Domestic animals health

Chickens As Domestic Animals

2011-05-27T23:44:00.001-07:00

Chickens as pets or domestic animals may seem like an odd choice, but they can be very engaging and profitable at the same time. They need good care and they pay by their eggs and acting as pest control for the garden. The chicken is actually a fowl that is domesticated and a subspecies of Red Jungle fowl. Chicken is one the most widespread kind of animal that is domesticated. Chickens comprise of highest number of bird species in the entire world. Chickens are primarily reared as a source of food - their eggs and meat both are consumed.

There are evidences that say that chicken domestication was already done about 10,000 years ago; and since then chickens are reared as a source of poultry and meat. Chickens are reared for large scale commercial purposes as well with poultry farming being a primary occupation in some countries.

It is however important to check local laws before considering keeping chickens as some cities have regulations against keeping farm animals. Another reminder about raising chickens is that chickens need open space and thus coops that are so called chicken houses are essential for them; precisely because they like to scratch dirt and take baths in the dust, eat roots and tender shoots and sprawl in the sun.

Chickens when kept as domestic animals need proper attention and care. Building a chicken coop with proper ventilation and fencing is the first thing that is required. Chickens are hardy animals and do well in open space, preferably the backyard. Thus a coop having proper perches and feeders needs to be constructed for these productive birds.

They also need to be prevented against diseases that are very risky not only to their health but also human beings, because their meat and eggs are eaten. They are most prone to parasites like lice, mites, intestinal worms and ticks. Thus proper care to vaccinate the chickens and lookout for any uncommon symptom is a must.

Another important thing to have while domesticating chickens is chicken feeders; there is a wide variety of chicken feeder available in the market and they are use specific. Chicken feeders are available in large to small sizes and made of plastic and metals. Different kinds of feeders like chick feeders; troughs; treadle feeders; plastic feeders; and homemade feeders can be used depending upon the use of feeders.

Thus chicken rearing seems to be an interesting yet responsible activity. Chickens can sometimes be raised as pets by hand feeding as well; it is the rosters that become aggressive and noisy at times. The poultry egg and meat is the most popular chicken food. The meat is cooked in a variety of ways by frying; roasting, boiling and thus great recipes come out. Eggs are also boiled, poached, fried and used to make a variety of dishes and savories. Ground egg shells are also used as a source of calcium.

Chicken thus is a very useful animal and can be easily domesticated if there is some open space available in the backyard.

Promoting Farming Businesses

2011-05-27T23:38:00.001-07:00

Every farm has a fascinating history, no matter how old or new the farm itself is. Traditionally, farms have been the center for high-quality produce in communities and villages. Showcasing the wonderful high-quality products of your business can be an ease with animal stress relievers. There are 5 ways to promote your business with farm themed stress toys, and this article will show you how to effectively promote your farm business.
1. Reach a Wider Audience with Farm Animal Stress Toys
With barn yard stress toys, you can bring your farm to a community that is as wide as this world. You can even make your business a hot tourist spot with animal shaped stress relievers. Send a couple hundred farm animal stress relievers to hotels and shops in your area and you are sure to find tourists from around the world visiting your business! You could even sell them along with your other products.
2. Host Educational Tours with Farm Animal Stress Balls
Does your farm business provide tours to the local community and schools in the area? If not, definitely consider this avenue for opening up your business to a whole new customer base. You can provide farm animal stress ball keychains to local schools and Universities to hand out to students. Be sure to mention that your farm business offers tours on the stress toys, and you may begin a whole new future for your farm!
3. Give Stress Toys to Young Customers
Children love farm animal stress relievers for their comforting softness and adorable shape. You can make your large farm more approachable to children with cute mouse, cow and piggy shaped stress balls. Try hosting a farm event for children in the community, where your farm business teaches kids how to milk cows or do other fun tasks. Parents will be impressed that your farm business is able to cater to even the youngest kids. Maybe they will even plan a child's next birthday party at your farm business!
4. Showcase History and Tradition on Farm Animal Stress Toys
Animal stress relievers can showcase valuable information to your customers. If your business has been in operation for hundreds of years, this is an important historical fact to be proud of and share with customers. All it takes is a line or two of text on a farm animal squeeze balls to convey a tradition of excellence to customers!
5. Make Petting Zoos Come to Life
Does your farm host a petting zoo on site? If so, definitely be sure to use farm animal stress balls to make your petting zoo come alive. There is no better way to inspire customers to visit your petting zoo than with a miniature farm animal, such as a daisy cow or small chicken. Customers will be so touched by the adorable qualities of farm animal stress toys that they will need to see the real thing!
These are just 5 ways your farm business can benefit from using farm animal stress toys. With a little ingenuity, your farm business can open its doors to a whole new customer base!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4450898

Do dogs eat vegetables?

2011-04-03T22:32:00.000-07:00

Can dogs benefit from fresh garden food? I am suggesting either growing your own garden ideally or using your supermarket as the garden. Farmers Markets are great too. Just like you may plant seeds for yourself how about some with the dog meal in mind. Maybe start with lettuce, beets, or carrots. They can all be planted together, saving room and not taking up much either. They compliment each other in their growing space.
I have taken an interest in dog obesity. Why is your dog fat? Fat dogs or fat people. Is there a difference? Growing up in New York I didn't see many dogs around. It was apartment living so people saw this lifestyle as best. Then we had neighbors in the building that one bark would throw them in a complaint mode. Many realized to keep the peace in the building and not be evicted it was best to not own one. Now, "transplanted" to Colorado, it is a delight to have a wonderful, wagging, friendly, magnificent walking partner, Molly, dog. I feel like the "bragging proud mom" walking her dog. She's friendly and when people see her they smile. This is the effect Molly has on people--happiness. Think this is true? Have you visited the mirror recently?
In studying this area I read obesity runs from 25-50%. Your pooch can be prone to a weight problem. Who knows, but sometimes people or vets call it hereditary. Is it much different that a person with weight issues? Not being a vet or working in the industry, but a dog lover I'm addressing four assumptions on weight issues and suggestions for them below:
1. Hereditary
Perhaps the animal does have a problem. His mother had weight issues, his grandparents and of course he gets the same problem. I just wonder on this end if that is truly the case. Do you see the connection of the family root--passed on from one generation to the next. Could they all be eating the same way?
2. Diet
How many fresh organic raw vegetables a day do you eat? I believe my dog eats more than most people daily and probably eats better than most dogs and people. If the generations are all eating the same way and knowing how for people our food quality is perhaps they are not getting the proper nutritional value. What the animals eating: canned, dried or homemade foods? At least with homemade by you you know what is in their mixture. Most people are busy but making homemade food is quick and simple. It may be a new thing to the dog for you to "pamper" his meals, but all worth it and in a few minutes too. I know and recently had to "beef" up my learning curve and start preparing homemade meals. It's working out well, time and money savings too. Don't you just love how creative and fast we can be in the kitchen whipping up a meal for your "angel?"
3. Exercise
People are busy running the kids around to sports games, running to meetings, working on their home based business and can think the dog being outside is sufficient exercise. Maybe the dog is getting a lot of exercise in your yard running, but still maybe not enough for the bonding or companionship the dog needs and loves. Use the dog as an excuse to get more "physical" and increase the heart beat. Walk a little faster or add a small job in there. I'm always concerned about dogs running in the blistering heat. They they get very hot and hardly does the owner stop from a run and give them a drink. Why overheat the dog? How about carrying a small container with water for the dog on a jog?
If your dog is fat, you're not getting enough exercise. ~Author Unknown
4. Chained up
Chaining up a dog with some running space I don't believe is wise. Yes, the dog can get tangled up with the chain and choke to death. These are stories that do happen and are real. Let me ask you--do you think there can be an answer to being chained up? Consider exercise like walking or even throwing a ball often. Or, longer time outside both for you and dog getting physical? Here we are in the country, but not for everybody too. Molly on neighborhood patrol, claims to own the street and run back and forth when someone is walking by. If you look foreign to her she'll let you know that fast.
Commit to be fit. ~Author Unknown
Do you think a fat dog can be helped by eating more fresh, raw preferably organic, vegetables from the garden? Yes you can add it the meat. Perhaps even less constipation relief eating this way. Humans have constipation problems and shocked to write that young kids too. There are some vegetables toxic to dogs. I have read avocados, potatoes and onions. Use judgment as I am not an authority other than a dog owner. Or, what about some natural herbal remedies for your dog to speed up the metabolism? Do you think obesity can be an eating disorder?
Wags from Molly and mommy, Carol Giambri

