Caring For Your Diabetic Cat

Caring For Your Diabetic Cat

If your cat has just been diagnosed with diabetes, you might be afraid of what the future holds for your beloved pet. The good news is that cats can live long, healthy lives after being diagnosed with diabetes.  The trick is that you, as a pet owner, must be dedicated to care for your cat during his or her illness. Diabetes is not a death sentence for pets.  Here is some information to help you understand what you need to do to help your diabetic cat.

Regular Medical Care: After your cat has been diagnosed with diabetes, it is imperative that you visit your veterinarian on a regular basis. Your cat will need regular checkups to check the blood sugar levels and to make sure that he or she is receiving the right amount of insulin. When your cat goes in for a check up, the vet will ask that you do not feed your cat twelve hours part to the checkup. While your cat is at the check up, your veterinarian will draw blood and check blood sugar levels. People that have diabetes are able to check their blood sugar at home. However, this is not possible with cats unless you buy a glucose monitoring system. Your will probably ask that you bring your cat in every three months for this type of checkup.

Getting your Cat Insulin: When your cat has diabetes, it is your responsibility to make sure that your cat receives the proper dose of insulin twice a day. The amount of insulin that your cat will need will vary according to your cat's individual condition.  Most cats will receive between three and five units of insulin to times per day.  It is important that you establish a routine for your cat.  Your cat needs to receive insulin 12 hours apart.  Most people that have diabetic cats will give their cat and insulin shot at the same time every morning and at the same time every evening.

It is not difficult to learn to give your cat insulin injections.  Your veterinarian will walk you through the process, and then you can repeat this at home. Usually your veterinarian will recommend that you give your cat injections between the shoulder blades in the scruff of the neck. With patience and practice, your cat will barely feel the injections. In fact, most diabetic cats know when it is time to get their injection and they may actually remind you by meowing.

Stocking the Right Supplies: It is important that you have the right supplies on hand to help treat your diabetic cat. You will need a vial of insulin as prescribed by your veterinarian, syringes and alcohol swabs.  It is always a good idea to order your insulin when you are about halfway empty. It may take a couple days for your veterinarian to order your insulin. Your veterinarian might also recommend getting your diabetic cat vitamin supplements and seating him or a special prescription diet such as Science Diet W/D. You must be able to see your cat immediately after he or she receives their injection.  It is also a good idea to have some numbers to your veterinarian into at least two 24-hour emergency vet clinics available with you at all times just in case your cat needs help.

Many people who owned diabetic cats worried about the costs that this condition incurs. It certainly does cost money to take care of a diabetic cat. A vial of insulin will cost you approximately $85 and will last you about two months. A box of 100 Syringes will cost about $30 and will last you 50 days, as you should use a new syringe for each injection. Prescription food will cost you about $40 for a 20-pound bag. However, it is important to remember that your cat is a part of your family. Most pet owners do not hesitate spending this kind of money on their pets.

Patience and Love: Above of all when you have a diabetic cat, you need a lot of patience and a lot of love.  It is not always easy to care for sick and ailing cat.  However, with the right care, you can expect your diabetic cat to have many more years of happy life.

Rabbit Care and Tips

Pets complete a home for single people and families. Children often desire pets more than adults do as they think animals are cute and fun to have. Adults of course know the work required. Like any pet, rabbits need care. They need to go to the vet, get feed daily, and have their domain cleaned. When you decide to purchase a rabbit, you will need to know exactly what is required of you. 

Before we get into your rabbits needs, you will want to know a few of the species available.  Most common are cottontails, dwarf, and lop eared rabbits for pets. The dwarf rabbit is small and best kept indoors, while the cottontails are not as sensitive to the weather and can be housed outside in moderate climates. The lop eared rabbits like the cottontails grow to be a good size and have long floppy ears. The type of rabbit you wish to have for a pet will in part decide on the care.

First like cats and dogs, rabbits require shots from the vet to keep them in good health.  People carry diseases that can harm animals if we do not wash before and after we handle our pet. Rabbits can be susceptible to worms and other dietary parasites so it is important to take your rabbit for its vet visit when needed. Speak with a vet about your rabbit’s care and any questions you may have before you complete your purchase.

Rabbits eat pellets, hay and vegetables. Most rabbits like to munch on carrots or lettuce. You want to feed your rabbit everyday to ensure they are receiving the proper amount of food. Unlike cats that eat when they are hungry, a rabbit can over eat and become over weight.  Some commercial feeds for rabbits contain nuts; however, these are typically not good as they are high in fiber. You can feed your rabbit fruit as a treat, but you should not do so daily.

Housing for a rabbit can be in your home or if you wish to keep them outside a wooden cage will work. Most outside cages are designed to let the waste fall through so they are not sitting on it or laying on it. The cage should be built large enough to house an adult rabbit with bedding spread out to make a nice little home. They should be given plenty of water and have it changed out daily. Having a backyard for your pet rabbit is a great idea. They can roam for a little exercise, which all pets need.

You will want to clean their cages out at least once a week or more depending on how messy or smelly it becomes. Your rabbit needs a clean environment just like you to eliminate the possibilities of disease. An important factor in having a long living rabbit is their environment. Most rabbits live 5 to 10 years.

Rabbits with their fuzzy cottontails or floppy ears are just some of the cutest pets you can own. They are a medium maintenance pet with proper feeding and environment care you can have your rabbit for years. Your children will enjoy showing off their pet rabbit to all their friends and beg you to take him to show and tell.  Pets are needed to complete a family and provide enjoyment for everyone.

Choosing The Right Pet For You

Most individuals have an idea just what type of pet they want; however, the maintenance of a pet can cause some concern. Knowing how to choose the correct pet for you may be easy. You may have had several pets as a child and know you need a companion for your own home or you may have always wanted a pet but been told you could not have one.  Whatever the case you may need to take into consideration some key points to pet care when deciding what pet is right for you.

First some pets take more care than others. Dogs are very needy animals.  They are very sensitive towards their owners. I am sure most of you have heard of dogs tearing up a house when left along all day. Dogs can get bored even when they have other dog companions and toys. They need the human interaction. Most dog owners take their dogs out for a walk before work and after work for the exercise and play time. Other owners who work outside will often let their dogs come to work with them to keep them out of trouble. Cats on the other hand can amuse themselves and as long as you put your valuables on a shelf, they cannot reach and keep a clean house they will sleep, look out windows, and play with toys while you are away. Fish are another type of pet that is typically low maintenance except for cleaning the fish tank.

Pet care is very important when you own a pet. They need attention from their owners, positive reinforcement, training, and love. Fish are usually excluded from this statement, as they just need food, proper tank maintenance, and a few plants to sustain life, however the point is proper pet care is required when you own any pet. The decision will be yours to make in choosing what the right pet is for you. Above I mentioned three types of pets and little about their care, now I am going to look at it a little more.

While dogs are high maintenance and require the most training they are also one of the best pets to own. They can alert you to danger, alert you to someone at the door, and give unconditional love back. A dog only asks in return for proper care and a great deal of attention. If you cannot be home all the time, you will want to make sure the dog has a roof over their heads in case of inclement weather, and a huge yard to play in. Some dogs can jump fences so it may be best to have a dog run in the yard so they can move about, but not escape.

Cats on the other hand can be high or low maintenance depending on breed as well as personality. Some cats require hours of people attention while others shirk attention.  Some cats belong to a one pet household. They do not like to share their owner’s affections and will become upset if not mean towards the infiltrator. Others need the playmate’s attention to live happily. It will be hard to determine just which type of cat you own when you first buy them as kittens as their personalities are just developing.

Pet care is the most important factor when you are deciding which pet is right for you and your home. You will want to consider all the pet care needs of the animals you are looking at as well as the breed you are looking at to determine if they will have a happy place in your home.

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Training Your Pet Parrot

Parrots are wonderful pets. You will quickly find that these birds extremely smart and their ability to learn make them fun to train. Keep in mind that any animal that shows signs of high intelligence can easily get bored, so your job is to train your pet parrot and spend the time it takes to make your bird into a wonderful pet. It takes time and patience to train a parrot, but with the proper training, your parrot will provide you with many years of friendship.

You can train your parrot when you follow a few steps. Whenever “school is in” for your parrot, it is always best to remove your parrot from his or her cage and train in a small quiet space. Your parrot is more likely to remain attentive and retain information when it is in a new environment. The next thing you will want to do, eliminate all distractions in your home. If your parrot becomes distracted during training, it will not learn well. That means that you need to turn off the radio, television and perhaps even the telephone. Also, remember that parrots are a lot like children. They have short attention spans, so short training sessions are recommended.

In addition, try to plan your parrot’s training time around their schedule, not yours. After mealtime is always, a good time for training because your parrot will be content and will pay attention. Your parrot will also appreciate plenty of praise. Even if you find that you were not very successful, do not let your parrot see your stress levels rise. This makes it an unpleasant experience for your bird and you will have a harder time getting your parrot interested in learning in the future.

