The First Care Guide for your Whiskers

by Devika Sharma originally posted on January 17, 2014

in Cats, Health & Safety

You might have noticed a lot of times that your kittens snuggle around you and keep their tails quivering, that’s their way of telling how much they love you. Sweet isn’t it? Although saying I love you too kitty isn’t enough as these loving felines need more care and affection than any other pets. Here are a few general guidelines for you to ensure that your cat lives a good healthy life.

• Vet Checks

You should take your cat for a regular check-up and vaccinations to keep a tab on their health. If any change in cat’s meowing, acting, eating, walking etc is noticed you should take him in for a check-up as soon as possible.

• Grooming

Your cats should be groomed regularly as it helps in preventing hair balls, increases blood flow, and keeps the coat shiny and quoted. The more you groom less are the chances of hair being left on your palm when you pet or snuggle them, thus increasing the bonding time.

• Feed

You should feed your cat the right food at the right time. Always consult your vet before giving or changing the meal. Adult cats are lactose intolerant, and hence dairy products should be avoided. You can get online pet food and products, but you should always counter check with your vet for the correct cat food.

• Bonding

Grooming, feeding and vaccinating are not enough to ensure a loving relationship between you and your feline. A cat needs a little snuggle once in a while. Chasing together a ball of fur, scratching around their neck (they really love being scratched), or even petting their nose is a gesture well understood by the cat and by this way you will surely have a long loving relationship

• Cleanliness

Their litter box should be cleaned everyday and for each cat , there should be different litter box. Cats are very peculiar and choosy as some prefer an open litter box while some dislike the texture or the filling you keep inside.

• Exercise

Cats give  humans a tough competition when it comes to be a couch potato. The cats can keep lying lazily all day long at their favorite spot, but it is your responsibility to be their personal trainer. Tossing a toy in front of them ensures your feline moves and will play with their toy and you.

Anti – Feline Ingredients
Cats are very picky eaters and at times we unknowingly feed them food which turns to be poison for them. Here is a list of must avoids at any cost or condition as they are poisonous for your loving cats:

• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Candy
• Chocolate
• Dairy Products
• Garlic
• Onion
• Yeast Dough

Cats are wonderful domestic animals, and to be true no animal is as affectionate and elegant as a cat is. They have always served as humble companions for the human beings. Their purring and twitching tails are enough for any cat lover to understand how affectionate they are, when we are around. Love conveyed in form is love and all you have to do is love them back.

Devika Sharma

Devika Sharma is an active author and blogger who loves to share her information and experiences to the world. She is also an avid pet lover and writes blogs about pet foods, products and accessories. You can follow Devika Sharma on Google+ .

Why Do Horses Sleep Standing?

by PetsBlogs on January 10, 2014 (original poste date)

in Horses

All it takes is sleeping on one international flight to convince anyone that lying down is the only way to get a good night’s sleep. However, not all mammals sleep lying down. Horses, despite the tiring look of their heavy, long bodies, actually do most of their sleeping standing up — and it’s more than a quirk of the species – there’s a scientific reason why.

It’s part of their survival

The root of horses sleeping while standing comes from their days in the wild and their “fight or flight” response. Rather than fight like some animals do when attacked, horses, being herbivores, are more inclined to flight, or run, from their predators. Since they have a difficult time standing up once they lay down, standing gives horses a higher chance of survival.

Horses can relax while standing

Remarkably, their bodies are also biologically designed to sleep while standing. Horses have a “stay apparatus”, which is a system of tendons and ligaments that keep the horse in the standing position while their muscles are able to relax. In their front legs the stay apparatus is always intact, but in their hind legs a horse has to rotate their hip and hook one bone over a knob of another bone to put the stay apparatus into effect. The stay apparatus not only allows the horse to stand for long periods of time, but to stand comfortably — a radical difference from our muscles that contract and ache after standing thirty minutes too long.

