Your Pet?s Health ? Protect Your Children

Your Pet?s Health ? Protect Your Children
If we had to name two things children want, it could be easily covered under the titles, pets and toys. We all loved toys as children and still love our pets even as adults. Pets play an important role in their owners? lives. Some pets have even been known to save lives and learn to dial 911 in an emergency. As companions, they provide us with warmth and friendship, as well as undying loyalty. Some pets have special training and can assist people with disabilities. Others are great hunters and protectors of our property and our families.

For a child, a pet means even more. For children, a pet represents many things. They learn about relationships, compassion, responsibility, love, and so much more. It is not impossible to raise a child without a pet, but their lives are greatly enhanced if they are allowed to have one.

No one can downplay the significance of owning a pet. The benefits far outweigh the pitfalls. However we have to know how to be safe when choosing a pet ? especially when we have children. Not only do we have to choose the right pet for our family, we also must keep our pets in good health to protect others in our household. And, keeping a pet healthy can be expensive. Certain types of pets require more care than others and you should always consider whether or not you can afford not only the purchase of your pet, but also the ongoing care they will require.

However, your concern for your child?s health is directly related to your concern for their pet?s health. There are diseases that a child or even an adult can contract from pets. Keeping your pet healthy is very important to your child?s health.

Zoonotic diseases or Zoonosis are terms used to describe diseases that can be transferred from animals to humans. Normal contact with an animal or contact with an animal?s bodily fluids can result in the transfer of disease.

I don?t want to scare parents away from getting a pet for their child because as I said, the benefits of owning a pet far outweigh the dangers and drawbacks if you take the necessary precautions. Here are 10 tips you should follow when choosing a pet for your child.

1. Do not buy a pet from disreputable dealers who keep large numbers of animals caged together waiting to be sold.

2. Always check the facilities where the animal was kept while waiting to be sold. If the conditions there are bad, then likely the condition and the care of the animal prior to sale was likely bad also.

3. Find out what care has been provided to the animals, by a licensed Veterinarian, prior to being sold.

4. Read whatever tips you can find about the type of pet you are purchasing for your child. You should know any diseases that type of pet is known to be susceptible to. You should know all about the proper shelter, food, and care your child?s pet will require. Reading up on this prior to purchase is a good idea, so you will know what you are getting into.

5. Clean your pet?s shelter and make sure all feces are removed daily.

6. Make sure you have a qualified Veterinarian examine the pet before you hand it over to your child.

7. Bathe your child?s pet regularly. Keep in mind your child will be in constant contact with their pet. Whatever the pet gets into, your child gets into.

8. Make sure your children get into the habit of washing their hands every time they handle their pet.

9. Stay current with all vaccinations and checkups your Veterinarian recommends. If your pet seems ill, keep your child away from them until you can get them to a Veterinarian.

10. Teach your child how to handle your pet to avoid having it injure your child. Make sure they know not to squeeze it too tightly, pull on its extremities, agitate it, or tease it unnecessarily.

These 10 tips I am providing you are by no means all the things you need to be aware of. Specific types of pets have different rules you need to be aware of about handling and caring for them. You should include your child in the learning process where possible so they understand why those rules are necessary. Read up on the pet you are bringing into your home and spend time discussing your questions and concerns with your veterinarian.

I hope this article has been helpful to you as a parent. Remember, know what you are getting into before you choose a pet for your child. What you don?t know could cost you in more ways than one.

Jennifer Tarzian also has a lot of information for parents at <a href="http://www.youngparentsmagazine.com" title="http://www.youngparentsmagazine.com" target="_blank">http://www.youngparentsmagazine.com</a> , <a href="http://creditcards.youngparentsmagazine.com" title="http://creditcards.youngparentsmagazine.com" target="_blank">http://creditcards.youngparentsmagazine.com</a> and <a href="http://homeschooling.youngparentsmagazine.com" title="http://homeschooling.youngparentsmagazine.com" target="_blank">http://homeschooling.youngparentsmagazine.com</a> .

Eco Friendly Pet Furniture Posted By : IC
Your dog or cat is probably is not all that worried about global warming and deforestation, but a lot of owners are, and so many are now adding environment friendly pet furniture to the eco-friendly items they have in their homes.

