Posts Tagged ‘advice’

Copyright (c) 2010 Trey Markel

Do you need some help selecting dog gifts for this holiday season? You’re not alone. There are only so many different kinds of balls, chew toys, and Frisbees that you can buy. Sure, the dog doesn’t care if you get him the same thing you bought last year, but there has to be something different, maybe a gift that you can appreciate as much as the dog does. Get him the chew toy and maybe get a dog picture for the wall. Both are popular with dog owners and make great conversational pieces. Gather a group of pet owners together in a room where they can examine a detailed and unique picture of your dog and you’ll be certain to have a stimulating discussion.

Many pet owners leave the animal presents till last, so not much thought goes into the selection process. A typical dog owner will choose something that is on the shelf in the dog food isle when he’s buying that batch of food for the holiday week. If you shop at a pet store for food, you have more of a selection to choose from, but most folks that go to pet stores for food only do so every so often. If the holiday you want to buy gifts for isn’t right around the corner, you probably won’t pick something out that day. You’ll figure you’ll make at least one more trip to that store before the holiday, so you hold off on buying the gift.

Planning Ahead instead of Buying the First Item Seen

If you plan ahead, you won’t need to just grab the first item you see that classifies as a dog gift when you go shopping. Remember, you’re buying for the dog, but you also want to find something that will be enjoyed and appreciated by you and other family members. That’s why balls and Frisbees are so popular. The dog will be playing with someone and not alone, though many dogs do like to bring their ball into a hiding place with them. They crawl into a cubby hole or their dog house and keep it close where they can get to it. It’s possible that you might get the privilege of playing with that ball again, but that is entirely up to the dog.

When buying a ball for your dog, make sure it’s not small enough for him to choke on. Dogs will eat anything you put in front of them and the purpose of a ball is to give them something to play with, not a snack. Smaller balls can be dangerous because a dog will, get over-zealous and choke on it if you’re not careful. Ask at the pet store when you go which ball to get for a dog your size. You can even bring the animal with you. He won’t know it’s a dog gift for the holidays. Make the trip early enough on the shopping season and you will have a larger variety of toys to choose from. Pet stores sell out during the holiday season just as quickly as human retail stores.

Safety Tips on Frisbees and Chew Toys

Your dog will destroy anything he puts in his mouth eventually. That’s what dogs do. If you’ve given your dog a Frisbee or chew toy in the past, you know that the life expectancy of those toys is not long. For that reason, you need to be careful when you select a Frisbee or chew toy. If the item is going to come apart into little pieces, are those pieces a danger to your dog? Can he swallow and choke on them? Is the paint or dye harmful to your dog? If you buy a standard Frisbee and expect to use it as a dog toy, are you buying the one that was made for that purpose? They do exist, you know. If you go to the pet store you can buy a disc that is specifically made to play catch with your dog. That’s a dog gift you’ll both appreciate.

Not all chew toys are a good bargain and some are even harmful to your dog. Some of the chew toys marketed specifically for dogs have toxic foam or small beads inside which can be harmful or even fatal to smaller breeds. If you’re looking for safe chew toy, try plain cotton rope or go to the infant isle of a supermarket and buy chew toys made for children. They need to go through more rigorous testing and inspection before they’re allowed on the shelves. Our pets are very much like our children in that they need us to take care of them, so make sure the toys you’re buying for them are safe.

Dog Pictures

Dog pictures, and we’re not talking about the famous “Dogs Playing Cards”, are another item that sells pretty well around the holidays. One of the trends this year, with digital cameras being the rage these days, is to have a print created from an existing digital picture you took of your dog. This is easily done by any art gallery or photography studio that utilizes digital technology. You don’t need to have the taking of the picture itself done professionally, but the printing and mounting in a frame should be left to the experts if you want to have a clear, sharp picture of your dog on the wall.

by geckoam

When it comes to caring for our pet advice is key, to learn from other peoples successes and failures, therefore seeking some free grooming advice can set you in the right direction for success with your pet. Although some may turn they nose up at free advice, thinking that paid advice is better to a degree this can be true, but what if the free advice is an introduction to a book that can be purchased for a small fee. Then we need to look a little deeper into this free grooming advice.

