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!

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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.

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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.…

General Articles

Common Genetic And Non-Genetic Cat Health Problems

Common Genetic And Non-Genetic Cat Health Problems

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

General Articles

Treating Ferret Fleas

Treating Ferret Fleas

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

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

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

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

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

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

General Articles

Finding the Best Beatrix Potter Books on the Internet

Finding the Best Beatrix Potter Books on the Internet

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

Tom Kitten

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pet Rescue

Parvovirus And Your Dog

Parvovirus (commonly called Parvo) is a viral disease that affects dogs. It is far more common in puppies than adult dogs and can have serious ramifications for the infected animal, including death. Parvo grows best in the rapidly dividing cells of the dog?s intestines. As the virus attacks and kills these cells it causes massive diarrhea and halts or slows the creation of white blood cells. In young puppies it can often directly infect the heart, leading to death.

The symptoms of Parvo start with fever, depression, and lethargy. The dog will usually experience a loss of appetite as well and then eventually show more sever signs like vomiting and diarrhea which is often bloody. Once the virus reaches this stage dehydration and death usually follow.

Parvo is carried and transmitted by dogs. The vomit and feces of an infected animal will also carry the virus which is rather resilient and can survive outside the dog?s body in the surrounding environment for as long as nine months. Sometimes an adult dog can be infected by the virus and show no symptoms but act as a carrier transmitting the virus to the other animals it comes into contact with.

There is no cure for Parvo. Dogs that are infected will die of dehydration without treatment. That treatment primarily consists of providing fluids, giving repeated blood transfusions, and preventing dehydration. The mortality rate in dogs affected by Parvo is about 20% if the dog receives treatment in time. Without treatment, about 80% of those infected will die from it. It is a very serious disease.

Parvo tends to affect some dog breeds more than others. Dobermans, Rottweilers, and other black and tan dogs have a greater chance of contracting the virus. The reason for this is unknown but the fact that these dogs are at higher risk does not mean that owners of other types of dogs can rest easily. Dogs of any breed can become infected.

While there is no cure for Parvo, puppies can (and should) be vaccinated against it at an early age. Most vets recommend puppies be immunized starting at six weeks of age with vaccinations continuing until twenty weeks of age. Proper immunization is the best way to prevent a dog from contracting Parvo.…

Adopt a Pet

Useful Facts For Those Wishing To Become A Dog Trainer

There are a number of facts about the origins, ancestry and character of dogs that can be very useful to those who are training dogs. As with all other species, dogs have developed their behavior and character through centuries of adaptation to an ever changing world. However, there are some innate characteristics that will forever be a part of the dog regardless of what adaptations it has taken up.

The first fact to always remember is dogs are animals and at one point they were wild animals. As such they cannot be expected to think or know good and bad. Their lives are governed by instincts and urges. Caring for dogs and also training them are what helps these wonderful creatures ignore some of their instincts and urges. As long as a dog is well fed and cared for, it will behave itself and stay out of trouble. A hungry dog will very easily attack another animal or even a human being because its need for food has not been met. To effectively train a dog requires that it is first well taken care off so as to achieve success.

Another important fact is that dogs are pack animals. Their social structure is based on having a group where each member has a defined position. Each pack has an alpha male as its pack leader and every dog aspires to be the alpha male of the pack. The pack leader provides leadership, protection and a lot more. Your dog sees you as its pack leader and expects you to play that role fully. This is why anytime your dog feels threatened it will always run behind you as it expects you to fend of the attacker.

Dogs are creatures of habit and will learn best through routine and repetition. This is why dog training and dog care need to follow certain processes so as to help the dog learn faster and long term. Feeding times, play times, training times and the times for all other activities must be adhered. Constantly changing activity times will confuse the dog and result in slower and more difficult training for both you and your dog.

Hopefully these facts will help you have a better understanding of your dogs and thus make it easier for you to take them through their training. Successful dog training requires not only understanding the techniques to be applied but also the subject to be trained.…

Dog

Geriatric Cats – Symptoms & Diabetes

As cats age and come in to that middle age period from around 7 ļæ½ 8 years of age, it is important for owners to keep an eye out for symptoms that could indicate the beginnings of a disease or syndrome. Middle aged to older cats are very prone to developing diabetes, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, arthritis and sometimes sadly, even cancer.