When you are ready to teach your parrot a new trick, your pet parrot will respond well to treats and praise. Remember that all animals respond better to praise than punishment. Try to avoid punishing your parrot, even if he or she is acting naughty. Ignoring this behavior is your best bet when training your pet parrot. Parrots do not understand punishment or negative reinforcement. In fact, if you respond to your parrot’s bad behavior, your pet may actually see this as positive attention. Keep in mind that while your parrot will love food treats as rewards, try to accentuate the positive and encourage good behavior with lots of praise and play time. Otherwise, your parrot may only perform the tricks you want them to when some kind of food reward is available.

Repetition is the key to successfully training your pet parrot. Repeating these basic steps repeatedly until your pet “gets” the trick is the best way to train your parrot to perform. This works well for basic commands and advanced tricks. If you have just gotten your pet parrot, start out with very simple tricks, such as teaching your parrot to sit on your finger on command. Find a word for each trick and use it every time you train. Most of all, never force your parrot to train. If you find your parrot is tired or uninterested, then stop and try again another time.

As your parrot learns more command and tricks, you can begin moving your training session closer and closer to the bird’s cage. As they get better at their new skill, they will feel comfortable performing in his or her cage and in the hustle and bustle of your household. Birds learn quickly in most cases, and sometimes just by listening when not in training, which may cause embarrassment to you if they learn something inappropriate. 

Training a parrot takes a lot of time and patience. You must love your bird and have a lot of time and dedication to make this partnership worthwhile. With patient training and love, you end up with a fantastic and well-behaved pet that will be with you for a very long time to come. 

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Can Feral Cats Be Tamed

Feral cats are different from stray cats. Stray cats are usually the product of a person’s irresponsibility. Irresponsibility could be defined in two ways when it comes to strays:  dumping a cat to fend for itself and/or neglecting to spay and neuter their cats. Stray cats can be timid, but are often easily tamed. Feral cats are cats that were probably born to wild parents and are wild themselves. Feral cats have had no human interaction and are very difficult to tame.

Because feral cats are difficult to tame, thus making them undesirable indoor pets, there are many rescue organizations that are dedicated to the trapping and spaying and neutering of feral cat colonies. Many times, these organizations trap the cats, have them spayed and neutered and then release them near where they were originally found. Then, they dedicate themselves to providing food to these colonies.

Feral cats are everywhere. You can find feral cats in rural or farm areas, abandoned buildings and even parks and alleyways.  You might catch a glimpse of them, but chances are that you would not be able to catch them easily.  After all, they have not been around humans so any contact would make them shy away from you. If you have feral cats in your neighborhood, you may wonder whether these animals can be kept as pets.

Taming a feral cat can be a difficult proposition simply because they are not accustomed to humans. Depending on the level of their interactions with humans, some cats might be classified as semi-feral, total feral or even a converted feral cat.  Depending on what your cat is classified dictates your potential success in socializing it. In addition, it takes a lot of time, love and patience to tame these cats.

If you find a cat that is has been feral for a years, chances are that there is little to no chance of socializing it. With no human contact at all, these cats are overly independent and would never depend on a human for food or companionship. You might have better success with a cat that is semi-feral. In these instances, they have had some limited human contact. A converted feral cat would probably have the best chance at a normal life as someone’s pet. These cats were once domesticated, meaning that they probably started life as a pet and then was abandoned. The converted feral cat will more than likely eventually respond to human interactions such as love and affection.

If you want to attempt to tame a feral cat, remember that it can be hard work reaching out to the feral cat and getting them to trust you after being on their own. Sometimes, your efforts will not pay off for months, especially with older cats. If your attempts are a success, the rewards are well worth it because a strong bond can develop and loyalty and love is the reward. 

If you believe you have the time and the love to attempt to tame a feral, there are some things to remember. First, these cats see you as an intruder and are very likely to spit, hiss, bite and claw. This is a normal response as they are defending themselves against a perceived predator – you. If they manage to get in a few bites or scratches, you should apply first aid immediately. After you have successfully trapped a feral cat, your very first step is to get it to the vet for spay or neuter and to check for any diseases it may carry. This is a necessary step and an absolute must if you have other pets in the house. After you have arrived home with your cat, you need to let it adjust to you and the surroundings by giving it a small, safe place to stay. Allow the cat to stay in a small bathroom or laundry room, where it does not feel overwhelmed. You will need to take time every day to spend time with the cat and allow the cat to adjust to you.

Remember, not all feral cats can be socialized; however with love and patience, your time and efforts may be worthwhile.

Dogs Are Mans Best Friend

Dogs are believed to be descendants of wild wolves. They were the first wild animal to be tamed. Ancient man probably brought home cub wolves to raise as pets. The pet wolves were also useful in driving away bears and other wild animals. One of the oldest known breed of dogs is the Salukis, which were bred by Egyptians thousands of years ago as hunting dogs. Greyhounds and Dalmatians are also among the oldest breeds documented.

Over the centuries, people have found many ways for dogs to be useful. Dogs helped to pull loads, herd cattle and sheep, and guard their master and the master''s property. The Ancient Greeks developed tiny lap dogs, which were meant to be held in a lady''s lap to help keep her stomach warm. Bulldogs with huge jaws and short noses were developed so they could hang onto the throat of a bull and still be able to breathe. In more recent years, dogs have been trained as seeing eye dogs for the blind. Dogs have also been recruited to work with law enforcement to detect drugs and explosives.

Today many dogs, such as the Poodle or Chihuahua, no longer resemble the wolf. Other dogs, such as the Siberian Husky and the German Shepherd still show a strong resemblance to the wolf. There are many different breeds in existence today, from the short haired Beagle and Boston Terrier to the long haired Cockers and Scotties. The Beagle may be better suited to live in the city, while Setters or Collies may be more comfortable in the country. The tallest dogs are Great Danes and the Irish Wolfhound. They would probably be more comfortable in a place where they had a lot of room to run and play.

In the United States, one out of three families owns one or more dogs. Most dogs live anywhere from eight to fifteen years. When dogs are one year old, they are as physically mature as a 15 year old human. Dogs can see some color but not as vividly as humans, thus they are considered color blind. Yet, dogs can see much better in dim light than us. Dogs have us beat in the category of smell, also. Their sense of smell is up to one million times greater than humans!

Regardless of which kind of dog you choose- big, little, smooth haired, shaggy, fast, slow, playful or dignified, dogs make wonderful companions. Enjoy their companionship and remember they need plenty of love, attention, and petting to be happy!

About The Author

Wendy Yeager - http://www.wenmarcorp.com/dogs-go2

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Puppy Love - Wonderful Companions

Everybody loves puppies. Who can resist those cute little faces and wet noses? Puppies can be a lot of fun, but they also come with a lot of added responsibility.

More than five million puppies are born every year in the United States. In fact, one in every three families owns one or more dogs. A female dog carries her puppies for a term of approximately 60 days before they are born. Puppies are born blind, deaf, and with very little sense of smell. Their eyes stay closed for about 10-15 days. By four weeks old they have complete vision. A puppy''s sense of smell and hearing develops quickly. Puppies have 28 temporary teeth, which start to appear around 3-4 weeks. Their 42 permanent teeth begin to emerge around four months. Be sure to have plenty of chew toys for your puppy. Puppies need to chew to stimulate the loss of their baby teeth and to help place their permanent teeth.

Puppies like to stay cuddled up close to their mother and siblings to stay warm and feel secure. Because puppies are somewhat dependent on their mother and need to learn to get along with other dogs, they should stay with their mother for at least eight weeks.

A new puppy should be chosen with great care. A new owner must not think only of himself, but also about people around him. A mischievous or noisy puppy can be a great nuisance to neighbors. Most importantly, a new owner must think of the comfort and well being of the puppy. Here are some questions a new owner may want to ask himself. Does the puppy have a clean place to stay and does it need a cage or pen? Is the puppy the right size for the house or apartment where it will live? Will your puppy need more exercise than it can be given? A puppy needs to work off excess energy every day. Do you prefer a playful puppy or a docile one? Will the puppy be easy to keep clean? Will you be able to give him plenty of the right kind of food? Can you afford the veterinary care your new puppy will need? Your puppy will need to receive it''s first vaccine at 6-8 weeks, then it will need boosters at 12 and 16 weeks.

Puppies are fun and full of tons of wiggly energy. Enjoy your puppy. Be sure to give your puppy a name befitting of it''s personality and call it by name often. Show your commitment to the puppy by bolstering it''s self esteem with lots of affection, attention, and rewards. Your puppy is bound to give you years of unconditional love and friendship. Soon you will be calling it "puppy love".

About The Author

Wendy Yeager - http://www.wenmarcorp.com/dogs-go2/puppies.html; mjy222@hotmail.com', 196, 'Puppy Love - Wonderful Companions, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Puppy Love - Wonderful Companions plus articles and information on Pets

Train Your Dog With Respect

Proper training of your dog should begin when he is a puppy. The first four months of a dog''s life are very important in the training of your dog. This is when they learn behaviors that they will practice in the future.

