There are many beautiful breeds of dogs to choose from, but not everyone of them may be compatible with your lifestyle. People choosing a breed with undesired traits find themselves stuck in a situation similar to that one would experience in hell. And that's one of the reasons why you see many doggies wandering around the streets, eating out of trash cans, or confined in the dog pound. If you've seen the Cairn Terrier, and decide to keep one as a pet, it's important that you do some research to see if this pooch is right for you. I will now state some basic need-to-knows about this breed, which could help you out in making your choice.
The Cairn Terrier is a small dog that doesn't shed that much fur, which makes it okay for it to sleep inside the house. However, it packs a lot of energy, which makes it restless if it's kept indoors all day. Being restless will lead to the development of some behavioral problems, which you of course woudn't want. To fix that, it's important that you give it some outdoor activity time. It loves taking walks, jogging, running, and even going up hill. Owners of this breed find themselves playing with it for hours, because it obviously enjoys doing so. Another thing that some dogs of this breed fancies is wandering.
They can go around for hours, and sometimes get lost. So having sturdy fences put up around your house would be great for stopping it from drifting off. Knowing the fact that it demands constant physical exercise, this pet won't be suitable for those living in apartments. As I've said earlier, it'd become restless from being locked up all day, which would then make it do more bad than good. Cairn Terriers are very affectionate - they love hanging around their human owners. This is great for people with passive incomes or are jobless; this type doesn't have much to do.
This dog needs plenty of time and attention, and bonding with the kids of the family. So if you can't give it the time and attention it needs because you're tied up with work, this isn't the pet for you. Cairn Terriers are fairly intelligent and learn tricks fast. This makes training much easier, but before getting there you've got to deal with its behavioral problems first. There are some that may or may not occur - as a pup pay attention to any signs of unwanted behavior and deal with it immediately. At this age, ingraining rules and basic commands into their heads won't be so hard.
From there anything plausible could be very possible, that is if you set your mind to it. These are some of the basic qualities that a Cairn Terrier may possess, which should be kept in mind before making up your mind. But for a more thorough description of this breeds' temperament and other attributes, I urge you to research more about this dog. If you already own one, and on the verge of giving up, don't. Whatever problems you're having with it, it's most likely due to the fact that you've been using the wrong methods. It's never too late to turn things around for the better.
Labrador retriever got famous in England during the year 1870 and it was during the year 1903 when the English Kennel Club tagged it as a breed popular as house pets. Later during the year 1917, this breed became popular at American Kennel Club. Labrador retriever breed is the most famous and registered breed in United States as well as in United Kingdom. Popularity of this breed is increased due to its ability on field. Labrador Retrievers are well known and adjustable for tracking, hunting, retrieving, law work, narcotics work and also for spirited obedience. These are also adoptable for watch dog job, serving the blind, investigate and set free. Labrador retriever differs as per size as medium to large and they are athletes. English Labrador retriever dogs are solid and their skin coat is double layered that come in different colors, various shades of yellow, black and chocolate.
Labrador Retrievers are in two types namely the English Lab and the American lab. These are not considered as two separate breeds but have some differences in them. English Labrador retriever are shorter compared to American labs. They are very affectionate and have beautiful and expressive eyes. Labs have pendant ears that hang close to their head. Labradors have a thick powerful neck and their chest is a bit broad with a strong back. Tail of this breed is medium in size and distinguishable. The popularity of these breeds has increased due to their friendly nature. They are very loving, affectionate and clever dogs. This breed is loyal and full with character and gets along well with children. These dogs require a good set of people to take care of with time and love shown for them. Labs are a kind of breed that requires fewer efforts for training.
Labs respond in a best way to helpful reinforcements. English Labrador Retrievers are with friendly nature and thus they are not suitable for a safety guard purpose. These can be used as watch dogs as they display a good barking power as they see unfamiliar people coming close to them or approaching towards house. Labs can be very different and unhelpful if proper physical and mental motivation are not given or are kept alone for longer duration. These can proceed forcefully when they see other dogs particularly of same sex. In general this breed is one of the popular dogs allover and is liked by everyone. These dogs are very handy for indoor purpose and deal with good help outside too. The Labrador breed is a fun dog that likes to play all the time or get busy in something or the other. A regular walk or going for jogging along with these dogs is a kind of refreshments for them. No breed enjoys staying at home all the time. Swimming can be a good option for these dogs specially the younger ones. Keeping English Labrador retrievers is a good option for enjoyment as well as some security.
