Abnormal Weight-Loss in Cats

Is your cat refusing the dinner suddenly these days especially his favorite meal that he used to instantly gobble up? Or is your cat eating well, but still seems to lose weight? Are you confused about your cat losing weight? There are various reasons behind sudden weight loss in a feline. Most reasons recommend diet adjustments as a remedy. Here's the explanation about sudden weight loss in cats. Top and most prevalent weight loss reason in cats is different medical conditions and disorders. Take your cat to a veterinarian; he/she will further conduct a few tests to determine whether your pet is suffering from any serious medical disorder. Weight loss is a major symptom of diabetes mellitus. The most common in older feline is type-2 diabetes also known as 'sugar' diabetes in cats.

Old age can also be another reason for your cat losing weight. Cats are more likely to show changes in their weights with their growing age; some may gain rather some may lose weight. This mostly happens as their sense of smelling food reduces. Sometimes dental disorders also play a major role - dental check-ups are thereby recommended. Older cats may suffer from constipation with weak metabolism further resulting in weight loss. Take your feline to a veterinarian; it may need some changes in its daily diet plan; a high-protein and a low-carbohydrate diet may help it get back to its proper weight bag again.

Few but common gastrointestinal issues might be the culprit for your cat's weight loss. Certain food allergies or a sudden bigotry may also be a reason for slimming down of your cat; but there could be something within your cat's intestine that is bothering: vermin. Kittens are more likely to get worms in their body through lactation - especially roundworms. Check the cat's feces for any worms to be found; consult a vet than after for medication to de-worm your cat.

Stress and messy meal-timings may also be another reason. A stress-less environmental ambience and cleanliness is one very important factor to be considered for your cat's growth - or else it may result in your cat developing anorexia - refusal to food. This can be related to stress or fatty liver diseases. If it is due to stress, such refusals last for a day or two; but if this continues for more than a day you must call your vet immediately to reduce the danger of liver disorders.

A healthy diet; a clean and a friendly home ambience; cleanliness and an hygienic check of your cat with a regular veterinarian consultations shall keep your cat away from most medical disorders and also reduce the changes of your cat losing weight.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anchal_J_Tailor

First Steps In Training Your Parakeet To Talk

Parakeets have always been the most popular pets among birds. They are known for their chitchatting and easy domestication. Their basic color feather is yellowish green, but they also come in other colors, such as colorful blue, and sometimes, they can be completely white or yellow.

A parakeet as a pet usually means a lot of fun. It is true that they can be so noisy, but it is very interesting and nice watching them bristle and chat with themselves or even with a little thing. As any other kind of parrots, they mimic the sounds they often hear. They usually imitate phone ringing, bell ringing, or even a part of your favorite tunes. However, when it comes to talking, it is a little harder for them to emulate words, usually because of some consonants which they find hard to pronounce. Yet, it is not impossible. With a little effort and patience you can successfully teach them pronounce a few single words, even shorter sentences.

For the beginning, if you haven't acquired your parakeet yet, it is great, because buying is the crucial step in teaching your parakeet words. Make sure to buy a very young parakeet, preferably a chick, because they are best at learning words and sounds while they are young. If they are old, you will never be able to teach them talk. When choosing a parakeet, let it be a male. Males are easier to domesticate and teach, and they prefer chatting to squawking. Females are usually wild, and you will need more time to domesticate them and teach them words.

This may be cruel, but if you want to teach your parakeet talk, don't buy a couple. When they are together, they focus on each other and will not pay much attention to external sounds. You will also notice that it will take longer for them to imitate a simple sound; it often happens that they produce nothing but chitchat and squawking. The same applies to little mirrors; once a parakeet has it in its cage, it will never separate from it, and thus, will not pay attention to you or the sounds.

Now when you have all done well, start with learning. Start with simple and short words with more vowels. Once they master the simple words, they will easily overcome the harder ones. However, do not despair if your parakeet curiously and silently watches you while teaching it; it is a good sign because it tries to memorize the words. Patience is essential in this case. Sometimes, it takes only a few days, but sometimes a couple of weeks; but patience always pays off in the end.

As you can see, a good start is very important here. It is not just about buying a parakeet with beautiful color, but taking a young bird that will learn quickly and be your friend for several years. However, keep in mind that all parakeets are not the same; some will learn slower, some faster, and some will be able to imitate just a few simple words. It also depends on how much time you can devote to it. So, good luck!

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Do Dogs and Cats Need Their Teeth Cleaned? YES!

One of the more frequent conversations I have with pet owners before or during a teeth cleaning procedure (or dental treatment procedure) is about having to extract teeth. Usually it goes something like this:

Doctor: "Pet owner, your pet has multiple teeth with end stage periodontal disease. Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do to fix this, so I need to extract X number of teeth" 

Pet Owner: "Oh no! Why so many? Do you have to? How is he going to eat? Will he be in pain?"
Doctor: "Yes, there may be some discomfort, but actually the teeth that are diseased are already causing pain. We will treat the discomfort of extractions with medicine at home after the procedure. He will eat fine, but you may need to soften the food for a week or two. We have to take out the teeth because the disease has progressed too far and there's nothing else we can do."