Socializing your dog is one of the most important things you can do to influence your dog''s future behavior. As soon as you bring your new puppy home, you should start letting him interact with other puppies, dogs and humans. Take your dog to parks where there will be other pets and people. Ask your friends if it is okay for your dog to visit their dog at their home or yours. Puppies will learn how to get along with other puppies and dogs if they are allowed to play with them when they are young. Introduce your dog to new experiences. Give him rides in the car, walk him on a leash around the park, let him hear the vacuum cleaner running. Help your puppy get used to a regular routine of baths, brushing , and healthy meals.

Housebreaking your puppy takes a lot of patience. Fix up a nice little space or room for your puppy. Place his food and water bowl there along with some favorite toys. Be sure to put newspapers all over the floor and replace them often. When you are at home with the puppy, let him out of his room for a short period of time to roam around and play. Return your puppy to his room and the newspapers after about 30-45 minutes to help with his housebreaking. Do not punish your puppy for having an accident. It could take up to six months before he is fully housebroken. Remember, most puppies can''t control their bladder overnight until they are about four months old.

Your puppy will undoubtedly want to chew on things he shouldn''t. Train him to leave your things alone by keeping them out of reach and by providing him with a variety of doggy chew toys. If he chews on your favorite slipper, don''t punish him. Simply replace the slipper with one of his own chew toys. Praise him for playing with his own toys.

Sometimes, you will have to leave your dog home alone. Help him to feel comfortable alone by leaving on the television or radio for company. Leave an adequate amount of food and water. Don''t forget to leave lots of doggy toys for him to play with.

You may be having trouble training your dog. Maybe he''s not responding to your commands or seems to be ignoring you. Or maybe the housebreaking is backfiring and your dog is having accidents all over the house. These may be signs of a medical condition. Be sure to visit the vet regularly to rule out things like loss of hearing or bladder infections. Always be sure your dog is healthy, happy and well cared for.

If you feel this job is too big for you or you just want some additional instruction or behavioral training for your dog,, there are many reputable professional dog trainers and obedience schools. Do some research and ask questions to find the right school for your dog.

Most importantly, you must be a responsible owner in order to train them properly. If you want your dog to trust and respect you, you must do the same in return. Never hit, kick, or slap your dog. Include your dog in family outings and games and general family life. Do not play aggressive games with them as this can cause them to behave aggressively. Reward good behavior and yet do not spoil your dog. Remember, if you practice lots of patience, love and respect for your dog, you will receive the same from him.

About The Author

Wendy Yeager

http://www.wenmarcorp.com/dogs-go2

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7 Good Reasons for Playing With Your Cat

Playing reinforces the bond between you and your cat.

Playing with your cat is the best possible way to build up a bond between the two of you. Do you want your cat to think of you as more than someone who is there to provide food, shelter and warmth? Then regular play sessions will go a long way to ensuring that your feline friend sees you as an object of his or her affections, that you are someone to greet when you arrive home.

Do not let your cat think that your hands are playthings. If your cat gets the message that it is OK to scratch at, or bite your hands, you will have the devils own job of curing him of the habit.

Playing will help preventing your cat from becoming overweight.

The best way to ensure that your cat does not become overweight is by feeding him correctly with a balanced diet, but exercise also plays a part in keeping your kitty healthy. If yours is an indoor cat, then playing with you may be his only opportunity for exertion and staying trim. Don''t overdo it though, limit play time to about 15 minutes.

Playing will help your cat to become confident.

Kittens learn how to relate with their siblings and other cats through play, it is their social education, how they learn their place in the world. Help you cat to continue this enlightenment by playing with him.

Also regular play periods, coupled with petting sessions, will get your cat used to human interaction, he will be less likely to shy away and hide, when visitors call.

Playing will help your cat develop his hunting abilities.

Hunting is a natural instinct for all cats, a cat confined to indoors usually has little chance to express and develop this instinct. Enjoy some of your play times using an interactive cat toy, the kind with a catnip mouse on the end of a cord are good. Encourage kitty to chase the toy mouse, allow him to pounce for the ''kill''.

Have a selection of cat toys but use only three or four in one session, next time amuse your feline with a different choice. Keep some toys only for play sessions, put them away between times, so that they remain interesting to your cat. Toys like catnip mice can be safely left out for kitty to amuse himself with, but be aware that small objects can, and do, get swallowed by cats. Never encourage playing with buttons, pieces of string, small bells etc. Plastic bags are as dangerous for cats as they are for children, and are not playthings.

Playing will help your cat release aggression.

Cats often display aggressive traits through boredom. Tutor your cat not to scratch, bite or attack you with play sessions. Use praise to reward your cat for playing gently, as soon as he shows any sign he is about to use his teeth or claws - end the play session. This will teach your cat that aggressive cat behavior is best directed to his toys, and not you!

Playing is ''Fun'' for your cat!.

Cats need fun in their lives, just like humans need it. Relieve the monotony of eating, snoozing and using the litter tray by putting a bit of fun in your cats life. You will have a happier, more confident and less aggressive kitty.

Playing is ''Fun'' for you!.

And finally, it is fun for you to play with your cat. A cat is a wonderful pet just to have around the place to admire its beauty and for its company. But how much better for you to enjoy a little fun by playing with your cat. Cat playtime, good for your cat, good for you!

About The Author

If you have a pet related web site and you wish to reproduce the above article you are welcome to do so, provided the article is reproduced in its entirety, including this resource box and live link to http://www.best-cat-art.com/cat-breeds.html

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Pets: The Wild Kind

Just because we moved out to the country a couple years back does NOT mean we want to run a farm. Tending to animals is just not how we want to spend our time. We don''t want cows or sheep or chickens. We don''t want hogs or ducks. We don''t even want a dog or a cat to train.

OK, so my wife says that she wants a cat, but that''s only because she knows I won''t have anything to do with it. I suspect that if I ever said, "OK, you win. Let''s get a cat", she would run screaming down the stairs pulling at her hair and just keep on running... causing damage to the stairway carpet, not to mention the window at the bottom of the staircase.

We don''t want a parrot or a rabbit or a hamster or even a mouse.

But when you live in the country, you have pets, whether you like it or not.

The first summer, we were welcomed by Muffet the skunk. Although she never responded to that name, we let her keep it. She just loved our compost heap. In fact, she had a frequent-eater pass at the all-you-can-eat compost buffet.

The second summer we were skunk-free, but this summer we were blessed with a new traveling perfume salesman. We did not name him, but we have determined that he is on a diet. He stays away from the all-you-can-eat compost buffet.

He is also much less intelligent than Muffet. When we see him, we jump and shout and wave our hands to get his attention,. But we usually have to get his attention three or four times before something in his microbe-sized brain clicks in and says, "Wait a minute. That''s not the hot dog vendor beckoning me to clean up his leftovers. Maybe I should turn around."

But he is smart enough provide a two-tier burglar deterent. First, he drives them away with his odor. "Peee-ew. Let''s go rob the Jensons down the road." Second he digs thousands of tiny pits all over the lawn to trip any burglar foolish enough to try to escape.

And to answer your question, no I did not personally verify the gender of these skunks. But you are free to check if you doubt my word.

This summer, we discovered an exotic spider (See http://www.vitamin-supplements-store.net/spider.html). Painted on its inch-long black back are two bright yellow eyes. Spooky. We even watched it wrap its prey ? a small, light brown flying thingy. With amazing speed, the spider scurried from the center of her web toward the helpless victim at least a foot away. Then in a matter of two seconds flat, the spider spun the fly around three or four times, weaving it into a web cocoon like rolling a corpse in a carpet behind Luigi''s Fine Finer and Smokes. No gangster could have operated with one tenth the speed.

Just a few hours ago, I was proud to show off a bees nest over a foot tall hanging from a low branch in our One Acre Woods.

"Wow. It''s just like in Winnie the Pooh!" That was Little Lady, now 3 years and 3 months old.

"Destroy it. There must be thousands of bees in there!" That was my wife.

The fact is that I have had to destroy four bees nests in the past three weeks, all between the stones in our foundation. I am not keen to drive the bees away from their forest nest and toward the house. In fact, I think I''ll post an arrow sign near the house pointing to the forest: "Cheap rent. Spacious hive. Vibrant community."

So far, we''ve avoided the pets inside the house ? we won''t discuss the "storm trooper ants incident" or the midnight mouse-trap peanut-butter visits ? and we have kept the hogs and sheep at bay (although the chickens sheepishly crawl through the fence and the stray cats like to run hog wild around our land).

No pets, perhaps. But you still have to share your space with skunks and spiders and bees when you live in the country.

Coming soon to a humor column near you: How I adopted 14,673 cluster flies on a Tuesday afternoon....without even breaking into a sweat.

About The Author

David Leonhardt publishes The Happy Guy humor column.

