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Rich Pets – Living a Pampered Lifestyle

Monday, October 8th, 2007

He has hundreds of toys, only eats the finest foods and bottled waters, and sleeps in designer beds. He may have an odd yet fashionable collection of clothes to wear for all occasions. He always travels in style and is waited on hand and foot. No matter how their schedule may be, his family will always make time to play with him and have some fun.

Does this sound like the child of a rich mogul or celebrity icon?

In a way it is. It is the lifestyle of many celebrity pets.

Owners are willing to do almost anything for a beloved pet. Pets are pampered more then ever. Many celebrities make hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars within a year’s time. A large portion of that money may be spent towards the care of their fuzzy, furry, or feathery companions and making sure that they are the most pampered pets around.

Because of this spiked interest in pampering pets, the market for pet care products and supplies has exploded. Now you can find designer clothes, beds, treats, and houses that well exceed the traditional cost for these items.

Celebrity pets have become a sort of accessory for the rich and famous. It is then that ethics must be evaluated. Is the animal seen more as a companion or as a commodity? Some celebrities, not to mention any names, seem to treat their pets as a fashion statement. The animal’s needs should be put first. Certain animals, such as monkeys and chimpanzees, simply do not make ideal pets. Other animals may seem cute when they are young, but they can become quite dangerous when they are older. However, we still see people purchasing these animals. Perhaps it is because many celebrities feel the need to stand out or to be different or maybe to start a new trend. One trend that I have seen is with celebrities and small dogs.

I am not bashing celebrities and their pets. I am simply saying that animals are living creatures with feelings and needs. An animal such as a chimpanzee, for example, would not do well living without constant companionship and interactions with his fellow chimpanzees. Also, it is not just celebrities that should be concerned with the welfare of their pets. Many people who are considered to be wealthy own pets but are not what we would deem as having a “celebrity” status. Many people will choose to shower their pets with money, gifts, and the like. It is the responsibility of everyone who chooses to bring an animal into their life, whether they are poor or rich, to take good care of that animal. They are like children and depend on you alone for their care.

In reality, your pet doesn’t care how many toys he has or if he sleeps in a designer bed. What he or she really cares about is being loved and having your companionship.

http://www.bigcatcash.com
Work at Home

Warning: Do Not Buy A Horse From Anyone Unless He Or She Is A Horse Breeder

Monday, October 1st, 2007

Aren’t horses awesome animals? It seems they have been with us humans since the beginning of time assisting us with work and chores, we’ve been using them for recreation as well as entertainment purposes and yes, even for food. Before there were cars we used them for transportation purposes, be it on the roads but even on our waterways.

It is no wonder why so many people love horses: smart beings that they are and able to give mankind a great deal of commitment and allegiance. The decision to get a horse is a very easy one to take. The question then remains: where to go to find this very first horse? Undoubtedly the answer would have to be the horse breeders.

Horse breeders are the best place to buy your horse

In order to become and stay a horse breeder you have to love horses. There is much work involved in the breeding of horses, looking after their well being and grooming needs and without the love no one lasts long in the horse breeding business. Even if you are no rookie with horses and have been around them for some time you can still learn a lot from these horse breeders. These professionals handle their horses every day and are well acquainted with the daily matters and troubles.

A good horse breeder will help you with identifying horses and identifying what horse breed is best for your needs; do you want a racing horse or is it just for some riding delight? Horse breeders can tell the age of a horse by examining their teeth, but they can also advise you on the necessary equipment depending on your needs. Not every horse breed is suitable for every human personality and even within a certain breed horses, just as us humans are unique. Horse breeders can match you to the perfect horse for your personality.

Since the horse breeder knows the horse he is selling to you, you can always fall back on his knowledge and expertise in case something happens. His advice can be priceless since he does not have to guess: he knows his horses from the birth on and has raised them, knowing their little perks and habits. Horse breeders are also the best people to talk to for questions about feeding, grooming, exercising and maintaining your horse.

How to find a Horse Breeding Farm

To start with you could do a search online to find a horse breeding ranch near you, there are plenty of them around in the US. Do not buy a horse online though: you need to see the horse first. Good horse breeders won’t even let you buy online and insist that you examine the horses in person. That way you can take the horse for a test ride and find out if the horse has the qualities you are looking for. Depending on your desiderata the horse will have to own certain characteristics.

