antibiotics.

Prevention

You should be aware that after a bout with this disease, most cats become latent carriers. Latent carriers show no sign of disease although they are still capable of spreading it via their bodily secretions. Cats can be protected from thsi virus through vaccination.…

Rescue Dogs

Do You Know The Answer ? Where Do Turtles Live

Though the question, “Where do turtles live?” may seem simple, the answer is quite broad. Turtles live just about everywhere. Depending upon their species, turtles can be found living in a number of habitats.

Where You will Find Sea Turtles – As the name implies, you will find sea turtles living in most of the oceans of the world. The only place you won’t find them is Antarctica. Most sea turtles enjoy the warm, balmy waters of the tropics, but the leatherback sea turtle will roam in colder waters in search of food. All of the sea turtles head for land when it is time to lay their eggs. They will dig a hole in the sand where they deposit their eggs and immediately after covering them up, head back out to sea.

Not much is known about sea turtle habits, but researchers are learning more everyday about these wild creatures that are in so much danger of extinction.

Aquatic Turtle Habitat – Aquatic and semi-aquatic turtles can be found in a wide variety of habitats. Some live in ponds, streams, marshes or swamps. They eat a variety of foods such as fish, plants, mollusks and insects. Some turtles, like the mud turtles, like to burrow in the mud at the bottom of the water source. They can be found in all manner of clean, clear water. They are happiest in a habitat that is chockfull of vegetation and small vertebrates for them to feast upon. You will often see an aquatic turtle at a local lake or pond basking contentedly in the sun on a comfortable rock.

If you intend to purchase an aquatic or semi-aquatic turtle as a pet, you need to do plenty of research so that you may recreate a habitat that will keep your turtle healthy and happy

Land Turtle Habitat – Land turtles can be found in a variety of habitats. Some prefer desert conditions, while others prefer cool mountainous regions. Others will live in pastures and woodlands while others prefer hot and humid habitats. Many land turtles can boast excellent climbing skills and almost all of them love to bask in the sun. Turtles that prefer solid ground to water habitats can be found wherever their food supply takes them.

Keeping a Turtle as a Pet – Many children’s first pet is a turtle. They are fairly inexpensive to keep and live a long life when cared for properly. Providing the right type of habitat for your turtle is one of the most important aspects of successful turtle care. Doing the proper research on the type of turtle you have will afford you much information about the correct diet and living conditions to optimize their captive life. If you are unsure about the right turtle for your household, keep in mind that some turtles live exclusively on land while others will prefer a habitat that allows them to swim freely. Not all turtles spend all of their time beneath the surface, but if they are aquatic or semi-aquatic you will have to ensure they have access to clean, clear water at all times.

Copyright (c) 2008 Steven Magill…

General Articles

Ferret Rescue

Ferret Rescue

There are often many reason why ferret rescue is necessary. A ferret can accidentally get lost in the wild, or in a city. When such a thing happens it can be very stressful not only for the pet but for the owner as well. But even more tragic is when someone releases a domesticated ferret deliberately because they don’t want to care for it anymore. They probably think that the ferret is capable of surviving on its own, but this is almost never true.

Attempting To Rescue a Lost Ferret

If you find that your ferret has gone missing from you home, here are some steps to take to try to get it back.

Check everywhere you can think of that it might like to hide – both inside and outside of your home

Call your local ferret rescue agency and pet shelter (giving them a picture would be helpful)

Place an ad in your local newspaper and consider offering a reward for the safe return of your pet

Check with any vets in your area to see if anyone has dropped off a stray or injured ferret

Put up flyers around your neighborhood with a picture of your missing pet and contact information

How to Adopt from a Ferret Rescue Shelter

Most ferret rescue shelters are happy when they can place a rescued ferret with a loving family. But, don’t think that you can just go to a shelter and take one home. You will need to go through an application process to determine if your family and living environment is suitable for a pet ferret.

You will be required to show that you know and understand the basic requirements of ferret ownership and that you have the time and resources available to meet those needs.

Be prepared, also, to pay an adoption fee. Fees can vary widely, but as a rule of thumb you can expect to pay between $75 and $100. Fees are necessary as they help support the shelter in the terrific work they are doing.

Ferret Rescue Agencies and Shelters

There are an amazing number of agencies and shelters committed to ferret rescue. A good resource you might want to check out is The American Ferret Association’s Shelter List and the FML Shelter List in the United States.

You will find several ferret rescue shelters in the UK, Canada, Australia and lots of other countries, too. To find one near you, try an Internet search for “ferret rescue” in your area and you’ll find lots of resources.

Alternately take a look in the Yellow Pages of your local phone book. If they don’t have a section for ferret shelters, then look under “Animal Shelters.”

Surrendering Your Ferret to a Rescue Shelter

Unforeseen circumstances can sometimes force you into having to give up your pet. If you’re not able to find them a suitable home on your own, then you should seriously consider finding a shelter that knows how to care for them and may be able to find them a new home.

Never release a domesticated ferret into the wild. They have been a pet and simply won’t be able to adapt. Doing such a thing will only sentence them to a slow and lonely death.…

Animal Control

How an Effective Flea Prevention For Cats Work?

Frontline Plus for cats

Frontline Plus is very effective flea prevention for cats. It is used to kill fleas in all its stages and works against killing ticks. There are different varieties of fleas and each one of them is prevalent more in certain regions. It is difficult to identify the type of dog fleas by a pet owner but with an effective medication like frontline Plus, one does not have to worry for his pets.

Frontline Plus is the flea prevention for cats is helpful in killing the entire family f fleas as well as ticks. In just 24 hours of application, frontline Plus will effectively kill all fleas and ticks. As a result, the pet gets instant relief from itching and scratching. This medication gives immediate result.

Frontline Plus has two powerful ingredients; one of them is fipronil which kills the adult fleas and ticks by attacking their central nervous system. This makes the fleas, ticks disable, and they are not able to move. The application of the medication prevents the ticks from jumping and thus they do not infect other places. The other ingredient present in the flea prevention for cats is S-Methoprene. This ingredient kills eggs and larva of all types of fleas. When these two ingredients mix, it provides an all-round effect in killing these tiny pests.

