Saucy Pet

Archive for February, 2009

It is very important to know the basic rules of feeding koi.Sometimes, this task is easily ignored.  It is recommended how and when to feed these delicate yet lovely fishes and what are the types of food that is all right to feed them.
Fish diet
You can buy the food in different "pet-shops". It comes in different varieties that you can choose from: it comes in flakes, pelleted or extruded, pond stick formulae. While these kinds of food are all right, other types of food can be given as a sort of treat just to break the monotonous regimen of feeding koi. It is also possible to choose between the following food: edges of orange, watermelon slices, cultured earthworm and prawns. This way, you can bring the fish some enthusiasm.
However, there are some foods that should not be given as food to the fishes. Foods like peas, sweet corn and potatoes should not be fed, as these foods are high in moisture and carbohydrates. Foods that are high in solid fats are also the ones to be avoided, especially meat and dairy products like cheese.
Here is fact about koi: they do not have stomachs. They digest their food through the long gut, and the more they are going to eat, the more time it will take for them to digest it. This happens especially when climate is cold or at low temperatures. The food will be eaten, and then it will be partly digested inside the digestive system, and then drop the unwanted loading in the biofilter.
Feeding Koi the right food and time
In feeding koi, you need to be dependent in the temperature. It is never a problem for koi keepers that are living in a tropical climate, as they can feed them all year round. When you are living in a northern climate, where it snows and gets cold in the autumn and winter, you need to know the preferred food in different seasons.
When the temperature rises to 50 degree Fahrenheit, it is recommended to feed the koi with easy-to-digest sinking pellet that are wheat germ based. Switch to higher protein-enriched floating foods when the temperature rises further. When the temperature is shooting down, slip back to wheat germ based foods before cutting the food feeding for the hibernation period. This is when the koi’s metabolism slows down and the energy stored in them is going to be used all throughout winter.
A lot of people do not even care as to how much is the amount of food to be fed per day: the recommended amount is between one and two percent of the body each day. There are other people who apply the 5 minute rule: the process of which is to feed them at a certain amount and let them eat for five minutes, after five minutes, cut back the amount if there is leftovers.

Memory foam dog bed video clip

Most dogs, by nature, are pretty tough and seldom complain about much of anything. But this same behavior can also be a detriment sometimes. For example, your pooch isn’t going to tell you that he isn’t getting a good night’s sleep on his old dog bed. You can tell, however, if you look for the signs, and then you can do something to help your faithful old friend get the rest he needs. The right dog bed is even more important if your dog is aging or developing arthritis which makes him waken in the mornings in a lot of pain. The best way to help him sleep and to assuage his aches and pains is by purchasing an orthopedic dog bed for him that will allow him to sleep well all night every night.

Why Is a Orthopedic Dog Bed Any Better?

Most dog beds consist of nothing but a large pillow. Puppies might be all right with a bed like this, but older dogs need more support for their limbs and joints. Orthopedic dog beds are more like the mattress that you might sleep on. These mattresses offer a sound sleep foundation, hold their shape much better than a pillow type bed and are a snap to clean.

You’ve probably spent a long night trying to rest on a mattress that isn’t right for you. A mattress that is too soft or lumpy won’t allow you the restful sleep you need in order to function well the next day. You also won't get the support that is crucial and you will most likely wake sore and unrested. The main reason for these problems is that without getting the support you need from your mattress, your spine must do the work to support your body while you’re sleeping. Dogs, like people, feel the effects of poor mattresses and will benefit just as much as people do from having an orthopedic dog bed.

Can’t a Dog Just Sleep on the Floor?

Undoubtedly you’ve seen your dog flop down somewhere on the floor to take a short afternoon snooze. This is fine for a nap, but sleeping on the floor just isn’t adequate to provide the kind of sleep he needs at night, especially if he has arthritis or other mobility issues. Enen if the floor is carpeted, it won't offer the kind of proper sleep that he needs, so don't fool yourself. You won’t hear him complain, but an observant owner will be able to tell when their pet is feeling the effects.

For starters, most floors are too hard and uncomfortable for restful sleep. If you tried to nap on one sometime, you would more fully understand. In addition, they are far too firm, put too much pressure on various parts of the dog’s body, and don’t give him the comfort he needs to sleep soundly.

Do You Really Want to Spend the Money?