You may wonder why I'm writing an article about this. I'm hoping to explain a little bit about the mouths of dogs and cats, and the reason why we have to perform extractions, so that it may not be a big shock if your pet needs teeth extracted.
I have heard comments about "vets who likes to extract teeth." Actually, that's not the case; most of us prefer not to. If there are no teeth to extract that would mean that there isn't disease present and your pet is healthier. Extracting teeth is sometimes hard work. Most animal professionals prefer to prevent extractions. The fact of the matter is that most animal patients haven't had the dental care needed to prevent extractions, and by the time I perform a dental treatment procedure it is too late.

Let's think about how we take care of our own teeth. When we are children we are taught how to brush our teeth well before the permanent teeth develop. Then we continue that oral hygiene regimen, usually twice daily, often floss daily, and visit out dentist once or twice a year. We have very clean teeth and periodontal disease is avoided. Humans need all their teeth to chew because we grind our food and cannot swallow it whole, so proper oral hygiene is important to prevent tooth loss. We only have 32 teeth (28 if you've had your wisdom teeth removed), so it's necessary to keep them all healthy.

Now let's contrast what happens with our pets. Most pet owners don't realize that their dog or cat has baby teeth and lose them. Sometimes dogs will not lose all of their baby teeth, and if your vet doesn't notice this, (or if your pet isn't taken in to the vet) those extra baby teeth can cause problems. Most pets will have all of their permanent teeth present by 6 months of age. Dogs have 42 teeth (that's a lot!) and cats have 30 teeth. After 6 months of age tooth brushing should begin, but many pet owners don't do this because they've never had instruction or been told to, and many pets resist it. So if a pet is lucky, they get their teeth brushed occasionally, like when they go to the groomer. It's inevitable that plaque and tartar will accumulate and cause gingivitis. Plaque, tartar and gingivitis wouldn't be a big problem if the pet was given a professional, anesthetized dental cleaning once it started to accumulate. But for a number of reasons this doesn't always happen, so eventually that plaque causes gum and bone damage and loosening of the teeth. Now we have end stage periodontal disease, which requires extractions.

Luckily dogs and cats don't need teeth to eat. They don't grind their food like we do, and we can prepare food for them that's in small bites and soft enough to just swallow whole. In fact, many dogs and cats who have no teeth at all still eat dry food! It's not a terrible thing to extract bad teeth, in fact it usually makes the pet feel quite a bit better. Many clients tell me that after having diseased teeth removed their dog is more active, acting like a puppy again, and is eating better.

Pet owners need to understand that tooth extractions are an unfortunate fact of dental treatment procedures for most pets. However, extractions can be avoided if pet owners will take the necessary steps to try to prevent dental disease. These preventative steps include regular visits for dental health evaluations, regular (daily) tooth brushing, and regular anesthetized dental cleanings.

Author Sarah Bashaw can be reached at El Dorado Animal Hospital, a full service, state-of-the-art veterinary clinic designed with client comfort and patient care in mind.

Call El Dorado Animal Hospital for your appointment today (480) 837-0800 or visit our website http://www.eldoradoanimalhospital.com

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Benefits of Raising Chickens

There are many benefits of raising chickens for the many people who raise them. The main reason for raising chickens is that you can get a regular supply of eggs. The chickens are healthier without touching the soil as they are fed from a diet that is good for them. Eggs from a backyard chicken are more nutritious and vitamin-rich than regular farmed eggs. The eggs from backyard garden have firmer whites and brighter yolks, indicating the elevated protein content and nutrition. The taste is real difference here as the taste is difficult to describe.

The chickens can provide insect control, hunting and pecking around the yard. This is good for the soil as they scratch for bugs in the leaves for a good meal. They break down the largest pieces of soil with their beaks and improve fertility of the land with their 'manure'. They can provide lessons for children about responsibility and where the food comes from. They require food and water, and the coops must be cleaned regularly for them to stay healthy. When the hens are kept in a happy and stress-free environment, they are likely to produce healthy eggs more regularly.

When you get your baby chicks, it is not necessary to have a chicken coop. The baby chicks need to mature before you let them go outside. To keep them inside, you will need a large box and a heat lamp as this is needed for the first week. This is a very easy and rewarding experience, because you can care for the baby chicks and watch them grow big and strong.

When you start off raising chickens, there are several different kinds that are available. Several breeds standout as they make an excellent addition. One breed that is related to many of the other varieties is called the "Plymouth Rock". This is a friendly breed and makes a great starter bird for the new chicken farmer. The Rhode Island Red is a great bird which lays delicious brown eggs. Another chicken breed, known for their large eggs, but also for being noisier than the other birds are called Leghorns. Jersey Giant chickens are perhaps the largest chicken, and grow to the greatest weight. This type of chicken is good for meat production. The Americana is a breed that has fluffy feathers around its head. They lay blue eggs and are typically not raised for slaughter

Building a sturdy frame with open sides and top yields a good coop for the younger chickens. Leaving a small hole on one side leaves enough room for the chickens to get in and out of the chicken coop. Nail chicken wire around the top and sides, and secure it the wooden frame with hooks instead of nails.

Learn more tips about raising chicken and expert advice for how to build a chicken coop visit: ChickenCoopsSite.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_Pollina

Taking Care Of Your Iguana

The commitment to take care of these animals is just like caring for any other animal.It can be very easy to care for an iguana especially if you have the money to do so. There is still the need to provide a high level of care for the reptile so that it can live a long and healthy life.