Symptoms:

Thankfully many geriatric cat diseases can be picked up early on by watching out for several symptoms.

The main one to look out for in these cats is what we call in the Veterinary world PU/PD ļæ½ otherwise meaning excessive urination and excessive drinking. This is a symptom associated with a number of diseases, but particularly diabetes, hyperthyroidism and kidney disease. Keep an eye on your cat ļæ½ is he or she always at the water bowl? If your cat is drinking more than 100ml per kg per day, then he or she is definitely drinking excessive quantities of water and this definitely warrants a full check up.

Weight loss is another major symptom that while being easy to pick. This weight loss however, is generally only realized once the at has lost a large amount of weight. This is another good reason for regular check ups with your Vet as it is very important to monitor weight loss as this can be associated with all of the diseases listed above. Also be aware that cats who are overweight are also prone to diabetes AND arthritis so be sure to try and get your cat to his or her optimal weight before they reach ‘middle age’.

Inappetance is another obvious symptom to look out for and if you notice your cat won’t eat his or her food despite trying several different options, then get this kitty to your Vet sooner rather than later. Whilst this can also be associated with all of the above, inappetance alone can cause a problem called ‘fatty liver’ or ‘hepatic lipidosis’ which can quickly become fatal.

While there are many other symptoms that are associated with the diseases mentioned above, these are the major ones to keep an eye on in your middle aged to geriatric cat. If you notice any of these, it would definitely be worth getting your cat to the Vet for a full check over as well as blood and urine tests.

Diabetes

Feline diabetes is more common than most people realize and is definitely more likely in an overweight cat. The first symptoms noticed are excessive drinking and urination, increased hunger and lethargy. Diabetes is a syndrome where the body doesn’t produce or respond to insulin and as a result glucose remains in the blood rather than being utilized by the cells. As a result most of this glucose also spills over in to the urine causing your cat to urinate more (and hence want to drink more too). Thankfully we can test for glucose in the urine of cats and check the blood for the glucose level. Diabetes is definitely treatable and there is a product now that requires you to give your cat only one injection of insulin per day. This insulin helps drive the glucose into the cells to be used! In some cases insulin injections are no longer needed after several months, but this has only been seen in some animals on a certain type of insulin. Ask your Vet for more details. If you have a question that needs to be answered straight away, check this page: – Ask the Vet.…

Humane Society

Pet Wellness: Twice-annual Veterinary Visits Keep Pets Healthy

Most people have heard the old saying that pets age much faster than we do-seven pet years for each of our human years-but few of us consider what that really means for our pet’s health care.

Consider that most dogs and cats reach adulthood by age 2, and by age 4 they are middle-aged. By the age of 7, most large dog breeds are entering their senior years. And as these “dog and cat years” pass quickly by, serious health issues can arise in a similarly shorter amount of time. Dogs and cats are prone to many of the diseases and disabilities that we are-cancer, diabetes, arthritis and heart disease, to name a few-but they will develop health problems in “pet years,” too.

For this reason, during National Pet Wellness Month, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reminds pet owners that they should take their pets into their veterinarian for wellness checkups twice a year. If you take your pet to the veterinarian only once a year, this is equivalent to you seeing your own doctor just once every seven years.

These regular visits will give your veterinarian a chance to detect serious health problems earlier and treat them to extend and improve the quality of your pet’s life. During a twice-annual visit, pet owners should mention to their veterinarian any of the subtle changes they’ve noticed in their pet’s behavior, such as changes in weight, water or food consumption, elimination or anything that seems new. Pets have no way of communicating to their owners that they are having discomfort or other health problems. Cats, in particular, are known for hiding any distress they may be having, so pay close attention. Your observations may help your veterinarian determine if there are any problems, provide an appropriate treatment or prevent problems before they start.

It’s also important to remember that a healthy pet can also ensure that you and your family will remain healthy as well. Some diseases, called zoonotic diseases, can be transmitted to your family by pets, and others are equally threatening to pets and humans. These diseases include rabies and cat scratch disease, which can be transmitted from pets to humans, and Lyme disease, which can be transmitted to pets and humans via parasites. Taking extra precautions to make sure your pets are healthy with regular veterinary visits also helps ensure that you and your family remain healthy as well.…

General Articles

Kitten Behavior Problems – How To Tame Your Frisky Kitty

Kitten Behavior Problems – How To Tame Your Frisky Kitty

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

WHY DOES MY KITTY ACT SO CRAZY?

