tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44663185485019102742023-07-17T21:53:17.796-07:00Your #1 Pet Resource Guide on the WebYour One-Stop Pet Resource GuideKarenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05428507925416643076noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4466318548501910274.post-460129306351506192008-08-18T01:07:00.008-07:002008-08-18T01:33:13.246-07:00Why Wild Animals DO NOT make good Pets!Have you ever caught an animal in the wild? Save it from utter destruction only to find out that it's a baby? Many people, especially animal lovers, get drawn in by the inherent cuteness of an animal and decide that it would be a good idea to take it home, care for it, and turn it into a pet. No. It is often forgotten that these animals are born wild. <strong><em>Wild animals</em></strong> have certain predispositions for specific behaviors, special needs that may not be accessible through conventional means, and an inherent fear of human beings. Over time, these attributes can become quite dangerous.<br />Bringing wild animals into the home is against the law in many different states. Various different species are protected by both state and federal law. Statutes have been passed primarily to protect the animals from inadequate care and unnecessary death. There are several things that cause these deaths, and they are also very compelling reasons why wild animals do not make good pets. Here are just a few:<br /><strong>1. Ignorance of Proper Care<br /></strong>Believe it or not, many wild animals held in captivity die, due to the fact that their caregivers do not know how to give proper car. Many of the wild animals held in captivity have special needs that are not the same as domesticated animals. Eventually, these animals develop a deficiency in their diet, causing them to become ill.<br /><strong>2. Lack of Proper Socialization</strong><br />Wild animals require an ability to associate with their own kind. Through this process the animal is able to develop the skill sets necessary to survive on his or her own out in the wild. If the animal has not learned these skills, it must either stay in captivity or die. This is especially unfortunate for animal that are much larger than usual or more aggressive that what humans are used to.<br /><strong>3. Lack of Fear of Human Beings<br /></strong>Wild animals are generally scared of human beings, especially if they have never encountered them before. This fear generally keeps them safe from hostile humans, and other unintentional harms.<br />No matter how cute the animal might be, keeping a wild animal is not a good idea, not only for your health, but also for the health of the animal. The best thing to do when you encounter a wild animal is the report the sighting to the proper authorities, who have the experience and knowledge to deal with the situation appropriately.<br />For more information, visit <a id="link_75" href="http://www.miamiveterinarianclinics.com/" target="_new">http://www.miamiveterinarianclinics.com</a><br />Joseph Devine<br />Article Source: <a id="link_76" href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Devine">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Devine</a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05428507925416643076noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4466318548501910274.post-68472921904911618732008-08-18T01:07:00.007-07:002008-08-18T01:27:32.632-07:00How to Care for Your FerretFour weeks ago, I told my lovely ferret 'Oh little Bandit, don't worry, we would solve it, cheer up baby'. Well, let me tell you the story. I bought a new tiny ferret, as I love having pets at home. But this little Bandit caused a huge mess indeed. He was pooping everywhere but his litter box, lots of bites and nips, besides getting some of our little stuff lost! Really so dynamic! This is unpleasant for anyone ?I mean here my sister Jessie who came recently to live with me? especially for those people, who used to live in a tidy place, and I'm not one of them, I always have a pet living surrounding me from age of five till now. For bad luck, Jessie was so bothered from Bandit misbehavior, he stole her car's keys, and the worst that she found him urinated inside her new shoes, which made her mad, as she was ready to get out with her friends. "I can't bear more Sara! You have to make your decision, either me or your awful Bandit!" Jessie told me. I answered her "Just 3 weeks, and you will be surprised of him", she agreed and my challenge started at once.<br />As a pet lover, I have a solid knowledge on caring for them, but I realized also that ferrets differ than others. First thing I should learn and apply is how to turn my ferret into the most well behaved one, and how to care for him. The first tip I learned is that if I wish to train my ferret to do something, I must do this with patience, care, consistency, and surely a lot of love.<br />Firstly, I wanted him to learn his new name 'Bandit'. I started to call him frequently, and at anytime I went near to him, then I rewarded him each time he responded to me. I discovered that ferrets usually response to the firm 'No', so, while playing with Bandit, if he nipped me hardly, I stop playing immediately, and say firmly "No Bandit, stop biting me like that". Eventually, he started to respond, especially when I took other steps like walking away from him, and putting him back in his cage. I really wondered a lot when my smart Bandit got the idea of punishment, but take care, don't shake or spank a ferret, that's may lead to death or internal injury.<br />Now, it's the turn of training him to stop pooping everywhere, for that purpose, I bought him a litter box, and placed it into his cage, at a corner of my room. Then I started the difficult part, which is 'watching', to catch him urinating or defecating. Every time I saw him doing so, I pick him up quickly, and put him in the litter box. This is the most important thing your ferret should be trained to do, so be patient and don't give up. Three weeks later, Jessie asked me to buy another cute ferret for her! She started also caring for Bandit with me, and she helped me cleaning him, preparing his meals, washing food and water plates, washing his cage, going with me to the vet for periodical checks, and buying him tons of toys, and accessories. I can tell you that it was a very interesting and nice experience, with no doubt, I feel now so proud of my beloved Bandit, in addition to tons of joyful times.<br />Ellen Tayana is a proud new ferret owner and excited to share all the ferret facts she knows.If you wish to share with us your remarkable times with your ferret, or even thinking to have one but don't know enough about them, then I advise you to go to this great blog <a id="link_77" href="http://www.ferret-care.info/" target="_new">ferret-info</a>, you'll not never regret it!<br />Article Source: <a id="link_78" href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ellen_Tayana">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ellen_Tayana</a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05428507925416643076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4466318548501910274.post-58921664897754298552008-08-18T01:07:00.006-07:002008-08-18T01:25:39.290-07:00Basic Guide to Hermit CrabsAre you thinking about purchasing your first pet <strong><em>hermit crab?</em></strong> If so, there are several things you need to know about hermit crabs before you decide to bring them home to be your pets. While you will need to do a great deal of research in order to provide your hermit crab with the best living environment possible, here are some of the basics involved with hermit crab care.<br /><strong>Obtaining the Right Temperature</strong><br />Before you even bring your hermit crabs home, you need to set up a home that will allow your new pet to stay happy, healthy and comfortable. Namely, your hermit crab will need a home that never falls below 72 degrees Fahrenheit. If your hermit crab is consistently exposed to lower temperatures, it could die. Similarly, if the temperatures are too high, it can become overheated and die a slow and painful death. Recognizing an overheated hermit crab is relatively simple, as it will start to emit a musty smell and may actually start to discharge a brown liquid.<br /><strong>Creating the Proper Humidity Levels<br /></strong>Hermit crabs also require a certain level of humidity in their homes. Ideally, your hermit crab's home should be maintain at least 70% humidity. The goal is to create a tropical feel within your hermit crab's habitat. Therefore, the moister the better. You can help keep the habitat moist by squirting the inside of the tank with water on a frequent basis.<br /><strong>Making it Cozy<br /></strong>Your hermit crab habitat is also going to require the right substrate, which is the substance you use to line the bottom of the terrarium. You will need to keep a fairly thick level of substrate in your tank so your hermit crabs can bury themselves deep inside. At the same time, you will need to use an under-tank heater in order to maintain the proper temperature. Therefore, you don't want to make the substrate so thick that the heater isn't able to properly warm up the habitat.<br /><strong>Decorating the Tank</strong><br />When it comes to hermit crabs, you can have quite a bit of fun with decorating the tank. Hermit crabs love to play, to hide, and to climb. Therefore, they will enjoy pretty much anything you put in the tank. Dried wood, driftwood, sand-blasted grapevines, and plastic plants are all good options. Hermit crabs also enjoy climbing up plastic reptile ladders and some have even been known to roll around in plastic hamster balls! Of course, you will also want to put plenty of shells and other items that your hermit crab can wear as a shell. After all, half the fun of owning a hermit crab is watching what he will wear next!<br /><strong>Giving it a Friend<br /></strong>When you decide to keep a hermit crab as a pet, you are actually deciding to purchase at least two of them. Despite the name "hermit," these crabs like to be around other hermit crabs. In fact, in the wild, they often stick together in packs of 100. In addition, some research has indicated that a hermit crab without a friend is more likely to become sick and even to die. Therefore, it is best to include at least two in your tank.<br />CS Swarens is the president of Find a Pet Online. 