Get Your Goat!

So many people wish desperately to get back to the land...to get 'off-grid', to own animals that produce sustenance and to grow a garden for food. We dream of fresh vegetables, real milk and cheese and no electric bill! Visions of perfect rows of plants growing tomatoes and a peacefully grazing Jersey cow crowd our thoughts as we sit in rush-hour traffic.
The reality of that world is not clearly seen until you are in the middle of it. Vegetables do not always grow perfect fruit in a straight row. Off-grid power is certainly a developing area, but requires understanding and finances to acquire it. Cows can be very messy and are bigger than you may realize. They also do not always stay where you put them!
However the determination to try this lifestyle can win out and you find yourself with a hobby farmstead. One of the animals showing up more and more in hobby farms are GOATS! These adorable and endearing creatures can be fun to raise, they can also be a real headache if not prepared for. Getting a call at work by a distraught neighbor whose flower garden is now nothing but a patch of stems is not your goal.
To get your goat and enjoy her ownership requires some planning and knowledge. Fences - proper ones - are a must. You should have your fences at least 4' tall and of sturdy woven wire. Ridged panels can also be used. Fencing is one area you do NOT want to go cheap or 'good enough' since goat will test their boundaries. They will rub on the fence and climb on it. They just do!
Goats hate to get wet so be sure to include a shelter of some sort. It can be as simple as a three-sided shed with a roof for her to get into out of the weather or as elaborate as you want to have it. It should be warm enough for the winter months as well. Adding hay or straw on the floor will keep her out of the mud and on a warm, dry bed. It will need cleaned out every so often...use that old bedding on your garden! Your plants will love it.
Goats do not eat anything and everything. They need a proper diet of browse and fresh water. Browse includes things like brush, bushes, trees and such. They will walk, take a bite, walk, take another bite. They browse much like deer. They like fresh, clean browse and will chose that over grass. If you have them on a small lot without much browse you will need to provide them fresh hay in a feeder. If they pull hay out onto the ground, and they will, and they step on it they will not eat it! It is the same with their grain. If they are fed on the ground and it gets 'dirty' they will not eat it. They must also have fresh water every day.
Goats can survive in a small paddock but they will not thrive like they would if let out on pasture. Even an acre or two of browse or even grasses is preferable to a small lot. Do not ever tie your goat out! They can choke on their leash or be harassed and even killed by neighborhood dogs. When you tie her for milking, feeding or grooming be sure to stay with her and keep an eye on her.
Milking is easy enough to do by hand and is actually quite an enjoyable time for you to get to know your goat better. While milking you can inspect her for injuries, bumps and scrapes. You will want a milking stand and a dish for her to eat from while you milk. Use a stainless steel bucket to collect the milk in and be sure to keep everything clean before, during and after milking. Always clean and sterilize your bucket after use.
To get her milking you will need to have her bred. The farm you buy her from will be able to help you find a buck to breed her to. Then you get to enjoy one of the most amazing things ever...the birth of new life into the world! Those kids can be awfully cute! Before you know it you will have several goats in that area you fenced so be sure you think of that during it's construction.. The kids that she produces can be sold for profit..either as bottle babies or after they're weaned.
Getting your goat and bringing her home is a fun adventure. Be prepared and it will be enjoyable as well.

