Drop a Little About Your Pet

Posts Tagged ‘pet’

Planning on getting a puppy. I am trying to find out which is the best place in the house to keep the dog. I am thinking I’ll keep in the formal living/office on the first floor. Also I’d like to how how can I prevent the dog from damaging the drywall. I’ve seen my friend’s dog rip the wall paper, scratch the drywall.

Your pet needs to exercise and roam around for them to become more active and healthy. However, you need also to contain your pet especially if you are not always around to supervise. Containment system is used not just to confine your pet but also protect them from harm and danger of cars that passes the street or protect the people that they might harm. There are several types of pet supplies that can be classified as pet containment system. Some of these are pet gates, dog crates, pet carrier, pet vehicle restraints, visible/invisible fences, and dog houses.

Pet Gates are used to contain your pet in certain area in your house. This type of pet containment comes in different styles and models that would suit your preferences. There are specially designed for hallways, doorways and stairways. There are also hard-ware mounted, which is fastened to the wall frames with the use of screws. Pressure-mounted gates are easy to install without the use of tools. Pressure-mounted relies on the pressure of wall frames to keep them in place.

Dog Crates is another form of pet containment. This is ideal containment for hyper active pets and tends to get into mischief when in home alone. This comes in different styles and sizes to fit your pet. This may be used as pet carrier. Pet Carrier is used when your pet is being transported. Look for airline approved pet carriers.

Pet Vehicle Restraints is ideal type of pet containment when traveling by car. This will keep you pet in one place and can avoid mishap that could be dangerous for both owner and the pet.

Visible/Invisible Fences are ideal to keep your pet inside the boundaries. A traditional picket fence or snow fence may be used or electric or invisible fences. Some pet owners prefer invisible or electronic fence to contain their pet in boundary since it costs less in terms of maintenance. Dog Houses are great option if you don not want your pet inside your house. Not only this contains your pet, it also provides shelter.

Article from: My Family UK

If you’ve just decided to get a pet dog, your work is only just beginning. Different breeds of dog will vary in size, temperament, and needs, so do not underestimate the value of research to help you decide which breed is best for you.

1) Labrador

2) Golden retriever

3) Scottish Terrier

4) Poodle

5) Border Collie

6) Springer Spaniel

7) Boxer

German Shepherd or Alsatian

Further Information

For further information, and for more great ways to have fun with your family, log on to www.myfamilyuk.com. With a huge collection of articles covering everything from child safety to rainy day activities, you’ll find all the help, guidance and entertainment you need to be a great parent. Go to My Family UK now!

Are there any dangerous breeds of dogs? Time has proven that there are certain types of breeds that are dangerous and can even kill people. The larger the breed, the more damage they can create. They can harm you in a big way. But not everything is bad about your favourite pet animal.
Your pet dogs behavior can be at time very unpredictable. So whenever you decide to buy a new a pet dog or puppy, just make sure you got the right breed. Avoid buying known dangerous breed type of animals. From early young stage of your puppy life you have to train him or her the right way. You will need a training dog crate, unique dog collars, an air filled dog bed, or a simple dog bed. You will also invest on a good transport dog crates for your dog transport if ever you decide to travel with your pet dogs.
Once you have settled in on the basics you will need a training dog crate. You will use this to train your dog on the basics of what you would like him or her to accomplish. The reason it is very important to train your puppies is for them to grow more discipline and more predictable. Because your dogs and puppies genetics is very hard to ascertain. And dog bites are becoming very rampant today in America.
According to the Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year there are 4.7 million people bitten by dogs. And 17 percent of those require some medical attention or care. And for these reasons I think that the CDC has labeled dog bites in America as epidemic. For these reasons too, some cities and communities have banned certain types of dogs. There are well publishes incidents where people got killed by pit bulls or Rottweiler.
This makes a lot of nervous and uncomfortable with our favorite pet. Properly trained at young age could make a difference on their outcome. Just a word of caution though. It is very hard to guarantee their behavior, so always on the lookout for any signs of deteriorating behavior.
There are about ten breeds that were involved in the most lethal bites and attacks. These types of breeds are Rottweiler, Dobermans, pit bulls, German shepherds, akitas, Great Danes, huskies, chow chows, malamutes, and St Bernards. This is not in any specific order of ruthlessness.
It is for this main reason that some communities have banned certain type of breeds. To learn about these laws and by laws of each community, you have to go online and inquire from the local government. This is the last thing you like to happen to your favorite pet dogs. Thus dog training is very important because it help in preventing this to happen. Dangerous breeds thus likely to bite so if you know them you can avoid them. Most of these breeds are trained for fighting and for sports.
A dog that is well trained and living in a good environment can be less aggressive. You have to consider that larger animals do more harm than the smaller counterpart. So a comfortable and well fed, well trained and in an excellent environment pet dogs will be just fine.

