Fever pets

Tips To Gain The Trust Of An Abused Dog
By Terry Stephens

Many people like to get their new dog from a rescue home or local dog society. Sometimes (but certainly not always) these dogs have come from a very unfortunate background and have been abused; training such a dog presents challenges that are not present when training a puppy. Abused dogs can be terrified or show aggression to some of the normal things we do when dog training, this is not being a bad dog, it is just the dog showing you it has fears and anxiety. You can overcome these fears and anxiety and teach an abused dog to trust with just a few simple changes in training approach and of course a lot of patience. Actual obedience training may have to wait until you have gained the trust of the once abused dog.

*Do Not Threaten*

When speaking to this dog keep your voice low and cheerful, gentle voice levels will encourage him to trust you and realize he is not being scolded or told off. Do not approach this dog, instead bend or kneel down to be at his level and gently encourage him to you, let him make the approach guided by your soft words and positive tone. If he makes even a slight effort to come, praise him immediately or reward him, do not wait for him to completely obey before rewarding or praising him. Remember his experience with humans has not been all good and you should encourage him as much as possible and do not get frustrated by lack of progress.

*Encourage Trust in Contact*

Once your dog trusts enough to let you touch him then please encourage this by petting him in a trusting and encouraging way. Keep your palm up and hand below his eye level so he can see the approach and gently rub him under the chin or chest, these actions have been shown to calm nervous dogs and he will not feel trapped by your actions. Always praise whilst stroking and reward if appropriate when he comes to you for petting. If he moves away, let him, do not try to hold him, as he gets used to it he will naturally stay longer.

*Keep Movements, smooth, Gentle and Flowing*

When interacting with your dog keep your movements gentle and slow, sharp and quick movements may scare him and cause him to cower or act aggressively. This will undo any good work achieved.

*Do Not Be Frustrated*

Try not to become frustrated with your dogs lack of progress, frustration will show in your voice and body language and your dog will pick up on it and retreat to his former self. If you feel yourself becoming frustrated with him then stop interacting with him and relax, you can try again when your own pressures have eased. Remember he is not deliberately defying you; he is merely struggling to overcome previously learned behavior and his own fears and demons.

*Be Understanding*

When a dog is nervous or scared, he will often wet the floor involuntarily. If this should happen, it is important not to allow your frustration to show. It is not a deliberate attempt at disobeying and will likely disappear as he gains trust in you.

*Patience*

Be patient, keep any contact and training time to short periods, actual touch time should be dictated by your dog and will likely become longer as his trust grows. Try not inviting him, often just sitting and waiting his approach can work wonders as he decides to see what you are all about and do not be mean with the rewards, remember this fellow or lady has had only punishment, it is up to you to show them there is another way.

An abused dog need not remain that way and with gentle loving care and training he will become as loving and loyal as any other dog. His behavior was learnt in response to abuse and will be forgotten as he learns new behavior in response to your positive training. A low voice, crouching position and a positive, loving attitude will win him over.

Dog Clothes - Yes or No?
By Jill Taylor

Pampering our pets has become the "in" thing to do. But have we gone too far? Come on, dogs wearing coats, boots, hats or sunglasses? Surely all this is for us humans, the dogs don't need it. Or do they?

There seem to be 2 opposite schools of thought on the subject of dog clothes. On the one hand, they are members of our family, why shouldn't we treat them as children. On the other hand, they are animals and mother nature probably never intended them to wear clothes.

Yes, your dog is an animal, even if they don't believe it. And yes, most dogs have beautiful fur coats of their own, why put a polyester one on them? Well there are a few very valid reasons for raincoats, winter sweaters and the like. We have domesticated the dog over a few thousand years. They live in our nice climate controlled homes with us. We have even bred some of them to have different coats than they originally came with, in fact we have bred some to intentionally be bald. Unfortunately, we still have not been able to teach the majority how to use the toilet. So its outside for them. Great in the summer on a nice sunny day. But how about mid January north of the equator? Not so nice out there. Your dog will probably agree. After all, you bundle up until only your eyes are showing, but your dog is not supposed to feel the same degree of cold?

What about the rainy season? Your dog still needs a walk. Raincoats may not be a necessity, but there is a very practical purpose for one. Wet dog smell! Nobody likes it, and there is no need to put up with it. A raincoat will keep the majority of your dog dry and better smelling. A dog t-shirt is perfect in the spring to keep their bellies clean on your walk.

