Chincilla Care - Take the Right Step Forward

Now that you have a cute little Chinchilla in your home, make sure that you take good care of it. These little animals are very active and need extra attention, unlike the case of other pets like cats or dogs. Chinchilla care should begin with providing your new guest with proper accommodation. A good cage should be therefore, your topmost priority. Best thing is to go in for a cage with multiple levels, since these Chinchillas are known to jump around a lot and need ample space to play. Remember, to ensure that the cage is kept cool enough for Chinchillas hate heat. A nice, cozy bed is another thing that your little pet will need. It is always advisable that you use pine or cedar shavings as bedding, as they are a healthy option and won't cause skin problems.

If you have a Chinchilla at home, you are bound to cuddle it. While there is nothing wrong with cuddling them, you need to be careful enough to slide your hand under their belly while doing so. No tight squeezes for they are very slender built. The next most important aspect to remember as part of the Chinchilla care routine is their food. You just need to visit your local pet food store to get the stuff. It is preferable that you talk to an experienced vet for they can help you with preparing the right menu for your beloved pet. Now that you have taken care of food, changing drinking water on a daily basis is the next most important thing to take care off. Make sure that you are sterilizing the bottle whenever you are changing water. Remember, harmful bacteria and viruses present in unclean water can wreak havoc with their health.

Hygiene is a word that you need to remember whenever you are dealing with Chinchillas. First and foremost is the upkeep of the cage. Use hot water with a little soap to keep them clean. A dust bath for a few minutes once or twice a week should also be high on your agenda, for otherwise oils can build up on the coats of your little Chinchilla. Providing ample opportunity to exercise is one more important thing that you need to remember. An exercise wheel inside the cage would make an excellent companion to your pet. These little creatures are very active animals and you can also let them out of the cage for a while daily.

A lot of thought should go into Chinchilla care. Make sure that you provide these active animals with all the necessary comfort which will ensure that they make for excellent pets.

Do Dogs and Cats Needs Their Teeth Cleaned? YES!

One of the more frequent conversations I have with pet owners before or during a teeth cleaning procedure (or dental treatment procedure) is about having to extract teeth. Usually it goes something like this:

Doctor: "Pet owner, your pet has multiple teeth with end stage periodontal disease. Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do to fix this, so I need to extract X number of teeth"
Pet Owner: "Oh no! Why so many? Do you have to? How is he going to eat? Will he be in pain?"
Doctor: "Yes, there may be some discomfort, but actually the teeth that are diseased are already causing pain. We will treat the discomfort of extractions with medicine at home after the procedure. He will eat fine, but you may need to soften the food for a week or two. We have to take out the teeth because the disease has progressed too far and there's nothing else we can do."

You may wonder why I'm writing an article about this. I'm hoping to explain a little bit about the mouths of dogs and cats, and the reason why we have to perform extractions, so that it may not be a big shock if your pet needs teeth extracted.
I have heard comments about "vets who likes to extract teeth." Actually, that's not the case; most of us prefer not to. If there are no teeth to extract that would mean that there isn't disease present and your pet is healthier. Extracting teeth is sometimes hard work. Most animal professionals prefer to prevent extractions. The fact of the matter is that most animal patients haven't had the dental care needed to prevent extractions, and by the time I perform a dental treatment procedure it is too late.

Let's think about how we take care of our own teeth. When we are children we are taught how to brush our teeth well before the permanent teeth develop. Then we continue that oral hygiene regimen, usually twice daily, often floss daily, and visit out dentist once or twice a year. We have very clean teeth and periodontal disease is avoided. Humans need all their teeth to chew because we grind our food and cannot swallow it whole, so proper oral hygiene is important to prevent tooth loss. We only have 32 teeth (28 if you've had your wisdom teeth removed), so it's necessary to keep them all healthy.

Now let's contrast what happens with our pets. Most pet owners don't realize that their dog or cat has baby teeth and lose them. Sometimes dogs will not lose all of their baby teeth, and if your vet doesn't notice this, (or if your pet isn't taken in to the vet) those extra baby teeth can cause problems. Most pets will have all of their permanent teeth present by 6 months of age. Dogs have 42 teeth (that's a lot!) and cats have 30 teeth. After 6 months of age tooth brushing should begin, but many pet owners don't do this because they've never had instruction or been told to, and many pets resist it. So if a pet is lucky, they get their teeth brushed occasionally, like when they go to the groomer. It's inevitable that plaque and tartar will accumulate and cause gingivitis. Plaque, tartar and gingivitis wouldn't be a big problem if the pet was given a professional, anesthetized dental cleaning once it started to accumulate. But for a number of reasons this doesn't always happen, so eventually that plaque causes gum and bone damage and loosening of the teeth. Now we have end stage periodontal disease, which requires extractions.

