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Vegetarian Diets For Your Cat Or Dog

May 7th, 2011

Vegetarians are fond of animals as well - they simply do not eat them. Or perhaps that is why they do not eat them. Whatever! There is a question that bothers some vegetarians that own pets, and it is: do I have to feed them meat or can I provide vegetarian diets for my cat and dog. It is well worth thinking about this dilemma before buying a usually carnivorous pet.

Domestic carnivores such as cats and dogs are omnivores, which means that they will eat pretty much anything If a domestic animal goes ferule (wild) it will revert to its primitive kind, which means that it will hunt and forage.

Cats and dogs will eat grains and grasses but they prefer them semi-digested, which is why, after they make a kill, they usually tear the stomach open first and eat that and the internal organs. The meat comes last on the list.

You can see by looking at the animals' teeth that they have fangs for killing and gripping (for tearing) and molars for grinding and crushing. The grinding and crushing refers to grains and bones.

This means that you may be able to sustain your pets on a vegetarian diet, |but it probably will not be simple. There has been a lot of investigation into the dietary needs of human beings and so someone on a diet, measures what he consumes against what his body needs and takes supplements to match the shortfall.

However do you know precisely what your pets' requirements are and how you can supply them? If you do not, where will you find out? I am certain you can with quite a lot of study, yet do you have that level of commitment? And do you think that your pet would thank you for making it a vegetarian? It may even turn your pet into a rapacious killer to make up the deficit or fulfill its craving for meat.

Cats and dogs need a high percentage of protein, so do you think that you will be able to sneak enough nuts and tofu into its diet to supply enough? You might find your pets chasing every bird in your garden trying to catch some meat, instead of watching them lazily from under your seat.

All in all, a vegetarian diet is not a good idea for domestic animals such as cats and dogs, and if you have trouble opening the cans or giving it raw meat, perhaps you could get someone else in the family who is a little less delicate to feed the animals or you could feed them meat less often, say only when you take them to your friend's or mother's house, then you can let them do it for you.

The other approach is to have rabbits or gerbils and tropical fish. Cats are not functional animals as dogs are in the sense that a dog will deter burglars but if you are only thinking of pets as stress-reducers or a manner of introducing your kids to the animal world, a rabbit will do that just well.

Owen Jones, the writer of this article writes on several topics, and is currently involved with quick vegetarian recipes. If you want to know more or check out some great offers, please go to our website at Vegetarian Sandwich Recipes.

Owen Jones, the author of this article writes on many subjects, but is currently concerned with vegetarian recipes for kids. If you want to know more or check out some special offers, please go to our website at Vegetarian Sandwich Recipes.

Healthy Dog Food

June 16th, 2010

The requirement of healthy food seems to apply equally to humans and their pets, because many pet owners would rather buy organic foods to feed man's best friend. One could be forgiven for being surprised at the large amount of organic dog food available on the market. Just as for humans, there are a lot of pet health issues that one could cure or even prevent in the first place by the use of organic pet food.

For instance, organic dog food could reduce the risk of the dog developing skin diseases and allergies. The reason for the positive health impact is the absence of additives, chemicals, colourants and pesticides. Instead the ingredients in organic dog food are only grain extracts and high quality proteins. Organic dog food provides more nourishment, which is obvious from the higher levels of energy and the weight of the dog.

Regular dog food often causes diabetes and excess weight with all the concomitant problems that accompany these illnesses: back ailment, organ failure and decreased mobility. How can organic dog food help here? Well, organic food items for pets do not contain bulk fillers, they are nutrient-packed products that create energy not fat deposits. Moreover, it is best and a lot easier to prevent health issues than to try to cure them afterwards.

Good digestion and a stronger immunity system are the other main benefits that come with the feeding of organic dog food. Because of the absence of chemicals normally present in ordinary pet food, your dog will no longer vomit or experience wind or diarrhea. A healthier metabolism is what you will achieve with a healthy diet. Furthermore, the quality of the nutritional substances in organic dog food, boosts the immunity functions, thereby reducing the risks of infection and all sorts of specific diseases that affect dogs on a routine basis.