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

WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?

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

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

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

General Articles

Top 3 Best Cat Toys

Top 3 Best Cat Toys

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

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

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

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

General Articles

Buying a Ferret

Buying a Ferret

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

Places to get a Ferret from

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

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

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

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

Checklists before you get your Ferret home

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

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

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

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

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

Dogs for Adoption

Cat Care Secrets For The New Owner

There are two types of “new” cat owners. The first will appreciate that they are in effect bringing into their home a strange animal, whose nature they do not fully understand. This group might do a little research beforehand, and buy or borrow a cat care and training guide. The second group may just assume that the new cat or kitten will very quickly pick up and obey the house rules, and it is this group who are more likely to get angry and frustrated, and maybe resort to smacking or shaking the cat.

For a start, any physical punishment is self-defeating – the cat will simply learn to fear you, and make any further training even more difficult. A very effective alternative to physical punishment is to keep a spray bottle of water handy – if she misbehaves, a little spray will let her know you are not pleased.

The surest key to success with your cat house training is to try to understand how your cat thinks, why she does the things she does, what motivates her. If you expect her to do something that goes against her nature, then you better be prepared to make it worth her while. If you want to make the most rapid progress, a modest investment in a decent cat manual or guide will be richly rewarded, and you will at a stroke begin to understand “cat think” and cat care in general, and also avoid the most common mistakes.

You will find that the most rewarding approach is to encourage good behavior, either by kind words combined with gentle stroking, or some food treat. The cat will quickly learn what she has to do to earn that “reward”, and if the reward is not forthcoming, she will assimilate the knowledge that she has broken some rule.

Cats are known for their short attention span, so your training sessions should be fairly brief, ideally around 10 minutes. You want to eliminate any distractions during these short sessions, so you maximise the chances of gaining the undivided attention of the cat. The perfect location is a small indoors room, with no view outside, and no disturbances.

The essential training exercises that concern most new cat owners are to do with urination, scratching, jumping and biting.

No cat will easily take to using a litter box – it is contrary to their nature – so it is essential that you are very determined and consistent in rewarding the cat when he performs properly.

The second biggest concern is with cat scratching, a behavior that is an essential part of the animal’s nature. The provision of good scratching posts in strategic places will alleviate the problem, and spare your furniture and curtains. The surgical removal of the cat’s claws was until recently seen as an easy and permanent solution to the problem, but in a more humane age this is seen as quite a barbaric act to perform on a Cat, and one that upsets the whole balance mechanism of the cat, and is really traumatic.

A cat will not expend unnecessary energy, so if she jumps there is a reason for it. Most often, she will jump onto the window sill to view the outside world – if you want her not to jump on a particular sill, block off the view for the first 15 inches, perhaps with a piece of fabric. If there is no view, she will soon go elsewhere. Jumping onto counters or worktops or tables in the kitchen should be completely discouraged from the beginning – it might simply signal that she wants feeding.

Biting is unfortunately often encouraged in a kitchen – children in particular enjoy being bitten by young kitten teeth, and will often playfully provoke it until it bites. But that “trains” the cat that biting is acceptable, so it should be avoided. If the behavior persists, you might discourage it with a spray from your water bottle.…

General Articles

Checklist For Bringing Home Your Ragdoll Kitten

Checklist For Bringing Home Your Ragdoll Kitten

Whether you are going to the next town to get your new Ragdoll kitten or if you are having your kitten flown to you, here are some items you might want to make sure you have before you bring home your Ragdoll kitten.

o Pet Carrier – If your kitty is being shipped, then your kitten will come with one. If not, then you will want to get one to bring your kitten home in as well as use when going to the vet. Be sure carriers are large enough for when kittens get older- Medium size should be fine. If you are looking at carriers for their size, then you want to get one that is for about 20 lbs. And this is something you will have the entire life of your pet, so don’t worry too much about spending a lot because you’ll have it for a long time!

o Towel – Have a towel absorbent cloth for your kitty to rest on, and in case of a potty accident, if he is in the carrier for a long time.

o Food – Get whatever your breeder recommends or is feeding them now. If you do not like their choice in food, you will still need to have the food s/he is used to and then you can switch to what you want later. There are guidelines on how to transition cats to different foods and it’s very important to follow them.

