We all love our pets right? But the little critters can be messy at times and wreak havoc with the household fabrics. But I guess if we decide to have family pets, then we shouldn’t really complain about a little dog poop or puddle of cat urine from time to time. The problem with house pets is that if the owners are out at work or school all day and the mess is done early morning, then it has all day to fester and soil thus making it one heck of a lot harder to clean than if it was caught fresh.

All stains, be they from animals, foods, or wherever, are much easier to remove when they are new. Most fresh stains are quite removable whereas all the scrubbing and rubbing in the world wont shift an old stubborn stain completely. Having said that, there are very few marks that cannot at the very least be improved with the right approach.

It’s surprising how many folks don’t know the basics of removing stains and spills. We’ve all seen Mum running in frantically from the kitchen with a bowl of lukewarm water and detergent as she thrusts herself to the ground and begins to scrub frantically at the fabric - STOP! This is how NOT to remove a stain.

When you apply the detergent, you must start from the outside of the stain and work inwards. Working from the inside out only spreads the stain still further and you could end up with a bigger mess that what you started with. This simple approach will put you on a winner from the outset.

Never rush to get the stain out in a mad scrubbing frenzy. Take your time. Once you have contained the stain and removed any solids, place a towel which is soaked in hot water over the area and press down. Quite often the heat from the towel will transfer the stain from fabric to towel. Repeat this several times as necessary.

Once you are satisfied with the job, you must remember to dry the area out as much as possible. I always use a high powered fan for this. It’s likely that the surface may look a little different after cleaning, depending on the material, but just leave it to settle down for a day or two and in most cases it’ll be looking as good as new.

Just before I sign off, I do not recommend rubbing the animals nose in its own mess in an attempt to train it not to use the home as its toilet. This is particularly counter-productive with dogs, but apart from that, there are other ways to teach your animal than by dragging it by the scruff of the neck to the soiled spot, but hey, that’s for another article.

Ginger Lowey is a proficient writer who has work on the website Cleanwhatever.com She has articles on Ways of Cleaning Cat Urine and Compare Dishwashers Online She also has other ‘cleaning’ related pieces on the site.

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While pets don’t actually develop Alzheimer’s disease, both dogs and cats develop a condition called cognitive disorder. While the condition appears new, it is not and has been recognized by veterinarians for many years. There are a number of clinical signs in pets with cognitive disorder. These signs are often accepted by owners as normal signs of aging, when in fact they are signs of a (usually) treatable condition. Owners must be taught that any of these signs warrants a full evaluation. Education must begin before the first geriatric visit. Regular geriatric examination, ideally every 6-12 months, will facilitate communication and allow for early diagnosis of cognitive disorder and other conditions often seen in geriatric dogs.

Common signs in dogs and cats with cognitive disorder include wandering aimlessly, vocalizing for no reason, getting stuck in a corner, increased daytime sleeping, seeking less attention, loss of housetraining, and seeking less attention. Because these signs can mimic other conditions (cancer, hypothyroidism), these pets should receive a full workup prior to the diagnosis of cognitive disorder.

The drug AniprylR is approved for treating cognitive disorder in dogs. It must be given daily for the life of the dog once the diagnosis is made. Side effects are rare in dogs and included restlessness, disorientation, vomiting, anorexia, weakness, anemia, stiffness, and polydipsia. The major concern among owners is the cost: a one month supply for a 30 pound dog costs about $125.

There are other more natural alternatives, including herbal preparations (gingko, lycopodium, salvia,) thyroid supplement (when hypothyroidism is the cause), nutritional supplementation using whole food preparations of vitamins such as inositol and lecithin, and a specific product called Cholodin which combines choline and several other nutrients (choline, phosphatidylcholine, methionine, inositol, and various B vitamins and antioxidants.) Nutritional supplementation is used to increase acetylcholine levels in the body (acetylcholine is a widely distributed nerve transmitter in the body.) Aging people and pets begin to lose choline nerve receptors. Since oral choline administration increases plasma choline levels, and since brain levels of acetylcholine increase as plasma choline levels increase, using choline supplementation has the ability to improve neurological disorders that result from decreased acetylcholine.

Natural therapies have proven extremely effective in most pets in my practice, without the expense or side effects of drug therapy. Therapy is given for 2 months to assess efficacy (as is true with any nutritional therapy,) although results may occur more quickly. For more information on the protocol I recommend, please email me at naturalvet@juno.com and ask for the cognitive disorder protocol.