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6110637

Skin Allergies In Dogs

2011-03-30T04:42:00.001-07:00

Many dogs are prone to skin allergies and there are a number of breeds that are particularly susceptible. Skin allergies can have a big impact on a dog's life and also on the life of its owners. In this article you will find an explanation of why dogs suffer so often from allergic skin reactions and what you can do at home to soothe your dog's itchy and inflamed skin.
Skin allergies in dogs manifest in symptoms such as restlessness, constant scratching, disturbed sleep, skin sores, and pain. They are most often triggered by airborne allergens. These tiny particles originate from house dust, mold, mildew, pollen, and seeds. They usually float in the air in our environment and will sooner or later be inhaled.
In humans this usually triggers respiratory reactions, like runny nose and discharge from the eyes, sneezing and coughing, or asthmatic attacks. In dogs however, inhaled allergenic particles will cause skin rashes and itchiness.
The reason that dogs respond differently to allergens than humans do has to do with the concentration of histamine-producing mast cells in the body tissues.
Humans have a high mast cell concentration in the respiratory membranes and tissues and therefore the allergic reaction takes place in the airways and lungs.
In dogs these specialized cells are much more concentrated within the different layers of the skin and an allergic reaction will trigger swelling of skin tissue, redness and itchiness. In addition, secondary bacterial infections can occur once the poor dog starts to scratch, causing self-inflicted skin lesions.
In many cases, canines with allergic skin problems caused by airborne allergens seem to show allergic signs more in the front part of their bodies, like the face, neck, chest and feet.
Dogs suffering from allergic reactions are therefore usually seen rubbing their faces, pawing and scratching their heads, necks and armpit areas, and licking their front paws.
How You Can Help To Sooth Your Dog's Itchy Skin
Bathing or hosing your dog with cool water for about 15 minutes each day for three to four days will usually help to decrease signs of inflammation and the dog's itchiness. However, if allergy symptoms persist, you need to seek veterinary help.
Oat milk has soothing properties and can be used when you soak your dog in a cool water bath. There are also special pet shampoos available that contain oat extract and other soothing ingredients. They are usually available at your vet's practice.
Dogs that suffer from clinical symptoms of skin allergies should receive regular baths with medicated skin-soothing shampoos two to three times weekly. The aim is to wash debris and trapped allergenic particles from the fur to avoid their absorption through the skin, which would start the allergic cycle all over again.
Most allergic dogs start licking their paws almost obsessively, which causes even more damage to their feet's skin and opens doors to further bacterial or fungal infection.
Regular bathing of the paws in solutions of oatmeal or oat milk can help to relieve the itch and eventually stop the excessive licking. You will need to do this fairly frequently, about three to four times a week and especially after a walk on grass, in water, or on the beach.
Your vet may prescribe products that contain essential fatty acids, usually in liquid or capsulated form as a supplement to your normal dog food. Essential fatty acids are important for a healthy skin and hair coat.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6118207

Is a Cat or Kitten the Right Pet for Your Child

2011-03-09T00:19:00.000-08:00

Kittens are adorable, soft, and sweet or so they seem. Most children will wish for one of their own pretty kitties but many kids also have the false assumption that kittens and cats will lay quiet when pulled, pushed, and dressed up for tea like the good picture books portray. Is a cat or kitten the right pet for your child? Let's take a look at what makes cats so special.

Kittens and cats can be frisky and unpredictable. That doesn't make them a poor choice for a child's pet but it is a characteristic that may be overlooked when choosing a pet. Kittens and cats also have sharp teeth and nails that can slice like a razor if not trimmed or removed. That adorable, soft, and sweet kitten or cat can get easily spooked while on your lap and take a flying leap using your thighs as a spring-board. The result can be scratches right through your clothing. Kittens also think everything is a play thing. So when a child makes quick movements to pet the kitten or cat, they may be in for a surprise attack from soft paws hiding those sharp claws.

Kittens and cats are also instinctively hunters. Animals that hunt have sharp teeth to help catch prey...alias mice. If you don't believe this, watch a kitten or cat with catnip filled felt shaped mouse toys and watch the antics of hunt and kill. This also doesn't make a kitten or cat a bad choice but knowing the characteristics of these animals help you to make an educated choice for your child.

Kittens and cats are some of the least expensive animals to have as pets. Their food comes in dry form or canned, they need fresh water, and they need a clean kitty pan with cat litter. They are independent and require little maintenance. If they have the above items, you can leave them overnight or a day or two and they will survive fine. Most cats don't have anxiety when the owners leave like dogs or puppies. This a great point in their favor.

Think about the age of your child and how well he or she understands instructions about being gentle with the cat or kitten and being safe. Consider how much the vet bills might be for neutering or spaying, shots, and worming. Cats can live indoors without the need for a yard and they survive nicely in small living quarters. Keeping in mind that cats and kittens can be sneaky, frisky, timid, bold, and very independent they can make a wonderful pet for your child. Along with those other characteristics kittens and cats can also be sweet, loving, cuddly, and devoted. Just watch out for those unpredictable hair balls, (or did I forget to mention that.)

How Does Acupuncture Benefit Dogs With Arthritis

2011-03-04T05:26:00.001-08:00

Acupuncture is an ancient medical treatment modality that has been successfully used in veterinary medicine for easing arthritic pain in dogs. It is often quite amazing to see how well most canines suffering from arthritic joints will respond to acupuncture and gain back their quality of life.
Arthritis in dogs is a painful, progressive and incurable medical condition that is often seen in mid to old aged dogs. It leads to a vicious circle of pain, including not being able to walk and move properly, putting on weight, increasing strain to joints and a suffering a decreased range of movement. All these factors will negatively influence and decrease the quality of life of the dog tremendously.
In traditional veterinary medicine, treatment of local inflamed joints with anti inflammatory prescriptions continues to be the primary treatment. These medications usually work quickly, but need to be given once or twice a day on a long-term basis and can produce undesirable side effects, such as gastrointestinal problems, liver- and kidney malfunction, and so on.
Veterinary acupuncture offers an alternative approach that is based on stimulation of the patient's self-healing properties and the body's pain modulation abilities.
By pain modulation we mean the re-training of chronic pain receptors in the brain. Fine needles inserted into specific acupuncture points that can be found on defined anatomical locations throughout the body, will send acute pain signals to the brain, force it to forget and fade out chronic pain over time, and release endorphins.
This induces a cascade of stimulation of the hormonal and immune systems, repairing processes will start, and former imbalances will return to homeostasis.
How exactly this happens is not clear to date, but research of the impact of alternative treatment modalities becomes more and more important as more such treatments are offered successfully to a growing number of veterinary patients.
Dogs usually respond well to acupuncture and especially arthritic cases seem to benefit from this gentle treatment. Most patients relax deeply during a session. They don't seem to mind insertion and stimulation through the needles at all.
In most cases a weekly treatment session over six to eight consecutive weeks makes a significant difference in a canine patient's well-being. Treated dogs get more active as pain fades away, they are generally less tense and calmer with increased capacity for movement. They can also enjoy outdoor walks fully again, so that surplus body weight reduces to normal levels, especially when they are fed according to a sensible weight loss regime.

Acupuncture for dogs is gaining in popularity and more and more veterinarians are able to offer this alternative treatment to their patients.

Prepare a Valentine's Day for Your Pets

2011-02-13T20:29:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day is around the corner and the air around us is filled with love and romance. This is a special day for natural creatures. On this day, people usually sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers or candy or crafts to their friends and beloved. It seems that this day has always been a day dedicated to lovers. Pets are our friends and on this special day, don't forget to dress your cute pets and take them to your date!
Everyone knows that Valentine's Day is a romantic day and red is a joyous color, so red will be the main color. Put a red bowknot on the head of your dog first. If your dog is a short wool breed, the bowknot can be placed on the back of pet clothes. To keep warm and easy to control your little pets, choose red or white scarves and leashed for them.
Even there are many kinds of dogs, from their sizes, they are divided into three types: small breeds, medium-sized and large breeds. Small breeds such as Chihuahua and Papillon and Pomeranian always look cute and tiny, pink and red small dress with heart spot will be good designs. For some medium-sized and large breed dogs, you can buy a piece of red cloth and make pet clothes by hand.
If you really love your dog, you should pay attention on the following things which would be the potential danger for your pets.
First is chocolate. Chocolate is delicious for human but don't take for granted that dogs would love it too. Chocolate would be poisonous to dogs because it contains theobromine and caffeine which are not good for your pet's health.
The second danger is your jewelry. Dogs sometimes are naughty as a kids, they are curious about new things especially sparkling gems. If you put your jewelry on an obvious place, your pet may eat them up. That will cause stomach ailments and breathing difficulties.
Romantic things always relate to flowers, some flowers and plants are dangerous if your pets eat them in caution. Rose is safe but if you receive some flowers such as buttercups, calla lilies and tulip, we want a romantic Valentine's Day but we should also wish our pets safe so put them in a safe place and keep your pets away with them.
There is an evident advantage for taking a dog with you, put your gifts such as rose or ring or other things in the dog's mouth and instruct it to send your gifts to your beloved, and that will be very romantic and wonderful! Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!

Are you interested in Valentine's Day? Still don't know how to choose gifts for Pet Clothes for Valentine's Day? Want more advice of gifts and clothes for kids and pets? The www.duonam.com will help you.

How to Trim Pony Hooves

2011-01-10T04:52:00.000-08:00

Trimming ponies is a little more difficult than trimming horses, simply because you need to modify your normal trimming methods. With the smaller hoof size your margins for error are very small, meaning you can mess up a pony real easy. If you have had ponies for very long you will realize that getting a competent farrier to come trim your ponies can be difficult if not impossible. Many farrier's will not work on ponies at all. When I was working as a professional farrier I considered it just good diversification of my farrier practice.

It is always a fine line between, is this a pony, or is this a small horse on one end of the scale and small miniatures on the other end of the scale. I know that purists among you have miniature horses, but for hoof trimming purposes we will call them all ponies. In my opinion, you need to modify how you handle ponies, the first thing I never do put the pony hoof between my knees, I stand to the side and work from that position or I actually often get down on my knees and work on the ponies hooves. I do this to prevent straining the ponies joints and making them uncomfortable, and an uncomfortable pony is a non-cooperating pony, you do not want one of those.

Tool modification for trimming ponies is very helpful, instead of using my 15 inch hoof nippers, I often used my 12 inch hoof nippers, especially on the smaller ponies. Using a narrow blade hoof knife, allows you to clean up the frog and bars, so let mud and contaminants do not accumulate in the pony hoof. You can buy a narrow blade knife, or grinding down one of your old knives works fine on your pony. I also had a short farrier rasp, to reduce the chance of inadvertently poking the pony with the end of a longer rasp. You just cannot use a full size farrier hoof stand when working on a pony, instead I have used everything from little custom-made wooden hoof stands, to my all time favorite, the agitator out of that old washer machine works great.