o Water and Food Bowls – I recommend stainless steel or ceramic ones for easy cleaning. Plastic ones have been known to cause acne in cats, so best to avoid them altogether.

o Litter Box – Might as well get a big one since your kitty will need it when s/he grows up.

o Litter – You will want to have the litter that your breeder has been using, so that your kitten recognizes it immediately and wants to use the litter box. Of course, you can also transition to another litter later on – but starting out, you want the same kind your breeder is using.

o Cat Toys – Think about getting cat wand toys, catnip cat toys and even interactive cat toys – here are some to consider:

– Neko Flies

– Yeowww! Catnip Banana

– Bergan Turbo Scratcher

o Scratching Post – Again, see what the breeder has in their home and then see if you can find something similar. This allows your kitty to scratch vertically.

o Scratcher – A horizontal scratcher, like a cardboard one, allows your kitty to also scratch down, rather than up (vertically) – there are many toys out there that are multi-purpose in that they are a scratcher as well as a toy like the Bergan Turbo Scratcher

o Brush and Comb – Many Ragdoll cats don’t require a considerable amount of grooming, but it is important from a young age to get your kitty used to being brushed so that when they are 19 years old, then don’t hate the feel of it. Brushing your cat creates an excellent opportunity for pet owner and cat bonding time as well.

o Nail Clippers – Your breeder might have a recommendation as far as which kind of nail clippers to get. It is important to get them used to nail clippers and the feel of having their nails cut from a young age.…

General Articles

Kitten Biting Problems

Kitten Biting Problems

Kittens are cute, adorable, fun little creatures. They are cuddly and want to play with your hands, biting or scratching them. At first, they may seem like harmless play. Watch out, when they grow older and the teeth and claws get sharper, playtime wouldn’t be that enjoyable anymore. They can even draw blood from your hands if you don’t stop this rough play as soon as it starts.

Kitten biting problems are often caused by the cat owner himself. I’m not saying that it’s your fault. The biting and scratching behavior in kittens are completely natural to them. It is a vital part of their development because of their predatory nature. However, if your hands become their target, this behavior should be stopped even before their teeth and claws get sharper.

In their natural world, together with their mother and siblings, kittens play a lot together. It includes mainly of stalking, biting, scratching, pouncing, wrestling and chasing- predatory skills that a normal kitten of the wild would have to learn to survive. Play can sometimes get rough and even become aggressive between siblings. When this happens, the other kitten usually growls, retaliate or just stop playing. The mother also corrects the kitten with a growl or a swat. Kittens can send each other signals to indicate that aggression in their games is not tolerated and subconsciously teaches the kitten to control his aggression.

Biting and any other aggressive behavior in kittens can be stopped. If playtime with your kitten means playing with your hands, try diverting his attention by using toys instead. You can use a string, balls made of paper, or any household items as toys for your kitten. If he still tries to reach for your hands, stop playing altogether and walk away. Your kitten craves your attention and if you ignore him, it is equivalent to scolding him. If during play, he becomes aggressive and bites your hand, say NO in a stern voice and gently remove your hand. Be consistent and he will soon learn to become a gentle and well-behaved kitten.…

Animal Control

Feline Fine: Cat Care For Cat Lovers

Dogs, as it is often said, are a man’s best friend. But whilst they may indeed be a very loving and loyal companion to have around, the large proportion of cat owners in the UK would probably argue that their moggy is every bit as faithful a friend, and also a fully integrated member of the family unit.

Indeed, most people are fairly clear on whether they are a ‘cat person’ or a ‘dog person’ and normally have quite specific reasons for their opinions. But regardless of what camp a person sits in, most people would probably agree that cats require a lot less maintenance than their canine counterparts.

For instance, cats quite often tend to take care of their own hygiene, which can be of great help for those pet owners who perhaps have their time occupied with more important day to day tasks. But, and as many cat owners will have experienced, they also have a tendency to wander off, particularly if they are living in the countryside. It’s fair to say, however, that cats are reasonably independent creatures that are more than capable of taking care of themselves.

The down side to this independence is that when cats do stray away from home it can often be for long periods of time, but regardless of how many lives cats are supposed to have, this can still cause a great deal of worry for any feline-loving family.