Shawn Messonnier, DVM

Author, 8 Weeks to a Healthy Dog, The Allergy Solution for Dogs, and the award-winning The Natural Health Bible for Dogs & Cats. Dr. Shawn is the medical consultant for Pet Togethers, a pet supplement company.

http://www.pettogethers.net/healthypet

http://www.petcarenaturally.com

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Many chronic diseases commonly seen in pets result from immune suppression. Diabetes, allergies, breathing difficulties, thyroid disease, inflammatory bowel diseases, recurrent ear infections, and even cancer, are all examples of an immune system gone wrong.

Some of these diseases can be treated by conventional medicine, or by natural remedies such as homeopathy, but many are lifetime conditions, and some are fatal. Conventional or natural treatments can be effective, but usually treatment is slow, especially where the disease is well established. Transfer factors can significantly shorten the course of the treatment, by giving a much needed balancing effect to your pet’s immune system.

So what are Transfer factors, I hear you ask?

Transfer factors are a set of messaging molecules that convey immune information within the immune system. Transfer factors also carry immune information from one individual’s immune system to another individual. They help the immune system recognize, respond to, and remember invading organisms which threaten optimimum health.

It was initially thought that Transfer factors were only present in blood. But it was later realised that they’re also present in colostrum. More recently it’s been found that Transfer factors are also in egg yolk.

All infant mammals (including human babies who were breastfed) receive colostrum from their mothers which helps educate and strengthen their na

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I love dogs. My partner loves dogs. My kids love dogs. Trouble is, dogs don’t love my kids - at least not when it comes to allergies. So if you’ve set your heart on getting a dog, but you or your family have allergy problems is there anything you can do about it?

Well, you can start by looking at breeds that are supposedly better for allergy sufferers. Wheaten Terriers, Beagles, Portuguese Water Dogs are some of the most popular. Or the new “hybrid” breeds - Labradoodles, Spoodles and the like.

The problem is that even then, nothing is guaranteed. We went as far as going to a rescue centre, carefully choosing the right kind of dog after several visits, starting to sign on the dotted line, when suddenly our elder daughter began reacting. She became itchy, her face swelled up - and there were of course buckets of tears when we realised that we couldn’t take the dog after all.

The thing is, it’s not just a dog’s coat that’s the problem. It’s also the saliva. So you have to worry about a dog licking you as well as stroking it. No displays of affection, in other words. Which rather negates a lot of the point of getting a dog in the first place.

So is all lost when it comes to dogs? Not necessarily. We had both our girls tested for allergies and both were confirmed as allergic to dogs. But these things can change over time. People can both develop and lose allergies over time, seemingly for no rhyme or reason. Ditto asthma and eczema - they’re all related.

I had asthma as a kid, but none now. I never had eczema as a child, but in my late twenties and thirties I got it quite badly. Now, in my early forties, I no longer suffer from it. My elder daughter used to have a latex allergy. Not now. She now swells up if she eats chicken. She never used to. My partner had bad hay fever all her life - until a couple of years ago. And so on.

It can be the same with pet allergies. If you’re not sure, get you or your family tested. Then try testing again in a few years time. There are also things you can do to lessen the impact of allergies, such as washing the dog frequently. But that’s only worthwhile if the dog is already there - it’s not a great idea to introduce a new dog to an allergic household on that basis. Besides, the dog is unlikely to be too keen on being bathed. And however often you clean or groom it, there’s no such thing as an allergen free dog.

Incidentally, both our kids came out in the tests as allergic to cats. This we already knew about, and was less of an issue, as we’d all prefer to get a dog. Cat allergies tend to be more common, and often more severe as well. And also, many experts say, less likely to go away over time. So bad luck if cats are your bag - it’s not a good idea to introduce a cat to a home with allergic kids.

While we’re hoping our kids’ dog allergies will improve over time, we still wanted to get a pet. But practically all pets can set off allergies - rabbits, guinea pigs, mice, all of them. So always expose all members of your household to them before taking them home, just in case. Snakes and lizards are ok - but plenty of people aren’t too happy with the concept of a snake or lizard in the house.

Then there are goldfish. Goldfish you’re pretty safe with. But goldfish you’ll probably get pretty bored with too. They’re not easy to take for walks for one thing.

In the end, we settled on hamsters. The kids had already handled the school hamster without any problems, so we knew we were on safe ground. So now we’re the proud owners of three girl hamsters. (I do, do hope they are all females - three is more than enough.)

One day we may be able to get a dog. But right now, we’re happy, the kids are happy, and their allergies aren’t being set off all the time by their pets. And that’s the main thing.

© Peter Wise

As well as supporting one partner, two kids and three hamsters, Peter Wise is a freelance copywriter, website copywriter and SEO copywriter based in London, UK. He also writes direct mail, brochures, newsletter articles and press releases. If you’re looking for a freelance copywriter, please call +44 (0) 7767 687524 or visit http://ideaswise.com/

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As much as people are fond of keeping pets, inhumane actions are often reported from across the globe. Pets serve as man’s joy and relief, their furry, cozy, crawling, exotic, terrific, and enriching existence bring a few moments of joy to people’s monotonous, tedious lives.