Visit his home page: http://www.thehappyguy.com

David is owner of The Liquid Vitamin Supplements Store: http://www.vitamin-supplements-store.net

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The Different Breeds Of Dogs

The American Kennel Club recognizes 150 different dog breeds. There are seven different groups in which the dog can belong. They are assigned to one of the groups based on what the breed of dog was originally developed for. There is also a miscellaneous group if the dog doesn''t fit into one of the seven. The seven different dog groups are as follows.

The first is the sporting group. These dogs were developed to work with people who hunted birds. A Labrador Retriever would fit into this group. Labs can also be beneficial as guide dogs and in search and rescue.

The second group is the hound group. These dogs were developed to hunt using their scent and sight. This group includes the Whippet, which is the fastest domestic animal of their size. They can run up to 35 mph.

Thirdly, is the working group, which includes the Saint Bernard. They have been known for hundreds of years for their rescue work in the Alps. Other dogs in this group are useful for herding or guarding.

The fourth group is the terrier group, first developed to hunt vermin. The Australian Terrier, one of the smallest terriers, is a part of this group. They were developed to work side by side with the Australian pioneers to aid in tending the sheep or chasing off invaders.

The fifth group is the toy group, developed to be companions. A Japanese Chin is a good example. They like to play, show off, and spend lots of time trying to keep clean and tidy.

The sixth group is the non-sporting group, which overall do not perform the tasks that they were originally developed for. A good example would be the American Eskimo Dog. These dogs were sometimes used in circus acts at the beginning of the century.

The seventh group is the herding group, which was meant to be used in working with livestock. The German Shepherd is in this group. They are not only useful in herding livestock, they are also great companions to humans.

Originally, many dog breeds were first developed for specific uses, such as hunting, companionship, herding, etc. Today, because man has created such a large variety of dog breeds, there is a dog out there to make almost anybody happy. Currently, the most popular dog breed in America is the Labrador Retriever, with the Golden Retriever coming in second.

About The Author

Published by: Wendy Yeager

http://www.wenmarcorp.com/dogs-go2; mjy222@hotmail.com', 196, 'The Different Breeds Of Dogs, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'The Different Breeds Of Dogs plus articles and information on Pets

Dog Obedience Training Basics

The most important things in dog training are consistency, keeping dog''s attention and understanding your dog.

To get the respect of your dog you must be consistent. You should make a set of do''s and don''ts for your dog. Follow these guidelines to the letter, if a dog does something desirable always reward it, if a dog does something bad punish him or her appropriately. In dogs world consistency is a sign of a leader. You will make your training my easier and effective by being a leader who the dog respects and follows.

Ninety percent of your dogs training will be getting his or hers attention and keeping him focused on yourself. If your dog cannot focus on you, it will not listen to you, and thus making the commands you give fall on empty ears. I will describe a technique on how to get and keep your dog''s attention with few very simple exercises. First, most dogs will respond to their name, so call them and when they look at you tell them "watch". After doing it few times the dog will associate the command with looking at you. After you have perfected the "watch" command, start doing exercises aimed at expanding your dog''s attention span. A good technique is to hold a treat with your teeth and while standing in front of your dog give it a watch command. Stand in position for a few seconds keeping dogs attention, then praise. Repeat the exercise until your dog focus on you for about a minute. The more attention your dog can give you the better student it will be.

A vital part of dog training is the understanding of how a dog thinks. Dogs, like small children, have a very short attention span. Most dogs can be focused on training for about ten to twenty minutes, after that time they will start loosing focus and will require a small break. A good idea is to make regular training sessions of 20-30 minutes per day. Another important thing is to make the training fun for the dog. Make the dog look forward to the training time instead of dreading it. To achieve this you should always make their effort worthwhile. After every successful command make sure to give them a treat or praise them with very excited voice. The more willing the dog is to train the more effective the training will be!

Incorporate these techniques into your training sessions and in no-time you will be ready to proceed to much more complex obedience training exercises. You and your dog will both enjoy the time spent together, your dog will respect you for being a responsible owner and other people will appreciate your dog''s great behavior after you are done!

Dmitry Belov is founder of Dnepr Import. Visit their site at: Dog Obedience Training', 196, 'Dog Obedience Training Basics, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Dog Obedience Training Basics plus articles and information on Pets

Secrets of Kitty Body Language

Kittens communicate in a very distinct way. Did you know that every twitch, every purr, every motion actually means something... at least to your kitten!

The key to building a devoted and caring relationship between you and your kitten is understanding how kittens communicate

Lets discuss the primary mechanisms a kitten uses to communicate.

Eyes

The eyes truly are the windows to the soul... even when you consider the souls of kittens. Kittens use their eyes to tell you what they want.

For example, if a kitten gazes at something for a few minutes, but then turns away, it is usually an indication that he recognizes the object or person, but chooses not to communicate with them for the time being.

If however, a kitten stares at something and holds its gaze for some time (and also twitches his tail and perhaps raises its fur) that is a clear indication that he feels threatened.

At times the kitten will also make an aggressive meow to indicate they are ready for combat if necessary.

Tail

Reading a kittens tail movements is not only fun its useful. A cats tail tells a lot of things about whats on their minds. One of the uses a kitten has for its tail is to demonstrate self confidence and pride.

Kittens may walk with their tails sticking straight up in the air, indicating they are having a very proud and boastful moment.

If on the other hand a kittens tail suddenly puffs out and looks bushy, and starts shaking it is usually a sign that something has frightened the kitten. When given this sign, though your urge may be to pick up your kitten, avoid doing so immediately. You might startle the kitten and end up with a harsh scratch.

Small twitches of a kittens tail can also indicate that your kitten is irritated at something. This can be for a variety of reasons, including a dirty litter box or lack of food. Be sure to check out your kittys supplies to make sure there isnt some small problem you can remedy quickly.

Purring

Purring is usually the universal body language sign kittens give off. For the most part kittens purr when they are happy, content and satisfied.

Thus, the more your kitty purrs the happier he is. Kittens love to purr when you hold them, stroke them and even brush their fur.

Learning to understand your kittens signals can help you build a long lasting and happy relationship together. If you take the time to pay attention to your kitten, youll start picking up on his unique signals quickly and swiftly.

If youre still worried, here are a few pointers that will ensure you bond with your kitten right off the bat:

* Trampling Paws - sign of affection or need for attention.

* Dilated Pupils - indicates fear or threat. Stay back initially and try to determine cause of fear.

* Arched Back - Kitten is attacking, feels threatened.

* Ears folded forward - Kitten is exploring. Slow Tail Flapping Indicates Satisfaction and Joy.

About The Author

Neelia Evelyn is the author of the best-selling ebook *Kitty Secrets*. In her book, she reveals astonishing secrets guaranteed to thrill and make you cat feel like a million dollars! See: http://www.kittysecrets.com', 196, 'Secrets of Kitty Body Language, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Secrets of Kitty Body Language plus articles and information on Pets

Dogs & Kids: Happy Together

Dogs and kids, it''s a combination that at it''s best can be the stuff of childhood dreams. At it''s worst, it can be a source of heartache and pain and even injury. How can you ensure that your child and Man''s Best Friend have a loving and safe relationship? Mostly, it''s the responsibility of the adults of the house to teach toddlers and even older children that a dog is not a toy. It''s a living, breathing creature that feels pain, shame and humiliation as much as love, pride and happiness. A dog that bites a child may only be defending itself the only way it knows how. But to minimize ever having to worry about a parent''s worst nightmare, family animal psychologist, Larry Lachman, M.S., offers the following advice:

SAFETY PREVENTION TIPS TO TEACH YOUR CHILD:

• Do NOT reach for a dog''s head the first time they meet a dog nor excessively rough house around their own dog''s head and face.

• Do NOT look a dog straight in the eyes, which could be seen as a threat or challenge by the dog.

• Do NOT run up frantically to a dog, which may react fearfully and defend itself or jump and bite at the child''s face.

• Do NOT scream loudly at a dog, which could stress a dog or startle it, causing an aggressive response.

• Do NOT bother the dog while it is eating or chewing on a chew toy, which could trigger an aggressive guarding response, especially if the child is under seven years of age, where he/she is looked at by the dog as a competing animal in the pack.

• Do NOT hit, kick, slap, ride, or tease the dog in any manner.

• Do NOT leave the child and dog alone until the child is older than 7, and can control its impulses.

Adults Should Take The Time...

• To show the child HOW TO POSITIVELY interact and pet the dog under direct supervision.

• To show the child how to be a junior dog trainer, and get the dog to sit with a treat, under parental supervision.

• To only give the dog attention when the child is also receiving attention so the dog makes a better association with the child.

Following these tips will minimize conflict and teach your child to respect your dog and treat her as a member of the family.

About The Author

Gene R. Sower
Lucy The Wonder Dog, LLC
"For The Health & Wellness Of Your Dog"
http://www.lucythewonderdog.com

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Why Does My Cat Drink Dirty Water?