There are many places online where one can find iguana care information. Here are some of the more common needs that will have to be met. Iguanas need attention and interaction from their owners. Reptiles do not want to be left alone in their cages all day.

They do need interaction to stimulate their mind and remember that iguanas are basically still wild animals. They are not bread to be human friendly which makes the need to spend time with the pet necessary as it will take time to tame and train the reptile to accept human interaction.

Iguanas can grow up to six feet in length and they can also live for up to twenty years which makes iguanas life long pets. It is not an animal that can be gotten rid of just because one gets sick of caring for it, so if money is an issue in the household one may want to hold off on purchasing an iguana since they are somewhat costly to take care.

Building an adequate habitat, buying supplies and food, plus veterinary care can all add up to an expensive bill. Since the iguana is considered an exotic animal not all vet clinics will care for and treat an illness. In keeping up with all of the iguana care information reading and watching videos on reptile care can give one a leg up on the current care. Iguanas need care from their owners just as much as a cat or dog. It is very important to love and protect your animal to increase its trust and connection with the owner.

One issue that seems to appear with new iguana owners is the lack of knowledge. These owners are naive when it comes to caring for the reptile needs. Education with various sources of iguana care information is the best solution to many iguana related problems.

It is also important to seek out help when one needs it as reptiles cannot show when they are injured or sick until it is severe. Unlike other larger animals an iguana may be ill for days before it is noticed by an owner. Due to this it is necessary to contact a veterinarian or other professional as soon as an issue is noticed.

Purchasing all of the top of the line items for the habitat is fine to make the appearance pleasant. It is not always necessary though. The need to be a hands on owner is much more important than anything. Spending time with the reptile will produce a happy iguana.

Frank Logi is a writer who has a very keen interest in iguana's and caring for these reptiles as a pet, you can find more information at iguanacareof.com where we can provide you with information and tips on creating the right environment for your reptile How to Care For Iguana

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Patterson's Curse - Pretty, But Poisonous

All Australian horse-owners should be familiar with Patterson's Curse, also known as Salvation Jane in South Australia. It thrives in drought conditions and was a huge problem after the 2003 Canberra bushfires, where officially over 40 horses were put down after eating the weed (although unofficially the numbers were probably much higher).

It's called Patterson's Curse after a Mrs Patterson planted an imported plant, native to the Mediterranean, in her Albury garden in the 1800's. Being a noxious weed, it quickly spread through her whole property, then to an adjoining reserve... then to the surrounding state. It took a while before anyone realised how much of a problem it was destined to become... it was even listed for sale in nursery catalogues in 1841! It's now established in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.

Each plant is capable of producing thousands seeds in late spring and these can lie dormant for up to 15 years; there can be 100,000 of seeds in a square metre of soil. These seeds germinate late spring and during summer, when it rains.

The 'curse' description comes from the fact that the weed eliminates everything growing around it, resulting in huge areas of purple flowers.

The plant contains a substance called pyrrolizidine alkaloids which when eaten by livestock (horses and pigs are especially prone) accumulates in the liver, leading to death. Signs a horse may have liver damage includes weight loss, photosensitivity with skin on white areas such as blazes and socks looking sunburnt, and general dullness.

NEVER put your horse in a paddock that has Patterson's Curse in it, nor feed hay containing the weed. Some say horses won't eat it if there's other pasture, but it's not worth the risk. You might think it's okay for your horse to eat it because he doesn't show any immediate signs of poisoning but the problem with the toxins is that they accumulate in the horse's liver so a few years later you might have one sick horse on your hands. Many have purchased a horse that has later fallen sick and vet tests discovered the problem was liver damage from eating Patterson's Curse in his past.

So if you notice any purple flowering weeds in your horse's paddock, find other pasture for the time being and if there's not too many plants, pull them out roots and all by hand. Ditto if you notice any isolated Patterson's Curse plants in your area, as one plant will quickly become hundreds. Biological control using weevils and beetles is being trialled to help wipe out the weed. Another method is to slash the plant when it's 10% flowering. Spraying is another option although this is costly and not always effective.

NEVER let your horse's have access to Patterson's Curse!

Vicki A Sach is a contributor to Australian equestrian website Top Horse... buy, sell, find everything equestrian. Top Horse offers horses for sale, stallions at stud, industry news, feature articles and more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vicki_A_Sach

The Amazing Betta Fish Colors and Features

The betta fish is a unique species, one that is enjoyed by fish lovers around the world. Because this fish is so well-loved, in this article we will explain the distinct senses and abilities bettas possess that make them similar and actually different than most fish today.

Vision

Unlike humans, bettas' eyes are located on the sides of their head, which is known as monocular vision. While humans can only see straight in front of them, bettas have the ability to look in two separate directions at the same time! Unfortunately, this causes them to lack depth perception. In our eyes, the shape and curve of our eye lens is changing to achieve the right focus. However, in bettas' eyes, the eye lens remains the same. Bettas find it difficult to adjust to brightness changes because of how slow their iris works, and as a result, they have relatively poor vision. To help this handicap, they have a "lateral line" which measures water pressure using its small holes which are connected to specialized nerve endings. This helps the betta to avoid obstacles in its way. The brain deduces those nerve signals as a picture of its environment so the betta can find food. This helps them compensate for their weaker eyesight.