Most families at some point decide to introduce a pet or animal to their family home at some point in their lives. Although cats, dogs, rabbits, gerbils, fish and other small animals are the most common family pet it is becoming less unusual for families to look at bringing home exotic pets.
Exotic pets may seem more exciting and different however unless your are fully prepared and understand enough about the exotic pets you choose bringing one home could end in disaster.
Generally speaking, the more exotic the pet the more education you will need and it will probably require more expensive housing and food. When you are looking for exotic pets do your research before you shop, you may find you purchase an animal on impulse that you know little about and does not fit your family surroundings.
It is extremely important to do plenty of research on exotic pets before you decide what sort you want. You can find plenty of information on the internet simply type in the animal you are look for and read as much as you can to see if this animal suits you. You can also visit your local library and borrow books on exotic pets.
It may be helpful to visit a few pet shops to seek advise about exotic pets, make sure you are aware of all the special requirements they need.
Things To Ask
What sort of housing do they require including the size and shape.
What sort of food do they eat and how often should they be fed
Are they prone to any type of diseases or problems you should look out for
Do they require any special equipment such as a UV light or heat mat
How long is their life expectancy
Do they need any type of vaccinations
Do you need any sort of licence to own this type of animal
If you have children it may be worth finding out how much your exotic pet likes to be interacted with. If you have chosen an animal that does not like to be handled will your family be happy with a pet that can only be looked at and not touched?
If you have other pets already you will need to know if the new addition will upset your existing animals and how they will get along. You may need to set up alternative measures if they need to be kept well away from each other.
Buying exotic pets is not as easy as it seems but if you are fully aware of everything that it needs and have prepared a loving home with the correct facilities there is no reason why you should not enjoy having one.

Dogs and cats are the most popular pets nowadays, with retail stores charging between one thousand and three thousand dollars at the cash register for pure-bred dogs. There are shelters to adopt dogs and you may not care if the dog is a mix-breed, but in all cases the pets are an investment in cost and time. They must be fed, taken to the vet, given shots, and in the case of dogs, washed or groomed. For this, we human owners get companionship and often some comic relief. There are basic questions involved when deciding on a pet and most of this article will deal with dogs. Cats are known for being low-maintenance pets: they clean themselves, dutifully do their business in the litter box, and they spend 80% of the day sleeping. The real activity in a household centers around the family dog.

Each breed has its own activity level, from the laid-back hound dog to very active breeds like the Jack Russell Terrier or the Pomeranian. Dogs are loyal to their owners, and they expect a fair amount of playtime with the family. They have emotions of their own and the training and psychology of the dog’s role should reflect this. They have temperaments common to the breed, but also may have traits that are individual. Higher mammals develop personalities to aid in survival; they have to establish a presence in the ranking of the food chain.

There are important points to consider when acquiring a dog. What size dog is appropriate for the space do you have? How much exercise can you give the dog? Where will the dog live? How much experience do you have with dogs? What do you plan to do with the dog? Remember that they were bred to fulfill certain roles such as herding, hunting, guarding, or killing rats. If your garden is very important to you, you might not want to get a terrier; almost all of them will dig. Dalmatians, pointers, and retrievers need hours of hard exercise – they were meant to go for miles and miles without tiring and they need to run.

North America’s most popular dog breed is the Golden Retriever. They have a sunny disposition, they love children, and they’re loyal and affectionate. Golden Retrievers are widely used as guide dogs for the blind. They were originally used as a soft-mouthed retriever for wild game hunting. They were developed in the 1800s in Britain, a mix of various sporting breeds – the wavy-coated Retriever, the yellow Tweed Water Spaniel, Irish Setter and the Bloodhound (to sharpen the breed’s scenting skills). The Golden Retriever was recognized as a pure breed by the English Kennel Club in 1913. To accommodate the needs of this treasured family pet, they should be kept in homes with a large yard or a country home with lots of room for outdoor exercise.

Boxers and Bulldogs are next in popularity. They are solid dogs, forty to fifty pounds in weight. Even though they love exercise, they can exist well as apartment pets; they’re extremely loving and playful, as are Chihuahuas, the smallest of breeds, weighing in at two to four pounds fully grown. They don’t require a lot of space and are ideal companions for adults in apartments and families with older children who can appreciate the fragility of the tiny Chihuahua. They come in long and short coat varieties, so they should be clad in sweater and booties when going for walks in cold temperatures.

