There is more to cats than the cuddly and lovable pets who purr on one corner of the house. At times, they can be a menace to housekeeping too. Scratches in furniture, broken ornaments, and ruined stockings are just a few things that misbehaving cats can do.
There are reasons why cats misbehave. And by knowing these reasons, cat owners can be capable of controlling their pets' actions.
Here are some things about cats which cause misbehaviors together with tips on how to make them behave.
- Cats misbehave when they are bored.
Cats that donít have much to do have no choice but to do obnoxious things. They may be looking for attention, or they just needed something to do to spend their energy.
Whatever the case may be, these can be solved by allotting time for your cat to play with you. However, do not do this immediately after your cat misbehaved. Your cat will associate its misbehavior with you giving it more attention.
- Cats are naturally nocturnal animals.
Cats are more active during nighttime. They can do more exciting activities by that time.
With this in mind, make your cat busy in the morning. By doing this, the cat will be too exhausted to do things when it is time for his owners to sleep.
-Cats misbehave when they are sexually-driven.
Expect misbehavior when cats feel that it is time to mate. Expect a lot of misbehavior for cats who are confined inside their homes when it happens!
Surgical procedures can be done to prevent misbehaviors caused by sexual urges. Female cats can undergo spaying; male cats can undergo neutering.
- Cats misinterpret owners' reaction to its misbehavior.
Owners usually get mad when their pets misbehave. But they are vague in telling their pets that they are mad. When owners reprimand their pets for misbehaving, cats think that their owners just want to play with them.
Owners must be clear with their reactions. If their pets misbehave, owners would make it clear that it is a punishment and not a game.
Remember that cats seek reward. They avoid punishment. Do not make misbehaving enjoyable to your cat by giving it a lot of attention when it happens.
By associating punishment for misbehaving cats learn what should not be done.
-Cats enjoy playing with certain things in the house.
There are things that cats love. It may be a curtain, or a pillow.
The good thing is they hate certain smells too. Spray unpleasant smells on those things to keep cats away.
By knowing why pets misbehave owners have more chances to correct these bad habits!
About the Author
Anita Hampton http://www.cat-health-tips.com
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Breed, Not Produce: Tips on Responsible Cat Breeding by Anita Hampton
Cat breeding is not as easy as just letting cats mate. Breeding is not just about choosing cats to produce adorable kittens to earn money. To breed cats is not the same as to produce them. Breeding encompasses that stage.
Breeding cats involves scientific and systematic concepts. Producing cats involves only common sense. Breeding cats has an emotional aspect to it. Fulfillment does not come from mere moneymaking. Sacrifices have to be made to achieve the breeder's goal: to safeguard the welfare of the cats.
A lot of things must be taken into consideration before breeding cats. Here is a guide to help us better understand the dynamic process of cat breeding.
- A cat breeder's concern is the preservation or improvement of cat pedigree.
This is a serious matter. Selection of the parent cats is done on the basis of health, quality traits and reproducing capability. A breeder will never pair cats carelessly.
- A cat breeder is dedicated to learn more about cats.
A lot of things must be learned regarding cat breeding. Latest researches must be employed to properly select the cats to be bred. The welfare of the cats depends on how much the breeder knows.
- A cat breeder makes plans.
Breeding does not involve hasty actions.
- A cat breeder has to follow rules set by the government.
Breeders are obliged to register their cats to their respective breeds. Certain taxes are imposed to hobbyists and to businessmen alike.
- A cat breeder's primary motive is to take care of cats. Monetary motives come after this.
A cat's life is more important than money. And it is more rewarding to see the kittens grow. The money earned is just an additional reward.
- A cat breeder's responsibility to the cats does not end.
His care for his cats does not end when the kittens were sold.
- A cat breeder holds the future of the cat's offspring.
Whatever a cat breeder does affects the life of the kittens, thus extra care must be given by cat breeders when making decisions.
- A cat breeder knows when to stop breeding.
Breeding is not just about having many cats. It is about taking care of all of them.
After learning about these things, it can be concluded that breeding is an arduous task indeed. However, for those who are cat breeders at heart, all these hardships are worth the kittens they bred (not produced)!
About the Author
Anita Hampton http://www.cat-health-tips.com
Breeding cats involves scientific and systematic concepts. Producing cats involves only common sense. Breeding cats has an emotional aspect to it. Fulfillment does not come from mere moneymaking. Sacrifices have to be made to achieve the breeder's goal: to safeguard the welfare of the cats.
A lot of things must be taken into consideration before breeding cats. Here is a guide to help us better understand the dynamic process of cat breeding.
- A cat breeder's concern is the preservation or improvement of cat pedigree.
This is a serious matter. Selection of the parent cats is done on the basis of health, quality traits and reproducing capability. A breeder will never pair cats carelessly.
- A cat breeder is dedicated to learn more about cats.
A lot of things must be learned regarding cat breeding. Latest researches must be employed to properly select the cats to be bred. The welfare of the cats depends on how much the breeder knows.
- A cat breeder makes plans.
Breeding does not involve hasty actions.
- A cat breeder has to follow rules set by the government.
Breeders are obliged to register their cats to their respective breeds. Certain taxes are imposed to hobbyists and to businessmen alike.
- A cat breeder's primary motive is to take care of cats. Monetary motives come after this.
A cat's life is more important than money. And it is more rewarding to see the kittens grow. The money earned is just an additional reward.
- A cat breeder's responsibility to the cats does not end.
His care for his cats does not end when the kittens were sold.
- A cat breeder holds the future of the cat's offspring.
Whatever a cat breeder does affects the life of the kittens, thus extra care must be given by cat breeders when making decisions.
- A cat breeder knows when to stop breeding.
Breeding is not just about having many cats. It is about taking care of all of them.
After learning about these things, it can be concluded that breeding is an arduous task indeed. However, for those who are cat breeders at heart, all these hardships are worth the kittens they bred (not produced)!
About the Author
Anita Hampton http://www.cat-health-tips.com
Cat Training: Do It With Gentle Care by Anita Hampton
Cats are trained and encouraged by treats or rewards. A clear illustration of such behavior is when cats come running when it hears the food bag rustle or the can openerís sound. Cats often relate the sounds to food rewards.
Keep in mind that your cat must be closely examined on a regular basis by the veterinarian, to ensure that there are no unknown problems in your catís health that could be aggravated or intensified during training activities. To further encourage your cat to maintain a good behavior, the most effective way is to offer immediate treats, a full tasty meal, or a favorite toy as rewards.
When saying ìgoodî and offering a treat all together, your cat will later relate the word with its positive act, even if later, food is not available and upcoming. In place of food rewards, you can give your cat an enjoyable playtime or a rub behind its ears.
With the use of positive emphasis and reinforcement, your cat will be willing to learn good behaviors and basic instructions or commands.
Here are training guidelines:
1. It is best to begin training with kittens. They will be more open and responsive to training. Bad behaviors have not yet been formed and not given a chance to develop.
2. Use positive emphasis and reinforcement at all times. A gentle hug, caress, or a whisper has a longer lasting effect than harsh or bitter words.
3. Limit the training time. Make it brief but frequent. Cats normally have short attention and interest spans; so it is much more effective to have four to six sessions of five minutes each, during the course of the day than an hour or two of continuous training.
4. Confine the training to indoors. This is essential so that your cat will not be distracted by other neighboring pets or be attracted to climbing trees instead.
Discipline should be instilled for a well behaved cat, but tough punishment must be avoided. In training your cat so to avoid negative acts, you need to approach it positively. Cats generally will not respond to certain punishments like hitting or yelling. They usually correlate the undesirable act with you rather than with their bad behavior. The outcome will be that your pet either stops loving you or will be afraid of you; not the result that will lead to a loving and warm relationship with your wonderful pet cat!
About the Author
Anita Hampton http://www.cat-health-tips.com
Keep in mind that your cat must be closely examined on a regular basis by the veterinarian, to ensure that there are no unknown problems in your catís health that could be aggravated or intensified during training activities. To further encourage your cat to maintain a good behavior, the most effective way is to offer immediate treats, a full tasty meal, or a favorite toy as rewards.
When saying ìgoodî and offering a treat all together, your cat will later relate the word with its positive act, even if later, food is not available and upcoming. In place of food rewards, you can give your cat an enjoyable playtime or a rub behind its ears.
With the use of positive emphasis and reinforcement, your cat will be willing to learn good behaviors and basic instructions or commands.
Here are training guidelines:
1. It is best to begin training with kittens. They will be more open and responsive to training. Bad behaviors have not yet been formed and not given a chance to develop.
2. Use positive emphasis and reinforcement at all times. A gentle hug, caress, or a whisper has a longer lasting effect than harsh or bitter words.
3. Limit the training time. Make it brief but frequent. Cats normally have short attention and interest spans; so it is much more effective to have four to six sessions of five minutes each, during the course of the day than an hour or two of continuous training.
4. Confine the training to indoors. This is essential so that your cat will not be distracted by other neighboring pets or be attracted to climbing trees instead.