Being able to take advantage for free grooming advice can be vital prior to paying for knowledge as it will give you a guideline as to what you are looking for in the paid advice and how to use it optimally. There is no use in paying out for a book that contains information that makes no sense to us, and this applies to grooming also. But with this said, providing you select the right book – a book that has been designed for novices and professionals then regardless of your experience you will be able to benefit from the free grooming advice, and then the book that will contain more information on the benefits, tips, tricks and techniques of dog grooming.

Other sites will offer purely free grooming advice, which can be good and can allow you to start out in grooming, but for more detailed step by step guides, and more complex grooming activities when you have built a bond and confidence level with your pet can be obtained from an online eBook for a small fee – although you will be paying a small fee you will be saving a large expense on grooming fees, so it easily outweighs the financial pros and cons.

By all means, make the most of free grooming advice any time you can obtain it, absorb what you see as the best advice and then when you do purchaser a copy of a dog grooming guide you can take the free grooming advice that you have already gained knowledge of and build on this with the content from the book written from a professional point of perspective for the average dog owner.

Anyone interested in knowing more about dog grooming, or even starting out in dog grooming should gather some free grooming advice, and then visit a site such as www.perfect-dog-grooming.com, where you can expand on your knowledge and come close to a professional groomer with the facts and knowledge you can gain for such a small fee.

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by anyjazz65

If you have a pet then you’ll realise that your role as their carer is a very important one. Whilst humans have a life and interests outside of their animals it’s a very different story for the pets themselves, as they are entirely dependent on their owners for food, care and comfort.

If your pet becomes injured or ill you will want to ensure they receive the best possible care and are nurtured back to good health as quickly as possible.

Pets that are recovering from illness or surgery require extra care and attention, just as a human would. During a period of rest and recuperation, nutrition is very important for your pet and special dietary needs may need to be catered for.

Good nutrition is important at all times for a pet, but especially when they have been ill, injured, had an operation, or not eaten in several days. A balanced and nutritious diet during recovery will help to speed up the healing of any wounds and reduce the chances of infection. Receiving the correct amount of high quality nutrients also prevents the body from using its own important tissues as energy sources during times of added stress.

A nutritionally balanced diet for your pet will include proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. During convalescence the balance of nutrients needed by your pet may change, so if you’re unsure about anything make sure you speak to your vet who will keep you on the right track.

If your pet had surgery or has suffered any injuries then it is important that you observe and clean any wounds, and make sure bandages and dressings are changed frequently. This is a fairly common sense scenario and is as important for your pet as for yourself.

If your vet has recommended medicine to help your pet recover then make sure you purchase an adequate supply and remember to give it to your pet as and when required. This can significantly aid the healing process and help to have your pet back on its feet in no time.

What’s more, the need for sleep, rest and peace will be greater than usual. It is common for pets to rest or sleep more during periods of recovery; therefore, make sure they have a comforting environment to recover within.

One of the best ways to help your pet when it comes to illness is by avoiding it in the first place if possible. You can do this by ensuring your pets are kept clean and well groomed, as they are then less likely to have fleas and ticks. Keeping up-to-date with vaccinations is of utmost importance and as animals can carry germs and bacteria that are harmful to humans you are actually keeping yourself healthy too.

In addition to keeping such things in mind, it is always sensible to have a suitable pet insurance policy in place, in case the worst happens and your pet does become ill. Therefore, you are not only keeping in mind the health of your pet, but also any unforeseen costs that are at times associated.

by danielhedrick

Do you need help with leopard gecko problems? You have to know how to deal with the problems to minimize the chances of harm being caused to your pets and even to you! Well fear no more; we’re here to help you with some of the common problems you may face when you want to take care of these beautiful designer lizards.

Crickets and Feeding

You should already be aware of the fact that lizards like to eat live food. This provides the lizards the stimulation it normally gets when it hunts in the wild. Crickets and worms are still one of the most highly recommended staple foods for these pets.

