Has Your Kitty Gone Rogue? or, why you need a cat scratching post!!

By Carol Navagato

Is your cat terrorizing your furniture? Cat owners everywhere have to face the issue of their favorite furniture being scratched chewed or even sprayed. In the case of spraying, it is your kitty's need to mark the area as his or her own, but in the case of scratching there are also some other serious needs involved.

Cats claws are made to grip and hold their prey. The claws grow continuously, and are designed to be kept in shape by being worn down. Cats NEED to scratch to remove the outer dead layer of the claw, and allow the new nail to grow. If there is no place to scratch, the cat may either take it out on your furniture or try to actually chew off the old claw sheath. And your cat needs to stretch out those back muscles too!

Even if your kitty IS just meeting a real physical need to scratch, if you choose the right piece of cat furniture, you will find that destructive scratching need not be a problem. The key is to find a sturdy cat tree, cat scratching post, or other cat furniture that allows kitty to stretch, scratch, exercise and nap.

So how do you choose just the right piece of cat scratching furniture? It is a good idea to get it to be tall enough for kitty to stretch out to full length when scratching. That would usually be about 4 feet. There should be a rough surface such as rope or sisal to help clear the nail sheath. Placement of the new furniture is important too. Kitty will want to be near enough to you to be part of the family, not off in some far part of the house. A sprinkling of catnip will also do wonders to entice kitty to her new furniture!

Every cat and home is unique. Your cat may be happy with a simple sisal scratching post, or may delight in an elaborate cat tree with playing, napping, and climbing areas. And your space available may be more suited for cat scratching furniture of a particular size or shape. Whatever it is, there is sure to be a piece of cat scratching furniture that is right for you and your cat!

About the Author:

Want to find out more about cat scratching furniture , then visit Carol Navagato's site on how to choose the best cat scratching post for your needs.

Tropical Fish Tank Set Up For Newbies

By James Conley

So you want to set up a fish tank, well the first thing that I will tell you is that you have to be patient and should not jump right into putting fish in your tank. In this article I will be explaining all of the steps to setting up a fish tank for tropical fish only.

When you are selecting an aquarium to buy you must know what kind of fish that are going to be living in it and how big the fish will get. As a simple rule, for every inch of fish that there is there should be 1 gallon of water.

The items that you will need to set up a fish tank are the aquarium, filter pump, heat pump. Optional items that you should get also are gravel, thermometer, lamp, decorations, and a back up filter pump in case the main one goes bad.

Now that you have all the items you need next is to set up the stand and put the tank on it. Make sure you choose a good spot that will not be blocking anything you will need to get to later on like receptacles, air vents, etc.

Now that your tank is positioned right it is time to leak test it. Do this by filling the tank up completely with water and let it sit for a day or two. Inspect the surrounding area for any signs of water, nothing is worse than a leaky aquarium, bad for your home and the fish. Once you are sure there are no leaks go ahead and empty the tank.

When you are waiting to find out if your aquarium had any leaks or not you can start pre-treating gallons of tap water in jugs with water conditioner. One thing I do to speed up the process is add bacteria supplement to the water also, to get the perfect mixture ratio make sure to pay attention to the instructions on the bottle of water conditioner.

Next you can start setting up the interior of the tank with decorations and gravel while the tank is still empty. It is very critical that you was anything that you put into the tank very well, even if it is brand new. There will still be dust and dirt on the gravel so make sure that it is rinsed with water before putting it into your aquarium.

Start setting up the filter pump and the heating pump. Add the water solution from the jugs that you already pre-mixed, fill the tank up to about an inch from the top. Put the overhead lamp on if you have one and turn on the heater and the filter pump, you now want to be patient and let the water cycle for a week at the minimum.

Once it has been a week and the water is cycled you can add a few starter fish to get the ecosystem of the aquarium started. Do not attempt to add any more fish to the aquarium for at least 4 weeks, the longer you wait the better off your fish will be.

About the Author:

The author has been setting up aquariums of all types for many years and has great knowledge on aquariums. You can check out his site if you need to purchase a home aquarium. aquariums For Sale

How To Choose The Right Dog Food?

By David E. Broadhead

Your diet plays a critical role in understanding your overall health. The same is the case with your pet. So , it only makes sense if you pay rather more attention while selecting dog food for your pet. Here are some straightforward tips and proposals that will help you choose the right dog food for your pet.

Checking the ingredient list is the 1st step in choosing the proper dog food. Before you get any dog food, ensure that you go thru the list of ingredients carefully. Check if the product includes any ingredients that could be damaging for your dog's health. Also, if the product includes meat by-product, chicken derivative, birds derivative beef and bone meal in the first five ingredients, then you must refrain from the product.

