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  • How to Feed Your Newly Born Kittens

    Kittens are born kittens. At birth, kittens are normally only half-blind and depend on their mother for survival as long as they can. They don’t generally open their eyes before after seven weeks. After about two months, kittens start to explore and quickly become independent of their nest. By the age of two months, your kittens will have developed their own sense of hearing and sight and will be ready to venture out on their own.

    Kittens depend on their mothers for all of their needs, even before they are weaned. From the first day you bring your kitten’s home from the breeder, or from the animal shelter where you adopted them,  you should feed them with high quality food; dry pellets or canned food as per your veterinarian’s instructions. Kittens under two weeks of age, usually have some degree of cerebellar amnesia and will need to be taught to eat solids. They should also be weaned off of breast milk at four to six weeks of age. At six to eight weeks of age, kittens will be ready to eat kitten chow. At eight weeks and older, solid food can be given to your kittens but you must watch them carefully because they can accidentally eat harmful items.

    A lot of breeders prefer to breed kittens during the second two weeks of age, when they are generally closer to independence, because it is during this time that they begin to seek out their own feed. At this time, the kitten will begin to get curious about its surroundings and begin exploring everything in the cage. It is important to introduce some new things, like kibble, into the kitten’s environment, to keep it interested in the things around it. In most cases, the breeder will allow you to feed your newborn kitten with the same food you gave your adult cat, until it has had enough experience eating solid food for itself. However, some breeders insist that feeding a kitten chow at three weeks of age, is not only safer for the kitten but also less messy for the mother cat if she happens to make a mess of the kitty’s food dish.

    During this vital second week of kitten care, you will need to start using special tools like a baby brush and a kitten comb, in order to keep your kitten’s hair in proper condition. You will need to comb the coat thoroughly in order to remove all loose hairs and at the same time brush the coat to remove any matting. You may also purchase a kitten shampoo that is specially formulated for kittens, in case you do not feel the need to comb the kitten’s hair. These water bowls, especially the ones that come with adjustable water levels, will make it easier for you to check whether the water levels are correct, without having to get up on a ladder and make the water bowl sink.

    A kitten needs to be kept warm at all times and this means using a heated water bottle or a small bowl to give the feline its bottle warmed water. Kittens may also be kept in a towel lined with soft material in order to prevent themselves from getting colds. Once they have completely dried off, they can be put back in their carriers. It is essential that kittens are kept warm during the first few days of life because they do require lots of warmth. If you leave them in their carriers, they can easily become overheated and sickly. In addition to that, kittens may also contract infections from fleas and ticks, which could cause serious complications during their early years of life.

    On reaching the age of six weeks, your kittens will be ready for solid food. At this point, they can be fed kibble which should consist of high protein and high fat contents, along with vegetables like carrots, corn, squash and peas. If you wish to introduce solids into the diet at this point, you can do so up until the age of eight weeks. If you feed your kittens a diet consisting of only dry kitten food at this point, it is important to make sure that they do receive adequate vitamins and minerals along with the right amounts of calories.

  • Understanding Your Dog’s Health – 3 Symptoms to Watch For.

    Dog health has come a long way since the early days when just a few years ago we were scratching our heads to figure out why our pooches were sneezing and having difficulty breathing. Our canine friends have come a long way since then. We can purchase pet supplements and health products that we never even knew existed. They have the latest vaccinations and even show symptoms of common ailments such as allergies. If your dog is acting strange and seems to be sick, it is important to get him or her to the vet for a proper diagnosis. Here are some things that you should know about your dog and his health:

    The health of dogs is an extremely well researched field in modern veterinary medicine. The reason for this is that dogs are man’s best friends and therefore getting to know your dog as much as possible is key to being able to detect any potential problems. Parasites can be detected by a blood test called a sera. A sera test will look for parasites such as tapeworms, whip worms and fleas.

    When you bring your new puppy home you are likely to notice all the different kinds of dog health care needs that your new best friend has. One of these is dental problems. Puppies often suffer from severe cases of dental problems because they are born with weak tooth enamel. It is important that puppies be checked out annually and if any teeth problems are spotted you should take action as soon as possible. A dog with missing teeth is known to not be as playful as a dog that is healthy and can chew properly.

