Frustrated Over High Veterinarian Bills?

Over the past 30 years we have learned so much about taking good care of our pets, right? We feed them "premium" high dollar pets foods, give them tasty packaged treats, vaccinate them yearly, bathe them with expensive shampoos, give them heartworm preventative, use flea collars or flea and tick preventative, brush their teeth, and get yearly checkups with our vets.

Then why are our pets not healthier? Why, instead, are they getting more and more humanlike diseases such as allergies, diabetes, thyroid problems, cancer, and on and on? Why are their coats not so shiny anymore, and they seem to scratch and itch all the time? Why are they so lazy and sleep all the time? Why do they still smell bad, have waxy ears, and bad plaque on their teeth?

The biggest problem points to nutrition, or lack thereof. But I feed my pet a high premium pet food recommended by my vet you might say. Exactly ? that, however, is the problem. These so-called premium foods are full of "byproducts", corn meal, and many other things our pets were never designed to eat nor utilize in their bodies. The preservatives alone are not allowed in human products so how could our pets be expected to digest these toxins without repercussions to their health? The "byproducts" are things that should just be destroyed and not used for anything let alone pet food.

Another problem is exactly the thing you thought were protecting them: yearly vaccinations. This is a huge problem because the rabies vaccine is the one that is mandated by law and it the very worst one for your pets. These yearly vaccinations are not only not necessary but could be a major contributor to the diseases that are plaguing our pets. Vaccinosis is the result of all this over vaccinating and possibly even the culprit behind all the diagnosed diseases resulting in the decline of the health of pets.

Combine poor food, over vaccinating, with the toxins from flea collars, pet toothpaste, packaged treats, and preventative medicines and you''ve got unhealthy, immune suppressed pets that lack the energy to do much more than sleep.

Okay, so now what? Fortunately there are solutions and the best one to start with is food; preferably raw. If that doesn''t appeal to you there are other solutions and answers to help you help your pets on the road to wellness. There are now pet foods on the market that have human grade ingredients without all the toxic preservatives and byproducts. Here are a few to get you started:

http://www.canidae.com
http://www.pets4life.com/
http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/petfood.htm
http://www.holistichorse.com
http://www.herbsnbirds.com

There are solutions to protect your pet in lieu of vaccinations and still comply with the law. Holistic veterinarians have alternatives to help you in this area: http://www.altvetmed.com, http://ahvma.org

When a pet has a healthy immune system, they won''t smell bad, have waxy ears, and cruddy teeth. There are alternatives to using toxic flea collars and preventative medicines for your pet. Use the resources provided in this article and you will find the best solutions for you and your pets. You can lower your vet bills and your pets can live longer, healthier lives.

Kim Bloomer operates a home and internet business in wellness for both people and pets! She also publishes a pet wellness newsletter, Aspenbloom-WellPet. Go to http://KimBloomer.com for details on all her business ventures.', 196, 'Frustrated Over High Veterinarian Bills?, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Frustrated Over High Veterinarian Bills? plus articles and information on Pets

Identifying and Treating Health Problems in Your Dog

An essential to your dog''s health is his/her regular annual checkup with the vet. The vaccinations* which are given to your dog each year ensure your dog''s immunity to some common infectious diseases. And when the vet gives the vaccinations*, it''s also an excellent opportunity for a thorough physical examination to be carried out, and a time to discuss any minor problems or issues which you feel may be affecting your dog''s health or wellbeing. This is a time when your vet may pick up inherited diseases and the like (when your dog is young) so they can be treated early, or just kept an eye on. And as your dog gets older, the vet may find the early signs of more sinister illnesses.

I recently took my dogs for their annual checkup, and for the first time alarms were raised about matters of significant concern - it was thought that Kara might have early stages of lymphoma (cancer) - which, fortunately, tests then proved to be not the case. And Jet apparently has something akin to the early stages of cataracts in humans in her eyes, and according to the vet, Jet is likely to go progressively blind over the next several years. At least knowing this in advance gives me the opportunity to watch for any developing signs and, if and when necessary, adapt her outings and home environment to take into account any sight loss, and most importantly, it has made me realise that vitamin and mineral supplementation in dogs is actually a very wise idea.

Worming and "de-flea-ing" your dog are the commonest forms of health measures which you probably undertake yourself for your dog. Fleas infest almost every dog at some time. Sometimes a lot of the time. Dogs which socialise with other dogs outside the home tend to become infested the most often. Fleas can carry disease and parasites, including tapeworm.

But fleas are extremely irritating for your dog. They often cause intense itching, which in turn can cause your dog to damage his/her skin by vigorous scratching. Some dogs are allergic to flea bites. Even after the fleas have been doused with flea poison and killed, the cycle of itch, scratch, itch, scratch, can remain.

My Rottweiler has been terribly affected two or three times now by this self-perpetuating cycle caused by her allergy to flea bites. Most of the skin damage has been caused by Kara incessantly scratching and injuring herself.

A dog with an infestation of fleas is neither a healthy nor a happy dog. So at the first sign of a flea, it''s important to treat your dog for this very common problem. And those pesky fleas don''t always readily show themselves. So if your dog is scratching more than usual, the first thing to do is a thorough search through your dog''s coat. If you sight even one flea, treat your dog immediately. Some people treat routinely just because it''s flea season, and still others actually treat throughout the year. And of course, it goes without saying that if you have more than one animal, you must treat them all at the same time.

This way, you''ll ensure that your dog is as healthy and happy as can be!

* There are natural alternatives to vaccinations. For further information, subscribe to the Healthy Happy Dogs newsletter.

(c) 2004, Brigitte Smith, Healthy Happy Dogs

Brigitte Smith is a dog lover with a special interest in natural health for dogs. For your free special report, as well as weekly tips, information, strategies and resources for a healthier happier dog, go to http://www.HealthyHappyDogs.com and submit your name and email address. Take a look around the site - http://www.HealthyHappyDogs.com - while you''re there - you''ll find lots of useful information.', 196, 'Identifying and Treating Health Problems in Your Dog, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Identifying and Treating Health Problems in Your Dog plus articles and information on Pets

Improve Your Dogs Health With a Natural Diet

It goes without saying that your dog needs suitable nutrition to remain healthy. Vets and pet food manufacturers often have differing views on appropriate nutrition for your dog. Although commercial pet food manufacturers are motivated in large part by profits, commercially prepared foods are routinely recommended as part of an adequate, or good, diet for your dog. Sometimes your vet or dog breeder may approve of commercially prepared foods as your dog''s sole diet. Many experts, however, tend to prefer a largely natural diet which for dogs is invariably comprised of meat and bones. Raw is preferable to cooked, as some of the minerals are definitely lost in the cooking process.

The reason why the commercially prepared pet food is so often fed to our dogs, is because, apart from the convenience, it can (depending upon the quality) actually contain many of the nutrients which are essential to your dog''s wellbeing. The key word here is quality. There are in fact very, very few commercial manufacturers which produce nutrient-rich food. And they''re not the brands you find in your supermarket, or even in most pet stores or vetinarians.

Raw bones with a little dry food as well as occasional rice or pasta, and perhaps the odd quality food scrap from your table, will generally contain most of the nutrients which your dog needs.

All dogs must obtain reasonable nutrition from their food to maintain excellent health and performance. The main nutrients required by your dog are water, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. Vitamin or mineral deficiency in dogs fed a commercially manufactured diet today is not widely publicised. But then again, the slosh and dried formulae which are readily available from your vet or the local supermarket are not your dog''s natural diet. If your dog was left to fend for itself in the wild (assuming it could manage to adapt, that is), would choose raw meat. And one of the reasons why meat, and especially bones, are so good, is the chewing action and the teeth cleaning function which the bones perform. Of course, there are also commercially prepared substitutes which can also effectively clean your dog''s teeth and satisfy his/her need to chew.

A lesser known fact is that to feed your dog only meat (with no bones and no cereals or other carbohydrate source) can cause severe deficiencies: your dog is likely to become lethargic, sick, and even death has been known to occur from an all meat diet. But what about dogs in the wild, I hear you ask? Isn''t meat a dog''s natural diet? Isn''t that what you just said, Brigitte? Well, yes and no: in the wild dogs eat the whole of their prey, not simply muscle meat - they thus obtain vegetable matter from the digestive tract of their prey, and calcium from the bones. As well, wild dogs occasionally, but routinely, add to their diet with plants, fruit and berries.

Most dogs relish some raw fruit and vegetables in their diet, so long as that''s what they''re used to. A dog who has been fed commercially prepared dog food all of its life won''t be used to the taste of fresh food, so may well turn up his/her nose if you introduce such healthy food later in life. But persevere - try hand feeding pieces of carrot or apple to begin with. And if your dog is still very young, all the better. Start as you mean to go on and feed him/her some raw fruit and vegetables from time to time. Your dog''s health will benefit!

(c) 2004, Brigitte Smith, Healthy Happy Dogs

Brigitte Smith is a dog lover with a special interest in natural health for dogs. For your free special report, as well as weekly tips, information, strategies and resources for a healthier happier dog, go to http://www.HealthyHappyDogs.com and submit your name and email address. Take a look around the site - http://www.HealthyHappyDogs.com - while you''re there - you''ll find lots of useful information.', 196, 'Improve Your Dogs Health With a Natural Diet, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Improve Your Dogs Health With a Natural Diet plus articles and information on Pets

Brushing Up On Dog Grooming

Is your dog due for a makeover? Has she been enjoying the great outdoors a little too much? Here are some simple tips for helping your dog put her best paw forward.

It all begins with the brushing:

- Brush your dog regularly. Daily is best. Be sure to also

brush against hair growth direction to check for fleas and

ticks.

- The right tools. For short-haired dogs, most groomers

recommend stainless-steel combs because they slide through

coats very easily.

For medium to long haired dogs start with a slicker brush and

then follow with a stainless steel comb.

In hot months consider investing in a flea comb to make sure

your dog has not become a flea hotel.

To make your dog''s coat really shine, finish with a soft

bristle brush.

- If your dog hates being brushed it sometimes helps to brush

after play time. Start by brushing in the hair growth

direction. When you are finished, reward your dog with a

treat. Each day brush your dog a little longer. And if you

are lucky, your dog may even begin to like being brushed.