However, these live feeds carry with them certain problems. If a cricket gets away from a lizard for example, it can make a home for itself inside the tank and start to scurry about and even bite the lizard! This, needless to say, is very stressful to the animal and its best that you remedy the situation immediately. Try to catch and remove any unwanted insects from the tank. To prevent this, try to get a better feel for your lizard’s appetite. Start with around 4 crickets a day and gradually increase it as you get a better feel for your pet.

Worms are far easier to handle but they can still cause complications. They can burrow into loose substrate material like sand. This can make them very hard to find and remove from your tank. It is best to use a bowl or other similar container to put the worms in to make sure they don’t escape.

Diseases and Parasites

You have to be careful about diseases and parasites whenever you take care of reptiles or herpatiles. One of the dangers of handling a diseased herp is that the parasites they carry are often contagious to other animals and even humans (like Salmonella). Always be aware of your lizard pet’s health. Try to quarantine any new lizards that come into your home at least for a couple of days to ensure that they do not develop signs of undetected diseases. Always wash your hands after handling a pet. Inspect your pets regularly, including their fecal droppings as these can be your first sign of unwanted pathogens or parasites.

Using Sand

Sand is a very popular substrate but it is also a common cause of some of the leopard gecko problems that can occur in keeping a pet lizard. Whenever they hunt, it isn’t unusual for a lizard to get some of the sand into its mouth. This can lead to sand ingestion, a serious dilemma for any pet owner. Too much sand in their digestive systems can start to cause blockages or intestinal impaction.

You can get around this by using smaller grain sand; the finer the grain the better. Also, avoid using sand with geckos less than 6 inches in size. Smaller and baby lizards will always have problems with sand; even the finely grained sands because they’re digestive tracts are relatively smaller. Also, if you do run into complications with sand ingestion, giving your pet mineral oil has been suggested to help they’re digestive tract pass the sand.

Cleaning Out the Tank

As with many things, sanitation often proves very beneficial to prevent unwanted complications. Try to spot clean the tank daily, removing any fecal matter or insect remains. Try to clean out the entire tank at least once a month. If you use sand, it is best to replace the entire sand bed and use an antiseptic to scrub out any invisible trace materials that could have escaped your inspection.

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by watchmojo

Have you wondered whether you should allow your child to have a pet or not? Does your family have a history of allergies? Have you been told by your doctor that pets aren’t a good idea for your children because they may cause allergies?

Children Must Avoid From Pets Its Risky,Visit To Know http://www.healthuse.com/2009/06/pet-advice-to-children-for-avoid/

Parents have always been warned that pets can cause allergies in children. So many families have traditionally sacrificed the joys and benefits of pet ownership so that their children wouldn’t be susceptible to allergies.

And this is perfectly understandable. After all, no loving parents wanted their children to have allergies, so the logical thing to do was to do without the pets.

But now there’s some encouraging news from the Medical College of Georgia (MCG). Their recent study about pets and children (published in the Journal of the American Medical Association) indicates that having pets may actually help prevent allergies in your children!

Dr. Dennis R. Ownby, head of MCG’s Department of Allergy and Immunology, has followed 474 babies from birth to age 7. He found that children who were exposed to two or more in-door pets were only half as likely to develop common allergies as those raised without pets.

“Allergists have been taught for several generations that cats and dogs in the house are a bad idea because they increase the risk of allergic reactions. We know that before you can become allergic to something, you must be repeatedly exposed to it.”

He and his staff were just as surprised as everyone else at the results of their study! “The data simply didn’t come out the way it was supposed to. It was actually the very opposite of what we expected to discover,” said Ownby.

He believes that the reason so many children have allergies and asthma now is because we force them to live too clean a life.

Want To Care Your Pets But Have A trouble,Hit The Link For Advice http://www.healthuse.com/category/baby-health/

by danielhedrick

Greyhounds make marvelous family pets; they’re devoted, loyal and gentle souls that will do just about anything to please their owners. Unfortunately, there are many retired racing dogs that need a good home, so if you would like to adopt an adult, or give a new puppy a home, here is some advice on caring for these gorgeous dogs.