Many veterinarian experts claim that organic dog food significantly increases the life span of any animal, not to mention the fact that it will go through old age a lot better. It is quite common that pet owners who choose organic dog food, are also interested in applying the same health rules to their own diet, sticking to clean natural products that boost bodily functions and avoid toxins and disease.

Ask your local dog food provider about organic dog food and if there is none available at your local shop, try to order it online. There are many web pages that sell such products at pretty fair prices.

One last tip, be very wary of dried dog food, no matter what it says on the packet. I used to have a dog that stayed at home alone during the day, while I went to work. I didn't like to leave 'wet' food, because of flies, bacteria and vermin, so I bought dry food, which would not deteriorate during the day. However, within six years she had diabetes, which meant that I had to inject her with insulin every morning. The veterinary said that it was very common for dogs fed only on biscuits to get diabetes, so check with your vet first or feed organic wet food.

If you liked reading this article on organic dog food and you would like to read more about dogs in general or dog training, please visit our website at Dog Training

Dogs’ Heart Worm, Fleas And Other Parasites

May 30th, 2010

Heart worm, fleas and other parasites in dogs need to be destroyed by using the appropriate medication on them. Many products have come onto the market to protect dogs from heart worms, fleas and other parasites like hook worms, whip worms, round worms, lice, ticks etc.

Out of the heart worms, fleas and other parasites, fleas can produce a hyper-sensitive over-reaction in the infected dog. Animals infested with fleas scratch their skin very vigorously. Frequently the scratching becomes so severe that the skin becomes hyper-sensitive and dermatitis occurs in the affected patches of skin.

The result is often that your dog can not lie down for long or sleep comfortably due to the constant bites by the fleas. Therefore, your dog looks as if has some severe skin issues. If the your dog is not properly attended to for these flea bites, there will often be secondary bacterial invasions in these sites and there may even be a rotten smell coming from the animal's affected skin.

You need to observe your dog closely in order prevent a serious infestation. It is essential to prevent such an outbreak as they are extremely distressing to dogs. Similarly, the skin of the animal needs to be checked regularly for the presence of ticks and lice. In order to do this properly, you need to look at the dog's skin by separating the dog's hairs. The easiest way to achieve this is by slowly back-combing or ruffling the dog's hair.

Usually, if your dog is anaemic, and it is not he result of being plagued by too many fleas, you need to rule out hookworm. Symptoms of hookworm are usually anaemia, loose stools and a pot belly. The dog's owner may recognize these symptoms by themselves, however, speaking honestly, the dog needs to have a routine health check at the vet's, which involves both faecal and hematological examinations.

There are many commercial products available on the market, some of which are effective for dealing with all these conditions in a single dose. Drugs like ivermectin are highly efficacious and are available in injection, oral and solution forms. The latter should be applied directly on the dog's skin. These drugs can induce the prevention of these conditions too.

So, the best policy to adopt is to keep a keen watch on your dog. This could very easily be carried out at bath time and when you are brushing him. You can use an anti-flea and anti-tick shampoo, which will keep these pests at bay, if used as stated on the bottle. Couple this with regular grooming with a lice comb and the use of a flea collar should keep your pet flea, lice, and tick free.

If you are having problems dog flea treatment on your dog, please follow the previous link, however if you just want to read more about dogs, please go here: Man's Best Friend - the Dog

Keeping Your Dog Motivated

May 19th, 2010

Keeping the attention of a dog while training is not always easy. Dogs can be easily distracted, and it is important to not allow the dog training sessions to be sabotaged by boredom. Making dog training fun for the dog and the human alike is vital to creating a happy, well adjusted and well trained dog.

Providing random positive stimuli during the day is a great way to keep the interest of the dog. Doing things the dog enjoys, like walking in the park, riding in the car, and playing with other dogs, are great ways to keep the dog's attention, but you must reward him for small successes.

For instance, in order to reward the dog for coming to you when you call him, ask the dog to come to you, without giving any clues about a walk, a car ride, or other treats.

After the dog has come to you and obediently sat down, attach the leash and start the treat. This can be either the afore-mentioned walk in the park, ride in the car, or anything else the dog likes to do.

Providing some sort of reward, whether a treat, a special outing, or just a scratch behind the ears, every time the dog does something you want, is a good method to maintain your dog's motivation while you are dog training.

