Deworming Multiple CATS

Ah yes, everyone's favorite pet chore. One day you clean your cats' box and discover little white chunks of what appear to be cooked spaghetti lodged in the feces, that is, until one starts to move. 

You know then that it's time to deworm your cats. If your veterinarian says that your cat doesn't have anything particularly tough or nasty then he or she may recommend a regular schedule using commercial dewormers that can be found readily in any pet store. Your veterinarian even may have a good general purpose dewormer on hand for your use. Fortunately, there is a wide range of deworming medicines available on the market. Most are liquid or pill form.

If you have only one cat, your task is relatively simple. Choose a dewormer that your cat will find acceptable if not palatable. Many liquid dewormers claim to be very tasty to cats. Unfortunately, many cats would vigorously disagree with that assessment. In such a case, if you have access to a pill form of dewormer that your cat is willing to swallow, you're in luck. If your cat won't swallow pills without major mayhem breaking out and turns his nose up at every liquid dewormer you try, then you have a problem. If you have more than one cat, it can become even more of an issue. If your cats will

happily take whatever you offer, then the only thing you have to worry about is keeping the greedy guts from getting more than they should. But, If each of them has a different idea as to what is acceptable (or not) for deworming medicine, then you have a major headache.

Rather than cater to each cats whims and maintain a veterinary pharmacy worth of dewormers in your house or routinely running your finicky feline into the veterinarian every to he needs deworming, you might try a different route. You will need a liquid deworming medicine and a syringe. Syringes are readily available in the livestock medication section of farm supply stores. You only need the section with the barrel and plunger. No needles are needed or should even be used. Syringes in farm supply stores usually offer the two sections separately. Select one of smaller size. Your cat won't need large amounts of medicine at any one time.

Measure out the proper amount of dewormer for your cat into a measuring cup. A measuring cup usually comes in the package with a liquid dewormer. Take one of your syringes and place the open end (where the needle would normally attach) into the measuring cup and draw the medicine up into the barrel by pulling upward on the plunger. Try to get it all at one time. You could do this task by increments but trying to manage a squirming cat while refilling a syringe really is more difficult than it is worth. Now restrain your cat gently and situate yourself so that you can hold the cat and use the syringe easily. It could require some experimentation to work out a suitable position for the both of you. . If you keep one hand underneath the cats head and cradle his chin it will make this part of the task go more smoothly. Slide the end of the syringe a little bit into your cat's mouth and slowly depress the plunger This will empty the medicine into your cat's mouth slowly enough that he can readily swallow it without choking. Repeat for each cat.

Naturally, your cat will not be particularly pleased with this method. He may object rather strenuously. With repetition, however, you will become much smoother with the task. You don't need to rush during this task. Take your time to discover what will work best for you and your cats. Your cats will become more accustomed to it despite themselves. This method will ensure that each cat, even your most finicky, gets the proper amount of medicine he needs. And that, of course, is the whole reason for the entire exercise.

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Rise & Shine: Healthy Fats for a Healthy, Shiny Dog Coat

A DOGS Golden Years

With appropriate care most dogs live complete and happy lives.  Unfortunately, an adored pet never seems to live long enough.  Each breed has different life spans.  While taking care of your aging dog you need to adapt his environment for his comfort.  As dogs get older, they develop aches, joint pain, generalized weakness and an almost definite increase in medical problems.

Adjust his surroundings to minimize discomfort.  Protect him from excessive heat and cold.  Older dogs are unable to regulate body temperature as a younger dog.

Picture of aging Chocolate Labrador
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Try to give your dog regular exercise.  Make sure your dogs health matches his exercise routine.  If your dog exhibits signs of heavy panting or opposes exercise you need to change his routine.

Adapt his diet and feeding schedule to his needs.  As dogs age they are less active and need fewer calories.  Prescription diets are available.  Discuss special diets with your veterinarian.

Older dogs can experience hearing loss and declining eyesight.  Accommodate for his safety.

Senior dogs require special dental care.  They are more likely to develop gum problems and disease.  Complete dental cleaning should be performed by your vet every six months which does require anesthesia.  Make sure complete bloodwork is performed.

Older dogs need extra bathing and grooming.  Dry skin can be a normal part of aging or it can be a sign of an underlying medical condition.  They also require more frequent nail trimming.

Take into consideration his age in human years.  If he is 13 in dog years, he may suffer the same aging ailments as a 75 year old human.

Continue with bi-annual vet exams.  Senior dogs need extra care with their aging problems.

Give his life quality!  Keep those memories alive!

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HEART WORM, fleas and other parasites

Heart worm, fleas and other parasites in dogs need to be eliminated by following appropriate medications in them.  Many products have come up in the commercial fields to protect the dogs from heart worms, fleas and other parasites like hook worms, whip worms, round worms, lice, ticks etc. 

