Pet Knowledge Online

Dogs are fantastic and cats are great! How are they when together? This is all going to depend on the two individual animals; however there are some suggested methods to know ahead of time if the two will mix together.

It is first recommended to never get a new dog and a new cat at the same time. Not only would each animal need to get acclimated to the new house, they would need to figure out if the other is friend or foe; this is too much for a pet to handle.

Therefore, once you have a dog or a cat and that animal is a happy and content member of the family, you can then think about getting the other animal. Even if you have your eye on a certain dog or cat, it is strongly recommended to never purchase that animal until you test to see if they will mix well together.

In the best of cases, a dog and cat can be best friends. There are many families who report that their dog and cat play with each other, take naps together and even offer each other food!

However, in the worst of cases, there is an all out war. A dog, by nature and pure instinct, can see the cat as prey. This will trigger a battle that the dog has no control over and in worst cases will lead to the death of one of the animals. Once may assume it is the cat that always would lose this sad battle; however if you bring in a small toy breed such as a Chihuahua and put him together with a large cat, there is no telling what may happen.

Therefore, it is recommended to slowly introduce the dog to the cat. It will be your job to sit back a bit because the answer as to how they will get along will be to what degree they notice each other.

If they act as if the other is as interesting as a doorstop; you are in luck. They may ignore each other for now, but may become very good friends.

However, if the dog stares at the cat, this is the first sign of trouble. The more intense the stare of the dog, the more dangerous the situation can become. If the dog is looking at the cat and does not take his eyes off of her, he is deciding if she is prey or a threat.

If the dog stands still while doing this, and stares without moving his body, he may strike. If he is completely silent, does not move and the stare is strong, you must remove the cat immediately. If the dog does have this reaction, it would take an enormous amount of training for the dog and feline to get along; and this can end badly while you are attempting a pairing. It would then be suggested that that particular dog is just not a “cat person”!

For information regarding the lovable Chihuahua, visit http://www.petchidog.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carol_Waters

There are some very good reasons that Americans share their homes with approximately 68 million dogs and 73 million cats and spend about 34 billion dollars a year on their animal companions. Why the love affair with pets? Well, for one reason, there is significant scientific evidence that pets not only help reduce the amount of time we spend at the doctor’s office, but they also improve the quality of our lives and increase our longevity! For Baby Boomers and Seniors, in particular this is very good news!

It has long been acknowledged that our pets bring us many gifts and life lessons - friendship, companionship, unconditional love, loyalty, acceptance and forgiveness. Children, as well as adults and seniors have always shared a special bond with animals. Dogs, cats, horses, birds, among many others, become our brothers, sisters, and best friends. For many older men and women who are widowed, divorced or separated from human family members and friends and who are alone and lonely, these animal companions become their “children” and beloved members of the family.

Older adults trust and confide in their animal companions. A pet supplies security, a safe haven and comfort zone, in which we can let down our guard and truly be ourselves without worrying about how we look or act or appear to others. And an animal companion doesn’t judge, blame or criticize us. It loves and accepts us just as we are. It is loyal and empathetic and stays close and supportive during hard times. It is beside our side when we are ill or sad or depressed. The animal is there for us no matter how stressful, difficult or challenging one’s life becomes. In addition, for both children and adults and particularly the elderly, pets fill a basic human need to love and nurture.

Family pets also make us feel useful and needed. They encourage us to engage in life more actively as the pet depends upon its family for food, exercise and medical care. They entertain and amuse us - they provide fun and laughter simply by being genuinely who they are. They seem to understand our feelings and attempt to accommodate them. They enable us to have someone nonjudgmental with whom to talk and communicate. They tend to bring us closer together as families as they share so much of our lives with us - day in, day out, holidays, vacation time - even when we’re having a meal, reading, talking on the phone, watching television, and so on.

But the benefits of pet ownership do not end here. Animals may serve as a uniting thread in a family that is undergoing significant lifestyle changes. For example, families experiencing Empty Nest or Retirement as their children go off to college or on to marriage and families of their own may experience loneliness, depression, anxiety a sense of loss and purposelessness which the comforting presence of animal companions can decrease or even help eliminate. A pet’s presence may help ease these transitions.

There are many physiological as well as psychological benefits associated with pet ownership. The simple act of petting an animal friend has proven to be of significant physical and psychological benefit. His presence has a calming effect. Blood pressure is reduced. Heartbeat is improved. Resistance to disease is heightened and tension is decreased. Our animal companions reduce stress, fear and anger. They also decrease loneliness and depression. As we get older, these pets can also offer us a sense of well being, encouragement, support and friendship. Loving and caring for an animal companion helps us to remain active and stay healthy. They may even provide us with a new purpose in life and a reason for living.