If your dog knows something good is going to happen every time he obeys your command, he will be motivated to please you every time.

Distraction training.

When training any dog, it is vital to not let distractions disrupt the training. The dog must be trained to ignore distractions, such as other people, other dogs, other animals and loud noises, and focus on what is being taught These kinds of distractions can even be used as rewards when training your dog to come when called.

For instance, if your dog enjoys playing with other dogs, whether in the local park or with the neighbour's dogs, let him play freely with those other dogs. Then go into the park or garden and call your dog.

When he comes to you, provide lots of praise, treats and other rewards, then immediately allow the dog to return to playing with his pals. Repeat this several times and praise the dog each time he comes to you.

The dog will soon learn that coming to you means good things (treats and praise) and not bad ones (being removed from the park).

So-called distraction training is one of the most difficult things to teach, because dogs are naturally social animals, and breaking away from the pack is one of the hardest things you can ask your dog to do. Most dogs will be understandably reluctant to leave their canine companions, but it is important to persist in dog training.

Training the dog to come to you when you call may take some creativity on your behalf at first. For example, waving one of his favourite toys, or a lure, is a great way to get your dog's attention and put the focus back on you. If your dog has been clicker trained, a quick click can be a good motivator as well in dog training.

Once the dog begins to become used to coming when called, you can begin to reduce and then stop the visual cues and focus on getting the dog to obey your voice alone. It is vital that the dog obeys voice commands alone, since you will not always have a toy or other lure to hand.

Does your dog need training? If you need more information on dog training, then go over to our website called Successful Dog Training

Dog Names

May 14th, 2010

Dog owners will say that there is no proven method for choosing a good name for a new dog. Whether they have to think of girl or boy dog names, usually they will choose something that sounds cool or a name they like rather than putting some thought into what the name really means. Popular boy dog names have a variety of meanings, but more often than not the meaning will not suit the dog it is given to. Below is a quick guide to the top five boy dog names and what they actually mean.

In general, one of the first things you have to do when you get a new dog or puppy is pick a dog name for him or her. For most dog owners, this actually requires little thought. They just choose a dog name out of thin air and that is the name by which the poor hound will be known forever. However, there is something you ought to think about when going through dog names in order to make sure that you choose the right one.

First of all, dogs sense attitude and tone of voice better than we can. If you pick a dog name for comic effect or after someone you don't like, your dog will know by your tone of voice that something is not right. The result could well be that, their attitude may change towards you or they may refuse to respond to your commands. Dogs' names should mean something but should not be detrimental to their training, so you ought to take your dog's name seriously.

Despite dogs being very clever animals, they can't process the same amount of information that we can. As a result, dog names should never be more than two syllables long. If they are more than that, most dogs will not respond. Max, Sam, Becky, Lady, Molly and the like are excellent dog names because they are short and the syllables are easily heard. They respond to these dog names and that will improve your probability of training them successfully.

However, dogs' names should help them form an identity of their own. Common names don't really allow them to do that, so finding something simple but unusual can help their characters a great deal without damaging their ability to respond to a command.

Max: This is perhaps the most popular boy dog name and the meaning is probably why most people choose it for their pooch. It literally means "the greatest". After all, every dog owner thinks that their dog is the greatest.

Jake: Jake is short for Jacob, which means "conqueror". This is an apt boy dog name, if your puppy takes over the house within moments of setting foot inside it!

Buddy: Buddy is a variation of Budd, which means "messenger". This boy dog name would be apt for a farm dog or one you might possibly train to retrieve the newspaper from the porch in the morning. It is a very popular boy dog name throughout America.

Bailey: The boy dog name Bailey is French and means "steward". This is fairly suitable if your dog is responsible and sensible, so it is apt for a Newfoundland or collie puppy.

Sam: Sam apparently means "an answer to prayers". This is a great name for dogs that are obedient, easy to train and are very little work!

Not many people consider a name's meaning when picking boy dog names, so instead of just going with your first thought, it may be worth taking the time to find a dog's name that is actually apt for your dog. After all, it doesn't cost anything to spend some time thinking about your dog's name.