And come on - boots? Who came up with this? Someone with compassion. Most search and rescue dogs wear protective boots when they are working. And if you and your dog live in the city, boots are an excellent idea. Not everyone seems to be able to use the garbage can. One look at a dog's feet after they have run through broken glass should be enough to convince a person that dog boots are not just for working dogs, but necessary if dogs are to live in our world.

As we make our pets more like family members than possessions, we transfer our likes onto them. Dressing up our pets is a trend that will probably keep on growing. And if we are all honest with ourselves, we would have to admit that if nothing else, dressing up our pooches makes us smile.

Commercial or Raw Dog Food?
By Mishaun Taylor 

There are some good arguments on both sides of the raw food or commercial dog food debate. It is particularly frightening when you hear on the news that some dog food has been tainted in some way, or that your dog's current food is under question for something that could possibly cause him harm. When things like this come up, it is another layer added to this powerful debate. Because there are so many different types of dog food available, it is difficult to figure out which kind you should feed your pooch. You might even wonder if you should feed him or her commercial dog food at all. Your veterinarian should be able to help recommend an appropriate diet for your dog.

If you decide to put him on a commercial dog food diet, you should be familiar with his nutritional needs. Dogs need meat and fiber as well as many other vitamins and nutrients in order to maintain optimal health. Depending upon their age, sex and size they will need different types of nutrition. Pregnant dogs and puppies have different needs as well. Great protein comes from dog food that contains lamb, chicken and turkey and you should make certain that your dog's diet contains these protein items. You should avoid products with by products or preservatives and those that have grain listed as the top ingredient.

As for the raw food diet, it includes giving your dog meat bones which are raw, veggies, organs from protein sources, chew bones and proteins such as cottage cheese and shelled eggs. Dogs have, in fact, survived on diets like this for centuries. Since the 50's, commercial dog food has been available however, allergies and dysplasia along with other health problems have been connected to commercial dog foods.

The raw food diet for dogs requires the owner to properly mix the proper nutrients to ensure that the dog is completely healthy. It is also an expensive diet for owners to provide to their dogs, while commercial dog food is affordable and the proper amount of nutrients has already been researched for you. Commercial dog food requires your dog to eat the same thing over and over while the raw food diet provides interesting, different and variations in foods, which keep the dog happy. However, because essential nutrients like fatty acids and such are added to commercial dog food, supporters say that dogs on the raw food diet are missing out on essential nutrients like these.

Selecting A Dog Breed - 3 Factors To Consider
By Oscar B Jones

One of the main things to consider when selecting a dog breed, to ensure a long-lasting, happy relationship is the ability to match your requirements and expectations with your new puppy's own personality and needs.

Do You Have Children?

Please bear in mind that a new puppy will require the same levels of commitment, and sometimes even more time than would be reasonably expected in raising children. Therefore having both children and a new dog in your home will require constant observation of both to prevent any accidents/incidents from occurring. Keeping a close eye on both will ensure that no personal injuries happen to either and prevent spiteful behavior like biting, kicking and generally rough play.

If you do have children in the home then the majority of breeders and a lot of trainers would not recommend you get a toy breed, for the simple reason that it may get stepped on or dropped by your children. That said, if you have made up your mind that a toy breed is the one for you then make sure that you chose one which has an easy-going and gentle disposition.

How Protective Is The Breed

For the majority of us, having a dog that will bark when you have a visitor to your door gives us a great sense of security. It's like having your very own living, breathing and moving home alarm system. A bark from any type of dog, be it toy or larger breed will have a similar affect in deterring unwanted visitors. Therefore the likes of a Dachshunds and most other toy breed make excellent watchdogs. The good old terrier type are also very good for doing this sort of job.

If you are thinking about getting a larger breed, one which has that physical presence to protect you then you should be looking at one of the working or herding breed categories. These dogs are highly skilled and very trainable and make great visual deterrents to any would-be burglars.

How Much Time Do You Honestly Have

Naturally social in nature dogs make great pets and provide their owners with sometimes very needed companionship. Because of their social nature please do not get one if you are planning on keeping it locked out in your backyard all day long on its own. This is extremely important when looking at puppies as they require large amounts of interaction, socialization and supervision to ensure they get the best start in life and give them the required grounding to develop into a pleasure to have in society rather than a social menace and in extreme cases very dangerous to us all.