I used to get a long pretty good with ponies, I attribute that mainly to the fact that I never manhandled them, they are sort of like handling children, just because you can pick them up and put them where you want them doesn't mean you should. Ask permission to pick up the feet just like you would've if it was a big work horse, yes I know you can reach down and grab that foot but you don't want to do that, for that joint health of the pony and ponies when abused can get really scary, not only can they kick real good, but they can open their mouth like an alligator. Be gentle and the pony will show its appreciation.

Pet Supplies You Need

2011-01-04T00:36:00.000-08:00

If you've never owned a pet before, it can be a pretty overwhelming experience. There are so many things to learn in order to care for your pet properly. There are also a number of pet supplies you will need to purchase, both to get started and on an ongoing basis. Today I will share with you what the essential pet supplies are for your new dog or cat.

The necessary pet supplies for a canine pet will partly depend on whether you get a puppy or an adult dog. For any age dog, you will need at the very least food, food and water dishes, an identification tag, a collar, a leash, a crate or kennel and at least a couple of toys. For a puppy, you may want to get pet supplies that can help with house-breaking, like the new puppy training pads. Puppies will often need things like de-worming treatments, as well.

Several of those canine pet supplies are often not considered necessary by new pet owners, but they are risking their new pet or their belongings by foregoing them. Without an identification tag, if your puppy or dog gets out of the house, people won't know who he belongs to and you could easily lose your pet. You may be wondering why toys are listed as a necessity. Dogs, especially puppies, love to play and chew. If you don't give them their own toys to use, what do you think they will play with? Save your belongings from the start and have them play with their own toys.

The essential feline pet supplies are fewer, unless you plan to leash train your cat. That may be something you want to do if you live in the city, in which case you will obviously need to add a leash to the list. However, most people are only going to need to start with food, dishes for food and water, a cat box, kitty litter and a scratching post. If you plan on having your new pet be indoors only, you may be able to skip a collar and identification tag. While not completely essential, if there is any chance the animal might get outside, it would a wise choice to have these.

As time goes on, you will likely want to add new pet supplies as there is a huge variety of products available. There are also items that you may not need right away but you will eventually like pet shampoo, grooming tools and treats.

How to Become a Veterinarian

2011-01-03T03:01:00.000-08:00

Veterinarians can make an excellent income of $80,000 to $100,000 a year or more, but they do have to get a degree to do their work, and that usually takes four years of veterinary school on top of the usual four years of college. Your college work will need to demonstrate a strong aptitude for biology, chemistry and math. In addition to your time in school, you will also have to get at least one residency or internship when you will work at a veterinary clinic or hospital, typically for very long hours.

Even after all that training, so still will not be able to practice your trade until you have passed the national veterinary medical board exam, and then you will need to pass another exam for each state you wish to practice in. Every state's board exam is a little bit different, but most vets usually only need to pass one exam, at least until they decide to move to another state.

Getting into veterinary school is pretty competitive. There are only 28 schools in the United States that are certified to give out veterinary degrees, so in that sense it is almost more competitive to get into veterinary school than it is to get into medical school, as there are many more medical schools than there are veterinary schools.

That does not mean it is impossible, though. You just have to give it your best shot, and possibly try again the second year if you do not get in during your first try. To really be a contender, though, you'll need to have completed all the courses veterinarian school applicants are expected to complete in college, and most likely you'll need at least a B average or better. You can further boost your chances by getting an undergraduate degree in veterinary technology, which is clearly a degree solely designed for people who want to go on to veterinary school.

While you are waiting to get into veterinary school, there are certainly lots of things you can do to improve your knowledge of animals and expand your experience with them. The most obvious is to become a veterinarian's assistant, which requires minimal training. Or you can also get yourself into a two-year accredited program to become a veterinary technician. There are about 150 schools across the United States that can give you a veterinary technician's degree, so it is much easier than getting into a four-year veterinary school.

Most vets get training to treat domestic animals and farm animals, though through your years at school you will be studying quite a few exotic species. If you want to specialize in a certain kind of animals, to treat dolphins, for example, or to specialize, say, in marine life, then you can adjust your class selection to gain knowledge in that particular area.

Many vets also specialize in just one kind of domestic animal, too, like horses or cows, or a specific kind of pet, so they can become, say, an avian veterinarian. With about 86,000 practicing veterinarians in the United States, there's plenty of room to specialize.

Just in case you were wondering, your fellow students and colleagues will be a fairly well-balanced bunch. While most practicing vets used to be men, most newer veterinarians are women (about 60%), so it is a well-balanced profession in terms of gender, though it is expected that women veterinarians will outnumber men quite soon.

Ferret Food and Diet

2010-12-30T03:51:00.000-08:00

Ferrets are quite amusing mammals when it comes to food and diet. (and believe me!) If you ask five separate parents you will receive five very different answers on how to fuel your ferret. The most crucial part is just reacting, if your baby is constantly getting ill from a particular diet, obviously it's time to change.

Ferrets are by definition obligate carnivores, with the key word being "carnivore", this means that their diet should be primarily composed of meat. Along with the fact that ferrets don't digest plant matter well anyway, they thrive on

high protein (30 - 50%) (and must come from meat products, not plants)
high fat (20 - 30%)
low fiber
and low carbohydrate diets.>

They have a quick metabolism which keeps them very healthy and slender. Because of this, they eat very often ( every 3-5 hours) which means that as an owner you should always have proper foods ready and stocked up.

In the past you had to feed your ferret a cat, or mink diet along with some raw meats and other items. While this wasn't miserable, it was wasn't perfect and led companies to start making ferret food exclusively. You can pick up ferret food at any pet shop or even some internet websites.

A common theme that i have noticed in my own personal experience is that fish is a bad idea. While some similar animals (cats, minks, fox's) can thrive on fish, ferrets don't seem to digest it quite the same and it can lead to malnutrition. Try and stick to other raw meats like chicken, turkey, and some beef.

Just as a final few notes, make sure to always have an abundance of fresh water readily available for your ferret. Treats should be given very sparingly to make sure you pet is healthy, and make sure if you give a protein based snack, it should be from a meat product.

Tips on How to Train Your Puppy

2010-12-25T18:29:00.001-08:00

Training your puppy is basically developing this particular notion into your puppy dog in which it is not the top dog inside the domestic family. You as the puppy pet owner will have to set up yourself as being the top dog in the pack. Inside the puppy's thought process, this provides you with the legal right to influence the puppy's habits in which the puppy is required to follow. Begin the process of educating this approach towards the puppy by means of feeding on ahead of the puppy is to be fed and also by glancing directly at the puppy eye-to-eye until eventually the puppy turns in another direction. These are generally lead-dog dealings in which the puppy dog will certainly naturally have an understanding of.

Potty training is among the most significant forms of instruction intended for a brand new puppy dog. You are able to potty train your own puppy dog simply by getting it out in the open every time you presume the puppy will dispose of "something" after which gratifying the puppy nicely by using doggie snacks as well as verbal compliments each and every time the puppy eliminates itself outside the house. You can anticipate that it's going to alleviate by itself early in the day, before going to sleep as well as after enjoying every meal.

Social training is yet another essential action. Educate your own puppy dog being sociable along with other pets as well as with people by permitting the puppy to be near a lot of unknown people. Remaining close to unknown people along with domestic pets, for instance in a dog park, will certainly mingle your puppy to never start barking at everybody it spots and never to become hostile to other canines due to the fact that your puppy recognizes them. Becoming accustomed to unknown people as well as other pets is a valuable part of turning into an excellent family pet that won't become becoming violent without any reason at all.

Coach your puppy some fundamental instructions. The particular commands like come, stay and sit are generally trained simply by commanding the particular behavior, and in physical form helps the puppy to do it after which gratifying the particular action. These types of commands are of help in many different circumstances so try to educate your puppy regarding these set of commands.

4 Tips to Buying Cat Urine Cleaner

2010-12-07T02:11:00.000-08:00

There are many different brands of cat urine cleaner on the market so how do you decide which one you should buy? Many times price does not even become a variable because how well they work is the only actual issue most cat owners have. The following are 4 tips to buying cat urine cleaner:

1. Fragrance Free - The best option is to go with fragrance free urine cleaner. Those that contain heavy perfumes only cover up the smell and do not clean the actual urine out of the carpet or furniture. Masking the smell only gives you a false sense of clean when the stain is removed and the odor returns. Instead, choose the cleaner that does not have a fragrance so that you can tell when the odor is gone.

2. Repeat Soiling Prevention - It is important that your pet understand that the spot that the soiled is not the place to do their business. Cats tend to use the same area over and over as it is comfortable to them. Any cleaner should include a repellant to keep the cats from wanting to urinate on the same spot. This may cost a bit more overall, but the end result is definitely worth it.

3. Safe - Any cleaner that is used should not contain any harsh chemicals that can harm any living creature in your home. There are many natural ingredients that can be used and should be the main ingredients in any cleaner that you choose. If the cleaner does contain harmful or toxic ingredients, you, your family or your pets can become ill or worse.

4. Size - Finally, you want to make sure that the company is offering enough of the cleaner to do a proper job. A small bottle may not contain enough cleaner to take care of more than one stain. You want to get at least a quart for your money's worth in order to have it one hand when you need it.

