Sunday, March 19, 2017

BICHON FRISE: Hot Spots


Photograph of a Bichon Frisé, wearing a collar...
Photograph of a Bichon Frisé -  (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

“Hot spots” are surface skin infections caused when populataions of normal skin bacteria grow and overwhelm normal resistance. They ae generally curcular patches that lose hair, can be swollen, in extreme cases may exude smelly pus, and can be painfully itchy causing the dog to scratch, lick, or bite to the point of self mutilation. Untreated hot spots can spread and provoke a normally even-tempered dog to growl or nip when touched.

Dogs most susceptible to hot spots are those with heavy coats and histories of allergies, ear infections, fles infestations, iritated anal sacs and grooming problems such as hair tangles and mats. The most common location for hot spots is the legs, feet, flanks and rump. These localized infections can also appear on the ears, neck, and chest if the dog is continually scratching.

To treat hot spots trim the hair around the sore to prevent further spread of the infection and expose the edges of the lesion. Wash the area in a mild water-based astringent or antiseptic. Thjee are over-the-counter products to deter the dog from licking and chewing. The #1 product for most breeders and handlers is called “tea tree spray” or melaluca alternifolia. It is supposed to have healing qualities as well as discouraging the dg from biting or licking himself due to the bad taste.

I also use a product called Sulfodene which specifically for hot spots. I have had good results with this and it can be purchased almost anywhere that sells pet products. (Department stores, grocery stores, etc.) If treated early hot spots may disappear in day or two. Sulfodene is a good early treatment product. Or, medicated powder. Dust the spot several times a day to dry any moisture and soothe the itch. This can also be purchased over-the-counter.



Creams and ointments are not recommended because they can seal in the infection and hinder recobery. Although, a prescribed ointment may be necessary if the area becomes infected. At this stage the hot spot needs to checked bya veternarian for treatament. Some pet owners demand a quick fix for the problem and aren’t tolerent of vets who require return visits. Some vets will give you that quick fix by prescribing steroids for allergies. This quick fix is called “Prednisone”. However, you are setting your Bichon up for serious problems later in life if you do this repeatedly. If you use the Prednisone do so sparingly. Once or twice a month during allergy season followed by antihitamines. 

A steroid given over and over can affect the balance of cortisol in the dog resulting in a condition called “Cushings Syndrome”.

Author: Janet Combs

Saturday, March 18, 2017

How Sensible Is Cooking Your Own DOG Or CAT FOOD?

Shelves of dog food. Includes Beneful and Pedigree
Shelves of dog food.
(Photo credit: 
Wikipedia)
The first thing to remember when considering home cooking for your pet is the simple truth that you are NOT cooking for a person, you are cooking for an animal - that might seem obvious, but so many pet owners treat their pets as if they were children.

Dogs, cats and people have different nutritional needs and some foods which are fine for you can be dangerous to them - you must take this into consideration.

Some pet owners begin feeding home cooked food because they find that their pet is not too interested in the commercial food being offered. Eventually they find themselves trapped because the pet will now not eat any commercially prepared food, and home cooking now constitutes 100% of the animal's daily intake. In these cases, arranging a diet composed of foods commonly used in the household may be the only way of delivering a balanced diet to the pet.

In some European countries homemade foods already supply an estimated 35% of cats with 60% of their caloric intake. When the pet receives more than half its daily calories from table foods, the whole diet should then be formulated to ensure a proper nutrient intake and avoid the dangers of obesity or other health problems.

Really, it's up to you and the ingredients that you have to hand, but a good guide to follow would be that given by Veterinary Surgeon John Burns of Burns Pet Nutrition who advises the following proportions of a home made diet for dogs

1/3 rd by volume boiled brown rice

1/3 rd by volume meat (this should be varied regularly using chicken, fish, lamb, beef)

1/3 rd by volume vegetable, again varied using roots and greens and to include some seaweed (dried or fresh)

John Burns adds 'I have less experience in the use of home made food for cats but in general cats need a higher level of protein and less carbohydrate.

'This could be achieved by increasing the meat portion to 50% with the rice and vegetable portions of 25% each. Again, some seaweed should be included to provide trace minerals.'

Cats have a very specific requirement for meat, and can't survive without several essential amino-acids found only in meat. So a vegetarian diet for a cat is really not on. Also limit the amount of liver you feed your cat (to avoid an excess of Vit A) and make sure to cook fish (regular feeding of raw fish can apparently lead to a vitamin B deficiency)



A few good foods to include

Vegetables - Green vegetables are a great way of boosting your dogs immune system, you can feed these raw or cooked. Raw carrot makes a healthy treat. Vegetables are possibly better for dogs than fruit. Potato must be cooked, and mashed potato is a suitable ingredient for home cooking.

Fruit - in the wild, dogs would have scavenged windfall fruit as well as digesting the remains of fruit eaten by other animals when they pick over the carcass, so giving your dog fruit is not as strange as it might sound. Fresh fruit is packed full of anti-oxidants, vitamins and all sorts of other healthy nutrients, so it's great for keeping your dog in top condition. Some fruits are quite acidic (as well as sugary) and may not be good for dogs with skin or digestive complaints.

