Posts Tagged ‘animal’

It can be said that a pet's health is directly related to the pet's weight. Every animal, from dogs, cats, rabbits or even your hamster should have their weight checked. Just like humans, when an animal is overweight, the chance of disease and illness striking is highly increased. Overweight pets are much more likely to contract diseases and illnesses and remain sick longer. They are more likely to have the symptoms of old age in their youth. Worst of all, they are much more likely to have a shorter life span. We don't want your pet to die when he could've served as your trusty companion years longer!

Step One:

One of the first things that you should do for your pet is to actually have them examined for their physical fitness. Now, I know this sounds pretty obvious, but when was the last time you actually did it...

Even if you know that your pet is overweight and needs to lose the weight, an exam should be one of the first things that you do for them. Meet with a veterinarian that you trust and know is committed to helping your pet. It may sound a little strange, but interview them! Get to know them so that you can trust them with your pet's care.

Although this is not a specific tool to help your pet to lose weight, it is a crucial first step. Most people do not realize that a just few pounds overweight can be detrimental to a pet's health. A doctor can help to point out specifically what needs to be done for your pet. Your doctor should also be able to monitor your pet's progression from their current level, to a healthier stage. They should be your ally in fighting your pet's overweight problem!

The good news is that pets are going to be healthy if you help them to be! It all comes down to you! A pet cannot feed himself while in captivity. While many pets do not need to have constant attention, they do need you to monitor their health and what they eat and how they exercise. Easy!

Want more tips on how to give your loved companion the gift of health, happiness and a long life? Check out My Pet Is Fat.com

Guinea pigs are intensely social creatures. In the wild they originally lived in groups called herds. If you are planning on getting a guinea pig, you must realize that, in addition to obtaining a new family member, you are also entering into a binding social commitment. As descendants of herd animals, guineas do not do very well in solitary situations. As such, you must be prepared to set aside significant time each and every day as a guinea pig owner to interact with your pet - an easy and enjoyable task for animal lovers. If you are more of a hands-off admirer of animals - or if your busy schedule prohibits rich daily interaction with your cavy, then it is highly recommended that you get a second or third pig to satisfy your pet's social needs.

As I wrote earlier, owning a cavy should be viewed as a commitment. Either you must commit to spending extensive time with your pet each day or you must commit to being a multiple pig owner. Anything less would be a disservice to the animal.

In addition, in order to maintain good health (like humans) cavies need regular daily exercise. Guinea pigs generally do not tend to use exercise wheels like hamsters or go for walks on a leash like dogs. Instead you must either provide a cage large enough for your pig(s) to run around in - or you must give them daily exercise time. They will need to run freely but supervised in a protected room or other large area. This is important not only for physical reasons, but also to maintain your little pet's mental health. Just as with children, exposing your cavy to different environments can provide them with much-needed mental stimulation.

If your little pig is sharing the house with a dog or cat, you must take special care to protect your cavy. Dogs and cats are instinctively both predators and may very well view your precious cavy as prey. You will need to insure that your guinea pig is adequately protected from these types of inherent predator animals as well as young children. Very small children, while not technically predators, can still cause great harm to your guinea pig simply by exercising their sense of curiosity and playfulness.

One of the greatest pleasures in life is the joy of pet ownership. Guinea pigs can provide, entertainment and companionship - as well as to help fulfill our inborn human need to nurture other beings. They can be very playful - especially in groups - racing around the cage, popcorning in the air like tiny Thomson's Gazelles or nudging one another with their snouts. They can bring a smile to your face as they stand up against the cage wall in the morning and call to you with their squeaky "weeking" noises as they beg for their breakfast. Best of all, they can bring a warm glow to your heart as they relax and purr softly in your lap as you scratch them gently behind their tiny little ears.

We here at Blue Stone Commerce are pet owners as well as pet cage sellers. In fact, our very first cages were designed and built strictly for our own personal use. It wasn't until we saw how much happier, more active and content our pigs became when we put them into their new spacious C&C cage; that we realized just how great an environment these cages could offer our pigs.

Please Visit Our Website at http://www.BlueStoneCages.com for lots more information, tips and entertaining tales of guinea pigs and guinea pig cages. You will also find links to all of our online Cage Stores and Guinea Pig Care guides. While there, be sure to Claim Your FREE BONUS GIFT available on the front page.