This flea prevention for cats is a powerful medication and comes with an instruction to apply it in the right manner. It is very essential to apply this medication properly else, it will not show the desired result. One has to part the dog’s fur with fingers after taking the medication on the tip of the finger. Then apply the medication on the dog’s skin and not on the fur. One has to wait for three days before grooming the pet.

Some precautions while using flea prevention for cats

Kids must not be allowed to touch the medication; they must not apply it on the pet.After applying the medication, make sure that the pet is made to worn veterinary cone. This is done so that the pet is not able to lick itself.

Wash the hands properly after applying this flea prevention for cats.…

Rescue Dogs

Owner's Guide to Cat Tapeworms

There are many parasites that can give cats problems. Feline tapeworms are some of the most common. These white worms are capable of growing approximately eight inches long if they live long enough. Thanks to the suckers and hooks that Mother Nature equipped them with, they’re capable of attaching themselves to the walls of the small intestine of your cat.

Cats typically don’t experience many problems if they’re infested with just a few of them. However, tapeworms in cats can cause serious problems as their numbers increase. They will keep your feline from getting the proper nutrition from their food, eventually causing them to shed pounds. Their fur will also undergo changes, becoming rough and dull.

To understand how feline tapeworms infect cats, you first need to understand a bit about their life cycle. As you know, fleas can easily infect your cat. Sometimes, fleas will harbor cysticercoids, which are formed when flea larvae eat tapeworm eggs. If your cat bites at an area infested with infected fleas, he may end up swallowing one.

After eating an infected flea, the small intestine will break it down and leave the cysticercoids to develop into adult cat tapeworms. This is when they will attach themselves to the small intestine walls and sustain themselves with the nutrients that your cat is supposed to get from his food.

Feline tapeworms are segmented. As they grow, segments will break off and pass out of the body through the feces. Owners who inspect their cat’s feces will likely notice them. They look like small grains of rice that are moving around. Some of these segments may also appear around the anus.

Your vet can determine if your cat has tapeworms quite easily. He will simply have to take a look at a sample of your cat’s feces under a microscope. They aren’t always easy to see via the naked eye.

Fortunately, tapeworms in cats are usually easy to deal with. You will need to give your cat dewormer medication in order to get rid of them. One cycle of this medication may not be enough to get rid of the infestation entirely though.

Parasites such as fleas and lice play a vital role in the transmission of feline tapeworms. Therefore, owners need to do their best to control these parasites so that their cat doesn’t get infested with worms. Limiting the amount of time that your cat spends outside roaming around will help. Giving him dewormer medication on a regular basis will also be useful.…

General Articles

6 Essential Substances Your Cat Must Have in Its Diet to Thrive

6 Essential Substances Your Cat Must Have in Its Diet to Thrive

Cats require a certain balance of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, fresh water, minerals and vitamins in their daily diet. It is up to us to provide that mix for them in order for them to stay healthy and thrive.

Cats need protein for strength. They are used for growth and repair of the body and also provide your cat with energy when metabolized. The amount of protein needed varies with the age of your cat. Kittens require a diet that contains around 50% of protein where as 30% is good for adults. Older cats require less as they are often less energetic and the liver and kidneys are less efficient in flushing out the toxic by-products produced in the breaking down process.

Carbohydrates are the major source of energy for most animals, including your cat. They are a much cheaper energy source than protein which is why there are high amounts in many commercial cat foods. However, your cat can survive without them as there are very few carbohydrates in the foods they hunt such as mice. Carbohydrates are also a great source of fibre which provides bulk in the faeces.

Fats are essential for cats as they provide energy. In fact fats are the second major source of energy for your cat. They are able to digest around 95% of the fats consumed. Any excess fat is stored as insulation as well as protecting the internal organs.

Fresh water is essential for all living animals. Without it we will die. If the water in your cat’s dish is stale or has chemicals added to the water supply, try using bottled water instead. Your cat doesn’t need the chemicals and they will probably do him harm. If you drink bottled water, you should also provide some for your cat. It is relatively cheap when purchased in 5 litre containers.

Vitamins and minerals are required as micro-nutrients as they help refine the bodily functions. An excess of vitamins can be harmful to your cat so be aware of this if you are preparing your cat food yourself. Cats need vitamins A, D, E and K but are able to synthesize vitamin C so it doesn’t need to be added to foods. Most vitamins and minerals are found in the foods your cat eats and if your cat is eating a healthy balanced diet, he shouldn’t need mineral supplements.

Cats need taurine which is essential for the digestion of fats. Studies have shown that cats are at risk of going blind if they don’t have enough taurine in their diet. It is an essential ingredient for normal heart muscle function in your cat.

By choosing the best cat food you can afford, you are giving your cat a healthy start. The extra you pay for the food will be saved on less visits to the vet. And we all want our cats and kittens to be as healthy as possible.…

Adopt a Dog

Cat Urine Odor Removal Guaranteed

Using chlorine dioxide for cat urine odor removal allows you to eliminate the odor and any odor-causing ions that may have been absorbed into other surfaces in the room.

Cats are one of the most beloved pets. They are beautiful, usually quiet, groom themselves, and are generally low-maintenance, as opposed to dogs. Cats even ‘take themselves’ to the bathroom, unlike dogs which need to be let out regularly. One unpleasant reality of owning a cat, however, is the potential for cat pee odor.

Cats are also pretty easy to litter train. However, sometimes they still urinate elsewhere. Some male cats and even female cats which aren’t neutered or spayed may ‘spray,’ which is even worse than regular cat pee odor.

Here are some tips on how to prevent cat pee odors, as well as how to remove pet odors:

* The best treatment for most odors is preventing them. Make sure your cat(s) always have a fresh, clean litter box. Cats are finicky creatures, and if their box isn’t up to their standards, they’ll go elsewhere.

* If your cat hasn’t been neutered or spayed, consider it. This will probably prevent (or solve) any spraying problems you may have.

* Once your cat has urinated outside the litter box, clean it up immediately. If you don’t, they will just do it again. As long as they can smell the urine, they will think that is an approved alternate to the litter box. Cat pee odor removal can be difficult. There are a lot of suggestions on how to remove pet odors. Natural home remedies such as vinegar, baking soda and peroxide are said to work at eliminating the odor, but they may not do a thorough job.

* Learn how to remove pet odors without causing harm to yourself or your pets. Sometimes fumes or residue from certain cleaners are caustic, perhaps not to you, but to your more sensitive feline. Read warning labels carefully.

