Fleas, Ticks and Worms

Fleas and other parasites ought to always be given the highest priority by dog owners. Flea bite allergy in dogs is all too common and causes worry to many dog owners every year, especially in the summer, although all year round if your dog lives indoors with central heating. This is because flea bites often produce allergic reactions in the area bitten by the fleas, which is very often on the back just above the tail. In these cases, the affected area becomes red and bald due to the dog's continuous scratching of itself.

Heavy flea infestations can cause severe dermatitis in dogs. If the flea bites cause an allergic reaction or even dermatitis in your dog, he/she really ought to be taken to the veterinary doctor, because mostly, the dog will be suffering severe discomfort by now.

The vet will provide you a salve to soothe the itching and reduce the inflammation and some powder or a spray to kill the fleas. Prevention, however, is better than cure and medicated collars are available to treat and prevent an infestation of external blood-suckers like ticks and fleas.

Besides fleas, other parasites like ticks and lice in addition to the internal parasites like hook worms, round worms, whip worms etc. can affect the health of your dog. For example, if hookworm infects a dog, that dog will usually suffer from anaemia. The signs of anaemia become more evident depending on the degree of infection by the hookworm.

Hookworm larvae can pass directly through the skin and cause problems inside the affected dogs. Such dogs may reveal cuts due to dermatitis on the paws and on the skin. Frequently, skin rashes are the result in such cases and the affected animal passes loose stools, which are tinged red with blood.

Nearly all dogs and definitely all puppies will have round worms at some time, which is why dogs can sometimes be seen rubbing their bottoms along the ground. However, if round worms are present in very large numbers, infected puppies show a pot belly, which is easily noticeable by the dog's owners themselves. This can result in malnutrition and even death. A dose of piperazine salts can be given orally for the treatment of this condition. However, broad-spectrum anthelmintics like pyrantel pamoate, fenbendazole etc. will also cure this very common condition.

Many drugs have arrived on the market to treat fleas and other parasites, although nowadays, the medical agent called ivermectin seems to be preferred by many dog owners to clear up fleas and other parasites in dogs. This drug is available for injection or oral use and is now even available for external application too.

5 Tips to Effectively Cope With Pet Loss

The death of your companion animal could be one of the most significant losses in your life. This loss will be accompanied by grief and the physical manifestations associated with it such as crying, fatigue, depression, loss of appetite, apathy, sleeplessness or oversleeping, anger, guilt and even anxiety.

It’s important to know that everything you are going through is a natural process. However there are steps, tools, and processes you can take advantage of that will make the grieving process easier.

Here are 5 tips that will help during the grieving process and allow you to move on with your life more quickly and easily.

Acknowledge That You Have the Right to Grieve

All too often the grieving process is complicated by feelings that you are over-reacting to the loss of your pet. After all “it was just an animal” many of your friends and family might say.

These well-wishers may not realized the depth of attachment that you shared with your constant and loyal companion. Realize right now that it was and still is a meaningful, heart-felt relationship and you have every right to deeply miss your companion and grieve.

Form a Support Network

During this vulnerable time surround yourself with people who understand and are empathetic to your situation. There are many support systems and communities available. Your veterinarian may have suggestions as well as your local humane society. Many cities offer local, in-person pet loss support groups. There are on-line forums and communities where you can connect with people in the same situation.

Perform a Ritual

When you feel ready performing a ritual is a way to formally say goodbye to your companion. It also gives you permission to move on with your life. You could have a funeral for you pet even several weeks or months after their passing. Consider performing a candle ceremony with select friends and family. Let your inner creativity shine and design a ritual from your heart. Know that whatever you choose will be perfect.

Take Care of Your Body

The grieving process affects your body. During such times it is important to give your body extra care and attention. Going for walks out in Nature can clear your head and ground you. Exercise can help put you body back in balance.

Consider getting a massage. Massages release toxins and relax you. What else can you do to pamper and take care of yourself during such a trying time?

Learn to Soothe Yourself

Soothing yourself is an important process to learn and implement during times of intense grief. It is a way to feel better and allow yourself to move up the vibrational scale.

Essentially, talk to yourself as you would talk to a hurt child. “I know that I am feeling extremely down today. But that’s OK. I’ll be with what I feel because I know that really soon I’ll feel better. I know that I have lots of options right now. I could go on-line and connect with new friends. Or I could call my grief coach. I know that this intense feeling will soon pass. I also know that my animal companion is with me, right now, in spirit. And if I get quiet I can connect with him. Actually, I can feel my spirits lifting right now. Yes, I do feel better. And I will feel even better if I take a hot bath right now. I am so grateful that I have this afternoon off so I can take the time to pamper myself. I deserve it.”

Play with this new tool often, whenever you feel like you would like a little lift to your spirits. You will be amazed at how effective soothing yourself is.

Take heart that although this is a seemingly impossible time you will soon feel better. There are many resources and people to help you elegantly recover from the loss of your beloved animal companion.

Heated Dog Beds

There are many benefits for having heated dog beds including providing extra heat on cold nights, comforting whelping puppies, soothing dogs that are recovering from surgery or any type of therapy, or providing comfort for dogs with arthritis.

When the weather turns cold, and your dog spends his or her nights outside in a kennel or dog house, it’s important that they have enough heat to keep them warm. Heated dog beds provide that heat and then some by focusing all of the heat underneath your dog while he or she lays on it. Since many heated dog beds are for both indoor and outdoor settings, they can be used almost anywhere accept where they could get wet. Giving your dog this extra heat is just one way of showing how much you care.

Heated dog beds also help comfort whelping puppies, dogs recovering from surgery, and dogs with arthritis because the heat provides soothing relief to sore muscles and healing wounds. The heat acts as a form of therapy which helps encourage healing and good health for all types of situations that dogs must face.