Number five in popularity is the Maltese, one of the first of the purebreds to be exhibited at dog shows in North America. The Maltese dog is affectionate, intelligent and sturdy, and loves to romp and play – especially with children. This tiny breed measures up to 10 inches at the shoulder and they weigh up to seven pounds maximum. The Maltese dog has a gorgeous, long, pure-white, silky coat that hangs straight to the ground from a center part running from nose to tip of tail. Its expressive dark eyes and dark nose, lips and eye rims enhance the Maltese dog’s exquisite face. Grooming requirements for the Maltese are fairly intensive – the coat needs daily brushing to stay tangle-free and frequent bathing to keep it sparkling white, even if you choose to give it a shorter ‘pet’ trim. The Maltese dog is a great choice for elderly or disabled people, since its exercise needs are minimal. A similar situation exists in the Shih Tzu breed, good for city-dwellers – loving and playful. They also need frequents brushing.

One breed you don’t want in an apartment is the Labrador Retriever, the seventh most popular pet dog breed. They love the outdoors, especially the water…if you throw something in a pond or lake, they’ll gladly jump in and fetch it. If you leave the door open when you’re in the bath you may end up with a large bathing partner. They’re easy to train and have a high energy level, so they’re best for suburban or country homes.

Next is the Pug, a playful, mischievous, and intelligent companion who loves attention. Dogs are social animals, so you’ll find that all of them crave attention and play. The pug is a favorite breed of royalty since the sixteenth century. They were at first considered a breed from Holland but many breeds like Pugs, Chihuahuas, and Shih Tzus are now thought to originate in China. Pugs are great for apartments, as their exercise needs are minimal. They do tend to get overweight, so a controlled diet is a good idea.

The Pomeranian is the next most popular dog breed. They make good apartment dogs, and you couldn’t have a better watchdog. They have intense curiosity and keen senses; they’ll be glad to warn the owner of any noise near or far by going on alert and barking incessantly. They seek approval and attention and with their high metabolisms they can pack away the food without gaining an ounce.

Number ten in popularity is the Yorkshire Terrier, or “Yorkie”. It’s small, highly energetic, and clever. The Yorkie seems unaware of its small size – they are brave and eager for adventure, and can be aggressive towards strange dogs and small animals. The human must establish pack leadership to keep the Yorkie from taking over the house because the dog can become yappy, doing his best to tell you what HE wants YOU to do. As a cute dog, owners might let them get away with outrageous behavior that no dog should display. They need a lot of human attention and should be given proper boundaries. They are trainable, but can be difficult to housebreak. The Yorkie is an excellent watchdog. Owners should learn to give them some gentle leadership.

Domestic dogs are universally good-natured unless humans cause them to act in another fashion, and they want and deserve love. When looking for a family pet, research the different types of dogs so that when you meet the dog in person, you’ll have a better idea of some general traits that will match your family’s situation and needs. It’s fair to everybody involved, especially the pet who is dependant on you as a loving owner.

It’s on every dog (pet) owner’s agenda to protect and see to it that their pet dog has the best possible opportunity to stay healthy. No matter how hard you try there are however certain threats that exist that tend to make the goal of keeping our pets healthy a major challenge. We as humans unfortunately are not immune since some of these same health threats tend to be our enemies as well.

External parasites such as, fleas, Ticks, Lice, as well as different types of Mites are the culprits that tend to threaten the health of our pets (dogs, cats). We too are also victims since the choice of food seems to be (blood). Unfortunately these parasites can transfer themselves in many cases from our pets to us. Parasites of these types find a haven (food and shelter) among our pets mainly due to their fur which makes it a perfect place for them to live and to feed.

The parasites mentioned above are the most common that plague our pets and usually causes adverse reactions in your pets (dogs, cats) etc.typically, itching and inflamed skin, a dull coat, and bald spots. In advanced cases, your dog may develop anemia (blood loss) and become generally debilitated (particularly if he or she is very young, very old, or suffering from another condition).

Many of these external parasites carry secondary or internal parasites of which can be transfered to our pets during times of feeding (extracting blood) from their pet hosts, or humans also if bitten. Some of the diseases that these parasites can transfer are: The tapeworm (which causes constipation and flatulence) generally carried by fleas, and ticks can cause a variety of much more serious problems like Lyme’s disease and paralysis in pets.

