Bleh – fleas! ‘Tis the season – are you prepared? It’s not just at home where you need to be ready either. Different geographical areas have different climate conditions so the flea season varies depending on where you are – keep that in mind whether you are at home or traveling. Something else to be aware of is that fleas, in various stages of their disgusting lives, can survive indoors even during the cold weather. Following are some helpful facts about fleas and information on how you can prevent them from infesting your pets and your home.
Even though there are more than 2,000 known species and subspecies of fleas, only one class of flea called the ‘cat flea’ is to blame for almost all the fleas found on cats and dogs in the United States. What is really daunting is that there is evidence of fleas dating all the way back to the dinosaur era which means they obviously aren’t going away by themselves – all the more reason to do something to protect your pets and family.
Most fleas can survive for an average of two to three months without ‘food’ which is actually the blood they suck from their ‘hosts’. A female flea consumes 15 times her own body weight in blood daily! You should also know that while adult fleas suck blood from a cat, dog or other mammal, their larvae live and feed on organic debris in the host animal's environment – that’s your home! Be aware that some fleas can jump 150 times their own length – that compares to a human jumping 1,000 feet. So if you happen to see one flea, there may be more than 100 offspring or adults looming nearby in furniture, carpeting or on your pet.
Now let’s talk about how to prevent these gross little parasites from getting into your life and how to get rid of them if they do. As a pet owner, one of your main responsibilities is to keep your pet healthy. Taking them to the vet for their annual check ups is very important. While you’re there, be sure to talk to your veterinarian about a flea prevention method for your furry friends such as Advantage, Advantix or Frontline. Certain products can also help to prevent ticks in addition to fleas.
If you see fleas on your pets or in your home, take action immediately. Not only are fleas a huge annoyance, but they can also transmit diseases and tapeworm. If your home becomes infested, you will probably need to purchase flea bombs – make sure read and adhere to the directions carefully and contact your vet to get further advice and relief for your pet and family.
2008年9月4日星期四
Rabbits Swallows
Rabbits are fast-moving, big-eared mammals. There are about 25 different species of Rabbits. They live in a variety of environments, including deserts, swamps, marshes, forests, grasslands, and prairies. Rabbits are found on every continent except Antarctica.
Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world. There are seven different genera in the family classified as Rabbits, including the European Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), Cottontail Rabbits (genus Sylvilagus; 13 species), and the Amami Rabbits (Pentalagus furnessi, endangered species on Amami Ōshima, Japan). There are many other species of Rabbits, and these, along with pikas and hares, make up the order Lagomorpha.
Most Rabbits live for about a year in the wild. They are hunted by dogs, foxes, raccoons, weasels, bobcats, lynxes, hawks, and eagles. They have a fast reproductive rate.
Anatomy: Rabbits range in size from 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 cm) long. They have very big and powerful hind legs which they use for hopping and for digging burrows.
Diet: Rabbits are herbivores (plant-eaters). They eat grass, leaves, bark, and twigs.
Classification: Kingdom Animalia (animals), Phylum Chordata (having a notochord), Class Mammalia (mammals), order Lagomorpha (Rabbits, hares, and pikas), Family Leporidae (Rabbits and hares), many Genera.
Rabbits are raised world-wide for a variety of reasons. In Europe and Asia they are an important source of food. Rabbits produce white meat that is fine-grained, high in protein, low in fat, highly palatable, low in cholesterol, and that can be substituted for poultry in most recipes. Rabbits carcasses are only 20 percent bone. In the United States Rabbits are raised predominantly for nonfood purposes. High quality Rabbits skins are used in fur garments and trimmings. Medical and cosmetic research also requires a large number of Rabbits each year. Many people raise Rabbits for show or as pets.
for:http://www.rabbits-house.com
Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world. There are seven different genera in the family classified as Rabbits, including the European Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), Cottontail Rabbits (genus Sylvilagus; 13 species), and the Amami Rabbits (Pentalagus furnessi, endangered species on Amami Ōshima, Japan). There are many other species of Rabbits, and these, along with pikas and hares, make up the order Lagomorpha.