Grains - Rice is universally recommended, and brown rice preferred, but make sure that it is well cooked so that your pet can get the maximum goodness.

Meat and fish - Vary the protein that you are feeding, so that a good range of amino acids is provided. Fish, particularly oily varieties are a good source of omega 3 and 6 oils.

Yoghurt - this is a great source of protein, calcium and vitamins, and is particularly good for dogs with diarrhoea thanks to the probiotics it contains.

Cottage cheese - another surprisingly healthy dairy food which is great for growing puppies and lactating bitches.

Brewer's yeast - Can be purchased from health food stores or chemists as a food supplement and is full of nutrients and vitamins. You only need to use about 1/2 tsp a day with recipes.

A few things to avoid

There are a few "No's" when it comes to selecting ingredients for home cooking. Veterinary Surgeons would tend to advise against the following foodstuffs, or at least to be wary of feeding large quantities:

Mushrooms: best avoided as some dogs will not tolerate mushrooms well and they can cause serious toxicity.

Chocolate: Chocolate contains theobromine. Theobromine is a similar compound to caffeine and stimulates the heart and nervous system. In dogs it can poison them with death occurring from heart failure. Cats may not metabolise chocolate in the same way as dogs but are also thought to be at risk.

Onions (and garlic) OK in small quantities, but be careful. Can cause blood problems including anaemia.

Cows milk: Cats and dogs along with most other mammals lose, to a variable extent, their ability to digest lactose (milk sugar) with age, because the activity of the enzyme lactase declines with age

Macadamia nuts: The toxic compound is unknown but the affect of macadamia nuts is to cause locomotory difficulties. Dogs develop a tremor of the skeletal muscles, and weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters. Affected dogs are often unable to rise and are distressed, usually panting. Some affected dogs have swollen limbs and show pain when the limbs are manipulated.

Tomatoes: a small amount of ripe tomato is unlikely to cause any problems, but green tomatoes can cause stomach upsets so it's best to avoid them.

Grapes: The ASCPA (Animal Poison Control Centre in the USA) has recently published information stating the toxicity of raisins and grapes in dogs (they do not know how they affect cats yet, but advise to avoid feeding them anyway). Eating just a handful of raisins and grapes has been shown to cause kidney failure.

Fatty foods: Very fatty foods may lead to problems such as pancreatitis. The pancreas releases enzymes to help digest the food. Pancreatitis is a very painful inflammatory condition associated with the ingestion of fatty foods.
 “Cookbook for dogs” recipe manual.
You need to be aware that there has always been a voice out there arguing that home cooking is not the best way of feeding. Here is a quote from the Canadian Veterinarian Association pamphlet on pet food, 'A Commonsense Guide to Feeding Your Dog or Cat:'

"Why Are Homemade Diets Not Recommended? Homemade diets are not recommended because there is a good chance that all the necessary nutrients or the proper proportions will not be provided. Incorrect preparation and cooking may also deplete certain nutrients and result in a deficient diet. As well, homemade diets are usually more expensive to produce, without providing better nutrition."

    The author, who originally trained as a food technologist has, in his time owned dogs, cats, hamsters and birds, sold pet food and spent the past decade marketing it. Now  down to one cat, one dog and running Pet Food Choice, a website full of information on pet food choices, money-saving ideas and much more -  http://www.pet-food-choice.co.uk

    Article Directory: EzineArticles



Friday, March 17, 2017

CAT FIGHTS

Feral or unferal, your kitty may get tangled up in one of these if they are in particular an outdoor cat. Indoor cats if by themselves are obviously not as prone to this risk, unless they find themselves outside, or a stray visitor inside.. but two or more indoor cats can have their "bad" days as well.

Feral Cat
Feral Cat (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
If you allow your cat to roam outside in the big wild outdoors, I seriously recommend you take kitty to your veternarian from a young age and start getting him vaccinated! And make sure this is done every year no questions! This is necessary if you don't want your kitty to get infected by nasties like Feline Aids (FIV) which is transmitted through blood while fighting. This also protects your kitty among a lot of other different diseases out there like Feline Leukemia
(FLV). It is also highly advisable to get him (or her) neutered. Unspayed males will fight feirsly for a female if she is in heat, which can leave both cats in tatters and spayed males can find themselves in the middle of something they don't understand if an unspayed males get the wrong idea...

Cats fighting outside at night time can be quite of a shock, as sometimes they can sound close to a child shreking or yelling, and it is definately the last thing you want to hear when your trying to sleep at night! My ultimate way of getting rid of cats engaged in a fight is to turn the hose on them, as noises won't startle them hardly as they are concentrating too much on the other cat!

