Banfield Pet Insurance - Petscape Gardening

If you have pets, you must have heard of many pet insurance companies out there today. There are different criterion these companies have set up for the security and safety of the pets. It is said that in order to keep your pets happy, it is very important to understand what keeps them and their owners happy. Banfield Pet Insurance offers insurance money to the pet owners to help them make their garden suitable for them and their pets so that the pets remain safe in their owners' gardens. Their actual aim is to provide pets the kind of garden that let's them stay happy.
With a little thoughtful planning, you can have the kind of garden both you - - and your pets - - will use and enjoy. Your garden is a whole world to your pets. It can be either a very boring world or a fascinating place for them, from which they can survey their territory and guard it as their own. The more complex a garden is, the happier cats and dogs are. They like places to sit in the sun and spots in the shade, bushes to lurk under or sniff around, areas to explore and scratch, and to mark with their scent.
If you are afraid your pets might find your garden boring (and after all they spend most of their lives there - - or at least they should when they are not accompanying you outside), add some variety. Instead of long stretches of lawn, put in a hedge of lavender or grevilleas and add some great big pots to your paving. These will provide damp and shade on hot days. Most pets like to have several spots for snoozing, unlike humans who prefer to stay on the one comfortable place.
By receiving insurance money for designing your garden in a way that your pet really adores it, you can create for your pet a garden that he will always enjoy to spend time in.

8 Ways to Find Your Lost Pet

Losing a pet is like losing a loved one. Pets cannot tell you where they have. If they belong to a pure breed, chances are that they could be kidnapped or kept by the finders.
As an online pet recovery specialist in Singapore, I help pet owners to find their missing pets by using the Internet platform to reach out to pet lovers. With hundreds more eyes on the lookout, the chance of finding their lost pets is better.
Here are some ways to find your missing pets:
1. Conduct a physical search. They could be hiding in the bushes, fields or drains. Cats normally do not go far.
2. Distribute flyers in the neighborhood. Stick the posters in public places where there are high human traffic. Pass it to security guards in the condos. Paste it on notice boards in shopping centers, sports centres and schools. Most of the lost pets were found through the flyers.
3. Contact animal shelters such as SPCA. Send them a photo. When a person finds a stray dog, he is likely to contact the SPCA.
4. Post your notice in pets forums. There are 'lost & found' sections in all online pet forums.
5. Post in 'lost & found' section in online classified ads portals and lifestyle forums. Craigslist is one of best sites as the information are quickly indexed by the search engines. For better findability, in the title or subject heading, mention the breed and the place last seem. Offer a reward as an incentive.
6. Post your notice in pets groups in Facebook.
7. Scan the daily newspaper every day to see if anyone reports a found pet. Look in the 'Found' section of the classified ads column. Any finder can post a found pet at no cost. In Singapore, the SPCA posts it for 3 consecutive days and there is no response, the pet will probably be put to sleep.
8. Engage the service of a pet detective or a pet recovery specialist. This will save you the time. They are the experts. So they know the best way to do it. They have their network of contacts. They know where the websites to post the notice are. They know how the animals behave and where they are likely to be found.
Do it early. Do not delay. From my personal experience, most pets were found within the first week. By following the above steps, you will increase the chance of recovering your lost pet.

Pet Clothes for the Cold Season

Pet clothes are designed depending on the weather classification of these dog breeds. There are dog breeds that lives on a tropical type of environment and mostly immune to the normal tropical temperature. There are also pets that live on a cold type of environment and usually immune to the cold temperature. With this, different dog breeds exists in different countries all over the world and sometimes both classifications appear in the same location.
This is a big challenge for dog owners when the climate will change. They should be very careful and cautious since there are dogs that cannot resist the cold temperature. This will lead to major problems if not prevented on time. Water supply should be adequate and an extra insulation to shield the coldness from the outside.
And now, Christmas season just behind the corner and we can feel the cold breeze already.
Pet garment shops already have a variety of dog sweaters and dog coats for the cold season. There are also available small dog clothing and Chihuahua clothing in preparation for the winter. Dog owners should start choosing from these varieties as early as now in order not to crowd the shopping malls or even the small dog clothing stores.
Owners may now look the appropriate designs of dog sweaters and dog coats for their respective pets at home. These coats and sweaters should only not be good looking but also serve its purpose well to protect our respective dogs from the cold breeze. But it would be best to choose dog clothes that are fit and nice and at the same time with good quality. In this way, they will be confident and assured that their pets will be protected even when brought out the house.
Preparation is very essential especially if the lives of your pets are at stake. Many will even spend more for dog clothes and even Chihuahua clothing for Chihuahua lovers. With this, hurry up to the nearest pet clothes shop in your area while it is still early to avoid stock outs when peak season comes.

Having a Pet - Dare You Clean the Poop?

If you are an animal lover, nothing may give you more pleasure than having a furry friend at home. While most of us know about the joy of owning a pet, not many have considered the responsibilities or hard work involved until it is too late. The article presents one situation that most pet owners have to deal with.
If you are a potential new pet owner, imagine this scenario. You bring your newly acquired puppy to the park for a walk. Halfway through, something stinks and you realised that he has pooped all over the floor! What do you do now?
To make matters worse, what if he had pooped all over your house carpet and stained them badly? Someone your furry friend doesn't seem so lovable anymore.
If you find this scenario disgusting, perhaps you should rethink the idea of getting a pet. After all, you'll be cleaning up after him for years. Owning a pet is a long term responsibility and you should not be jumping into it without careful consideration. The last thing anybody wants is the poor animal being given up to a shelter or let loose to fend for itself in the streets.
The first thing you have to do is to bring a plastic bag whenever you're bringing your pet out for a stroll. In the event that he poops, you can use the bag as a glove to scoop up the poop for proper disposal later. Remember that no matter how disgusting it is, it is extremely irresponsible to not clean up your pet's waste. In fact, it might be a crime if you do not do anything in some states!
Once you have the chance, you should also send your pet to be trained to poop at home before they go outside for a walk.
If cleaning poop scares you but you still insist on getting a pet, perhaps you might like to consider getting fishes instead. While fishes pose different challenges that other pets such as cats and dogs, poop cleaning is definitely easier. For sure, it's a lot less smelly and you don't have the yucky feeling in your hands as you scoop them up.
I hope this article doesn't scare you from owning a pet such as a cat or dog. While having a new friend at home can be an extremely rewarding experience, we have to be realistic and consider and downside as well. Good luck and take care!

Fashionable Attires For A Sweet Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are a highly priced dog breed from the ancient Aztec Royalty and deserve to be dressed up with beautiful Chihuahua clothing. There are many pet clothes shops that offer dog sweaters, dog coats, large and small dog clothing. You will be able to find it online and in pet boutiques too. Just choose whatever shopping options you may find comfortable and easy to access.
Chihuahuas have their own unique characteristics but generally they are active and refined. With this, there is a variety of Chihuahua clothing which was specifically designed for this kind of breed. Chihuahua dog coats are categorized into two varieties, the long haired and the short haired. The long haired is malleable and longer and appears wavy and thicker. The short haired is thinner and shorter. Dog coats that are short do better with clothing that fits close and fully wraps over to the body.
Chihuahua dog sweaters come with different colors such as red, green, white, gray, blue, orange and many more. Also, these available colors may be in solid color, stripes, marked with splashed colors or a combination of all available colors. Since Chihuahuas are known to be an average shedder, these coats were designed to cope up with its nature and characteristics. The Chihuahua dog coat needs to be washed once a month or depending on the need, using a soft spine brush and a placid shampoo.
Most pet clothing shops have clothing variety for different dog breeds, both large and small. Here are some of the available coat designs for Chihuahuas: pink or brown hooded corduroy coat, rugged corduroy ranch coat, watermelon or brown and tan reversible puffy coat, blue rip stop coat, base camp parka and a lot more. These small dog clothing designs are best when used for small dog breeds such as Chihuahuas.