Discipline should be instilled for a well behaved cat, but tough punishment must be avoided. In training your cat so to avoid negative acts, you need to approach it positively. Cats generally will not respond to certain punishments like hitting or yelling. They usually correlate the undesirable act with you rather than with their bad behavior. The outcome will be that your pet either stops loving you or will be afraid of you; not the result that will lead to a loving and warm relationship with your wonderful pet cat!
About the Author
Anita Hampton http://www.cat-health-tips.com
Clicker Training Cats: Easy and Effective by Anita Hampton
Clicker training incorporates the use of a clicker as a reward or encouragement when training a cat.
Cats are able to relate with the clicker, displaying good actions and behavior. Clicker training is often linked with conventional condition, where cats associate sound with food and operational condition and where cats execute movements for food.
A clicker is found to be more effective than verbal command because cats can hear clicker sounds more clearly than a voice, as human voice tones change while the clicker sound is always steady or constant.
The click is brief and concise, whereas a voice, phrase or a word, is fairly long in cats' point of standing. To say ìgood boyî will take time than a click.
With the use of a clicker, cats can be successfully trained in three simple steps: obtaining the cats behavior, marking its behavior, and reinforcing its behavior.
Guidelines when training with a clicker:
1. To make a sound, push the clickerís spring end and then release. Treat the cat.
2. When you notice a behavior that you want your cat to continue on doing, click during while the behavior is being performed, never after it.
3. Click only once, to express enthusiasm towards the act of your cat and add more treats.
4. Note that practice periods should be short. More can be learned in three brief five minute sessions per day than hours of boring and stressful repetition.
5. Correct bad acts by ignoring and clicking when good behavior is displayed. Click when your kitten uses the litter box or when it plays on the scratch post, not on the furniture.
6. Click for accidental and voluntary actions nearing your objective. You should entice the cat into a position, but never pull or push it or hold it.
7. Never wait until your cat performs the perfect act that you told it to do, instead click and reward for little actions towards the correct direction. When your cat is signaled to sit and it crouches in its back, click.
8. Carry the clicker at all times when you are with your cat, so you can catch good acts.
9. Make sure to put aside the clicker when you are scolding your cat.
The non-confrontational character of a clicker makes it an ideal tool for training your cat. You too, can be happy with the results, having achieved all positive behaviors that you worked for with your cat. With lots of understanding, love, and patience, cat clicker training will continue to give you wonderful results that you and your cat will benefit from for years to come.
About the Author
Anita Hampton http://www.cat-health-tips.com
Cats are able to relate with the clicker, displaying good actions and behavior. Clicker training is often linked with conventional condition, where cats associate sound with food and operational condition and where cats execute movements for food.
A clicker is found to be more effective than verbal command because cats can hear clicker sounds more clearly than a voice, as human voice tones change while the clicker sound is always steady or constant.
The click is brief and concise, whereas a voice, phrase or a word, is fairly long in cats' point of standing. To say ìgood boyî will take time than a click.
With the use of a clicker, cats can be successfully trained in three simple steps: obtaining the cats behavior, marking its behavior, and reinforcing its behavior.
Guidelines when training with a clicker:
1. To make a sound, push the clickerís spring end and then release. Treat the cat.
2. When you notice a behavior that you want your cat to continue on doing, click during while the behavior is being performed, never after it.
3. Click only once, to express enthusiasm towards the act of your cat and add more treats.
4. Note that practice periods should be short. More can be learned in three brief five minute sessions per day than hours of boring and stressful repetition.
5. Correct bad acts by ignoring and clicking when good behavior is displayed. Click when your kitten uses the litter box or when it plays on the scratch post, not on the furniture.
6. Click for accidental and voluntary actions nearing your objective. You should entice the cat into a position, but never pull or push it or hold it.
7. Never wait until your cat performs the perfect act that you told it to do, instead click and reward for little actions towards the correct direction. When your cat is signaled to sit and it crouches in its back, click.
8. Carry the clicker at all times when you are with your cat, so you can catch good acts.
9. Make sure to put aside the clicker when you are scolding your cat.
The non-confrontational character of a clicker makes it an ideal tool for training your cat. You too, can be happy with the results, having achieved all positive behaviors that you worked for with your cat. With lots of understanding, love, and patience, cat clicker training will continue to give you wonderful results that you and your cat will benefit from for years to come.
About the Author
Anita Hampton http://www.cat-health-tips.com
Pet Lovers: How to Crate-Train Your Cat by Anita Hampton
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.
About the Author
Anita Hampton http://www.cat-health-tips.com
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.
About the Author
Anita Hampton http://www.cat-health-tips.com
Caring For Your Cat's Health by Anita Hampton
Just like humans, cats feel miserable when they are sick. As a pet owner, it is your primary responsibility to keep your feline friends healthy and happy.
With proper care and nutrition you will have a friend for life in the form of your pet cat.
Here are some tips on how you can properly care for your cat's health:
1. Feed them properly.
Every cat has a preference when it comes to food. There are several types of cat food available in the market. Try each one until you find out which variety your cat prefers.
However, you can still try to mix the variety of cat food you prepare so that your pet will have a nutritious and balanced diet.
Commercial cat foods have been well-researched so you do not need to worry about the nutritional value of what you are feeding your pet.
Also, supply your pet with a lot of clean water to drink. Having an ample supply of drinking water will lead to a healthier animal.
It does not matter if you serve dry, canned or moist cat food. Just make sure that you preserve the freshness of the food that they eat.
You would also want to opt for a healthy and natural cat food. Remember that it should be made of quality ingredients.
2. Remember that even domestic cats are natural hunters.
Mice can serve two purposes in your cat's life: prey and dinner. Hunting for mice would preserve their natural abilities to hunt and seek prey.
If you decide that you do not like the idea of your cat regularly "hunting" for dinner, make sure that you provide them with a proper diet. This will result to your cat ending up just chasing and running after their prey for satisfying their natural hunting urges.
3. Watch out for unusual behavior.
If your pet is exhibiting unusual behavior, then the cat might not be at its best condition.
Try to look out for the following symptoms:
- being lethargic or less active than usual - shedding of the fur or coat - it has waxy ears - looks poor and unhealthy
If you see these symptoms, you might want to change the food that you are serving your cat.
Better yet, consult a professional if you see your pet being less active than usual. Your pet might have a sickness or disease, and as a pet owner and cat lover, you would not want that to happen.
About the Author
Anita Hampton http://www.cat-health-tips.com
With proper care and nutrition you will have a friend for life in the form of your pet cat.
Here are some tips on how you can properly care for your cat's health:
1. Feed them properly.
Every cat has a preference when it comes to food. There are several types of cat food available in the market. Try each one until you find out which variety your cat prefers.
However, you can still try to mix the variety of cat food you prepare so that your pet will have a nutritious and balanced diet.
Commercial cat foods have been well-researched so you do not need to worry about the nutritional value of what you are feeding your pet.
Also, supply your pet with a lot of clean water to drink. Having an ample supply of drinking water will lead to a healthier animal.
It does not matter if you serve dry, canned or moist cat food. Just make sure that you preserve the freshness of the food that they eat.
You would also want to opt for a healthy and natural cat food. Remember that it should be made of quality ingredients.
2. Remember that even domestic cats are natural hunters.
Mice can serve two purposes in your cat's life: prey and dinner. Hunting for mice would preserve their natural abilities to hunt and seek prey.
If you decide that you do not like the idea of your cat regularly "hunting" for dinner, make sure that you provide them with a proper diet. This will result to your cat ending up just chasing and running after their prey for satisfying their natural hunting urges.
3. Watch out for unusual behavior.
If your pet is exhibiting unusual behavior, then the cat might not be at its best condition.
Try to look out for the following symptoms:
- being lethargic or less active than usual - shedding of the fur or coat - it has waxy ears - looks poor and unhealthy
If you see these symptoms, you might want to change the food that you are serving your cat.
Better yet, consult a professional if you see your pet being less active than usual. Your pet might have a sickness or disease, and as a pet owner and cat lover, you would not want that to happen.
About the Author
Anita Hampton http://www.cat-health-tips.com
Cat Leashes: What They Are For and What You Need to Know by Anita Hampton
Cats are more known to be feisty little creatures that donít take too well to certain habits compared to its other household pet compatriot, the dog. Such habits for example are wearing a leash and being able to walk around tethered to it.
But leash wearing for cats is becoming more and more commonplace, especially with city dwellers, as it prevents the cat from wandering around and getting lost.
However, given the temperament of cats, the leashes to be used on them need to be both sturdy and as unobtrusive as possible. Below are some tips in choosing the right leash for your cat.
It is very likely that when you think of leash, next thing that comes to mind is a collar. However, a cat collar works differently than a dog collar. Cats have the uncanny ability to wiggle out of a lot of things, including collars. It is recommended that collars for cats should only be used as fashion accessories or identification tags.
If using a leash is your intention, go for a body harness design that wraps around your petís torso. This makes it harder for your cat to take off and the tension from the leash is removed from the catís neck, which will happen if you choose a collar.
Make sure that the material is durable but comfortable. Nylon is a good choice since it is both strong and pliable. This material is also machine-washable use the gentle cycle.