You know that cats should always have a supply of water, especially if you are feeding them dried food. There on your nice clean kitchen floor is a bowl of nice clean fresh water, in a nice clean bowl.

What does your cat do? Maybe gives the bowl a sniff and walks away from it, or just ignores the bowl completely, as if water were the last thing a self respecting cat would consider drinking.

"Okay", you think to yourself, "Kitty just isn''t thirsty at the moment". But then later, you happen to spy your cat busily lapping up stale water from a puddle in your garden as if it was nectar.

Cats are self-reliant, independent creatures, but surely your cat is not going to turn its nose up at the nice clean water you provide, just to let you know it can survive without you? After all, kitty does not reject the food you provide even though it is perfectly capable of catching mice.

No, the answer is not your mouser''s independence. Tap water is usually treated with chemicals, often chlorinated strongly enough for a cat to smell it. Cats noses are far more sensitive than human noses and many cats find this chemical odor very offensive. Stale water in puddles and pools has a far more attractive smell are far as a cat is concerned. Puddles may be full of rotten vegetation and microbes, but cats find this organic soup very tasty.

As well as the off-putting odor of chemicals in tap water, cats find the smell of detergents repugnant. So, because you diligently clean your cat''s water bowl in the interest of hygiene, the detergent that you use deters your cat from drinking from it. You use the same detergent to wash your cat''s food bowl, why then, does your feline friend eat heartily from the bowl, and not be repelled by the smell of the detergent? This is because the aroma of the fish or meat is stronger than the smell of the detergent.

With the water bowl, the combination of the two unpleasant smells, the chemicals in the tap water and the detergent, means that your cat will only quench its thirst from the water bowl if there is no better smelling option to be had.

So, what can you do? You need to rinse your cat''s bowl more thoroughly than you would a plate for a human. Remember feline noses are far more sensitive than ours, every trace of detergent needs to be rinsed off. Secondly, let the water from the tap stand for a while before putting the bowl down for your cat, this will allow the chemicals to dissipate.

These two things should have kitty drinking happily from the dish, unless, of course, kitty has got so used to drinking from puddles it just can''t kick the organic water habit!

About The Author

Larry Chamberlain

If you have a pet related web site and you wish to reproduce the above article you are welcome to do so, provided the article is reproduced in its entirety, including this resource box and live link to http://www.best-cat-art.com.

Cat art posters, art prints, cat calendars and cat collectibles. Great cat gifts for yourself or your cat loving friends.', 196, 'Why Does My Cat Drink Dirty Water?, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Why Does My Cat Drink Dirty Water? plus articles and information on Pets

Need a Low-Maintenance Pet? Try a Tarantula!

If you''re like me, then you don''t really have the luxury of keeping a high-maintenance pet such as a dog. Even a less demanding pet such as a cat might be beyond your time constraints. Fish tanks can be difficult too, since it''s easy to under-estimate the time and effort involved in keeping them clean. So what options do you have?

Well, you could try a snake or one of the hardier lizard varieties. My personal favorites, however, are tarantulas. That''s right-those big, hairy, eight-legged freaks.

Contrary to popular belief, tarantulas are really not deadly; in fact, there are no known instances of anyone dying from a tarantula bite. In addition, most of the pet store specimens that you''ll encounter are exceedingly docile, and will generally not bite unless they are severely provoked.

The most common variety available is the Chilean rose hair tarantula (Grammastola rosea), which is notoriously gentle and easy to handle. It is also known to have fairly mild venom, and almost never bites. Other docile and readily available species include the Honduran curly hair tarantula (Brachypelma albopilosum) and the Guyana pinktoe tarantula (Avicularia avicularia).

Unlike a dog or a cat, these animals do not require much care. They can go for weeks without food or water, although regular care is still recommended. They do not generate much waste either, and so cleaning their cages is easy as well. Some species do have rather specific humidity requirements, but the most common pet store varieties are not so demanding. They also require very little space, and most of them can be kept in plastic shoebox-sized containers. Make sure that their lids fit tightly though, since these animals can be quite good at escaping.

I do recommend reading up on tarantula care, so as to learn the proper care requirements for the specimen that you choose. Be aware that some species can be quite aggressive, and are not recommended for beginners. These species are less commonly available though, and are generally obtained via mail order. If in doubt, start with a Chilean rose hair, as this is an excellent beginner species.

Owners should be aware that even within docile species, there can be some individuals that are more aggressive than others. In addition, there is always the possibility of an allergic reaction if you are bitten. In theory, this could result in a potentially fatal anaphylactic shock, although I am not aware of any circumstances in which this has actually happened. For these reasons, new owners should learn how to read a tarantula''s body language, and should stay away from species that have a reputation for biting without provocation.

Also, do remember that you never have to actually hold the tarantulas-just as you never have to actually hold your aquarium fish. I recommend reading up on handling techniques, so that you can move the animals around without having to touch them. This can be helpful for those who are squeamish, or who simply wish to be cautious. When in doubt, err on the side of safety.

If you''re not intimidated by the prospect of keeping one of these wondrous creatures, then I recommend them highly. They can be quite addictive, and they never fail to entertain.

About The Author

V. Berba Velasco Jr., Ph.D. is a senior electrical and software engineer at Cellular Technology Ltd (http://www.immunospot.com, http://www.elispot-analyzers.de, http://www.elispot.cn). The neighborhood children have referred to him as the "Crocodile Hunter" though, due to his impressive menagerie of magnificent arachnids.', 196, 'Need a Low-Maintenance Pet? Try a Tarantula!, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Need a Low-Maintenance Pet? Try a Tarantula! plus articles and information on Pets

Introduction To House Training

INSERT INTO pqdb_articles (article_id, article_title, article_text, article_cat, article_meta_key, article_meta_desc) VALUES (31597, '', 'The information in this article is based on the successful crate training method. Crate training is not cruel. I repeat: Crate training is not cruel. If used correctly, it uses the dog''s natural den instinct to your own advantage by encouraging the dog not to pee or poop where it sleeps. Dogs are naturally clean animals and will avoid going to the bathroom where they sleep. But you need to keep the following points in mind to be successful.

Establish A Regular Eating Routine

As I''m fond of saying, ''what goes in must come out''. To help you figure out the best times to get your dog to go to the bathroom it''s important to feed your dog at the same times every day. This is the ideal time to practice your house training lessons. For your dog''s comfort it''s also a good idea to feed your dog in the same place every day, a place that they will identify as their eating spot. With your puppy, there''s a very short time between eating and eliminating. Figure around 15 - 20 minutes. When feeding your dog, give her 15-20 minutes and then pick up the uneaten portion (if any). This will also teach your dog to eat when fed. Again, these rules can be relaxed once your dog is house trained but for now it''s key to establish a routine.

Until your dog is house trained, also avoid treats and in-between meal snacks. The whole idea is to feed your dog, observe them constantly for the 15 -20 minutes after they eat and then bring them to the place where you want them to do their business. Do it like clockwork and you''ll be putting your puppy in a position to succeed. This is all about setting expectations and teaching your eager learner to do what you want. And when they do, praise them wildly. Make it seem like that little pee or poop that they did is the greatest and most magnificent thing you''ve ever seen in your entire life. Your friends and neighbors may think you''re crazy, but I can''t stress enough the power of praise. It''s what your puppy craves. Give it to her in generous amounts.

How Old Should Your Puppy Be?

How old should your puppy be before you begin house training? Start as early as you can but don''t expect results until the pup is about 14 weeks old. Before 14 weeks your pup cannot physically hold it in. Then why start early you may ask? Well, even though your pup may not be physically able to hold it in, she''ll at least begin learning what''s expected of her. Consider any training before 14 weeks to be ''pre-school''. When her physical abilities catch up with what you taught her, it will make it that much easier to put the lessons into practice.

Size Matters

If you''re considering crate training your dog as a means of house training, keep in mind that the size of crate you choose is very important. A good rule of thumb about size is: the crate should only be big enough for the dog to comfortably stand up and turn around in. You don''t want the crate so big that the dog will mess at one end and sleep at the other. For large-sized breeds that will continue to grow substantially, you may need to buy a larger size later on if you intend for your dog to continue using the crate after it is house trained. And the most important rule of all: NEVER, under any circumstances, use the crate as a form of punishment. The crate should be a place where your dog wants to go, to sleep and get away from the bustle and activity in your home. You never want them to associate it with being punished.

Happy House Training!

About The Author

copyright © Gene Sower

Gene Sower is the author of the Happy House Training ebook: ''Learn To House Train Your Dog Easily & Effectively''; http://www.lucythewonderdog.com/ebook.htm', 196, 'Introduction To House Training, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Introduction To House Training plus articles and information on Pets

The 7 Stages of Puppy Development

Let''s take a look at the different stages, but before we do, keep in mind that these stages are generalizations ? each dog will progress at its own pace.

