By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Bosun_Sogeke]Bosun Sogeke
Breeding guinea pig is very rewarding. First of all, mating them is easy. Rearing them is easy and at the end of the day you will be happy as you watch these little creatures grow and develop. Just make sure that you will be able to provide good homes for the babies. The male guinea pig is called a boar and the female is called a sow and the sow can start breeding at the age of just five weeks. However, although this is possible it is still too young for the sow. It is recommended that the sow weighs around 400gm, and this equivalent to the sow being 3 months old.
Breeding guinea pig, the male should be at around 3 or 4 months of age before you allow them to mate. The cycle of the sow�s oestrus cycle (heat) lasts around 16 days. During this time, the sow will be interested in communicating with the boar for around eight hours. Breeding guinea pig can occur anywhere during these eight hours. The sows and the boar-beaus get on really well, so the only and easiest way to get the romance in the air is to keep the two together until you are positive that the sow is pregnant.
It will probably be easy for you to tell when the sow has reached her season. In the time of season the female guinea pig�s spine will curve and this will help her rear end elevate. You will find in the breeding guinea pig stages that the pregnant sow mounts other sows that are accompanying her. If you have more than one sow, a very happy boar can service up to 10 female guinea pigs.
Keep in mind that during breeding guinea pig stages the female guinea pig has to take her time in order to produce her little ones. This will take between nine and ten weeks before the wait is over and the reward to you will be babies. A sow is able to produce anywhere from a single to six young. However, three or four is what the average amount is. If there is going to be a larger litter, the length of pregnancy will be shorter.
After the breeding guinea pig stage has ended, you will notice during the female guinea pig�s pregnancy she will develop a bulbous shape, and her weight will be doubled. It will be recommended that the water quantities are increased because the �soon to be mother� will be consuming more water than usual.
For you to tell when the female guinea pig will deliver her babies will be hard. The reason for this is that the length of pregnancy is long and also because female guinea pigs don�t go around building nests. However, after the time of the breeding guinea pig and now close to the delivering stages you will notice the pelvis widening. This will occur in the last week before the sow gives birth. The separation of the pelvis increases in the last few hours before birth to more than 2.5 centimeters.
The delivery is usually uncomplicated and this usually takes anywhere around an hour. There is usually a 5 minute gap between each piglet entering the real world. Sad to know is that stillbirths and abortions are very common throughout the lives of guinea pigs.
The diet of the pregnant guinea pig after the breeding guinea pig period is very important. It is very important that the female guinea pig consumes more than the normal dose of Vitamin C. Guinea pigs can contract scurvy just like humans, and because of that they have to receive their dose of vitamin C. Guinea pigs can�t produce vitamin C, and during the breeding guinea pig stages, the female will require at least three times more vitamin C that she would normally receive.
Vitamin C can be added to the drinking water at a solution of 200mg of vitamin C to every liter of water. However, in water vitamin C dissolves quickly and supplementing the pregnant sow with foods enriched with vitamin C will solve that problem.
Breeding guinea pig can be a pleasure, but what is asked of you can be a real challenge. Rest assured that what you will experience will be the most beautiful thing on earth.
For more information or to learn more on Guinea Pig, please visit my [http://www.guineapigaspet.blogspot.com]blog
Friday, August 31, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
How Michael Vic Could Begin to Redeem Himself
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kate_Garvey]Kate Garvey
On August 20th, 2007, Michael Vic confessed to his involvement with dog fighting. Defense attorney, Billy Martin states, "Mr. Vick has agreed to enter a plea of guilty to those charges and to accept full responsibility for his actions and the mistakes he has made,"� "Michael wishes to apologize again to everyone who has been hurt by this matter." Most likely Michael Vic will pay a fine close to $250,000 and spend 12 to 18 months in jail.
To an NFL player, $250,000 is probably the equivalent of a speeding ticket or minor traffic violation for an average American household. If he really wanted to accept responsibility for his action he would sell every possession he owns and donate all of his money it to animal shelters and legal defense funds for animals. He would spend the rest of his life working to helping others see the errors of his ways, and he would volunteer his time and energy at shelters, and when and if he ever received another endorsement, he would turn that money over as well. Additionally, he would contact every corporate entity that sought his endorsement and beg them to donate to animal rights organizations such as the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Humane Society of America and the ASPCA�or have them as their next endorsement.
The NFL could gain respect by requiring any player found guilty (or someone who pleads guilty) to animal abuse, child abuse or spousal abuse forever be banned from the game. Granted none of these actions would restore the many innocent lives that were taken, diminish the horrendous abuse he caused, or bring back the dogs that he strangled or drowned (at least eight were killed execution style), but it would be much more noble than a measly $250,000 and one year of his life.
For a free copy on Ways to Prevent Animal Abuse, please visit http://www.PetCareRCA.com. Kate Garvery is the founder and director of the Pet Care Resource Center of America. She is also a freelance writer and provides professional writing services for individuals and business owners http://www.kategarvey.net. Kate is the author of 3 non-fiction books and more than 40 non-fiction articles.
On August 20th, 2007, Michael Vic confessed to his involvement with dog fighting. Defense attorney, Billy Martin states, "Mr. Vick has agreed to enter a plea of guilty to those charges and to accept full responsibility for his actions and the mistakes he has made,"� "Michael wishes to apologize again to everyone who has been hurt by this matter." Most likely Michael Vic will pay a fine close to $250,000 and spend 12 to 18 months in jail.
To an NFL player, $250,000 is probably the equivalent of a speeding ticket or minor traffic violation for an average American household. If he really wanted to accept responsibility for his action he would sell every possession he owns and donate all of his money it to animal shelters and legal defense funds for animals. He would spend the rest of his life working to helping others see the errors of his ways, and he would volunteer his time and energy at shelters, and when and if he ever received another endorsement, he would turn that money over as well. Additionally, he would contact every corporate entity that sought his endorsement and beg them to donate to animal rights organizations such as the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Humane Society of America and the ASPCA�or have them as their next endorsement.
The NFL could gain respect by requiring any player found guilty (or someone who pleads guilty) to animal abuse, child abuse or spousal abuse forever be banned from the game. Granted none of these actions would restore the many innocent lives that were taken, diminish the horrendous abuse he caused, or bring back the dogs that he strangled or drowned (at least eight were killed execution style), but it would be much more noble than a measly $250,000 and one year of his life.
For a free copy on Ways to Prevent Animal Abuse, please visit http://www.PetCareRCA.com. Kate Garvery is the founder and director of the Pet Care Resource Center of America. She is also a freelance writer and provides professional writing services for individuals and business owners http://www.kategarvey.net. Kate is the author of 3 non-fiction books and more than 40 non-fiction articles.
Monday, August 27, 2007
My Pets
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Megha_Mathur]Megha Mathur
I have been with pets since I was a toddler. It started with my love for a stray ginger bread with a dab of cream colour scheme dog, whom I had named Tikki. He would visit our home daily to seek any piece of bread that we could spare for him. I must say, he was as punctual as a soldier. At that time we lived in a house too small to be able to make room for a pet.
As I started attending school, our meetings gradually got limited to weekends. Each afternoon the minute I would step back home, the first thing I did was to ask if Tikki was present for his daily bread. Months passed in the same routine,when suddenly Tikki stopped appearing. The second day of his absence, mom and me went looking for him in our neighbourhood, hoping to find him busy playing somewhere, praying in our hearts for him to be fine. We asked a few of our neighbours about my famous friend, when to our horror, we learnt that, he had been caught by the Municipality people who were evacuating our local area off stray animals. We approached the Municipality, but since he had been kept with other stray dogs, who were suspects of being sufferers of Rabies, a potential threat to the community, we could not get my dear friend back home with us.
It was a sad moment of my life, my little heart was not ready to accept the logical aspect of the treatment my Tikki was getting, just on the pretext of being a stray dog. Seeing me sad and tearful all the time, my father brought home, my first pet, a rabbit.
I soon got busy with my soft & fluffy snow-white bunny. As time flew, I grew and so did the number and variety of animals I had as pets over the years. From rabbits to dogs to birds, I have had them all. From snow-white to shaded brown rabbits, German Shepherds to American Spitz dogs, to multicoloured love parrots.
Being with pets, gives you a warm,caring and very loving playmate at all times. They understand us, our moods, our needs much more than people around us can. The fun time I had burrowing and digging holes in garden, jumping around in ponds, getting dirty in the rains, all hold fond memories that shall last for a lifetime for me. The moments when I used to be a care taker of my puppy pets, wrap the baby rabbits in warm clothes, taking care of feeding their favourites, getting them new toys every now and then, taught me a lot of things about life. I have grown to understand emotions beyond the expression in words, have learnt to appreciate nature in its vivid colours and melodies, all cause of my pets.
I have been with pets since I was a toddler. It started with my love for a stray ginger bread with a dab of cream colour scheme dog, whom I had named Tikki. He would visit our home daily to seek any piece of bread that we could spare for him. I must say, he was as punctual as a soldier. At that time we lived in a house too small to be able to make room for a pet.
As I started attending school, our meetings gradually got limited to weekends. Each afternoon the minute I would step back home, the first thing I did was to ask if Tikki was present for his daily bread. Months passed in the same routine,when suddenly Tikki stopped appearing. The second day of his absence, mom and me went looking for him in our neighbourhood, hoping to find him busy playing somewhere, praying in our hearts for him to be fine. We asked a few of our neighbours about my famous friend, when to our horror, we learnt that, he had been caught by the Municipality people who were evacuating our local area off stray animals. We approached the Municipality, but since he had been kept with other stray dogs, who were suspects of being sufferers of Rabies, a potential threat to the community, we could not get my dear friend back home with us.
It was a sad moment of my life, my little heart was not ready to accept the logical aspect of the treatment my Tikki was getting, just on the pretext of being a stray dog. Seeing me sad and tearful all the time, my father brought home, my first pet, a rabbit.
I soon got busy with my soft & fluffy snow-white bunny. As time flew, I grew and so did the number and variety of animals I had as pets over the years. From rabbits to dogs to birds, I have had them all. From snow-white to shaded brown rabbits, German Shepherds to American Spitz dogs, to multicoloured love parrots.
Being with pets, gives you a warm,caring and very loving playmate at all times. They understand us, our moods, our needs much more than people around us can. The fun time I had burrowing and digging holes in garden, jumping around in ponds, getting dirty in the rains, all hold fond memories that shall last for a lifetime for me. The moments when I used to be a care taker of my puppy pets, wrap the baby rabbits in warm clothes, taking care of feeding their favourites, getting them new toys every now and then, taught me a lot of things about life. I have grown to understand emotions beyond the expression in words, have learnt to appreciate nature in its vivid colours and melodies, all cause of my pets.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
5 Tips on Preparing your Four-legged Family Members for an Emergency Disaster Situation
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Deborah_Stanley]Deborah Stanley
Emergency Preparation Tips for Pet Owners
Disasters can happen anywhere at any time. The public doesn�t usually get a lot of notice before a disaster strikes, so you must be prepared in advance and know what to do quickly if there is an emergency.
Here are 5 simple steps that you can take to prepare your pets and reduce the level of stress and worry for your entire family to a minimum.
Tip #1. Get a Pet Emergency Supplies Kit.
Have it readily accessible and make sure it consists of at least the following items:
Pet first aid kit that will cover your pets� emergency medical needs. If your pets take any medications, add some extra supplies.
Food (in water proof container) and water, 3-day ration.
Collars with ID tags - make sure the information is current and updated. You might consider microchipping as permanent identification as collars get lost.
Safety harness and leash.
Sanitation Items.
Rescue Pet Decals � to alert rescue teams to save your pets inside the house.
Comfort toys and blankets to take with your pets if you have to evacuate.
Tip #2. Pack a picture of your pets in case you get separated.
It will help rescue workers to identify and reunite you with your pets faster.
Tip #3. Get your pets familiar with their carriers or crates.
Usually, pets associate them with visits to the vet and become stressed at the first site of them. Let your pets play in the carrier or get them some treats to make the transition easier when the time comes.
Tip #4. Know your pets hiding places in and out of the house.
At the first warning of a disaster, you might consider putting them in one room in case you have to leave in a hurry.
Tip #5. Have a Family Emergency Plan Ready:
Map out a get-away plan: how you pack your pets, where you go.
Check with the nearby shelters, veterinary hospitals, and hotels to see if they would take your pets in an emergency.