    Another dog health care need is for a dog that is suffering from diarrhea. Dehydration is known to be one of the main causes of diarrhea in dogs. It is vital that you make sure that your dog has enough water available at all times and that you feed your dog the right kind of food. Dogs who eat a lot of dry food may become prone to developing diarrhea. Parasites such as roundworms and hookworms can also cause diarrhea and you should visit your vet as soon as you notice any signs of these parasites. If you see your dog vomiting or suffering from vomiting, consider taking your dog to the vet for a diagnosis.

    Heart disease is another common ailment that dogs are susceptible to but fortunately heart disease is normally preventable through a good diet and regular checkups by your vet. Some dogs though are more vulnerable to developing heart disease than others and you will need to pay closer attention to these dogs. You should see a vet for a routine checkup every six months to a year. Your dog will need to have its heart checked before you make any changes in its diet or if you happen to notice any changes in your dog’s behavior then you will need to consult your vet immediately.

    It is very important that you take good care of your pet’s overall health and if your dog has any concerns at all then you will want to talk to your veterinarian as quickly as possible. If you have any concerns with your dog’s health, you will want to consult with your veterinarian as soon as possible so that you can give your dog the proper treatment. Your veterinarian will be able to examine your dog and tell you if there is any reason to concern yourself and your dog’s health. There are some basic health issues that affect dogs and if they are neglected and left untreated can turn into a more serious problem.

  • Train A Kitten – How to Potty Train Your Kittens

    Potty Training a Kitten is Easier Than You Think

    Train a kitten to use a litter box and you’ll have a happy cat. Not to mention a Very Happy Owner. You’ll be able to reduce your cat’s need for litter boxes by providing a “kitty gym” in her indoor living space. This is a simple way to provide a place for your cat where she can go potty and also where you can place other items, such as food and toys, so she doesn’t have to look for them when they need to use the bathroom. Once your cat has learned to locate her litter box on the floor or on a raised platform in her cat gym, the rest of the house will be more easily organized.

    When you first bring your kitten home, you’ll need to start off using scratch posts. These are pieces of wood, plastic or even cardboard covered with a carpet backing that you buy at your local hardware store. These posts are simply lined with catnip, scented or not, and left in her room, day after day, until your kitten gets used to being touched on her paws and has learned to scratch on her own. These posts should be placed in a location where your cat spends a lot of time but should be placed in locations that are out of reach of your cat so she won’t destroy the posts.

    As your kitten matures, you may wish to invest in some scratching posts of a more sturdy material. You can either purchase these new or make them yourself. Wooden ones are nice because they have little indentations where a kitten can scratch without hurting herself. Plastic ones are nice too, but they can get slippery when wet and your cat might scratch herself on them. You can also buy catnip scratching posts and spray bottle holders that are meant especially for cats. These are sold at many pet stores as well as at online retailers such as Amazon.

    In addition to the posts and scratching posts, there is one other thing that you can do to help train a kitten when it becomes aggressive towards you or other members of the house, and that is positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement is the process of rewarding your kitten whenever she behaves in a desired manner, be that, scratching, following you around the house or whatever. Using positive reinforcement will help curb the kitten’s destructive behavior in a manner of speaking.

    The easiest way to begin using positive reinforcement is to set up a “penalty” for the kitten if it scratches your furniture or drapes your window. Whenever the kitten does scratch your furniture or does something else that you disapprove of, scold the kitty in a very stern, but loving manner. Give the kitten a small piece of your hand, place it in her cage or in her room and tell her “no” in a firm voice. When she does anything that pleases you, reward her with a small treat, a pat on the head or any other form of praise.

    As for how to train a kitten to use the litter box, you simply repeat the same process as you did for the puppy. You would start by teaching the kitten to hold the lid on the litter box, after which you would move on to moving it from room to room while rewarding her with a treat every time she uses the box. Once she learns to hold the lid on the litter box by herself, you can move on to putting a spray bottle underneath, making sure that the kitten doesn’t drink from it. This should be done regularly until the kitten no longer drinks from the bottle but keeps the spray bottle on the ground next to the litter box. Then, you can move on to training the kitten to go outside, where she can learn how to remain on a leash without running off.

