liv parmel

Prevention of Dog Arthritis

март 10, 2019 By liv parmel

It is said that prevention is the best treatment. When it comes to dog arthritis, this is most true. Many people start prevention very late and that is not good. In dog arthritis it is very important to start this early. The owner has to detect the dog’s suffering early.

How to Prevent of Dog Arthritis:

Daily Exercise

Studies show that the average dog does not get that much exercise every day. When the dog sits in the home, he does not do much. A daily exercise routine is very important. It is important that the dog has 2 hours or more of exercises daily. This is extremely important in arthritis prevention. It keeps the bones and the muscles strong.

Weight Management

When a dog is fat, all that weight is pressing on his body and this is why vet recommend that the dog does exercises. A good body condition is imperative. Most of the dogs start gaining weight around 2-3 years so look after that age.

Signs of Dog Arthritis

Emaciated

An obvious loss in body and muscle mass is a sign of arthritis.

Thin

The ribs must not be covered in fat. The dog has to be fit with a nice abdominal tuck. Not too skinny but not too fat.

Obese

When the dog is too fat the ribs and bones are hard to palpate. This makes tracking down arthritis so much harder. A good diet and exercise will prevent that.

Joint Supplements

On the market there are many products that help dogs with arthritis. Giving the dog a healthy diet plus supplements, before it shows any signs of arthritis, is a very good thing to do. The supplements work specifically on addressing this issue.

The dog arthritis is similar to the human one and it appears because the joints are damaged and the bones are hitting one another. Before giving the treatment to your dog, you should know to recognize the symptoms of this disease.

What are the symptoms of dog arthritis:

Lameness, limping.
Reduced activity.
The dog is less active and that happens during the cold weather.
Difficulty rising from a resting position, especially in the morning.
Pain to each touch.
The dog does not want to jump or climb stairs.

According to studies, canine arthritis affects about 13% of the canine population, meaning about 60 million dogs in US. It is important to give your dog the proper treatment and to use artificial treatments as less as possible in order not to cause some side effects.

Natural Treatments For Dog Arthritis

The treatment depends on the kind of arthritis. Depending on the disease type the vet can prescribe a treatment.

Arthritis is a severe disease that can really cripple a dog and keep him away from doing what he loves. The best chance is for the dogs that get treated in the early stages of the disease. This is why a responsible owner must carefully monitor the status of the dog and when he notices the first symptoms, go straight to the vet.

A simple examination from the vet will reveal if the dog has arthritis or not and he can start the treatment. Usually surgery is the last option as many other treatments and natural remedies are first considered.

So, in order to exhaust all the treatments, pick the natural treatments. There are many anti-inflammatory pills that are natural. You can pick MSM, Cetyl-M, Glucosamine or Omega 3 fatty acids. They are all very effective in treating this kind of disease.

Alfalfa is amazingly working to diminish the inflammation in the joints. You can make a tea out of these herbs and give it to the dog. The size of the pet determines the quantity of the herbs and the water. You can include the tea in the dog’s daily regime. Mussels are also amazing for arthritis treatment. There are many studies that confirm seafood is restoring the connective tissues and is repairing the damage.

Once a day do not forget to massage the leg of the dog, as it will bring him relief. It will allow the pain to subside. Heat treatment is also an option and you must never forget to keep the dog in a warm place. The bedding must also be comfortable and offer warmth.

Try natural treatments first, before any others because they have less side effects.

What Makes a Dog Happy?

март 7, 2019 By liv parmel

Dogs are wonderful friends and teachers. Every dog deserves to be understood and appreciated, and to live in a great home where love and quality time abounds. Every dog owner wants to make his pet happy. It can be a relatively easy task if you know what your loved dog needs. Your pet will jumping from happiness if you give him a few things that can be all that your dog want… unlike people who need a lot more.

The simple things your dog needs:

Being part of the pack
Exercise
Chew toys
Flea control
A job to do/training and praise
Play time with other dogs
Elder care in the golden years
New sights and sounds
A Comfortable bed

Being part of the pack

In the wild, being left alone means most likely that the dog will die. That is not an overstatement. Predators, starvation or exposure kills dogs shunned from their pack, usually. For this very good reason, puppies and adult dogs that are left alone are very distressed and often destroy things, dig, scream, bark and yodel so that the pack can find and rescue them.

Deal with this natural behavior by minimizing the time your dog is alone and by training your pet to calmly accept alone time. Crate training is the best way to accomplish this.

Don’t treat your dog like a criminal by penning him outdoors! Being indoors with you tells your dog that it is a valued member of the family – please don’t plan on penning your dog outside so that it feels excluded, or problem behavior is guaranteed. The saddest dogs I have ever seen are outdoor-only „hunting dogs“.

Often they chew bloody wounds into themselves, are infested with fleas, scream and bark night and day, pace in endless circles and moreover are absolutely heartbroken and have to live like criminals – it’s not fair to exclude a dog from your „pack“ like that.

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Exercise

Know that Dogs that are frequently on the move are generally very mentally stimulated, happy and healthy. Give your dog as much exercise as you possibly can! Your dog should get at least 60 minutes of good brisk walking a day or more, every day. Having access to a big yard generally is no substitute for active, directed walking, running and fetch.

There are great gadgets that can help quite a bit with exercising your dog such as the „Chuck-it“ tennis ball thrower or a tennis racquet for good long throws of the ball. To get your dog or puppy interested in fetching, use treat as a reward and keep the distance very short at first – like under a foot so you can be quick to offer a treat reward for picking up the ball.

Then as the dog catches on, increase the distance and substitute another throw for a food treat – your dog will be addicted to fetching for life and you will have an easy way to keep the dog moving without wearing yourself out.

Chew Toys

No puppy or dog should be without a large selection of chew toys. In the wild, puppies play with inedible remains of a kill such as hide, bones and horns. In addition to fun and games, this helps them to establish dominance relationships with their packmates. It also is very important for healthy gums and emerging teeth. Encourage this natural tendency in your home with good-quality, safe toys that your dog can call his own.

Many people have problems with dog chewing on inappropriate things such as curtains, shoes, etc. often have been deprived of appropriate toys – don’t fall into that trap – get some dog toys and praise your dog for chewing them!

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Flea Control

Oh, the torture of flea bites! Infestation of fleas can lead to serious health problems like anemia, bloody sores from chewing and severe allergies causing loss of hair, body odor and „elephant“ skin. Don’t let this happen – nowadays there is no excuse!

Talk to your vet about the new systemic flea repellent products – it simply could not be easier to keep your pet and your home totally flea-free. These easily applied products are affordable and well-tolerated – there is simply no excuse any more for having fleas on your dog.

Now flea control is finally simple and easy – pet owners rejoice! Talk to your veterinarian today about modern flea control if you are not already using it!

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A Job to Do/Training and Praise

Domestic dogs are genetically engineered to perform an intense task, whether it’s herding livestock, fetching in icy water, digging into rat holes or providing full-time companionship. For a dog to sit alone all day doing nothing is extremely unnatural!

You can make your dog very happy and fulfilled by giving him a job to do, training him to be a good citizen and giving him lots of happy praise. Dogs are insecure – let them know how much you love them by lavishing them with praise whenever they do something that pleases you. Don’t hold back!

Besides the necessary formal obedience training, teach your dog how to do a trick just for fun, such as how to sit up on his hind legs for a treat or to shake hands. Teach him to bring in the morning paper or roll over.

Having a job to do for you – and the resulting warm praise – will be very psychologically satisfying for both you and the dog. Dogs love to do the right thing for people – please teach them how.

Play Time with Other Dogs

The one thing that people can’t do for their dogs is to be another dog! Many communities have „dog parks“ – fenced, safe areas where dogs can lawfully run off-leash, play and socialize. If you are lucky enough to be near one of these parks, support it by picking up extra droppings while you are there and helping to spread the word of it’s availability among other dog owners.

If your community is lacking a dog park, be an activist toward starting one by contacting other dog owners via your local pet stores, veterinary hospitals, boarding kennels and your local parks and recreation department.

If this is not possible, find some compatible playmates for your dog in the neighborhood so that he can romp and play with other dogs. It’s very healthy for your dog to engage in the kind of dogs-only, boisterous play that they love and it cuts way down on any aggressive tendencies that a dog may have against it’s own kind.

Remember, dogs do things together that can be embarrassing to people but are perfectly natural for them. They like to sniff each other, play rough, mount each other and roll around in the dirt – just let it happen! Don’t yell and try to boss him around or „censor“ your dog’s behavior at the dog park – just smile and let your dog be a „real“ dog when he’s playing with his best pals.

Elder Care

Inevitably your dog’s elderly years will be a part of your life. Make this time a great part of your dog’s life by planning ahead. Your dog will likely become incontinent (wet the bed) and may need help getting up the stairs and into the car.