Develop a pet care buddy system � arrange for friends or extended family to take your pets in if you must evacuate in a shelter that doesn�t allow pets for health issues. Instruct your caretakers on the location of the emergency supplies kit and anything else you might find useful.
Learn about various disasters that could strike your particular area. You might have to wait home longer before getting an order to evacuate, so get some extra supplies of food and water.
If you have to evacuate, take your pets with you if possible.
For more information please visit [http://www.PetsReady.com?src=ezinearticles]http://www.PetsReady.com
---------------------
After seeing the terrible images of animals endangered in Katrina, Deborah and her family decided to start a company to help you protect the most helpless members of your family.
Millions of animal owners worldwide consider their pets an indispensable part of their family. If your area is struck by a hurricane or flood, terrorist attack, fire or tornado, your pets� chance to survive depends directly on how prepared you get today. Whether you have to evacuate or stay put, our emergency supplies kits will help you to stay prepared and informed.
Please Visit her site [http://www.PetsReady.com?src=ezinearticles]http://www.PetsReady.com for more tips on how to get your pets ready TODAY!
Emergency Preparation Tips for Pet Owners
Disasters can happen anywhere at any time. The public doesn�t usually get a lot of notice before a disaster strikes, so you must be prepared in advance and know what to do quickly if there is an emergency.
Here are 5 simple steps that you can take to prepare your pets and reduce the level of stress and worry for your entire family to a minimum.
Tip #1. Get a Pet Emergency Supplies Kit.
Have it readily accessible and make sure it consists of at least the following items:
Pet first aid kit that will cover your pets� emergency medical needs. If your pets take any medications, add some extra supplies.
Food (in water proof container) and water, 3-day ration.
Collars with ID tags - make sure the information is current and updated. You might consider microchipping as permanent identification as collars get lost.
Safety harness and leash.
Sanitation Items.
Rescue Pet Decals � to alert rescue teams to save your pets inside the house.
Comfort toys and blankets to take with your pets if you have to evacuate.
Tip #2. Pack a picture of your pets in case you get separated.
It will help rescue workers to identify and reunite you with your pets faster.
Tip #3. Get your pets familiar with their carriers or crates.
Usually, pets associate them with visits to the vet and become stressed at the first site of them. Let your pets play in the carrier or get them some treats to make the transition easier when the time comes.
Tip #4. Know your pets hiding places in and out of the house.
At the first warning of a disaster, you might consider putting them in one room in case you have to leave in a hurry.
Tip #5. Have a Family Emergency Plan Ready:
Map out a get-away plan: how you pack your pets, where you go.
Check with the nearby shelters, veterinary hospitals, and hotels to see if they would take your pets in an emergency.
Develop a pet care buddy system � arrange for friends or extended family to take your pets in if you must evacuate in a shelter that doesn�t allow pets for health issues. Instruct your caretakers on the location of the emergency supplies kit and anything else you might find useful.
Learn about various disasters that could strike your particular area. You might have to wait home longer before getting an order to evacuate, so get some extra supplies of food and water.
If you have to evacuate, take your pets with you if possible.
For more information please visit [http://www.PetsReady.com?src=ezinearticles]http://www.PetsReady.com
---------------------
After seeing the terrible images of animals endangered in Katrina, Deborah and her family decided to start a company to help you protect the most helpless members of your family.
Millions of animal owners worldwide consider their pets an indispensable part of their family. If your area is struck by a hurricane or flood, terrorist attack, fire or tornado, your pets� chance to survive depends directly on how prepared you get today. Whether you have to evacuate or stay put, our emergency supplies kits will help you to stay prepared and informed.
Please Visit her site [http://www.PetsReady.com?src=ezinearticles]http://www.PetsReady.com for more tips on how to get your pets ready TODAY!
Thursday, August 23, 2007
How To Acclimitise New Corals And Fish Correctly
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Peter_Barry_Cunningham]Peter Barry Cunningham
It always amazes me how many people I see or talk to who purchase a marine animal, take it home, open the bag and pour it into their aquarium. I can never understand why some people do not acclimatise their purchases properly, it could be laziness, lack of knowledge, impatience etc but one thing is for certain life is on the line here so it must be done correctly.
The purpose of acclimatisation is simple - the water that the animal is packaged in may have a different temperature, pH and salinity than that of your aquarium. Aquatic life (especially corals and invertebrates) are very sensitive to minor changes in water parameters therefore acclimatisation is a definite requirement for success.
There are two ways which are recommended to acclimatise your new purchase to your aquarium. Neither of these should be rushed and both should be performed with the aquarium lights off. The lights should also remain off for a further 6 to 12 hours after the animal has been introduced to the quarantine tank, or the main display tank, whichever you are using.
The Drip Method
The drip method of acclimatisation is normally used for more sensitive inhabitants, however more and more fish keepers are using this method for all livestock.
Before you commence with this method ensure that the lights on your aquarium are turned off. Also ensure that the lights in the room where you will be unpacking the fish are also turned down to a minimum. Bright lights will cause excessive stress to the fish.
Float the bag whilst it is still sealed in the aquarium for a minimum of 15 minutes. Do not open the bag at this stage. This allows the water in the bag to slowly adjust to the temperature of your aquarium.
Remove the bag from the aquarium and very carefully empty the contents of the bag into a marine safe receptacle (do not use too big a receptacle). Ensure that the animal is fully submerged. If the animal is an invertebrate do not allow it to come into contact with the air - they must remain submerged at all times.
You will need to use some airline so that you can set up a drip line from your main aquarium to the receptacle.
In your aquarium secure the airline tubing so that it cannot fall out. On the other end (the end which is in the receptacle) add an airline control valve (this will allow you to regulate the flow of water).
With the tubing in your aquarium submerged and the other end in the bucket start the siphon by gently sucking on the airline tube. This will start the siphon and water will start to pass from your main aquarium to the bucket. As soon as water begins to flow adjust the valve so that you are getting between 2 to 5 drops per second.
Now wait until the water in the receptacle doubles the initial amount, pause the siphon using the control valve, discard half of the water from the receptacle and start the siphon again using the control valve.
Wait until the water doubles again and then stop or break the siphon. You are now ready to introduce your animal to the aquarium.
If the animal is a fish then capture the fish using a proper aquatic net and release into the aquarium.
If the animal is a coral then you can simply lift it out of the receptacle and place it into the aquarium.
If the animal is an invertebrate then you will need to capture it under water and keep it under water until it is introduced into the aquarium. Try to retain as little as possible of the receptacle water when doing the transfer.
Discard the water from the receptacle - never introduce the water into your aquarium (apart from that necessary for invertebrates).
Leave the aquarium lights off for at least 6 - 12 hours after the introduction.
The Floating Bag Method
Before you commence ensure that the lights on your aquarium are turned off. Also ensure that the lights in the room where you will be unpacking the animal are turned down to a minimum. Bright lights will cause excessive stress to the animal.
Float the bag whilst it is still sealed in the aquarium for a minimum of 15 minutes. Do not open the bag at this stage. This allows the water in the bag to slowly adjust to the temperature of your aquarium.
Once a minimum of 15 minutes has passed open the bag as near to the top as possible and either attach this to the side of the aquarium, or create an air pocket in the top of the bag so that the bag will float.
Once the bag is open add half an egg cup of your aquarium water to the bag and wait 5 to 10 minutes.
After 5 to 10 minutes again add half an egg cup of your aquarium water to the bag and wait another 5 to 10 minutes.
Continue with this process until the bag is full.
Once the bag is full remove the bag from the water and discard at least half of the water from the bag.
Re-float the bag in the water and repeat the steps of adding half an egg cup of your aquarium water to the bag again until the bag is full (Remember to wait 5 to 10 minutes between each water addition)
Once the bag is full capture the fish using a proper aquatic net and release into the aquarium. Corals can be removed from the bag and placed in the aquarium. When some corals are touched they could produce a great deal of slime - this is nothing to worry about and is perfectly normal. However do not introduce any of the water into the aquarium. Invertebrates need to be released into the aquarium under the water. You should never allow them to be out of the water in air. To release invertebrates lower the bag into the aquarium and tease the animal out of the bag. Some of the water will escape into the aquarium, however attempt to keep this to a minimum.
Discard the water in the shipping bag - never introduce the water from the shipping bag into your aquarium.
Leave the aquarium lights off for at least 6 - 12 hours after the introduction to allow your new purchases to become acclimatised to their new home.
So there you go - 2 ways to properly introduce your fish, corals etc into your aquarium. It�s not hard, it just takes patience. Remember that it is very important to be patient. The acclimatisation period should take as long as needed.
Give you fish, corals and inverts the best possible chance of survival from the outset but acclimatising them correctly.
Peter Cunningham and John Cunningham combined have been keeping salt water aquarium's for nearly 35 years. Visit their site 'Aquarists Online' if you are interested in the [http://www.aquaristsonline.com]saltwater aquarium hobby.
It always amazes me how many people I see or talk to who purchase a marine animal, take it home, open the bag and pour it into their aquarium. I can never understand why some people do not acclimatise their purchases properly, it could be laziness, lack of knowledge, impatience etc but one thing is for certain life is on the line here so it must be done correctly.
The purpose of acclimatisation is simple - the water that the animal is packaged in may have a different temperature, pH and salinity than that of your aquarium. Aquatic life (especially corals and invertebrates) are very sensitive to minor changes in water parameters therefore acclimatisation is a definite requirement for success.
There are two ways which are recommended to acclimatise your new purchase to your aquarium. Neither of these should be rushed and both should be performed with the aquarium lights off. The lights should also remain off for a further 6 to 12 hours after the animal has been introduced to the quarantine tank, or the main display tank, whichever you are using.
The Drip Method
The drip method of acclimatisation is normally used for more sensitive inhabitants, however more and more fish keepers are using this method for all livestock.
Before you commence with this method ensure that the lights on your aquarium are turned off. Also ensure that the lights in the room where you will be unpacking the fish are also turned down to a minimum. Bright lights will cause excessive stress to the fish.
Float the bag whilst it is still sealed in the aquarium for a minimum of 15 minutes. Do not open the bag at this stage. This allows the water in the bag to slowly adjust to the temperature of your aquarium.
Remove the bag from the aquarium and very carefully empty the contents of the bag into a marine safe receptacle (do not use too big a receptacle). Ensure that the animal is fully submerged. If the animal is an invertebrate do not allow it to come into contact with the air - they must remain submerged at all times.
You will need to use some airline so that you can set up a drip line from your main aquarium to the receptacle.
In your aquarium secure the airline tubing so that it cannot fall out. On the other end (the end which is in the receptacle) add an airline control valve (this will allow you to regulate the flow of water).
With the tubing in your aquarium submerged and the other end in the bucket start the siphon by gently sucking on the airline tube. This will start the siphon and water will start to pass from your main aquarium to the bucket. As soon as water begins to flow adjust the valve so that you are getting between 2 to 5 drops per second.
Now wait until the water in the receptacle doubles the initial amount, pause the siphon using the control valve, discard half of the water from the receptacle and start the siphon again using the control valve.
Wait until the water doubles again and then stop or break the siphon. You are now ready to introduce your animal to the aquarium.
If the animal is a fish then capture the fish using a proper aquatic net and release into the aquarium.
If the animal is a coral then you can simply lift it out of the receptacle and place it into the aquarium.
If the animal is an invertebrate then you will need to capture it under water and keep it under water until it is introduced into the aquarium. Try to retain as little as possible of the receptacle water when doing the transfer.
Discard the water from the receptacle - never introduce the water into your aquarium (apart from that necessary for invertebrates).
Leave the aquarium lights off for at least 6 - 12 hours after the introduction.
The Floating Bag Method
Before you commence ensure that the lights on your aquarium are turned off. Also ensure that the lights in the room where you will be unpacking the animal are turned down to a minimum. Bright lights will cause excessive stress to the animal.
Float the bag whilst it is still sealed in the aquarium for a minimum of 15 minutes. Do not open the bag at this stage. This allows the water in the bag to slowly adjust to the temperature of your aquarium.
Once a minimum of 15 minutes has passed open the bag as near to the top as possible and either attach this to the side of the aquarium, or create an air pocket in the top of the bag so that the bag will float.
Once the bag is open add half an egg cup of your aquarium water to the bag and wait 5 to 10 minutes.
After 5 to 10 minutes again add half an egg cup of your aquarium water to the bag and wait another 5 to 10 minutes.
Continue with this process until the bag is full.
Once the bag is full remove the bag from the water and discard at least half of the water from the bag.