Next, the design of the harness should be able to wrap around the body, particularly around the stomach so it will cradle the weight around that area and off the neck and shoulders, which is very uncomfortable for your pet.
However, avoid designs that cover too much of your petís body. Although the material may be breathable, it may hamper ventilation making it more difficult for your pet to adjust to the idea of a leash quickly.
Another thing you should consider is the fit around the neck. A good fit is when you are able to comfortably slip two fingers in between the collar area and your catís neck. To make sure the leash will hold this particular area should be reinforced with additional stitching.
Investing time and energy for your peace of mind and your petís safety is always a good thing. And choosing the right harness and leash for your cat is a smart first step that will make wearing a leash a welcome experience for your pet.
About the Author
Anita Hampton http://www.cat-health-tips.com
But leash wearing for cats is becoming more and more commonplace, especially with city dwellers, as it prevents the cat from wandering around and getting lost.
However, given the temperament of cats, the leashes to be used on them need to be both sturdy and as unobtrusive as possible. Below are some tips in choosing the right leash for your cat.
It is very likely that when you think of leash, next thing that comes to mind is a collar. However, a cat collar works differently than a dog collar. Cats have the uncanny ability to wiggle out of a lot of things, including collars. It is recommended that collars for cats should only be used as fashion accessories or identification tags.
If using a leash is your intention, go for a body harness design that wraps around your petís torso. This makes it harder for your cat to take off and the tension from the leash is removed from the catís neck, which will happen if you choose a collar.
Make sure that the material is durable but comfortable. Nylon is a good choice since it is both strong and pliable. This material is also machine-washable use the gentle cycle.
Next, the design of the harness should be able to wrap around the body, particularly around the stomach so it will cradle the weight around that area and off the neck and shoulders, which is very uncomfortable for your pet.
However, avoid designs that cover too much of your petís body. Although the material may be breathable, it may hamper ventilation making it more difficult for your pet to adjust to the idea of a leash quickly.
Another thing you should consider is the fit around the neck. A good fit is when you are able to comfortably slip two fingers in between the collar area and your catís neck. To make sure the leash will hold this particular area should be reinforced with additional stitching.
Investing time and energy for your peace of mind and your petís safety is always a good thing. And choosing the right harness and leash for your cat is a smart first step that will make wearing a leash a welcome experience for your pet.
About the Author
Anita Hampton http://www.cat-health-tips.com
Ideas on How to Train Your Cat to Use the Litter by Anita Hampton
Any cat owner will tell you, cats are wonderful pets to have around. However, that same owner can also tell you that one of the downsides is needing to deal with their petís toilet business.
But that should not be a drawn out problem if you take the time and proper care in training your cat to use the litter box.
Before any training should commence, make sure you have the right litter box. Choose one that is made of durable plastic for easy washing. It should also be deep enough to contain just a little less than 2 inches of litter.
Do not think that by putting more litter in the box will mean fewer times you would have to change it. Your cat will very likely refuse a soiled box even if thereís a lot of litter in it.
Cat litter comes in different varieties of grades and scents. However, the benefits of scented litter only applies to the pet owners. In fact, cats dislike scented litter because it seems unnatural to them. They will very likely reject eliminating in the box and go somewhere else.
The kind of litter grade your pet will prefer varies with each one, but it is observed that cats are particularly fond of smaller grades. Perhaps this is because smaller grains make the litter softer.
Next, place litter boxes in areas where your cat usually soils. You are building on the catís association of places and activities. Eventually, you may move the litter box around when your pet has gotten used to eliminating in the box.
Now that you have a good litter box set up, itís time to teach your pet to use it.
Cats usually do their business after a meal or a nap. So take note of these times. Before feeding take 10-15 minutes to play with your pet.
Allow about 15 minutes for the meal and clear up leftovers after that period. When the meal is finished, play with your cat for another 10-15 minutes, this time somewhere near the litter box.
Lead your cat to the box. Move the litter around with your hand to intrigue the cat with the texture of the litter, inviting it to step into it.
Encourage your pet once it steps inside, speaking to it in gentle tones. Make the cat feel that the box is a nice and comfortable place. Whether your cat soils in the box or not, be consistent with that tone. Eventually, your pet will like the litter box and do its business there.
Finally, be consistent and patient. Results may not come right away, but the training will pay off in time.
About the Author
Anita Hampton http://www.cat-health-tips.com
But that should not be a drawn out problem if you take the time and proper care in training your cat to use the litter box.
Before any training should commence, make sure you have the right litter box. Choose one that is made of durable plastic for easy washing. It should also be deep enough to contain just a little less than 2 inches of litter.
Do not think that by putting more litter in the box will mean fewer times you would have to change it. Your cat will very likely refuse a soiled box even if thereís a lot of litter in it.
Cat litter comes in different varieties of grades and scents. However, the benefits of scented litter only applies to the pet owners. In fact, cats dislike scented litter because it seems unnatural to them. They will very likely reject eliminating in the box and go somewhere else.
The kind of litter grade your pet will prefer varies with each one, but it is observed that cats are particularly fond of smaller grades. Perhaps this is because smaller grains make the litter softer.
Next, place litter boxes in areas where your cat usually soils. You are building on the catís association of places and activities. Eventually, you may move the litter box around when your pet has gotten used to eliminating in the box.
Now that you have a good litter box set up, itís time to teach your pet to use it.
Cats usually do their business after a meal or a nap. So take note of these times. Before feeding take 10-15 minutes to play with your pet.
Allow about 15 minutes for the meal and clear up leftovers after that period. When the meal is finished, play with your cat for another 10-15 minutes, this time somewhere near the litter box.
Lead your cat to the box. Move the litter around with your hand to intrigue the cat with the texture of the litter, inviting it to step into it.
Encourage your pet once it steps inside, speaking to it in gentle tones. Make the cat feel that the box is a nice and comfortable place. Whether your cat soils in the box or not, be consistent with that tone. Eventually, your pet will like the litter box and do its business there.
Finally, be consistent and patient. Results may not come right away, but the training will pay off in time.
About the Author
Anita Hampton http://www.cat-health-tips.com
Training Cats in Litter Box Use by Anita Hampton
Cats are neat animals. They are also intelligent enough to be trained. Given those characteristics, it will be very easy for owners to teach their pets. Here are some tips to guide owners in training their cats to use litter boxes.
1. Cleanliness is a must for cats.
Sometimes, even if the cat is already trained in using litter boxes, the owner usually finds his pet urinating or defecating just a few inches away from the litter box. The cat wants to use the litter box, and this can be proven by the proximity of the waste to the litter box. However, because the litter box is dirty, the cat opted not to use it.
The point here is that cats prefer to expel body wastes on clean areas. So make it a point to regularly check if the litter box is always clean and ready for your cat's use. The cleanliness of the area where the litter box is situated must also be checked frequently.
2. Cats do need privacy.
Do not expect your cat to defecate or urinate in busy areas because they also have the need for privacy. That is why most cats prefer to do their thing behind furniture, or in corners of rooms.
To solve the problem, place litter boxes in areas where cats would be less likely to be disturbed.
3. Cats must be comfortable in using their litter boxes.
Comfort is an issue in training cats to use litter boxes. If cats don't find using litter boxes convenient on their part, why will they use it?
Check if your cat is comfortable using open or closed litter boxes.
4. Take it easy.
Most cat owners who train their pets for litter box use lack patience. Thus, after a short period of time, they give up, or they use force in training their cats. Both actions are wrong.
One must learn that patience is an important trait needed in training cats.
5. Cats seek rewards for a job well done.
If your cat uses the litter box, but did not feel that you appreciated its efforts, there is no reason for your cat to repeat using it again.
Make the task of using the litter box enjoyable and fulfilling for your pet by giving rewards. After a while, your cat will be accustomed to the habit.
6. More cats = more litter boxes.
Place more litter boxes to accommodate all your pets. Place them based on your cats' preference.
Generally, training cats to use litter boxes is an easy thing for an owner who knows his cat well.
About the Author
Anita Hampton http://www.cat-health-tips.com
1. Cleanliness is a must for cats.
Sometimes, even if the cat is already trained in using litter boxes, the owner usually finds his pet urinating or defecating just a few inches away from the litter box. The cat wants to use the litter box, and this can be proven by the proximity of the waste to the litter box. However, because the litter box is dirty, the cat opted not to use it.
The point here is that cats prefer to expel body wastes on clean areas. So make it a point to regularly check if the litter box is always clean and ready for your cat's use. The cleanliness of the area where the litter box is situated must also be checked frequently.
2. Cats do need privacy.
Do not expect your cat to defecate or urinate in busy areas because they also have the need for privacy. That is why most cats prefer to do their thing behind furniture, or in corners of rooms.
To solve the problem, place litter boxes in areas where cats would be less likely to be disturbed.
3. Cats must be comfortable in using their litter boxes.
Comfort is an issue in training cats to use litter boxes. If cats don't find using litter boxes convenient on their part, why will they use it?
Check if your cat is comfortable using open or closed litter boxes.