Does your dog need training? If you need further details on dogs in general, then visit our website entitled Successful Dog Training

Finding Snakes And Reptiles

April 29th, 2010

There are few regions in the world that haven't been colonised by snakes and other reptiles. Snakes are even found in towns, although it is only the friendlier ones that tend to survive our wrath. However, if you want to look for some of the more uncommon snakes, you could try in parks and fields, on beaches or in rivers and ponds and even in the sea, depending on where you live, of course, as sea snakes tend to inhabit warmer, tropical waters.

You will need to be alert and train your eyes to spot even the slightest movement. Wear clothes of dull, drab colours and move slowly, stopping often to listen for movement in the grass or bushes. In the beginning, you will have many false hopes, until you learn to differentiate between the sounds of the different animals that live or hunt in the grass.

Snakes are not easy to locate, because most of the adventurous snakes get killed by frightened (and often ignorant) humans, but a good tip is to look for relatively damp areas in arid regions and, conversely, dry spots in damp areas. Look for where their prey might congregate. For instance, near water for toads and frogs. Look out for frightened lizards or birds fleeing for their lives. And listen out for geckos warning each other of the presence of a predator.

If you have to disturb anything, at least don't damage it and make sure you put it back as you found it. Two useful tools while out looking for snakes are binoculars (for tree snakes) and a snake-hook, which should also be used for moving bits of debris so that you don't risk getting bitten by a snake or stung by a scorpion. A camera, a torch and a notebook and pen are more or less essential, depending on how seriously you take your interest in herpetology.

You could also take a rule or tape to measure your specimens and a few plastic bags and boxes to hold them while you are doing it. However, do not harm anything and do not take anything away with you either! Besides it not being right to wander into their domain and cause them harm, it is frequently against the law too. Be very wary of picking up any snake that you cannot 100% positively identify as non-poisonous. You could be miles from anywhere and will probably not have any anti-venom with you. Since many snakes can kill within 30 minutes, you would probably die.

To summarize, go looking for snakes by all means. However, take it calmly and slowly and wear inconspicuous clothing. Moreover, wear strong, climbing boots to give you some protection where you are most vulnerable and do not disturb anything you don't have to. Take a snake-hook to move things if you have to; a tape, torch, camera, notebook and pen to record your experience and/or findings and a couple of clear plastic receptacles just in case you feel that you have to pick something up.

I hope you enjoy your hunt for snakes and other reptiles, but remember that they are not friendly and they are definitely not pets and be wary of bites especially when your search is not taking place in the gardens of a hospital!

If you are interested in snakes and reptiles, you ought to go over to our web site entitled Caring for Snakes

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Why Do Dogs Snore?

April 6th, 2010

It is not unusual for pet owners to allow their pets to sleep with them at night. In fact, one third of pet owners have at some time, allowed their pets to sleep on their beds. Dogs provide a companionship that can't be given by any other kind of animal. But this doesn't mean to say that it is unlikely for some people to let their cats and another pets sleep with them too.

It is facilitated too by dogs having a sleep pattern which is rather similar to our own. Dogs often have complete trust in their owners, which makes them a lot more relaxed during the night. This goes a long way to explaining why most dogs fall asleep easily and even go into a deep sleep where REM sleep activities can occur. In deed, once a dog enters this phase, the owner often needs to call them several times before they can be woken up completely.

For sure, many of us have already witnessed a dog paddling during sleep or, at times, barking with his eyes closed too. These dogs are said to be dreaming. Breathing patterns can also be observed among dogs while they are asleep. For example, there are breeds which breathe heavily and there are breeds which breathe more lightly. The heavy breathers are much more likely to snore than those which do not breathe as heavily.

Often, dogs that snore can be quite a nuisance during the night, depending on the degree and frequency of the phenomenon. Like with humans, there are various considerations why dogs snore, although most deal with the obstruction of the passage of air in the windpipe, which in turn is caused by the collapse of certain areas along the throat. It is the same problem as with humans.

A dog that snores very badly ought to be checked for various issues to evaluate which treatment can be best provided. Some dogs are especially prone to some allergic reactions that cause constriction in the airway. It may also be that there is some excess tissue in the areas that are preventing proper breathing. It is best if a veterinarian checks on various factors through careful evaluation of the dog's anatomical features and general physical symptoms.