They still need to lie down sometimes

However, horses aren’t devoid of the need to lie down and sleep, as horses — just like us — need rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, and without it, it will eventually lead to their death. Yet the average eight hours of REM sleep we need a night is hardly the same for a horse, who on average needs 15-20 minutes a day, or an hour or two every few days, depending on their age and if they’re domesticated.

Horses will always wait to get their REM sleep until they feel safe, which is why domesticated horses often get more REM sleep than wild ones. Though you still won’t see your average family horse lying around for too long, as horses who spend too much time lying down can constrict blood flow to the large muscles in their legs, making standing up again very difficult.

In the wild, where horses get the least amount of REM sleep, it’s common for other horses to sleep while standing, allowing one horse to sleep lying at a time and ensuring they’re ready to run if a predator gets near.

Sleeping while standing has its benefits

The next time you pass a horse standing up he might be sleeping. And don’t feel too bad that they have to sleep standing, in fact, maybe you should even feel jealous, as who wouldn’t want to take a quick snooze while waiting in a long line at the DMV or grocery store. 

PetsBlogs

Judi, Senior Editor at PetsBlogs

Devoted pet owner and now, devoted pet editor, Judi spent her time working in traditional offices, keeping the books and the day-to-day operations organized. Taking her dog to work every day for over a decade never seemed odd. Neither did having an office cat. She knows what it's like to train a new puppy and she's experienced the heartache of losing beloved companions.

Allergic to Cats Again

Yesterday Tux and Buffy came out for some quality time and by the end of the hour FiveCatsDad and I were sniffing. 

He speculates it could be mites from Buffy's leg but could be just their fur in a closed environment. 

The children were ok though. Their immune systems are stronger and with each exposure they'll be stronger. 

FiveCatsBaby is very thrilled with them and rushes to pet them, much gently this time.



Tux looks more interested in something else than the dinosaur book I put beside him as a prop. :)

Does Your Dog Have Allergies?

The human animal isn’t the only one affected by allergies. Like you, your adult dog can suffer from allergic reactions to any number of things — in the air, on his skin and in his food. Allergies must be diagnosed and treated by your veterinarian, but first, you must know what to look for.

The most common signs and symptoms of allergies include:

-                persistent scratching, licking and skin chewing

-                face and ear rubbing

-                inflamed skin patches, hair loss and foul odor

-                coughing, sneezing, watery eyes and runny nose

-                frequent vomiting or diarrhea

The most common allergy symptoms in dogs are the skin reactions, regardless of the cause. And they can they can crop up at any age. Just because he didn’t have allergies as a puppy, doesn’t mean your dog won’t have them now that he’s an adult. Four of the most common types of allergies that might affect your dog are inhalant, food, contact and flea allergies.

Inhalant allergies in dogs are caused by the same common allergens that affect you — dust, grass, trees, mold, pollen, ragweed, etc. They can be seasonal or persistent and, while some breeds (especially short-snouted breeds) may experience the same sniffly, sneezy symptoms you might suffer, skin reactions are most common. Inhalant allergies can often be treated with the same medications you take, but please don’t treat your dog’s allergies without veterinary supervision.

Food allergies can be the most difficult to diagnose and manage. Treatment involves a hit-and-miss approach involving a restricted diet and the gradual reintroduction of possible allergens to determine the culprit. Skin reactions to food allergies are common in dogs, but frequent vomiting or diarrhea can also be a sign. Keep in mind that if there is a change in your dog’s diet (or he just ate something he wasn’t supposed to), he may experience an episode of vomiting or diarrhea — this doesn’t necessarily mean your dog has an allergy. Watch and see if it becomes a persistent problem before scheduling a costly trip to the vet.

Contact and flea allergies generally cause skin irritation and are treated topically. You might be surprised to learn that most dogs are only vaguely bothered by fleas. But those that are allergic can suffer — and so can their owners. Dogs with contact and flea allergies often chew their skin raw, leading to hair loss, odor and infection, so fastidious flea control is a must.