Spend time discussing treatment options with your veterinarian when your older dog begins to experience stiffness, vision loss, hearing loss, excessive gas or other common age-related health issues.

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New Sights and Sounds

A well-socialized dog is relaxed most of the time in any situation. The essence of socialization is to expose your dog to a wide variety of people, places and situations while showing by example that everything is fine. Dogs look to their owners for an example and so your calmness during times of stress is a key factor in socialization.

Unfortunately, owners can unwittingly reinforce skittishness by stroking the dog and saying „good dog, it’s OK“ when the dog shows fear, in an attempt to be reassuring. This inadvertently trains the dog to be afraid. When a large passing truck unsettles your dog, for example, that is the time to insist on good behavior and act casual.

Smile and say your dog’s name while asking the dog to be still or to sit. Praise the dog for showing the desired attitude – bold, willing, relaxed and attentive.

Let your dog think that a noisy delivery truck is a lucky charm by giving him a treat as it goes roaring by. Give your dog plenty of chances to learn about this by walking on busy city streets, near livestock and other dogs, and where they can be around strangers.

The more friendly people your dog meets, the better. If someone you encounter is not at all interested in the dog, make that OK too by calmly walking by. There are lots of non-dog-lovers out there and they should be given a wide berth.

We have all seen dogs that are terrified by commonplace events and sounds. It’s sad, and it can be corrected with the owner’s time and firm patience. Failure to properly socialize your dog makes it much less fun for the dog to accompany you on trips and errands and can be a real liability if your dog snaps at people when it’s afraid.

Spend the time needed up front to develop a confidant, socialized dog and you will both reap the benefits for many years.

A Comfortable Bed

Yes, it’s true, dogs love to sleep. Many adult dogs enjoy calmly sleeping for many hours of the day if they get enough exercise. For that reason, get your dog a good-quality bed. Make sure that it’s large enough that his head does not flop off the side all the time as he stretches out. Make it a soft bed with lots of padding to protect the dog’s elbows and hips as it gets older. Keep the bed very clean and fresh smelling.

A bed with a removable, machine-washable cover will be very easy to clean. Many times the dog’s bed is a source of unpleasant doggy odor throughout the house, so make cleaning the bed a part of regular housekeeping.

Puppies have a tendency to chew lovingly on their beds. For puppies, often an old towel and newspapers will suffice inside their kennel crate until they cease chewing.

If your dog is crate trained, as many of the happiest dogs are, provide a removable soft, machine-washable bedding insert to keep the crate comfortable and inviting inside. Make sure that any dog bed or crate is positioned away from drafts and from too much foot traffic so the dog can really relax and get some peace.

In a household with children, it is imperative that all children be strictly disallowed from teasing or pestering the dog while it rests in its bed or in its crate! Doing so can result in a bite wound to the child as it gets on the dog’s last nerve. Teach children and their visitors to steer clear of the dog’s bed entirely.

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Dog’s Happiness Wish List

There is a huge difference between providing a dog with what he needs to survive, and making an effort to ensure he has a happy life. To do this, you need to know what makes a dog happy and what doesn’t.

Generally speaking, dogs are real people pleasers and very much want to be involved in our lives. Ensuring that they feel secure, loved and welcome in their ‘pack’ is probably top of a dog’s happiness wish list.

Survival Basics

There are four essentials that every dog needs in order to survive:

Food – scavenging for scraps or living off human food is unhealthy. Dogs need fresh dog food that contains all the nutrients they require.
Water – constant access to fresh, clean drinking water is a must.
Exercise – dogs need regular walks and activity to keep them physically healthy and mentally stimulated.
Shelter – escape from the cold and refuge from heat are essential.

Happiness Essentials

As well as the basics for survival, dogs need some extra commitments from their owners in order to be happy. These include:

Companionship – dogs are naturally pack animals, but when they don’t have access to a pack they will substitute their human/s or other family pets.
Socializing – behaving well with other dogs and people is essential to prevent a dog becoming anxious, aggressive and isolated.
Training – basic training will make everyone’s life much easier. A well-trained dog can be taken anywhere and will be confident and happy.
Grooming – some breeds of dog are high maintenance and require more grooming than others, but all dogs will benefit from being brushed, combed and occasionally bathed.
Routine – dogs appreciate going out for walks and being fed at set times. This becomes even more important when they enter their senior years.
Veterinary care – regular preventative and reactive health care will ensure that a dog has a long and healthy life.

Do Not Punish

An unhappy, under stimulated dog may sleep excessively, chew furniture and clothing, whine and bark constantly, chase traffic or livestock, self-harm, pace up and down, exhibit aggression or become over-dependent on his owner.

If your dog shows destructive tendencies or other unwanted behavior, never resort to physical punishment. Shouting or hitting a dog rewards attention-seeking behavior with negative attention, and should be avoided. Try to discover the reason why he is doing something and then take steps to manage and rectify the behavior. In addition, always check with your vet to ensure that there is no underlying physical cause for your dog’s behavior.

12 Netherland Dwarf Rabbits Facts

март 2, 2019 By liv parmel

Small, furry, quiet, domesticated, low-maintenance and come in a variety of colors – what else can you ask for from a pet? All these facts apply to one of the most popular breeds of rabbits in the world: the Netherland Dwarf Rabbits.

Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Size and Appearance

As the name implies, this breed originated from the Netherlands and they are a lot smaller than other rabbit breeds.

Dutch rabbits are small. By age of 4 to 5 weeks, they reach no more than 1 ft and do not get any bigger.

Short and gentle hair saves much grooming and facilitates care. They weigh only 2 lbs.

According to the American Rabbit Breeders Association, there are more than 45 different rabbit breeds today and the Netherland Dwarf is the smallest from the lot.

Netherland Dwarf rabbits are the most variedly-colored breed of rabbits, with almost 24 different color varieties available.

Unlike their larger counterparts, Netherland Dwarf rabbits have a very unique look.

Their eyes are small and bold; they have furry ears; a small and compact body; and the fur is soft yet dense to the touch.

Netherland Dwarfs Temperament

What is interesting about Netherland Dwarf rabbits, are their energy and activeness.

Although compact in size, they are very agile and sly.

They are great runaway artists and all it takes to find the cage empty is just a failure to properly lock the cage and a half-minute distraction.

Netherland dwarfs are relatively hardy and they can be kept outdoors.

Good temperament and disposition make the Dutch a wonderful choice for rabbit lovers from all walks of life.

Because of their small size and delicate structure dwarf rabbits tend to be a little more skittish and more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior when they think they are being threatened.

No, you don’t think that anything you do can be considered threatening, but because they are much smaller than other domesticated pet rabbits they tend to feel more threatened simply because of their size.

Netherland Dwarf Rabbits Colors

There are more than 20 varieties of the breed and they come in different colors: white, black, blue, red, chocolate, Chinchilla, lilac, opal, Californian, castor, lynx, sable and seal.

They may come in various colors, but there is a distinctive color pattern only intrinsic to this particular breed: all Netherland dwarf rabbits have a white band around the forequarter and a white marking on the face.

Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Facts

Netherland Dwarf Rabbit is first reared by the owner for some time till they acquire the minimum size and age that they can be separated from the mother.

They are fed on a special diet at these early stages since unlike what other rabbits feed on; vegetables tend to bring them health problems.

Thus leafy vegetables such as lettuce and cabbages should be avoided at all costs.

Any person rearing Netherland Dwarf Rabbits should be aware of this fact. After about six months from date of delivery the rabbits are ready for sale.

They are very good pets both for young children and adults alike.

Their small size and beauty makes them highly adorable to be kept as pets. Besides they eat very little and keeping them is quite inexpensive.

Regular grooming to remove loose hairs is advised and you need to make sure that the temperature in the room where they are kept is neither too high nor too low.

Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Life Span

On average, the Netherland Dwarf rabbit’s life span is 5 to 6 years – and about 10 years if they are neutered early.

Netherland Dwarf Rabbits Origin

The dwarf rabbit is actually a variety of domestic European rabbit.

These rabbits are much smaller than other rabbit breeds so they much sought after as pet rabbits and show rabbits.

The dwarf rabbit was originally bred as pet in the Netherlands, but because of their popularity, they quickly moved into the US and other European markets.

Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Care

Dwarf rabbits require the same care as their bigger relatives.

They need fresh food and water everyday, a clean cage that is 5 times larger than they are, plenty of affection, exercise, and attention, and other amenities.

Dwarf rabbits are infection vulnerable and mischievous and, therefore to diligently care for them is necessary.

The enclosure requires regular cleaning. That will help to prevent foot sores and infection.

