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January 30th, 2009 by KittyKitty

Turtles have always fascinated many people in many ways. Their physical features, behavior and potential life expectancy attract numbers of people to see these unbelievable reptiles.

Taking on turtles as pets is said to be very satisfying. Owning turtles has been practiced by many cultures long ago. In some countries, little ones and hatchlings are caught and sold as home pets. Children and grown ups alike are both seen engaged in the care of them.

What are turtles and how do they reproduce?

A turtle is the one and only reptile with a protective shell. Turtles are present in nearly all warm areas of the world. Most of them thrive on land and freshwater while few frequent in salt waters. The land dwelling kinds are most often known as tortoise while water dwelling ones may be called terrapins.

The turtles body, both organs and backbones, are inside in the shell, giving protection to its head, neck, and limbs. As a turtle grows, the materials overlap the shell perimeter making it even harder. The shell is often strong enough to support 200 times a turtle’s weight.

It is known that turtles have a very long life-span, with some having reached 100 years or more. In some species, shell appearance may indicate a turtle’s age. Reproduction cycle involves courting and mating of sexes, fertilization, egg-laying and hatching by females (which normally happens once a year).

A Turtles primary nutrition comes from both plants and animals. Its natural diet may consist of fish, earthworms, snails, tadpoles, leafy greens and other numerous aquatic plants.

Studies have proven that turtles are smart creatures and possess sensitive senses. They can feel vibrations and can see patterns and colors. Their sense of smell appears good at close range especially when determining types of good, though their sense of sight is poor in some species.

Are most turtles good pets?

Since 1971, the United States has banned selling turtles which measures less than four inches long. Turtles are commonly known to carry Salmonella bacteria which when coming in contact with humans may cause death. An example is a case in 2007 where a 4-year old baby in Florida died and it was linked to salmonella from a small turtle.

Turtles can be good pets but caution must be taken when choosing and caring for them. Wash your hands before and after touching them. Refrain from bringing the turtle too close to any of your body parts especially the mouth. And try to keep it in one area as to not spread possible infections around your home.

Finally, the caring of turtles can be complicated, but the efforts can be very rewarding. Turtles, just like dogs and cats, can recognize their caretakers. When trained, they can follow simple instructions and develop habits. They’re said to be playful and loyal.

There are many reasons to check a persons morality, especially if you need to trust someone with your health, money or life (such as a pet store owner or doctor). Looking for divorce records or maybe you’d like to check someone’s criminal history? This information could reflect the way a person does business. You can never be too cautious.

P.S. For the other pet tips – house training dogs info – visit this blog.

January 29th, 2009 by KittyKitty

Could that dog in the shelter be a Miniature Poodle? Recognizing a Poodle type dog is a lot more than just looking at what clip their coat is in. Most Miniature Poodles in shelters or breed rescues are not in the fancy show clips. But there are still ways to recognize a Miniature Poodle. The Humane League of the United States estimates that twenty-five percent of all abandoned animals are purebreds. So, the odds of that shelter dog being a purebred Miniature Poodle are pretty high.

No Miniature Poodle will fulfill every requirement of the breed standard. If you are not sure what the Miniature Poodle breed standard is, even the one for Standard Poodles (the big guys) will suffice. They are identical except for size. A Miniature Poodle is between eleven and fifteen inches tall at the shoulder. They should ideally weigh from fifteen to seventeen pounds, but the shelter dog will most likely be less or more than that.
The best way to compare the shelter dog and the Miniature Poodle breed standard is to look at the dog’s profile. The head should have a rounded or more domes top of the skull than most other breeds of dogs. The muzzle should be lean and somewhat pointed. The teeth should meet in a scissors bite. They eyes should be dark brown, but lighter shades of brown do occur. The ears should be floppy, rounded at the end and stay close to the head.

The topline, or the spine, of the Miniature Poodle should be level, with the legs all evenly proportioned to the body. The head and tail are naturally held high. Some Miniature Poodles will have docked tails – some won’t. Some will have dewclaws, and some won’t. When they trot normally, they should have a noticeable bounce in their step. A shelter dog might be too scared to walk normally for you, though.
All official Poodle information says that the Miniature Poodle is solid colored only, but pet quality animals may have two colors on the same body. Their trot is lively and they seem to always be looking around for admirers. This is a dog that loves the paparazzi (or should I say, pupperazzi?) Poodle types are considered the second most intelligent dog breed in the world, just after the Border Collie.

