Cormorants or Shags

One of the most fulfilling aspects of land ownership is the continual challenge to develop and improve. Our small cattle farm on the edge of sandveld that merged with the Kalahari semi-desert proper had on it two little dams. Built on the cheap with wheelbarrow, pick and shovel, these two little dams filled quickly and at the end of the rainy season, dried up after a few months, leaving a water source problem for the free-ranging beef cattle.



In response to this, the spillway of the bigger dam was raised by a good four feet – all was now ready for the onset of the following rainy season. When the first rains came, they fell first in large, stinging droplets that pocked the dust on the hard, dry ground, then broke roaring into a solid, drenching downpour. When it was over, we rushed down to the dam, half-wondering whether our handiwork had been swept away, but there it was, solid, complacently defiant as the spruit rushed headlong against it, checked, swirling and spreading slowly over more than double the area it had covered before. A new era had dawned on our little patch of Bushveld that would change its nature for the better to the advantage of generations to come.



An obvious immediate effect of the expanded water surface was that the tall mopani trees, previously well clear of the waters edge, now stood well into the dam, their leafy branches incongruous and a little forlorn. Those branches would never be leafy again. By the end of the season, the mopani trees, and all the little drowned bushes were dead.



The trees, however, did not fall over. Their deep roots anchored them firmly down into the subsoil far below the muddy floor of the dam. The mopani lost their leaves and died, but remained standing, stark, gaunt and proud, useful perching places for lone fish-eagles, lesser hawks, shrikes, sinuous white egrets, and cormorants.



Cormorants or Shags are not well known for their beautiful plumage, sweet song or mating dance. They have no particularly alluring feature to be remarked upon. They have a long hook-tipped bill, patches of bare skin on their face and a small throat pouch known as a gular sac. They are dark in colour, from a distance – black - and they breed on land in both hemispheres. This is the Cormorant Phalacrocorax Carbo, also called the Great Cormorant or the Great Black Cormorant or the Black Shag. They grow up to 40” long and have a distinguishing white patch on their cheeks.



All Cormorants or Shags are fish eaters and will also eat eels, water snakes and water molluscs of various kinds. They have been regarded as being in competition with man over food and as a result were not a welcome visitor to an area where fishing was an occupation. Their numbers dwindled through culling, but are no longer in decline.



To prepare for their dive, they often do a little half-jump before diving to depths up to 50 yards. Their longest dive is about 30 seconds, not really enough time to lie in wait and plan a surprise attack on unsuspecting fish. They are very good underwater swimmers though. Attributes which aid them in this is that they close their external nostrils when underwater and their plumage traps little air, especially their large contoured feathers. This greatly reduces their buoyancy, helping them to keep submerged. They may have gland secretions too to help keep their feathers waterproofed.



They can be seen with their wings outstretched seemingly sunning themselves after their fishing exploits. At these times their throat pouch pants rapidly. This internal system works like air- conditioning. The food and especially the water they take in is used up in the cooling process. If the water is salty, trickles of salt can be seen coming down from the end of their bill.



It is however the slightly smaller Japanese cormorant P.Capillatus which has been trained to aid the fishermen. The birds follow the boatman up and down as he works his fishing spot, diving for fish. When they come up he calls them to the boat and squeezes their throat. The fish they've caught lies within a pouch, a little like the pelican's, but much smaller. The fish is popped out of the pouch and the bird goes back to its diving activities. The birds are rewarded when they catch a large fish. The reward is a much smaller one, from the catch. (search YouTube to see it in action)

Cats, Domestic Cats, And House Cats History Revealed By Martin Marks

Cats, also referred as Felis catus, house cats and domestic cats are small, cute carnivorous mammals. For cat lovers around the world, who wish to know more about these adorable pets, below is a physiology of cats. To start with, studies reveal that around 69 billion of cats are present in the U.S. homes.

They are the second most favored pets after dogs. They can be interbred and have to be registered as pedigree pets. Human beings value cats very much for their superior companionship and capabilities to hunt rodents.

Researchers suggest that association of cats with human dates back some 9500 years ago. They believed that ancient Egyptians were first to domesticate cats, as they considered cats as religious animals. However, recent study shows that, people in other continents also domesticated cats around the same time.