Best Rabbit Breeds For Kids - How to Choose Your First Pet

Best Rabbit Breeds for Kids
Children worldwide love to have pets and there are many benefits that parents may experience from raising their children with pets. It has been noted that pets help your child achieve a sense of responsibility and independence and effectively sets them on the right path towards becoming responsible and mature adults. Parents who have never had the pleasure of owning a pet themselves are encouraged to consider choosing one from the various rabbit breeds as available. Rabbits are famous for being very intelligent and are easy to train using simple positive reinforcement methods. In addition, rabbits are very social but mild-mannered animals and will not often bite or scratch. Furthermore, rabbits have a long lifespan of 10 years or more and will be a great pet for your kids through the ages of 3-12.
How to choose a good rabbit as a pet for your children
It is not uncommon for many parents to walk into a pet store and randomly purchase any cute rabbit to be their child's pet. This may work out for some parents but it is recommended that you do your research before deciding on which type of rabbit would be best for your family as each breeds have their own set of characteristics and personality. One way to tell the difference between the rabbit breeds is by their body size and type.
1.Compact body type- This rabbit category has very small bodies and only weighs between two to six pounds. The most common and popular rabbit breeds in this category are:
2.Netherland Dwarf- the characteristics are a small round head, flat face with large round eyes
3.Dutch- the characteristics are a round head, long ears up to about 4-5 inches
4.Polish- this breed has small round heads, are slightly larger than the Netherland Dwarf and have ruby or blue colored eyes
5.Mini Lop- they have small round bodies and are extremely mild tempered
6.Commercial body type- this rabbit category generally have large bodies and are often referred to as meat breeds but can also be great pets for your children. The most common and popular rabbit breeds in this category are:
7.New Zealand- These rabbits have large heads and large round bodies with long 6 inch ears. It is worth noting that research has stated that white New Zealand's are jumpy and not very friendly
8.Champagne D' Argent- compared to the New Zealand, these rabbits have smaller bodies which are round and full. The most prominent characteristic is the gorgeous thick, silver coat of fur all over their bodies. When choosing this rabbit breed when young, it is worth mentioning that they are born with a completely black coat of fur that gradually changes color as it matures.

However, it is the general consensus among parents that the Mini Lop rabbits are the best of the rabbit breeds and is great house pets as they learn quickly and will become loyal and affectionate pets if allowed to interact with their human families form an early age.

How Much Do You Feed a Rabbit?

Having a rabbit at home is a charm and a fun. Care has to be given to these cute mini creatures. They are delicate animals and love to be pampered and fed at the right time.
There is not much hassle in feeding a rabbit. They survive on greens, primarily leaves. Apart from that they also thrive on pellets. The pellets are rich in protein and are good for baby rabbits for nourishment.
Rabbits are Vegetarians! 
Perhaps the fact that rabbits are vegetarians makes their diet and nutrition very basic and simple. They are no-nonsense pets and their eating habits are timed. One should see to it that the following rules are followed:
- Rabbits eat small portions of food. So divide their meal into small portions. 
- Feed them with leaves- these can be lettuce, carrot leaves, grass or any other plant leaves in considerable amounts. 3-5 small bowls of salad can be given to them in a day. 
- They love eating and the food has to be fresh but in small quantities. For example, spinach with 4 or 5 stems along with a few carrot leaves will suffice their hunger.
- Make sure the vegetables are washed well before given to a rabbit. 
- One should not over feed the rabbit with unwanted amount of greens, as that will lead to making them fat. 
Water is a must! 
One of the most essential requirements to stay alive and healthy is water. Feeding a rabbit with water is mandatory. In a day, a rabbit of any age has to be fed with water at least 6 to 8 times a day. 
A rabbit loves water and if not given in right proportions can lead to its death.
Fiber works! 
Rabbits can stay long and healthy if their diet contains lots of fibers. These include:
- Fiber means not just cereals. Don't feed your rabbit with serials as it is not digestion-friendly for a rabbit.
- Feed hay! Hay is the best food for a rabbit. Hays can be of grass, oat or alfalfa. They are rich in proteins.
- The amount of fiber in the diet of a rabbit should be between 15% and 20%.
Pellets for a healthy rabbit! 
Pellets are rich in minerals and vitamins, rabbits need them depending on their body weight.
- The quantity of pellets should be very limited. The maximum a medium-sized rabbit can consume is ½ cup in a day.
- However, the quantity of pellets shouldn't be in excess has that can make a rabbit put on weight.
A rabbit's metabolic activity should be often taken care about along with its eating habits.Like humans, rabbits also need timely meals. They are very small, pampered beings and need to be fed with diet that is healthy and nutritious.
So treat your rabbit with food items such as vegetables, fresh fruits, lots of water and a little amount of fiber. The more you treat a rabbit as a member of the family, the longer it will stay happily with you.