Is Dental Care Important For Your Dog?
If only we could get our pets to brush their teeth regularly! Well you know that can’t happen . . . but we can help our dogs take care of their teeth and gums. They don’t, of course, realize how important dental care is to their health (and maybe you didn’t realize it either).

Following are some facts about dental problems that may either be causing your dog discomfort right now or might soon affect your dog’s health; we’ll also give you some tips on treating those problems.

Gingivitis: Gingivitis is a gum disease that occurs when gum tissue becomes inflamed. If not treated, gingivitis will lead to periodontitis (described below); if it is not treated, gingivitis will cause your dog to start loosing teeth.

Periodontitis: Periodontitis is an advanced gum disease that attacks not only the gums but also the bones that underlie the gums. Commonly called periodontal disease, this is the most common dental problem for dogs. Even relatively young dogs may have Periodontitis or the earlier-stage gum disease, gingivitis.

Imagine a year or two of buildup on your dogs teeth — buildup of plaque, food particles and bacteria. If your dog has gum disease you may not have to imagine it, you will probably be able to see a near-white substance coating the teeth and gums — that’s the result of the bacteria.

Tooth fractures: Dogs love to gnaw on things like bones and when they do they might develop small breaks -fractures of their teeth. Endodontic disease is the name for infections that develop inside these fractures.

Preventing the problems mentioned above is as simple as keeping your dog’s teeth clean. Clean teeth means less bacteria and less bacteria means less disease . . . and the extra bonus of no more ‘doggie-breath.’

Brushing your dog’s teeth. The best way to keep your dog’s teeth clean is by brushing them every day. That may sound like an impossible task but its really not. Over time, if you approach it slowly and lovingly, your dog will accept tooth brushing as an enjoyable daily activity.

Important: If you think that your dog has gum disease or fractured teeth take the dog to a vet to have the condition treated and cleared up before you try brushing the teeth yourself. If the dog has diseased gums, any attempt at tooth brushing may be painful and from then on the dog will associate tooth brushing with pain.

Ideally, you should start brushing a dogs teeth when its a puppy. As a puppy this will be more of a game than a threat and, over time, it will turn into an activity the puppy loves.

If your dog is older and has healthy looking teeth and gums, introduce it to a tooth brush by coating an old toothbrush with something the dog likes to taste; one suggestion is a paste made out of garlic salt and water. Let the dog lick it and even chew on it for just a second. The next day, the dog will recognize the tooth brush in your hand and come running over for another ?treat.? Gradually work your way into brushing it’s teeth like that, day-by-day.

Eventually you’ll need to get a toothbrush and toothpaste that is made specifically for pets; you’ll find both in any good pet supply store. It is especially important to find toothpaste that is made for pets; don’t try to use toothpaste made for people. Human toothpaste isn’t intended for ingestion and since your dog can’t ’spit it out’ you need to get a toothpaste that won’t make the dog sick when some amount is swallowed.

There are two types of pet toothbrushes, one looks like a human toothbrush that is designed to brush a small child’s teeth and the other is a finger brush. A finger brush looks like a large thimble with a pad or bristles mounted on it. Both types of toothbrush are fairly inexpensive so you may want to purchase one of each and see which one works best for you. Either way, as long as the toothpaste tastes good to your dog, it won’t mind you ‘messing around’ in it’s mouth and, eventually, it will even look forward to the daily ritual.

Have your dog’s teeth professionally cleaned. If, for whatever reason, you don’t want to or you can’t brush your dogs teeth yourself, take it to a veterinarian and have the vet give the dog’s teeth a professional cleaning. The vet will sedate your dog and do all the necessary scraping and cleaning of the teeth while the dog is sleeping.

Give your dog a checkup. Its a great idea to give your dog’s mouth a regular checkup. You’ll be looking for any broken, chipped or cracked teeth or any signs that the gums are not healthy. If you see any problems, get the dog to a veterinarian as soon as you can.