Now for the bath:

- Brush your dog from head to toe making sure all mats are gone.

For small dogs a sink works great. For medium to large dogs,

a tub or shower works best. Use only warm water and a good

shampoo made for dogs. People shampoo is too harsh and can

irritate your dog''s skin. Most groomers recommend working

from the back end forward, lathering the head last.

- Rinse, rinse, and rinse again to make sure you have removed

all shampoo.

- Short-haired dogs dry quickly and only need to be dried off

with a towel. If your dog has long hair, you may need to

brush him while he''s drying to avoid tangles.

The Grand Finale:

- Finish by giving your dog a treat.

- Then celebrate! You and your dog survived the bath, and you

have a clean dog.

Margaret Svete, best-selling author, television and radio personality, and dog rescuer helps dog owners discover easy dog care tips. Subscribe to the premiere dog care ezine, The Dog Enquirer, at http://www.allaboutdogcare.com ', 196, 'Brushing Up On Dog Grooming, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Brushing Up On Dog Grooming plus articles and information on Pets

Tips For Toys

Toys are fun both for our dogs and us. Lucky for us there are endless choices.

But did you know how important toys are for your dogs - puppies especially.

Toys play a great role in the emotional and mental development of puppies. They also act as solutions for inappropriate chewing, boredom, and separation anxiety. In fact most dog trainers recommend that new puppy owners buy lots of toys for the newest member of the family.

Variety is the spice of life. Most experts recommend buying different kinds of toys for your dog so that you can discover which ones he really likes.

You might be surprised with the answers. Berry, my 95 pound German Shepherd just loves cuddling up his stuffed animals. Who would have thought!

Trainers and behaviorists recommend that their clients have three sets of toys.

Primary toys are your dog''s favorite. Leave these out for your dog when your not around. This helps reduce separation anxiety because your dog associates you leaving with his getting his favorite toy.

Secondary toys are the toys to have out when you are home. Be sure to pick up the primary toys.

And finally the third set of toys is used to rotate with the the first set. Trainers recommend swapping toys every 3 days or so. This helps keep your dog interested in all his toys.

And always choose toys wisely. Try to buy toys that match your dog''s size. And always make sure there are no dangerous small pieces that your dog can chew loose and swallow or worse yet - choke on.

Margaret Svete, best-selling author, television and radio personality, and dog rescuer helps dog owners discover easy dog care tips. Subscribe to the premiere dog care ezine, The Dog Enquirer, at http://www.allaboutdogcare.com ', 196, 'Tips For Toys, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Tips For Toys plus articles and information on Pets

What Your Cat Wants You To Know

If your feline friend could speak your language, here a few things she would probably like you to know.

1) I am the boss of you. Get used to it. I decide when I want your company. I am not a dog who relies on you to make these choices in our relationship.

2) I am fenicky. I like the food I like and I will not eat the cheap stuff. I prefer to have the nasty, overnight water left in my dish dumped first thing in the morning. If you cannot accommodate this need, Do Not Yell At Me when you see me desperately dipping my head into the toilet for some fresh water. Believe me, it''s not something I Want To Be Doing - But If You Don''t Take Care Of Me Properly - I simply have no choice.

3) I like my space. I choose my space. I pick special places through out Our House to lay in the sun, take my afternoon nap, relax after dinner etc... Deal with it. Do not expect me to clean up my own hair. I cannot help it if I shed on your precious sofa, and I personally don''t really care if I leave a little bit of me behind on my Favorite places.

4) I do not want to have a new "sister" or "brother" ie: feline relative. If they came to live with you when I did that''s fine. If you''re trying to improve the quality of my life by giving me a new friend, Forget About It... I don''t want one. I like being the Queen/King of Our Domain. I do not want to share my palace with anyone.

5) I like you and I like your children (or most of them). But I chose when I want to be bothered with the youngsters. Please do not push them on me when I''m clearly not in the mood to play, which consequently results in me being forced to let them know I do not want interact with them in the only way I know how - by hissing, scratching, or trying to run away. My actions inevitably lead to you yelling at me for showing my feelings. So we could make life much simpler, if You prevented this whole scenario from the start.

6) I have certain innate needs - like the need for something to scratch - Please make both of our lives easier by getting me something just for this purpose... So I do not have to resort to using the back of the chair, the carpet, the comforter or the front porch screen (which will definitely result in you having to Yell at me yet once more for something that I have a natural desire to do...)

7) Remember You picked me. You decided to bring me into your home. I did not pick you. I had no choice. Yet I treat you with respect and love, thus you should treat me equally as well...

Resource Box - © Danielle Hollister (2004) is the Publisher of BellaOnline Quotations Zine - A free newsletter for quote lovers featuring more than 10,000 quotations in dozens of categories like - love, friendship, children, inspiration, success, wisdom, family, life, and many more. Read it online at - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art8364.asp', 196, 'What Your Cat Wants You To Know, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'What Your Cat Wants You To Know plus articles and information on Pets

The Positve Benefits of Dog Day Care

Dog day care programs benefit the dogs of owner''s who have busy lives and are not able to socialize and exercise their dogs. Owners benefit from a guilt free day of work or play and can come home to a calm, relaxed pet. Dog day care provides the best of both worlds for dogs and owners alike.

Getting its start in California in 1987, dog day care has exploded to virtually every small town in America. Started by dog enthusiasts, owners apply the same principles of running any business combined with their love of dogs to the create the ultimate day care business.

An article in the online magazine VetCentric.com described the benefits of dog day care this way:

"The guiding principle behind dog day care is simple ? provide a safe and healthy atmosphere with lots of interaction, both with other dogs and with people. Dogs can participate in group play, gnaw on a favorite toy, hang out with humans in the office, or just lounge on a couch and watch television. The point is that they''re not at home by themselves."

Other benefits of dog day care include a social environment where dogs can play together, loads of activity, an excellent release for high energy dogs, year round daycare operation (except for major holidays), attention by trained staff members, and piece of mind for the working owner.

Dog day care centers are mostly held in large, open spaces that have some separation system for both size and temperament. Most dog day care centers have an outdoor exercise area as well. Some day cares provide furniture for dogs to climb on, agility equipment, and lots of toys.

Some things to consider when looking for a dog day care are the professionalism of the staff. Make sure they love dogs, know a lot about dogs behaviors, and interact with those in dog day care each day. Also, note the availability of space and "time-out" areas for dogs who do not get along. Make sure your dog will be comfortable with air condition, heat, and bedding. Also, check affordability and general dog day care policies.

Kelley Blackston

P.S. You may use this article in your publication, but the content and signature file must remain intact. Thank you.

"Thousands Have Discovered This Little Known Secret To Making Money With A Dog Day Care -- Now It''s Your Turn..."

http://www.startadogdaycare.com', 196, 'The Positve Benefits of Dog Day Care, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'The Positve Benefits of Dog Day Care plus articles and information on Pets

Do You Know About Boxer Dogs?

Boxer Dogs Information - What Are Boxer Dogs?

Boxer dogs are great all around dog breeds, distinguished
canine and the coolest, most lovable dog out there!
Boxer Dogs are medium-built and strong breed that are
so named because of its habit of standing on the hind legs
to begin a fight and boxing with the front paws.

By nature, Boxer dogs are working dogs. Throughout
history it has been trained as:

- hunting dog
- police dog
- seeing-eye dog for the blind
- guard dog
- circus dog
- courier dog on the battlefields during World War
I and World War II
- fighting dog in the once popular sport of dog fighting.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) categorizes dogs into
7 groups of herding, hound, non-sporting, sporting,
terrier, toy and working. And the largest breed registered
in the working dog category is the Boxer.

No doubt the Boxer Dogs make for great utility dog but
the greatest advantage to owning one is that Boxer Dogs
can be your most outstanding companion on four legs
and great source of personal fulfillment.

By the way, the AKC registered over 150 different breeds
totaling nearly one million dogs in 2003. To put that in
perspective, the animal shelters in America rescue up to
12 million homeless dogs and cats every year and 25%
of these are purebreds.

Devoted and glad owners of Boxer Dogs have come up
with a long list of attributes and traits of their favorite
pet that include:

Alert
Boisterous
Boundless energy
Brave
Canine clown
Courageous
Devil dog
Devoted
Dignified
Exuberance
Family dog
Fearless
Friendly
Hearing dog
Highly trainable
Intelligent
Intuitive
Keen judge of character
Loving
Loyal
Patient with children
People dog
Poor swimmer
Playful
Quick learner
Self-assured
Smart
Soulful
Spirited
Stoical
Vigilant
Working dog
Wonderful pet

And you can add to the list?

The Boxer Dog''s history could be traced back to
feudal Germany, where it was a small hunting dog that
could tenaciously hold onto a bull, boar, or bear till
the master arrived. It was also a utility dog for peasants
and shop owners, and even a performing dog in circus.

The Boxer Dogs as we know it today is a bigger breed ?
a mixture of the German Boxer with a taller, more
elegant English import. The era of this modern Boxer
began in the 1880s and became really popular in the
United States in the late 1930s-1940s.

Handsome dog: Within the canine world, Boxer Dogs
are medium-sized dog standing at 21 to 25 inches at
the shoulder for a full-grown female, and weighs some
50 to 65 pounds. The male can be taller and 15 pounds
heavier.

It has a striking good look with chiseled head, square
jaw and muscled body that make for a very handsome
silhouette.

The ears are cropped and erect that enhance its hearing ?
the Boxer most developed sense. It is always alert and
vigilant, an instinctive guard dog.

The shortened muzzle makes hot and humid weather
uncomfortable for the Boxer Dogs.

The coat is short, hard and smooth, and possesses
a natural sheen that can be enhanced with rubdowns
with a chamois cloth (especially after a bath).

The short coat cannot protect him well from extreme
elements of the weather and thus Boxer Dogs should
definitely not be kept outdoors. It is a housedog,
sensitive to temperature extremes, does not enjoy
the draft, summer heat or cold.

Boxer Dogs come in attractive basic colors of fawn
and brindle. The fawn varies from a tawny tan to
an especially beautiful stag red. The brindle (clearly
defined black stripes on a fawn background) can be
sparse, in between or dense.