So how do the dog beds work? It’s really quite simple. Most heated dog beds, like the Lectro Kennel, contain a heating element which can be controlled by a digital temperature control. Most dog beds are capable of heating anywhere from 80 to 100 degrees which is a sufficient amount of heat needed to keep dogs warm and comfortable. The digital temperature control allows you to set the heat level that you want for your dog.

Heated dog beds are great for any cool weather situation, or for any type of therapy that you may want to provide for your dog. Keeping your dog warm and comfortable is a great way to show you care, and is guaranteed to keep your dog happy.

Training Your Dog with Treats

Giving dog treats is a popular part of training your pet. Most of the pet owners love to pamper their dogs with treats during their training sessions or to restrain them from chewing almost anything and everything around. These days a wide range of natural dog treats that promise to be tasty as well as healthy are widely available in markets.
What are Bull Sticks?

Bull sticks are popularly termed as beef sticks, steer stix, pizzle sticks and beef pizzles. Bull sticks are one of the many varieties of dog treats available in the market. Unlike rawhide bones, these treats are made out of the beef of cow and not from the hide. This makes bull sticks easy to digest without the risk of increasing obesity. This kind of dog treat has high protein content that keeps the pet healthy and energetic. Bull sticks are rich in taurine, an amino that prevents unnecessary health disorders in your pet.

Bull sticks are available in numerous shapes and sizes. Some pet owners prefer flavoured bull sticks. There are companies who manufacture braided bull sticks which strengthens the teeth and jaw muscles of dogs. Chewing of bull sticks can ward off the unwanted growth of tarter and plaque in your pet's mouth. Some brands produce natural bull sticks without any preservatives, added colours, chemicals, antibiotics, hormones or steroids. Dogs simply love to gorge on their bull sticks mainly because of the natural flavour and smell of animal flesh.

Are Bull Sticks safe?

Pet owners prefer bull sticks as a natural, safe, and healthy chew for their dogs. Bull sticks are made to ease out the chewing and teething problems of your growing puppy. Pets habituated to chewing bull sticks usually have stronger jaws and fewer cavity problems. Bull sticks last longer because they are harder than the other varieties of dog treats. Hence it gratifies the pet's urge to keep chewing.

It is advisable that pet owners conduct substantial research before picking up a particular brand of bull stick for their pet. One should never compromise on the quality of the treat as that can wreck havoc on the health of the pet.

Betta Care: Points to Remember

Once you have chosen the living space for your betta fish, then you are almost ready to add your fish to their new environment but there are some important points that you should take into account for optimum betta care to keep your fish free from danger and disease and to keep them healthy.

When decorating your bettas home you should:

1. Take care to avoid jagged rocks and decorations because the betta fish could tear their fins on these. Stick to smooth surfaces when thinking about optimum betta care.

2. Make sure that you avoid any hard plastic plants as they can damage the bettas fins because they can be quite rough. If you are not sure about the roughness of the plants, then why not try the pantyhose test. Rub the plastic plant over a pair of pantyhose and if they snag or rip them then this means that the plants might damage the bettas fins. To be safe, by silk plants to increase betta care and happiness.

3. You dont have to use live plants but they can be a great addition to the betta fish tanks. Bettas enjoy hiding in the leaves to sleep and they can be much prettier than silk plants- and gentler on the bettas fins.

Another important point to consider when it comes to betta care is the water preparation. You should always use a water conditioner for any fish when putting tap water into a tank, and it is important to note that chlorine in the water can be harmful to betta fish. You can also let the water stand for a few days to remove the chlorine, but it is still very important to use a conditioner to remove chloramines.

When you fill your tank, you should fill it to about 80% of its capacity if it is an open top tank because when motivated, betta fish can jump over 3 inches! And you dont want your fish to leap out all over the place. you can use a mesh cloth which sits over the top of the tank so that the fish are not encouraged to jump and your can add extra water which will make the betta fish happier and can access the surface air easier. Before you add the fish to the tank, be sure to test the temperature of the water, it must be maintained at 78-82 degrees so a small heater will make this easier to do because the water temperature is often cooler than room temperature. You are now ready to add your betta fish to the tank!

Cleaning Up Pet Messes at Home

Its inevitable. Even the best pets make messes sometimes. Heres how to clean them up, as painlessly as possible.

Pet Piddle

If your cat misses the litter box or your dog has an accident on the rug, you dont have to live with the pungent reminders of accidents past. Pet accident on carpet and upholstery can be removed, especially if you attack them while theyre still fresh.

Start by soaking up excess liquid with a white rag or paper towels. Blot on a solution of one-quarter teaspoon of mild liquid laundry detergent and one cup of warm water. Repeat until there is no more stain transferring to your towel or rag. If needed, follow the detergent application with a solution of one cup white vinegar to two cups water. Blot dry.

Finally, cover the area with several layers of paper towels weighed down with a heavy, nonfading object. Continue changing the paper towels until the carpet is dry.

Pet Poop

Gently scoop up excess with a spoon or spatula. Deposit into a bag that you can immediately take outside.

Blot with the vinegar ammonia solution as described above. Allow the area to soak for several minutes. Blot and repeat until the stain is removed. Rinse with cold water. Blot dry.

To remove lingering carpet odors, sprinkle baking soda on the spot. Let it sit overnight, and then vacuum. If you cant remove either stain, however, consider recovering the furniture item or replacing the carpet. This might also be a great time to consider the benefits of a good dog trainer.

Litter Boxes

Its a messy task but someone has to do it. Its handy to keep all of your litter-box-cleaning tools together near the litter box: liners (great to cut down on weekly cleanings), scooper, gloves, and bags.

Each day, scoop the lumps out of your litter box as many times a day as you have cats. (Using a clumping litter helps tremendously with this task.) For example, we have two cats so my daughter scoops once in the morning and once before bed, wearing gloves and disposing of the scoopables outside, of course.

Each week, take the litter box outside for a thorough cleaning.