Anyone who has a cat should invest in some cat urine cleaner. Accidents happen and many cats miss the cat box or have accidents outside of it. The smell of cat urine is one of the strongest and should be cleaned up as soon as possible. A safe and non-toxic cat urine cleaner that is fragrance free is your best option. Make sure that you purchase a container that is large enough to handle more than one stain or urine spot.

Baby Rabbit Food

2010-12-05T16:51:00.001-08:00

Baby rabbits are healthier and grow faster with a specially designed baby rabbit food that is high in fat and fiber. In fact, baby rabbits are accustomed to the doe's milk that is high in fat and low in sugar (Coates et. al. 1964).

Baby rabbits don't produce enough enzymes needed to digest excess starch (sugar) until later in life. Feeding baby rabbits a diet with a lot of grain or grain by-products makes them more likely to get diarrhea. A rabbit feed higher in fat and lower in carbohydrates helps baby bunnies make the switch from the doe's milk at weaning and provides the energy they need for healthy growth.

As baby bunnies get older they still naturally use fat as an energy source. In fact, rabbits need a high fiber diet because good bacteria ferment fiber in the caecum to produce the healthy fats rabbits use.

Scientific studies show that increasing the fat content of rabbit food will improve protein AND energy efficiency as well as improve the feed conversion ratio (easily by 20%) for growing rabbits (Arrington et. al.1974).

Most commercial rabbit feeds don't have near enough fat and fall short of the needs of baby bunnies. Generally, they have less than 3% crude fat when research shows that baby rabbit food should have around 8% fat when balanced with high quality protein.

If you choose a healthy rabbit food that has a higher fat content for your growing bunny rabbits then make sure it is using oil from natural sources and not simply refined vegetable oil or worse, rendered animal fat. This is because when adding fat to a rabbit's diet you should also be adding vitamin E, which whole oil seeds from plants naturally have.

• Whole oil seeds are naturally high in vitamin E.

• Rendered animal fat or refined vegetable oils ARE NOT!

To learn more about a high fat natural baby rabbit food check out naturalrabbitfood.com

Arrington, L.R., J.K. Platt, and D.E. Franke 1974. Fat Utilization by Rabbits. Journalof Animal Science 38:76-80.

Coates, M.E., MargretE. Gregory, and S.Y. Thompson 1964. The Composition of Rabbit's Milk. British Journal of Nutrition 18:583-586

Understanding the Different Causes of UTI in Pets

2010-11-29T01:09:00.001-08:00

Our pets just like us need special care and attention especially when talking about certain type of health conditions and problems. Just like us, our pets, too, contract or acquire different types of diseases that would also need immediate attention and treatment. One of the most common health problems in pets, especially dogs and cats, is urinary tract infection.

Urinary tract infection is one of those health problems in pets that needs immediate attention as this could lead to more serious problems or complications when it is left untreated. And because this usually occur in our pets, it is your job, as a responsible pet owner, to educate yourself and know about this kind of health problem especially its causes for you to have a better understanding about how it can be prevented as well as how it can be treated and cured.

The main cause of urinary tract infection in pets is bacteria. When bacteria sets in the body, it can reproduce fast without being stopped that is why an infection occurs. The bacteria that cause this urinary health problem come in different types. These are coagulase-positive straphyloccocus, esterococcus, proteus mirabilis, pseudomonas, klebsiella, and the most popular one which is the E-coli or Escherichia coli bacteria. These bacteria can enter the body through the urethra and then works its way to the bladder. When it has already set in the bladder it then multiplies and then overrun the defense system of your pet. The bacteria that cause urinary tract infection could accumulate in your pet's urinary system through food and water intake. It can also accumulate through lack of hygiene.

There are also different conditions which are considered to be among the causes of urinary tract infection. One of the important causes of this kind of urinary tract problems in pets is bladder stones. Bladder stones that lead to this kind of condition are known to be caused by certain types of bacteria which are called Proteus and Staph. Other conditions which are said to cause this urinary tract problem in pets include tumors in the pet's bladder, nervous system problems which prevent the pet from being able to completely empty the bladder. Medications for diseases like Cushing's diseases and diabetes-mellitus that suppress the immune system, could also play a role in the development of this kind of infection.

No matter what the causes of urinary health problems are, it is you responsibility as a pet owner to know the condition of your pet and give it proper and immediate attention. You should learn ways of preventing the condition from occurring by making sure that your pet gets clean food and water which are free from any sort of contaminants and ensure your pets are always clean.

How to Stop Your Doberman's Whining

2010-11-21T17:07:00.000-08:00

One problem many Doberman owners share is their frustration and annoyance with the excessive whining. Often owners think this trait is cute when they first bring their puppy home. They soon find it is not so cute when their grown Doberman continues to whine. In some cases the relationship between the owner and his dog may become stressful.

Most reach a stage where they will try anything to stop their dog's constantly whining. The good news is you can train your dog not to whine. The bad news is, if you have waited until your dog is grown and the habit is ingrained, it is going to take a lot of time and patience to break this habit you helped to encourage.

Why Dobermans Whine

There are three basic causes of Doberman whining. Your dog is ill or in pain and the whining is his way of telling you he hurts. He is bored and in need of physical and mental stimulation. You have taught him by your actions that whining will get your attention, and he uses this whining to manipulate you into doing what he wants.

Changing Behavior

The first step in changing your Doberman's behavior is discovering the reason why he is whining. The first thing you should do is visit the Veterinarian for a thorough examination to rule out any health issues. Once he has a clean bill of health, you need to decide if he lacks physical and mental stimulation or if his whining is to gain your undivided attention or both.

Physical and Mental Stimulation

Dobermans are larger dogs and need a great deal of physical exercise to keep them from getting bored. They may require as much as an hour playtime two or three times a day as well as some walks. A well exercised dog should be slightly tired, calm and well behaved in the house. Dobermans, being intelligent dogs, also need to have plenty of mental stimulation to keep them from being bored.

Obedience and other types of training, done on a daily basis, will help to give him the mental stimulation he needs. You may also include puzzle balls among his toys and teach him some simple tricks. This should help reduce his whining.

Changing Manipulative Behavior

If your Doberman is whining to manipulate you into paying attention to him, chances are you have taught him that whining gets your attention. You will have to teach him that whining will not get him the attention he seeks. You and everyone in your home will have to ignore him when he whines unless he is doing so out of a need to relieve himself.

When he whines, ignore him and leave the room. Don't look or speak to him until he stops whining no matter how long it takes. The moment he stops whining pet him. Tell him what a good boy he is and spend a couple of minutes lavishing attention on him. Do this consistently, and he will soon learn that whining will not get your attention.

How to Feed Your Leopard Gecko

2010-10-10T02:57:00.003-07:00

So you have just purchased a leopard gecko to care for in your home, but feeding leopard geckos seems to be a foreign language to you. If you are unsure what to feed you new gecko, do not fear! Though they may require certain nutrients and foods to thrive, you can easily create the food environment they need while raising them in your home.

The first step is to know just how often you should feed your leopard gecko. When they are babies, you should feed them every day, where as if they are an adult you can feed them every other day. You should always change out their water daily so that it remains fresh. If you leave the water to become stale, your leopard gecko can get sick from harmful bacteria.

Now the next step in feeding leopard geckos is what they enjoy eating. Since they are insectivores, they will enjoy just about any type of insect you can find. If you are able to get a pinkie mouse here and there, this can be a great treat as well. Leopard geckos love waxworms. They are a lot like chocolate to a human, so be sure to only feed them to your gecko sparingly. Too many waxworms in the diet can lead to weight issues and poor health issues.

A lot of people are always curious just how much they should feed their lizard. Only feed them the amount they will actually be eating at that time. Never feed them enough to have leftovers or extras to snack on all day or throughout the next few days. Usually a course of three to seven crickets is a good size meal. Depending on the size and age of your gecko, you may need to adjust accordingly. After feeding time, ensure that there are no leftover crickets in the cage. Any live crickets that your lizard cannot eat will make them nervous. If you are feeding your pet a worm, you can easily leave leftover worms in the cage without affecting them.

As you become an avid gecko raiser, you will learn what "gut feeding" means. Gut feeding is essential in creating a healthy lizard that has a very nutritious diet. You can feed your pet vegetables, insects, fruits, grains, etc, at least 24 hours prior to feeding them their actual diet. There are dry feeding pellets that contain these items so that you do not have to worry about the proper proportions. By using these items you can add a healthy balance to your gecko that they would receive in the wild.

Airline Approved Pet Carriers

2010-10-10T02:57:00.001-07:00

If you are planning on taking your pooch with you on an airplane, you will need an airline approved pet carrier... and you need to do your homework before buying one. The term "pet carrier" is somewhat generic so let's start by breaking things down a bit.

If you have a very small dog (such as one of the teacup breeds) then you can easily use a soft-sided carrier which is often just called a pet bag and you will be able to keep your dog with you in the cabin. If your dog is large (such as a German Shepherd or Golden Retriever) then you will actually need a hard-sided dog crate or dog cage and your pet will need to travel in the cargo section.

For the in-between sized dogs or large-breed young puppies, things get a bit more tricky. You'll need to be sure to measure the carrier, measure your dog, and check with the airline you will be using to see what their requirements are.

While airlines may vary slightly, here are some general guidelines for the sizes that will likely be accepted for in-cabin pet carriers.

Small - 16" long x 10" wide x 8.5" in height - suitable for pets up to 8 lbs
Medium - 18" long x 11" wide x 10.5" in height - suitable for pets up to 16 lbs
Large - 20" long x 11.75" W x 11.5" in height - suitable for pets up to 22 lbs

Never make your decision based strictly on the weight of your pet! In reality, the measurements of your animal are actually more important since your dog will need to be able to move about somewhat and be comfortable during the trip. The weight is really more for you... can you carry that much weight in a carrier as you move around the airport?

