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Read This Article To Find Great Dog Ownership Ideas

Are you looking for advice on being a better pet owner? Could you use a few tips on how to provide for your dog? You’re in the perfect place. This article is bursting at the seams with tips, tricks, and suggestions, all of which will help you do right by your pet.

If you are looking for a great family pet, but are on a budget, consider rescuing an animal.You can get one at a local shelter for minimal costs and the dog will come with a clean bill of health and all his shots. If you are interested in a specific breed, contact a rescue group specializing in only those pooches.

Never hit your dog. There are better ways to train a dog without having to resort to violence. The best way to train a dog is to reinforce positive behaviors with treats and attention. Negative behavior should be handled with a stern and disapproving voice as opposed to striking the animal.

If your dog has fleas, and they fall off his coat onto your floor, vacuum them up. However, remember that fleas are pretty good escape artists, so you need to throw out the bag immediately after you are finished. To be on the safe side, tape the bag completely shut before you take it out to your trash can.

Take your dog to the vet regularly. This may seem like an added expense that you don’t need, but when you take your dog to the veterinarian, he can screen your dog for diseases and make sure he is in the best of health. This of course prevents problems down the road.

Never allow your dog to be alone with small children, no matter how much you trust his temperament. Many little kids have been attacked by family dogs who have otherwise never demonstrated a tendency towards violence. Sleeping dogs may be woken by a toddler and react negatively or some other offense is committed against the animal that sets him off.

Having fresh and clean water available to your dog at all times is a must. Dogs become dangerously dehydrated in a matter of days, so its very important to always have water ready. Dogs will also appreciate water that is clean. If you find it necessary to drink filtered or bottled water because of the quality of water from your tap, then be sure to provide your dog with the same high quality water.

Before deciding on what type of dog to get for your family, consider space. Even though you may love the bigger dogs that you can really wrap your arms around, you may not have adequate space for a large breed. Take your home and yard size into consideration before bringing home a new pooch.

Ease your dog into knowing a new baby that comes into your home. Dogs can be very jealous and you need to continue to show him plenty of love an affection, even though you’ve got a brand new bundle of joy in your life. Talk to the dog as you handle the baby and keep him in the loop.

If you want a dog that behaves well you must take the time to properly train it. If you do not do this then you will almost surely be dealing with behavioral problems for the length of the dog’s life. Training is the only way that you can prevent this from happening.

Your dog needs to exercise regularly. Like humans, dogs must exercise to burn calories, remain healthy, and help their minds stay sharp. Exercising also helps them avoid boredom that can cause destructive behaviors. Keeping your dog active can curb chewing, biting, digging, and chasing urges. It can even help them avoid depression.

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

Hopefully, the advice you’ve found in this article has addressed any concerns you might have. Even if your problem isn’t addressed specifically, you may find that these suggestions can help you resolve your issue. Dog care isn’t as complicated as it seems, and some tips truly are one size fits all.…

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Baby Ferret – Your New Kit

Baby Ferret – Your New Kit

The baby ferret is often called a Kit, these cute little pets can be very fun to have, but you also need to stay informed on how to raise them well, and give them a happy life. The baby ferret is only a baby for a few months; they can mature as fast as three months.

What are some of the chores you need to do when you bring your baby ferret home for the first time, these 8 weeks old heart breakers need a few things to have a good childhood. First of all the ferrets room or cage needs to be ready, ferrets like it dark and somewhat chilly. The litterbox, water and food bowl needs to be integrated to the baby ferrets room. The ferret will have the urge to explore and discover new things around the home, so don’t be surprised if they are not interested in snuggling with you. Seeing that the ferret are going to run around you need to ferret proof your home, everything from doors and windows, to small cracks or sharp items need to be secure. When your ferret is awake it will be joyful and lively, but when it’s tired you should let it rest.