If pet owners eagerly keep pets it should be particularly clear that they fully take the charge and responsibility of their pets because animals too feel pain as human beings do.

Reports of pet abuse from all over the world shows what humans are oblivious of. There are millions of dead animals that have been found in various city corners. People out of some odd reasons and frustration tend to kill their pets and then to avoid getting caught they go and throw them near drums etc. It gives a grotesque picture of inhumanity and inconsideration.

The illiterate and uneducated people often tend to find ways of earning easy money and these are the people who make their dogs get in to fights. They train them by electrocuting them and burning their skins. When they are trained according them they are proud to win money when their dogs end up being horribly injured during fierce dog fights. Then they pat and love them which are more of an irony in the name of pet love.

There are celebrities who are known to wear fur of pet animals. Giving pets as gifts is a trend these days, just wrapped up like a commodity and presented to people without stopping to consider animals are not products.

There are people who keep horses and donkeys for carriages they too are like pets but these people beat their horses and donkeys and push them to carry extra loads without feeding them properly. They die of malnutrition and in some cases they even die of getting severely beaten up. There are vets in this world that treat sick pets with outdated medicines and they end up dead.

Some pets turn wild and hysterical because their owners treat them wildly. They would beat them, keep them chained, give them stale food and make them irritable. These kinds of pets resolve to biting and screaming to let out their feelings. Pets are found locked up in trunks, locked up in attics and forgotten till they are starved to death.

Some drug addicts drug their pets out of spite and watch their reactions as a vulgar means of entertainment. These and a million more faces of human vindictiveness, inconsideration, brutality and viciousness are widely observed yet not taken care of. Such pet abusers fail to realize that animals too are as flesh and blood as themselves.

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

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In leasing property, there is such a thing called security deposits. In general, these are collected by the landlord at the beginning of the lease period for the exclusive use of paying for repairs caused by normal wear and tear, unpaid rents and fees related to the preparations needed for the property to be ready for occupancy of the next tenants. On the other hand, the remaining balance is usually returned to the tenant at the end of the lease period as agreed upon on the contract which includes the earning of interest. This return of deposit can also be treated as a motivation on the part of the tenant to avoid causing damages to the unit since moving out will entail a good deal of money to scout for the next home.

The steady deterioration of the unit or property, be it the floor, paint, window and other things on normal conditions, is considered normal or fair wear and tear. These will certainly be covered by such deposits. However, anything that exceeds normal wear and tear will be considered damages which the tenant will be financially responsible for. Damages are usually caused by unreasonable use of the property and accidents.

Having pets live in the leased property can only cause a problem in terms of costs that will be covered by the security deposit. Urine stench around the toilet is considered normal wear and tear. However, urine or pet odor in other areas of the leased unit is considered damage and thus, the tenants are financially responsible for this.

Some pets have the unusual habit of marking their territories by spraying urine. In the case of carpeted units, the odor will not only stay on the surface of the carpet but will also seep through the carpet pad, thereby drenching and retaining the odor, as well as the concrete floor. The result of this is that the concrete floor will have need of chemical treating to lessen the pungent odor.

It is a fact that most urine-related pet odors are very hard to remove when using common household cleaning solutions. Treating it with a chemical substance, usually a good combination of bleaching and other chemicals, can transform it to an odor-free substance. It is generally recommended to install a high quality vinyl instead of carpeted flooring. These lingering pet odors can last until a year if left untreated. It will certainly decrease the value of property.

In some jurisdictions, pet-related accidents or waste constitute a separate additional deposit called pet deposit. Assuming that the pet deposit is refundable the tenant should invest in pet stain removers more specifically on odor removers for those hard to eliminate pet odor. Most pet deposits range within $350.

Not most cities offer pet-friendly leasing properties. When scouting for the perfect place, the first thing to remember is to invest time in seeking the way to make landlords accept pets. It is not only enough to present oneself as a responsible pet owner and a potential fine tenant, it might help to prepare a dossier on the pet which will take account of a basic resume and references of previous landlords, neighbors, and known animal authorities like obedience instructors and veterinarians. Moreover, prepare to propose an agreement which will comprise an additional pet deposit.

Michael Louis is a dog lover with a passion for knowledge who enjoys sharing his dog cleaning care secrets. Now that you know how to remove that bad odor, learn the secrets to house training your dog and stop this from happening again at the-dog-stop.com

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Lots of folks are picky about their vet, and for good reason. You don’t want some insensitive clod messing around with your precious pooch, especially if he or she is in a fragile state due to illness or injury. It goes without saying that your vet should be a certified expert in the field of animal medicine. But it’s also just as important to find a veterinarian who truly loves animals, and who will be sensitive to the needs of both you and your dog. If you feel unsure about your vet for any reason, it’s worth investigating your options to find a new vet who you really like!