Stage 1: The Transitional Stage 2-3 Weeks

The Transitional stage generally lasts from age two to three weeks, and it''s during this time that your puppy''s eyes will open, and he''ll slowly start to respond to light and movement and sounds around him. He''ll become a little more mobile during this period, trying to get his feet underneath him and crawling around in the box (or wherever home is.) He''ll start to recognize mom and his littermates, and any objects you might place in the box.

Stage 2: The Almost Ready To Meet The World Stage 3-4 Weeks

The Almost ready to meet the world stage lasts from 3 to about 4 weeks, and your puppy undergoes rapid sensory development during this time. Fully alert to his environment, he''ll begin to recognize you and other family members. It''s best to avoid loud noises or sudden changes during this period ? negative events can have a serious impact on his personality and development right now. Puppies learn how to be a dog during this time, so it''s essential that they stay with mom and littermates.

Stage 3: The Overlap Stage 4-7 Weeks

From 3-4 weeks your puppy begins the most critical social development period of his life ? he learns social interaction with his littermates, learns how to play and learns bite inhibition.

He''ll also learn discipline at this point ? Mom will begin weaning the pups around this time, and will start teaching them basic manners, including accepting her as the leader of the pack. You can begin to introduce food to the pups starting around the 4th week ? transition gradually as Mom weans them. Continue handling the pups daily, but don''t separate them from either Mom or litter mates for more than about 10 minutes per day. Puppies that are removed from the nest too early frequently are nervous, more prone to barking and biting and have a more difficult time with socialization and training. Puppies need to be left with Mom and siblings until at least 7 weeks of age - and preferably a little longer - for optimum social development. Experts say that the best time in a puppy''s life to learn social skills is between 3 and 16 weeks of age ? that''s the window of opportunity you have to make sure your puppy grows up to be a well-adjusted dog. It''s extremely important to leave your puppy with Mom and his littermates during as much of this period as possible. Don''t discipline for play fighting, housebreaking mistakes or mouthing ? that''s all normal behavior for a puppy at this stage.

Stage 4: The "I''m Afraid of Everything" Stage 8 Weeks to 3 Months

The "I''m Afraid of Everything" Stage lasts from about 8 weeks to 3 months, and is characterized by rapid learning as well as a "fearful period" that usually pops up at around 8 to 10 weeks. Not all dogs experience this, but most do, and they''ll appear terrified over things that they took in stride before. This is not a good time to engage in harsh discipline (not that you ever should anyway!), loud voices or traumatic events. At this time your puppy''s bladder and bowels are starting to come under much better control, and he''s capable of sleeping through the night. (At last, you can get some rest!) You can begin teaching simple commands like: come, sit, stay, down, etc. Leash training can begin. It''s important not to isolate your puppy from human contact at this time, as he''ll continue to learn behaviors and manners that will affect him in later years.

Stage 5: The Juvenile Stage 3 Months to 4 Months

The Juvenile stage typically lasts from 3 to 4 months of age, and it''s during this time your puppy is most like a toddler. He''ll be a little more independent - he might start ignoring the commands he''s only recently learned ? just like a child does when they''re trying to exert their new-found independence. As in "I don''t have to listen to you!" Firm and gentle reinforcement of commands and training is what''s required here. He might start biting you ? play biting or even a real attempt to challenge your authority. A sharp "No!" or "No bite!" command, followed by several minutes of ignoring him, should take care of this problem. Continue to play with him and handle him on a daily basis, but don''t play games like tug of war or wrestling with him. He may perceive tug of war as a game of dominance ? especially if he wins. And wrestling is another game that can rapidly get out of hand. As your puppy''s strength grows, he''s going to want to play-fight to see who''s stronger ? even if you win, the message your puppy receives is that it''s ok to fight with you. And that''s not ok!

Stage 6: The Brat Stage 4-6 Months

The Brat Stage starts at about 4 months and runs until about 6 months, and it''s during this time your puppy will demonstrate even more independence and willfulness. You may see a decline in his urge to please you ? expect to see more "testing the limits" type of behaviors. He''ll be going through a teething cycle during this time, and will also be looking for things to chew on to relieve the pain and pressure. Frozen doggie bones can help sooth him during this period.

He may try to assert his new "dominance" over other family members, especially children. Continue his training in obedience and basic commands, but make sure to never let him off his leash during this time unless you''re in a confined area. Many times pups at this age will ignore commands to return or come to their owners, which can be a dangerous, even fatal, breakdown in your dog''s response to you. If you turn him loose in a public place, and he bolts, the chances of injury or even death can result ? so don''t take the chance.

He''ll now begin to go through the hormonal changes brought about by his growing sexual maturity, and you may see signs of rebelliousness. (Think adolescent teen-age boy!) If you haven''t already, you should have him neutered during this time. (Or spayed if you have a female.)

Stage 7: The Young Adult Stage 6-18 Months

The Young Adulthood stage lasts from 6 months to about 18 months, and is usually a great time in your dog''s life - he''s young, he''s exuberant, he''s full of beans ? and yet he''s learning all the things he needs to become a full-fledged adult dog.

Be realistic in your expectations of your dog at this time ? just because he''s approaching his full growth and may look like an adult, he''s not as seasoned and experienced as you might expect. Gradually increase the scope of activities for your dog, as well as the training. You can start more advanced training during this period, such as herding or agility training, if that''s something both of you are interested in. Otherwise, extend his activities to include more people and other animals ? allow him to interact with non-threatening or non-aggressive dogs.

Congratulations! You''ve raised your puppy through the 7 stages of childhood, er, I mean puppyhood, and now you have a grown-up, adult dog! Almost feels like you''ve raised a kid, doesn''t it?

Charlie Lafave, author, "Dog Training Secrets!" To transform your stubborn, misbehaving dog into a loyal, well-behaving "best friend" who obeys your every command and is the envy of the neighborhood, visit: http://tinyurl.com/6u2cj', 196, 'The 7 Stages of Puppy Development, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'The 7 Stages of Puppy Development plus articles and information on Pets

Mosquitoes Are a Hazard to Your Pets Health Too

None of us likes to be bitten by mosquitoes and sometimes it is easy to forget that our pets suffer from mosquito bites too.

Mosquitoes feed on blood, and they will take it where they can find it. Only the female bites, the males feed on plant nectar. While the female may have preferred hosts, she must have protein from blood to produce eggs. And, one blood meal is often not enough to produce a clutch of eggs. Often the female will feed, rest to digest the meal and feed again up to three times before she can get enough protein to produce her eggs.

So, each time your pet is outside in mosquito territory, it is a sitting target for a hungry female mosquito that is eager to reproduce.

Many species of mosquitoes will choose birds over humans or pets, but they have even been known to feed on frogs and other reptiles, if that is what they can find for a blood meal.

Most responsible pet owners know of the hazards from mosquito bites associated with heartworm disease in cats and dogs. Mosquitoes carry parasite larvae, which they transmit to your pet once they bite. The parasite larvae then migrate to the heart and major circulatory organs in your pet, where it develops into an adult worm that can reach ten inches in length.

The problem with heartworms is that they can take many years to develop into an adult that can cause symptoms in your cat or dog. Dogs are usually more at risk than cats, simply because they are usually outdoors more often. By the time the symptoms develop, treatment is long and difficult. Sometimes the pet owner is unaware of the problem until the animal simply dies during exertion, a tragic ending that is very preventable.

Protection against heartworms is as easy as a trip to your veterinarian. Many effective medicines, which are given orally, can prevent development of the larvae, if an infected mosquito bites your pet. The biggest failure of these medicines is pet owner default. They must be administered faithfully once per month with no lapse in treatment. And, just because it seems like mosquito season is at bay, don''t lapse and forget to give your pet its dose. Many mosquitoes over-winter in protected places and they arouse ready to bite long before you might expect them.

Luckily, it is now possible to get a shot for your pet that will afford protection against heartworms for up to six months. Even diligent and caring pet owners can sometimes forget about the narrow window of opportunity for administering the oral medication. This new advancement spares you and your pet the risky aftermath of those lapses.

Now, pet owners have an even greater concern about mosquito bites to their pets. While rare, West Nile virus has been reported in both dogs and cats. There are very few reported cases of pet fatalities in dogs and cats, but the risk still exists. Instead, most of the time, the animal may test positive for the virus, without having symptoms.

If your pet has West Nile virus, it may have the following symptoms: fever, depression or lethargy, muscle weakness or spasms, impaired coordination, seizures or paralysis. If your pet has these symptoms, consult your veterinarian immediately.

Bird and horse owners should be much more concerned. West Nile virus is primarily fatal to many bird species. Crows, for example, are very susceptible to fatal cases. Sparrows, on the other hand, easily contract it, but have no symptoms. And, migratory birds like sparrows help to continue the spread of the virus because they are highly mobile.

Of those birds that are kept as pets, parrots, cockateels and parakeets are most at risk. The risk factor is lower because they are seldom outside. If your home is well sealed and has good screens, these pets should be easily protected, if kept indoors.