Most Rabbits live for about a year in the wild. They are hunted by dogs, foxes, raccoons, weasels, bobcats, lynxes, hawks, and eagles. They have a fast reproductive rate.
Anatomy: Rabbits range in size from 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 cm) long. They have very big and powerful hind legs which they use for hopping and for digging burrows.
Diet: Rabbits are herbivores (plant-eaters). They eat grass, leaves, bark, and twigs.
Classification: Kingdom Animalia (animals), Phylum Chordata (having a notochord), Class Mammalia (mammals), order Lagomorpha (Rabbits, hares, and pikas), Family Leporidae (Rabbits and hares), many Genera.
Rabbits are raised world-wide for a variety of reasons. In Europe and Asia they are an important source of food. Rabbits produce white meat that is fine-grained, high in protein, low in fat, highly palatable, low in cholesterol, and that can be substituted for poultry in most recipes. Rabbits carcasses are only 20 percent bone. In the United States Rabbits are raised predominantly for nonfood purposes. High quality Rabbits skins are used in fur garments and trimmings. Medical and cosmetic research also requires a large number of Rabbits each year. Many people raise Rabbits for show or as pets.
for:http://www.rabbits-house.com
2008年8月28日星期四
How to Provide First Aid For Your Horse
If your horse is in the field, and it suffers a severe cut, you will want to stop the bleeding as soon as possible. You will need to make a call to your vet, and there are steps you also need to take in order to provide first aid to your horse as soon as possible. You will want to stabilize the horse prior to the arrival of the vet.
The first thing you want to do is make sure you have a first aid kit available for the horse in advance. The first aid kit should have all the important constituents necessary for emergencies and small cuts. You always want to make sure that you have first aid readily available. You will want to make sure you have all the important tools you need, and you will want to know how to use them.
A commercially available first aid kit for horses will cost between $39 and $80. You will want to make sure the kit has a thermometer so that you can check the temperature of the horse. All horses should have a standard temperature of 99 to 115 degrees. The first aid kit should also come with a stethoscope so that you can monitor the heart rate of the horse. You can listen clearly to the heartbeat just under the elbow on the left side of the horse.
All first aid kits should have a flashlight, in case you have an emergency in the dark. You will also want to have electrolytes in case the horse becomes dehydrated. Warming up water and adding a small teaspoon of electrolytes can encourage water consumption by your horse. The first aid kit should also have neosporin, iodine, and hydrogen peroxide. Avoid using the hydrogen peroxide on wounds as it will destroy benign tissue.
You will also want to have wire cutters handy in the event the horse gets stuck in a gate or wire. You will also want to use a twitch which can calm your horse and keep him controlled in situations where it will be in great pain. You will also want to make sure you have a knife cutting bandages and other materials. You will want to make sure you don't injure your horse when handling the knife.
You will want to use the iodine solution to clean out any thick wounds. Any wounds which will be treated by a veterinarian within a hours of the injury should not have medications applied, and should only be flushed with iodine or clean water to prevent them from drying.
The first thing you want to do is make sure you have a first aid kit available for the horse in advance. The first aid kit should have all the important constituents necessary for emergencies and small cuts. You always want to make sure that you have first aid readily available. You will want to make sure you have all the important tools you need, and you will want to know how to use them.
A commercially available first aid kit for horses will cost between $39 and $80. You will want to make sure the kit has a thermometer so that you can check the temperature of the horse. All horses should have a standard temperature of 99 to 115 degrees. The first aid kit should also come with a stethoscope so that you can monitor the heart rate of the horse. You can listen clearly to the heartbeat just under the elbow on the left side of the horse.