800 998-7065<br />For additional information on dogs, cats, birds, horses, and exotic pets visit the internet's pet resource including pet classifieds at <a id="link_75" href="http://www.findapetonline.com/" target="_new">http://www.findapetonline.com</a><br />Research over 430 pet breed profiles <a id="link_76" href="http://www.findapetonline.com/breeds.html" target="_new">http://www.findapetonline.com/breeds.html</a><br />Article Source: <a id="link_77" href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=CS_Swarens">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=CS_Swarens</a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05428507925416643076noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4466318548501910274.post-27953156275934529772008-08-18T01:07:00.004-07:002008-08-18T01:23:09.649-07:00Taking Care of your TarantulaIf you are considering getting an exotic pet such as a tarantula, there are a few important details that you need to know on how to take care of a pet such as this. There are many things that you might need to know about different types of spiders before you choose to have one as a family pet.<br />Tarantulas are part of the arachnid family and, in recent years, have become a popular pet for families in the US and North America to have in their homes. There are many benefits to owning a pet like this, but you must be aware of the proper care methods for an exotic spider such as this. There are many different breeds of tarantulas that have been found both in North and South America over the years. Tarantulas can be held and handled, but it is normally not recommended because of the danger you could put the spider in. You are more likely to hurt the tarantula than it is to hurt you.<br />One of the benefits to having a spider such as this is that it is a quiet and tranquil pet. You won't have to worry about the spider making a lot of noise at night. Although there are many different breeds, you must keep in mind that not all of the breeds are going to be friendly with humans or handleable. You need to speak with a tarantula breeder to explain your situation and find the specific breed of tarantula that will go well with your situation.<br />Tarantulas are a type of pet that requires a specific kind of diet. Once you have decided which breed of tarantula is going to be best for your situation, you can then look into what type of diet that breed of spider needs. For smaller breeds of tarantulas, crickets, moths, and cockroaches are typical kinds of prey to feed your pet spider. Some breeds tend to be more aggressive and will even eat small rodents such as mice and prey up to half their size. There is not a specified amount that you should feed your spider daily. If you want your spider to grow larger faster, then you can choose to feed it larger meals in the beginning. If you don't want your spider to grow larger quickly, you can choose to feed the spider less per day than you would otherwise.<br />The tarantula will also require small amounts of water each day in their cage. Typically, a small pill bottle cap would be fine for your spider to get water from. You should speak with a trained veterinarian, who was worked with spiders, to make sure that you are giving the spider all the proper care.<br />For more information, contact the Dallas Veterinarian Clinics at <a id="link_75" href="http://www.dallasveterinarianclinics.com/" target="_new">http://www.dallasveterinarianclinics.com</a>Joseph Devine<br />Article Source: <a id="link_76" href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Devine">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Devine</a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05428507925416643076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4466318548501910274.post-21798804426301425152008-08-18T01:07:00.003-07:002008-08-18T01:21:38.273-07:00How to take care of your Snake while it's SheddingIf you are the proud owner of a snake there are a few factors that you need to take into consideration when you are taking care of your snake as your family pet. There are a few things that snakes have that no other animal goes through. Shedding can be a hard process to go through for a snake if it isn't living in just the right living conditions.<br />Shedding is the process where the snake losses the skin that it currently has and gets a new skin on its body. The first thing that you should understand is that the shedding of the skin doesn't happen all at once. Usually when a snake is beginning to shed its skin, it will begin to come off in pieces depending on where it happens to peel away. If your snake is healthy and happy, it should have no problems going through the shedding process. You should also understand that this process happens anywhere between 3 and 8 times each year. The environment, the feeding level, and the age of your snake are all factors that will determine how many times your snake will shed its skin each year. If your snake is sick or suffering from malnutrition the shedding process can cause severe stress on the snake If your snake isn't healthy, it can cause the snake to not completely shed its skin which in turn can cause the snake to become sicker depending on the situation and circumstances.<br />The next portion that you should understand is the actual process that the snake will go through. The first step in the process is the shedding itself. The pieces of the snake's skin will usually come off in many different pieces depending on how they peel off the snake's body. The next portion of the shedding process is inactivity time. This is a time where the snake usually slows down all activity almost to a halt. This time where the snake is inactive usually lasts anywhere between one and two weeks depending on the snake and environment. Because the snake is trying to get rid of all skin including over the eyes, its eyes will usually turn to a milky white and blue color. During this time, its eyes are usually foggy which means the snake can't see very well. Since the snake can't see during this time, it tends to be more aggressive to any movement that happens around it.<br />For more information, contact the Atlanta Vet Clinics at <a id="link_75" href="http://www.atlantaveterinarianclinics.com/" target="_new">http://www.atlantaveterinarianclinics.com</a> Joseph Devine<br />Article Source: <a id="link_76" href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Devine">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Devine</a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05428507925416643076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4466318548501910274.post-25298941641884804382008-08-18T01:07:00.001-07:002008-08-18T01:20:05.637-07:00Family Friendly LizardsIf you are considering getting a pet for your family, there are numerous choices that you could make. Many people choose to get an exotic pet because of their nature and interaction. If you are looking for an exotic pet for your family, getting a type of lizard could be the perfect pet your family.<br /><strong><em>Lizards</em></strong> can be good pets for those who are looking for a pet with minimal upkeep. There are a few different breeds of exotic lizards that are great as pets in some type of caged environment. Bearded Dragon is one of the good breeds for pets. This type of lizard is one of the friendliest lizards that you could have because it enjoys being held by people. Bearded Dragons are usually quite small in the beginning, but they can grow to be almost 2 feet long by their adult stage. When you are buying a cage for your lizard, you should consider buying a larger one for when they become an adult. Most people choose to buy a glass tank, so you can see your lizard in his natural area. Bearded Dragons are fairly easy to feed because they will eat fruit, leaves, seeds, small mice, and lizards. You should be careful to feed the bearded dragon already killed prey because there is always a chance that the lizard could be hurt by the prey instead of the other way around.<br />Chameleons are also a popular choice for an exotic pet for your family. Chameleons are usually chosen because of their multi-coloring and ability to change colors to camouflage themselves. This type of lizard usually lives in a leafy area, so it's necessary to provide that same type of environment in the cage you buy for the lizard. Having lots of greenery in their tank allows the chameleon to feel more comfortable in its environment. Chameleons can be one of the easiest lizards to feed because of the simplicity of their diet. Chameleons are carnivores, so an everyday diet of crickets is healthy for them. One of the harder factors to handle with these lizards is that they won't drink from a water dish. Chameleons will only drink water off of leaves. You need to either mist their tank a few times daily, or get a dripping water canister at your local pet shop that will drip water on a few leaves.<br />These are just two of numerous family friendly lizards that you could possibly have as pets. You should make sure to take your lizard for check ups at your local Phoenix vet clinic.<br />For more information, contact the Phoenix Vet Clinics at <a id="link_79" href="http://www.phoenixveterinarianclinics.com/" target="_new">http://www.phoenixveterinarianclinics.com</a><br />Joseph Devine<br />Article Source: <a id="link_80" href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Devine">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Devine</a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05428507925416643076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4466318548501910274.post-62456261922451754952008-08-18T01:07:00.000-07:002008-08-18T01:15:16.627-07:00Raising ChickensThere are many benefits to <strong><em>raising chickens</em></strong>; they can make great pets, they provide natural bug control, they give you several eggs each week (and potentially meat), and they provide endless hours of therapy and enjoyment in watching them cluck and peck around.<br />For many people, raising chickens is their first step to becoming more self sufficient. Chickens need relatively little care, but there are a few things you may want to consider before placing your order:<br /><strong><em>Do you have the space:</em></strong> A coop needs to allow at least two square feet per chicken and they will also need a secure run allowing at least three square feet per chicken (the bigger the better - particularly if they won't have a chance to free range safely). Their coop doesn't have to be anything palatial, but some care will need to be taken to ensure that it is dry, free of drafts and safe from predators.<br /><strong><em>Do you have the time:</em></strong> Chickens need relatively little care, but they do need to be locked into their coop safely at night, and let out again in the morning. They also need fresh water and feed every day, and the coop should be cleaned out regularly.<br /><strong><em>Cost:</em></strong> In terms of the monetary cost of feed and bedding, hens usually more than pay for themselves with their eggs (not to mention the enjoyment they bring as pets). The cost of buying or building a coop and run however, may take a few years for them to 'earn'.<br /><strong><em>How many:</em></strong> How many chickens really depends on how many you think you would like, have the space for, and can look after. Chickens have a group mentality so having at least two or three is better than having just one. With most egg laying breeds you can expect to get four to six eggs per week from each hen (this number will probably decrease as they get older). You don't need to have a rooster to get eggs but if you want one then the normal ratio is one rooster to every ten hens.