First empty the contents into the garbage. Then, using a scraper, dislodge any lumps of wet litter remaining. Fill the empty box with hot water, and then add a half-cup of bleach. Allow this mixture to sit and disinfect for at least 10 minutes. Rinse thoroughly, allow to dry in the sun outdoors, or use clean rags to dry.

Add fresh litter.

Tips for Stopping Puppy Biting

Most puppies think it is an exciting game stalking, nipping, or biting your fingers, or ankle. But this is not helping the dog at all to become a mature and responsible pet overtime. Indeed, you at least as dog owner have one reason why the puppy needs to be dissuaded from getting accustomed to play biting. The big reason is that biting says, "I'm more dominant than you," or I want to challenge your authority."

In fact, chomping on your hand is the puppy's way of checking what is your position in the pack, and what is their own position. Moreover, if the dog's line of reasoning turns up the idea that nobody at home is in charge, it will want to assume that responsibility. And a dog preoccupied with such a duty is a tense, unhappy and unpredictable house pet.

But back to the first idea of this article: you are the dog's Alpha, which means that from this point on you must teach or train the puppy not to nip or bite at your hands (or feet). Stopping puppy biting is actually doing the dog a big favor.

To get a puppy to stop this behavior, make an abrupt, loud, high-pitched voice the next time the puppy bites. Then when the dog lets go of your hand, turn away from him, and cut short the activity you and the puppy were doing prior to the incident (but be aware that some activities may indeed cause the dog to get excited and to play a mock-fight, e.g. a tug of war). After a few moments of not paying attention to him, go back to him, but this time carry along a chewie toy to distract him from making an attempt at your hand.

This sort of behavior is actually the exact reaction that the dog's littermates would also make if the puppy started playing rough with them too. Within a few days, your puppy will understand that using his teeth on his human alpha leaders make the people turn away from him.

The key to ultimately stopping puppy biting is consistency. From this point forward, never allow your puppy to get away with laying his teeth on peoples' hands or nip at any other person without the result of people moving away from the dog.

How is appropriate play behavior reinforced in a dog? The answer is in the method just elaborated upon. This is best done between two and four months of age. But the only sort of biting that should not worry you is soft biting on bare hands. Should the dog do so, refrain from sudden movements. Remain still and then redirect the puppy's attention to a more suitable chew toy.

Choosing Chinchillas

A chinchilla is a small burrowing rodent that originates from South America. These small creatures are taken into many American homes today and treated as household pets. You need to know the basics about owning one of these small exotic creatures.

One of the most important things to remember about caring for non-domestic animals is that their behavior can be quite unpredictable. Therefore, if you are going to purchase a small household animal such as the chinchilla, you are advised to invest your money in one bred in captivity rather than one was captured from the wild.

Not only is the behavior of wild animals unpredictable, but they can also spread unknown (and many known) disease agents which could be harmful, especially to children and other household pets. Therefore, choose carefully when chinchilla shopping. The future of your entire household depends upon it. You need to know what you are getting yourself into when you commit to buying one of these animals.

Another aspect of owning a chinchilla involves assessing the cost of taking care of one once you bring it home. You need to make sure you can afford to feed your pet the proper chinchilla diet. The good news is, however, that chinchillas are not nearly as picky of eaters as ferrets. The most important aspect of feeding a chinchilla is to make sure that you do not give it any seeds. They do not take well to seeds.

If you want to make absolutely sure that your chinchilla is fed right and receives the right nutrients, you can feed your animal chinchilla pellets-and NOT rabbit or gerbil pellets. Food pellets created for chinchilla contain the amount of prescribed nutrients that is right for them. The best pellets created for this type of animal contain two parts calcium to one part phosphorus, with a low protein count and high roughage count. You can further check with experts to see what they would recommend. If you follow these above guidelines your animal will be most likely properly fed, however.

If you want to calculate the cost of feeding your new pet, you may want to make sure you consult a specialist who deals with exotic animals, or you can research that cost online. Pet stores that deal with chinchillas would have this kind of information as well. Talking to a chinchilla dealer about that animal's eating patterns will help you figure out if you can afford to feed your pet.

Another important factor you may need to know about your chinchilla is how to properly groom and care for your pet. For example, you may need to know how to deal with blotches of fur that may come out when you comb its hair. You have no need to be alarmed if this happens. It will grow back if it does. If you want to prevent from the hair falling out you will want to be careful not to pull too hard when coming.

Another time when you have to be aware of fur falling out is when you are handling your pet chinchilla. Sometimes they will lose fur when someone pulls on their fur too hard. If you do not want your animal to lose hair you can grab it by the base of the tail and the shoulder. This will decrease the chance of your pet losing too much fur. You will want to teach others how to handle your pet as well, so they are prepared in case the animal wants to get away.

The process of a chinchilla losing fur is a natural defense mechanism, which they use to protect themselves. If they are not alarmed by those who are holding them, they will be more likely to not lose any fur. No matter how careful you or your visitors are, however, it could still happen regardless. Either way, just do the best you cannot to startle your pet, and to teach others how to handle it properly. That is all you can do, and allow the pet to warm up to you and those around you.

For more information on what you need to know if you own or plan to own a chinchilla you can read more articles such as this one. You can also count on the advice of experienced pet owners and pet professionals to help you out. You can find these resources very quickly by searching on the Internet.

The Best Snake Options for Reptile Newbies

If you’re thinking about getting a snake as a pet, then know what it takes to care for them, and what the best type of snake is for the first time owner. Lots of people have started to keep snakes as pets after serious consideration of the responsibility of purchasing one, and that’s the best way to begin, knowing the facts about picking the right type of snake and caring for one.

The best way to get your first snake is by talking with and then purchasing one from a reputable breeder of snakes. They know what it takes to capture and then breed the snakes, and can tell you the correct way to handle and feed them. Some people try to go out and capture wild snakes and then breed them. This is very dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing; so don’t try this at home! Wild snakes do have a nasty temper, and will bring into your house diseases and certain parasites that live underneath their scales before they shed their skin. Because they’ve lived in the wild, they aren’t used to humans interacting with them, and the snakes will bite.