All first aid kits should have a flashlight, in case you have an emergency in the dark. You will also want to have electrolytes in case the horse becomes dehydrated. Warming up water and adding a small teaspoon of electrolytes can encourage water consumption by your horse. The first aid kit should also have neosporin, iodine, and hydrogen peroxide. Avoid using the hydrogen peroxide on wounds as it will destroy benign tissue.
You will also want to have wire cutters handy in the event the horse gets stuck in a gate or wire. You will also want to use a twitch which can calm your horse and keep him controlled in situations where it will be in great pain. You will also want to make sure you have a knife cutting bandages and other materials. You will want to make sure you don't injure your horse when handling the knife.
You will want to use the iodine solution to clean out any thick wounds. Any wounds which will be treated by a veterinarian within a hours of the injury should not have medications applied, and should only be flushed with iodine or clean water to prevent them from drying.
2008年8月23日星期六
Dog Clothes - Functional and Fashionable
If there is one good thing about cool weather its sweaters! Sweaters scream comfort, and who doesn't like to be comfy? Man's best friend is no stranger to the concept of comfort. With animals being considered members of the family, fashion design has spilled over into the pet world. After all, you wouldn't let your child or sibling run around naked, now would you? Fido needs fashion too!
Pet clothes consist of just about any item imaginable. From t-shirts and tanks to boots and jammies. With cooler weather upon us, sweaters will not do the trick all season. Dog jackets are necessary for the severe cold. Dog jackets come in a wide variety of colors and styles. Your Pit Bull may want to sport a faux leather bomber or biker dog jacket. While your Pekinese will look pawsitivly polished in a preppy dog vest or ski bunny style dog jacket. Depending upon your climate, a dog raincoat or dog poncho may be a necessity as well.
When shopping for a dog jacket, or any dog apparel, look for dog apparel that is machine washable and easy to dress your dog in. Dog jackets often have Velcro closures, which are not only simplistic; Velcro closures allow the owner to easily fit the dog. Reflective dog clothing is a smart choice for late night walks. Some dog jackets come equipped with an O-ring to attach a lead to.
With the functional stuff out of the way, let's talk fashion! Pet fashion trends are inspired by human fashion trends. Belted sweaters are popular right now as are jewel-tone colors. Both can be found in dog clothes. Fabrics such as faux fur and Sherpa are available among many others including polyester and faux suede. Camouflage in traditional camouflage as well as pastel camouflage will continue to be a popular trend and can be found in a variety of apparel, such as dog shirts and dog jackets.
With the holidays around the corner, you can bet that pet fashions include holiday and winter themed sweaters.
Pet clothes consist of just about any item imaginable. From t-shirts and tanks to boots and jammies. With cooler weather upon us, sweaters will not do the trick all season. Dog jackets are necessary for the severe cold. Dog jackets come in a wide variety of colors and styles. Your Pit Bull may want to sport a faux leather bomber or biker dog jacket. While your Pekinese will look pawsitivly polished in a preppy dog vest or ski bunny style dog jacket. Depending upon your climate, a dog raincoat or dog poncho may be a necessity as well.
When shopping for a dog jacket, or any dog apparel, look for dog apparel that is machine washable and easy to dress your dog in. Dog jackets often have Velcro closures, which are not only simplistic; Velcro closures allow the owner to easily fit the dog. Reflective dog clothing is a smart choice for late night walks. Some dog jackets come equipped with an O-ring to attach a lead to.
With the functional stuff out of the way, let's talk fashion! Pet fashion trends are inspired by human fashion trends. Belted sweaters are popular right now as are jewel-tone colors. Both can be found in dog clothes. Fabrics such as faux fur and Sherpa are available among many others including polyester and faux suede. Camouflage in traditional camouflage as well as pastel camouflage will continue to be a popular trend and can be found in a variety of apparel, such as dog shirts and dog jackets.
With the holidays around the corner, you can bet that pet fashions include holiday and winter themed sweaters.
