bunch of blogs: Pets and Animals

A healthy animal makes for a happy pet. If you are a cat owner and you want to make your pet happy, you need to make sure that your cat is groomed properly, fed on time and is given enough love and attention.
Here are some tips on how you can have a healthy and happy cat:
1. Take care of your cat’s health.
As a pet owner, it is your responsibility to make sure that your cat is healthy and free from diseases that may even be transmitted to humans.
Visit the veterinarian if you notice that your cat has become lethargic or less active than usual.
If you see them ’shedding’ excessively or has something unusual on their coat, immediately consult a professional.
Your cat might have a skin disease, or this could be a symptom of a sickness that you do not know about.
2. Groom your cat properly.
Cats are in the habit of grooming themselves. You will often see them using their tongue to clean their coat.
In spite of this, you should still do your part in grooming your cat if you want to keep them really clean.
Brush your cat’s fur regularly. There are several short-haired cats that need minimal brushing. For this, you can use a comb with soft bristles.
There are also cat breeds which have long, silky furs and this variety needs a much longer grooming time.
Use a wide-toothed comb initially then brush up with a fine toothed one afterwards. You can also use talcum powder in order to separate the hair strands.
Make sure that you brush with gentle strokes so that their skin will not be hurt or scratched.
Cats are also not that fond of taking a bath. But there are times when your cat would need bathing.
This is when they have accumulated a lot of dirt on the skin and coat. Bathing will help eliminate ticks and lice.
Also, there might be substances that could cling on the fur which can be poisonous and it is important for them to bathe.
When bathing your pet, use a shampoo that is specially made for cats. Prepare the following before bathing:
-a small tub or sink
-slip-proof mat
-water spray attachment
-clean, dry towels
-shampoo
-comb
Adjust the water temperature, then place your cat in the small tub or sink before filling it up with water. It is better to attach a sprayer in the faucet rather than pouring water directly onto its body. Apply a liberal amount of shampoo on the cat’s body, and try to avoid the face, especially the eyes and ears.
After rinsing, towel them dry and comb the coat. Bathing time should build trust and create some quality time between you and your pet cat.
This should prevent your cat from making much of a fuss the next time it needs a bath.
Another part of grooming is keeping the eyes, teeth and ears clean. Also remember to keep the paws clean and the nails trimmed.
Go to a pet store and you are sure to find products specially made to clean these parts. You can also look for a nail trimmer specifically designed to use on your pet cat.
Ask a professional groomer or a veterinarian so that you can learn how to properly clean your cat’s eyes, ears, teeth and nails.
3. Feed them on time.
Another aspect of keeping your cat happy and healthy is by feeding them well and on time.
Your feline friends can learn how to “stick” to a schedule with your guidance and training.
Make time in your busy day to feed them. You can learn which variety of cat food they prefer by serving different brands and variants.
Along with cat food, you should give them plenty of clean water to drink.
If you have a lot of pet cats, give them individual feeding plates.
If there is just one dish, other cats might not be fed well because dominant felines will take the most part of the food that you serve.
3. Shower them with love and attention.
By giving your cats your undivided attention while grooming and feeding them, you are already showering them with love and attention.
In addition to this, make their play time a lot more fun by appreciating the things that they do.
By following these tips, you are sure to have a healthy cat and be a contented owner.

Breeding dogs is an exciting experience. From the time a proper mate is found to the point that the puppies are born, it is crucial to take careful steps to make this successful.
Professional breeders do not breed frequently and will only do so when a pair is found to be healthy that will ensure the birth of healthy offspring.
The ideal breeder should have the pair of dogs tested for every possible disease as well as have all the information regarding the pair’s ancestors and health records on file. Should a breeder find no problem in the history of the pair, then the process can begin.
Dogs normally come into heat twice a year which is every six months. Larger dogs can come into heat every eight or ten months which usually lasts about three weeks. Vaginal bleeding is a sure sign that the dog is in heat as well as swelling in the vulva. A dog’s pregnancy or gestation period lasts between 60 to 67 days. Most dogs give birth after 63 days.
The only way to determine the stage of the dog’s pregnancy is by keeping track of time from the day of the breeding. Keeping a record of this on file is advisable for reference purposes.
Exactly three weeks after breeding, the mother must be examined to confirm the pregnancy.
The dog must be given a formulated and premium brand of dog food for the duration of the pregnancy and throughout the nursing period preferably with a strong nutritional foundation.
During pregnancy, the mother’s food consumption will almost double compared to the pre-pregnancy level so increased feeding must be given to ensure that there is enough for both the mother and the puppies.
Behavioral changes are to be expected during this time. The dog will demand far more affection or may experience a few days of vomiting.
Later on, the expectant mother will search for a secure place to deliver the puppies. Ensure that a proper place is ready when the time comes. An ideal place for an expecting mother is a box. Depending on the size of the dog, it must be spacious enough for the dog to move around and must have layers of newspaper inside it that will absorb birthing fluids. This should also have low sides for the mother to look outside and for the breeder to easily check if assistance is needed to make it easy to remove soiled papers without interrupting the mother and the newborn puppies.
Follow these steps and you should be able to count on a happy birthing process!