Luckily dogs and cats don't need teeth to eat. They don't grind their food like we do, and we can prepare food for them that's in small bites and soft enough to just swallow whole. In fact, many dogs and cats who have no teeth at all still eat dry food! It's not a terrible thing to extract bad teeth, in fact it usually makes the pet feel quite a bit better. Many clients tell me that after having diseased teeth removed their dog is more active, acting like a puppy again, and is eating better.

Pet owners need to understand that tooth extractions are an unfortunate fact of dental treatment procedures for most pets. However, extractions can be avoided if pet owners will take the necessary steps to try to prevent dental disease. These preventative steps include regular visits for dental health evaluations, regular (daily) tooth brushing, and regular anesthetized dental cleanings.

Author Sarah Bashaw can be reached at El Dorado Animal Hospital, a full service, state-of-the-art veterinary clinic designed with client comfort and patient care in mind.

Simple Tips To Help You Choose The Right Kittens For Sale

Twenty years is a very long time and very few people can live with the same person or animal for so long. Twenty years, what am I talking about? This is the expected lifespan of a cat. While these animals are not loved by many people, kittens for sale happens to be so sweet and cuddly and this happens to be the reason why many people make the wrong decision when choosing a lifelong partner. The deception only becomes clear after a few months when these furry little creatures begin to grow and their owners learn about their own little ways and personal behavior. Never be deceived by the way a kitten looks and some of the things you think about when purchasing puppies for sale comes into play when you are thinking to buy a kitten. 
Kittens for sale and how to choose the right one 
When buying a kitten, many people focus on one thing and one thing alone and that is how adorable and fluffy the kitten is. While this method can be used, if you are going to choose a kitten based on its outward appearance, you will need to do some things in order for you to maintain that beauty. A Moggy, for instance, requires daily brushing and grooming to keep them looking beautiful and it is advised that you only invest in one of these cats if you have the time to brush them on a daily basis. While you can choose kittens for sale base on their look, it is strongly advised that you do not because you cannot tell what traits they will have simply by looking on them. 
Once you have overlooked a kitten's outward appearance, you need to think about the environment that you will have the cat living in. Did you know that aggression in cats oftentimes come from the environment that they live in? Hard to believe but true; a gentle, friendly cat can inherit its genes from its mother or father but in most cases, these cats are the way they are because they grow around soft gentle people. When looking for kittens for sale, it is best to go with ones that have been in a situation where over four people have had a hand in their life thus far. 
This tip is recommended because kittens need to interact with a number of people in order for them to be friendly. If the kitten that you are buying has only been socialized with one or two humans, it will be very hard breaking it otherwise because the first two to seven weeks are the most crucial period in every cat's life. During this period, kittens learn most of their traits that will take them through the duration of their life.
When choosing kittens for sale, it is crucial that you take your household and lifestyle into consideration. Kittens that are confident and very outgoing will settle well in busy households and large families. Take your other family members into consideration as well and if you have children and other pets, keep in mind that it will take some time for the kittens to get use to them; therefore, you will need to be patient and gentle with your new kittens.