On average a dog will spend around 8 hours every day, five days a week, at home on its own. You will find that smaller breeds such as terriers are much more able to cope this this type of situation than the larger breeds. Terriers are very good at finding ways to keep themselves amused if they have enough room to move and wander around.

Cesar Milan, The Dog Whisperer And Dog Psychology
By Brett Endes

A client gave me an article featuring Cesar Milan (a.k.a. The Dog Whisperer) to read. It discusses the criticism Cesar has faced over the past few years and the reason why his approach to dog psychology has been met with such controversy and critics. Because I am Often compared to Cesar Milan and frequently recommend his books and television show to my clients, I feel it would be appropriate to comment on the article and my feelings on Cesar Milan in general. When people compare me to him, my response is a heartfelt "Thank You!" Nothing could be a greater compliment than being compared to someone who has helped so many dogs and their owners worldwide, and has taken the language of dogs and how we can better communicate with them mainstream.

I'll never forget the time I was working with a client and their dog and we came upon an elderly woman who had to be at least in her 80's out walking her dog. When the two dogs met, one tried to establish their role as a leader over the other dog by mounting them. Instead of the usual human reaction to curb this type of behavior because it "wouldn't be appropriate in the human world", the elderly woman explained, "don't worry, he is just asserting his dominance over the other dog, it is normal for dogs to do that." I enthusiastically replied, "you must have been watching the dog whisperer". Of course she replied with a great big "Yes!"

Now, if it wasn't for Cesar Milan bringing these concepts that only a small minority of professional dog trainers, handlers, and owners understood previously, to the masses. How else would someone like that understand their dog's behavior this well or even know where to find out this information? With all the dogs that end up in shelters and get euthanized because of the lack of understanding on the part of humans, (almost all of them!) wouldn't it seem his message will only benefit dogs as a whole? That is why I never understood those who strongly oppose Cesar Milan and his ways. Well, actually I do understand because I experience this resistance sometimes as well.

People like Cesar, me, and others who are able to see and promote the truth and reality of dogs force people to have to examine who they are as humans to directly understand how it is affecting their dog's behavior. The reason this is difficult for some is because dogs are part of our lives in modern society because they give us what we can't get out of humans. Basically they fill a void within our psychology. Plain and simple. That is the reason why dogs are so great and we can bond and connect with them so well and naturally. We have coexisted for so long they have become part of our existence.

Dogs are the only animal who's natural habitat is exactly the same as humans...Think about that. The hard part in all this is being able to recognize what we are trying to compensate for, and differentiating what is actually the dog's problems and what is actually our psychology getting in the way of our dog's understanding of the role we need to play as understanding and balanced leaders in their lives. Unless you have gone through many years of psychotherapy or are naturally born to see yourself at face value (not an easy task) this can be an uncomfortable process. I should know because as a human I had to go through the process myself with my own dogs and continue to grow with each new dog I meet.

We as humans are programmed to have a strong sense of self. We are constantly protecting this sense of self. It doesn't matter how many issues we may have, to our "self", we are who we are and there is nothing wrong with us in our eyes despite what everyone around us may observe and see. If we were to think we needed improvement, then our whole concept of who we are will fall apart. The problem with this idea is that everyone, no matter who they are, can improve on themselves in some aspect of their psychology by recognizing who they really are and pinpointing their deficiencies.

So why isn't everyone in therapy and running around happy and free like the Zen masters? Because by recognizing our flaws, we have to undo the false sense of who we are to do this. Who likes criticism? Not many people do. So we remain "who we are" and find people to surround us who fit into our "way of being" that is most comfortable despite how it may or may not work for us. This is how we make friends, find lovers, and choose how we live. In the human world this suits us well and works perfectly fine for many. In the dog world however, there is no lying or what we call in the psychology field masking. Everything is at face value within the pack, dogs cannot lie to themselves, trick one another, or pretend to be something they are not. They are who they are.

Because we cannot project human psychological values on our dogs (even though we try our hardest), when communicating with dogs we have to operate on the level of honesty very few humans feel comfortable conducting themselves on. Not only do I use my degree in human psychology daily, but I have actually helped clients discover things within themselves unrelated to their dogs which have helped them in their personal, non-dog lives! Not to get terribly Freudian here but it has been my experience that those who understand themselves and human nature the most, tend to have an easier time in understanding how they are contibuting to their pet's issues and how to change this to help their dog problems.