Removing Mats and Tangles From Your Dog's Coat

Anyone with a long haired dog knows the importance of keeping their coat smooth and clean. Long haired dogs are vulnerable to tangles and matted hair, much more than short haired dogs. These tangles are tough to get out, but more importantly they are bad for your dog's health. The tangles can cause ulcers on the skin, skin problems, and can also require complete hair removal to fix the issue. Most tangles and mats start around a tangible object such as a burr, twig, or random trash. Locating the tangle is step one.
There are many ways to remove these tangles at home, some of which are fairly easy and painless also. The best way to get a tangle out is with a wide tooth comb. Along with pet stores, you can also find these in any beauty aisle in convenience stores for humans. There are different sizes available, and the bigger you get, the easier it will probably be to deal with the tangle. Start with a small area of hair near the outer edge of the tangle and work your way towards the center. Be gentle with your strokes so you keep your dog at ease.
Pet stores sell detangler specifically designed for dogs for cases such as this. Follow the directions on the bottle for best results. These detanglers are safe for your dog's hair and skin and lessen the tangle. If you don't find any at your pet store, human detangler might also work but I very highly suggest consulting your vet before ever using human products on your dog. If you don't have any detangler, baby oil may also work. Use a very small amount and make sure you don't rub the oil in or in circular motions, as this will only make the tangle worse.
Do a thorough check up of your pup for tangles and mats at least once a month. Prime spots to look at are the armpits of the dog, behind the legs, near the paws, and around the collar and ears. Chances are, if a foreign object is causing the tangle, the dog will become irritated with that area and begin to scratch or itch at it. It would be wise to take care of the tangle immediately so your dog is comfortable again. Don't spend too much time on one spot because this could annoy the dog's skin and make him become sensitive in that area. Once the tangle is taken care of, lightly spray your dog with mink oil, which will help prevent tangles in the future.

Ingredients in Dog Treats - What You Should Know

If you own a dog, then you are bound to have purchased many different types of dog treats to reward him or her. Although dog treats are very popular and many boxes are bought every week, do you actually know what you are feeding your beloved pooch? You can get a wide range of different dog treats and some brands and types are far healthier than others. You will find treats in popular flavors like peanut butter, beef, cheese and chicken. What treats you buy will be entirely up to your dog's taste, health and your budget.
Due to recent pet food recalls, some of which ended up killing thousands of dogs, pet owners are becoming more aware and cautious about what they are feeding to their dogs. Dog treats are ideal to reward good behavior and as a snack between meals, so it is likely that you will be giving them to your dog quite often. Knowing what goes into the dog treats is essential, so that you know exactly what you are giving to your dog.
It's vital that the treats that you pick contain natural ingredients, and not fillers, hydrogenated oils, excess sugars, preservatives and chemicals. You should try to avoid treats that have the words byproduct on the ingredients label, as this is simply parts of an animal which are seen to be unfit for human consumption. It is simple common sense that if something is not fit for you to eat, then it is likely to be unhealthy for your dog as well. Look for treats which are high in whole foods that are vitamin rich.
You should also establish a preferred texture as this will help your dog's digestive system and teeth. Harder treats are good for your dog as they have to use their jaws and teeth to bite down on them. For older dogs, treats that are soft will be easier for them to eat.
If your dog suffers from some sort of allergy or health problem then you will need to check the ingredients carefully. You will want to ensure that all of the ingredients are safe for your dog to eat, and if in doubt, the pet store or even your vet will be able to advise you.
Some breeds of dogs are prone to become diabetic, especially later in life. Breeds like the Chow Chow can have problems metabolizing sugars, whether the sugar is an additive or it is a natural sugar from fruit or dairy. It's important to know your dog's breed and it's characteristics as far as possible health problems, so you can more easily avoid problems later on.
Organic treats are perfect for all dogs whether they have allergies or health problems or not and when you buy organic treats, you know that you are buying treats with the best ingredients. You can be assured that all of the ingredients in the treats will be made from fresh proteins and produce which is natural and very healthy. So next time you go to buy treats, stop to read the labels and try to find the healthier options.

Loss of a Beloved Pet Dog

What Would Losing a Pet Feel Like?
Dogs have shorter lives than humans. If you decide to get a pet, you will most likely go through the painful experience of losing a pet. Although dogs are different from people, losing a beloved pet can cause similar amount of pain and grief as when you lose a loved one. Pet loss can be especially painful when you've had the dog ever since it was a pup. The grief caused by the loss of a pet can also vary in magnitude. Some dogs can die a natural death, which would be a less traumatic loss than losing a pet in an accident or the sudden death of a pet due to a fast-killing disease. Pet loss caused by diseases that act slow can also cause heavy feelings of distress in the pet owner who is forced to witness the dog's suffering and pain while struggling to help the pet get treated. In the case of diseases, sometimes, the dog owner is able to undergo a processing period, during which he begins to accept the loss of a pet as the disease progresses. There are also cases, however, when the dog undergoes a long stream of treatments with the hopes of getting cured of a particular disease, only to still die of the disease in the end. Such situations can also be very striking and painful for the pet owner who tried his best to get his pet treated. In this way, grief due to pet loss can vary in degree, but in general, the loss of a pet is not to be taken lightly.
Handling Your Grief Over Losing A Pet
Not everyone can understand the pain of losing a pet. People who do not own dogs will be especially unsympathetic. Grieving a pet is just like grieving over any form of a loved one. If possible, when you are grieving a pet, try to avoid people who won't understand the pain you are going through. This might just give you feelings that no one understands you at all. In some cases, you may also be driven to think that what you just went through is not a big deal, and this can make you feel worse. If you've suffered the loss of a pet, the best way to handle your grief is to give yourself time to take it in. Some routines in your life will definitely be changed, and the feeling inside your home may lose the life and cheerfulness provided by the dog. Don't force yourself to just accept the changes. Try to ease yourself into the unfamiliar situation of not having your dog with you. Also, it would be a good idea to have a good cry. That can help you release feelings of pain and grief, and will do you much good.
Getting a New Pet
Most importantly, don't go out and get a new pet immediately. Some grieving dog owners may feel tempted to get a new pet as soon as the old one dies to avoid feelings of loneliness and grief. If you do this, you are not really getting a new pet. You are simply looking for a replacement pet. You might then be frustrated when you find differences between your new dog and your old one. Wait some time before you go out to get a new dog. By then, you'll be ready to start anew, and this time, it will be with an entirely brand new dog.

Training a Deaf Dog - Tips and Guide

Adopting a deaf dog can be one of the most compassionate things a pet owner can do. These dogs, often left to live their lives at animal shelters, can make wonderful pets just like any other dog. It may take a little extra training, but well-trained deaf dogs do exist and are often very happy pets.
If you look on the positive side of things, there are some blessing to own a deaf dog as well. A deaf dog will not hear all the other neighborhood dogs barking and so will not join in. The same goes for the sound of your neighbors coming home late, a raging thunderstorm or other sounds that might set off an excited dog.
Without a doubt, owning a deaf dog has its own set of challenges. Your deaf dog may not hear important sounds like that of approaching danger. A deaf dog is not going to be a good guard dog for obvious reason. Easily the greatest difficulty accompanying canine deafness is training. So much dog training is done by speaking. How then does a dog owner train a deaf dog?
Before we go any further, it is important to realize that not all deafness is permanent. It may be wise to first take your dog to see a veterinarian. Certain scenarios such as a ear infection, foreign objects lodged in the ear, sometimes medication can cause temporally deafness in dogs.
If your dog is indeed permanently deaf, don't give up hope quite yet. If you are observant, you would realize that a professional dog trainer usually use hand signals together with vocal commands. Some trainers will not use vocal commands at all, instead using only hand and body signals. The reason why this works is because dogs are sensitive to movements, be it hand signal or body language. They also communicate with other dogs using body language. The position of a dog's tail, head, body, and tail can reveal a lot about how a dog is feeling or thinking.
Your first step is to decide what hand signals you would like to use for each command. The most important thing is to be consistent. Nothing could set back training more than to confuse your dog by either using the same signal for two commands, or using different signals for the same command.
Hand signals should be very clear and obvious. Signals such as a raised hand (in the "stop" position) or a fist are of the best kind, whereas signals with only slight variations (two fingers up and three fingers up) can be very confusing.
Once you have decided on your signals, you can commence with the training. This is done exactly as you would train a hearing dog. Carry treats with you to give as rewards each time your dog performs the correct action. Remember that using negative reinforcement (punishing a dog for doing the wrong thing) often confuses a dog and doesn't aid in training. If you are training a young deaf puppy, you can make use of the feeding time to train him, feeding him when he gets the command right.
Remember to be patient. Your dog will understand your hand signals sooner or later if you are consistent. Don't be surprise if they respond better than normal dogs. Many find it challenging to praise their dogs when they do the right thing. The easiest way to praise a deaf dog would be to use treats as reward.
If you run out of treats, giving your dog a huge smile follow up with a good rub is also effective. You may also consider choosing another hand signal such as clapping to sign that you are pleased with your dog.