Picture of a heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) microfilaria taken through a microscope at 400x. Taken by Joel Mills
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Among the heart worm, fleas and other parasites, the fleas produce the hyper sensitive reactions in the affected animals. Hence, the animals infested with fleas start severely scratching of body. Many times, the scratching is so severe and the skin becomes more hyperemic and dermatitis occurs in the affected areas. 

Animal will not lie down or sleep comfortably due to the constant bites by the fleas. Hence, animal looks as if affected by some severe skin disease.  If the animal is not properly attended for this tick bite problem, there will be often secondary bacterial invasions in these sites and there may even be a bad smell emanating from the skin areas. 

Close observation of the dog is highly essential to rule out the occurrence of fleas disturbing the animal to a greater extent. Similarly, the skin of the animal needs to be tested for the presence of ticks, lice etc. For this, the hair materials need to be separated and the close observation with patience is required for the proper diagnosis.

In many incidences, if anemia is present, the blood protozoa need to be ruled out in addition to the hookworm problems.  The clinical problems like anemia, loose motion, pot belly etc. might be recognized by the dog owners themselves and however, the dog needs to undergo the routine health related examination involving fecal examination, hematological examination and blood smear examination.  

Many commercial products have come up in the market, which are useful to deal with all these conditions by single dose.  Drugs like ivermectin are highly useful and are available in both injection and oral form in addition to the solution form that can be applied on the skin. These drugs in dogs can lead to the prophylaxis of these conditions also.  

Taking Kitty to the DENTIST

It is important for you to go to the dentist at least annually for checkups. This is, however, also important to your cat! Many people never think about it, but good dental health can keep your cat happy and disease-free. Whenever your cat goes to the vet, make sure that dental health is checked and discussed, and if your cat is acting strangely at all, especially with eating habits, make sure that dental health problems are not a concern.

Photo by www.ilmicrofono.it

Kittens, like baby humans, have fewer teeth than adult cats. Each kitten has 26 temporary teeth, which begin to appear at about three weeks of age. An adult cat will have 30 permanent teeth-16 on the top and 14 on the bottom. A cat usually begins getting his or her permanent teeth when he or she is three of four months old. Some of these teeth have two roots while others have three.

The most common dental diseases found in cats are resporption lesions and gum disease (gingivitis). Resorption lesions are also known as cervical line lesions or neck lesions and often result in tooth loss. These lesions are difficult to detect, as they often grow below the gum line. Gum disease is found in over 70% of cats by the age of three. You can tell if your cat has gum disease by looking for yellow and brown tarter build up along the gum line and over the tooth, red inflamed gums, and chronic bad breath.

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Oral disease is often an indication of other more serious health problems. For example, it is common for a cat with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) to have oral health problems. Dental conditions are also commonly found with feline immunodeficiency virus and feline calicivirus. Therefore, if your pet is have dental problems, you need to see a vet right away about these conditions to make sure they are symptoms of a much more serious disease.

Cats can also accidentally break teeth. This can be a result of a fall, a fight with another cat or other animal, or biting into something too hard to chew. Usually, the upper canine tooth will be the tooth fractured. This is the tooth in your cat's mouth that looks like a large fang. If this is fractured, your cat may or may not be in pain. The first symptom of this kind of a fracture is continuous sneezing.

Overall, oral health is important in all mammals. Cats are susceptible to a number of dental disease and problems, just like humans. By taking your cat to the vet often and asking about oral health, you can make sure that you are providing the best health care foods and tools for your feline friend.

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Fact Sheet: BEAGLE

(Original Title: The Beagle Dog Breed: An Expert Guide To This Lovable Hound)

Beagle

The Beagle is a member of the Hound Group and is America's fifth most popular dog. This breed has origins dating back roughly 2,500 years ago. Today, the Beagle's keen sense of smell makes it the popular choice for working in airport security, while its amiable nature, size, and lack of health problems make them a common choice for a family pet.

History

The first modern day Beagle originated in England in 1830, but the Beagle's ancestors can be traced roughly 2,500 years prior in ancient Greece when William the Conqueror bred Talbot Hounds to create the Southern Hound. In Medieval times, hunters used what were called "Pocket Beagles" that could fit in the hunter's pockets and could be released after larger dogs had cornered prey in areas that only smaller dogs could reach. King Henry VII and Queen Elizabeth I were huge fans of the pocket beagle, which became extinct around the year 1900.

By the 1700s, the North Country Beagle and the South Hound were the two breeds used for hunting rabbits and the Beagle's main common ancestors. The two breeds were mixed with the Foxhound, as fox hunting became a popular sport in Great Britain. In 1830, the basis for the modern day Beagle would appear when Reverend Phillip Honeywood of Great Britain would begin breeding dogs that slowly moved away from the North County Beagle and South Hound. The first Beagles were smaller and had pure white coats.