What should you look for when choosing a vet?

1. Someone who is understanding, yet impartial. There will be times in your pet’s life where you’ll have to make tough and costly decisions on his behalf. Your vet should be an understanding pillar of strength and support; someone who can empathise during such trying times, without pushing you into anything you’re not ready for or comfortable with.

2. A vet who practices preventive medicine. The best veterinarians practice and encourage preventive medicine… routine checkups, treatments and follow-ups that can nip a small health problem in the bud before it becomes a big (and expensive) one down the road.

3. Someone who can put your dog at ease. A really good vet will have a calm, soothing demeanor, and a way with animals that is truly magical to see! Gentle hands, a comforting tone of voice… all of these things will help your pet feel calm and secure in your vet’s care. Oh yes: and of course, your vet should have a way with humans, too.

4. An office full of employees who truly love animals. It’s wonderful to bring your dog in for a vet checkup and be greeted with big smiles, belly rubs and a good scratch behind the ears (for your dog- not you, silly)! With repeated visits, your dog will grow to love the friendly folks at the vet’s office, and the experience will become pleasant rather than stressful.

5. Someone who will listen. As with any doctor, your vet should approach the matter of your dog’s health with open ears and an open mind. Each situation is unique, and new practices and procedures evolve every day. Maybe you’ve read about a treatment that your vet has yet to mention? You should feel comfortable approaching your doggie’s doctor with ideas, questions and concerns.

Copyright 2005 Dina Giolitto. All rights reserved.

Liked this article? Have more of the same emailed to your inbox each month. Sign up for the Copywriting and Marketing Ezine from Dina at Wordfeeder.com and learn to write search engine friendly web copy and market your web based business for free.

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It has been said that one of the keys to success in business is for entrepreneurs to work in a field they enjoy or are passionate about because doing so ensures that an entrepreneur would enjoy what he is doing, which would make putting in the necessary work to ensure the success of the business not seem like work at all. This is true for most people because of the fact that people tend to work more or work harder when they enjoy what they are doing. For people who have a passion for animals, there are business opportunities that they can take advantage of that center around pets and pet care.

Among the different business opportunities that are open for animal lovers, perhaps the most lucrative opportunities and utmost fulfillment are those that involve providing pet services. This is because apart from the huge demand for such services, the interaction between those running the business, the pet owners, and their pets can give animal lovers a chance to very close to some of the most lovable and charming animals. One of these opportunities include starting up a pet sitting or pet day care services, which can be very lucrative given that there is a huge demand for such services, especially in urban areas. Another example of such a business opportunity is starting up a pet grooming service, which can also be very lucrative because such a service provides pet owners a convenient way to care for their pets. Other business opportunities that involve providing pet services include putting up an online pet supply store that also offer helpful information with regard to taking care of pets, putting up an animal boutique, and putting up a pet bakery.

Nowadays, animal lovers can do a job that they love. This is especially true with regard to businesses that aim to provide different pet services. This is because apart from the huge demand for various pet services like grooming and pet day care services, these kinds of businesses also allow business owners to interact with other animal lovers and with the animals they are passionate about and love.

Pets provides detailed information on Pets, Pet Supply, Pet Services, Pet Health and more. Pets is affiliated with Pet Memorial Markers.

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People have found shelter and comfort in pets since the beginning of time. Animals have been man’s best friend, protector and a source of great pleasure. Dogs, cats, parrots, birds, rabbits and horses are the most commonly kept pets. In societies people keep undisruptive animals. Hardly any house is left that does not have a pet! Pets are considered no less than family members, and hence are given the same shelter, love, food as any of their family is liable to receive. Human nature possesses an inclination towards matchlessness. Peculiar pets are found across the world and by the passage of time their number is increasing. These animals vary from reptiles, endangered species of birds, snakes, lizards, spiders and so on. Rare animals are now managed and controlled and made pleasant, exuberant companions.

There are many people in this world who are fond of being different from others. They crave for anything that is extraordinary and distinct. Dogs have been kept as pets since the begging of time and there is simply no substitute for them. Over the lapse of centuries dogs have earned their status as the man’s best friend. There are common dogs and these are poodles, hound dogs etc. There are some dogs that can be categorized as rare dogs because people do not keep them as common pets. Bull terriers and Beardies are two species of rare exotic creatures. Beardie is a dog that was used a long time back as a shepherd dog. Bull terriers are vicious looking dogs and they suit people living in countries sides because they are a good source security. These dogs are a mixed breed of a bull dog and an extinct white English terrier. These dogs are highly aggressive and need their space. They are huge and scary and perfect athletes. They can be particularly friendly towards people.