A word of warning

Buying a living thing, be it a horse or a cat or dog brings about a lot of responsibilities. Even more so in the case of a horse: they need open spaces not only for you to ride them but also for them to roam about.

Frank Rom runs and operates an information site about owning, training and buying horses.

How To Hire The Perfect Dog Walker

Sunday, September 30th, 2007

I have a problem. I work all day and my dog Kettle sits cooped up inside all day. Do you know of any way to get my dog out of the house while I’m at work?

There is a simple solution to your problem. You can actually hire a dog walker to be your dog walking replacement while you are at work. Sometimes, a dog walker is more then just a necessity because many dogs that have limited dog-walking time become irritable. Dogs need to have daily exercise and human connection through dog walking. You may have even noticed your dog even acting out by chewing up your couch and favorite pair of heels when you are at work. In some instances, a dog in need of consistent dog walking will show aggression. This lack of exercise has let excess energy build up. Dog walking during the day is also necessary for many dogs because they simply can’t go a long duration without going the bathroom. You may be at work for several hours and this can be too long for dogs to go without relieving themselves and/or having a snack.

There are many things to consider when you choose a dog walker. Your dog is a member of your family so you need to go through many of the same considerations that you would when hiring a babysitter for your children. When hiring a babysitter for your children you normally look to family and friends for references. Do the same when you are looking for a dog walker. You can seek out references from friends that have dog walkers, your veterinarian, and dog groomer. They may know of individual dog walkers or dog walking services.

Make sure you find out if your dog walker has dog walking experience. Make sure that they also have a business license. Find this information and investigate it thoroughly. The last thing you want to do is leave your dog in the hands of someone that is unprofessional or may harm your dog. Feeling comfortable with a dog walker’s references is also necessary because you will need to give them a key to your home so they can pick up your pooch. They will enter your home for daily dog walking, so you must trust them like you would trust a babysitter.

Make sure you assess the services your dog walker has to offer. Will they provide special assistance to your dog especially if it is an older dog that may be blind or has arthritis? What types of care services will your dog walker provide in addition to dog walking? For example, will they also provide water and feed your dog? Will they then cleanup any dog waste? You need to understand the scope of services your dog walker is willing to provide. There are few factors to think about with regards to the actual dog walking. Will the dog walker walk your dog solo or with a group of dogs? A group of dogs may satisfy your needs, but this limits the amount of personal attention your dog can receive. You might have to pay more for a solo walk, but it could be worth the additional cost to keep your doggie happy.

For more information about Los Angeles doggie day care or even about Los Angeles boarding dog and especially about pet sitting Los Angeles please click these links.

The Benefits of Dog Kennel Training

Saturday, September 29th, 2007

Dog kennel training is controversial in some circles. There are some people who believe that putting a dog in a kennel is type of punishment that no dog should have to endure. What many of these people may not realize is that most dogs need a safe a secure place to call there own. So instead of the closet corner, the bottom dresser drawer or a laundry basket full of clean clothes why not give them a place that is specifically theirs. As long as a dog kennel is used properly your dog will suffer little harm.

The first thing to understand is that when dog kennel training is to never use the kennel as a place you put your dog as a punishment if he has done something wrong. It may be tempting to do but you do not want your dog to become afraid of their kennel. It is also important not to leave your dog in a kennel for more then four hours at a time. Dogs, much like humans who work in a cube farm, need to get out in the fresh air, run around and take a potty break. Dogs will also begin to get anxious after about four hours cooped up in a kennel which will have the opposite affect of what you want to accomplish. The key to successfully kennel training your dog is doing it correctly.

There are many reasons to kennel train a dog. It is important to identify which behavior you are going to be kennel training your dog for. Does he need to be potty trained or is he chewing up things he shouldn’t be? Once you the problem is known you can tailor the kennel training to fit your needs.

The idea is to make the kennel as homey as possible for your four legged friend. Make sure there is a warm comfortable pad or blanket to lay on and keep food and most importantly water available. You dogs kennel should be a place that he can go and feel safe and comfortable, this will make the training go much easier.

Let’s look at two areas where dog kennel training works well; chewing and house-breaking.