<br /><strong><em>Neighbors:</em></strong> Some local areas have rules on keeping chickens so you should always check for any restrictions before building / buying your coop. Even if you are allowed to get chickens, it may be a good idea to have a word with the neighbours first if they are very close by - particularly if you are thinking of getting a rooster.<br /><strong><em>Free Ranging:</em></strong> Chickens enjoy being able to free range, but if they are not in a secure area, and / or you are unable to keep an eye on them, it is not always safe for them to do so (predators, including your local neighbourhood dogs, can make their presence felt very quickly). If you are able to free-range safely then nothing in your garden is safe - they will eat / dig up / dustbathe in everything! If they can't free range safely then they will need a secure pen - fresh air and exercise is as important to a chickens well-being as it is to our own.<br />So there you have it! A few first steps towards raising chickens in your backyard. I hope you enjoyed this introduction to raising chickens.<br />You can find a lot more information and tips on how to raise chickens at my blog <a id="link_75" href="http://successwithpoultry.blogspot.com/" target="_new">http://successwithpoultry.blogspot.com</a><br />© 2008 Gina Read<br />Gina is the author / editor of a free monthly keeping chickens ezine full of raising chickens tips, articles and subscriber coops and photos. <a id="link_76" href="http://www.keepingchickensnewsletter.com/" target="_new">http://www.keepingchickensnewsletter.com</a><br />Article Source: <a id="link_77" href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Gina_Read">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gina_Read</a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05428507925416643076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4466318548501910274.post-7099673087908993562008-07-26T01:13:00.001-07:002008-07-26T01:21:15.572-07:00Cat & Dog Training CoursesI've Come <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">upon</span> 2 courses that I wanted to share with you, if you've ever been frustrated training your Dog or Cat (whether it's Obedience training or potty) then I think you really need to check these 2 courses out. There Great & they really work! the URL for the Cat course is:<a href="http://billad.cattrain.hop.clickbank.net/">http://billad.cattrain.hop.clickbank.net/</a> & the Dog Training Course is:<a href="http://billad.sitstay.hop.clickbank.net/">http://billad.sitstay.hop.clickbank.net/</a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05428507925416643076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4466318548501910274.post-26553149936179077612008-07-15T19:07:00.002-07:002008-07-15T19:26:56.627-07:0010 Easy Steps to Clean your Fish Tank1).Empty 20-30% of the water in your fish tank (using a siphon)<br />2).As you are emptying the water, make sure to siphon through the gravel to get the dirt and debris out.<br />3).Take out the rocks and plants - scrub them with a sponge or just run under warm water to get the grime off<br />4).If you need to, catch your fish and put them in a tank with something that oxygenates the water<br />5).Take the media out of your filter and rinse it under warm water, you also can run your bio-wheel under warm water as well (Hint #1: never through away your bio-wheel and replace it with a new one, you want to continue to use the old one because it has good bacteria that has grown on it) You will also need to rinse out the rest of your filter. (Hint #2: If you have 2 filters only clean one at a time - clean the second one a couple days later. You do this because you don't want to bacteria levels to plummet and/or spike)<br />6).Place your rocks and plants back into the tank - either where you had them or in another place, it's your call (By taking out the rocks and plants you will "trick" the fish into thinking they have a new home)<br />7).Now this step can be one of two things - You can either add the fish or add the water. It will not matter. I like to add the fish first, then add the water. So we will say, add your fish back to your tank.<br />8).Add water to your tank, fill so it is about 1 inch from the top of your tank. Make sure you dechlorinate the water once you add it to your tank.<br />9).Smooth out any gravel that might have been shifted during the addition of the water, and fix any plants and rocks that might have moved as well.<br />10).Add your top back to your tank, clean the excess water from the sides of the tank, and turn on your lights<br />Now your tank should be nice and clean and ready to rock for another 5-6 months or so. For more information about fish tank maintenance, set-up, cleaning, pictures and products please visit my website <a id="link_79" href="http://properfishtankmaintenance.blogspot.com/" target="_new">http://properfishtankmaintenance.blogspot.com</a> Please, Please, Please feel free to contact me if you need any help or have any questions pertaining to fishtanks. I have owned and maintained many fishtanks for a long time now.<br />Adam Wiese is a middle school science teacher and a fish enthusiast. He has owned and maintained many different types of aquariums throughout his life. For more information on how to select and maintain an aquarium please visit <a id="link_80" href="http://properfishtankmaintenance.blogspot.com/" target="_new">http://properfishtankmaintenance.blogspot.com</a><br />Article Source: <a id="link_81" href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Adam_Wiese">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_Wiese</a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05428507925416643076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4466318548501910274.post-16989458278450699792008-07-15T19:07:00.001-07:002008-07-15T19:20:01.329-07:00How to Arrange your Aquarium DecorationsCreate an environment mix in your aquarium decor for maximum flexibility in the types of fish species you may decide to keep. That means setup your rocks, plants, sand, or gravel, so that there are caves, nooks, and tunnels, that fish can explore, inhabit, and seek refuge in when feeling threatened, while still leaving lots of free swimming space for those fish that prefer wide open spaces.<br />Position the rocks, aquarium plants, etc., away from the sides of the fish tank so that you can clean off any algae that may grow there, without interference from rocks, plants, or decorations. Leave sufficient space between fish tank plants, and aquarium ornaments to permit vacuuming up any debris that will accumulate on the bottom.<br />Be sure to use only decorations, rocks, and plants, specifically made for fish aquariums as they are made of specific materials free from toxins that harm fish and corals. Using a uniquely shaped rock, or branch out of your garden, or roadside, desert, forest, or camping area, or the Ocean, or a nearby Lake, may introduce chemicals such as fertilizers, pesticides, gasoline, oil, detergents, or parasites, and fungus, that will wreck havoc in your aquarium, and could kill most fish species, after spending lots of time and money trying to find, and eliminate, the cause.<br />Don't use metals in your fish tanks. Don't use wire to secure aquarium decorations such as Live Rock or Driftwood. Use glues, or plastic ties designed for an aquarium environment to secure your rock walls, driftwood, or tank decorations, as metal is toxic to fish and will slowly kill them.<br />You should consider the habitats of the types of pet fish species that you will be keeping in your fish tank before beginning the aquarium design. These suggestions apply for saltwater fish tanks or freshwater fish tanks alike.<br />Dan Galen is an author and enthusiast on aquarium decorations, aquascaping, and all things aquatic and the owner of FishTankShop.com. To learn more about how to setup your <a id="link_79" href="http://www.fishtankshop.com/" target="_new">fish tank's environment</a> please visit the site.<br />Article Source: <a id="link_80" href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Dan_Galen">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_Galen</a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05428507925416643076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4466318548501910274.post-30721927754158480492008-07-15T19:07:00.000-07:002008-07-15T19:12:29.221-07:00The Most Common Goldfish DiseasesUnfortunately there are quite a few <strong>diseases</strong> that <strong>goldfish</strong> can get.<br /><strong>Anchor Worm</strong> is a contagious parasite that attaches itself to the sides, head or mouth of the fish and is contracted by the ingestion of infection live food. The worm looks like a piece a green, brown or white thread dangling from the goldfish and can cause sore blood spots once it has entered into the flesh. Anchor worms attach themselves beneath the scales of the fish where they bury their anchor-shaped head under the skin causing ulceration and distress. The anchor worm is a parasite that can attach itself to your goldfish. This is irritating to the fish so you might notice him rubbing against your tank decorations.<br /><strong>Swimbladder disease</strong> should be suspected when a fish has difficulty stabilizing itself in the tank. It is not uncommon in goldfish although fancy varieties appear more susceptible to this disease. It is not unusual even in fancy goldfish varieties seem more prone to this disease. Swim or air bladder problems sometimes occur in freshwater fish. When the bladder is affected, the fish will experience problems with equilibrium.<br /><strong>Fin rot</strong> can happen to any fish and goldfish are no exception. If you see white, rotted looking areas on your fishes fins, it could be this disease. Fin rot is an infection specifically a bacterial infection that occurs when a goldfish is already weak from something else. It appears as a whitish edge on the fins, then the fins rot away looking ragged and torn, sometimes fungus sets in.<br />If you suspect that your fish has a disease, I would suggest seeking treatment right away.<br />Learn the secrets of setting up and maintaining a healthy aquarium so your fish are happy and healthy in my free <a id="link_75" href="http://fishcaresecretsrevealed.com/ecourse.html" target="_new">fish care newsletter</a>.<br />Check out my latest article on <a id="link_76" href="http://fishcaresecretsrevealed.com/freshwater-tropical-fish-aquarium.html" target="_new">freshwater tropical fish aquarium</a>.