Our animal companions provide us with so many gifts. They serve as our friends, teachers, healers and guides. They teach us patience, loyalty, grace and gratitude. Most importantly, they teach and bring us the most precious gift life has to offer - that of unconditional love.

DIANE POMERANCE Ph.D. is the author of six highly acclaimed books and numerous articles. She is an internationally recognized pet expert who has been interviewed on countless radio and television programs, newspapers and magazines.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Diane_Pomerance_Ph.D.

Summer is the time for fun, outdoor activities, swimming, picnics and vacations. And, understandably, people love to share many of their summer activities with their animal companions. Unfortunately, every summer many beloved pets die unnecessarily during extremely hot weather.

HEAT exhaustion is one of the most common ailments of pets during the summer months, so pet owners should be cautious. If it’s an exceptionally hot day, keep your dog or cat in the house with you and a fan and/or air conditioning. If it’s too hot outside for you, it’s too hot outside for your pet. Signs of heatstroke may include: hot skin, rapid panting, twitching muscles, salivation, a dazed expression. Wrap your pet in a towel with cool, not COLD water. Cool him down by giving him ice cubes to lick (as cold water will upset his stomach worse and hasten dehydration). Let him lie in front of a fan. To prevent heat exhaustion, make sure your outside pets have access to shade, fresh water and that you monitor them at least several times a day to make sure they’re all right.!

NEVER leave your pet in a parked car - not even if you crack the windows or park in the shade. The temperature in the car can increase rapidly and cause heat exhaustion, heat stroke or even death. On an 85 degree day, the temperature inside your car, even with the windows open a bit, will climb to 102 degrees in 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, it will go up to 120 degrees or even higher!

GIVE your animal companion plenty of cool, clean water at all times. Dogs can only sweat through the pads of their feet and by panting. Evaporation from the wet surfaces of their mouth and nose helps lower their body temperature.

DO not leave your pet shut in an empty house or tied outside while you’re on vacation.

NEVER force your dog to run in hot, humid weather. Watch for hot pavement. Sensitive paws burn easily. After a walk or run, check your dog’s paws to make sure they are okay.

KEEP vaccinations up-to-date. This is a time when most pets come into contact with other animals at parks, beaches, lakes and campgrounds.

DON’T let your pets roam the streets. Veterinarians see numerous fight injuries and bite wounds in the summer as well as animals hit or run over by cars.

USE Heartworm preventative as mosquitoes which increase dramatically in the summer, carry Heartworm - one of the most deadly ailments household pets suffer. Mosquitoes carry a parasite that causes pulmonary vascular disease that can lead to heart failure. Preventative medication is the best way to avoid this deadly disease.

WASPS, bees and hornets are also a problem during the summer. Although there is no real way for your pets to avoid being stung, they can be treated with antihistamines to reduce the swelling that follows an attack If swelling doesn’t subside, see your vet!

WATCH the exercise and diet of your pets. Overeating can result in overheating. Eating less is healthier for them. Do not encourage exercise during the hottest part of the day. Early mornings and evenings are the best times for exercising.

FLEAS, ticks and other parasites may infest your pet. There are many good products available to keep fleas and ticks off your pet. Check with your vet!

WHEN planning a vacation, don’t forget your animal companions. Plan for them too. If you are planning on taking them with you, make certain that they will travel comfortably (with plenty of potty and exercise stops) and that they are welcome guests at hotels, homes of friends, etc, and your destination. If you are leaving them behind, make certain you have a well-credentialed pet-sitter or boarding facility. Referrals from trusted veterinarians and animal-loving friends are always helpful. Check them out well in advance of your proposed trip and make reservations, leaving them with a list of medications and instructions as to feeding, exercise, etc. Leave the name of your vet along with friends and neighbors who know your pet. Leave your whereabouts and how to reach you.

ON holidays such as the 4th of July when your pet is exposed to loud noises such as fireworks, make sure he has a safe, quiet place/sanctuary inside your home, that he is in a room from which he cannot escape or run away and that you have either the television or radio on for him to distract or deflect the scary outside sounds. Keep your pet away from crowds of people and loud noises. This will keep him calm and safe!

BY following these tips, there is a high probability that you and your animal companions will enjoy a safe, healthy and happy summer!

DIANE POMERANCE Ph.D. is the author of six highly acclaimed books and numerous articles. She is an internationally recognized pet expert who has been interviewed on countless radio and television programs, newspapers and magazines.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Diane_Pomerance_Ph.D.

Today I am going to talk to you about what you should do if you get bit by a Ball Python, and what you should do after.

I have owned snakes for about 10 years now and have been bit on a number of occasions. There are a few guidelines you should follow in order to not hurt the snake.

