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Pets can be an important part of a child’s life. A child learns
a lot from having an animal to care for. Just take a look at
some of the lessons a child (or adult) picks up. Responsibility
- This is one of the first lessons that comes to mind, and
likely the one that parents use to try to dissuade a child when
he says, “Can we get a dog?” For some people, the responsibility
of caring for an animal can become a huge chore that outweighs
the joy of having that pet. But for those who stick it out, the
pet is a good teacher and children who have a pet from an early
age learn quickly about the responsibility of caring for an
animal that’s dependent on them for food, water and other needs.

Some chores are fun, some aren’t - The early days of having a
pet are usually not that difficult, until Fido doesn’t make it
to the door or the gerbil cage has to be cleaned. That’s when
the pet owner typically begins to weigh the fun of playing ball
with the dog against the chore they’re facing now. Learning that
some of the chores are fun (like playing with the kitten) and
some aren’t (cleaning the litter box) is a fact of life.

Caring - Nurturing is not an instinct that comes naturally to
all people. Pets are one way to teach that trait, or to bring it
to the surface. Many programs around the world use pets in
daycares, schools and nursing homes. People who have responded
little to friends and families will instinctively reach for a
dog or cat.

Patience - Pets teach us to be patience, and one of the best
catalysts for this lesson is by teaching your pet tricks. Note
that not all pets are conducive to this lesson.

Playing - It’s difficult to imagine that some people have
forgotten how to play, but it’s true. Most kids don’t need to be
taught to play, but a pet can remind us that life isn’t all
about the chores. Sometimes it’s just time to build a terrific
hamster cage or take a walk in the park - literally.

Science - Some schools are seeing the benefits of having live
animals in the classrooms. Teachers are encouraged to choose a
pet that can live at school in a cage of some sort. Those
animals can then be used to teach life science, including topics
such as length of gestation, development and eating habits.
While those lessons are very limited in focus because students
are learning about one particular kind of animal, expanding on
that first-hand knowledge tends to be easier than if students
learned only from a text book and photos.

There’s no doubt that allowing a child to adopt a pet is a big
step, but it’s also a worthwhile investment. Remember to choose
age appropriate animals and to select an animal that fits your
child’s lifestyle and personality. For example, if you have a
kid who’s always into building, consider a mouse or hamster and
help him build an awesome hamster cage in his room. If you live
in the country with room for a dog to run, a canine pal may be
the better bet. If space is very limited, hermit crabs may be
just what you need.

The symptoms discussed here are only a selection of the more common types of thing that can cause your dog problems. If you notice these symptoms or anything else you are unsure of you should contact your vet immediately, early detection of problems will save your pet more discomfort in the long run and it is often quite astounding how quickly some diseases can take hold and cause other health problems for your dog

The Respiratory Tract: The most common problem that affects the respiratory tract is some kind of obstruction that occurs.

Watch for: Mouth breathing, Persistent sneezing accompanied by nasal discharge, Gagging, Snoring, Hacking cough, Nasal discharge, Retching, Vomiting, and Rapid and Shallow respiration.

The Urogenital System: Watch for the following symptoms and consult your veterinarian if symptoms persist.

Trouble Signs: Depression, Vomiting, Diarrhoea, Rise in temperature, Pain in the kidney region, Scanty Urine Flow, Foul Breath, Weight Loss, Digestive upsets, Nervousness, Lumbar Pain, Straining to urinate, Frequent urination becoming uncontrollable, Blood in the urine, and walking in a crouched position.
General Infection: Dogs are susceptible to a wide range of bacterial and viral infection. The best way to prevent these types of infections is to vaccinate your dog. Puppies should be fully vaccinated by 12 weeks of age, and should receive their rabies vaccination at 6 months of age, and every year thereafter. Many infections can be extremely serious and life threatening. If you see any of these warning signs, you should consult your veterinarian immediately!

Trouble Signs: Runny eyes, Runny Nose with white discharge, Coughing, Red Throat, Fever, Loss of appetite, listlessness, Enlarged Tonsils, Intense thirst, Diarrhoea, Blood in the stool, Muscle stiffness, Rigidity of the tail, Stiffness in gaiting, and Vomiting.

Please do not let this list of symptoms and problems put you off owning and loving a dog, they are a great addition to any loving family and the purpose of this article is not to scare you, it is just you are going to be spending a lot of time in close contact with a member of the family who can not tell you if they are feeling unwell. We hope that if you are able to recognise the signs of a problem then you will be able to give the dog the help he needs.

http://www.tall-indoor-dog-gates.com Tall indoor dog gates is a site dedicated to dog training and healthcare - give us a visit.

As all cat owners know, a feline can be a wonderful addition to any
family. One of the most basic aspects of cat ownership is proper health
care for the cat. Health care for a cat encompasses a wide array of
vaccine shots, flea protection, vet visits, medications, and even proper
exercise.

However, the most important aspect of cat health is also often
overlooked. People spend hundereds of hours and thousands of dollars over the
lifetime of a cat to keep it healthy, but most cat owners don’t pay
nearly enough attention to the proper cat food.

The right cat food is absolutely essential to a healthy, happy cat.

But what is the best cat food for your cat? While each cat will have
slightly different nutritional needs, there are some general rules that
must be considered when looking for cat food.

