Tips for Keeping Pets

November 30, 2009

Animals unlike humans cannot express their feelings and they cannot go on making demands and tell their owners when they need food. They are animals. Pet keepers bring home fish, cats, dogs, rabbits, hamsters and birds home all the time eagerly but sadly, they fail to take proper care of their pets because of which their animals die. If pets can not speak out, pet keepers themselves should be humane enough to understand their pets heartily and give them their rights.

Some basic and simple tips for pet keepers can ensure a healthy and loving relation between themselves and their pets. As far as dogs are concerned it is advisable to keep it in a proper dog house which should be comfortable and cozy enough for it to reside in. Whenever you take out your dog for a walk make sure you leash it. They are playful animals, they love to jump and mingle with other animals and chase things. So avoid any bad circumstances it is always better to play it safe. Cats are well mannered and they are less messy than dogs. However they too need proper care. Dogs and cats should be bathed regularly and their utensils cleaned on daily bases. If your dog or cat ever urinate or excrete in your lounge, you should never leave it unclean. It is highly unhygienic for animals and pet keepers both.

The animals that you keep in cages need a little more attention. They are enslaved so it is better to make them at least feel free. Birds or rabbits should never be kept in small cages. They should be big enough so that your birds can easily flutter their wings and fly about. It should be big enough so that your rabbit can run about and hide when it wants to hide. Animals kept at home should provide them with a sense of being in their natural habitats. This way they feel free and they live happily. Their cages, their beddings should be cleansed thoroughly and regularly.

Animals should be vaccinated whenever they need to be. They should be taken for regular medical checkups so that they stay health and energetic. Animals too should be kept in a secured area and never be left out on their own. Pets are unlike the stray animals; they are vulnerable and require special attention. So pet keepers should make sure they take care of their pets the way they should be kept. They can always keep themselves updated through internet and magazines to acknowledge and fulfill their pet’s needs.

Jonathon Hardcastle writes articles on many topics including Pets, Shopping, and Clothing

Tags: animals, , , , birds, hobby, pets
Filed in Pet Guide at 6:05 am

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Pet Loss

November 23, 2009

When a beloved pet dies, some people simply accept the pet loss,
as a regular part of life. People that have strong feelings for their
pets are deeply affected by their grief. In taking responsibility
for owning a pet, we accept the burden of every aspect for that
pets life.As a pet grows from a baby to adult, that pets responsibility
and affection becomes a way of life to us. This mutual bonding
becomes an exchange of need and fulfillment between owner and
pet. It’s ironic that we become dependent on our pets as well.
We rely on their needing us.

When a pet eventually dies, as we all
must, we are never prepared emotionally, from our pet loss. We
first get an extreme case of separation anxiety. Our routine and
patterns are disrupted abruptly by the loss of our pets.
Understanding the phases of grief and mourning that other people
have gone through, can help us through our loss
and bereavement. Often the way we react depends upon the
circumstances of how our love ones pass, and how attached we were
to them.

Shock and Disbelief

This usually is the first stage. Weather the pets death was sudden or
expected. It doesn’t seem real. We have trouble accepting the truth,
and are not equipped to handle the reality of the pet loss. We all
experience this to some degree.

Anger

When the numbness wears off, we are often overwhelmed by anger.
This emotion must be released and let go. Withheld anger can become
a potent force in self destructiveness. It is common to feel anger when
something we love is taken away from us.

Depression and Grief

We feel overwhelmed and very sad at the loss of our love one. All we
seem to care about is the loss of our pet,and our own misery. Appetite
loss, and difficulty to sleep are signs of this emotion. Depression is
the most normal of the stages to our pets death. We need some time
And privacy to recover through our depression and grief.

Give Yourself Time

The length of time to recover varies with each individual. Some need
more time and support than others. We have to give time for release
of grief without diminishing the memory of our pet. We never lose
a sense of bereavement for a pet. But we do learn to be less and less
overwhelmed by their death.

Moving On

No matter what method you choose, a Pet Memorial, or Garden Memorial
etc… You should offer a simple eulogy to help closure to the event.
It’s a chance to be involved with the final experience with your pet. And
to realize your loss and express feeling about it. It will give you a chance
to say, “You are gone, but not forgotten”

Your relationship with your pet is very special. Keep them in your heart
and they will never be forgotten.

Pet Loss Click Here!

Tags: coping with death, , , , , losing a pet, pet burial, pet death, Pet Loss
Filed in Pet Guide at 5:05 am

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Pet Memorial Stones

November 16, 2009

When a larger motif for remembrance is required, a monument stone or a grave marker is the best choice. Monuments erected in the memory of the pet can either be in the garden where the ashes have been buried or else at the pet cemetery if there happens to be one. Here it is important to select the right kind of material to make sure that it will not erode or break with the passage of time. Granite is the most favored material but it should be hard enough to be durable. The etched or the engraved lettering on the stone is an additional significant aspect of the memorial and this should be entrusted to a professional designer who has a thorough knowledge of fonts.

The headstones are usually created from a sand blasting or sand carving process, and it is important to check that real stones are used and not fake resin or molded stone pieces that only look like the real thing. The topmost quality of stone is always the one sourced in the form of premium river rock. Varieties of stones include slate, polished granite, marble, bluestone, or sandstone, depending on the quarries from which they come.

While the quality of the stone relates to the durability of the marker, the other factors that come into play are the composition, color, texture, density, and shape of the material. Some stones have natural flaws in their structure that can actually help enhance the appeal of the final design. Tombstones or markers are made from a special material called Vashon Buff with Grog. Thanks to the “grog,” the wet clay does not shrink when it is fired and is much more durable. After firing, it turns reddish in color and a glaze could turn it to any color you want. The stone should handle weathering just fine in most climates, so long as it is not subjected to long periods of freezing

Pet Memorials provides detailed information on Pet Memorials, Pet Memorial Stones, Pet Memorial Markers, Online Pet Memorials and more. Pet Memorials is affiliated with Pet Services.