One of the biggest mistakes people do when they get bit is to pull their hand or arm away as quick as possible, bad idea. Not only does this hurt your snake by pulling their teeth out it also will shred your skin up. The very first thing you will do is stay calm. Your snake will realize it cannot eat you and will therefore let go. If your snake bit you because you were irritating it then you can run really cold water over its body, this will usually cause your snake to let go. Not all snakes will respond to the cold water at which time you can turn the hot water on and quickly run your snake under that, whatever you do please do not use water that is hot enough to burn you. This can cause major damage to the snake and potentially kill it.

Once you have gotten your snake to release its bite. You should wash your hands with soap and water. This will help in removing any bacteria left on the skin. You can also use some antibacterial to help further after washing your hands. The teeth marks will swell some. Before this swelling starts you should take some allergy pills to help with the swelling. The spot may even itch, the allergy pills will help with that as well. Ball Pythons ARE NOT VENOMOUS.

If your do happen to have a venomous snake and get bitten, please seek out medical help. The solution for a Ball Python will not work.

This technique will also work with any other python, boa, corn snake, milk snake, and many other non-venomous snakes.

I hope you have enjoyed the post. If you have any other questions please feel free to visit my website and contact me there.

Thanks,

Thousands upon thousands of people world-wide enjoy having a pet as part of their household. And, one of the challenges every pet owner has is to find good pet names. Some people decide to name their pet even before they find the type of pet they want. In other cases, people decide upon a good pet name based on some unique characteristic of their pet after observing some of their individual antics for a few days or weeks.

Pets provide some unique advantages to people. Some people find that owning a pet hones their skills for caring and nurturing. I have known many people over the years that have had a pet to care, to train, and to form an integral part of their household long before they have children. Now, I’m not saying that caring for a pet is the same as caring for a child. What I am suggesting, however, is that some of the routines associated with consistent pet training also apply to being consistent with positive reinforcement so necessary when raising a child.

Also, pets provide the companionship to many single people as well as to many seniors. There is something very special about having a pet when you live alone. This pet isn’t just a pet; this pet is bonded to you always there to provide devotion. Your pet is always there to welcome you home after a hard days work, and is always there as a friendly distraction so as to give you an opportunity to forget about little things that really are not important. You may have had a very trying day but your special friend is always there to provide loving attention. It’s hard to remain in a down mood when you know there is an unquestioning loyal friend there to play, to walk, to run, to entertain with their own special characteristics, or loving antics.

Unfortunately, not everyone that has a pet treats them the way they deserve. Take some dogs, for example. How many times have you been out and about and noticed a dog that is neglected, who has to stay outside no matter how inclement the weather without having a shelter to retreat to? How many times have you seen someone mistreat their dog with harsh treatment, or worse still, with physical abuse? Would a human friend put up this kind of abuse? I think not. To me, these kinds of people should never be allowed to have a pet of any kind.

Human friends may come and go, move away, or leave you when you’re feeling down. But, your pet is there as a constant companion, never complaining (unless you don’t feed them on time), always up for some fun, and never without an unkind remark.

Find good pet names for your new pet. http://www.goodpetnamess.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Byron_Pulsifer

Sure, Cheerios has all kinds of vitamins and supplements and healthy things in it. But would anyone in their right mind think that eating dry Cheerios for every single meal for their entire lives is a healthy diet? Surely not. But somehow the big pet food companies have convinced the masses that a piece of dry kibble with all kinds of horrific things in it is what you should feed your pet its entire life. Ask yourself this question - does the zoo feed lions “lion chow”? Or elephants “elephant chow”? Or snakes “snake chow”? Certainly not. The bodies of all animals do best on a natural diet. Real food is for mammals.

Now back 100 years ago, when people used to eat healthier meals — with real meats and vegetables — people would just feed the left-overs to their pets. Also back then the pets most likely supplemented this diet with daily catchings of various other critters (remember this is back when they all used to run loose). I believe that pets were healthier back then.

Since then, these big pet food companies have brain-washed the public into thinking that giving your pet “people food” is bad. Excuse me but if you put several piece of your dog’s kibble next to some broccoli and chicken - which looks healthier for any mammal? Additionally, you can do an internet search to find out what REALLY goes into those dry kibbles — search “rendering plant” or “under cover research of rendering plants”. You will be horrified at what goes in there! Not only millions of pounds of dead dogs and cats from shelters and vets (which in itself isn’t horrible, after all animals eat animals, but it does offend us to think that “Fluffy” is now kibble) but the worst part is the drugs that are used to put them to sleep does not break down in the rendering process, and so goes into the pet foods, along with their collars, flea collars, tags, etc.