For indoor cats, obviously water all over the carpet is unwanted so I find usually placing a large object between the two which will cut of eye contact with both cats, if they are engaged in a fight, don't get in their way as cat bites can not only hurt, but are more likely to become infected than dog bites. Use a chair and turn upside down and use the back of the chair and gently slide the chair between the cats, this will startle them and stop them from fighting. Give the cats 'time out' by placing one in a closed room for a short period of time.

A good tell-tale sign if a cat is frightened, the hair will stand up all over the body and when the cat threatens or is ready to attack, you will see the hair stand up in a narrow band along the spine and tail to make him look bigger, and this is also a good time to get out that hose or chair!





With the average lifespan of an outdoor only cat if they are feral or unferal, is only about three years! Which is why if you love your kitty and want him to have a healthy live, keep him indoors and he can live a whopping 16 years longer!

Not only will you benefit from keeping your kitty living longer indoors, it will save you expensive veternarian bills for infected scratches, broken teeth, torn ears, and so on by these nasty one-on-ones.



Thursday, March 16, 2017

BURMILLA CATS - Learn More About Them

Burmilla cats are strikingly beautiful. Their parentage is the Bernese and Chinchilla cat breeds. They have a striking contrast between their tipping or shading and their silver undercoat. You will also note that they have delicate Tabby markings on their head, legs and tail. They should have a distinct "M" mark on their forehead.

A male Burmilla cat in the United Kingdom. His...
A male Burmilla cat in the United Kingdom. His name is Ollie :-) Actually, his official pedigree name is Fandango Oliver Hardy and he comes from a long line of show-winners, but he isn't a show-cat. His official colour is blue. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The eyes of Burmilla cats are striking. In fact many people find their eyes to be their most striking feature. These cats always have eyes in a beautiful shade of green with dark penciling around the lids as if they are wearing eyeliner.

These very distinct looking cats are tipped or shaded in one of five colors: chocolate; brown; blue; lilac or black. Their coat can be shaded or tipped.

You will find that Burmilla cats have brick red noses that are also outlined in a very dark color. This makes their faces quite unique. Their hair feels like raw silk and is generally dense. They either have short hair or semi-long hair depending on the variety.

These cats are outgoing, friendly and personable which makes them a joy to have in your family. It is not known as a noisy cat but it is not completely quiet either. They are naturally adventuresome and inquisitive.

You can find a Burmilla cat to adopt or purchase by searching online. They are quite common in the United Kingdom and Australia.



Burmillas do not need a lot of maintenance and are very good with children and other cats. Their personality makes them a joy and they very much become part of your family. You should not have a problem adding one of these cats to your household.

If you are interested in this breed you can do some more research to make sure you can provide a great home to one of these beautiful cats.



Cat Spraying No More

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Checklist of the Vital Needs of a FRENCH BULLDOG

To some, a dog may just seem the same as the other one, they eat, they play, they sleep, and they leave a mess, could it get more complicated than that. Well, basically they do have the same needs, but there are still some distinct differences in every breed which can require some special attention.

Sure they all need to exercise, but there are some differences as well. So if you own a French bulldog, or is planning to own one, then you need to know what this differences are to ensure that you will have a happy French bulldog and a healthy one at that.

A cream-coloured French Bulldog.
A cream-coloured French Bulldog. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
In this article, there is a vital list of the basic things that any French bulldog owner should know. This list will not only help you become a responsible owner, but also help those that are thinking about buying a French bulldog to decide whether they are ready to own one today. Here is the list of those instructions in no particular order:

Cool area in their home or in their garden - French bulldogs find heat as their waterloo. Because of their oddly shaped head, French bulldogs find it difficult to dispel heat. They also have trouble breathing when it’s too warm and when they are tired. Make sure that if you live in an area with a warm climate, an air-conditioned room should be available for them. Also, your garden should have areas where shades are available where they can lunge around in not too warm days. Providing your pet with a good shelter makes him feel important and valued.

Have water accessible – Water will help them dispel heat. French bulldogs tend to overheat so they need to rehydrate often. Even with just a small time spent exercising, they will soon become thirsty and panting, so have a water bowl ready inside and outside your home. 

Exercise your French bulldog – Unlike other dogs though, French bulldogs cannot be kept active for a prolonged period of time. They tire easily and needs short breaks from time to time. Walking and exercising is necessary for strength development of the dog, so dog owners usually do it twice a day. This also helps them to dispel waste outside your home. Plus, prevent your French bulldog from overheating when walking him by doing your exercises at dawn and at night time where the sun can’t bet down hard on your pet. 

Well balanced diet – Quality dog food should be the norm.  A healthy diet will help keep your dog strong to ward off any health conditions. It will also keep your dog looking good with its coat shiny and vibrant.




Respect your dog – treat it humanely and as part of the family. Provide it with the attention it needs and spend quality time with it. French bulldogs in particular need more human attention than other dogs. Try to spend also on dog products like chew toys and treats. A good collar will not only keep it nearby with a leash, but also help it find its way home if it gets lost. 

And finally, keep some time and money for vet visits. Your vet is your best friend and ally in keeping your French bulldog healthy and happy. 