Out of the parasites mentioned above Fleas is the number 1 most common pest. They’re small, jumping insects that are light brown in color, it’s a little hard to see them because they move very quickly! Note: Although there is no blood in the carpeting in the home, fleas can still spread throughout the home by living and multiplying in the carpet probably because of it’s close resemblence to the fur of our pets.

Fleas live off your dog’s blood. The life cycle of a flea moves very rapidly from stage one (egg) to stage four (adult flea), which means they’re capable of multiplying with staggering rapidity.

There is no mistaking a flea infestation on your pet (dog, cat). A dog with a flea infestation will scratch almost constantly, often at areas that fleas seem to favor: the ears, the base of the tail, the belly, and the stifle (the webbing of soft skin between the thigh and the abdomen).

It’s actually the saliva of the flea that causes the irritation, not the bite itself, and some dogs have a genuine allergy to this saliva (as opposed to a standard irritation). Dogs with allergies suffer much more significant negative reactions to a flea infestation, and usually develop “hot spots”.

These hot spots are areas of sore, inflamed, flaking, bleeding, and infected skin, caused by the flea saliva and your pet dog’s own reaction to it. Bald patches will sometimes develop too, from repeated scratching and ongoing inflammation.

If you think your pet (dog, cat) has fleas, you can confirm your suspicions by taking a closer look at his skin: you probably won’t be able to see the fleas themselves, but you should be able to see what looks like ground pepper (a thin sprinkling of fine black grains) on his skin. This is flea dirt (poop).

If you groom him with a flea comb (which is like a fine-tooth comb), try wiping it on a paper towel: if red blotches show up on the towel, you know that your dog has fleas (on a white background like a paper towel, flea poop shows up red: since fleas subsist on blood, their poop is colored accordingly).

An adult flea lays hundreds of eggs per day. Each egg will then become an adult flea, which lay hundreds more eggs of its own. One flea can become a major problem very quickly!

Fleas actually spend a small amount of time on your pet dog, and the rest of their time leaping through your house laying eggs and feeding on human blood, it’s not enough to just treat your pet dog: you also have to target his bedding, the entire house, all human bedding, and the yard (yes, fleas lay eggs all through the yard, too. Even if it’s cold outside, you’re not necessarily off the hook: cold weather doesn’t kill flea eggs, it just puts them into a state of hibernation. The eggs will still hatch as soon as it gets warm enough outside.)

You’ll need a broad-spectrum treatment which kills not only the adult fleas (which are the ones that bite), but also any developing fleas, and the eggs.

Prevention is definitely the best cure – you should keep your dog’s flea treatments up to date with the use of a calendar, and use a treatment that’s prescribed by the vet. Off-the-shelf treatments aren’t recommended, since different dogs require different strengths depending on their size, age, and activity levels. A particular benefit of prescribed flea treatment is that most are also designed to prevent other parasites (like mites, ticks, and heartworm) from affecting your pet dog.

If your dog already has fleas, you have two options: You can ‘bomb’ the house and yard with a flea-pesticide. These come as foggers (which coat each room, and the yard, in a fine mist of pesticide) and sprays (which are applied manually to each surface throughout the house and yard), and although they’re very effective in killing fleas and eggs, there’s one major drawback: they’re highly toxic to humans, dogs, and the environment. Depending on your priorities, this is probably the quickest solution to a flea problem (and will effectively wipe out the eggs, too) but if you have anyone in the house with allergies or a health condition – including pets! – you might want to think again.

A more health-friendly alternative is to target your pet dog with a topical anti-flea solution prescribed by the vet (like Advantage or Revolution), and to rigorously clean the house on a regular basis until the flea problem has gone. This means vacuuming each room thoroughly each day – put a flea collar in with the vacuum bag to kill any fleas that get sucked up – and wash all human and dog bedding in hot water as often as you can (once every day or every two days is recommended). You’ll be able to tell when the problem’s gone because your dog won’t be scratching, and his coat will be clear of flea dirt when you inspect it.

By no means should you use multiple products on your pet dog it’ll make them sick, since you’ll be overloading their system with toxins. Don’t forget to treat all the animals in the house at the same time: cat and dog fleas are interchangeable, and if one animal has fleas, they all will have them, even if some are not displaying the symptoms.

Flea collars are no longer recommended as a safe option for flea prevention, since the collars are highly toxic – vets have realized that placing a toxic material directly against your pet’s skin for long periods of time (flea collars have to be worn 24/7 to be effective) is detrimental to your dog’s health.