Cichlid breeding has become one of the most popular hobbies today. There are at least 1300 scientifically described species. These fish range from species as small as 1 in. in length to 3 feet. As a group, they exhibit a similarly wide diversity of body shapes, from long to short and flat to round. Many, particularly the Tilapias, are important food fishes. In fact the Tilapia is the most consumed fish in the USA.
These have become increasingly popular as aquarium fish, and are ideally suited as aquarium fish because many are small to medium-sized, easy to feed with a range of prepared fish foods, breed readily, and practice brood care, in captivity. Part of their popularity arises from the fact that they are so diverse in their shapes and colors.With a bit of shopping around one can have a beautiful variety of shapes and colors which make for a beautiful aquarium. Of the many species, the Angelfish, Oscars, and Discus, are likely the most valued aquarium fish. There are special sites including forums that cater specifically to care and breeding of each species.
These fish are also quite diverse in terms of their diet. Many feed primarily on algae and plants while others are primarily predatory and carnivorous and prey on other smaller fish. With the latter species it is important to choose their aquarium mates carefully.
Cichlid breeding is fascinating because of the parental behavior of adult fish. All species show some parental care for both eggs and larvae, often extended to free-swimming young until they are several weeks or months old. Species of this family have highly organized breeding activities. Some specie do mouth brooding which provides an interesting aquarium show with the adult fish protecting the young inside her mouth.
Most are easy keepers, however some do require special conditions. There are several sources for information about the care and breeding of this diverse aquarium fish.
The Kissing Gourami gets its' name due to the behavior between two males attempting to show their dominance. They appear to be kissing, but actually they are challenging one another. The male also does the "kissing" act with the female before spawning. Call it what you wish; it's amusing to see.
The green colored Kissing Gouramis have a dark bar bordering the dorsal and anal fins. The pink or flesh toned fish have silvery scales. Their bodies are oval shaped and they have thick fleshy lips, with rows of fine teeth in their mouths, which is great for chewing down plants to the stem. Because of those teeth, you will need to have plastic plants or sturdy Java fern in their tank.
They need plenty of room, as they grow to six inches or more in length. An aquarium of at least 45- gallon is advisable. They are not particular about most water conditions, but thrive best in temperatures of 75 - 82 degrees.
Kissing Gouramis can become quite quarrelsome and most of them are masters at bullying. Watch for signs of aggression, especially with other species. They should only be housed with other medium to large sized breeds and even then watch them for signs of showing others who's boss.
These fish have big appetites and enjoy flaked foods, Tubifex and brine shrimp .For optimum health, offer them fresh Romaine lettuce and cooked peas. Kissing Gouramis are also big algae eaters. Driftwood in the aquarium is a good idea, as this provides them with much algae. They will also suck off algae on the sides of the tank and pebbles.
It is near impossible to differentiate between the two sexes. You will finally know you have a male and female when you see that some "kissing" is going on along with circling and nudging. This means spawning has begun. Next, the male wraps his body around the female. She releases several hundreds of eggs which is then fertilized by the male. If there is a large leaf of Romaine lettuce floating on the surface of the water, the eggs will adhere to them after floating upwards.
Naturally, many of these eggs will be eaten, but some "dads" will become protective and keep a close eye on these eggs, chasing away fish that get too close. The eggs will hatch approximately in one day. And two days later you will have many free swimmers. Now is the time to remove the fry to another tank.
The best way to feed the tiny fry is to press a cooked egg through a cheesecloth. As they become larger and they can fit flaked food into their mouths, you can begin weaning them from the egg. Feed them baby brine shrimp too.
Kissing Gouramis are easy fish to maintain in the aquarium. As long as they are provided with a good diet and plenty of room to grow and swim, you can expect these hardy fish to live approximately 5 years.
If you're seriously interested in knowing about discus fish breeding, you need to think beyond the basics. This short article takes a closer look at things you need to know about. Ideal for breeding discus fish are 20 or 30 gallon tall fish tanks. You should provide some vertical surface in the tank (e.g.: inverted flowerpot) that will enable them to lay their eggs.
