Are you frustrated with the smell your cat's urine throughout the house? Don't get mad at kitty. Cats are very sensitive to numerous stresses, and there could be medical causes such as Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) or Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). The symptoms of UTI or FLUTD are difficulty urinating, bloody urine, discomfort, and can also include urinating in places other than the litter box. If the cat is showing signs of discomfort or has blood in the urine take kitty to the vet.

If there are no other physical signs of illness, the following could be causes of a cat urinating in house. The following is a list of stresses for a cat but there can be many more.

• Other cats (inside or out)

• Litter box aversion

• Owner is gone

• New child or pet

• Owner was absent for a lengthy period (vacation, trip, work)

• New house

• New furniture added or moved

Litter box aversion can create urination problems for cat urinating in house because;

• The box is in a noisy area

• Does the cat associate the box with something negative?

• The actual litter material may not be to kitty's liking, try another. This often happens if the cat has been declawed as they don't like the way the litter feels on their foot pads.

• Is another pet bothering the cat while she is using the litter box?

• They may not like the smell if not changed often. Cats are very clean. My cat tries to cover an accident on the tile floor even though no litter is near.

• Is the litter box shared by more than one cat?

• Did you change litter brands? Cats do not like change much.

• Do you have a covered or open box? Try switching

• Is the cat neutered?

Try correcting any of these suggestions and if you are still asking "Why is my cat urinating in house" you may want to try an anxiety medicine or consult your vet for other options.

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Why does my cat look at me like that, its a evil stare. Perhaps he is working out which bit to eat first!

Does he have a second family, who only look after him from 9pm - 7am! I might even get one of those cameras you can attach to cats, record his movements.

The dog even seems confused by the cats behaviour, does not even get excited when I put my walking shoes on! Does the cat not appreciate how much fun the dog has running around in circles, slipping on the wooden floor in a frenzied dash for the door.

Even simply walking across the floor has to be completed in an arrogant manner, tail up high and walking with attitude any self-respecting rapper would be proud of! Come to think of it, what music does the cat prefer, I know the dog has a liking for Status Quo!

So having watched a couple of Cat programs, it is time to communicate with this pet with attitude, I will show it who the alpha male around here is! First, apparently if you look your cat in the eye and slowly close and open your eyes, it is a sign of friendliness! Ok, the cat is definitely looking at me with a view to eating me!

Next, I try the rubbing of heads, which is another sign of greeting! The cat must of been watching Rocky 4, I never saw that left hook coming! I am sure the dog is laughing as well!

My final attempt at training the cat, put it on a lead and train it to walk by my side. This I have seen done, if the old girl down the road can train her pet cat to do it, then I am sure this fully qualified instructor of people can achieve it. The cat has definitely been watching Rocky, that was some combination!

I have not finished with you Tiddles! A quick bit of research reveals a book on "Understanding, Caring for & Training Your Cat"

The book deals with:

What Breed is best for you
What you should know before buying a cat
How to select a Cat Breeder
Discover how cats behave
How to create a healthy environment for your cat
Common cat diseases and health problems
Selecting the right cat litter
Grooming your cat
Selecting cat toys
Training your cat to walk (This was what I am looking for!)
Diet
Training tips

It was a comprehensive list, covering the areas I needed and some I should of read before letting Tiddles into the family home! It certainly would of saved a few quid down the vets, if I had read this book first.

The book was easy to read and understand, dealing with a lot of questions I needed answers for and some I had not even thought about.

Following the advice in the book, the cat is definitely beginning to understand me a lot easier! You never know it might even let me stay!

That's the cat sorted, now I wonder if there is a book on "Understanding,Caring For and Training Your missus"?

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Emergency Care and Cat First Aid

Senin, Desember 15, 2008 | with 0 komentar »

If you are cat owners, you may have to encounter emergency situations pertaining to your kitty. Your cat may fall ill anytime unexpectedly or meet an accident which would require you to act as her vet and treat her on urgent basis. In such emergency situations, mostly, you do not have the time to get across your vet.

For this reason, every cat owner needs to have the basic first aid knowledge and know-how to manage such situations. It is absolutely imperative to equip yourself with this knowledge because sometimes it may prove deadly for your cat if she is left untreated in emergencies. Here are some of the common emergency issues and their treatment.

Your kitty may break its bone while climbing, jumping or in a road accident. It is not recommend setting the broken bone yourself. All you need to do in this situation is to stop the bleeding if any with ice or cold water and take her to the vet for proper treatment.