Popular Types Of Pet Cages Today

Different styles of cages 
Pet cages come in many different styles and sizes. The kind of cage you select will depend mainly on the type of animal you are having. For medium and large animals, there are over-sized cages in which your pet will be able to sit, stand, stretch and turn around quite comfortably. There is also sufficient space for food and water containers.
For smaller animals, you may use a pet travel bag which can be carried around with you. These bags come in various styles including back packs, front slings and bags with handles and an opening at the top for the animal to push its head through. Cats normally lie down most of the time when traveling, so the pet cages need not be very high as long as the top of the cage doesn't press down on its head. 
Cages for dogs 
The most common types are made of solid plastic and consist of three pieces - a top, a bottom and a removable gate - which can be taken apart and cleaned. However, you will not be able to fold these variants. Wire cages are much cooler as they have excellent ventilation and there is nothing to hinder the vision of the animal. They are fairly heavy and some can be folded. They sometimes come with various pads and covers for the added comfort of the dog. Soft cages are very light and can be folded. However, they are not recommended for puppies that are likely to tear and chew at the fabric. 
Cages for birds
Birds need plenty of room for climbing and exercise and ideally their cages should have horizontal instead of vertical bars. There are many shapes and styles of bird cages but nowadays most of the bird cages are the angled type and not round as studies have shown that round cages can affect most birds psychologically. These cages are usually hung or placed on a stand. 
Cages for hamsters 
The most common type is the traditional wire cage which comes with a plastic bottom that can be removed for cleaning. A water bottle and feeding dish are normally attached to the cage.An increasingly popular hamster cage is the expandable type which sometimes comes with a wheel and slide. This is basically a simple plastic box to which you can add tubes leading to other separate areas or create a maze of tunnels.
Cages for cats 
Nowadays people prefer to keep their cats outdoors, where they have access to lots of fresh air and sunshine. There are two types of outdoor cat enclosures in the market. The most common type is made of flexible netting and can be easily dismantled for storage when not in use. The other type is made of wire mesh and is more solid. It can usually be left outdoors permanently.
Popular cages for pets today can be found in any animal shelter or pet stores and finding an appropriate one will add to the physical and psychological well-being of your pet.

Tips For Bathing a Dog Efficiently

Getting Your Things Ready 
You can't go to war without your battle gear. That may sound a bit exaggerated but it still applies in your daily life, even when it comes to bathing your dogs. You will just end up having a hard time giving your dog a bath when you haven't prepared yourself for it, so make sure you do the following things first.
If you're going to bathe your dog inside your house, make sure that all the surroundings in your bathroom are secured. You need to prepare a bath mat, so that you or your dog won't slip in case water splashes around. (Or more likely WHEN water splashes around!) You can also try putting some plastic bags like a garbage bag, around the floor, it's not necessary, but it will definitely save you time when cleanup time arises. And it may also protect your other stuff from getting wet.
Prepare the water for your dog. Usually dog's really don't mind if the water is cold or warm, but it's better to use warm water to make him comfortable. Make sure you run the water before your dog enters it. Sometimes when a dog hears running water they immediately get scared and won't enter the bathtub, so you should make sure you do this before he enters the tub. If you don't have a detachable showerhead, you can prepare a pitcher if your dog is large or a cup if your dog is small. This is what you will use to pour water on your pet. Put cotton balls in his ears (not too deep) to prevent water from entering them. 
Bathing Your Dog 
Before you put your dog in the tub, make sure to brush his hair first. It would be better to brush your dog's hair to prevent it from matting. Sometimes matting can get worse if you wet their coat and apply shampoo or conditioner, so it is essential for you to brush his coat first before getting him wet. 
You are now ready to put him in the tub. Start pouring water on his head first before proceeding to pour water on his body. Make sure you avoid his eyes and nose. Apply shampoo on your dog. (Do not use human shampoo; there are dog shampoos for a reason, so make sure to use a dog shampoo.) Make sure not to get any shampoo in the eyes and nose so your dog won't feel irritated. Start lathering his coat from the neck, to his body, his undercoat and legs, and down to his tail. Make sure you have your hand on your dog to prevent him from shaking the lather off. 
Use the pitcher or the cup to rinse your dog off, make sure to cover his eyes and nose. Start pouring from his head and then to his body. Make sure to wash all of the shampoo from his body. This may take several rinsings. After giving your dog a rinse you can now get him out of the tub. Let him shake off the excess water, and have your towel ready to dry him off. You can let your dog dry in the sun, keeping him in an enclosed container to prevent him from running back on the dirt. However if there is no sun, you can just towel dry your dog, or you can use a blow dryer. Please take note: Do not put the blower on hot or high, and avoid putting the dry-blower too near to your dog. And now you have a clean, beautiful dog!