In order to provide some shelter for the pair you could add some potted plants to the breeding fish tank. They can be kept in bare tanks but benefit from bog wood and plants as these help the discus feel safe knowing they have somewhere to hide. If they get stressed and scared in a bare tank they can dash around and hurt themselves. Use some sponge filter for the filtration system to handle the biological load. Also required is a outside power filter which picks up any waste that might be in the water.
Discus fish come from the calm warm waters of the Amazon River and prosper when these conditions are replicated in the home aquarium. For both general maintenance and breeding of discus the pH should be maintained between 5.5 and 7.0, the temperature between 83 and 86 degrees F.
Water changes should be performed weekly. However a small water change should be done every day, or every second day. Frequent water changes increase appetite and promote mating activity in discus. Notice that discus will often spawn after a water change!
If good water quality is maintained the discus will have large appetites and should accept any food offered to them. Spawning discus should be fed frozen blood worms, beef heart, frozen or live brine shrimp, live white worms or Tetra Color Bits. In order to avoid parasites invading the tank you should never feed live tubifex or black worms to discus.
A "happy" breeding pair will lay eggs every week for a period of about 4 months. Usually discus will go through two of these spawning cycles in a year. The female will lay around 80-400 eggs and then the male fertilises them. It can take between 48-60 hours for the eggs to hatch and another 60-72 hours until they are swimming freely.
Immediately upon becoming free-swimming the fry will move to their parents sides, and start feeding off them during this time. The fry will feed off their parents sides for as long as you leave them together, however they should be offered small foods such as baby brine shrimp. You will notice after about 3-6 weeks that the parents will be exhausted, also the fry will be growing fast. It's a good idea to remove them at this stage.
Building and maintaining your own koi pond can be a rewarding experience for those that do it correctly. To add even more enjoyment, you can transform your koi pond into a full fledged koi garden. There are three main parts to a koi garden. They are a Koi Pond, Koi Fish, and Plant life.
A good koi pond will give your fish plenty of room to grow and flourish. A great depth for a koi pond is around four feet deep, because it gives the koi enough room to grow and find protection from predators, such cats, raccoons, and some birds. Also, a larger pond gives you the benefit of adding more Koi later on as you see fit. Koi ponds should be shaded, with very little direct sunlight during the day. Placing a koi pond under a tree is great protection from light and most birds, you will have leaves falling into the pond which can be a nuisance. Also, be wary of lawn chemicals, such as pesticides, as even a little bit can devastate an entire community of koi.
The other part off a koi garden is plants. But sadly, koi fish and plants don't always coexist together successfully. Koi fish are known for knocking over plants, and also digging them up if they are planted in the pond. Koi fish will dig around and actually uproot the plants if they have easy access to them. Adding small pea rock around the base of the plants and then placing several larger rocks on top of the smaller ones will help keep them safe from curious koi fish. Also, closely knitted netting placed around the plants will keep them away safely and effectively.
Taking into account the plants and how you secure them will ensure your newly created koi garden is a success and can be enjoyed for many years.
Everyone likes to own a pet. From dog lovers to cat lovers to snake lovers, there is a pet for everyone. While everyone wants to own a pet, a lot of people don't have the time or skill to take care of them. Dogs, cats, and birds require a lot of love and attention that some people just don't have. For people who want a pet but don't have time, a goldfish is the perfect choice for you.
Most people generally opt for a fish as a pet because they are cheap, don't require a lot of "love" and don't require constant attention or expensive products. Goldfish are available in abundance at most department stores and pet shops, offered in breathtakingly vivid colors, varied shapes, and sizes. The fish are only a few dollars though some of the large and specialty breeds of goldfish can cost a lot of money. However, those are the kinds few people have in their own. The common household goldfish is cheap and you can leave the store with it in a plastic bag!
Veterinarian bills for four legged pets can often be very high. They need a lot of shots, medicines, special food, and can get sick often. Fortunately, goldfish never need to see a veterinarian so you won't have to spend all that money on a vet.