A beauty standard for Boxer Dogs is that their white
markings or "flash" should add to their look and may
not cover more than one-third of the entire body. Some
predominantly or all-white puppies (known as "check")
may be born in a litter.

In the US, however, the American Boxer Club members
are pledged not to register, sell or use these "whites"
for breeding so as to retain the beauty of the true fawn
and brindle colors in the breed.

Personality-wise, Boxer is a cool dog that will not bark
without cause. Its expressive face ? the furrowed
forehead and dark, soulful eyes - is a charming quality
that sets the Boxer apart from other breeds.

It can mimic the moods of its master and adopting one
could bring you 9 to 11 years of joyful companionship.
In exceptional cases the Boxer can live up to 15 years.

Boxer Dogs As Pet

Pet Boxer Dogs, although low-maintenance, require
your consistent attention, exercise, human interaction,
consistent obedience training and lots of love. You
cannot leave them to their own design for too long or
they get lonely, bored and into trouble.

Being a big and strong dog as well as a highly
intelligent one, Boxer Dogs need both physical and
mental stimulations to keep them even-tempered and
dignified while still keeping their impish spirit and
fearless courage in tact.


All the best!!!

Warm regards,

Bryan Kinnear
A Boxer Dog Lover.

Discover How You Can Make Your Boxer Dog The Happiest,
Loving Dog Alive, Running Healthily With You...
http://www.boxerdogtips.com

Get free information all about Boxer Dogs at:
http://www.boxerdogs.boxerdogtips.com
', 196, 'Do You Know About Boxer Dogs?, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Do You Know About Boxer Dogs? plus articles and information on Pets

Ten Important Things Your Dog Wants You To Know

If your dog could talk, these are some of most important things she would like to tell you...

1 - My life will probably only last 7 to 14 years. It will hurt me more than you know if I have to be away from you for longer than a day or two.

2 - If you have patience with me and give me time to learn what you would like from me, I can promise you, you will never be disappointed.

3 - Trust me with your life and have faith in our future together. If I don''t feel that you honestly believe in me, I will suffer great emotional stress. My sense of self-worth is totally dependent upon your confidence in me.

4 - Don''t stay mad at me for long or confine me to a cage to punish me. You have your friends, your job, and your recreation. I HAVE ONLY YOU!

5 - Talk to me about anything you want as frequently as possible. Even if I can''t comprehend your precise words, I can understand the meaning of what you''re telling me by the tone of your voice.

6 - Remember no matter how you treat me, I will NEVER forget it.

7 - When you consider raising your hand to hit me, remember I have teeth that could break the bones in your hand, but I choose not to bite you.

8 - Before you scream at me for failing to respond to your commands as I usually do, take time to think about what might be wrong with me that would cause me to treat you differently. Maybe I haven''t been eating right or drinking enough water. Or maybe my age is catching up with me and I just can''t do what I used to do.

9 - Take good care of me when I get old. Someday you will be as old as me and you will see how it feels.

10 - Be there for me through good times and bad. Never say you can''t handle taking me to the vets for stitches or surgery. Nothing could make me feel worse. Everything in my life is easier for me to deal with when I have you standing by my side. Remember my love for you is unconditional and it will last for your entire life.

Resource Box - © Danielle Hollister (2004) Danielle Hollister is the Quotations Editor at BellaOnline and Publisher of BellaOnline Quotations Zine http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art8364.asp', 196, 'Ten Important Things Your Dog Wants You To Know, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Ten Important Things Your Dog Wants You To Know plus articles and information on Pets

Why Does My Pet Eat Grass?

Are you concerned when your dog or cat eats grass, then throws up afterwards? You''ll probably feel relieved to know that pets eat grass because their bodies need it.

Dogs and cats have been eating grass for a long time. In fact, grass is so popular among dogs that one species, dog grass, is named after them. Dog grass is also known as couch grass and quackweed, and it grows in all but the southern-most states.

You can think of grass as an herbal medicine. It acts as an internal cleanser, expelling excess mucus, bile, and other impurities. It also cleanses the bowels and expels worms. Cereal grasses contain enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Grass also contains chlorophyll, which was used for relieving pain, treating infections, ulcers, skin diseases, and anemia prior to the use of antibiotics.

Some pet owners grow grass specifically to give to their pets to prevent or treat diarrhea, anemia, cataracts, fleas, tumors excessive shedding, and other pet health problems. Pets that are fed grass on a regular basis are less likely to crave outdoor grass. So, if you don''t feel comfortable with your pet eating the grass in your lawn, you may want to grow your own grass for them to eat.

Try growing rye or barley sprouts. These sprouts are preferred over wheat grass because some animals are sensitive to wheat.

Follow these instructions to grow rye or barley grass. Soak one cup organically grown grain in one quart water for 8 to 10 hours. Then drain the container and leave it on its side in a warm place, away from direct sunlight. A tiny white rootlet will sprout from each grain within 24 to 48 hours. Caution: If you don''t see these rootlets, your grain isn''t viable and should be thrown away.

Next, spread the sprouting grain on one inch of moist potting soil or top soil in a plastic garden tray. For drainage create a one inch channel around the soil.

For two days, cover the tray. Then uncover it, and water thoroughly. Place the tray in direct sunlight or under grow lights. Keep the soil moist by watering when needed.

When the grass is 6-8" tall, cut it with scissors or a sharp knife. Place grasses in a ziploc bag, along with a damp paper towel. Be sure to expel air from the bag before sealing. Then store the grass in the refrigerator.

When feeding the grass to your pet, cut or mince it into tiny pieces, or place a small amount in a blender or food processor with other foods. To be sure your cat or dog will accept the grass, begin feeding just a fraction of a teaspoon. Increase the amount gradually to approximately one tablespoon per 50 lbs. of body weight.

Once your pet is given the amount of grass his body needs, you probably won''t be seeing him eating the grass in your lawn. And you can feel relieved knowing that you''re feeding him something that he craves and that his body needs.

Deena Caruso, author, teacher, & distributor of natural pet products Helps pet owners create healthy, happy pets. To receive FREE "Pet Pointers" Newsletter, go to: http://www.healthyfoodforpets.com

deecaruso@cox.net Ph: 760/758-7963, 877/877-0665', 196, 'Why Does My Pet Eat Grass?, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Why Does My Pet Eat Grass? plus articles and information on Pets

Tired of Vet Bills?

Do you make a lot of trips to the vet''s office? Do you spend your hard-earned money on vet bills because your dog suffers from chronic ailments? Give your dog or cat the nutrition he needs, and chances are you can spend your money on other things rather than giving it to your veterinarian.

Nutritional deficiencies are often the cause of chronic ailments in pets. Most holistic vets believe that improving a pet''s diet will boost health and vitality and often restore chronically ill dogs to health.

Pets need to eat a variety of fresh, whole foods. A balanced, raw, home-made diet provides the nutrients pets need to heal from the inside out.

If you don''t have time to feed a home-made diet, buy the best commercial pet food you can find, one made with human-grade ingredients and without chemical preservatives, byproducts, and fillers. (These foods may be difficult to find in grocery stores and pet stores, but are easy to find and purchase on web sites.) Then improve on it. Fresh juice and raw liver are two of the healthiest foods you can add to your pet''s diet:

**Fresh Juice (for dogs only):

Use a juicer if you have one. Most dogs love carrot juice, and it contains zinc, vitamin E, beta carotene, copper, and other ingredients that strengthen the immune system. It''s best to use organic carrots, and you can add celery, parsley, or apple. Feed directly or mix with your dog''s food. Try to feed 1/2 cup juice per 25-30 pounds of weight each day.

**Raw Liver (for both dogs and cats):

Some vets consider liver a miracle food because of its ability to save lives and improve health. Raw beef and chicken liver are rich in amino acids, protein, phosphorous, potassium, copper, and Vitamin A & B-complex.

Feed liver only from organically raised cattle and poultry because the liver stores toxins. You can add raw liver to the fresh juice you make or add it to your dog''s food. To help sick pets, feed small amounts of organic calf or chicken liver once or twice per day (one teaspoon per 10 to 20 pounds of body weight).

If your dog has multiple health problems, supplements can also help:

**Digestive Enzymes such as pancreatin and bromelain help to replace enzymes destroyed by heat. Give enzyme supplements between meals.

**Probiotics and Prebiotics contain bacteria that help with digestion and fight infection. They replace bacteria destroyed by an inadequate diet or antibiotics.

**Colostrum and Lactoferrin enhance immune function.

**Vitamins and Minerals are especially helpful when pets have multiple infections. Choose a vitamin/mineral supplement made from whole-food sources. Pets can easily assimilate these.

**Amino Acids are the building blocks of proteins, and proteins are needed to construct every cell in the body.

**Garlic fights infection, helps prevent cancer, expels tapeworms, prevents blood clotting, and makes pets less attractive to parasites such as fleas.

If you provide your pet with the nutrients he needs, you should see a much healthier and happier pet. And maybe that money that used to be spent on vet bills can now go towards a new car, home improvements, a vacation, or even a savings account!

Deena Caruso, author, teacher, & distributor of natural pet products Helps pet owners create healthy, happy pets. To receive FREE "Pet Pointers" Newsletter, go to: http://www.healthyfoodforpets.com deecaruso@cox.net Ph: 760/758-7963, 877/877-0665', 196, 'Tired of Vet Bills?, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Tired of Vet Bills? plus articles and information on Pets

Seizures in Pets

Witnessing your precious dog or cat having a seizure can be a most frightening experience. During seizures pets often lose control, fall over, chomp their teeth, salivate or drool, whine, paddle with their feet, and begin to urinate or deficate on themselves. Their eyes become large (dilated) and unresponsive. A pet caregiver feels panicked and helpless while watching it all happen.

Hopefully, you and your pet have never, and will never, have to experience this shocking event. But, if you have, or if you experience it in the future, this article will help you to understand what causes seizures, what you can do while your pet is having a seizure, and the various treatment options available.

What causes seizures? Epilepsy is one cause. Certain dog breeds are more susceptible to epilepsy. These include: cocker spaniels; poodles; collies; german shepherds; irish setters; golden retrievers; dachshunds, labrador retrievers, saint bernards, miniature schnauzers, siberian huskies, and wire-haired terriers. Veterinarians are not sure what causes this "hereditary" epilepsy.