  • Becoming Familiar With Your Dog – What Breed Are They?

    Dogs are omnivores, meaning they eat both plant and animal material. The dog is actually a domesticated descendent of the wolves, which has been known to inhabit the earth since prehistoric times. It is now the most common land mammal, second only to man, and constitutes a very important part of our ecosystem.

    There are several different types of dogs, including long-haired, medium-length hairless dogs that rarely come in a coat; Toy dogs, smaller and agile breeds; Boxers, dogs with short hair and pointed ears; Great Danes, bred to be athletic and very muscular; Poodles, small and compact breeds that look like a German Shepard; and Alaskan Malamutes, medium-sized and muscular. Some dogs have wrinkled or bushy coats and some do not. Some breeds are considered hunting dogs and others are considering companion animals. Certain dogs have a vital role in wildlife conservation.

    Many dogs are used by humans for a variety of purposes, including hunting, therapy, companion animals, and protection. Some dogs are used as watchdogs, while others are used to protect rural families from strange and aggressive dogs. The Alaskan Malamute is often used as a guide dog for blind persons, a scent hound to track skunks and a tracking dog for lost hikers. Certain dogs are even used for search and rescue.

    Dogs have been domesticated since ancient times and were used by early humans for protection and hunting. wolves have been domesticated for centuries and were occasionally used as pets by humans, although most dogs are rarely used as companions by humans. Dogs are most often used for hunting, tracking, protecting livestock, therapy, and companionship. These uses make dogs one of nature’s best creations.

    The genetic structure of dogs closely resembles that of humans, so many breeds exist. However, there is still considerable variation within the breeds of dogs that can be used for various purposes. The coat of a domestic dog can be short, silky, long, or anywhere in between. Some dogs have longer hair than others and may only need to wear a collar.

    A number of breeds are considered to be ‘working dogs.’ Police dogs, search and rescue dogs, and dogs that assist injured or ill people are often considered to be working dogs. Some breeds are even considered to be house dogs, as they spend much of their time in the house watching humans and other domestic animals. Some dogs are even thought to be fashionable. With dogs so similar to humans in so many ways, it is not surprising that so many people love dogs. If you have not yet taken advantage of all the cute and cuddly attributes of dogs, you should consider getting a new pet today!

  • Training Kittens Can Be Easy and Fun With Positive Reinforcement

    Kitten Training Can Be a lot of Fun

    A lot of people have problems when trying to train a kitten. Kittens are really smart little animals and a hard task even for experienced pet owners. To train a kitten successfully, you must first understand the nature of the animal as well as how they work. Kittens are playful by nature, but you have to remember that they have just gained their own lives and will need time to adjust to their new surroundings.

    The very first thing that you should provide your kitten is a litter box. Providing the cat with a litter box is essential since kittens love to play around with litter boxes. Provide clean water for your cat at all times too. Kittens will often begin to whine when they do not have something they need, so be sure to provide them with a clean litter box at all times.

    Once you have adopted a kitten and they are now starting to show signs of curiosity, the time to train them is now. One way to train a kitten is through rewards and praise. When you reward your cat with a special treat, such as a favorite toy, they will try to repeat the behavior that got them the treat in the past. When they get it, they learn what the correct behavior is and will continue doing it. Rewarding your cats with treats will help them stay on task, so be sure to always have plenty of toys around.

    Another way to train a kitten is through catnip toys. Place catnip toys around the house, but be sure that your kittens can not get to them. This will keep them from clawing up the toys and scratching them to pieces.

    Cats are by nature curious, so using positive reinforcement to train a kitten can be quite successful. One great method is to place a treat or toy near the entrance to your home when you come home from work. When you arrive, immediately take the treat from it’s hiding spot and place it near the front door. You will see that the kitten will quickly find the treat and follow your example, soon following you to the front door and getting rewarded with a treat for following your example.

    For another simple way to reward your kittens, toss a treat into the air and say a certain word like “good boy” each time the cat catches the treat. Be sure that you use the same word each time, this way the kitten will recognize the word and associate it with getting a treat. Be careful not to say the word too many times, as repetition is the key to successful training. Start slowly and your kitten will soon catch on and want to act in a similar way every time you say the word.