Goldfish care and maintenance is perhaps least time consuming and demanding of all pets. No grooming, no training, no walking- just clean a bowl and drop in some food. They make for useful pets for people who are looking for a simple lifestyle or are too busy to take care of a dog or cat. Feeding goldfish is not bothersome either and takes only a few minutes to put in some flakes and pellets in the bowl. Despite not being able to give much feedback or emotions, gold fish are still fun and relaxing to watch. Some gold fish can also learn to respond to sounds and signals and come swimming to you for feeding treats. Goldfish can be a pleasure to watch while they swim around the aquarium aimlessly strutting around in their brightly and fascinatingly colorful hide.
Moreover, when a goldfish does die, you can simply flush it down the toilet. Dead goldfish can be disposed off quite conveniently with a single flush. However, if your children get emotionally attached, then you can indulge in a burial process or a funeral ceremony is your back garden.
Very commonly considered an ideal pet for small children, goldfish come across as pets that are endearing and affectionate, easy to care and maintain for and a delight to watch, particularly for those who have never had the opportunity to care for a living creature before. They are easy pets and simply require their bowls to be cleaned every few weeks, which is much simpler than a dog or cat. These fish are perfect for those with little time on their hands and should be considered by all people. They make for a pretty and soothing addition to any home.
Koi are one of the most prized of pond fish and a large part of the reason for this is the dazzling array of colors and patterns they can appear in. Besides this they are very hardy fish and can be very long-lived. Average life span is around thirty years but a couple are reputed to have lived two-hundred years. Koi fry emerge from the egg around a week after spawning takes place, however color doesn't set until around twelve weeks of age.
The number of patterns and colors Koi can display is confusing at first, yet most come down to some combination of red and white. Black has remained elusive, so the few varieties of koi with black in their coloring have come to be regarded as a separate group known as black koi.
The only variety of koi that appears entirely black is the magoi strain. It is actually a very dark bronze color but seems to be black when viewed from above. Because they are so unusual there is some dispute about whether they should really be counted as koi. They have an extra characteristic that makes them very valuable, however, and that is size. Magoi fish grow bigger than other varieties of koi so there is a trend now to interbreed them with other strains to produce very large fish for big ponds.
One type of black koi which has been around for a long time is the crow, called Karasu in Japanese. It can occasionally have black fins and a black body. More typically only the fins are black, while the body is white or orange.
The most popular black koi variety was only developed around 1980. It is called the dragon, Kumonryu. The main characteristic of these fish is a light body with a jet black pattern on it. This pattern is unstable and can change shape or disappear altogether in response to changing conditions of temperature or other factors in their environment. Sometimes the black coloration can appear totally stable. Other fish can change from one pattern to another in just a few weeks. One weakness this breed displays at times is irregularities in the the tail and pectoral fins.
Another koi variety noted for changing its pattern is the matsukawabake. They are almost always white or light gray, with black areas on the flanks and the top of the body. The edges of these black areas should be wavy to qualify as a true Matsukawabake.
Color is one of the biggest reasons for keeping Koi. The ever-changing swirl of red, white and black can be breathtaking, especially at feeding time when the fish all appear at the same place.
The African Senegal Parrot has worked its way up on the list of top picks for pet birds. Here are 5 of its best personality traits that help make it a great choice for a pet Parrot.
Quieter Than Many Parrots-Sometimes the Senegal is listed as a quiet bird which is absolutely true, except when it's not. Even though they are not prone to making screaming and screeching sounds as frequently as some parrots, when they want to be heard they have no problem making it happen. In their defense, they are not usually noisy except when excited or wanting attention. And as always, a lot will depend on your individual bird.
Can Entertain Themselves-These are pretty independent birds that do well without another bird sharing the cage with them. With a variety of toys that are rotated in and out of the cage frequently, they are happy spending their days exploring, swinging, climbing and chewing their toys for stimulation. They still will need to spend several hours out of the cage each day for proper exercise. They will also need several hours of human interaction daily to remain tame and to continue to foster trust and affection between caregiver and bird.
Talkers-Many learn to speak well, while others tend to sound mechanical when speaking. There are still others who never learn to speak at all but enjoy whistling, and imitating household sounds such as doorbells, alarm clocks, or microwaves. There are a number of videos and books written about the best way to get your bird to talk, but ultimately they are no guarantee that the bird you've chosen will do so. The best way to insure that your bird will talk is to hear it talk before you buy it.