Several different kinds of snakes are good to have as a first time owner. Small garters to massive pythons can be kept in captivity, but pythons are certainly not for the first time snake owner. Ball pythons and Corn snakes are two of the best types for you to have as a first time snake owner, but remember to buy it from a snake handler. Their size depends on the age, but typically they range from four feet for the Corn snake to about 21 feet for the Ball pythons. You might find when feeding a captive or trained Ball python that they’re finicky eaters. When they’re stressed or just stubborn they will not eat for months at a time. A Corn snake on the other hand will eat on a regular basis that is if it’s not sick. Both of these snakes usually have a good nature and overall feeding them in a captive environment is easily done.

Of course, all snakes in the wild kill their own food, but if you want a trained or captive bred snake you’ll have to provide its food for them. You want to feed them already killed food because they types of rodents they kill can inflict some nasty cuts and punctures. The last thing you want is to loose your snake after you’ve made a nice home, and have gotten emotionally attached to it, so feed it with dead bait. Also, you’ll find that it’s much cheaper to buy dead food than to pay for live mice or rats, and it’s a lot more convenient too. Just pop a supply into a freezer that’s kept from your food and you’re ready to feed the snake. A large local pet supply store might carry what you need, and if they don’t you can order it from them, the handler you bout your snake from, or on the Internet.

There are certain snakes to stay away from if you’re a first time owner and handler. This is very true if you’ve got small children in the home. A large Burmese python can take down any small person, or child. They’ve even been known to kill other household family pets like dogs and cats. A Burmese python can grow to over 20 feet, and weigh up toward 250 pounds. A boa constrictor is dangerous too if you don’t know how to handle them because they have massive constricting power for a smaller snake than the Burmese. Snake handlers state that having either type of snake should have two people when working with them.

Finally, there are other types of snakes that you should stay away from like any that is poisonous. Not only could someone else be fatally injured, but you could find that you’re sued in court for damages. Having a snake could be a life long commitment of time and money, so make sure you’re ready for the challenge. Read and learn what it takes to care for your new snake before you ever purchase it, and you’ll be ready for snake ownership for years to come.

Even Dogs Need Swimming Supplies

In earlier years quite a few family pets died in tragic swimming pool episodes. With the majority of us having outdoor lives in the summer months, this is not a surprise. It is instinctive to have the dog accompany you outdoors. We take so many precautions when it comes to protecting our children from the pitfalls of water danger, what are we doing for our capricious canine? When your dog falls into your pool, it is true that they will be able to swim for some time, but if you can not help them rather fast, they will get overcome with fatigue and their chances of drowning increase. Is there a solution to prevent this tragedy? One company has created one, and if you are a dog and a pool owner, you are going to want to take consideration towards the purchase of a new swimming supply for your animal this year. It's called the Skamper Ramp.

The Skamper Ramp produces and distributes this swimming pool animal safety device in two sizes - regular, and Big Dog. This is a safeguarded exit or entrance ramp from the pool to poolside that your best friend can use when needed. It is both chemical and UV retardant, and is essentially a plastic ramp with wing strips, nylon rope attachments and fasteners, and some D-Ring clips for attaching it to the side of your pool.

You will have to guide your dog how to use this nouveau swimming supply. It has been shown that wild will instinctively understand how to use the Skamper Ramp in the event of an emergency. But the more domesticated your dog is, the more he will need to shown how to use this safety swimming supply. Take your pet right in the pool with you, and show them how they can climb right out of the pool using the ramp. If they are not too keen to use this, put one of their favorite treats on the pool side at the top of the ramp. As always when you are using food to buyoff your dog, only do this once or twice or they will expect this every time they climb out of the pool.

If the Skamper Ramp isn't 100% foolproof and you still have concerns about their pool safety, invest in a life jacket. There are many pet stores online that offer all different sizes of them, and you can get them in a variety of colors as well. Dogs love to be in the water, but if they feel the least bit unsafe, problems will arise. There is no reason you can't protect them the same way you would protect your children. So, there you are, an easy solution to a common problem.

Introducing a New Cat

Adding a new cat to an existing cat's territory is not always easy. I have had to do this on four different occasions

Different cats have different personalities. They also vary according to age and gender.
I found it easier to introduce males to males and males to females. Females seem to have more of an attitude toward both sexes. The younger the cat, the more accepting they are to a new cat.

It is sometimes hard for a cat that has been the king/queen of his/her domain for so long, to share with a new feline. It can also take months for everyone to tolerate each other.

The first thing I do when I bring home a new cat, is to show her where the food and litter box are located. Then I just put her down on the floor and let the cats meet on their own.

Some cats will accept each other right away. This can happen with an older female meets a younger kitten when she is in heat (the mother instinct kicks in) or two younger cats introduced, may start playing, cuddling up and sleeping together.

I have sometimes had hissing and clawing at first, which is how the dominant cat makes her point that she is boss. It usually sounds alot worse than it actually is. But if things seem to be going too far, I get out the squirt gun filled with water and spritz them. This also works to keep cats off furniture, counters, and other places)

How I Saved My Dog Daniel

I never had a pet when I was a kid, because my parents couldn't afford to have one. If taken care of the properly, a pet can cost money. So, I never was a pet lover, until Daniel came into my life. A small dog, Daniel weighed about 10-15 pounds soaking wet. But, that little mutt had such a personality, that he would make people laugh wherever I took him. We bonded right away, and he went everywhere with me. The grocery store, the post office, and whenever I went jogging, he came along and he loved it.

One day, I was working on the computer, and out of the corner of my eye, I was watching a television talk show in the middle of the afternoon. The show was about a variety of things, but what caught my attention was the part where the host and the guest began talking about something called the Heimlic maneuver, which is described as the following:

"An emergency technique used to eject an object, such as food from the trachea of a choking person. The technique employees a firm upward thrust just below the rib cage to force air from the lungs."