In the 1840s, the Beagle now had four variations:

• The medium Beagle
• The dwarf or lapdog Beagle
• The fox Beagle
• The terrier Beagle

Approaching the 1900s, the number of Beagles had risen and the standard for the breed was recorded. General Richard Rowett from the United States had Beagles imported to his home in Illinoise, where he would begin breeding them and helping the Beagle become recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1884.

Description

Beagles resemble miniature Foxhounds, but have a broader head and a shorter muzzle. The following is based off the AKC standard:

• Coat: Beagles can come in a variety of colors, such as the Classic tricolor, the Faded tricolor, and the Dark tricolor.
• Head: A slightly domed skull and medium-length muzzle. The ears are set somewhat low and hanging almost to the nose. Brown or hazel eyes set well apart in a gentle hound expression.
• Body: A sturdy body with a broad and deep chest. Strong legs and sloping shoulders. The tail is set somewhat high. They are a small-sized breed, weighing from 18-30 lbs.

Defects:

• If the dog measures more than 15 inches.
• Any cringing or sulking behaviors.
• Straight shoulders or a disproportionately wide chest.
• Crooked forelegs
• Short, thin coat.
• Tail that is curved or short.

The America Kennel Club recognizes two different varieties of Beagles:

13-inch Beagle: measuring less than 13 inches (33 cm)

15-inch Beagle: measuring between 13 and 15 inches (33 and 38 cm)

Temperament

The Beagle is a happy, loving, and outgoing breed that will greet both people and other animals with joy. For this reason, they do not make good guard dogs. Small rodents should not be trusted around Beagles since they were bred to hunt small prey. Beagles are content to curl up on the couch with their owners and relax, but this breed needs daily exercise and mental stimulation. Without it, they can become destructive. Beagles should be trained early and are easily motivated with food.

Care

• Grooming: The Beagle's short coat only requires a quick brush once a week to remove dead hair and they do not need frequent baths.
• Living Situation: This breed can live in apartments or houses, as long as they get a daily walk.
• Exercise: A 30-minute walk daily will be sufficient.
• Approximate Lifespan: 10-15 years
• Common Health Problems: The Beagle is one of the healthiest breeds and therefore, is not susceptible to many health issues. Obesity can occur in Beagles if left to free-feed.

The Rundown: Beagles are healthy, happy pack animals that need homes with multiple people. A fenced yard is a necessity due to their strong scent drive and inclination to wander. Their size is perfect for most living situations, but their tendency to howl can be detrimental to apartment living.

By Beth Fletcher Article Source: EzineArticles

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The ABYSSINIAN CAT

Known for its distinctive fur and its country-wide popularity, the Abyssinian cat has become a happy addition to many homes, and seems to be poised to arrive at many more.

A six-month old Chocolate Abyssinian (left) with his Sorrel father
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Origins

While rumors of the Abyssinian commonly trace back to Ethiopia, this cat's origins remain unclear. Genetic and DNA testing have traced this popular breed to the Indian Ocean or even Egypt, although its name originates from Ethiopia. Although its origins remain uncertain, the breed was developed over time in Egypt, where it is believed the British colonists purchased the distinct animal from traders. Wild versions of the Abyssinian cat still roam the northern parts of Africa, and this breed is said to date back potentially thousands of years.

Features and Characteristics

The Abyssinian cat is most notable for its coat. This distinctive coat can be traced back to a single mutant gene known as the "ta". To the touch, the hair is dense and extremely silky. Appearance, however, is what set this cat's fur apart from the others. Each hair on their bodies has multicolored bands surrounding it that compliment and accentuate the single base color. There are many different color variations within the Abyssinian community, and Abyssinian kittens usually begin darker at birth before growing into their lighter, final color as they mature.

The Abyssinian is also known for its large and prominent ears, which always seem to be on high alert. The rest of the head is wide and shaped like a wedge. The Abyssinian's tail is longer than most other cat breeds as well, and it tapers to a very narrow point at the end. Abyssinian cats are also surprisingly strong and nimble which takes some owners by surprise since their bone structure appears incredibly fine and dainty. They also commonly have "frown lines" appearing above the bridge of the nose and the eyes which most notably forms a very distinctive "m" shape.

Behavior and Temperament

You couldn't ask for a more intelligent and interactive breed. Abyssinian cats are well-known for their curiosity and their playful spirit, and they're very apt to learn quickly and easily. These cats are not known for serious snuggle time - they're more often than not up and about, constantly exploring their surroundings with a curiosity that is usually breed-wide. Many Abyssinians are even known to play fetch when given the opportunity.

These cats spend so much time interacting and exploring their environment that they often don't receive the affection and attention from their human companions that they need. They can slip into depression when the interaction with humans is limited and they need a lot of positive reinforcement and encouragement to remain happy and stable inside their surroundings.