<br />Article Source: <a id="link_77" href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jerry_Baubut">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jerry_Baubut</a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05428507925416643076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4466318548501910274.post-5187165601032607832008-07-10T00:12:00.001-07:002008-07-10T01:04:08.346-07:00How to Teach your Parrot to Talk - FastWhen learning how to train a <strong>parrot to talk</strong> or correcting his/her bad behavior the key is consistency. For instance, if you wanted to train your parrot to talk, after he/she begins to let you know when they are going to try to speak, you must respond immediately. If you ignore this vital step, you will NOT be nearly as successful in your training efforts.<br />Parrots are actually very smart animals. Yet people still have trouble tapping into a parrot's ability to learn. Here is some insight to this subject and how you can adopt some very common animal training techniques that I have used with great success to get my parrot and other parrots I've trained to respond to training much quicker than traditional methods.<br />One technique that I have had great success with is a training method which enables the parrot to think for themselves instead of the trainer trying to show them or tell them what to do. I don't bait them with food, or punish them for incorrect behavior. Instead I approach it from an entirely different principal...<br />Parrots are creatures of their own behavior just as humans are. We tend to find something we enjoy and continue to repeat the act of this enjoyable behavior. We will continue do behave in this manner with greater and greater frequency because it is pleasurable. We continue to do so until that behavior no longer brings us pleasure. Parrots are no different.<br />Here is an extremely successful training trick I have used when showing people how to train a parrot as well as training my own parrots. When I'm training a parrot to talk, I don't just say, "Speak! Speak! C'mon speak!" and try to force them to speak. After all, they might not want to speak. The bird might be sleepy, upset, not want to be distracted from her food, or any number of other reasons.<br />So instead, the moment they try to speak or mimic something they just heard on their own free will I reward them verbally as well as with a treat. In this way you are letting the parrot train themselves. In the parrots mind, speaking brings pleasure. Here's an example of the same concept used to train your parrot to step up on your finger or hand...<br />My parrot loves to play on the top of her cage, if I want to train her to step up onto my hand, I will place my hand about 2 feet from her, and observe what she does. If she backs away then I back up also. I will continue to back away until I see my parrot begin to show signs of relaxed body language.<br />I will then start to watch her closely for slight movements towards my hand. Be patient and take small steps towards the goal. I will watch her carefully to see if she looks at my hand. When she does, I verbally reward her by saying "good girl", coupled with a treat or some form of edible reward.<br />Parrots are more on the ball than you think and it doesn't take long before they realize that all they have to do to get attention and a treat is look at your hand. When your parrot reaches this stage, demand more from them in order to get a treat. Make them take a step or two towards your hand... tell them "good girl" or "good boy" and reward them again. Remember that repeated efforts will be the key to success in training your parrot.<br />Continue until they actually step onto your hand. One thing to remember though, parrots can tend to lose trust in you. Don't think the training is done after the first time your parrot steps onto your hand. Parrots can sometimes feel betrayed if they feel you coaxed them onto your hand only to pick them up too fast.<br />Once you and the parrot become comfortable with this type of interaction, after a short while every time you pass their cage, they'll run over to you expecting that all they have to do is step up onto your hand to get a treat.<br />This type of training method teaches parrots to problem solve on their own and is a very important phase when learning how to train a parrot. It teaches them how to figure out what you want THEM to do, and makes the training of other behaviors that much easier in the future.<br />Owning a parrot can be fun, easy, and enjoyable experience for you and the parrot. But parrots don't come with instructions, so you're responsible to educate yourself about the proper care and handling of your new friend.<br />Many times a parrot's behavior will let you know how to treat him/her.<br />Use this technique to stop biting, screeching, and feather plucking. Grab your free report on quick and easy ways to train a parrot that will have you impressing your friends and family in a matter of days!!! <a id="link_91" href="http://quickandeasywaystotrainaparrot.blogspot.com/" target="_new">Free Report</a><br />Article Source: <a id="link_92" href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Daryl_Grone">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daryl_Grone</a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05428507925416643076noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4466318548501910274.post-48610097122283779962008-07-10T00:12:00.000-07:002008-07-10T00:21:12.787-07:00Daily Interaction will keep your Bird Happy!Owning a<strong> pet bird</strong> or birds, whether they be a parrot, dove or canary, require daily interaction from you, the bird owner. Birds are highly intelligent creatures who are very social beings. They give unconditional love and need to receive the same unconditional love back to them.<br />Alex the gifted parrot proves to us that the idea of a " bird brain" is completely wrong. In fact the study that Dr. Irene Pepperberg did with Alex an<strong> African Grey</strong> parrot for 30 years of research, shattered scientists understanding of the Avian brain. Alex eventually learned enough speech elements to identify 50 different objects, 7 colors and 5 shapes. He learned to count quantities up to 6 including 0 and was able to articulate certain desires and could even express frustration with repetitive scientific trials. Alex's emotional development was similar to that of a 2 year old human child, , and his intelligence was that of a 5 year old child.<br />This evidence about Alex tells us that birds definitely need interaction. My experiences with my cockatiels and one parakeet (little parrots) also prove that pet birds need daily interaction and affection. Affection is highly important as well and the interaction. They ask me with their body language to pet them every day. They also like me to stay near them as if in a flock. They may ask to get on my shoulder or lap. I take my birds for a ride in the car about once a week to my Mom's. She loves to see them, and they love going for a ride in the car as well as visiting my Mom, sister and their dog. I don't let them out of the cage when I am there because of too many dangers. I take them in one bird cage which I bundle up in blankets for protection. The thickness I use depends on how warm or cold outside it is. Birds like to feel safe in their cage so the blankets covers all sides except half of the front part to look out of. I completely cover the front in bad weather or too much sun until we get into a more comfortable environment.<br />Great care must also be taken when feeding your bird. Each species requires different nutritional needs. If you put any bird on an all seed diet, he will get very sick or die from malnutrition. My cockatiels for example are given organic parrot pellets, Dr. Lafeber's Nutriberries for Cockatiels and some oatmeal, flax seed meal and a little millet seed. There is a nice variety of nutritional bird food in their dish which they can forage through. Foraging helps stop the boredom of your pet bird's meals. Even fresh fruits and vegetables are highly recommended and necessary for your bird's diet. I give my birds a little piece of berry from my frozen berry medley every day and some soybeans that were previously frozen and heated. But when I can get fresh vegetables and fruit, I give them apple, cooked broccoli, chopped carrot, sweet potato, white potato and corn. First thing in the morning, I give them a couple of Trader Joes O's which are almost like Cherrios. I will also give them little pieces of Spelt bread which has whole grain goodness.<br />My 2 cockatiels require attention from morning till evening, and I do enjoy spending the time with them. They love to be petted and have their little heads scratched. They love being talked to and like to spend play time on the floor with bird toys, ladders and special wood for birds to chew on. Their cages require daily cleaning as well as the bird dishes. Birds are messy. Water will be splashed around with seed husks, loose feathers and droppings that require daily clean up. When I go out, I put them in their cages, one in each cage if the younger bird is pushing the older bird around too much. Some times they like to decide which cage they want to stay in. I also turn on the radio with soft music or cartoons on TV. They enjoy very young childrens cartoons.<br />Birds may create allot of work, but the rewards of unconditional love and companionship from your feathered friends are priceless.<br /><a id="link_79" href="http://www.barb2birds.biz/birdtrks/main.html" target="_NEW">Parrot Health, Training</a><br />Article Source: <a id="link_80" href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Barbara_Delgiudice">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barbara_Delgiudice</a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05428507925416643076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4466318548501910274.post-13024385017486829512008-07-05T03:52:00.005-07:002008-07-05T04:06:14.074-07:00How to Vaccinate Your Pets ProperlyThere has been constant reviewing and changing of vaccination protocols that are given by veterinary schools. The shift in our vaccine procedures is a result of various studies over the last few years that show immunity from many vaccines last longer than 12 months (most vaccines are labeled to be administered every 12 months.) As a result, it just doesn't make sense to vaccinate most pets every year with all of the "recommended" vaccines. We should take not instead of the big question, 'how to vaccinate our pets', and make it as a tool in finding out the benefits as well as the disadvantages of vaccines for pets when proper and improper dosage is given.<br />Actually, this change of protocol was inspired of the fact that there is an increasing occurrence of cancers developing among certain pets that follow repeated injections, (especially those anti-rabies vaccines and feline leukemia vaccines). These types of vaccines are set to have a standard immunization schedule, which was annually. This was just recommended by the vaccine manufacturers based upon testing to fulfill the labeling requirements. And to note, no one really knew how a long one shot would last in a pet. We were just cognizable about the information that it can protect our pets within a year.