Because of their smaller size, dwarf rabbits eat less and take up less space, but keep in mind that you will need to get a more careful eye on their whereabouts…you don’t want to stumble upon your dwarf rabbit in an unfortunate way.

Regular grooming to remove loose hairs is advised and you need to make sure that the temperature in the room where they are kept is neither too high nor too low.

Dwarf rabbits need protection from direct sunrays and drafts.

On average, the Netherland Dwarf rabbit’s life span is 5 to 6 years – and about 10 years if they are neutered early.

Keeping a Netherland Dwarf Rabbit in a House or Apartment

Dwarf rabbits often use their claws and incisor teeth on furniture, electric cords and other household items.

Such behavior can be frustrating, but it is natural for the animals. It must not be allowed, but there must be toys and objects in the house for dwarf rabbits to exercise these behaviors.

It is necessary to allow occasional free home runs, because Dwarf rabbits, like all other rabbits are energetic and freedom loving.

What Do Netherland Dwarf Rabbits Eat?

Proper diet is crucial.

Dwarf rabbits’ digestive system is even more sensitive than that of other rabbits.

To feed Netherland Dwarf rabbits, you can use the rabbit pellets which are available in pet feeds stores.

Pellets must be stored in a refrigerator.

After 8 weeks of storage, they tend to lose nutrients and therefore shouldn’t be fed to rabbits.

You can also use freshly rinsed green veggies and fruits to supplement their diet.

Young rabbits mustn’t be given vegetables, because they may trigger digestion disturbances.

If you introduce a new treat, wait 24 hours to check for diarrhea.

If the Dwarf rabbit does well, you may continue to treat the animal to the product.

It is always easier to prevent a hazard than to deal with it.

Illnesses will inevitably occur.

All Dwarf rabbits require constant medical care and examination.

Improper Handling of Netherland Dwarf Rabbits

Netherland Dwarf rabbits have a very fragile skeleton.

Therefore, improper handling may cause spinal traumas, dislocations and fractures.

For that reason, small children should not be permitted to handle Netherland Dwarf rabbits.

Dwarf rabbits are very cautious and it is very easy to unknowingly frighten a rabbit.

If frightened, it may struggle frantically to escape and thus receive wounds and traumas.

An extreme caution is needed when introducing other pets, because even a small scratch by a cat may bring on a lethal outcome.

Netherland Dwarf Rabbits in Breeding Age

Perhaps the only problem that you will have as far as the behavior of the Netherland Dwarf rabbit is concerned is a change in their habits when breeding age comes.

If you keep your rabbits for purposes other than breeding, they should be altered in due time.

This will help to prevent annoying sexually motivated tricks, like urine spraying, aggression, fighting and mounting.

Females are likely to show false pregnancy symptoms and behavior, like digging at soft materials, as if preparing to build a nest.

During this stage, they might become less agreeable and protective of their cage. After the breeding age, however, things should quickly go back to normal between you and your pet.

Where to Buy Netherland Dwarf Rabbits

When looking for the perfect pet rabbit, a dwarf rabbit is certainly a cute and cuddly choice. Because dwarf rabbits are smaller and more delicate, you will want to purchase one from a reputable breeder, pet store, or show association.

All over the world Netherland Dwarf Rabbits are available to buying. With regard to proximity to a seller you can just visit the seller’s premises and buy the rabbits for yourself. This is quite convenient since you actually get to see the actual rabbit and hence make the best decision.

Since there are many people and even organizations offering Netherland Dwarf Rabbits you need to check out as many sites as possible so that you can get the best bargain while making the purchase.

Buying a dwarf rabbit online or through the local newspaper is a bad idea. You never know what condition the rabbit was raised in or what kind of temperament it has.

When purchasing from a pet store and breeder, they will have information for you regarding the ancestry of the pet rabbit and its temperament. Getting pet rabbits for free from a friend of a friend is okay if they can be trusted, but with pet rabbits as delicate as dwarf rabbits, you may want to steer clear due to chance of illness and genetic defect.

Dwarf rabbits are truly exceptional pet rabbits that can add years of laughter, love, and fun to your home. Now that you have tips on finding and caring for a dwarf pet rabbit, you can buy with confidence. Spread the love and buy a dwarf rabbit for your new loving pet.

Dwarf Rabbits – Holland Lop

The Holland Lop was the result of an attempt by Adrian DeCock to produce a mini French Lop by crossbreeding of The Netherland Dwarf with the French Lop (1949).

Of all lop-eared rabbits this is the smallest one.

The coloring varies from pure fawn, broken fawn, black and white to tortoise shell.

There are also Blue, Blue Tortoise, Broken Smoke Pearl and Red Holland Lops. English Lop rabbits have remarkably long and wide ears, which demand particular care.

Parrot Food – What Do Parrots Eat?

март 1, 2019 By liv parmel

Owning a parrot means feeding that parrot a healthy diet to ensure a long, healthy life. The parrot food you choose can make a big difference in the amount of energy and vitality your parrot will enjoy as well as how many years the parrot will live.

Parrots are mainly seed-eating, fruit-eating and/or insect eating birds. The parrots need a variety of flavors and textures to keep them entertained, but also need a well balanced diet of fruits and vegetables to help keep them healthy.

The Basic Parrot Food

Little was known about parrot food when parrots first become pets. People thought parrots lived only a few years, perhaps 20 or 30, but no one thought that large species of parrots could live to be over 100 years of age. Today, we know that with healthy, well-selected parrot food, even a small Parakeet can live 15 years or more, Cockatiels have been recorded reaching 29 years of age, and one African Grey in Alaska was documented as being 112 years old when it died.

Parrot food, for the basic, staple diet, comes in either pellets or seed mix. Many people prefer the pellets but if the parrot won’t accept pellets, a good seed mix will work just fine. However, purchased parrot food in seeds or pellets is simply not enough to maintain a parrot’s health and vitality.

Your parrot’s food should be only about 50% seeds or pellets. The rest of the diet should be comprised of fruits, vegetables, and other “people foods”. There are, however, a few people foods that simply can’t be parrot food. These are known as the “seven deadly foods”.

What Food is Toxic to Parrots?

Never allow a parrot to eat any chocolate, avocado, fruit pits, raw meat or poultry, raw eggs, alcohol, or caffeine. These seven deadly foods can kill your precious parrot. You must also limit the parrot’s consumption of any food that is high in salt, fat, or sugar.

Parrots love food that is sweet or high in fat, so sometimes this can be difficult, but limit these foods to prevent obesity. Also, never feed your parrot food that might be spoiled or rancid and always remove fresh foods from the cage or play area before they can possibly spoil.

Many parrots love sharing meals with their human flocks. This is because in the wild, most parrots eat as a social activity. When your parrot sees food you are eating, if it is a tame, loving bird, it wants to taste your food. This is a great way to introduce new foods into your parrot’s diet.

Food That Parrots Love

From personal experience, it is clear that parrots love milk and breakfast cereal. If the cereal happens to be a sugary type, let your bird have some milk and only one or two bites of the actual cereal. If the cereal is a healthy type, you can let the parrot have more bites. Many parrots simply love cheese and eggs. Many of the medium to large parrots love bits of well-cooked meat, poultry, and fish.

They also love to crack a chicken bone and get the marrow out of the bone, which is quite good for them. All vegetables and fruits are good for parrots (except avocado!), as are rice, pasta, potatoes, and just about anything you can imagine that you eat. Just remember, if it is sweet, salty, or high in fat, limit the amount offered.

Purchase parrot food that is fresh and buy only small quantities so it will remain fresh. If your parrot suddenly stops eating a type of parrot food that it has loved in the past, especially if it is eating a seed-based diet, examine the parrot food for insects or bugs. You can test the freshness of the food by planting seeds and checking how many sprout. If few sprout, the food is old and therefore not very nutritious.

The Most Important Parrot Food

Some parrots have long, sharp, curved beaks to help them break open shells of nuts and seeds while others only eat fruits and vegetables that are soft and easy to eat. Some parrots have a high requirement for extra calories, like the Macaw for example.

The Macaw requires large quantities of nuts be added to their diet to assist them with their energy levels and to maintain a healthy system. Parrots on the other hand should be fed very little nuts because they tend to become obese with the addition of the added calories and fat.

Some pet owners believe that feeding a parrot with bird seed is sufficient to maintain their health. They are usually wrong. Few parrots can sustain a healthy system being fed only packaged bird seed. They need to have a steady addition of fresh fruits and vegetables which provides the nutrients that are absolutely essential for them to remain healthy.

Because the nutritional needs of most parrots are not specifically known, it’s difficult to determine exactly what a parrot should be fed. What is known however is that parrots seem to require a steady diet of fresh fruits and vegetables and some form of fiber to remain healthy. Parrots not receiving the proper nutrition will become ill, begin plucking it’s own feathers and give the owner many signs that there is an issue that needs to be addressed.