1. Some prospective adoptive owners are concerned about the length of time it will take a dog to bond with its new family. This is certainly not something to worry about with a Greyhound, as they become attached to their human companions very quickly. In fact, for some, this attachment can be a little overwhelming, because the dog may want to follow you everywhere. For this reason, it is not advisable to own a dog if the whole family is at work or school all day, because a Greyhound will become anxious if left alone.

2. Because they are bred and trained as racing dogs, there is a commonly held belief that Greyhounds are hyperactive dogs. However, this could not be further from the truth. Paradoxically, Greyhounds are incredibly lazy and, therefore, do not need a large yard to run around in or more than a daily walk. Consequently, they make great pets for those living in apartments or small homes and you do not have to be incredibly active to care for a Greyhound’s needs.

3. You may be familiar with the sight of racing dogs being kept in outdoor kennels. However, it is not advisable to house a dog outside, especially if you live in cold climes. Due to their distinct lack of body fat, a Greyhound cannot retain its body heat. When kept as racing animals, a large number of dogs are kept together and they can, therefore, share bodily warmth. However, a family Greyhound should always be kept nice and cozy indoors. In addition, when taking the dog for a walk in the winter, it is wise to provide a fleece-type coat or blanket to ensure that your Greyhound’s kept nice and warm.

4. Similarly, due to their svelte figure, Greyhounds are susceptible to sores and joint problems if they sleep and lay on hard surfaces. Consequently, it is advisable to have soft bedding, beanbags or blankets for your dog to lounge on.

5. If you are thinking of bringing a Greyhound into a home with other pets, it is advisable to purchase a puppy, simply because they are much easier to integrate into homes with cats, rabbits or other small animals. That is not to say that it is impossible for an adult dog to fit into a home with other animals. However, you may need to enroll in socialization classes to ensure that your dog can be left safely with a cat or other animals.

6. Due to their breeding as a hunting dog, Greyhounds are prone to run after small creatures that catch their eyes. Therefore, it is advisable to keep your dog on a leash at all times and ensure that your yard is secure. Not only will this prevent the death of a neighbor’s pet or local wildlife, but it will also keep your dog safe.

7. Greyhounds like all dogs, need plenty of contact time and obedience training in the first few weeks of life with you. Usually, Greyhounds are relatively easy to train. However, they will not respond well to raised voices or punishment. Gentle persuasion and positive reinforcement, on the other hand, can prove incredibly effective.

If you are considering adding a Greyhound to your family, please consider adopting an ex-racing dog. They make wonderful family pets and, more importantly, are in desperate need of loving homes.

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Feeding your turtle can be a fun experience since chewing food is fun for them. Turtles make for ideal pets for animal lovers – regardless of their age.
This means you should do all you can to provide them with the best possible care. This  fundamentally includes knowing exactly what kind of turtle you have, so that you can provide them with the diet most suited to them. Identifying the best food and when to give it is very essential to safeguard the health and life of your turtle.

Finding out what and how to feed your pet isquite simple and mostly requires you to pay attention to your turtle’s initial eating patterns and appetite. Once you’ve mastered this flawlessly, your pet turtle can peacefully enjoy a long lifespan, a clean bill of health, and a satisfied lifestyle. Most turtles eat both meat and vegetables, thus falling under the omnivore category, so a balanced diet with equal parts of both would be a wholesome diet for your turtle.

Some species such as tortoises enjoy vegetables the most and enjoy gnawing at grass and plants. On the other hand some of them are scavengers feeding on insects and even other animals at sea.

Aquatic and terrestrial turtles have the same feeding patterns, although aquatic turtles tend to have more meat in their diet whereas terrestrial turtles have an affinity for vegetables. Older turtles eat less meat, so special care must be taken to not over feed them with protein rich food. As far as vegetation is considered, turtles feed on berries, alfalfa, cabbage and lettuce.
As you can see, knowing a lot about what kind of turtle you have will enable you to decipher the kind of food it needs. Its possible to feed them commercial food, though not extensively, since turtles willingly relish vegetables and meat. But, its food it needs to be finely chopped and well apportioned.