Cats are expert predators and can hunt more than 1000 types of species. However, cats are easily teachable to obey commands. Some cats learn without training such as they can bolt the lock and work on simple mechanisms.

Their vocalizations vary and they use different body languages to communicate. The common vocalizations include meowing, hissing, grunting and growling.

Size And Skeleton Of Cats:

An adult domestic cat weighs about 4.5 -6.8 kilograms. Female feline weighs anywhere between 6 - 10 pounds, about 2.7 - 4.8 kilograms. The height of the cat is about 8 to 10 inches, which means they are around 20-25 centimeters in height.

The length of cat from its nose tip to the tail base averages between 18- 20 inches (46-51 centimeters) long. The size of the cats also depends on their skeleton size. The skeleton of the cat is very prominent. Their spines (backbone) have more bones because it supports the tail.

Their vertebral columns are not rigid as in human being. However, they are extremely flexible. This peculiar feature of flexibility helps them to bend their backs, twist, and twirl their bodies, so that they can squeeze through minimum gaps.

Secondly, a cat does not possess collarbone (Clavicle). If it had a collarbone, then it may not have been able to slip away through the narrow spaces. The skeleton of the cat is symmetrical and starts from the head region to entire body. The general structure of the cat's skeleton includes of three subunits.

The first skeletal subunit includes appendicular skeleton, which contains bones of fore limbs and hind limbs. The second subunit includes axial skeleton, which contains cranium, ribs, spine, and sternum. Third skeletal subunit is the visceral skeleton, which constitutes parts of other bodily organs such as ossicles (middle ear) and paws.

Functions Of Cat's Skeleton:

Cat's skeleton mainly carries out four functions. First, it supports and shields the body. Secondly, the bones work as levers to execute the muscular action. The skeleton also functions as the storehouse for phosphorous, calcium and other vital elements.

Lastly, cat's skeleton also serves as storage space for RBC (red blood cell), WBC (white blood cells) and fats.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=259302&ca=Pets

Things To Consider Before You Adopt A Chihuahua By Clarence Clark

Chihuahuas are loving pets. They are small enough for you to cuddle. They are very alert and they make an excellent guard dog. Every dog lovers would love to have a Chihuahua as a house pet. But before you get one for yourself, there are some things to consider before you adopt a Chihuahua.

There are some things that your need to review before adopting a Chihuahua. If you are willing to adopt a Chihuahua, are you mentally prepared to be fully committed to take care of this pet no matter what happens?

When it comes to adopting a Chihuahua, it matters a lot whether the dog that you adopt is an adult or a puppy.

Generally, Chihuahua puppies are easier to take care. Adopting a baby Chihuahua is definitely an advantage, as you will get to raise it up according to your wish. This also helps to ensure that the pup gets proper treatment and it will eventually grow up to a healthy and happy adult Chihuahua. By getting the chance to train the Chihuahua personally, you will get to forge a stronger bond with your pup. As such, both of you will be best friends in no time.

A Chihuahua puppy is able to adjust to new surrounding better than adult Chihuahuas. However, you must be prepared of some damage that it might cause in the house. This calls for house training. Again, this will take quite some time but if you train your Chihuahua well, she can be very obedient.

Adult Chihuahuas do not require much attention. This is because they already have certain behaviors established. But adult Chihuahuas can be temperamental, so keep a look out for that.

The thing about adult Chihuahua is that it is difficult to re-train the dog again. The dog is too accustomed with its own habit such that it resists any changes. As such, you will have to put up with any disturbing habits from your Chihuahua.

Overall, Chihuahuas are very fragile creatures. They can be severely injured with just a fall. As Chihuahuas can be pretty adventurous both in and out of the house, they love to climb on high surfaces. As aforementioned, these pets are very fragile. Thus, if you are thinking of adopting a Chihuahua, check to see if your house is well protected. As these dogs are tiny, we tend to step on them and such. They might go missing at times and it pretty hard to keep a look out for them especially if you have a big house.

So, if you are not prepared to play hide and seek, it is best that you adopt a dog that is slightly bigger than the Chihuahua.

Chihuahuas are definitely adorable, but because of its small size, they are more prone to diseases. Some of the healthy problems would include respiratory problems and dehydration. Because of this, you got to spend quite a large sum of money for regular check ups.