I find it of great importance to add; No one is ever a bad person or dog owner for not understanding their dogs. I will be the first to tell you that most people who have dogs think more on an anthropomorphic level (placing human characteristics on animals) than on a level of reality based on a dogs natural instincts and psychology. Anthropomorphic thinking stems from a wanting to love, relate, and bond with our animals not because we don't care. What happens with some dogs is this energy is misinterpreted as a weak energy or lack of understanding because certain dogs don't sense we know who they are as they know a real dog would. By seeing ourselves and our dogs for things truly are, we are creating the energy of understanding I frequently speak of. We now come across as a self-aware and confident leader with an energy to be respected, not taken advantage of. This is what The Dog Whisperer, myself, actual dogs, and others utilize and promote. Those who disagree the most with these ideas seem to be unsuccessful trainers who are jealous our threatened by our abilities and people who can't stop treating their dogs like children no matter what you tell them. Who's issues are those???

What Is Energy?
By Brett Endes

Although a far fetched concept for most of us as humans to grasp, energy is the universal language that all living things communicate by. Whether you are a dog, human, bird, or plant, everything operates on the concept of energy. To simplify this idea I will first give an overview of what energy is, and then I will continue with an explanation of its relationship and use in how we communicate with our dogs. As stated above, energy is the universal language of all living beings. So how does it work?

At the molecular level everything is made up of free floating energy particles. How this energy comes together is what makes one bundle of energy become a fish, and the other become a human for example. Regardless of its configuration, energy is still the same at its basic level and free floating by nature. What this means is that it can be transferred, shared, and passed on. Of course not on a level we can see with our eyes, but we can definately feel it. For example, have you ever had that feeling that the phone was going to ring or have you ever met a person that gave you a positive/negative vibe? That is energy at work! This isn't some mystical force, it actually is that "free floating" energy passing through the environment on a subatomic level that we, as its natural "receptor", pick up as feelings or "sixth senses". Now we as humans who once operated on these principles, have evolved quite a bit and have developed language as our primary method of communicating. Dogs, who use minimal vocalizations to communicate, utilize their sixth sense abilities first and foremost. This is the means by which our dogs can do amazing things such as telling when their owner is coming home regardless of schedule or time of day (I've seen the special on TV too!) or sensing subtle changes in one's body chemistry to detect disease or seizures before doctors can. Although magical in its concept, it is this "feeling energy" that makes dogs instantly be able to size up another dog without even seeing them. Sure, dogs use body language, scent, and other means to communicate. These things are only secondary and tertiary while energy is number one. All dogs carry an "energy fingerprint" that is constantly being projected into their environment. The body language we see is just the reaction many steps after the actual signal was received by either dog.

What is The Energy of Understanding?

The Energy of Understanding as I call it, is the energy given out by dogs who are the most experienced and best leaders. What this energy says, using literally no words, is "I am soo good at my job as leader, you don't have to worry about anything. I've got everything covered for my pack" This means you are their protector, provider of food & shelter, travel agent, and so on which gives the dog(s) who are under them a strong sense of security by not having to be concerned with all these things. As is the theme of all that I do, this is the energy we are trying to project to our dogs. Especially when dealing with problem behavior or dominant dogs who have all these burdens of life on them which causes an unbalanced energy to occur. This is the root of most problem behaviors we experience with our dogs. The problem behaviors we see are the symptoms of the unbalanced energy associated with too much responsibility for the dogs that try to assume a different role in the pack than they best are suited to. Once we take over that role, we put an Energy of Understanding into our environment we share with our dogs. When I work with my clients I spend a great deal of time doing owner education instead of just dog education. Reason being is that if the owner knows exactly what their dog is thinking and sees their misguided agenda, it is then that they can be one step ahead of their dog, by seeing their every move as having meaning...and actually understanding it! This earns respect rather quickly in the dog world, which is an easy way to create the correct energy in our dog's environment. The energy of understanding. So without the owner knowing how to work a leash and collar or how to give a dog endless treats, they can learn how to get their dog to listen to them just by understanding the concept of energy.

The Over-Positization of Dog Training
By Brett Endes

Time and time again I get calls from people who are so intent that they "understand their dogs" and cant comprehend why they are dealing with the problems they are experiencing. I then will ask if the dog has had any training, and it never fails..."yes, we had them in petsmart/petco/clicker classes. That is all I need to know! Ok, here's the deal: Operant conditioning and training(A.K.A. clicker/positive reward training) is a wonderful teaching tool and is a useful tool we can use when training our dogs. However, just as a carpenter doesn't come to work with just a screwdriver, we as trainers and handlers must come equipped with a "full tool box" as well.