Re-float the bag in the water and repeat the steps of adding half an egg cup of your aquarium water to the bag again until the bag is full (Remember to wait 5 to 10 minutes between each water addition)
Once the bag is full capture the fish using a proper aquatic net and release into the aquarium. Corals can be removed from the bag and placed in the aquarium. When some corals are touched they could produce a great deal of slime - this is nothing to worry about and is perfectly normal. However do not introduce any of the water into the aquarium. Invertebrates need to be released into the aquarium under the water. You should never allow them to be out of the water in air. To release invertebrates lower the bag into the aquarium and tease the animal out of the bag. Some of the water will escape into the aquarium, however attempt to keep this to a minimum.
Discard the water in the shipping bag - never introduce the water from the shipping bag into your aquarium.
Leave the aquarium lights off for at least 6 - 12 hours after the introduction to allow your new purchases to become acclimatised to their new home.
So there you go - 2 ways to properly introduce your fish, corals etc into your aquarium. It�s not hard, it just takes patience. Remember that it is very important to be patient. The acclimatisation period should take as long as needed.
Give you fish, corals and inverts the best possible chance of survival from the outset but acclimatising them correctly.
Peter Cunningham and John Cunningham combined have been keeping salt water aquarium's for nearly 35 years. Visit their site 'Aquarists Online' if you are interested in the [http://www.aquaristsonline.com]saltwater aquarium hobby.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Pet Loss - Memorializing a Cherished Pet
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Colleen_Mihelich]Colleen Mihelich
We all love our pets dearly, they are members of our families. They are there waiting for us when we return home from our busy days with lots of love, licks and purrs. They give so much to us � joy, humor, a quiet friend, playfulness, knowing eyes and understanding. But when it comes time for them to leave this world they can sure leave big holes in our hearts.
"One of the biggest myths about the grief that accompanies pet loss is that it's somehow different than grieving the loss of a human. When we love and we lose that love, whether it's a human or an animal, we feel grief,"Marty Tousley, Bereavement Counselor.
Fortunately, it is becoming more acceptable in our society to grieve over our animals. As the owner of an online pet memorials website, I talk to grieving pet owners daily and have come to realize that finding a way to formally mark the passing of a cherished pet, whether with a pet grave marker or an urn, really helps the griever to move through a significant step in the grieving process. The ritual of visiting the grave marker or pausing to acknowledge the presence of an urn can provide a reconnection with the emotions of grief. This reconnection can be very healing and transformative.
Here are some suggestions for memorializing your pet and providing ritual for the healing process:
Save your pet�s collar, favorite toy(s) or any other objects that were meaningful to him. Find a special box to keep them in. Put the box in a place where it can be a gentle reminder of your love for him.
Create a garden or sanctuary in your yard where you can place a pet grave marker. Add a comfortable place to sit where you can meditate or just be quiet with your thoughts
Find a beautiful urn to keep some or all of your pet�s ashes in. You can permanently seal the urn shut with epoxy, or seal it with wax so that it can be opened again. Place the urn in a special place.
Plant a tree in memoriam to your pet. Some suggested trees are willows, which represent the beginning of spring, a hopeful sentiment in marking the passing of a loved one; palm trees to signify eternity; or fruit trees, which signify life and renewal.
Compile a photo album of all of the photos that you have of your pet. Write a farewell letter telling your pet what they mean to you, what you will miss about them, how they influenced your life, etc. Thank them for all of the gifts that they brought into your life and heart. Place this letter in the photo album as the first page.
You can decide to do any of these rituals at any time in the grieving process. Everyone moves through grief at their own pace. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Know that anything that you feel is okay, and that it does get easier in time.
In my daily experience with grieving pet owners, I continually hear the great anticipation with which people await the arrival of their memorial stones and urns. It is a bittersweet moment to open the package and unveil the formal token honoring the memory of their beloved pet. I am continually told how the placement of the marker or urn helps to ease the heartache and somehow brings a feeling of peace and calm.
Colleen Mihelich
Owner, Peternity . . . honoring your pet for eternity http://www.peternity.com [mailto:colleen@peternity.com]colleen@peternity.com 877-PET-PEACE
We all love our pets dearly, they are members of our families. They are there waiting for us when we return home from our busy days with lots of love, licks and purrs. They give so much to us � joy, humor, a quiet friend, playfulness, knowing eyes and understanding. But when it comes time for them to leave this world they can sure leave big holes in our hearts.
"One of the biggest myths about the grief that accompanies pet loss is that it's somehow different than grieving the loss of a human. When we love and we lose that love, whether it's a human or an animal, we feel grief,"Marty Tousley, Bereavement Counselor.
Fortunately, it is becoming more acceptable in our society to grieve over our animals. As the owner of an online pet memorials website, I talk to grieving pet owners daily and have come to realize that finding a way to formally mark the passing of a cherished pet, whether with a pet grave marker or an urn, really helps the griever to move through a significant step in the grieving process. The ritual of visiting the grave marker or pausing to acknowledge the presence of an urn can provide a reconnection with the emotions of grief. This reconnection can be very healing and transformative.
Here are some suggestions for memorializing your pet and providing ritual for the healing process:
Save your pet�s collar, favorite toy(s) or any other objects that were meaningful to him. Find a special box to keep them in. Put the box in a place where it can be a gentle reminder of your love for him.
Create a garden or sanctuary in your yard where you can place a pet grave marker. Add a comfortable place to sit where you can meditate or just be quiet with your thoughts
Find a beautiful urn to keep some or all of your pet�s ashes in. You can permanently seal the urn shut with epoxy, or seal it with wax so that it can be opened again. Place the urn in a special place.
Plant a tree in memoriam to your pet. Some suggested trees are willows, which represent the beginning of spring, a hopeful sentiment in marking the passing of a loved one; palm trees to signify eternity; or fruit trees, which signify life and renewal.
Compile a photo album of all of the photos that you have of your pet. Write a farewell letter telling your pet what they mean to you, what you will miss about them, how they influenced your life, etc. Thank them for all of the gifts that they brought into your life and heart. Place this letter in the photo album as the first page.
You can decide to do any of these rituals at any time in the grieving process. Everyone moves through grief at their own pace. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Know that anything that you feel is okay, and that it does get easier in time.
In my daily experience with grieving pet owners, I continually hear the great anticipation with which people await the arrival of their memorial stones and urns. It is a bittersweet moment to open the package and unveil the formal token honoring the memory of their beloved pet. I am continually told how the placement of the marker or urn helps to ease the heartache and somehow brings a feeling of peace and calm.
Colleen Mihelich
Owner, Peternity . . . honoring your pet for eternity http://www.peternity.com [mailto:colleen@peternity.com]colleen@peternity.com 877-PET-PEACE
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Introducing a New Pet
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=J_Burns]J Burns
It is easier to get two young animals to live in harmony as they will grow up together, however with a bit of time and patience (it may take up to 6-7 weeks) a young kitten or puppy can be introduced to an older pet.
Your old pet should be exposed to as many new situations, visitors and pets as possible. This will help them to adapt to any new pets in the house.
If you are getting your new pet from a shelter then you should ask the staff about its behaviour towards other animals; does it have a history of aggression toward other animals?
When your new pet arrives it will be very tempting to spend a great deal of time with it, perhaps at the expense of your old pet. You should lavish praise and attention on your old pet to avoid any jealousy issues, which can occur. When you are dealing with a puppy and an adult dog, you should resist the temptation to be overprotective of the young dog. If the adult reprimands the puppy try not to interfere, this will upset the normal household hierarchy and may lead the older animal to use excess force in the future.
You should allow the old pet to eat and sleep where it always has so there are no territorial problems. The new pet should be given it's own area.
It is best to keep the new pet in a room on it's own for the first couple of weeks (preferably with a wipe clean floor in case of accidents). This will allow the old pet to sniff around the door and get used to the idea that there is something else in the house.
You should not feed the two pets together ( you may be able to do this in time) as this can evoke fighting over food; they should also have their own dishes. In a multi-cat household they should each have their own litter tray.
After a couple of weeks you can try swapping the situations over. Let the new pet roam the house for a couple of hours a day and put the old pet in the isolated room, this will allow them both to get used to each other's smell. This stage may take weeks.
Next, you are ready to let the pets see each other. Either you can use a technique such as a baby gate (although if you are introducing cats or large dogs they may leap over this) or you can try putting the new pet into a carrier cage and let the old pet sniff around it (you should never leave the pets unattended like this). Alternatively, if there are two of you, one person can hold the old pet and one can hold the new pet.
Once you are happy with the last stage the two pets can be allowed free to interact with each other. If the animals begin to fight this can indicate that the introduction is proceeding too quickly and you should go back a stage before trying again. If a fight occurs, the animals should be left to fully relax again before further contact between them is attempted.
Never leave your pets alone together until you are confident that they will not fight in your absence.
Ceva Animal Health Ltd produce a DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) diffuser, which release pheromones (similar to those released by the mother to her puppies), which help to relieve stress.
They also produce a Feliway diffuser for stress in cats, both of these may help when introducing new pets. The DAP and Feliway diffuser can be obtained through your vet or by contacting Ceva Animal Health Ltd on 01494 781510
John Burns is a qualified veterinarian who for the past fourteen years has also been producing a natural, holistic and complete food for dogs and cats, Burns Real Food - free of artificial colours, flavourings and preservatives. As a practising Veterinary Surgeon, John became increasingly concerned about the quality of pet foods on the market, and how nutrition was playing a part in the poor health of the pets that he was seeing in his surgery. Burns Pet Nutrition are known for being an ethical company with excellent customer service and nutrition support which can be accessed via their website http://www.burns-pet-nutrition.co.uk
It is easier to get two young animals to live in harmony as they will grow up together, however with a bit of time and patience (it may take up to 6-7 weeks) a young kitten or puppy can be introduced to an older pet.
Your old pet should be exposed to as many new situations, visitors and pets as possible. This will help them to adapt to any new pets in the house.
If you are getting your new pet from a shelter then you should ask the staff about its behaviour towards other animals; does it have a history of aggression toward other animals?
When your new pet arrives it will be very tempting to spend a great deal of time with it, perhaps at the expense of your old pet. You should lavish praise and attention on your old pet to avoid any jealousy issues, which can occur. When you are dealing with a puppy and an adult dog, you should resist the temptation to be overprotective of the young dog. If the adult reprimands the puppy try not to interfere, this will upset the normal household hierarchy and may lead the older animal to use excess force in the future.
You should allow the old pet to eat and sleep where it always has so there are no territorial problems. The new pet should be given it's own area.
It is best to keep the new pet in a room on it's own for the first couple of weeks (preferably with a wipe clean floor in case of accidents). This will allow the old pet to sniff around the door and get used to the idea that there is something else in the house.
You should not feed the two pets together ( you may be able to do this in time) as this can evoke fighting over food; they should also have their own dishes. In a multi-cat household they should each have their own litter tray.
After a couple of weeks you can try swapping the situations over. Let the new pet roam the house for a couple of hours a day and put the old pet in the isolated room, this will allow them both to get used to each other's smell. This stage may take weeks.
Next, you are ready to let the pets see each other. Either you can use a technique such as a baby gate (although if you are introducing cats or large dogs they may leap over this) or you can try putting the new pet into a carrier cage and let the old pet sniff around it (you should never leave the pets unattended like this). Alternatively, if there are two of you, one person can hold the old pet and one can hold the new pet.
Once you are happy with the last stage the two pets can be allowed free to interact with each other. If the animals begin to fight this can indicate that the introduction is proceeding too quickly and you should go back a stage before trying again. If a fight occurs, the animals should be left to fully relax again before further contact between them is attempted.
Never leave your pets alone together until you are confident that they will not fight in your absence.
Ceva Animal Health Ltd produce a DAP (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) diffuser, which release pheromones (similar to those released by the mother to her puppies), which help to relieve stress.
They also produce a Feliway diffuser for stress in cats, both of these may help when introducing new pets. The DAP and Feliway diffuser can be obtained through your vet or by contacting Ceva Animal Health Ltd on 01494 781510
John Burns is a qualified veterinarian who for the past fourteen years has also been producing a natural, holistic and complete food for dogs and cats, Burns Real Food - free of artificial colours, flavourings and preservatives. As a practising Veterinary Surgeon, John became increasingly concerned about the quality of pet foods on the market, and how nutrition was playing a part in the poor health of the pets that he was seeing in his surgery. Burns Pet Nutrition are known for being an ethical company with excellent customer service and nutrition support which can be accessed via their website http://www.burns-pet-nutrition.co.uk
Friday, August 17, 2007
A Different Kind of Pet - An Introduction to Chinchillas
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Kit_Marsters]Kit Marsters
When choosing a family pet, many people automatically think of a cat or a dog. Those who do not enjoy having a pet running around the house all day, might think of rabbits, guinea pigs or hamsters. But if you want a different kind of furry friend, I suggest looking into adding a chinchilla to your family.