Buying Pet Supplies Online

Our pets are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. I think that statement rings true to so many pet owners. We love our pets just like a family member. This might explain why 63 percent of all households in the U.S. own a pet. Our beloved pets give us love, companionship, and never ending affection. Therefore, as pet owners, we should do the same. One way to let our pets know we love them is to make sure they have all the pet supplies they need to live a happy, healthy life.
Now, given the current economy, it is understandable that pet owners are worried about the cost of these supplies. After all, our pets will always need some sort of supplies to keep them healthy and happy. Food alone can cost you $30 - $50 per month. The best way to get quality supplies that will not create havoc on your budget is to buy pet supplies online. Online pet supply stores have become very popular with many pet owners. There are many advantages to shopping online for your pet. Below I will list a few advantages.
1. Lower Prices than Your Local Vet or Pet Store
It does not matter what you are looking for, you can easily find huge discounts on food, collars, flea and tick treatments, grooming products, beds, and many more pet products. Although there are shipping costs, this is usually a minimal cost compared to gas these days. We all know that gasoline prices will continue to rise. It is not rare to find sites that will offer free shipping.
2. Convenient
Our busy lives are crazy enough without having to stop at the pet store on the way home from work. We can simplify our lives by buying pet supplies online. There is a reason why millions of Americans have already started to buy their supplies online. They got smart! Shopping 24 hours/7 days a week/365 days, a year and you do not have to leave your house. Your order shipped directly to your front door. It does not get any more convenient than that!
3. Larger Selection of Products Available
Most local pet stores have limited floor space making it impossible to carry or display all of the products that are available in the market. An online pet supply store, this problem is virtually eliminated. You can view and compare products quickly. Name brands and off brands are available for you to purchase. You will be able to find everything you are looking for along with many hard to find products online.
4. A Word of Caution
When looking for the lowest pricing for Dog and Cat Flea and Tick control treatments look out for counterfeit products. Buy your Flea and Tick treatments from an online store that maintains an office with a phone number in the USA. In addition, for your Pets protection verify that the products comply with EPA regulations. Look for on line reviews and complaints against the store. Bear in mind that companies located overseas are not as committed to up holding US health regulations as US based companies.
Overall, buying your pet supplies online will be one of the best things you do. The advantages are just too big to ignore. If you have not purchased any of your pet supplies online yet, I would recommend you try it, you will not be disappointed!

Things To Consider Before Adopting a Rabbit

With all those big ears, wiggly nose, and a tail that reminds of a cotton candy - who can ever resist the charm of cute rabbits on their rabbit hutches, especially if your kids are tugging you to get one?
Buying a pet without any knowledge about them will eventually get you into trouble. You should first know the basic knowledge on what it takes to care for your adopted family member, otherwise inexperienced pet ownership could be very harsh for you and your pet.
They may be small in size, but rabbits can leave a massive impact on a person's life. Here are just some of the few questions that one must consider before adopting their new household pet.
Is space enough in your home?
Is your lawn big enough? Can you provide rabbit hutch and run? Space is one of the important factors when taking care of a rabbit. Providing enough space for your pet can give them comfort and they will also feel loved and properly taken cared of.
Do you have kids at home?
Mixing rabbits and young children is also not a very good idea. Rabbits need safe, gentle handling and a serene environment. Being a prey animal, rabbits are sensitive to and highly stressed by loud noises and the fast-paced movements that are usually identified to young children. You may need to wait for your kids to grow older to develop sense of responsibility to take care of rabbits as pets.
Kids enthusiastic approach towards their new pet is just short-lived. Sooner or later, their attention will be diverted to other activities and past times. Pets are usually and ultimately the responsibility of the grown-ups at home and not the children. Until you, as a grown-up, is ready to tackle the responsibility of having a rabbit at home, don't let your kids' pleas soften you. It's you who will take care of the pets sooner or later.
The Budget
Acquiring a rabbit may be cheap, but the rabbits' care expenses can quickly ad-up. In addition to veterinary costs (includes sterilization and emergencies), there are some things that you should first need to consider or purchase:
* Large cages or rabbit hutches
* Water tray
* Litterboxes
* Chew Toys
* Hay
* Veggies
* Timothy Hay Pellets
* Fruits or other treats
Enough Time
Rabbits are termed as crepuscular, which literally means that they sleep during the day and night and are only active during dusk and dawn. Rabbits need time and special attention. they require an hour of play and exercise everyday.
In order to keep your rabbits strong and healthy, provide them with fresh vegetables everyday.
Your rabbits' cages or rabbit hutches must be tidied up regularly and a weekly thorough cleaning must be done. If you travel a lot and leave your home all the time, a rabbit is not an ideal pet for you.
Are you now ready to adopt one?
A rabbit's life span can last up to 10 years, so it means that a rabbit can stay with you and your family as much as a dog would do.

Rabbits - Small Animals, Big Adaptations

Rabbits are mammals often used as pets by us. They look cute and the little children love playing with them. Rabbits belong to the class Mammalia and order Lagomorpha with family Leporidae. They are cosmopolitan in distribution. Seven genera within the family Leporidae are generally classified as rabbits. Rabbits are basically herbivorous animals and prefer to live in meadow, woods, forest, thickets and grasslands. They also inhabit deserts and wetlands. They prefer to live in groups by making underground burrows. A group of burrows is called as warren.
Majority of rabbit population has been reported from North America. They are natives of Europe, Southeast Asia, Sumatra, some islands of Japan, and in parts of Africa and South America. They are absent in Euresia where major population of hares dwell. Rabbits have first entered the South America during the Great America Interchange but the southern cone of South America lacks any species of rabbit. The Tapeti species of rabbit dominates South America. Presently European rabbits have been introduced in many parts of the world.
Rabbits bear long ears about 10 cm in length which are an adaptation for the detection of the predators. Hind legs are powerful for running fast. Front two paws have 5 toes and the extra one is called as dewclaw. Hind feet have 4 toes. Rabbits are digitigrades running with the tips of the toes. Wild rabbits may reach a length of 20 -50 cm weighing about 0.4-2 kg. Fur is generally long, soft with shades of brown, gray and buff and the tail includes a little plume of brownish fur. The epiglottis is present just over the palate so rabbit is an obligate nasal breather. Two sets of incisors are present just behind each other. They share a common lineage with rodents and are now often referred to as members of superclass Glires.
The major proportion of digestion occurs in the large intestine and the caecum so they are hindgut digesters. Caecum is about 10 times longer than the stomach and the large intestine makes about 40% of the digestive tract of rabbits. The special and unique musculature of the caecum facilitates the separation of more digestible matter from the fibrous material so that effective digestion may commence and the fibrous material may leave the body as feces. Rabbits are known to eat their faeces showing the phenomenon of coprophagy. Cecotropes are sometimes called as the night feaces and are consumed by rabbits as they are made of more nutritious elements like vitamins, minerals and proteins wrapped in the mucous lining of caecum. They are essential for rabbit's health.
Rabbits are the prey of carnivores so they tend to remind confined in the underground burrows. They have a good sense of vision. Teeth are strong and serve for eating as well as biting the foe in order to escape from its grip. Reproductive rate is higher in these animals. Breeding season is from February to October. In Australia and New Zealand breeding occurs during the months of late July to January. Gestation period is of about 30 days. The normal litter contains 4-12 babies but the size of litter is large in larger species. A single female rabbit can produce about 800 children, grandchildren and great-grand children in one season. A doe is ready to breed at the age of 6 months and the buck at the age of 7 months. Courtship and mating occurs only for a short duration lasting in about 30-40 seconds. Courtship behaviour involves licking, sniffing and following the doe. Urine is also sprayed over the doe as a part of sexual behaviour. Females are reflex ovulators. Lumps of hairs are also lost by the female rabbit during sexual behaviour.
Ovulation commences in about 10 hours after mating. After mating female makes nest with the fur of the dewlap, flanks and belly regions. Removal of fur exposes the nipples of female so that it can nurse her babies well. The babies are altricial which means when they are born they are blind, naked and helpless. Babies attain passive immunity prior to birth through the placental transfer. The eyes of the babies open after 10-11 days after birth and they start eating on their own at the age of 14 days. The babies develop a soft body coat after few days of their birth whih is replaced by a pre-adult coat at the age of 5-6 weeks. This pre-adult coat is further replaced by the adult coat at the age of 6-8 months. The final adult coat is shed twice in a year. Rabbit milk is highly nutritious so the babies need the milk only twice a day. The overall life span of a rabbit is around 9-12 years and the longest lived species had an average life span of 18 years.
Rabbits are herbivores and prefer to feed on grass, leaf stuffs and forbs. The diet is chiefly composed of cellulose which is hard to digest. This problem has been solved by them by passing out two types of faeces one in the form of hard droppings and other in the form of soft, black and viscous pellets. The soft ones are immediately consumed by them as they pass out as they are rich source of nutrients. The grazing period varies considerably. The fist half an hour of grazing consists of rapid grazing followed by half an hour of selective grazing. During selective grazing rabbits pass out hard dropping which are not reingested. If the environment appears to be free from the enemies they continue to graze for prolonged intervals. Reingestion of the soft pellets has been observed early in the morning at around 8 o'clock and 5 o'clock in the evening inside the burrows.
The hard droppings are made up of plant cuticle and stalk being formed after the reingestion of the soft pellets. They are released outside the burrow and are not eaten back. Soft pellets are produced after the hard droppings have been excreted out generally after grazing. Soft pellets chiefly composed of micro-organisms and undigested plant cell walls. Chewed plant material gets collects in the secondary chamber called as the caecum present between small and large intestine housing large proportion of symbiotic bacteria that produes vitamin as well as cellulose enzyme to carry out the digestion of cellulose. Soft pellets contain about 56% of bacteria by dry weight and 24.4% proteins are also present in them. Pellets remain intact in the stomach for about 6 hours after reingestion and the bacteria present continue to digest the plant carbohydrates in them. This process of reingestion helps the rabbit to get maximum benefit of nutrients which have been lost during the first passage of feces. This process serves the same function as found in the ruminating cattle and sheep. They are incapable of vomiting due to the physiology of their digestive system.
Rabbits can be easily distinguished from the hares as the young one of rabbit are born naked, blind (altricial) while those of hairs are with hair and are able to see (precocial). All rabbits except the cotton tails live in burrows while hares live in simple nests just above the ground. Hares are larger than rabbits with long ears and with black markings on their fur. They are wild and cannot be domesticated like the European rabbits. Rabbits have been kept as pets since time immemorial. Pet rabbits are often called as house rabbits are kept in cages placed inside the rooms. They can often be trained for particular tasks. Some pet rabbits are kept in hutches during the day but are brought back inside the rooms in the night. Wild hares are consumed as food in Europe, South America, North America and many parts of Middle East. They are also sold by the butchers in markets in UK and Australia. When used for food rabbits are both hunted and bred for meat. Guns are used for capturing them. Cuniculture is a practice of rearing of rabbits for meat and this practice is popular in some parts of the globe. Fur of rabbits is often used for making scarves and hats. Angora rabbits are bred for their long, fine hairs. The faecal matter is a good source of manure for the plants and the rabbit milk is a rich source of protein.
Rabbits are also a source of menace to humans as their reproductive rate is very high and they cause considerable damage to the agricultural crops. They hold a considerable important place in cultural and religious beliefs. They are symbols of fertility and rebirth and have been designated as the Easter Bunny. They are also the symbols of playful sexuality which relates to human perception of innocence as well as its reputation as a prolific breeder.
Nature has gifted a specific role to every individual to perform. Rabbits apart from being used a source of entertainment, meat and fur deserves a special place in ecosystem.