Also “4D meat” which is meat from dead, downed, diseased and dying animals, declared unfit for humans goes into the rendering plant for dog food. Also rancid supermarket meats goes in, still in the plastic bags and Styrofoam. And don’t be fooled, even the expensive pet foods from the vet - they come from major pet-food companies that buy their base stuff from rendering plants too! They simply spray some stuff on the kibble that makes it smell good to the pets so they’ll want to eat it.

The recent rash of pets dying from grocery store pet food along with the alarming rise in rates of all kinds of pet diseases is obvious evidence that these foods are not the wonderfully healthy diet they would like you to believe it is. Sure, the commercial pet foods are easier and maybe cheaper, but in the long run they cost your pet its health and its life. More expenses at the vet to treat all the skin rashes, allergies and diseases caused by these pet foods.

There is a slew of books out on how to feed your pet a natural diet. Personally, I use kibble that is only made from human-grade quality products and that is guaranteed, but I supplement it heavily with chicken, broccoli, sweet potatoes, fish, hamburg, green peppers. I especially use all the vegetables for treats, which is good for those trying to cut down on calories for their pets. My dogs love the vegetables - one of mine eats the sweet potato in her dish before the hamburg! You do have to only use a little kibble when you add natural foods - you don’t give the amount of kibble suggested for the size of your dog, and then add to it. Take out an appropriate amount of kibble and add that in natural foods. I cook on Sundays for the entire week. You can get bulk hamburger for a good price, as well as chicken thighs - I generally spend .99 cents a pound on those.

When looking at flea preventatives, there is also a natural alternative for this too. Look on ebay for “Flea Free Natural Food Supplement”. It is simply a liquid that you add to their drinking water. Works on all blood feeding insects: fleas, ticks, mites, lice, mosquitoes and biting flies. Flea Free has over 200 vitamins, minerals and enzymes, so it not only gets rid of insects, it also is a superb food supplement that makes the pet healthy, while it conditions the fur and skin. It has been documented that scratching stops, hair grows back and fur becomes full and thick after using Flea Free. The basic ingredients of Flea Free are Vinegar, Garlic, Citrus & Herbs. Flea Free is SAFE for all animals. It is easy to use (1 tablespoon of Flea Free to 1 quart of drinking water. It is healthy and it works.

You will end up saving money at the vet by going with a more natural diet, and getting rid of fleas the natural way too. Your pet will be healthier and happier.

Have you ever felt lonely? Have you ever felt that you needed someone to love and that would love you in return, unconditionally? Have you ever wanted to share your life with another living thing? Do you need something to make your life meaningful?

That is what being a pet owner is all about. Having a pet is not just about having something to take care of. It’s about sharing your life with a loving companion. Whether that is a dog, cat, bird or another kind of pet, your life will have purpose. That pet will need you to take care of it. He will need you to give it love and companionship. And, you will have someone who loves you and looks to you for his every need.

Your pet will not judge you as a person might. Pets offer their love unconditionally. They allow you to be who you are. They don’t care what you look like. You may be the most gorgeous movie star in the world, or just a chubby little no-name bald guy. Your pet won’t care. All they only care about the relationship you have with them. Your pet won’t judge you if you have the worst job in the world, as long as you come home to them. They will never be critical of your views or lifestyle. They will accept you for who you are, no matter what.

There is nothing in the world like having a pet to share your inner-most self with. You can tell your pet anything and they won’t tell a soul. If you reveal your most private thoughts, you will have a vent for your feelings without the worry of them telling your secrets. You can cry on them, tell them how hard life is, or share your fears with them. They will sympathize wholeheartedly. Bearing your soul and releasing pet-up hostilities will make you feel better-better than visiting a psychiatrist.

The rewards that pets give can be tremendous for your spirits and how you feel. Wouldn’t it be nice not to come home to an empty house? Or even coming home to a wildly frantic house full of frenzied family’s activities would be improved by the patient welcome of your beloved pet. Imagine coming home to a pet who is over-joyed by your home-coming. Image the soft rub of fur against your leg and the gentle purr of a cat in your lap as you sit and relax after a hard day’s work. Can you envision yourself listening to the cheerful chirp of your feathered friend as a sunbeam hits the perch on which he sits?

When those moments come when you feel that you are alone in the world and that life may not be worth living, remember your pet. He needs you. He loves you. And, he wants you to be with him.

After a hard day’s work there is nothing like coming home to your pet. He gives you purpose. He gives you love. He is there for you. That is what makes having a pet truly special.

Denny Phillips has just started a new website to give pet owners and ‘wannabe’ pet owners alike information on pets and pet care. She has also just launched a new ebook “Become a GREAT Pet Owner” which is available on her site: http://www.great-pet-owners.com

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