  • Which Pet Health Insurance Is Right for You and Your Pet?

    What is pet health insurance? Like most insurance policies, pet health insurance helps give you peace of mind by helping to pay for medical costs when your pet has an accident, experiences a serious ailment and, in some cases, requires costly medical treatment. Pet health coverage is also more affordable than most people realize, particularly for large breeds that are prone to certain types of illness or accidents. The kind of animal health coverage you choose depends on how much you pay and what your pet will be subjected to. The basic policy offers cover for injuries, illnesses, emergency boarding or kenneling costs, vaccinations, prescription drugs and surgery costs, while policies that offer complete coverage have more perks such as accidental death and destruction of property, food allergies, breed restrictions and more.

    Policies that only offer basic coverage typically cost less than those that offer complete coverage, since the basic policy covers most illnesses, accidents, wellness exams, surgeries and normal care costs for your pet. You can save a lot of money by going with the complete coverage policy if you have many pets or own a high-end dog, since the comprehensive policies often offer discounts on annual or monthly premiums to cover all your pet expenses. A lot of pet insurance providers also offer discounts to clients who bring in their pet dogs or cats to the office on a regular basis and to those who take their pets on regular vacations. These discounts are great if you have more than one pet, since your discounts may apply towards the cost of the policy.

    Before you decide on which type of coverage is right for you and your pet, it’s important to figure out what your pet needs in terms of coverage. Many policies will cover illnesses that are listed in the policy, but there are usually deductibles that you must pay in order to get reimbursed. This could potentially make the policy ineffective, because not everyone will have sufficient coverage to pay the deductibles. Therefore, it’s important to get an estimate from a pet insurance provider before choosing which type of coverage is right for you. By getting a quote, you can ensure that you are actually paying less than you think you are for the right amount of cover.

    Some pet insurance providers also offer coverage for chronic conditions. While chronic conditions are generally covered in most policies, there may be a limit to how much you can save on premiums by opting out of this coverage. This is why it is a good idea to get a quote on your coverage before deciding on this optional add-on. In some cases, insurers may cover chronic conditions automatically through the course of the policy, so you will never even need to worry about it.

    Another common optional coverage is prescription food. A lot of pet owners opt for this coverage, especially those with young cats or dogs. Pet health conditions dictate that certain brands of prescription food should be avoided, so it is important that you find out if your coverage allows for this. In many instances, the pet insurance company will reimburse you for the cost of the prescription food that you choose, so this is not something that you need to worry about. However, it is important to make sure that the food you choose is nutritionally balanced, as your cat or dog could suffer from nutritional deficiencies if the wrong choices are made.

    Lastly, some pet insurance providers offer accident-only policies, which are typically only available to animals that have already been spayed or neutered. These policies will cover your pet for accidents, regardless of prior injury history. Because of this, it’s important to get a quote for accident-only coverage if you want coverage for an upcoming trip or visit to the veterinarian. The cost of the accident-only policy is significantly higher than the regular policy, but you will save money in the long run by investing in an insurance policy that will protect your animal for any incident, even accidental ones.

  • Kitten Timeline – Part One

    Kittens are born tiny. very tiny and helpless. After being born, kittens initially display primary altricialism and are totally reliant on their mom for survival. From birth, they don’t generally open their eyes before after seven days to a week. After about two weeks, kittens start to explore and rapidly develop. By three weeks, they show signs of hearing and sight, and start to grow.

    Kittens can eat both dry food and canned food, depending on whether the mother has been weaned and if she has already eaten solid food previously. It’s important to introduce new kittens to both kinds of food, so that they get used to varying textures and flavors. You can also introduce one kind of food to the mother of two kittens to help her find it easier to feed her kittens. As usual, it’s important to use a high-quality kitten formula.

    A healthy mother cat will nurse her kittens for at least six weeks. The nursing period usually varies between six and ten weeks. During this time, kittens receive a steady diet of milk that should be formula, chicken broth, or other commercially prepared cat food. As the kittens grow in size, they will require more food, until they reach approximately four to six months of age. This is the time when most kittens are ready to be weaned from breast milk.