You should keep chew toys available in your dogs kennel and no where else. If you catch him chewing something he shouldn’t reprimand him firmly but do not yell at him. Show him his chew toy and put him in his kennel.

House-breaking can take a little more work, but using a kennel is a good way to break your dog of his house messing habits. If he claims his kennel as his refuge he will be like most all other dogs in that he won’t go to the bathroom where he sleeps. When he is in his kennel keep an eye on him and when he starts to get restless let him out and take him outside to do his business. Praise him once he is done and repeat this process. He will soon learn that going to the bathroom is an outside activity.

Dog kennel training works well for stubborn or hard to train dogs. If used in the correct way it is a good way to train you dog to be a well behaved family friend.

To get more information about dog kennel training for you four legged friend visit the website Dog Kennels.

Koi Herpes Virus - The Deadly Disease

Sunday, September 23rd, 2007

Koi Herpes Virus short for KHV is a deadly virus , which can cause 80-100 percent mortality in common carp. The first outbreak of Koi Herpes Virus was reported in 1998 and confirmed in 1999 in Israel. Since then, other cases have been confirmed in the United States, Europe and Asia as well.

The signs of KHV often non-specific. You need to monitor your Koi Fish, if your Koi remains near the surface, swims lethargically, exhibits respiratory distress, has gill lesions, has gill mottling with red and white patches, bleeding gills, has sunken eyes, pale patches or blisters on the skin and uncoordinated swimming. The KHV seems to spread in the same ways as most herpes viruses: direct contact with infected fish, with fluids from infected fish, and/or with water or mud from infected systems. Once a fish has been exposed to the virus, it will always be a carrier. There is no known cure for Koi Herpes Virus. Mortality related to Koi Herpes Virus typically occurs between 18°C and 27°C. Almost no mortalities occur below 18°C, and there has been no reported occurrence of the disease above 30°C.

How do you know your Koi Fish has KHV? You need the assistance of a fish health specialist and a fish disease diagnostic laboratory. There are direct and indirect methods.

Direct methods include: virus isolation and identification (it means growing the virus or not) and PCR techniques (it means testing for the presence of KHV genes).
Indirect tests for KHV include ELISA testing, which looks for antibodies produced by the fish against the herpes virus These testing method can give proof that a fish was infected with KHV. This indirect test cannot determine if the fish is still infected with virus, so it is not recommended as a primary diagnostic tool.

As I mentioned there is no known treatment for KHV and the mortality is very high. If your Koi fish have been diagnosed with Koi Herpes Virus unfortunately, you have not got other choice than depopulation (it means eliminating the entire population). This approach should be followed by disinfection of all materials and systems that have contacted the infected fish.

You can find free information and pictures about Koi Fish at Koi site.

Different Nutritional Needs For Heatlhy Working Dogs

Friday, September 21st, 2007

As companions the first dogs dogs were undoubtedly kept, however it probably did not take long to realize the working value of mans new friend.

Even before the history of dogs was recorded, these pets were helping man for a variety of purposes, mainly to hunt for food. In those days, however, hunting was not a sport, but serious hard work.

Today the nature of a dog’s job has taken on a different form. You will find he is still helping us in the search for food but this is normally for a different reason.

Every working dog’s primary dietary need is increased by the energy he spends and no matter what the purpose or nature of the job he is given, his performance will always require some sort of time expenditure of energy. As a consequence, whenever dietary energy is increased, those B-complex vitamins, minerals, and the water necessary for burning the energy must also be increased.

Working dogs require most nutrients at no greater levels than non-working dogs. And if it wasnt for the increased need for energy and the nutrients to burn it you wouldn’t have to do anything. However when working dogs eat large quantities of ordinary maintenance dog foods to obtain all of the energy they need, they will frequently consume some of the nutrients in excessive amounts. This may also cause them to eat such large quantities that the digestibility of all the nutrients in their diet are also adversely affected. Which will cause some nutrients to be obtained in inadequate amounts.

Working dogs simply cannot, physically, eat all of the food it needs to supply the required energy. When this happens the dog will suffer due to the lack of total digestible energy, and he will lose weight. If this condition is permitted to continue, your dog will stop working for you as his body just tells him too. This is really to the body acting so as to reduce its caloric demands. If you then force the dog to continue working at the same pace, it will lose weight faster and faster, and eventually its going to work itself to death.