Highly Trainable-Senegals enjoy short, but regular training sessions for tricks with the outcome being great tricks and a stronger bond between you and your bird. Remember to go slowly, be consistent, and reward with a treat when they have done a good job for you. Never, ever, scold or punish your bird if it does not meet your expectations. This will only injure your relationship with your bird and lessen the chances of getting your Parrot to learn the trick.
Fun and Entertaining-With proper toys, perches, ropes, and a swing or two they are energetic birds that are highly entertaining. Watching them can be a lovely way to unwind any time you have a minute to watch the show.
A koi pond can be a wonderful landscaping feature capable of turning the average backyard into a relaxing oasis. The possibilities for design are only limited by the amount of available space and the imagination of the homeowner. Items like aquatic plants, waterfalls, and a host of other common pond features can be combined to create a one of a kind, backyard paradise.
Unlike goldfish, koi can grow to be quite large. It is recommended that these fish be kept in groups of at least 3-4, as they don't do as well as solitary creatures. For these two reasons, a koi pond should be much larger than those designed for goldfish. To properly house this species, a pond should be at least 4-5 feet deep, maybe deeper if you live in areas that are prone to harsher winters. Building a pond that is too small is a common mistake that should be avoided.
The location of a koi pond is an important consideration that should be addressed before anything else. These fish generally should not be kept in a pond that is in constant, direct sunlight, as this can be detrimental. Therefore, finding a location with adequate shading is important. If you plan on maintaining aquatic plants as well, this shading should be balanced with enough sunlight for the plants to survive.
When planning a location for a koi pond, eliminating water runoff into the pond is essential. Water runoff from the average backyard will often contain fertilizer chemicals that can do a great deal of damage to your fish. Designing a pond often requires that landscaping modifications be made in order to keep this runoff from affecting the life in your pond.
Maintaining a koi pond often requires pumps and a filtration system. These are designed to reduce common contaminates like algae and bacteria. They also help to aerate the water, ensuring that there is adequate oxygen for both plants and fish. In addition, these pumps are often used to create artificial waterfalls, which add a nice touch to the average pond.
Installing a koi pond in your yard is a great home improvement project that can be done relatively easily. However, it is important to do some research ahead of time to make sure that you have the time and resources to properly build and maintain your pond. Doing so will ensure a lifetime of peaceful serenity.
If you own an English Bulldog, you definitely want nothing but the best for your pet. It is your responsibility as dog owner to provide the things essential for your dog's growth and happiness. And in order to ensure your dog's growth and happiness, it is important that you take extra step to know and avoid the things that can pose danger to your dog.
Warm Climates.
Just like any dog breed with a brachycephalic skull, English Bulldogs are sensitive to extreme weather climates. They do best in temperate climates but are susceptible to heat stroke when in warm climates or hot areas. Going to places with warm temperature should be avoided and great care should be given to this breed during warm periods.
Chocolate.
People love chocolates! Definitely dogs love chocolates too! But no matter how delectable this stuff seems, never ever give in to temptation. Chocolate contains a chemical called obromine which is quite toxic to dogs. It normally takes a somewhat large amount of chocolate to kill a dog but in some cases, ingesting smaller amounts can poison and kill your beloved pet. If your dog has been poisoned by chocolate, he will start to show signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, frequent urination and increased activity.
Medications.
Medications, be it prescription or over-the-counter should be kept out of your pet's reach. Remember that painkillers, antidepressants, vitamins and diet pills can poison animals, despite in small doses.
Household Cleaners.
Bleach, fabric softener, laundry and dish washing detergent, furniture polish, disinfectants as well as mothballs and potpourri oils are dangerous to dogs. These products contain ingredients that may cause central nervous system excitement and seizures and can later lead to liver failure. Signs that your dog has been poisoned include abdominal pain, vomiting and drooling.
Watch Batteries.
If ingested, a watch battery can cause fatal ulceration in the stomach within 12 hours after ingestion. In addition, other alkaline batteries are dangerous to dogs too. A dog that has been poisoned shows signs such as drooling, lack of appetite, vomiting and lethargy.
Household Plants.
No matter how dear you are to your plants, it is always important to check if it is poisonous to your dog. Some of the toxic plants include poinsettias, tulip bulbs, daffodils, azaleas, lilies, ferns, aloe and ivy. Symptoms of poisoning include vomiting and central nervous excitement.