Chinchillas are members of the rodent family. They originate from the mountains in South America. They are especially known for their soft fur, which they keep in excellent shape by rolling around in sand.
One thing to keep in mind when considering a chinchilla is that they can live for a long time, up to 20 years. You could compare it to the lifespan of a cat. The chinchilla is not a short-term pet, so you have to be sure you can accommodate them properly and are willing to make a commitment.
A fully grown chinchilla is about 12 inches long and weighs between 18 and 35 ounces � approximately the size of a smaller breed of rabbit. They have round ears and a bushy tail.
A chinchilla's fur is so dense that fleas and other parasites are not an issue. They are very clean by nature, so there is practically no smell.
They are not difficult to keep, but you do need to provide them with sufficient space. Cages should be kept indoors and cleaned once a week. Hygiene is very important and avoids harmful bacteria which could harm your chinchilla.
Experts recommend that the minimum cage space for one chinchilla should be approximately 100cm high x 70cm wide x 50cm deep. The chinchilla does like room to move about in, so I advise building or purchasing a larger cage than that. I recommend creating different levels within the cage and perhaps a climbing branch, as they enjoy jumping and climbing.
Please keep your chinchilla away from the heat and allow them to have access to cool air and a shaded space on hot days. Chinchillas can suffer from heat strokes when the temperature goes too high.
I also recommend letting your chinchilla run free for at least an hour a day, within a safe space such as a closed room with not too many hidey-holes. Anything you would not like chewed should be removed, as chinchillas need to keep their teeth trimmed. A variety of items for them to chew can be purchased in pet shops.
Do not be afraid when a chinchilla runs straight at a wall. This can be a scary sight at first, but they will twist in the air at the last moment, and bounce off the wall with their back legs. They are agile and great fun to watch.
Chinchillas are friendly pets. It can take a bit of time for them to get to know you, and for them to be comfortable with being handled, but if you are patient and caring you will be rewarded. They are very intelligent and like to have fun, so once you have earned their friendship they might even try to play tricks on you in order to get a treat.
If at all possible, add a couple of chinchillas to your family, to avoid loneliness. Chinchillas love company and interaction, and will happily play together. If you only have room for one, they will need more attention and playing time to keep them stimulated.
Adding a chinchilla to your family is a rewarding experience, both for adults and children. So the next time you�re looking for a family pet, why not consider one of these friendly little creatures?
This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.PetLovers.Com/ which is a site for Pets.
When choosing a family pet, many people automatically think of a cat or a dog. Those who do not enjoy having a pet running around the house all day, might think of rabbits, guinea pigs or hamsters. But if you want a different kind of furry friend, I suggest looking into adding a chinchilla to your family.
Chinchillas are members of the rodent family. They originate from the mountains in South America. They are especially known for their soft fur, which they keep in excellent shape by rolling around in sand.
One thing to keep in mind when considering a chinchilla is that they can live for a long time, up to 20 years. You could compare it to the lifespan of a cat. The chinchilla is not a short-term pet, so you have to be sure you can accommodate them properly and are willing to make a commitment.
A fully grown chinchilla is about 12 inches long and weighs between 18 and 35 ounces � approximately the size of a smaller breed of rabbit. They have round ears and a bushy tail.
A chinchilla's fur is so dense that fleas and other parasites are not an issue. They are very clean by nature, so there is practically no smell.
They are not difficult to keep, but you do need to provide them with sufficient space. Cages should be kept indoors and cleaned once a week. Hygiene is very important and avoids harmful bacteria which could harm your chinchilla.
Experts recommend that the minimum cage space for one chinchilla should be approximately 100cm high x 70cm wide x 50cm deep. The chinchilla does like room to move about in, so I advise building or purchasing a larger cage than that. I recommend creating different levels within the cage and perhaps a climbing branch, as they enjoy jumping and climbing.
Please keep your chinchilla away from the heat and allow them to have access to cool air and a shaded space on hot days. Chinchillas can suffer from heat strokes when the temperature goes too high.
I also recommend letting your chinchilla run free for at least an hour a day, within a safe space such as a closed room with not too many hidey-holes. Anything you would not like chewed should be removed, as chinchillas need to keep their teeth trimmed. A variety of items for them to chew can be purchased in pet shops.
Do not be afraid when a chinchilla runs straight at a wall. This can be a scary sight at first, but they will twist in the air at the last moment, and bounce off the wall with their back legs. They are agile and great fun to watch.
Chinchillas are friendly pets. It can take a bit of time for them to get to know you, and for them to be comfortable with being handled, but if you are patient and caring you will be rewarded. They are very intelligent and like to have fun, so once you have earned their friendship they might even try to play tricks on you in order to get a treat.
If at all possible, add a couple of chinchillas to your family, to avoid loneliness. Chinchillas love company and interaction, and will happily play together. If you only have room for one, they will need more attention and playing time to keep them stimulated.
Adding a chinchilla to your family is a rewarding experience, both for adults and children. So the next time you�re looking for a family pet, why not consider one of these friendly little creatures?
This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.PetLovers.Com/ which is a site for Pets.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Babies and Pets
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Audrey_Frederick]Audrey Frederick
Babies and pets require some preparation in order for the combination to work well.
A large number of pets are taken to the shelters when they�re family members find out that they are expecting a child. It is very sad for the pet and for the family to relinquish a favored family member because a new arrival is expected. In most cases it is not necessary to give your pet away just because you are expecting a baby.
With a little effort and patience the transition can be made and all members of the family can remain intact.
One of the first things you, as your pet�s care giver has to remember is, your pet has been �your baby� for a good while and has enjoyed all of your attention. The new baby is certainly going to diminish the amount of time you have to give your cat or dog.
So what do you do?
Start the �weaning� process as soon as you are aware that there is going to be a new arrival. Cats and dogs thrive on routine. Routine is what makes their world go round and it is up to you to gradually change the routine to accommodate the new routine you will have with the baby. Your pet needs and thrives on your attention, but it does not need it 24/7. Gradually reduce the amount of time you spend pampering your pet. I am not saying stop giving your cat or dog, pets, pats and time; I am saying �tone� it down a little.
A great way to give your pet attention without having to stop what you are doing is to talk to your cat or dog. Our pets love the sound of our voices and if you repeat your pet�s name and just talk about what you are doing, you pet will feel it is getting the attention it wants.
Sounds silly, doesn�t it?
Just think about it for a minute, you can talk to your pet while changing the baby, feeding the baby, bathing the baby, rocking the baby and just plain holding the baby. You can do all those things and not have to stop to pet or pat, and your pet will feel satisfied. It won�t hurt to toss your dog a treat or two during the whole process and that will add more pleasure to the experience.
The secret here is to plan ahead. Cats and dogs rely on their sense of smell and their hearing. So, during that 9-month waiting period, you are going to give their noses and ears some new smells and sounds to hear.
Babies smell and look different then grownups, they don�t smell like dogs or cats, they smell like babies. The plan here is you are going to invest in some baby oil and baby powder, which you will from time to time rub on your hands and let your pet smell them. It wouldn�t hurt to rub some on towel and put the towel within reach of your dog or cat�s nose. Do not, however, allow your dog to drag it around. That�s a �no, no.� All you want to do it make your pet aware of the smell.
Having a baby means �new� furniture. Whether you are buying new or getting furniture from family or friends, start bringing it in. Allow your pet to smell it and get used to its presence. All the while this is happening talk to your pet about the �baby.�
There are tapes available of baby sounds, crying, gooing and all the other sounds, babies make, buy or borrow one, so your �kids� get used to the sounds babies make.
If your pet is a dog, a good idea is to buy or borrow a fairly life sized doll. Dress it in some baby clothes, carry it around the house, talk to it and your dog, go through all the motions you would be going through if it were your new baby.
I would start doing this as your time is getting nearer as it will get your pet used to the new routine. If you don�t feel silly, try taking your �baby� out in the carriage or stroller and having your dog walk with you.
What we are trying to avoid here is jealousy. Some dogs are possessive and will get jealous. If you while you are awaiting the arrival of your baby, take the time and have the patience to go through all these motions, your dog will be used to having the baby around, and it will not be so threatening to him/her.
Here are a few more things to consider if your pet is a dog:
Make certain that you provide some �one on one� time for just you and your pet. Remember this was the baby for a good while before the �real baby� came along.
Dogs and cats are creatures of routine. If you are gong to change the place where they eat, sleep or have their toys, DO IT ahead of time. Do not wait until a few days before you are to give birth.
If your dog has not been obedience trained, now is the time to go to obedience school. You will be so glad you did. You need your dog to obey your commands.
Expose your dog to as many babies and/or toddlers as you can. Always keep a leash on your dog when it encounters the little ones. This way you have control inside the house or outside the house. Be certain to give your dog praise and treats when he/she behaves well around a child.
Do not lose your patience with your dog if he/she doesn�t seem too happy around children. Keep calm, do not yell or scream at your dog. By keeping calm, giving treats and praise, you can try again and eventually, your dog will realize babies are okay. Babies do not look like �big humans� and your dog may be frightened of them.
Let the dog be in your baby�s room with you, give it a special place to sit or lie down (this is where obedience school fits in) and expect him/her to stay there.
If at all possible before you bring the baby home, have someone bring a blanket, hat, towel or anything else that has the baby�s scent on it for the dog to smell.
When you are coming home with the baby have someone else carry the little one in and you give your dog your full attention. It is important that you greet your dog just as you normally would if you left the house and came home.
Let your dog smell the baby, if he/she barks and starts to carry on have someone take the dog and put it either in its crate or in another room to calm down. Above all do not let anyone yell, hit or scream at the dog. BE CALM and give the dog another try in a little while.
This is a new member of the pack; the baby is an extremely new concept for the dog to acknowledge. The baby looks like nothing your dog has seen in the household before. Keep in mind your dog is a dog and not a person that understands English or babies.
Get a large amount of treats to have on hand, as it is necessary to make a big fuss every time your dog behaves appropriately toward the baby. Keep a leash on the dog in the house; let him/her drag it around. The leash gives you control.
Do not exclude your dog from the family and the baby. Do not put an �inside� dog outside or in another room just because you have the baby. It is important for the dog and baby to form a bond and a bond will never form if you treat the dog as a second class citizen and banish it away.
NEVER and I mean NEVER leave the dog and your baby alone together. No matter how good the dog is with the baby. You will never know what motion or sound the baby makes that might excite the dog and it may attack.
Any dog attack on a child that you read about in the paper will have these words, �the child was on a swing or playing �alone� in the yard with the dog,� we just don�t know what happened. Believe it or not, it was not the dog�s fault; it was the parents or the caregivers.
You will never know what provokes the attack, but most likely the child did something innocently that upset the dog. You are the adult and the one with the intelligence use it.
The preparation for the baby when you have a cat is very similar to that of a dog. If your cat is an �indoors only� kitty it will take some time and patience, indoor/outdoor cats other than being curious have a life of their own.
This doesn�t mean you should suddenly put kitty outside because of the baby, especially if the cat is �declawed.�
Cats live in a smell and hearing world just like dogs, only I think smell is more important to cats. So it is up to you to do the baby powder and baby oil routine on your hands? Play the sounds from the baby tape; only for cats start out softly and increase volume a little at a time.
Bring in the furniture and allow kitty to climb and smell it.
If possible bring in friends with babies and small children, more than likely kitty will run and hide, but give it a try. Make certain kitty has a place to escape to. Prepare a sanctuary for kitty before hand so the cat has had time to get used to it.
Put all the �old wives� tales of cats sucking out a baby�s breath or laying on a baby to smother it out of your mind. I have lived a long time and never have I heard of a cat that did either of those things. Yes, a cat will get into the crib, but usually only after the baby has left it and the spot is �warm.� Cats love warm spaces. Let kitty smell the baby things.
Keep a diaper pail tightly covered as female cats have an inborn instinct to clean up after their kittens and kitty may try to help you by helping to clean the diapers.
One helpful hint in helping keep kitty calm is spraying the baby gate; door and doorjamb to the baby�s room with Feliway, a wonderful product that will help keep kitty calm. In fact I would spray the furniture and the stroller just as an added measure. Feliway can be purchased at pet stores and on the Internet.
