- Feeding Your Pet Stingray - The Essentials of Maintaining a Varied Diet
Stingrays will eat a wide variety of foods. Maintaining a varied diet is extremely important in captive animals, as monocultural diets incur a risk of nutritional deficiencies. Stingrays are very active, and should be fed at least once a day, preferably twice or even three times daily. The daily diet can be varied in order to create some environmental enrichment as well as balanced nutrition for the rays.
First Foods
First foods for newly acquired rays should be blackworms o ...
Author: Brendon Turner
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- The Pros and Cons of Vaccinating Your Dog
To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? That's become the burning
question of many dog owners in this day and age. I'm not a
veterinarian, just a regular pet owner like yourself, but
would like to impart the information I've found regarding
regular vaccinations for animals. You can then make your own
decision.
I came across much of this information when researching
information on vaccinations for children, of all things.
What I found shocked me. So, I figured if this ...
Author: Rose Smith
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- How To Prevent Cat Urine Odor Damage in Rental Property
Feline owners who are renters can face challenges every time they move from one rental to another. Their cat may have the best cat litter box habits in the world, but if the new apartment has cat urine damage from the previous tenant, the cycle could be repeated. If your kitty smells the cat urine from the ...
Author: Nancy E. Wigal
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- Tips to Help Solve the Three Most Common Dog Barking Complaints
Many dog owners find themselves frustrated, deeply concerned and even embarrassed by their dog’s constant barking. Currently, there are approximately 63 million dogs owned by 44 million Americans. And just over one third of those owners complain of excessive barking.
Allowing your dog to bark excessively can be hazardous to it’s safety. I should know, I lost my dog because of it. I found out that excessive barking is one of the major reasons that people end up losing their dog. It’s a pr ...
Author: Cynthia Alexander
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- Understanding the Language & Behavior of a Pet Bird
Birds, just like other pets, have their own ways of
Communicating, or Bird Language.
Birds communicate to other birds and also communicate
to their owners, in a variety of ways. While all species
have their own unique methods of bird language, there
are many generalities.
Birds use their body, body parts and voices to express a
wide range of emotions.
Ways Birds Communicate
Barking
Some birds give out a type of bark when excited or when
trying to ...
Author: Tippy & Alfred
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- Purrfectly Simple Cat Mat & Toys
Purrfectly Simple Cat Mat & Toys
You've seen the expensive cat beds in stores and maybe even purchased one or two for your favorite feline. But if they immediately turned their nose away from it, or you are looking for a more cost effective and less bulky bed, read on.
Louella's Goodies recently sent me a cat nip cat mat and 2 toys for my 5 loveable cats. As soon as I sat down to open the package, my kids' cat Boo was immediately on my desk to see what was in the bag. When I pulled ...
Author: Kara Kelso
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- How to Maintain Your Love Affair ... With Your Dog Part Two - Assemble a Great Team
In part one we talked about forming good behavior traits early. Part two focuses on the types of people you want on your dog's 'team.'
Create a Good Team of Advisors
Find A Great Vet. One of the best ways to find a great vet is to ask for referrals from friends and neighbors. It is best to ask people whose relationship with their dog is similar to yours. The Humane Society of the US notes some other things to keep in mind would be the convenience: are their hours amenable to your ...
Author: Peggie Arvidson-Dailey
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- Choosing The Right Size Of Clothing For Your Dog
Dog fashions are all the rage and have become quit affordable for anyone and everyone to enjoy with their dog, but not everyone knows the best ways to find their dog’s size or how a garment should fit to avoid accidents. Choosing the right size for your dog is very important, we always want our pets to be safe and feel comfortable in whatever they wear. 30% of all online dog apparel sales result in returns or exchanges due to improper sizing.
The first and most important thing you should ...
Author: Eva Sanchez
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- The Geriatric (Older) Dog
Dogs mature and age at much different rates, usually according to size and breed. It is commonly held that dogs live 7 years for every year that we man does. However, this serve as only a rough guide when converting and calculating your dog’s age as dogs grow up very rapidly in their early years and then slow down.
For example, a 1 year old dog is comparable to a 15 year old kid, at age 6, he is comparable to 40 years old in human terms. By 12, it is consider a geriatric dog and is equiva ...
Author: Moses Chia
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- Biting & Nipping Behavior Can Kill Your Dog!
Dog bite injuries are alarmingly the most common condition that we human suffer from as a result of contact with dogs. In the United States alone, there are between 1-2 million people bitten by dogs each year. Most bites landed on children with boys more likely to get bitten than girls. (guess boys are more mischievous!)
Fortunately, most of these bites are not serious or life threatening and fewer than 5% become infected. However, with more dog bites receiving numerous bad press lately, ...