There are monkeys that aren’t still very common but these pets are full of enjoyment. Monkeys can imitate and learn quickly that is the reason people want to keep them as pets now more and more.

There are people who pay thousands to possess boa constrictors and other snakes and keep them as pets, enough to scare a visitor. Spiders such as tarantulas and camel spiders are increasing in number. There are kangaroo cats, iguanas, monitor lizard, etc. Some people also keep panthers, lions as pets and often face dangerous consequences. But however keeping such animals as pets makes people feel extraordinary and distinctive.

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

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About 25 years ago I began formulating pet foods at a time when the entire pet food industry seemed quagmire and focused on such things as protein and fat percentages without any real regard for ingredients. Since boot leather and soap could make a pet food with the “ideal” percentages, it was clear that analytical percentages do not end the story about pet food value. I was convinced then, as I am now, that a food can be no better than the ingredients of which it is composed. Since this ingredient idea has caught on in the pet food industry, it has taken on a commercial life that distorts and perverts the meaning of the underlying philosophy of food quality and proper feeding practices. Is health reducible to which ingredients a commercial product does or does not have? As contradictory as it may seem to what I have just said, no it is not. Here’s why.

AAFCO Approval
The official Publication of the American Association of Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) gives wide latitude for ingredients that can be used in animal foods. As I have pointed out in my book, The Truth About Pet Foods, approved ingredients can include*:
dehydrated garbage

undried processed animal waste products
polyethylene roughage replacement (plastic)
hydrolyzed poultry feathers

hydrolyzed hair

hydrolyzed leather meal
poultry hatchery by-product
meat meal tankage
peanut hulls

ground almond shells
(*Association of American Feed Control Officials, 1998 Official Publication)

Simultaneously, this same regulatory agency prohibits the use of many proven beneficial natural ingredients that one can find readily available for human consumption such as bee pollen, glucosamine, L-carnitine, spirulina and many other nutraceuticals. It would be easy to conclude that reason does not rule when it comes to what officially can or cannot be used in pet foods.

From the regulators’ standpoint, they operate from the simplistic nutritional idea that the value of food has to do with percentages and that there is no special merit to any particular ingredient. They deny the tens of thousands of scientific research articles proving that the kind of ingredient and its quality can make all the difference in terms of health. They also are silent about the damaging effect of food processing and the impact of time, light, heat, oxygen and packaging on nutritional and health value.

The 100% Complete Myth
Consumers are increasingly becoming alert to the value of more natural foods. Everyone intuitively knows that the closer the diet is to real, fresh, wholesome foods, the better the chance that good health will result. Unfortunately, people do not apply this same common sense to pet foods. Instead they purchase “100% complete” processed foods, perhaps even going the extra mile and selecting “super premium” or “natural” brands, thinking they are doing the best that can be done. They surrender their mind to a commercial ploy (100% completeness) and do to their pets what they would never do to themselves or their family - eat the same packaged product at every meal, day in and day out. No processed food can be “100% complete” because there is not a person on the planet who has 100% knowledge of nutrition. The claim on its face is absurd. Understanding this simple principle is more important than any pet food formulation regardless of the merits of its ingredients. Everything that follows will begin with that premise, i.e., no food should be fed exclusively on a continuous basis no matter what the claims of completeness or ingredient quality.

Genetics Is The Key
Pets need the food they are biologically adapted to. It’s a matter of context. Just as a fish needs to be in water to stay healthy, a pet needs its natural food milieu to be healthy. All creatures must stay true to their design. What could be more obvious or simple? For a carnivore the correct genetic match is prey, carrion and incidental fresh plant material, and even some fur and feathers, as well as the occasional surprise of unmentionables found in decaying matter. It’s not a pretty picture to think that “FiFi” with her pink bow and polished toenails would stoop to such fare, but that is precisely the food she is designed to eat. Since that is her design, matching food to that design (minus the more disgusting and unnecessary elements) is also the key to her health.

The Disease Price
We may prefer to feed a packaged, sterile, steam- cleaned, dried, farinaceous chunk cleverly shaped like a pork chop, but let’s not kid ourselves, that is not the food a pet is designed for….regardless of the claims about ingredients on the label making one think it is five-star restaurant fare. Pets may tolerate such food for a time, but in the end nature calls to account. The price to be paid is lost health in the form of susceptibility to infections, dental disease, premature aging, obesity, heart and organ disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis and other cruel and painful chronic degenerative diseases. Because our pets are not out in the rigors of nature where they would quickly succumb to such conditions and end their misery, they languish in our protected homes and under veterinary care that does not usually cure but merely treats symptoms and extends the time of suffering. That suffering begins with the way in which we are feeding our pets, not the ingredients in a supposed 100% complete pet food.