Some airline approved dog carriers have wheels which certainly makes them easier to move around as you are in transit or getting on and off the airplane. However, by design these will be fairly hard-sided which makes them larger and subsequently means they really will only be for small dogs.

If you are willing to pay the price for an extra seat, you can see if the airline will allow you to put the carrier in the seat beside you rather than having to keep it stowed under the seat in front of you. Obviously this would be the preferred choice for both you and your pet but would definitely be more expensive. And the carrier you choose would still have to meet specific airline guidelines.

Regardless of the pet carrier you decide to get, always be sure to arrive early in case of "issues" that arise when trying to check in. Sometimes the ground crew are not up-to-date on what the airline considers as acceptable and you may need to push the issue (politely, of course!) to be sure the airline honors their stated policies.

How To Properly Care For Your Horse

2010-10-06T01:06:00.001-07:00

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Having a horse is a big responsibility. By nature, these animals are easy to be with, and are fit to be together with their herd in open spaces. To care for them, you have to keep that in mind, and work your way towards helping them achieve a good disposition. As they learn to adjust to being in a stable, you have to take the time and effort to give the necessary physical activities that they require. They can become discontented if they are not handled in a proper manner.

They say that an acre of land should be allotted for one horse. Make sure that it is not limited, considering its large size and its heavy weight. As you pasture your horse, make sure that there are no hazards which can hurt it, such as holes and waste. You should also check against plants which may not be fit for your horse to eat.

The following plants should be avoided, and will cause serious health problems to horses:

• Yerw
• Ragwort
• Deadly nightshade
• Foxglove
• Oak leaves
• Acorns
• Buttercups
• Bracken
• Privet
• Laurel
• Meadow saffron
• Locoweed
• Horsetail
• Castor bean
• Sorghum
• Star thistle

To avoid waste and other hazards to go to your horse's pasture, build a fence around it. This also secures that you horse is in a safe and secure area. When your horse escapes and explore on its own, it might encounter problems such as injury or getting lost. Make sure that the fence you use is strong enough to secure your pasture, but not too hard that may cause injury to your horse.

Aside from a secure and well-built fence, your horse should also have enough protection for the harsh environment. A tree grove will provide nice shade for when it is too hot, but for winds and rain, it is best if you have a three-sided enclosure which your horse can retreat into. Study the direction of the wind well, so that the back part will be able to protect your horse from coming winds.

Make sure that you feed your horse properly. They need a lot of water daily, so always see to it that they have access to drinking water all the time. And with the right diet and nutrients provided for them, your horses will have a good disposition and you will be able to enjoy their company much better. Caring for horses is a full time job so be sure to learn as much as you can.

Top Horse Training Tips

2010-10-06T00:44:00.001-07:00

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Okay, so you bought a horse. It has its own stable and food and everything a horse could ever want. Now what?
There are a lot of books out there offering tips and strategies on how to train a horse. But everyone will agree that there is no one perfect technique to train a horse. There is a multitude of disciplines and techniques that has different requirements for horses. But the most important tip that every beginner should know is this: have a relationship with your horse.
Connecting with your horse is essential. There's not much sense in having a confident, strong horse, when you don't trust you horse's capabilities, and vice versa. One must understand that horses are by nature, herd animals, so they need someone to look to for directions. Most experts agree that horses should start training around two years old. However, it is preferred that you spend as much time as you can around younger horses so they can get used to you, and by extension, other people.
Most trainers usually use the longing method, or ground training with a rope, as the starting point of their training. This will ensure that the horse cannot run too far away while you try and teach it some commands.
Another important thing to teach your horse is how to walk beside you on a lead. This will set the ground work for more advanced training. if a horse cannot learn to follow your lead, then you will have difficulty teaching it more advanced commands,
When teaching a new trick or technique to your horse, one must always remember to build it up from something it has previously learned. Adding some minor alterations to something it already knows is far easier and more efficient than trying to teach it something new. This is a major key in successfully training your horse.
As in teaching new techniques, adding new equipment should also be a step by step and gradual process. If you add new equipment, take it off after a few minutes. Do this for a few days to allow your horse to get used to it gradually.
And when ending a training session, allow your horse to wind down and relax before replacing it ti the stables. Let it run and play for a few minutes to help it retain what it has learned for the day.
Training horses can be tiring and time-consuming, but the results it offers are far more rewarding!

Breeding and Keeping Turkeys

2010-09-15T00:24:00.001-07:00

Turkeys are a popular pet to keep for both pets and for meat but there are some aspects of turkey keeping which make them different and slightly harder to breed and keep. Hatching your own turkey eggs can be fun and is relatively easy. Turkeys need the early spring light to start laying and they normally start to lay in April, sometimes earlier if there is artificial light, they will go on to lay until June and sometimes a little later. Again you will have more success incubating turkey eggs than if you were to leave it to natural incubation and once the eggs are collected, you should leave it no more than ten days before you incubate any eggs. Always follow the guidelines on your incubator and automatic incubators are always better as they will rotate your eggs automatically. The temperature should be 37.5o C with the humidity at 55%.
The eggs will begin to pip at around 25 days and the temperature should then be decreased to 37o C and the humidity increased to 75%. The eggs should hatch at around day 28 and you should leave your chicks in the incubator until they are dry and fluffy and moving around.
Turkeys are relatively easy to keep and should be fed on chick crumb to begin with before moving on to pellets. There are things to watch out for such as black head which is a protozoan disease of fowl which will affect the liver. Black head is a parasite organism and once it has affected one bird it is very likely that it will affect others very quickly. The worm lives in soil and many people who keep turkeys prefer to keep them in enclosed solid concrete areas for this reason. Once the parasite has invaded the turkey it quickly infects the large intestine and then the liver. The birds will generally seem off colour and will spend large periods of time away from the other birds and sitting down. They will most probably have diarrhoea which will sometimes be mixed with blood. Vets will sometimes supply something you can put in the turkeys feed to help prevent black head but many birds who contract it will die. Usually it is too late from the time you notice they have it to seeking treatment and it can and often is devastating for some turkey flocks because of the sheer speed it can affect the whole flock.
Having said all of that, there are things you can do to help prevent blackhead, turkeys should not be kept with other fowl and where possible should be kept on clean, well drained pasture where it is possible they can move around.

Considering Plastic Hamster Cages

2010-09-13T05:05:00.000-07:00

Image by cdrussorusso via Flickr

You might be surprised with exactly how big of a decision it is whenever you are choosing the habitat for your hamster.

Plastic hamster cages are available and these tend to be popular for a number of different reasons. As a matter of fact, plastic may be one of the best choices that you can have for your little fellow if you're looking for a great habitat for your dwarf hamster.

Needless to say it always helps to look at all the alternatives available and you would want to make sure that you look at all of the options before deciding on a right plastic hamster cage for your little pet.

The most common type of habitat that is available in plastic are the ones with a plastic base that come with a wire top.

These can really be some of the most convenient that are available, because the plastic allows you to take care of the bottom of the cage very easily and the wire gives plenty of fresh air to your little critter.

You need to keep in mind, however, that although this may allow open air into the cage this can either be a good or a bad thing. Hamster plastic cages with a wire top not only allow fresh air in, they can also be a contributing factor in allowing a cold draft to make your little one sick.

Since many dwarf hamsters tend to be rather fragile, this could lead to sickness or even worse.

Some dwarf hamster owners choose plastic hamster cages that are completely encased in plastic. They choose these types of cages or habitats for two reasons. The first reason is that it removes the draft issue and prevents the hamster from chewing the bars.

The second reason is that it keeps your little hamster safe if there are cats or children under three years of age in the house.

Many of the plastic hamster cages allow you to build up or build onto the original cage thus allowing you to build an entire infrastructure for your animal.

Another option is to have part of the cage completely plastic and the other part may have some wire included in it. Your hamster can move about, depending upon its comfort level and where it likes to sleep.

As mentioned briefly above another reason why you may want to consider a plastic hamster cage is because some hamsters have a difficulty with chewing on wire cages. This can lead to damaging of the hamsters teeth, which is something that can lead to problems later on in their life.

Although not all hamsters are going to do this, simply providing plastic hamster cages instead of the wire ones can help with those who have a problem or those that might have the problem later on.

It may also help to know that some hamsters chew the bars because it is bored. So it's a good idea to make sure your hamster cage is big enough and interesting enough for your dwarf to explore and have fun. If you decide to buy a plastic cage then at least you have the option of expanding the habitat and adding on some very interesting building additions.

The price that you are going to pay for one of these plastic hamster cages can be cheap or expensive, depending upon the options that you have available to you. Many people tend to go with a system where they can purchase a small item and then build on it as time goes by. Perhaps you would enjoy this for yourself, and I'm sure that your dwarf hamster would also appreciate having new habitat or places to discovery from time to time.

Save Money With Pedigree Dog Food Coupons

2010-09-07T02:48:00.001-07:00

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A simple survey of dog owners reveals the fact Pedigree Dog Food is one of the most trusted and best-selling brands in the industry. Its popularity and exceedingly good reputation are a result of not only the healthy nutritional components of their products, but also their wide variety of products to choose from, and of course dogs' positive response to the taste. Pedigree Petfoods has been around in its current form since 1972, and its precursor companies date back to 1934. But with every passing year Pedigree pet food gains more and more popularity.

It is a testament to Pedigree's quality that it is so popular despite being a little more expensive than some other well-known dog foods. But the question is, how can regular working people like you and me offer our dogs Pedigree to support their health and happiness? One way to make it a little more affordable is by using Pedigree Dog Food coupons.