Don't get me wrong, I think any dog can stand to benefit from any type of training, it is just that dogs with a more complex personality who see the world as if everything is there's when they want it, including food, (this is about 99% of my clients!). Dogs with this personality type are expecting a treat, so basically you are "rewarding" a dog who sees the world through these eyes for a desired physical response(ie: Sit) but in their mind, they only see that you are allowing them to snatch food from you, which by instinct, they would never due to real dog who was a leader they respected. So basically, the dog feels it is being rewarded for a dominant behavior. This is where it gets tricky... Because the act of taking a treat from our hand is innocent by nature to us as humans, plus we think we are rewarding the dog for listening to our commands, when all the dog sees is you are encouraging a behavior that would never slide in the dog world.

Now this doesn't mean treats are off limits for any dog, and some dogs even benefit from this training tool. But we must see it as a tool that compliments a deeper understanding of the nature of dogs. Especially dogs with higher training requirements.

OK, so what do we use then to get our dogs to respect us and stop the problem behaviors? Three words: Energy of Understanding What is this? Energy of Understanding is a sixth sense energy that all living things communicate by. You ever get a feeling about something? Your "gut instinct"? That is sixth sense energy. Most animals use this first and foremost when communicating with one another and with other species as well. (How else does the cat know when the dog is about to chase them before the dog even bats an eye?) So, dogs constantly receiving our signals, good bad or indifferent. They in turn, are sending us signals back. Which if read correctly, can be the most powerful training tool you can use when communicating with your dog. Unfortunately, most humans are not in touch with this energy, or at least not when it comes to projecting it towards their dogs. This is what I teach people, because techniques, tools, or methods only go so far. We must put our "leader energy" into the environment to effectively communicate with our dogs that we have things figured out better than them and they can relax, knowing that we are in charge. Once our dogs believe in our energy, the problem behaviors associated with too much responsibility goes away and our dogs are content and receptive to you, no matter what method you use.

Here's the debate. Hence the title of this article, many think that "if you aren't being positive, and treating dogs like "little humans" you are being mean to the dog". Have you ever seen dogs interact in an environment where humans aren't present? It is a 24-7 play on status. Do they bribe each other to show who's in charge? Do they play in a way or interact in a way that is anything like humans? Not even close. They operate on principles of acceptance and rejection into the pack whether dominant, submissive, or neutral. Why would it be any different when they are trying to communicate with us? Dogs have no understanding of the differentiation of species and to them, everyone speaks dog and follows the laws of the dog world. Again, I cannot stress enough that we should love our dogs, treat them humanely, and cherish them, we do not use outdated forceful methods. We create a mutually beneficial relationship based on respect and communication only because of one simple fact: Dogs just don't see things the way our human psychology wishes it would. That is just it, because dogs have been living in such close quarters with us for so long, they have become part of the human experience. This makes it difficult for us to see things the way they do because they fulfill a need within us for companionship and of course, you wouldn't act dominant towards your best friend...would you? Once we become proficient actors and create a personality within us that is for the sole purpose of communicating with our dog, and no one else, we now can put our human-ness to the side for a while and be on their level. Just as a great actor puts their off-screen persona aside while they become their role. It is difficult at first, but this ability is within all of us as energy projecting beings, so why not use it.

The Importance of Socialization
By Brett Endes

Of all the cases I encounter, dogs that display anti-social behaviors whether it be towards other dogs or humans, are always the most challenging and complicated to treat. They also require the most work to "undo" or change the opinions of what the dog has learned about the world around them. The positive aspect of this is that with very little effort, cases such as these can be easily avoided by utilizing proper socialization techniques and training.

What is socialization? Socialization is the process of acclimating and integrating your dog into the various environments and stimulus (people, dogs, cats, cars, etc.) they will encounter throughout their lives. This process is best done at critical imprint periods that occur throughout a puppy's development which is usually between 8 weeks and 6 months of age. But even an adult dog who seems set in their ways can be socialized to foreign situations if approached and treated correctly.