Allergies can vary from dog to dog, so it is important that you work with your vet to make sure YOUR dog gets the best possible treatment. You’ll both be happier for it.

Keeping Your Dog Safe on Your Vacation

Being able to take a vacation is a treat for most people. It is even more of a treat for your dog. It is rare that your pet will be able to get out of the same area and explore new regions of the world that he has never seen before. However, keeping your pet safe while taking a vacation is very important. Planning ahead for any potential problems can keep everyone happy, your dog safe, and your vacation fun. There are steps that can be taken to ensure this is taken care of. Making sure that your dog is in perfect healthy and fit for travel is at the top of the list of things you need to do before leaving.

Any lengthy trips can mean a lot of travel. If you plan on traveling by car, there are fewer issues that can arise, but it is still good to be prepared. Making sure that your dog is up to date on all of his shots and vaccinations will prevent the possibility of him contracting a disease while he is with you on vacation. It is also good in case you need it for proof of vaccination. In order for a pet to travel by plane a recent update in their vaccinations is needed upon boarding. Having this certification performed no more than two weeks before traveling is needed if you are taking your pet out of the country.

Other ways to ensure your dogs' health and well being on a vacation trip is to make sure that you travel safe. Do not leave your pet in the back of a pick-up truck during the trip as he can be injured if you need to stop suddenly, or if you get into an accident. Also, a dog can jump out of the back of the truck if they are left in the back for too long. Keeping your pet in the back seat of a car is a good idea, but make sure that your pooch has an empty stomach before you leave. Feeding your pet just before, or during the trip can lead to car sickness. However, keeping a bottle of water around is a very good idea. It is important that your dog has plenty of water while they are traveling.

A bored dog can become a distraction for a driver, making him rather dangerous to have in the car. It is very important to keep your dog well entertained during the trip. Stopping every so often to stretch your own legs, as well as to let your bridled buddy out to go to the bathroom, can give you an excuse to play a game with your pooch and make the remainder of his trip as enthusiastic as possible. It is also a smart idea to keep a few of his favorite toys and plenty of tasty treats on hand to keep his mind busy. This will help ease his boredom and make him a little easier to have in the vehicle.

If your dog does not particularly care for car rides, you may need to have dog crates for your pet to stay in while on the road. This will make him a little less of a danger to himself, and to his owners. Make sure that you buckle in the crate to ensure that it does not slide in the vehicle, or can be thrown free of the vehicle in an accident. There are special seat belt attachments for cars and mini-vans that work for this purpose. It is much safer to have your pooch tied in then to be free in the vehicle, where he can be thrown about and receive serious injuries. Simply being prepared for everything that may come can help you keep your pet safe and happy on your vacation.

Article by Kelly Marshall of Oh My Dog Supplies, your top spot for metal dog gates online.

Helping Your Cat Express Its Creativity Through Scratching

Most cats enjoy scratching, there's no question about it.

And indoor cats are no different. Just because a tree is not available, it does not decrease their desire to "leave a mark on the world" by scratching. From a cat's point of view, chairs, sofas, and even the woodwork can serve as a good substitute. But cat owners often take a different view. They see scratching as a destructive behavior, and seek to redirect or stop it. In many cases, a scratching post can be a good compromise.

But even better, why not help your feline pal create original pieces of art you will be proud to display in your home or office?

Ever since he was a kitten, my cat Henry has always loved to scratch. He soon grew tired of the scratching post I bought him and went on to create interesting textures on the living room sofa and chair. I was determined not to have him declawed. So what was the answer?

I remembered hearing that a friend's cat liked to scratch a piece of carpet she had nailed onto the wall. So I went to the surplus store and bought a few pieces of carpet remnants.