Bird watching used to be a popular hobby until the technology became more complicated and life has been more fast paced. Whether we are just trying to attract birds in our yard or we are going to go into the forest or to a park, bird watching needs patience and knowledge so we won’t disturb them.
When you go bird watching remember to have your bird watching kit and if you are still new to the hobby you can take along a book with pictures of birds that are common in the area where you are going to look.
The best place to observe these lovely birds is in their natural habitat; the areas where the equator lies. Hummingbirds prefer to be in a warmer temperature so expect them in the areas where it is mostly sunny.
If you want to see these birds in your yard plant some flowering plants or shrubs. Be sure to use those that are native to your area. Refrain for using insecticides because these birds love small insects which are normally found on the plants. Hummingbirds are enticed with flowers that are bell-shaped or tubular in shape. They also like flowers with very bright colors like pink and orange.
Hummingbirds commonly look for areas where they can safely place their nests without any disturbances and possible predators. Remember to be sure not to put anything that is not organic in these areas that will kill all the small creatures hummingbirds crave for.
Research before you try to select your plants. You can find books and informative pages in the World Wide Web. Turn your yard into the best sanctuary possible for your beautiful visitors and be amazed! To attract an even wider array of species, add a bird bath and provide an area where you can place bird seed and sugar water.
Make sure noise and sudden movements are avoided so they will not be scared and fly away. By using your binoculars you don’t need to go near the birds but will still be able to enjoy the sight.
Hummingbirds are beautiful birds with their color and an attraction to flowers. The only way to keep these species from decreasing in number is to keep their natural habitat in tact. Destroying their homes will result in a lesser chance of survival. If you want to see them and show them to the future generations help save their environment - our earth.

Cats look cute and adorable. That is until they start biting poor unsuspecting human beings. Cats need to be taught good behavior. A lot of biting that is done by cat is a result of uncorrected bad behavior.
Keep in mind that cats came from the wild. Even though now cats have been domesticated and live in close contact with humans, their instincts remain the same. They are born hunters and are equipped with the natural tools designed to hunt a prey.
Cats have predatory instincts
Biting is a part of a cat’s defense mechanism. They do this when they feel threatened. Since biting is a cat’s way to protect themselves, humans have to be careful that their cats don’t think they are threatening them in any way when they are playing with their cats.
Remember that cats are predatory by nature. They exhibit this trait by playfully pouncing and biting the hands and feet of their owners.
It’s important for owners not to tolerate this behavior. Otherwise, their cats will think it is acceptable.
Cat owners should not encourage their cats to think that their hands and feet are play things. A lot of cat owners who tolerate this behavior have scars to prove this unfortunate mistake.
Look for the cause
Sometimes cats exhibit bad behavior such as scratching and biting when they are ill or have an injury. They also do this when they feel anxiety or fear.
Cat owners need to pay close attention to the health of their cats. They also need to examine their cat’s environment to assess if there’s something about their surroundings that is causing their cat’s bad behavior.
Train your cat
When training a cat, owners should reward their pets for their good behavior and obedience! This encourages the cat to maintain a good attitude. You can do this by giving them treats, or showering them with affection.
Fun activities
Sometimes cats bite when they get listless. When a cat starts to scratch and bite, owners can put a stop to this by distracting the cat with a fun activity. Give the cat a toy to play with. This will get the cat’s attention, and keep the cat preoccupied.
Cats are wonderful pets to have. Not only are they clean creatures- they keep themselves clean by licking their fur. But they are also very useful. The Ancient Egyptians used to keep cats to catch rodents.
But first things first, cats need to be trained and taught the rules of the house. Luckily for cat owners, this means, no more biting!