* Some chemicals just weren’t meant to be used on carpet, a common problem area forcat pee odor removal. They may contain bleaching agents that will discolor your carpet or damage the fibers. Again, read labels and proceed with caution, always testing an inconspicuous area first.

* Cat pee odor removal can be difficult because of the crystals in cat urine. When the urine dries, crystals remain, and when they are rubbed while cleaning, often settle deeper into carpet and other surfaces. The crystals need to be broken down and removed to keep the odor from returning.…

Adopt a Pet

A Cat Harness And Leash – Exercise And Fresh Air For Your Cat

These day it is not at all unusual to see folks out walking their feline companion using a cat harness and leash.

Many of us keep our cats indoors for many reasons. One drawback is that our cats may not be getting sufficient exercise.

Of course playing with your cat helps keep her in trim, as does cat equipment such as kitty condos or climbers. But a regular walk about may be just the thing for keeping your indoor feline in tip top shape. A cat harness and leash is essential for accomplishing this safely.

If your cat has never been walked on a leash before then she is going to need training and it will take quite some patience.

You cannot take a trip to the pet store, select a leash and harness, and be out walking your cat the same day. It is going to take time for your cat to be comfortable with the idea of wearing a harness, let alone being restricted by a leash.

Please, understand that cats should never be walked with a leash attached to a collar. Cats are not built the same way as dogs, their necks are not as sturdy. A leash attached to a collar would put a strain on your cat’s neck when she resists the pull, a harness is essential.

The first thing is to get your cat to wear the strange looking contraption. This can only be done with gentle loving persuasion. A good tip is to just leave the harness on the floor for a few days, let your cat sniff at it and get used to it as an object.

Next, attempt to get kitty into the harness, all the time talking to her soothingly. Yes, it is likely she will resist, wriggle and fuss, maybe even attempt to scratch. Don’t force the issue, let her be and try again later.

When your patience has triumphed and your cat is harnessed, give her a lot of praise. If she accepts wearing it all well and good, keep her in it for no longer than ten minutes, but it is more likely she will protest and if she does let her wear it for a few moments, then release her before she gets stressed. Again giving plenty of praise.

Repeat this routine until your cat is quite comfortable walking around wearing her harness indoors.

Now is the time to attach the leash, but don’t try to walk her yet even indoors. Let her drag the lead around, watch that it does not snag on anything. The idea is to get your her used to the idea that a cat harness and leash go together.

When your cat is happy with wearing both leash and harness, pick up the handle of the leash. Follow your cat, don’t try to get her to follow you just yet. Should your pet sit down, pull at the lead or stop, then don’t pull, keep the leash slack and use enticing words to try and persuade her to move.

After several sessions, you may be able to congratulate yourself that you’ve trained your little pet to walk around indoors wearing her cat harness and leash, well done.

Now for the outdoors.

Make it a very short walk out at first, and pick a quiet time. Most probably kitty will not be much interested in walking at first, too many new smells to check out.

Don’t try five mile hikes, she is only a cat, investigate where she wants to with you in control to keep her out of trouble. Your feline friend will get great benefit from her little walks on a cat harness and leash, a little exercise, fresh air and some relief from being indoors.…

General Articles

6 Must Know Tips Before Getting A Kitten

6 Must Know Tips Before Getting A Kitten

Getting a kitten can be one of the most wonderful experiences in a person’s life. For anyone wishing to bring home a kitten for the first time, there are lots of important points that have to be noted by the members of his or her household. Since it is a huge step to bring a pet home, it is always a good idea to make sure that you can take proper care of it and are prepared to invest time in mingling with the new pet to know about its behavior, likes and dislikes, and don’t mind spending time in training it.

Before getting a kitten, the members of your household should make sure that their house has been made suitable for the cat. All dangerous items such as pesticides, insect killing sprays, and sharp items should be moved out of the range of the kitten. A kitten is just like an infant baby, unaware of the items inside a home that can prove to be dangerous for its health.

To prepare for your new pet and in order to make her feel comfortable, a few treats such as cat condos, cat food, and a cat carrier should be purchased before the kitten is brought home.

One vital tip that potential kitten owners have to keep in their mind is that their feeding dish should always be kept clean. If you notice that your kitty is not consuming her food that was kept in the dish, the food should immediately be disposed off and the dish be cleaned properly.

Kittens often love to sleep on carpets as it gives them a warm and soft feeling. For this reason, they should be kept as clean as possible and vacuumed regularly so that parasites do not trouble your delicate new friend.

Cleaning the litter tray of kittens is equally important and should be done on a regular basis. If their litter tray is not cleaned regularly, kittens would usually get into the habit of making other corners of your home dirty. Try sprinkling baking soda on the tray to avoid bad smells coming from it.

Before getting a kitten, it is always advisable that her new owners are aware of the type of food that kittens usually consume. If your kitty is exposed to food of new brands, there is a chance that her delicate stomach may get into trouble.

Bringing home a new pet is a great responsibility and we hope that you will bear these tips in mind before getting a kitten.…

Pet Rescue

On Safari in Tarangire National Park, Tanzania

I have recently returned from a safari around some of the greatest National Parks and Reserves in the beautiful country of Tanzania. To give you an idea of the kind of animals and scenes I saw in one of my favourite parks there, Tarangire, I have put together a short diary of my day there.
We started our game drive nice and early and proceeded to Tarangire National Park. Spirits were high in our vehicle and we were hopeful to see some great wildlife during our time on safari. Almost instantaneously of arriving within the parks boundaries, we had spotted Zebra and even a herd of elephants taking shelter from the sun under a large Acacia tree. The elephants seemed to be using the tree to scratch themselves, and it was quite interesting to watch.
After a stop to observe the animals and take photographs, we drove on to see a few species of bird of prey, Griffon vultures – which were in a group of around 8 in a dead looking tree (it brought back scenes from the Disney film The Jungle Book!) and a Verreaux’s eagle, which was perched in a tree and later we saw it soaring above the land.
After a quick stop for lunch, we headed down towards a large watering hole, and what we saw next was unbelievable – a pride of lions spread out all around the watering hole, camouflaged into their surroundings and sheltering under trees – all of them had bloody paws, and the evidence of a couple of zebra kills was there in front of us in all its glory details.
There were also a herd of elephants at the watering hole which were having a mud bath and taking turns to throw their baby elephant into the large pool of mud, this was one of the funniest sights I have ever seen, and makes you realise how close elephants are.
Moving on from the watering hole, it was getting late, so was time for us to make moves out of the park. On our way back, we noticed a large crowd of cars pulled up alongside an Acacia tree, we stopped to get a closer look at what was demanding all this attention, and then we saw it – a leopard! The great spotted feline was asleep in the tree, just metres from where we were stopped. After a few minutes it stood up, turned around… and then went back to sleep facing the opposite direction!
On our long drive back to the main gate of the park, we saw plenty more animals, including giraffe, waterbuck and even a pair of Masai ostrich!…