Health Concerns

Because Abyssinian cats are short-haired cats, they require very little in terms of grooming so they are easily cared for. While they may occasionally require a bath, it is not the norm. Brushing semi-regularly may be advisable, and a regular brushing can accentuate their unusual coats even further. Their teeth, however, need to receive special care and it is highly suggested by veterinarians that they are brushed more regularly than they are bathed. Although rare, Renal Amyloidosis has also been found in certain Abyssinian cats, so having their health (especially their kidney functions) checked regularly is also advisable.

The Abyssinian cat is the perfectly suited cat to practically any environment. By maintaining external stimulation and engaging these intelligent and beautiful cats, you can guarantee a world of entertainment for your cat and for your family.

By Velita Livingston Velita Livingston is the founder of the Cat Lover's Diary blog which provides rich content with great advice on cat care tips and cat training, teaching pet owners how to protect, pamper and live peacefully with their pets. Visit the http://www.catloversdiary.com to watch the Cat Lover's Diary Movie, it contains breathtaking images and heartwarming quotes... It will uplift and inspire you! You can also visit the Cat Lover's Diary on Facebook and Twitter. Article Source: EzineArticles

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Tips For TRAINING Your CAT

You can’t train a cat, like you can a dog. If you try to, you’ll probably cause behavioural problems later on. But you can teach it not to perform bad habits. But most times the owner will have to change to fit in with the cat.

Every one in your house, should agree with what you are going to allow the cat to do. Do not change the rules when you’ve decided them, as this can cause difficulties.

Cat using scratch pad made of corrugated cardboard/fiberboard.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

• If your cat trusts you, it will probably do what you want, so speak in a calm tone.

• Your cat can tell if you are anxious, so don’t worry if things go wrong. Keep calm and start again.

• Don’t force training on your cat, only attempt it when it seems happy to do so.

• Don’t move too quickly, or the cat might misunderstand.

• When teaching a kitten only do it for ½ hour a day and only repeat a few times. As an annoyed kitten will not learn anything.

• If you are forbidding something, be consistent. Don’t change your mind, and stick to the same command.

• If you’ve caught your cat doing something bad, give it a quick squirt of water from a plant sprayer. This will soon curb the behaviour.

• Never hurt or shout at your cat, or it will associate you with the unpleasantness. Instead put some dry beans in a tin and shake it briefly if you cat is being bad.

• When the cat obeys, praise and stroke it.

• Treat your cat with food when it does well, it will learn to associate a good behaviour with food. But don’t over do it, it will soon so it without help.

• Do not ignore your cat when you are mad at it, cats do not understand this behaviour and will feel insecure.

Your cat will not know from the start that it has to use a scratch post to sharpen its claws. You need to teach it to do so.

If your cat beings to attack the furniture, clearly say ‘NO’. Then take the cat to the scratching post and put its paws on it. You can scratch with your own nails too, as the noise will make the cat curious.

If your cat refuses to use the scratch post, then it may not like the fabric that covers it. Try putting an old piece of clothing that smells like you over the board; put some hemp rope around the scratching tree, or put down some straw mats, cats often like these better.

Make sure where your cat sleeps is quiet and comfortable. Provide your cat with a covered basket, with a soft filling such as a blanket or towel. You cat can get away in here and feel safe, but still be able to see things going on.

Don’t let your cat beg, once it has formed this habit, you won’t be able to break it. Don’t give in to a meowing cat! Keep your cat away from the dining table!

• Don’t offer your cat food from the table.

• Don’t give treats outside of feeding time, just because it wants them.

• Don’t put your cat on your lap when eating dinner at the table.

• Set your cat certain feeding times.

• Feed your cat when you eat, so it will be occupied.

• If you cat jumps on your lap or the chair next door while you are eating say ‘NO’ and place it far from the table.

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Things You Should Learn About DOG OBEDIENCE TRAINING

As pets, dogs are not only meant to be confined at home. There are chances when you have to take them out for a walk or bring them to any destination. Even more, the dog needs to learn the proper behavior despite being kept at home. Socializing is one skill that he has to be trained with. Thus, let him undergo dog obedience training. 

You see, all of your family members should feel safe and at ease with your pet. There are dogs that seem to be agitated and such behavior can definitely threaten your family's safety. While training him may be quite a daunting task, you will realize that it will be all worth it. Sooner or later, you will appreciate your efforts.

Psychiatric Service Dog In Training
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Real Scope of Dog Training

Obedience training is composed of several areas. It ranges from the simplest one up to the most advance instructions for your dog. The basics often include the simple commands that should make your dog respond. Included are come, sit, stand, roll over, stay, down, and the likes. The advance training includes giving directions for fetching something and many others. There are techniques used as well like positive reinforcement, clicker training, collar and leash, and the rewards given for any positive and likeable behavior.