10 Facts About Hamster Cages You Should Know About

фебруар 25, 2019 By liv parmel

Your hamster cage is probably one of the most important key in keeping your pet healthy. This is because it is just like human, hamsters need to have a good house to stay and live.

You need to get a hamster cage before you get yourself a hamster. You cannot take care of a hamster without a cage.

It is either you buy one, or you make one by yourself. However, I strongly recommend that you buy one. This is because hamster cages are not as expensive as they can be and if you provide proper care, the cage will be in good condition even after a long time.

Factors to Consider when Selecting a Hamster cage

These days when you go looking for a hamster cage you will be confronted by all sorts of different contraptions that you can use to house your pet hamster in. Gone are the days when the only option to house a small pet was a rectangular wire cage, now we have much more inventive homes for our pet hamsters.

If you chose a wire cage, be sure to check how the wire secures to the plastic bottom of the cage, if there are any weaknesses or gaps your hamster will find a way to escape. This especially applies to the Russian hamsters as they are smaller in size than a normal Syrian hamster and the cages are built with the Syrian hamsters in mind.

Check how strong the cage door is, can it be opened easily, do you think your hamster could open the door?

It is a good idea to invest in a small padlock that you can use to lock the cage doors, especially doors on the side of the cage as opposed to the doorway in the roof and the hinges can get weak over time. Get a combination padlock as you can open them by knowing the combination and you don’t have to look after another key.

Hamster Cage Bedding

All cages should have a sleeping area and should be kitted out with the correct bedding for your hamster; any bedding that would be harmful if swallowed should not be used. Good hamster bedding can be purchased from your local pet store or as hamsters are so popular now, in your local supermarket.

Before you put the bedding inside the hamster cage, tease it out with your hand so your hamster can easily burrow into it.

Sectional Hamster Cages

You can also opt to get sectional housing for your hamster, this can be a lot more exciting for them as it gives them the opportunity to climb and explore. The layouts mimic the kind of burrows that hamsters would have in the wild, usually with a tunnel section that leads of to the sleeping area where they would have a nest and all their bedding.

If you chose hamster sectional housing then you can start small and gradually build up with extra sections. These section houses or tubular housing systems provide great security for your hamster as opposed to a standard cage; you should always check the plastics on the housing thoroughly as hamsters can still nibble away at it to try to escape.

Critterville Arcade Hamster Cage by MidWest Homes for Pets

FEATURES:
Includes FREE accessories to get you started: exercise wheel, water bottle, food bowl, and circular cubby.
Features a fun multi-level Vertical PlaySpace.
Includes a port with connecting rings that allow you to expand the home with tubes or an additional cage.
The interior tubes allow your hamster easy access from the lower level to the Vertical PlaySpace.

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Hamster Cages – Facts and Information

Hamsters love digging and creating tunnels the most and it is also a part of their survival instinct . If you plan on having happy hamsters at your house you have to make sure that they can have their perfect environment wherein they will be able to dig and burrow to their hearts desires.

To create such environment, a couple of steps need to be observed. For someone with a cage already, torn papers or even tissue papers of about 10 cm can be placed on the cage ‘ s bottom area for the hamsters to sleep on.

For those who do not own one hamster cage, or is just interested in creating a playing area for the hamsters, a large wide bin will do where they could still dig and also tunnel much.

One can choose some waste bin for this and can just leave enough open area at the upper part of such bin so the hamsters will not be able to get out.

However for those who are having second thoughts about such idea as it could definitely get messy, there is another option that you can choose and that is to purchase one hamster cage.

Hamster cages come with fitted tunnels and through this, your pet will be entertained and will be able to have its own safe place. Aside from the cage being able to provide opportunity for the hamsters to dig and burrow, it can also provide a good nesting area for the hamsters.

To create the nesting area, shredded tissue papers and wood shavings can be used as they are usually the easiest to have. Some words of advice though, if you plan to use wood as a material for the cage, refrain from using wood that is treated as the hamsters always love to chew and chewing treated wood can make the hamsters sick.

Favola Double-floor Hamster Cage by Ferplast

FEATURES:
The double-floor structure has been designed to ensure your pet hamster needs for everyday activities.
The cage features an original combination of sturdy wire mesh structure and a large transparent plastic base.
The cage has on the top a small door with security hook to prevent accidental escapes.
The habitat comes complete with one nest for sleeping, one feeding bowl, one water bottle and one wheel for exercise.
For a more accurate cleaning, it is possible to separate base and top completely, just unlocking the side clips.

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Burrowing Area for Your Hamster

Having a burrowing area is also perfect for the hamsters to have privacy and to seek refuge and retreat when feeling frightened. By nature, hamsters can also be nervous at times thus it is essential to provide them an area where they could seek solitude. In this way, the hamsters will feel less stress and will even be happier.

Refrain from using materials having small fibres such as cotton. These materials can be the cause of digestive problems as the hamsters will try to ingest them. In creating the hamster ‘ s nesting area, you can go for slightly shredded materials such as the toilet paper.

During a weekly cage cleaning, you can replace the nest but try to leave some nesting materials behind in order for the hamsters not to feel stressed out by the sudden change of the environment.

Potty Train Your Hamster

Like other pets, you can also potty training your hamsters.

This would make your cage cleaning less messy and also easier. After owning a hamster pet, observe them for several weeks and see where their droppings are usually concentrated inside the cage and then place something like a little tray with newspaper or even with litter pellets.

After a while, your hamsters will soon start using the small tray you put and will then become toilet-trained before long.

Your Hamster Will Need Chewing Toys

Another thing that needs to be considered is your pet hamster ‘ s teeth, which will continue to grow throughout its lifetime. To decrease any chances of the hamster ‘ s teeth from overgrowing, you have to provide your hamsters with chewy toys as the toys will keep the hamster ‘ s teeth regular as well as prevent them from sticking to one usual diet.

During an instance when your hamster breaks a tooth, you could decrease the longer tooth’s length to have it match the other shorter tooth through the use of scissors.

Doing this will help your hamster eat and will also lessen their discomfort. You can stop worrying about reducing the hamster’s longer tooth with a scissor as this will not hurt your hamster at all.

The process is similar as when cutting nails. You just have to hold your hamster and stop it from wriggling around.

One way to hold your hamster is to try to hold it from its scruff on its neck. This is probably the easiest option when trying to hold them.

Kaytee Extreme 14 Day Odor Control Hamster Bedding

FEATURES:
Super-soft, absorbent bedding, clean and cozy bedding keeps the hamster clean and dry.
Neutralizes odor for a fresh and clean cage.
Absorbs 6x its weight in liquid.
99% dust free for a cleaner cage and healthy habitat.
Made in USA.

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Hamster Exercise

Part of hamster care is ensuring your pet hamster is kept fit, ok this does not mean barking orders at them and ordering them to drop and give you twenty, rather it is making sure they have access to exercise regularly.

You will need a hamster wheel for them to run in, hamsters love wheels and some use them for hours on end during the night and daytime. A quick tip is to use some oil on the wheel as they can quickly become annoying when they start to squeak every time it is used, a dab of oil on the moving part will remedy this.

In the wild hamsters will come out from their burrows when it is dark and go on long searches for food or for a mate and having an exercise wheel in the cage will act as the perfect substitute for this behavior.

Look for an enclosed wheel so it is not possible for the hamster to fall out an injure themselves and always check the wheel everyday to ensure that it is not becoming loose. It is noted that pregnant female hamsters use the exercise wheel a lot more often; this is because they are preparing for the birth by working their muscles.

If you have a multi level cage then you can add to it over time, this way you are increasing the possibilities that your hamster to move around. Marvellous contraptions have been built for hamsters using these cages so if you have the room we recommended these cages.

Not to mention that kids will love them and enjoy hours of fun and creativity in building a vast network for your hamster to run around in. It will only be your budget and the availability of room that limits the possibilities of the tubular caging, as there are many different pieces to use as extensions to the cage.

Varieties of Hamster Cages

Hamster cages can be of several categories and they include the following:

Hamster Aquariums Cage

This is considered the best under dwarf hamster varieties . Its enclosure is made of solid glass, which can allow complete visibility. It can also prevent any escape attempt. Litter is contained and not scattered onto its surrounding surface.

The cons to this type of cage are that natural flow of air is not present and there is a need for regular cleaning of the litter to prevent any building-up of the ammonia fumes.

The specifically-designed lid still be required in order to secure the hamster. There is the special hanger that can be used for water bottle suspension. Five gallon glasstype of aquarium can be purchased between the price of $10 and $15 . It will be a nice idea to buy two of such aquarium so you can put your hamsters in one aquarium while you are cleaning the other aquarium.