Protect your dog’s teeth. Sometimes dogs need to be protected from themselves. A dog will chew on anything and the really hard things like some bones, rocks and other very hard items may eventually crack or break the dog’s teeth. Get rid of the hard stuff and buy your dog some softer chew toys.

Buy some mouthwash for your dog. Nope! Not kidding! There are mouthwash products for dogs and just ignore that mental picture of trying to get your dog to gargle. You just add some of the mouthwash to your dog’s water dish and the mouthwash will not only improve your dog’s breath, it will keep the do’s teeth clean and free of tarter.

As you can see, dogs have dental problems that are very similar to human dental problems and they benefit from dental care just like we do. For all the products suggested here for your dog’s dental care, ask your veterinarian for his or her recommendations on the best products to use. Your vet is your dog’s doctor and should be trusted like you trust your own doctor.

Gary Allison is a third generation of professional dog breeders. It all started with his grandparents in 1970 with the Boston Terriers and has expanded to Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Pugs, Shih Tzu?s and Pomeranians. He is also actively involved with dog rescue and has a website that showcases the puppies he occasionally has for sale at <a href="http://allmypuppiesonline.com">All My Puppies Online</a> Gary is also the author of two consumer guides, <a href="http://carpetsecrets.com">Carpet Secrets</a> and <a href="http://movingsecretsguide.com">Moving Secrets Guide</a>

Dog Insurance: Save a better future for your dog Posted By : Robert Scott
Treat your dog with utmost care and love with dog insurance.

Tropical Fish - Less work then a Dog, more interesting then a Plant
Many people would not consider a fish to be a real pet, but keeping tropical fish is a pleasurable hobby for families around the world. It s also great for the person who is allergic to fur but stills wants some kind of company at home. If you are a complete beginner then beginning with a goldfish would be your best start, but if you want a little more of a challenge then tropical fish are the way to go. Most people choose tropical fish because there are more choices and typically more brightly coloured fish then among freshwater fish, and it s much simpler than having a reef aquarium. There is also an aesthetic appeal of keeping a tropical fish tank in your home because you get to design and decorate your tank. Tropical fish don t tie you down to a lot of expenses after you set up the aquarium and buy the fish; it should cost you around $25 a year to feed a fish. But what most people appreciate most is that you don t have to walk them, wash them, groom them, play catch with them or take them in for check-ups. But that doesn t mean that you can just put your fish in a tank and walk away. Tropical fish do require more care than a plant; you must know how to change the water, clean the tank, and what to feed them. A little research will help you keep your aquarium free from algae blooms and snail infestations. An absolute necessity for tropical fish is a tank heater, and you may also find a tank thermometer to be very helpful. The most commonly used heater for aquariums is a submersible heater, which you should position where it will circulate the most water, so it can spread out the heat. The thermometer should also be a submersed one because they are usually more accurate and if you are keeping tropical fish the temperature of the tank water is of the utmost importance. As with any new hobby or endeavour, it is important to learn about the needs of the different species of tropical fish before you invite them to share your home. But with a little advance planning and preparation, you will soon come to see that keeping fish as pets can be pleasing and quite fun to do!

Want to know more about fish aquariums? Then please follow this link: <a href= http://www.mops.ca >aquarium fish foods</a>.

Tropical Fish : Tank Basics
Aquarium fish are like pets and you have to know what you’re doing and this article will cover one of the basics : what to look for when buying tropical fish, this article will cover the tank. Look for a tank that is big enough to store the tropical fish you want (keep note that some fish need bigger tanks as they need more place, so do your homework !) I’d suggest to go for a bigger tank because having some extra room for your tropical fish always a good idea. When you’re in the store make sure to take some extra equipment with you cause you’ll need it. I suggest getting the following equipment for your tank:

1. Heater
The heater is the most important part of a tropical tank. For most tropical fish, 25C is a good average. 4 watts per gallon is ok, but each heater will state the size aquaria it accommodate for. For the larger aquaria, it is often best to have two smaller heaters for a couple of reasons, one because should one break, u still have one to keep your tank going until u can replace it, and two should you have 1 big heater, and the thermostat got stuck on, it would raise the temperature of the tank far more and in less time than a smaller one would. All heaters now have a built in thermostat which turns the heater on and off when needed to keep the tank at a stable temperature, the heater should never be un-plugged.