Taste and Smell

Betta's taste buds are on their lips, mouth and even his fins. Like humans, they inhale smells via the nostrils. Both senses help them because they react to chemicals in the water. Those chemicals let them know when there is food around, or if there is a predator nearby. However, bettas can only sense those chemicals within a short distance.

Hearing

A Betta's ear structure is pretty simple; it only consists of a sole inner chamber. A Betta Fish hears by listening for vibrations in the water. These vibrations enter the sensory mechanism in the chamber to supply sound. The swim bladder also helps the betta's inner ear by distinguishing and heightening sounds.

The Labyrinth

Bettas originated from swamps and rice patties which were poorly oxygenated. The labyrinth, which means "maze", is a special repertory organ that is found in Anabantoidei. This organ is important because it allows oxygen to be taken in from the air directly into the bloodstream. This is a huge survival advantage when fish are in waters that contain poor oxygen. It is located below the gills, inside of the betta's head. It contains rosette-shaped plates that have thousands of blood vessels within them.

The negative downside to bettas having this unique organ is many owners believe Betta fish can be kept safely in overcrowded conditions. What they fail to realize is that bettas add the same amount of waste to the tank as any other fish and can just as easily obtain a disease. Bettas shouldn't ever be kept in small bowls for a long time. It is better for their overall health to be in bigger aquariums or tanks, where they can swim freely in healthy water conditions.

Betta Types and Features

Betta fish have become one of the most popular finned friends. Whether you have a single betta as a pet, or you have many bettas brightening up your aquarium, having a betta is an exciting treat and they are a beauty to behold.

Below is a list of the most popular bettas and the features and colors of each.

Betta Splendens

The most common Betta fish are the Betta Splendens. Though this fish is exquisite, check out the many other types before you make your decision. Each fish is beautiful in its own way, but you may prefer one type over another.

A lot of times, pet stores will sell you a fish that they've had for over a year. Betta fish only have a life span of two to three years and possibly up to five if properly cared for, so it may be best to special order your new pet to ensure more time with your fish.

Bettas are notorious for their colors, and of course, quite beautiful to watch in any aquarium. It really does explain why they are so popular! However, there are a number of fish that most enthusiasts aren't even aware of.

Here is a list of them below:

Painted Betta - this fish usually has a round tail and smaller fins. Most of the time they are a gold color and have three stripes that run down their whole body. They also have green edges on their fins.

Peaceful Betta - this fish is a stand out with a rounded tail and a dark body with green or blue markings. What makes it so recognizable is the bright red edge of its tail fin and the dorsal fin being a different color, usually a blue or green. It also has that same color stripes on its body and tail.

Edith's Betta - Both the male and female of this fish have short fins and rounded tails. The female has white and dark spots, and is a muted orange. The male is a much brighter orange with dark spots.

Pearly Betta - the female is pinkish orange; the male is just orange. The males have some green spots as well, with gills that are bright orange.

Sarawek Betta - this fish has short fins with a round, small tail. The female is a muted bronze color while the male has a dark stripe along his body.

Siamese Fighting Fish - known to be the most common Betta fish in pet shops. These fish come in many different shapes, but the caudal fin is what sets them apart. There are fins that are fan shaped, and some make a D shape when fully flared.

Mouthbrooding Betta - this fish has a tail that is round and tiny fins. Their colors range from reds to greys, oranges to golds.

Emerald Betta - this Betta has large fins and a rounded tail. They usually have a green body with a black web looking overlay on them. They have red and green or blue lines on their fins.

Slender Betta - they have a tail that is spade-shaped and short fins. Most of them are pink.

Brunei Betta - this fish has a tail that is round with tiny fins and either a white, pink, or gold body with a red stripe on its tail.

There is a big selection when it comes to choosing the perfect fish! With the proper betta fish care, no matter which fish you choose, he is sure to be happy and healthy.

Betta keeping requires knowing proper care to ensure your fish remains healthy and remains happy and always beautiful. On our website, we offer specific betta fish care guidelines that teach you how to keep the fish comfortable in his environment. Take a look at our educational betta articles and learn how to enjoy many years with your pet.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adam_Short

Keeping Hens for Eggs - Not the Only Positive Outcome

Keeping hens for your own fresh eggs is gaining popularity in today's world of growing your own so you know what goes into it and therefore what comes out. However, having your own fresh eggs is not the only reason for keeping hens.

Hens have their own personality and are in fact a great pet. Whilst they may not come to you for a pat, they are extremely inquisitive and charming.

You will find yourself watching your hens and enjoying their personalities.

Once your hens start to lay they become a lot more approachable and wishing to be closer to you.

It is great to see the hens do the 'chicken lay squat' when you put your hand out. This is where the hen will squat closer to the ground and hunch their wings.

You might enjoy walking outside during the day and seeing the hens come running towards you. It is actually quite comical watching them run.

You will have to make sure that doors are closed or you may find a hen coming in to check up on you. It can be quite a sight to be working at your computer only to be interrupted by a hen walking across the keyboard. Adds a dimension to the typing!!