Plastic Hamster Cages

When it comes to the security level and its litter containment, this type is similar to the aquarium. However unlike the aquariums, these are secifically-designed to cater to the small rodents. It has a vented lidfor air circulation.

Some of its models even have snap-up tubes and also compartments to provide additional exercises opportunities. One problem however is that with this type of cage, removing hamsters for cuddling is a lot harder.

Barred Wire Cages with Plastic Trays

This is a traditional hamster cage that comes with tray deep in its bottom. Such type can provide ideal flow of air, however it is also important to put the cage a distance away from the drafts, which can then cause the hamsters to get sick.

With multi-story type of cages, your hamsters can have more spaces. Traditional type of hamster homes however are not for dwarf type hamsters. These will still require the mouse cage with bars that are placed closely together. The plastic and wire cages can be purchased from $30 to $35 for one story cage.

After you have already made your choice of what enclosure you would like to have, the accessories would be next then. Hamsters can experience a better life quality if provided with things such as exercise water wheel, water bottle, stoneware food bowl or automatic feeder, a litter bedding out of stray, hay, or even aspen shaving, and also something to continue chewing on.

Exotic Nutrition’s Silent Runner 9″ Hamster Exercise Wheel

FEATURES:
Includes cage attachment for mounting, to increase floor space for pet.
Safe, solid running track with no pinch area.
Designed with front panel for hamster stability and safety.
Innovative rolling ball-bearing design allows wheel to spin completely smooth and silent.
Made without a center axle which prevents injury and tail/fur entanglement.

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Hamster Cages Things to Consider

Make sure the hamster cage that you are going to get is big enough for your hamster. Ask the store keeper if it is suitable for your hamster. This is especially true if you are going to keep a lot of hamsters in one cage.
You don’t need a multi-storey cage. Just a nice and simple one will do. Your hamster is not a good climber. If you have a lot of storeys in the cage, it might causes your hamster to fall.
Remember to clean the cage at least once a week. You don’t have to get everything out and wash it with soap and anti-bacteria, you just need to make sure it is clean and your hamster can live healthily.
However, you need to clean it thoroughly once a month. This is to prevent bacterial from spreading and it will makes your hamsters sick.
Avoid placing your hamster cage under direct sunlight or near to any heat source such as the kitchen stove.
Always make sure your hamster cage is dry and in clean condition. You do not want to have a leak water bottle inside your hamster cage. It will wet the bedding and make a mess.
You can place a piece of old newspaper under the cage and put in some wood chips on top of it. You can always replace it by taking the whole sheet of newspaper.

Hammock Hamster Hanging Toy by WINOMO

FEATURES:
This Fuzzy Nest gives your lovely hamster a warm and comfortable hut to rest.
Comes with 4 hanging clips which allows the hammocks to attach firmly to the cage.
Strong chains with high quality.
Made of comfortable and soft fabrics, bring much more warmth for small pets.
It's an ideal place designed for your little friends, safe and warm for them to sleep or play inside.

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How To Clean A Hamster Cage

Take your hamster out of its cage and put it somewhere such as a hamster ball, a box or an enclosed space where it can run around.

Take the top off the cage and remove the water bottle and the food bowl. Empty the bottle, and rinse it out. Use a thin brush to clean the inside and then fill it back up with fresh, cold water. Empty the food bowl into the bin and clean it out, then put in some fresh food.

If the cage has any tubes or ladders etc, take them out and clean them with warm water and a cleaner that will be safe for your hamster.

Empty out the sawdust or shavings and bedding from your hamsters cage and empty them into the bin. Your hamster usually has a corner which it goes to the toilet in, this should be cleaned out daily. Wash the cage thoroughly.

Line the bottom of the cage with sawdust or wooden shavings and put in some fresh papery bedding.

Replace the food bowl, water bottle and re-attach all the tubes and compartments if your cage has them. Replace any toys or chews.

Put your hamster back in his clean cage and let him remake his bed!

Tips You Need To Know

It helps if you have a big cage with lots of space for your hamster to move around, as it will make your pet happier!
You should change the hamsters water every day.
Using vinegar also works. Please make sure you rinse well before putting your hamster back into the cage.
Some people use a disinfecting wipe and then rinse.
Never use any citrus-scented disinfectants seeing as it can damage your hamster.
Remember, you don’t have to clean your hamsters all the time, but you need to clean the cage often.

Basically, these are the important information you need to know about hamster cages. As long as you follow through the advice here, you will be a good pet owner.

ZALALOVA Natural Wood Chew Toys for Hamsters

FEATURES:
Made of selected first-class wood, natural sun drying, strict control of dehydration rate.
Polished many times, smooth corners to ensure that your pet will not be injured.
Not only are high quality toys, but also are bite-resistant molar tools.
Wooden blocks will expand and deform after encountering water.
Wooden blocks are prone to mildew, so you need to regularly put on the airy balcony.

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Things to Consider Before Buying a Parrot

фебруар 24, 2019 By liv parmel

Parrots and Pet Birds make wonderful companions that can form intense emotional attachments with you. Whether you are a long time owner of one already or just thinking of becoming one, you can be sure there will never be a dull moment with one of these little cuties around.

When we buy pet birds, we must accept the fact that their behaviour may not always be perfect by human-behaviour standards. We should, however, commit ourselves to taking the best care possible of our birds for the rest of their lives.

That is no small commitment. To fulfill this obligation, we need to provide any birds we buy with the largest appropriate parrot cages we could afford, the most nutritious parrot food, and we need to keep their environments as clean as possible. Further complicating matters, many bird species live long lives, and some birds may easily outlive their owners.

If you are looking to purchase a parrot or pet bird, be sure to check out all of the different parrot species and bird species available to you and discover their good points and bad points. You also should check out appropriate parrot cages, parrot food and parrot toys to ensure a safe and happy environment for your pet parrot or bird.

Training a parrot is very rewarding and if you are so lucky to choose a parrot or pet bird that is capable of talking, then it just gets even more fun!

Parrot and pet bird owners must provide the best of bird care in order to avoid bird illnesses and diseases and investigate parrot supplies to purchase the best products you can afford for your parrots.

Buying Your First Pet Parrot

Buying a parrot, especially a first parrot, is a big decision and not to be taken lightly. Parrots require time, commitment, care, love, and will live for many years if cared for properly. Before buying a parrot, you must consider several important factors. This is the only way that you will be happy with your decision long after your purchase. This is also the only way to ensure the parrot will not end up having to be re-homed.

First, consider the amount of space you have available. Your parrot will require a spacious cage to call its own home. It should also have a play stand or play area.

Small or Large Parrots: Who Should Own One?

When thinking about pet parrots there are so many choices one can make. Just walk into a pet store and you will see a very wide variety of pet parrots to choose from. The question you need to ask yourself is: Which pet parrots are the best for me? Should I choose a small parrot or a large parrot?

Firstly, I’ve would like to mention that whether you decide to own a small parrot or a large parrot they will both require a good amount of attention given to them. Generally the rule of thumb is: The bigger the pet parrot is, the more attention that pet parrot will need.

This doesn’t include the Goffin Cockatoo though. He is a much smaller parrot than the rest of his cockatoo family, but like all cockatoos even this small parrot will require lots and lots of attention. A Cockatiel, on the other hand requires about as much attention as a pet budgie.

I am not talking about run of the mill budgie that can be picked up at the local pet shop for a dime a dozen. Many of these small parrots are bred only for the money and not much care has gone into familiarizing them with people to be sociable.

Here again though, I don’t want you to think that these small parrots cannot make good pets. They too need attention and the more attention you spend with your pet parrots, the tamer and more sociable they will become.

When choosing a small parrot the first thing you should make sure of is that the small parrot is hand-fed. Many breeders will take the time to hand feed their fledgelings until they are able to eat on their own. By hand feeding these small parrots, they get used to being held and have very little fear of human hands or faces.

They will willingly come up on your hand and spend some time chatting away with you and playing silly games.

Small parrots should be chosen if you meet the following criteria:

You are young -under the age of 21. Small parrots are best for this age group as they are easily handled and if the young person gets bored with them then it is not such a hassle to either take care of the parrot yourself or find a good home for it.

You are older – over 50. Remember that large parrots can live a very long time and may become heartbroken if you were to pass on before they do. Small parrots have much shorter life spans and so the chances of you being well enough and able to care for him is greater.

Which small parrots would be the best choices for you?

If you want a talking parrot that is small then I would suggest that you choose a male, hand-fed budgie from a reputable breeder or pet store.
If you don’t care if your small parrot talks then love birds are cute little birds. They can be a little devilish at times though. They tend to try and escape every time they get a chance.
Cockatiels are lovely little birds and the males can generally learn to talk a little. Their speech is more like a whistle but it is identifiable.