Of course, when a cat does disappear for days on end, it is merely doing what comes naturally. It may be hunting, looking for a mate, or it may simply have wandered into a neighbouring garden where it has become acquainted with another, perhaps overly-generous, cat lover. Either way, it can be difficult to determine a cat’s reasoning for straying and more than often you begin to consider the worst has happened.

As a result, it’s not too uncommon to see posters placed around a neighbourhood, offering a description of the missing moggy in question, and perhaps even a small reward for its safe return. However, the cat may even wander home eventually of its own accord, and at times possibly a little bedraggled and worse for wear.

Moreover, even the littlest of scrapes or cuts can become infected after days of roughing it, which can lead to a great deal of expense if a vet’s help is needed. But as is the case with anything in life that we hold dear to us, it is possible to provide a little protection should the need arise, and many people choose to take out pet insurance for such occasions.

Having pet insurance in place will ensure that a mischievous moggy isn’t cause for a financial catastrophe, as protection is usually offered not only against the cost of veterinary care, but also for reward and recovery costs too. And as a fully integrated member of the family unit, that’s probably the very least a cat deserves!…

General Articles

Ferret’s Odor

Ferret’s Odor

Ferrets are cute and supple looking creatures that make easy pets, and moreover they are loved by their owners from the hilt. But, do you really know that ferrets have unique smell associated with them. This strong skin odor makes them stand different from the crowd. The odor is the result of oil secreted from their skin, and protects him/her from dryness. And if you are bathing your ferret quite often, then it is quite natural that you’d be draining the oil away from your it’s skin. Irrespective of the fact that you clean the ferret cage for number of times, this unique and sharp odor remains in the cage and your ferret’s skin.

There’s absolutely no doubt that they are good and adorable pets to give you the company and enjoyment, the occurrence of very unique smell in the ferret’s skin keep the pet owners away from them. Therefore, the real tussle is to educate and learn yourself on how to stay with such unique smell, and also on how to live with the ferrets scent. Here is the list of to-do things that you should consider on priority while warding off the ferret’s scent:

• You should associate with the unique ferret’s scent that he/she possesses. Remember, it is the natural odor that is unique to every ferret, and you have to learn to live with this odor.

• Give potty training to your ferret, as in this manner you can lessen the intensity of smell coming from your ferret’s skin. Potty training can be started by making use of litter boxes and trays. If you fail in potty training your ferret, the result would be -Filthy Ferret Cage with Obnoxious Odor. Are you ready to take on this?

• Create a comfortable and hygienic environment in and around the ferret’s cage. Wash the objects/utensils inside the ferret cage as frequently as you can. Further, all he basic essentials like food, fresh water etc. should also be provided inside the ferret’s cage.

• You should also regularly and habitually clean ferrets bed, accessories and cage. Doing so will reduce the body odor of your ferret. You can also use lukewarm water and skin-friendly detergents for the job.

Here are some of the educative steps that you as an ardent ferret owner should religiously follow:

• Be explorative and grab as much information about the ferret s possible. Keep reading about different aspects of ferret’s health. The more you explore the more knowledgeable you become about your ferret’s health.

• Clean and wash your ferrets’ skin with ferret shampoo. Give your ferret frequent washes, but too much of bathing results in over secretion of the oil. And this further makes the skin odor pungent.

Ferret’s natural skin odor is the means to protect him/her from the external pathogens. But, the odor becomes unbearable for the pet owners inside the home. Therefore, following the above described guidelines will not only ensure good and refreshing atmosphere in your home, but also give your ferret a healthy atmosphere to breathe.…

Rescue Dogs

Is Owning A Pet Rat Right For You?

When you tell someone your contemplating obtaining a rat for your family generally folks’s first reaction is this weird look on their face and they say “Yuck! Why?” “Their tales are scary looking!” They are frequently linked with scary and filthy things.

Here you can read and choose for your self if possessing a rat is ideal for you and your family members.

Unfortunately folks are poorly educated when it comes to these extremely clever critters . They only know what history has claimed them as being, a disease infested, nasty, annoying rodent that eats all your food and bites people for fun. When in reality, the domesticated rat (a.k.a. Rattus Norvegicus) are physiologically and psychologically different from their untamed relatives. The rat has no more health risks to people than any other pet..