By socializing our pets we are accomplishing many things: At the basic level, we are allowing our dogs to see everyday things as acceptable and positive. On another level, the self-confidence that comes with a properly socialized dog creates a very sound mind within our dogs which is less likely to display other problem behaviors from the anxiety and discontentment associated with anti-social personalities. Last and most importantly, by not being properly socialized your dog misses out on many aspects of life that make being a dog so great!

It is best to establish a training and socialization regiment as soon as you get your new dog or puppy. In the case of puppies, you want to gradually increase the intensity of what you are getting them used to and always be introducing them to new things, puppies get bored quickly. With adult dogs, who may have had an anti-social history and are convinced that they need to see things they way they do, a more thorough training and socialization program would be appropriate for them. This would help "reverse" their opinions (for the better) of how they see everyday situations, therefore eliminating the symptoms of aggression, phobias, anxieties, and problem behaviors we see in anti-social dogs.

Socialization is one of the easiest ways to help our dogs develop into well-adjusted, happy members of society. But remember, even if your dog doesn't particularly love the mailman or that "dog down the street", with some effort and understanding, it is not too late to teach them how to give peace a chance!

Dog Skin Allergies - How to Help Your Dog
By Julia Carter

Dog skin allergies are one of the most common types of allergies in dogs. Many dogs have this allergy when they are born, or develop it due to various reasons later in their life.

As a dog owner, it is important to find out if your dog has an allergic skin and find solutions for it.

Dog skin allergies can be temporary and simple, or long-lasting or even permanent.

So it is important to discover the specific type of skin allergy your dog has, and then plan a way to cure it based on it.

There are generally three types of skin allergies...

Allergy Type #1: Immune-Mediated Skin Allergies

When there is a problem in the immune system function of your dog, this allergy is very likely to appear.

Because of that, your dog may experience regular skin infections - more often that normal because of every day accidents.

Then it is time that you start getting suspicious that maybe something is wrong with the way your dog's body operates.

Allergy Type #2: Canine Atopic Dermatitis This type of allergy is a chronic allergic skin disease. You may see it in your dog usually by 10 months of age up to 2 years of age.

If your dog has this allergy, you may notice he is very itchy, especially around the eye area. Also his feet may be very itchy too.

Allergy Type #3: Infectious Skin Diseases Dogs with this type of skin allergy, usually experience hair loss in some parts of their body - especially legs.

Infectious skin diseases of dogs include contagious and non-contagious infections or infestations. Contagious infections include parasitic, bacterial, fungal and viral skin diseases.

So as you see, this type of skin allergy in your dog is the most serious and dangerous of all. So if you see the signs of it, it is highly recommended that you take him to the vet as soon as possible.

NOTE: Another common type of allergies in dogs is food allergies. So if you are seeing some symptoms in your dog, have you thought that is might be a food allergy - not skin allergy?

You can find out more about signs of dog food allergies and compare it to find out which one your dog is really allergic to.

Owning a Hamster
By Alison Wood

First off, let's just put the title of this article straight. As my hamster Molly will tell you, a hamster does not get owned, it is a very independent creature that will happily live with you, if you provide it with the ideal environment and lots of treats. Ok, now we have got that important matter out of the way, let's continue.

Hamsters really do make great pets for both adults and children alike. They are easy to handle, being somewhat slower and with less of a tendency to dart about than other small mammals such as mice and gerbils. As long as they are handled from when they are young they are very friendly and will happily spend time with their owners.

It is important to have the proper housing, with a cage that provides plenty of space, with a wheel for exercise and some opportunity for climbing. Sawdust and bedding should be cleaned out on at least a weekly basis and fresh food and water provided daily. Hamster housing really does come in a variety of forms which ranges from cages, to modular units right through to stately home affairs. There is something to suit any budget and if you really want to go to town, the permutations are endless. Molly has her abode in a fairly standard cage, however that isn't to say that I am not tempted by the fabulous housing that I have seen, and may one day purchase. We'll just keep quiet about that though for the moment - I don't want to raise Molly's expectations just yet.

It is also good to have an exercise ball so that your pet can come out daily and really have an opportunity to go for a good run, without running any risk of them gnawing through any cables or furniture. Apart from fresh vegetables and dry hamster food, which should be the daily staples there are also a wide variety of treats available specifically made for hamsters. These are fairly low priced at children's pocket money levels.

