Pet Tips

Your Guide to Your Hamster s Diet
Just like all living things, a hamster also needs to have a proper diet to make them strong and healthy They’ll eat almost anything since they are omnivores but you still have to be careful Overfeeding your pet may lead to hamster diarrhea which will make your pet very sick . .You may start your hamster’s diet with the food she was given at the pet shop Whenever you are feeding your hamster, introduce a new variety of food such as vegetables or fruits but do this gradually in very small portions Just give her a little amount each time until she gets used to it Also, make sure that your hamster always has fresh, clean water in her cage . .The food that your hamster really loves is seeds and nuts It’s usually included in hamster food mixes, but you can still give her a piece or two as a treat Green vegetables are also a favorite for hamsters but you should regulate the amount you are feeding because too much may cause liver problems Once every two or three days should be good enough . .You should always give your hamster food that’s at room temperature and with no spices added If you have taken the food out of the refrigerator, allow it to adjust to room temperature first before feeding this to your hamster Make sure that you clean up any left-over chow to avoid having your pet eat spoiled food . .There are some foods that you should avoid adding to your hamster diet such as apple seeds, almonds, onions, garlic, mushroom, tomatoes and several others To get a complete list, just do a little research online These foods are prohibited because they may cause digestive problems and are toxic to your pet . .Sticky foods must also be avoided because they can become trapped in the hamster’s pouch, causing an infection and you’ll need your vet to remove it . .A Dwarf Hamster diet should be more carefully chosen, as compared to other hamsters, because they are more prone to sickness such as diabetes So, make sure not to feed them foods such as fruits that have too high glucose content like raisins, pears, mangos and grapes . .The best time to feed your hamster is when she wakes up at dusk Remember to refill her dish regularly so that she always has something to nibble on especially at night when she’s active and you’re asleep . .Giving your hamster proper nutrition will make her healthy, prevent unwanted illnesses and ensure a longer life So, be very careful of your hamster’s diet and give her only the foods that will make her perform at her best .
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How Important Is Pet Dental Care?
Dental care is an important part of caring for your pet. Just like humans ? dogs have teeth that can cause problems if they are not cared for with a proper dental routine. You may have already noticed, but dogs can suffer from bad breath just like humans can. Your vet is an important part of this dental care. Ask your vet to show you how to brush your pets? teeth properly. Your vet knows how to brush their teeth properly so your beloved pet doesn?t get gum disease or any of the other conditions associated with poor oral hygiene. You are going to need to spend some time finding the right toothbrush for your dog. You can use a child?s toothbrush ? but it is recommended that you rather buy a special toothbrush for your pet. It will make brushing easier and will be worth the money. To buy a toothbrush you can visit your vet or local pet supply store. You might be surprised to see how many variations of pet toothbrushes and toothpaste?s there are. Rather ask for help if you are not sure about what kind to get. There are some rules for choosing the best brush for your dog. You need to make sure that the bristles are soft so they don?t damage the dog?s gums. You also need to make sure you choose the right sized brush (just make sure its? not too big or too small for your dogs mouth). Lastly check that the handle is big enough for you to comfortably get a grip on the toothbrush. You cannot use human toothpaste on your dog. Rather use a special high quality toothpaste with ingredients specially formulated for dogs. You need to spend some time choosing your toothpaste too. Cheaper brands might use ingredients that are harmful to your pet, and there are some common ingredients can make your pet sick. Read the labels carefully and check that the toothpaste does not contain salt, detergents or enzymes as these are dangerous for your pet. There is a huge choice at most pet supply store?s so ask for help and read the labels carefully. Brushing your dogs? teeth for the first time can be difficult; especially if they are not used to it. This can be avoided by starting when they are puppies ? but if it?s too late for that don?t worry. The key is to be gentle, speak in a soft voice and do not force the dog. He must learn that it is not a big deal. Start from the back of the mouth and work your way forward in small circular motions. If your dog really does not want to allow you to brush his teeth without a fight you can use a towel first. Try rubbing his teeth so he gets used to the sensation as well as your fingers in his mouth. Speak encouragingly and softly; you can even sing a little tune to calm him down. After a few patient weeks the dog should allow you to brush his teeth without any hassles. You should be brushing your dogs? teeth daily; but if you can?t manage that ? once every second day should be fine. It?s important that you start too see your dogs mouth as your own. By doing this you will ensure that your dogs? teeth will last well into old age; and of course his dog breath will improve. 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>
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Dog Adoption Tips I Learned From My 2 Dogs
There?s a hole in your life that only a dog can fill. You want a special dog, perhaps just a full-grown adult. Maybe your code of ethics calls for saving a dog?s life ? not buying an expensive purebred. I?m not a veterinarian or a dog trainer, but I?ve enjoyed two successful adoptions. Here are some tips I?ve picked up along the way. (1) Clarify your requirements ahead of time. Once you?re standing in front of a cage, it?s easy to say, ?Well, he?s a lot bigger than I expected, and I really wanted a female, but oh he?s SO cute!? No amount of love or training will help if your dog needs more exercise than you can provide. (2) Know the difference between shelter and rescue groups. Most cities have humane societies where you can view dogs and make a choice. Rescue groups typically hold animals in foster care ? which is good, because you can ask the foster mom all sorts of questions. For example, they can say, ?This dog lived with two cats so you know you can trust her.? (3) Be prepared to pay. Shelter animals are not free, but you do get value for money. Expect to pay a fee that may include spay/neuter costs, licensing, and/or veterinarian visits. (4) Consider an older dog. By the time a dog has turned three or four, she?s as big as she?s going to get. No surprises! You?ll also have clues regarding his temperament. (5) Plan to confine the dog during a period of transition. Your new dog doesn?t get it. She was in a loving home (or left alone in a yard all day or even abused). Then she spent a few weeks in a cage, feeling lonely and isolated. Maybe she?s been passed around to multiple homes. Bottom line, she?s stressed. She may chew, dig, bark, or even lose her house training at first. Crating the dog prevents destructive behavior. My dogs both looked visibly relieved as they retreated to their crates every day. ?Time to relax,? they seemed to say. (6) Invest in training. Most dogs are turned over to the shelter because of behavior problems. If you?re new to the world of dog behavior, take a class or hire a professional. Most behavior can be corrected, even among older dogs. But if you?re not sure, ask a professional. Some behaviors can?t be ?fixed.? (7) Incorporate large doses of exercise and walks into your day. Walking together builds your bond and a tired dog is a good dog. Begin the exercise program immediately so you can gain a sense of how much exercise the dog needs ? an important factor in the dog?s adjustment ? and start training for the basics on the way home from the shelter. Cathy Goodwin, a certfified Dog Fanatic, wrote Arf! Dog Health Comes Home: tips and resources to care for your aging, sick or injured dog. Download from <a href="http://www.dog-health.org" title="http://www.dog-health.org" target="_blank">http://www.dog-health.org</a>
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