Your dog loves you and your family, its home, its bed, and its toys. It is a natural instinct in a dog (no matter what breed) to want to protect its pack (family) and its territory and everything inside the perimeter of its territory.

Whether it be another animal or a person your dog does not know, it will automatically warn the intruder of its presence by barking and facing the intruder. Some dogs (larger breeds) will actually attack and bite an intruder if the intruder does not leave or makes a move to enter your dog’s territory further. Other dogs (smaller breeds) will be fearful of an intruder, but you would not knot it. The smaller dog’s barking can be more vicious-sounding than a large dog’s barks. This website for the veterinary clinic Ocean Shores has more info for you.

Reptiles rely on their external environment body temperature regulation. They are ectothermic, which means although they are cold-blooded creatures, warm temperatures are a basic need.

In the wild, reptiles move from one area to another (sunny or shaded) depending on the temperature they need. Thus, having a temperature gradient inside your pet reptile’s enclosure will provide him with a chance to choose the appropriate temperature that he needs at a specific time.

If a reptile is exposed to very low temperatures, it can become quite sluggish and may suffer from digestive problems.

To provide a temperature gradient in your pet’s enclosure, you need to install a basking light or another source of heat on one end of the tank. The opposite end of the tank should have a lower temperature range.

Settin ... Read more »

To help keep you pooch on the right track to wellness, you need to know these dog health guidelines.

Access to veterinary care

Expert veterinary care is the foundation of your dog’s overall health. It is important to find a veterinarian you can trust with your pet’s health and wellbeing. Taking your pet for routine wellness examinations will ensure that your vet is able to closely monitor any changes before a health problem gets out of control.

Optimum Nutrition

A healthy and balanced diet is important for keeping all pets healthy. Choose a high quality premium dog food that is appropriate for your pet’s life stage.

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Scratching on the Glass Window

When your cat seems to have an obsession for the glass window, this is most likely his way of checking whether the glass can keep him away from any potential threats he can see beyond the window.

There are instances when your cat sees or hears things that stirs his interest, and that he’d like to investigate, such as the neighbor’s cats, other animals, people, vehicles, and any moving or stationary objects he can see outside the window.

This behavior may also be a way of expressing his frustration for not being able to get beyond the glass window.

Chewing Plastic Bags

This behavior has gotten many pet owners confused. Feline behaviorists try to explain the behavior as due to some scent or odor in ... Read more »

Collars come in handy when training or walking your dog. They can also be used for identification purposes and worn as the latest pooch fashion. Here is one type of dog collar that is commonly used by dog owners.

Chain Slip Collars (Choke Chains)

These collars should only be used for training purposes. A quick tug on the leash causes the collar to tighten on the dog’s neck thus allowing you to correct specific dog behaviors. Many dog trainers don’t recommend using the choke chain method when training your pooch because of the potential damage it can cause on your dog’s neck. If you do want to use a choke chain for your pet, be sure to know how to use it properly. Chain slip collars should always be used with care and never left on your dog if you are not around, since these collars can be a potential strangulation hazard.

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If your cat is fond of friendly attacks, nipping or swiping at you while playing, it’s time to know how to protect yourself from these play attacks.

• Regular claw trimming keep your cat’s claws from becoming ingrown.
• If your cat grabs at your fingers, don’t yank it away, or he will think it’s a game, and he’ll try grabbing it again. Instead, yell “ouch!” Do it loudly and clearly so you will get your cat’s attention. Slowly remove your hand from your pet’s clutches.
• Some owners choose ‘scruffing’ as an effective way to discipline pet cats. The action mimics the punishment given by a mother cat when a kitten becomes unruly. When you grasp your kitty by the scruff of his neck, push him firmly towards the ground, while saying a firm “No”. Hold him in this positio ... Read more »

Deep-fried foods cooked in the oven or the stove-top in oil…all of these food that are prepared in oil should never reach your cat’s mouth. You could seriously cause your cat major health issues with its internal “plumbing” if it gets any oil-based foods. Your cat’s digestive system cannot break the oil down and it could cause a “backup”.

Very serious stomach pains and a big loss in appetite are only the beginning for your cat if it gets any type of oil in it (canola, vegetable, etc.). You will not be too long in rushing your cat to its vet if oil has been consumed. Feel free to go to this site for the veterinarian Holt. More info can be found there.