2008年8月14日星期四
Iguana Taming & Training
If you are considering getting an iguana for a pet there is a very large bit of literature and information that you should carefully study before deciding if an iguana is the right pet for you. Iguana taming is but one of the relatively small issues in the way of owning and caring for iguanas, as they are a high maintenance pet to keep and can life for quite some time.
There are also other considerations when deciding on an iguana and that includes iguana taming as many iguanas display high levels of aggression in captivity. With this bit of information you will be able to form a better understanding of what the tasks are involved with having this pet and learning the fine points of iguana taming.
Understanding Iguana Taming
The very first thing that is imperative for you to realize is that iguanas are a reptile and are very wild by nature. These creatures have only just begun in recent decades to be an in-home pet and often iguana taming is very difficult for this reason.
When you decide to own an iguana and bring it home it is going to show you aggression because it is scared and you may be inadvertently creating a worse situation by not understanding what the iguana perceives as a threat. These are necessary things to learn about your iguana because iguana taming can be tricky and the iguana will never get over his aggression if you do not learn how to properly act and approach the iguana.
Iguana taming can be a very long process because the reptile isn't as easily warmed up to as other mammal like pets that you may have had in the past. The iguana will display high levels of aggression if you aren't handling him properly and this seems to be the number one reason for iguana aggression is either due to the fact that the iguana is not handled properly or when iguana taming, you don't spend enough time with the pet on a daily basis.
When you are researching how to properly perform iguana taming be sure that you pay particular attention to how to approach your iguana also because trying to grab your iguana from the back will instinctively trigger defense mechanisms within the iguana and he will react negatively.
Another very important issue in iguana taming is that you never grab your iguana by its tail because it will break right off in your hand. An iguana doesn't have many defense mechanisms and the tail breaking off, is one of the defenses they have to protect themselves from predators in the wild.
There are also other considerations when deciding on an iguana and that includes iguana taming as many iguanas display high levels of aggression in captivity. With this bit of information you will be able to form a better understanding of what the tasks are involved with having this pet and learning the fine points of iguana taming.
Understanding Iguana Taming
The very first thing that is imperative for you to realize is that iguanas are a reptile and are very wild by nature. These creatures have only just begun in recent decades to be an in-home pet and often iguana taming is very difficult for this reason.
When you decide to own an iguana and bring it home it is going to show you aggression because it is scared and you may be inadvertently creating a worse situation by not understanding what the iguana perceives as a threat. These are necessary things to learn about your iguana because iguana taming can be tricky and the iguana will never get over his aggression if you do not learn how to properly act and approach the iguana.
Iguana taming can be a very long process because the reptile isn't as easily warmed up to as other mammal like pets that you may have had in the past. The iguana will display high levels of aggression if you aren't handling him properly and this seems to be the number one reason for iguana aggression is either due to the fact that the iguana is not handled properly or when iguana taming, you don't spend enough time with the pet on a daily basis.
When you are researching how to properly perform iguana taming be sure that you pay particular attention to how to approach your iguana also because trying to grab your iguana from the back will instinctively trigger defense mechanisms within the iguana and he will react negatively.
Another very important issue in iguana taming is that you never grab your iguana by its tail because it will break right off in your hand. An iguana doesn't have many defense mechanisms and the tail breaking off, is one of the defenses they have to protect themselves from predators in the wild.
2008年8月9日星期六
6 Tips For New Puppy Owners
You've brought your new dog home - now what! This is a question that many new dog owners may not initially think of in the excitement of bringing their puppy to meet its' new family. But it is a question that crops up when owners are confronted with a pet that chews their laundry or shoes. Or insists on relieving himself in the middle of the living room, on that lovely new rug. Or worse - on your bed!