Horse owners are now able to protect their horses with a very effective vaccine. Horses are particularly susceptible to mosquito borne viruses, and it is difficult to keep them away from outdoor exposure, even in barns and stalls. No such vaccine exists for smaller animals.

The same thing that protects you against mosquito diseases also protect your pets. Prevention!

Keep your home and yard mosquito free by being sure that mosquitoes don''t have places to breed. Avoid allowing any water to stand in containers, like buckets, birdbaths, pet bowls, gutters, storm drains, and plant saucers. Many mosquitoes need only ¼ cup of water to breed.

The FDA has traditionally advised keeping your pet indoors around dawn and dusk, because that is when many mosquito species feed. That advice is no longer enough to protect your pet. The Asian tiger mosquito is an aggressive day biter. It was imported to the United States in 1985 and is now found in 30 states. It carries both West Nile virus and heartworm parasites.

Instead, get rid of any possible breeding sites and also get a good pet insect repellant. Mosquito repellants made for humans are not to be used on pets. Never put any repellant on pets that is not DEET free. Instead get a repellant that is made for veterinary use and apply only according to directions. With your pets, you have to assume they may lick treated areas and you can''t afford to take a chance that the repellant may be toxic to them.

For example, tea tree oil is a good natural mosquito repellent for humans, but it has proved fatal to some cats that have licked it off of their fur.

And, consider getting a propane powered mosquito trap to reduce mosquito populations in your yard. They are very effective, although expensive, but actually kill hundreds of mosquitoes if used according to the manufacturers directions. Over time these devices can actually decrease mosquito populations.

Mosquitoes are here to stay. Our best defense for our pets is to know how to avoid them, and how to keep our pets safe using the latest scientific advances. And, many of the things we do to protect our pets from mosquito borne diseases are good for us too.

About The Author

Scottie Johnson is a life long mosquito warrior, free lance author and dog lover. For more information about having a mosquito free life, visit her site at http://www.mosquito-kill-net.com; info@www.mosquito-kill-net.com', 196, 'Mosquitoes Are a Hazard to Your Pets Health Too, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Mosquitoes Are a Hazard to Your Pets Health Too plus articles and information on Pets

17 Tips Thatll Safeguard You and Your Family From Dog Bites or Attack

Did you apperceive that added than one actor arctic americans will be apathetic by dogs this year, and about one actor dog bites will go unreported.

Its sad but a lot of of the victims will be children. These dog bites will appear from animals accepted to them. Unleashed dogs will annual for a lot of of the bites inflicted.

What Makes Dogs Bite

Not accepting accomplished and pet owners not accepting committed on training their pet is what leads to a lot of of these dog bites. We accept to apprehend that dogs don''t commonly become a allotment of our families already trained.

Why Then Do Dogs Bite?

1. They will chaw if scared, angry, or threatened. Even a dog thats affable will bite.

2. If he feels he''s cornered or crowded.

3. They will assure what they anticipate belongs to them. Like their food, toys.

4. Dogs will assure their amplitude such as sleeping area, yard, porch, cars and home.

5. Dogs are bloodthirsty by attributes and adulation to hunt and attack.

6. A devious dog may feel agitated accepting absent or aching and chaw with alot beneath provocation.

7. A dog accepting abashed may baste out and bite.

How to Prevent Bites

8. Teaching adolescent accouchement to be accurate about pets. Don''t acquiesce accouchement to play asperous or acquiesce pupies to bite. Not even play biting.

9. Advise your accouchement never get abutting to aberrant dogs.

10. Leave a dogs things abandoned like food, toys, bones, ect.

11. A lot of injuries are acquired by accepting too abutting to a dogs face with your own.

12. Refain from active accomplished a dog. They adulation to chase. Avoid accepting a dog aflame or aggressive, by babble and screaming.

13. You never wish to pet a dog thats eating, sleeping or careing for its puppies.

14. Stay abroad from dogs that are angry up or in cars.

15. You should consistently ask permission from a pet buyer to pet his dog. Even if he''s present and the dog''s on a leash.

16. Refrain from accepted your accoutrements or things you accept at a dog. It may anticipate its an allurement to bite.

17. You should never pet devious dogs or ones active loose.

Its abundant to accept a dog go on a backpack or airing on a aisle with you but we bodies charge to amusement dogs with respect. Just bethink to advise your accouchement how act about dogs, it will accumulate them safe.

Val and Robin Shortt are accomplished band and own three alfresco websites. For added tips like these and to annals for their Free newsletter visit:Good Night Camping Equipment', 196, '17 Tips Thatll Safeguard You and Your Family From Dog Bites or Attack, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', '17 Tips Thatll Safeguard You and Your Family From Dog Bites or Advance additional online writing and advice on Pets

Whos Affairs On The Leash, You Or Your Dog?

Hopefully no one is affairs the leash. The ideal bearings is that you and your dog are appropriately adequate the airing and neither is affairs and tugging the added in any assertive direction.

If your dog tends to be affairs you off into its own administration a ample bulk of the time you are walking, you can alternation the dog to stop accomplishing this. What''s absorbing is that you accept in fact been training the dog to do this behavior not alone by acceptance it but by acknowledging it after acumen it.

There are assorted affidavit that could could cause a dog to automatically cull on the leash. For example, if a advocate sees a accumulate or added beastly barrel bound beyond in foreground of him, he is traveling to go berzerk. You can calculation on that. So be accessible to authority on acerb if you plan to accumulate the advocate in tow in a bearings like this.

Just captivation the dog in tow is not enough, though, back this will reinforce the dog''s admiration to pull. Think of it as a training opportunity! To use it as a training opportunity, you''ll charge to apperceive absolutely how you''re traveling to train.

Another archetype that will could could cause your dog to cull you off advance is if your dog wants to detect out an area, he will automatically go to the breadth with no anticipation of you who are on the added end of his leash.

Expert trainers accept techniques to accumulate a dog focused in the administration of your choice. You wish to yield affliction not to accolade the dog if he goes off your called aisle and expects you to go with him. Back it takes you by surprise, you may aback accolade him by afterward him, foolishly reacting to his abrupt behavior.

Now you may yield a attending at what you are accomplishing that is advantageous this behavior. You say, "I''m not advantageous him! I don''t accord him a amusement for accomplishing this." This is the time to accede what a dog considers a reward, then.

To a dog a accolade is if you accord him something which brings him beatitude whether you meant it as a accolade or not. As you know, treats are not the alone affair that accompany beatitude in a dog''s life. Accede that you are advantageous the dog if he is accustomed to cull you off advance at his whim.

Any dog can be accomplished to stop affairs on the leash. There are no banned as to age or how continued the dog has been accustomed to cull on the leash. From what you accept apprehend actuality and with some patience, focus and alliteration you can alternation your dog to stop affairs on the leash.

The bad account is that this training takes some education. The acceptable account is that this apprenticeship is accessible and the training is accessible for anyone who can physically authority the dog on a leash. And added acceptable news: there is no affliction or abuse complex at all, neither for you nor for your dog! An able trainer can accord you some basal accomplish to accepting the after-effects you wish by afterward a defined formula.

Mogens Eliasen of K9joy is an able trainer with 30+ years acquaintance and columnist of the aces ability blue-blooded "Don''t Cull On The Leash." http://www.PullingOnTheLeash.com

Juanita Bellavance, the columnist of this commodity can be contacted at jjbellava@MyCopywritingSpecialist.com', 196, 'Whos Affairs On The Leash, You Or Your Dog?, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Whos Affairs On The Leash, You Or Your Dog? additional online writing and advice on Pets

Pet Adoption: The Right Choice

Pet adoption is a fabulous option if you''re seeking a companion animal. You''ll be able to select from a wide variety of different breeds and ages as well as save a life. However, I fully realize that if you plan to show or breed your animal, it would make more sense to purchase a young animal from a breeder.

I purchased my first three animals, two dogs and one cat, from breeders. Each animal ended up being a reasonably good house pet. As I''ve got older and wiser, I''ve realized the incredible number of great animals in shelters that need homes. Therefore, my most recent dog is adopted from a greyhound rescue group. My greyhound has been the best companion dog of all! I fully expect my next animal will be an adoption as well.

There are a few things to think about when adopting an animal from a shelter. First, make sure that you''re prepared to accommodate an animal that may need a little more tender love and care in his or her first few months. As you know, it''s quite a transition going from a shelter to a home and a neighborhood.

Secondly, when you get to the shelter, be selective based on which animal would be the best match. This includes the obvious things such as size, breed and hair length, but also the less obvious like personality. You won''t necessarily have knowledge about the animal''s prior history. Specifically, you won''t know whether the animal had been abused, physically or emotionally. Abuse can definitely affect the way the animal behaves. You''ll want to work with the adoption facility director to determine whether the animal is the right fit for you and your family. In most cases, you''ll find that the majority of animals in shelters have very good personalities and will become wonderful pets.