Herd Dogs are the most common working dogs that are fed in the United States. Herd Dogs are dogs that wattle or protect animals use the least amount of extra energy of any of the working dogs. They seldom are required to expend energy in excess of normal activity for any duration of time. Even their short-term expenditures of energy are not very great. The only time herd dogs ever utilize large amounts of energy are when they are rounding up strays, ost or semi-wild animals running at large.

A dog’s diet is one of the most important things. Do
you know exactly what is in your dogs diet? You could. To
find out more visit the author Justin Bryce at his website:
http://www.dogtreatrecipes.com.au

Fly Strike On Dogs

Thursday, September 13th, 2007

Fly strike is a well-known problem with sheep. It can also be an issue for horses and dogs. Fly strike happens when flies start burrowing into the fur/hair and nip at the skin. Once the skin is broken, more flies are attracted by the moisture, blood, and smell as an infection invariably sets in. In some veterinary cases, flies have laid eggs on the skin and maggots then infest the coat and inner ears. Fly strike is most common around moist areas such as the tail and the ears.

Telltale signs of a problem are shaking, rubbing, or scratching the affected part of the body. Unfortunately the natural reaction of the dogs to try to rid themselves of the irritation only tends to worsen the problem.

Left untended, fly strike is both a huge nuisance and very unpleasant for animal and owner alike.

Any dog affected by fly strike should be taken to a vet. The vet can shave the hair from around the scabbed areas. This helps to dry it out and keep it clean. An application of antibiotic ointment, which sometimes contains an anti-inflammatory, is smeared on bitten parts of the skin. This helps to clear up any infection and soothes the injured region.

Once stricken, the problem is to treat the infection and sores whilst avoiding any further fly infestations. A number of veterinary solutions are available to help with this. Most flea treatments are simply insufficient for the prevention of fly strike. Some horse fly treatments will work well enough for dogs. Veterinary advice is paramount as to the most suitable medication for your pet. Any treatments advised or supplied by your vet must be carried through as per the package instructions, or at the advice of the vet.

A number of preventative, pre-infection options are available from health food or hardware stores. Flies are adverse to citronella oil, tee tree oil, lavender, and garlic. Tee tree oil has the added advantages of natural anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties. These substances may be applied without concern to the animal’s coat in the areas where infestation tends to occur. It is essential to use only forms safe for humans. If nothing else is available, fly spray sprayed onto a cloth or cotton wool and wiped around the area prone to attack will help reduce or eliminate strikes. This is only appropriate if the area is out of licking range. A clove of garlic in their diet may also be a beneficial deterrent.

Some solutions work better than others do. Lavender scented hand wash, for example, works at repelling flies, but requires at least daily application. It is not a complete hindrance to flies but does dramatically lessen the problem.

Pre-infection treatments should be reapplied after the coat has been washed or if the animal has been swimming. Prevention is desirable, but if fly strike does develop, please take your dog to a veterinary as soon as possible.

This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.PetLovers.Com/ which is a site for Pet Forums.

What is Feline Infectious Peritonitis?

Saturday, September 8th, 2007

Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is a virus which is a variant of the Corona virus. Unfortunately there is no proven effective vaccine to immunize cats from its deadly outbreak. This virus is so elusive that the only way to accurately diagnose the disease is after the cat’s death. Sadly, there also is no cure for this disease.

The reason the virus is so difficult to diagnose is that it comes from a group of over forty viruses, in the Corona family. The tests that we have available to us today can only detect that the cat is infected with a Corona virus, but it cannot differentiate which one is actually infecting the cat. Since most cats who test positive for a Corona virus actually survives, it makes it difficult with certainty which cat has FIP, until it dies. This makes diagnosing Feline Infectious Peritonitis almost impossible without an autopsy.

The actual Feline Infectious Peritonitis disease is always fatal to cats. It is estimated that most household cats have actually been exposed at one time or another to the Corona virus. These cats will most times carry on with their lives just fine, with no outward signs of being infected, nor do they appear sick. For some unknown reason, in a small percentage of infected cats, the Corona virus will mutate into the Feline Infectious Peritonitis virus. This autoimmune disease then proves to be fatal.