Choking is also common issue amongst cats. If your cat gets choked, open her mouth gently and see if you can see the object. You must remember not to tilt her head backwards. You can remove the object if it is visible with the help of a tweezer or your own fingers. Make sure you do not push the object as it will aggravate the situation all the more. You should hold her upside down and press on her chest using your hands. In case you are able to remove the object, it is still advisable to take her to the vet to be on the safe side.

Getting an electric shock is also a serious issue. Some kitties bite electric wires while playing with them. It may produce burns on her tongue or palate of her mouth. It may cause breathing problem or pain in her mouth. You must remember that you should not touch your cat if it touching an exposed electric wire. You need to turn of the current first and then put your cat away from it with the help of a wooden stick. Take her to the vet.

If your cat encounters eye injury and the eye is bleeding, just wipe the blood with wet cloth. You must not let your cat go on rubbing her eyes. It is also advisable to not apply any medicine without consulting the vet.

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Tips to Bathing the Dog

Senin, Desember 15, 2008 | with 0 komentar »

The number one tip for bathing your dog is this: do not bathe him too often. Once every two or three months is a good rule of thumb. A dog's skin is very thin and excessive bathing will make him dry and itchy. If he gets too smelly, sprinkle some baking soda on his coat and rub it into the fur gently. Then, brush it out. He should smell better quickly.

The shower is a better choice for bathing your dog than the tub. One reason is that when he shakes off the excess water, the water lands on the shower walls and not your bathroom walls. If you must bathe him in the tub, do not fill it with water. They do not usually like to stand in water.

Use pet shampoo and not what you use on your own hair. Pet shampoo is made especially for your dog and will not irritate his skin. It comes in different formulas such as flea and tick shampoo, etc. Start with his back, tummy, legs and feet first. Then, use a rag to clean his head and ears. Make sure the rag is not too soapy. Do not pour water over his head because he really hates that! Be careful not to get any water in his ears because it can cause an ear infection.

If you prefer to bathe your dog outside, make sure that the outdoor temperature is real warm. Make certain that there is not a chill in the air. You will want to bathe him quickly if using a garden hose because that water can become really cold in a short time.

After his bath, rinse all the shampoo out of his coat completely. A hand-held shower head works best. Rinse and rinse until you have no doubt that there is no soapy residue left on his coat. If you do not rinse well, the residue will irritate his skin and make him itch.

When you are done, wrap him in a towel and hug him. Speak softly to him and lead him to a big blanket which you have placed on the floor. The blanket protects your floor from dog hair and moisture. Use as many towels as necessary to get him as dry as possible. Some dogs will tolerate the use of a blow dryer if it is not too loud. Turn it on low and do not get it too close to his skin.

Be very gentle when bathing him because most dogs do not enjoy bath time. If you are gentle and speak softly to him in the process, he may decide that it is not so bad after all. Gathering everything you need for his bath in advance helps you stay calm because everything is within your reach.

If you go in prepared and calm, there is a chance that your dog will not become overly anxious or fearful. Do your best to make it a good experience for both of you.

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Dog Food Decisions - It Matters

Senin, Desember 15, 2008 | with 0 komentar »

People are very aware of the nutrition that is contained in their own diet but sometimes we are not quite as aware of the quality of the food that we are feeding our pets. Dog foods are often commercial, high priced fillers that provide our best buddies with a full tummy and not much else. Sometimes the toxins and poor ingredients that are often found as the main products in commercial foods for dogs are doing more harm than good.

Pet owners do not mean to be ignorant of the facts, many of us are just trusting that well known names must mean that we are giving our best friends good nutrition. Sadly, this has proven to not be the case and we have recently seen pet food recalls and animals that have become severely ill when given foods that contain harmful ingredients.

Bad fats can lead to poor circulation and a weak heart, lack of good fats can give your pet a dull coat, and lack of proper vitamins in their diet can shorten their life and lead to poor overall health. Using cheap and unhealthy ingredients is a way for companies to increase their production and it allows the bagged and canned foods to last for a long time before the expiration date is reached. If you are one of the pet owners who assumes that one pet food is just as good as another, this information will open your eyes and your heart.

Unfortunately, most dog food products today contain the cheapest and poorest grades of grains, unhealthy and unsafe meat remnants and even artificial flavorings and preservatives that are not safe for humans or pets. Proteins and carbohydrates should be pure and of high quality to keep your pet healthy and happy. These are often only provided by using grains like bottom grade soybean, corn, and glutens. In fact, our own dogs can have natural allergies to these ingredients or they can develop allergies by being fed food that is not designed for their systems.