Is you dog overweight? I ask this because, as with humans, obese dogs are more likely to snore than thin ones. This is because they will have more tissue surrounding their windpipes. Therefore, they have excess tissue hanging around their throats, which can cause blockages. Once this problem has been fixed, the chances of snoring will be reduced. This would not only be healthy for your dogs, but you may actually enjoy a decent night's sleep too.

Snoring also has something to do with the general facial features. Some dogs seem to have pushed-in faces which narrows their air passages to a certain degree. The construction of their nasal passages also largely contributes to their difficulty in breathing. They are pretty much like humans with a cold, who are forced to breathe using only twenty-five percent of their nostril capacity. Dog breeds with shorter faces need to expend lots of effort to breathe properly. It takes them more work to control breathing and they are also more prone to snoring.

Minor surgery can give your dog great relief. Be sure though that before any decision is made, you are well informed about the potential risks and consequences of surgery to stop a dog snoring. Most are irreversible, so careful thought must be given to any operation you allow. In fact it is best to accept the guidelines provided by your veterinarian.

Does your dog need training? If you need further information on dogs in general, then visit our web site called Successful Dog Training

Is She A Lady Or A Tramp?

March 28th, 2010

So you may wonder, what is in a dog's name? Just what does it matter what your female dog's name is? The answer is a lot, because your dog's name defines him or her in the eyes of your friends, especially if you have a small dog. What small dogs lack in stature they can make up for in attitude. For small dogs, being cute will get them everywhere. But what is a cute dog without a cute dog name?

Cute dog names are really meant for female dogs. Abby, for example is a very cute dog name. When you match with an image, you probably see a little Westie or a Labrador pup running around a lawn in your mind's eye. Other cute female dog names are Brownie, Beauty, Becky and Blackie. All of these cute dog names seem to embody a bundle of fur that has a sweet nature and just loves cuddles. They all allude to a cute appearance and a very joyful dog owning experience.

However, there seems to be rather few cute dog names available for male dogs. This may be because it reduces the masculine image that male dogs should have. Still, there are some male cute dog names out there. Bobby, Casper, Patch and Spot are all cute male dog names that have the same effect as the female ones do. However, you do need to make sure that you have the right kind of male dog to give a cute dog name to, because if you get it wrong, he will sound ridiculous.

Cute dog names can be suitable for male and female members alike of certain breeds and can help to develop a lovable personality, because of the affection, with which it will be handled. But do be warned, you do not want to leave your dog open to ridicule so choose when to give your dog a cute dog name with caution.

While dogs are quite intelligent creatures, they cannot really process the same amount of information that we can. As a result, dog names should not be more than two syllables. If they are more than that, it is seldom that a dog will actually respond. Max, Sam, Lady, Molly and the like are excellent dog names because they are short and the syllables are hard. They easily respond to dog names like those and it can improve your prospects of training them.

Moreover, dogs names should assist them shape a character of their own. Common names do not encourage them to do that, so finding a short, simple but unusual name can help their characters a great deal without hurting their ability to obey a command.

I am quite willing to bet money that most pet owners do not consider the factors outlined above when thinking of dog names for a new pet. Instead, dog names are chosen at on a whim, but it is worth putting a bit more thought into it, for your dogs sake if for no other reason.

Does your dog need training? If you need further information on dogs in general, then go over to our website entitled Successful Dog Training

Two Dogs Are Better Than One!

February 19th, 2010

I couldn't believe it- I, the committed cat person, who had thought of every possible reason never to own a dog, who hated the smell and the jumping and the licking and the mucky mess of them- I was rescuing a dog. There I was, speeding along the highway, following my friend Jody who had *my* new dog on his scooter. I'd slept on it for two days and finally decided that I would take the little mutt in. I examined the specimen on Jody's scooter. She was shivering, a fur covered bag of bones, her nose jutted into the wind and for some reason she was constantly licking the air. Lick Lick lick. With each flick of her little pink tongue I thought to myself, "What the heck am I doing?"

She had been abandoned outside a convenience store. I had passed her a million times since the first time I saw her, two weeks before. I'd taken her food and water, and finally decided that I just couldn't let her die. But how would I do it? I hate responsibility and being tied down. I loved having a cat- all I had to do was put a bunch of food and water down for her, and a litter box, and she was good to go. What was I going to do with this dog?