Keeping hens can also be extremely beneficial for your garden. If you are lucky to have space and happy to allow the hens to roam free during the day, then hens certainly love it. However, hens can manage to spread dirt around. If this is not an outcome you desire then you may have to discourage your hens from you garden beds.

One way of controlling where your hens may roam is by a portable tractor. This is an enclosure that allows you to move your hens to where you want them to 'graze and scratch'. By doing this you can get a great impact from the hens scratching and actually getting the soil worked up or ready for planting. Imagine how much easier preparing your vegetable patch would be.

When cleaning out your chicken coop add this all to your compost and you will end with some of the best fertilizer.

As you can see that keeping chickens for eggs is not the only positive outcome. There is nothing better than being able to collect your OWN eggs. The taste, texture is so much better - give it a try.

Susan Webb lives in the Oberon district, Central Tablelands New South Wales, Australia. Whilst producing Beef and Wool is her occupation, keeping hens for eggs with her children has become a passion.

For more tips on Keeping Hens for Eggs visit http://www.chickensforhome.com

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Reptile Shedding Problems: How to Help Your Exotic Pet

Once in a while a reptile will have a problem while it is shedding. This is not the normal color change or swollen and milky eyes, but other things that can go wrong such as patches that aren't coming off properly. Problems can be new or they can be left over from previous sheds.

Things that Can Cause the Problem

These problems can be directly related to the skin, or they can come from outside sources such as parasites. Shedding won't cause parasites, but they can aggravate the skin during the shed and even cause disease. Other factors can include undernourishment and not enough humidity.

What to do about Issues

In the case of patches that are stubborn as far as coming off, soaking the pet in warm water may help. You can do this a few times per day until you see results. You can also create a hide large enough to put a warm, damp cloth and encourage your pet to stay in that for a while.

It's important to keep an eye on your exotic pet to check for these patches. They interfere with the new skin that is coming in, and they can even choke the skin, limbs and digits. This can cut of blood flow and result in a loss of an appendage. Just be sure to allow plenty of time for the shed to be completed before assuming there is a problem.

How to Ensure Your Pet Sheds Properly

The best way to avoid shedding problems is to provide plenty of humidity for your snake, lizard or other reptile, as well as the proper food and supplements. Regular misting of the cage can help, as can dusting of the food with vitamin and mineral supplements. Always be sure to check the animal for parasites whether or not it is shedding, and always keep the cage as clean as possible.

Keep in mind that if your pet is new to you, it may have to go through an acclimation period before its natural process return to normal. If you have an episode or two of shedding being a problem, just know that it may go away after a couple months or so.

There is really not much more to it than that. If your reptile is having a problem with shedding and these remedies do not work, your best option is to consult a veterinarian that works with snakes, lizards or turtles. He or she may be able to give you advice or some supplements to help with the issue. If something worse is happening, the vet will know how to respond effectively.

Stephen is an animal lover and owner of Jabberwock Reptiles Exotic Pet Supplies. You can learn more about this and other great animals on his website: Fun Reptile Facts

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What Causes Joint Pain in Your Older Dog

If your older dog isn't jumping up onto furniture the way he once did or if he seems less interested in running and playing don't assume that it is just because he is old and tired. It could well be that your dog is living with joint pain, like arthritis, that makes moving about downright painful.

In fact, if you have a large breed dog, he may have been in pain for a number of years without you ever knowing it. These dogs have a high pain threshold and don't let on that moving is difficult until it becomes truly unbearable. What you may have observed is that your dog seems slow and stiff in the mornings and more agile toward evening. Again, this is not something to just be expected with old age, it can be a sign that his joints are inflamed.

Dog owners who suspect that their companion is suffering should visit their vet for an X-ray. This picture will give the best insight into what causes joint pain for your dog. From the X-ray the vet can determine if the bones are too loose (dysplasia), damaged through injury or if they were malformed from birth. However, regardless of what causes joint pain for your animal, the steps toward relieving that pain will look very similar.

• If your dog is overweight, the first thing to do is alleviate some of the pressure on painful joints by getting his weight down to a healthy level. 

• Keeping your dog's nails trimmed is another way to give your dog some pain relief. Walking on overgrown nails keeps your dog walking with an unnatural and painful gait. 

• Believe it or not, daily walking is good for a dog with joint pain. Gentle, not vigorous, regular exercise can prevent a dog's arthritis from quickly advancing. Be aware that if your dog is panting during or just after exercise, this could be his way of telling you that his joints are aching. 

• Warming pads or swimming in warm water can also make your dog feel more comfortable. A heating pad or pig-warmer placed under the dog's bed can give hours of relief. Just be careful that the pad doesn't get overly hot. 

• Put your dog's food and water bowls at a higher and more comfortable level. It may be giving him pain in his spine to bend down for meals.

Knowing what causes joint pain and making adjustments to help ease joint pain are part of good pet care. Adding a high quality joint care supplement to your dog's diet can also help retard joint degeneration and ease inflammation. Look for joint health supplements from reputable suppliers like ProLabs.