Tuesday, March 14, 2017

All About the BICHON FRISE

The Bichon Frise is a small dog that weighs between 10-20 lbs and stands only 23-30 cm. The dog's skull is slightly rounded and the tail is usually long and curly. The coat colors are solid white, grey or apricot. To make the hair even in length, it's recommended that you regularly trim it.

Blanca Photo: DAC
Temperament
The dog is said to have a merry and cheerful temperament. He is also gentle mannered, playful, affectionate, and playful. He loves human company; therefore, you should not chase him when he starts following you. The dog is also friendly to children and he tends to be very playful.

While he is very social, he can become very territorial if he is affiliated with a particular territory and encouraged by owners.

Caring for the dog
Proper care for the dog involves giving him the right foods, water, and exercises. Proper care also involves taking your dog for regular checkups. The most common diseases that affect the Bichon Frise are: cancer, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and thrombocytopenia.

Training the dog
One of the best things about Bichon Frise dog is that he is very intelligent and obedient which makes him very easy to train. For ideal results, you should start training him while still a puppy. To potty train your puppy, you should let him sleep in a crate then when he wakes up you should let him outside to relieve himself.

When he urinates outside, you should reinforce the good behavior by playing with him. Before the dog sleeps, you should take him outside and let him relieve himself in the yard. Again, you should praise him when he does the right thing.



As he grows up, you should use the crate less and less. You should not feel guilty for using the crate. You should know that the crate can't harm the dog.

To make your dog comfortable, you should give him a lot of care and attention. To reduce the risk of aggressive and anxious behavior, you should start socializing him early enough. Here you should let him freely interact with the members of the family and other dogs.

The dog is known to be highly energetic which can result to destructive behavior if the energy is not reduced. To reduce the high energy you should take the dog for walks. To ensure that you are in control, you should always put a leash around your dog.



Monday, March 13, 2017

What's The Appropriate ASPIRIN Dosage For Dogs?

When we suffer from headaches, chances are that we will turn to an over-the-counter solution, like Ibuprofen. It's a great way to alleviate discomfort, but one cannot say that the same dose should be given to pets. For this reason, I would like to discuss what the proper aspirin dosage for dogs entails. If you'd like to know what this entails, here are just a few of the most striking details that you would be wise to consider in the long term.

Generic regular strength enteric coated 325mg ...
 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
If you're curious to know what the proper aspirin dosage for dogs entails, you should try to focus on older dogs especially. These are the pets that should be given this solution, since it can be especially harmful to smaller or younger dogs that do not have the strongest biological systems. Even if this component can be used for older dogs, it would be a lie to say that further medical expertise cannot prove to be helpful.

Even though aspirin may not be the ideal solution for extensive care, there are certain food products one can give their aching dog. Did you know that fish oil can lead to a decrease in inflammation? This can be seen in the canine's joints, back, and - of course - their head. Of course, this is yet another quick remedy that virtually anyone can get their hands on. In order to correct this problem, ensuring that it doesn't crop up again, the proper authorities must be consulted.

For ways to correct this problem, from a medical standpoint, try to look into companies such as Assisi Animal Health. Seeing as how they have been able to work with numerous pets in the past, wouldn't it make sense for them to understand the proper aspirin dosage for dogs as well? In addition, you can become informed of other pain relief solutions, such as the Assisi Loop. With how well it can transit electromagnetic waves for healing purposes, this is another option that's worthy of your attention.

As you can see, there exist many details to consider when it comes to the proper aspirin dosage for dogs. Keep in mind that this should not be used as a long-term solution, since the care that a veterinarian can offer is nothing short of worthwhile. Nonetheless, if you're careful about how much is given, aspirin can prove to be an effective remedy in the short term. Consider consulting your vet earlier if you feel like you can benefit from additional details.



Sunday, March 12, 2017

LITTER CLEANING For Cats

Panther, a toilet-using cat, photographed in S...
Panther, a toilet-using cat (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Cats are very intelligent, instinctively knowing how they should use the litter box.  After the cat has finished using the litter box, someone in the family will need to scoop the waste from the litter box.  This can be a very dirty and somewhat smelly job, one that is often overlooked during the day when the workload gets heavy. Cleaning up the litter box doesn’t take but a few minutes, although most would prefer not to do it at all.  Although the litter box will need to be scooped out daily, it will also need to be changed once a week as well, by throwing the current bag out and replacing the box with a new bag and fresh litter.

Those who don’t like to scoop out the litter box should invest in one of the best inventions ever – the self cleaning litter box.  These litter boxes are easy to use, and will keep the area clean.  After the cat has used it, the self cleaning litter box will automatically clean the litter either by sifting or using a device that resembles a rake.

Self cleaning boxes that use shifting will often times have a round design.  Once the cat leaves the covered box, the dome on top will revolve for the box to clean.  The litter in the box will be shifted with the waste being put below the litter where it is discarded.  Once the waste is properly disposed of, the litter will be returned to its normal position in the box for the cat to use again.

