Hangin’ with the Animals

posted by Animal Lover2 on Nov 30

by IDHAM EFFENDI

Cat owners are sometimes faced with emergency situations involving their cats without the presence or guidance of their veterinarian. Animals can get sick or require first aid any place at any time. If you as a cat owner have the knowledge of basic pet first aid, then the care, treatment and prognosis for your pet will improve significantly. The following is a list of guidelines you can use when presented with an injured or ill pet. Breathing Problems Brain damage can occur if breathing is interrupted. It is not recommended you waste valuable time performing artificial respiration or CPR on your cat unless you are positive you can administer them expertly to restore normal breathing and heartbeat. It is much safer to seek immediate veterinary care. Broken Bone Never try to set a broken bone yourself. Control bleeding, if any, and restrict your cat s movement while transporting her to the veterinarian. Choking Open the cat s mouth by pressing on either side of her jaw to see if the object is visible. Do not tilt the head backwards. Use tweezers to remove obvious obstruction. You may use your fingers also but be careful of being bitten. If the object is not visible do not poke inside her mouth since this may cause the object to become lodged further. Instead, hold the cat upside down and press sharply on her chest with both hands. Even if you remove the object your cat should be checked by the veterinarian for any damage to the mouth or throat. Electric Shock Playful cats, especially kittens that are teething, may chew on electrical cords and this can lead to electric shock. Electric shock can produce burns on the tongue, palate, lip folds and corners of the mouth. Your cat may salivate profusely or have problems breathing. Never touch an animal that is touching an exposed electrical wire. Turn off the current then use a dry stick to get your cat away from the wire. Get veterinary help as soon as possible. Eye Injury For all eye injuries, take your cat to the veterinarian promptly. Do not let your cat rub her eyes. Do not place medicine in your cat’s eyes, unless instructed by your veterinarian. Frostbite Your cat can suffer frostbite on her ears, feet and tail. Symptoms include: pale, glossy skin which then reddens and becomes painful to the touch. Immediately take your cat into a warm place. Thaw out frostbitten areas slowly by applying, moist towels that are changed frequently. Continue until areas become flushed. Check with the veterinarian to the severity of the frostbite since it can result in damage to the affected areas. Get more: http://cat-world.50webs.com

posted by Animal Lover2 on Nov 29

by HENDRY LEE

Puppies and dogs are great pets. They are good companions for human beings too. Dogs could bring out a smile in all of us. Unfortunately, not all environments are suitable to adopting just any breed of dog. This is especially true if you are living in the city where space is limited and family members have very tight schedule.

Some dogs require very much attention, exercise and ample of room to move around and play. Others are more tolerant to those factors. The latter usually makes a better dog pet for city dwellers.

Here are some, obviously not all, dog breeds that are suitable for urban living: 1. Shih Tzus. This diminutive size dog breed is portable and well-behaved. They are suitable for city living because they don’t take much space and will not ruin as much things as when you own a sports breed.

2. Pugs. This breed is very sociable, usually stubborn about certain things but they are also charming, clever, and fun. Pugs also get along with other dogs and pets quite well. They are great household companions for they don’t require demanding care.

3. Miniature poodles. They are clever pets, but should be socialized as soon as possible as a puppy. Miniature poodles need to be involved in family activities but should make lovely canine pets.

4. Lhasa Apsos. This breed is naturally happy, playful and intelligent. Because they are independent, they are often hard to train. Lhasas have excellent health. When it comes to grooming, they need special attention because of their coat.

5. Labradors. If you are living in the city but wish to have a sports dogs, then labradors could be the perfect choice. They learn fast and are very mild mannered. Make sure you can take them for a walk daily to keep this canine companion in good health.

Other things to consider when choosing dog breed for urban living is the fact that they shed a lot or not. This can cause alergy if one of your family members is sensitive to such thing.

A dog can bring a lot of happiness to life but you must make sure they are suitable not only to the environment you live in but also to your lifestyle.

Aaron Lee helps dog owners whose dog is trying to outsmart them. He shared his passion about dogs through his site Dog Breed Web. Subscribe to Weekly Dog Tips Newsletter to get tips and tricks.

posted by Animal Lover2 on Nov 28

by MATTHEW PAOLINI

When it comes to growing old gracefully, your favorite cat’s life span is affected by a variety of factors, including breed, environment and genetics. While a cat’s lifespan will vary depending on these contributing factors, a good rule of thumb is that a healthy house cat will live to at least fifteen years of age. That being said, it’s not all that unusual for a cat to live longer and some cats are known to have reached the ripe old age of thirty. Much like humans, cats live longest when they’re fed a good nutritious diet. As a cat ages, its nutritional needs change. Despite the recent scare about contaminated dog and cat food, most national cat food brands are now widely considered to be safe. They come in varieties specifically formulated for particular stages in a cat’s life and are generally well liked by cats. Whether you choose a national brand or opt to make your own cat food at home, it’s important not to overfeed your cat. Most cat food makers can supply you with literature, either on the Internet or in print form, that will give you the latest nutritional guidelines for raising a healthy animal.

Cats are like humans in another way, too. Both respond well to an active life with regular exercise. Allowing your pet to go outside everyday is a great way to keep your cat healthy and fit. A scratching post and a judicious selection of toys can also keep your cat active indoors. Set aside some time everyday to play with your cat. Not only will you and your cat become better friends, the exercise will also contribute to a long, healthy life for your cat and even improve your own quality of life!

Another way to help a cat live longer originally came as a surprise to me. Just before signing off, Bob Barker, the former host of the Price is Right, the popular TV game show, used to remind his audience to spay or neuter their cats. Although Barker’s motivation was probably to reduce the number of stray cats and dogs roaming the streets of L.A., it turns out that spaying or neutering your cat can actually boost its life expectancy. Although the statistics on this don’t lie, it’s not exactly clear why the idea works. Some think a fixed cat will stay closer to home, reducing its exposure to disease and other dangers.

Cats grow more susceptible to disease as they grow older, but there are many things you can do to help keep you cat healthy. Regular brushing will satisfy your cat’s instinct for regular grooming and also help to prevent common skin diseases. Remember, too, that a cat can’t care for its own teeth. Brushing your tabby’s teeth everyday will help ward off conditions like chronic cat breath, gum disease and more serious conditions like resorption lesions. You should also watch for changes in your cat’s eating or sleeping patterns or an abnormal incidence of hairballs, all of which can point to more serious health issues that may require treatment by a veterinarian.

Last but not least, a good relationship with a qualified veterinarian is a must should your cat ever requires professional care. Regular visits to the vet, even when there’s no emergency, can add many years to the life of your favorite feline. So, make the effort to find a vet in your area. Friends or relatives can sometimes provide a recommendation, but if you’re new to the neighborhood or don’t know another cat owner you can ask, check your online yellow pages for a list of qualified vets in your neighborhood. Matt Paolini is a cat lover and Managing Editor of CityBook, the Internet’s leading family-safe yellow pages directory. Locate a veterinarian in your neighborhood using CityBook’s online yellow pages.