Visit Prolabs Pets at http://www.prolabspets.com for all your pet care needs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_J_Campbell

Ragdoll Cats: Facts and Personality

Ragdoll cats are a pretty popular breed and the reason for that, is that they are very friendly, fluffy and cute. Their social nature lets them get along pretty well with humans. Their name derives from their tendency to relax (like most cats enjoy doing) and let loose when their owner pets them.

History

The credits for this breed go to Ann Baker for it is said that she developed this breed. This happened back in 1960. This breed has similar characteristics and traits (especially in appearance) with Siamese and Birman cats. This woman founded the International Ragdoll Cat Association (IRCA) in 1971 and she imposed strict guidelines and regulations for breeding this kind of cats under the "Ragdoll" name.

Appearance

Females of this breed have considerably less weight than the males (in contrast with other breeds). Their average weight is 10 to 15 pounds, whereas a male is approximately 15 to 20 pounds. The males are also bigger than the females, since they can reach 3 feet length, whereas the females are almost always a little bit shorter.

Their fur is considered to be medium to long and they are generally fluffy, especially their tails. They lack a considerable undercoat. They are usually born with blue eyes, which match perfectly with their coat, especially when their dominant colour is white. Their fur might change colours and develop a bigger variety as they reach maturity. This happens when they are fully 3 years old. Their most usual colours are white, orange, cream, brown/chocolate and seal. Also, they have different classifications according to their colour patterns, such as mitted and lynx to name a few.

Behavior and Personality

Ragdoll cats have very low levels of aggression. Actually, you could say they are non-existent. They don't enjoy fighting, especially with other cats and dogs. They are pretty docile, rarely anxious and enjoy hanging out with their master and being pet and taken care of. They enjoy humans and their company more than other cats' and pets'. They also like to play around and reinforce the bonding they have with their owner and even other people. Affection is something they enjoy most of anything else.

They are among the cat breeds that carry personality traits more like a dog, than those of a cat (generally speaking). They tend to follow their owners around the house and like to keep in close proximity. Thus, they hate loneliness and you should be careful not to let them alone for an extended period of time, or else they might get seriously depressed.

They love people, even those whom they don't know yet, so people visiting you will probably be a delight. They also get along pretty well with dogs (provided they have been properly introduced), so it will be OK if you have another pet as long as you know or learn how to introduce them.

Grooming

A thorough grooming must be performed once a week, either by you or a professional. You will have to clip their claws or buy a toy/stand which they can scratch.

For more info:

Ragdoll Cat Information

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The Last Song Birds - Migration of Our Most Loved Species Takes a Sinister Twist

As I flick through the hand colored bird engravings in our online store, I wonder how people can fail to be moved by the stunning beauty and courage of these amazing creatures. I also consider how much longer they will be welcomed home from their yearly trips.

It is no exaggeration to place some of our best loved birds in the category of endangered, where once they were in abundance and were taken very much for granted.

As I study the golden hues of the oriole and the amazing detail displayed within these miniature works of art, it becomes ever more apparent to me that the artist loves his subject.

James Stewart was the major contributing artist for the 'Naturalist Library' compiled by William Jardine during the Victorian era, producing over 1000 illustrations for the collection.

I know times have changed, but surely, the beauty of these birds can still be appreciated, by any culture and any place. They give a glimpse, a flash of color, as they fly past us. They do not belong to anyone and speak of the freedom that we all crave, as they dart in and out of our lives.

In the past, birds such as the Oriole, Swallows, and Red backed shrikes and the like were welcome regular visitors to our shores. Numbers have been dropping over recent years, which most had blamed on climate change and destruction of natural habitat. However, it appears, that something else, more sinister is taking place across vast stretches of Europe.

National Geographic published an article earlier in the year, about the traumatic experiences that migrating birds currently suffer while travelling across Europe.

It was heart breaking to read how certain countries view these beautiful birds as pests, food or sport.

This has always been the case to some extent however, with the use of new technologies and very sophisticated hunting techniques, some of Europe's most beloved birds are facing an uncertain future.

Flying for thousands of miles, often without food and minimal rest, these birds heroically heed the call to mate in warmer climes. Throughout history, they have undoubtedly become subject to some culling and predators, as one might expect, but what they are suffering now is without mercy for even their existence as a species.

Now, we hear of mobile playing mating calls, being used to trap and kill huge numbers of these migrating birds. Using the most awful and cruel methods of capture, such as lime sticks and nets, these birds are then disposed of in a variety of ways.

Viewed as mere 'visitors' these stunning, vulnerable birds are subjected to barbaric deaths at the hands of man, for greed and sport.

Surely things will change, when these countries realise that these creatures are no longer in abundance, but are a rare visitor, they are once again glad to see. At least this is how I hope things will be, after all, it is hard to imagine these creatures being driven to the point of extinction for no good reason.

And so, while we have a terrible wait on our hands, while we wish our little travelling companions well, we also hope they can learn quickly to avoid these death traps and come home to where they are loved.

At http://preview.tinyurl.com/qardxdn we are developing a new site for selling really beautiful antique prints and engravings of the natural world, as very reasonable prices. As a business we are interested in the beauty of nature as it is now and that of the natural world in the past. The time and effort which went into publishing colour lithographs 200 years ago, is truly astounding. This was not an era of point and click. This was a time when each print was manufactured by hand and then coloured by a different artist, before publication.