You can determine the best time to feed your turtle within the first few days of their arrival. This knowledge will enable you to avoid foods they don’t like to eat. Uneaten food leads to contamination of the tanks, making it hard for the turtle to live in. A clear comprehension of the best time and type of food to feed your turtle can almost completely eradicate that kind of contamination. Also, they must be regularly provided with fresh drinking water served in a separate container.

While there are guidelines on how to feed your pet turtle with a well balanced and healthy diet, a little variety doesn’t hurt. This will help you learn more about your pet’s eating habits. They may eat only vegetables and can be entirely content with it. As a pet owner, you learn for yourself unless you try and expose them to other food varieties – though remember to serve these new food items with precaution.

Should you notice any signs of lethargy with your turtle and starts having cloudy skin patches or milky eyes, it could be due to poor nutrition or a disease.
Turtles are an exotic and unique kind of pets whose presence in the house can be a memorable experience. Hence, to avoid any infections and dangers to their health, you want to give them the best possible care and love them unconditionally.

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by Ed Yourdon

By stumbling on this article, it just proves that your dog’s health needs is really important to you. Having the basic knowledge or more in proper dog care is very important in keeping your pet healthy. This will also increase your dog’s chance of living a longer and happier life. There are many dog health issues that you should understand in order to keep your dog away from malignant diseases.

Perhaps, one of the best things that you should do is by starting with the most important thing: choose the healthiest dog that you can find in the pet shop. Do not succumb into pity after seeing the cutest yet sickliest puppy. You may be easily drawn to that little unmoving choleric-looking puppy on the corner. This is the common tendency of most buyers. Congratulations for your big heart, but think of the health issues that the dog would encounter in your custody. Unless you have the financial capability for your pet’s medical treatment, opt for healthier dogs. This will save you the effort and hassle of spending tons of cash on the veterinary clinic. It also would not be that pleasant watching your newly-acquired friend die in your arms. It is highly recommended to get the best and most active galloping barking puppy that you can find in the pet shop.

After choosing the right dog, head straight to the veterinary clinic for vaccination. A shot of the best medicines for your cute and furry friend will keep him or her disease-free and more resistant to various ailments. Make sure that your pet is properly vaccinated with the right shots against any type of animal disease. You may be surprised to know the fact that despite the availability of advanced treatments for various diseases, there are still many cases that involve pet death via Parvovirus and distemper. Probably, the most common disease that you should keep your pet free of is rabies. Rabies is lethal both to man and dog. So, start your pet’s new life by taking him or her to the vet for check up and proper dog health care. In fact, you should do this on a regular basis to ensure your pet’s health.

Notice why your dog is panting like a marathon-runner who has just run around the entire North American continent? Of course, the dog is thirsty. Very thirsty. If you have less pores to sweat out for natural body cooling, you would also do the same. Since dogs are covered almost entirely with fur, they have a hard time cooling themselves off. To compensate for this inability to sweat, they cool themselves by panting. To help your pet chill out and feel cool, always provide your dog with fresh and clean drinking water. Since dogs, especially during a very young age, tend to be curious, the danger of drinking contaminated water is high. Always make sure that your pet has fresh and clean drinking water. If your dog suddenly shows some fear of water, go to the vet clinic immediately. This may be a case of hydrophobia or rabies. Watch out.

As you can see, proper dog health routine is very important in keeping your best buddy healthy and safe. If you care for your pet, you should be aware of basic pet care. For more online resources on dog health, you can visit various sites on the net.

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by anyjazz65

Pug dogs are perky, small dogs that have a short, sleek coat and cute inquisitive face. These loyal dogs are extremely smart and sensitive to commands. They are sturdy and rugged, love to play and are fantastic with kids. They are not yippy like some small dogs tend to be and are great for a small house or apartment. They typically are outgoing and sociable with humans as well as other animals. They do need attention, like any other pet, and will reward you with their loyal companionship.

History

Pug dogs are an Ancient Asian breed. In the sixteenth century Pugs were all the rage in European high society and a Pug is rumored to have saved the life of William, Prince of Orange when the dog barking gave them notice of the Spanish invasion. Many pugs were found in Chinese Imperial palace in the mid 1800′s. The AKC recognized pugs in 1885.