In cats hereditary epilepsy is unusual. Vets can normally find the cause of seizures. These include chemical toxins (which includes chemical preservatives used in many pet foods), brain tumors, feline leukemia, feline infections, peritonitis, feline AIDS, head trauma, and problems with the liver and kidneys.

In dogs there are many causes of seizures besides hereditary epilepsy. Allergies to food and the chemicals, preservatives, and artificial flavors put into the foods can cause seizures. Other causes include liver and kidney disease, tumors, poisonings, and low blood sugars.

What can you do while your pet is having a seizure? Try to stay calm. This is hard to do, but using a calm, reassuring quiet voice will comfort your dog or cat. Move any furniture or other objects on which your pet could hurt itself. If you''re unable to move the object, place pillows or wrap blankets between the pet and the object. Slide something soft under your pet''s head, but be sure to keep your hands and face away from his head so that you don''t risk a possible bite. You can gently stroke his hip or side, but position yourself opposite the side of the feet and toenails as the muscle spasms make the feet curl into claws that can gouge or rake your skin. Dim the lights, and keep the environment as quiet as possible by turning off the TV and loud music.

If possible take notes about the seizure so that you can give details to your vet. Jot down the time of day it occurred, the length of each seizure, and the time in between each seizure if they are recurrent. Your vet will also want to know whether your pet urinated or deficated, if the seizure hit suddenly or progressed from mere body twitching, whether your pet regained consciousness, and how long it took before your pet appeared normal again. In addition, you''ll need to figure out whether there were any possible triggering events. These include loud noises such as fireworks, unusual items that were eaten, and excessive playing or exercise.

After the seizure, pets usually appear lost or drugged. This drugged state can last a few minutes to several hours depending on the severity of the seizure. Your pet may respond to you, but do so in a very slow manner. Since seizures are exhausting for your pet, he will probably want to sleep afterwards. It is best to allow him to sleep, but check in on him occasionally without disturbing his rest.

If this is your pet''s first seizure, call your vet as soon as possible. Some vets will want to see if another seizure occurs, while others will perform a variet of blood tests to check for anemia, liver & heart functions, calcium, glucose, & electrolyte levels. Your vet may even run a screen for possible toxins, take x-rays, or perform an electroencephalogram.

The test results may not indicate the specific reason for the seizure. In this case, your vet may wait to see if another seizure occurs or he/she may suggest medications. If the diagnosis is epilepsy, pets have an excellent chance to live a normal life as long as proper medical care and follow-up are provided.

If you discover the cause of the seizure, you may be able to eliminate future seizures by eliminating the seizure''s source. For instance, if the seizure is due to chemcial toxins, make sure your pet remains as free of toxins as possible. Provide human grade food and treats that do not contain chemical preservatives, fillers, or byproducts. Clean your house with chemical-free products. Also, use more natural flea, tick, & heartworm prevention products as some of these products may lower your pet''s seizure threshold and make seizures more difficult to control. Avoid products containing organophosphate insecticides. For safer heartworm prevention, use products containing interceptor and filaribits.

What can you do if your pet''s seizure condition cannot be cured and you realize you and your pet may have to live with the seizures? In the past, the only treatment options available were strong anticonvulsants that could have serious side effects. These still may be your only option. But, more natural approaches have been found to help some pets, either prior to stronger medications or in addition to them so that you may be able to lower the dose. There are a variety of treatment options that include a natural diet, acupuncture, nutritional supplements, homeopathy, herbs, and conventional medications.

As mentioned above, give your pet a human grade diet, free of chemicals and additives. Also, remove other toxins from your pet''s environment. Clean with natural products and use more natural flea, tick, and heartworm prevention measures.

Minimize stress in your pet''s life. Try to avoid sudden changes in his environment, loud noises, and other stressful situations.

You can also try herbs that act as sedatives. These include valerian root, kava, skullcap and oatstraw. Note that when using herbs and supplements, you may need to lower the dosage of other anticonvulsants.

Several supplements appear to help in preventing seizures. Try an antioxidant combination of Vitamin C, E, B-6, and selenium. Your vet can recommend the dosage for your pet. Magnesium and DMG (dimethyl glycine) are other helpful supplements.

Acupuncture is another helpful option which has helped to control seizures in many pets. Sometimes just placing an ear acupuncture tack in a dog''s ear will stop seizures, and this only requires one acupuncture visit.

If the ear tack doesn''t work, gold implants can be placed in different locations under a pet''s head. Or your pet can be treated with traditional chinese acupuncture.

As you can see, there are many natural approaches to treating seizures in pets. These should help your beloved pet to live a normal and comfortable life.

Deena Caruso, author, teacher, & distributor of natural pet products Helps pet owners create healthy, happy pets. To receive FREE "Pet Pointers" Newsletter, go to: http://www.healthyfoodforpets.com deecaruso@cox.net Ph: 760/758-7963, 877/877-0665', 196, 'Seizures in Pets, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Seizures in Pets plus articles and information on Pets

Pilling a Cat

Pilling a cat can be a "nightmarish" experience. Cats don''t want something pushed down their throats, and they''ll fight with all their might to prevent it. In fact, it''s amazing how powerful their small bodies can be. Here are some ways to make the pilling process easier and less stressful ? for both you and your cat.

The easiest way of pilling a cat is to crush the pill into a powder by using mortor & pestle or by putting the pill between two spoons. Then mix the powder with a small amount of wet food (preferably a preservative free, healthy wet food). If your cat usually eats dry food, she will probably view the wet food as a treat and eat it up.

If the medication is a capsule, just pull the capsule apart, sprinkle the contents on the wet food, & mix, & serve.

If your cat won''t eat the wet food that contains the pill or if she is too ill to eat, you can get a "pill gun", also called a "pet piller", from your veterinarian. This is a plastic rod with little rubber cups on the end that hold the pill until a plunger is pressed. It''s best to get a long gun with a soft tip.

Your vet can show you how to use the pill gun, but here are some basic instructions. Getting your cat''s mouth open is going to be the most difficult part. First, be sure the pill is in a handy place. You can put your cat on a bookshelf with her bottom in a corner or you can put her on your lap firmly braced. Have your cat facing to the right if you''re right handed, & vice versa. With your left hand, grip your cat at the cheekbones, putting your palm at the top of her head. Keeping your finger off the trigger, with your right hand, insert the pill gun until the pill is positioned over the tongue & open throat. Then pull the trigger & withdraw the gun quickly. Be sure to give your cat a treat directly after giving the pill.

If you don''t feel comfortable using a pill gun, you can try giving the pill by hand. Extend your cat''s head backwards just far enough so that her nose is pointing towards the ceiling. At this point, most cats will slightly open their mouths. With the little finger or ring finger of the hand holding the pill, open the bottom jaw a little more. You may need to hold her top jaw with your other hand while doing this. Aim straight and lightly throw the pill or drop it so that it hits beyond the hump in her tongue. (Be sure to drop or lightly throw the pill rather than shoving it down so that your cat is not as likely to gag and so that you lessen your chance of getting bitten.) Most cats will then instinctively swallow the pill.

In case none of these "pilling" strategies work, as a last resort try to find a compounding pharmacy, and have them make flavored liquid or gel out of the medication.

Deena Caruso, author, teacher, & distributor of natural pet products Helps pet owners create healthy, happy pets. To receive FREE "Pet Pointers" Newsletter, go to: http://www.healthyfoodforpets.com deecaruso@cox.net Ph: 760/758-7963, 877/877-0665', 196, 'Pilling a Cat, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Pilling a Cat plus articles and information on Pets

Pet Ear Infections

Is your dog or cat tormented by ear infections? Do you spend time and money at the veterinarian''s office trying to bring relief to your beloved pet, only to find that another infection appears over time? If so, you may want to try some more natural approaches to preventing and treating your pet''s ear infections.

Dogs and cats have an incredible sense of hearing. To protect their hearing and prevent damage to the ear drum, their ear canals are L-shaped. The problem with this design is that it allows the ears to trap parasites, moisture, debris, and earwax, and any of these can lead to ear infections. Up to 80 percent of ear problems in dogs are linked to allergies, and earmites are often the cause of infection in cats.

The traditional treatment for ear infections is to give antibiotics, antifungal medications or other drugs. The problem with this approach is that drugs upset the normal chemistry inside the ear and can possibly turn a simple infection into a long-term problem. It makes more sense to deal with underlying allergies and strengthen the immune system so that it is able to fight bacteria and other germs BEFORE they cause infection. Also, there are many natural treatments for cleaning the ears and stopping infections without using drugs.

These are the Signs of an Ear Infection:

*Pet shakes head or holds it to one side.

*Pet scratches or rubs ears, or rubs head against furniture or carpet.

*There is a yellow, brown or black discharge in one or both ears.

*Ears smell bad or are tender or red.

The Solutions

*Clean the ears with vinegar - If your pet''s ears are filled with brownish-pink wax, there is a good chance that allergies have caused a yeast infection. To clear up yeast infections, clean the ears thoroughly. Veterinarians often recommend using white vinegar, also called acetic acid, because it removes dirt and debris and helps restore a healthy chemical balance in the ears.

Diluted vinegar works well. When using vinegar, pour a small amount into the ear canal, massage the area, then gently wipe the inside of the ear with a cotton ball. Do this once a day until the ear is better.

*Stop infections with pau d''arco - The herb pau d''arco, which comes from the inner bark of a South American tree, is a natural antibiotic that quickly kills fungi and bacteria. At the first sign of infection, mix equal parts pau d''arco tincture and mineral oil and put several drops in your pet''s ears. Give the drops two or three times a day for several days.

*Reduce inflammation with vitamin C - The adrenal glands produce a natural steroid that can help reduce inflammation when ears get infected. Giving pets vitamin C can help the adrenal glands work more efficiently. Pets weighing under 15 pounds can take between 100 and 250 milligrams of vitamin C a day. Cats and dogs 15 to 50 pounds can take 250 to 500 milligrams a day, and larger dogs can take 500 milligrams two or three times a day. Vitamin C can cause diarrhea, so you may have to cut back the dose until you find an amount that your pet will tolerate.