Sure, “any old hat” will do. After all, birdwatching is not a fashion event and no birdwatcher has ever won a ‘best in hat’ category, but birdwatching is an outdoor activity. One of your most important concerns other than the birds is protection. Exposing yourself to the elements and suffering afterwards will definitely make your birdwatching unforgettable, but in a bad way.
Here are some tips in choosing a good hat for birdwatching.
Consider the climate and the weather.
Think of the location where you will be going birdwatching. If it’s just in the vicinity of your neighborhood, then that “any old hat” of yours will do. But if you will be spending a lot of time outdoors under the rays of the sun, then get the appropriate hat.
A good birdwatching hat should be lightweight with a brim for sun protection. It should always be wider than your face. If you are going to a place where there is little covering and where you will be exposed to the sun for some time, consider protection for your ears and the sides of your face. A sunscreen also affords protection, but it cannot keep the feeling of heat off your skin.
On days when it’s really bright, you could have a problem with glare so you’ll want to protect your face. A higher crown is good for better ventilation. Waterproof nylons are ideal for tropical conditions.
Color me camouflage.
An outrageous, funny hat would be very tempting for an outdoor activity, but only for humans and not for birds. Birdwatching is strictly that – watching; and when you scare birds off, what else is there to do?
Remember that you will enter the birds’ territory, even if you watch them from afar. The best hat color would be the ones that resemble mulch or dried leaves or the ground. So go for the tan, beige and dark greens.
Avoid hats that are pure white and those that come in bright colors. The best colors are earth tones. If you look like your surroundings, birds are less likely to be agitated at a sight that is familiar to them.
A hat should reflect your style and personality and birdwatching should not deter you from this goal. When you enter the territory of the birds, you are the guest and certain behavior is required so be sure to choose the appropriate hat that befits a guest in the wild.

Active immunization is the introduction into the body of killed or satisfied microorganisms or their products for the purpose of stimulating the body’s defense mechanism. This concept is also applicable to other species like the dogs.
Historically the area of veterinary medicine had not yet realized the potential benefits of vaccinations. It hasn’t been until recently, that veterinary experts formulated certain solutions so as to combat the alarming increase of death in digs. Namely, most of the causes are viral infection.
With the inception of vaccinations, many dogs were saved from probable death brought about by many diseases like leptospirosis, hepatitis, upper respiratory infections, and parvovirus.
Like humans, dogs need vaccinations even at an early age. That is why it is important to immunize puppies so that they will survive until they are fully grown.
Basically, puppies get their immunity from their mother’s milk, which is also the same as that of human beings. However, these immunities tend to lose their effects by the time the puppies are already 6 to 20 weeks old. It is during this time that they have to be immunized.
Hence, in order to protect the puppies against infectious diseases, it is best to give them their shots and they should be re-immunized after 3 to 4 weeks. In this way, the puppies will be able to endure any infectious disease that may come their way.
Rabies and Immunization
Rabies is an acute and almost invariably fatal disease communicated to man through the saliva of a rabid animal, usually dogs, foxes, squirrels, and bats.
Dogs, fortunately, always present evidence of the disease before becoming infective. The etiologic agent is an ultramicroscopic virus present in the saliva and the central nervous system.
The course of rabies in dogs is characterized by an incubation period of 20 to 30 days. This is followed by a period of excitement, when the animal becomes vicious. The excitement stage may be evident at all or may be entirely absent. Paralysis then develops, first involving the hind legs and thereafter becoming general. Death occurs within 10 days following the first symptom.
Alternatively, the effects of rabies in human beings can be fatal as it is with dogs. Hence, in order to avoid these problems, it is best to have your dogs vaccinated with anti-rabies shots.
Rabies vaccines can be given during the 16th to the 26th week of the puppies. This requires a follow up shot one year after for total protection.
On the other hand, dog owners should take note that not all vaccinations will generate adverse effects on their dogs. So, it is best to always observe your dog after vaccination. When certain reactions occur like vomiting, facial swelling, or trembling, it is best to discuss these matters immediately with your veterinarian.
Moreover, certain precautions should also be made when the age of the dogs are taken into consideration. For some guides regarding this matter, here are some tips:
1. The age of puppies
It is best to consider the puppies age before subjecting them to their shots.
For puppies that are 4 to 20 weeks old, their first shots should be given during their 6th to 8th weeks of age. The last shots shall be given on the 14th to 16th week of age. These date apply to all primary vaccines.
For rabies, puppies should be 16 to 26 weeks old.
2. For dogs that are 20 weeks old up to 2 years old
During this age, dogs should have received their booster shots already. This is essential so as to lengthen the immunity of the vaccines in the dog’s system. At this stage, additional vaccines are recommended for added protection such as vaccines against bordetella and other newer vaccines.
3. For dogs that are older than 2 years
By this time, the dogs should have been through with their booster shots. What comes next is the annual revaccination. These kinds of vaccines are still recommended so as to lengthen their protection against certain diseases.
The bottom line is that vaccinations are extremely important to your dog’s life. Like the way it functions in human beings, vaccines are needed in order to protect the dogs from imminent risk of acquiring diseases brought about by viruses.
With dog vaccines, you can be assured that your dog will be at its peak of health for a longer period of time, free from any life-threatening diseases. Indeed, with vaccines every life is lengthened.