4. Take it easy.
Most cat owners who train their pets for litter box use lack patience. Thus, after a short period of time, they give up, or they use force in training their cats. Both actions are wrong.
One must learn that patience is an important trait needed in training cats.
5. Cats seek rewards for a job well done.
If your cat uses the litter box, but did not feel that you appreciated its efforts, there is no reason for your cat to repeat using it again.
Make the task of using the litter box enjoyable and fulfilling for your pet by giving rewards. After a while, your cat will be accustomed to the habit.
6. More cats = more litter boxes.
Place more litter boxes to accommodate all your pets. Place them based on your cats' preference.
Generally, training cats to use litter boxes is an easy thing for an owner who knows his cat well.
About the Author
Anita Hampton http://www.cat-health-tips.com
Repel Cats Safely and Easily by Anita Hampton
Cats in general are loveable creatures. However, it is possible that some of them get on the bad side of the household. Thus, it is necessary to address the situation when the cats are the problem.
Stray cats are actually the problem. Cats that do not have owners to train them have made the whole neighborhood their home. They ruin the garden. They mess up the trash can. Thus, one should seek for solutions that will keep the cats away. Repel them.
At the same time, repelling cats should be done in the most ëhumaneí way possible. There are several options to consider in keeping those mean cats away, easily and safely.
Cat Powder Easy to apply to the garden, these cat powders appeal to the instincts of the cats. These contain the scent of a predator, usually a coyote. Cats recognize the territoriality of animals, thus having such scent in the house would keep them away.
One only has to sprinkle this in the desired area. The ones available in the market are usually not harmful to children and to the plants in the garden.
Sound Repellent This creates sounds that are extremely annoying to a cat but remains undetected to humans.
Cat Scatmats Some use the scatmats for the more stubborn ones. These are thin mats that can be situated on the floor, garden furniture or window sills. They are battery-charged. Any animal that would walk on it will receive an unpleasant shock. Cats are found to be sensitive to the mild shock, enough to discourage them from returning.
Water Sprayer The market offers this very helpful repellent. It is connected to the garden hose and has a sensor for movements. Any unwarranted movement of a stray cat will result to a blast of water to fright the cats.
Liquid Repellent It can be sprayed on any surface that cats may or constantly claw on. It has a terrible taste that would be noticed by the cat when it grooms itself. The cat will automatically avoid such locations.
Air Repellent Some repellents use a blast of air to keep cats away. Cats will find this scary. The tools come with a distinct sound that will be helpful in scaring cats away.
Odor neutralizer Cats often leave lingering scent trail on the garden that only attract more cats The odor neutralizer will use enzymes that will rid of the odor and bacteria. Just make sure that this is applied directly to the scent trail.
With these aids and tools at hand, the cat problem is resolved. These defenses are sure way to secure the household and get rid of the headache.
About the Author
Anita hampton http://www.cat-health-tips.com
Stray cats are actually the problem. Cats that do not have owners to train them have made the whole neighborhood their home. They ruin the garden. They mess up the trash can. Thus, one should seek for solutions that will keep the cats away. Repel them.
At the same time, repelling cats should be done in the most ëhumaneí way possible. There are several options to consider in keeping those mean cats away, easily and safely.
Cat Powder Easy to apply to the garden, these cat powders appeal to the instincts of the cats. These contain the scent of a predator, usually a coyote. Cats recognize the territoriality of animals, thus having such scent in the house would keep them away.
One only has to sprinkle this in the desired area. The ones available in the market are usually not harmful to children and to the plants in the garden.
Sound Repellent This creates sounds that are extremely annoying to a cat but remains undetected to humans.
Cat Scatmats Some use the scatmats for the more stubborn ones. These are thin mats that can be situated on the floor, garden furniture or window sills. They are battery-charged. Any animal that would walk on it will receive an unpleasant shock. Cats are found to be sensitive to the mild shock, enough to discourage them from returning.
Water Sprayer The market offers this very helpful repellent. It is connected to the garden hose and has a sensor for movements. Any unwarranted movement of a stray cat will result to a blast of water to fright the cats.
Liquid Repellent It can be sprayed on any surface that cats may or constantly claw on. It has a terrible taste that would be noticed by the cat when it grooms itself. The cat will automatically avoid such locations.
Air Repellent Some repellents use a blast of air to keep cats away. Cats will find this scary. The tools come with a distinct sound that will be helpful in scaring cats away.
Odor neutralizer Cats often leave lingering scent trail on the garden that only attract more cats The odor neutralizer will use enzymes that will rid of the odor and bacteria. Just make sure that this is applied directly to the scent trail.
With these aids and tools at hand, the cat problem is resolved. These defenses are sure way to secure the household and get rid of the headache.
About the Author
Anita hampton http://www.cat-health-tips.com
Treat Your Dog To A Massage by Lyn Meyer
A massage is a great idea for a dog treat. When properly done it will help release any pent up stress or tension, resulting in a calm and more peaceful pet. Dogs show their emotions in their face and mouth a lot, and most restless dogs that are either tense, aggressive, or hyperactive have a tendency to bark and chew to relieve their tension. A therapeutic massage on their muzzle and gum line often helps animals with these behavior problems.
Apart from keeping your dog calm and happy, you should also find that giving your pet a massage will increase their flexibility and reduce any minor pain they may have.
One technique is to make little circles on the muzzle and jaw with your fingers. Gently move the skin in a clockwise direction forming a full circle, then move your hand over and make another circle right next to it. Take your time, and be gentle.
A massage will also help you bond more with your dog. Whether your dog is active or inactive, young or old, you can provide a gentle comforting touch. The best part of a massage is relaxation - an ideal treat for both you and your pet.
About the Author
Lyn owns Cat and Dog Treats which helps people learn about Cat Treats and Dog Treats
Apart from keeping your dog calm and happy, you should also find that giving your pet a massage will increase their flexibility and reduce any minor pain they may have.
One technique is to make little circles on the muzzle and jaw with your fingers. Gently move the skin in a clockwise direction forming a full circle, then move your hand over and make another circle right next to it. Take your time, and be gentle.
A massage will also help you bond more with your dog. Whether your dog is active or inactive, young or old, you can provide a gentle comforting touch. The best part of a massage is relaxation - an ideal treat for both you and your pet.
About the Author
Lyn owns Cat and Dog Treats which helps people learn about Cat Treats and Dog Treats
Don't be a dogfood sucker. by Lizzy Planson
Could it be that people don't know how to care for their dogs? Is it possible that people are not taking proper care of their dogs? Are people still using outmoded methods of training and harmful nutional advice? It is not only possible it is probable. I see it all the time. People still buy processed dog food, shock collars, choke chains and other abusive products, not because they're mean to their dogs but just because they don't know any better. Fortunately with the advent of the internet we can all do our own research and find out the right methods and products to use to make our dogs as healthy and happy as possible.
Commercial dog food is atrocious. It depleats your dogs enzymes on an ongoing basis, is made from animal wastes and byproducts, and can shorten your dog's lifespan by up to a decade. You'd be better off feeding your dog table scraps than the bagged garbage you find in the supermarket. Fortunately though there are places you can find reliable, valuable information on feeding your dog the appropriate things. It isn't hard to figure out. Just feed your dog like you would feed your children. All natural foods, maybe add some enzymes, and a little bit of the essential fatty acids, and there you go. It really is that simple. Many people will try to sell you their products saying that they are the only ones that have the right formula that will add decades to your dog's life (case in point: Dog Food Secrets) but it really isn't any harder than listening to your common sense. I personally noticed a great difference in my dog's vibrance and energy levels once I started feeding him how I would want to be fed. True table food isn't necessarily the best idea (though better than commercial dogfood) so a little bit more information is necessary. For that there are literally dozens of different books out there. You can sift through all of them if you want to, though I'll tell you right now they're all going to be pretty much the same. Just keep your eyes open for sensationalism and try to find a good book of simple recipes. The one I've been using for a while now is 245 DogFood Recipes. It's simple and to the point, no propaganda or guilt trips, and you can try it out for free to see if you like it. Your dog will thank you.
About the Author
Lizzy has been an animal health technician for 13 years and currently resides in Encino California.
Commercial dog food is atrocious. It depleats your dogs enzymes on an ongoing basis, is made from animal wastes and byproducts, and can shorten your dog's lifespan by up to a decade. You'd be better off feeding your dog table scraps than the bagged garbage you find in the supermarket. Fortunately though there are places you can find reliable, valuable information on feeding your dog the appropriate things. It isn't hard to figure out. Just feed your dog like you would feed your children. All natural foods, maybe add some enzymes, and a little bit of the essential fatty acids, and there you go. It really is that simple. Many people will try to sell you their products saying that they are the only ones that have the right formula that will add decades to your dog's life (case in point: Dog Food Secrets) but it really isn't any harder than listening to your common sense. I personally noticed a great difference in my dog's vibrance and energy levels once I started feeding him how I would want to be fed. True table food isn't necessarily the best idea (though better than commercial dogfood) so a little bit more information is necessary. For that there are literally dozens of different books out there. You can sift through all of them if you want to, though I'll tell you right now they're all going to be pretty much the same. Just keep your eyes open for sensationalism and try to find a good book of simple recipes. The one I've been using for a while now is 245 DogFood Recipes. It's simple and to the point, no propaganda or guilt trips, and you can try it out for free to see if you like it. Your dog will thank you.