If you are concerned about toxoplasmosis, which is a rare disease in the United States. HEAR THIS it can be avoided. True it can be found in the feces of cats. The cats can get it from infected raw meat, wild birds, mice or contaminated soil. If YOU were to get it, you would have to eat the cat�s feces or put your fingers in your mouth after cleaning the litter box. You could also get it from eating and handling raw meat.
So what do your do?
Wear rubber or latex gloves when: gardening or cleaning the litter box. Avoid handling raw meat or eating uncooked meat. Wash all cutting boards and counters that may have come into contact with raw meat. Feed your cat a good commercial cat food and stop worrying.
If you practice cleanliness and feed kitty well, so that it will not go out hunting, all should be well.
If you have not had your cat or dog neutered or spayed this is the time to do it. Animals that have been neutered or spayed make better pets, will not have raging hormones and will behave better.
The truth is, if you are calm, take necessary precautions, and treat your pets, as members of the family all should be well.
This may all sound like a great deal of work, when one quick trip to the animal shelter would settle the matter, but is that what you really want to do?
All these things can be done within the 9 month time frame, slowly and with good results if you take your time, be patient and use common sense.
Good luck and enjoy your baby and your pet!
If this article has been of benefit, please visit my web site and blog at http://www.cats-and-dogs-on-the-web.com
Babies and pets require some preparation in order for the combination to work well.
A large number of pets are taken to the shelters when they�re family members find out that they are expecting a child. It is very sad for the pet and for the family to relinquish a favored family member because a new arrival is expected. In most cases it is not necessary to give your pet away just because you are expecting a baby.
With a little effort and patience the transition can be made and all members of the family can remain intact.
One of the first things you, as your pet�s care giver has to remember is, your pet has been �your baby� for a good while and has enjoyed all of your attention. The new baby is certainly going to diminish the amount of time you have to give your cat or dog.
So what do you do?
Start the �weaning� process as soon as you are aware that there is going to be a new arrival. Cats and dogs thrive on routine. Routine is what makes their world go round and it is up to you to gradually change the routine to accommodate the new routine you will have with the baby. Your pet needs and thrives on your attention, but it does not need it 24/7. Gradually reduce the amount of time you spend pampering your pet. I am not saying stop giving your cat or dog, pets, pats and time; I am saying �tone� it down a little.
A great way to give your pet attention without having to stop what you are doing is to talk to your cat or dog. Our pets love the sound of our voices and if you repeat your pet�s name and just talk about what you are doing, you pet will feel it is getting the attention it wants.
Sounds silly, doesn�t it?
Just think about it for a minute, you can talk to your pet while changing the baby, feeding the baby, bathing the baby, rocking the baby and just plain holding the baby. You can do all those things and not have to stop to pet or pat, and your pet will feel satisfied. It won�t hurt to toss your dog a treat or two during the whole process and that will add more pleasure to the experience.
The secret here is to plan ahead. Cats and dogs rely on their sense of smell and their hearing. So, during that 9-month waiting period, you are going to give their noses and ears some new smells and sounds to hear.
Babies smell and look different then grownups, they don�t smell like dogs or cats, they smell like babies. The plan here is you are going to invest in some baby oil and baby powder, which you will from time to time rub on your hands and let your pet smell them. It wouldn�t hurt to rub some on towel and put the towel within reach of your dog or cat�s nose. Do not, however, allow your dog to drag it around. That�s a �no, no.� All you want to do it make your pet aware of the smell.
Having a baby means �new� furniture. Whether you are buying new or getting furniture from family or friends, start bringing it in. Allow your pet to smell it and get used to its presence. All the while this is happening talk to your pet about the �baby.�
There are tapes available of baby sounds, crying, gooing and all the other sounds, babies make, buy or borrow one, so your �kids� get used to the sounds babies make.
If your pet is a dog, a good idea is to buy or borrow a fairly life sized doll. Dress it in some baby clothes, carry it around the house, talk to it and your dog, go through all the motions you would be going through if it were your new baby.
I would start doing this as your time is getting nearer as it will get your pet used to the new routine. If you don�t feel silly, try taking your �baby� out in the carriage or stroller and having your dog walk with you.
What we are trying to avoid here is jealousy. Some dogs are possessive and will get jealous. If you while you are awaiting the arrival of your baby, take the time and have the patience to go through all these motions, your dog will be used to having the baby around, and it will not be so threatening to him/her.
Here are a few more things to consider if your pet is a dog:
Make certain that you provide some �one on one� time for just you and your pet. Remember this was the baby for a good while before the �real baby� came along.
Dogs and cats are creatures of routine. If you are gong to change the place where they eat, sleep or have their toys, DO IT ahead of time. Do not wait until a few days before you are to give birth.
If your dog has not been obedience trained, now is the time to go to obedience school. You will be so glad you did. You need your dog to obey your commands.
Expose your dog to as many babies and/or toddlers as you can. Always keep a leash on your dog when it encounters the little ones. This way you have control inside the house or outside the house. Be certain to give your dog praise and treats when he/she behaves well around a child.
Do not lose your patience with your dog if he/she doesn�t seem too happy around children. Keep calm, do not yell or scream at your dog. By keeping calm, giving treats and praise, you can try again and eventually, your dog will realize babies are okay. Babies do not look like �big humans� and your dog may be frightened of them.
Let the dog be in your baby�s room with you, give it a special place to sit or lie down (this is where obedience school fits in) and expect him/her to stay there.
If at all possible before you bring the baby home, have someone bring a blanket, hat, towel or anything else that has the baby�s scent on it for the dog to smell.
When you are coming home with the baby have someone else carry the little one in and you give your dog your full attention. It is important that you greet your dog just as you normally would if you left the house and came home.
Let your dog smell the baby, if he/she barks and starts to carry on have someone take the dog and put it either in its crate or in another room to calm down. Above all do not let anyone yell, hit or scream at the dog. BE CALM and give the dog another try in a little while.
This is a new member of the pack; the baby is an extremely new concept for the dog to acknowledge. The baby looks like nothing your dog has seen in the household before. Keep in mind your dog is a dog and not a person that understands English or babies.
Get a large amount of treats to have on hand, as it is necessary to make a big fuss every time your dog behaves appropriately toward the baby. Keep a leash on the dog in the house; let him/her drag it around. The leash gives you control.
Do not exclude your dog from the family and the baby. Do not put an �inside� dog outside or in another room just because you have the baby. It is important for the dog and baby to form a bond and a bond will never form if you treat the dog as a second class citizen and banish it away.
NEVER and I mean NEVER leave the dog and your baby alone together. No matter how good the dog is with the baby. You will never know what motion or sound the baby makes that might excite the dog and it may attack.
Any dog attack on a child that you read about in the paper will have these words, �the child was on a swing or playing �alone� in the yard with the dog,� we just don�t know what happened. Believe it or not, it was not the dog�s fault; it was the parents or the caregivers.
You will never know what provokes the attack, but most likely the child did something innocently that upset the dog. You are the adult and the one with the intelligence use it.
The preparation for the baby when you have a cat is very similar to that of a dog. If your cat is an �indoors only� kitty it will take some time and patience, indoor/outdoor cats other than being curious have a life of their own.
This doesn�t mean you should suddenly put kitty outside because of the baby, especially if the cat is �declawed.�
Cats live in a smell and hearing world just like dogs, only I think smell is more important to cats. So it is up to you to do the baby powder and baby oil routine on your hands? Play the sounds from the baby tape; only for cats start out softly and increase volume a little at a time.
Bring in the furniture and allow kitty to climb and smell it.
If possible bring in friends with babies and small children, more than likely kitty will run and hide, but give it a try. Make certain kitty has a place to escape to. Prepare a sanctuary for kitty before hand so the cat has had time to get used to it.
Put all the �old wives� tales of cats sucking out a baby�s breath or laying on a baby to smother it out of your mind. I have lived a long time and never have I heard of a cat that did either of those things. Yes, a cat will get into the crib, but usually only after the baby has left it and the spot is �warm.� Cats love warm spaces. Let kitty smell the baby things.
Keep a diaper pail tightly covered as female cats have an inborn instinct to clean up after their kittens and kitty may try to help you by helping to clean the diapers.
One helpful hint in helping keep kitty calm is spraying the baby gate; door and doorjamb to the baby�s room with Feliway, a wonderful product that will help keep kitty calm. In fact I would spray the furniture and the stroller just as an added measure. Feliway can be purchased at pet stores and on the Internet.
If you are concerned about toxoplasmosis, which is a rare disease in the United States. HEAR THIS it can be avoided. True it can be found in the feces of cats. The cats can get it from infected raw meat, wild birds, mice or contaminated soil. If YOU were to get it, you would have to eat the cat�s feces or put your fingers in your mouth after cleaning the litter box. You could also get it from eating and handling raw meat.
So what do your do?
Wear rubber or latex gloves when: gardening or cleaning the litter box. Avoid handling raw meat or eating uncooked meat. Wash all cutting boards and counters that may have come into contact with raw meat. Feed your cat a good commercial cat food and stop worrying.
If you practice cleanliness and feed kitty well, so that it will not go out hunting, all should be well.
If you have not had your cat or dog neutered or spayed this is the time to do it. Animals that have been neutered or spayed make better pets, will not have raging hormones and will behave better.
The truth is, if you are calm, take necessary precautions, and treat your pets, as members of the family all should be well.
This may all sound like a great deal of work, when one quick trip to the animal shelter would settle the matter, but is that what you really want to do?
All these things can be done within the 9 month time frame, slowly and with good results if you take your time, be patient and use common sense.
Good luck and enjoy your baby and your pet!
If this article has been of benefit, please visit my web site and blog at http://www.cats-and-dogs-on-the-web.com
Monday, August 13, 2007
Advice For Avoiding Bad Pet Food
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Caroline_Bourke]Caroline Bourke
The immune system�s strength, in people as well as animals, is affected by the quality of nutrition. A dog�s behavior, happiness, health, longevity and overall well-being are direct result of the nutrition offered in the daily diet. Each dog has special nutritional needs that vary from animal to animal.
There are several easily noticeable symptoms of nutritionally caused deficiencies: allergies, hot spots, lack of energy, joint problems, arthritis and poor behavior. Nutritional balance is the key to a healthy pet and not giving the dog bad pet food will help with the inflammation of arthritis and other major health problems.
Quality Of Good and Bad Pet Foods
Poor quality pet foods are common in grocery stores and pet supply stores. The low price tag may be tempting and seem like a bargain for what is often advertised as a �premium� product, but the items really contained in your pet's food may be surprising.
Dogs need meat and protein, being carnivores, and they also need carbohydrates, vitamins, fat, minerals, and water. Essentially, they need all six of the basic types of nutrients. Manufacturers of pet food have the choice of the types and amounts of proteins, minerals, and vitamins that they put into their products. Chicken, lamb, and beef, which contain higher amounts of protein, are needed by active dogs. Plants or grains such as corn, soy, wheat, and rice have enough protein for less active dogs. Most dog food is made with ingredients that are edible by humans, such as rice, chicken, liver, vegetables, etc, which is not bad pet food.
Dogs have specific nutritional needs, but most pet owners do not realize that all dogs and most good or bad pet foods are not alike. Many commercial dog food brands are lacking in key nutrients, which are edible for humans, and even other species of animals, can pose hazards for dogs because of their different metabolism. Some may cause only mild digestive upsets, whereas, others can cause severe illness, and even death.
However, there are a few common food items that are bad pet foods to give to dogs. Chocolate, for instance, is very toxic to both dogs and cats. Baking chocolate contains more toxins than milk chocolate does, but both forms are potentially lethal. Two or three squares of baking chocolate could prove fatal to a smaller dog. Tea and coffee are likewise toxic, as they contain the same chemicals. Warning signs of food poisoning in dogs are excitement, nervousness, muscle spasms, seizures, and increased body temperature. Veterinary treatment is recommended as soon as possible.
Caroline Bourke is a full time beauty therapist in Florida. Check out these great [http://www.dogsdogdogs.com/]Dogs Advice resources and articles or the more general [http://www.petsadviceonline.com/]Pets Advice advice and info.
The immune system�s strength, in people as well as animals, is affected by the quality of nutrition. A dog�s behavior, happiness, health, longevity and overall well-being are direct result of the nutrition offered in the daily diet. Each dog has special nutritional needs that vary from animal to animal.