I had heard about this technique before, but I had never used it, and I had never seen it used by anyone else, either. But, what was interesting on the show, is that they were talking about how this technique, could not only be used on humans, but how it could be used on pets, too. This caught my interest and I stopped working on the computer and watched and listened to what was being said, etc.

I was hoping I would never have to use this technique on Daniel, but you never know. Dogs can be so unpredictable in their behavior. My further description of the technique, is to grab a person from the backside in a bear hug and apply pressure to the stomach area, to force the object out, and force air in. (That's as good as I can describe it) I didn't know the technique could apply to pets as well, so I learned something new. I made a few notes during the program that could come in handy in the future.

When it came to walking and jogging, I had been doing it for over twenty years, about 15 miles a week. I liked to take Daniel with me, and he loved to get out in the open spaces and run! I would jog in this huge open field, and take Daniel off the leash and give him a little freedom. But, I would keep an eye on him. He took off after a rabbit once, crossed the highway and almost got run over by a car! Dogs don't know anything about looking both ways when they cross the street!

On this day, it was a hot August afternoon, as the sun was going down. Daniel and I were out doing a little walking and jogging. As I said earlier, I don't have a lot of experience with dogs, but it seems to me that they're always hungry, and always looking for something to eat. Even if they have just finished eating, they are still looking in the bushes for something to eat, and if they find it...they'll eat it! There a lot of dangerous things out there waiting for a dog to eat, like antifreeze, which will kill a pet or old sharp bones from a dead bird that they may swallow, etc.

Instead of naming my dog Daniel, I should have named him "Hoover," because he was always sucking up everything is sight, and I had to watch him like a little baby. Anyway, we were out in the field walking and just cooling off after jogging, and Daniel was about 20 feet behind. I would check up on him all the time, to see if he was doing okay. AND, THEN IT HAPPENED...

I looked back to check on Daniel, and he had something in his mouth. It looked like an old piece of hamburger meat. I immediately screamed at him to DROP IT! DANIEL DROP IT, I yelled at him! But, instead of dropping the object, HE SWALLOWED IT! As I screamed at him, I raced up to him! In an instant, he was upside down, and choking and suffocating! His little legs were were going a mile a minute as he struggled to get air!

As I saw this happen, I came apart, but there was no time to come apart! There were only seconds to act! Daniel was going to die in seconds if I didn't do something FAST! But, what could I do out in the middle of nowhere! There was no help were we were! It was PANIC TIME, and very quickly, I remembered the television show about the Heimlic maneuver! But, how was I going to give it to Daniel...he was so small? I couldn't get him in a bear hug...that was silly! I should have thought of this before...but, I didn't!

Tears and a gallon of sweat were pouring down my face and getting in my eyes! Seconds were ticking off, and I was terrified that Daniel was going to die in my arms! All I could do is a version of the Heimlic maneuver! So, I got Daniel by the fur on the back of the neck, stood him up, and punched Daniel in the stomach between the ribs! NOTHING HAPPENED...I PANICKED! Thinking I didn't hit him hard enough, I was going to have to hit him harder even if I hurt him! Better to have a live dog with a few broken ribs, than a dead dog!

I have never been so frightened in my life, as Daniel was dying and seconds were ticking away! This was a matter of life and death! Again, I stood him straight up, and punched him in the stomach...HARD this time, and the object came shooting out of his mouth and landed about six feet away! Daniel could breath now! Daniel would be okay!

I laid Daniel on the ground and shielded him from the sun, and let him stay there a while. With tears running down my face and drowning in sweat, I must have sweat 30 gallons in 30 seconds! I was soaking wet! I have never had to act so fast as I had to act that day! I sat on the ground, and tried to pull myself together. Daniel lay on the ground next to me, and looked at me with those glassy big brown eyes, as if the say, "thank you." I could not express the relief I felt when I knew Daniel would be okay! Both of us were exhausted!

I didn't want Daniel out in the heat of the day too long, so it was time to go back to the car. I got him up on his feet, and he seemed okay, and I put him over my shoulder, where he liked to ride, and we headed for the car. I would have to say that those were the most terrifying seconds of my life, but it all had a happy ending after all.

* * *

A few days later, I told one of my neighbors about the incident with Daniel, because, he too, owned a dog, and the story about Daniel was of interest to him. Amazingly, an incident to his dog happened to him a couple of weeks later. He told how he saved his dog, too.

The neighbors dog must have eaten something that didn't agree with him, and the dog got violently sick! The dog was laying on its side and throwing up and was having trouble breathing! The neighbor remembered the story I told him about Daniel, so he punched the dog in the stomach, between the ribs and the dog threw up more and more! But, the dog was still having trouble breathing and choking on his own vomit, so the neighbor punched the dog in the stomach a second time! Again, more vomit came out, and now the dog could breath easier! The dogs life was saved, and it was another happy ending!

All of us know what it feels like to get hit in the stomach and get the wind knocked out of us! It's a terrible feeling for sure! But, when something awful happens to a human or a pet like this, you have to act fast! It's a matter of life and death! So, I hope these two stories help you in saving the life of a human or a pet if you have to.

Dogs & Babies

Are you having a new baby soon? Congratulations! Bringing a brand new son or daughter into this world is one of life's greatest pleasures. Your baby is going to make a life-changing addition to your house.

And when you already have a "little one" running around then you need to prepare him for the arrival of the new family member. Yes, the "little one" that I am referring to is your puppy. Many dog owners forget to take the necessary steps needed to help their puppy adjust to having someone else in the house that will get more attention than they are getting. Here are a few ways to help you prepare:

1. The most important thing that you can do is to allow your pup the opportunity to socialize with small children inside your house. While this may not be practical for some people, the idea here is to have small toddlers and children introduced into the house so that your puppy can understand that these little people are friendly and he has no reason to feel defensive or insecure.