First of all, cats (like their human owners) need a high quality diet.
This means the best types of protein, fats, carbs, and the less
preservatives and chemical additives, the better. Most of the research
available online does not compare specific brands of cat food, as much as
specific ingredients to feed your cat, and which to stay away from!

Cats need a high protein diet. Wild cats are very carnivorous, and cats
derive a great deal of their nutritional needs from protein. House
cats, while not wild, still have many of the same nutritional needs as
their wild feline ancestors. So, the most important ingredient in any cat
food is protein.

Carbohydrates are also an important part of a cats diet, though not as
important as protein. Cats really should derive the majority of their
nutritional needs from protein, so cat foods that are high in
carbohydrates may not necessarily be the best for them.

Interestingly enough, many of the premium brands of cat food, such as
Eukanuba and Innova offer exactly what most cats need, and aren’t
necessarily more expensive in the long run. This is because high end cat
foods need a smaller serving amount than the low end cat foods to give a
cat all the nutrients they need to be satisfied and healthy.

When comparing a premium brand such as Eukanuba, to a lower cost brand
such as Purina, the cost difference for the recommended serving size is
only a nickel a day. Furthermore, because a cat will eat less of the
high end cat food, their waste will be reduced. This can cut down on the
frequency of litter replacement and litter box related chores.

Another aspect of cat food to be considered is the quality of the
protein in the food. Because of the way many pet food companies describe the
meat in the food, it can be difficult to figure out exactly what the
difference between “chicken flavored”, and “chicken dinner” is.

Food that contains “chicken meal” can only be made from the skin,
flesh, and bones only. This is really the best type of protein for a cat.
Food that has “meat byproducts” can contain nearly any animal parts, and
are of lower quality than “chicken meal”. Food that is “chicken
flavored” only has to taste like chicken, but may not contain any animal meat
at all. Also, chicken is generally better than beef for cats.

And it goes without saying, preservatives, as well as artificial
colors, should be avoided whenever possible. Although specific research is
lacking on this subject, we do know that preservatives and artificial
colors can have a negative impact on human health. It is only logical that
cats will also be negatively affected by artificial colors and
preservatives in their cat food.

Greg Podsakoff is an avid cat owner, having recently adopted Hercules the cat, and is dedicated to finding the best ways to care for any cat. Find out more about proper cat care at: http://www.cat-care-cat-information.com

Dog collars are practical and fashionable. A dog collar can hold your dog’s identification which can be his ticket back home to you if he gets lost. A dog collar can also be your dog’s most fashionable statement showing the world just how pampered and stylish he is.

Every dog needs at least one collar. But as it is with you and earrings or necklaces and rings, your dog and you will enjoy having several. Of course, you only really need one pair of shoes, but chances are you have many, a style and color for every occasion. So can it be the same with your dog’s collar. You and your dog can enjoy a color and style for any and every occasion.

The dogs that belong to celebrities are known to wear some of the most fabulous-looking collars. The rich and famous love to splurge on fashionable collars for their dogs.

Throughout history people have adorned their dog’s necks with jewels, brass and velvet. We are not the first generation to love our dogs. A dog-collar museum at Leeds Castle in England displays a collection of collars from medieval times to the nineteenth century. Many of those collars include the same kind of identification information we put on our dog tags today.

The collars you choose for you dog should provide comfort and safety as well as adornment. A collar that does not fit properly can create sores. A collar that is too loose can allow your dog to slip out. A collar that is not sturdy can break just at a time you need it most to be strong enough to hold your dog in safety. Finding the right fit is the first rule when purchasing collars for your dog.

Do not put a huge collar and leash on a little dog. It can irritate your dog’s throat. The little guys under 8 pounds should have a collar that is 3/8-inch wide. Bigger dogs can use a collar 5/8-inch in size.

If you have a bigger and more active dog be sure the collar is strong. If your bigger dog suddenly flies to the end of the leash after a cat while on your walk, you will be glad he was wearing a very strong collar and leash. Once I was walking one of my 10 pound Shih Tzu’s on a sidewalk that surrounded a lake. The ducks on the sidewalk suddenly flew into the water, and right after them went my Cindy and almost me too. Without a strong collar and leash that day she would have ended up in the lake for sure (I am unsure if Cindy can swim), but my first instinct would have been to run right after her and I for sure cannot swim. Luckily I was able to pull her back.

Look for well-constructed buckles and collars made of leather or other materials that won’t fall apart right at the “wrong” moment.

Be sure your dog’s collar is secure around his neck. Otherwise he could learn to get his head out of the collar. Put your thumb or other fingers inside the collar. If you can fit more than one finger comfortably between collar and your dog’s neck, the collar on a small dog is too loose. Collar fitting can also be determined by the size of your dog’s head. If your dog has a big neck and a little head, the collar has to be fitted snug around his neck. If he has a skinny neck and a large head, the collar can be looser.

Whether you pay $5 or $100 for your dog’s collars, think about quality, comfort and safety before you buy. It is fun to find stylish collars, but just be sure your dog is comfortable and safe as well.

Connie Limon is a Shih Tzu breeder. Buy designer dog clothes, collars and leashes at: http://www.littleguysdogclothesshop.com