Taking care of a cat can both be a rewarding and frustrating experience.
The rewarding part is coming home to a cute, furry little creature whose antics can bring a smile to your face.
The frustrating part is trying to house-train and litter train them.
You can get over the frustrating part by starting them young.
Once you have a kitten that you plan to take home as a pet, you may start house-training them. Crate training is one of the most effective ways to do this.
Cats can be your best friend for life if you just care for them properly.
If you will train them at a young age, they will learn to follow “house rules” and not litter on your bed or scratch your furniture with their claws.
A cat needs proper care, time and attention. Here are some tips on how you can use crate-training work to your advantage:
1. Remember that crate training will take some time.
You need all the time and patience that you can muster as a cat owner to fully train a cat. This is why you have to start out while they are young.
Familiarize them with what they can and cannot do using the crate.
If you take your cat along with you when you travel and you are in a place where pets are not allowed to roam around freely, put them in a crate.
This would let your cat know that being outside is not that safe, so your pet will be content to stay inside the crate.
2. Select the perfect crate for your feline friend.
There are some materials that cats love to scratch with their claws. This would make the time that they spend in the crate more bearable despite being confined.
There are metal and plastic crates that your cat can fit into. Make sure that it can move freely when inside. Also, you can put your cat’s favorite toy in the crate, like a ball of yarn or a small stuffed toy.
3. Crate-train your pet cat slowly, but surely.
Start by spending time with them while inside the crate. Then you can introduce your cat to eating food inside the crate. Do not worry if they do not respond positively the first time, as they will get used to it eventually.
Later on, they will learn to spend time in the crate when you are not at home or during the night.
The key here is to not let your cat feel frustrated inside the crate and spend enough time with them to make them feel loved and cared for.

Adopting exotic pets isn’t as easy as taking home a puppy or a kitten. Exotic pets tend to have different needs both physically and legally. If you’re looking to adopt an exotic pet in your home, then here are some tips to help you avoid the snags most owners run into.
1. Legal. Some pets are illegal to keep in some states. Monkeys, tigers, certain birds, and others may be outlawed in certain areas. And, while some of these animals may be allowed in a household, they could be under strict provisions.
It would be best if you consulted with your local government to find out whether the animal you’re trying to adopt is legally allowed in your state. If so, find out about all the paperwork you will need for the pet, and find out about the provisions regarding its care.
Make sure you follow all the paperwork to a tee. This way you can prevent unnecessary run-ins with the local government -not to mention the ire of your neighborhood.
2. Physical needs of your animals. Exotic animals have exotic needs. You will need to keep this in mind when you adopt an animal. Study the background of the pet you’re trying to adopt before consummating the adoption. Dogs, cats and other household pets are all acclimated to urban living. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for most exotic animals.
You’ll at least have to give them an alternative to their natural habitat. This could cost a lot of money make sure you are willing to commit to this amount of effort and money. Also, you have to consider their diet - alligators, tigers, and other natural predators are hard to keep in captivity. You will have to make sure they get their dietary needs, and their space needs before considering adopting them.
3. The place of purchase. If you browse the Internet you’ll be surprised at the number of online pet shops now available. You will want to do a background check on fees shops before purchasing from them. This is because it would be best to adopt your exotic pet from reputable sources.
4. Health. You’ll also want subject your exotic pet to a physical exam to find out whether it is in good shape. Adopting a sick animal may exacerbate its condition. You really don’t want to cause these animals more harm than needed. Also, make sure that these animals don’t possess any life-threatening and communicable disease. Exotic animals can be carriers of different viruses, and bacteria. So make sure the veterinarian gives it a good bill of health.