Their coats are actually hair and not fur, which makes Poodle types great for those with dog allergies. The coat never seems to stop growing, and grooming demands for Miniature Poodles are high. You will have to go to the groomer at least ten times a year in order to keep the miniature Poodle’s coat under control (and sanitary). They don’t seem to care whatever clip they are given. Miniature Poodles are long lived (some have reached twenty) and is one of the more healthy breeds of smaller dogs available.

Most good breeders have studied the history and characteristics of Poodle types for many years. You can get really good Poodle information from your vet, a good breeder or at any AKC competition.

January 29th, 2009 by KittyKitty

When you are thinking of adopting a pound puppy or an older puppy from a shelter, you might come across a pup that is built a lot like a Pomeranian, but is a strange color. Or perhaps the color looks great on the dog, but you are told that no Pomeranians come in that color that are breed standard. If you want a Pomeranian, you have found a good puppy. You’ve just found an exotic Pomeranian puppy as opposed to a standard Pomeranian puppy.

The colors of exotic Pomeranian puppies will be strange shades of gray and brown that you can’t find matches for in official Pomeranian information from clubs, the American Kennel Club or dog books. The most spectacular color that exotic Pomeranian puppies come in is blue merle. Blue merle is a normal color on some breeds like the rough and smooth Collies or the Shetland Sheepdog, but for some reason is frowned on in Pomeranians.
Exotic Pomeranian puppies will still be built like standard Pomeranian puppies, no matter what their coat color. Since the Humane League of the United States says that one quarter of all abandoned pets are purebreds, the chances are good that your suspected exotic Pomeranian puppy is a purebred. This will help you determine what the strengths and weaknesses of your potential puppy are. You also will be better prepared for medical problems later on.

Exotic Pomeranian puppies will most likely be abandoned due to no fault of their own. Due to their small size, they (like most toy dogs) are difficult to housetrain. Tiny bladders mean they cannot hold that much. Some have been successful in training exotic Pomeranian puppies to use a litter box. Their coats shed a lot, and molt twice a year. At four to five months of age, exotic Pomeranian puppies can look quite scraggly. These coats need daily grooming, or else they get unsanitary quickly.
Exotic Pomeranian puppies are delicate, almost to the point of ridiculousness. They can be killed by jumping from your arms to the floor or by simply being stepped on. You need to always be aware of where such a creature is. Chihuahuas are tougher than a Pomeranian. Cats are tougher than a Pomeranian. Most breeds of rabbits are tougher than a Pomeranian. But if you don’t plan to do any roughhousing and have a patient nature, then a Pomeranian can make a great friend.

Exotic Pomeranian puppies are wary of strangers, having been bred to guard their people. They may not jump up to the bars of their cage, wagging away, at the shelter. They usually cower in the back. You need to win their trust and friendship, which is usually pretty easy to do. Pomeranians cannot resist being adored, and a slow, steady person will soon have a bundle of exotic Pomeranian puppy in their laps.

All Pomeranian types make great companions. The more Pomeranian information you learn the better prepared you will be to raise one.

January 29th, 2009 by KittyKitty

The American Kennel Association (AKC) recognizes pure breeds such as the Shih Tzu and allows them to compete if they meet breed standards. Pure breeds are defined as “ of or belonging to a recognized strain established by breeding individuals of unmixed heritage over many generations.” Shih Tzu purebred dogs have many characteristics that will be listed later in this article. It is important to note that all purebred dogs have a pedigree and a lineage that can be traced. Pure breeds are inbred to retain selective genetic traits of the breed.

Standard Shih Tzu dogs are classified as “toy dogs” because of their weight and height. Shih Tzu dogs are smaller than other dog breeds recognized by the AKC. Even so, some breeders have bred Shih Tzu to be even smaller in size. Smaller-sized, or Teacup Shih Tzu, are not allowed in AKC competition because they do not meeting the minimum breed standard for Shih Tzu height and weight. However, other groups such as the National Canine Association and Chinese Imperial Dog Club of America recognize Teacup Shih Tzu, or Chinese Imperial Dogs.
The Shih Tzu is believed to have descended from cross breeding the Lhasa Apso and Pekingese. The Shih Tzu dates back at least to the 17th century and possibly as much as 2000 years. These dogs have an illustrious history. Initially bred by Tibetan monks, Shih Tzu were referred to as “Lion Dogs” and were deemed holy. Later, they became the pets of Chinese emperors. Shih Tzu were recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1969 and have won a record-breaking number of AKC competitions since that time. Though Teacup Shih Tzu dogs are smaller than breed standard, they are still referred to as Chinese Imperial Dogs due to their illustrious history.