3 Easy Steps to Eliminate Cat Fleas

Lots of people are very concerned about flea problems. This could place them out of the thought of sharing their house with domestic pets. Although with the appropriate cat flea therapy process in place you do not need to worry about pest infestations.
There are lots of products and solutions and solutions available nowadays to cope with pest infestations and permit you to delight in family pet ownership with fleas getting in the way.
Why you should Stop Fleas and other insects 
Fleas and other insects are terrible tiny blood-suckers which could make life miserable for kittens and cats and animal owners. They're really small and hard to find and thus pest infestations can be cultivated before you'll realize there's a dilemma. For this reason you need to create a positive method to preventing fleas and other insects. Simply because you cannot see them does not necessarily mean they aren't affecting your household pets and house. Take a look at 3 simple steps to avoiding fleas and other insects in your house. 
Step One - Frontline Feline Flea Treatment method 
You need to take care of your domestic pets from fleas and other insects all year-long. Frontline is a great products having an established good reputation for flea protection. With Frontline flea treatment for cats and kittens you'll be able to easily and quickly take care of your domestic pets and get rid of any fleas and other insects that try to feed from them. 
Frontline is a powerful way to cope with grownup fleas because it will eliminate them immediately as soon as they have attempted to feed from domestic pets. What this means is when dogs and cats pick up new fleas and other insects they are often killed just before they've got an opportunity to get down and invade the areas. 
Step Two - House Pet Flea Treatment method 
You should also handle any fleas and other insects that could have previously started out reproduction in your house. Fleas and other insects will reproduce in almost any comfortable, darker locations for example inside the interlace of carpets and rugs or beneath boards. Since several modern-day residences are centrally heated up what this means is they can survive in the cooler months. 
There are several exceptional Pest Growth Regulator (IGR) pet flea treatment method products and solutions readily available. They perform to interrupt the life span period of fleas and other insects to avoid them from multiplying and infesting your house. You may use these IGR products and solutions twice yearly (they will work for Six months) to maintain your house free of fleas. 
Step Three - Cleaning Program 
Flea pest infestations don't necessarily mean your house is not clean. Nonetheless a number of changes in your cleaning up program will help manage fleas and other insects and help with effective flea cure for cats. 
• Fleas go into carpets and rugs, bed linen and delicate decorating in areas exactly where domestic pets rest. Which means you can help manage fleas by cleaning bed linen and pillow case covers regularly.
• It's also wise to vacuum cleaner area rugs, floor coverings and couch pillows just about every 2 or 3 days at the same time. 
• This will work to grab mature fleas and also will trigger eggs to hatch out making sure that while you do perform treatment options they'll be more productive.

All About the Siamese Cat

The Siamese cat is one of the best known cat breeds in the United States and around the world. It is not a breed that is native to the US. It originates from Thailand, which was called Siam until June 23, 1939.
The first documented Siamese cat to reach the shores of the United States was a gift to President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1878.
This breed is very graceful and quite slender. Oval shaped feet sit at the end of their slim legs. The distinctive markings on the coat are known as points. These shaded patches are found on the muzzle, ears, tail, and feet. Breeders have produced several variations of the points. Some of these are the Blue Point, Seal Point, Chocolate Point, and Lilac Point. These names refer to the color of the markings and other fur. When Siamese kittens are born, they are completely white. They will remain white for several months before their points start becoming visible. To determine the color points before they are visible on the fur you can look at the pads of the paws. Gray pads indicate Blue Point, light brown pads indicate Chocolate Point, and pink pads mean you have a Lilac Point on your hands.
The Siamese breed is known for being slightly more demanding than some other breeds. They are very intelligent cats and attempt to impose their will on their owners. Some Siamese cats are extremely noisy and mischievous. A Siamese in heat can produce quite a concert.
Despite their demanding personalities, Siamese cats yearn for interaction and companionship. They do not do well with being alone for long periods of time. This is why you will often see Siamese in pairs. If you own this breed you can expect to be in the constant company of your feline friend. Whoever first said that people don't own cats because cats own people might have been referring to a Siamese. This will become more obvious as your reading and relaxation times are interrupted by someone wanting to be petted.
They have a love for high places and a curiosity that can get them into precarious predicaments. If you cannot find your Siamese kitty, you should check on top of cabinets or shelves and inside of cupboards and closets. 
Even though they can produce a lot of noise, the Siamese isn't particularly fond of external noise. Loud noises like vacuum cleaners and washing machines tend to send these cats for hiding. Even a roll of foil can be enough to induce a panicked run for cover.

The Feline Diet - Why Adult Cats Should Not Drink Milk

It's true that cats love milk. Most cats will drink it if you let them. And who hasn't shared a little milk with their feline friend now and then? So, what's the problem?
Cow's milk is not a natural food for any cat. Even kittens, who naturally drink nothing but milk for the first few weeks of their lives, specifically need milk that is higher in protein, certain fats, and other nutrients, than the stuff we get from dairy cows. In other words, the only milk they need is the milk that their mothers provide.
Once kittens are weaned (at 8-12 weeks of age), they often lose their ability to digest milk. Many adult cats are lactose intolerant, and can develop an upset tummy and diarrhea from drinking cow's milk. 
There are other problems with cow's milk, as well. Much of the milk we can buy at the store comes from cows that have been injected with a growth hormone, called rBGH. This hormone causes changes in the milk itself, including elevated levels of another hormone, IGF-1, which is known to promote cancerous tumors. Milk from rBGH-treated cows is also different in the types and amounts of fatty acids and proteins it contains.
rBGH also causes higher rates of painful mastitis (inflammation of the udder) that must be treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. This increases the chances of chemical residues in the milk that could harm your cat. While there are laws preventing dairies from selling milk with illegal levels of certain drugs, inspections are often inadequate. Other drugs are not even tested for. Chemically contaminated milk can still end up in your refrigerator.
Even without rBGH, cow's milk is full of hormones, including estrogens, which are linked to many health problems. Milking cows are kept pregnant 11 months of the year; and all those pregnancy hormones flow right into the milk. Milk may also contain traces of pesticides and other contaminants of the food the cows are fed. 
Unlike the milk produced by nursing queens (mother cats), which kittens drink in its natural raw state, store-bought milk is pasteurized. Pasteurization is necessary to kill harmful bacteria that are rampant in high-production dairy facilities. But it also destroys much of milk's natural vitamins A, C and some B vitamins; it makes calcium less absorbable; and it deforms (denatures) proteins and enzymes. Such altered proteins may cause allergies. Additionally, casein, the major protein in milk, may itself cause allergies. Dairy products are one of the top allergens in cats (the other most common allergens are chicken, beef, fish, wheat, and corn). 
So, even though she may love it (don't we all love to eat things that aren't very good for us?), cow's milk is definitely not a good choice for your cat.

