Owning a pet, whether it is a bird, a cat, a dog maybe a gold fish could be a rewarding and exciting experience. Pets can bring you much love and joy and they can be great company for you, and also a great learning curve for children learning how to take care of their very own pet. But it's really important that you understand how to look after your pet, which is where pet care tips can come in extremely helpful.
It does not matter what type of animal that you own, all of them need care and love to some degree, however some animals can be a little less complicated to care for than others. If you have got a goldfish, then here are some important pet care tips for taking care of your fish in order that it has a contented and active life :
Always make sure that you have a tank or a bowl that is big enough for your fish. If you have more than one fish, then you'll need a larger bowl. And don't forget, fish grow just like every other animal so when they become too large you need to get them a larger living environment.
A very important pet care tip when it comes to fish and goldfish is that you should not over feed them. Fish aren't like us, they don't know when they're hungry and may continue to eat even if you give them too much. Try to feed your fish around two times each day and only splatter a finger full of food on the top of the water this is lots for a goldfish.
Another significant pet care tip for goldfish is to always keep the tank or bowl clean. Scum can build up on the glass and the water can get truly dirty, so it is crucial that you clean your goldfish bowl at least once a week.
Remember fish aren't the same as cats and dogs and other pets, they shouldn't be handled as they're cold blooded animals and the heat from your hands can end up slaughtering them.Here are some vital pet care tips that you need to remember when it comes to caring for a new cat or kitten :
Pussies and kittens need a lot of attention and taking care of, that said a pussy can be pretty self acceptable and will spend lots of time going out on his own. It's very important that you confirm your pussy-cat is well looked after, make sure that he has a collar with and ID tag on it just in case he becomes lost.
A very important pet care tip to recollect is that pussies need check ups just like you and me, so you must make sure you take your cat to see a vet continually for injections to protect against disease when they're outside. Click here : holistic pet care and natural pet food for more information.
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Dogs communicate using a complex "language", based on physical cues. Learn to understand this language and you'll develop a much better understanding of your dog's needs, wants, and moods. You'll also give your dog training efforts a serious boost, as you'll be communicating on a level your dog readily understands.
Unfortunately, no-one has yet written a handy reference guide, but by following the guidelines set out below you'll quickly be up to speed on what your dog is trying to tell you.
Here are some of the most common dog language cues you'll need to know.
Standing Still – When a dog suddenly stops moving and stands very still, he's indicating to you that he wants to be left alone. He may also do this if he's standing guard over some or other possession. You may also see this behavior if a dog is given a treat while there are other dogs around.
Exposing his Teeth – Dogs seldom attack without warning. They may growl, raise their hackles, and posture. And if all else fails, they'll show their teeth as a final warning that they're about to attack. The best thing to do is to back down.
Growling – Growling is a dog's way of telling you to back off. If you refuse to do so, you'll hear the growl rise in intensity as the dog works himself up for an attack.Dog owners often shout at the dog, or punish him for growling. This is the worst thing you can do. Growling is a warning and if the dog is not allowed to growl he may just bite.
Raising the Hackles – The hackles refer to a ridge of hair that runs down the center of the back. A dog that is frightened will often raise his hackles to try and make himself look bigger. Be aware that there is often more risk of a bite from a frightened dog, than from an aggressive one.
Tucking the tail between the legs – A classic sign of fear or timidity, but can also mean the dog is anxious. This may have any number of causes, the owner leaving the house for instance, or the dog being introduced to a stranger.
Putting the head down – This can have a number of meanings. It could be a submissive behavior where the dog tries to avoid eye contact, or it could be an invitation to play.
Raising a Paw – This is a friendly gesture meaning, "let's be friends".
Wagging the tail – The tail is one of the dog's most important communication devices, and the one that is most often misinterpreted. A common belief is that a wagging tail suggests happiness, but this is only true if the tail is being wagged loosely.If the tail is moving in rapid, short, side to side flicks, it means that that dog is agitated, while a tail that is wagged while being held between the legs indicates fear, or uncertainty.
In the canine world, body language will always carry more weight than words. Yes, a dog may learn voice commands, but they will always be secondary to posture and movement.
Learn to interpret their language and you'll understand your dog that much better.
Learn more about dog training tips, dog care, information on dogs and other interesting dog information at www.dogsanddogtraining.com
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Dogs have been our closest companions for over 15 000 years. However, it was not until 150 years ago that someone had the idea to produce a food specifically for dogs. And this early venture into commercializing dog food was hardly a runaway success. It was only after WWII that people really bought into the idea of buying food specifically for their dogs.
So what were dogs fed for the thousands of years before then? The truth is they were pretty much left to scrounge or hunt for their own meals. Occasionally, they may have been thrown a bone from the master’s table or given a treat by a kindly soul.
As dogs became more popular as pets, they would have been fed more regular meals by their human guardians. These meals though would still have been table scraps, perhaps supplemented by some dry or tinned dog food.
With the advent of the information age, there has been an explosion of television programs, websites and magazines about dogs. People have become more informed about dog nutrition, and more concerned about dog health.
There have been volumes written on canine nutrition, as well as the introduction of premium and super premium dog food brands. Add to that things like the raw dog food diet and it's easy to see why the average person can become quite confused about the best food for their dog.
So, what is the best food to feed a dog?
Well, depending on who you listen to, it could be anything from raw meat and vegetables, cooked homemade meals, or a premium, vet-approved brand of kibble.
The important thing is balance. Dogs are omnivores, and they need to be fed a diet that reflects that. Most raw food proponents accept that, premium kibble brands strive for it, and if you’re cooking for your dog you need to take it into account.
Strive for a three way split between meat, veggies and fiber. But if you’re going to err in any direction, feed a higher percentage of meat.