General Articles

Get to Know All About Ferret Life Span

Get to Know All About Ferret Life Span

Pet lovers and prospective ferret owners very frequently express their concerns centering round the life span of their beloved little fluffy pets. Precisely, the standard ferret life span stretches from six to eight years, but this again depends on the health conditions of the creature and their vulnerability to illness.

Typically, ferrets are very much prone to illness, and ferret syndromes are known to spread fast if not taken care of in the initial stages, thus minimizing their life span. Working towards increasing the lifespan of your ferret is equivalent to having the best diets and provisions for your pet. The better the diet and the more the attention and level of affection you provide, the longer can ferrets be expected to live.

Truth to be told, in spite of braining in the best diet and provisions for your pet ferrets, these little creatures do often fall prey to several medical complications and health conditions thus preventing them from living a longer life, and as such it is quite natural for ferret owners to express their interest in knowing every minute detail related to ferret care which in turn will increase the life span of their beloved pets. As responsible owners it falls within the purview of your responsibility to ensure that:

All vet care and vaccinations have been undergone as per schedule.

You understand their behavior well and try to observe if any kind of syndromes is present.

You give them the best food i.e. a diet rich in protein and fat, and the right care.

Ferret cages and other accessories are all appropriate. It is wise to keep your pets busy and ferret toys are the best alternatives.

The inquisitive and energetic nature of ferrets is not unknown to any of us. Curiosity comes naturally to these pets and they are not just energetic but mischievous creatures as well. As such it is up to you to ensure their health and safety. 6 – 8 years might be the typical determinants of a ferret life span, but this does in no way come in between the bond that you share with your pet!

homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info
homecontractorzs.info

Animal Shelter

Save Your Furniture Without Declawing Your Cat

Some people with indoor cats safeguard their furnishings by mutilating their beloved pets. It’s a fact, declawing is mutilation. Unlike a fingernail, a cat’s claws are attached right to the bone. When the claws are removed, the last bone and joint in every toe are also removed. Once you amputate your cat’s toes, you ruin its balance and agility. You alter the way your cat walks.

No one wants their furnishings wrecked by their cat, but there is another approach to cope with the dilemma. Think for a minute – why do cats scratch home furniture and climb draperies in the first place? It is because cats retain some of the instinctual behaviors they employed when they were wild animals. Cats that reside out doors climb rocks and trees and scratch the bark. That is natural behavior for cats. Cats don’t claw furnishings because they are nasty, they do it simply because they are cats.

The very best technique to prevent Fluffy or Bosco from ruining your Chippendale is to offer an alternative , a cat tree with an integrated scratching post. A very good cat tree will be sturdy and tall enough to simulate the experience of climbing a genuine tree. It would have integrated hiding places and certainly ought to have a built in scratching area. Sisal rope wound around the “trunk” of your structure works really nicely even though other materials also work well.

It is ideal to get your kitty accustomed to utilizing a cat tree and scratching post while it’s young. It’s easier to do than to attempt to get an older cat to adjust its habits. In any case, offering a normal option for scratching and climbing will make both you and him happier. Don’t mutilate your little buddy for for your own convenience.…

Dog Shelter

Fluffy Bedding is Dangerous to Small Animals

Fluffy Bedding is a cotton wool like material distributed as a nesting material for pocket pets. It comes in numerous colours and under various product names. It is sold as a harmless, cozy place for your pet to curl up and sleep, unfortunately it is not safe in the least.
Many deaths and injuries have been caused by this product. The material used does not breakdown if consumed, and it is very easy for your pet to become entangled in it. It may tighten around limbs, cutting off circulation. if the animal is not able to get his limb free, it can cause damage to the tissue causing the limb to swell up painfully. In a short amount of time the limb will turn black from tissue death potentially spreading infection throughout the body. In an attempt to escape from the pain, your pet may chew the limb off which could result in death from blood loss, shock or infection.
The bedding may also become wound around his neck strangling him. If your hamster delivers a litter in the fluffy bedding, it could result in the passing of the litter.
Hamsters have cheek pouches which they use to carry food and bedding to their nests. The bedding can become trapped in the pouch, causing an impacted pouch. An impacted pouch will frequently become infected making eating and drinking painful. Impacted pouches require a trip to the veterinarian for treatment which may include a surgical procedure.
If the animal swallows the bedding material it will not break up in his gastrointestinal tract and may cause an obstruction. This requires a surgical operation to correct, however, if not discovered soon enough it will result in death.
What can I use for safe bedding material?
A simple way to tell if the bedding/nesting material you are using is safe is to place some in water. If it breaks apart, the way bathroom tissue does, then it will also break down if consumed and is easy to tear should it become wrapped around your pet. As a matter of fact the most harmless, risk-free thing to use for nesting material is plain, unscented bathroom tissue. Your pet will have fun ripping it up, fluffing it and hauling it around the cage. It is warm and soft to sleep in and is also inexpensive and easy to obtain.…

Adopt a Dog

Things To Consider When Purchasing A Dog Bed

We all want to pamper our loyal companions, and that’s why the dog bed has become such a popular piece of “furniture” in so many households around the world. Once upon a time, the dog bed may have been nothing more than an old blanket thrown over in the corner of a room or perhaps an old rug. Now, the dog bed has evolved and taken on shapes, sizes and styles that none of us would have imagined 20 years ago!

There is just a huge array of styles to fit the needs of both the dog and the master. There are dog couches, donut beds, orthopedic dog beds, U shaped beds, personalized beds, heated dog beds, designer beds and the traditional round, rectangle and oval dog beds. Each style typically comes in several different sizes for small to large dogs. I’m sure there are more styles available, but this gives you some idea of the options you have.