Treating Skin Conditions in Dogs and Cats

Skin conditions are among the most common health complaints suffered by dogs and cats. This article looks at the common causes and symptoms of these conditions, and also looks at some of the treatments that are available.
Causes
There are a very large number of factors that can cause skin complaints, so it can often be hard even for experienced vets to identify what triggered a particular complaint. However, there are some very common causes that are known to be responsible for a large percentage of cases, such as fleas, and allergies caused by bacteria, food and environmental factors.
The problem is that deciding what treatment to use depends often on identifying the cause, which involves checking for parasites and making efforts to find the source of any allergic reaction. Other than allergies and fleas, the most common forms of skin conditions in dogs and cats are dermatitis, eczema and pyoderma.
Symptoms
Typical symptoms that indicate a skin complaint include inflammation, itchiness and redness on areas where the coat is thinnest, like on the belly or under the armpits. Another sign is hair loss, which can be brought on by the cat or dog continually scratching to relieve the intense discomfort. If the condition gets serious, you may see symptoms such as pustules or broken skin, which should be taken as a signal that treatment is required as a matter of urgency.
Treatments
There are various treatments recommended for skin problems. One approach is to alter your pet's diet, as this often has an effect on the condition. Red meats and foods containing colouring and flavouring agents can be a cause of allergic reactions, so a cleansing diet containing only white meat or fish and boiled rice is sometimes recommended for a month or so, or continued for a longer period if the animal is particularly susceptible to food-based allergies. 
Herbal medicines have been found to be of particular use in controlling skin complaints, because of their healing properties that tackle health problems in a holistic way. A combination of garlic and fenugreek can be used to deal with minor skin infections, and is often given along with mixed vegetable tablets, which help to relieve irritation and cool down hot, inflamed skin. 
Evening primrose oil is another commonly used herbal treatment. It is used to deal with the hair loss caused by scratching, as it maintains the skin while encouraging coat re-growth. There are also a number of natural formulas that can be applied to dry, damaged and sore skin to help it to heal quickly and avoid infection.
Herbal medicines on the whole have a high success rate for treating cats and dogs suffering from skin conditions, and have the added benefit that they can be given along with any other conventional medication and have no major side effects. If you are unsure about the best treatment for your pet, the best solution is always to seek the advice of a trained veterinary surgeon, as they will be best placed to identify the problem and suggest an effective remedy.