The American Kennel Club has certain breed standards, which dogs of each breed must have in order to compete. Shih Tzu must weigh between nine and sixteen pounds, must be between eight and eleven inches in height, and must have a compact body with any color combination of long, silky fur. Facial hair must be gathered in a topknot out of the eyes. The eyes are dark with very little of the white showing. The AKC even has breed standards for temperament. Shih Tzu must be happy, outgoing, friendly, and trusting.
A Teacup Shih Tzu is a smaller, even more adorable version of a standard Shih Tzu. Purebred themselves, Teacups may have the same pedigree of other Shih Tzu. They do not meet American Kennel Club breed standards however due to their substandard height and weight, and are not allowed to compete or register as a separate breed. Other organizations have registered the Teacup Shih Tzu under the name Chinese Imperial Dog, recognizing their documented ancestry and setting breed standards for this smaller version of the Shih Tzu.

Teacup Shih Tzu have all the characteristics of standard Shih Tzu such as dark, expressive eyes, happy, trusting temperament, and long, silky coat. Differences are most noticeably in size. The Teacup Shih Tzu weighs only four to seven pounds and stands less than nine inches tall when full grown. Many Teacups are also bred to increase the cuteness factor, and may have shorter noses, rounder, more baby doll-like faces, and shorter backs.

It is important to know the breed characteristics of Shih Tzu to differentiate them from Teacup Shih Tzu and other Shih Tzu mixed breeds. Teacup Shih Tzu information is provided in this article.

January 29th, 2009 by PetGuru

Cats often compete with Dogs for their position as the favorite pet animal to humans; they are regarded as useful, sweet creatures that delight their owners. Cats are small domesticated animals that have gained popularity for their intelligence and their ability to follow simple commands once trained, and their capacity to catch and destroy vermin, more specifically rats. You can find multiple cat varieties with contrasting color, fur type and of course size originating out of natural interbreeding or human intervened breeding.

The African Wild Cat is believed to be the closes pre-domesticated of cats and present day cats still carry innately wild characteristics like being carnivorous and instinctive in hunting, known to hunt over a thousand species for food. Humans have lived in close association with cats for decades now, which started from the ancient Egyptians, Chinese and Vikings, who in many ways have revered the cat, even placing them in high regard over other animals both domesticated and wild.
Cat-Aloguing Cats
Common cats are referred to as toms, while female cats as queens; pedigreed, purebred or show cats, on the other hand, are referred to as sires and dams for male and female cats respectively. Purebred and pedigreed cats both have recorded ancestries; purebred, however, have a long-lineage of only one cat variety or breed, while pedigreed cats may have ancestors of different, mostly new breeds. Breeding different cat varieties are subject to strict rules of cat registries and associations that study, regulate and assess the compatibility of varieties to come up with better offspring, both in terms of health and appearance.
Domestic longhairs, shorthairs, random-bred and mongrels are some terms that refer to cats with mixed ancestry that vary from one country to the next. Most of the cat population the world over is comprised of random-bred felines, with purebreds only totaling to less than ten percent of the feline population. Domestic cats, in general, have been classified by Carolus Linnaeus as Felis catus back in the 17th century as the domestic sub-species of the wild cat family.
Cats commonly weigh anywhere between two to seven kilograms with some breeds such as the Maine Coon weighing over ten kilograms. As a result of overeating, some of the bigger cat varieties can weigh more than twenty kilograms but are considered by veterinarians as unhealthy and more susceptible to illnesses, ailments and diseases. Further, there are also adult smaller cats that weigh less than two kilograms but are not classified as miniature varieties but are only considered as smaller, underweight cats and are considered underweight or unhealthy.

January 29th, 2009 by KittyKitty

Labrador Retrievers are among the most common dogs to be surrendered to shelters. Sadly, this is a trend that is easily avoidable, but usually is not. There are two most frequent reasons that the populations of Labrador rescue centres are growing daily. The owners of these dogs give them up because of their energy, or because of their poor behavior as a result of lack of training. Other people simply discover that they do not have the time to pay attention to their adopted dogs. Labrador Retrievers are energetic and enthusiastic dogs, and many owners cannot learn to control them, so they choose to take them to animal shelters so someone else can deal with them.

Another reason why Labradors in shelters are growing more numerable is due to abuse. It is a sad fact, but animal abuse is become more and more common these days. In past years it was much easier for a Labrador to find a good home. Now, it is much more difficult to find good and supportive homes for these animals.
If you’re interested in adopting a Labrador from a rescue centre, it’s important to know that it may not be easy. The thing to remember is this: if you’re patient and devoted, you will have gained a very special friend in the end. It’s a labor of love. Labradors are naturally energetic and need lots of exercise in addition to any special needs caused by previous abuse and neglect.