Some dog owners are reluctant to spend the kind of money it takes to buy the right orthopedic dog bed for their pet. Many of us are quick to spend foolishly on ourselves when our dogs are sleeping on the hard, cold ground or worse, a concrete pad? When you adopt a dog, you become his caretaker, and you take on the responsibility for his well being. He gives you a lot of companionship and joy. Don’t you think you at least owe him a great night’s sleep?

wild birds

There are several terms that people associate with birds. One is “this is for the birds.” Or someone may refer to something fast as “swift as a bird.” People even refer to having a bird’s eye view of something. This means that something is being observed from a high vantage point. But how much does the bird eye actually see, when compared to the human eye or the eye of another animal?

Did you know that your eye and the bird’s eye have many of the same structural features? Both the human eye and the bird eye have a cornea, retina, iris, lens, anterior chamber and eyelids. Some of these structures function in the same way for both humans and wild birds/domesticated birds. The obvious difference is the size of the eye in comparison to the rest of the body. A starling’s eye is 15% of their body mass, whereas a human’s eye is only 1%.

The size of the eye depends on the bird species. Owls, for example, have huge eyes that allow them to take in more at once. For a wild bird that is important because it means that they can spot enemies and their prey much easier. Owls cannot move their eyes so they rotate their heads. How far do they rotate their heads? They rotate a whopping 200 degrees. Another difference to be found is the number of eyelids a bird has over humans. The human eye only has an upper and lower eyelid.

All species of birds have three eyelids. They have an upper, lower and a nictitating membrane that cleans and protects the eye. Another difference is in the positioning of the eyes. Humans and most wild animals, especially predators, have eyes that are not as centralized as a bird’s eye. A bird’s eye is on the front of the skull and they lack the ability to see very far to the sides. This is why birds turn their heads often.

The bird eye is fascinating. Though it is very similar to a human’s eye, it has enough differences as to allow the bird to flourish and survive out in the wild. A wild bird that does not have the correct vision or positioning would face a very dire situation when protecting itself or finding food for survival. If you want to know more about the avian eye, then go to your local library and check out a book about birds.

When it comes to providing medical services for family or pets, generally cost is no object.  That is because families and their pets are loved and appreciated.

However, when it is matter of pets, it is very essential that you should be aware of the veterinarian clinic cost for several veterinarian procedures executed.In addition, you should know the emergency charges that is important too. 

Typical Veterinarian Clinic Costs

First of all, it is key to note that when discussing veterinarian clinic costs there are a number of factors involved that determine some of the fees that are assessed.  Some of those factors include the cost of living.  Generally, this cost of living is directly proportional to where the individual and their pet reside. 

Another factor that can determine veterinarian clinic costs are the commitments made by the particular clinic.  For example, some clinics may offer rabies shots at no charge as part of their commitment to maintain a healthy pet community.Or when it comes to neutering or spaying some clinics may offer reduced charges.  Again this may be a clinic’s commitment to reducing the unwanted pet population.

So, it is essential to get the ballpark figures that may reflect typical financial costs for non-emergency visits to the clinic of veterinarian.  Generally an annual non-emergency visit to the veterinarian includes a heartworm test, rabies vaccination, DHPP vaccination, interceptor refill, advantix and routine veterinarian exam.

Again, depending upon the size of the animal and the locale, the price range for this package of service provided can range anywhere from $400 to $700.  One other variable that may add or decrease the price of these services is the size of the animal that is being examined.

Emergency Veterinarian Clinic Costs

In addition to the incurring of regular veterinarian clinic costs associated with owning a pet, there are other veterinarian clinic costs that may be required.  These costs are associated with the possibility of requiring the use of an emergency veterinarian clinic. 

An emergency veterinarian clinic is that medical treatment center that provides care for the pet or animal when the person’s normal veterinarian is not available.  Additionally, an emergency veterinarian clinic is open on holidays and has extended or around the clock hours of operation. 

Obviously the cost for an animal to be treated at emergency clinic will be much more intense.  This is generally due to the fact that the staff is either on call or already working.  Also, the types of services utilized at an emergency clinic generally require the use of a particular surgical procedure because of the emergency being addressed.  A typical procedure performed by an emergency veterinarian clinic is the setting of a fractured bone or treatment of other accident related injuries.

wild bird

If you have paid attention to the news and health alerts since 1997, then you have undoubtedly heard about the bird flu. Avian influenza is a devastating disease for domesticated fowl. One of its variations can have a mortality rate of 90-100% in 48 hours. Yes, this is devastating for farmers but it has become a world wide concern because avian influenza has begun to infect humans, for some unknown reason. It typically should not but there have been many cases when it has. This has the world wide medical community worried.