How to Naturally Treat Diarrhea in Dogs

It's important to know that diarrhea is not an illness but a symptom of any number of problems that are interrupting the function of the large intestine.It is also important to identify the cause as trying to just suppress this symptom will only bring about short lived, temporary relief which may cause long term health implications. Once identified, different causes will require different treatments.
Diarrhea can be mild and self limiting, or very debilitating and even fatal. It may or may not be accompanied by gas and abdominal discomfort. If your dog is still happy, with good energy level, and doesn't refuse water an acute episode of diarrhea may be the body's attempt at internal cleansing and purging. If however the diarrhea persists for more than a few days, contains blood, if there is associated vomiting, your dog is becoming increasingly lethargic, and refuses to drink, please seek the advice from your veterinarian as soon as possible. With each passing day of chronic diarrhea nutrients are lost in the stool, which lowers your dog's general vitality. Your dog may need to go on an IV for loss of fluids immediately if this is the case.
Causes and Contributing factors to diarrhea
A dog with chronic diarrhea and gas, and accompanying skin problems may be suffering from a food allergy. Frequent offenders are preservatives (ethoxyquin, propylene glycol), artificial flavouring and coloring, dyes, salt, sugar, fungi, bacteria, germs all found in commercial dog foods (read more about What's Really in Your Dogs Food article). Most common foods that may cause allergy include: beef, beef by-products, corn and corn oil, fish, turkey, pork, ham, cows milk (lactose intolerance), yeast, eggs, wheat or any food containing these. Please note that all commercial tinned food and biscuits, treats all contain sugar, salt, corn and wheat. Unless diet is strictly addressed, ongoing diarrhea may continue presenting.
Consider also the following contributing factors diarrhea may be due to: 
• stress and anxiety 
• over eating 
• high fat diet 
• vaccinations (due to meat extract that certain vaccines are grown in, thus long term leading to sensitivities and autoimmune disorders) 
• undiagnosed IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) 
• leaky gut syndrome (intestinal dysbiosis/ hyper permeability) 
• a foreign body ingestion 
• gastritis, colitis (intestinal inflammation) 
• the pancreas and/or liver failing to produce enzymes properly or sufficiently 
• food poisoning 
• excess vitamin C 
• bacteria, virus (i.e. parvovirus, distemper) 
• parasites i.e. worms 
• drug related complication (most drugs are residual and are never completely eliminated as in the waste from food but are stored up in the body) 
• side effect of certain drugs (i.e. antibiotics) 
• liver disease
• pancreatitis, 
• stomach ulcer 
• cancer 
• could also indicate that the liver and kidneys are overwhelmed with toxins that they are unable to process which leads to purging i.e. diarrhea.


Helpful suggestions to relieve diarrhea 
The most beneficial initial step is to put your dog on a liquid fast. Withhold all solid food and only allow a liquid diet consisting of juices (i.e. apple juice is very healing in diarrhea), broths, and filtered water. If you suspect your dog's diarrhea is due to an infection, you can add colloidal silver to his drinking water. The reason for not feeding further is that a dog's digestive system has a gastrocolic reflex. This means that the colon will empty as the stomach fills. Thus, to stop the colon from emptying and break this cycle of diarrhea, its best to stop ingesting food (or only as little as possible). In most cases, dogs instinctively will refuse food when they are unwell. By fasting, the irritated digestive system is given a chance to rest and heal. Slippery elm is highly nutritious, very soothing and healing to irritated mucous membranes.
Slippery Elm bark powder can heal and reduce the frequency of diarrhea in dogs quickly and naturally. It relieves internal inflammations, protects against infection, stimulates new cell growth, and causes swollen irritated tissue to contract-it has an affinity for the digestive tract where it acts as an astringent, therefore particularly indicated for treating diarrhea. It normalizes intestinal function, is rich in protein, trace minerals, and is easy for your dog to digest, 
Directions: Combine ¼ cup slippery elm powder with 2 tablespoons acidophilus powder (good bacteria for the gut that needs to be reestablished) and 1 teaspoon Himalayan salt (source of more minerals that have been lost due to the diarrhea). Add enough water to make a runny syrup which you can feed to your dog either by spoon, syringe or dropper. Give approximately 1 tablespoon per 5kg of your dog's body weight, every 2-3 hours in an acute situation. You can sweeten the mixture with some raw organic (unprocessed) honey for taste. In occasional diarrhea you can add the mixture with plenty of water to your dog's daily meals. Once his bowels have returned to normal, reduce the frequency and stop 
Fiber supplements such as (apple) pectin, psyllium husks can help bind and relieve diarrhea. With psyllium husks 1-2 teaspoons with very little water (or apple juice) is effective. Grated green apple (no skin) left to brown for a few minutes, (sweetened with honey if necessary) is also good at controlling diarrhea.
Chamomile tea is soothing, healing and relaxing to both the digestive and nervous system. Chamomile would particularly be indicated if your dog's diarrhea is due to stress and anxiety, and if there is accompanying abdominal discomfort and gas. Make a strong brew using two (organic) teabags, or a teaspoon loose leaf. Pour half cup of boiling water, cover and seep for 10 minutes. Once it has cooled and is just warm, you many add a little manuka honey to sweeten and taste. You may syringe (or use dropper) and slowly give to your dog this way. Yarrow is another herb which is excellent for controlling diarrhea.
For management of chronic or recurrent diarrhea, in addition to concurrently using supportive supplements that address the cause, the following recipe may be helpful: 
Gently boil together 50% white potato, 50% sweet potato, and a slice of turnip. For flavour, mix in with boiled chicken or lamb. This recipe can be given for longer periods to help ease diarrhea. 
Once your dog is showing signs of recovery, reintroduce solid food gradually and in smaller amounts. The Recovery Broth for Dogs recipe would be beneficial and gently healing at this stage. 
Always ensure your dog has access to sufficient water and monitor his recovery closely. In most cases, dogs recover quite well after a period of fasting and bounce back with even more vitality. If however, your dogs diarrhea continues and you are unable to identify a cause please check with your holistic veterinarian to rule out any more serious health implications.