Ingredients alone are not going to be of much use. You should also be conscious of the nutritive cost of these ingredients. Balanced nourishment is an absolute must if you want your dog to remain fit. Try the calorie count of every one of the products that your dog eats. Foods with high calorific content aren't suggested for your dog. Refer to a nourishment chart available from vet to find the perfect nutritive balance for your canine friend.

The dog food needs to be selected in accordance to the nutritive duty of your dog. This criterion of selection is critical because different breeds of dogs have sundry requirements of nutrition. It has been noted the smaller dogs are more in need of carbohydrates. On the other hand the dogs which are huge in size need more of minerals and vitamins quantity. So first update yourself about the nutritional needs of you dogs. Only then buy a dog food which is able to meet the required nutritional requirement.

Another significant thing in this context is preservatives. Almost always dog foods are found to be rich in chemicals which may not be good for your pet's health. While choosing dog food ; keep a watch on the chemicals as be loaded in a particular food product. Some of the preservatives that can prove damaging to the fitness of your pet are BHA, ethoxyquin and BHT. These preservatives as present in the dog food have the potentiality of causing in a condition of cancer in the canines. You should generally go in for dog foods present in the form of Vitamin C and Vitamin A.

Look for APHIS certification. Dog foods that are certified by APHIS are a safer bet than the ones that come without certification. APHIS authorized dog foods employ human grade ingredients. So, with these foods, you could be totally assured that they will not harm your dog. Besides, you can also consult your pet about the food brands that would work fine for your pet.

It's vital that you select the dog food for your pet with extraordinary care. This is so because any wrong selection of dog food can negatively affect the health of your pet. However, if you select the right dog food; it can contribute significantly to your dog's sound health. the right decision, after all it's your pet.

About the Author:

To know more about Dog Training and Dog Products visit: http://www.dogs-help.com

Dog Skin Cancer: How to Save Your Best Friend from an Untimely Demise

By Keith Evans

For individuals who fancy dogs, your furry friend is like a member of the family. You would like to take great care of him and make sure his health is at optimal levels simply as you would for your other family. Because dogs are coated in hair, you'll not immediately perceive skin changes or even smaller tumors, however these will be deadly things for a dog if they are left unchecked. Did you recognize that canines can develop dog skin cancer from being exposed to the sun simply like folks will? Although they are lined in hair, they need areas like their paws and nose that are exposed.

Not all types of dog skin cancer are caused by the sun, however. There are dog melanomas and mast cell tumors that are deadly if they are not treated in time. Malignant melanomas are very fast growing tumors that are typically exhausting to catch in time. They'll unfold to the dog's organs rather quickly. There are, in fact, benign tumors as well.

Squamous cell carcinomas are another form of dog skin cancer which occurs in the epidermis. They're normally caused from sun exposure. They do not unfold to lymph nodes, however they are terribly aggressive and will destroy tissue around the tumor.

Mast cell tumors happen within the mast cells of a dog's immune system. They are by so much the most common skin tumors that a canine can experience. Doctors don't know why these mast cell tumors develop, but it is thought that it might be linked to irritants on the skin.

No one desires to determine their much-loved best friend fight dog skin cancer, but if you pay shut attention to your dog's skin you can hopefully catch it early enough to be treated. Simply as humans must look at their bodies on a regular basis, you must do the same for your fuzzy friend.

About the Author:

Be sure that you take every step available to protect your pooch from getting dog skin cancer. You can do this by researching the facts and understanding what to look for on your dog's skin.

Training A Little Puppy

By Charles Thomas

Training your adorable puppy is actually the best gift you can give him because he'll be easier on you and others and thus people will take to him and give him lots of attention.

When the puppy is properly trained, it can become the most important member of the family. A puppy that is trained when young can grasp the training more effectively. Puppies always want to be trained on how they should act in a given situation.

Choose a crate the puppy cannot easily escape from during training procedures. One that has a gate that latches would be ideal. You could also use a large cage constructed of wire. You want to make sure the dog can move around comfortably without being too distracted from training activities.

The next step is that one should be able to find the perfect home for the dog. The crate that is most comfortable for the dog will be its perfect home. Then puppies will understand that is the home for them, but it is not advisable to keep the puppy locked up if it is under 8 weeks of age.

The first training that can be given is to place a bone on a clean pad and check if the puppy fetches the bone by moving in and out without closing the gate. And it is important to remember that a puppy should be praised for all its deserving actions which will make it happy.

Now the actual training should commence. When the puppy is performing its task the gate should be closed and appreciation can be given. When the puppy is initially being trained the gate should be closed for 10 to 20 seconds and not more as the puppy might get upset. This type of training can be provided a few times a day in the beginning.