There are several easily noticeable symptoms of nutritionally caused deficiencies: allergies, hot spots, lack of energy, joint problems, arthritis and poor behavior. Nutritional balance is the key to a healthy pet and not giving the dog bad pet food will help with the inflammation of arthritis and other major health problems.
Quality Of Good and Bad Pet Foods
Poor quality pet foods are common in grocery stores and pet supply stores. The low price tag may be tempting and seem like a bargain for what is often advertised as a �premium� product, but the items really contained in your pet's food may be surprising.
Dogs need meat and protein, being carnivores, and they also need carbohydrates, vitamins, fat, minerals, and water. Essentially, they need all six of the basic types of nutrients. Manufacturers of pet food have the choice of the types and amounts of proteins, minerals, and vitamins that they put into their products. Chicken, lamb, and beef, which contain higher amounts of protein, are needed by active dogs. Plants or grains such as corn, soy, wheat, and rice have enough protein for less active dogs. Most dog food is made with ingredients that are edible by humans, such as rice, chicken, liver, vegetables, etc, which is not bad pet food.
Dogs have specific nutritional needs, but most pet owners do not realize that all dogs and most good or bad pet foods are not alike. Many commercial dog food brands are lacking in key nutrients, which are edible for humans, and even other species of animals, can pose hazards for dogs because of their different metabolism. Some may cause only mild digestive upsets, whereas, others can cause severe illness, and even death.
However, there are a few common food items that are bad pet foods to give to dogs. Chocolate, for instance, is very toxic to both dogs and cats. Baking chocolate contains more toxins than milk chocolate does, but both forms are potentially lethal. Two or three squares of baking chocolate could prove fatal to a smaller dog. Tea and coffee are likewise toxic, as they contain the same chemicals. Warning signs of food poisoning in dogs are excitement, nervousness, muscle spasms, seizures, and increased body temperature. Veterinary treatment is recommended as soon as possible.
Caroline Bourke is a full time beauty therapist in Florida. Check out these great [http://www.dogsdogdogs.com/]Dogs Advice resources and articles or the more general [http://www.petsadviceonline.com/]Pets Advice advice and info.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Pet Health and Nutrition
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Steve_Francis]Steve Francis
The health and well being of your pet, whether you have a dog, cat, bird or goldfish, should be very important to you as a pet owner. To have a pet and not take care of it properly is selfish and cruel. A pet is totally dependent on its owner for its very survival. A well taken care of and healthy pet will give you years of enjoyment, not to mention companionship and will return your love and devotion many fold. Well, maybe not the goldfish, but I'm sure you get my drift.
Multivitamins for your pet are extremely important in your quest to maintain your pet's health. You cannot rely on foods alone to give your beloved pets the nutrition necessary to keep them healthy. There are many multivitamins on the market, but the ones you should look for should contain vitamins essential to your own pet's well being. All multivitamins are not designed for all pets.
Cats, for example, need a multivitamin that contains the amino acid taurine, selenium and the vitamins A, C and E, plus vitamin B complex. Dogs, on the other hand, need multivitamins that contain the minerals iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc. These minerals, along with vitamins A, C, D, and E, plus vitamin B complex will certainly be a step in the right direction to keeping your dog healthy.
When purchasing your pet's multivitamin, be selective. You wouldn't buy just any multivitamin for yourself so be just as vigilant when buying a multivitamin for your pet. The correct dosage is also very important. Be sure to follow your veterinarian's instructions or the directions on the bottle.
Along with multivitamins, other nutritional supplements can be very useful in preventing illness. Coenzyme Q10 and L-carnitine among other amino acids are good for a heart condition. Glucosamine can be useful in treating arthritis. Glutamine, digestive enzymes, amino acids and probiotics are beneficial in keeping the digestive tract healthy.
Diet is also very important. It is suggested that for cats, a meal consist of no more than 35% carbs, 10% fat and 20% protein. For dogs, 50% carbs, 5% fat, 5% fiber and 10% protein. Remember, a fat pet is an unhealthy pet.
All natural foods for your pet is the way to go. Pet food manufacturers know this and nearly all offer some form of all-natural food. Even all-natural pet treats are readily available.
Be sure and make regular visits to your veterinarian. Don't wait for something to go wrong. Regular check-ups can help prevent heartache later.
�Copyright 2007 Ritzyshopper.com
Steve Francis writes articles primarily for http://RitzyShopper.com Visit the [http://ritzyshopper.com/?pageid=62555]Pets section of RitzyShopper. This article was written for informational and promotional purposes. This article may be republished providing no links are added to the text and this resource box with it's links and author credit remain intact.
The health and well being of your pet, whether you have a dog, cat, bird or goldfish, should be very important to you as a pet owner. To have a pet and not take care of it properly is selfish and cruel. A pet is totally dependent on its owner for its very survival. A well taken care of and healthy pet will give you years of enjoyment, not to mention companionship and will return your love and devotion many fold. Well, maybe not the goldfish, but I'm sure you get my drift.
Multivitamins for your pet are extremely important in your quest to maintain your pet's health. You cannot rely on foods alone to give your beloved pets the nutrition necessary to keep them healthy. There are many multivitamins on the market, but the ones you should look for should contain vitamins essential to your own pet's well being. All multivitamins are not designed for all pets.
Cats, for example, need a multivitamin that contains the amino acid taurine, selenium and the vitamins A, C and E, plus vitamin B complex. Dogs, on the other hand, need multivitamins that contain the minerals iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc. These minerals, along with vitamins A, C, D, and E, plus vitamin B complex will certainly be a step in the right direction to keeping your dog healthy.
When purchasing your pet's multivitamin, be selective. You wouldn't buy just any multivitamin for yourself so be just as vigilant when buying a multivitamin for your pet. The correct dosage is also very important. Be sure to follow your veterinarian's instructions or the directions on the bottle.
Along with multivitamins, other nutritional supplements can be very useful in preventing illness. Coenzyme Q10 and L-carnitine among other amino acids are good for a heart condition. Glucosamine can be useful in treating arthritis. Glutamine, digestive enzymes, amino acids and probiotics are beneficial in keeping the digestive tract healthy.
Diet is also very important. It is suggested that for cats, a meal consist of no more than 35% carbs, 10% fat and 20% protein. For dogs, 50% carbs, 5% fat, 5% fiber and 10% protein. Remember, a fat pet is an unhealthy pet.
All natural foods for your pet is the way to go. Pet food manufacturers know this and nearly all offer some form of all-natural food. Even all-natural pet treats are readily available.
Be sure and make regular visits to your veterinarian. Don't wait for something to go wrong. Regular check-ups can help prevent heartache later.
�Copyright 2007 Ritzyshopper.com
Steve Francis writes articles primarily for http://RitzyShopper.com Visit the [http://ritzyshopper.com/?pageid=62555]Pets section of RitzyShopper. This article was written for informational and promotional purposes. This article may be republished providing no links are added to the text and this resource box with it's links and author credit remain intact.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
How To Choose a Vet
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Paul_Horowitz]Paul Horowitz
Your pet�s veterinarian is second best friend, next to you, and an important partner in protecting their well being. This article will help you to
� Choose the perfect vet for you and your pet.
� Evaluate your current level of veterinarian care.
Evaluating veterinary services is an important part of every pet owner�s role. Whether you are a brand new pet-parent or a seasoned owner, take the time to carefully evaluate your vet, both before making a selection and on an ongoing basis.
Remember, every pet is unique, every owner is unique, and every pet-owner relationship is special. It is important that you evaluate your vet on a pet-by-pet basis; a vet who was perfect for your previous pet, may not meet the needs for the current one. Similarly, owners of multiple pets may find that separate vets are in order to keep the entire brood healthy and happy.
Luckily, there are plenty of veterinary services to choose from; the right one for you is just waiting to be found. At the end of this article you will find a checklist for making your decision.
Qualities of Your Ideal Vet
The ideal vet for you and your pet is someone who will become your partner in caring for your little friend. Your vet should be friendly, compassionate, and caring. They should be confident in their treatment of your pet, willing to answer all of your questions, and exhibit a genuine love of animals.
Be sure to ask your vet about their education, their specializations, and whether they have any pets of their own.
Emergency Services
Emergency services are not offered by every vet and not necessarily a top priority for every pet owner, but when an emergency does occur it can be nice to see a familiar face. If your vet does not provide emergency services, ask about what you should do in the event of an emergency and how you can best prepare yourself and your pet.
1) Collect a List of Possibilities
� Ask friends for referrals. Be sure to ask what they like about their vet and what they wish they could change.
� Ask at your local pet store. Pet store owners and employees are an un-tapped resource, but they talk to pet owners all day and often have several of their own.
� Look through the phone book.
2) Make an Initial Call
� Did they answer the phone quickly?
� Were you placed on hold and, if so, were you attended to in a reasonable amount of time?
� Was the receptionist friendly and informative?
� What are their general rates for a check-up?
� How many vets are on staff? Will you be assigned to a specific one?
� Do they offer evening and weekend hours?
� Do they provide emergency services?
After this first call you should be able to narrow your list significantly.
3) Visit on Your Own
� Schedule a visit or drop by to see the office and meet the staff.
� Do you find the waiting area comfortable?
� Is the staff friendly and helpful?
� Does the overall image evoke your trust?
� Is the location accessible for you and your pet?
After this visit you should be able to narrow your list down to two or three clinics.
4) Visit with your pet
� How comfortable is your pet in the office?
� Are there many other animals in the waiting room?
� Do they have separate waiting rooms for cats, dogs, and small pets?
� Does the staff respond well to your pet, and does your pet respond well in return.
� Does the vet seem comfortable and confident handling your pet?
There are few animals that enjoy visiting the vet, so don�t be too concerned if your pet doesn�t appear to like any of the clinics on your list.
For the best advice on pet supplies and information, look to Pet Insurance Comparison at http://www.pet--insure.co.uk/index.htm to find out more information.
Your pet�s veterinarian is second best friend, next to you, and an important partner in protecting their well being. This article will help you to
� Choose the perfect vet for you and your pet.
� Evaluate your current level of veterinarian care.
Evaluating veterinary services is an important part of every pet owner�s role. Whether you are a brand new pet-parent or a seasoned owner, take the time to carefully evaluate your vet, both before making a selection and on an ongoing basis.
Remember, every pet is unique, every owner is unique, and every pet-owner relationship is special. It is important that you evaluate your vet on a pet-by-pet basis; a vet who was perfect for your previous pet, may not meet the needs for the current one. Similarly, owners of multiple pets may find that separate vets are in order to keep the entire brood healthy and happy.
Luckily, there are plenty of veterinary services to choose from; the right one for you is just waiting to be found. At the end of this article you will find a checklist for making your decision.
Qualities of Your Ideal Vet
The ideal vet for you and your pet is someone who will become your partner in caring for your little friend. Your vet should be friendly, compassionate, and caring. They should be confident in their treatment of your pet, willing to answer all of your questions, and exhibit a genuine love of animals.
Be sure to ask your vet about their education, their specializations, and whether they have any pets of their own.
Emergency Services
Emergency services are not offered by every vet and not necessarily a top priority for every pet owner, but when an emergency does occur it can be nice to see a familiar face. If your vet does not provide emergency services, ask about what you should do in the event of an emergency and how you can best prepare yourself and your pet.
1) Collect a List of Possibilities
� Ask friends for referrals. Be sure to ask what they like about their vet and what they wish they could change.
� Ask at your local pet store. Pet store owners and employees are an un-tapped resource, but they talk to pet owners all day and often have several of their own.
� Look through the phone book.
2) Make an Initial Call
� Did they answer the phone quickly?
� Were you placed on hold and, if so, were you attended to in a reasonable amount of time?
� Was the receptionist friendly and informative?
� What are their general rates for a check-up?
� How many vets are on staff? Will you be assigned to a specific one?
� Do they offer evening and weekend hours?
� Do they provide emergency services?
After this first call you should be able to narrow your list significantly.
3) Visit on Your Own
� Schedule a visit or drop by to see the office and meet the staff.
� Do you find the waiting area comfortable?
� Is the staff friendly and helpful?
� Does the overall image evoke your trust?
� Is the location accessible for you and your pet?
After this visit you should be able to narrow your list down to two or three clinics.
4) Visit with your pet
� How comfortable is your pet in the office?
� Are there many other animals in the waiting room?
� Do they have separate waiting rooms for cats, dogs, and small pets?
� Does the staff respond well to your pet, and does your pet respond well in return.
