Natural Pet Health

While most people have dogs or cats as pets, there are others who prefer exotic animals.  At a time when many of these exotic animals are listed on the endangered species list, nonetheless, a variety of animals are captured, traded illegally, and sold to consumers.  There are many considerations involved in owning these not so ordinary pets.  Therefore, use caution when getting an exotic pet.

Snakes and other Reptiles

Although snakes, iguanas, and lizards are popular exotic pets; they are not suitable for families with young children. They require high maintenance and special dietary needs.
In addition, they also require large enclosures and specific temperatures simulating their environment in the wild.

While at first look they may seem fascinating, the fact is they can pose health risks.  For example, a snake’s diet is composed of mice, insects, frogs, lizards, and insects.   Lizards consume certain types of plants, bugs, spiders, and depending upon their size, other smaller animals.  Iguanas rely on fruits, insects, worms, and crickets.

Considering the diet of these exotic animals, the cost to feed them could be exorbitant.  Moreover, as mentioned earlier some of these exotic reptiles may have been trapped in the wild and sold to unsuspecting consumers.  It would have to be determined if, for example, the snake purchased may become a danger to family members or other pets in the home.

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Availability of better preventive care has resulted in our pets living longer than before. The flip side is that pets now have to struggle with age related conditions and dental problems that are fast emerging as the most commonly diagnosed medical problems in cats.

If you see signs of cat bad breath there is every reason for you to suspect that something is wrong. Feline bad breath may occur due to any of the following reasons:

Cat breath may become offensive due to teething. By the time cats are six months old they start shedding their baby teeth. The time between shedding and eruption of permanent teeth is a trying period for pets just as it is for human babies. The gums appear red and swollen and you can see new teeth breaking out. You may address the problem by rinsing her mouth with baking soda diluted in water. You can also get an oral breath spray for your cat.

Bad breath can also be caused by gingivitis. Swollen red gums, if teething has been ruled out, indicate gum infection. Cats develop dental problems when plaque accumulates and mineralizes and clings strongly to the teeth. Tartar irritates the gums leading to inflammation and bacterial infection. Gingivitis is best prevented by regular cleaning of your cat’s teeth.

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In all there are more than 20,000 types of fish. There is virtually no way possible anyone can outline how to care for fish and aquariums in a single group of articles. About the best that anyone can do is give you a few basic concepts, care instructions, etc, and allow you to go from there. Since aquariums, rather water and fish produce toxins you will want to learn about such toxins in aquarium and fish care.

Aquariums are containers which provide fish a habitat filled with water. Aquariums are often shaped like boxes, which fish and related aquatic animals, as well as plants are stored. The water supplies oxygen and/or air for fish to breathe, which means the water must be constantly maintained in order for the fish and plants to survive.

Temperature is important as well, since unlike furry critters, fish cannot control their essence of temperature. Dehumidifiers and humidifiers can help you maintain a balanced temperature in the air, which will affect water. Ultimately, you have fish gauges, which help you to monitor the temperatures in water.

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The obvious advantages of getting an adult dog eliminates the amount of time and attention it takes to housetrain, although depending on the breed and age of the adult dog, the benefits are multiple.  Let’s take a look at the reasons why.

* One of the most advantageous benefits of getting an adult dog is that they have an established personality. 
* They will not require as much time and attention as a puppy.
* You can choose an adult dog whose personality is suitable to your own.
* Adopting an adult dog from a shelter ensures they have been spayed or neutered.
* You won’t have to worry about an adult dog creating havoc in your home.
* Most adult dogs will adapt more easily to a schedule.
* An adult dog will not need to be taken out as frequently as a puppy.
* Choosing an adult dog is choosing a companion.
* You can train adult dogs more easily than puppies.
* There are more adult dogs available for adoption than puppies.
* Depending upon the breed you choose, an adult dog may be more appropriate for children.
* You can leave the dog alone, especially if you work outside the home.
* Most adult dogs have been trained in some form or another, making it easier for them to adapt to new surroundings.
* Since adult dogs are fully checked by a vet, they are more apt to be healthier than puppies.
* An adult dog will bond more quickly with its owner.
* They may also understand certain commands from the outset.

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Canine influenza or dog flu was first identified in early 2005. This was after the outbreak of an epidemic of a dog respiratory system disease in the greyhound racetracks in Florida. A major outbreak of the disease was reported in New York State and by 2006 it had spread to 22 states of USA and believed to affect almost 16% of the dogs, with a mortality rate of 7%.