About the Author
Lizzy has been an animal health technician for 13 years and currently resides in Encino California.
How To Make Your House A Cat Friendly Home by Matt Ide
How to make your house a cat friendly home
Cats are a joy to have around the house. They spring and pounce on unsuspecting dust bunnies and sprint back and forth across the house. Their energy for living in the moment is an amazing quality and their ability to find the best places to sleep are uncanny. This article is going to provide a few tips on how to make your house a cat friendly home.
First, when bringing a kitty home for the first time it is a good idea to only allow them to view and explore part of the house. As they grow more comfortable with their new environment then allow them to explore a little more of the house. Just a little at a time. Cats are a somewhat nervous sort and little things can really disrupt their day. Give them time to acclimate themselves.
Second, make sure that your house only has cat safe plants anywhere your cat could get to them. It's pretty common for a cat to want to take a nibble of the fern in the corner; however some plants are notorious for giving cats upset stomachs or even creating a serious medical condition. Take the time to research what plants are safe for you fuzzy little friend.
Third, provide your cat with the proper cat scratching elements. They are going to want to stretch and scratch. By providing the proper areas for them to do this will keep them from scratching on the couch. Provide a few scratching posts around the house and make sure they are aware of them, by taking your cat to the scratching posts. It will not take long for the cat to get the idea.
Fourth, if you have a high traffic house, you might want to consider finding a place that your cat can call its own. Take a cardboard box and place it in a little nook and then put a small blanket in the bottom. Your cat will find this place and when the house is noisy and they need some comfortable, recognizable place to calm down, they will turn to this little cubby of their own.
These are just few ideas on how to make your house a cat friendly home. If you are interest in learning more about making your house the perfect home for you little kitty and would like to learn more about cat behaviors and why they do what they do follow the link provided at the bottom or visit, www.purs-and-paws.blogspot.com. http://knightwrit.a1s2d3.hop.clickbank.net/
About the Author
Matt Ide lives and writes in northern Michigan as a web content writer. If you would like for him to write for you, please email him at, Matt@knightwriterpublishing.com. In addition, if you would like to learn more about why cats do what they do, please visit, http://www.purs-and-paws.blogspot.com.
Cats are a joy to have around the house. They spring and pounce on unsuspecting dust bunnies and sprint back and forth across the house. Their energy for living in the moment is an amazing quality and their ability to find the best places to sleep are uncanny. This article is going to provide a few tips on how to make your house a cat friendly home.
First, when bringing a kitty home for the first time it is a good idea to only allow them to view and explore part of the house. As they grow more comfortable with their new environment then allow them to explore a little more of the house. Just a little at a time. Cats are a somewhat nervous sort and little things can really disrupt their day. Give them time to acclimate themselves.
Second, make sure that your house only has cat safe plants anywhere your cat could get to them. It's pretty common for a cat to want to take a nibble of the fern in the corner; however some plants are notorious for giving cats upset stomachs or even creating a serious medical condition. Take the time to research what plants are safe for you fuzzy little friend.
Third, provide your cat with the proper cat scratching elements. They are going to want to stretch and scratch. By providing the proper areas for them to do this will keep them from scratching on the couch. Provide a few scratching posts around the house and make sure they are aware of them, by taking your cat to the scratching posts. It will not take long for the cat to get the idea.
Fourth, if you have a high traffic house, you might want to consider finding a place that your cat can call its own. Take a cardboard box and place it in a little nook and then put a small blanket in the bottom. Your cat will find this place and when the house is noisy and they need some comfortable, recognizable place to calm down, they will turn to this little cubby of their own.
These are just few ideas on how to make your house a cat friendly home. If you are interest in learning more about making your house the perfect home for you little kitty and would like to learn more about cat behaviors and why they do what they do follow the link provided at the bottom or visit, www.purs-and-paws.blogspot.com. http://knightwrit.a1s2d3.hop.clickbank.net/
About the Author
Matt Ide lives and writes in northern Michigan as a web content writer. If you would like for him to write for you, please email him at, Matt@knightwriterpublishing.com. In addition, if you would like to learn more about why cats do what they do, please visit, http://www.purs-and-paws.blogspot.com.
Pet Allergies by Mike Mathews
Many people are allergic to the family pet and research has shown that people are allergic to cats about twice as frequently as dogs. Getting rid of the beloved family pet is usually not an option. Therefore we have to learn how to live with our allergies by learning how to manage them. Most people think that allergies are caused by cat or dog hair but that is not really the problem. Allergic reactions are caused by proteins called allergens that come from oil glands in the skin and are shed as dander allergens. Allergens are also found in the saliva and urine of cats and dogs. Allergens are very pervasive and cling to clothes, furniture fabric and shoes. Cat allergens have been found in houses many months after the cat has departed and have also been found many houses of people that never owned a cat. Dander allergens are really dead skin cells that can be transferred to your pet's fur when they clean and lick themselves. A major problem for individuals predisposed to allergies occurs when they inhale airborne pet dander allergens. Allergic reactions result when minute particles of dander fool our immune systems into thinking that the dander is an invading antibody. Our immune system releases histamines to fight the "dander" antibody which results in the familiar sneezing, coughing, runny nose, itching eyes and difficult breathing. The first exposure to an allergen doesn't usually trigger symptoms and it takes multiple exposures over a period of weeks or months to produce full blown reactions. So how do we cope or manage the situation so that we can live with our cat or dog?
We can first find out if we are really allergic to the family pet, or something else like dust, pollen or mold, by visiting an allergist physician and getting tested for various allergens. If your allergic reactions are severe then the allergist may recommend allergy shots to desensitize your reaction to dander allergens. Next you can try and allergen proof your home by getting rid of your carpets and replacing your curtains with vertical blinds. Easily washed surfaces can eliminate a lot of dander allergens. If you have wall-to-wall carpeting then have it steam cleaned fairly often. If possible install air cleaners and air filters and vacuum often with a vacuum cleaner with a high allergen containment rating. Restrict your pet's access to your bed and bedroom and try to keep pets off the chairs and sofa that you regularly use. Try to minimize the dander allergens on your pets by washing them weekly with a special moisturizing allergy shampoo. Obviously, it is easier to do with a dog than a cat. Wash your hands frequently when playing with or grooming your pet. Try spraying your pet's coat with an anti-allergy spray that helps eliminate allergens. Try to groom your pet frequently as the combing and brushing will help stimulate a healthy skin. Try and do the grooming outside your house and if possible get someone else to do the grooming. If it isn't possible then wear rubber gloves and a mask to reduce your exposure to the dander. Finally, if you are getting a new cat or dog, you may want to try and get a breed that produces less dander. All pets produce some dander - even the so-called hypoallergenic pure-bred and hybrid designer breeds. Smaller pets produce less dander than larger pets. Light-colored and short haired cats seem to produce less dander. In dogs, many of the non-shedding or low-shedding breeds may also produce less dander. See the Dog Allergies section of www.dog-breed-facts.com/dog-allergies.html for a list of dog breeds that should produce less dander.
About the Author
Mike Mathews is an editor and regular contributor to the popular dog breed information site www.dog-breed-facts.com . He recently added a new section on Dog Allergies that shows allergy sufferers how to cope with their allergic reactions to dogs - which can be found at http://www.dog-breed-facts.com/dog-allergies.html
We can first find out if we are really allergic to the family pet, or something else like dust, pollen or mold, by visiting an allergist physician and getting tested for various allergens. If your allergic reactions are severe then the allergist may recommend allergy shots to desensitize your reaction to dander allergens. Next you can try and allergen proof your home by getting rid of your carpets and replacing your curtains with vertical blinds. Easily washed surfaces can eliminate a lot of dander allergens. If you have wall-to-wall carpeting then have it steam cleaned fairly often. If possible install air cleaners and air filters and vacuum often with a vacuum cleaner with a high allergen containment rating. Restrict your pet's access to your bed and bedroom and try to keep pets off the chairs and sofa that you regularly use. Try to minimize the dander allergens on your pets by washing them weekly with a special moisturizing allergy shampoo. Obviously, it is easier to do with a dog than a cat. Wash your hands frequently when playing with or grooming your pet. Try spraying your pet's coat with an anti-allergy spray that helps eliminate allergens. Try to groom your pet frequently as the combing and brushing will help stimulate a healthy skin. Try and do the grooming outside your house and if possible get someone else to do the grooming. If it isn't possible then wear rubber gloves and a mask to reduce your exposure to the dander. Finally, if you are getting a new cat or dog, you may want to try and get a breed that produces less dander. All pets produce some dander - even the so-called hypoallergenic pure-bred and hybrid designer breeds. Smaller pets produce less dander than larger pets. Light-colored and short haired cats seem to produce less dander. In dogs, many of the non-shedding or low-shedding breeds may also produce less dander. See the Dog Allergies section of www.dog-breed-facts.com/dog-allergies.html for a list of dog breeds that should produce less dander.