Author: Moses Chia
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- Tips To Looking For A "Good" Dog Trainer
Dog training is definitely not rocket science and is easier than you would expect particularly if you can get help from a good dog training book or guide. It’s also certainly possible for almost any dog owners to train their dogs themselves provided they put in adequate amount of effort.
Nevertheless, you might still want to get additional help from a professional trainer, especially if you got a tough nut to crack in your hand. Before you engage a trainer, it’s always best that you do so ...
Author: Moses Chia
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- 6 Simple Tips To Help Potty Train Your Puppy
Potty training also known as toilet or house training is the art of teaching your puppy where you want him to relieve himself. Sound simple! Not exactly, at least to me and many dog owners out there. Potty training my puppy gives me the most problems and headaches when I start to house train my first puppy years ago.
It seems that my puppy is always either in the wrong place at the right time, or the right place at the wrong time! Nevertheless, over the years, after much experiments and r ...
Author: Moses Chia
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- Crate Training Tips - How to crate train your dog
A crate is a valuable and useful training tool. Its main purpose is to provide security, safety and protection for short term confinement while training a puppy or new dog about its own and house boundaries.
A crate may look like a jail cell, but when used properly is your dog’s natural den – a personal space where he’ll feels secure and comfortable. The best place to place a crate would be where your dog can see the environment and family members, hear and smell your house - the kitchen ...
Author: Moses Chia
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- Dog Aggressive Training: Understand & Eliminate your dog's aggression behavior
Aggression behavior in a dog is a normal form of canine communication similar to human frustration or anger. Like human, aggressive behavior occurs in every dog. The different lie in the level of aggression shown in them, and this is where dog breeds come into the picture.
While some breeds are born with a greater tendency to become aggressive, problems usually occur in homes that knowing or unknowingly encourage the development of a dog’s aggressive behavior.
Author: Moses Chia
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- Barking Problems: Train your dog to stop barking!
All dogs bark, it’s their way to communicate a message. Dog barks for various reasons: to greet, to alert, out of boredom, to attract attention or when they are excited.
Although some barking from is acceptable, too much barking is certainly annoying, especially for your neighbors and eventually leading to complains. The easiest way to stop a problematic barker is to control his barking while you are at home:
1. Set up a situation where your dog will always bark. For example, you c ...
Author: Moses Chia
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- Universal Principles for Successful Dog Training
Dog training is not rocket science and is not as difficult as you think. It is certainly possible for ANY dog owners to train their dogs themselves provided they put in adequate amount of effort. The principles listed here are universal to dog training of Any dog breeds, be it sporting, working, toy or terrier, Any dogs - big or small, pup or old, Any Owners - competitive or leisure.
In short, if you are serious about training your dog and demand Only success, You MUST apply these princip ...
Author: Moses Chia
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- Aromatherapy for Animals, Part 1: Healing Blends for Dogs
The trend toward natural health consciousness in humans is gaining popularity in the animal world too. Many veterinarians are beginning to introduce natural therapies in their practice, including osteopathy, homeopathy, acupuncture, flower essences and more recently aromatherapy. It's just been a few years since aromatherapists and vets have begun to recognize how animals can benefit from this wonderful natural therapy.
For humans and animals alike, essential oils are powerfully antisept ...
Author: Francoise Rapp
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- Dog Behavior Problems: Help! My dog is a nuisance when he misbehaves!
How many times have I hear fellow dog owners say, “I hate it when he barks non stop… or he utterly embarrassed me when he mounts people’s leg”. Dog owners usually have no problems to fill in tons of their dog behavioral problems into the above statements.
I have to admit that I feel disappointed, even sad whenever I hear dog owners say that statement. Why? Because, these owners have failed to see things from their dog’s prospective! To put it simply, I should say that they don’t understan ...
Author: Moses Chia
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- Understanding Psychology of Dog Training: Pack Behavior & Establishing Control
Dogs are descendent of wolves. To study the psychology of dog training and understand the pack hierarchal system of dogs, we must go back and examine their ancestor - wolves.
Wolves live naturally in packs of at least 2 and more... They live in a dictatorship system with strictly defined hierarchies of males and females. In their system, a leader - usually always a male, the biggest and toughest wolf also known as alpha leader would be in charge of the pack and will have the right to eve ...
Author: Moses Chia
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- Common Foods Harmful To Your Pet
You may be surprised to find out which common foods we use almost daily can be harmful to your pet. It is important that you keep these foods away from your pet to ensure that they remain healthy and well. The challenge, of course, is to “pet-proof” your home, family, children or guests, to ensure that these foods are not made accessible to your pet. If your household is like mine, that can be a challenge from time to time! Here is a list of potentially harmful, but commonly used foods, to your ...