The Perfect Food
What is the solution? It is simple and something I have been preaching for the past 25 years. Return pets to their environmental roots. They need - daily - interesting activity, fresh air, clean water, romps in nature, lots of love, and food as close to the form they would find in the wild as possible. Fresh, whole natural foods fit for a carnivore and fed in variety are as good as it can get. Anything less than that is a compromise. Compromise the least if health is the goal. (Same principle applies to you and your family.) To get a packaged food as close as possible to that goal requires the right starting philosophy of feeding (described above) and the expertise to design and manufacture such foods.

Enter The Profiteers
Elements of these principles (often distorted or misunderstood) have been taken up by an endless line of pet food entrepreneurs. The low fat craze led to low fat pet foods. The high fiber craze led to high fiber pet foods. The “no corn, wheat or soy” craze led to no corn, wheat or soy pet foods. The “omega- 3″ craze led to pet foods with fish oil. The “variety” craze led to pet foods supposedly offering variety. The “four food groups” craze led to all four bundled into a package. The “raw” craze has led to raw frozen pet foods. The list is endless and the race for pet owner dollars is at a fever pitch.

One can only feel sympathy for a concerned pet owner as they stroll along the huge array of pet food options in pet food aisles. Unfortunately, armed with only sound bites and lore they may have heard from a friend, breeder, veterinarian or on a commercial, they make choices that not only do not serve the health of their pet but may directly contribute to weakened immunity and disease.

The first thing consumers should keep in mind is the ideal diet for pets as described above. No packaged product regardless of its wild claims is ever going to equal that. The next best thing is to home prepare fresh meals. (Contact Wysong for recipes and instruction.) If that is not always possible, then products should be selected that are as close to the ideal as possible. (More suggestions below.)

Raw Frozen Pet Food Dangers
At first glance, considering the perfect feeding model I have described - raw, natural, whole - the best food may seem to be one of the raw frozen pet foods now clamoring to capture the “raw” craze. I’m sorry to say that some of these purveyors even use my books and literature to convince pet owners that their frozen products are on track. They take bits and pieces of good information and distort it into something that pretty much misses the point and misleads consumers. Also, these exotic frozen mixtures of ingredients of unknown origin, manufacturing and freezing conditions are most certainly not economical nor the best choice. They may, because of the water content and raw state, be outright dangerous.

Human Grade
Then there are claims about “USDA approved” ingredients, “human grade” ingredients and ingredients purchased right out of the meat counter at the grocery store. Again, at first glance - and superficiality is what marketers like to deal with - it may seem that such foods would have merit over others. But such labels only create a perception of quality. People would not consider the food pets are designed for in the wild - whole, raw prey and carrion - “human grade” or “USDA approved.” Because something is not “human grade” does not mean it is not healthy or nutritious. For example, chicken viscera is not “human grade” but carries more nutritional value than a clean white chicken breast. Americans think that chicken feet would not be fit for human consumption but many far eastern countries relish them. On the other hand, “human grade” beef steaks fed to pets could cause serious nutritional imbalances and disease if fed exclusively. Pet foods that create the superficial perception of quality (USDA, human grade, etc.) with the intent of getting pet owners to feed a particular food exclusively is not what health is about.

Pet Nutrition Is Serious Health Science
Pet nutrition is not about marketing and who can make the most money quickly. Unfortunately an aspiring pet food mogul off the street can go to any number of private label manufacturers and have a new brand made. These manufacturers have many stock formulas that can be slightly modified to match the current market trend. Voil

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It is often risky and impractical to try to move fish. Fish are most sensible to to temperature changes that can hardly be avoidable during a move. So if they don’t have any special sentimental value to you - just don’t move them. Many aquarium stores may accept them and even offer a store credit, which you can use in another location close to the place you moved in. But if you don’t have this option here are some suggestions you may consider during your move:

Firstly, you need to take fish out of the aquarium and move them separately. Tanks are rarely built to withstand the stress of a move, especially with water inside. So you need to drain it after, of course, you finished putting all your fish in carrying containers. The main concern when moving a fishtank is its filtration system. The aerobic bacteria needed to preserve the life cycle of an aquarium and the life of fish starts to die after few hours without a flow of oxygen-laden water. It is not as crucial when you move short distance. What you need is to move about half of the water you’ve had in you fishtank to a new location to make sure the colony of aerobic bacteria survive. If you are moving long distance you’ll have to set up the tank exactly like a new one at your destination including one week delay.