If you suspect that your dog has been poisoned, seek veterinary care immediately.
If you do not want to risk the health and life of your English Bulldog, do your part as a responsible owner. Puppy-proof your house before taking Fido home.
Chihuahuas are a very popular breed of dog despite their annoying yipping! They're extremely tiny (the smallest in the world, actually) and cute (some would say) as well as having an amusing personality in which they don't seems to realize how much smaller they are than... everything else. Their attempt to intimidate and impose their will on others is amusing, adding to the likability of this animal. It's for these reasons that Chihuahuas are one of the top 10 most popular dog breeds in America. Another popular idea in modern times are Chihuahua mixes-dogs created by breeding pure-bred Chihuahuas with pure-breds of another breed. These new animals can vary in size and colour depending on what the other parent breed is, and often combine the traits of the two animals both in physical appearances, as well as personality traits.
Some of the breeds that are popularly bred with Chihuahuas to make desirable mixes are Terriers, Pomeranians, and Poodles. Each of these combine the parent breeds in unique ways from one another.
Pomeranian Chihuahua mixes almost perfectly combine the appearances of Chihuahuas, and Pomeranians. They tend to have a Pomeranian's long and fine hair, a body that seems like a natural combination of a Pomeranian and Chihuahua, while maintaining the Chihuahua's unique facial structure.. Interestingly enough, they have personality traits, which are uncharacteristic of each parent breed, making them their own unique animal. They should be well groomed on a regular basis to maintain their look, as their hair is quite long and easily matted.
After the advent of the Taco Bell dog in the mid-90's, Taco Terriers became popular in the United States. They're a combination of a Chihuahua and a Toy Fox Terrier, and are just one of many Chihuahua-Terrier cross breeds.
Poodles are also often bred with Chihuahuas to create an interesting animal which combines various traits in a unique (although not very attractive) way. While they're bred often, they are not altogether popular and can often be found as strays on the streets or in rescue shelters.
Another common combination, although more for financial gain than of the breeder than the choice of the buyer, is a cross between a Chihuahua and a Miniature Pinsher. This results in a dog that looks like a pure-bred Chihuahua when it is very young, but as it gets older it quickly becomes evident that it's not as it gets much larger than a Chihuahua and with slightly different facial features.
Whether you bought your Persian cat as a show cat or simply as a house pet, the fact is that Persians need more grooming than the average cat and that responsibility falls upon you. If you don't know where to start with learning how to groom your cat then this article is for you. We've put together some of the most pertinent information you need to know when it comes to grooming your cat. Persian cats are not particularly easy to maintain, although the trouble is worth it when one considers their beauty. There is a whole host of merchandise available when it comes to pet grooming these days and you are free to buy as much as you like. Generally though, the bear essentials needed for grooming and bathing your cat include a brush, blunt ended scissors, toothbrush, shampoo, sponge or wash cloth and a few towels.
Before you begin grooming your cat its important to be organized. This will help you to relax and be in control of what you re doing during the whole process. Cats, like all other animals are sensitive to the emotions we give off. If you are nervous it is likely to make your cat feel the same way which in turn will end up making the whole bathing and grooming process a lot more difficult. If you've just bought a Persian kitten you should aim to have it in the bath tub at the latest by three months of age. This allows your cat to get used to the process as it gets older making things easier for you. Once you've established a routine stick to it, that way your cat knows what to expect and will remain calm throughout the grooming process. You should try to give your cat a complete bath and trim at least once a week although with a Persian if you want to keep its coat in great shape then you really need to set aside a few minutes each day to comb out any matts in the hair.
Giving your Persian cat a regular bath is the core activity of the day to day grooming process. Regularity is the key bathing as the more your cat gets used to it the less resistant he is likely to be to the whole process. Place your cat gently but firmly in a bath of lukewarm water. Too hot or too cold and you're likely to cause resistance in your cat or even injure it. The water needs to be well worked into the cat before you start to apply the shampoo. Initially this can be difficult as the cat does not have the patience to stay in the bath tub but with practice things should get easier. Choosing a shampoo may involve some experimentation on your part to see what your cat likes but generally any cat shampoo or even a shampoo with a no tears formula designed for children works fine. Work the shampoo in gently with your hands or a sponge but be careful not to vigorously scrub. Once this is done the only thing left to do is give the coat a good few rinses to get out any shampoo and gently pat your cat dry with a towel.