<br />Going back to the question above, how often is advisable for pets to be vaccinated? Or how?<br />Well, holistic vets recommend a differing schedule of vaccinations compared to those that are implemented in the past. It actually depends on whether you want your pets to enjoy longevity of life, or if you want to see them experiencing certain conditions that are results of yearly vaccines.<br />Obviously, giving yearly vaccinations to pets is not recommended. This way should be more applicable: give only shots or vaccines to pets that are really needed for certain health related issues and as seldom as possible, or as infrequent as possible.<br />Well, most vets would claim that annual vaccinations are a necessity for your pet's survival. Well, the truth of the matter is, these annual vaccinations are just big consistent income for most veterinary practices. Actually, vaccines just cost little for vets but whenever they sell it to the client, it would cost much. In addition to that, an additional vet fee is given for administering the shot.<br />Annual vaccines can create big money for vets. To note 'yearly vaccines', so meaning the clients would keep on coming on a regular basis for their pets to be given the annual shot. And that would just mean a regular means of income for the veterinary practice.<br />Try to look closely; most vets are always changing their opinions when it comes to the kind of vaccine and the method of administering it. This is mainly due to the fact that most vaccines cause certain diseases, and the more a pet is diagnosed or administered with it regularly, the more he becomes prone to certain types of ailments, which is ironically why vaccines are made for.<br />Now here's a lesson, a vaccine is made to treat and fight back those bad bacteria that may cause certain infections inside the body. But the improper administration of which may just cause your pet's life live lesser and more painful. It is always recommended to ask your vets on what's best for your pets. But as responsible pet owners, it is also our duty to keep them away from harm. A little research on pet vaccines and on how to vaccinate your pets properly would help. After all, you are the owner and you have the right to complain if issues of improper administration may occur.<br />To learn more about how to vaccinate your pets and the different types of <a id="link_78" href="http://www.callpetmeds.com/grooming-products-c-75.html" target="_new">discount pet meds</a> for your dogs, cats, horse, etc., and how to get discount and cheap pet medications, make sure to visit <a id="link_79" href="http://www.callpetmeds.com/hairball-treatment-c-35.html" target="_new">http://www.callpetmeds.com</a> where you will find everything on getting quality yet affordable pet medications as well as tips on how to take care of your pets like the experts.<br />Article Source: <a id="link_80" href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Paul_Kramer">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Kramer</a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05428507925416643076noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4466318548501910274.post-75058820442119075542008-07-05T03:52:00.004-07:002008-07-05T04:04:08.536-07:00Pet Poison & Control Hotline Emergency #'sPrint Out this <strong>Pet Poison Control Hotline</strong> List and Post Near Your Telephone! When a suspected accidental Pet Poisoning occurs, seconds can mean the difference! You now have one convenient source for multiple options should a pet poison emergency occur. Print this list out and tape it inside one of your kitchen cabinets, or keep it near your telephone. Make sure all responsible family members know where it is. Every pet owner should be prepared, and currently it could take a long period of time to research this information on the internet from individual websites. When an emergency occurs, time is critical! This list saves you that precious time.<br />Your home may be filled with guests and holiday festivities. You may be washing the floor and turn to answer the phone. You might accidentally drop a prescription pill, or drop something by mistake without even knowing that something bad is about to happen. No matter how hard we all try to keep our pets safe, we need to be prepared should something go wrong.<br />As a rule of thumb, anything that you would not want to drink or eat is probably not good for your pet. Animals usually weigh a lot less, so a much smaller amount of poison could become a problem. In addition to the obvious such as cleaning supplies, insecticides, garden chemicals, paints, and medicines, even some plant leaves can prove dangerous. When possible, your pet should only eat or drink products labeled for their specific dietary needs. If in doubt, do not allow your pet to eat or drink anything without further research, or approval by your vet!<br />This list has been provided as a courtesy to all pet owners. The list provides options in an emergency for those without credit cards, or local emergency poison control centers for animals. It offers peace of mind to you, the pet parent! It also helps to stay focused and provide the necessary information as needed.<br />ASPCA - 1 888 426 4435 - Cost $55 billed to credit card - available 24 hours a day / 365 days a year<br />ASPCA - 1 900 443 0000 - Cost $55 billed directly to your telephone account - available 24 hours a day / 365 days a year<br />Angell Poison Control Hotline - 1 877 2 ANGELL - Cost $55 billed to credit card - available 24 hours a day / 365 days a year<br />Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine - 785 532 5679 - FREE SERVICE - available 24 hours a day / may take a few minutes to page the veterinary toxicologist on call at that time<br />Animal Poison Hotline - 1 888 232 8870 - Cost $35 billed to credit card - available 24/7 - provided by North Shore Animal League & PROSAR International Animal Poison Center<br />Pet Poison Helpline - 1 800 213 6680 - Cost $35 billed to your credit card<br />National Animal Poison Control Center - 1 800 548 2423 - Cost billed to credit card - request current pricing<br />National Animal Poison Control Center - 1 900 680 0000 - Cost billed to callers telephone - request current pricing<br />Tuft University School of Veterinary Medicine - 508 839 5395<br />Please find the name, address and telephone of the nearest Pet Emergency Clinic in your area and write it in below for future reference.<br />Name of Emergency<br />Clinic _______________________________________________________________<br />Address _____________________________________________________________________________<br />Telephone ___________________________________________________________________________<br />Directions, hours, etc. _________________________________________________________________<br />In the Event of an Emergency, be Prepared to give the following information:<br />Your name, address and telephone number<br />Any information regarding the exposure (ie; the amount of poisonous product, the amount of times since the exposure to the poison, etc.)<br />The species of animal, breed, age, sex, weight and whether or not more than one animal is involved<br />The name of the poison or type of poison that the animal was exposed to, if you know (provide as much information as possible)<br />What problems or symptoms that your animal or animals are experiencing<br />This information has been prepared as a courtesy to pet owners. All information such as phone numbers, costs or policies could change, but the goal has been to present multiple options to protect your pets in a quick and accessible format. Please read and print this information and place it in a location that is easily found should an emergency occur. Please pass this information along to every pet owner that you know, and ask them to do the same.<br />You love your pets - please protect their health and safety! For More Free Info on Pets, as well as many niche pet products, visit our website Rabbit Hutch USA <a id="link_74" href="http://www.rabbithutchusa.com/" target="_new">Hop On In!</a><br />Bill VS is the owner of a great eBay Store, Rabbit Hutch USA. Rabbit Hutch USA features great FREE Info on on Rabbits and other animals, as well as a nice assortment of rabbit hutches and niche products for dogs and other pets. The prices are extremely reasonable, shipping charges are low and customer satisfaction is our number one priority. As we say at our store, "Grab a Carrot and Hop On In!"<br /><a id="link_75" href="http://www.rabbithutchusa.com/" target="_new">http://www.rabbithutchusa.com</a><br /><a id="link_76" href="mailto:rabbithutchusa@aol.com">rabbithutchusa@aol.com</a><br />Article Source: <a id="link_77" href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Bill_VS">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bill_VS</a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05428507925416643076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4466318548501910274.post-27351265966543930582008-07-05T03:52:00.003-07:002008-07-05T04:01:30.409-07:00How to Choose Nutritious Pet FoodIt is difficult to decide what to feed our pets, especially after all the recalls that emptied the shelves of over 100 brands of<strong> pet food.</strong> Who do we trust now? The contamination was a product used in making plastics and fertilizers, called melamine. This was inadvertently ground up and processed into the wheat gluten used in pet food. This poisoned food caused kidney failure and death in thousands of pets.<br />Recalls and poisonings aside, there are plenty of other reasons to be aware of what's in your animal's food. Obviously a healthy diet makes for a healthy pet, keeping his coat, teeth and digestive system running smoothly. Also, you pay for what you get. Foods with a lot of fillers are cheaper but less nutritious. Just as with human food, good ingredients will go a long way toward giving your pet a long, healthy life.<br />Learning to read the commercial pet food labels will help in deciding which one you want to feed you pet. The most important parts of the label are the nutritional adequacy statement and ingredients list. The former tells you whether a food is suitable as the sole nourishment for a healthy pet. The label will specify that the product "provides a complete and balanced nutrition."<br />A well formulated cat or dog food will list chicken, beef, lamb, poultry, or fish meal first.<br />Cats are carnivores and dogs are omnivores, so both need their meat. Bone meal and other meat by-products are poorer sources of protein. Soy, rice, oats, yeast, wheat, corn, and other fillers provide protein but aren't as digestible, so look for foods that list these lower in the ingredients.<br />Manufacturers sometimes try to mask the amount of fillers in pet foods by breaking them into components. For example, corn may be listed as cornmeal, corn gluten and ground corn. If all three were grouped together, corn would appear much higher in the ingredients. At the end of the list you'll find preservative. Ethoxyquin is one of the most controversial, because it may affect a dog's liver. Look for foods preserved with Vitamin C (also called ascorbic acid) or Vitamin E (listed as tocopherol) instead.