Dog obedience is a training that is often recommended for the wild and unruly animals. But in your case, a new pet will be more in his best foot if given the proper training.

The Importance of Obedience Training 

As a dog owner, you should understand the significance of training your pet to obey. A trained dog is very suitable to bring around friends and other people without fear of attacking anyone. It is then like tagging along a well-behaved human being. You don't like your dog to be misbehaving and causing nuisance, right? Therefore, allow him to absorb a kind of mentality that emphasizes the need to act accordingly in different situations.

Dog Obedience Training by Yourself

Although professionals are more into this thing, it will be a rewarding experience for you and your dog if the training is conducted personally. The training sessions will not only serve as educational but also suffice for your bonding moments. Doing so will establish a closer bond between the two of you.

Training your dog calls for more patience on your part. It will be hard on your dog's part to process your commands and will take time to execute them. There will be moments when you feel like giving up and snapping but don't punish your dog without any reason. This may agitate him. Keep in mind that your dog needs to adjust and learning doesn't happen overnight.

Positive reinforcements are likewise very essential. They will boost your dog to do better. It will speed up his learning process too.

Dog obedience training is therefore a very important thing to attend to. So, enjoy the moments with your pet the way he will enjoy his time with you.

Getting a new puppy or adult dog is always an exciting time for the entire family. There is a good reason why dogs are known as man’s best friend, and a loyal dog is more than just a pet as they becoming a beloved member of the family.

In order to achieve that level of love and companionship, however, it is important to start you need puppy or adult dog off on the right foot. A solid grounding in obedience and problem behavior avoidance is essential to making your dog, and you, happier and healthier.

“How does your dog sit when you tell him to and mine doesn’t?", “How can your dog heel to you like that?", “Wow! He comes when you tell him to” - Sounds familiar? If it does, you need to invest some time into a little bit of basic dog training. Starting to train your dog from a young age is crucial as the first few months of his life is when you will have the greatest influence on him; this is where he is shaped into the dog he is going to be when he is all grown up.

The most basic of dog training is to get your dog to sit and come. Teaching him those commands are essential for him to learn. These commands are used for various different reasons, if you are in competition, if your dog jumps making him sit will immediately get him off and "come" is the all-important one. If you take your dog for a walk, you let him of the leash and you expect him to come back to you, not run around the park with you chasing after him shouting at him to “get here right this instance”. That would be just downright embarrassing!

To teach your dog how to come requires only the most basic of techniques but a lot of repetition. The simplest way to get him to come is have a toy in one hand and a treat in the other, when you are in the house simply walk away from him, hold out the toy and excitingly ...

Read more on the E-Book: Dog Training Basics $ 9.99

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Doggie Food: Tips On Good NUTRITION for Your DOG

If you have a dog of your own you will know that a full tummy doesn't nearly cover the whole process of deciding which dog food to buy.

Your dog is your best friend, you will want him to live the fullest, happiest life that he can. Feeding him the best food will not only ensure that he is healthy and happy, but has a shiny coat and lively tail too.

Many of our spoiled pets become fussy. It's a natural progression from being fussed over so much. If you have fussy dogs, like me, you will know how guilt laden mealtimes can become.

Something New for my dogs - Photo by Tobyotter 

You want to give your dog the best advantage in life; why not consider cooking some specially prepared meals just for your dog. Whilst it is true that many owners can provide their dogs with adequate nutrition on a vegetarian diet, this is tricky and time consuming to accomplish. Buying a medium quality dog food and adding some extra goodness should be sufficient.

One of the best ways to ensure your dog is receiving optimum nutrition whilst living on medium quality pet food is to add some kind of nutritional supplement. This can ensure good nutrition at all times.  One such proven source is NuVet.

A news release, Chattanooga, TN with Calvin Sneed (Consumer Advocate) reported a breeder in Tennessee got caught in the Diamond Dog food recall and 12 out of 14 dogs died.  However the 2 that didn’t die were on NuVet.  You can only buy this product from breeder referral. 1-800-474-7044.  Referral number is 75855.

Read the labels of any dog food you buy carefully. Any of the foods you buy should contain turkey, beef, chicken or any other animal by-product to keep your dog looking healthy and glossy.

If you are changing your dog’s diet you are vulnerable to guilt-treating practices. Don't overcompensate for your dog’s fussiness. The quickest way your dog will learn to appreciate a new dog food is to be forced to make do with what is served up at mealtimes. Don't give treats or snacks because your dog isn't eating. This just encourages fussy eating and perpetuates the cycles of fussiness again. Be firm.

If you are trying to incorporate some home cooked goodness into your dog’s life you might need to include rice, corn, oatmeal or wheat. These are all excellent sources of carbohydrates. You will need to keep in mind that most of your dog’s most valuable proteins come from meat. Whilst many say that dogs are omnivores – they are still partially carnivorous.