Remember:

No pet parrots are guaranteed to talk, whether they are small parrots or large parrots.
You will be much happier and it will be easier to teach your small parrot to talk if you find yourself a male bird rather than a female.
It is much easier to keep a hand-fed bird tame than it is to tame a non hand-fed small parrot.
A large parrot may not be advisable depending on your age bracket.

Do you have the space to provide these important factors for your parrot?

Think about this critically because, if you were to buy a African Grey parrot, you need LOTS of space. However, a Budgie or Cockatiel doesn’t require nearly as much room. Sure, the big, beautiful birds are great, but can you live with a huge cage and enormous play stand in your home? This will help you choose the right size parrot to consider.

Also, you must consider the other humans and animals in the home

Children and large parrots don’t mix very well and every parrot deserves out-of-cage play time every single day. Big parrots can break small fingers; after all they crack walnuts and Brazil nuts in the wild. All parrots make noise to some degree or another and some can be quite loud. How will your spouse or roommate feel about the noise? Parrots are messy; how will the family feel about this factor?

If you have dogs, cats, snakes, ferrets, or other pets, your parrot could become a meal for the other animal. It isn’t fair to confine a parrot to its cage all the time because you have lots of other pets and it isn’t safe for the bird to be outside the cage.

Can you afford the cost of the parrot you want as well as the cage, toys, food, and medical care?

Big birds require big cages which are costly. It is not unusual to spend $1,000 for a macaw cage! Again, smaller parrots require smaller cages which cost much less. Every parrot must have a yearly medical checkup and any emergency medical care required in the event of an injury or illness. Can you afford the vet bills?

Toys and food are really only a consideration if you are thinking of buying a large parrot. Big parrot toys can be expensive and they destroy them as part of their healthy chewing and play. Big parrots also eat a lot more food than smaller parrots.

Do you have the time for a parrot to live happily with you?

A parrot wakes up about the time the sun arrives and goes to be when it gets dark. For many career-oriented adults, these are the same hours that they are away from home working. It isn’t enough to spend Saturday and Sunday with your parrot.

You need to be able to spend quality time every single day with a parrot for its emotional health. The bird should be out of the cage as much as possible. If you can not provide time for a parrot, you should not consider buying a parrot.

Fifth, do you have the time and motivation to clean and care for the parrot?

A parrot has to have fresh food and water daily and needs the debris cleaned from the cage daily. Every week, as a minimum, the cage needs a thorough cleaning. Play stands and play areas also require cleaning. Molted feathers will have to be cleaned up, as will seed husk or dropped pellets, food that is slung or dropped and toys that are dropped over the side of the play area. Can you provide this mandatory service? If not, you shouldn’t buy a parrot.

Now, the good news is that if you have a stable lifestyle that allows you to provide for a parrot, giving quality time every day, maintain a regular schedule, and everyone in the household wants the parrot, then and only then should you consider buying a parrot!

Eliminate Dog Behavior Problems with Early Dog Training Basics

фебруар 23, 2019 By liv parmel

Is Your Dog Misbehaving?

Dogs crave family life, security, order and direction—a dog’s necessity for pack survival. A canine’s instinct expects for one member in their social group to be the clear leader. It’s based on this natural sense that once you have established yourself as the dog’s superior, you can start dog training basics. Training will not only come easy to your dog, at this point, but it will teach him what doggy behavior is appropriate in the human world.

However, to effectively train your dog, it’s important to understand how animals learn. The primary way an animal learns is through the relationship between a behavior and its consequence. Basically if the animal performs a behavior in a certain way, in return something happens. This something could be good (reward or a treat) or bad (correction or punishment.). A dog will eventually learn the connection and respond accordingly.

Annoying dog behaviors

Dogs that cause trouble do not create it to upset their owners intentionally. A dog’s breed has some bearing to the way a dog acts. In addition, some annoying doggy behaviors are things dogs have been doing since there wild ancestry days: digging, chasing, chewing things, and barking.

However, when done at the wrong times, these bothersome performances become a problem. Please note you will not be able to completely eliminate any annoying behavior natural to a dog’s breed, but you can learn to reduce the intensity and frequency with which the behavior occurs.

Dogs have short attention spans. Keep training sessions short and upbeat. Remember, you must teach your dog what you want him to do before you can expect him to do it. You will soon learn that developing your dog’s full potential is one of the most demanding tasks an owner can undertake.

Learn to control your temper and tone of voice when he does not do as plan. Never punish a dog for not obeying. Some dogs learn faster than others, while others are better at one thing than another. Exercise understanding and patience during instruction classes.

Soon your strong leadership and alpha role will convince your dog that through proper behavior you will allow him access to the things he wants most. In addition, he learns to relax because he no longer needs to prove he’s top dog. The time you dedicate educating your dog will create a well-mannered, well-adjusted dog you will not be embarrassed to take with you anywhere.

Stop Dog Digging — What You Need To Know To End This Dog Behavior Problem

Have you ever wondered why your canine friend loves digging holes so much? This is a natural canine behavior, but for some pets, too much digging is not enough. Is there any way to stop dog digging and end this dog behavior problem?

A Bored Dog Is The Most Common Reason For Digging Holes

Canines are very social creatures who need lots of things to keep them busy. If left to his own devices, he’ll find a way to occupy himself. Unfortunately, whatever he decides to do will probably be an annoying dog behavior problem, like excessive barking, or digging in the yard. It’s up to you to provide him with physical activity and mental stimulation to prevent a bored dog.

People are under the impression that a pup kept in a fenced yard gets plenty of exercise and doesn’t need walks. This is not true. Your buddy may pace up and down the fence all day, but this is nervous activity, and doesn’t burn up all that energy he has. He needs about an hour and a half of good vigorous exercise every day. If you don’t have time to walk him for at least a half hour every morning and evening, you may want to hire someone who can do it for you.

If there is a dog park in your area, try to take him there every day. He can run and play with other dogs, which fulfills his need for social contact. Walking around your neighborhood is also a good way for him to meet new people and be exposed to different situations.

Set aside a corner of the yard for his own digging pit. When you catch him digging someplace off-limits, say “no” loudly, and redirect him to his own area. Praise and reward him when he digs in his pit.

Another way to stimulate your pet’s mind is to spend at least ten minutes a day training him. He loves to learn new things, and he’ll enjoy your undivided attention, too. Keep the training sessions short, and make them fun. You’ll want to find a good dog training course so you’ll know how to encourage good behaviors and discourage unwanted ones.

You can stop dog digging by giving your pet lots of time and attention. Your goal now is figure out why your canine is digging and take steps to end this dog behavior problem. As mentioned above, a good training course will be a great help to you in solving this problem.

Pet Hamster – All You Need to Know About Hamster…

фебруар 21, 2019 By liv parmel

Hamsters are small rodents that are very popular around the world; they make great pets and a reasonably easy to house and look after. They come in a wide range of colours and different fur types although they still keep their natural instincts from their ancestors such as sleeping all through the day.

Buying a Hamster

Before buy spend some time observing the hamsters, this can be surprisingly enlightening. For example, a hamster that is ill or is soon to become ill may appear reserved and isolated from the other hamsters, this may be accompanied by a hunched or lethargic appearance.

If awake hamsters, you should determine if the hamsters are active and are able to walk without difficulty. A hamster that is limp, unsteady or displays unusual walking behaviour may have physical or neurological issues.

While assessing the hamster, you should also note his overall build. He should be well proportioned, there shouldn’t be any excess fat, though a ‘chunky’ build is preferred to a thin, mouse like structure. You should also take this opportunity to also palpate the hamsters body (the abdomen in particular) in search of any potential lumps such as tumours.

When content with your findings, you are then able to select a hamster with confidence. If you have selected a female, check her abdomen is not particularly swollen – a pear shape may indicate pregnancy. Furthermore, check the genders of all her cage mates, it is not uncommon for an unidentified male to be placed with females and the new owner to suddenly have much more hamsters then they had bargained for.

What to Look for When Buying a Hamster

Ears: Clean, no sign of injury or infection.
Eyes: Responsive, clear and physically intact. Bright and bold ideally.
Nose: Clear, not particularly wet.
Mouth: The hamster should not drool or have swollen pouches.
Teeth: Short and even, yellowing is normal though young hamsters may have white teeth.
Skin and Fur – Should be clear of foreign bodies (i.e. mites) and consistent, there shouldn’t be patches of sparse fur. Skin should be smooth and free of abnormalities such as flaking or inflammation.
Spine: Even and not particularly prominent.
Genitals: Should not be swollen. Discharge should not be present, nor should faecal or urine staining (checking in particular for diarrhoea). Also check the hamster’s genders at this point.
Feet/Paws: Should not be swollen or sore, hamsters kept on wire or provided with wire wheels may develop sores or a bacterial infection in the feet. The nails should be intact and not excessive in length.