Disassemble your aquarium before the move; heaters, pumps, filters and other media should be packed separately like fragile items. The tank itself should be in bubble wrap and packed in moving blankets. If possible, it is better not to use a moving van for transporting a fishtank but to put it in a trunk of your car.

Provided you are moving local, the actual move of your tank can take about a week with all the neccessary precautions making sure your beloved fish won’t sufer from the New Tank Syndrome. During this period you can put them either into your friend’s tank or into the pet store aquarium. Some pet stores do it for free, some can even offer additional services like packing and air shipping your fish for additional fees.

Now we came close to the actual packing and moving of the fish. Long before the move prepare the accessories you’ll need to move your fish. It might be styrofoam boxes, polythene bags, a cooler or other compartmentalized container. Take the fish out of the aquarium 15 minutes before you’ll drain it and put them in bags or styrofoam boxes: one fish per each container. Fill the fish containers with tank water and don’t forget that about a half of a container space should be left for the air pocket. Don’t feed your fish 24 hours before the move in order to make water in the containers as clean as possible. As a matter of fact, fish would feel too stressed to eat during the whole move - so don’t worry about feeding them; fish can live more than a week without food. Seal the styrofoam boxes with lids and bags - with rubber bands; to reduce the chance of leaking you can double bag your fish. Put the water plants in the separate containers too - they also need to be wet during the move. After you’ve finished packing the fish put all the bags with your pets into a container that can hold steady temperature during the whole period of the move - it might be a cooler. If you are moving far - it might be a good suggestion to get a battery powered air pump and occasionally change air in fish containers.

When you arrive to the place you’re moving in - set up the aquarium first. Add gravel, preferably from your old home; gravel contains ammonia-eating bacterias that are crucial for the aquarium not to go through New Tank Syndrome. Then fill the tank with the water you brought from the old place adding some chlorine remover. Fill the tank up with tap water of proper temperature, and turn on the filters. As the water is clearing out you may add a fish or two and watch closely for their reaction. It is absolutely normal for fish to panic and breathe harder in the new surroundings. But if a fish lies on the side and doesn’t move for few seconds put it back to a travelling container and check the tank for the proper temperature and water chemistry. Watch your fish and regularly check the tank during the first week to be sure your beloved ones haven’t got any disease.

http://www.ezmoving.com

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Emergency pet care starts with trying to define what an emergency is in terms of pet health.This can be more difficult than one would expect because what constitutes an emergency is usually defined by the pet owner.

The interpretation of an emergency therefore can vary widely
depending on that person’s previous experience, there knowledge of what is normal, and the extent of the human- animal bond.

An emergency can usually be divided into 2 broad categories. The first is usually an obvious emergency e.g. Pet is run over by a car or bitten by a known poisonous snake. In these cases the pet has been fine up till the incident that triggers the emergency.

The second broad category is the “end stage” of a medical condition and for most people this is far more difficult to recognise as an emergency. In these cases the pet may not have been 100% healthy for a preceeding period of time, but this might not have been evident or the pets altered behaviour was deemed to be of no consequence.

An example here would be a male cat with a blocked bladder.
The signs might have been there for a few hours or days (e.g. spending long periods in the litter box) while the condition developed. However, once the urethra becomes totally blocked and the cat cannot pass any urine, the situation rapidly becomes a life threatening one.

There is probably very little you can do from a first aid point of view for the second broad category of emergency. The best thing you can do for a pet in this situation is to get the animal to a vet as fast as you can. Phone ahead if possible to alert the vet to the situation and try to write down as much as you can about the pets behaviour over the past few hours/days/weeks.

For most pet owners, pet emergencies are a traumatic experience usually undertaken in a blur of activity. By writing everything down, you force yourself to slow down and think. Once at the vet
the written notes decrease the chance of you forgetting to tell the vet something that might be of importance. Although you might be in an agitated state, remember that the vet will have
to ask you a range of questions in order to focus the search for a diagnosis and then institute the appropriate treatment.

Category one emergencies such as wounds, snake bites, heat stroke etc lend themselves more to first aid procedures. This does not mean you should delay getting to a vet as fast as possible as emergency pet care is only a stopgap, albeit a very useful one, that can be applied between the occurrence of the emergency and getting professional help.

Keith Perrett is a qualified Veterinarian
http://www.pet-health-for-humans.com

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With pet rats, most aging symptoms are similar to those of humans. And as with people, it takes caring and patience to assist your dear rattie through her last stage of life.

The best preparation is to know what to expect. For example, old rats have the tendency to develop incontinence, urinating all over themselves. All you can really do is give them frequent baths. Otherwise, their fur will have a yellow tint and foul smell. Also, their bones and teeth can become sore; so be sure to lay down extra soft bedding and feed them soft, water-rich foods.