Many of the meat products used in our pet's food are generated from dead or diseased animals and chemical additives. This leads to diseases, parasites, and illness in our furry friends. You should always check to see where your pet food was produced and manufactured. This requires some care because just because a state packaged the bag of food it does not mean that this is where the ingredients originated. We are all well aware of how many beloved pets succumbed to the pet food disaster that was sent to stores by oversea manufacturers who did not care about our animals' lives. Products made by select American manufacturers should be high on your list of suppliers. You can check with your vet if you have any question about the quality of your pet food choices.

Our dogs need food that contains quality fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, protein, carbohydrates, and good fats. Are you thinking that these all sound rather familiar? It should, as it is very similar to what we humans require. Your dog has to depend on you to check things out for him, because he will try to eat what you give him, even if it is not good for him. A good, high quality dog food will contain quality meat, eggs, amino acids, vitamins, and even brown rice. These are all wonderfully good ingredients for your pet. Vegetables can be vital to a healthy pet diet and these will provide vitamins, antioxidants and a longer life for your dog. Look for a product that contains things like this as well as fruit. Some products are even beginning to add Lactobacillus Acidophilus for a healthy GI tract for your pet. These additives and ingredients will give your dog a healthy, shiny coat, clean breath, clear eyes, and a healthy body.

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Type your summary hereDog owners are called to ensure that their dogs are always fit and healthy. One way of making sure that your dog is always feeling his best is by having regular veterinarian check-ups.

However, it's likewise important that you are able to detect basic symptoms of illness in your dog. In particular, you should be aware of the symptoms associated with common dog illnesses. The presence of worms in the bodies of dogs, for instance, is one very common complication.

Given this, it is crucial that you are aware of the various dog worms symptoms. This may prove to be a bit tricky for some dog owners because there are different dog worms symptoms depending on the type of worms that the dog has been inflicted with.

The tapeworm is a common type of worm that affects dogs. Dog worms symptoms of this specific type of worms include restlessness as well as an itchy behind. Distress and the obstruction in bowel movement are among those dog worms symptoms for a dog affected by round worms.

Another type of dog worms is whipworms. With this kind of worms, the dog worms symptoms include traces of blood in dog's stool and severe weight loss. There are also hookworms. Dogs with this type of worms would have symptoms such as rectal bleeding and skin dryness.

In addition to those already mentioned, heartworms is yet another type of worms. Owners can detect these through symptoms such as coughing, fainting, and the shortness of breath.

What is crucial here is to find out what specific type of worm is attacking your dog. It is important because there are different medications for the different types of worms.

In order to find out what kind of medicine is right for your dog, taking him to your veterinarian is necessary. Of course, as mentioned, as a dog owner, you still definitely play an important role here - familiarizing yourself with the various dog worms symptoms so that you can detect complications early on, that is.

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Everyone knows that dogs love to eat. They almost always have very large appetites and they will hardly ever reject a treat or extra meal. Given this, it should certainly be alarming if you find that your dog is not eating. Your pet's dog health could be in danger if he is not eating, so it's important that you know what to do in such a situation.

Your dog's overall health when he is not eating is something that you as an owner should definitely be concerned about if you observe behavior like this. Dogs that do not take in a proper diet will eventually begin to lose their energy and active nature. Their coats will start to lack luster and they might even refuse to engage in exercise or physical activity.

Your dog's health will definitely suffer when he is not eating. The reason for this behavior could be a variety of different things - the most common being that your dog is sick and not feeling well. As a result of this, his appetite is down.

The best remedy for improving the situation is to consult with your veterinarian. However, there are some initial steps you can take. First, never force food on your dog; instead, allow him to skip a meal and simply wait until he is ready to take in even just a bit of food.

It's also important to note that your dog could not be eating because they have found another source of food. It can be the garbage bin or even your neighbors who have taken the liberty of feeding your dog from time to time. Worry about your dog's health if this is the case, as you don't know where their food is coming from.

As an owner, you should definitely be concerned about your dog's health when he is not eating. Take action right away to find out what the problem is before it escalates into a more serious complication.

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Even though it may be an obvious fact, dogs have four feet. These four feet have no protection. As the caregivers for our companions, we need to take special care of our pets feet to ensure their pads do not become over-calloused or tender.

Be careful not to overexercise your pet, ensuring that they do not get blisters or split pads. Exercise should start slowly and increase gradually. It is not a wise idea to exercise your dog by forcing it to run alongside a bicycle or car, as you cannot readily check for exhaustion or foot problems. Your exercise program should end by checking the condition of your pets feet.

Grooming is an essential part of the care of our pets feet. Ensure your dog gets it's nails clipped regularly. Overgrown nails will curl into the dogs pads. Nails can also split if not clipped. Long nails can also cause a dog's feet to spread or splay. Trimming the hair around the pads can also reduce the amount debris that can get lodged between the pads which will cause injury.