*Eliminate toxins with a healthy, all natural diet - Giving your pet a healthy, homemade diet or high quality commercial food that doesn''t contain corn, additives or preservatives can greatly reduce the amount of wax that the ears produce, while also helping to boost the immune system.

*Air out the ears - Increasing air circulation inside the ears can control the growth of bacteria, yeast and fungi. Trim or pluck hair inside the ears periodically to allow more air to get inside.

*Strengthen the digestive tract - Supplements such as bromelain and quercetin (with bromelain) can help prevent an allergic response in the gastrointestinal tract, making food allergies less of a problem.

*Stop ear mites with oil - When an infection is caused by ear mites, putting a few drops of almond oil or olive oil in each ear will smother the mites and may allow the infection to heal. You usually need to continue the oil treatments for three to four weeks, putting three to seven drops of oil into the ear canals each day. To help the treatment work more efficiently, clean wax and other debris from the ears before using oil.

*Try an over-the-counter remedy - One of the best ways to stop ear mites is with over-the-counter products containing pyrethrins. Made from chrysanthemums, pyrethrins are natural insecticides that are very safe to use. Just follow the instructions on the label.

When to Call the Vet

Ear infections can look and smell awful, but they usually affect only the outer part of the ear and aren''t too serious. If you''re unable to get to the source of the problem (especially if your pet is still scratching a lot), you will want to see your veterinarian to find out what is causing the problem. Vigorous scratching can break blood vessels in the earflap, causing the entire ear to swell like a balloon. This condition is called hematoma and must be drained by a veterinarian to prevent permanent damage.

Other symptoms to watch out for include head tilting, clumsiness, walking in circles or drooping eyes. These are signs of an inner-ear infection, and must be treated by a vet. Your pet will probably need antibiotics to knock out the infection. In addition, your vet may need to drain pus and other fluids from inside the ear!

Deena Caruso, author, teacher, & distributor of natural pet products Helps pet owners create healthy, happy pets. To receive FREE "Pet Pointers" Newsletter, go to: http://www.healthyfoodforpets.com deecaruso@cox.net Ph: 760/758-7963, 877/877-0665', 196, 'Pet Ear Infections, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Pet Ear Infections plus articles and information on Pets

Natural Approaches to Dealing With Pesky Fleas

Problems with Commercial Flea Killers & Traditional

Flea Bite Treatments

***Chemicals that act as poisons are strong enough to

kill fleas, but the long term effects on pets are

unknown, although they are probably not safe to

use. (Employees manufacturing these products must

wear protective clothing and use respirators.

Plus, the product labels warn against skin contact.

So,if the chemicals are potentially harmful to

humans,they are probably not the most healthy

product for pets. )

***Prednisone & other corticosteroid drugs used to

give relief from flea bites help to stop itching &

inflammation. But, they also suppress a pet''s

immune system and have possible long-term side

effects: water retention, liver or thyroid damage,

hypertension, obesity, & heart attack.

Healthy Alternatives

***Strengthen your pet''s immune system:

Eliminate food allergens from the diet, and

supplement the diet with a well-balanced

essential fatty acid (EFA), probiotics (bifidus

& acidophilus) & digestive enzyme supplements.

EFAs help to make your pet less attractive to

fleas, and digestive supplements carry nutrients

throughout the body & help to breakdown & remove

waste materials that may lead to food allergies.

***Herbs

-Add a pinch of garlic powder to food.

-Add apple cider vinegar to your pet''s water.

-Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon dried Nettle onto your

pet''s food (helps to reduce allergic response).

-Add to food or squirt into pet''s mouth a low-

alcohol liquid tincture of Dandelion Root,

Burdock Root, or Red Clover (helps eliminate

wastes & supports immune system).

-For severe flea bite allergies (red, inflamed,

itchy skin), licorice serves as an anti-

infammatory. Also, an aloe juice can help to

heal & to relieve itching. Directions: Add

one cup aloe juice to 4 parts water. Pour the

cool liquid onto affected areas of your pet''s

coat.

***Environment Treatment

Since fleas spend 80% of their time in the

pet''s environment, not on the pet, apply herbal

products to your pet''s environmental areas

(bedding, etc.). Look for products that contain

extracts and/or oils of eucalyptus, citronella,

juniper, cedar, citrus oil, or Canadian fleabane.

(Citrus oil & Canadian fleabane contain d-

Limonine which can kill fleas.)

***Bathing

Bathe with a good, mild herbal pet shampoo

formulated to bring relief and remove fleas and

body wastes from the skin.

Only use shampoos meant for pets, not humans.

(Human shampoos are often too harsh and may

contain allergens that worsen a pet''s allergic

condition.)

Also, don''t shampoo too often or irritation &

dryness may occur.

Deena Caruso, author, teacher, & distributor of natural pet products Helps pet owners create healthy, happy pets. To receive FREE "Pet Pointers" Newsletter, go to: http://www.healthyfoodforpets.com deecaruso@cox.net Ph: 760/758-7963, 877/877-0665', 196, 'Natural Approaches to Dealing With Pesky Fleas, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Natural Approaches to Dealing With Pesky Fleas plus articles and information on Pets

Probiotics - The Good Bacteria

PROBIOTICS - The Good Bacteria - Does your pet have digestion problems, diarrhea, skin problems, food intolerances, or other chronic health problems? Supplement with a high quality pet probiotic to restore your pet''s healthy gut, and chances are you''ll improve your pet''s health.

A probiotic, sometimes referred to as good or friendly bacteria, is a microorganism necessary for a healthy and balanced intestinal tract. There are two types of bacteria found in the intestinal tract, good and harmful bacteria. Good bacteria, or probiotics, ensure good health as they are absolutely vital to help:

1. Produce natural antibiotics, which can fight harmful bactera.

2. Regulate and increase hormone levels.

3. Manufacture B group vitamins, biotin and folic acid.

4. Stimulate the immune system.

5. Reduce food intolerance.

6. Increase energy levels.

7. Inhibit the growth of some yeast.

8. Absorb nutrients, antioxidants and iron from food that is

eaten.

9. Reduce inflammation.

10. Increase digestibility of food.

Several things can destroy the intestinal bacterial balance in a pet''s gut. Overuse of antibiotics destroys good bacteria as well as bad. Moreover, stress, poor diet, pollutants, environmental changes, and prescription drugs can also deplete beneficial bacteria.

Other culprits of good bacteria include chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and soil sterilizers in agriculture which damage the soil ecosystem and the natural flow of bacteria found in the food chain. These chemicals, as well as chemicals in the water supply, reduce the good bacteria in the gut. This allows harmful bacteria to multiply and produce large amounts of toxins and carcinogenic agents. These toxins inhibit the normal function of the digestive system and increase the demands placed on the liver and kidneys. Consequently, this speeds up the aging process and leads to various diseases and digestion problems.

Pets with large amounts of beneficial bacteria are better equipped to fight the growth of unhealthy organisms. So, if pets are to maintain a healthy body, they need large quantities of friendly bacteria. Supplement a well-balanced diet with a high quality pet probiotic and give your pet the health that he most certainly deserves.

Deena Caruso, author, teacher, & distributor of natural pet products Helps pet owners create healthy, happy pets. To receive FREE "Pet Pointers" Newsletter, go to: http://www.healthyfoodforpets.com

deecaruso@cox.net Ph: 760/758-7963, 877/877-0665', 196, 'Probiotics - The Good Bacteria, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Probiotics - The Good Bacteria plus articles and information on Pets

Nutrition and Your Dogs Behavior

Nutrition and Your Dog''s Behavior

Proper nutrition is the fundamental basis for every aspect of your dog''s life.

It affects their health and longevity by offering an essential balance of proteins, fats, complex carbohydrates and the trace nutrients and minerals their bodies need for growth, repair and the mantainance of a sound immunne system.

Nutrition is a complex and integral part of your dog''s ability to think clearly, lower stress levels and produce a calmer behavior.

Thinking takes a lot of energy. Dogs invoved in a training program, expend tremendous amounts of mental energy focusing on the tasks presented to them. If your dog starts with minimal nutrition, they become lethargic, edgy or hyper active when asked to perform the simplest of tasks. They cannot focus and loss concentration after a short period of time or become confused. If the dog is continually asked to do something they cannot comprehend, confusion can lead to an aggressive form of acting out.

In training dogs, the first thing I look at is the dog''s diet! I work from the inside out. Training becomes ineffective if the underlying caiuse for the behaviors are not changed.

Hyper, unfocused and out of control dogs often eat foods with high levels of cereal compounds such as: wheat, corn and corn meal.

Aggressive dogs eat foods contain higher levels of incomplete protein which produce excessive amounts of energy. These proteins are often incomplete chains, not offering proper building and repair or may be difficult to digest.

Shy or stressed dogs do not digest their foods well at all and can suffer from intestinal complications such as diarrhea. Their coats are often dry, brittle and shed heavily.

One way to test the foods you are feeding is to soak the food in water for about 30 minutes. If it swells in size and becomes mushy, it is primarily cereal.

Are your dog''s stool soft and loose or is the dog gassy? If so, they are not digesting the food properly.

By looking at their food, you will do more to help balance their behavior, as well as, contribute to their health and longevity.

Life Abundance offeres the best combination of balanced nutrients for a proper diet.

The proteins are complete chains and digest easily.

The carbohydrates are complex and do not turn into simple sugars producing energy swings of high and low behaviors.

The Probiotics in the food balance the intestinal tract and make the food digest more easily, which is perfect for the nervous or shy dog and ensures all dogs are recieving the nutrients they need from the food.

Jeanne Perciaccanto is a certified Dog Trainer at http://www.ultimatedogtraining.com and Health Educator.

Information on food can found at http://www.healthydogfood.net

Jeanne Perciaccanto has been a professional dog trainer for twenty years at, http://www.ultimatedogtraining.com and holds a degree in Health. She has combined both disciplines and researches diet and nutrition as it pertains to canine behavior. Visit http://www.healthydogfood.net', 196, 'Nutrition and Your Dogs Behavior, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Nutrition and Your Dogs Behavior plus articles and information on Pets

With Understanding Comes Success

One of the reasons I strongly encourage horse owners to train their own horses rather than ship them away to a professional trainer is familiarity. Quite simply, an unfamiliar party will not understand your horse nearly as well as you, and this understanding of a horse is the backbone of any successful training plan.