While good canine nutrition is important you obviously have to balance this with your time availability. If time is an issue then the safest route is to opt for a high grade, premium or super premium dog food.
There are many variants available, so be sure to choose the right one from puppy, senior, lite, large breed etc. Some even cater to the nutritional needs of specific breeds.
What you should definitely avoid is the cheap commercial dog food brands, while feeding table scraps is another no-no.
Most of the brands you find on the supermarket shelves fall into this category. They often have grain as their primary component and are therefore lacking in the nutrients needed in a healthy canine diet. There is also evidence to suggest that some of the colorings and preservatives used may be behind a whole catalog of ailments and diseases.
Table scraps are also not ideal for dogs. Generally these will be high in fat and contain things like onions and garlic, which are harmful. If you feed your dog from the table you're also likely to end up with a persistent beggar on your hands.
To learn more about best dog food, dog care, dog training and other interesting dog advice drop by at dogsanddogtraining.com
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Tapeworms, scientific name Dipylidium caninum, are parasites that infest the small intestines of many animals, including dogs and humans. They can grow of to 20 inches in length, with a body that is flat, white and segmented.
They survive by attaching themselves to the intestinal lining and then feeding off the nutrients in the food the dog eats. As they mature the tail segments, containing tapeworm eggs, break off. If the dog has tapeworm you will clearly see these, which resemble grains of rice, in the faeces.Dogs become infected by swallowing a flea that contains tapeworm eggs. The infestation cycle goes something like this. A flea larva eats tapeworm eggs. The larva then grows into a mature flea, living on the dog.
The dog may swallow the flea while biting an itchy spot on his skin. Once the eggs are in the dog's system they hatch, and the worms attach themselves to the intestines and start feeding. Later, as they mature, the tail segments break off and the next batch of tapeworm eggs is excreted by the dog to start the cycle all over again.
Tapeworms are not particularly harmful. They absorb only a small percentage of the nutrients that your dog eats and cause only mild irritation. However, a severe infestation may cause your dog to lose weight, so it is always advisable to treat your dog if he has worms.
The clearest indication is tapeworm eggs in the faeces. A common belief is that a dog that scoots along the ground has tapeworm, but this is not usually the case. The behavior is more commonly due to skin irritation around the anal are, or to blocked anal sacs.
Fortunately, tapeworms are very easy to eradicate, Just give your dog a vet prescribed or commercial de-wormer and the problems will be over in no time. Be advised though that some over-the-counter worm medications contain pesticides, so they can cause health problems if used too often.
If you take your dog to the vet, the treatment will normally be a pill or injection that dissolves the protective outer lining of the tapeworm. This allows the worm to be digested and passed from the body.
While most dogs will suffer a tapeworm infestation at some time, you can reduce the chances of it happening to your dog.
To begin with you can have your dog de-wormed every 3 months or so. Most de-worming medications protect against other parasitic worms too, including hookworms, roundworms and other parasites
It is also important to keep your dog free of fleas, as tapeworms cannot be passed without them. Simply give your dog a monthly flea preventative and keep the dog's bedding and environment free of these pests.
Bear in mind also, that although it is extremely rare, some tapeworm species can be passed from dogs to humans. And as they're so easy to control, why take the risk?
Click here to learn more about tapeworms in dogs, dog care, dog walking and other useful dog advice at www.dogsanddogtraining.com
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The problem with trying to find female dog names is not so much where to find them, but which one to choose. There are great ideas everywhere.
Don’t believe me? Okay then, here are some ideas to get you started…
But first let’s narrow the field down a bit first. Let's talk about your dog. Describe her to me. What's her color, size, and personality? Is she a Great Dane or a Chihuahua?
All of these factors will, of course, influence the name you choose. You want a name that works, right?
Right, let’s be a bit counter intuitive and come up with some tough girl dog names. When people think girl dogs, they generally think of cute, fluffy, lap dogs, with names to match, but what if you have a female Rottie or Doberman?
Good tough names girl include; Mayday, a female baddie from the James Bond movies, Xena, warrior princess from the TV series, and Sabbath, after the legendary Heavy Metal band, Black Sabbath.
Let’s offset that with some of the cute and cuddly names we mentioned earlier, like Bambo, Chiquita, Dixie, Flea, Google, Hootie, Iggy, Kylie, Lexie, Margo, Newbie, Pinky, Punkin, Squidoo, Sonic, Titch, Yoda, and Ziggy. As you can see there is definitely no shortfall in the cute female dog names department.
But let’s say you’re after something a little different, something truly unique. Abraxsas, Io, or Quarterflash do it for you? No? Then how about Isis, Nonotchka or Souixsie?You see there are female dog names to suit just about any dog. All you have to do is think of something that you (or your dog) is interested in and the ideas literally drop into your lap.
Is your dog a fashion hound?…Gucci, Dolce, Prada. Like music?…Joplin, Joan Jett, Latoya. Movies?…Hepburn, Garbo, Harlow. Television?…How about Oprah, Murphy (Brown) or Ally (McBeal)?
See how easy it is to come up with a great dog name? Need some more inspiration? No problem! What about first ladies?…Martha (Washington), Dolley (Madison), Pat (Nixon). How about royalty?…Diana, Lilibet, Maud.
You could even famous your dog in honor of a great female historical figure. Maybe Golda (Meir), Isadora (Duncan), or Agatha (Christie).
See how easy it is? Now that you know the drill pick a subject you’re interested in, then write down as many names as you can think of (use Wikipedia if you must). Now narrow that down to your favorites and pick the one that really suits your dog to a tee.
Or you could save yourself the trouble and head on over to Puppy names HQ, where we have thousands of great female dog names just waiting on your approval.
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