    Bottle babies have several advantages over young kittens. Most importantly, bottle babies are free from serious health problems and illnesses, such as those that develop in malnourished kittens under unknown circumstances. Bottle feeding also eliminates the social isolation that many kittens experience during weaning. Unlike bottle babies, bottle-fed kittens have a regular, predictable feeding schedule that calms and relaxes them. Bottle-fed kittens also enjoy a more normal weight and growth than do orphaned kittens.

    In addition, weaning can be hastened if your feline kitten has already been weaned. In addition, if you bottle feed, your kitten can enjoy the benefits of solid food as early as eight weeks of age, while older kittens may still prefer breast milk. If you bottle feed, it’s best to provide an extra bottle of formula, so that you can replace one lost during the night. In addition, it’s good to introduce solid food gradually, allowing your feline friend to become accustomed to the taste.

    Finally, kittens have shorter litter box usage periods because they are not able to hold on to the same amount of waste. They use the bathroom more frequently than adult cats and need to relieve themselves more frequently. For this reason, adult cats can be excretory-smelly for kittens. As a result, kittens cannot be expected to use the litter box as often as adult cats do.

  • Dog Health Care Needs

    Dog health can be a tricky subject due to the fact that the word “dog” actually means different things to different people. In general however, the health of dogs is an extremely well studied field in modern veterinary medicine. There are very specific and detailed methods and steps that are followed when dealing with dog health. Much of this is due to the fact that dogs have been domesticated from wolves over two thousand years ago and since then they have developed their own set of traits and habits that need to be taken into consideration when it comes to dog health care. One of the biggest problems and challenges facing modern veterinary medicine is providing quality and sufficient healthcare for dogs. Some problems that dog owners face when taking their dog to the vet include heartworms, cancer, allergies, fleas and several forms of infections.

    One of the biggest dog health issues is vomiting and diarrhea. Both of these are simply the symptoms of an internal or external parasite or infection. An internal problem will usually manifest itself through either vomiting or diarrhea. Both of these will generally begin after your dog has eaten a lot or has had some form of severe stomach upset. In some cases a dog can start vomiting or diarrhea after it scratches its stomach very vigorously and this is generally seen as a symptom of heartworms or heart failure.

    There are many different types of dog diseases but there are a few that are more common than others. The most common and serious dog diseases that you would probably have to see your vet for treatment would be cancer and heart disease. They are both preventable and treatable and your vet would be able to give you advice on how best to maintain a healthy lifestyle for your dog in the hope that he would not develop these diseases. The most important thing is for you and your dog to get regular checkups and vaccinations so as to avoid these diseases.

    Preventive care is essential in both preventing and treating kidney disease. It is generally agreed that you should take your dog to annual dog checkups and vaccination clinics as part of their preventative care but you need to be particular as some vets may recommend annual vet checkups and vaccination clinics only if your dog shows symptoms of a-z ailments. A-Z diseases generally have symptoms so the sooner you and your vet can identify them, the better. Your vet would usually recommend a course of treatment that involves an anti-inflammatory medication and possibly an injection of corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and keep the affected area hydrated.

    The types of vitamins and minerals your dog needs in his diet will vary depending on his breed and the activity level of your dog. Your vet can advise you on what your dog’s nutritional requirements are and give you advice on feeding supplies you might need to keep your pet healthy. Vitamins for pet health care needs include the B-complex of vitamins, calcium, Iron, zinc and Vitamin D. Minerals would include copper, sulfur and manganese. Most dogs require daily supplements of fish oil, flaxseed oil, digestive enzymes and probiotics.

    Older dogs are prone to a number of problems including cancer, heart disease, allergies, osteoarthritis, diabetes, kidney disease and obesity. Obesity is more prevalent in female dogs and is usually due to increased estrogen levels from pregnancy. Excessive weight gain can result in weakening of the skeletal muscles, which will increase the risk of inflammation, joint pain and disease of the kidneys. There are certain foods that are recommended for healthy dogs, but it is best to talk to your vet about the ideal diet for your dog from a holistic viewpoint as the wrong food can actually make the problem worse.