Types of Hamster

The most common hamster is the Syrian hamster, which has increased dramatically in numbers over recent years, with many new color variations being found in parts of Russia. This increase in color varieties has also increased the hamsters’ popularity as a household pet.

Syrian Hamster

A Syrian hamster in its most original form shows off a golden coat with tiny black shades in individual hairs, their ears are a dark grey color, almost black, with their under bodies being a contrasting color of a whitish shade. Other common Syrian hamsters are a darker golden color with black ears, and a lighter golden colored hamster with a pure white underbelly.

One of the most interesting colors of Syrian hamsters that have been bred is a creamy colored hamster, which is available with ruby, red and black eyes. One of the most colorful hamsters is the Syrian cinnamon hamster that has an orange-colored fur.

Many find the white Syrian hamster attractive, there are three different forms is this white hamster and the difference is the eyes and ears have a different pigmentation. The Albino Hamster has pure red eyes and no color anywhere else, another form is all white but with dark colored ears that are either brown or black and the final of the three has black eyes, pinks ears and the clean white fur. There are also chocolate colors and even a pure black variety of hamster, they all share the common theme of having their coat all one color.

There is a huge potential for many different types of hamster as there are now many coat types that have been developed in supplement of the short haired hamsters. One popular mutation is the longhaired Syrian hamster, also known as Rexes or Teddies; their long curly hair on their coat is their distinguishing feature.

Campbell Russian Dwarf Hamsters

The Campbell Russian Dwarf hamster is known as a very sociable hamster and unlike Syrian hamster, Campbell hamsters can be kept in colonies and can live together happily. You will often see them all curled up together in their bedding, quite content with one another.

Campbell’s are known to make quite good all round pets and are more suited to children than hamsters such as the faster Roborovski. This is because generally, Campbells are tamer, after you have devoted some time to your hammie. They are also more easily handled. Remember though, any child who has a pet hamster should be supervised when playing and handling to minimise any accidents or unnecessary stress to the hamster.

The Campbell when fully grown can reach up to around 4 inches and colours can vary depending on the breeding. Some are a grayish brown (wild colour), others a sandy cinnamon colour with a white belly or dull brownish orange with a white belly, albino with red eyes, a bluish gray and finally Campbells can be black all over.

Campbells also have different types of marking on their fur, these are: mottled (irregular white patches), ruby-eyed mottled (appears as irregular black patches) and platinum (white furs mingling amongst the hamsters fur/coat).

In the wild, Campell hamsters have been known to dig burrows up to 3 feet in depth and then line them with wool gathered from surrounding herd plains. As such, if you can provide your hamster with a nice deep cage filled with wood shavings, you will be providing your hamster(s) with a wonderful opportunity to dig and burrow. Best of all, it’s great fun watching them as they dig away!

Roborovski Hamsters

Roborovski or „robo“ hamsters as they are commonly known are the smallest of all hamsters and as definitely the fastest! Because of this, robo’s are often suited to older owners (teenagers up). Young children will have difficulties holding them and as they are so fast, they can escape easily.

Robos, like any hamster are a commitment to be taken seriously, as they typically can live up to three years and sometimes even longer. Typically robo hamsters make brilliant pets if you enjoy watching an energetic hamster running around, climbing and swinging from toys. Robos however are quite shy animals and as such, often don’t like to be held or touched. They are difficult to tame, unlike other types of hamsters such as the Syrian.

Roborovski hamsters love to run, so an exercise wheel is essential. Robo’s have been know to run miles and miles in the wild at night in search of food. Equally once your robo has an exercise wheel they can run mile after mile throughout the night. Don’t be surprised to be kept awake at night by the sound of your hamster running in its wheel!

Robo hamsters are also less known to climb but they LOVE to dig. So if you can get a cage with a deep base, so you can provide plenty of wood shavings and some tubes as well, your hamster will have a brilliant time digging away.

Winter White Hamster

The Winter White hamster is similar to the Campbell Dwarf hamster in size and shape but differs in the colour of its fur. Winter White hamsters are remarkable in the fact that they have the ability to alter the colour of the fur from a light grey to a bright snow white colour.

This colour alteration is triggered by the length of days changing as seasons change throughout autumn and winter. Other types of winter white hamsters can be found, sometimes with a slight orange or pink tinge to their fur but these hamsters are rare and normally only acquired from specialist breeder.

Hamster Foods

You will feed your hamster on hamster mixes that are available at pet shops and some large supermarkets. They contain a variety of sunflower seeds, cereal seeds and peanuts. The oily seeds should only be offered to your hamster in small quantities as they are very high in fat and can lead to obesity if they are the bulk of your hamsters diet. One option is to use commercial pellets that contain all the nutrients needed, but these can be expensive in the pet shops.

When choosing a container for your hamster food, look for one that is fairly heavy such as a heavyweight earthenware bowl. Choose a heavy bowl because your hamster will move it if it is light and moveable, the next thing you know they will have dragged their food bowl across the others side of their cage and it will be covered in bedding and other mess from the cage.

The best way to give water to your pet is via a water bottle that affixes to the side of the hamster cage with the nozzle sticking through. The can be obtained at any mainstream pet shop.

Each day you should offer your hamster some fresh green food like a piece of apple that you can stick through the side of the cage bars for them to nibble on.

Hamsters hoard food naturally so it is up to you to keep an eye on what they are eating and provide them with enough food but not too much food. If they are given too much food they will carry it in their pouches back to their nest and hoard it away.

Take care if they are taking fresh food back to their nest as the fresh foods can start to rot quickly. Check the bedding regularly as it can start to smell if left with food inside and could be harmful to your hamster’s health.

There are useful treats sold commercially in the pet shops that you can use to help tame your hamster by offering as treats. Something else to consider for your hamsters health are vitamin and mineral supplements that you can add to fresh green foods that you stick through the cage to provide added nutrition in their diet.

Hamsters Great Pets for Kids

Hamsters make great pets for children, especially as a first pet, but remember that hamsters are not the most social of pets yet they can still be handled and will usually only bite occasionally.

It is very important for you as the owner to provide all the items necessary for your hamster to live a healthy life. Obviously they need food and water that is changed regularly but they also need many other items that you may have not thought of yet, and of course you’ll need a cool name for your new pet which you can choose from our hamster names list.

Your hamster will need various things to chew on so they can keep their incisor teeth in good condition, a branch from a apple tree (that has no chemicals or bird droppings on) serves perfectly for this purpose. Try roasting some bread crusts in the oven and serving it to your hamster, this acts as a helpful addition to their diet.

Dog Training – Importance of Training for Your Dogs

фебруар 18, 2019 By liv parmel

Dogs may be considered to be some of the most beloved creatures around. However, that doesn’t mean that living alongside them would equate to peace and harmony. Dogs have natural tendencies that can’t be easily controlled for many. Taming dogs indeed isn’t easily achievable and a lot of programs are even offered for owners for the sake of this matter.

So, what does it take to make living with your dog easier?

Through dog training, this goal of having more control of your dog’s actions and behavior can be something that’s very much attainable. Training is also an effective way of strengthening your relationship with your dog as it develops a sense of trust between you and your pet. And on top of that, the activities involved in a dog’s training can be a lot of fun!

Dog training is undeniably a great way for you to achieve a more pleasant living with your dog. It is a good way for dogs to learn some pointers which should be followed especially in the household.

Here are some of the key points that make training important for dogs:

Training is a means to let your dogs know how to act. By instilling boundaries, a dog can see you as someone that should be followed. That is, instead of feeling like the boss, dogs can become obedient pets when they understand how his relationship with his owner should work.

Training can encourage dogs to stick to proper conduct. And that would be based on how you reward your dogs whenever they show positive behavior. Dogs will eagerly follow your instructions when they know that they can get something good from it.

The Benefits of Dog Training

Training will help you develop a more efficient way of communicating with your dogs. Through various gestures and actions developed through training, you can be assured that understanding your canines can become achievable. Instead of acting in irksome and vague manners, you can teach your dogs how to use movements, postures or vocalizations for certain situations. Hence, you will easily be able to identify what a dog wants or has to say.

For pet owners, training dogs can be advantageous in many ways. For instance, they can tell when a dog behaves oddly and expect the odds for such behavior. During such a scenario, they can do something about the situation before it gets worst.

Training fosters mutual trust between a pet and their owner. It can be a means of showing your dog that you are a loving and concerned master. This can be shown through the rewards that they get whenever they do a good deed. Through this, they’ll understand how you want them to behave and will know that it will ultimately be for their own good.

Dog Games – Fun Activities for Canines

Playing is important even to dogs. Through dog games, energy levels of these creatures get stimulated. Games can also be considered to be a part of a dog’s training. Even though dogs are considered as man’s best friend, there is still that inevitable gap that makes us the human beings that we are and make them dogs the animals that they are.