Dogs can develop very frustrating behaviour, that can largely be avoided by correcting them straight away, at the time they actually do the wrong thing. Dogs don't relate their actions with time like we do. Thus, coming home to find a mess that your pet created hours ago, then getting angry at him, and trying to correct the behaviour then, is not going to work. Dogs won't associate being in trouble with the reason why. And because they don't understand English, we can't tell them! All they know is that they are in trouble, with no idea what they've done wrong. Worse, if you've just got home from work, they are really happy to see you. Not a very nice situation for a dog that just adores their owner and wants love and acceptance in return.
If you get your dog as a puppy, you have an advantage as you can do more to prevent poor habits forming. Here are 6 tips by Brian Killcommons:
* Don't scold your dog after you've called him to you. He'll think he's in trouble for actually coming to you, and will associate coming to you with being scolded. So, when you try to train him, he won't come when called.
* Don't try chasing your dog when you want him to come to you. This will seem like you're playing a game with him. It turns the dog into the leader and you into the follower. He'll think that running away from you will get you to follow him - not good for later training.
* Get dogs used to being handled. This covers both grooming, which should be started as early as possible, even when there's no real need to. Start to check him over regularly, look at his feet, eyes, and ears. And when you are spending time with your puppy, get him used to handling different parts of his body, such as his tail, his ear, his mouth. Don't spend huge amounts of time doing this at first, and be gentle. The idea is to get him used to people touching him so that if children or visitors accidentally grab him, he won't be upset and possibly become aggressive.
* When your dog is whining or barking, don't pet them. This reinforces the action, letting your pet think it's alright to do this. Unless you want a dog that will bark for your attention when he's older, don't encourage this now. And remember it's important to praise your dog as soon as he's done the right thing. So, when he stops barking, give him attention, and pet him then.
* Only give your dog toys to chew, otherwise he'll think it's okay to chew everything. He can't tell the difference between your new and old shoes!
* Don't play rough games with your new puppy. This includes wrestling, and tugging type games. It teaches your dog to be aggressive, and this may become a problem when he is much bigger and fully grown.
References: B. Kilcommons and S. Wilson, Good Owners, Great Dogs.
Dogs can develop very frustrating behaviour, that can largely be avoided by correcting them straight away, at the time they actually do the wrong thing. Dogs don't relate their actions with time like we do. Thus, coming home to find a mess that your pet created hours ago, then getting angry at him, and trying to correct the behaviour then, is not going to work. Dogs won't associate being in trouble with the reason why. And because they don't understand English, we can't tell them! All they know is that they are in trouble, with no idea what they've done wrong. Worse, if you've just got home from work, they are really happy to see you. Not a very nice situation for a dog that just adores their owner and wants love and acceptance in return.
If you get your dog as a puppy, you have an advantage as you can do more to prevent poor habits forming. Here are 6 tips by Brian Killcommons:
* Don't scold your dog after you've called him to you. He'll think he's in trouble for actually coming to you, and will associate coming to you with being scolded. So, when you try to train him, he won't come when called.
* Don't try chasing your dog when you want him to come to you. This will seem like you're playing a game with him. It turns the dog into the leader and you into the follower. He'll think that running away from you will get you to follow him - not good for later training.
* Get dogs used to being handled. This covers both grooming, which should be started as early as possible, even when there's no real need to. Start to check him over regularly, look at his feet, eyes, and ears. And when you are spending time with your puppy, get him used to handling different parts of his body, such as his tail, his ear, his mouth. Don't spend huge amounts of time doing this at first, and be gentle. The idea is to get him used to people touching him so that if children or visitors accidentally grab him, he won't be upset and possibly become aggressive.
* When your dog is whining or barking, don't pet them. This reinforces the action, letting your pet think it's alright to do this. Unless you want a dog that will bark for your attention when he's older, don't encourage this now. And remember it's important to praise your dog as soon as he's done the right thing. So, when he stops barking, give him attention, and pet him then.
* Only give your dog toys to chew, otherwise he'll think it's okay to chew everything. He can't tell the difference between your new and old shoes!