About the Author
Mike Mathews is an editor and regular contributor to the popular dog breed information site www.dog-breed-facts.com . He recently added a new section on Dog Allergies that shows allergy sufferers how to cope with their allergic reactions to dogs - which can be found at http://www.dog-breed-facts.com/dog-allergies.html
Poodle Hybrid Designer Dogs by Mike Mathews
Designer dogs are really hybrid or cross-breed dogs that have been developed to try and gain some positive characteristics or lose some negative characteristics from the founding pure-bred dog breeds. "Poo" hybrid dogs where the Poodle is crossed with a number of breeds such as the Labrador Retriever (Labradoodle), Golden Retriever (Goldendoodle), Maltese (Maltipoo) Cocker Spaniel (Cockapoo), Bichon Frise (Bich-poo), Yorkshire Terrier (Yorkipoo) and the Schnauzer (Schnoodle) are very popular. This is because the Poodle is a very intelligent breed with a non- or low-shedding odorless coat which is said to be hypoallergenic. While there is no guarantee as to what characteristics will be passed on to the first generation puppies from the breeding parents, the Poodles non-shedding coat seems to be a dominant characteristic which is often passed on to the first generation of puppies, accounting for the popularity of the "poo" hybrids. I guess if you wanted to ensure a hypoallergenic and non-shedding coat, then you should acquire a Maltipoo, Schnoodle or a Bich-poo where both parents have non-shedding coats. It should be noted that there are really two types of Labradoodles. The first is the unofficial mixed Poodle/Labrador designer breed described above and the second is the Australian Labradoodle which has resulted from an exhaustive Australian breeding program involving 6 different parent breeds: Poodle, Labrador Retriever; Irish Water Spaniel; Curly Coat Retriever; American Cocker Spaniel; and English Cocker Spaniel.
Most of the Poodle hybrids are quite attractive with beautiful coats. Colors range from whites and creams to apricot, brown, chocolate, silver, gray, black and multi-colored. Their coats are low to non-shedding and will need combing, brushing and clipping on a regular basis. Poodles are very intelligent and most "poo" hybrids should be fairly easy to train. Since there are three sizes of pure-bred Poodles (Toy, Miniature and Standard), you can have many different sizes of "poo" hybrids. Through the wonders of artificial insemination, the smaller Toy and Miniature Poodles can be bred with larger breeds such as the Labrador or the Golden Retriever to produce smaller designer dogs. While a Poodle could be either the dam or sire in most pairings, in this situation the Labrador or Golden Retriever would be the dam. One of the most popular designer dogs today is the Cockapoo which can take many forms. The Cockapoo Club of America recognizes two main types of Cockapoos - the American Cockapoo (Poodle/American Cocker Spaniel cross) and the English Cockapoo (Poodle/ English Cocker Spaniel cross). Four sizes of Cockapoo are designated. These are the: Teacup Toy (under 6 pounds grown weight); the Toy (7 - 12 pounds); Miniature (13 -18 pounds); and Maxi (over 19 pounds). Information on "poo" hybrids such as Cockapoos, Goldendoodles and Labradoodles can be found at www.dog-breed-facts.com .
Many designer dog breeders insist that the first generation hybrid puppies will be healthier and have fewer genetic health problems than the founding breeds. They say that this is due to a phenomenon called hybrid vigor. Some breeders will even breed a first generation "-poo" hybrid back to another Poodle to try and ensure a non-shedding coat. The resulting back-cross will be ¾ Poodle and ¼ other founding breed. Other experienced hybrid breeders tend to focus on producing a multi-generational line of hybrid puppies with standardized characteristics by breeding non-related hybrids with the desired characteristics. It is really up to you as to which type of designer dog hybrid - first generation, back-cross or multi-generation - that you purchase. However since the founding breeds are always pure-bred with potential genetic problems, purchasers should always ask to see the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) certificates for both parents. This combination of genetic testing and cross-breed vigor should help to ensure you acquire a healthy puppy.
About the Author
Mike Mathews is an editor and contributor for the popular dog breed facts information site and has developed articles on 3 "poo" hybrid designer dogs - the Labradoodle, the Goldendoodle and the Cockapoo - which can be found at http://www.dog-breed-facts.com/
Most of the Poodle hybrids are quite attractive with beautiful coats. Colors range from whites and creams to apricot, brown, chocolate, silver, gray, black and multi-colored. Their coats are low to non-shedding and will need combing, brushing and clipping on a regular basis. Poodles are very intelligent and most "poo" hybrids should be fairly easy to train. Since there are three sizes of pure-bred Poodles (Toy, Miniature and Standard), you can have many different sizes of "poo" hybrids. Through the wonders of artificial insemination, the smaller Toy and Miniature Poodles can be bred with larger breeds such as the Labrador or the Golden Retriever to produce smaller designer dogs. While a Poodle could be either the dam or sire in most pairings, in this situation the Labrador or Golden Retriever would be the dam. One of the most popular designer dogs today is the Cockapoo which can take many forms. The Cockapoo Club of America recognizes two main types of Cockapoos - the American Cockapoo (Poodle/American Cocker Spaniel cross) and the English Cockapoo (Poodle/ English Cocker Spaniel cross). Four sizes of Cockapoo are designated. These are the: Teacup Toy (under 6 pounds grown weight); the Toy (7 - 12 pounds); Miniature (13 -18 pounds); and Maxi (over 19 pounds). Information on "poo" hybrids such as Cockapoos, Goldendoodles and Labradoodles can be found at www.dog-breed-facts.com .
Many designer dog breeders insist that the first generation hybrid puppies will be healthier and have fewer genetic health problems than the founding breeds. They say that this is due to a phenomenon called hybrid vigor. Some breeders will even breed a first generation "-poo" hybrid back to another Poodle to try and ensure a non-shedding coat. The resulting back-cross will be ¾ Poodle and ¼ other founding breed. Other experienced hybrid breeders tend to focus on producing a multi-generational line of hybrid puppies with standardized characteristics by breeding non-related hybrids with the desired characteristics. It is really up to you as to which type of designer dog hybrid - first generation, back-cross or multi-generation - that you purchase. However since the founding breeds are always pure-bred with potential genetic problems, purchasers should always ask to see the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) and the Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF) certificates for both parents. This combination of genetic testing and cross-breed vigor should help to ensure you acquire a healthy puppy.
About the Author
Mike Mathews is an editor and contributor for the popular dog breed facts information site and has developed articles on 3 "poo" hybrid designer dogs - the Labradoodle, the Goldendoodle and the Cockapoo - which can be found at http://www.dog-breed-facts.com/
Animals For Adoption - Helping You Find An Animal Companion by Linda E. Joy
There are a number of deprived animals for adoption that it is at times simply hard to believe that lots of people patronize the pet shops. On the other hand, we humans have done a terrible job caring for the animals that we claim to love. We allow so many unwanted new ones to be born and then just have them put to sleep when they become difficult to take care of. For those who are considering of getting a new animal companion, I personally would like to advise as strongly as possible that you must think of getting one of the animals for adoption to care for. At the end, you will still have the all the benefits of caring for a pet, as well as will be making an important difference in the life of an animal.
In fact there are as many animals for adoption as there are animals for sale, and perhaps even more. Back then, one of my first pet I ever had was a rabbit that was up for adoption. It was simply adorable - a cute brown lop=eared one from a neighbor down the street. He actually had two pet rabbits and, so, soon had a number of baby bunnies. A bit too many for them to handle. For sure, there is never any shortage of animal lovers for adoption especially if those animals are small, furry, and delightful.
Of course, the circumstances are much different in the case of adult animals that have been put up for adoption or critters who have had a hard go at it. The same applies to traditional pets, like cats and dogs, become much less popular once they grow up. Now this isn't due to the fact that people at times find adult animals for adoption to be less playful or cute than the babies. People are often faced with several difficulties adopting a full grown animal and hence people are not prepared to deal with. It isn't just that people find adult animals for adoption to be less cute and playful than the babies. Adopting a full grown animal poses many difficulties that people are simply not prepared to deal with. Generally they are already trained to a particular master, and can quite often have problems getting close to a new owner.
Furthermore, the problem is even worse if the animal for adoption has suffered abuse at the hands of its previous owners in the past. Just like human beings, dogs, cats as well as other animals can be emotionally scarred by being brought up by abusive people, and in contrast to human beings, animals stand a very small chance of completely recovering from this early abuse. Now if you choose to look after animals for adoption that have been either abused or beaten up; you will more than often have to anticipate all sorts of problems when raising them up. Some of them can be downright dangerous! Nonetheless, caring for a wounded animal can be a surely be a rewarding and a wonderful experience.
About the Author
Linda E. Joy provides readers with up-to-date commentaries, articles, and reviews for pets, pet care as well as other related information.