Keeping Your Pet Safe This Halloween

It's almost Halloween... a traditionally favorite time of the year. Many people love all the excitement, the costumes, the candy, the decorations, and did I mention the candy?
Our animal friends, however, just might find this time of year, this holiday, a bit too scary for them.
1. The days before, and the day of Halloween can be hazardous for your pet - especially dark colored cats. Please follow the advice of the ASPCA and keep your cats and dogs indoors during this time of year. Too many cases of malicious pet torture and injury are reported, don't let your pet become a statistic.
2. Costumes are such fun - all ages enjoy dressing for the season. If you are a pet owner who enjoys dressing your pet in a costume please see that some basic safety measures are followed. Masks should be avoided completely - they can inhibit your animals' sense of sight and smell - both of which are necessary for your pet to know what's happening around them. If your pet becomes confused through sight or smell inhibition they can become stressed - which could lead to irritability, snapping behavior, or fearful, hiding/ running away behavior.
Costumes should be manufactured to be worn similarly to a sweater or jacket. Any trailing aspect of a pet costume - a cape, for instance, needs to attach in such a way as to not put stress on to the neck of your pet. Rubber bands in any part of your pet's costume must be avoided. Because of their elasticity they burrow into the animal's skin, resulting in injury or choking. And, just as in children's costumes, insure your pet's costume is not flammable.
Please leave off any face/body paint or cream. Skin irritation or rash can easily result from any body paint use.
3. Candy - the piece de resistance of Halloween - can be quite toxic for your pet. Chocolate is deadly to both cats and dogs. Ask your children to keep their candy to themselves. This is not a time to encourage sharing! Signs of toxicity are the following: hyperactivity, excessive drooling, vomiting and diarrhea, muscle tremors and/or seizures, and coma. An immediate trip to the Vet ER is called for if your pet exhibits any of those signs. But more than the candy itself, it's the hazards of candy wrappers that's concerning. Tin-foil or cellophane or plastic wrappers, as well as lollypop sticks, can become serious digestive obstructions, when swallowed, necessitating an emergency trip to your veterinarian.
4. Halloween Night - the ghosties and ghouls and fairies come to call. Your pet might not recognize the Trick-or-Treaters as neighborhood kids, or even as human because of the shape, size of their costumes and the masking scent of the fabrics. As a result, your pet might be more aggressive or fearful. To protect your pet keep them on a leash when answering the door, or in another room behind a closed door. This also helps to prevent any escaping through that opened-to-the-ghosties door your pet might do.
Also, when you go out trick-or-treating, leave your pet at home. The sounds, smells and bustle might be too much for your pet, resulting in a run-away or an aggressive incident.
5. Jack-o-lanterns and other candles pose a hazard to our curious pets. Paws and tails can easily be burned. No burning candle should be left unattended for even a second.
6. Pet ID - In case of the accidental escape, insure your pet has a current and accurate ID tag. Microchip them, if possible. The sights and sounds can be quite stressful, resulting in running behavior. ID tags and microchipping are insurance of return.
Halloween is great fun. With proper precautions for your pets, they can also enjoy this holiday.

Probiotics for Pets: Dogs and Cats

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria, the "good" or "friendly" bacteria that populate the entire digestive tract and play an important role in digestion, nutrient assimilation and immune system function. Unfortunately, many people have been lead to believe that all bacteria are harmful, but the reality is that we live in symbiosis with beneficial bacteria throughout our environment, and some of the most important are our friendly intestinal bacteria.
The average animal, depending on size, can have up to four pounds of bacteria in his body with the majority residing in the digestive tract. Your pet would become very ill or die without the right intestinal bacteria, and unfortunately this actually happens more often than most people realize. Many holistic veterinarians believe that imbalances in intestinal bacteria are a major factor in many of the chronic disorders that we see in our animals today. My experience with animals leads me to believe this is very true!
Probiotics play some vital roles in your animal's body such as:
*Help the digestive tract function properly by producing enzymes that aid digestion and the assimilation of nutrients.
*Manufacture B vitamins.
*Help lower cholesterol.
*Keep levels of pathogenic bacteria (E. coli, Salmonella and Helicobacter pylori) and pathogenic fungi (Candida albicans) in check by competing for available space and nutrients. In addition, beneficial bacteria produce antibiotic like substances and acidify the intestinal tract by producing lactic acid, both of which inhibit harmful bacteria growth and the toxins they produce.
*Protect against tooth decay and gum inflammation.
*Help to maintain a healthy mucous lining (mucosa) in the intestinal tract. This assists in the prevention of bacteria, food particles and toxins from entering the blood stream. The results of a damaged mucosa are often referred to as Leaky Gut Syndrome which contributes to allergy like symptoms, skin conditions, systemic infections, arthritis and other disease processes.
*Maintain or increase immune system health. Since 70% of the immune system in animals is found in the gastrointestinal tract, a healthy mucosal lining populated by beneficial bacteria is very important to preventing and fighting infection. In addition, beneficial bacteria are also found in the respiratory system where they help guard the body against invasion by harmful germs.
*Aid in the absorption of magnesium that is used for hundreds of different functions throughout the body. A magnesium deficiency can result in asthma and migraines and have other dramatic impacts on your pet's health.
*Synthesize vitamin K that is needed to clot the blood and keep bones strong.
Anything that places stress on the body can reduce levels of probiotics. Common culprits include poor diet, antibiotics, steroids, NSAIDs, surgery, medications, acute and chronic diarrhea, chlorinated water, artificial ingredients and preservatives in foods, toxins in food and the environment, and stress. Since many of these issues are hard to avoid, I feel that you should provide your pet with a quality probiotic supplement on a continuous basis to ensure that a healthy, viable population of beneficial bacteria are always present in the intestinal tract.
Probiotics would be specifically recommended in situations where there are symptoms of imbalance or in which healthy bacterial populations may be adversely affected making your animal susceptible to disease, such as with antibiotic or steroid use. An imbalance between friendly and unfriendly bacteria in the body plays a role in many of the chronic disorders we see today. Symptoms can include:
*Allergies and food sensitivities.
*Fatigue, constipation or diarrhea.
*Poor digestion that displays as gas or stomach pain.
*Poor nutrient assimilation that displays as weight loss or lack of weight gain.
*Painful joint inflammation or stiffness.
*Bad breath, gum disease and dental problems.
*Frequent infections.
*Chronic yeast problems, which display as itchy/infected ears/skin.
Supplementing with probiotics is easy and safe and a great insurance policy because not only do friendly bacteria decrease naturally in the body as your companion ages, but our animals come into contact with so many things in everyday life that reduce healthy intestinal flora.