It did not take Henry long to catch on. Almost as soon as I nailed the carpet up on the wall, he discovered that he really enjoyed scratching it. He was very pleased that it didn't turn over with him like his old scratching post sometimes did, and he enjoyed working with the

texture.

A few months later, when Henry had nearly scratched the carpet remnant to pieces, I decided to replace it with another strip of carpet. But instead of throwing the scratched carpet away, I decided to put a hanger on it and display it. After all, it looked like a modern piece of fiber art. It had long, fluffy loops of all lengths, and it looked like someone had spent a great deal of time creating it. (Actually they did -- only the "someone" happened to be feline!)

Last summer when I was exhibiting some of my own fiber art at the Bangor Public Library in Bangor, Maine, I decided to include a few pieces of Henry's work. The library patrons enjoyed viewing it, and were surprised to learn that a cat had created it! Within a few

months, Henry and his work were also featured in the Bangor Daily News.

If you would like to help your feline friend express their creativity, all you need are a few nails or screws and a strip of carpet that's at least 5-6 inches across and at least a foot long. Make sure that the carpet does not have loops that are cut, or your cat will only be able

to pull out clumps of fiber, and cannot make the beautiful loop-covered wall hangings he or she would like to create. Nail it securely to the wall, and watch what happens! If your cat needs a little encouragement, you can always rub the carpet remnant with catnip, or spray it with catnip spray.

Who knows what wonderful masterpiece your cat might create!

Anita Louise McCormick is a writer, editor, artist, and Reiki Master. She is also the agent and personal assistant of a very creative cat, Henry the Feline Fiber Artist! You can visit the website Anita created for Henry at

http://henrythefelinefiberartist.wordpress.com to read his story, see a few of the wall hangings he created, and view a short video documentary about his work. Anita also has a website about her writing at http://www.angelfire.com/biz/AnitaMcCormick

Simple Tips On Cleaning A Pet Cage

Simple Tips On Cleaning A Pet Cage

Cleaning your pet’s cage is one of the keys to keeping your pet healthy at all times. It will make your pet’s living space free from germs and foul odor, making it a comfortable environment to live in. It can also minimize the chance of bacterial and fungal infections to your pet.

Cleaning cages is not a fun chore, but doing it as organized as possible will make the task less of a chore. Here are some simple tips when cleaning an animal cage:

Being systematic is really the solution to a much hassle-free cleaning process. Whenever you need to clean your pet’s cage, better transfer your pet to a safe place where he or she can feel comfortable during the cleaning time. You can put your pet in another cage while you are doing the cleaning. Bringing him or her in the yard or any confined space would be a good idea to avoid getting distracted.

Afterwards, start removing all the things inside the cage. Throw all the trash and dirt away. Be meticulous in getting rid of all the left-overs and animal wastes inside the cage. Clean up all the solid material first. Then, proceed to washing the litter pans, feeding bowls, toys, and other accessories. Don’t forget to clean the bedding. You can use fabric softener so that the bedding will be soft for your beloved pet.

Take extra time in cleaning the removable trays. Make sure you also disinfect the wire bottom and wipe it to remove any lingering poop or urine smell.

Bear in mind that the aim in cleaning your pet’s cage is to kill the germs, so it’s better to use hot water and proper cleaning agent when scrubbing the cage. To ensure the cage is cleaned very well, purchase a cage cleaner, which can be in the form of powder, wipes or spray bottle. Make sure it’s made from non-toxic materials. Use only the products that are proven safe for animals.

Whether you own a dog, cat, or any other animals, it is always important for you to make your pet’s cage clean. Doing this task regularly is essential to the health and well-being of your pet.

Andrei Smith writes for Midwest Homes 4 Pets, a company that offers a wide array of rabbit cages, bird cages and small animal cages. For more details, please visit MidwestHomes4Pets.com or contact the Toll Free Helpline: (800) 428-8560.

Labels: cat articles, dog articles

Pet Article courtesy of http://pet-articles.blogspot.com.