<br />A better alternative is to buy organic pet food. An organic pet food marked 95% organic meets the same guidelines as organic food produced for humans. The food won't contain pesticides or antibiotics, and it's preserved with natural substances like Vitamins C and E. As with any food, the organic option will be more expensive, but it's healthier for your pet, and the way it is produced is definitely better for the environment.<br />The best choice by far is making your own pet food so you know exactly what you're feeding your animal. Ensure you're preparing nutritionally balanced food, or your pet may suffer from malnutrition. You must consult your veterinarian or a specialist in pet nutrition before you start making your own food at home.<br />If expense isn't an issue, then home made pet food is worth making, especially for the peace of mind in knowing exactly what your beloved pet is ingesting. While some pet owners feed their animals raw meat, you'll be hard-pressed to find a vet who thinks it's a good idea. There is always a chance that you or your pet could be exposed to E.coli or salmonella.<br />I am a strong advocate for feeding your pet healthy nutritious food which will extend their lives and increase their health. Find recipes and info at: <a id="link_78" href="http://recipes4gourmetdogs.com/" target="_new">http://recipes4gourmetdogs.com</a><br />Article Source: <a id="link_79" href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jane_Dinunzio">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jane_Dinunzio</a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05428507925416643076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4466318548501910274.post-26701486323160924052008-07-05T03:52:00.002-07:002008-07-05T03:59:52.143-07:00Where do Turtles Live? Do you Know?Though the question, <strong>"Where do turtles live?"</strong> may seem simple, the answer is quite broad. Turtles live just about everywhere. Depending upon their species, turtles can be found living in a number of habitats.<br />Where You will Find Sea Turtles - As the name implies, you will find sea turtles living in most of the oceans of the world. The only place you won't find them is Antarctica. Most sea turtles enjoy the warm, balmy waters of the tropics, but the leatherback sea turtle will roam in colder waters in search of food. All of the sea turtles head for land when it is time to lay their eggs. They will dig a hole in the sand where they deposit their eggs and immediately after covering them up, head back out to sea.<br />Not much is known about sea turtle habits, but researchers are learning more everyday about these wild creatures that are in so much danger of extinction.<br />Aquatic Turtle Habitat - Aquatic and semi-aquatic turtles can be found in a wide variety of habitats. Some live in ponds, streams, marshes or swamps. They eat a variety of foods such as fish, plants, mollusks and insects. Some turtles, like the mud turtles, like to burrow in the mud at the bottom of the water source. They can be found in all manner of clean, clear water. They are happiest in a habitat that is chockfull of vegetation and small vertebrates for them to feast upon. You will often see an aquatic turtle at a local lake or pond basking contentedly in the sun on a comfortable rock.<br />If you intend to purchase an aquatic or semi-aquatic turtle as a pet, you need to do plenty of research so that you may recreate a habitat that will keep your turtle healthy and happy<br />Land Turtle Habitat - Land turtles can be found in a variety of habitats. Some prefer desert conditions, while others prefer cool mountainous regions. Others will live in pastures and woodlands while others prefer hot and humid habitats. Many land turtles can boast excellent climbing skills and almost all of them love to bask in the sun. Turtles that prefer solid ground to water habitats can be found wherever their food supply takes them.<br />Keeping a Turtle as a Pet - Many children's first pet is a turtle. They are fairly inexpensive to keep and live a long life when cared for properly. Providing the right type of habitat for your turtle is one of the most important aspects of successful turtle care. Doing the proper research on the type of turtle you have will afford you much information about the correct diet and living conditions to optimize their captive life. If you are unsure about the right turtle for your household, keep in mind that some turtles live exclusively on land while others will prefer a habitat that allows them to swim freely. Not all turtles spend all of their time beneath the surface, but if they are aquatic or semi-aquatic you will have to ensure they have access to clean, clear water at all times.<br />For great turtle care advice, turtle food recommendation or turtle health issues visit us at ..... <a id="link_80" href="http://www.petturtlecare.net/" target="_new">http://www.petturtlecare.net/</a><br />Article Source: <a id="link_81" href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Steven_Magill">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_Magill</a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05428507925416643076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4466318548501910274.post-23623084419881837432008-07-05T03:52:00.001-07:002008-07-05T03:58:32.040-07:00Using Herbal Remedies to Deworm your DogThe digestive system of animals, much like with humans, is host to a wide variety of intestinal flora that play a vital role in the process of digestion. Generally, beneficial microorganisms coexist in larger numbers than pathogenic agents but this balance can be disrupted, particularly when the immune defenses of pets are compromised.<br /><strong>Cats and dogs</strong> are likewise vulnerable to bacterial or fungal parasites, where unsanitary living conditions and contaminated food or water become the stimulus to infections. Veterinary dewormers have always been the prescribed treatment. But in the age of holistic pet healthcare, <strong>herbal remedies</strong> are now increasingly looked upon as a healthier alternative.<br />The article will provide a rundown of the herbal remedies and herbal supplements a pet owner can administer to subdue parasitic infections in the gut of a pet canine or feline.<br /><strong>Wormwood (Artemisia Absinthum).</strong> The name says it all and Wormwood is in fact a tried and tested component of many medicinal formulas intended to deworm animals. The bio-active compounds at work in the herb's extracts convey a collective antimicrobial, antihelminitic and antiseptic action that eradicate parasitic worms in the gut, including pinworm and roundworm, and consequently flush them out of the system.To further support the digestive process, Wormwood helps sustain healthy levels of gastrointestinal juices and stimulates metabolism. It also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that effectively promote immune system health.<br /><strong>Rue (Ruta Graveolens).</strong> In traditional practice, infusions of the herb have been administered to cleanse the body from parasites. As digestive tonic, Rue stimulates healthy appetites and promotes routine digestion. It also exudes antispasmodic properties that relieve symptoms of stomach troubles, bowel cramps and gastrointestinal spasms. These medicinal benefits have been scientifically affirmed and its compounds applied in many health supplements.<br /><strong>Cloves (Eugenia Caryophyllata).</strong> This is another great herb purported to support the less complex digestive systems of pets. The herb detoxifies the body and in the process eliminates harmful organisms and substances. In medicine, Cloves is used to treat indigestion, diarrhea and ringworm infections. Meanwhile in the manufacture of herbal formulas, Clove is integrated to reduce bitterness and soothe digestive muscles as well.<br /><strong>Pet Herbal Supplements</strong>. Standardized herbal supplements such as <strong>PetAlive </strong><a id="link_78" href="http://www.myherbalremedystore.com/ppar001.html" target="_new">Parasite Dr</a> serve as the holistic counterpart of veterinary dewormers. These herbal products are formulated from the therapeutic compounds of the mentioned herbs and designed to support digestive healing--particularly promoting the health of the digestive organs and detoxifying the blood from infectious parasites.<br />Sustain your pet's health with nutritious diets, through regular exercise and holistic treatments whenever diseases arise. For an all-in-one holistic digestive relief from parasitic infestations in pets, trust standardized herbal supplements to do the dirty work for you!<br />Bruce Maul is a partner in Gold Flax Seed, Inc. which provides only top quality Flax Seed, Herbal Remedies and other health related products. Learn more about Herbal Remedies by visiting <a id="link_79" href="http://www.myherbalremedystore.com/" target="_new">http://www.myherbalremedystore.com</a><br />Article Source: <a id="link_80" href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Bruce_Maul">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bruce_Maul</a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05428507925416643076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4466318548501910274.post-42680672136190101042008-07-05T03:52:00.000-07:002008-07-05T03:55:43.626-07:00Conventional & Alternative Treatments for Ear Infections<strong>Veterinary Medicine.</strong> Diagnosis and treatment methods pursued for pet <strong>ear infections</strong> may vary based on the factors triggering its manifest or the extent of damage to surrounding tissues. In the practice of veterinary medicine, typical tests conducted leading to diagnosis involves smearing a sample from the pet's ear to determine the type of irritant promoting such an infection.<br />For pet ear infections triggered by bacteria, veterinary antibiotics are the conventional treatments. Nonetheless, the likelihood of bacterial resistance still prevail and in fact, ear mites (likewise regarded as ear pathogens) are immune to medications such as pyrethins and thiabendazole. If you do not wish to compromise pet ear health to the risks of pathogen resistance--each time a dose of veterinary medicine is administered, know that there are mild and safe but nevertheless potent pet herbal remedies you can use.<br /><strong>Alternative Medicine.</strong> The foregoing paragraphs will enumerate a few herbal remedies and supplements you can administer on your pet as alternative treatment. Given their potent medicinal compounds, the following herbs will work to subdue pathogen build-up and aggregately restore unfailing pet ear health.<br /><strong>Marigold (Calendula officinalis).