  • How to Make Cat’s Smell Good

    Most pet owners know that cats can be quite demanding pets, but do you know just how much of a handful for your cat could be if properly cared for? Cats are highly intelligent creatures, and they love to please their owners. This means that you may need to put in a little work to keep your cat happy. If you’re having trouble with your cat in the current economy, this may be one of the easiest animals to work on.

    Try to remember that cats like to scratch, so try to keep their nails short. To prevent damage to furniture, have your cat’s Clippings tray regularly cleaned or have it professionally cleaned by a veterinarian. Be sure that you give your cat a lot of room to roam as well. While most cats will appreciate having a few places to run around in, some will enjoy being let out of the yard for long periods at a time. Make sure you give them places that they can play in so that they’ll remain happy.

    Providing your cats with fresh food often will help to keep them healthy and active. However, as tempting as it is to buy kitty food from the supermarket, you may be wasting money by paying a premium price for cat food when you can simply make sure that your cat is getting the right food. Your vet or even an online breeder can recommend food that contains necessary vitamins and nutrients. Don’t fall for the hype about making everything “nutritious” and don’t fall for the fancy packaging that some brands use.

    Cats love to get outside and enjoy running around, so be sure to provide a safe, comfortable area where they can run around. You may also want to have a scratching post for your cat as well. Your cats will get into scrapes more often if they have something to scratch on. So, don’t deprive them of this.

    Providing your cat with a cat toy will provide entertainment for them, plus it’ll give them something to play with that’s different from just sitting in the corner of the room. Your cats will get into scrapes just as much if they’re playing with their cat toys as playing with you! When playing with your cats, remember that they are cats and they will chase each other and sometimes they’ll hit each other. Your cat will need to be watched closely and treated coolly, especially if they’re playing with another cat.

    Cats love attention, so make sure that they get enough of it from you. If you don’t want to spend all day giving your cat attention, you can find toys that will allow you to distract them for a short amount of time. A toy such as a squeaky toy cat toy will allow you to distract them, as well as keep them entertained for a longer period of time. Cats will enjoy the interaction and you’ll be entertained as well!

  • How to Socialize Your Puppy

    If you’re considering getting a puppy and already have an older dog, there are many differences that you will notice right away. One of the most noticeable differences is the size of the animal. Puppies are quite tiny compared to fully grown older dogs. Therefore, it will take more time for the two animals to become used to each other and get along better.

    Typically, puppies are socialized in the first three months, but it takes longer with older dogs. At around eight weeks of age, you should be able to recognize your puppies’ social behaviors, such as how they react to other dogs and people. Socialization can begin with just one pup in the litter, but usually four or more puppies should be added into the litter at this point. It will depend on your particular puppy and the littermates that you choose, but typically four to six pups should be appropriate.

    By eight weeks of age, your puppies should be able to recognize you and what you are, and this should hasten the socialization process. However, you’ll still need to continue to interact with the puppies even after the socialization period has come to an end. By this time, the puppies should be able to follow simple directions and understand commands. If necessary, you should take your puppy to a specialist for further instruction or professional training.

    At around eight weeks of age, the puppies should be able to recognize their own name. This may not be true for all breeds of dogs, but it should be fairly easy to teach your puppy his or her name. During the socialization period, do not attempt to force the issue. You can start by giving commands such as “sit” and “stay” to your puppies. After the puppies understand and have learned these simple instructions, you can move on to more complex commands and tricks.

    At around twelve weeks of age, you will want to begin introducing some playtime with your puppies. This is a great way to get them involved in the day-to-day activities of your home while at the same time reinforcing the basic lessons that were taught during the socialization period. Start by making sure that your puppies are comfortable with your presence in the house. This can be done by ensuring that there is always enough space for your puppies to stand, turn around, and stretch out. After a few days, let the puppies go out in groups of two or three and watch how they behave.

    Socializing your dog puppy to his surroundings is an important and crucial part of his development. You’ll find that socializing your dog’s is not that hard, and it will help you and your puppy to have a happier and more contented relationship. As mentioned earlier, it’s important that you take your time, and you’ll need to work with your vet to get your puppy used to all of the sights, sounds, and smells in his new home. By doing this, you and your puppy will both feel less stressed. By socializing your dog’s before you bring him home, you will ensure that he will grow up well adjusted and well behaved within your home and you as a dog owner.