Mix Up Your Wedding With a Puppy Ring Bearer

When you talk about weddings, many people automatically think of the bride but this is a big day for the groom, too. In fact, it's one of the most significant days in your life. For this reason, you want it to be special and stand out in every way. So, why not mix up your wedding with a puppy ring bearer. Not only will this add to the excitement but it's also a great way to include your four-legged friend in one of the biggest days of your life.
The ring bearer has a very important role in your wedding but it's a small enough part that it's easy to train your pup to do it. All he has to do it walk straight down the aisle and then sit or lay down at your feet so you can retrieve the rings. Just imagine how amazed all of your friends and family will be to see your pet participating in your wedding ceremony. 
Two Ways to Carry the Rings 
There are two ways for your puppy to carry the rings down the aisle. If your pup is calm, well trained and don't mind having things on his back, you can use a pillow for the rings just like the ones used in traditional weddings but designed especially for dogs. These will strap to your pet to keep it from falling off as he walks towards you. 
The second way is to attach the rings to your pet's collar. This is great for those dogs that don't particularly like anything riding on their backs. If you choose this method, you can buy him a special collar that matches your tuxedo so he will fit in perfectly, which brings us to another good point. When your dog is your ring bearer, he needs to dress for the part. 
Doggie Wedding Attire for Your Pup 
Including your dog in your wedding is a growing trend that gets more popular every year. For this reason, designers are making more wedding attire for dogs. Traditionally, the ring bearer will wear a tuxedo and your puppy can follow that tradition, too. 
There are many tuxedos available for your pet that will compliment your tux perfectly. You can choose the traditional black and white attire or choose a pinstripe or plaid design. You can also find doggie wedding attire in silver, taupe and even Leopard print. You can add bow ties and doggie cuffs to set off the tux even more. 
If dressing your puppy in attire is not an option, don't worry. You can try a tuxedo scarf, a simple necktie or a beautifully designed collar. Either one of these will allow him to be comfortable while still being dressed for the occasion. 
While having your puppy as your ring bearer is a great idea and something that will truly make your wedding memorable, keep in mind that even the best-behaved pets can be unpredictable. He may decide he does not want to walk down the aisle in front of all those people or he may get restless during the ceremony. For this reason, you need to have a back-up plan and someone to remove your pet to an area where he will be more comfortable if necessary.