Follow Us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/guineapig9.

I was recently in a social setting where I was asked about my dog, Rocco. Rocco is my Rottweiler who has undergone extensive protection dog training. We were engrossed in a discussion about his training and capabilities when we were overheard by another person.

"Oh, you shouldn't train your dog to do that stuff. That makes them vicious," was her statement injected into our conversation. I was initially a bit taken-aback and annoyed; not only was her comment unsolicited but it was based on a lack of knowledge. As I thought about it more, however, I came to realize that this is a common style of thinking. There are many misconceptions about protection dogs and protection dog training. Let me dispel some of the myths of protection dogs and talk about protection dog training at its root to combat some of the more prevalent misinformation.

First, let me do a bit of defining. There are many terms thrown around that are often interchanged incorrectly.

Attack Dog- A poorly trained, typically anti-social, and fearful creature. Ineffective except for looking tough.

Guard Dog- A dog that is trained to guard an area. Guard dogs are often used on estates, warehouses, or open areas that need guarding. Guard dogs may or may not be good with people and may or may not have obedience training.

Police Patrol Dog- A dog that is trained to work chasing down criminals. They are trained to be used on the offensive.

Protection Dog- A dog that is trained to be used first and foremost as a defensive deterrent. A protection dog is trained to show aggression on command and turn off on command. A protection dog is trained to attack on command or if the aggressor is not deterred by the show of aggression. A protection dog has high levels of obedience training.

So now let me return to the original statement. Does training a protection dog make him vicious? I understand why many people would assume this. After all, you are training a dog to show aggression, bite a person, and do what is necessary to combat a human. Protection dog training does not, however, make a dog vicious.

There are several styles and methods for protection dog training. At its root, however, there are two instincts, or drives, that protection dog trainers harness time and time again to achieve results. Let's examine them.

Prey Drive

Prey drive is a drive that most dogs possess, not just protection dogs. A Labrador retriever chases a tennis ball because of prey drive. The local mongrel chases a car because of prey drive. Essentially, prey drive is a dog's desire to chase and capture a fast moving object. Nothing vicious about it. A good protection dog trainer will harness this drive to teach a puppy to chase a rag. As the puppy grows older he graduates from a rag to a tug. From a tug the trainer teaches the dog to bite a sleeve or a dog training bite suit. All the while the training is approached as a game. As a fun way to use energy and satisfy drive. Basically, the decoy, or guy wearing the bite suit or sleeve, is not viewed as a 'bad guy' but as a partner in a fun game. As training progresses, a good trainer will train the dog to discount the presence of equipment and view the person as the prey object. All of this training is done on command only. As training progresses the dog is taught to only respond when he hears the dog training command from his owner. This ensures for safety and control.

Defense Drive

All creatures have some sort of defense mechanism. Dogs have three ways of dealing with an aggressor: fight, flight, or avoidance. In protection dog training a good trainer will utilize a dog's defense drive to build on what he has learned with prey drive. The trainer will show the dog that in certain situations a person is a threat and can be dealt with using the skills taught in prey drive. In this way, prey drive and defense drive work together. In essence, a dog is taught that when given a command that the aggressor is a real threat and he should use his skills to fight the threat. As with prey drive these skills are taught only under command and with high levels of control and safety.

There are not many dogs capable of this level of training. A dog that can accomplish this is a strong and very confident dog. This level of confidence is what often makes protection dogs safe and good with people. They are so confident that they don't view people as threats unless told to under command by their owner. Protection dog training often bolsters this confidence as these dogs learn the power that they have and their innate abilities.

So are these dogs vicious? Absolutely not. Their natural drives have merely been harnessed to teach them new skills. I like to compare a well trained protection dog with a well trained soldier. Is a soldier more of a danger because of his training? Many would argue that he or she isn't. The advanced levels of training turn a soldier into a person who is extremely confident. A soldier is capable of being a loving and caring family member in one setting and tool of battle in another. Just because a soldier is capable of using weapons under one setting does not make that person 'vicious'.

Confidence is the opposite of fear. Fear is what causes many problems both in dog and human alike. When you combine the confidence and high levels of control in a well trained protection dog, I contend that you have a dog that is safe to be around and definitely not vicious.