My name is Philip Reich and I am co-founder of The Pet Health and Nutrition Center. I am an herbalist and at the time this article was written, I am nearing completion of my Master Herbalist studies. Having spent the last twenty years working with animals and studying natural healing, I hope the knowledge and experience I have attained can benefit the health and well-being of your animal companion(s) in some way.
The Pet Health and Nutrition Center was founded on the premise of providing only select pet products for concerned pet parents who want only the very best for their animals! We strive to be a place where people can trust that the products they purchase for their animals are the healthiest and safest available and can use as a resource for help and guidance with animal nutrition questions and pet health concerns.

Summer Heat and Your Pet

How summer heat can be bad for your dog
Summer may be a good season for your dog to be running around, exercising, and going to parks for strolls. But don't forget that summer can also be bad for your dog if you don't keep your pet protected from disasters that can be caused by the summer heat. These disasters include overheating, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke. Animals are also very vulnerable to sunburns or heat stress. The summer heat can also be especially difficult for animals who suffer from certain respiratory diseases. The summer heat does not choose its victims. And if we humans can do things to cool us down, dogs just can't. The responsibility to cool dogs down falls upon their dog owners. Aside from that, the summer season, in general, can be bad for your dog because of the activities during summer. A lot of people become quite busy during the summer, when there is no rain to keep them from their usual activities outdoors. Summer is a time for sports, gardening, and exercise. However, even though exercise is good, and so are sports, for your dog, the level of heat that you and your dog absorbs is different. Also, you have shoes, and your dogs don't. Not because the summer heat feels mild enough for you also means that your dog is in no danger. The safety of dogs during the summer season lies entirely on their owners.
The other dangers of summer
Summer still poses other dangers to your dog aside from the grueling summer heat. Summer is the time for gardening, and of insects out and about. The summer season can also somewhat be regarded to as the fleas and ticks season in the doggie world. That's yet another thing to worry about. In addition to that, you may be expecting many different events during the summer, but try to avoid bringing your dog to crowded places. This can cause a huge amount of heat exhaustion and heat stress in your dog. You might also think that bringing the dog to pools can do the trick. However, without the proper care and attention, dogs in crowded pool areas spell trouble. Be on the lookout for signs of stress in your dog, and breathing difficulties. These are usually the first signs of heat exhaustion and heat stress.
How to protect your pet from the dangers of summer
Don't leave your pet outside for too long without a shade. The summer heat can affect dogs faster than it can affect humans. Dogs have thicker skin and hair, and thus can absorb more heat. Also, since they have less sweat glands than humans, they also don't easily release the heat through sweat. It is advisable to bring a water spray with you if you take your dog outdoors during the summer. Giving your dog water to drink is not enough. Spraying water on your dog's body can help cool your dog down immensely. Another important advice is not to leave your dog inside a parked car without a shade. Cars cannot keep the heat out, and even if you leave the windows open a bit, your dog can still absorb the nasty heat. When you take your dog out to exercise, make sure to set a limit. It might also be a good idea to get your dogs some booties to protect their paws from the heat-soaked ground. Try to avoid the hottest hours as well. You can try exercising with your dog early in the morning or after the sun has set. Finally, get your fleas and ticks treatments ready, and groom your dog regularly. More frequent bathing and a good grooming habit can help cool your dog down.

Dog Training - Discover Why Is It So Important

I have a Yorkie that I can say is now the companion pet that I have always wanted. People are always telling me how well behaved she is and ask me, "How did you train her to be that way?" Effective dog training is NOT as hard as you think. You do not need to waste your money sending your dog to dog training classes or doggie bootcamp. There are things that you can do right now to start seeing changes in your dogs behavior today. I give even further details of secret dog training tips on my website that you can view below. Please take advantage of the free video on my site filled with secret tips on how to train your dog on your own.
If you have an obedient dog both you and your dog benefit by not needing to deal with obedience issues. No one wants to waste their energy trying to discipline their dog. Train your dog to be obedient so you can put all your energy into making your relationship with each other a fulfilling one. You owe it to your dog to get right to bottom of the most persistent problems that are robbing you of the true enjoyment of dog ownership.
When you train your dog you will be strengthening the bond between the two of you. At the same time you will be building understanding, communication and a mutal respect. A well trained dog understands that you are the leader of the pack, otherwise known as the "Alpha". It is so important that your dog respects you as his leader otherwise you could be in for some real trouble!
You will find that having a well-behaved, obedience trained dog is a pleasure to own because he can go virtually anywhere with you without being a risk or nuisance to others. And who doesn't want a dog who exhibits appropriate behavior in a crowd, good manners when we have guests over in our home, is reliable around children, and who doesn't threaten other dogs or those passing by?
Wouldn't it be nice if you didn't have to stop your dog from barking, biting, chewing, peeing in the wrong places, fighting with other dogs, tearing up your garden, etc? The point that I am trying to get across to you is that dog obedience training truly benefits everyone. You owe it to your dog to unlock the relationship that both of you deserve!

Accessorizing Pet Clothes With Designer Collars

Pet clothes nowadays have invaded the fashion world making it both a trend and a fashion statement. So how can you brand your own fashion style into that pet clothing of yours when there are so many ready to wear designer clothes? To answer this question, one easy way is to accessorize using collars. This is a very fun and exciting thing to do for you if you have adorable dogs that love to wear one.
There are actually many kinds of dog collars that you can choose to match the pet clothes of your dogs. There are the classic collars, which come in very cute colors and durable materials. Then there are also crystal dog collars. These collars are made of leather and are embellished with tiny crystals which make the collar look more like a necklace.
If you are the sporty type and want to depict this to your pet clothing, then you can get one of the many sports collars. Examples of this kind of collar are the NASCAR collars, the NBA collars, the NFL collars, and so much more.
Then there are spiked collars which are also made of leather, but have tiny or medium-sized spikes that surround it. This type of collar provides a funky and gothic look to your dogs.
But if you want to have a collar that has your own fashion touch, then you do not need to worry because there are personalized collars available, which can actually look good on any pet clothing. These personalized collars come in with cute embellished letters. So if you want your name or your dog's name to appear on the collar, then you can have one made. There are also other designs besides letters that would make the whole collar look cool and these are called charms.
Now that you probably have a specific collar in mind that would make your dog's entire look dazzle, the next thing you can do is to buy a matching dog tag. There are engraveable tags, dog charms, and dog collar bells that can add a spicy twist to your dog's whole look.
Collars are common dog accessories that are very important for protection and identification. It can also be an accessory that adds a big fashion effect to the pet clothes your dog is wearing.