Well, what I’m saying is that the way we understand a dog’s behavior is usually different from how they actually feel. In line with this, engaging our pups with games can certainly be a way for dogs and humans to foster understanding between dogs and their owners. Thus, there is a bond that is formed through these activities which will certainly be helpful for dog training activities.

In addition, there are also a number of brain boosting games for dogs which aim to strengthen a dog’s cognitive abilities. Just like humans, dog also tend to have weaker cognitive abilities as they age. Hence, exercises that are meant to keep your dogs’ minds alert is another part of letting your canines have fun.

What are some dog games to try?

Tug-of-War

Dogs have a natural urge to grab or bite things and playing tug would be great outlet for these urges. Tug-of-war would also be a good means for teaching your dog lessons such as listening to their owners. In playing this game, it is important to select a good tug toy which should usually be soft or easy to handle. Once you have the toy, you can start with the game.

Hide-and-Seek

Even dogs can take part in your hide-and-seek playing too! Interactive games like hid-and-seek can have a number of practical purposes. For instance, it can serve as both a mental and physical exercise for your dogs. This game can eventually build up your relationship with your dog due to it’s effect of making your dog appreciate your presence. It also is a means for them to strengthen their problem solving skills.

ABCs

Some animals understands a vocabulary of 200 words which means that even dogs have language-learning capabilities. You can also have your dog’s vocabulary widened through vocabulary-enhancing games. Retrieval games can be a good means of adding new words to your dog’s lexicon. You can begin by asking your dog to retrieve an item according to name and then give him a reward every time he gets it right. Whenever the wrong item is retrieved, you can repeat the command or guide your pet through helping him identify the item in question.

Significant Tips on Dog Care

фебруар 17, 2019 By liv parmel

Dogs are not merely part of family, but are very faithful and loving fellow. They stay always by your side if you are sad or happy as well as love you unconditionally.

Tips to help keep your dog healthy

The main responsibility of the owner of a dog is to give his/her dog with all it needs, for living a healthy and happy life. Below are some important dog care tips, which help you to keep your pet dog happy.

Do not switch your dog’s food abruptly

In an attempt to give their pet some variety, many owners will change brands or types of food abruptly. This usually results in a bout of diarrhea, since the animal’s intestinal tract is not used to the new food. Although this is a relatively minor illness, the owner is usually faced with a huge mess. When switching foods or adding something new it is best to do it gradually over a week to prevent GI upset.

Pancreatitis, a serious inflammation of the pancreas, can be caused by feeding the pet a large helping of a holiday meal, fatty meat trimmings, or bones. It is very painful and results in severe vomiting, diarrhea and dehydration which may require several days of hospitalization and intravenous fluid therapy.

Don’t feed dog with bones

Feeding dog with bones can lead to intestinal obstruction requiring emergency surgery, or „peritonitis“, a serious infection of the abdominal cavity that can happen if the wall of the stomach or intestines is pierced by a sharp point of the bone. Bones can also lodge in the oral cavity and obstruct eating and drinking.

Vaccinate your puppy

Parvovirus is by far the most common disease of puppies that can be prevented by vaccination. The disease is highly contagious and causes extreme weakness and severe, bloody vomiting and diarrhea. Many puppies have to be euthanized either because they are too sick to survive or their owner’s can not afford treatment which can cost hundreds of dollars.

A simple series of vaccinations starting at about 8 weeks of age and given every 2-3 weeks until the pup is 16 weeks old is very effective in preventing this serious illness and is much less expensive than a week in intensive care!

Give your pet a heartworm preventative

Heartworm disease is another example of a serious disease that is easy to prevent. It is transmitted by mosquitos. The adult worms live in and damage the right side of the heart and the arteries leading to the lungs. Treatment can be expensive and may have serious side effects. Both dogs and cats are at risk for this disease, including indoor-only pets, since mosquitoes frequently get inside of homes.

Several excellent medicines are available and are 100% effective in preventing this disease.

Restrain your pet in your vehicle

Many owners love to take their pets for car rides but have never given a thought as to what would happen if they were involved in a traffic accident. An unrestrained pet is likely to be severely injured or even ejected from the car. Seat belts for dogs are available at pet stores and may help to prevent injury.

Never let your dog lean out of an open window, it’s an accident waiting to happen

A little swerve or a quick stop will send the animal flying. Many animals have been severely injured or killed falling from a moving vehicle. Often times they break both front legs or are run over by the car behind them. It is also very dangerous to let a dog hang its head out of a partially opened window. Serious injury to the eye can occur if it were to be struck by a bug or other object.

Pet proofing in your house

Because of their inquisitive nature, many dogs are harmed by things commonly found in the house and yard. Many owners are lulled into a false sense of security because their pet is well-behaved for years on end without getting into anything. They begin to think that their pet would never misbehave.

The important message here is that if tempted, even the most well behaved animal can do something to injure itself. It only takes one time for a pet to eat something it shouldn’t and then the owner is faced with a seriously ill pet and a large vet bill. To prevent poisonings and other injuries, owners need to take the same precautions in keeping harmful items out of a pet’s reach that they would for a small child.

Dogs commonly get into the kitchen garbage pail

If ingested, items such as bones, corncobs, shish kabob skewers, and plastic food wrap can cause serious illnesses such as pancreatitis, peritonitis, or an intestinal obstruction.

Dogs also love to consume food left out on the counter or tablet or they may get into the newly purchased bag of dog food mistakenly left out of the pantry. This usually results in a bout of diarrhea and vomiting or a more serious condition such as pancreatitis.

So, before you leave your dog home alone, look around the kitchen and make sure there is nothing left out that your dog could get into, empty the trash can and securely close all cupboard doors.

Other items that dogs are commonly poisoned with include rat poison, insect baits, antifreeze, cleaners and other home chemicals, and human medications. Some owners have induced serious stomach ulceration in their dogs by giving them medicines such as ibuprofen or naproxin. Always check with your veterinarian before giving your pet any human medication.

liv parmel

How to Prevent of Dog Arthritis:

Signs of Dog Arthritis

What are the symptoms of dog arthritis:

Natural Treatments For Dog Arthritis

The simple things your dog needs:

Being part of the pack

Recommended Product:

Pet Playpens Portable Soft Dog Exercise Pen Kennel by Jespet

Exercise

Chew Toys

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Flea Control

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Dog Collar for 8 Months Continuous Flea and Tick Protection by Seresto

A Job to Do/Training and Praise

Play Time with Other Dogs

Elder Care

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Labra Canine Support Sling for Elderly or Injured Dogs

New Sights and Sounds

A Comfortable Bed

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KOPEKS Orthopedic Memory Foam Dog Bed with Pillow

Dog’s Happiness Wish List

Survival Basics

Happiness Essentials

Do Not Punish

Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Size and Appearance

Netherland Dwarfs Temperament

Netherland Dwarf Rabbits Colors

Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Facts

Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Life Span

Netherland Dwarf Rabbits Origin

Netherland Dwarf Rabbit Care

Keeping a Netherland Dwarf Rabbit in a House or Apartment

What Do Netherland Dwarf Rabbits Eat?

Improper Handling of Netherland Dwarf Rabbits

Netherland Dwarf Rabbits in Breeding Age

Where to Buy Netherland Dwarf Rabbits

Dwarf Rabbits – Holland Lop

The Basic Parrot Food

What Food is Toxic to Parrots?

Food That Parrots Love

The Most Important Parrot Food

Factors to Consider when Selecting a Hamster cage

Hamster Cage Bedding

Sectional Hamster Cages

Recommended Product:

Critterville Arcade Hamster Cage by MidWest Homes for Pets

Hamster Cages – Facts and Information

Recommended Product:

Favola Double-floor Hamster Cage by Ferplast

Burrowing Area for Your Hamster

Potty Train Your Hamster

Your Hamster Will Need Chewing Toys

Recommended Product:

Kaytee Extreme 14 Day Odor Control Hamster Bedding

Hamster Exercise

Varieties of Hamster Cages

Hamster Aquariums Cage

Plastic Hamster Cages

Barred Wire Cages with Plastic Trays

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Exotic Nutrition’s Silent Runner 9″ Hamster Exercise Wheel

Hamster Cages Things to Consider

Recommended Product:

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How To Clean A Hamster Cage

Tips You Need To Know

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Buying Your First Pet Parrot

Small or Large Parrots: Who Should Own One?

Small parrots should be chosen if you meet the following criteria:

Which small parrots would be the best choices for you?

Do you have the space to provide these important factors for your parrot?

Also, you must consider the other humans and animals in the home

Can you afford the cost of the parrot you want as well as the cage, toys, food, and medical care?