So if you are being plagued by your child for a pet and want one that is clean, small and fairly easy to take care of, with no real need for very much space then a hamster is ideal. You don't need a garden, you don't have lots of long walks to make, and you don't need to break the bank. Whether you live in a tiny apartment or a mansion it makes no difference. Child or adult alike can enjoy the company of this cute animal, and even Molly would agree to that.

How Do I Choose A Veterinary Hospital?
By Victoria M. Brown

Choosing the right veterinary hospital for you and your pet is almost as important as actually choosing your pet! It's a good idea to choose the hospital before you choose your new pet. That way if you have a sudden emergency, you will not have the added stress of picking a veterinary hospital on the spot. Start your search by asking family and friends for recommendations. Doing this helps you begin to narrow down the hospitals. Once you have done that, visit the hospitals that are on your list.

Here are some things to keep in mind during your visits to potential veterinary hospitals:

• Office hours: Be sure to notice if there are regular office hours and make sure that the hours work with your schedule. Also make sure you find out who covers the hospital when the veterinarian is not available.

• Professional staff: The attitude of the staff is very important when choosing a hospital. Take notice of how routine phone calls are handled. Find out if you can request appointments with specific veterinarians and most importantly, make sure that you feel comfortable talking to the entire staff.

• Services: Some hospitals offer services that others do not. Find out what kinds of services are offered at the hospital you're visiting.

• Emergency care: Not all veterinary hospitals handle emergencies, especially after hours. If the hospital doesn't handle during or after hour emergencies, find out if they have an affiliate hospital where they send their patients to in the case of an emergency.

• Fees and payment: Find out what types of payment the hospital accepts. Also, are payments required on the day of a visit, or can you use a payment plan?

• Professional affiliations: Find out if the veterinarians are part of any national veterinary associations.

• Facility: Take a tour of the hospital and make sure that it looks clean and orderly. Also, check for any foul odors.

Once you have made sure that the hospital facilities meet your standards and expectations, you want to make sure that you are comfortable with the veterinarian as well. You should be able to comfortably communicate with your pet's doctor. Make sure that you feel that you can ask questions and that the answers are clearly explained. Your relationship with your veterinarian is essential to your pet's health. Your pet cannot tell the doctor when something is not right, so you need to be able to.

Choosing the right veterinary hospital is an important step in choosing a new pet. Be sure to carefully choose your hospital. Be sure that your pet is going to be as important to the veterinarian as it is to you!

Why Slimmer Pets Make Smaller Vet Bills
By Simon Christopher

As if we weren't concerned enough about our own expanding waistlines, now it appears we need to be concerned about our pets' bulging bellies as well. According to Sainsbury's Bank research, the UK is home to literally millions of hefty cats and puffy pups. In fact, there are 2.72 million overweight dogs and 2.87 million overweight cats in the UK.

Despite the fact that our pudgy pets don't need to worry about outgrowing their wardrobes, the pet obesity epidemic does have some far-reaching effects, say veterinarians. For starters, those effects could reach right into your wallet - many pet insurance policies won't cover overweight pets for specific conditions - or at all.

Most pet owners are more concerned about their pets than their wallets, though, and there the news is even less rosy. Overweight animals may suffer from a variety of health conditions, just as their overweight owners do. Those conditions include a number of long-term ones that will require lifelong treatment and changes to diet. They include diabetes and osteoarthritis, heart conditions and liver or pancreatic damage.

A pet treated to chocolate and other rich foods not meant for them can suffer damage to their heart and liver or even death. Obesity can trigger many conditions in your pet. In fact, about 81% of animal physiotherapists say that obesity is the single most significant health danger for dogs. An overweight pet will be less happy, less active and far more likely to require visits to the vet.

And just when you thought you'd heard all the bad news, here's one last bit of it. Your overweight cat or dog can easily run up thousands of pounds in medical bills - which you'll gladly pay, out of love for the cherished pooch or kitten. And you may have no choice but to pay it, because many insurers won't pay for treatment if your pet is overweight.

How to Help Your Pet and Your Wallet

There is a way to avoid all of the problems above - get your pet into shape. Here are some tips for shrinking your furry friend - and your vet bills.

• Bump up the exercise level. Stretch your pet's daily walk a bit, and add in some playtime. A cat or dog pet that does nothing but lay around the house is going to gain weight far more quickly.
• Cut out the human-food snacks. High-fat dinner scraps and treats like chocolate, ice cream and beer are not good for your pet. Their bodies just aren't meant to handle them.
• Cut down on the amount you feed. Many of us tend to overfeed our pets, and while most cats will stop eating when they're full, not all do. Dogs, on the other hand, are notorious for wolfing whatever you put down for them, and rummaging for more - especially if they're bored.
• Invest in a high quality pet food designed especially for obese pets. There are a number of diet pet foods on the market that are nutritionally complete but lower in calories than standard supermarket products.