* Don't play rough games with your new puppy. This includes wrestling, and tugging type games. It teaches your dog to be aggressive, and this may become a problem when he is much bigger and fully grown.
References: B. Kilcommons and S. Wilson, Good Owners, Great Dogs.
2008年8月3日星期日
Missing Godzilla and Ricky
None expected me to return home holding a tiny living fur-ball in my palms and announcing that whether they liked it or not I would definitely keep my new friend indoors. As simple as that my female cat entered my life. She was actually saved by my father, who being an animal-lover all his life he decided to run to its rescue when he spotted the stray kitten walking the dangerous city streets. Two days later, I was introduced with my soon to become indoor cat and I was glad that me and my father were in fact on some kind of "secret agreement" to convince my mother that the kitty had to be adopted by us. Although my parents have taught me to love and respect animals since I was a small kid, it was amazing for me to be able to touch and play with my cat in the comfort of my own bedroom. One of my friends, who is afraid of animals in general due to a misfortunate event with a dog when she was a child, came one day at my house to watch a movie with me. Since she was not informed that a cat was present-it totally slipped my mind to tell her-and as we were relaxing on the couch, she suddenly jumped surprised and screamed "For God's sake! Who is this Godzilla?" I laughed so hard that tears came out of my eyes, as I was seeing my adult friend being afraid of a kitten not bigger than a palm. As you can probably guess, this is why my cat took that name. Next summer, as I was vacating at my favorite island, I woke up one morning from a noise a cat made outside my door. This for me was a unique experience, as my ability to sleep through any kind of noisy disturbance is legendary. When I opened the door, there was on my doorstep another tiny soul looking straight into my eyes, begging for some food. This male cat instantly became the mascot of that year's summer vacations and I was not willing to leave the cat behind upon my return. My parents had to experience, for the second time in their lives, how determination can lead a stray kitten into our home.A year later, Godzilla and Ricky-my father thought of the second name-became a couple and gave birth to five kittens, which I had to give away to other families as I could not keep seven cats in my apartment. Four months after the birth both of my cats were spayed or neutered-my veterinarian suggested that this procedure was necessary since the cats were always together and in less than a year I would have to find more families to adopt the new kittens that would be born. Although I was extremely reluctant to the idea, I finally agreed to perform the operations and the truth is that afterwards my cats were calmer and much more affectionate; not only to each other, but also with family and friends. They never gained weight-one of those myths that you can hear-and they immediately began behaving as usual. Of course, I have always remembered to perform all the appropriate vaccinations and I bought colorful collars for their ID tags. At some point, I considered microchipping them too, but did not go ahead with the idea as I should and until today I regret not going ahead with it. Godzilla and Ricky were two of the best friends I had during the last eight years and they were always there for me. Only those who have experienced the pleasure of having a pet can probably understand how I felt when I had to give Godzilla and Ricky away as I was about to leave my country and my parents, who had a third cat in their house which did not like intruders, could not handle this triple challenge. I was fortunate enough to find two kind friends, who offered Godzilla and Ricky a new home and the love they so much deserved. But, although I know Godzilla is totally happy in her new premises, I must confess that Ricky has gone missing two moths after I left; that is almost two years ago. Even though my friend did everything in her power to locate the missing cat, he has never returned to her house or to mine. I terribly miss both and there are moments when I still imagine entering the house and finding them waiting to go back to sleep at my side. I never forgave myself for not microchipping my cats, since that unique pet ID might have been Ricky's ticket home. I am one of those animal-lovers that want their pets to feel free and happy and not for one second have I even thought the possibility of one of them getting lost during my absence. Although some are reluctant to the idea of keeping their cats indoors at all times, life has taught me that you should do everything in your power to keep your beloved cat safe. I never blamed my friend for having a garden and Ricky for deciding to explore the world outside her fence. I regret for not being proactive and concentrating on my own fears instead of their future safety. Do not do the same mistake. Take good care of your cats so you will sleep better during the night.
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