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.

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.

Stop Excessive Meowing - Reasons That Cats Meow Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6229038

If you are looking for a pet that will be silent or, at least, not make much noise you should look past getting a cat. While they are considered to be less noisy than a dog, they can create a lot of noise on their own and will meow more than some dogs will bark.

Cats meow to communicate. They do it to communicate with you, your family, or other animals. Some breeds of cat tend to enjoy communicating more than other breeds. Siamese, Manx, and American Wirehair are just some of the cat breeds that meow more than the average feline.

If you spend enough time around your kitty you might notice different sounds of meows. Different meows mean different things. Some reasons for a meow include hunger, thirst, interest in something, disinterest in something, discomfort, contentment, and other things. What constitutes excessive meowing? That is up to you to decide after taking into consideration the breed, health, and stress of your animal.

A cat that is being transitioned to a new home might meow a lot at first. One that is being moved indoors from an outdoor life or from indoors to outdoors will probably make more noise than normal. This should fade as your pet adjusts to the new living arrangement. During breeding season he or she is probably searching for a mate. Consider getting your feline spayed or neutered if he or she isn't already. Make sure that your kitten is getting enough food to eat and has access to fresh water to drink. If there are people showing up or leaving regularly, the meow could be a greeting or a "goodbye." Older cats, sometimes, meow more because of health issues. Some of these issues are normal problems of aging and some require professional assistance. If you suspect this to be the case contact a qualified veterinarian.

Don't rule out that your pet cat might just be trying to get attention from someone. If this is the case continue to ignore your pets requests. If you give attention of any kind in return for meowing you are, only, going to get more meowing. This is assuming that your cat gets attention from someone at some times. If no one is paying any attention to him or her I urge you to consider finding another home for your feline. One thing to remember is to never use punishment to try to alter a pets behavior. Punishment and negative rewards will only get you more negative behavior.

Is It Possible to Tame Feral Cats?

For our fellow readers who are not familiar with the term "feral", when referring to cats and other domestic animals, the word is used to describe plants and animals who where grown domestically and where later taken or abandoned in the wild. As cruel and inhumane as this may sound, it does happen, and there is even a word in the dictionary to label these creatures. There is a slight difference between feral cats and stray cats, in the sense that stray cats may just be a result of neglect and irresponsibility and could probably be taken into a home once again. Feral cats on the other hand may have been born in the wild to savage creatures with little to no interaction with human beings. These animals are much more difficult to tame and may even be dangerous.

Because of their wild nature, feral cats have very little room in the human world. The fact that they are so difficult to tame denies them the option of becoming household pets. Society has come up with alternative solutions to deal with feral cats. One of them is the creation of animal caring organizations that dedicate themselves to locating these animals, organizing their capture and confinement. Once in captivity, feral cats are neutered and spayed, and then taken back to their original habitat. Some of these pet caring institutions even go as far as providing food to these animals once they have been released in nature.

It is likely that you may have been able to catch a glimpse of a feral cat around your neighborhood. These animals can be found in just about any location you can think off. Usually, they would be around public areas like parks, alley ways, farms and similar places where they are likely to find some leftover food in the garbage. You would notice a rather shy or cautious behavior pattern, and you would have a very hard time trying to catch one.

Feral cats are usually divided into three categories, in order to ascertain the level of difficulty involved when trying to tame them. Depending on the amount of contact that a feral cat has been able to maintain with a human being, they would either be total, semi or converted feral. Little interaction with humans is the primary reason why these animals cannot be tamed. However, perhaps a trainer would take his chances with a semi feral creature, as opposed to a total feral cat.