To dry the coat of your Persian cat you need a hair dryer to be used on its lowest setting. This is important as using a higher setting will likely irritate your cat. Place your cat on a specially prepared grooming table and begin to use the dryer very gently will combing out the hair. Once you can feel that the hair is dry then you can begin to trim off any excess hair from around the body and face using trimming scissors or thinning scissors. Cats have a tendency to get inpatient at this point so its important you remain firm in keeping your cat on the grooming table. Take special interest in grooming excess hair off from around the face and ears of the cat.
Trimming the nails & ears is important not only because it looks good but improves the hygiene of the cat in general. Firstly you should have a specially prepared grooming area which is both comfortable for you and the cat. Place your cat on the table and give the face & ears a quick wipe with a slightly wet piece of cloth. Begin to separate tufts of hair around the ears and cut of excess hair around the ears. Be careful not to accidentally cut into the ear leather as this can happen given the thickness of the Persians hair. One way of avoiding this is to make sure the ears are wet before you start to cut which makes it easier to distinguish between the hair and leather. Similarly, it is easier to clip a cat's nails when it is wet, although you have to exercise great caution when doing this part of the grooming process. In general cats do not like to have their paws held and you should also not cut too much of the nail off as this is likely to cause your cat pain.
Here is a great way to make some extra money! Construct cat trees, cat furniture and scratching posts. What a great way to show off your creativity and make some extra money to spend on your furry feline friend.With a few simple tool and basic supplies cat furniture can be made for a fraction of the regular retail price and only limited by your imagination. To start browse your local pet supply shop or the internet for ideas. If you are constructing anything for your own cats enjoyment watch what he/she likes to do. Look out the window, take a sun nap or destroy the couch! Design a cat tree high enough to watch all those birds fly by, stretch out in the sun and enough scratching posts to walk right by the couch. Tailor made cat products are the best!
Once you have made a few of these you will see how easy it is to incorporate different designs. From your examples you will notice the more elaborate the design, the higher the cost. Do not go crazy with the four story, double condo, with his and her baths! It's best to remember that when customers are shopping for cat trees, space is the biggest consideration. If it will not fit their needs they will most likely not purchase it.
Start small with basic scratching posts and smaller cat trees. Set up a booth at a flea market to show off your cat tree business. This is a great way to get started. There is one thing cat lovers enjoy talking about is their cats! Strike up conversations with cat owners. Everyone has a funny cat story. Bring a few samples of your product. Make a portfolio of different cat trees and cat gyms offered. That way you will not end up with a basement full of cat furniture! Attend cat shows, post flyers, ask your customers for referrals. Work with local veterinarians to set up a sample in their offices. Go where the cats are.
Kitten care may be intimidating to the first time cat owner. There are a lot of things to know about kitten care. From bottle feeding to socializing your kitten, you'll have to learn these things in order to raise your kitten properly.Kitten care should be fun. You will look at your kitten and see a totally helpless creature for the first few days. You need to take care of your kitten and eventually; they will grow into strong, intelligent, and loving cats.
Kittens will grow very quickly. For the first six weeks, they will grow their fastest in their entire lifespan. This stage is crucial. There are some things that you should not do during this stage of a kitten's life.
You should not feed your kitten dog food. This might make end up with cats vomiting or cat sickness. You should not feed it table scraps either. Avoid giving your kitten liver, canned tuna or any type of canned fish for human beings. You should feed your kitten specialty food and nurse them with their proper milk. Kitten care in feeding is important.
Socializing your kitten is part of kitten care. You can talk to your kitten, cuddle with your kitten, and play with it. When you handle it properly, they will associate positive experiences with you and thus, become properly socialized.
Part of kitten care involves what you should allow and what you should prohibit when your kitten is playing. You should now allow your kitten to play with your fingers and associate it with some play toy. This may develop into a bad habit and may eventually cause scratching and biting not only to you but to other people in the household as well.
Part of care involves what kind of toys to buy them. In some cases, you don't even have to buy them because you can find them lying around the house or you can make them. One toy that you may want your cat to play with is a plastic straw. These are excellent for teething during the early stages of cat's life. Aside from straws, you can also get old shoulder pads. They will enjoy playing with this too.