Boxes that have raking systems will often times sport a rectangular design.  Once the cat leaves the box, the rake will automatically come out and clean the litter.  The rake will clean all of the litter in the box, including the clumps of waste as well.  Rakes are popular, although the shifting litter boxes are by far more popular and more common.

Those who are often times away from home could greatly benefit from a self cleaning litter box.  They are great to have for cats that spend a lot of time by themselves, as they virtually eliminate any scooping of litter on your part.  You can find them at your local pet or department store, even online as well.  They are very affordable – and ideal for anyone who doesn’t like scooping waste from their litter box.

Saturday, March 11, 2017

Some Information Regarding the KERRY BLUE TERRIER

The Blue Kerry terrier pet dog is one of the most mysterious breeds of terriers. This is because of the fact that even though the breed has been known by the Irish for at leas 150 years, nobody really knows where they came from or how they were first bred.

Kerry Blue Terrier.
Kerry Blue Terrier. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Various legends are told in order to explain the appearance of the Kerry blue terrier breed. Some say that the peasants bred them for hunting purposes since noblemen monopolized the use of wolfhounds. Thus, noblemen hunted with their wolfhounds while peasants poached with their Kerries.

Another legend speaks of a wrecked Russian ship that contained a blue dog. This dog swam into Irish shores and there, mated with the local terrier population. This, of course, started the genetic pool of blue Kerry terriers.

Whatever the case, the blue Kerry terrier sure has a colorful history. It started as a working dog, helping hunters bring in prey. It would also be trained as a police dog by the English. Today, it is considered to be one of the best breeds of dogs that one can own. This is in part of its excellent abilities as a watchdog.

One thing that is so cool about owning a Blue Kerry terrier pet dog is the fact that this breed is adaptable to every situation. It can be a hardworking hunter’s dog. It can become the vigilant watchdog. If you want companionship, it can also provide that. People who are fortunate to have a Blue Kerry terrier pet dog even say that once you are a Kerry lover, you are forever a Kerry lover.

There are some terrier characteristics which may cause a bit of trouble for your dog. Like all terriers, the Blue Kerry terrier pet dog can get into fights with other dogs. In order to prevent this, you need to make sure that the Blue Kerry terrier pet dog is properly socialized. Usually this is done by the breeder. 

Most people, when they are getting a pet often ask the question of whether or not a pet can be housebroken easily. Thankfully enough, the Blue Kerry terrier pet dog has a disposition that is easily house trained. The Blue Kerry terrier pet dog is actually quite eager to learn. This means that you will be able to train it very quickly.



Although a Blue Kerry terrier can become an excellent playmate for children, it must be taken that the children do not show any cruelty to the dog. 

The Blue Kerry terrier is also one of the more hardy types of terriers. This is because the Blue Kerry terrier has very few genetic problems. Before buying one, however, you need to ask for eye certifications and hip x-rays. These are the most commonly afflicted parts of the Blue Kerry terrier.

A Blue Kerry terrier is not really for everyone. Some people may find it a bit too playful. Some people may not really get used to the Blue Kerry terrier’s curiosity. People may not really understand its habit of following everyone around. Today, the fate of the Blue Kerry terrier dog lies in the hands of the breeders who care for them, nurture them, and make sure that they have great homes to stay in.



Friday, March 10, 2017

Which Facts Do You Need Know About The ROTTWEILER?

The Rottweiler, also called the "Rottie", is a working breed of dog. They feature a muscular body with a black coat and tan face mask. The breed is assumed to have first appeared in the Middle Ages and guarding cattle and protecting butchers' money is the reason they were originally used for. They are now a popular choice as a guard dog, police dog or family pet. They are recognizable for their reputation as a dangerous dog as well as their strength. They are a descendant of the Italian Mastiff and are known to have originated from the town of Rottweil in Germany.

Rottweiler
Photo by rodolfoaraiza.com 
They're recognized as a large sized breed of dog. The recommended male guidelines are 95-135 pounds with a height of 24-27 inches, while the female measurements are 80-100 pounds and a height of 22-25 inches. They are famous for their alert and imposing character. They are highly suitable as a guard dog, as they are mostly suspicious towards strangers. The breed ranks 9th compared with all other breeds when being trained to understand new things, and are known to be highly intelligent.

They are protective and playful (when trained correctly) around kids, and that means they are fairly suitable as a family pet. They do mix well with other pets like dogs and cats they're raised with. One simple job is grooming them. They require small brushing of their coat once every week or two, and a proper groom once every 8 to 10 weeks. They love to have at least a small backyard to run around in, but can be suitable for living in an apartment.

They're by and large short-lived, as with many large sized breeds, with a life expectancy of 8-13 years. Their primary health risk is hip dysplasia, and they are also vulnerable to cancer, obesity or parvo as a puppy. Hobbies like having a job, exploring, swimming or fetching balls will give them a lot of enjoyment. They require long walks each day to reduce the risk of destructive behavior due to their medium amount of energy.