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There are thousands of adoption facilities around the country and around the world for dogs, cats, fish, reptiles, horses and other animals. These animals range from being purebreds to mixed breeds, from being puppies to older adults, from being small to being very large. Take a ride to your local animal shelter and see if any of the available pets appeal to you. Alternatively, seek out the perfect pet online. See the below links to do a quick, targeted search for a cat or dog.

http://www.thepetman.com/', 196, 'Pet Adoption: The Right Choice, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Pet Adoption: The Right Choice plus articles and information on Pets

Analysis of Cat Behavior

The most important thing to remember in analyzing the behavior of your cat is that your pet is not a human. Cats are not rational beings and their actions are not based on emotion. Changes in his behavior are not stemmed from any repressed anger with you; your cat is not trying to get revenge on you for being away from home too much or bringing a new baby into the house.

Negative changes in cat behavior are typically cause by stress or anxiety for the cat. It is easy to see why pet owners tend to conclude that the cat''s feelings toward them are causing the behavioral differences; it is human nature to correlate two unrelated events. In reality, there is a missing link: your behavior may cause the cat physical anxiety, thus the cat''s behavior alteration is based on physiological changes in his body.

One common complaint among cat owners is that their cat has suddenly chosen a new favorite place to deposit wastes instead of his litter box. This could be a result of a few factors.

First, it may be a medical problem. Cats are prone to urinary track infections that make it extremely painful to urinate. Cats then associate the pain of urination with the litter box, so they do not like to visit their designated urination station. If your cat has stopped using the litter box, your first step should be to take him to the vet and have a thorough check-up run on him. Cats also have natural preferences for certain textures and smells, so if you have recently changed the type of cat litter you use, the cat may be showing that he does not care for the new feeling or smell of his litter. In avoiding the litter box, the cat may have become attached to new textures and locations around your household, perhaps the soft living room rug or bedroom closet.

The best strategy is not to punish the cat; he will not understand. Rather, have a medical check up, switch litters, and continuously reintroduce the cat to his litter box. Reward him for using it, just like he was a kitten again.

To relieve any anxiety your cat may be feeling, carefully analyze any changes that have occurred in his life as of late. If a new baby or roommate comes into the house, your cat may feel threatened, so be sure to give him extra attention. If you suddenly have to spend more time away from home than normal, consider getting a second cat so that your cat does not spend his days alone. Although the cat is not having emotional reactions, his body feels different due to changes around him.

Be in tune with what may be causing your cat to feel anxious, analyze the situation, and do the loyal owner duty of relieving his stress.

Keith Kingston is a professional web publisher who offers advice on cat health, cat supplies, and cat names', 196, 'Analysis of Cat Behavior, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Analysis of Cat Behavior plus articles and information on Pets

Boston Terrier - The Costs Of Owning A Boston Terrier

Having a dog is a little like accepting a baby. Afore you blitz out to the abutting agriculturalist or apartment you accept to accede the costs of ensuring that your new pet charcoal contented and blessed with his home life.

Cost not alone refers to affairs but to your time as well. You should bethink that Boston Terriers are animals that advance on absorption and charge approved exercise. If your plan is to tie your dog up alfresco and alone go out to accord him aliment and water, again overlook it! This is not the dog for you! If you are incapable, for whatever reason, of demography allotment in concrete activity, again a Boston Terrier is a actual bad idea.

Below, you will acquisition some credibility to accede afore you adjudge aloft accepting a Boston Terrier:

Financial Implications:

Your terrier will crave approved vaccinations and booster, which can be absolutely expensive.

Your terrier may charge approved bloom checks and/or analysis for illnesses, which can aswell be actual expensive.

You will charge to acquirement a array of items for your dog, such as bedding, toys, bowls, leash, collar, admonishment items, pet carrier, and crate.

The costs of affairs aliment for your terrier can arise up. He will basically be an added aperture to feed.

You may acquire fees such as: training, boarding kennels if you are traveling away, and grooming.

Time Implications:

Boston Terriers charge a lot of attention. You will charge to accommodate this, no amount how active you are.

They aswell charge approved exercise. You will accept to put abreast time to get complex with play and yield your dog for walks every day.

Your Boston Terrier will charge training. Whether you do this yourself or yield him forth to able classes, you will charge to address your time to allowance him and practising his training.

He will crave approved admonishment to ensure acceptable health. Again, this can be time consuming.

Bearing in apperception the aloft capital credibility you should accept a bright abstraction of whether this dog is the appropriate one for you.

Abhik Sarkar is the columnist of an invaluable ability for both new and accepted Boston Terrier owners - http://www.boston-terrier-secrets.com

You can aswell assurance up for an 8 allotment email advance on this appropriate brand by sending a bare email to boston-optin@getresponse.com', 196, 'Boston Terrier - The Costs Of Owning A Boston Terrier, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Boston Terrier - The Costs Of Owning A Boston Terrier additional online writing and advice on Pets

Boston Terrier - Appropriate Apropos For This Adorable Breed

Beautiful as they are, Boston Terriers accept some abiogenetic ancestry and defects that you have to consistently be alert of. In adjustment to accumulate your dogs'' bloom in aristocratic action and ensure that he leads a advantageous and blessed life, you have to ensure that you are acquainted of the breeds appropriate requirements and of abeyant dangers.

There are a fair few illnesses that a Boston, decidedly a authentic bred, is affected to. This is why you should ensure that you get your Boston from a good, acclaimed agriculturalist who can acquaint you all about the dog and his ancestors line. You would be afraid at how abundant your agriculturalist has to do with the Boston''s beatitude and yours.

Some of these appropriate apropos include:

Genetic illnesses such as: luxating patella (slipping kneecap), affection problems, mange, breath problems, Cushings syndrome.

Extreme acclimate sensitivity: Bostons can ache calefaction achievement if they are apparent for continued periods to acute heat, stuffiness and humidity. They are aswell acute to acute algid and have to not be apparent for continued periods to this acclimate either. This is one of the affidavit that this brand is classed as an calm breed.

Wheezing: This is acquired by the breeds abbreviate snout. Although this is allotment and bindle of a Boston Terrier, boundless asthmatic should consistently be arrested out by a vet. You should aswell yield affliction not to apprehend boundless action and exercise from your Boston because of this problem.

Eye problems: This is the aftereffect of the Bostons arresting eyes. They are affected to associated problems such as lacerations and infections, and have to be carefully monitored.

Although these apropos have to be kept in apperception at all times, you can get accord of apperception with a little affliction and attention. Checking your dog on a account base for abnormalities or defects will advice to accumulate infections at bay. Being able to aces up on any conflicting behaviour from your dog will accord you a clue if he is activity unwell. And demography affliction in the summer and winter months will accredit you to ensure that he is not apparent to temperatures that could prove alarming to him.

Abhik Sarkar is the columnist of an invaluable ability for both new and accepted Boston Terrier owners, http://www.boston-terrier-secrets.com

You can aswell assurance up for an 8 allotment email advance on this appropriate brand by sending a bare email to boston-optin@getresponse.com', 196, 'Boston Terrier - Appropriate Apropos For This Adorable Breed, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Boston Terrier - Appropriate Apropos For This Adorable Brand additional online writing and advice on Pets

Is Pet Allowance Account It?

Many pet owners generally admiration if it''s account it to acquirement pet insurance. The way I see it, there are two capital considerations, your assessment if it comes to adventurousness and the accepted bloom of your pet.

Are you a risk-taker or are you conservative? If you are a risk-taker if it comes to allowance and would be accept accoutrement any health-related costs yourself, you shouldn''t bother accepting pet insurance. Appropriate or wrong, this is what a lot of pet owners do. However, if you are conservative, and wish the accord of apperception alive that a lot of above bloom costs you acquire for your pet would be covered, pet allowance ability be appropriate for you!

The additional application is the accepted bloom of your pet. Of course, it''s absurd to adumbrate with any akin of attention how advantageous your pet will be, but if you accept anxiously researched the birth of your puppy, babe or foal, and accept complete advice about the bloom of the lines, again that''s admired advice for you to use if authoritative this decision.

Next, you ability be apprehensive how pet allowance works. It''s appealing simple. You''d pay a account allowance exceptional for your pet, which could be as low as $10 per ages (but usually higher). Some affairs awning accepted affliction as able-bodied as accidents and illnesses, while others alone awning accidents and illnesses (the after would be cheaper). If your pet receives veterinary care, you''d abide the bill to the allowance aggregation for reimbursement. Based on the plan you purchase, you''d be reimbursed a allotment of the absolute amount bare any deductible. Not every action is covered, so analysis out your action carefully.

With the ascent costs of pet healthcare and with the extremes that abounding of us would go to for our pets, pet allowance is acceptable actual accepted with pet owners.

http://www.thepetman.com', 196, 'Is Pet Allowance Account It?, Pets, Pets articles, Pets information, about Pets, what is Pets, Pet Information', 'Is Pet Allowance Account It? additional online writing and advice on Pets