This is not to suggest that all horse trainers are clueless individuals that bumble along hoping to do something right, because most professional trainers will take the time to understand a horse before ever thinking about saddling him and training him to ride. But all too often an impatient or inexperienced "trainer" will misread a horse''s problem or intention and react incorrectly due to his lack of understanding. Too many of these incidents can prolong the training process (thereby costing you money) and potentially mentally scar your horse for life.

Far too many head-shy horses can be attributed to inexperienced or abusive past trainers and/or owners who lacked an understanding of the horse they were working with. Once a horse has developed this mistrust or fear of people it can take a good while to reassure the horse that another cuff is not waiting around the corner. And who can blame the horse? If every past exposure with a dog resulted in the dog biting you, chances are you would be very wary, if not outright panicked, by future exposures to canines.

To correct an improper action it is first important to understand the motivation that lies behind it. For example, let''s say that you are training a young filly to walk alongside you to your left. Suddenly without permission the filly slams against your side, but being that she''s still young it doesn''t do much more than get your attention. What would you do?

1. Ignore the behavior ? no harm was done after all.

2. Jab your elbow into the filly''s shoulder and growl at her to remind her to respect your space.

3. Take a moment to detect the reason why the filly brushed against you.

If you selected the first option, you chose wrong. Although your heart is in the right place in your willingness to "write off" a seemingly harmless action, eventually if you ignore these things they can compound to worse problems. Your filly won''t always be so small and light!

If you selected the second option you might have reacted correctly if the filly was gently asked to respect your space previously and elected to ignore the request out of defiance. In such a scenario you would need to reinforce your authority lest she view herself as being the alpha leader amongst you.

But what if the filly stepped against you because the wind was carrying along a plastic bag that startled her? In such a case if you discipline your horse you do her a huge disservice because she''s not trying to be defiant or challenge your authority ? she''s scared and she wanted your reassurance! If you start cuffing your filly for violating your personal space she will be like a deer caught in a car''s headlights; the bag to her left and the handler to her right are scaring her and she''ll either bolt or become paralyzed.

Had you understood the root of her concern you could have forgiven the invasion of your space and instead showed your filly the plastic bag was nothing to be concerned about. Such reassurances would have put her mind at ease, allow her to regain focus on the task at hand and hopefully become desensitized towards future encounters with plastic bags.

A trainer that believed in the "one size fits all" philosophy would probably have chosen option two in the above scenario since at face value that would be the correct reaction, but without understanding the horse or the motivation behind her action his "correction" would have further compounded the problem. It is essential a handler take the time to understand a horse''s behavior before attempting to correct it since one size most definitely does not fit all. And who would better understand your horse than you?

In addition the training process does not have to be the stressful battle of wills that most of us initially believe it to be. Taken slowly, both the horse and the owner can actually look forward to advancing along the lesson plan. As the owner and horse work together, each will develop an even better understanding of the other''s mannerisms, personality and expectations? and with understanding comes success.

Jeffrey Rolo, owner of AlphaHorse and an experienced horse trainer and breeder, is the author of the above article. You will find many other informational articles dealing with horse training and care as well as games and other horse fun on his website: http://www.alphahorse.com', 196, 'With Understanding Comes Success, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'With Understanding Comes Success plus articles and information on Pets

You Cant Fool A Horse

By Jeffrey Rolo
copyright 2004 AlphaHorse

In the dating world many men and women put their potential partners to a "dog test," whereby they introduce their date to their dog and see how the dog reacts to the stranger. If the dog reacts badly towards their date then a red flag is waved, whereas if the dog accepts the stranger instantly the opposite holds true. While many people look upon this test in a tongue-in-cheek manner, many dog owners actually do take it seriously. As they probably should!

Many animals, including horses, possess an uncanny ability to detect emotion as well as the inner nature of an individual. Whereas you may be able to slap a forced smile on your face and hide powerful negative emotions such as stress or anger from fellow humans, you won''t find it as easy to fool a horse! In fact I consider horses to be natural truth detectors due to their ability to read a person''s emotional state as well as their sincerity when it comes to a love for equines.

If one of my naturally friendly horses takes an instant dislike to someone out of the blue, 9 times out of 10 I''m going to respect my equine partner''s instincts. Horses generally do not possess vendettas or have reason to target anyone for no real reason ? they tend to call them as they see them. If a horse usually takes a liking to visitors but holds a sudden aversion to one in particular, clearly the horse sees or detects something that I may not have initially caught.

When a horse enjoys your company, you''ll know it. When a horse trusts you, you''ll know it. And when a horse actually dislikes you, he will make sure you know it. I often state that the world would be a much better place if people were as brutally honest as horses. But I digress?

A proficient horseman at work should be cool, calm and collected, three essential qualities to maximize the productivity of a training session as well as create an all-around positive aura over human-horse interactions. Keep in mind that you are the horse''s leader, and as such the horse will take his cues from you. If you are agitated the horse will recognize something is wrong and either feel you are angry with him or you are annoyed with something else he cannot detect but probably should be also be concerned about. The horse will not be able to focus on the lesson or your requests well at all, nor will he be able to draw strength from you when he becomes concerned about a foreign object or behavioral request.

It is essential that you try not to visit or work with your horse when you are in a negative frame of mind since these undesirable emotions will disturb your equine partner. Try to take a few minutes, or even hours if necessary, to collect your emotions and clear your mind of life''s daily irritants.

When we see a loved one is feeling down, it often puts a damper on our day too since negativity tends to breed negativity. The same will happen with your horse, so do not underestimate your horse''s ability to detect your feelings.

Visit http://www.alphahorse.com/horse-training.html to view more articles about horse training.

Jeffrey Rolo, owner of AlphaHorse and an experienced horse trainer and breeder, is the author of the above article. You will find many other informational articles dealing with horse training and care as well as games and other horse fun on his website: http://www.alphahorse.com', 196, 'You Cant Fool A Horse, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'You Cant Fool A Horse plus articles and information on Pets

Picking Up A Horses Hoof

The idea of picking up a horse''s hooves can intimidate some owners since a well-placed horse kick would really hurt! Such caution is good, but in reality if you pick up a horse''s hoof properly you provide him with no leverage or ability to kick you. This is a situation where a person''s worst fears can cause him to imagine an incident that is highly unlikely to occur with careful handling.

Here''s how to safely pick up a horse''s hoof:

Starting with the front hoof, approach your horse diagonally from his front so that he clearly knows you are there ? you don''t want to surprise him. Place yourself even with his shoulder and make sure to face his rear; you will both be facing opposite directions during the hoof picking process.

Making sure that your feet aren''t too close to the horse''s hoof, start running the hand parallel to him down his shoulder and along the length of his leg, finally stopping just above his ankle. Gently grasp the ankle portion and click (or otherwise verbally cue him) to ask him to raise his leg. If he''s well trained, that small cue will be more than enough and he''ll do just what you requested. You''re now free to begin picking his hoof.

If your horse is being a bit stubborn or hasn''t learned how to pick up his legs yet try leaning into his shoulder as you run your hand down the back of his cannon bone. You can also gently squeeze/pinch the tendons to further cue him to what you would like. As you perform these physical cues make sure you provide a verbal one also (I make a clicking sound) so the horse later associates your sound with the requested response. Increase the weight you push against his shoulder until he finally lifts his leg as requested.

When picking a horse''s hoof you want to remove all debris from the hoof clefts as well as the rim and frog. Be careful around the frog because it can sometimes be a bit sensitive, particularly if the horse has thrush.

Once you have finished cleaning the front hoof carefully guide it back to the floor; you don''t want to allow the horse to slam it, potentially hitting your foot in the process. Praise your horse and pat him on the front shoulder a bit so he understands that you are pleased with his cooperation, then run your hand along his back to his rear leg. Place yourself in the same position as you did with his front leg and do the process over again.

There is a slight difference between lifting a rear foot and front foot, even though your basic positioning and actions are nearly identical. When you lift your horse''s rear foot he will probably give a little jerk that you might misinterpret as a kick. This is a common reflex reaction among horses and nothing for you to worry about.

Secondly, when you raise your horse''s rear leg you''ll want to step into him a bit so that your hip is underneath his leg. Rest his leg on your thigh, grab his hoof and gently flex it upwards. By doing this you lend him some support and more importantly the position of his leg and his flexed hoof will prevent him from being able to kick you.

Clean the hoof, lower it cautiously as you did the first and praise him. Congratulations ? you''re halfway done! The opposite side will be done exactly the same way, but try to return to his front and start the opposite side rather than move around his rear. It''s bad practice to approach or circle all but the most trusted horses via the rear in such close quarters since a horse would be within range to strike.

When lifting any hoof try to make sure your horse is properly squared (balanced evenly on all four legs) so that when you lift one hoof he can easily balance on his remaining three. At no time should the horse actually lean his weight on you! Even when you rest his rear leg on your thigh you''re not allowing him to use you as a crutch.

Once you have picked your horse''s hooves a few times it will probably become very simple and take less than 5 minutes to clear all hooves. Most trained horses will raise their hoof for you the moment they feel your leg run down their leg.

It is a very good idea to control your horse''s head while you are picking his hooves. This can be done by attaching his halter to crossties or asking a partner hold your horse''s head. By controlling his head you ensure your horse can''t move away from you while you''re trying to pick his hooves, or worse? turn around and take a bite at your rear!

Jeffrey Rolo, owner of AlphaHorse and an experienced horse trainer and breeder, is the author of the above article. You will find many other informational articles dealing with horse training and care as well as games and other horse fun on his website: http://www.alphahorse.com.', 196, 'Picking Up A Horses Hoof, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Picking Up A Horses Hoof plus articles and information on Pets

Chihuahua Training is Easy!

Chihuahua Training is Easy!

You may be wondering if Chihuahua training is easy or hard. Well, from my experience it is very easy! If you''ve already managed to raise a dog with behavioral problems (this is easy too!) you can correct them in a very natural way by following a few simple recommendations.