The majority of the cats who do contract Feline Infectious Peritonitis are either very young, or they are quite old. Either way, death is eminent. There are certain procedures which can prolong the life of the cat for a short while, and even make the cat more comfortable for a short time, but the eventual result is always the same.

There are two different known types of FIP, the wet and the dry types. The wet type of FIP is where fluid begins to accumulate in the different organs of the cat’s body. This fluid causes swelling of the chest and abdomen. After the fluid has gathered sufficiently enough to cause the swelling, it begins to constrict breathing for the cat. The cat will also begin to have a fever, experience loss of appetite and show signs of jaundice.

The other form of Feline Infectious Peritonitis will cause almost the identical signs as the wet, but without the build up of fluid. Feline Infectious Peritonitis can also affect the central nervous system and the eyes of the cat.

Undoubtedly the worst part of Feline Infectious Peritonitis is that the cat’s immune system will actually work against itself in an attempt to overcome the disease. Since Feline Infectious Peritonitis is an immune system based disease, it quickly speeds up the disease process.

Hopefully, you will never have to suffer through the pain and eventual death of your kitty due to Feline Infectious Peritonitis.

Jean Morgan is a writer of articles concerning pet health and the owner of http://natureshealthypet.com

Hearing and Your Pet

Friday, September 7th, 2007

Ever catch your cat staring at a blank wall and wonder why?

More than likely she was listening to sounds coming from inside the wall.
Did you know that a “whole tone” (like in music) that we can hear, a cat hears it as 10 separate tones.

A cat can hear ultrasonic sounds (high pitched) that we cannot even imagine.

Dogs on the other hand are equipped with ears that hear the lower spectrum of sounds. They cannot hear as well as cats, but have a range of about 250 yards away, while a human is lucky if it can hear something that is 15 to 20 yards away.

A dog’s hearing is dependent its size. A small dog has small ears and can hear high pitched sounds almost as good as a cat can, while a large dog is better equipped to hear low sounds.

Research has shown that with the passage of time humans have lost some of the sharpness of their hearing and cats and dogs have sharpened theirs.

Nature has given humans a less complex set of ears, while our pets are blessed with superior pieces of machinery.

The outside of you pet’s ear is like a satellite dish that picks up the sound waves and moves them down the ear canal to an organ called the Corti, which has more than 7,500 working parts.

Your voice becomes a sound wave that then travels through miles of nerves, until it gets to the brain and your pet hears what you are saying.

Did you know that puppies and kittens are deaf for the first 2 weeks of life. During that time their hearing is really the picking up of body vibrations, so they are actually feeling your words instead of hearing them.

The ear canals open up little by little, and by the time they are 4 weeks old their hearing is almost up to Mom’s standards.

Cats really like high pitched voices better than lower level voices. Cats are more apt to pay attention to words that are spoken with a higher pitch.

Since we usually talk to our pets in our normal voices, most of the time they rather ignore us. If you want to get their attention, change the tone of your voice, speak some words softly, others a little more loudly and whisper to them. It is guaranteed to get their interest.

We humans use our ears for hearing and sometimes for adornment, our pets however, use their ears to convey their feelings.

Ears, along with other body parts, are all a part of a dog or cat’s language.

In many cases the shape of a dog’s ear depended on its job.

In a dog’s world ears have evolved from the pointy straight-up ears, wolves have, to the many looks of today, all dependent on what the dog was bred for.

The straight-up ears or the semi straight-up ears that you find on German Shepherds, Collies and most Terriers are great for hearing. These dogs have been bred as working dogs and/or for hunting, where good hearing is an important factor.

Dogs with floppy ears such as Labs, golden retrievers and hounds, have ears that are down to help muffle sounds and to help develop their sense of smell and sight for specialized hunting. They are called sighthounds.

Cropped ears (which is being frowned on more and more) was done to make Dobermans and Rotties and others look more fierce as the breeds were used mostly as guard dogs.

What do certain positions mean in regard to a dog’s mood?

Slightly raised ears mean I am a happy dog and all it right with my world. Ears that are raised high means I am interested in what’s going on. Flat back means I am afraid of something and ears that seem to be moving back and forth mean I am not sure how I feel. Straight back and fur ruffled means I am agitated or mad, watch out.