Putting fruits and veggies through a juicer is a great way to continue feeding them. Put the juice into their water bottle along with ice chips to keep it fresh longer. At that point, stop feeding them lab blocks.

When arranging the furniture, adapt the living environment to their abilities. Once rats get old, they are no longer able to run, climb and jump as they used to; nor are they able to recover from injuries as easily. Be sensitive to this and make their cage as safe as possible by lowering all their platforms and making their food and water available lower.

As rats age, it gets more difficult for their bodies to regulate their temperatures. That means they will be most prone to hypothermia in the winter and overheating in the summer. To keep them warm, in extremely cold weather place a heating pad or electric blanket below (not inside!) their cage. Ice cubes and a powerful fan (placed far away) can help cool an elderly rat during a heat wave.

There are other tell-tale signs of rat-aging. Once their appetites decrease, they’ll lose a lot of weight. Don’t be surprised if their bones begin to show. After awhile, they will become less interested in grooming themselves. As a result, their hair will be disheveled.

It is not uncommon to see a rat that is on the brink of death frantically get up and start running and hopping around in circles. On the other hand, elderly rats frequently suffer from hind leg paralysis and spend the rest of their lives falling or dragging their hind quarters around. Eventually, your rats will suddenly begin struggling to breathe, passing away within days or hours.

Dealing with the loss of your dear friend can be the most difficult part of being a pet rat owner. You gave all your love to your rat and took the best care of them that you possibly could… but your efforts were ultimately in vain. However, you did the best you could and gave your rattie the best possible life during his short time with you.

Colin Patterson is author of a pet rat book called ‘Pet Rats: How to Easily Train and Care For Your Ratties… To Have a Happy Life Together’ — check it out by going to http://petratguide.com

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To animal lovers, pets bring that extra something into their lives. Dogs, cats, and fish account for a large percentage of the pet population, and owners today frequently go shopping for products to keep them happy. Toys, crates for traveling, kennels for outdoor living, medicines for all animal illnesses, grooming aids, leashes, harnesses, collars, and training aids - the list of pet products is endless.

There are a variety of shops and websites where everything related to pets is sold. PetSmart, Mammoth Dog Beds, Pet Food Direct, Jeffers Pet, Petco, Pets’ Warehouse, and Petscriptions are some of the outlets that provide healthy food options, supplements, and other pet care articles. Even the exasperating chore of bathing or washing your pet is made easy with pet-washing stations being introduced at various public places like shopping centers, service centers, etc. Spain has taken the lead with over 200 such stations and other countries like France, Portugal, Belgium, Holland, Italy, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, New Zealand and Japan are following at a brisk pace.

Research has found that people who keep pets tend to lead a happy existence, simply because of the fact that the added responsibility of caring for animals gets them up and moving, often giving them their required exercise. By itself, the very act of petting animals shows a remarkable change in the blood pressure and heart rate of humans, which goes a long way in ensuring better and healthier living for the pet owner. Pets tend to shower their owners with unconditional love and that goes a long way to emotional fulfillment.

Pet Products provides detailed information on Pet Products, Pet Care Products, Wholesale Pet Products, Natural Pet Products and more. Pet Products is affiliated with Discount Pet Supplies.

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Having a pet is an experiance that I think everyone should have. It
reaches us on a level that few other experiances can. But, not all of
us can handle the kind of committment that is required or we just don’t
want to. Whatever it is, it is your decision for your life!

The bond between humans and their pets has always been of the
greatest interest. I had read about it and heard people talk about it
but never experianced it for myself until a few years ago. The
experiance was deep and meaningful and made me realize that taking
physical and mental care of my pet was as important as taking care of
myself! Thinking that started me on a quest to find products that would
give my pet a long and happy life. And I then found that they respond
and that deepens the bond between us.

This is a happy catch 22! I
think a lot of it is the time spent together.

Bathe your pet in products
that will make their coats shiny and their skin healthy. Groom their
coats and feed them good food. And if they become sick, look after
them and give them the medicines they need. Personally, I like to use
natural and organic products, because I find they work really well, they
don’t introduce chemicals into the system that could have bad side
effects and in the long run they aren’t as expensive. There are also
natural medicines for them just like there is for humans. Just be
informed about what you are using and what it will do.

I am a health conscious individual that spends a lot of time researching
different ways of thinking. It is important to me to think outside the
box or the matrix if you will! I do not believe and accept everything I
see, read, or hear. Some things I have found to be truths for my own
life and those things I pass on to you. My maxims are “think for
yourself” and “listen to your whole self, body, mind and soul!” I have
found that if I do those two things I am always happy! The goal of my
web site is to supply those of you that have made the choice to go
natural with quality products!

http://www.naturallivingbychoice.com

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