These fragile Chihuahuas have weak ligaments that cause the kneecap to float in and out of place. So, if you plan to make your Chihuahua be your jogging partner, think again.

The Chihuahua is such a delicate creature such that it is almost impossible for it to live by itself, unlike other dogs.

A Chihuahua would require your 100% attention all the time. And if you fail to do so, it might get pretty upset and jealous. It is best that you get a friendly and east going dog for adoption, if you think that you are not up to the challenge.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=259327&ca=Pets

Basic Horse Training Aids To Help You Get Started By Michael Paetzold

There are tools for every trade, and the right set of horse training aids can make the difference between success and frustration. Don’t be tempted to skimp on this area of investment.

All horse training is serious business. The average animal outweighs the trainer by an impressive margin, and the horse training aids you choose can help prevent serious injury.

-- Rope Halter

The most basic of horse training aids is the halter and lead rope combination. A rope halter will facilitate tying and leading, and works better than a flat halter because it will prevent leaning while at the same time being comfortable for the horse. The halter is placed on the animal’s head.

-- Lead Rope

The lead rope is attached to the halter and used to direct or “steer” the horse. In many ways this horse training aid is like a leash.

-- Longe Line

The term longeing refers to the set of training skills used to teach a horse direction, posture, and how to yield or move off pressure. And the longe line is the training aid used to accomplish this.

-- Progress String

In most cases, this horse training aid is a thin, braided rope with an eye splice at one end and leather “popper” at the other. This device is used in many ways.

You can apply a progress string as a visual aid. For instance, to let the horse know when he is in your space.

Also you can use this tool to make physical contact from the saddle. The progress string is not heavy enough to cause a horse any pain, but the popper end make s a distinct noise when applied, and can work in place of a crop.

-- Large Rubber Ball

Perhaps a less traditional horse training aid is a large rubber ball, like the kind you can buy at any toy store. This aid is great for conditioning the horse’s nerves.

You can roll the ball around in front of the horse, and even roll it gently into the horse’s legs. Also, while in the saddle, you can direct the horse into the ball and gently guide the animal to move the ball around with its legs.

This sort of training will help you desensitize your horse to unexpected movement and objects, thus decreasing the likelihood of getting spooked.

-- Plastic Tarp

Another tool for developing the horse’s courage, a common plastic tarp is an inexpensive and effective training aid. Start by laying the tarp out in the training area and leading your horse over it, or even asking the horse to walk over the tarp on its own.

As you know, a tarp can get pretty noisy when walked on. And it will create the illusion of strange footing.

You could even slowly work into an exercise where you place the tarp over your horse’s back, possibly completely covering him or her with the tarp. This not only develops the horses’ trust in you, it also simulates noisy brush and other riding situations and helps desensitize the horse to such conditions.

This list of horse training aids will give you plenty to work with in the beginning. Of course as training progresses you will need more advanced tools and tactics.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=259968&ca=Pets

Hiking With Your Dog: What To Take With You By Ben Anton

Taking your dog on a hike with you can be an enjoyable experience, provided you have the right hiking gear to accommodate the both of you. Taking your best friend along shouldn’t bog you down with extra gear but you will need to consider where you are going and how long you plan to hike in order to ensure you have what you need for a safe trip.

Whether hiking for an afternoon or taking an overnight trek, you should make sure to stock your backpack with the following items to help Fido, Lassie or whom ever you take with you have as much fun as you do.

• Adequate water for both you and your dog. If you know that there will be water sources along the route, carry a water bottle with you that you can refill if needed. If you are unsure about water availability, pack 1-2 quarts of water for your dog for a day hike plus enough for yourself. Collapsible dog bowls are good for dogs that may not drink from a stream or from a water bottle.

• A leash. Most trail ways require that your dog be on a leash or harness while hiking. A leash will also help keep order should there be a lot of dogs on the trail with you.

• First aid kit items. Most pet injuries while hiking occur on the pads of their feet. The pads can easily be cut on sticks, stones and roots in the ground. You should stop hiking intermittently to check your dogs paw pads for cuts or blisters. Have the appropriate bandages and disinfectants with you in case this happens.