In fact there are as many animals for adoption as there are animals for sale, and perhaps even more. Back then, one of my first pet I ever had was a rabbit that was up for adoption. It was simply adorable - a cute brown lop=eared one from a neighbor down the street. He actually had two pet rabbits and, so, soon had a number of baby bunnies. A bit too many for them to handle. For sure, there is never any shortage of animal lovers for adoption especially if those animals are small, furry, and delightful.
Of course, the circumstances are much different in the case of adult animals that have been put up for adoption or critters who have had a hard go at it. The same applies to traditional pets, like cats and dogs, become much less popular once they grow up. Now this isn't due to the fact that people at times find adult animals for adoption to be less playful or cute than the babies. People are often faced with several difficulties adopting a full grown animal and hence people are not prepared to deal with. It isn't just that people find adult animals for adoption to be less cute and playful than the babies. Adopting a full grown animal poses many difficulties that people are simply not prepared to deal with. Generally they are already trained to a particular master, and can quite often have problems getting close to a new owner.
Furthermore, the problem is even worse if the animal for adoption has suffered abuse at the hands of its previous owners in the past. Just like human beings, dogs, cats as well as other animals can be emotionally scarred by being brought up by abusive people, and in contrast to human beings, animals stand a very small chance of completely recovering from this early abuse. Now if you choose to look after animals for adoption that have been either abused or beaten up; you will more than often have to anticipate all sorts of problems when raising them up. Some of them can be downright dangerous! Nonetheless, caring for a wounded animal can be a surely be a rewarding and a wonderful experience.
About the Author
Linda E. Joy provides readers with up-to-date commentaries, articles, and reviews for pets, pet care as well as other related information.
Animals For Adoption - Helping You Find An Animal Companion by Linda E. Joy
There are a number of deprived animals for adoption that it is at times simply hard to believe that lots of people patronize the pet shops. On the other hand, we humans have done a terrible job caring for the animals that we claim to love. We allow so many unwanted new ones to be born and then just have them put to sleep when they become difficult to take care of. For those who are considering of getting a new animal companion, I personally would like to advise as strongly as possible that you must think of getting one of the animals for adoption to care for. At the end, you will still have the all the benefits of caring for a pet, as well as will be making an important difference in the life of an animal.
In fact there are as many animals for adoption as there are animals for sale, and perhaps even more. Back then, one of my first pet I ever had was a rabbit that was up for adoption. It was simply adorable - a cute brown lop=eared one from a neighbor down the street. He actually had two pet rabbits and, so, soon had a number of baby bunnies. A bit too many for them to handle. For sure, there is never any shortage of animal lovers for adoption especially if those animals are small, furry, and delightful.
Of course, the circumstances are much different in the case of adult animals that have been put up for adoption or critters who have had a hard go at it. The same applies to traditional pets, like cats and dogs, become much less popular once they grow up. Now this isn't due to the fact that people at times find adult animals for adoption to be less playful or cute than the babies. People are often faced with several difficulties adopting a full grown animal and hence people are not prepared to deal with. It isn't just that people find adult animals for adoption to be less cute and playful than the babies. Adopting a full grown animal poses many difficulties that people are simply not prepared to deal with. Generally they are already trained to a particular master, and can quite often have problems getting close to a new owner.
Furthermore, the problem is even worse if the animal for adoption has suffered abuse at the hands of its previous owners in the past. Just like human beings, dogs, cats as well as other animals can be emotionally scarred by being brought up by abusive people, and in contrast to human beings, animals stand a very small chance of completely recovering from this early abuse. Now if you choose to look after animals for adoption that have been either abused or beaten up; you will more than often have to anticipate all sorts of problems when raising them up. Some of them can be downright dangerous! Nonetheless, caring for a wounded animal can be a surely be a rewarding and a wonderful experience.
About the Author
Linda E. Joy provides readers with up-to-date commentaries, articles, and reviews for pets, pet care as well as other related information.
In fact there are as many animals for adoption as there are animals for sale, and perhaps even more. Back then, one of my first pet I ever had was a rabbit that was up for adoption. It was simply adorable - a cute brown lop=eared one from a neighbor down the street. He actually had two pet rabbits and, so, soon had a number of baby bunnies. A bit too many for them to handle. For sure, there is never any shortage of animal lovers for adoption especially if those animals are small, furry, and delightful.
Of course, the circumstances are much different in the case of adult animals that have been put up for adoption or critters who have had a hard go at it. The same applies to traditional pets, like cats and dogs, become much less popular once they grow up. Now this isn't due to the fact that people at times find adult animals for adoption to be less playful or cute than the babies. People are often faced with several difficulties adopting a full grown animal and hence people are not prepared to deal with. It isn't just that people find adult animals for adoption to be less cute and playful than the babies. Adopting a full grown animal poses many difficulties that people are simply not prepared to deal with. Generally they are already trained to a particular master, and can quite often have problems getting close to a new owner.
Furthermore, the problem is even worse if the animal for adoption has suffered abuse at the hands of its previous owners in the past. Just like human beings, dogs, cats as well as other animals can be emotionally scarred by being brought up by abusive people, and in contrast to human beings, animals stand a very small chance of completely recovering from this early abuse. Now if you choose to look after animals for adoption that have been either abused or beaten up; you will more than often have to anticipate all sorts of problems when raising them up. Some of them can be downright dangerous! Nonetheless, caring for a wounded animal can be a surely be a rewarding and a wonderful experience.
About the Author
Linda E. Joy provides readers with up-to-date commentaries, articles, and reviews for pets, pet care as well as other related information.
Are You Ready to Buy Your First Horse by Michael Albert
You've loved horses ever since you were a kid and have always dreamed of owning one. You've spent the last three years taking horseback riding lessons. You know how to tack up, muck out, and have read just about every book out there on the care and feeding of horses. No one can doubt that you've put your time in. Horses are no fleeting fancy, but are a hobby that is here to stay!
So, are you ready to buy your first horse? Well, before you break out your checkbook you need to take stock of a few things in your life to determine whether horse ownership is right for you.
* Do you have the knowledge? How much time have you really spent around horses, and has it been hands-on? If you ride at a fancy stable that tacks and untacks your horse for you then guess what? You aren't having the full horse experience! Make sure you know what is really involved in caring for, feeding, and cleaning up after your horse. A great way to learn about all that is involved in horse ownership, without making a long-term commitment, is to lease a horse. Try leasing a horse for a year or two and then decide if horse ownership is really for you.
* Now that you know what is involved, do you have the desire? Horse ownership is a tremendous amount of work. Are you up for it? If you aren't, that's perfectly okay. If you really love riding horses but don't enjoy all the extra stuff that goes along with them, then why not just keep taking riding lessons? Ask yourself what you really love about horses. If you love things like mucking out, grooming, feeding, and taking care of horses, then you would probably make a great horse owner!
* Do you have the time for horse ownership? No more showing up at the barn, riding for an hour, and then heading home to your real life. When you are a horse owner, horses are your real life. If you travel frequently, can't or don't want to commit to a regular schedule, or have a very busy work or family life, then this might not be the right time in your life for horse ownership. Remember, horses must be fed, watered, and cared for according to schedule, and it's up to you to be able to maintain that schedule.
* Do you have the space for a horse? You either need good accommodations at home, or you need to find a place to board your horse. If you are keeping your horse at home, at the very least he needs two grassy acres, a run-in shed, and an adequate water supply. If you keep your horse at home you also need to know that he'll appreciate some company. It's best if you have room for an additional horse, a goat, or some other companionable animal.
Remember, owning a horse is hard work and can be extremely taxing on your time and resources. Before you embark on the exciting journey of horse ownership, make sure you are ready!
About the Author
Michael Albert is an expert by profession but he is also writing articles on horses, stallion, and trailors for a long time. He has done his research work in the same field within the organization of Horse Chit Chat.To know more about horse chit chat, horses for sale, horse forum, horse trailers, equine forum, hors
So, are you ready to buy your first horse? Well, before you break out your checkbook you need to take stock of a few things in your life to determine whether horse ownership is right for you.
* Do you have the knowledge? How much time have you really spent around horses, and has it been hands-on? If you ride at a fancy stable that tacks and untacks your horse for you then guess what? You aren't having the full horse experience! Make sure you know what is really involved in caring for, feeding, and cleaning up after your horse. A great way to learn about all that is involved in horse ownership, without making a long-term commitment, is to lease a horse. Try leasing a horse for a year or two and then decide if horse ownership is really for you.
* Now that you know what is involved, do you have the desire? Horse ownership is a tremendous amount of work. Are you up for it? If you aren't, that's perfectly okay. If you really love riding horses but don't enjoy all the extra stuff that goes along with them, then why not just keep taking riding lessons? Ask yourself what you really love about horses. If you love things like mucking out, grooming, feeding, and taking care of horses, then you would probably make a great horse owner!
* Do you have the time for horse ownership? No more showing up at the barn, riding for an hour, and then heading home to your real life. When you are a horse owner, horses are your real life. If you travel frequently, can't or don't want to commit to a regular schedule, or have a very busy work or family life, then this might not be the right time in your life for horse ownership. Remember, horses must be fed, watered, and cared for according to schedule, and it's up to you to be able to maintain that schedule.