Where can I find these useful coupons? Good question! You can first visit Pedigree's company website and browse for recent coupons and special offers which regularly appear. Some of these coupons you find may be printable coupons, and others may be simple coupon codes that you can use to order products online at a discounted price.

Another way to locate Pedigree dog food coupons is to look at pet food coupon websites, or at general coupon websites, and browse their categories until you find them. There's a good chance that plenty of Pedigree offers will be available. Be sure to check the expiration date, because a lot of sites put up coupons once and never take them down. This can cause some confusion to shoppers who assume that the coupons are current. Be informed and read all of the coupon terms and conditions.

Caring For Your Chicken's Health

2010-08-31T23:42:00.000-07:00

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Checking the health of your chickens should be done constantly to ensure that no diseases can infect them and in order to maintain their health. The comb of the chickens should be firm. It will show signs when your chickens are starting to lay eggs, it will turn bright. A healthy chicken should also have bright beady eyes and the scales on its legs should show no signs of being infested with mites.

Another sign that your chickens are laying is that their feet change colors from yellow to white or pale. Although their bodies should be firm and strong to the touch, they should not show signs of drooping. If the chickens' nose and eyes discharge some fluid, then they are sick and need to be treated.

The vent of the chickens must not show signs of bleeding, crusting or lumpiness because this is where the eggs and waste matters pass when they are excreted from the body. Having these symptoms means that it cannot function as well as it should and must be medicated.

When molting time comes, which is usually when the chickens are a year old, the feathers of the chickens will be shed and new ones will grow just like the changing of the skin on snakes. Molting time is from 4 to 6 weeks and after this your chickens will have new feathers.

It advised not to clip the chickens' wings when they are molting and to feed them well because it takes a lot of energy to change feathers and they would need additional nutrients for strength. Laying would stop during this period so you don't have to worry because after this, your chickens will resume their egg laying.

The usual problem with raising chickens though is the infestation of parasites in your chickens. Lice, ticks, fleas, and mites can easily infest them, much so in warmer climates. These do not transmit to humans but you need to check and treat your chickens if they have parasites as it can really affect their health, even resulting in death if the chickens cannot fight it.

Giving your chickens enough nutrients and food, combined with a supply of water and occasional antibiotics can aid in the prevention of diseases.

Making the chicken coop clean and free from the accumulated droppings will also help a lot in having healthy chickens. A clean coop will provide healthy chickens and makes a happy you.

Portable Chicken Coops - Things to Conside

2010-08-25T03:22:00.000-07:00

Image by RichieN via Flickr

Chicken coops come in many shapes and sizes. The style that seems to be gaining popularity is the portable chicken coop. These are more commonly known as chicken tractors or chicken arcs.

These types of portable chicken coops have some advantages. They are easily moved to new locations in a yard. The chickens will have a constant supply of fresh grass and access to insects and whatever else they can scratch up. The portable coops are easily cleaned as most do not have a floor; a simple move will give the chickens a clean and fresh area daily.

Unfortunately these coops come with some disadvantages. The major disadvantage is that they tend to not be as sturdy as a larger stationary coop and run. The portable coops are built as light as possible for mobility. As a result they tend not to be as predator proof as the larger coops. It would not be very hard for a large dog or other larger predator to flip the chicken tractor or dig under and get access to the chickens. However, this can also be prevented by attaching wire to the base of the tractor so the birds are protected from underneath as well. For added protection this type of coop could be rolled into a garage or shed at night and only left out during the day. The other disadvantage is that these types of coops tend to limit the number of birds that can be kept.

When considering building one of these the main factor to consider is the weight. When choosing material try and choose materials that are lighter. For example instead of using 2 x4 for the frame consider using 1x4 boards. For roof materials try using sheet metal instead of asphalt shingles. Make sure there is some access to the house part of the tractor so that eggs can be collected and cleaning performed as required.

There should also be some consideration given to placement of food and water. One popular choice is food and water containers that attach to the wire on the tractor.

Regardless of the disadvantages these types of coops maybe the best option for those who live in an urban environment or who have limited space to devote to raising chickens

Cat - An Independent Pet

2010-08-18T07:38:00.000-07:00

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Responsible pet ownership requires two things, giving your pet what they need and what they want. If you want to raise a happy and healthy pet inside you house, it will be great to provide them things they really need before you give them what they want. Unlike dogs, you don't need to spend too much in buying training and taming accessories like leash and collars in cats, but you still have to provide them a good shelter, toys, etc., much like dogs.

Raising a pet inside your house can be fun, but it is quite a serious task. Because not all pets are alike, cats and dogs for example, are very different, thus it is important to know what your cat needs before you jump into pet stores and purchase supplies. In observing your pets and giving them your time and attention, you will easily know what you need to buy for them.

Cats for example, have different needs as they are different from other animals you can keep at home like dogs. Unlike dogs, cats are almost a "couch potato" pets, they don't really run and play around. Most of the time you can see them at their favorite spot licking and wiping their body, or watching and observing the whole place, or just sleeping.

Although this domesticated animal has a reputation for being independent, they are usually more sensitive than dogs; they can easily feel if something is not right with their owner, and whenever they know their owner feels that way, they usually run to their owner's feet and lie there, making their owner feel they are loved by their pet. This is the main reason why they are some people who really love cats then dogs.

Cats though are not "couch potato" like all day. They are independent animals. Every day they spend time to clean their own body by licking their body. They use their tongue to wipe out dirt particles and dead hairs.

Leghorn Chickens

2010-08-16T05:54:00.000-07:00

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Leghorn chickens are a very popular breed of chicken and are the biggest supplier of large white eggs. The white leghorn chickens can be capable of laying up to 250 eggs per year per bird and most of the leghorns are bred through incubation of their eggs. The name Leghorn comes from Italy and they are a lively and good natured bird, for this reason they are becoming more and more popular for small scale chicken keeping with their small size making them more manageable than larger birds. Although it has to be said that they can also be a nervous bird but once they have settled into a new home, they will normally calm down.

The black Leghorn isn't as good a layer as the white Leghorn but is a beautiful, striking bird. Again the black Leghorn lay medium to large white eggs. Other Leghorn chickens can be Red, black tailed red, blue, buff, Columbian, buff Columbian, silver, exchequer, silver and barred. Because of their egg laying capabilities, the Leghorns are one of the main birds behind commercially egg producing lines.

The Leghorn chickens are also a breed that are agile flyers and are more likely to escape an attack from a predator. It has been known for them to roost high in the trees which is a demonstration of their survival instincts. The Leghorns will also forage wide and far and if left to roam free, will quite successfully find their own food. They are also birds where conversion of feed to energy is extremely efficient, whilst still managing to lay a large quantity of eggs. Leghorns will also lay extremely well as they near old age which is another reason why they are so popular.

If you are thinking of having your own chickens, the Leghorn is a very good layer and is well natured, although a little noisy and high spirited at times. You will need to make sure that if you don't want the chickens to wonder you have sufficient fencing as the leghorn is partial to roaming far and wide and loves nothing better than foraging for its own food. You can either buy Leghorn eggs and incubate them yourself or you can buy chicks and rear them as your own, there is also the option to buy older birds.

Things You Should Know Before Owning a Rabbit

2010-08-05T02:39:00.000-07:00

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Rabbits have been kept as pets since quiet some time now. They are suitable for both good indoor as well as outdoor life. Rabbits just require a good amount of attention and care. Here are some things that you need to know before you buy a pet rabbit.

Go for local breeders. Rabbits hate traveling and thus instead of going for a long distance breeder, try to find a local one. Some of the most commonly found rabbit breeds are Holland lop. Netherlands dwarf, Mini-Rex etc. These breeds are somewhat smaller in size, but they live healthy and long lives.

Pet rabbits need to be trained to defecate or urinate at a specific place in the room or garden. You can replace the litter box with a rabbit cage or can treat the rabbit cage itself as a litter box. This training becomes easier once rabbit is neutered or spayed.

Unlike dogs, rabbits cannot learn the voice commands, but it does acknowledge the change in voice pattern. Rabbits are very intelligent and the love to play games also. If your pet is living indoors then do ensure that you take him or her outdoors for a good period of time.

You can let your rabbit loose in the house but you need to ensure that you have removed all the dangerous or hazardous chewable items like electric cords, position etc.

Rabbits are insecure, if you cage a pair belonging to same gender, then they might become very aggressive. The rabbits of opposite genders will breed rapidly, thus you should avoid leaving them together. Ideally, you should keep the rabbits in individual cages. Some people allow male and female rabbits to live together in a cage but it is not recommended. Keeping the rabbits in pairs also has many advantages like, it can limit the behavioral problem.

Rabbits love gaining attention. These serve as beautiful and loyal pets. You just need to ensure that you provide them with the best of the living conditions and diet and they will serve you for years and years.