A total feral cat, or a cat who has been on it's own for years with no human contact, is likely to have crossed the line to the point of no return. These animals have grown accustomed to living on their instinct, with little or no human contact over a long period of time. A trainer would have a better chance of domesticating a converted feral, or a creature that was once a domestic animal but was abandoned in the wild. Since these cats lived a life as a pet at some point in the past, it is not as hard to bring back this behavior. It will take a considerable amount of time and effort to tame, especially when it comes to making the cat behave with love and affection once again.

If you take it upon yourself to tame a feral cat, remember some of these animals simply cannot be tamed. Take the necessary safety precautions in order to avoid an attack, remember these animals will defend themselves instinctively. Seek professional help, perhaps a trainer or your veterinarian can give you a few tips. But all these words of cautions aside, adopting and taming a feral cat will surely offer the rewards of friendship and the bond of love between yourself and a creature you rescued from the wild.

Avoid Your Cat Suffering From Boredom With Cat Toys

When it's time to leave your cat behind and head out for work, it's important to provide adequate cat toys for your pet to be active throughout the day. There are fantastic products currently on the market that will provide hours of play time for your cat.

Here are some ideas:

Catnip - A perfect addition to any product and your cat will love it. Catnip is both safe and natural for your pet. There is a large variety of cat toys that include catnip in all different shapes and sizes. It's good to have a few types of these cat toys with catnip around the house, as your cat will love to seek them out and will keep them active.

Treat Balls - Another great way to motivate your cat. Fill them up with your cats favourite treats and just leave it in an open space at home. By the end of the day the treat ball will be empty and would have provided plenty of playtime and exercise.

Scratch Posts / Cat Tree's - These products are essential to have in your home for your pet. Cat's love to climb and it's important to provide a post for them to scratch, otherwise they will find good use of your furniture. Cat tree's with added cat toys and levels for them to climb onto are a real bonus and will soon enough be your cats favourite area to sleep and play. They are also important if you have a cat that is indoors only. Providing them with a cat tree will certainly help them keep in shape.

The following are some great ideas for cat toys. Ensuring your cat will be busy happily while you're away at work. There are heaps of other cat toys available but just a few toys mentioned can make a massive difference to you and your pets well-being.

Homemade Cat Food - Is Your Homemade Cat Food Balanced and Safe?

Feeding your cat homemade cat food is a good idea for the optimal health of your cat. However, that does not mean you can feed your cat any ol' thing and expect your cat to stay strong and healthy.

Cats, like humans, need to have a balanced diet in order to thrive to their optimal health and unfortunately many people do not realize this before they decide to give making homemade cat food a try.

Before you feed your cat things that you make, please make sure that you are doing your research. Look online for foods that are poisonous to your cat or better yet find a book that tells you how to make homemade cat food and how to make sure your cat is getting a balanced diet.

An example of something people would put in the food that is a big no-no is garlic. Garlic is poisonous to cats but since we tend to use a lot of garlic in our food we may never think twice about adding it to flavor our homemade food for the cat.

Another thing that is a big NO as far as feeding felines is tomatoes. Tomatoes are another poisonous thing we tend to want to give them.

Raw eggs are also something you should not feed them when you make homemade cat food because just like us they could indeed get salmonella. Because they are so small they have a much higher chance of dying from salmonella then we do.

You can not give your kitty raw dough. I don't know if that is something I would have considered giving my cat anyways but the reason they can't eat raw dough is because it could continue to rise in their stomachs thus causing major damage.

This is not a complete list but you get the idea. So between people feeding their felines things that are poisonous and not giving them a complete balanced meal, something wonderful like feeding cats homemade cat food has gotten a bad rap.

As I said before, feeding your cat homemade cat food is wonderful for your cat's health as long as you take the time to learn how to properly make the homemade cat food.

An Ideal Pet Rabbit Cage

If you know what you are looking for, purchasing pet rabbit cages is not at all difficult. If you are an experienced pet owner then you need to have right knowledge on size, shape and material of cage. In order to know more about rabbit cages, you should follow tips mentioned in the following paragraphs. They will be of great help in choosing the right cage for your rabbit.

Nowadays, besides the type of material as well as the size, people are also opting considering the fashion aspect. You have to make a homey cage for the rabbit. Comfort is no doubt one of the most important aspects to be considered when you opt for these cages, but so is fashion. You will find plenty of trendy cages available in the market these days.

Bigger cages are no doubt recommended, but it's not that you have to opt only for the bigger cages; sometimes smaller cages prove to be better than bigger ones. Rabbits and bunnies are very restless and fidgety, thus you have to choose the size of the cage accordingly.