If you have a dog be sure NEVER to give them the following:

• Chocolate

• Raw fish or eggs

• Onions

• Tomatoes

With careful attention and some patience you can revolutionize your dog’s diet. And hopefully help him live a long and healthy life.

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Foster CAT CARE, What You Need to Know

Some animals have been abandoned by their owners. They end up in animal shelters hoping that someone will come along and given them a good home. If you are thinking of owning a feline, you better learn a thing or two about foster cat care.

When you bring home the cat from the foster home, this should first be left inside the cat carrier until they are already ready to be isolated in a small room. This will give them time to adjust to their new environment and one of the most ideal places in the house is the bathroom that must have a cat bed, litter pan, water and food.

Animal Rescue (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

If there are children in the house, they must be slowly introduced to the feline one at a time with adult supervision. They must be taught to treat it gently and speak to it softly but if you have infants or toddlers, you should wait till they grow older.

In case there is already a cat in the house and the one you adopted will add to the number of pets, you must plan a 2 week introductory period between them. Be aware that there will be a lot of hissing and you should be present at all times so that should a fight break out, you will be able to wrap a blanket around them and have these two separated. Naturally, both should have a separate litter box and bowl.

You must always use good quality cat food and not the cheap kind if you want to extend the life of your cat. Feeding is once daily and you have the option of giving them supplements like Omega 3 Fatty acids.

By law, cats are required to wear an identification tag so if you don’t have one yet, you better get one. Written on the tag is the cat’s name, your name, address and contact number so someone will be able to get in touch with you in the event it gets out of the house. Another option is for to install a microchip that is embedded under their skin.

Some cats have not been toilet trained. If this is one of your problems, you should teach them so they know that this is the place to go when nature is calling. The best step is to carry them to the box when you see that they are about to do it. If you see them doing, reinforce it by giving them food as a reward thus making this habit forming.

Aside from providing the adopted cat with food and shelter, you should also give them a scratch pad to curb the incidents of unwanted destruction of furniture. Ideally, this should measure 3 feet in height and installed near where they sleep or next to the furniture.

If ever they scratch on the furniture, do not scold them. Just carry them and direct their attention to the post.

Since their claws get sharp, you must also trim it every two weeks. If you have never done it before, ask your vet to teach you so this is done right causing no harm to the cat.

Foster cat care can be a challenge given that there are a lot of things to teach it. By giving your new friend constant love and attention, you will be able to enjoy each other’s company.

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RABIES in CATS - The Truth About Feline Rabies

Most people associate rabies with dogs. However, rabies in cats is much more common nowadays. This disease is caused by a virus that is almost always deadly.

Got Rabies? - Photo by cbgrfx123 

Transmission

The virus that causes feline rabies is carried in the saliva of animals. These infected animals can transmit the disease to other mammals by biting them. This is the most common method of transmission. However, cats may also become infected if they have an open cut that allows the virus to enter their body. Some cats get the disease when they eat an animal that has the disease.

Symptoms

If your cat has this disease, he will be very irritable and excitable. Rabies in cats can also cause symptoms such as lack of appetite and seizures. As the disease progresses, it leads to paralysis of muscles. This paralysis causes respiratory distress and eventually death.

Diagnosis

Currently, there is one main method to diagnose feline rabies. The affected cat’s brain will have to be examined in a laboratory under a microscope. Obviously, this must be done after the animal has already died from the disease.

Treatment

Unfortunately, there is no treatment for rabies in cats. Once your cat begins to show symptoms, there is nothing you can do about it. Since the disease causes a very painful death, it is common for cats suspected of having the disease to be euthanized. It is very rare for any animal to survive a bout with this virus.

Prevention

The best way to prevent feline rabies is to have your cat vaccinated. In most parts of the United States, it is require by law. You should have him vaccinated at three months of age and again when he turns one year old. When your cat reaches two years old, he will likely receive a booster shot that remains effective for three years. You should also try to limit your cat’s exposure to wild animals that may carry the virus.

Rabies is a very serious disease. There are also many other serious diseases and conditions that may affect your cat in the future such as feline feline herpes virus So, stop by common-cat-diseases.com to learn about more of these other conditions like the feline leukemia virus.

By D Swain Article Source: EzineArticles

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Household DOG DANGERS

Dogs have a tendency of trying to eat just about everything they come across. In most cases, this causes some slight discomfort. There are things, however, that can be dangerous enough to cause death to your dog if he eats them. Following is a brief list:

1) Antifreeze: Many people do not realize it, but common antifreeze kills many pets each year. It smells and tastes very sweet to your dog and is very appealing to him.

2) Chocolate: Chocolate contains a substance called the obromine which is toxic to dogs. Baking chocolate and dark chocolate is especially dangerous.

3) Bleach: As you might imagine, household bleach is toxic to dogs. Keep all products containing bleach out of your dog's reach.