Choosing the right rescue centre can make all the difference sometimes. Sadly, many rescue centres are little better than the homes that these wayward animals have come from in the first place. It’s important to look for animal shelters that are staffed by loving and attentive individuals. Many Labradors have developed distrust or aggression towards humans because they were abused in the past. Look for animal shelters that spend time with their animals, and also have the facilities to give them the medical attention that they need.
There are many mistakes that prospective Labrador adopters can make. The most common of these is expecting love at first sight in the Labrador rescue centre. Many of the Labradors in rescue centres have come from abusive homes, and it might take some time before they learn to trust you. Don’t expect too much of them right away, and don’t be discouraged if things don’t go smoothly at first. The worst thing you can do is give up too early. Take the time to make sure your Labrador becomes comfortable in its new surroundings before you introduce young children, other pets or training.

It can be a lot of work, but be assured that it will be well worth it in the end. Things might not go smoothly at first, but if you are patient and loving towards your adopted Labrador, they will become a very loyal, very special friend.

Finding the right Labrador rescue centre goes a long way towards making an adoption successful. Good Labrador information will prepare you for the needs of your pet.

January 28th, 2009 by KittyKitty

Shopping online is far more common these days than ever before. More people all the time are doing their shopping online. The reasons for this are simple. It is extremely convenient to hop on a website and see if they have what you want or need. If you don’t like the price, or they don’t have what you want you can look elsewhere. Good online stores like blingblingpuppy.com are not only easy to find what you are looking for, but the prices are good too. Not to mention that there is a great variety of stuff for dogs if you are looking for that kind of stuff. You can also count on a secure transaction on this site. All in all it is a great online shopping experience.

January 28th, 2009 by KittyKitty

Moving can be a stressful experience for anybody. usually, it is more stressful for a animal than human. Depending of the distance, you will need to decide whether you want to board your animal on a plane, use local moving services, long distance moving services, or even better you’re going on a road trip with Buddy. If you decide to go with the moving services, consider asking feedback from people who had previously used services to move their animals. Do some research on the Internet! You want the best people to handle your very best friend. If you need to board your animal on a plane, contact the airline at least 6-months in advance. Some airlines only allow one pet on each plane and believe me this spot gets full in a heart-beat.

If you choose option 2 and 3, you might want to accustom your animal to car travel before the big day. Start with short trips around town. Don’t forget to reward your animal at the end of each trip. Your animal needs to learn that car trips are fun!

Regardless of the means of travel, you need a clean bill of health from your vet. Make sure your dog’s vaccination is up to date. Gather information from the state/country you’re going to relocate to. Some countries require dogs to be rabies vaccinated at least 30-days before crossing the border. If you’re planning to board your animal at any time, the Bordatella vaccine is important for kennel cough prevention. Finally, if you’re entering an area where ticks are present, consider about getting your animal a Lyme vaccine. Ask your vet if it is necessary to sedate your animal if it is going to be one of those far-away moves.

Regardless of the distance, you need to develop a moving plan for your animal. This includes:

- Identification: If your animal ever gets away, having a proper identification will help Buddy come home sooner
- Crate: You might want to consider getting one of those heavy-duty plastic travel crates for your dog’s well being. Make sure that your animal has enough room to stand up and stretch.
- Food and water: You don’t want to have to switch to a different brand of food because you run out in the middle of your trip for this may cause unnecessary stress for your animal. You don’t even know if clean water is available along the way. So the moral of the story is: bring enough food and water.
- Your dog’s blanket and favorite toys: Well, animals are just like children; bringing his favorite toy and blankie will once again reduce your dog’s stress level.
- Leash and collar: Having these handy is always a good idea.
- Veterinary record: You never know when you might need them.

Plan these things carefully so that you may make smooth transitions from your old to new residence. After all, moving should be a fun experience for you and your four-legged buddy!

January 28th, 2009 by KittyKitty

There are so many things to keep in mind when you are planning to move to a new house, it is easy to forget to plan for the care of your animals. While an in-town move can make pet care as easy as a ride in the back seat, a long distance move involves a range of problems. Fortunately these can all be avoided with a bit of thinking. Here are my recommendations based on the experience of several relocations across the U.S.

The first problems appear before you even hit the road! Things can be chaotic during a relocation, with stacks of boxes and disassembled furniture throughout the house. These piles are tempting for an animal to sniff around, so take care to keep stacks of boxes low enough to be stable (no more than three standard banker’s boxes high) and avoid balancing objects on the ledge of countertops where a curious dog nose could knock them off.