After walks or exercise run your fingers over and between the pads checking for stuck materials such as rocks, gum, thorns, glass, impacted snow/ice, etc. Also check for sore spots. As you get to know your dog, check for spreading or splaying. In older dogs conditions such as arthritis may cause splaying.

At certain times of the year there may be bio-hazards on the ground from people using fertilizers, weed killers, or chemicals used for ice or snow removal. It may be wise to wash your dogs feet with warm water and baking soda regularly after your walk or exercise period.

If your pets feet are sore, reduce exercise and bathe the feet. If the condition persists consult your veterinarian as soon as possible. Your pets feet are their means of mobility.

Terrie Simpson has been involved in the dog world for over 28 years and has achieved numerous awards with her Springer Spaniels in tracking and obedience. Over that time, she has amassed a good amount of knowledge about how to keep a dog healthy. She is now happy to give back by sharing her experience with other dog owners.

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Easy Way to Stop a Dog From Barking

Senin, Desember 15, 2008 | with 0 komentar »

Stopping your dog from barking is usually the second most frustrating reason why dog owners want to take their dog to obedience training (next to housebreaking). Before you can even attempt to stop your dog from barking at everything that moves, you need to understand a few simple but important facts. Once you understand these, getting them to stop is easy.

First, you cannot expect your dog to stop barking altogether. What you can do is teach you dog when it is OK to bark and when it is not. You may even want to create a trigger word where the dog can bark on command. If you use a word which will trigger your dog to bark on command, you will greatly reduce the urge he or she feels to randomly bark without giving that command. For instance, train your dog to bark when you tell them "Rover, speak!"

Next, you want to move on to actually stopping your dog from barking when they are not supposed to. Usually the dog is barking for a reason, even if it isn't blatantly apparent to you at first.

Sometimes they are trying to alert you of danger or trying to get your attention to something. The key here is to think about what it may be that is causing your dog to bark and acknowledge it (and remove it if necessary). Then acknowledge your dog by saying something like, "Thank you, Rover. I see the squirrel (as you point to it). Now that's enough barking." Use a firm, but very calming and polite tone. The dog should pick up on your acknowledgment and stop.

This method should get you started in the right direction to a well behaved and quieter dog.

To find more useful tips on how to quickly train your dog to listen to anything they say, Click Here.

Discover how a revolutionary dog trainer used a breakthrough dog training method to quickly calm 2 ex-fight dogs! Visit http://www.dogobediencesystem.com and see for yourself how you can use this exact same system to get your dog to listen to your every word.

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Turtle identification is the first step in understanding how these animals live and behave. Before you can adopt a certain way of taking care of your turtle, you need to find out what type it is. Remember that living requirements will vary across different species because different types of turtles have different adaptation patterns. Just as humans have different habits, so do different species of turtles.


The pet shop
:

There are over three hundred species of turtles all over the world which makes turtle identification a bit of a challenge especially for beginners. However, you don't have to be an expert in turtles to be able to find out what kind of pet you have with you. There are all sorts of ways to get started with turtle identification. If you haven't really tried taking care of a turtle before, it's best to start with your local pet store
. You are sure to find someone there who can help you identify the turtle that you got and even obtain relevant tips on how to take care of your pet.

Research:

Another way of turtle identification that you can try is through research. You will want to read further on turtles and its various species. It's a good idea to start with literature on common pet turtles as these are the ones that you're most probably going to end up having. Turtle identification will require further studies on each kind of common pet turtle, finding out their dominant characteristics and markings. Zoologists usually have taxonomic keys that help them identify the species of turtles but you don't really have to go this far, although it would help if you had those.

Going online:

The internet is also a good source of turtle identification information. Many websites are established to help turtle owners identify the species of the pets that they are taking care of. These sites usually created by turtle enthusiasts and experts to provide valuable information to those who are interested in taking up turtle rearing as a hobby. You can also try visiting online communities composed of many pet owners around the world. Forums are usually available to provide a venue for those who are seeking aid in turtle identification. You can post your questions on these forums and wait for them to give you answers.

The pet doctor:

You can also bring your turtle to a veterinarian who can help you with turtle identification. Most doctors can actually identify common types of turtles just by observing them. Aside from turtle identification, the veterinarian can also examine your pet and make sure that it is healthy. He can also prescribe certain methods of rearing it - i.e. a specific diet plan, recommendations on the type of turtle tank and such.

Identifying marks:

Aside from the many resources that can help you with turtle identification, there are also simple markings on a turtle that can give you a good idea on what type of species you have with you. Try observing the neck, appendages, the shell's form and the size of your pet. Different species will have varied physical characteristics.

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