Ty Brown is a leading dog training authority with numerous radio and television appearances to his credit. Visit www.dogbehavioronline.com to view free articles and for more puppy resources and check out his dog training business

Rabbits need to eat a varied diet to remain in good health. Feeding your pet rabbit pellets alone won't be enough to give him the levels of nutrition he needs. Supplement rabbit pellets with fresh hay, fruits, and vegetables to round out his diet and keep him and his coat healthy. Rabbits need to chew on things in order to keep their constantly-growing teeth worn down, so you should provide some sort of chew toy for the rabbit to chew on. Being highly social creatures, rabbits need interaction to remain happy.

If you don't have the time to play with your pet rabbit on a regular basis, you should at least consider buying more than one rabbit so that your pets can keep each other company. Spaying and neutering is an option for rabbits, and you will want to spay or neuter yours if you are getting both male and female rabbits, as they are famous for breeding quite quickly and soon you will be up to your ears in rabbits if they are allowed to reproduce.You should choose a cage that is spacious so that your pet rabbit doesn't feel cramped inside his cage. More importantly, you should choose a cage that is easy to clean.

Rabbit urine tends to smell quite strong, so you will want to clean frequently so that the odour doesn't build up in his cage, which will aggravate both you and the rabbit. You should rabbit-proof your house if you are planning to let your rabbit roam free in your home. They will instinctively chew on things they find, so you should make sure to keep electrical cords and telephone cords out of their reach so they don't electrocute themselves. You can also buy plastic casing for cords at the hardware store which will protect your electrical cords, but a determined rabbit can still get through these so check them every once in a while for bite marks.

Check for houseplants that are toxic to rabbits and remove any in your home that can harm your pet. You should make sure that there aren't any small hiding spots in your house where your rabbit can get into and get stuck. These Pets can get bored easily without toys and constant social interaction, and may begin to dig through the carpet, ruining it, or chew on household furniture. In order to prevent bad behaviour from your rabbit, it's best to give him some toys he can amuse himself with and play with the rabbit regularly.

You should also make sure your carpet is securely tacked down at wall edges and at doors, as little places where the carpet rises can entice rabbits to begin chewing and digging up your carpets.Contrary to popular belief, rabbits can be trained. It's possible to teach tricks to a rabbit and to litter train them. However, it requires more patience than training a dog or a cat. These pets do not respond well to punishment as a means of deterring behaviour ; they can't link together the punishment and the action that caused the punishment, so punishment can make a rabbit fearful of humans.

Find out more about the RSPCA - Animal Charity

The first snow fall is the sign that the fun winter activities of dog owner and pet is about to begin. The four legged friend will be comfortable in the near freezing temperature as it will be fully insulated by the thick fur. Winter recreational activities would be even more enjoyable if the pet is around. However, the pet's tendency to eat snow would worry dog owners. Owners of snow eating dogs would not be too concerned as this habit would not be disgusting like the dog habit of eating feces and rotting animals. People holding plastic cups of snow topped with bright colored syrup is a common sight.

For dessert, snow with fruit toppings is a winner. What do you know - dogs, like their human friends also love the refreshing coolness of snow. It would be understandable if the snow is topped with flavorings like the ones we humans love but dogs would eat plain snow with gusto. What is so special about snow that makes dogs love it? Is the dog thirsty because you always forget to fill its water bowl?

By eating snow, dogs in the wild have survived the winter months when the rivers and streams are frozen. Pet dogs are commonly pampered thus there is no need to eat snow as enough food and water are provided by the owners. Dogs though are very curious animals. Sunlight glistening on the snow crystals would entice an inquisitive dog to investigate. The freshness of the snow on the warm tongue as well as the crunching sound will motivate the dog to get another mouthful. The pet would find eating freshly fallen snow enjoyable and the doting owner would not have the heart to stop the pet more so because eating snow is not dangerous.

Excessive snow eating though can lower the body temperature as the stomach is filled with the cold stuff. The dog that has been eating snow excessively stands the risk of hypothermia. Eating snow is not entirely harmless as the dog can be eating snow laced with toxic substances. Instead of being topped with brightly colored and fruit flavored syrup like the snow people love to eat, the dog may be eating snow topped with anti freeze or other toxic substances. Snow eating for the dog can result to poisoning.

Excessive snow eating can be attributed to a medical concern. Kidney disease or thyroid diseases can be the reason for the dog fondness for eating snow. Dogs with diabetes and Cushing's disease will eat snow to satisfy the huge appetite that is a manifestation of the disease. To stop the dog's snow eating habit, these medical concern must be addressed.