Kitten care also involves what your cat should not play with. Avoid giving your cat curling ribbons or loose string elastics. They may get a cat hairball. You don't want your cat going to the vet because of their toys.
So you want a pet parrot but have you thought it through? Yes parrots look like wonderful pets and Polly looks really cool sitting on pirate Long John Silver's shoulder or Johnny Depp's for that matter. The thing is, parrots are not pets you should get involved with either lightly or on impulse. There are some far reaching factors to consider and I have listed some of these pitfalls below. Parrots are fast becoming the world's number one unwanted pet so serious consideration of the following pitfalls to parrot ownership would make sense.
1. Parrots, depending on which type you get, can live for a very long time. Some live for up to 70 years. Will you still be around or is your parrot to become an heirloom bequeathed to one of your nearest and dearest?
2. Noise. Parrots can make an awful lot of noise. What about your neighbours? Do you live in a detached house or an apartment block? What about you, will you be able to handle the noise? At dawn and dusk your parrot will call out to his flock. He will also probably do a fair bit of calling in between times as well!
3. Mess. Parrots can make a whole lot of mess. Anything chewable can and will be chewed. Your furniture will be fair game and believe me the damage inflicted by a parrot can be great.
4. Behavior Training. Believe it or not your parrot needs to learn social graces. They need to learn how to behave, not just with you the owner, but also in the company of strangers. Are you prepared to do this? This is not something you can delegate and if you don't do it you WILL end up with a juvenile delinquent for a pet. That won't be fun!
5. Food. Feeding your parrot properly takes effort. You won't get away with just seed. Your parrot needs more than that. Fruit and veggies and occasionally some meat. My African Grey Parrot really enjoys his chicken bones. But not all food is suitable or even safe, so are you prepared to learn what is and is not suitable and are you prepared to prepare food each day for your bird?
I would not want to put you off having a parrot as a pet. Parrots make fantastic pets BUT they do take a lot of time and effort and it is better to go in to owning a parrot with your eyes wide open, rather than blinkered and then end up having to find another home for your parrot because you are unable to cope.
African Grey Parrots are considered to be some of the smartest members of the Parrot family, and have become a coveted pet for bird lovers. Known for their ability to imitate sounds and use words in their proper context, Greys are intelligent as well as beautiful. Here are 5 answers to frequently asked questions about the Congo and Timneh African Grey Parrot.
What is the difference between the Congo (CAG) and the Timneh (TAG)? The Congo is slightly larger and can be easily identified because of its brilliant red tail, dark grey beak, and overall powder grey feathers. The Timneh sports a sleeker body build, has a maroon tail, grey feathers that are a darker charcoal color, and has a two-tone beak with the upper mandible being bone in color and the bottom one grey. With proper care they have been known to live 50 years and longer.
Is there a difference is cost? The Congo seems to be more in demand among bird lovers because of their size and their powder grey color. And because of the higher demand they are more expensive, so breeders tend to raise more of them because they can be sold for a higher price. So if you are on a budget, but still want an African Grey, the Timneh is a great bird to choose. They are just as intelligent but cost a lot less.
How does their care differ? There is no difference in the care needed. They both need a high quality pellet base diet supplemented with fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, a continuous supply of fresh water, toys, a large cage with perches at various levels, a lot of attention, socialization, and training. This will keep you Grey physically healthy, and emotionally happy which goes a long way toward preventing behavioral issues such as biting, screaming, feather plucking, and self mutilation.
Is there a significant difference in their personalities? There are some who believe that the Congo tends to be more excitable and prone to feather plucking than its smaller cousin. Others believe that any difference between the birds is due more to their individual personalities than a generalization about the subspecies.
What can be done about the dust they create? The dust they create is a natural phenomenon and is nature's way of helping their wings develop normally. In the wild this dust would dissipate rather than build up as it does in captivity. This dust is not good for the birds because it clogs their air passages which can lead to respiratory infections. It also serves as a carrier for airborne bacteria and viruses that can cause disease and infection in your bird. In addition, it is also not good for people, particularly those who suffer from allergy or asthma. The best way to keep your bird's air clear of this dust is to use a high efficiency particle arresting air purifier that is designed with birds in mind.