We have a good stock of antique bird prints and engraving, which have all been hand coloured.
At prices starting from as low as £5.00 with free shipping, you are welcome to browse our stock!

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CPR on Pets - Your Mouth-To-Snout Rescue Guide

CPR on pets (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) combines chest compressions and rescue breathing (mouth-to-snout) to provide needed oxygen when the heart stops beating.

In an emergency, quickly and properly applied CPR can greatly increase the chances of recovery from heart failure whether applied to a person or a beloved pet.

Standardized pet CPR guidelines were established in 2012 in an attempt to increase the survival rate of pets given CPR. In a collaborative project supported by the Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS) and the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (ACVECC) over 100 board-certified veterinary specialists participated from around the world. Some 18 months and more than 1000 scientific papers later, they agreed upon the following:

First things first

CPR on pets is similar to CPR on humans. Just as in standard human first aid, the first step with pets is to check the ABCs: Airway, breathing and circulation.

To see if your pet's airway is clear and the animal is breathing, place your hand in front of your pet's nose and mouth, feeling and listening for breathing. If there are no signs of breathing, open your pet's mouth and gently pull the tongue forward to clear the airway.

Take the time to look for any object that might be obstructing the airway. Close your pet's mouth and breathe two times into your pet's nostrils. For small dogs and cats, it may be easier to cover the animal's nostrils and mouth with your mouth and then provide the breaths.

If the chest doesn't expand, there may be an obstruction out of sight in your pet's throat. Make sure your pet's neck is oriented to provide an unobstructed airway, and try a few more breaths. Finger sweeps can be used to attempt to remove an obstruction, or the obstruction can be dislodged by gently stroking upward on your pet's throat.

Listen for a heartbeat

Next, check for circulation by listening for a heartbeat. Listen closely to your pet's left chest near the elbow of the left front leg. If you cannot hear or feel a heartbeat, it's time to begin CPR.

Chest compressions are the most important part of CPR on pets. All cats and dogs should receive 100 to 120 chest compressions per minute, but how you deliver the compressions depends on your pet.

Begin compressions

For most medium and large dogs, compress the widest part of the chest while your pet lies on its side. For breeds with deep, narrow chests, such as greyhounds, compress closer to the left front leg, directly over the heart. For small dogs and cats, wrap one hand around the animal's sternum (breastbone) and squeeze to apply compressions.

Combine with rescue breathing

Compressions alone may be helpful, but ideally you should combine them with mouth-to-snout rescue breathing. Pause after every thirty chest compressions to give your pet two rescue breaths. This is the same ratio used for human CPR.

If someone else is present, you should alternate performing chest compressions with them every two minutes. Continue performing CPR until your pet begins to breathe on its own and has a steady heartbeat.

For more training, consider taking a pet first aid and CPR class. Fortunately, heart problems are rare in cats and dogs. By knowing the basics of performing CPR on pets you could save your best friend's life when there's no time to get to the vet.

Gary Le Mon is a Board Certified Master Herbalist specializing in natural home remedies for dogs and cats. Please visit www.Natural-Wonder-Pets.com for free and useful information on 100% natural, herbal, veterinary/naturopathic remedies to heal your furry friends. To cure bad doggie and kitty breath, try DentaSure

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How a Pet Owner Can Help Their Pets Recover From Arthritis

Cats and dogs may suffer from arthritis the same way as humans do. The symptoms may vary but the pain is the same. As pet owners you may need to be sensitive to notice changes in your pet. Your feline or canine friend may be suffering from arthritis without you knowing it. Animals have their own sensitivity; however they can never tell you what they are feeling. As pet owners we should be sensitive for them and it's always beneficial to know the symptoms of different illnesses in pets.

Arthritis mostly is manifested in areas like joints, limbs, and legs. Any of these areas once damaged may lead to infection. Pet joint problems can be caused by either genetic or an accident. But commonly it is because of an accident due to activities. Whatever the cause maybe, a pet owner should be aware how to deal with it. A pet suffering from joint pain will show an extreme change in behaviour and habits.

What a pet owner should notice?

Pets have usual behaviours that only pet owners can understand. Being with your pet almost every day nobody can know them better than you do. This means that behavioural change for example in their activity will be very noticeable. If you have an active pet and suddenly they manifest laziness, something is probably wrong. The change you may see is on the way they walk, the way they run and on most days you may see them just resting.

What should a pet owner do?

If you notice changes in your dogs' habits and their daily activities from sleeping to eating, try checking their joints. Give your pet a soft massage on leg joints, limbs and ankles as these are areas prone to arthritis and inflammation. If they cry out, then they are absolutely in pain. If this is the case, do not self medicate. Bring your pet immediately to a veterinarian to ensure proper diagnosis. Vets will know what type of medicine to give your pet with no side effects.

How a pet owner can help in the recovery?

Once your pet is treated and is under medication, it does not mean that you can relax and let the medicine takes its course. As a pet owner, you can help your dog in the recovery period. Even with medicines your pet still needs caring from you. You may still allow your pet a little exercises to keep their legs and joints moving but don't overdo it. You can give them a soft massage on the affected area to ease the discomfort. Also, be conscious of their diet since this is very important. A sick dog or cat shouldn't be overfed especially if under medication.