Their tails might not be the cutest thing to look at but they help the rat to balance themselves. Speaking from experience, you don’t actually notice them or pay attention to them mainly because you’re to busy looking at those cute faces and big dumbo ears!

Dumbo/fancy rats are basically the same thing. The dumbo rat just has bigger ears than the fancy rat.. You will want to buy your rats in pairs so they can keep each company when you cant. You should buy rats in same sex pairs or you will have a bunch of rattie babies!!!!

Typically a rats lifespan is approximately 2 years but of course that can change if treated properly and they are maintained well. Size: 7-10″ body, plus 6-8″ tail.

Rats are very are the smartest of all small pets!!! If taken the time, rats can learn their name and come to it! Unfortunately, rats do have an odor to them. Ideally, their litter and caged should be cleaned every couple of days to help keep odors away, once a week at the latest. This does not just pertain to rats it’s with any caged animal.. So if your not to keen on small animal odors then rats may not be for you, or any other caged animal..

Once all the essentials are purchased, maintanence is fairly inexpensive. You will need a rat habitat to house your furry critter, bedding, food bowls and sipper style water bottle, fortified fancy rat diet, chew toys, exercise ball and wheel. Rat guides and training books are very beneficial. Please look under the buy rat supplies tab to see everything you need to maintain your new rat.

In my opinion, rats are the perfect pet! No having to take your rats on midnight walks because nature calls.. Rats are fairly cheap and inexpensive to keep. They will fit and adapt to any size home. They’re big on personality and real people pleasers! They are great candidates for training because they have great memory and problem solving skills.…

General Articles

Presidential Pets

Presidential Pets

At the Presidential Pet Museum, you can learn about what current and former Presidents had for pets. In reviewing the list, most of them are/were pet lovers and some had several pets. The list is to long to mention every one but here are some of the more recent.

Barack Obama has a Portuguese water dog named Bo given to his children by Senator Ted Kennedy.

George W. Bush had several pets. A Scottish Terrier named Miss Beazley, an English Springer Spaniel named Spot, another Scottish Terrier named Barney, a cat named India and a Texas Longhorn named Ofelia.

Bill Clinton had a cat named Socks and a Labrador Retriever named Buddy.

George Bush had Millie and Ranger, two Springer spaniels.

Ronald Reagan had two dogs, Lucky and Rex (King Charles Cavalier Spaniel) and several cats.

Jimmy Carter had a dog named Grits and a Siamese cat named Misty Malarky Ying Yang.

Gerald Ford had a Golden Retriever named Liberty and a Siamese cat named Shan.

Richard Nixon had three dogs named Checkers, Vicky and King Timahoe.

Lyndon Johnson had two beagles, Him and Her, a white collie, Blanco and Yuki, a mongrel. He also had hamsters and lovebirds.

John Kennedy had may pets. Charlie, Caroline’s Welsh Terrier, a cat named Tom Kitten, a canary named Robin, two parakeets, Bluebell and Marybelle, three ponies, Caroline’s Macaroni, Tex and Leprechaun, two hamsters, Debbie and Billie, a rabbit named Zsa Zsa, Mrs. Kennedy’s horse, Sardar and several dogs including Pushinka, Shannon and Clipper.

As you look back in time before the use of the automobile, many of the pets were horses. Many of our country’s first Presidents were excellent horseman who enjoyed riding and hunting. Their horses were very cherished and were paid great tributes when they died.

The Presidential Pet Museum was founded in 1999 and is part of the President’s Park located in Williamsburg, Virginia. The museum is a collection of pictures, stories and artifacts of these pets. You will be surprised on how many and what type of animals they had for pets. Some of the pets were given to them by foreign countries.

A President is no different than anybody else for having a pet. Many grew up with animals living on farms and ranches. A pet provides love and companionship that helps relieve stress. He could enjoy quality time with the pet without having to worry about the day to day care. They are/were very supportive to organizations related to animal care and well being.

It is very interesting learning about the different pets. Visiting the museum in Williamsburg can be very entertaining and educational.…

General Articles

Uniqueness of a Cat’s Eyes

Uniqueness of a Cat’s Eyes

It has been said that eyes are the window to the soul. When gazing into the eyes of a cat, you get the feeling that the statement is very real. But there is more to a cat’s eyes. A cat’s eyes have some unique features that are different than humans. The best known is a cat’s ability to see at night.