Here is how the bird flu works. It is naturally found in the intestines of wild birds where it does no harm to the bird. But sometimes when wild birds leave behind stool, urine, saliva or other fluids in the proximity of domesticated birds, the disease can become activated. With the low pathogenic strain of avian influenza the domesticated bird may suffer from decreased egg production or ruffled feathers. But with the high pathogenic version the bird is almost guaranteed to die.

The problem with containing and eradicating the virus is that a wild bird comes into contact with a wide expanse of area. It increases the range in which researchers have to work to clear the virus. The Center for Disease Control’s website has a very detailed section regarding this growing problem. With more humans coming down with avian influenza, it worries the rest of the world. The virus spreads very quickly and if it should become a common human contagion, the world could be looking at serious repercussions. Luckily, most cases of avian influenza in humans has resulted from coming into direct contact with a contaminated bird. And even then the odds are quite low of becoming infected. As of yet there have not been any confirmed cases of the virus being passed from one human to the next.

The best tool you can have to combat this disease in both yourself and your birds is information. You can find tons of misinformation about the bird flu from unreliable sources but if you want the straight facts about avian influenza, then you need to go to the Center for Disease Control’s website at www.cdc.gov. The website has all the information that you need to be informed.

Golden retrievers are one of the most well liked breeds of dogs today.

But what do you know about this dog? The Golden Retriever was developed in the 1800’s in the UK. The breeder, Lord Tweedmouth, wanted a dog that was devoted, kind, enthusiastic, and energetic. He also wanted a dog with an affection for water and the power to retrieve. You’ll find the golden retriever dog to be a great mixture of beauty and brains.

Specified as a sporting dog, the standard Golden Retriever male weighs between 65-75 lbs. And the female smaller at 55-65 lbs. As adults Golden males stand 23-24 inches and females stand 21.5-22.5 inches. Goldens’ coats are assorted shades of gold. The firm, resilient outer coat will either be straight or it can be wavy.

The tail and legs are feathered with longer hair whilst the under coat is dense and soft in texture.

The coat color varies in shades of cream to gold and is rich and lustrous. The Golden is a heavy shedder. The Golden Retriever is a giant, and energetic reproduce making them the planet’s foremost family pet and companion. The Golden is a keen and flexible reproduce that trains quickly. They are sweet, ardent to delight, and devoted family companions who are always peaceful and patient with kids.

Looking for some more in-depth help, might I suggest the site golden retriever breeders

They exude charm and confidence however they don’t do well if left alone for extended periods and may become mischievous and destructive. Their dogs with a lot of personality and excitement to go right along with that. They are friendly with other pets. In reality, they tend to be friendly with everybody. They have a tendency to bark as a type of greeting. The Golden Retriever isn’t well suited for a 2 career family as they need an inordinate amount of human interaction and friendship. They excel in obedience and are popular care and service dogs. Also, they are susceptible to hip dysplasia, cataracts, and skin allergies so regular veternarian check-ups are necessary.

The Golden retriever dog would be excellent inside Pat as long as they get proper exercise. The Golden Retriever needs daily exercise and they enjoy play sessions with their family, retrieving balls and other toys. Golden Retriever puppies should be acquired from credible Golden Retriever breeders who should be in a position to provide paperwork from the Yank Dog house Club or similar registry organization.I love them you love them yes, the golden retriever breeders

Ideally, you should be in a position to view the folks. An alternative to buying a puppy is to take on a Golden Retriever from a Golden Retriever rescue or other rescue organization like the Humane Society. Mow you may be thinking, you know all that there is to know about Golden retriever dogs. Remember that like any pet, owning a Golden Retriever is a long term, heavy commitment.

As a promised the resource we can get the best up to date knowledge on golden retriever breeders

Are you sure that you are giving your pet dog what it deserves? Are you sure that the dog food that you give to your darling pet dog is safe? Do you know that there are dog food out there that is more than harmful rather than of benefit for his health? Maybe you don’t know this and maybe you are but you don’t believe it. Well, here are some stunning knowledge and information that says what you give to your dog is not only the best but the deadliest according to Andrew Lewis, author of Dog Food Secrets, the dog food that you are giving to your furry best friend could be a cause of early death. The number one cause of dog illness can be accredited to commercial dog food. Your loveable best friend may already be suffering from slow and excruciating death and to make you pay attention, this book guide of his was made to be as graphic and as disturbing as it could be because it needs your special attention.