A glass aquarium and water aren’t enough when taking care of fish. This is because these creatures don’t feel comfortable in the new environment compared to the kind in the wild so you should do something about it.
The best way to make it friendlier is by introducing some plants. It doesn’t matter if this is made of plastic or these are live because it makes the fish feel secure and less stressed which also serves as a good hiding place.
But people are advised to try live plants over artificial ones. This isn’t for aesthetic purposes but to serve as a filter and maintain the quality of the water. In fact, the poop that comes out of the fish serves as food helping the plants grow.
Plants are also important because studies have shown that it promotes reproduction among the fish. This is a good place for the female fish to lay the eggs until it is time for these to hatch and join the others in the aquarium.
Not all plants can be placed inside the aquarium for the obvious reason that too much water can kill it. Beginners should choose the Java Moss or the Java Fern that are considered to be the strongest since it can survive the highest pH values that are harmful to most fish.
If these aren’t available, the customer should ask the sales clerk for any other alternatives that can be used. Fortunately, not all are green so it wouldn’t hurt to try a different color.
Science class has taught us that plants grow through the process known as photosynthesis. Getting direct sunlight of course can only do this but since this is harmful for the fish, the use of fluorescent tubes can satisfy this need.
Aside from taking care of the fish, you should also pay close attention to the plants because some parts may die and should be removed from the aquarium.
Everyone has to remember that the aquarium serves as an artificial eco-system similar to the one that fish live in the wild. You should do whatever it takes to make this transition easy so that these creatures will be able to grow and even reproduce.
Before you know it, this might mean buying another aquarium to accommodate the additional guests which means buying more plants to occupy the vacant space.

If dog is man’s best friend, then cats are a man’s caprice.
Aside from being expensive, purebred cats are difficult to care for as they require their owner’s love and attention. Cats are like babies, because they need to be fed, sometimes bathed, combed, played with and cared for.
Cats are best bought from responsible cat breeders. Hobbyists choose to own purebred cats because their temperaments are more predictable than cats with unknown pedigrees.
If you are getting a cat from a cat breeder, ask him about the number of cat breeds that he has so you can choose from them. Also, ask him how many years he has been breeding cats and whether he can give you a health guarantee and complete papers for the cat.
Top cat breeds
If you want to show off your cat then it is best to choose from among the top five cat breeds throughout the world.
1. Persian-Persian cats are called Persian for their country of origin. Persians have a long coat, sweet personality and have the ability to blend into the household. These are the qualities that made Persians one of the top choices of cat lovers. However, its long coat requires daily combing to avoid tangles.
2. Maine Coon-These are long-haired cats with good mouse hunting skills. These cats are good companions for children.
3. Exotic-This breed can offer you the better of two worlds. The Exotic cat has the look of a Persian cat, but it has short hair, making it easy to groom. They look like teddy bears with their thick and short coats. These cats are sweet and good companions like the Persians.
4. Siamese-Siamese cats originally came from Siam or Thailand. This cat possesses an aristocratic head, looks almost like a deer because of it’s stiff ears, and has a short coat. Siamese cats have long bodies, long legs and long necks.
5. Abyssinian-These cats are very elegant-looking, much like the cats portrayed in Egyptian sculptures. Abyssinia is the former name of Ethiopia. However, Abyssinian cats did not originate in Ethiopia. They got the name because the first cats of Abyssinian breed, which were exhibited in England, were from Abyssinia.
No matter what your choice of a cat breed is, make sure that your cat is healthy and that it has already been weaned. The ideal age to get a kitten is about 14 weeks, when their immune systems are already developed.