If you choose to buy the Rottweiler you must be able to provide consistent discipline and obedience training. They are a perfect option for responsible owners who will be a strong pack leader, but not an ideal option for less confident owners. This breed can be appealing for a lot of dog owners, and one of the main reasons why is it has an imposing reputation and obedient nature that make it a good choice to protect your home and family.



Wednesday, March 8, 2017

The Big Secrets behind TEACUP Stress and Sugar

The average life span of teacup dogs is around 12 to 15 years, sometimes even longer. Generally, teacup puppies weigh 2-4 lbs and measure 8 inches or less during maturity. However, breeders usually keep teacup pups under their supervision during the first 12 weeks. This way, they will be eating sufficiently when they are transferred to their new home.  

A Teacup Yorkie
A Teacup Yorkie (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Unfortunately, changes to environment may cause a great amount of stress for teacup puppies. He may react negatively when leaving all his friends, traveling to his new home, meeting his new owners and changing routines. When he experiences stress, he will seem uninterested in playing and act extremely tired. Most of the time, the teacup will have unusually weak knees when standing and running. If you notice such symptoms, he may lose his appetite due to sugar low.

When stressed, teacup puppies become prone to having low blood sugar. If your pup doesn’t eat often or enough, he may experience a sudden drop in blood levels. However, most teacups should outgrow this problem when they reach 4 to 5 months. Many breeders recommend adding a teaspoon of Karo syrup in his drinking water to prevent hypoglycemia to puppies that are not eating sufficiently.

For teacup owners who are out most of the day, Nutrical is a high-calorie nutritional supplement recommended for puppies with an increased risk of hypoglycemia. By simply giving them a doze each morning and bedtime, you can ensure that your puppy is safe from experiencing low blood sugar even if you’re not at home. A suggested dose is around ¼ to 1/3-inch of Nutrical combined with appropriate Karo syrup until your teacup puppy reaches four or five months. 

A common misconception about hypoglycemia treatments for teacup puppies is that owners should ALWAYS feed their pups with sugar water, baby food and Nutrical. Unfortunately, feeding your pups without quality dog food is a very dangerous practice. According to various breeders, any teacup puppy that needs to be fed with sugar water, soft foods and nutrical is not ready to go to any buyer. Most of the time, these puppies are sickly or underage. 



The bad effect of sugar, on the other hand, is it causes bacteria infection. While Karo syrup and nutrical can save your teacup puppy’s life during a hypoglycemic emergency, these supplements should never be used as food staple. In fact, they should be avoided at all cost. Instead, it is best to supervise your pup’s eating habits during his first few days at home and give nutrical only when he has no appetite. This condition should only last a couple of days. If not, you should immediately seek vet assistance. Remember that an untreated hypoglycemia can worsen to seizures, coma and death of a teacup puppy





Tuesday, March 7, 2017

An Expert Guide on The POODLE: The Dog For Allergy Sufferers

The Poodle is a member of the Non-Sporting Group and is currently America's seventh most popular dog breed. Their intelligence, happy nature, and hypoallergenic coat make this breed a common choice for allergy sufferers.

History
Although many believe the standard Poodle hails from France, it actually originated in Germany in the 15th and 16th centuries and was bred to retrieve waterfowl from the water. The name 'poodle' even derives from the German word 'pudel', meaning to splash about. The breed's ancestry past the 15th century becomes murky, with some historians believing that Poodle-type dogs were seen on Egyptian and Roman tombs from the first centuries B.C.

An apricot Standard Poodle. Taken in Whippende...
An apricot Standard Poodle. Taken in Whippendell Woods, Watford (England).
(Photo credit: 
Wikipedia)

The coat of the Poodle was styled so that it protected vital organs of the dog and keeps it from becoming cold, while also allowing it to move better in the water. The unique style of the Poodle's coat attracted French aristocracy, quickly becoming a fashionable choice for the upper echelon of society and later, the National Dog of France. The Toy and Miniature Poodle would appear shortly after the Standard Poodle to please the European upper middle-class. The Kennel Club in England registered the Standard Poodle in 1874 and the American Kennel Club registered them in 1887, although the breed did not become popular in America until after World War II.

Poodles are incredibly intelligent and easy to train, which led to their prevalence in circus shows. Circus performers saw how they delighted crowds with their tricks and began styling their coats into even more eye-catching shapes. Today, they are not used as much for waterfowl retrieval, but instead they make great family pets due to their friendly disposition towards children and hypoallergenic coat.

Description
The following is derived from the AKC standard:

  • Coat: Poodles can have curly or corded coats that come in all solid colors such as café-au-lait, black, blue, silver, gray, white, red, brown, cream, and apricot.
  • Head: The head is moderately rounded with a strong, arched neck. The ears lay flat on the head and are long. The eyes should be dark and alert.
  • Body: They are a medium to large-sized breed, squarely built, and weighing 45-70 lbs. The legs are proportionate to its body and a tail that is set high and usually docked. The feet are oval-shaped and have toes that are arched.