� Does the vet seem comfortable and confident handling your pet?
There are few animals that enjoy visiting the vet, so don�t be too concerned if your pet doesn�t appear to like any of the clinics on your list.
For the best advice on pet supplies and information, look to Pet Insurance Comparison at http://www.pet--insure.co.uk/index.htm to find out more information.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Pet Health Issue - Young Pets, Overweight Pets, and Older Pets, During the Summer
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Derek_Wood]Derek Wood
The statistics of pet ownership has been climbing for years. Every day many more people go out and become new pet owners, and some of us have had pets longer then some jobs or even marriages. Regardless of how long you have had your pet, you will have to deal with at least two of the issues I am about to address, that of summer health issues and the age or weight of your pets.
At present we have 4 dogs being take care of at our small kennel. Recently we acquired two new German Shepherd puppies, both are now just over 3 months old, and we are caring for two older German shepherds, one at age 8 and the other at age 13.
Like humans, age and conditioning play an important part of our activities during the summer months. Regrettably we often fail to notice the effects that summer has on our four legged friends.
Pets do not have the same ability to cool down as you and I do. When it is excessively hot, like it can be during the summer months, we can sit in front of a fan, grab a cold soda, or crank up the air conditioners. But your pet must pant and pant until his body temperature is regulated. Even in an air conditioned room, your pet can be too hot if you have been outside running them around for a while. Remember, it will take considerable more time for him to cool down from his exercise, then it will for you.
To avoid putting your pet's health at serious risk this summer, follow a few simple steps that can make a big difference:
Walk your pets early in the morning or late at night. These times of day are much cooler, and they will appreciate not having the blazing sun on their fur coat.
Bring a large water bottle for your pet. Water bottles are not just for you. Get one for your pet. Use one that has a squirt top as they can lick the water out easier, and you will not spill as much.
Take your time walking your pet. If you must walk your pet during the hottest hours, (hey we all have schedules), then make sure you can go at a slow pace. Cut the walk short if you need to and take rest breaks during the walk. Better to walk your dog again later then to overdo it at noon time.
Monitor your pet's health. The more time you spend with your pet, the more you should know about your pet's health condition. Like the four dogs we have, I know the puppies are young, vibrant and healthy. They can walk much longer then the overweight or older dogs. You need to know the limits of the pets you have.
Always consider the weakest pet health link. If you have more then one pet, then make sure you always keep in mind that pet which will have the highest risk factors. The overweight German shepherd is a far greater risk factor in the summer then the older, but lighter dog. Even though she is an older dog, she is not lugging around extra fat.
Keeping your pet healthy during the summer is not hard at all. Simply keep in mind that they are much like us in some regards. They want to relax, have a cool drink and perhaps a dip in the pool. If you are going to walk them, and you should, just make sure that they can handle it as well as you can. Take your time, let them rest, give then a nice treat of some ice cubes when you're done. They will love you for the walk, and love you more for caring enough not to put them in harms way.
Derek Wood breeds and trains large breed dogs through the use of healthy and humane techniques. He is a life-long pet advocate and animal friend.
Visit his websites for more pet health care tips, supplies, and articles. [Http://Canine-Health-Care.com]Canine Health Care [http://one-dogs-life.com]Pet Nutritional Supplies
The statistics of pet ownership has been climbing for years. Every day many more people go out and become new pet owners, and some of us have had pets longer then some jobs or even marriages. Regardless of how long you have had your pet, you will have to deal with at least two of the issues I am about to address, that of summer health issues and the age or weight of your pets.
At present we have 4 dogs being take care of at our small kennel. Recently we acquired two new German Shepherd puppies, both are now just over 3 months old, and we are caring for two older German shepherds, one at age 8 and the other at age 13.
Like humans, age and conditioning play an important part of our activities during the summer months. Regrettably we often fail to notice the effects that summer has on our four legged friends.
Pets do not have the same ability to cool down as you and I do. When it is excessively hot, like it can be during the summer months, we can sit in front of a fan, grab a cold soda, or crank up the air conditioners. But your pet must pant and pant until his body temperature is regulated. Even in an air conditioned room, your pet can be too hot if you have been outside running them around for a while. Remember, it will take considerable more time for him to cool down from his exercise, then it will for you.
To avoid putting your pet's health at serious risk this summer, follow a few simple steps that can make a big difference:
Walk your pets early in the morning or late at night. These times of day are much cooler, and they will appreciate not having the blazing sun on their fur coat.
Bring a large water bottle for your pet. Water bottles are not just for you. Get one for your pet. Use one that has a squirt top as they can lick the water out easier, and you will not spill as much.
Take your time walking your pet. If you must walk your pet during the hottest hours, (hey we all have schedules), then make sure you can go at a slow pace. Cut the walk short if you need to and take rest breaks during the walk. Better to walk your dog again later then to overdo it at noon time.
Monitor your pet's health. The more time you spend with your pet, the more you should know about your pet's health condition. Like the four dogs we have, I know the puppies are young, vibrant and healthy. They can walk much longer then the overweight or older dogs. You need to know the limits of the pets you have.
Always consider the weakest pet health link. If you have more then one pet, then make sure you always keep in mind that pet which will have the highest risk factors. The overweight German shepherd is a far greater risk factor in the summer then the older, but lighter dog. Even though she is an older dog, she is not lugging around extra fat.
Keeping your pet healthy during the summer is not hard at all. Simply keep in mind that they are much like us in some regards. They want to relax, have a cool drink and perhaps a dip in the pool. If you are going to walk them, and you should, just make sure that they can handle it as well as you can. Take your time, let them rest, give then a nice treat of some ice cubes when you're done. They will love you for the walk, and love you more for caring enough not to put them in harms way.
Derek Wood breeds and trains large breed dogs through the use of healthy and humane techniques. He is a life-long pet advocate and animal friend.
Visit his websites for more pet health care tips, supplies, and articles. [Http://Canine-Health-Care.com]Canine Health Care [http://one-dogs-life.com]Pet Nutritional Supplies
Sunday, August 5, 2007
How to Treat and Remove Matted Fur Clumps From Your Cat or Dog
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Alex_Page]Alex Page
Matted fur - it happens to most dogs or cats occasionally. When you notice matted fur on your dog or cat, it�s very important to remove the matted fur as soon as possible. Not only is it ugly, but it can become very uncomfortable for your pet causing him to pinch and pull at it. Of course, this can just make matters worse.
So, what causes matts and how do you treat matted fur?
There are several things which can cause matting, but the most common cause is lack of grooming. If you haven�t brushed your cat or dong for a while, shame on you. Your pet can�t do it himself. He�s totally dependent on you to take care of him. If you can�t do it regularly, please take your pet to a groomer regularly.
Fleas can also cause matting. They can create a tangled mess in your pets fur. Check and treat your pet for fleas regularly.
Some cats and dogs have 2 coats of fur which shed and need to be brushed out. This is a natural process and it is important to brush out the undercoat when your pet is shedding.
So how do you de-matt your pet�s fur? Well, let�s get this one out of the way first. You can always have your pet shaved and let him start all over. Sometimes it�s the best thing. In the right weather, a fresh shave feels great to your pet. It might scare you at first glance, but it always grows back. However, many people are shocked at the thought of shaving their little beauty, so here�s how you can take care of matted hair on your own.
The most important thing to remember when de-matting your pet is this: be patient. Bathing your pet before trying to remove the matts can often make the matts worse. Removing matts from your cat or dog is usually not a quick process, so be patient. My youngest yorkie matted up over the course of 2 weeks one time because I slacked on grooming, and it took me 3 weeks to remove the matts.
Here are the tools you�ll need to remove matts from your dog or cat:
* A steel comb
* A slicker brush
* A matt splitter
First, let your pet get into a comfortable position� on your lap, on the floor, on the sofa, or wherever he can get comfortable. You don�t want to wrestle your pet during this. If your pet is matted in several places, start de-matting in the places where your pet is most comfortable lying down. In other words, let your pet get comfortable, then work with the places which have easiest access. Also, do your best to control the cat or dog�s head. Control the head� control the pet.
Next begin to work on the matts with the steel comb. Be sure to brush with the grain of the fur. Don�t pull so hard that it hurts your dog. Just for an experiment, grab a small piece of hair on the back of your own head. Pull down, then pull up. Which one hurt more? Up, right? Keep that in mind when you�re brushing your pet. Use the steel comb to slowly break up the clumps.
Try to pull the matted clumps apart into small sections with your hands. The matts are easier to remove if they are smaller, and this will cut down on the amount of fur your pet loses. You may need to carefully cut into the matt with scissors to divide it up. Obviously, don�t get too close to the skin. A cut pet is an unhappy pet. An unhappy pet is more difficult to groom.
As the matts begin to break up, use the slicker brush to remove the tangles. Start at the end of the fur and work your way closer to the skin as the matts loosen up. If you try to start at the base of the fur, next to the skin, you�ll just end up compressing the matts even tighter.
If your pet is going to require numerous grooming sessions to remove the matts, that�s ok. The end results will be rewarding for both you and your pet. Take your time. Be patient. help your dog or cat to remain calm and comfortable. If you�re sitting down to watch TV or a movie, that would be a great time to work on the matts.
After all the matts are removed, plan on regular grooming times for your cat or dog. Keep the comb or brush in a noticeable spot to remind you about maintaining your pet�s fur. It much easier to brush your pet a few minutes each day than it is to spend hours fighting to remove matted fur.
Good luck!
Alex Page has been a happy pet owner for nearly 30 years. He enjoys helping pets and pet owners have the best relationship possible. He is currently a key article contributer to http://123-pet.com a site dedicated to discussing all things about pets.
View more of Alex Page's articles at http://123-pet.com
Matted fur - it happens to most dogs or cats occasionally. When you notice matted fur on your dog or cat, it�s very important to remove the matted fur as soon as possible. Not only is it ugly, but it can become very uncomfortable for your pet causing him to pinch and pull at it. Of course, this can just make matters worse.
So, what causes matts and how do you treat matted fur?
There are several things which can cause matting, but the most common cause is lack of grooming. If you haven�t brushed your cat or dong for a while, shame on you. Your pet can�t do it himself. He�s totally dependent on you to take care of him. If you can�t do it regularly, please take your pet to a groomer regularly.
Fleas can also cause matting. They can create a tangled mess in your pets fur. Check and treat your pet for fleas regularly.
Some cats and dogs have 2 coats of fur which shed and need to be brushed out. This is a natural process and it is important to brush out the undercoat when your pet is shedding.
So how do you de-matt your pet�s fur? Well, let�s get this one out of the way first. You can always have your pet shaved and let him start all over. Sometimes it�s the best thing. In the right weather, a fresh shave feels great to your pet. It might scare you at first glance, but it always grows back. However, many people are shocked at the thought of shaving their little beauty, so here�s how you can take care of matted hair on your own.
The most important thing to remember when de-matting your pet is this: be patient. Bathing your pet before trying to remove the matts can often make the matts worse. Removing matts from your cat or dog is usually not a quick process, so be patient. My youngest yorkie matted up over the course of 2 weeks one time because I slacked on grooming, and it took me 3 weeks to remove the matts.
Here are the tools you�ll need to remove matts from your dog or cat:
* A steel comb
* A slicker brush
* A matt splitter
First, let your pet get into a comfortable position� on your lap, on the floor, on the sofa, or wherever he can get comfortable. You don�t want to wrestle your pet during this. If your pet is matted in several places, start de-matting in the places where your pet is most comfortable lying down. In other words, let your pet get comfortable, then work with the places which have easiest access. Also, do your best to control the cat or dog�s head. Control the head� control the pet.
Next begin to work on the matts with the steel comb. Be sure to brush with the grain of the fur. Don�t pull so hard that it hurts your dog. Just for an experiment, grab a small piece of hair on the back of your own head. Pull down, then pull up. Which one hurt more? Up, right? Keep that in mind when you�re brushing your pet. Use the steel comb to slowly break up the clumps.
Try to pull the matted clumps apart into small sections with your hands. The matts are easier to remove if they are smaller, and this will cut down on the amount of fur your pet loses. You may need to carefully cut into the matt with scissors to divide it up. Obviously, don�t get too close to the skin. A cut pet is an unhappy pet. An unhappy pet is more difficult to groom.
As the matts begin to break up, use the slicker brush to remove the tangles. Start at the end of the fur and work your way closer to the skin as the matts loosen up. If you try to start at the base of the fur, next to the skin, you�ll just end up compressing the matts even tighter.