The canine influenza virus (CIV) belongs to the same family as the equine influenza virus, which has been around since the last forty years and more. It is understood that the contagion occurred on the racing tracks as the same tracks are used for greyhound as well as horse racing.

When inflicted with canine influenza, almost 80% of the dogs show mild symptoms and the rest 20%, although infected, do not show any visible symptoms. 

Mild dog flu manifests as cough that may last for up to a month and is often accompanied by a greenish discharge from the dog nose. Severe manifestation of the disease is characterized by high fever and pneumonia. The pneumonia, however, is not caused by CIV but is a secondary infection caused by bacteria. Without proper treatment, pneumonia in such cases leads to hemorrhagic pneumonia and an inflammation of blood vessels that proves to be fatal in almost 50% of the instances.

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There may be numerous reasons why you want to breed guinea pigs. One thing is certain, however. You should not breed guinea pigs in the hopes of getting rich for it. The truth is that there is very little money in breeding guinea pigs, and finding good homes for guinea pigs isn’t always easy.

However, if you have a very good reason for breeding guinea pigs, here are some guidelines to help you out.

Obviously, you need a male, known as a boar, and a female, known as a sow. A sow needs to be at least six months of age, and the boar needs to be at least four months old. It is possible for both sexes to mate before they reach this age, but it isn’t advised, because it has an affect on the health of the litter.

The male and female also need the opportunity to get to know each other properly. You need to put them in the same pen, preferably alone, for at least a month. Do not separate them until you are sure that the female is pregnant.

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Deciding on what type pet you prefer takes a great deal of soul-searching and practical considerations.  There are many questions you have to ask, such as: Are you a first time pet owner?  Do you have sufficient time to devote to the pet?

Will the pet interact well with family, friends, and children? It is just as important to match the pet’s personality to your own; therefore, here are tips for finding the perfect pet for your personality.

Puppy/Dog

•    Ask yourself what are your likes, dislikes, and temperament.  This plays an important role in the type of breed you choose. 
•    Are you looking for a companion, that is, a dog who is passive? Or would you prefer an aggressive type, one that will serve as protector of hearth and home.
•    Would you prefer a pure-bred puppy or a mixed breed?
•    Do you prefer a dog who is independent, or one that relies on and obeys your every command?
•    If you choose a puppy, do you have the time required to raise and train the pup?
•    Are you looking for a dog who is energetic and bright; or just the opposite?
•    Do you have enough space required, that is, a backyard where your dog can exercise daily?
•    If you live in an apartment, how much space will you be able to afford your dog?
•    If you are an active person, would you prefer a dog who can share in those activities?
•    Can you afford the costs involved in caring for a puppy, that is, vaccinations; food, bedding, eventual health problems, grooming, and overall maintenance?

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For pet lovers, our four-legged friends are just like members of the family.  They bring lots of joy to our lives, and we want to make sure all their needs are taken care of in return.  When our pets are ailing, it’s almost like having a sick child.

Trips to the vet are sometimes necessary, but they can be expensive.  Luckily, we can treat many minor ailments without professional help.  Here are some home helpful home remedies for your pets.

Fleas

* Add garlic to your pet’s food each day, or add sulphur once a week.  Both of these will keep the fleas away.

* Give your pet black walnut hulls.  You can find these in capsule form at most health food stores.  This also repels ticks and mosquitoes.

* Make a home-made flea collar for dogs.  Make a mixture of the following:

o 2 tbsp. peppermint oil
o 1/2 cup rosemary oil
o 2 tbsp. white cedar oil
o 1/4 cup citronella oil
o 2 tbsp. eucalyptus oil

Soak a piece of rope long enough to tie around your dog’s neck in the mixture, remove it, and let dry before using.

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The one thing dogs are most afraid of and bothered by is nail trimming.  It can be a daunting task for any dog owner.  Here are some tips to make dog nail trimming easier for you and the dog.

A dog’s nails should be trimmed at least once a month.  Before trimming a dog’s nails, it is necessary to have the proper implement.  Check your local pet supply store for more information.

To clip the nails, it is important to just cut the very tip of the nail and not go too far down the nail.  This can cause bleeding and possible infection.

How do you get a dog to sit still for this procedure?  Good question, but there are no easy answers.  First you have to be able to get near the dog’s nails.  The last thing you want to do is just take the nail and cut it.  You have to start slow.  Note, however, that it’s easier with puppies than older dogs since puppies seem to adapt better.

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Being able to successfully housetrain a dog takes preparation, patience, and a few practical items.  Here are some basic housetraining trips for dogs.

If you are thinking of acquiring a puppy, either from a breeder or shelter, the first thing you need to do is prepare.

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