Along with “specialty styles” comes “special prices”. You can get a plain round bed at discount stores at a decent price, but a specialized bed at a pet store, isn’t going to be cheap. Expect that anything unique is going to start in the $60 range, and the sky is the limit from there.

So what is the benefit of having a bed for your dog? Bottom line is that most people simply want to give their special friend something nice to rest or sleep on. Asides from that, many people feel that training their dog to sleep on their own designated dog bed, will keep their dog off the “human bed” or other furniture in the house. It’s a way to give your dog their own special place, much like a dog crate. In fact, many people put their dog bed inside of a dog crate.

So you think a dog bed is a great idea, you’ve found one you like and you’re ready to make a purchase. Here’s something to keep in mind. Not all dogs think having their own bed is such a great idea. It’s conceivable that you’ll spend $100 or more on a fancy new dog bed, only to find that your pet won’t lay on it! Or worse yet, you buy the bed then come home one afternoon to find the bed torn to smithereens and scattered throughout your home or apartment! Yes sadly, these situations do happen and there is no refund on a ripped up bed.

In conclusion, the dog bed is a great gift for your companion and can be a good way to train your pet to sleep in a particular area of your home. They come in a wide variety of shapes & sizes to fit the needs of any dog. As these beds have become more popular, prices have increased as well. Some good deals can be found on plain beds at the discount stores, but when you start shopping for something unique you can expect to pay a premium price. Your dog will have no idea how much you paid for the bed, so don’t blame the dog if you come home and find your $150 bed torn to pieces and scattered throughout your home! Some dogs accept a bed and some just think it’s a toy you bought them to chew up.…

General Articles

How to Choose a Kitten As a Family Pet

How to Choose a Kitten As a Family Pet

A kitten will grow into a cat that can live up to 20 years. Choosing a kitten should not be a quick decision, take time to consider your options carefully. Do not rush to pick the cutest kitten you see or in fact the first kitten you see. Try to use your head rather than your heart.

It is best to see where the kitten has been raised. If at all possible see how it interacts with the mother and the rest of the litter before making your selection.

You need to consider two main areas when selecting a kitten, these are its health and it’s personality. Not all kittens from the one litter will be the same.

Health

It is important to select the healthiest kitten from the litter. Do not feel obliged to select a kitten from the first litter that you see, have a look at several litters if you possibly can before making your selection. It is possible to get a vet to thoroughly check a kitten, but they will charge to do this and you may not want to pay for this several times over for several different kittens. You should be able to make a healthy selection if you consider the following pointers to good health –

Active, lively, inquisitive and alert

Feeding well with shiny coat and clear eyes with no discharge

Clean ears

No sneezing or coughing

Clean rear end

Straight legs and steady on its feet

Personality

It is easier to judge this if the kitten is still with the litter. The main things to think about are as follows.

Make sure the kitten is not wary or cowering, this means it has had little human contact and can be hard to establish a connection with. You may need to put in a lot of work to overcome this behaviour.

The kitten who comes to you first may be dominant and may be aggressive and harder to control.

A sensitive kitten may appear cute but it may not enjoy the company of small children and may not mix well will any other animals in the family.

Summary

You must never make a decision by just looking at a litter of kittens; this process can not be rushed. You must spend time handling the kittens to assess both their health and personality. This is a new member of your family and needs to fit into your family dynamic so make sure you afford the time to consider a decision which you may have to live with for many years to come.…

General Articles

A Story of a Cat Which Has a Weight Loss Problem

A Story of a Cat Which Has a Weight Loss Problem

Smiles, laughs, a round of cocktails go around, loud murmurs; a sophisticated and sleek sexual energy vibrates from the crowd. Women dressed in tight fitted, short styled pieces of fabric disguised as dresses. That is just another typical night for the connected, young and rich community in the South Beach area. If animals were able to use money, would they flaunt it upon their person and equate their social worth from it? The true reality is that animals have no use for money but perhaps food is the animal’s sinful indulgence.

Across the way the alley corridors are dark, gloomy and fashionably dingy. The clammy, humid air carries a stench of last night’s vodka and French fries. A huge roach scurries rapidly under a random door. Emerging from under large garbage dumpsters, located in the back of a local restaurant, glares a back alley black fat cat. The cat’s body was massive, his teeth healthy and sharp, his eyes strong and eerie, his belly full and fat. He slyly moves along in a matrix motion. He joins the ranks of a community of cats that seemingly mirror the human population in size.

Most residents of South Florida would venture to say that Miami Beach must be the leading city in having the fattest cats in America. Their diets consist of an array of ethnic cuisine from the most loved local restaurants on South Beach. The fat cats in South Beach are a local attraction for the tourist as well as acknowledged and respected by the natives and business owners of South Beach. People love to feed the cats on South Beach just as well as the cats seem to love to entertain the masses for a treat. As we slowly poison and endanger a worthy treasure for the South Beach community by feeding our resident cats to death, a city wide cat weight loss program is desperately needed. Even if you do your part as a concerned resident you will not be able to save every cat on the streets of South Beach. What you can do is practice healthy habits the next time your path crosses with a fat street cat.

If possible provide fresh drinking water for a needy cat. Water is essential for a healthy digestive system for a cat. If you ever offer food dry food is not recommended. Dry food rarely provides all the nutrients a cat needs and is loaded with carbohydrates and sugars. A creative option to feeding your local stray cat is diet food. Check with a local veterinarian about the differences in brands. Remember cats need meat protein and are designed to get water from their food. Donate a cat toy at your local pet shelter. Cats need an active physical regimen to alleviate their natural instincts of displaying aggression. A healthy amount of physical activity that a cat can receive from several segments of play time is the best combatant against cat obesity.…

Pet Adoption

Feline Liver Disease And Feline Diarrhoea Treatment

The Webinar Vet has had a great experience in our first feline series which we held in conjunction with Hills. This was a 200 series of veterinary webinars which thanks to the kind sponsorship of Hills was free to all delegates.

There were several hundred attendees at each webinar. Many different nations were represented on this free online veterinary CPD.

Our first veterinary webinar was with Professor Danielle Gunn-Moore and was concerning feline liver disease. This was a fantastic veterinary webinar which used case material to discuss her approach to the liver patient. Danielle??s enthusiasm is so infectious and we had so many positive comments from the attendees.