Author: Michele Webb
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- Four Cat Litter Box Location Sites In Your Home
You've heard that in real estate location is everything. This applies equally to your cat's litter box. Successful, consistent cat litter box habits depend upon several factors, and the litter location is crucial.
This article will highlight how you can successfully locate your cat's litter box to her (and your) satisfaction.
To begin, try to think like a cat. Where would you like to have a cat litter box? Eliminating one's waste is a vulnerable time. Cats need to feel safe and und ...
Author: Nancy E. Wigal
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- Training Your Dog To Lay Down On Command
Training your dog to obey commands is an important part of pet ownership . When your dog is properly trained, it is much easier for you to communicate with him and this enhances your relationship. In addition to making him mind you, it may even help save your pet from harm or danger.
Dogs want your praise, so using positive reinforcement when training your dog or puppy is the best approach. Hitting or yelling rarely works, and besides who wants to hit or yell at their dog anyway?
Author: Lee Dobbins
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- Training Your Dog To Stay
A properly trained dog is a joy to be around for both the owner and anyone else you happen to come in contact with. Not only will it make for a better relationship but it can help save your pet from being hurt or worse, if he is able to be called to your side to avoid danger.
You should always use a positive approach to training your dog. Rewarding him with a treat and praise will go a lot further than hitting and yelling. Dogs and puppies want your approval and will try to please you to ...
Author: Lee Dobbins
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- What is Pet Health Insurance?
Pet Health insurance can give you the peace of mind that you are covered against unexpected vet bills. Having a pet can be a costly affair when you consider such expenses as food, vaccinations and checkups. But did you know that the cost of surgery can run into thousands of pounds? Would you be able to afford the vet's bill for major surgery should your pet fall ill or the cost of a claim against you if your dog runs out into the road causing a road traffic accident?
Author: John Mussi
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- Training Your Dog to Sit
Training your dog to "sit" is probably the first thing you will train your puppy to do. I write puppy because you can start the training as soon as the puppy has settled in his new home. You might think this isn't that important, a dog knows how to sit. Well, I think it is very important. Read on and you will found out why and how to train your dog to sit.
1. This first one is easy. You just start by saying "sit" every time the puppy sits itself. He learns to associate the word sit with ...
Author: Timothy Robinson
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- How to Housebreak Your Dog or Puppy
Dogs are creatures of habit; and once they develop a habit, breaking it can be a long, frustrating process. Your dog needs guidance and encouragement from you to develop a toilet habit you can live with. Animal behaviorists have learned a lot about dogs over the last couple of decades, and there are many tips available that will make housebreaking your dog or puppy a less frustrating task.
When you consider some of the things your dog or puppy is willing to roll in, or put in their mo ...
Author: Kathy Burns-Millyard
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- Proper Dog Care
Whether you're a new dog owner or have had dogs around you for many years, learning about proper dog care is essential if you're to give your dog the greatest possible chance to enjoy a long and healthy life.
The most basic area of dog care is feeding. Unfortunately, many dog owners believe that as long as their dog is being given enough food, everything's ok. Too many dogs suffer from brittle bones, bad teeth and joint problems due to being fed the wrong kind of food and therefor ...
Author: Aki Desorcy
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- What You Need To Carry When You Travel With Your Dog
Spring is here and with the onset of warm weather, comes more dog shows and our annual vacations, plus the urge to take a Sunday drive. However, we sometimes neglect the needs of our pets or do not take extra precautions for unseen emergencies. If you cannot board your pet, or leave it at home and find that you must take it with you please make sure you provide adequate ventilation and water in your vehicle. Plus you should read up on heat stroke and heat prostration. Below is a simple check lis ...
Author: Terrie Simpson
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- Protect Your Pet from Toxic Plants
Have you checked your yard for flowers or plants that may be toxic to your pet? If you have a cat or dog, you may want to do some research on plants, before you bring them home, to determine which could be harmful to your pet. Here are a few plants that are toxic to cats and dogs.
•Oleander: if your pet comes into contact and eats (or licks) an oleander bush or flower, symptoms may include upset stomach or hypothermia. In cats and dogs hypothermia presents as cool paws, ears and stomach. ...
Author: Michele Webb
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- Pet Friendly Travel – 10 Tips for Hassle-Free Travel with Your Pet
In the United States alone, over 60 million households have one or more pets. Pet owners in 15 million of those households travel with their pets, and the majority stay in pet-friendly lodging. Fortunately, pet friendly hotels, condos and vacation home rentals do exist.
If you will be traveling with your pet, here are some pet friendly tips to remember for safe and trouble-free travel.