What Should You Do When You Encounter a Bee Swarm

2010-07-31T17:38:00.000-07:00

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For beekeepers, the swarming of bees is definitely a blessing but for the ordinary citizens who know nothing about beekeeping, a bee swarm is a curse. The swarm is even more dangerous if these bees are the widely known Africanized bees. This is because these kinds of bees are capable of killing a person. This is actually one of the common concerns in some communities. There are reports that there are cases wherein the victim of bee attack is killed because of sting.
If you are among those people who have little knowledge about beekeeping and you happen to stumble upon a group of bees bustling around with a very disturbing noise, this is a bee swarm that you should avoid. When facing in such situation, don't run in panic. Panicking would only result to further risk. As much as possible, just run away from the bee swarm.
Don't try to approach the bee swarm by spraying the bees with liquid or shelling poison as this is not effective to remove them. Instead, you will only be faced up with the worst-case scenario particularly when they caught you without wearing any protective coverings. The best option is to run away or stay at a far distance from the bee hive. However, if the bee swarm seems to settle in your backyard, just wait without disturbing them until they are going to move to another location. But if there are little children, better to call for a professional assistance.
However, before calling any professional assistance, you must determine first if the bee swarm is a group of honey bees or Africanized bees. This will provide information for the bee removal team to bring the appropriate materials to be used. Also describe the location of the bees and how long the bee swarm has been settling in that area. If you know someone in your area who is engaged in beekeeping, you can also call his attention to help you with your problem.
In actuality, a bee swarm is not a real threat to individuals. They only attack when their hives are being disturbed. This is simply their way of defending themselves and protecting their hives from the intruders. So if there is any moving object going near to their hives, which are usually humans, guard bees are ready to die in an attempt to protect their house for the danger that they sense. Above all, bees are still important creatures and beekeepers should be supported.

The Healing Power of Animals

2010-07-31T17:35:00.000-07:00

I am not talking about animals which have been trained to heel people, in fact, I am writing about dogs, dolphins and all domesticated animal you can imagine and live with us everyday. The mere contact with an animal: stroking, feeding and talking to a pet, give a feeling of pleasure, peace and joy that help therapies and treatments with children with different abilities. It is just the physical contact with animals and the environment without fear. Children perceive that the animal needs them and among them can exist a connection with their own codes.
The zootherapy is not an alternative medicine technique, but a different approach to therapeutic level. The ancient Greeks believed that the dogs could heal illnesses and had them as co-therapists in their temples of healing. Working with pets had its beginnings, as a scientific basis, in 1792 in England, where the physician William Tuke, used dogs to improve living conditions of patients in asylums. Then in 1867, in Germany, dogs were used for the epileptic treatment. In 1944, the Red Cross in New York, used dogs in the rehabilitation of former combatants. Globally there are programs where dogs are used inpatient or outpatient, because they increase self esteem levels which assisting in the recovery of patients.
The ancient Greeks used dogs as co-therapists in their healing temples. Indeed. Asclepius, god of medicine and maximum divinity healer at that time, extended its healing power through sacred dogs. On the other hand, alternative medicine considers turtles and other reptiles are fundamental elements for the relief of some ailments. Therapeutic effects that horses have on people with mental or physical problems are also known. However, the first time that domestic animals were used as therapeutic aides in a scientific level came in 1792 in England. The pioneer medical William Tuke used them to improve the inhumane conditions of asylums of that time and to teach self-control to patients.
Today there are several studies showing that animal-assisted therapy as a science. Researches devoted to considerate benefits in human health through its interaction with pets are more and more numerous and serious. Rupert Sheldrake in his book Dogs that Know When Their Owners are Coming Home, and Other Unexplained Powers of Animals, indicates that in this moment, the programs in which animals visit people in hospitals, hospices and nursing homes are over 2,000 in the United States. These animals are generally pets belonging to volunteers and they are often called PAT (pet as therapy). And there are people willing to visit and share their dogs and cats with sick, depressed or lonely people. Other animals are also useful as docile as canaries, turtles, rabbits and even fish.
In his book, Rupert Sheldrake offers hundreds of stories about animals that comfort and heal, most of them relating to cats and dogs in close proximity to sick or sad people.

Good Paying Animal Control Jobs

2010-07-31T17:34:00.000-07:00

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That is not something you hear about every day! Animal Control jobs are normally not very high on the wage scale. The people working these animal control and care jobs have huge hearts and make a great sacrifice in pay just to do them and understandably so. Their reward may not be financial and many of them would do it for nothing if they had to. They do it for the love of the job and helping animals live a better life.
Loving ones job is very important to living a full and happy life. Money does not buy happiness and receiving a high salary in a job that you hate does make you feel better, but not absolutely content.
The wildlife industry has taken shape in the last decade and has created some good paying Animal Control jobs.
These jobs are very unique and require a different skill set than the traditional Police Department Animal Control that primarily works with domestic animals such as dogs and cats.
Animal Control Officers must undergo rigorous law enforcement training, human relations training and animal care and control certifications. A lot of training is required for becoming an Animal Control Officer. Some agencies carry firearms and more training is required for this certification.
Often cities and counties are not adequately funded to pay their Animal Control Officers a good wage. These people are often on the front lines risking their lives in much the same way as a Police Officer, but with less pay!
You wouldn't think that their job would carry too much risk with the exception of a dog bite would you? But the reality is that Animal Control Agents have guns pulled on them, punches thrown and other violent behavior directed at them during the course of their work. Some even find drugs at the property while interviewing a pet owner. This could lead to a more dangerous encounter on the job with someone protecting their "cash crop" of marijuana or worse!
Animal Control Officer Jobs and an Animal Care Control job are not without risks.
So where does that leave someone who wants to work with animals but may not want the risk of a disgruntled pet owner to deal with?
It could very well lead you to working with wildlife in a more relaxed and stress free environment. We have yet to have someone pull a gun on us because we were removing the squirrels from their attic! If they do, they can certainly keep those squirrels in their attic!
Wildlife is such a fun and exciting career. The challenges are always there to hold your interest and each day is different than the one before. Our clients love to see us when we arrive. Our job is a much needed service and a very important one. In fact Animal Control Officers and Wildlife Management Professionals work in concert to help wildlife and domestic animals. It is not uncommon for the Wildlife Management Professional to remove cats and even dogs that are hard to capture. Together they make a great team to help their community control wildlife and animals when things get out of control.
Explore the opportunities out there and investigate working with wildlife as your new career!

History of Domestic Pets

2010-07-31T17:32:00.000-07:00

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Pets have been around since the beginning of time. Cats are among the first to be domesticated. They were thought to be domesticated from the African wild cat. The cat is a predator and very intelligent. They supposedly hunt over 1,000 species. Cats have been domestic pets since Ancient Egypt times. They were around in circa 4000 b.c. and their job was keeping mice and rats away. Although this was what they were initially kept for, cats are trainable and obey simple commands, so after a while they became a companion.
The dog was domesticated from Wolves as recent as 15,000 years ago or possibly as early as 100,000 years ago. Domestication is the way we as humans biologically altered a mammal to live in our company. The dog was thought to have been from East Asia. The early settlers brought domestic dogs over to North America with them. The first were the Chow, Shar Pei, Akita Inu, Shiba Inu and the Basenji. These breeds are associated with China, which seems to be behind the theory of domestic dogs originating in East Asia. Dogs are very social animals, which is probably why we brought them into our households. They are trainable, playful and lovable. Most dogs are "pack" oriented. They treat the human owner as one of their pack or as their pack leader as they would another dog. Dogs were initially used for work and protection and then in time became more like a part of the family.
There is really only a small number of animals we would actually consider pets. The first were dogs, cats and birds. Pets have over the years been known for several things. Even though we do not know the exact original origin of domesticated animals, we do know the reasons for humans need for them. The reasons people have these domestic animals are far and wide. Health is huge one. Studies say that people live longer healthier lives when they have a pet as a companion. Loneliness is another one. Pets are affectionate loving creatures that cure loneliness for many people. Dogs especially have taken an amazing role in leading the blind. Dogs are trained to protect and lead a blind person in everyday life.
Regardless of your reason for owning a pet, it is clear that pets serve a distinct function in human day-to-day life. It is also clear that pets are here to stay whether you are a dog lover, a cat lover or use pets for other recreational events such as equestrian activities or hunting we know that you love and care for your pets.

Panacur One Of The Leading Names In Worming

2010-07-30T04:38:00.001-07:00

Fenbendazole is a drug commonly known as Panacur, and is an important drug for the control of intestinal track parasites in domestic animals. With the advent of the Panacur Paste, horses can now easily avail the benefits of this wonder drug.

Panacur is the commonly known name for the synthetically manufactured drug Fenbendazole. It belongs to the anthelmintics category of chemical drugs. The main purpose for which panacur is used, is the removal of a lot of different kinds of intestinal and digestive tract parasites from the stomachs of animals. Though panacur is available without a compulsory prescription, it is recommended that it be only used under supervision of a qualified vet.

The parasites against which panacur works naturally are round worms, whip worms, hook worms and certain varieties of tapeworms. However, panacur's medicinal speciality is its effectiveness against parasites known as strongyles or strongyloides. It can also get rid of some types of bronchial pests.

As stated earlier, one should always be cautious when using panacur or Fenbendazole as a pet treatment drug, and only proceed with it when formally prescribed by a vet. This is because of this substance's propensity to cause certain side effects on the animals. Pets with a history of allergies to chemical drugs should not be exposed to panacur doses, otherwise hypersensitive reactions like vomiting could take place. Animals treated with Fenbendazole will also discharge dead worms with their excrements from time to time. For the treatment of the smaller pets, panacur is not recommended in a single administered dose. Usually, cats and dogs require 3 consecutive doses in a 72 hour period for it to take effect. The length of the application really depends upon the parasites being treated, and the reaction and effects of the doses on the particular animal. It is important to complete the prescribed medication course period even if the animal starts showing strong physical signs of recovery right away, unless intervened by your vet. Again, the best way to go about it, and to use the correct quantities, application should always be performed under the strict guidance of your vet. The most common veterinary formulations in the market for Fenbendazole are Panacur and Safe-Guard by Hoechst.