4) Tylenol: As little as two regular strength Tylenol tablets can kill a small dog.

5) Watch Batteries: If your dog ingests a watch battery, it can cause a potentially fatal ulceration in the stomach within 12 hours. All other alkaline batteries are toxic to dogs as well.

6) Moth Balls: Moth balls are very dangerous to dogs. They contain an insecticide that causes central nervous system excitement and seizures..

7) Fabric Softeners and other detergents: All sorts of household detergents are toxic to dogs at one level or another, but fabric softeners fall into the highly toxic category.

8) Mouthwash: Mouthwash can contain boric acid which is highly toxic to dogs. Symptoms of poisoning by mouthwash include vomiting, drooling, seizures, and coma.

9) Peach Pits: With most fruits, the pits and the seeds are toxic to dogs. Signs of poisoning include drooling, vomiting, and lethargy.

10) Household Plants: Many common and popular household plants are highly toxic to dogs. A partial list of toxic plants includes poinsettias, lilies, ferns, devil's ivy, aloe, and ivy.

If you think your dog may have eaten any of these substances, or anything else that could poison him, call a vet immediately. It could save his life.

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Cost of DOG FEEDS

The cost of dog feed is one factor that is most important in the case of feeding of dogs with different kinds of food items. Yes. This is true. The cost factor needs to be looked into in various perspectives during the preparation of the food items, required for the balanced feeding of dogs with proper vitamin and mineral supplementations in the food.

Shelves of dog food. Includes Beneful and Pedigree (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Cost will not always matter much because the dog’s value is being assessed in terms of companionship and the happiness derived from the dog to the dog owner. Though the cost of the food items is comparatively more, many dog owners don’t mind much due to the increased benefits derived from their dogs in terms of protection, guiding, etc. 

Selection of ingredients for the home made food needs to be however based on the quality factor. Even when the quality is more, general persons may seek some cheaper items only. Recommended nutrient contents may be obtained from the national nutrient academies in all nations and this will provide guidelines.

One can correlate the cost factor with items available in their own country. Generally, the commercial food items are expensive especially the ones that use the modern technologies of food preparation like oven-baking, sterilization of cans, air drying or freeze drying of contents etc.

Canned items cost more than the dry food items. However, the cost of the items depends on what kind of food item to be used for the dogs. Food allergies need to be monitored during usage of different food items in case of dogs due to the cheaper cost of the items. Often the quality need not be compromised because of the cost factor. 

Most of the dog food items nowadays have mentioned their cost in the label itself. Hence, the dog owner need not have any problem in taking a decision on the purchase.

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Grooming your FRENCH BULLDOG

The French Bulldog, no matter how odd it may seem to some people, has been the choice for many celebrities. Their stocky and muscular, yet diminutive frame has been seen strolling with high profile people not only because of their peculiar looks, yet also because of their demeanor. Martha Stewart, Reese Witherspoon, musician Brandon Boyd, and Nat and Alex Wolff, are just some of the celebrities which own a French bulldog.

Many have attested to their being the perfect pet, but to maintain their good looks and to ensure their health, you have to know how to properly groom your French bulldog. Don’t worry, with their small bodies, French bulldogs won’t need much of your time for grooming. In fact, you only have to give them full grooming every two months or so. But, you still have to see to it that they are kept clean all the time. 

Prepare the things you need first before getting your French bulldog, this will ensure that once you get started, you will be able to continue without having to keep on standing up to look for the things you need. Basically, what you will need is a tub filled with warm water, not hot, but about room temperature, cold water may shock the dog. You will also need some scissors, special dog shampoo and conditioner, a dog brush and a rubber brush, some baby wipes, and a towel. 

Before bathing, decide whether you want to keep the whiskers on your French bulldog. Some owners prefer it off, while some likes it on, it’s your preference. Then, using the baby wipes, clean out the folds on the face of your dog. The folds may contain some grime and dirt. You can then bathe your pet with the dog shampoo. You may use a rubber brush while bathing the dog, this will help spread the shampoo and also remove dead hair from the body. 

After bathing, dry the dog with a towel rubbing vigorously yet gently. The continuous rubbing will also help in removing more dead hair. This is not only healthy for your dog, but also, it will help keep shedding minimal, this means you won’t get much dog hair on your furniture. Its not necessary to use a dryer at this stage. A dog brush will then be used after the towel to smoothen and flatten the coat of your French bulldog. 

To help absorb the moisture left after the bath, apply some baby powder on the facial folds of your dog. This will eliminate infections and itchiness plus odor. Then check the hair on your dog’s ears, excess hair can be trimmed to get a clean and even edge. To make the coat of your French bulldog even shinier, a coat conditioner can be applied. With a brush, you can spread a small amount all over its body and flatten the hair at the same time.

Now you have a French bulldog ready for the silver screen!