1 - When you make your reservation, double-check that pets are allowed. An important advantage ...
Author: David Buster
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- How Picky Can Your Cat Really Be?
Most of pet owners know that their much loved four-legged members of the family come with a lot of personality and unique, sometimes almost human-like behavior. For instance, my cat would act as a peacemaker when she smells the human fight. If I become angry and start raising my voice during the conversation with someone, she would just jump on my legs and slightly scratch me in an attempt to cool me off. I am sure that people can tell us plenty of such examples of interesting pet behavior. But ...
Author: Julia Imaeva
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- How to Crate Train Your Puppy
One of the most difficult hurdles that any new puppy owner faces is housebreaking or as it is sometimes also referred to; potty training or doing business. Although there is no tactic that comes with a 100% guarantee, one of the most successful methods is crate training. Crate training can drastically reduce the amount of stress on the owner and the puppy that often comes with training the new four-legged member of your family.
So what is a crate? It is a cage that is usually made of plastic ...
Author: Cass Hope
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- Fat Dogs - How To Get Overweight Dogs to Diet and Slim Down Without Whining
Obesity in dogs is a growing problem, which can cause many problems including heart disease, joint problems, and diabetes. Almost half of dogs in America are fat, especially beagles, dachshunds, basset hounds, and Labrador retrievers. Before your dog reaches the point where they need insulin shots, you can slim them down. It will take almost a year, but it’s worth it.
Even puppies shouldn’t be overweight – all dogs need to be slim, not fat, to be healthy. A dog is at the right weight if y ...
Author: Little Dog
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- How To Stop Your Dog From Barking – Training Your Dog To Keep Quiet
Quieting a barking dog is a quick and easy process. Really. It also doesn’t cost any money. But it’s not an obvious process - witness the many dogs barking all the time in parks, backyards on street corners, with their owners tugging at their leash and yelling at them and the dogs completely ignoring their commands. My dog was driving me crazy until I learned how to stop his barking.
My dog barked and whined all the time, and it was a breed (husky), that was known for making a lot of nois ...
Author: Little Dog
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- How to Maintain Your Love Affair ... With Your Dog Part One - Training
When I first laid eyes on my little ball of black fluff at an adoption fair, I knew there was no turning back. My husband and I had been looking for just the right dog for months, and all the research and networking had finally paid off. There was no doubt in my mind that we had found the most perfect, precious four-legg ...
Author: Peggie Arvidson-Dailey
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- Is Your House Killing Your Dog?
You love your dog. You would do anything for your dog. Well
your home may not be the best place for your dog to live a
long and happy life.
Just like parents often put poisonous things into a baby’s
room (like new wallpaper and plastic toys) and wonder why
the baby is sick, people often expose their dog to things
that will kill them and wonder why the dog is sick or dying.
Dogs get sick and die from cancer. That is a fact. But
did you know that household clean ...
Author: Dr GW Graham
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- How To Protect Your Pets From Fleas And Ticks
Fleas are wingless, blood-sucking insects that feed on dog, cats, humans and other species. There are many different types of flea each one specific to the animal that it lives on. The most frequent fleas found in the home are the cat flea and dog flea.
THE FLEA PROBLEM
Fleas and ticks are responsible for a number of diseases in pets and people. Some types of ticks, for example, can transmit the bacteria that cause Lyme disease to animals and humans and some fleas can harbor tapeworm ...
Author: Bridget Mwape
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- Feline Obesity
Does your cat polish your floor with his stomach as he walks? Is his food bowl bigger than your head? Do you grunt when you try to pick him up? Does he bounce when he lands on the floor? Do you spend more on his food bill than your own?
People see fat cats as subjects of humor. They make cartoons with cute captions, manipulate photos into amusing cards, and crack jokes about their rotund companions. As harmless as it seems, obesity in our feline companions is not a joke. The health risks ...
Author: M. Nikole Hunn
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- More Issues with Food and Family Pets
Recently, I went back to discussing food issues in some detail. It is important to understand that we do have ways of helping out pets not only with their diets, but with preventing things from happening long term.
Obesity in Pets and Ways to Deal with It
We have discussed this before. Obesity is an issue for both humans and pets when talking about arthritis. Overweight pets are not only more prone to developing arthritis, those who have joint related issues experie ...
Author: JR Rogers
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- Nutrition and Arthritic Pets
We have talked about the importance of both diet and exercise when dealing with a pet that has arthritis. I think that diet is such an important issue that it is one we should discuss in greater detail. It is becoming common knowledge that as humans, our bodies perform better when we "eat right." It is equally important for pets to follow healthy food guidelines as well.
The Generic Foods
There are three "groups" of processed foods and it usually one or more of these that ...
Author: JR Rogers
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