2. Filter.
Best to check if the filter fits your tank. this is very important !.The size of the filter depends upon 3 factors :
- The tank size
- Number of aquarium fish
- Plants planted in the tank
There are lots of different types of filters available : internal filters, external filters, gravel filters and box filters (I advise to skip this one cause they only work for small tanks).

3. Gravel
The gravel is mainly for aesthetic purposes, but it also is vital if you are keeping live plants as they need a substrate of some sort to anchor them selves down with.
If you have a planted tank, then 2-3inches of gravel is advised, but if u have an unplanted tank, then u may use - 2inches of gravel.
The gravel also holds some of the bacteria in the tank, and if the tank has an under gravel filter, then the gravel will contain nearly all of the bacteria in the tank.

These last 3 points are the basic equipment parts you ll need to keep your fish healthy in your new tank. In my following articles I will cover the fish themselves and their basics.
I hope you learned something here and I will see you in my next article or on my weblog.

John Mallon is a fish fanatic who has been taking care of them for over 15 years.

Gastrointestinal stasis: What is and why it is so dangerous for some rabbits
Gastrointestinal stasis (or G.I. stasis) is a serious and potentially fatal condition that occurs in some rabbits in which gut motility is severely reduced and possibly completely stopped. Treatment should be sought immediately from a veterinarian specializing in exotic animals and with significant rabbit experience. When untreated or improperly treated, G.I. stasis can be fatal in as little as 24 hours.

G.I. stasis is the condition of food not moving through the gut as quickly as normal. The gut contents may dehydrate and compact into a hard, immobile mass (impacted gut), blocking the digestive tract of the rabbit. Food in an immobile gut may also ferment, causing significant gas buildup and resultant gas pain for the rabbit.

The first noticeable symptom of G.I. stasis may be that the rabbit suddenly stops eating. Treatment frequently includes subcutaneous fluid therapy (rehydration through injection of saline solution under the skin), drugs for treatment of the buildup of gas in the digestive tract, massage to promote gas expulsion and comfort, possible drugs to promote gut motility, and careful monitoring of all inputs and outputs. The rabbit’s diet may also be changed as part of treatment.

Some rabbits are more prone to G.I. stasis than others. The causes of G.I. stasis are not completely understood, but common contributing factors are thought to include:

* a lack of fiber in the diet. Many pet rabbits do not get sufficient fresh grass hay but are instead mistakenly fed only commercial alfalfa pellets originally developed for rapidly increasing mass in rabbits bred for meat.
* insufficient moisture in the diet. Fresh, leafy greens are a critical part of a rabbit’s diet in part because of their moisture content, which helps prevent the gut contents from becoming impacted.
* lack of exercise. Rabbits confined to a cage frequently do not get the opportunity (or motivation) to run, jump, and play which is critical in maintaining gut motility.

In addition, G.I. stasis can be caused by the rabbit not eating for other reasons, such as stress, dental problems, or other unrelated health problems.

G.I. stasis is sometimes misdiagnosed as cat-like “hair balls” by veterinarians not familiar with rabbit physiology.

Hagar lagarto is a long time Pet lover with many articles and websites on the subject.You can get much more info at <a href=http://pet.freehostia.com>http://pet.freehostia.com</a>