</strong> The bio-active, flavonoid compounds of this popular herbal remedy exude antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that are deemed effective in easing out irritated ear canals and consequently healing the infected ear.<br /><strong>Tea Tree Oil.</strong> Just like the Marigold, this medicinal oil derived from the therapeutic extracts of the Melaleuca Tree is regarded as an effective antiseptic. Tea Tree Oil may be known powerful in the extermination of foreign irritants and yet it has been observed to be mild enough to induce any severe side effect, as any other veterinary ear treatment would.<br /><strong>Mullein</strong>. This is another herbal remedy recognized effective in the treatment of pet ear disorders. Containing flavonoids, Mullein manifests anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that not only relieve irritation but likewise support the functions of the nervous system.<br /><strong>Rosemary.</strong> The herb Rosemary promotes circulatory and nervous system health, which are determining factors in the hearing ability of pets.<br /><strong>Herbal Supplements</strong>. Standardized pet herbal supplements can also be used as a cheaper and yet effective treatment for pet ear infections. Pet herbal supplements such as <a id="link_78" href="http://www.myherbalremedystore.com/pedr001.html" target="_new">Pet Alive Ear Dr</a> are formulated from the antimicrobial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory compounds of known herbs, and designed to work out a remarkable healing action on your pet's infected ear. There is no quick fix to pet ear disorders and veterinary medicine will always put forth side-effects in its administration, but trust herbal remedies to provide an affordable and yet sustainable solution to pet ear infections. Top that with proper hygiene, a balanced diet, regular exercise and a strong immune system-now this becomes the best preventative to stubborn pet ear infections!<br />Bruce Maul is a partner in Gold Flax Seed, Inc. which provides only top quality Flax Seed, Herbal Remedies and other health related products. Learn more about Herbal Remedies by visiting <a id="link_79" href="http://www.myherbalremedystore.com/" target="_new">http://www.myherbalremedystore.com</a><br />Article Source: <a id="link_80" href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Bruce_Maul">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bruce_Maul</a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05428507925416643076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4466318548501910274.post-6442536802863076852008-06-26T13:48:00.006-07:002008-06-26T14:19:01.595-07:00Getting to Know your DogDogs have almost always been around to lick our faces when they are happy to see us, to morn with us, and to guide us in our darkest hour. They are prized for their loyalty, devotion, courage and bravery. <strong>Millions of Americans</strong> own these four-legged canines and love them to death. Every now and again, on television, we see the one lucky dog that gets the five-star treatment, complete with massage, manicure and pedicure, its own hotel room, and maid service.<br />With our incredibly strong emotional attachments to our pets, it's very easy to believe that they somehow think, feel, and act like we do. But the truth is they don't. Having feelings toward a dog the way you have feelings toward a human being can be damaging to the pet-owner relationship. It is important to realize that while you may feel love for your dog, and it may also feel love for you, the way in which you both experience that love is different. Therefore, they way you behave around your dog should be different.<br />Cesar Millan, a revered celebrity dog trainer, says that establishing a healthy relationship with your dog is not about fixing the dog, or making it do things for you. It's about you, the owner, making an intention to get what you want out of the relationship. If you focus only on your feelings in your interactions with your pet, it becomes confused and, more often than not, tries to fill in the gaps with domination. This tendency is what leads to disobedient behavior in your pet.<br />One of Cesar's famous quotes is: "I rehabilitate dogs. I train people." This statement illuminates an important part of dog psychology that helps owners maintain strong relationships with their dogs. The key then is to train yourself not to rely on your feelings to get what you want out of your relationship with your dog. Make an intention and be consistent. You will thus transform into the pack leader, restoring and maintaining obedience in your four-legged friend.<br />Just like you, your dog needs balance in its life; a balanced diet, a regular exercise regimen, social time with other dogs, and all the other good things that constitute a healthy lifestyle. We dog lovers can sometimes get caught up in our feelings. Because of this we might forget to behave in a way with our animals that is best for them.<br />For more information on ways to establish a healthy relationship with your dog go to <a id="link_78" href="http://www.sanfranciscoveterinarianclinics.com/" target="_new">http://www.sanfranciscoveterinarianclinics.com</a><br />Joseph Devine<br />Article Source: <a id="link_79" href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Devine">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joseph_Devine</a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05428507925416643076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4466318548501910274.post-86602061310770726522008-06-26T13:48:00.005-07:002008-06-26T14:16:20.820-07:00Cat & Dog DoorsCats and small dogs can easily pass through the pet door. The door's flap is made of <strong>LEXAN</strong>, a transparent, highly-durable, polycarbonate resin thermoplastic for long-lasting safety and to allow you and your pet to see out the door easily.<br /><strong>Cat flaps</strong> these days are designed in such a sophisticated manner that they do not allow any other creature to enter the house except the pet cat. If there are very small children in the house then the cat flap should be secured so that the child does not crawl out of the house through it.<br /><strong>Dog doors</strong> generally must be bigger than cat flaps and therefore are often constructed differently; except in rural areas they tend to give access to fenced -in yards or gardens rather than the neighbourhood at large. Dog doors and cat doors provide your pets with the freedom to come and go as they please without requiring you to let them in and out every time. A quality pet door can help save energy during the hot and cold seasons. Dog and dog owners both enjoy the freedom that comes with a dog door. There is no more excessive barking when he or she needs to be let out at night.<br />Dog containment may be a dog fence, a dog pen or a dog crate. Dogs that spend too much of their early life confined in an unclean area - where appropriate space for bladder relief isn't consistently available - may learn to tolerate pottying indoors. Unless you've rescued your dog from such grim circumstances, however, he would probably prefer to potty outside.<br />Patio pet doors come with a security lock. This is a simple yet effective pin lock that will lock your current sliding door to the patio pet door. Patio door installation is so simple and easy. At the same time, it won't cost you big bucks since patio pet doors of any size and color are offered in very reasonable prices.<br />Dog doors for walls, patio pet door, pet door for through a door, doggie door, electronic dog door, and cat door for through glass. Dog doors and cat doors provide your pets with the freedom to come and go as they please without requiring you to let them in and out every time. Selecting a quality pet door can help save energy during the hot and cold seasons.<br />What is your ideal pet doors? Patio pet door? <a id="link_78" href="http://www.bestpetdoor.info/" target="_new">Johnson pet door</a>? Sliding glass pet door? Find all about pet door now. <a id="link_79" href="http://www.bestpetdoor.info/" target="_new">http://www.BestPetDoor.info</a><br />Article Source: <a id="link_80" href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Tsuyoshi_E._Suzuki">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tsuyoshi_E._Suzuki</a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05428507925416643076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4466318548501910274.post-50369555879854680012008-06-26T13:48:00.004-07:002008-06-26T14:12:46.213-07:00Pets & Allergies<strong><em>Are you allergic to your pet?</em></strong> Studies show that approximately 15% of us are allergic to dogs or cats. In fact, there's an estimated 1/3 of us who live with a pet that we are allergic to. So strong are our ties to our loving furry family members that we'd prefer to suffer than be without them.<br />So what can we do to ease our suffering and keep our pet's companionship? Well, there are steps we can take to reduce these allergy symptoms. One is to use a HEPA air filtration system in our home. We should also be cleaning frequently to remove dust and dander. This goes for our pets' things as well including their pet beds, dog carriers, cat carriers, any bolsters in dog crates, their toys if they are washable, etc. Having tile or wood floors helps in not holding onto dust and dander like carpet does.<br />Using a "microfilter" bag in your vacuum cleaner so you actually catch the dust and dander when you vacuum helps.<br />Now that you've got the house and fixtures clean, don't forget to bathe your pet weekly. Yes, even cats can get used to being bathed if you start early. Bathing your pet weekly can reduce the level of allergens in their fur by as much as 84%. Allergens are present in their fur because the glands in their skin secrete tiny allergy-triggering proteins, called allergens. These are present in their fur, saliva, urine and also float in the air. Different people react more or less severely to these allergens.<br />Another thing you can do to help reduce your pet allergy symptoms is to create a place in your home where your pets absolutely don't have access. Your bedroom is a good choice as there are special mattress covers available to reduce allergies as well.<br />For those that really do suffer with animal allergies but are unwilling to give up their pet, you can go to an allergist and get shots. These work by desensitizing your immune system to the pet allergens.<br />If you don't have a pet and are considering getting one, be sure you know if you're allergic first. If you are and are willing to do what it takes to keep your pet, more power to you. However, if you are allergic and unsure about living with the difficulties that may bring, it's best not to get one.