Finally, make sure that your pets are covered by good pet insurance. Generally, the conditions not covered are those that have a connection to obesity, and those restrictions will fall away once your pet is in better shape. Pet insurance is an excellent value, when you consider how high vet bills can be. Depending on the provider, you may be able to insure your pet's health for as little as £5 a month.

Do shop around for the best policy though, and keep in mind that cheapest isn't always the best deal.

Sure-fire Tricks To Liberate Your Pets From Stress
By Caterina Lenards

Pets also have the right to be stressed too.

As most pet lovers know and all people should know, animals do go under stress as well.

It is more pitiful to see our beloved pets just slouching in a corner and never able to say a word but we just know inside that they do have something bothering them. Stress in pets do have a lot of complications which can be fatal if not taken cared of. And losing a pet is something some people do take years to get over with.

Hundreds and thousands of articles have been written on how pets can reduce a person's stress but do we think of their feelings as well? Outward signs include restlessness, ear-banging howling, peeing more than the usual, food-dropping, out-of-the ordinary panting and drooling, coughing, shaking, trembling, dilated pupils and diarrhea.

De-stressing the pets is a way to repay them for all the unexplained joy they have given to our lives. They have become part of our family and the bond is so strong that some regard them as their own children. Giving them a break can do a lot of good for them.

1. Take them to the vet.

First and foremost, a trip to the veterinarian's office is a must. The stress may have inflicted health complications so it's a good move to have the vet check them out first.

2. Tag them along on a vacation.

Just like humans, your pets need a break from the hustle and bustle. Relaxing vacation spots contribute to their well-being. A new environment will definitely invigorate their senses. It will also be the perfect time to bond with your pets too.

3. Visit your nearest pet spa.

A day at the pet spa will never ever hurt your dog. The nail clipping, ear cleaning, teeth cleaning and bathing do give your pets that refreshing feeling and it will be more alleviating for them if you go hands-on during the grooming session, this will give the feeling that you truly care for them.

4. Schedule play dates with other pets.

A good company is always a good way to de-stress your pets. Maybe all they need is a little play time with their kind. Just like us, no animal is an island all the time. Socializing should be part of their calendar as well.

5. Shower them with new pet accessories.

Why not do some retail therapy for your pet? Maybe they just need something to chew on or cuddle with or lie on. Changing their sheets can definitely do something good.

6. Make them eat something new.

Maybe their sick and tired of what's on the table, so to speak. Try giving them new brands and see if they'll like it. Just don't forget to consult your vet as well for any allergic reactions.

7. Spend a day with them alone.

Maybe they just need your warmth and presence. As they say, the greatest gift you can give is your time. And this can apply to your pets too.

How To Help A Pet Hit By A Car
By Charlotte Fairchild

December 31, 2008 was cold and clear when a white dog raised its head as we approached in our truck while lying in the middle of the two lane street. I asked my husband to return, and we did to protect the dog. I called my vet, found a phone number that was for emergencies, called that and found that it was the wrong county. If I had dialed 911, I would have saved valuable time. It was after 9:00 pm when we stopped.

They arrived, placed a muzzle that was too small on the dog, and used the towel I provided to load the dog, asked us some questions, and left. The dog died, but the important point is that it had a chance it would not have without Animal Control. It had no collar, no tags, and we didn't know the dog. It was trying to bite, but did not bite anyone.

We found out that after hours 911 is the fastest way to contact the correct county Animal Control. If out of the county of residence and not online, information may help. Getting the numbers into the speed dial for local shelters is important.

Although there may not be a tax deduction, it is very helpful to donate towels, sheets and items dogs and cats can use. It is a good idea to have some of these items for emergency use while traveling.

Two other neighbors stopped to help us divert traffic while we waited for Animal Control to come help this dog. A muzzle in our car would have made the difference, although getting a muzzle on a hurt dog is not always easy. The options of taking the dog ourselves to an Emergency Clinic may save the dog, but may be out of pocket instead of paid by the county with Animal Control.

(c) Charlotte Fairchild 2008