• Proper ID tags for your pet. The dog tags should include information on your pet’s vaccination as well as your home address and phone number. Make sure the rabies tag that you received from your veterinarian is attached to your dog’s collar.

• Clean-Up Items. Zip-lock bags are great for hiking trips to reduce the odor of the feces while on your hike. Be sure to pick up all your dog’s feces while hiking using paper towels or your bag and dispose of it in a garbage container. Also carry a towel to clean off your dog should he or she get into dirt or water. • Snacks or Treats. Your dog will get tired just as you will. Make sure to pack a few treats to keep him energized until you get back home. However, you don’t want to over-feed your dog while hiking or they may get sick. Treats can also be helpful in getting your dog’s attention should they run off unexpectedly.

Above all, make sure your dog is up to the challenge of an afternoon hike. Make sure they are healthy and well-nourished before setting out on the hike. Older dogs should be treated to a trail way with a level terrain and with little to no incline. Small dogs should be taken on well groomed trails that won’t have a lot of low hanging brush or leaves that may cause eye or skin irritation.

Pay attention to the signs your dog may give while on a hike that there is something wrong. If they avoid the sunshine or lay underneath leaves they may be dehydrated and need to stop for a long drink of water. If their stride becomes labored or if they favor one paw over another, they may have gotten a sliver or cut on their pad. Your dog will tell you what they need while outdoors so long as you listen.

~Ben Anton, 2008

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=259592&ca=Pets

5 Tips To Stop Dog Growling By Jacqueline Harris

To make the task of stopping a dog from growling easier, we ought to understand why the dog growls in the first place. Growling is considered to be an assertive behavior which is triggered by any unfamiliar event, person or even another animal. Thus a dog would growl when an unknown or sometimes known entity comes his way. This is his way of saying that he wants to be left alone or he does not approve what he expects would follow.

In other words, he feels threatened. As soon as the approaching person or animal moves away, this would be interpreted as showing respect to the dog and soon the animal should stop growling. Anyone who has a pet dog at home should understand many such myriad ways in which canines communicate so that there could be safe co-existence between the dog and the rest of the family.

This is especially important when the household has children, who are known to be particularly affectionate towards any pet. What happens when someone ignores the growling and continues to approach the dog casually? The dog treats the situation as threatening and expects adverse events to follow. Therefore he may start barking, or even snap and bite the approaching individual or animal as the case may be. Having briefed you so far on the reason why a dog growls, let me provide you with 5 sure-shot tips to stop the dog from growling:

1. It is recommended that you should never punish a dog for growling. Your punishment or reprimand may stop the dog from growling temporarily, but he would develop a latent behavior where he bites or snaps at people, without any warning in future. So the best solution under such circumstances is to respect the animal and let him be. He would stop growling as soon as he realizes that there is nothing disturbing his peace any more.

2. Explain to your children why a dog growls and if the dog starts growling suddenly, they should immediate stop doing whatever they were doing as it is obvious that the dog is getting irritated with their activity. Ask them to simply move away gradually from the dog’s vicinity. Tell them to never run away from the growling dog as it irritates him further. Such incidents must always be
reported to the parents, as then you could focus more on this area while training.

3. It must be understood that dogs growl when intimidated by some one. Sometimes sheer size is perceived as a threat and the dog starts growling. So when a huge man approaches a dog, however kind his intention may be, the dog thinks him to be a threat. In such cases the man should squat and bring himself at the same level as the dog. Then approach him gently with extended hand – palm facing up. Then talk to the dog in a calm and gentle voice.

4. If you find that the dog is growling for no apparent reason and is snapping at every thing, it might be right for you to get a medical check up done for the dog. Your vet could do some tests to check hormonal balance, neurophysiologic functions and allergies, if any. You never know, there could be underlying causes for his growling, which when corrected could stop him from growling.

5. There are some dogs which growl when he is eating and someone gets close. The reason for this is that he is simply possessive about his food and scared that this person might take his food away. To correct this behavior, choose an adult who the dog loves most. Let this adult start feeding the dog and stay close to him while he is eating.

To start with, simply stay with the dog and talk to him with a reassuring and calm voice. Once the dog is used to this, then let the adult approach the dog while he is eating, go on reassuring him with his gentle voice.