* Do you have the space for a horse? You either need good accommodations at home, or you need to find a place to board your horse. If you are keeping your horse at home, at the very least he needs two grassy acres, a run-in shed, and an adequate water supply. If you keep your horse at home you also need to know that he'll appreciate some company. It's best if you have room for an additional horse, a goat, or some other companionable animal.
Remember, owning a horse is hard work and can be extremely taxing on your time and resources. Before you embark on the exciting journey of horse ownership, make sure you are ready!
About the Author
Michael Albert is an expert by profession but he is also writing articles on horses, stallion, and trailors for a long time. He has done his research work in the same field within the organization of Horse Chit Chat.To know more about horse chit chat, horses for sale, horse forum, horse trailers, equine forum, hors
Choosing the Right Dog/Cat Bed by MaryMargaret Hyde
Choosing a bed for your companion dog or cat can be a challenge for there are so many points to consider and a great variety of beds available. Those who consider their pet as one of the family take great pains to choose just the right bed. Some folks have many beds scattered about the home so Fluffy or Fido can rest comfortably in any room of the house. Some aspects to consider when choosing a bed are the age and physical condition of the animal. A new puppy or kitten may have different requirements than an older or arthritic dog or cat. Some beds have aspecial padding required for large dogs to support achy aging bones and joints. Many dogs and cats like beds with 'bumpers' surrounding them giving them a sense of stability and the bed becomes a safe secure place where the pet can retreat in times of stress. The outer shell or cover should be a tough high quality fabric that can be easily cleaned or be removed for machine washing. For your pet's health the bedding must be kept clean to reduce allergens and the possibility of a flea infestation. Today pet beds have nearly unlimited colors and designs to fit your home's decor. Equally important is the filler or stuffing of the pet bed. Styrofoam beads are sometimes used. They can reduce odors and are very light weight. A young dog may enjoy this type of bed but an older dog that is not familiar with the shifting beads may not appreciate the instability it affects. (Another filler is cedar chips which are valued as a repellant for fleas and other pests. They can be purchased and added to other beds as you may choose.) Blocks of foam make comfortable beds if they are thick enough but they tend to break down over time and they often develop an unpleasant odor. A bed of 'egg crate' foam may be good for an older arthritic dog but it will not have a long servicable life. One of the most environmentally responsible fillers is made from recycled plastic bottles. It is super-soft and holds up to years of wear and tear. Recently a 'jel type' bed came on the market that is claimed to be preferred by many dogs. Cats may find a bed into which small packets of catnip can be tucked to be the "cat's meow." The more you are aware of the choices you have in pet beds, the more likely you will choose the best bed for your beloved pet.
About the Author
PawPrancer.com is a pet site offering unique USA made organic beds for pets with allergies, fresh frozen raw dog/cat foods and more.
About the Author
PawPrancer.com is a pet site offering unique USA made organic beds for pets with allergies, fresh frozen raw dog/cat foods and more.
Can't Adopt? Take a Dog for a Walk! by valentina bellicova
If you cast envious glances at people walking their dogs, and long for the companionship of man's best friend, but owning one of your own is not an option at this point, despair not. You can tousle the shaggy coat of a sheltie, scratch the ear of a shepherd or toss a stick for the lab to retrieve without actually owning one. Both you and the dog will enjoy yourselves, it won't cost you a penny and you will do a lot of good too! Of course the reality is that the sheltie will in all likelihood be a cross, the shepherd only vaguely identifiable as such only because it is the dominant breed of several present and the same may be said for the lab. Frisky, friendly, loving and eager to please, they spend most of their days behind barred doors in hopes that the next human to walk through the door will free them from the shackles of a crime they did not commit. Where is this place, you ask. How terrible! What can I do about it?
I refer of course to the SPCA and your local animal shelter which are not terrible at all. Thank goodness that such facilities exist, otherwise who knows what fate would await these animals who have outlived their usefulness and have been tossed out on the "redundant" dog scrap heap. Thank goodness that there is a temporary shelter for that lovable mutt - some good loving care, food, vet help, exercise - for perhaps a week or a tad longer and then hopefully a new home.
The shelters all over the country are filled to capacity and manpower is often stretched to the limit. Dogs need to socialize both amongst themselves and with humans and can fall into depression if this very important activity is curtailed. You can help. Pick a day, or two or more and decide that these will be your dog walking days. Or, if you have total time flexibility, call up your local animal shelter and ask them when your help would be most welcome.
Now you have a walking companion. Here are just some benefits:
- By taking on the chore of walking a dog or two, you will free up some valuable time for the employees of the center who can then devote more of their time and attention to other much needed activities.
- Dogs need exercise. So do people. Too many of us succumb to the lure of the couch and the numbing programs we find on TV. Is it any wonder then that we are becoming an overweight nation. Walking as little as just half an hour a day or at least an hour three times a week helps us keep those unwanted pounds away from us and the result is a healthier you.
- You'll develop new friends - granted most of them will answer to double syllable names like Plato, Snoopy, Darby and more. You'll be met with an enthusiastic welcome, smothered with slobbery kisses, hugged to bits with eagerness and gratefully thanked with heart melting glances. You'll get no backtalk and won't need to worry if you're dressed right or know the latest in hip talk.
- Research shows that dogs have a calming effect on us. Studies indicate that after being in the company of a dog for a half hour or more, tension and stress levels are significantly reduced in humans. Walking a dog takes your mind off a problem or more importantly, gives you the quiet time to think things through without pressure. - Fresh air ... enough said. Everyone knows that fresh air stimulates the brain and increases our mental capacity. - You'll learn and grow. You'll learn more about animals and when the time is right you will be better prepared to care for a pooch of your own. .
Here in my own back yard, there is a small group of very youthful senior citizens. They call themselves the K-nines. Three mornings a week they head off to the local SPCA and make a lot of dogs happy. Word is getting out in the community and others are either joining this group or starting their own. It all began with just one woman who loved dogs but lived in an apartment that did not allow pets. Oh yes, on each outing this motley crew walks 9 kilometers which is just a little over 5 miles. Are they having a good time? You bet! Are they getting fit? Yup! Are they helping their community? Absolutely! Can you do the same? Why not? Can't adopt? Walk!
About the Author
Valentina Bellicova is a world traveller, an author and a public speaker. An ardent student of life she observes that every human is bettered for have had a dog in their life. Visit her online dog emporium at http://www.sitbooboosit.com
I refer of course to the SPCA and your local animal shelter which are not terrible at all. Thank goodness that such facilities exist, otherwise who knows what fate would await these animals who have outlived their usefulness and have been tossed out on the "redundant" dog scrap heap. Thank goodness that there is a temporary shelter for that lovable mutt - some good loving care, food, vet help, exercise - for perhaps a week or a tad longer and then hopefully a new home.
The shelters all over the country are filled to capacity and manpower is often stretched to the limit. Dogs need to socialize both amongst themselves and with humans and can fall into depression if this very important activity is curtailed. You can help. Pick a day, or two or more and decide that these will be your dog walking days. Or, if you have total time flexibility, call up your local animal shelter and ask them when your help would be most welcome.
Now you have a walking companion. Here are just some benefits:
- By taking on the chore of walking a dog or two, you will free up some valuable time for the employees of the center who can then devote more of their time and attention to other much needed activities.
- Dogs need exercise. So do people. Too many of us succumb to the lure of the couch and the numbing programs we find on TV. Is it any wonder then that we are becoming an overweight nation. Walking as little as just half an hour a day or at least an hour three times a week helps us keep those unwanted pounds away from us and the result is a healthier you.
- You'll develop new friends - granted most of them will answer to double syllable names like Plato, Snoopy, Darby and more. You'll be met with an enthusiastic welcome, smothered with slobbery kisses, hugged to bits with eagerness and gratefully thanked with heart melting glances. You'll get no backtalk and won't need to worry if you're dressed right or know the latest in hip talk.
- Research shows that dogs have a calming effect on us. Studies indicate that after being in the company of a dog for a half hour or more, tension and stress levels are significantly reduced in humans. Walking a dog takes your mind off a problem or more importantly, gives you the quiet time to think things through without pressure. - Fresh air ... enough said. Everyone knows that fresh air stimulates the brain and increases our mental capacity. - You'll learn and grow. You'll learn more about animals and when the time is right you will be better prepared to care for a pooch of your own. .
Here in my own back yard, there is a small group of very youthful senior citizens. They call themselves the K-nines. Three mornings a week they head off to the local SPCA and make a lot of dogs happy. Word is getting out in the community and others are either joining this group or starting their own. It all began with just one woman who loved dogs but lived in an apartment that did not allow pets. Oh yes, on each outing this motley crew walks 9 kilometers which is just a little over 5 miles. Are they having a good time? You bet! Are they getting fit? Yup! Are they helping their community? Absolutely! Can you do the same? Why not? Can't adopt? Walk!
About the Author
Valentina Bellicova is a world traveller, an author and a public speaker. An ardent student of life she observes that every human is bettered for have had a dog in their life. Visit her online dog emporium at http://www.sitbooboosit.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)