There is one book that I highly recommend (I wish I had written it!) that goes well beyond what most dog trainers talk about and gets to the heart of how your dog feels about and experiences life. In the book The Dog Listener by Jan Fennell, you''ll read that dogs naturally feel like they still belong to a pack and they want to interract with you as part of the pack.

Our Chihuahua is named Yoda (our son is a huge Star Wars fan) and he''s so happy now that he doesn''t have to worry about leading the pack anymore. He''s no longer "top dog" ...unless of course we change our behavior in a way that promotes him up to leader of the pack again. But then it''s easy enough to change positions again by performing our newly learned Chihuahua training methods!

You can try some simple things the book recommends yourself to see how they work, like making it look like you''ve eaten some food first and then giving your dog his/her food to eat. Then, if after 5 minutes or so the dog hasn''t eaten the food, take it away. This lets the dog know that you''re in control of the food supply...a classic top dog role! And the next time you feed your precious pet they wil be sure to gobble up whatever leftovers you''ve provided for them. With a small breed like the Chihuahua it''s also important not to overfeed them, but that''s a subject for a Chihuahua Health article.

Another thing to try is to ignore (this can be very hard with Chihuahuas since they''re so cute!) your dog for the first 5 minutes after you come home. The top dog never makes a fuss over the pack when returning home. But it''s OK to worry about and make a fuss over your Chi when it returns home (like after going outside to "do it''s duty").

It''s amazing to see the difference in Yoda''s behavior when we follow a few simple rules of how to live life in a [Chihuahua] dog pack. Chihuahua training becomes easy!

If you''re like me (I''m not known to be a patient shopper...I want it now!) you''ll want to go out and pick up the book at your local bookstore today or check out your local library to see if they have a copy. I don''t know the author and the only reason this was written is we both feel it can do so much good for so many people and their pets. Especially if you may be thinking your dog is out of control and may have to be put down. Please, please read this book before taking any such drastic action!

Joan & David Anderson are creators of a site dedicated to pictures of Chihuahuas, plus Chihuahua resources. Visitors and Chihuahua picture submissions are welcome. Please visit http://www.chihuahua-pictures.com', 196, 'Chihuahua Training is Easy!, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Chihuahua Training is Easy! plus articles and information on Pets

Teach a Dog To Swim

You want your dog to swim?

We''re going to try to give some advice on how to teach a dog how to swim and some general safety issues. As always check with your vet on any medical questions.

Teaching a dog to swim:

I would suggest starting your dog out in a pool or shallow lake where you can enter the water with your dog. Many dogs will be more confident if you are standing with them if they are nervous about venturing out on their own. So by walking out, you can build their confidence before letting them go on their own. Bring a favorite toy with you and encourage them out further by tossing the toy short distances and swimming over to it.

Some tips:

Bring another dog who knows how to swim along to help encourage your pet to try.

There are life vests (life jackets) you can purchase to aide in teaching your dog. These usually have handles that you can hold onto easily and are helpful for getting a dog back into a boat.

Water Freaking

Here is a common problem. Your pup goes off and won''t come back. You have two choices, swim out and get them, or wait until they get tired and come back. Never let them off leash and away from you until you know for a fact they will return or start in shallow water where you can go get them should you need to.

I use a two toy approach to retrieving and swimming. I always keep one close by so I can toss it near me. Try to make a lot of noise to get their attention and toss it into the shallow water. Tennis balls are not the best choice as they can get lodged in the throat blocking the airway. I really like kong retrieving toys or retrieving bumpers.

Afterwords, make sure you RINSE your dog with fresh water to get out any bacteria or chemicals. You can also rinse your dog before hand to help the water not absorb into the coat hair.

Amy Dunphy, CPDT Owner of The Dog Trainer Search Get dog training information, tips, supplies and tools!', 196, 'Teach a Dog To Swim, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Teach a Dog To Swim plus articles and information on Pets

Stop Your Dog From Pulling You Down The Street

From the first day of life on a leash, most dogs learn that by pulling on it, they get to where they want faster. Its the behavior that so many dog owners struggle with. Its a simple solution - just stop walking. Although, somehow your dog doesn''t learn its just that simple. Or maybe we aren''t teaching it effectively enough. Or say, you have taught your dog that, except when they want to sniff the fire hydrant, or meet your neighbors dog, or chase a squirrel.

I have decided as an owner, that the only way to walk my dogs is by using either a gentle leader or a gentle leader easy walk harness. I still enforce the rules - the dog pulls, I stop. The dog pays attention and walks with me, I move forward and often give treats and praise for doing so.

The reason I use and recommend these two items is simple, prevention and safety. If the dog does pull, they don''t continue to go forward, they are instead turned around and facing me again. It helps me stay consistent.

The Gentle Leader is a great tool. The fit is a bit tricky and most dogs fight it when they get it on - EW something is on my FACE! Ignore it. If you just keep going, stay happy and reinforce them not pawing at it, it will go away. Some have argued that the Gentle Leader can cause damage to their head / back. I think this is only true if the dog is running and you snap the leash. Do not use the tool this way. I prefer a shorter leash and never yank or pull the leash. Instead, just stop, so their head is guided, not forced back around.

The tool I recommend and use is the Gentle Leader Easy Walk Harness. Its an easy fit, the dog doesn''t mind it, and it works really well. There is no issue of the dog escaping, and no damage since you are controling the body.

Amy Dunphy, CPDT Owner of The Dog Trainer Search Find dog training information, advice, tools and supplies', 196, 'Stop Your Dog From Pulling You Down The Street, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Stop Your Dog From Pulling You Down The Street plus articles and information on Pets

Who Let The Dogs Out? Pointers For In Home Dog Training

Who let the dogs out?

Remember this song which gave birth to a rather popular phrase some years back? Perhaps, its fame can be traced to how it struck a cord on our collective subconscious. After all, not a few of us fear the warpath of dogs gone wild. Tattered items, shredded clothes, ruined furniture? unruly dogs spare nothing, it seems.

Those adorable canine creatures may appear as angels before our eyes, what with their wagging tails and hanging tongues, but many of us know what a bundle of bedlam they could really be.

Thankfully, dog house training has been perfected into a science in recent years. Dog house training seeks to instill discipline and good behavior upon our dogs through lessons that are carried out in a variety of ways. A dog owner can even choose between conducting dog house training himself, and enrolling his dog to a dog obedience training school.

In home dog training requires that the owner consider a few factors before proceeding.

1. Temperaments of the dog. In home dog training would still keep the dog confined at home. Hence, his general behavior should be considered. Throughout the various stages of dog house training, your canine friend would have to go through a rather emotional ride. If your dog is the sensitive type, you might want to adjust some of the in home dog training exercises to fit complement his attitude.

2. Size of the house. In home dog training would have to utilize the space available inside the house, or the immediate vicinity. This requirement is often overlooked, resulting in poor optimization of the benefits of a dog house training program. Make sure that there is a space large enough to host the activities involved in dog house training.

3. Available materials. Some recommended paraphernalia are needed in conducting in home dog training. Most of them can be bought, but not all of us have the resources to purchase them. Of course we could always improvise. But would you have the manual dexterity as well as the basic skills to fabricate some of these equipments?

4. Do you have the time? In home dog training will require some substantial investment from you, mostly in terms of time. Will you be able to postpone some of life''s other demands to conduct dog house training for your buddy? If you don''t, in home dog training might just be left abandoned and would be rendered as an exercise in futility.

5. Do you have the patience? Your dog might prove uncooperative with certain activities. Will you have the tolerance level to deal with him then? In home dog training is not for everyone. If you feel you''re not up to it, you cold always seek the help of experts. Remember, dog house training is a more affordable option, but is not necessarily the easier route to take.

With the proper in home dog training, it is guaranteed that you''ll be singing the line "who let the dogs out" with glee rather than fear.

Ewen Chia is the owner of TrainingDog.org, which specializes in providing 100% free dog training information and resources for dog owners and lovers! Go here for more details: http://www.TrainingDog.org', 196, 'Who Let The Dogs Out? Pointers For In Home Dog Training, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Who Let The Dogs Out? Pointers For In Home Dog Training plus articles and information on Pets

Thats No Paris Hilton! An Overview of Dog Obedience Training Videos

Mention the word "video" and different people would come up with different ideas. Some would remember those home movies they made during special occasions spent with family and friends. Others would be reminded of Blockbuster take-homes once the movie they missed would be released in the said rental chain. Not a few would share a smirk with thoughts of Paris Hilton''s digital adventures. But it is rare that someone would associate the word "video" with dog obedience training.

The fact of the matter is that dog obedience training videos are effective means of teaching ourselves how to instruct our dogs to eventually rear them towards a better-behaved and well-disciplined life. Dog obedience training videos are excellent visual guides that could perfectly provide for us the step-by-step process of educating our canine buddies.

Training our dogs the fundamentals of obedience is a must in this day and age. It''s not as if we could hire a nanny for our pets, right? Somehow, our dogs should learn how to behave as good house companions. Tattered items, shredded carpets, furniture in ruins? even our canine buddy''s lovable charms won''t be able to compensate for the damage they are capable of doing.

These dog obedience training videos are prepared by experts in the field. Each package is packed with years of experience waiting to be shared. If you''re not really that much into reading, then a dog obedience training video is perfect for you, as these tools aim to teach you by showing you instead of teaching you by writing about what they know.

Actually seeing how things are done makes knowledge absorption a whole lot easier. There would be less room for errors if you''d get to observe first hand the different steps in dog obedience training. What''s better is that you could learn at your own pace. You don''t have to postpone certain appointments just to learn how to train your dog to be obedient. You can watch dog obedience training videos at a time of your choosing.

Dog obedience training videos would make complicated terms like classical conditioning, operant conditioning, reinforcement approaches and the likes simpler to understand. This is so because these methods are illustrated through actions that you''d actually get to see. Imagine if you''d have to read them instead. The learning curve would be steeper.

There are many dog obedience training videos available in the market. Most of them come in different parts, and different specializations. Reviewing your potential purchases is recommended before buying. Try to find the package of dog obedience training videos that is appropriate for your dog and what you want him to learn. It is even more convenient to buy a dog obedience training video online, as the convenience o the internet would allow you to review one product after another with but some clicks of a button.