Your pet rabbit grows gradually, so it can outgrow the cage. Thus, you need to dump the old one and buy a new and a spacious one to meet all your expenses. So keeping these things in mind you need to get hold of a buffer sized rabbit cage. A frail one will involve braking of the cage and it will force you to shell out more extra money. Ventilation should be proper as you don't want your pet to feel suffocated inside the cage. If they cages are aerated appropriately this implies that they have fresher air to breather. You need to also wrap your pet rabbit in a comfortable way otherwise he will die due to cold.

You will find lot of rabbit cages that are made of net walls and wire floors. Wood floor cages are more preferred than wired ones. Wire cages can leads to skin cuts and endure fur loss. The base of the floor should be sturdy and lightweight.

You should make sure that the cages you are buying should be weather resistant also. Rust is one of the most common problems in these cages. So make sure you only opt for high quality cages.

Cats and the Disease Called Heartworm

What is this condition called heartworm? Heartworm is a disease that is very common yet potentially dangerous and fatal for most domestic animals, more so house cats. This disease originates from infected mosquitoes, which in turn leaves larval infections or parasites that bury themselves deeper and deeper into the different layers of the skin of their hosts, particularly house cats which may have more sensitive skin. The name heartworm is derived from the activity of said parasites within the host body wherein after making its way under the layers of skin. They also find their way through the blood stream until it ultimately reaches the heart of the host. Thereafter, it will sit pretty to grow and develop into a community of parasites that will then have enough capacity to harm the host and pose a condition so fatal as to ensure your cat's untimely demise. This is no exaggeration. Cat owners, do we finally have your attention?

Perhaps you may have thought that we were merely exaggerating and blowing up this whole issue on heartworm out of proportion because this condition is better known for pet dogs, and even species that belong to the canine family. However, this condition has never been exclusive to canines. After all, it is said that illness knows no definite target. But fortunately for us cat owners and enthusiasts, heartworm indeed has less grave effects in cats and the parasites are a lot less likely to complete the cycle and reach the heart of the infected host. Hence because of this difference in nature of cats, the only real damage these parasites cause is a side effect on the lungs instead of the heart. But at least with cats, the fewer worms and parasites survive the journey within their body. However, this is not to say that we are completely downplaying the significance more so the effects of heartworm on your pet cats. In fact, it is quite the opposite. We seek to caution all cat owners as this is a very important concern more so if you are living in areas that are seemingly saturated with mosquitoes. In this case, the best advice that we would be able to give is to bring your beloved feline to your trusted vet and have it checked for any possible signs of heartworm. Furthermore, you can ask your vet about preventive medicines or methods that would ensure your cat a worm-free heart.

Another advice would be to inquire with your vet about generic alternatives of these preventive heartworm medicines because you do not really need to buy the ones that are branded as these would only bring you nothing more than a greater dent on your budget. While research shows that there is currently no known or concrete product or medicine in the United States for treating feline heartworm infection, there are still ways of ensuring that your cat is healthy enough not to contract this lethal condition. All in all, it is our firm belief that the best mode of prevention for any illness is to keep you well informed. More so with heartworm, well aware is half there.

The Pick of the Litter: Kitty Litter and Odor

Chances are if you are a cat owner then you are all too familiar with smelly kitty litter. So why is it so hard to get rid of kitty litter odor? It has to do with Uric Acid. Uric acid is one of the main components of cat urine. It is what gives off that horrible smell. The problem comes when uric acid crystallizes. It creates a strong bond to whatever material it is on, and it does not dissolve in water. So this makes for a very difficult odor to remove.

One way to mask kitty litter odor is to buy a good litter that works to mask odor.

6 best recommended kitty litters:

Precious Cat Ultra Premium Clumping Litter
World's Best Cat Litter-made from corn and biodegradable.
Odor Lockers - Fresh Scent Clumping Litter-made from wood and biodegradable.
Fresh Step Premium Scoopable Clumping Litter
Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat "Cat Attract" Litter
PETCO Scoopable Cat Litter
What are the advantages of organic, biodegradable cat litters over fine-grained, clumping clay litters? Unlike clay kitty litters, biodegradable cat litter (made of everything from corn to pine wood to recycled newspapers) can be flushed down the toilet or used as mulch or compost. Some owners also claim these litters do a better job of controlling odors.

You may want to consider a biodegradable cat litter with a new kitten. Cats are notorious creatures of habit, so if yours has been using a specific type or brand of litter for years, it will be very difficult to get it to switch. For that reason, owners report better success using biodegradable cat litter with young cats.