Defects:
  • Multi-colored coats.
  • Snappy or aggressive behavior.
  • Slumped posture.
  • Elbows that stick out.
  • Cheekbones that are not flat.

There are three different body types of Poodles:
The Toy : 10 inches and under at the shoulder.
The Miniature : over 10 inches at the shoulder.
The Standard : over 15 inches at the shoulder.

Temperament
Poodles are intelligent and dignified. They enjoy being with their family and need quality time with their owners; otherwise they may develop separation anxiety. Elegant and regal looking, they take pleasure in showing off their agility. They may give a warning bark, but are generally not good guard dogs. Poodles are usually accepting of other cats and dogs if introduced properly. Their intelligence makes them easy to train as long as the owner is consistent.



Care
  • Grooming: Poodle coats do not shed. However, regular grooming is needed to keep it in good condition.
  • Living Situation: They do better in houses, but can fare well in apartments if the exercise requirement is met.
  • Exercise: The Standard Poodle needs 60 minutes of exercise daily.
  • Approximate Lifespan: 12-15 years
  • Common Health Problems: The Poodle is susceptible to many eye problems such as cataracts, runny eyes, and retinal atrophy. In addition, they are prone to Addison's disease, hip dysplasia, ear infections, and bloat.

The Rundown: Poodles are incredibly intelligent dogs that are easy to train and good with children. Their coat needs regular maintenance, but it does not shed and can be suitable for those with allergies. This is an active breed that needs daily exercise, but will be happy to cuddle on the couch with its family. They are prone to more health problems than other dogs.



Monday, March 6, 2017

Raise Your PIT BULL TERRIER In A Loving Environment

If you’re considering adding a Pit Bull Terrier to your family, there are a few very important details which need to be on your puppy checklist. Pit Bulls, just like any other dog breed, are unique in their personality traits and tendencies, and it is important that you take these things into consideration and plan ahead before bringing a Pit Bull puppy home.

Beautiful Pit Bull
Photo by Tobyotter

The first thing that you need to do is make sure that your house is safe as well as suitable for a Pit Bull puppy. “Puppy-proofing” your residence can save you a lot of headaches to say the least.

Secondly, you should also consider who lives in the home. Pit Bull terriers are a great dog for families with children ages 13 and up. I’m not saying that Pits don’t do well with younger children as well, but older children are ideal for raising your APBT.

You should make sure that there will be someone home to keep an eye on the puppy and take him out to the bathroom every 30-45 minutes. Your puppy will need to get exercise and training on a regular basis, so this time early on is very important to the development of your Pit. Regular exercise will allow your puppy to get his energy out safely and in a healthy manner.

Another point to take note of is that Pit Bulls generally don’t do well when they are used to lots of love, attention, and affection, and then the situation suddenly changes. They like consistency and it is important to maintain the relationship that you’ve started with your Pit Bull. Make it a point to keep the routine going, no matter how busy you may get.

Owning and raising a Pit Bull terrier is extremely rewarding, but it is vital that you become a responsible owner and invest the time and energy needed into your new pup. I promise you that if you take this seriously and follow through, you’ll have a pet that loves you more than you could ever imagine!



Sunday, March 5, 2017

CATS Are Very Lovable Creatures

“Who would believe such pleasure from a wee ball o' fur?”- An Irish saying about cats, perhaps best describes what pleasure-giving creatures cats can be. 

Jean Burden, beautifully defines the feline beauty. “A dog, I have always said, is prose; a cat is a poem.” Cats for many people, are really very lovable - remember ‘Snowbell’ - the cat of “Stuart Little”. 

Lulo F1000002
Lulo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Cats are rather delicate creatures and they are subject to many ailments. Cat grooming is a very important part of keeping a cat as a healthy pet.  Cat supplies can be defined as important things that can be purchased for cat grooming, and maintaining general good cat health.

Cat supplies is a general term that covers a variety of important cat care products. These topics could be used when undertaking an online Internet search for good value cat supply products for your pets - cat-grooming supplies, cat pet supplies, cat training supplies and discount cat supplies.

Cat Grooming:

Cat grooming is in fact a long program of cat health care that covers the entire life span a cat. It includes feline care, feline health care, feline diabetes care etc. It also includes practices like kitten care, giving a hygiene bath, general cleaning, combing, brushing, checking ears, paws, teeth and underside, nail trimming, removing cat fleas and insects and fixing regular meetings with a professional veterinary. Cat owners should follow a regular schedule of grooming sessions. 

Like children, infant cats, known as kittens, require some extra special attention. A kitten is delicate and should be handled with care. It also needs to be groomed properly, fed carefully, and bedded properly.

Cat Grooming Supplies:

Cat grooming supplies play a key role in the process of maintaining a happy and healthy cat.  Supplies for your pet may include a special cat home or house, cat doors, cat furniture, cat carrier, cat beds, heated cat beds, cat toys, cat collars, designer cat collars, jeweled or jingling cat collars, cat odor removers, cat clothes, special cat jewelry, cat food, cat tonics & supplements and cat medication.