If your pet is going to require numerous grooming sessions to remove the matts, that�s ok. The end results will be rewarding for both you and your pet. Take your time. Be patient. help your dog or cat to remain calm and comfortable. If you�re sitting down to watch TV or a movie, that would be a great time to work on the matts.
After all the matts are removed, plan on regular grooming times for your cat or dog. Keep the comb or brush in a noticeable spot to remind you about maintaining your pet�s fur. It much easier to brush your pet a few minutes each day than it is to spend hours fighting to remove matted fur.
Good luck!
Alex Page has been a happy pet owner for nearly 30 years. He enjoys helping pets and pet owners have the best relationship possible. He is currently a key article contributer to http://123-pet.com a site dedicated to discussing all things about pets.
View more of Alex Page's articles at http://123-pet.com
Friday, August 3, 2007
A Puppies For Sale Sign And An Accident
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Steve_Evans]Steve Evans
Have you ever felt compelled to do something, and not known why? Yet you have just done it, followed the urge, and found yourself in an amazing situation to do good, and do something almost heroic, and yet known, why you ever had that urge in the first place?
One of my ideas in life is that everything happens for a reason. I do not always see that at the time it is occurring, however upon reflection I can make the links.
A near tragedy, which changed my daughter�s life forever, can be linked to a fateful day when she saw a puppies for sale sign in a yard two blocks from our home. Many times before we had gone past and many times she had asked for a puppy from that house with the a puppies for sale sign, and I had said no!
I was resolved that a puppy, lovely as it might be was impractical at that time in our busy household. I had no intention of changing my mind.
My daughter has always loved dogs. We had a gun dog that was in his senior years. My husband and I knew that we were not going to have him as part of the family for much longer, but we did not know how we were going to break this news to our daughter.
She was ten years old at the time and much attached to the dog that was eleven years old. She came home from school one day very excited because she said a friend had been allowed to have a puppy. A lovely puppy for sale at the place we passed so often, and also there were more in the litter still for sale. Her friend had seen the sign from the school bus.
So my daughter wanted to know if we could go see the puppies. I told her that her father only bought dogs that were registered and that we had not idea what kind of puppies the neighbors had for sale. The people that had the puppies for sale were fairly new to the neighborhood so we did not know them or what breed of dog they owned.
She pleaded to go see the puppies. In the end I perversely promised her we would walk over after supper and see them. I had no intention of buying. I felt it was something I must do. Just go there.
We went to the house that had the puppies for sale and knocked on the door. You could hear dogs barking and a baby crying but no one came to the door. We rang the bell several times and then knocked on the door.
I was concerned because the child crying sounded frantic. I looked in the side window by the door and saw a woman lying on the floor. I tried the door and it was open.
Then immediately I could see that the woman was obviously very pregnant and unconscious. The telephone was lying on the floor next to her. In a playpen was her 12 month old son crying.
In another playpen was a mother dog with seven puppies. I moved gently rolled her on to her side for her safety and called 911.
Within minutes the paramedics arrived and there was nothing they could do but deliver her baby in front of us, and soon a Doctor arrived as well.
My daughter was awestruck. The mother recovered and the shock eased. The lovely puppies, watched us. The 12 month old kid who we fed and bathed, and then the crying, but that came from a perfectly healthy baby being born, and all this happening in the house with us.
The woman�s husband has been out of town on business and had not been due back until the next day. She had tripped and fallen, striking her head as she fell. The doctor told her that if we had not come over at that moment she and the baby might have died.
The puppies for sale sign saved her life. Did my daughter get her puppy? What do you think? [http://www.dog-and-puppy-news.com]The Dog and Puppy News. Steve Evans is a regular dog article contributor and also has a web site at [http://www.dog-breeds.me.uk]The Dog Info and Breed Articles Site.
Have you ever felt compelled to do something, and not known why? Yet you have just done it, followed the urge, and found yourself in an amazing situation to do good, and do something almost heroic, and yet known, why you ever had that urge in the first place?
One of my ideas in life is that everything happens for a reason. I do not always see that at the time it is occurring, however upon reflection I can make the links.
A near tragedy, which changed my daughter�s life forever, can be linked to a fateful day when she saw a puppies for sale sign in a yard two blocks from our home. Many times before we had gone past and many times she had asked for a puppy from that house with the a puppies for sale sign, and I had said no!
I was resolved that a puppy, lovely as it might be was impractical at that time in our busy household. I had no intention of changing my mind.
My daughter has always loved dogs. We had a gun dog that was in his senior years. My husband and I knew that we were not going to have him as part of the family for much longer, but we did not know how we were going to break this news to our daughter.
She was ten years old at the time and much attached to the dog that was eleven years old. She came home from school one day very excited because she said a friend had been allowed to have a puppy. A lovely puppy for sale at the place we passed so often, and also there were more in the litter still for sale. Her friend had seen the sign from the school bus.
So my daughter wanted to know if we could go see the puppies. I told her that her father only bought dogs that were registered and that we had not idea what kind of puppies the neighbors had for sale. The people that had the puppies for sale were fairly new to the neighborhood so we did not know them or what breed of dog they owned.
She pleaded to go see the puppies. In the end I perversely promised her we would walk over after supper and see them. I had no intention of buying. I felt it was something I must do. Just go there.
We went to the house that had the puppies for sale and knocked on the door. You could hear dogs barking and a baby crying but no one came to the door. We rang the bell several times and then knocked on the door.
I was concerned because the child crying sounded frantic. I looked in the side window by the door and saw a woman lying on the floor. I tried the door and it was open.
Then immediately I could see that the woman was obviously very pregnant and unconscious. The telephone was lying on the floor next to her. In a playpen was her 12 month old son crying.
In another playpen was a mother dog with seven puppies. I moved gently rolled her on to her side for her safety and called 911.
Within minutes the paramedics arrived and there was nothing they could do but deliver her baby in front of us, and soon a Doctor arrived as well.
My daughter was awestruck. The mother recovered and the shock eased. The lovely puppies, watched us. The 12 month old kid who we fed and bathed, and then the crying, but that came from a perfectly healthy baby being born, and all this happening in the house with us.
The woman�s husband has been out of town on business and had not been due back until the next day. She had tripped and fallen, striking her head as she fell. The doctor told her that if we had not come over at that moment she and the baby might have died.
The puppies for sale sign saved her life. Did my daughter get her puppy? What do you think? [http://www.dog-and-puppy-news.com]The Dog and Puppy News. Steve Evans is a regular dog article contributor and also has a web site at [http://www.dog-breeds.me.uk]The Dog Info and Breed Articles Site.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Pet Health Awareness - Walking Pets During the Summer Months
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Derek_Wood]Derek Wood
We like to take our pets on daily walks. After all, we are concerned with their health and should want them to remain in good shape. But beware of the unseen health risks to your pet that can be associated with the summer heat.
Presently I have 4 dogs in our kennel that are being watched this month. They range in age and their general health conditions vary, and each must be considered when taking these dogs for their walks.
The current makeup consists of 2 puppies only 3-4 months of age, an 8 year old but overweight German shepherd, and a 13 year old mix breed.
A single walking session shows the effects that summer plays on each dog's individual condition. The two puppies are young, vibrant and full of energy, and do not hesitate at the prospect of a 20 minute walk through the woods. The 8 year old shepherd and the 13 year old mixed are also looking forward to the same walk.
Within a few moments of walking into the woods, (the woods are about 100 yards from the kennel), you can notice a considerable change form the harsh daily sun to a much cooler shaded area of the woods. At this point each dog is holding their own on this simple and short walk.
At the halfway point, now 10 minutes of walking, we take a momentary rest, more for my sake then that of the dogs. Each dog is panting quite regularly at this stage. None of them look at all tired, and none have stopped to drink any water from my bottle.
Due to a recent rainstorm the night before, we have come across an occasional puddle or two for them to wade in. This has helped them stay a little refreshed.
As we head past the 3-quarter mark of this trail, there is a considerable difference in the overweight shepherd's desire to lead the pack. At this point, the older 13 year old mixed dog, is actually keeping a stronger pace then the young puppies, even though the puppies have stopped a number of times to rest and take on water.
By the time we reach the stretch of trail back to the kennel area, the fours dogs are showing signs of being both tired and thirsty. The last 10 feet lead straight to a waiting pool filled with fresh cold water. The older dogs take a few moments to grab a quick drink while the puppies play and splash around happily. All four dogs are taking a well deserved rest.
By and far they all show some signs of being tired. But keep this in mind that they each have reacted differently to the same walk, under the same conditions. The puppies did tend to pull more on their leashes, which will cause them to put additional stress on their collars and breathing. The overweight 8 year old, while younger showed more signs of fatigue then the older 13 year old. The mixed dog is not carrying around a lot of excess body fat. The extra weight and fat is putting additional stress on the larger dog's legs, chest and his heart.
Be careful of walking your pets in the hot summer months. Take then out during the early morning or later evenings when it is cooler. Make sure to take water with you, for the pets and yourself, if you're going to be walking any kind of long distance. When they get back, give them fresh clean water from a hose or kiddies pool. They have thick fur coats and only cool down through their tongues so please let them relax in the shade and take a break during the walk to make sure they are not getting to overheated.
Be careful to avoid heat strokes or other conditions that can be avoided with a few simple steps. Bottom line is that you should not risk your pet's health simply because it is the summertime and you went for a walk.
Derek Wood breeds and trains large breed dogs through the use of healthy and humane techniques. He is a life-long pet advocate and animal friend.
Visit his website for more pet health care tips and articles. [http://Canine-Health-Care.com]Canine Health Care
We like to take our pets on daily walks. After all, we are concerned with their health and should want them to remain in good shape. But beware of the unseen health risks to your pet that can be associated with the summer heat.
Presently I have 4 dogs in our kennel that are being watched this month. They range in age and their general health conditions vary, and each must be considered when taking these dogs for their walks.
The current makeup consists of 2 puppies only 3-4 months of age, an 8 year old but overweight German shepherd, and a 13 year old mix breed.
A single walking session shows the effects that summer plays on each dog's individual condition. The two puppies are young, vibrant and full of energy, and do not hesitate at the prospect of a 20 minute walk through the woods. The 8 year old shepherd and the 13 year old mixed are also looking forward to the same walk.
Within a few moments of walking into the woods, (the woods are about 100 yards from the kennel), you can notice a considerable change form the harsh daily sun to a much cooler shaded area of the woods. At this point each dog is holding their own on this simple and short walk.
At the halfway point, now 10 minutes of walking, we take a momentary rest, more for my sake then that of the dogs. Each dog is panting quite regularly at this stage. None of them look at all tired, and none have stopped to drink any water from my bottle.
Due to a recent rainstorm the night before, we have come across an occasional puddle or two for them to wade in. This has helped them stay a little refreshed.
As we head past the 3-quarter mark of this trail, there is a considerable difference in the overweight shepherd's desire to lead the pack. At this point, the older 13 year old mixed dog, is actually keeping a stronger pace then the young puppies, even though the puppies have stopped a number of times to rest and take on water.
By the time we reach the stretch of trail back to the kennel area, the fours dogs are showing signs of being both tired and thirsty. The last 10 feet lead straight to a waiting pool filled with fresh cold water. The older dogs take a few moments to grab a quick drink while the puppies play and splash around happily. All four dogs are taking a well deserved rest.
By and far they all show some signs of being tired. But keep this in mind that they each have reacted differently to the same walk, under the same conditions. The puppies did tend to pull more on their leashes, which will cause them to put additional stress on their collars and breathing. The overweight 8 year old, while younger showed more signs of fatigue then the older 13 year old. The mixed dog is not carrying around a lot of excess body fat. The extra weight and fat is putting additional stress on the larger dog's legs, chest and his heart.
Be careful of walking your pets in the hot summer months. Take then out during the early morning or later evenings when it is cooler. Make sure to take water with you, for the pets and yourself, if you're going to be walking any kind of long distance. When they get back, give them fresh clean water from a hose or kiddies pool. They have thick fur coats and only cool down through their tongues so please let them relax in the shade and take a break during the walk to make sure they are not getting to overheated.
Be careful to avoid heat strokes or other conditions that can be avoided with a few simple steps. Bottom line is that you should not risk your pet's health simply because it is the summertime and you went for a walk.
Derek Wood breeds and trains large breed dogs through the use of healthy and humane techniques. He is a life-long pet advocate and animal friend.
Visit his website for more pet health care tips and articles. [http://Canine-Health-Care.com]Canine Health Care
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