Also try preventative odor absorption methods. Sprinkling baking soda on top of litter absorbs the uric acid upon contact. Make sure to scoop litter on a daily basis. Not only will this make you happy, but kitty will also be happy. Keep kitty-area clean. Personally, I am a fan of enzyme products to kill odor. Enzymes work in nature as catalysts, speeding up the process to kill odor.

Cat boxes come in all shapes and sizes. We are fortunate to have options to see what works for your feline friend. Specialty pet stores sell electronic litter boxes making it possible to never touch litter again. However, some cats will be frightened by a litter box that makes noise. If this isn't an option for your cat, line your litter pan with a pan-liner.

Remember that cats are sensitive to their environment. Cats will actually refuse a dirty litter box. Keeping your cat happy will ultimately lead to a happier nine lives.

Overweight Cats

Everywhere you look there are telltale signs that our waistlines are getting the best of us. At the newsstand, countless magazines have front page advertisements for articles about obesity. The local bookstore has needed to expand its section on health and diet to include more and more books about losing weight. Every grocery store now carries low calorie snack packs that are individually packaged with a specific number of calories. While you'd think we are a nation obsessed by weight consciousness, it doesn't seem to be helping.

On a recent radio program, the topic came up again, only this time is was about cats. Evidently man's furry friend is turning into man's fattest friend as well. I guess this shouldn't be a big surprise because the veterinarian on the show says that a cat's weight usually mimics their owner's weight. As the theory goes, fit owners will walk and play with their feline companions more than their overweight counterparts. During the radio program, several ideas were given to help our overweight kitties.

First, a visit to the veterinarian is the first order of business. This is always a good idea to make sure your cat is healthy. It is especially important if the weight is on one particular side or if it came on suddenly. The doctor will test your cat for all sorts of things from diabetes to thyroid problems. This is a critical part of your cat's health. No weight reduction program should be started until you know for certain there are no underlying health issues.

Barring any health problems, you vet will probably recommend two things. The first is to reduce the number of calories your cat is eating. This can be easier said than done. When counting calories, you need to consider treats and cat food. Once the vet tells you how much food and how many treats your cat needs, it will be up to you to keep your cat on this diet.

The second thing your vet will recommend is an increase in exercise. This includes walking, sometimes more than once a day, playing in or outside and overall physical activities. Yes I know this sounds strange. Walk them on the beach or in a nearby forest. The place doesn't matter. Getting the cat exercising will not only benefit him, it will benefit you as well. And before you know it, the pounds will be coming off.

Spotting Ear Mites in Cats

If you have a cat, no doubt you're a responsible owner and want to keep your cat healthy? Ear mites can cause your cat discomfort making them unhappy so lets take a look at what cat ear mites are, how they affect your cat and how they can be treated.

What exactly are they and what do they do?

The ear mites that affect cats are tiny spider or crab like parasites. They consume the blood, skin and ear wax of your cat. There correct name is Otodectes Cynotis and they borrow deep into the ears of your cat. The saliva from them can cause an allergic reaction in some cats, causing your cat to scratch, often breaking the skin. This scratching can tear the sensitive skin of your cats ears and allow an infection to occur. Also continual scratching can cause the skin to thicken leading to disfigurement. This parasite also increases the wax production in your cats ear, giving the parasites more food to feed off and creating a great deal of discomfort for your cat.

How do I know if my cat has mites?

If you notice your cat shaking their head from side to side and constantly scratching their ears, there is a chance they may have them but you will need a closer look. Get your cat to sit on your lap and when they are relaxed take a look in their ears. You will need to do this fairly quickly as your cat isn't likely to stay sat on your lap for long once you start fiddling with their ears. If you can see dark flecks inside your cats ears there is a high probability that they will be these parasites and it would be best to have this confirmed with the vet.

How should you treat ear mites in cats?

These are extremely easy to deal with, however you do need to be aware that they can live in material and hard surfaces for a while so you need to clean these too to stop the cycle.

Cat Trees And Animal Health

I'm a dog person. I grew up with large dogs including Labrador retrievers, huskies, Saint Bernards and Anatolian Shepherds. I love the way large dogs roam an area, protecting their turf. They're big and lumbering, full of love and play.

As much as I like these dogs, I dislike cats. To me, cats seem needy and moody, temperamental and vindictive. I don't care for the way they can take over a space or insist on getting your attention until you feel forced to give it.

It wasn't until a recent visit to a large animal shelter that I began to look at cats a little differently.