Christmas Pet Clothing Ideas

Now that the month of December is fast approaching, Christmas-themed pet clothing is also slowly taking the stands of many pet shops and boutiques. So if you are someone who loves to do something fun for Christmas, then why not think of some ideas for your pet's Christmas attire and buy Christmas-themed pet clothes. To help you choose the perfect Christmas pet clothes, here are some ideas that will make choosing pet clothing for Christmas a breeze. The first idea would be is for you to think of pet clothes that have materials that will go with the occasion. Since Christmas happens during the cold winter months, then choose clothes with materials that conduct heat like fleece and wool.
After considering the kind of material for the clothes, the next thing to consider is the style. To protect your dog from the harsh cold weather, you can get clothes that are styled like sweaters or coats. Having clothes that have longer sleeves to cover the legs are good choices. Then you can also buy clothes that cover the necks of your dogs like those that have turtleneck or mock turtleneck styles. Then, another idea for you to consider is to think of a color for your pet clothing that would best depict Christmas. Most common colors are green, red, white, or a combination of the three. It is not also bad to try blue and yellow.
Another idea to think about is the design. Like the color, the design of the clothes should also depict Christmas. Since you may have a cute sweater in mind for your dog, all you need to think is how to make this sweater perfect for Christmas. Good designs that Christmas include those that have knitted reindeer's in front of the sweater, or Christmas bells and gifts. You can also think of designs like snowflakes, Christmas tree, and the face of Santa Clause.
Last but not the least is that you can accessorize. Accessorizing makes the whole Christmas-themed clothing for your dog more recognizable. Some of the accessories you can buy include the Santa hats for dogs, Holiday paw stocking, red glitter shoes, Santa jingle bandana, holiday dog scrunch, and antlers headband. Now that you have been given several ideas for those Christmas-themed pet clothes for your dog, the next thing for you to do is integrate these ideas of yours and buy the clothes.

Sunburn Protection For Your Pet

People love the sun. In fact, people go the distance to acquire a great tan. Your pets can't resist the sun too, the outdoor are especially attractive to them. Dermatologists constantly warn people to be careful of spending too much time under the sun. Veterinary dermatologists also advice pet owners to guard pets from the dangers of too much exposure to sunlight.
Sunlight is healthy for everybody-people and animals. It promotes production of Vitamin D in the skin. Vitamin is not readily available for body consumption, sunlight is needed to jump start its secretion in order to help balance metabolism and the level of calcium in the body. But like they always say, everything should be in moderation. Too much of something can be extremely harmful and this applies to sunlight as well. Long exposure to ultraviolet rays is the culprit of solar dermatitis or what we normally call sunburn.
Solar dermatitis in pets begins as redness and loss of hair on the tips of the ears, nose bridge and stomach area. This can result to skin ulceration, infection and carcinoma. If your pet already has skin problems, too much sunlight can aggravate the problem further much to your pet's discomfort.
There are particular breeds of canines and felines that have tendency to develop sunburn. Light-colored cats are more susceptible and they don't need to be running outside to get solar dermatitis. UV rays easily pass through uncovered window panes. Dogs with pale and short hair are also pre-disposed to sunburn. It usually develops first on the nose bridge, stomach area, genital area and inside of the fore and hind legs. The belly of a dog is prone to sunburn because the heat from the ground directly heats that area.
Solar dermatitis and frequent exposure to UV radiation is a prime cause of skin cancer among pets. Squamous cell carcinoma is such skin cancer. And there are dog breeds like Boxers and Weimaraners that are pre-disposed to cancer so they should be given more attention when it comes to sunburn.
Skin ulceration can also result from sunburn. This condition leaves the skin an open target to bacterial, parasitic and fungal infection. Too much sunlight was also discovered to aggravate autoimmune skin conditions wherein the immune system attacks otherwise normal skin cells. When skin cells die because of damaged skin, proteins are release onto the skin that can trigger the immune system.
Applying sunblocks is a great way of protecting your pet from the harmful effects of sunlight. But remember to apply them in the susceptible areas mentioned above and along the fur part of the head and back. A dog can also wear spandex-type suits designed to block UV rays. This is particularly playful dog whereas a sunblock is sufficient to a more behaved cat.

Why Animals, and Photos of Animals Fascinate Us

All cubs, chicks, puppies, kittens and babies are cute, but then--
Animal families are not dysfunctional; the kids know their place. A lion cub will never tell his dad where to get off. The King does not pull any punches, get out of line and junior is literally dead meat.
Mom lion catches the dinner, dad gets his first, and the kids get the spoils. No question about the pecking order here. Dad lion is a major chauvinist pig and nobody gives him any lip about it. It is what it is. We could learn from this.
Animals have no concerns about being politically correct. Ducks are ducks, geese are geese, eagles are eagles...everyone knows who they are and where they stand. And bears are allowed to do their business in the forest without environmentalists getting all worked up about it.
We also mimic them. Most species stick together in communities. Just like Irish neighborhoods, Italian neighborhoods Chinese communities, Indian communities and so on and so forth. Very few melting pots in animal communities, and they can also get downright nasty if you tread into their territory. Sounds familiar--they must be from East L. A.
Squirrels hoard food for the winter. Look at the price of gold--we hoard too, but our motivation is more greed than need--we certainly differ there.
During a salmon run Grizzly bears jockey for position in a stream. Ever notice fisherman during a salmon run, they even get up before daybreak to get the best spot.
Carnivorous animals do not cheat--they do not need guns or other tools to kill their prey or their enemies. That is a huge difference--animals believe in fair game. The rabbit has a chance to outrun the fox--tough to outrun a bullet.
Everyone has seen video footage of women waiting for a store to open. The poor guy opening the door has to run for his life to avoid the stampede. Lemmings blindly run off a cliff as one and animal herds stampede, wolves hunt together, maybe there are some similarities there too. Herd instinct, the pack?
Ducks and other fowl fly south for the winter. To avoid the cold humans flock to the south too, however the birds of flight look much leaner than the human birds one sees on a Florida beach. Maybe a more accurate comparison would be bears putting on fat for the winter.
No government health care on the savanna. When the pups grow up they are out the door and they certainly do not live at home until they are twenty-six.
Herons fishing on a seashore are very territorial; they prefer to be alone with plenty of distance between them and the next heron. They get pretty cranky if another heron invades their space. Does this remind you a little of a crowded human beach. Some long-beaked humans get mighty cranky if you get in their space too.
Gophers and prairie dogs build housing communities, where do humans live?
Fish go to school.
Humans also eat meat, and greens, and fruit and seeds and grains, and seafood, and sometimes each other--yuck.
Animals do not need counseling. That in itself is fascinating considering the food chain. They know exactly who they are; prey or hunter, and they act accordingly, they get it. Same thing in the human kingdom, there are hunters and prey, but humans do not get it. We go to therapy to try to sort it all out, and we still do not get it.
So here we are, politically and environmentally correct, governments over-protect us, and it is still a jungle out there. Maybe it is the animal in us, or is it that we need more animal in us?

How to Introduce Cats at Home

Cats are pretty jealous and selfish by nature. So when you introduce one new member to the already present pet cat strength, it may not like the fact that a new cat is here to 'share' its love! Many a times, it may so happen that the old and the new cats might end up fighting with each other and injuring each other grievously in the fight! To avoid any cat fights, you must make adequate arrangements to prevent any catfights!
Introducing a New Cat
One word of advice if you planned on introducing a new member to your pet family - Old cats which may have been enjoying unrestricted show of love and affection may not take the new induction very well. If you're familiar and caring towards the cat enough, you should first understand its prospective reaction. In case it does not want to share you even with your family members, it is a clear indication of a very possessive cat! The idea of adding a new cat might not go down well with it. So you may have to condition your cat by giving it cat like toys to play before you even bring the new cat!
Kittens are pretty inquisitive when it comes to seeing someone like them. With time, the new and the old one might gel so well that they will be collectively present everywhere - in that case, they can be even so busy with each other that they might even forget about their master! Cats can be as fickle minded as that! The main problem is that they are quite unpredictable animals!
Keeping Your New Cat
A good idea would be to keep the two cats separate, until they are comfortable in each other's presence. Never make the mistake of serving them in the same dish or even using the same dish to serve them individually - in this way, you might be only increasing the rift between the two cats! Your old cat will not take it lightly and will make a serious note of your 'insensitive action'.
Try not to show equal love for the new cat in front of your old member; reserve your cat love for afterwards or when the old cat is not present. The old member will feel vulnerable in front of the new cat and vice-versa.
Introduction has to be a slow but steady process. If they are kittens, they will take a maximum of 10 days to get accustomed to each other, in the gravest of situations. For older cats, some more relief time may be given until and unless, all seems well. Fights may prop up when you're feeding the cats - as mentioned earlier, never feed the cats together and if you do, make sure that you give them food in different plates and different bowls of milk to lap up. A friendly attitude towards both of them and appropriate conditioning and reinforcement training will help you induct more cats into your pet cat family!