The next two veterinary webinars were given by Martha Cannon, a feline specialist based in Oxford. Martha always gives very practical veterinary CPD and these two talks were excellent. In the veterinary webinar on renal disease she discussed the value of diet as well as other treatments. Cats on specialist renal diets will often live twice as long as those fed ordinary diets after diagnosis of chronic renal disease.

In the second veterinary webinar, Martha discussed feline diarrhoea using clinical cases to discuss possible approaches and then in the third veterinary webinar discussed the thorny issue of kidney disease, such a scourge in the cat. The Hills diet k/d is a very important part of treatment in cats suffering from kidney disease as it protects the cat??s kidney and slows progress of the disease. Indeed cats fed on specialist kidney diets will live twice as long as those who are fed ordinary commercial diets.

Norman Johnstone is one of the most famous veterinary dentists in the world. We were honoured to have him on the fourth veterinary webinar in our five veterinary webinar series, free online vet CPD kindly provided by Hills Pet Nutrition. He talked about feline stomatitis and gave some fascinating insights into the treatment of this nasty condition. Interferon seems to be the drug of choice

Finally Duncan Lascelles from North Carolina State University gave an excellent veterinary webinar on feline osteoarthritis. In one study 95%of cats showed radiological signs of osteoarthritis in one or more joints. Cats suffering from osteoarthritis often had a stiff gait and had difficulty jumping. Duncan discussed the various treatments that are available in cats. Often this disease is missed by owners and vats and hence no treatment is prescribed.

This whole series of veterinary webinars, including a bonus talk on feline diabetes is available at and will contribute 6 hours of veterinary CPD to the 35 hours yearly target that all MRCVSs must accomplish to satisfy The Royal College.

This brilliant series of veterinary webinars was brought to you by Hills and The Webinar Vet, a fantastic online resource for vet CPD.…

Rescue Dogs

Remove Cat Urine Smell And Stains From Your Carpet Quickly And Inexpensively

It can be stressful and time intensive looking for ways on how to get cat urine smell out of carpet. The odor in some homes I’ve been in have literally brought tears to my eyes! Not to mention leaving an ugly stain.

Plus it can be a really big pain requiring you to spend money and buy different cleaning products you do not have any idea if it will work.

After learning what works and what doesn’t from working in my own pet service business for many years, here’s what I do to inexpensively, but successfully, to get rid of cat urine smell plus spots from my personal clients carpet.

It’s so simple and easy and requires just two or three actions to accomplish.

Cleaning Up New Cat Urine Stains Out Of Carpet

Step 1 – For any new stains on your carpet, you first need to absorb as much of the urine as you possibly can using newspapers or paper towels. Press straight down on them to get rid of as much fluid as is possible.

Make sure you position the paper towel or newspaper below the carpeting in the event the urine has soaked into the carpet padding.

Use as much newspapers or paper towels as required so that the stain is hardly damp.

Step 2 – Begin using fresh water to clean the spot. Perform the procedure again till the stains have disappeared. Quick and easy!

Step 3 – (You can use this final step if you would like to be certain all traces of cat urine is gone) – Use an enzyme cleaning agent, which is a product that will literally eat all odor producing bacteria, on the area. This will make certain any cat urine residue still left in the spot is eliminated. In addition, the smell is going to be removed by using this process. You can find and buy an enzyme cleaner at most local stores or on the internet.

Clean-up Those Dried Cat Urine Marks Within Your Carpeting

It will require a bit more work to successfully eliminate older marks which sometimes have set in. You most likely need to get all of them out because your pet companion possess a remarkable sense of smell and might want to go to the bathroom on the same place repeatedly if it can smell its urine there.

Step 1 – Utilizing a carpet cleaning machine, remove any chemical products in addition to cleaners you may have used to remove the stains before on the carpet.

Just use clean water inside the carpet cleaning machine because of the fact that any kind of chemical products can reduce the ability of the enzymatic cleaner (which you’ll use next) at getting rid of the stain.

Avoid the use of too much water on the stain, simply because you do not want to increase the risk of the stain going into the padding beneath the carpeting!

Step 2 – Clean the stain by using an enzymatic product until the stain is no longer visible.

Step 3 – Once the cat urine stains has been visibly removed, utilize a black light flashlight in order to guarantee every last bit of cat urine is fully gone. The black light makes all indications of urine glow a purple color. It’s amazing what this little device can show you that your naked eye cannot see!

If you do discover some traces of urine still left, re-apply the cleaning solution to remove it.

By getting rid of every single cat urine spot, and above all the smells out of the carpet, you’ll considerably lessen the possibility of your cat urinating directly on those same spots for a second time.…

General Articles

Cat Behavior – Body Language

Cat Behavior – Body Language

Cat behavior has been over-simplified with time. Purring is commonly thought to be a sign of contentment in cat behavior- and most times it is. However cats that are dying or in labor can also purr so this is why it is important to understand the body language – audio signals are not reliable.

Just like us humans, animals have a silent body language that speaks volumes if you know how to read it. Looking at cats, specifically, you can quickly learn here the types of emotional states your kitten or cat is in at any moment.

Sometimes we get in the habit of assuming our cats are happy if they are not meowing incessantly or hissing at the dog. Those are vocal expressions and generally are the end result of a language that your cat has been communicating in its cat behavior up until that point.

By simply observing your cat for a little while, you can determine if it is happy, distressed, upset, threatened or content. The entire cats body is pretty much a map of indicators – the ears, the whiskers, the tail, the eyes and the entire body what are the prime indicators of the cats mood?

Happiness and Contentment:

Half mast eyes – slightly closed

Tail curled comfortably with small movements

Tail straight up in the air when it sees you or is walking by

Ears sitting at a 45 degree angle from the face

Whiskers straight

Distressed, Threatened and Upset

Tail flicking fast

Tail bushed up

Ears pinning back

Eye pupils dilated

Whiskers pulled back

Head down and shoulders up in a hunch

A distressed or upset cat is an aggressive cat and if you are noticing aggression then it would be wise to seek the cause. Watch the cat carefully and see if it shows any indicators described for stress. In feline distress, we work on the three F principle

Freeze – This is the time when the cat literally freezes and is assessing the situation

Flight – Kitty will be bolting for any open door or window

Fight – The cat will fight the dog, another cat or you and stand its ground

Watch for any of the three F’s and connect that situation with its stress and you may have found out why your cat is aggressive or upset. If the cat is doing any of the three F’s when a machine or appliance is switched on, the dog walks by, your music is blasting away – whatever it is, this would be a cue as to what is upsetting your cat.