Over the next several weeks, Dresden (my mutts named after a German city that's been fire bombed) seemed to prove every fear that I had about adopting a dog. She peed on the floor. She chewed things up. She slept all day while I was gone, then when I got home exhausted, she had enough energy to power Manhattan. She kept me up all night whining and wanting to play. She cried terribly when I tried to leave, and would always try to bolt out the door when I left for work. I liked her, or at least I felt guilty for not liking her, which is almost like liking her, right?

Cut to two months later- I'm walking Dresden on the beach, and can't let her off the leash because she's in heat. What do I see ahead? ANOTHER DRESDEN! Except this Dresden is male.

Now let me tell you- my dog is weird looking. To see what must have been her twin is a strange coincidence, unless someone went up and down the coast abandoning puppies. Which is probably what happened. Let's just say that male Dresden took a fancy to female Dresden, who was in heat and attracting every dog within a 30 mile radius. I ran home, and this little male dog, though limping and terribly skinny (more of a skeleton than a dog) followed us the whole way. I put Dresden inside, and took out a bowl of food for the male dog- a dog-lover trying to help a stray? No, my plan was to lure him back to the beach and while he was distracted by the food- RUN!

I did it. Three times. It didn't work.

Finally it was time for me to go to work. Male Dresden was outside, howling at female Dresden, who was inside whining. I left. When I came home, male Dresden was inside the gate, laying on a makeshift bed, a bowl of food next to him. My landlord had taken him in thinking he was my dog! Aggggh! And fed him! Now he would never leave!

Every time I left the house, I had to fight off the amorous male Dresden who was trying to you know what the female Dresden (who is now happily spayed).

I took the little sucker in. Named him Romulus, after the mythical founder of Rome who was suckled by a wolf.

And a miracle happened. Shoes stopped being torn to shreds. When I arrived home, Dresden and Romulus greeted me with that special canine welcome frenzy, then they curled up together and.went to sleep. They had been playing all day. They had no need to keep me up all night. When I left for work, they both smiled wagging--- oh good, finally she's gone, let the games begin! When I took them to the beach, I didn't have to throw sticks or run with them- they ran circles around each other, and were awfully cute doing it.

Two dogs are better than one! I'm a cat person. If you asked me if you should adopt a dog, I'd say no. But if you asked me if you should adopt two dogs, I'd say hell yes.

Were trying to help put dogs in need if you are interested in dog rescue adoption then be sure to check out the website to see how you can help. adoptable dogs all need good homes.

Trendy Dog Names

December 19th, 2009

Fashion appears to decree everything these days. From what you wear to what you name your dog, everything you do is decreed by the need to be cool. Cute dog names are hard to come by and even harder to choose. This is because as soon as something is in fashion, than it is out again.

Who would want to choose a cool dog name that may not be fashionable next year? So, people usually play it safe, which is why the same names have been around for so long. To try and break that cycle, five cool dog names are given below with the reasons why you should pick one of them for your dog.

Phoenix: What could be cuter than a bird that goes up in flames and then rises from the ashes? Phoenix is one of the cute dog names that will never go out of fashion because it is rooted in mythology. It has a timeless quality which has surprisingly failed to boost its popularity.

Star: Star is one of the cool dog names because it has so many connotations that you can have a hard time finding out where to begin. A star in the sky is a phenomenon and a star can refer to someone that excels in a particular field. It is a high form of praise and thus is definitely a cool dog name.

Lady: Lady is one of the most popular dog names but it is also one of the cute dog names because of the Disney cartoon film, Lady and the Tramp, which was a massive hit. The film made the name popular but also gave it some credibility. In this case, popularity comes second to cuteness.

Elvis: The coolest of cute dog names. Elvis Presley was undoubtedly cool and remains cool today even after his death. It is infinitely cool to name your dog after an icon who never goes out of fashion.

Shadow: There is a dark and mysterious quality about Shadow that makes it a cool dog name. It would be used to best effect on a big dog however because it wouldn't have the same strong effect with a small breed.

Whatever cute dog names you consider for your mut, it is one sure way to give your dog an identity of their own and make your dog unforgettable to others.

Does your dog require training? If you require more details on dogs in general, then go over to our website entitled Successful Dog Training