3 Pet Clothing Tips During Weddings

Pet clothing at present times has slowly invaded every fashion trend imaginable. This is evidenced by the number of collection and designs for pet clothes and this is especially true for dog clothes. In fact dog clothes have many designs that fit any occasion including one very important event in a dog owner's life, which is a wedding.
Most dog owners out there like to have their dogs around during their special wedding day and also want them to be properly dressed for the occasion. So if you are this kind of owner, there are actually a few tips that can help you find the perfect pet clothing for your dog during your wedding day or other wedding events.
The first tip is to think about is the weather. If your wedding or the wedding you are attending with your dog is during the winter season, then find your dog pet clothes that would provide him the needed warmth. You can buy formal dog sweaters or nice looking dog coats for this specific event. This goes the same if the wedding will be held on the summer months. You should think of clothes that would not make your dog feel hot because they would despise these kinds of clothes.
The second tip is to find the right size of that formal wear you are going to dress your dog with. If the wedding has a certain theme, then find pet clothes that would not only go with the theme, but would also perfectly fit the size your dogs. This will not only make him comfortable, but it will make him look good.
The third and last tip, which is very important, is to let your dog wear their clothes at the right moment. This means that you should not dress your dog too early before the special event because this may make the dog feel restless. Also, there is a good chance that the clothes he is wearing will not be presentable when the right time comes.
Now that you know some basic tips on how to dress your dogs during weddings, it is always better to observe and follow it. This way, you can be assured that the pet clothing he is wearing and your dog as a whole looks and feels good during that special day.

Tame Your Dwarf Hamster - Simple Guidelines For Making Your New Pet Your Best Friend

Many people keep dwarf hamsters as pets. And why not? They're cute, lovable little fur balls that can provide hours of joy and entertainment. But in order to get the maximum enjoyment from your little pocket pet, you'll want to be able to handle and play with him confidently. You'll need to tame your dwarf hamster.
How you familiarize your hamster with his new surroundings - and with you - is crucial to establishing a warm and lasting bond. Keep in mind that when you bring your hamster home, he is quite frightened.
Alien Abduction
Try to imagine what it must be like for him - he's just been kidnapped by aliens! He's been plucked out of his comfortable surroundings, stolen from his litter mates, shut into a little cardboard box, and been subjected to all sorts of new sensations... unfamiliar smells... disconcerting motion... strange noises... It would be closely akin to you being blindfolded, imprisoned in a dark, cold cell, and taken on a spaceship to the far ends of the universe - never to see your family again. So, when you bring your hamster home, your first order of business is to gain his trust and establish a bond with him.
It's crucial that you have set up a "hamster friendly" cage for your new pet before you ever bring him home. Place the box in which you brought him home inside the cage and open it. Don't force your diminutive friend to leave the safety of the box before he's ready. Allow him as much time as he needs to emerge. This minimizes the amount of stress that he has to cope with.
Be patient, he'll come out when he's ready.
Once he does venture out, resist the urge to start handling him immediately. In fact, experts in the field of animal behavior suggest that you leave the cage in a dark, quiet room for up to five days. This gives your hamster time to calm down and familiarize himself with his new home. (Remember, hamsters live underground. So "dark" does not equal "scary" to him.)
Take Advantage of His Nature
Hamsters rely most heavily on their senses of hearing and smell. So, during this "period of darkness", as you are supplying your new pet with fresh food and water every day, you should talk to your hamster in a soft, calm manner. He needs to get used to the sound of your voice. You don't need to restrict your "conversations" to the times when you feed him, however. Talk to him frequently. (Don't know what to say to a hamster? Try reading to him!) Additionally, around the fourth day or so and continuing for several days afterward, start "introducing" yourself by placing a tissue with your scent on it in his cage.
At this time you may also start to feed your hamster special treats. Sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds are good choices as long as you don't overdo it. Seeds are fattening and a fat hamster is an unhealthy hamster. In addition, you may try offering tidbits of uncooked veggies - nothing from the onion family, however. Again, just give very small quantities. You have yet to determine what "people food" your hamster tolerates well; you don't want to upset his delicate digestive system.
Getting Acquainted
Once you feel that your hamster is comfortable with his new environment and your presence, it's time to start getting better acquainted. Slowly open his cage door, put in the tissue as before, then carefully put your hand in the cage. Don't wiggle your fingers or try to pick him up. The goal here is to get your pet to associate the aroma, with which he has become so familiar, with you.
He may approach your hand and sniff it. He may even crawl onto your hand. Don't move. Just let him investigate. Should he nip, don't panic. Just slowly remove your hand from the cage and close the door. Try again in a few minutes. If your pet still attempts to bite you, withdraw your hand and wait a day, then repeat the process.
It is very important that you are patient with this procedure. It may take quite a while, maybe even as much as a couple months, but don't get discouraged and rush the process. The rewards of taking it at your hamster's pace are worth the effort. You'll soon be enjoying a wonderfully fulfilling relationship.
Making Your Dwarf Hamster Your Best Friend
The next step in this "getting to know you" ritual is to try to pet him. Again, this may take some time. Repeat the steps for putting your hand in his cage then attempt to pet his back. Don't sneak up on him. Just slowly and carefully move your hand towards him and stroke his back with the tips of your fingers.
Once the furry little guy accepts being touched, you're ready to try moving him to his out-of-cage playpen. You don't want to just pick him up and carry him there. That will certainly frighten him. If you've purchased a hamster ball, this is the ideal vehicle for transporting him until he is more comfortable with you holding him.
The play area doesn't need to be elaborate, but it does need to be secure. Some dwarf hamster owners have found that a bathtub is ideal - with a few modifications. Cover the drain and put something on the floor of the tub so that he has a no-slip surface. Then add a few hamster toys for your friend to play with.
Arrange it so that your hamster has to walk over your hand to get into his play area. Simply place whatever container you used to transport him in the playpen and put your hand in front of the opening. He may not do this at first. If he doesn't, just take him back to his cage and try again later. When you are successful, let him play, supervised but undisturbed, for about a half hour or so. Place your hand where he can smell it and crawl over it. Stroke his back if he allows it.
Eventually you will be able to sit and play with him, but don't rush. You've made it this far, no sense in risking going backwards with the whole process. Your main objective should be to establish yourself as a non-threatening presence.
Going Forward
It's now time for you to occupy his play space with him. The most important thing to remember is to let your hamster's behavior tell you when it's time to go further. As you did when you introduced yourself in his cage, always present a scented tissue first, then your hand, then you. Just sit on the floor near him and follow his lead. Let him sniff you, crawl on you, climb up your arm - whatever he feels comfortable with.
This entire process, from "alien abductor" to "new best friend", can be rather lengthy. Don't get discouraged. Take your time making friends with your dwarf hamster on his terms and you will soon be enjoying a delightfully satisfying relationship that will last for years to come.

Nancianne Beetleman is an author, avid animal lover and dwarf hamster enthusiast. Over the past 37 years she has owned and cared for everything from hamsters to boa constrictors to cockatiels. Nancianne is passionate about teaching pet owners how to foster fulfilling relationships with their pets through understanding their instinctive behaviors and providing proper care.

Where Did Guinea Pigs Get Their Unusual Name?

Guinea pigs were first brought to the Western world in about 1550, and have been known by this name ever since. Although we are used to the term now, when you think about it, it is an unusual choice seeing as these animals don't come from Guinea, and they aren't related to pigs.
So where did the name come from? Nobody knows for certain, but there are a couple of possible explanations which are the most likely. Let's discuss them by looking at each part of the name on its own.
The 'pig' part is probably the easiest to explain. Although they aren't related to pigs, guinea pigs are very similar to them in several key ways. For example, they are both quite stocky creatures, with big heads and short tails. They both like to spend much of their time eating and sleeping, and both make squeaking noises.
It is likely that people saw these similarities, and hence used the term 'pig' as part of this new animal's name.
It is not quite as straightforward to explain the term 'guinea' in the name. After all, these animals are from South America, several thousand miles from the country of Guinea.
At the time guinea pigs were first introduced, explorers were beginning to bring back many exotic foods, plants, and pets from their trips, and it became common to refer to anything from these far-away countries as being from 'Guinea'. With this in mind, it's simply a matter of adding this to the term 'pig', and the guinea pig is born!
Finally, guinea pigs are also known by a completely different name - 'cavies'. Although this sounds entirely different, it has a much simpler origin. The Latin name for these animals is 'Cavia porcellus'. This is a bit long-winded, so people usually use the abbreviated version, cavy.
Whichever term you use, I hope that this article has helped you get a better understanding of its origins.