With cat body language it is important to remember that it is a language and a language cannot be communicated with one word – it is a series of words put together – stated in another way; one indicator may mean nothing but a series of indicators will tell the story. Watch your feline for a few moments a day and be aware of the signs.

Remember too, that distress is not always about a perceived threat – it could be that the cat is ill or in pain. Certainly, understanding your cats silent language will go a long way to reading its needs and addressing any poor cat behavior.…

General Articles

Kitten Care – Feeding Tips

Kitten Care – Feeding Tips

Considering a cats life span can easily reach 15+ years, it’s extremely important that you set your kitten up from the start. Obviously your kitten will have been started on her mother’s milk. This is a special condensed milk called colostrums. It contains antibodies to help fight disease and is also very high in essential proteins.

What Exactly is Colostrum?

The colostrum, also known colloquially as “the first milk”, is a type of milk produced by the mammary glands of all mammals in the last period of pregnancy and the first 48 hours after giving birth. The 87 growth and 97 immune factors of colostrum have enormous curative capacities in: fighting viruses, bacteria mycosis, parasites, protecting the digestive system.

Also, the colostrum restores all the body tissues and muscles, stimulates the nerve cells and brain activity, regulates the blood sugar and cholesterol. Colostrum heals the heart and brain’s lesions and has a role in detoxifying and protecting the cardio-vascular system.

All these amazing effects of this “miraculous milk” are essential to any new-born mammal in the first hours of life.

So, just as you would make sure you feed your newborn baby with all the nutrients it needs, the same goes for your new kitten. Whether you’ve bought your kitten from a breeder or a rescue centre, make sure you check with the seller exactly what your kitten has been raised on so far, and stick with it.

Don’t buy cheap kitten food or milk, you want to have the best start for your new addition and she’ll need all the nutrients she can get, as she’ll be 75% grown when she reaches 6 months.

It’s advisable for your kitten to stay on kitten food until they are 12 months old, then, gradually move them onto adult brands by mixing small amounts in with the old kitten food. Also make sure you feed your kitten little and often, their stomachs at 8 weeks old will only be the size of a walnut.

After weaning, your kitten should be having four small meals a day. Eventually this should be reduced to two meals a day by the age of six months.

A�

Varied Diet – Good Idea or Not?

We all know how fussy cats can be, so introducing your kitten to tiny amounts of wet food and dry strips of meat will help get your kitty used to the idea of variety in her diet. It will also help with hydration and teeth cleaning. However stay away from giving her raw meat as food poisoning and tummy bugs are very serious problems for a young cat. Always cook the meat right through and again, keep the amounts very small.

Once she has reached 6 weeks old she will no longer need kitten milk.

Water should always be readily available and DON’T feed your kitten cows milk. It’s for calves not cats!

Cows milk has high quantities of lactose.

Your Kitten may love the taste but it will cause digestive problems and feline diarrhoea.

Dry or Wet Food?

Just like us, cats are all very different in their characters and tastes.

You may find as your kitten grows she has a preference for wet or dry food.

Be careful though as kittens eyes are usually bigger than their stomachs.

So follow the instructions on the pack for dry food, as they have a habit of over eating.

Both have nutritional value and you will come to know which suits you and your kitten through trial and error.

A good tip is to find out which food your kittens mother was eating whilst she was nursing them.

Dry food will help with, dental health, stools with less odour. (Always keep water available with dry food).

Wet food, on the other hand is closer to a cats original diet and usually contains 80% water.

If in any doubt make sure you consult your vet.…

Dog Shelters Near Me

Why Your Cat Loves to Bring You a Gift

Cats love to catch mice; they are natural hunters. However some of our domesticated cats are not so eager to go outdoors. The reason is they know that a meal is given to them on a daily basis.

Cats are natural hunters and enjoy the thrill of stalking their prey. It may not be that your pet is hungry; he or she will be following a natural instinct similar to the larger cats that live in the wild.

Some cat owners prefer to alert birds and mice out in the field by fitting a cat collar with an attached bell. However, a cat that is running and jumping about is less likely to be overweight.

Most cats that are natural hunters will bring home their prey as a present for their owner, a gift to say thank you for looking after them. Of course you might not enjoy looking at your gift but praise is required.

Remember to wear a pair of rubber gloves to remove your ‘gift’, dispose them carefully or your pet will think you are collecting his trophies and will bring you some more.

Cats should be out doors. Some cats do not hunt for food, but running and climbing trees is good exercise, and in the warmer weather seeing a cat sunbathing is a wonderful sight.

A young kitten tends to grow quickly, so essential amino acids are needed with a degree of good fats and plenty of vitamins to support his immune system are essential to complement his exercise.

Adult cats will also need a quality diet of the best ingredients with different proportions of vitamins and minerals, and portions sizes to be adjusted accordingly.

At Hills Pets we have our Science Plan pet food available for cats, and each of our products have guidelines on the portions size for your pet which are aimed at keeping your pet in good health.…

Rescue Dogs

How To Effectively Treat Mange In Dogs

Dog mange is a condition caused by the Demodex mite that causes irritation to the skin and hair loss. Most cases of mange appear in young dogs. Demodectic mange or Demodicosis is caused by the Demodex mite. The mite can be found in hair follicles. The Demodex mite, in small numbers is normal to be present on the skin of pet. Only when the mite begins to reproduce rapidly it causes the demodectic mange disease also called mange.

Treatment of canine mange

If the disease is temperate usually it heals spontaneously. Statistics show that 90% of demodectic mange cases are localized and can be treated locally. As a local treatment can be diluted Amitraz (3ml to 30 ml of mineral oil), or 1% rotenone ointment (Goodwinol ointment) and applied on the skin daily. In some cases these wounds will heal on their own but they may get worse before they improve. The numbers of mites should be reduced after only four weeks of treatment.

If the number of mites hasn?t reduced, the disease probably should be treated as a generalized form. If a dog develops generalized demodicosis, more aggressive treatment is usually needed. Although treatment is recommended, studies show that 30% to 50 % of generalized cases of mange heal will recover on their own without any treatment.