Ferrets need vaccines as they grow older, be sure to check when and what your ferrets need next, the info should be included in the papers you got at date of purchase. Ferrets don’t need to be out and about all the time, only one or two hours can be enough to keep them happy, the rest of the day they have no problem sleeping. The tasks at hand now are litter training your ferret, as well as keep them from biting or nibbling too much. This can be a difficult task, but a few simple tactics can help, like for instance when your ferret is peeing outside the box, try moving it to the litter box. Like many animals they need to be trained through trial and error. Another good trick is to increase the size of the litter box, making it difficult for your ferret to find a place to litter, for then to decrease it later.

When ferrets bite it can be because they are handled in a way they don’t like, or they are threatened, but when baby ferrets bite it can be because of itching in their teeth, or just a playfulness. Regardless you should try to make the ferret understand that it is not okay, seeing that it can lead to more aggressive biting later on in life.…

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Cats Are Worth It! Find Out How Much With These Tips!

Cats are often viewed as feminine animals, but the truth is that there are plenty of cats perfect for becoming mans next best friend. Different breeds and bloodlines make an impact on how your new cat looks, behaves, and is cared for. Use this article to find some of the breeds that you find most entertaining.

Part of caring for your cat is taking it to regular veterinarian checkups. A routine check-up should happen annually, and more often if necessary shots are due. Cats should visit the vet right away if they are having any issues.

Keep your cat healthy and non-finicky by introducing a varied diet. Always purchase several different brands of food and rotate them. In this way, your cat will be used to trying and accepting new tastes. If one food brand goes out of business, you will always have lots of other acceptable choices to offer.

Protect your cat from strangling by making sure the cords of curtains and blinds are secured and out of reach. When you make or purchase a dangly toy for your cat, be sure to supervise during play. Put the toy away if you will not be around to watch.

If you absolutely must bathe a cat, set everything up in advance. Set up two tubs large enough to dunk a cat. Fill them with comfortably warm water. Set your open bottle of cat shampoo, a heavy towel, and a secure pet carrier close by. Wear heavy rubber gloves. Grasp your cat by the scruff of the neck. Dunk, shampoo and scrub quickly in one tub. Dunk to rinse in the second tub. Wrap the cat securely in the towel and place in the carrier to dry.

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

Feed your cat a proper diet. Cats are carnivores and have specific dietary needs. Feed them quality cat food that has been approved by AAFCO or the Association of American Feed Control Officials. If you wish to make your cat’s food yourself, make sure you speak with a vet about necessary supplements or specific recipes that your cat needs to eat.

Keep the litter box clean. Cats are naturally very clean animals, and a dirty litter box will have your cat looking for alternative places to relieve himself. Cats also value their privacy, so try to locate the box in an area that does not get a lot of foot traffic.

Pet

You should worry if your cat is no longer using its litter box. Using the bathroom outside of the litter box is linked to a number of cat health issues. A potential bladder or kidney infection may be the reason for this. Contact your veterinarian if your pet abandons its litter box.

There are lots of cats out there that do not have homes. Consider adopting one from your local pet agency before heading to the pet store. They usually provide the cat with all of the necessary shots before you adopt them. The cats are also spayed or neutered to prevent pet overpopulation.

Do not give human medications to cats. If you cat suffers from health issues, ask your vet for his recommended treatment option. Pets that have taken human medications face serious injury or worse.

Pet Adoption

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

These cats are only a small part of the feline family and your options are nearly limitless. A budget and a location is all that is inhibiting you from bringing home the biggest and meanest tiger in the jungle. Animal adoption shelters are a great place to find these breeds and many more.…

General Articles

Read This Article To Find Great Dog Ownership Advice

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Humane Society

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

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

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Sneezing Cats – What Does This Mean?

Sneezing Cats – What Does This Mean?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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How To Take Care of a Kitten

How To Take Care of a Kitten

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Caring For Your Kittens

Caring For Your Kittens

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

Visit to the Vet

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

Creating a Place for the Kitten

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

Feeding Your Kitten

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

House Training Your Kitten

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

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