At Sarah's Dogs you can learn more about why dogs eat snow as well as dog first aid and other common dog behaviors.

It's essential for each pet grooming skilled to be wearing the proper apparel. Not only does it show professionalism in the art of pet grooming, but additionally they're sensible uniforms with style and functionality. They ought to be snug and fashionable and have reinforcements the least bit the strain points for long life and durability.  The uniform should mirror the temperament of the pet groomer, and also should reflect what kind of pets he grooms.  The uniform should be simple to clean and they must be in a position to face up to the scratches from dogs and cats without tearing.  The uniform should be stain resistant and come out of the dryer wrinkle free. Every piece of the uniform ought to be fitted for the person meant to wear it.  The uniform should be loose fitting but tight enough therefore loose material can not hinder the pet grooming process.

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Why is pet grooming important? Whether or not you've got a cat of dog, pet grooming is a vital part of the hygiene and emotional well being of your animal. Doesn't feel sensible once you get your hair cut or nails done? Imagine not having the luxurious of choosing how and when you clean yourself. Your pets don't have that advantage. Certain they groom themselves with their tongue and paws, however without an opposing thumb they can not grab a scrub brush and wash their back or the ability to achieve exhausting to get at places. They need the care and love of their caregivers and pet grooming lets them apprehend that they're getting their needs met.

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If you have never owned a puppy before, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed with the sudden responsibility of caring for the wellbeing of your new pal. In this article you will learn about the basic health responsibilities you should attend to and how you can go about doing so.

Your puppy’s diet is first on our list. Puppies are on their mother’s milk until they are about six to eight weeks old. This weaning age is usually when breeders allow the puppies to be taken home by their new owner. Ask your breeder what the pup is currently eating and continue to feed him that. Usually they will be eating a soft canned food mixed with puppy milk replacer. Use less and less milk until your puppy is on pure canned food. You can do the same when switching to dry food by mixing in a little soft food and then cutting back a little each day until the puppy is on dry food only. Dry food is recommended as the best type of food for dogs as it has less fat content and keeps your dog’s teeth strong and free of plaque build up. This should happen gradually over the course of about 7 – 10 days. You should never feed your dog human food (i.e.: table scraps) at any time during his life. A dog’s diet requires a specific balance of certain nutrients and feeding your dog table scraps will upset this balance. Also remember to keep a water bowl filled for your pup at all times.

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Does Spot seem to be sporting quite a belly these days? As a dog owner, it can be very easy not to realize a decline in your pet’s health until the damage is already done. Obesity is a very becoming a very real concern for pets and it’s up to us pet owners to do something about it. This article is going to discuss a few tips for recognizing obesity in your dog and how you can help get him back into shape.

You must realize that all dogs require exercise. Whether you have a Pomeranian or a Great Dane, every breed and size of dog must maintain certain levels of activity on a daily basis. Think about your dog’s average day from beginning to finish. If you can’t bring it to mind, keep an eye on him for a few days and write down his usual activities. For my dog, I drew a time line of his average day. In my timeline I wrote down when he woke up, his meal times, his usual trips outside, nap times, etc. This really helps to put into perspective whether your dog is truly lacking exercise or if a change of diet is required.

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While the thought of becoming a dog owner is a very exciting notion, it is also one that requires commitment and responsibility. Choosing a dog is an important decision, and there are questions you should ask yourself before you commit to caring for a dog. Read on to learn a few tips that will help you choose the best dog to compliment your family, as well as ways you can help your furry addition make a smooth settlement in your home.

You must bear in mind that when you take in a dog, you are taking upon yourself the responsibility of caring for a real creature—one that thinks, feels, and loves. Make sure that you or other family members are willing to take the time to train your dog (if he isn’t already trained) and offer attention/companionship and discipline. If you’ve sorted out the particulars on that front, then the next question you should ask yourself is this: what traits do I want my dog to have? Dogs vary depending on the way they were raised and the quality of life they have had, but there are particular traits that show up in certain breeds of dog. Do you want an intelligent dog (i.e.: easy to train)? Do you want a dog that is good with children? Are you looking for a low-energy lap dog or a beefy high-energy dog that can keep up with your active lifestyle? These are all questions you should ask yourself to help you search for the best breed of dog.

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