As a first step in treating the generalized form of mange you should start the treatment with a prescription product called Amitraz (Mitaban-Upjohn). Amitraz dips must be applied every two weeks. Before starting the treatment it is recommended that medium-length and longhaired dogs breeds to be clipped short, so that the solution can get into contact with the skin. First you have to wash the dog entirely with an antibacterial shampoo, like benzoyl peroxide shampoos, and carefully towel dry the dog. Before washing you dog with benzoyl peroxide shampoo you should apply a protective ophthalmic ointment to the eyes of the pet. After drying the dog, apply the Amitraz. Don?t forget to wear protective gloves when applying the Amitraz. Let your pet air-dry after the Amitraz dips. You might also want to administer an antibiotic to control secondary skin infections. This treatment require between 4 and 14 dips given at 2 week intervals. Skin scrapings should be tested for mites after every 4 dips. The treatment should continue until no mites will be found after two consecutive treatments. Dogs with generalized mange can be considered cured only after one year from the last treatment, if no mites we?re found during this period. As side effects to the Amitraz dips, some dogs may feel sedation or nausea.

Some dogs may not respond to this treatment. Although Ivemectin is not licensed for the treatment of demodectic mange, this is used by some veterinarians as treatment for this disease. In some cases, this drug offered good results. Large daily doses of liquid ivermectin must be administered so that the active ingredient should be effective against the Demodex mite. This should only be administered under close veterinary supervision. A second option if Amitraz dips did not work for your dog is Interceptor or Moxidectin. This is may be more effective than Ivemectin. No matter the treatment you choose to treat your dog for mange, you should first speak with a veterinarian.…

General Articles

Cat Problems

Cat Problems

Letting your cat know it did something wrong is not the same as doing it with a dog. Dogs know where they stand in chain of command with you at the top. Cats on the other hand go by territory, not by who is the main man.

The biggest mistakes made by cat owners is that they think a cat is just like a dog. A cat will not respond to a slap or something similar as a dog would.

The feline will be afraid of you. You certainly do not want that to happen.

You can teach you little kitty to do something else in place of the bad thing or things it is doing. Cats can not stand to be startled. This will work to your advantage. Get a spray bottle and fill it with water. When it does the undesirable behavior, give it squirt. You can also try a quick flick of your voice of the word no when you want the animal to not do what it is doing. You have to do this right when the cat is misbehaving. If your cat bites, try taking the palm of your hand and pushing it into the animals face. Do not hit the thing in the face, just push it back with your palm. You can also cat proof your house just like your would for a kid.

Do not leave food out in the open where it can get to it. Keep those glasses and dished that can break put away. If you think about it, a lot of child proof stuff can be incorporated into a cat proof house. If the animal can not get to it, it can not get into trouble with it. Does your cat like to try and eat the frozen hamburger you have sitting out on the counter for dinner? Put in the oven. A turned off oven that is cool. This way it can not get to it. The sooner your start to let your pet know what is not acceptable, the better. Scratching is also a problem people have with cats. Start with them as a kitten and show them what is allowed and what is not. Be aware, just because the cat is partaking in an activity that is really cute now, does not mean it will be the same a few months or years later. It could be a nightmare for you.…

Dog

Help Your Kitty to Lose Weight

Oftentimes you will notice that your pet is apparently a little on the weighty side. Your pet might have become very lazy as well as a bit spoiled cuddled around the house all day. You would like your kitty to get a more appropriate weight so that you can have her or him around for a longer time enjoying your pet for more years. There are actually things that you can do with the obese cat to decrease some kilos.

To start with, move to a different label of food stuff. Try to find ones that are made with higher vitamins and minerals as well as for fat control in kittens and cats. This ought to help with some of the weight issues.

Get the pussy-cat to play more. Several cats start to get a bit lazy. At times it is because they’re just bored. Grab new playthings that you will definitely let them enjoy as you have fun with your kitty. Get involved to get your cat moving again.

Allow your pet out in to garden from time to time to move out and as well, explore. Monitor the cat if you’re anxious since your dog or cat happens to be an internal pet for such a long time. This could help your dog or cat acquire some work out.

Eradicate giving table scraps to your pet as much as possible on the least till the weight begins to decrease consistently.

Besides using food for each and every incentive start using affection as well. Carry your pussy-cat when she or he does something right. There are other solutions to show that you look after apart from just meals.

When you have one or more cat in the house, there is typically a difficulty along with the chubby cat ruling the other’s food. Shift the smaller kittens and cats away whenever serving so that they can possess some privacy and not have their meals stolen.

Go and speak to a veterinarian if you are really worried about the issue. You will get a number of hints on assisting that particular type of cat to lose weight naturally.…

General Articles

Average Ferret Life Span

Average Ferret Life Span

Ferret owners and future ferret owners often have doubt regarding the average life span of a ferret. Ferrets like other domestic pets have a shorter life span when compared to humans. An average ferret life span may be from six to eight years. Ferrets like humans have different immune levels to various diseases.

Ferret diseases can be fatal to the ferret if not taken care properly in the early stage of the disease. Ferrets can be kept healthy by ensuring they get the best diet and all the love and attention your family can provide. Get the best possible food and provisions for your pet and your ferret mostly will be in good health as most of its illnesses occur due to wrong food.

In real-life, even ensuring the best possible food and provisions will not guarantee the good health of your ferret as they are naturally prone to diseases. These diseases prevent them from living a long life and even a single disease may reduce ferret life span by few months. Ferret owners must learn all the details regarding how to care for your pet and how to prevent a disease for their pet to live a complete and healthy life.

Some general tips to ensure the good health of your ferret are,

Make sure all vaccinations are given to your pet and keep up with all the visits to your vet.

Spend a lot of time with your pet in its early years so you can judge the individual behavior of your pet and notice any abnormality during a disease. This makes sure the medical condition is found out in its early stages and it is easier to treat your ferret.

Remember that they cannot digest carbohydrates and fat. Make sure it gets the best food which is rich in protein and fat.

Keep toys and exercise wheels inside the cage so your pet can keep itself busy. A busy ferret which plays a lot is less prone to a disease.

A ferret has an inquisitive nature and forms an instant and life-long bond with its owner. Their life span is no boundary to its love.…

General Articles

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

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.…