Have your friends who have children come over and play with your dog in the house. If your puppy seems a little aggressive at first, a great way to help them adjust is to allow the children to carry dog treats in their hands so that the puppy can associate the treat to a child as being something positive. This will help relieve tension for the dog when your new baby arrives.

2. Dogs thrive on repetitive schedules. Your puppy is the same way. If you have gone through the same routine on a daily basis with your puppy as far as feeding times, exercise times, play times, etc. then you need to realize that the schedule may suddenly change when your new baby is born. This sudden shift in the daily routine can prove to be alarming to your puppy, especially with the addition of a new person in the house that is getting all the attention.

A few weeks before the baby is due, start changing up the daily routine so your puppy can get used to it. Perhaps change around his feeding times. Exercise with your puppy at different times each day. Maybe take a nap unexpectedly in the room in which your baby will be sleeping. Although doing these things may sound strange, you will understand the benefit that it has upon your puppy when your schedule is personally thrown way off guard due to taking care of the responsibilities of a new baby. This will help your puppy to not be so alarmed when you are doing different things each day.

3. Immediately stop any games that you play with your puppy which are on the aggressive side. For example, most dog owners love to play tug-of-war with their dogs, or play-wrestle. There is absolutely nothing wrong with these dog games and you should continue them in the near future. However, it doesn't take much common sense to understand that your dog may view the new baby as a toy which he wants to play these same aggressive games with. Let's not have that happen.

Jewelry for Dog Lovers, Don't Get Bitten

There is no doubt about it; dog lovers do love their dogs. After all they are man's best friend. Last year alone, in 2008, dog owners spent a whopping 85 billion dollars on their furry little friends. Many of these folks love to show off their love for the breed of their choice. Some of the most requested trinkets for dog lovers are earrings. These are usually miniature dogs made of some type of material hanging from shepherds hook earrings. Another popular item is a single dog hanging from a chain in the form of a necklace. Then, for the younger set, a charm bracelet, your favorite breed in the form of a charm to be added to the charm bracelet.

There are many companies out in the marketplace that make this type of jewelry that resembles the various breeds of dogs. There are some in 14k or 18k gold, some in stainless steel, some in sterling silver, and some in a variety of carved gemstones. These products are sold as dog earrings, dog necklaces, and even charms for dog charm bracelets. The biggest problem with most of these products is that they lack the likeness of the dog they attempt to portray. They look like a solid mass of some type of metal or gemstone. The only one who knows what it is is the person wearing it, and that is only because they know what it is supposed to be. To most, it resembles just a clump of metal.

The dog jewelry that is widely available on the web today is probably the best selection of its kind available anywhere. With prices that range from a few dollars up to several hundred dollars, how does one decide on the best value, quality, and likeness? Certainly budget limitations come into play as well. What about workmanship? It can be confusing to say the least and difficult to evaluate a product online. Pictures of the product are important but could be misleading in one way or another.

Warranties and company guarantees are very helpful indicators of the quality of the products. Companies that offer complete satisfaction or a full refund are usually a pretty good bet. This indicates the confidence of a company in the product that they sell. The customer's satisfaction should be the company's primary objective. If the company does not have a complete satisfaction warranty, purchasing from them is probably a mistake. When you decide to buy dog jewelry, don't get bitten, buy from someone who has a no questions asked return policy.

Cat Litter Box Tips-6

If your cat is not using the litter box consistently or even at all, here are 6 things to try that could make a huge difference to your cat and you.

1. Keep it Clean--Your cat's nose is much more sensitive than human noses. So keeping the litter box clean and inviting is one of the easiest ways you can entice your cat to use the litter box rather than your carpet or rugs.

2. Fine Tune the Location--Cats need their privacy too. Placing the litter box in a place that is easily accessible to your cat, but is out of the main traffic pattern through your home will make a big difference.

You probably don't necessarily want to watch your cat defecate, and it would probably enjoy privacy as well. The laundry room, bath room or hallways are all great picks. Be sure to put plenty of space between the food and litter box.

3. Check on Health--Sometimes a cat who suddenly develops improper elimination issues has a urinary tract infection or some other health problem that presents this way. Seek immediate advice from your vet.

4. If the problem stems from a physical problem, quick diagnosis and treatment can avoid having this behavior turn into a habit.

5. Maintain a Routine in the Midst of Change--Cats are creatures of habit, and a disruption to their schedule can wreak havoc with their elimination habits. A new baby, another pet, a move to a new home, or even a change in work hours of the primary care giver can all cause your cat to be stressed.

Stress often translates into inappropriate elimination. Reduce your cat's stress by gently guiding it to the litter box when it makes a mistake. Harsh treatment, perish the thought, only increases stress and will cause even more problems.

Pick a spot for the box that is always accessible and does not depend on your opening a door for your cat to use it, and leave it in the same place so your cat always knows where to find it.

6. Try a Different Type of Litter--Cats do have a reputation for being finicky, and maybe it just doesn't like your pick of litter. Try changing from one type to another by slowing adding more of the new as you decrease the old. Scents can be off-putting, so try a brand without an odor.

7. Don't Make Them Share--If you have more than one cat, provide a box for each one. Even though we think nothing of sharing a bathroom, cats don't like it, and you will probably have more success if each has a litter box of its own.

Dog Aggression and Dog Biting

Most dog owners will be able to tell you that dealing with an aggressive dog that bites is not an easy task. Having a cruel dog can be a never ending nightmare. You will probably have the feeling that you are continually waiting for something to go wrong. This can be you dog breaking loose and biting someone, or just being aggressive toward your family members. This article will give you some information on how to deal with dog biting.

Luckily you do not have to be fearful all the time and expect your canine friend to bite people that can possibly result in lawsuits. With some tolerance from your side and a lot of training, you will be able to turn your dog into a dog that should ultimately be your best friend.