The information that contains in this book guide could save the life of your pet by over 100%. Here, you can learn which dog foods contain up to 6 deadly chemicals that have been banned from human foods because they cause cancer. You can realize many of what colossal dog food companies don’t want you to know. You can also learn how to extend your dog’s life by as much as 8 years just by changing its diet. Also, many unwanted dog behavior problems can be solved simply by doing that.

According to this Dog Food Secrets review, leading veterinarians agree that many dog foods are deficient in nutrition. Feeding such foods to your dog causes it to be overly sensitive to its environment. By not eating enough natural foods, your dog’s adrenal glands become unable to produce enough cortisol. If you want your dog to live a long and happy life, this book guide will explain elaborately on these three things: 1. Stop feeding your dog with commercial dog food until you learn which ones are not harmful to your dog, 2.) Learn how to deduce the nutritional notes on commercial dog foods and finally, start to feed your furry best friend with well-balanced, healthy home made dog foods.

But why are there many others who wonders, “Is Dog Food Secrets scam?” Now, you better hear this. There is no basis for an individual to be a total rip-off just by putting out a dog food book guide just to make a profit. What’s more, you can’t consider this a scam. If something happens, then, the reason is simply, you didn’t follow the system. If it’s a scam, then, why is it that many people are giving positive reactions regarding this book guide? The most appropriate way to know if it is or not is to read more from this Dog Food Secrets review.

Having a pet can be quite expensive especially if you live in the metropolis. Dog food, vet care and grooming supplies all these cost a good deal of money. Dogs make lovely pets but they also need vet care more often compared to cats. Since your dog’s health is very important, you need to make sure that you get the best vet care for your pet. You need to find a good vet that you can trust with your pet’s life. Yes, the best vet care will cost you some money but if you get pet insurance coverage, you do not have to worry about paying for emergency vet care for your pet. By investing a few dollars in monthly premiums, you can render your dog with the best vet care.

Choosing The Right Pet Insurance Coverage

Choosing the right pet insurance coverage is very important. There are a number of things that you need to look into before you get an insurance policy for your pet. First, you need to make sure that the pet insurance policy gives comprehensive coverage for you pet. Note that different breeds of dogs have different needs. Before you get an insurance policy for your pet, study the vet care needs of your pet. Read literatures about the common health care problems of certain breeds of dogs. Pure breed dogs often need more intensive vet care compared to mongrels so if you have a pure breed at home, consider getting a comprehensive insurance coverage for your dog.

The second thing that you need to consider when buying insurance policy for your pet is the cost. Some types of pet insurance policies are more expensive than the others. However, just because an insurance policy is expensive, that does not mean that such policy can cover for all the medical needs of your dog. Some expensive insurance policies are loaded with useless features that are only designed to increase the price of the policy. To make sure that you are getting the finest value out from your money, read the fine lines first before you sign on the insurance policy. You may also ask the insurance underwriter to explain to you in full the fine print provisions on the insurance policy. Unless you are satisfied with the explanations given to you by the insurance underwriter, do not sign the policy first. You do not really want to end up paying for something that does not give your dog the right coverage.

Dog growling must be taken seriously as the dog is giving you a warning. Sometimes people do not step back as they don’t understand their dog’s warning; dogs use growling to get their message across to humans and other animals.

Under normal circumstances, dogs will only be aggressive when they feel threatened or in danger.  Dogs will only attack when their numerous warning gestures have been ignored.

For an excellent dog training guide which will show you how to handle a growling dog, I recommend that you check out: Dog Growling.

Frequently, a dog growls to communicate his desires. Dogs will probably do it again once they discover that growling works for them. It is hardly unexpected that growling in dogs is a common problem because some people naively think that this is a sign that their dog will protect them. The truth is that the dog is more likely to be protecting himself and his stuff.

Growling dogs may be considered dangerous according to some legal definitions so may have to be restricted accordingly. This may involve placing your dog in a crate, in a separate room or restricting him to your back yard.

If you give a dog what he wants after he has growled at you, he will very quickly realize that this is a great way to get what he desires. Understanding your dog’s wants is very helpful in resolving this behavior.

Just a reminder, if you are looking for a great free site to help you deal with growling dogs, you should take a look at: Growling Dogs.