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RUSSIAN BLUE CAT

Origins:

As normally happens with many cat breeds, the origins of Russian blue cats are rather blurry and unclear, often embellished with more legends than facts.

Russian Blue kitten (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

One of the latter, even goes as far as to claim these cats were the favourite pets of Russian Czars before the Russian revolution. The official version, though, goes that they originated on the Archangel Isles in Russia and were eventually introduced in Britain in the 1860s where they were exhibited at the Crystal Palace as Archangel cats, also known as Spanish blue or foreign blue. The then so-called Archangel cat soon caught on both in the UK and Scandinavia where it was renamed Russian blue and actively bred until World War II. They were officially declared a new breed in 1912 by the Cat Fancy Society, to avoid confusion with British Blue cats.

From the 1940s on, they were also crossed with Siamese cats and once in USA, These blue coloured cats were also developed until a new breed was created. These cats are now known as Modern Russian Blue cats.

Physical description:

Regarding their physical appearance, Russian Blue cats are well-built and fine-boned with graceful long limbs.

Their coat is short-specially suitable if you are allergic-and smooth. Their unique colour is due to the fact that both blueish grey as well as silver-tipped hairs give them an overall lustrous look. What actually makes them so attractive and eye-catching is the contrast between their unique glossy coat and their striking yellowish green eyes.

Naturally enough, only Russian blue cats with blueish grey coats are officially considered such by most Cat Societies world-wide with the sole exception of the Australian Cat Federation (ACF) that also accepts black, and white Russian blue cats as such.

By Scott T Swan Scott Swan lives in New York with his 4 Cats is a huge fan of Kitten Games and Cat Games. Article Source: EzineArticles

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DOG INSOMNIA - The What and Why of Dog Sleeping Problems

Just like humans, dogs can have trouble sleeping. And also similar to humans, dog sleeping problems can be caused by a number of different factors. Here, we'll explore the common canine sleeping problems, possible causes of those problems, and ways to address the problems to help your pet sleep better. Whether it means treating an underlying medical problem or buying a waterproof dog bed, taking action to address your dog sleeping problem can be good for both you and for your dog.

The sleeping dog (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Common Types of Dog Sleeping Problems

Almost any dog sleeping problem can be classified into one of two general types of struggle: snoring and sleeplessness. (Just like humans!) Let us look at each of these two problems, and then explore some of the common causes that can prevent a dog from sleeping well for that reason.

• Dog Insomnia is characterized by the dog pacing at night, most often. It may also whine, try to get attention from its owners, or display an excess of energy (not unlike a child who is 'wound up' because she is actually tired!) Even if you try everything to keep your dog comfortable (Think dog bed: memory foam style), he or she may still have trouble sleeping for a number of reasons.
• Dog snoring is a bit more straightforward (or at least easier to identify) as sleeping problems go. This one will certainly not be solved with a nice foam dog bed, so read on to learn what you can do.

What Can Cause A Dog Sleep Problems ?

Of course, when you first get your pet, sleeping through the night may be out of the question. To use another kid metaphor, this is the same with puppies as with infants. But if the dog, as an adult, develops sleeping problems or seems to get worse, there could be an underlying issue.

For snoring, there is almost always a health problem causing the snore. See a veterinarian, who should probably check for allergies as well as assess the dog's weight. Obesity can cause snoring in pets.

For insomnia, however, the situation is more complex. One thing you could consider is whether the dog gets enough exercise. Like a child without recess, the dog may be "wound for sound" come bedtime. Try daytime exercise to see if this helps.

If not, the insomnia could be caused by discomfort. However, even discomfort has many different possible causes:

• Improper Bedding. If your dog is sensitive or has joint problems, he or she may really benefit from a better dog bed. Memory foam or orthopedic beds are a great place to start. A waterproof dog bed is also a good idea for older dogs; it keeps things cleaner and more sanitary.
• Health problems. Things that could make your canine uncomfortable include fleas, internal injury, allergies, or a major illness or sickness.
• Mental/psychological issues. If your dog's living situation has recently changed, stress or emotional trauma may cause the sleeping problem you're experiencing. Also, as dogs age, their hearing and vision deteriorate. They may feel disoriented, which is why they wander around.

What To Do About Dog Sleeping Troubles?

First and foremost, see a veterinarian. He or she can check for allergies, parasites, joint problems, injuries, illnesses, and other health problems. This is very important. If the dog is deemed healthy, get a comfortable bed (such as a foam dog bed, etc.) that is big enough for the dog's size.

Finally, for older dogs, consider installing night lights around the house, in case its vision is causing it to become scared in the dark.

By Rob Zygelman Learn more about pet care and insurance at [http://www.petinsurance101.net] Pet insurance101 is an educational resource providing information about pet insurance and helping consumers make a choice. Robin Zygelman is thoroughly committed to saving animals one at a time. Article Source: EzineArticles

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