You will possibly want to know what the most efficient ways is to control dog aggression and dog biting from your dog. To start with, it is vital for you to realize that angry dog conduct cannot be narrowed down to specific dog breeds. Although pit bulls frequently get some very negative comments, there can also be very mean dogs in the some of the kind and calmer breeds. Examples of these dogs are Labradors or Collies. With the inappropriate handling or abandonment from humans, even the sweetest dogs with the best natures can turn into a very aggressive dog. Similar to people, you will also get out with dogs that what you put in. You should therefore make sure that you at all times treat your dog with love and respect, regardless of the breed.

Should your dog be a very nervous dog, it is especially important that you watch them closely, especially when they are in the vicinity of children. Dogs usually have scraps in order to establish their dominance. They can therefore easily see the behavior of your child as being a challenge or a threat. You should try and teach your children to keep calm around your canine friend. In addition, you should also make your child aware that playing games such as tug-of-war can result in your puppy being aggressive or biting.

It is also important that you should never take hold of your dog by its paws or tail, especially the back ones. Since a dog cannot observe what is going behind, their natural response is to protect themselves when in such a position.

Dog aggression and dog biting can be set off by keeping up direct eye contact, given that dogs will see this as a test to their supremacy. Common sense also states that you never make use of an attack command with your dog except if the situation actually calls for it.

By taking a little bit of extra care, you can prevent a calm dog from becoming mean or from infuriating a dog that has an inclination to act aggressively.

How to Train Your Pet Rat

After you have built up a great relationship with your pet rat, you can start to train him. Imagine the fun you will both have when you train together. The enrichment will really add to his day and will impress your friends too.

It is great that you are spending extra time with your rat, but you will still need to make sure that you provide a stimulating environment, for all the times when you are not around. You should also be sure not to be too pushy with your little friend. Cuddles and time out are important too you know. Keep up the training, but be aware that your rat has more important things to think about - like exploring.

Litter Training

Ok so this isn't the most impressive party trick, but it will make things a lot easier for you. You will have to spend less time cleaning out the cage and less money on bedding and the rats can live in a cleaner environment. Everybody wins!

The first step is to make a litter tray out of something such as the bottom of a tissue box or a shoe box. Put some bedding in it, so it looks a bit inviting and then place it in your ratties cage. If there is already one area your rat likes to go to the toilet put it there.

Place your ratty into his new litter tray. Move the poops your rats have done into the box, so that they can smell it there. This will encourage them to go there again. When you find that they have pooped outside the litter tray simply move the poops inside the box again.

It may take time, but persevere and they will learn. Rats like to be clean too you know.

Recognizing Their Name

This is an excellent place to start with your training. It will make your party tricks a lot easier to learn and it is easy to teach.

Every time you say your rats name pick it up and give it a cuddle or even a little treat (it's favourite food). After a while you can drum you hand on the floor and call it's name and again, when it comes to you give it a little treat.

It won't be long before you can call your rat by name and it will come to you. Continue to reward it with tickles, kisses and of course the occasional treat.

Jump

Place your ratty on your lap and make a little gap between your legs. In one hand hold a delicious treat. Your ratty will have to jump the gap to get to the treat. Wave the treat and say "jump Wombat" (insert your rats name here) When your pet has done it give them the treat and lots of praise. Get them to do it a few times. Soon they will do it even without a treat, but don't forget plenty of praise.

Teach Your Rat to Clap

This is a cute one. Hold a delicious treat above your ratties head (a thin piece of carrot dipped in hommous is ideal). Say "clap Wombat" and he will reach up for the treat, lift it up a little so his hands meet. Each time he "claps" say "good boy Wombat" and after say three times give him the treat and let him enjoy it, as well as lots of praise from his favourite person (you I hope).

Fixing Bad Behaviour

If your rat keeps trying to chew the wires or do other naughty ratty things, don't get mad, just spray a little water from the plant mister in his direction and say no. But never be mean to your ratty. They can't help being so inquisitive after all.

Clicker Training

Can you really clicker train a rat? Of course you can. If you have a trusting and fun relationship with your ratty anything is possible.

Teaching your rat to respond to the clicker

First get a clicker from a pet shop or online. Have your ratties favourite food at the ready (give yourself a quota of treats for the day so as not to overfeed) Give your rat the irresistible treat and at the exact time he takes the treat click the clicker.

After a while of doing this, wait for ratty to do something. It can be anything from simply moving, raising a leg, turning around, yawning, whatever he may do. When he does it click the clicker and give a treat at the exact same time. Repeat this. It won't be long until your ratty realises that he is controlling the game. He can decide when he gets the treat. You will find that he starts to repeat behaviours to get a click and a treat and will really start to enjoy the game.

Why the clicker?

You can train your rat without a clicker and simply use treats on their own, but if you do choose to use a clicker this will give your rat the definite message that "yes that is what I want you to do". There will be no need to scold, which can be very detrimental to the learning process. The rat will work out what he needs to do after you have clicked the same action a few times. Treats are a good way to train, but a clicker gives that definite yes that your pet craves. It will definitely make training easier for you.

If your ratty is intolerant of the clicking sound (they have sensitive ears) you can use the lid from a jar, which has a security button. You can simply pop this little button in the lid, instead of a clicker.

It is up to you. You should judge how your ratty reacts to the click sound.

Word Commands with the clicker

After a while you can add word commands to your clicker training. For example if you have trained your rat to clap, and he has started to clap to get a click and a treat, say "clap Wombat" when he is doing it and then say "stop Wombat" when he stops give him a click and a treat. He will eventually associate the word "clap" with the action of clapping and with the click and the treat. You can choose to only reward your rat with a click and a treat when he claps on command, so as to avoid begging behaviour.

To teach your rat a new behaviour, for example pushing a ball along, you need to click and praise it at every step of the way. When he looks at the ball, click and treat, when he walks towards the ball, click and treat, when he touches the ball, click and treat, when he pushes the ball, click and treat. He will soon get the idea.

After a while you will not need to give a click and a treat every time. You may simply be able to praise. Remember keep it fun. This is playtime after all.