Until recently, panacur was available in the form of granules and suspensions only, usually for the treatment of cats and dogs. However, with the introduction of the Panacur Paste, there has been a new lease of life for parasite infested horses as well. An advantage Fenbendazole has over other horse wormers is that it is suitable for all ages and both sexes. Even the youngest of foals and pregnant mares can be treated using panacur. It works brilliantly against all the predominant parasitic enemies of horses, namely, pinworms, ascarids, and large & small strongyles. However, the most crucial use of panacur paste in horses comes into play in case an animal reaches late stages of infestation, such as encysted large strongyloides in the early and late third stage, and cyathostome larvae in the fourth stage.The quantities of panacur paste to be administered on horses depend on the type of parasite, the age, sex, weight, and the level of infestation in a particular patient. Usually panacur paste is quite palatable for horses as it comes in an apple and cinnamon flavour.

How Raising Pigs For a Living Can Be a Rewarding Experience For Many Reasons

2010-07-24T01:38:00.001-07:00

Raising pigs for a living is a very rewarding experience for many reasons, and there are many aspects of pig farming that can make you earn hundreds of dollars. Unfortunately, it depends on your creativity, knowledge on breeding, marketing, and social skills to make your stuff known. It is only when you have mastered the necessary skills that you can control the field of raising pigs for a living at the palm of your hands.

Farmers highly profit from pigs for they can help them on many ways. Aside from providing necessary companionship (Contrary to popular belief, pigs can equate as endearing pets just like dogs. Remember the well-loved movie pig Babe?), pigs help farmers a lot when it comes to natural fertilizers. Pigs supply them with the manure they needed for their plants. Pigs aren't choosy animals as they can feed even on household scraps, solving the problem of additional expenses. Though the most valuable investment a farmer or you for this matter will have to undertake will be the construction of a sturdy pig house. Once you have build your pigs a sturdy home that is free from pests that can potentially harm them, plus a steady supply of fresh water, hay, and a mixture of scraps and commercial feeds, you can free yourself from the worry of looking over these animals closely.

It will be a different story once you decide to take pig farming to the next level. Feeding your pigs extensively and making them plump can increase their marketability as long as you ensure their health during their stay at your farm. It can take a minimum of three months, so you can just imagine how many pigs whose meat you may have sold in a year. Furthermore, their manure can be also processed as fertilizers and be sold to other farmers at a price. Or you can go organic instead by making your pigs feed only on natural foods and take care of them under conditions highly approved of animal welfare organizations. Licensing is needed on this, but the income will be highly rewarding once you've done it.

These are endearing creatures, so endearing that farmers often grow too attached to them and forget that they are raising pigs for a living. It is in your utmost creativity and decision to find ways to make your pet keeping a profitable one.

Raising Chickens

2010-07-24T01:36:00.000-07:00

Not all bacteria are bad for chickens. There are certain good bacteria which assist in combating the harmful bacteria entering the chicken's system. In addition to the regular food that a chicken has, it becomes necessary to provide dietary supplements for enhancing the growth of these beneficial bacteria. These bacteria help in processing the food properly and are present inside the intestinal tract.

The process with which the probiotics prevent the various bacterial infections is called 'selective exclusion'. It has been proven to be effective for keeping the chickens disease-resistant throughout their entire life.

One of the best dietary supplements is Probiotics. People in the poultry industry use this dietary supplement on a daily basis. One form of probiotic that is quite effective is Lactobacillus Acidophilus. It is naturally existent in certain foods like yoghurt. But the most effective method of giving this probiotic to chickens is either through powder mixed with water or through a suitable liquid medium. Also, along with the provision of probiotics, certain other mineral supplements and vitamins should also be provided to the chickens.

There are a few stressful periods in a bird's life, like breeding and showing. During these times the birds are more susceptible to various diseases. To take care of the chickens during these times, the use of probiotics is suggested for reduce the level of susceptibility to diseases. During breeding periods, hens tend to intake more water. At this time, the probiotics can be expediently given through water.

Antibiotics have a lot of benefits, but they also come with a few negative side effects. They kill all kinds of bacteria, irrespective of whether they are good or bad. Hence, those people who are not too keen on using probiotics daily can at least use them just after any antibiotic treatment. This will result in regeneration of the beneficial bacteria that can fight any secondary infection like E. coli. Although E. coli practically exists in most droppings, it causes a problem only when reproducing in a favorable digestive environment.

During stressful times for chickens, hormonal changes take place resulting in the escalation of the pH levels in the small intestine. Antibiotics further aggravate this problem, as the already existent harmful bacteria manage to take control of the intestinal lining due to weakening of the protecting mucous lining. This results in villi loss, and in turn, in lower absorption of nutrients by the intestinal walls. This can be avoided by use of probiotics. It will provide better nutrient absorption and increase in appetite.

What Do Mammoths, Cow and Whales Have in Common?

2010-07-24T01:28:00.001-07:00

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While the term "poo" causes most of us to giggle with glee of childhood memories, it could be one of the biggest factors in climate change, both today and in the past. A recent study has indicated that the cause for the last ice age could be due to mammoths and their ability to create huge quantities of methane.

Methane is a heat-trapping greenhouse gas and is 30 times more potent than carbon dioxide. According to the article, 'it was not enough to trigger runaway global warming. But when all that gaseous output suddenly tapered off, it caused or at least contributed to a prolonged freeze known as the Younger Dryas cold event, they argue.

Calculations by a trio of researchers led by Felisa Smith of the University of New Mexico, published in Nature, show how all the pieces of this previously unsolved puzzle might fit together. Extrapolating from data on cows and other modern-day ruminants, the scientists estimated the total methane output of pre-historic megafauna at nearly 10 trillion grams per year.

At the same time, ice-core samples reveal that an abrupt drop in atmospheric methane levels of 180 parts per billion by volume (ppbv) coincides with both the virtual extinction of these gas-gushing herbivores and the onset of the deep chill that followed.'

Today it's not large creatures that create huge quantities of gas, but the simplest of farm animals, the cow. On its on the cow could never have achieved such large quantities, but thanks for humans need of meat, milk and other products, we have breed them to the point that have become severe contributors towards climate change.

Through their process of chewing cud and belching, they not only give off methane but also nitrous oxide and ammonia. According to a report, livestock is responsible for 18% of the world's greenhouse gas problem. The oxide and ammonia in their manure is responsible for acid rain and killing off marine life in the South China Sea.

An animal that was much larger than the mammoth, which exists today, does the exact opposite. In a twist of dilemma, the animal we breed and populate our land with causes climate change, while the animal that we have killed in large populations to the point of almost extension, might be the solution.

The whales waste is rich in iron which stimulates the growth of phytoplankton, which in turn, serve as carbon traps that remove 400,00 estimated tons of carbon from the atmosphere each year, according to an article. Each time the sperm whale comes to the surface it releases about 220, 462 tons of carbon dioxide. But every time they go for "a number two" it stimulates the drawdown of 440, 925 tons of carbon.

"If Southern Ocean sperm whales were at their historic levels, meaning their population size before whaling, we would have an extra 2 million tonnes (2,204,623 tons) of carbon being removed from our atmosphere each and every year," lead author Trisha Lavery Told Discovery News.

"However, most whales are currently at 1 to 10 percent of their historical population sizes, so in the past, whales may have made a substantial contribution to carbon drawdown," Lavery said, adding that other marine mammals probably beneficially redistribute carbon just as whales do. These may include seals, sea lions and other types of whales, such as fin whales.

Thanks to marine protection areas, programmes and endangered species protection, these giants of the deep might be able to help us find the answer to our cow problems.

As one of the monkeys said in the cartoon movie, Madagascar, "If you've got any poo - throw it now."

Washing and Bathing Uncooperative Horses

2010-07-24T00:53:00.000-07:00

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There are some horses that do not like to stand to be washed or actually seem to be scared of the hose or wet sponge. This does not have to mean that your horse never gets bathed. With a little patience, a few clever tricks and understanding any horse can be taught to stand still and be bathed. Behaviour specialists have recommended setting some time aside in order to begin re-establish good behaviour when bathing / being washed down. Setting time aside will prevent you from wanting to rush through the process and make the experience as relaxing as it can be for the horse. It is recommended that any time spent working with horses in this way be done on a soft, non-slippy surface and with the handler wearing non-slippy footwear, a riding hat and gloves and use a long lead-rope or lungeline to hold the horse with.

Depending on the severity of the horses dislike to water, to begin with work can start by using a damp sponge. this can be run across the horses coat as you would a grooming brush. Gradually the amount of water on the sponge can increase. It is important to not tie the horse up while any work to accustom him to this procedure is done. Firstly this will prevent the horse, who will inevitable want ton move away from the water, from puling back on the string he is tied to and becoming scared, and secondly will allow you to continue the application of a wet sponge as he moves, by turning him on a circle around you as he moves. Once he realises that you are not going to stop and that the procedure is not as scary as first thought he should stand still and once he does this, you can take the sponge away and praise him. This should be done gradually until you feel confident to move on to a hose.

The horse should not be tied up and the hose should be long enough to prevent either you or the horse from becoming tangled up in it. Very nervous horses can be introduced to the hose with the water off to begin with. It can be moved about, he can be walked over it and it can even be moved around his legs until he becomes totally bored with the now non-scary hose. To make the acceptance of the hose as comfortable as possible it is nicer to introduce the horse to it on a warm sunny day. Start with a slow trickle on the front hoof nearest you. Again, if the horse moves, bring him on a circle around you until he becomes used to this. Once the horse becomes used to this the water can be moved upwards and gradually across his body. Be careful when near his head that water does not get in his ears. Once the horse is used to this process it is advised that you start at the head and neck ensuring you wash the forelock backwards so that should the horse lift his head up the water runs away from the horses face.