<br />Debbie Foster is the owner of <strong><em>PetBedsUnlimited.com</em></strong> and an avid animal lover. You can find a wide selection of quality pet beds, <a id="link_78" href="http://www.petbedsunlimited.com/dog_crates.html" target="_new">dog crates</a>, <a id="link_79" href="http://www.petbedsunlimited.com/dog_carriers.html" target="_new">dog carriers</a>, dog pens, cat beds, large dog beds, cat carriers, and pet strollers at <a id="link_80" href="http://petbedsunlimited.com/" target="_new">http://petbedsunlimited.com</a><br />Article Source: <a id="link_81" href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Debbie_Foster">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Debbie_Foster</a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05428507925416643076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4466318548501910274.post-72915028460733483342008-06-26T13:48:00.003-07:002008-06-26T14:10:03.568-07:00How To Recognize Pet Poisioning SymptomsUnfortunately, most of our pets don't speak our language and that can make it difficult to provide the care that we would like them to have at times. No time is more serious than a time of illness and possibly one of the more serious is poisoning.<br />When dealing with some varieties of poisoning time is essential in getting your pet the care that may make the difference between lasting harm and minor discomfort. We'll discuss a number of different warning signs that you can be vigilant for to alert you that what is wrong may be poisoning.<br /><strong><em>Mouth<br /></em></strong>Most commonly the mouth is the entry-way for any form of poison that you pet may come in contact with. Thankfully the warning signs are usually rather noticeable and easy to identify. The first is simply excess saliva. If your pet is drooling more than usual or excessively then you may want to take a closer look at them. If think you recognize any of these symptoms please go ahead and verify the others and use your head.<br />The next symptom associated with the mouth is again rather obvious to spot. This symptom is vomit. Often you can not only identify the possibility of poison simply by the presence of vomit, but you can sometimes identify the poison's source within the vomit. Think about the situation and identify uncommon elements in the vomit and then check for other symptoms.<br /><strong><em>Behavior<br /></em></strong>If your pet is displaying a change in behavior, it may be poisoning. The easiest, often times, to recognize a change in are simply standing and walking ability. If you notice a significant change in these do not hesitate to check for the other symptoms. Some other less common "motor skills" are sounding, gas, attitude or personality. If your pet is belching or hacking these could be signs or symptoms of poisoning. If your pet's sounding (barking, mewing, etc.) changes, especially if it becomes frantic, that also could be a symptom or sign of poisoning. Lastly, avoidance or apprehension, or any change in interaction or personality, could be a sign of poisoning. Please, do not hesitate to check for other symptoms.<br /><strong><em>Stomach<br /></em></strong>If when you pick up your pet, the pet reacts with an unusual sensitivity that could be a sign of poisoning. Generally, this may be the last symptom that you check when you are verifying signs for poisoning. Also, you can check for sensitivity by lightly pressing on the abdomen. Take care not to apply pressure to the ribs or too much pressure to the abdomen.<br />If you think that, your pet is suffering from poisoning then contact your veterinarian immediately or the appropriate local emergency hotline or contact. With poisoning time is of the essence and you may want to ask your veterinarian about what emergency action is appropriate for you to take in the event that poisoning ever does occur.<br />For more information about pet health and <a id="link_78" href="http://www.petinsurancepro.com/free-pet-insurance/" target="_new">free pet insurance</a>, visit the author's site at <a id="link_79" href="http://www.petinsurancepro.com/" target="_new">http://www.petinsurancepro.com</a><br />Article Source: <a id="link_80" href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mikael_Rieck">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mikael_Rieck</a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05428507925416643076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4466318548501910274.post-31154795856208197032008-06-26T13:48:00.002-07:002008-06-26T14:06:21.396-07:00What do Turtles Eat?<strong>What do turtles eat?</strong> Well, that really depends on the type of turtle you are asking about. Most turtles are carnivorous when they are young, but grow in to omnivores when they mature. Some feed mostly on plants while others, like the snapping turtle, actively hunt small creatures for their food. A turtle's diet depends on what kind of turtle it is, where it lives and what it has access to.<br />If you have an adult turtle as a pet, here are some of the foods you can feed it to keep it healthy:<br />Protein: There are many sources of protein that are safe to feed turtles: small amounts of cooked fish, turkey or chicken are okay; boiled eggs are okay; mealworms, waxworms, earthworms and silkworms are okay; slugs are fine, as are shrimp, snails and crickets. Don't give them raw meat, though because it can contain a lot of fat and could become contaminated by the time the turtle decides to eat it.<br />Vegetables: leafy vegetables are best: grape and fig leaves, red clover, carrot tops, dandelions, lettuce (red and green are okay), turnip greens, water lettuce, duckweed, collards, endive and plantain weed are all okay. Regular vegetables like corn, green beans, beets, carrots, okra, green peas and some squash varieties are also okay.<br />Flowers: some turtles love flowers! Roses, pansies, petunias, lilies, carnations, hibiscus, hyssop, borage, nasturtium and geraniums are all okay as turtle food.<br />Fruit: some turtles also like fruit: kiwi, apple, mango, strawberry, cantaloupe, blackberries, bananas, grapes, tomatoes, blueberries and some citrus fruits are all a fine to feed a turtle.<br />Of course, there are some foods that should never be given to a turtle:<br />Turtles cannot digest milk or dairy products because their stomachs do not carry the enzymes needed for the breaking down of lactose. Feeding dairy products to your turtle is a good way to make sure it gets very sick.<br />It is also a bad idea to feed any sort of canned or processed food to your turtle. These usually have large amounts of salt and preservatives and people don't yet know what these ingredients will do to the digestive system of a turtle.<br />What do turtles eat from their natural habitats? Some turtles have been known to eat poisonous plants that are a part of their natural habitat-they do this as a way to make themselves inedible by predators. Unfortunately, especially in the case of pet turtles, you won't know exactly what kind of plants are a part of its native habitat, so it is best to keep poisonous plants (like poison ivy, rhubarb plants and avocado plants) out of their reach and out of their tanks.<br />What do turtles eat? The turtle's diet depends on what kind of a turtle it is and how old it is. While they are babies, turtles are almost completely carnivorous, though they change into omnivores or even herbivores when they get older (depending on the turtle species). If you are buying a pet turtle from a store, the pet store will likely have food you can feed it.<br />Copyright (c) 2008 Steven Magill<br />For great turtle care advice, turtle food recommendation or turtle health issues visit us at .....<a id="link_74" href="http://www.petturtlecare.net/" target="_BLANK">http://www.petturtlecare.net/</a><br />Article Source: <a id="link_75" href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Steven_Magill">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steven_Magill</a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05428507925416643076noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4466318548501910274.post-31469548644119264732008-06-26T13:48:00.001-07:002008-06-26T14:02:50.734-07:00Do You understand what Animal Cruelty really is?One of the most gut wrenching things that happens on a daily basis is animal cruelty. For those who love animals, the sight of an abused creature can make them fighting mad.<br />Understanding what constitutes cruelty to animals can be difficult for some to comprehend. That is why many agencies that deal with this inhumane behavior have categorized the abuses into two types, thus making the topic easier to understand and perhaps to further help in the prevention of cruelty to animals.<br />The first of the types of animal cruelty that one should be aware of is passive cruelty, also known as an act of omission. This is the crime of neglect and is not an actual physical action perpetrated upon an animal. In other words, this is when an individual neglects their pets animals through starvation, dehydration, inadequate shelter or failure to seek the services of a vet when required.<br />This type of cruelty to animals can cause severe pain and suffering that often leads to death. In some cases, the reason for the cruelty is lack of education, and when informed of the cruelty to animals, the police can step in and educate the owner about being responsible for their dogs and cats, zoo animals and farm animals.<br />The opposite of passive cruelty is active cruelty to animals. This is when an individual deliberately and with intent causes physical harm to an animal. Those who display these acts of commission, as they may also be called, usually suffer from severe psychological issues.<br />If a child displays this behavior at any time, then a parent should seek immediate help. These occurrences have been linked to sociopathic behavior and can become worse as the child reaches adult life. As well, this type of cruelty often happens in an abusive home. In a union between humans, often an abusive partner will abuse the family pet for revenge.<br /><strong>Animal cruelty</strong> is one thing that can be stopped if individuals will only take the first step. Through education, people can learn about the types of cruelty and how to stop it from happening. Animal abuse will not be stopped or contained in one day.<br />However, if we, as a collective community, can become active in helping the animals that are mistreated, then perhaps one day we can put an end to this epidemic. All it takes is education and becoming involved in just a small way. One person can really make a difference in the life of an animal.<br />Mike Selvon has a passion for animal care, and his portal answers your common questions about <a id="link_78" href="http://animalcruelty.akainfoportal.info/" target="_new">animal cruelty</a>. Visit his portal for your free gift and leave a comment at his <a id="link_79" href="http://www.mynicheportal.com/news-society/understanding-animal-cruelty" target="_new">humane society</a> blog.<br />Article Source: <a id="link_80" href="http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Mike_Selvon">http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Selvon</a>Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05428507925416643076noreply@blogger.com0