The dog will understand from the previous tasks that the crate is his own private territory. Then the dog will go in and out of his private territory without being instructed and will expect appreciation and good treats for the well done tasks.

The trainer should remember that the crate should not be used as a punishment tool. The dog must feel comfortable with the crate and it should not seem like a prison. It is not advisable to leave the dog in the crate for more than 2 hours. At the same time it is better to leave the dog in the crate when he is crying and let him out when he is quiet without any praise. The most critical thing for the dog can be obtained from this type of training.

About the Author:

If you want to learn more about this make sure to check out How To Groom A Dog.

Dog Allergies to Food - The Common Culprits

By Lizzie Novotny

Dog allergies to food have been shown to give a dog much discomfort. This can cause them to itch and scratch. We may not know all the reason why dogs have these allergies, but we can simplify by narrowing down their symptoms, diagnose it and then eliminate the possible source.

Food allergies don't prey on a specific breed or gender of dog. It doesn't necessarily mean that it will show up right after birth. Sometimes food allergies show up around 2 years old and in some, and much later than that for others. Just like with humans, sometimes food allergies go hand in hand with other problems, such as contact allergies or sinus issues.

Dog allergies to food create hotspots and the itching and scratching of the skin. Food intolerances, however, can cause a dog to have an upset stomach, diarrhea, gas, or vomiting. Getting rid of the food culprit can cure both issues.

The most common food allergies have been known to come from the following: chicken, dairy, lamb, beef, fish, chicken eggs, wheat, and soy. All of these ingredients are very common in most dog foods. The symptoms generally produce hair loss in dogs, scratching, biting on skin, ear infections, and skin infections.

The itching normally occurs around the anus, armpits, forelegs, ears, face and feet. It may be quite challenging to figure out if its dog allergies to food or if its just a skin condition from contact with a specific environmental agent. In order to figure this out, you may have to answer a few questions. Is the dog suffering throughout the year? Does your dog not respond well to steroid therapy? Is your dog young with skin issues? If you answered "yes" to most of these--you probably have a dog that is allergic to food.

Before you can pinpoint what food is causing the allergy, you have to first rule out common skin conditions, fleabite allergies, etc. Once these conditions are ruled out--you can go ahead and begin food testing. During your dog's food testing, you will want to pick one protein and carbohydrate and have your dog eat ONLY that with water for approximately 3 months. Doing this--will allow you to have control of what your dog is eating.Once symptoms occur for some foods and not for others, you will be able to pick and choose a diet that is well suited for him.

About the Author:

Learn more about The Hunting Dog. Stop by Lizzie Novotny's site where you can find out all about dog training and what it can do for your dog.

Ways You Can Calm A Hyperactive Dog

By Remco van Reenen

A hyperactive dog can make your home feel more like a circus at times. We decide to get a dog for a lot of different reasons. We may want a dog for companionship for ourselves or our children, or we may want a dog for protection. If the dog we get ends up being too hyperactive it may get to the point where you don't want to spend any more time with your pet.

This can be changed with time and dedication. You will not get results immediately but with in a week or two your dog will start showing improvements. Once you have been at it for a few weeks your dog will actually be the very one you want to play with.

One of the first things to do is teach your pet that you are the boss. Let him know that you make the decision when to play. You will decide how long you both will play. Hide your dogs toys somewhere your pet can not see them. Next buy a timer or buzzer that sounds differently from anything else in the house.

Your dog will eventually learn the sound and know what it means. When you decide to play with your dog you get your buzzer and set it for how ever long you plan to play. Introduce your dog's toys and start playtime. When the buzzer sounds playtime is over. Put the toys back where you got them from. You may choose to leave chew bones for your pet.

After doing this for a while your dog will learn that when the buzzer sounds, playtime is over. This will teach your pet that no one will play once playtime is over. Another important step in calming a hyperactive dog is giving him enough exercise. When dogs do not get enough exercise it has to come out somehow, just like with children.

Take your dog for a walk, to the dog park, or even just in the back yard. If your dog likes to chase balls this is a great way to run off that extra energy. Throw the ball for your dog for a while. If he does not fetch you can just simply walk him around for a while.

You can do anything that helps your dog to get tired. This is the best way to get him calmer. A schedule is a great idea for dogs. Set up a schedule for eating, feeding, walking, playing and whatever else you and your dog do. Your dog will feel more relaxed when he knows what to expect.

About the Author:

Author Remco van Reenen is an expert on dogtraining and on his website hondentraining.nu you can find all sorts of tips. You can also get all sort of tools to make training your dog easy in the section puppycursus