You can teach plenty of things with a clicker. The limit is your imagination. You can teach your rat to come to you, to sit on your shoulder as well as party tricks, such as rolling over or even dancing.

It is important to keep it short. Remember rats have a lot to do. There's exploring everything in sight for a start. Five minutes is plenty to start with. You may wish to do your first training sessions in a room where there are less distractions.

Not all rats are as trainable as others. If your rat isn't into school, enjoy playing other games instead like chasing with your hand, tickling, massaging and just watching them have lots of fun.

Keep your rats healthy. A healthy, happy ratty is the most trainable and keep them well fed too, or they'll be in no mood to do anything for you.

Oh by the way...don't scold your ratty during training. If he's not getting a trick straight away give him time. It will pay off in the end. You don't want to damage the trust you've built up.

House Rabbit

Perhaps you've just adopted your first rabbit, or maybe you already have a rabbit and would like more information to help you understand her better. The House Rabbit Society, a national nonprofit organization, recommends that you keep your rabbit in the house rather than outdoors. Rabbits are intelligent, social animals who need affection, and they can become wonderful companion animals if given a chance to interact with their human families.

The benefits of spay and neuter
Although most rabbits will use a litterbox, hormones may cause unneutered males and unspayed females to "mark territory." Spaying or neutering your rabbit improves litterbox habits, lessens chewing behavior, decreases territorial aggression, and gives your rabbit a happier, longer life. Have your rabbit neutered between ages 3 1/2 to 6 months, depending on sexual maturity, by an experienced rabbit veterinarian.
For rabbits more than 2 years old, get a veterinary checkup first.

Housetraining
Rabbits may have free run of the home. However, it's best for most--and necessary for some--to start with a cage. To make cage time learning time, fasten a litterbox in the corner of the cage that your rabbit chooses for a "bathroom." As soon as he uses the box consistently, you can give him some freedom. Place one or more large litterboxes in corners of the running area outside the cage.
Use only positive reinforcement (treats and praise)--never punishment.

Bunny-proofing
Bunny-proofing your home is part of living with a house rabbit. It is natural for rabbits to chew on furniture, rugs, drapes, and, most deadly of all, electrical cords. Cords must be concealed so that the rabbit cannot reach them. Exposed cords can be encased in vinyl tubing (found at hardware stores). By splitting the tubing lengthwise with a utility knife the cord can be pushed inside it.
Give your rabbit enough attention, safe chewables, and toys, so that she is distracted from chewing furniture and rugs. A cardboard box stuffed with hay makes an inexpensive playbox. Young rabbits (under a year) are more inclined to mischief and require more confinement and/or bunny-proofing than mature rabbits.

House rabbits and other animals
House rabbits and indoor cats can get along fine, as do rabbits and well-mannered dogs. Dogs should be trained to respond to commands before being trusted with a free-running rabbit, and supervision is needed to control a dog's playful impulses (this is especially true for puppies). Adding a second rabbit is easiest if the rabbits are neutered adults of opposite sexes, and they are introduced for short periods in an area unfamiliar to both rabbits.

Cat Carriers for Fun or Fashion

Cat carriers are an essential supply for any pet owner.
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Wether it's simple trips to the vet or traveling, you want to make sure you get a carrier that is safe, easy to use and functional. We'll point you in the right direction whether you want a basic kennel cab, or a designer carry bag that is functional and looks great!
Make sure you purchase a cat carrier that is comfortable for your cat. It should be about 1 ½ times the size of the cat and he should be able to lie flat and turn around inside the carrier. If you are traveling on a plane with your cat, you'll want to check with the airline to make sure your carrier is accepted. Generally, most hard sided carriers are OK for pet travel.
Having tried to shove our cats into front loading kennel cabs many a time, we recommend a top loading carrier like the soft sided Cozy Carrier.
The top loading carriers are much easier, you just scoop up your cat and plop him in before he knows what's happened!
Soft sided carriers can be more comfortable and are accepted by some airlines for traveling with pets under the seat in the passenger cabin. Some soft sided carriers have optional travel tray and travel kits while others have wheels like the Sherpa-On-Wheels. And don't forget a front carrier for taking your pet anywhere and still having your hands free.
You can have your cat carriers and look great too! Check out these designer carriers - how about this great faux animal skin tote or this 1940's style bag, or my favorite, this zebra lined tote that looks like a pair of jeans on the front! Or slip your friend into the faux mink or faux crocodile carrier.

The Perfect Cat Foods

Depending on a cat's age and activity level, they will require different types of foods.
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A kitten needs 3-4 times the fat, protein, vitamins and minerals for proper growth, and should eat special kitten food. Adults may require different foods depending on activity level and health needs. Seniors have special nutritional needs too due to their age and level of activity. Luckily, All foods do state which stage of a cats life they are intended for so it is easy to determine which is the right one just by looking at the package.
Adult cats have different activity levels and should eat cat foods designed for those needs. Housebound or sedentary cats can be fed a light food, while cats with hairball problems or urinary tract problems can be fed foods that cater to those conditions.
Please check with your vet to determine if your cat can benefit from one of these types of foods.
Senior cats are less active and do not need as many calories so light foods may be good for your senior. Starting around 7 years of age, you may want to switch your cat from an adult food to a specially formulated senior food. Makes sure you switch gradually, mixing in the foods in graduating amounts over a 2 week time span so that your cat's digestive system can adjust.
There's even special cat foods for overweight cats! If your cat is overweight, try a light food, it has less calories and fat than a reduced calorie food. If your cat is merely slowing down and needs to cut calories but doesn't have a big weight problem, reduced calorie cat may be the way to go.
Dry or canned?
Your cat will probably like canned food better but dry cat foods may be better for him. Dry food is better for teeth and gums and much less messy especially if you tend to leave food out all day. Also canned food has more water in it, thus you are paying more for less actual food. Semi-moist foods are convenient but tend to have more additives and preservatives.