Tag: Pet Memorial Stones
Filed in Pet Guide at 6:05 am

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Fewer Dog Treats Make a Sweeter Pet

November 9, 2009

One common mistake made by a lot of pet owners is pampering your dog too much! Many people, when they hear their dog bark, either cuddle it, pat it, or feed it some type of dog treat. Although dog treats are popular, in a short time you will wind up with a dog that will whine, bark, or demand attention unnecessarily. This type of behavior teaches your pet to make a lot of noise whenever it wants attention. Henceforth, what your dog does all the time is bark! This is negative behavior modification and should be refrained from as much as possible to avoid spoiling your pet. After all, that is how your dog is trained, so reward the good habits only, never the bad ones.

Remember to keep the dog treats in the cupboard for a while, and even though it is hard to ignore a barking dog, it will pay its dividends later on. This is especially hard to do if most of the barking occurs outside and your dog is bothering the neighbors. You are best off to contact your neighbors and advise them that you’re involved in the training process of putting an end to the excessive noise and just ask their indulgence. Most people understand and you will have better neighbor relations as a result.

Here are a few tips to help you with incessant barking. Resist the urge to open your door to yell at your pet when he’s barking or give him some type of dog treat. The next time the barking starts, wait a minute until he stops and is quiet for a minute or two, then open the door before he starts barking again and praise him for being quiet. As soon as the dog starts to bark again, walk away and ignore him, and eventually he will realize that he only gets your attention when he is not barking instead of barking. Try and refrain from too many dog treats as your dog will expect to be rewarded with this type of treatment all the time. Remember that overnight success is not possible and that it will take you time to train your dog to stop barking. If your dog craves your attention all the time, it is important for you to reevaluate just how much attention he gets during the day. Maybe you just need to spend more time with him, giving more exercise and more love. This is something you and your dog will both be equally rewarded for.

By Terry Price- Remember to visit http://www.pet-supply-discount.com/pet-insurance.html for a great resource on all kinds of pet supply products, dog training ideas, dog treats or just great products to treat your pet with.

Tags: dog treat, , dog treats
Filed in Pet Guide at 8:03 am

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6 Ways To Help “Pet-Proof” Your Home

November 2, 2009

When you own an indoor dog, its a good idea to pet-proof your house. Like child proofing, pet-proofing consists of making a sweep of each room to which your dog has access and removing anything that poses a potential danger. Some items may be dangerous to one dog while not to another. For example, electrical cords may be dangerous to the dog that enjoys chewing, but for a dog that isn’t into sharpening his teeth on household objects, electrical cords may not be a threat. You’ll be able to detect additional hazards once you’ve discovered what activities your dog may enjoy.

1. Watch Out for Small Items - Like children, dogs love to put things in their mouths. If swallowed, the object of their curiosity can become lodged within their digestive tract and cause damage. In some cases, surgery may be the only way to remove the offensive item. To avoid this, keep small items out of reach. Such items may include pens, pencils, rubber bands, coins, paper clips, staples, nails and screws, pieces of string, yarn, thread, or dental floss, earrings and other small jewelry, bells, small balls, sewing needles, pins, and the eyes pets may pull off pet toys.

2. Chocolate and Dogs Don’t Mix - Chocolate contains the active ingredient theobromine, which can be toxic to dogs if enough is ingested. It is difficult to estimate how much is required to cause death to a dog because the concentration of theobromine varies with the formulation of the chocolate; for example, milk chocolate will have less theobromine than baker’s chocolate. To keep your dog safe, be sure not allow him to eat any chocolate!

3. Watch the Tags - Your dog’s ID tag can pose a choking danger to your dog if it gets caught on anything. Keep your dog’s tags from getting caught in a heating grate when he lies down by using a Pet Pocket. The Pet Pocket attaches to his collar and lies flat rather than having his tags dangle from a collar.

4. A Shocking Danger - To keep your dog from chewing electrical wires, you must conceal the wires in some way. One way to do this is by buying a plastic decorator shower rod cover and inserting the wires inside the rod cover. Plastic rod covers can be cut to size. Another way to cover electrical wires is by purchasing concealing strips. These strips are specially designed to conceal wires running across floors, across baseboards, and up walls. You can find these concealing strips in hardware or office supply stores. They come in a variety of colors and they can be cut to size. There is also a newer product that has come on the market to protect your dog from wires. It is a “power strip with a brain” that detects insulation aging, damage, and penetration by such things as dogs’ teeth. If your dog tries to take a bite out of this type of cord, the cord will shut off and prevent your dog from getting shocked. This can also be found in a hardware store.

5. Blue Water is Bad - If you use an automatic toilet bowl cleaner or “toilet tablets”, be sure to put the seat down so that your dog won’t be able to drink the water. The blue water can be poisonous to your dog. You can sew a large pom-pom to your toilet seat cover to prevent the lid from staying up in case you forget to lower it.

6. Keep Cleaning Products Out of Reach - Be sure to keep chemical cleaning products out of your dog’s reach. If possible, consider substituting nontoxic cleaners such as vinegar and water mixtures or baking soda.

Felix Senhouse is a contributor for http://www.familydogcare.com

Family Dog Care is your complete resource for dog related news and information, covering topics that range from dog training to dog nutrition.

Tags: dog, , , , , dog training, dogs, pets, puppies
Filed in Pet Guide at 9:03 am

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