There are other ways of helping and curing arthritis in your pets. Find ways of knowing better alternatives to help your dog with their sickness and how they can recover fast the natural way by researching. Our pet is like a member of our family. The love we show them is always reciprocated by their loyalty and the happiness they give us. And staying healthy together should be one of our goals.

Bring your cats and dogs to Vetz Petz for immediate pet arthritis treatment. You'll never go wrong once you make that decision to consult the clinic's veterinarian. What are you waiting for? Click the link now.

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Is An African Dwarf Frog The Right Pet For You?

African Dwarf Frogs are one of the absolute best choices for first time owners of exotic pets, but they're also well suited for experienced keepers and breeders. They're very simple to take care of, and setting up the aquarium isn't particularly difficult either as these frogs are exclusively aquatic and so require nothing more complex than a basic fish tank. This makes for a very welcome change from the problematic task of creating a home for a creature that will need both land and water, as is the case with many other amphibians.

One of the reasons many people shy away from getting their first exotic pet is the unpleasantness of feeding the animal live food such as cockroaches or baby mice, which is understandably upsetting (or just plain disgusting!) for many people. Fortunately this isn't an issue with African Dwarf Frogs, because while they can be fed live food, frozen food can be used instead, or even pellets, as these frogs use scent rather than movement to find their food. They should however be fed every day, so if you're not around for long periods of time, a different pet would probably be more suitable.

Unlike many amphibians regularly found in the pet trade, African Dwarf Frogs are pretty small (not exceeding 1.5" normally) and they don't take up too much space, with only two gallons of water needed for each frog. So even if you live in a tiny apartment, there's almost guaranteed to be enough room for a few of these little creatures.

While they're perfectly content to live alone, you can keep several African Dwarf Frogs in the same tank, or even keep other creatures with them if you want. Putting a few fish in with the frogs is pretty common practice, and shouldn't cause any problems as long as they're not aggressive and not too large or small so that they will neither eat nor be eaten by your frogs! Keeping too many fish risks altering the acidity of the water which can be harmful to your African Dwarfs, but if numbers are low you should be fine. Tetra Fish and Goldfish are common tankmates for these frogs, and sometimes a lone Betta Fish will work out as well. Basically, it's possible to fit a few cool pets in the same small tank without harming them or compromising their quality of life.

Activity levels are often a concern for frog owners, as they're often thought of as slow and boring creatures that never really do much. However, being among the most sociable, active and energetic frogs in the pet trade, African Dwarf Frogs don't fit this stereotype. As they need to swim to the top of the tank for air but feed at the bottom, they can't sit still for too long even if they wanted to.

Most individuals will live for around five years (some much longer), so you have to be prepared for a fairly long commitment when you first get some frogs. Still, they're extremely easy to care for, good fun to watch and will complement many of the fish you may already have, all of which makes African Dwarf Frogs a great choice for your first exotic pet.

To find out more about African Dwarf Frogs, check out ExoticPetsResources.com, where you can find a comprehensive care sheet.

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Raising Crickets for Fun and Profit

Crickets are one of the most popular foods for your reptiles and amphibian pets. They move around really fast and grab your pet's attention. Crickets are very nutritious and you can provide your pets with as many as they can eat.

Adult crickets grow to around one inch in length. Male crickets are smaller than the females and can be spotted easily in a colony as they are the ones making the noise. You can tell the female crickets by their ovipositor i.e. a long needle like structure which is used to lay eggs.

I have raised crickets a number of times and found out these basic tips that will help you grow your own.

· Crickets need warmth.

· Crickets need food and water.

· Crickets need a place to lay eggs.

First thing you need is a container to store and breed your crickets; this can be a plastic storage container with a snap on lid. Take the lid and cut some 3 to 5 inch square holes out of it and hot glue some screen over the holes, this will provide ventilation for your crickets. Use some ground up corn cobs as a substrate for your habitat and put about an inch of this in your container.

Place your container in a warm area; you may have to provide something to warm them. Crickets like to be at about 85 degrees.

Make your own watering dish this can be as easy as a plastic lid from a peanut butter jar, cut a sponge to fit inside of the lid and soak it with water. You will have to add some water every couple of days.

Crickets need protein to eat, I would feed my crickets cheap dog food, corn meal and oat meal. Your crickets will also need some fruits and vegetables you can chop up some apples, carrots, celery, lettuce, and even potatoes for them to eat. Keep citrus away from your crickets.

Set up some egg laying containers for their habitat, use some foam egg crates not the paper ones; fill a couple egg holes with sand at least 1 inch deep. You need to keep the sand damp but not wet and the female crickets will lay eggs in the sand. Place these in the habitat where you can get to them and keep them damp. Place some other egg cartons in the container for the crickets to hide under and to explore.

Give them a few weeks to deposit their eggs and remember to keep the sand damp. You can move these egg laying areas into a new container and keep them warm and the baby crickets will hatch. Make sure the babies can get some water and food by burying your dishes level with the substrate.

When the babies hatch they will be just a miniature version of the adults. They will shed their skins a couple of times and sometimes you may even see a white one or two and this is normal.

Keep some crickets of different ages in separate containers and you shouldn't run out of fresh crickets for your pets.

Any questions you can reach me at 08sell@live.com.

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