Cat Beds:

A cat bed is a bed specially designed for the sleeping comfort of a cat. It should be the most pleasurable place for a cat where it retires to take sweet dreams. Good cat beds are actually quite important for maintaining good cat health. An improper sleep may very much affect the general health of your cat - thus the masters of cats should be very careful when buying cat beds. A cat bed and cat bedding should include a cat bed mattress, cat bed sheet, cat pillows, cat throw pillows, cat blankets and cat quilt or duvets. 

Cat beds are available in numerous styles and include designer cat beds, heated cat beds, luxury cat beds, wicker cat beds, leather cat beds, etc.

There are number of designer cat pet beds available on the market for purchase, both in physical pet stores, and also online. Many pet bed manufacturers now sell their cat beds online, through their official company websites.


Saturday, March 4, 2017

Home made DIETS for Dogs

Raw Ground beef
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Home made diets are important in the dog feeding. Many a times, the commercial diets consist of food items that have artificial coloring agents and flavoring agents that are harmful to the dog's body. Home made food items have the guarantee of freshness in the preparation unlike the ready-made commercial items.

The preservatives added in the commercial food items may not be the suitable ones to the dogs from the health point of view.  Even in case of renal diseases in dogs, the home made diets may be made with ground beef, slices of bread, calcium carbonate, boiled eggs etc. 
The purpose is to have the restricted protein supply in the feed items prepared.  This should be carried out with home made diets prepared exclusively for the dogs suffering from renal diseases. Water is added in sufficient quantities to help the proper metabolism in the digestion-impaired renal cases. 

The dog may have allergic symptoms like severe itching, which may not get corrected by different kinds of medications employed over a period of time.  Such cases may get easily treated once the dog food is changed from the commercial type of food to the home made food items.

Often, the home made food items are prepared using the freezing procedures to kill the germs or by adding grape seed extracts to provide sufficient antioxidants to the home made food items.  Food grade vinegar is also added in many times to the meat pieces prepared in a fresh manner.  All these can be enriched with vitamin supplements that are available in fruit essences, fish oil etc. 

Cranberry juice, bananas, fish and meat are prepared in a quality manner and no preservatives are added during the preparation of these kinds of food items and the dog becomes more active after the consumption of such food items.



Friday, March 3, 2017

DOMESTIC SHORTHAIR Kitten - Kittens of the World

Domestic Shorhair Kitten - Kittens of the World



Thursday, March 2, 2017

Guide To Keep For Acquiring NEWFOUNDLAND Puppies

Foster
Foster (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

From the room where we spend the nights at to the walls where we make some money, the long day we get through is still not done unless we find some methods of making it worth the effort. Others would prefer drinking and dancing the night out, but still some folks would recommend staying at home and making some time bonded with a pet instead.

Most people would recommend some folks they know about to just relate the stress away and find some replacement of their worries with such pet. Although it would take some time to find it, but actually your time will be minimized for selection when you consider the pointers stated here for looking some Newfoundland puppies.

Weigh your reasons. Not each pet lover is having their dog or cat just for the sake of having some company whenever they feel alone in their house. No matter how early or how late you will be going home, that pet will always be there waiting for you and always be excited to meet you again so just be responsible on dealing with its needs as well.

Read the blogs. Or maybe you can run over the forums where millions of online users are sharing their point of view and tips. Select the conference room that is close to your interest and that you can find out your reason to decide for your selection. There must be no problem about making your characteristics matching with its own traits or maybe you can just adjust and change for the sake of having it.

Get information regarding their legal documents. Those are vital factors that one must seek in this search. Without the permit and license to sell, they could be just random dealer who does not seek approval from the local town hall to distribute such kind of breed and animal. Consider this step even in whatever transaction you take because it is needed to know the background of your dealer.

It would be nice to get advice and learn from the insights provided by each of your prospect folks in your circle. The more friends you could ask for, and the more neighbor you can base your decision making on the better result there would be. Take note that each of their voices must be heard and that you must not take it for granted because that can might lead for better option and selection of shop.

There must never be a time that you will be caught up in a situation when the puppy would be gone for series of medication and stuff. Although it would be your concern and your duty due to so just like in cases when it would seem to require such attention, but still it should come as a priority of the breeder himself to attend to beforehand especially when the dog is still fragile.



Actual clients are truly not that shy on probing their protests against a breeder whom they seem not paying too much attention on their puppies. Once a malpractice is shared and known in the records of business bureau then that is a sign you should back out from the plan of getting your first every puppy from them while it is still early.

Getting to know the breed is important. Before you choose which shop you will get the breed you should learn to appreciate the worth of that breed first. Just like any other selection, you must study first how it would turn out after it is in your hands. Therefore, never get to underestimate the puppy without even knowing the fundamentals of it.

    About the Author: Deana Norton