Cats on the other hand have ears that stand straight up, with the exception of the Scottish Fold. Straight up, perky ears means all is well in my world. Straight up and back means “MEOW” I am mad. Flat against its head and down means I am scared and very afraid, while swiveling around like an antenna means I am listening to something interesting.

Well, that’s it for the ears of our cat and dog world, I hope you learned something you did not know and that you will appreciate the great gift that hearing is, not just for our pets, but for us, too.

If you have enjoyed this article and wish to learn more about cats and dogs, please come and visit my web site http://www.cats-and-dogs-on-the-web.com

Food Alergies In Cats

Sunday, September 2nd, 2007

What DO cats need to eat? Generally available foods are fine most of the time, but is it really what your cat needs? Even so-called “bargain” foods seem to be OK for most cats, but some cats are more sensitive than others. There are nutritional answers to everything from hairballs, to diarrhea, to chronic urinary tract infections. What is a cat lover supposed to do in these cases?

I’ve had some trouble in this area, and I’ve found some things that work. My little Bugsy seems to be allergic to about as much as I am. She might be a foster cat, but she’s become more my cat than a foster! She started having terrible diarrhea and had to go on special food. It turns out she is allergic to grains in her food. She won’t eat meat so far, but I keep trying to tempt her.

I began keeping track of what happened on my blog and did a couple of articles in the eZine about it. In the end, I found some foods that work and some that don’t. Missy Bugsy Bits is doing much better, now. I have raw food in the freezer, and some canned in the cupboard to tempt her with. She is becoming very interested in meat, now, which works in my favor. She still turns her nose up when it’s offered, but she wants to be included in the feeding times and comes into the kitchen to get a tidbit.

One thing that surprised me was that cats ignore fruit and all sugars! They developed a mutation several thousand years ago that removed the tastebuds from their mouths for sweet. They just don’t even notice it. It doesn’t taste bad, it just “isn’t.” That would be very disconcerting for me! Grains are mostly sugar so that explains a lot of it.

It seems that cats often have allergic reactions to grains. Many people also suffer this affliction. For some, it is life threatening. Think of what it must be for a cat who is always hungry! If nutrition is not absorbed through food because of diarrhea or other digestive upsets, where are we to get it?

Now, I believe that corn is only for vegetarian animals like cows and horses. Corn causes obesity and is processed to the point that “high fructose corn syrup” is in just about all packaged foods. It sets up a craving for other carbohydrates and you end up obese. It’s an allergic reaction similar to alcoholism - allergy and craving combined. And, obesity is linked to diabetes. So, I try to avoid corn as much as possible.

Wheat and gluten can cause problems as well. There are some people who cannot eat any at all. It sets up terrible stomach trouble and nutritional problems. Can this also happen in cats? Certainly! It’s the second-most prevalent food allergy in cats.

Soy is great for those who can tolerate it! I can’t tolerate dairy milk at all and use soy as an alternative. However, there are some who cannot eat soy at all. Many cats are unable to digest the proteins in soy. This sets up an allergic response in the body as the body tries to rid itself of the offending substance.

The same things can happen with rice, rye, and barley.

Cats really need meat. That’s what they crave. It’s what makes their fur shine and their weight stay healthy. However, there are problems with a straight meat diet, too. Whether raw or cooked, cats need Taurine for ocular, neurological, reproductive, and cardiovascular health. There are several supplements on the market that provide taurine, but sometimes knowing how much to give can be a little confusing.

Many conditions are linked to diet. If hairballs are a problem, add some salmon oil to her food before you cut her hair off! There are several preparations specifically for vomiting and hairballs widely available. If your cat is prone to urinary tract infections and blockages, you might have to run to the vet every time there is a problem. Magnesium is linked to urinary troubles. Instead of taking drastic steps or giving up on your cat, try a change in diet to see what happens. If nothing changes, at least you have given her a good nutritional foundation so that your next steps with her will be more effective.

Morgen Marshall, a cat lover and trainer, invites you into her world of cats. She created a website dedicated to making the relationship between cats and people harmonious and healthy. For the Love of Cats is a place for people facing difficulties in their relationships with cats to come and find the answers they need from someone they can trust.