If your pet is an escape artist (which is certainly the case with Sparky), make sure people know to keep an eye on him to keep him from going out a door that is propped open. Better yet, set up a place for your pet in an area that has already been cleared and close the door before you even go to the truck rental place. That will keep them in the house and out of the way.

As you load your moving truck rental, remember to set aside some food, water, waste bags, and leash, then load them toward the end so it is in an easily accessible location. That way you don’t have to dig through half the truck to feed the dog when you stop. This leads us to our next topic: planning stops.

You will be making three types of stops during a long-distance move: gas, food, and lodging. It is fairly easy to find a pet-friendly gas station, i.e. one where there is a nearby planting strip for him to sniff around. Plan dining stops in areas where you can either bring your pet and sit outside, or park your car in a location where you can see each other. Lodging can be the trickiest part. There are plenty of pet-friendly proprietors, but it is a lot easier to find them ahead of time than when you are on the road, so save some hassle and call ahead.

Try to remember these tips when moving with furry friends:
1) Make sure they are shut in a bedroom (or crate) before you start loading the truck rentals for moving.
2) Pack food and water so that is easilyquickly accessible when you stop.
3) Plan stops that allow places for walks.
4) Eat outside or with a line of sight to your car
5) Arrange pet-friendly lodging if you are driving for more than one day.

January 28th, 2009 by PetGuru

Did you know that up to 1.5 percent of all cats in the US are plagued with feline urinary problems? That’s a lot of cats.

Your cat may suffer from an uncomfortable cat bladder infection, or his life may be threatened by a cat urinary blockage. An an informed cat owner, you should always be on the lookout for cat urinary problems.

Is There A Difference Between FUS And FLUTD?

Many cat owners are confused, and rightfully so, over the terms used to describe cat urinary problems. FLUTD is an acronym that stands for Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease. FLUTD used to be known as FUS, or Feline Urologic Syndrome. Feline Urologic Syndrome has been renamed as Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease to reflect that most of the urinary problems in cats happen in the lower urinary tract, which includes the bladder and urethra.

Overview Of Feline Urinary Disease

There are many different aspects to feline urinary problems. Here’s a quick overview of a few different conditions that can affect your cat’s urinary tract.

• Cystitis is an inflammation of your cat’s bladder.
• If your cat’s urethra is inflamed, he has urethritis.
• Idiopathic cystitis means that the cause of the bladder inflammation is not known.
• Bladder stones in cats often occur as a result of feline urinary crystals.
• if your kitty has a tumor in his bladder, it can cause problems, too.

You can see that it’s important to pinpoint what’s causing your cat’s urinary tract problems in order to treat his condition successfully.

Symptoms of Cat Urinary Problems

No matter what’s causing the feline urinary tract problems, your cat will show these symptoms:

• Bloody urine
• Urinating in places other than his litter box
• Urinating often, but passing only small amounts of urine
• Straining to urinate, or not being able to pass urine at all
• Crying out in pain in the litter box

Any of these symptoms should be enough for you to take your cat to the vet for a check-up.

What Your Vet Will Do

Your vet will examine your cat and feel his bladder to see how full it is. The vet will also want to do a urinalysis to check for infection or feline urinary crystals, and may want to do a cat urine culture to see if bacteria are present. If your kitty’s bladder is distended, that indicates a cat urinary blockage, and your vet may want to take x-rays or do an ultrasound to look for feline bladder stones.

To Prevent Feline Urinary Disease With These Simple Steps?

There are many steps cat owners can take to prevent their cats from developing feline urinary tract problems. The most important thing you can do is to feed a high-quality canned food. Cats are supposed to get most of their water from their food.

A cat who eats only dry food is usually chronically dehydrated, which leads to his urine becoming concentrated. And concentrated urine can lead to cat bladder stones, and a whole host of problems that goes along with them.

Be sure your cat always has access to plenty of clean, fresh water, too.

Think about giving your cat a natural remedy for pets that supports feline bladder health. Herbal extracts of barberry and uva ursi, along with the homeopathic remedies Cantharis and Staphysagria, are safe and effective for feline bladder problems. These natural treatments have been used for many years to treat bladder infections in humans, and they work just as well in cats.

Your goal now? To make sure your cat doesn’t become a statistic suffering from feline urinary problems.

Visit Natural Pet Urinary Health to learn how to prevent feline urinary problems, and find the best place to buy herbal pet remedies.