In a neighboring town there's a large shelter facility. I believe they have a contract with the city to also serve as animal control. At any rate, the facility is equipped with wings to house dogs large and small. They also have cat rooms where the more docile cats can co-exist together, and a viewing room full of caged cats for those that need to be in their own space. My guide was well versed in animal behavior and even introduced me to their on-staff behaviorist who has spent years training birds, dolphins, cats and dogs.

I learned that cats need mental and physical stimulation as much as any human. Items like cat trees give cats an opportunity to change their surroundings and see things differently. They can climb up cat trees and look down, hide in the enclosures as though stalking prey. They can use the sisal-wrapped posts as a place to scratch their nails. Cat trees are one way that shelter cats can get the physical stimulation necessary to keep them in good health (loose limbs, trim weight, etc.) but also the physical stimulation necessary to ward off bad behavior.

How To Help Your Local Animal Shelter

Many people have a deep love of animals. We love to hold them and comfort them, play with them and tell our secrets to them. Dogs and cats can be faithful companions, our best friends when times turn tough.

Unfortunately, some people aren't well equipped to manage the responsibility that pet ownership requires. Whether emotions cloud good judgment or someone simply doesn't understand the level of care required by pets, sometimes the wrong people end up owning a cat or a dog. At least for a while.

Shelters take in animals that are lost or abandoned, rescued from poor homes, or from people with good intentions but without the means. Whatever the reasons, shelter dogs and cats need medical attention, food, shelter and love just as any other living mammal.

Often cats in a shelter are adversely affected by their surroundings. Even shelters which are set up to attend to their emotional and psychological needs sometimes find that cats which have been waiting for adoption for several months become restless, agitated or even a little aggressive. Part of the reason is they lack stimulation. The small cages don't afford them an opportunity to run, pounce, hide and stalk.

You can help your local animal shelter by considering a donation of some cat trees. Cat trees are furniture items built for use by cats. Constructed primarily of wood, carpet and sisal rope, cat trees come in varying heights and widths. Good cat trees may have a platform perch, an enclosure for hiding, a swing or pouch for lounging, and sisal for scratching.

Cat trees range in expense from sixty to several hundred dollars. If you're thinking of making a donation to your local animal shelter this year, speak with a representative to find out if they have the space for a few cat trees. The cats will greatly benefit, and you'll get a write-off for your taxes.

Getting to Know the Adorable Chinchillas

Keeping a pet is a common hobby. When you are with your dog, cat, rabbit, parrot or even snake, you will as if you are unloading your stress and throwing your worries away. Indeed pet keeping has many therapeutic effects that people who are keeping animals as their pets will often find it hard to continue living when parted with their pets.

Aside from hamsters, Chinchillas are also popular pets that take the form of rodent-like built. The scientific name of Chinchilla is Chinchilla lanigera. They often live up to 15 years although it is not uncommon for them to reach an extended life of 18 to 20 years. At first look, they may be mistaken as hamsters but considering their slimness as opposed to chubby hamsters, Chinchillas stand above. Their body length can reach to 10 to 14 inches while their tail can reach to 5 to six inches. Chinchillas vary in color but the most common ones are those that have grey coats. They are just too irresistible that an audience may find it hard not to squeeze it.

Chinchilla keeping presents unique requirements. In terms of their cages, they must be wide enough for them to move around. The cage must not be a boring one. It should posses structures like platforms, ramps, perches and even wheels where they can play around like that of white mice. Aside from that, Chinchillas also love to have toys. This is necessary for their incisors to develop well as they tend to chew the toys when they play.

With regards to their habit, they usually are nocturnal in nature. They are most active at night and less playful at daytime. That is the reason why they are sometimes they are called crepuscular referring to animals whose activeness peaks at dawn and dusk. They should be kept in a quiet area during the day so as not to disturb their rest. Since they are so vigorous and playful, chinchillas need a larger cage for all their activities. The temperature that they love will depend on their variety although most love to be around a cooler temperature.

When it comes to feeding, Chinchillas require a lot of fibre. Their diet should mainly consist of a good quality grass hay along with pellets especially made for chinchillas. A total of one teaspoon per day is a usual amount given to them since their digestive system are fairly sensitive. Diet changes should by all means made gradual.

Chinchillas are very active and playful. However, there are instances when they do not like to be cuddled or touched. They can get close with their owners easily so that the owner himself will quickly grow fond of the pet in no time at all. They can be tamed easily and can be kept either in singles or with pairs for mating. Choosing one will surely be an enjoyable moment for a future Chinchilla owner. Before buying any Chinchilla, just be sure that you can give time to take care of it. Otherwise, your pet will suffer from loneliness and malnourishment.