Three Steps to Happy and Healthy Betta Fish
The Betta fish is a beautiful fish characterized by good looks, rich colors and dramatic fins. A unique fish, they breathe by sticking their mouths to the surface of the water and take in air. Making them even further unique is that unlike most fish, Betta fish have personality and even wave their tails. Buying, taking care of and even breeding Betta fish, can become addictive. However, for all their positive attributes, Betta fish are very difficult to care for and die easily. Caring for Betta fish, can prove very frustrating. Common complaints include the Betta fish s refusal to eat for days, fins splitting and never healing, persistent fin rot and the difficulty of keeping the water clean. However, caring for Betta fish does not have to be complicated. In fact, armed with the right information, and the current techniques, Betta fish can be very low maintenance and inexpensive to take care of. Below are three tips to help you keep your Betta fish, happy, healthy and alive! 1. Watch the Company Your Betta Fish Keeps: Mal Betta fish, unless under the proper conditions, can not cohabit. Betta fish are fighting fish and males will fight to the death. Female Betta fish can cohabit as long as there are more than 2. Betta fish should also be kept away from aggressive fish and fancy Guppy. They oftentimes mistake the guppy s fin for a male Betta fish and will attack. 2. Keep the Water Coming: Betta fish, like most fish like large spaces. There should be at least 2 gallons of water for every 1 Betta fish. 3. Beware of Brand New Fish Tanks: Brand new fish tanks can often contain high levels of ammonia. Check with the salesperson for cleaning options. Betta fish are beautiful and lively fish. They just require knowledgeable care. Do your research before buying and/or breeding Betta fish, so that you do not waste your investment. A very good guide to Betta fish care can be found here: Betta Fish Care

Learn More About <a href="http://Betta-Fish.blogspot.com>Betta Fish Care</a>. Michelle Mann runs a <a href="http://betta-fish.blogspot.com>Betta fish</a> related site.

Paw print ceramic food bowl Posted By : Ambika
Dog bowl food is relaxed eating in your pets. Our colorful Pet Dishes are made from food-safe ceramic and can be used indoors or out. The Red and blue with white accents. Show your furry friend that they are unique and special with our Personalized dog Food Bowl. The bowl is a common container, which is used differently in different cultures. Bowls can be made of a wide range of materials like ceramic, metal, wood, plastic, glass, and other materials.

Adding Essential Fatty Acids To Your Pets Diet
Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) are a requirement in everyone’s diet, for both human and animal. However, the body cannot produce EFAs on its own, so it must be added to the diet each day. The two most commonly known fatty acids are omega 3 (linoleic acid) and omega 6 (alpha-linoleic acid). The diets of our pets, like people, tend to include more omega 6 fatty acids rather than omega 3. This is an imbalance that needs to be improved upon.

Omega 3 fatty acids are essential as they help with the proper formation of cell membranes, cardiovascular functions, nourish the lining of the digestive tract, and work to keep your pet’s skin and coat smooth, soft and shiny. Another essential function of omega 3 fatty acids is that they work to reduce inflammatory problems in the body. If you find your pet’s coat is dull and brittle or if he/she tends to have dry skin and scratch a lot, it may be due to a lack of this particular fatty acid.

There are different types of essential fatty acid supplements that are available, however which kind you choose to supplement your dog or cat’s diet can be a bit of a dilemma.

Pure plant oils such as flax oil, evening primrose oil, safflower oil or a blend of plant oils is a good alternative to fish omega-3 fats. These should be “cold-pressed” oils, as opposed to oils that are typically extracted with chemical solvents. The problem with plant oils is that animals have a harder time converting the fatty acids to a form best used by the animal’s system.

Fish oils, such as salmon oil, halibut liver oil, or cod liver oil are more easily converted and used by an animal’s body. The downside is that fish oils often contain deadly toxins, including high levels of dangerous PCBs, dioxins and detectable levels of mercury. Farmed salmon is the worst for contamination and contains less omega 3 acids than wild salmon. At present nearly 30% of all fish are farmed, with salmon being in the 90% farmed range. As well, farmed salmon are often carriers of disease and parasites. When supplementing your pet’s diet with fish oils, choose oils that come from wild sources, not farmed.

There are also blended fish and plant oil supplements available. These often include a mixture of salmon or cod liver oil and flax, safflower or other such oils that provide a mixture of 3 to 4 parts omega 3 oils to 1 part omega 6 oils. Giving your animal a combination fish/plant supplement may be a good alternative to consider, as they should contain fewer toxins since they are not strictly fish oils, yet still should be better assimilated by the animal’s body than straight plant oils.

Rose Smith operates several sites featuring natural and organic relief solutions for everyday health problems - both in humans and animals. If you would like to know more about <a href="http://www.caringforcanines.com/">natural dog health care</a> visit <a href="http://www.caringforcanines.com/">http://www.caringforcanines.com</a>.

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