A dog will growl for the following reasons:

1. He wants you to feed him. This is an excellent opportunity to show a dog how to convey his desires. The dog would need to behave appropriately before his food bowl would be put in front of him.
2. He needs to eliminate. Although some owners like the idea of their dog asking to be let outside to eliminate, this is an unreasonable expectation for a puppy, old or sick dog. It is much better if regular potty outings are scheduled so the dog doesn’t have to get his owner’s attention.
3. He is making sure his food is safe. Dogs may protect their food against a seeming threat (you!). Children must be taught to allow the dog to eat in peace and never try to remove the dog’s food. The same goes for adults; dogs must understand that humans give them food and don’t take it away. Additional food should only be added to the dog’s food bowl when it is safe to do so.
4. As with food guarding, dogs may also defend their toys. When someone approaches the dog, growling is frequently the first sign that he will become aggressive if his warnings are ignored. In this instance, the simplest thing to do is take the toy away from the dog permanently or only give it to him when he’s in his crate.
5. He has taken something and wishes to keep hold of it. If your dog takes one of your belongings, do not chase after him. Instead, you should make sure that he receives good obedience training where he will learn the joys of retrieving and will come to you on command.
6. Frequently, dogs growl when they feel afraid of having their nails trimmed or being groomed. If you plan on grooming your dog yourself, it is very important that you receive the correct training.
7. Dogs will also growl to protect themselves from abuse and suffering. Maybe a child has hit or tormented your dog when you weren’t looking so he may growl when a child approaches. Unfortunately, the dog will most likely be blamed for growling under these circumstances.
8. It can be fun for a dog to see his owner jump backwards when he growls. He must not be permitted to become accustomed to this behavior as he is likely to show aggression when his owner doesn’t jump if he growls. It is important to nip this behavior in the bud from the get go.

To discover more about what to do when a dog growls at you, I recommend that you check out the best selling dog training guide, Secrets to Dog Training.

As humans and the more intelligent of the species, we must learn how dogs communicate in order to communicate with them. The human half of the pair is usually the smarter party, but watching the usual training sessions one can have legitimate reason to wonder.

Dogs understand and respond at roughly the mental level of a human two-year-old, but there the similarity ends. Their senses operate differently – their color vision has a different response pattern to reds and greens, for example, and obviously their noses are infinitely more sensitive – and their minds process information differently as well. Anyone training dogs has to take this into account in order to avoid human frustration and canine misbehavior.

Dogs are pack animals by nature. Descendant from wolves – where even the ‘lone wolf’ is an anomaly – they’re social and function best with active interplay and within a strict hierarchy.

So, set aside half-an-hour per day, an hour would be better, for at least the first few months of training. Start training your dog as soon as possible. Some puppies can be started as early as four weeks old.

Elimination (’potty’) training details we leave for elsewhere, but all training follows similar guidelines.

Establish your dominance with your dog as soon as possible. The Law of the pack – there are alpha dogs, beta dogs and on down to the omega. For a sane household, and a well-adjusted dog, the human (whether male or female) must always be the alpha male of the pack.

Each dog or dog breed will make it easier or more difficult. Like humans, some are simply more assertive than others. The most important training aid is your attitude, followed by collars, leashes and other training aids. Never let your dog be the alpha.

Physical force is not necessary to enforce your dominance. Sometimes, used appropriately, that will be necessary. Usually, simply being firm and willing to wait for compliance will be enough.

For many, placing them on their backs when young and placing a firm hand in the middle of the chest until they lower their paws – a sign of submission – will be enough. With some, reinforcing this by putting your face close to theirs, emulating dominant dog behavior, can help.

Keep the leash short to discourage your dog to run, and pay attention to you. Allow plenty of time for free running behavior, essential to dog health, but that’s before or after training, not during. At least, not at first.

Start simply by choosing short, clear commands that sound distinctly different: sit, stay, down, come. Use a firm voice when addressing your dog. You’re in charge, but not angry. Avoid double-word commands like ’sit down’ or ’stay down’. This sounds too much alike and may confuse your dog.

Each verbal command should utilize the same look, tone and gesture. Eventually these can separate, but at first it’s essential to provide the simplest, most consistent form of communication.

Just like two-year old humans, dogs have limited capacity for grasping the subtleties of language. Assist their understanding by rigid consistency. Don’t use a single command word to mean more than one thing. ‘Down’ can mean ‘don’t jump on me or anyone else’, or it can mean ‘get on your stomach’, but it has to mean one thing only.

Be clear, be patient and be committed and the result will be a dog who trusts and listens to you. And that makes it worth the effort. Find more on dog training at Luvurdog.com/dogtraining