Dog obedience training videos are beneficial investments. They are sure to impart important lessons, and they could also be used by your family members years after their initial purchase.

Ewen Chia is the owner of TrainingDog.org, which specializes in providing 100% free dog training information and resources for dog owners and lovers! Go here for more details: http://www.TrainingDog.org', 196, 'Thats No Paris Hilton! An Overview of Dog Obedience Training Videos, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Thats No Paris Hilton! An Overview of Dog Obedience Training Videos plus articles and information on Pets

What is It About Horses and Young Girls?

In a world of computer games, the Internet and shopping malls, what is it about this four-legged farm animal that seems to capture the heart of most of them?

According to a recent study by the American Horse Council, 1.9 million Americans own horses -- just over 4 million people are recreational riders and 3.6 million show horses. The horse industry has a $112.1 billion impact on the US gross domestic product: greater than the movie industry and the tobacco manufacturing industry.

Even with people mainly in cities, horses have really disappeared from daily life for most North Americans. And yet their appeal hasn''t faded.

I wonder why.

As a youngster, I was enthralled with horses. I read books about horses, took riding lessons and all of my drawings were of horses. It''s a girl thing mostly. I didn''t come from an equestrian background.

It does have benefits. You learn to control a large muscle-y animal which may prepare you for being married to another version of one. A horse weighs about half a ton. You can''t be shy around a horse. You learn to be confident and firm.

The general care of a horse which includes brushing, mucking out stalls and feeding gives you a feeling of responsibility. It''s a healthier environment - a riding stable can delay the problems of dating and drugs. It ''s a great physical activity.

In an age where teenagers find that television''s problems are dealt with in 30 minutes, riding takes a longer, more dedicated approach. I think girls who ride make better drivers because you''re trained to look forward and plan what''s ahead. No one wants to get hit by an overhead branch on a trail. It'' is a monetary investment but I think it''s on par with boys playing hockey and the equipment that entails. Overall, I would say it is money well spent.

About the Author

Gwen Jones
http://www.equestrianboutique.com
Gwen Jones is an adult living in Toronto, Canada and rides when she can.
Equestrian Boutique', 196, 'What is It About Horses and Young Girls?, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'What is It About Horses and Young Girls? plus articles and information on Pets

The 5 Things You Should Know Before Breeding Cats

The cat population is astronomical. Most experts agree that average cat owners should spay their cat, not breed. Still there are people who want to have a litter from their pet. But there''s a lot to think about before planning a feline family.

Here are five things you should know:

1. It takes time. You''ll have to clean the nest every day, for two months. You should keep an eye on the kittens and watch their development ? you won''t have time for a holiday.

2. It takes space. It''s not a good idea to breed if you have a 3-room apartment. Your family members should agree with your plan of having kittens. You can''t lock up these little balls of fur. They''ll go everywhere - in your partner''s study, in your baby''s bedroom, your kitchen, your bathroom.

3. It takes responsibility. Do you know beforehand that you will find a good home for your kittens? Some of your friends or relatives will say ''Yes, lovely, I''ll take one of them''. But one or another may change his/her mind once the moment is near. Are you willing to keep the kitten that nobody wants?

4. It takes education. Have you thought about what could happen at birth? Do you know how to cut an umbilical cord? What to do if a newborn remains in its fluid filled sac? What supplies you need? How to know when a c-section is necessary? What to feed a pregnant cat?

5. It takes money. Kittens cost more money than you probably think. It''s not only the food. Even if you go through pregnancy without a vet''s help, you need to have them vaccinated and dewormed.

Yes, there''s a lot to think about! However, if you really want to breed, make sure you get the right information, so you are prepared for the best and the worst.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Marc de Jong runs an acclaimed web site on cats and is the author of the book How To Take Care Of Your Pregnant Cat, available through http://www.pregnant-cat-care.com. The book is filled with insider tips and tells you how your cat can deliver and raise a healthy litter - with your help.', 196, 'The 5 Things You Should Know Before Breeding Cats, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'The 5 Things You Should Know Before Breeding Cats plus articles and information on Pets

Syrian vs. Dwarf Hamsters, What Should I Get For My Family?

As pets go hamsters are fairly easy to take care of. Hamsters require no walking, are not particularly dirty or stinky, they are small and don''t take up much space and are generally inexpensive. Hamsters are also fairly hearty animals and can be a very good pet for a child or a family with several children. There are however, two distinct choices when it comes to adopting a hamster for your family, and that is the dwarf hamster and the syrian hamster. I spoke with Ken Brocx, the founder of Hamsterific.com, an authoritative hamster and small pet website about this question and what his recommendations would be to someone considering adopting a hamster but not knowing exactly which route is best for his/her family.

Andy Markison:
Thanks Ken for taking the time to speak to us. First of all, let''s assume a family with a young child or children (let''s assume around seven or eight years of age for this example) is considering adopting a hamster or hamsters for their home. Would you personally recommend either a dwarf hamster or a syrian hamster in this case?

Ken Brocx:
Typically I would recommend a syrian hamster for younger children. Dwarf hamsters are smaller which can make them harder to handle. Also, if a dwarf manages to get loose they are faster than syrians and thus harder to catch. Syrians tend to be more docile if they are properly raised.

AM:
Syrian hamsters are supposed to be solitary once they are weaned, but that''s not the case with dwarf hamsters is it?

KB:
No. Most dwarf hamsters prefer some company, but that means more space. That can be a problem since many commercial cages are too small for more than one hamster, even a dwarf hamster.

AM:
Is there any reason to purchase a dwarf hamster solitarily? Or would it be better to adopt two dwarfs rather than one?

KB:
In the wild dwarf hamsters live in colonies, so I prefer to keep them that way. A dwarf hamster on it''s own will need a lot of attention to keep it from getting depressed.

AM:
If you initially purchase a dwarf hamster and later wish to introduce a second (or third) dwarf hamster would that be possible or are you asking for conflicts with such an introduction?

KB:
It depends on the particular dwarf hamster and on how long they have been alone. If a dwarf hamster has been on it''s own for more than a month I find it is very difficult to introduce a new cagemate. Young dwarf hamsters will accept a new hamster much more readilly than an older dwarf hamster. Also dwarf hamsters tend to socialize better with siblings than with strange or unfamiliar hamsters.

AM:
Are dwarf hamsters generally less hearty creatures than syrians?

KB:
Both dwarf and syrian hamsters are very hardy creatures. Dwarf hamsters have been domesticated for a much shorter time than syrians, and because of that there has been less of an opportunity for them to become inbred. Inbreeding can cause many problems with the health of any breed of hamster. In syrians this often results in a hamster that is difficult to tame. In dwarf hamsters it is very common to see diabetes in inbred pups.

AM:
What kind of equipment would you recommend someone about to adopt a hamster get for their hamster''s new home?

KB:
Hamsters need a constant supply of clean water, a food bowl that''s heavy enough that it won''t tip over when a hamster is crawling on it, a wheel for exercise and a "nest" where they can feel secure. Wheels aren''t just toys. A hamster in the wild can run several miles a night marking it''s territory and looking for food and the only way we can duplicate that in a confined space is a wheel. In the wild hamsters live in burrows underground. For nesting a hamster needs a place where it feels it can retreat from danger. A hamster without a nest will feel insecure and nervous.

AM:
What are the life spans of dwarfs and syrian hamsters?

KB:
Dwarfs usually live 2-4 years depending on breed, living conditions and genetic disposition. Syrians live about 2-3 years.

AM:
What would you suggest someone look for when purchasing or adopting a hamster?

KB:
The most important things are the hamsters health and personality. The color, long hair and pretty eyes won''t matter much if you have a sick hamster. Look for clean and dry fur, especially around the butt of the hamster, stressed hamsters can get Wet Tail, which is a deadly type of diarrhea. Wet Tail can spread to surrounding cages and it can be very difficult to sterilize an area after an outbreak. Personality is very important, too. If you pick an outgoing hamster that doesn''t mind being held you''re probably going to have a much easier time taming and making friends with him or her.

AM:
Is there a reason to adopt a hamster(s) from a breeder rather than a pet store?

KB:
Professional breeders usually take great care in ensuring their hamsters are not inbred. Inbreeding can result in many health and personality problems. Many pet stores buy from these same breeders, although some may just let their hamsters breed in the store leading to rampant inbreeding and hamsters with poor health. Also, just because a person has lots of hamsters and sells them does not mean they are a quality professional breeder. Don''t forget to check your local shelters, too. Animal shelters often have hamsters that need good homes.

AM:
Is the diet of the syrian significantly different than that of a dwarf? I know, for example, that giving dwarf hamsters fruit that may be high in sugar could be problematic because dwarfs may be more likely to become diabetic.

KB:
Other than that, syrians and dwarfs have similar diets.

AM:
What is "heat" exactly? It''s related to nuts in some way isn''t it or is it related to other types of foods as well? And does "heat" affect a syrian and dwarf the same way?

KB:
Well, there are two types of "heat". "Heat" can be the term for when a female hamster comes into season, but you are talking about the condition that affects hamsters that eat too many fatty foods. That type of "heat" is usually caused by an owner who wants to feed their hamster a treat, usually sunflower seeds, and goes overboard. Too much oil, like that in sunflower seeds, can cause a hamster''s metabolism to speed up and cause them to lose hair. That''s "heat" and I''ve only seen it in dwarf hamsters.

AM:
Any last words, warnings, recommendations or other thoughts in general that you''d like to share with someone who is interested in adopting a hamster?

KB:
Health and personality are the most important things in buying a new hamster, buy the biggest home for your hamster you can, never put two syrian hamsters together, and play with your hamster as often as you can!

Interview with Ken Brocx, founder of Hamsterific.com an authoritative website on hamsters and other small pets.

Andy Markison is an illustrator, graphic designer, animal lover and pet owner living in Germany. His website, http://www.zapgraphix.com/, sells fun and humorous pet related merchandise.', 196, 'Syrian vs. Dwarf Hamsters, What Should I Get For My Family?, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Syrian vs. Dwarf Hamsters, What Should I Get For My Family? plus articles and information on Pets