Breed Standards

Pug dogs should be 12 to 14 inches tall for males and 10 to 12 inches for females. They grow a short coat in black, fawn, apricot or silver. These dogs are stocky with a round eyed face, prominent eyes and curly tails. Pugs should weigh in between 13 to 20 pounds.

Medical Concerns

Pugs often have respiratory and skin related problems. Their “button” ears which fold overcan create a friendly environment for mites – therefore their ears should be checked frequently. These little dogs have flat faces with protruding eyes which might make them prone to ulcers on the cornea. Pugs are also prone to colds and should avoid harsh weather- either very cold or very hot.

Grooming and Care

Bathing pugs is recommended but care should be take to be sure you dry them completely after bathing as they can catch cold easily. Care must be taken with Pugs to insure their ears do not harbor pests and the folds of skin on their faces should be cleaned. Pug dogs are rather easy to care for and groom because of their short hair.

Pugs make loving and loyal companions but like most toy breed dogs do take extra care and attention. Before you adopt a pug, you need to make sure that you can provide him with a proper home. Pugs should not be kept outdoors for any length of time so you will need to provide suitable housing inside the home. Also, make sure you have the time to devote to your dog as he does require your attention.

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by geckoam

Whether you are about to welcome a brand new kitten or adopted adult cat into your home, there are some important health care responsibilities that you will need to bear in mind. Many people choose to own a cat, because they believe that a cat is pretty self-sufficient. While this is true to a point, it is crucial that owners offer their cats the basic health care that is essential to overall well being. The following advice is intended for those new to pet ownership.

Make Sure you Have a Safe Cat Carrier

When purchasing your cat’s new equipment, it is wise to add a cat carrier to the list. Cat carriers can be purchased from any good pet store. However, it is advisable to select one that is comfortable, safe and secure for your cat. This travel carrier will be used for trips to the vet or road trips and will ensure that both you and your cat arrive at your destination safely.

Take Some Time to Find a Really Great Vet

Of course, most pet owners will simply choose their local vet. However, your nearest vets’ office may not be the best. For example, if your local vet is overcrowded, he, or she, is unlikely to have the luxury of time, which means your cat may not receive the best possible care.

Obviously, other things to think about include the cleanliness and hygiene of a veterinary office and whether dogs are kept on leashes in the waiting room. If you do not know where to start, you might like to ask friend, co-workers or relative which vet they use and get some feedback.

Remember, finding a vet is not something you want to leave until you are in dire need of one. So make sure that you do the necessary research early, preferably before you even acquire your new cat.

Make Sure Your Cat is Getting His/Her Annual Check Ups

With our own health, it is very easy to get a little lax about check ups. However, your cat is depending on you, so it is imperative that you approach this responsibly. All cats should have at least on check up per year. Even if your cat seems perfectly healthy, it is advisable to visit the vet, because often cat illnesses are not evident until the latter stages. Of course, if left too late, most conditions are more difficult to cure or, in some cases, impossible.

Moreover, don’t think that because your cat stays indoors, he, or she, will never pick up any diseases. You and any visitors to your home are carrying germs into the house, so your cats can easily pick things up this way.

Don’t Forget Vaccinations

Similarly, it is important that your cat remains up-to-date with all shots and vaccinations. Bear in mind that many vaccinations need annual boosters, so do not make the mistake of thinking one course of shots is all he, or she, needs.

When taking your cat for shots, it is a good idea to ask the vet about potential side effects. Many vaccinations will not affect a cat’s behavior at all, but some will. Therefore, it is advisable to know what to expect.

Keep an Eye on Your Cat’s Behavior

Yes, cats are independent souls, but it is important that you keep a regular watch of their behavior and habits. As mentioned above, cats are excellent at masking illnesses, so a change of behavior that seems innocuous could, in fact, be indicative of a health concern. Common things to look out for include, itching, change in eating or drinking habits and sleeping patterns. If you notice these or any other alterations in your cat, then it is advisable to consult your vet.

Of course, there are many other health care responsibilities for cat owners. So, remember owning a pet is a lot of fun, but it can be a labour of love, too.