The eyes face forward on a cat improving their depth perception but limit their field of view. The cat has a vision of 20/100 enabling it to see far away but not up close. A cat’s central vision is not as sharp as a humans because of the eye’s construction. A cat cannot see directly below its’ nose. A cat can see colors and distinguish between the colors especially the blues and violets. A cat’s ability to see colors is limited as compared to humans.

The color of a cat’s eyes varies but orange, green and golden are the most common. Blue eyes are associated with Siamese cats. There is a misconception that all white cats with blue eyes are deaf. A white cat with one blue eye and one of another color has a higher risk of deafness on the blue eye side.

The pupils of the eyes should be the same size. The pupils of a cat’s eyes are vertical and much larger than a human. If the size of the pupils differ, this can be an indication of possible harmful conditions: inflammation of the eye (conjunctivitis), Horner’s syndrome, FeLV, tumors and central nervous system injury. A cat can have other conditions including cataracts and glaucoma. If not treated, high veterinarian expenses and even blindness can occur.

A cat has an inner, third eyelid called a nictating membrane to protect the cat from dryness and/or damage. A cat does not have to blink it’s eyes like humans to lubricate them. If the third eyelid is partially closed and a cat is not sleeping, this may indicate a cat is sick.

A cat has much better night vision than a human. Although the cat cannot see in total darkness, the cat only needs one-sixth of the illumination required by a human. The muscles of the iris narrow the eye to a slit in bright light and fully open in dim light. A reflective layer behind the cat’s retina called the tapeturn reflects the incoming light and bounces it back amplifying the light. In daylight, this amplification is too strong. A cat’s eyes will narrow to a slit-like condition to minimize the light to improve it’s ability to see in the daytime.

A cat will express it’s mood with it’s eyes. An angry cat will have narrowed pupils. An excited or frightened cat’s eyes will be wide open. A happy cat’s eyes may appear a shade darker. A cat will kiss with it’s eyes by gazing at you and then blinking it’s eyes.

The uniqueness of a cat’s eye has long been recognized by many people. Many rare gems have been referred to as a cat’s eye. Even in the game of marbles, it was something special to have a marble that resembled a cat’s eye.…

General Articles

Important Factors to Know About the Ferret Hammock

Important Factors to Know About the Ferret Hammock

Sleep is one thing that ferrets seem to be experts at although they do require that their sleep conditions are more than sufficient. While ferrets love to burrow and nestle in tightly to enjoy a long nap they also like to have other alternatives if at all possible. If they have a chill or feel like it they would like the option of sinking deep into some plush bedding but they also want to spread out in a nice ferret hammock too.

A good ferret hammock can not just be any hammock so buying one does require a bit of thought. Think about the purpose of a hammock for a minute, it will hang from the cage and is a good place for the ferret to sprawl out in. Make sure that the material that the hammock is made of is nice and furry and offers options of interior pockets that your ferret can snuggle inside if he so chooses. Ferrets simply adore these hammocks.

Another thing that ferrets adore about these hammocks is that they sway back and forth which offers a calming and soothing effect to the ferret when he is going into a deep slumber. Likely the most important thing about these hammocks is that it moves the ferret sleep area away from the area where they eat and eliminate. This is very important to ferrets to not have these areas close together.

If you have multiple ferrets then you will likely want to buy multiple hammocks to accommodate these ferrets. Even if you buy multiple hammocks you might soon discover that your ferrets have nestled together in one area however, some ferrets do not like the idea of sharing so choices are appealing to them.

Don’t make the mistake of buying a cheap hammock. You will end up replacing it sooner so make sure that the hammock that you choose can be washed regularly and make sure that the material of the hammock isn’t chewable or isn’t likely to get their nails embedded in it. These are the things that you want to base your purchase decision on as opposed to factors related to color and style. Keep in mind that ferrets are pretty much color blind so they are not concerned with these things.

Prior to buying a hammock you should be sure to look it over carefully. Check and see if it comes with the necessary hardware that is required to install it or if you have to purchase that separately. There are two concerns with the hardware, one is to make sure that the hardware is simple and allows you to take it down for cleaning and to put it back up with ease and second, you want to make sure that the hardware is stable so that your ferret can not harm himself on it.

Look over the hammock frequently to ensure the safety of it. This is a good practice to get into and assures that you are taking every precaution to ensure your ferret’s safety.…