Black Pearl Leopard Gecko, a New Successful Breed of Leopard Gecko Morphs

If you are looking for the latest unique result of gecko breeding, The Black Pearl gecko seems to be the right one. This is a very special breed emerged as a result of the hard work of Konrad Wlodarczyk and friends who is a leading leopard gecko breeder from Poland, Europe.
Konrad started his so called Black Pearl Project silently with a few friends of his. The black gecko is in contrast with the albino gecko which has been one of the popular geckos on sale. Breeding a totally black gecko seems to be very challenging. This is typical the trait of a true breeder, who always seek and try to breed new morphs. If many breeders try to breed albinos, why not try to breed a black one. This was maybe what Konrad had in his mind.
Black leopard geckos are indeed the rarest morph that has been recently developed. It was in early 2008 when information about a successful breeding of black geckos spread over the leopard gecko community and enthusiasts. In spite of his successful work, Konrad moved to Australia and handed over the rights to further develop this project to The Urban Gecko a well known gecko breeder in Canada owned and operated by Craig and Lori Stewart.
Well, why are black geckos so special? Mainly of course, their totally black color which has never been seen and imagined by leopard gecko lovers. When many of newly breed offspring possess lighter and lighter color combination, this goes to the opposite direction, the creation of a darker version, even an extremely dark gecko.
Starting from its hatched egg, the baby gecko emerged in a totally black color without any pattern. The mature black gecko appears as an extremely black and silky skin. This hyper-melanistic color gives a deep and mystifying beauty that has never been seen before. It is truly an exclusive breed at this moment.
The majority of the Black Pearl babies are born extremely black and during their maturation they become a bit lighter in color which can be mistaken for a Mack Snow but with a difference of its blurry dark gray color pattern. When they become sexually mature their color could change again significantly to a velvet black color.
Another full melanistic breed is the Midnight Blizzard and was the only full melanistic morph in the past. Its melanine pigments appear as a brownish skin rather than black color which is unlike the Black Pearl with its extreme black color.
Since the introduction of the Black Pearl some years ago, many breeders tried to hatch dark melanistic geckos but failed to arrive at satisfactorily results. The reason of failure could be the absence of a gene that can produce such full dark melanistic pigments which should definitely be the trait of a real black leopard gecko. In such successful unique breeding cases, knowledge and experience plays a very important role.

Green Iguana Life Cycle and Characteristics

Green iguanas (Iguana iguana) are a reptile species that is found throughout much of Central and South America and in the Caribbean. This tropical creature does well in hot, humid areas, so it should be no surprise that colonies of iguanas that have descended from escaped pets are actually thriving in parts of Florida, too. The green iguana is one of the most common pet reptiles and also one of the largest reptiles that's commonly kept as a pet.
Appearance of Green Iguanas
The green iguanas are born from eggs, and at the time they hatch they will be about 6-8 inches long. However, within a few years these cute little babies will grow into massive lizards of five to six feet in length. A fully adult iguana weighs an average of fifteen to seventeen pounds.
While juvenile iguanas are typically a bright green color, the name 'green iguana' isn't always an exact fit. They can vary in shade from grayish to emerald green to brown. Their color will depend on their health and mood as well as the temperature and living environment.
You'll notice that adult iguanas have a dewlap, or a flap of skin that hangs down under their chin which is especially noticeable on the males. They have a row of spines running down their neck and back, and also have a third 'eye' known as the parietal eye in the middle of their forehead. The parietal eye is sensitive to light and is associated with the pineal gland. It helps to regulate the iguana's circadian rhythm and also hormone production for thermoregulation. Because of this, it's important that pet iguanas are given periods of light and dark each day, typically 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark.
Green Iguana Habitats
Green iguanas are arboreal lizards, meaning that they prefer to spend their time in the treetops of the jungles where they live. This behavior allows them to bask in the sunshine above the leaves, which is their main method of controlling their body temperature. It also affords them protection from predators, as their body color blends in well with the leaves and shadows. The female iguanas will leave the trees to dig burrows in the ground for laying their eggs. They prefer to live near water and are excellent swimmers. If predators come close, they'll often make a quick escape by diving down into the water and swimming away.
Iguana Development
When iguanas mate, it takes about 65 days until the female is ready to lay her eggs. The number of eggs she'll lay depends on the size of the iguana, but typically there will be from ten to thirty of them. Sometimes, females will share nests, especially in areas where there isn't a lot of space for digging. Females are 'hands-off' mothers, and don't guard their nests, although they will occasionally pop by to visit. The eggs will hatch about 90 days later.

Saltwater Fish Tank Setup - Setting Up a Tank for Seahorses

Seahorses are one of the most graceful creatures you can keep on your tank. But they are also very fragile and just a basic salt water fish tank setup won't be enough to keep them happy and healthy. In this small article we will explore the differences between a standard tank and a seahorse tank.
Starting with the size of the tank, unlike for other saltwater creatures, bigger is not always better. For dwarf seahorses you need to provide nano tanks, which are just 2 to 20 gallons, but even for standard tanks you shouldn't go above 60 gallons because seahorses are slow swimmers and won't be able to reach food in large tanks.
And the format of the tank should also be different. Usually tanks are wide, but for a seahorse the taller the better. At the very least you should have three times the length of the seahorse, but if you can get one even taller (or build one yourself).
As for the floor of the tank, I prefer sand, which is better for bacteria (necessary because seahorses are messy eaters). Also use a lot of rocks, algae or trunks because seahorses need places to perch - if they don't have any they will cling to aquarium equipment, which may hurt them, or die of exhaustion.
Some keepers like to have a feeding station, which is a part of the tank where they feed their seahorses. Like I said, seahorses are very messy eaters and if you only feed them on an easy to clean area with lots of objects for them to perch on it will make cleaning the tank easier. I prefer to have a crew of cleaners (usually snails) and get good filtration.
Which brings us to the pump. Be careful because seahorses can't fight strong currents and they prefer tanks with little turbulence. Some seahorses have even died because they were sucked by stronger pumps.

Pet Jellyfish Facts: Feeding Jellyfish and Aquarium Maintenance

 You may find this hard to believe but a jellyfish tank is actually easier to maintain than a standard saltwater aquarium. You can learn how to keep your pet jellyfish alive and healthy in no time at all. Jellyfish have slower metabolisms than fish. You can use a smaller filtration unit and water parameters will still remain well within acceptable tolerances. A 25% water change twice a month is more than sufficient to keep your tank clean. You may occasionally have to remove algae from the walls of your tank but this would need to be done with virtually any tank.
There isn't even too much reason to be concerned about a jellyfish sting. Of the three most popular jellyfish kept in home aquariums, the moon jellyfish has the most potent sting. A moon jellyfish sting is typically not fatal or even dangerous to humans. Their sting is no more serious than a bee sting. Of course just like a bee sting, everyone reacts differently to a particular animal's sting. Keep vinegar handy to neutralize the sting area. Vinegar is not a treatment for the sting but it will prevent further nematocysts (stinging cells) from firing. What do you feed a pet jellyfish? That depends on the size of the jellyfish in question. All jellyfish are carnivores. Smaller jellyfish thrive on zooplankton. Larger jellyfish often eat fish and crustaceans. Of course the larger the jellyfish, the larger the prey it can consume.
Jellyfish in a home aquarium can be fed brine shrimp. Brine shrimp is available at any fish store that carries saltwater fish. They are cheap to buy and keep well in a refrigerator for a week or even longer. Many saltwater enthusiasts prefer to raise their own brine shrimp. If you provide your jellyfish with sufficient nutrients their mass will grow accordingly until they reach their maximum growth potential. If you need to spend a weekend out of town you can even skip feeding them as long as you feed them a little extra before and after. Larger jellies can be fed ghost shrimp or other inexpensive feeder shrimp, or feeder fish.
If the idea of constantly buying or breeding and maintaining live food seems needlessly time consuming there is an alternative. You can even order frozen plankton for your pet jellyfish online.