Once the dog is used to this habit also let the adult touch the dog with slow and gentle movements while he is eating. Though this procedure to stop him from growling could take a long time, but this happens to be one of the sure-shot ways to reassure a dog and take away the threat element, which makes him growl in the first place.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=258348&ca=Pets

Choosing The Right Fish Habitat For Your Aquarium By C Swarens

If you have decided to bring pet fish into your home, one of the first things you will need to determine is the type of habitat you will create. You may be surprised to learn that there are actually many different types of habitats for you to select from. In addition, the type of habitat you choose to create will determine the type of fish you can put into your tank.

A community tank is a tank that may contain a variety of different fish, but all of the fish species in a community tank need to be non-aggressive against each other. This way, the fish can live in the same tank without hurting one another. This does not mean, however, that you cannot have aggressive fish in your tank. Rather, you need to choose the fish in your community carefully. This way, one species will not dominate and harm the other species. Some types of community tanks you might want to create include:

• Cichlid tanks

• Tetra and Liverbearer tanks

• Fast moving tanks

By combining the right types of fish together, they will be able to live together peacefully.

Cichlid Tanks

Cichlid tanks come in two major forms: African and South American. When it comes to cichlids, you can mix a variety of African cichlids together or you can mix a variety of South American cichlids together. You cannot, however, mix African cichlids with South American cichlids. If you do, disaster may strike as the two different types of cichlids fight over the territory.

With African cichlids, you need to make certain your fish have plenty of places to hide. These fish tend to enjoy having rock formations, caves, and plants in which they can hide. Ideally, you should maintain a pH balance of 8.0 for African cichlids. South American cichlids, on the other hand, need to have plenty of space to move because they tend to get quite large. Some fish that fall in this category include severums and Oscars. Since they tend to get so large, you should have a tank that is at least 50 gallons big in order to keep them happy.

Tetra and Livebearer Tanks

Tetra and livebearers can be kept in smaller tanks than what you would use for cichlids. In fact, a tank that is only ten to twenty-nine gallons big is large enough. The pH should be in the mid 7s for most livebearers, though tetras prefer the pH to be somewhere in between 6.5 and 7. Either way, it is best to keep plenty of plants and decorations in the tank, as these fish tend to enjoy playing with their decorations.

Fast Moving Tanks

Fast moving fish include fish such as tiger barbs, zebra danios, and sharks. For these fish, you will want to obtain a high tank that provides them with plenty of space to roam. Although these fish don't really have anywhere to go, they like to get their fast. The temperature in these tanks should be kept somewhere around 70 to 80 degrees.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=260724&ca=Pets

Fat Pets Equal Fat Bills By Simon Christopher

With more than one third of cats and dogs in the UK classed as obese, the costs of owning a pet are rising whether or not those obese pets are insured. If your pet is obese, chances are you're going to end up paying for it one way or the other.

According to new research from Sainsbury's Bank, there are around 2.72 million obese dogs, and 2.87 obese cats in the UK. That's more than 5.5 million pets whose health is suffering as a result of their excess weight. The owners of those pets are suffering too, with higher vets bills even with insurance.

Many owners of obese pets may not even realize the potential problem and some pet policies don't cover obese pets. The long-term health effects for pets can be serious, and long-term medical care for pets is expensive.

Obese Pets Suffer

Animals that are overfed and become obese can develop diabetes, osteoarthritis, and other conditions that will require long term veterinary treatment. An obese pet's life expectancy can also be reduced.

According to Sainsbury's pet insurance manager Claire Moyles, one problem is simply that many pet owners enjoy feeding their animals 'people food' instead of giving them food that's intended and nutritionally balanced for pets.

Give a dog chocolate and they'll enjoy the treat, but too many of those treats will eventually cause obesity. And in the case of dogs and chocolate the problem is much more serious, as pancreatic and heart problems can result from chocolate ingestion.

If Your Pet is Obese, You'll Suffer Too

A staggering 81% of animal physiotherapists believe that obesity is the biggest health danger for dogs. The numbers definitely bear that out, but your obese pet isn't the only one suffering.

Obese pets develop obesity-related diseases that require long-term care. That means more veterinary visits as well as medications and treatments to reduce the disease symptoms. And that means more money spent on veterinary bills.

In the long term the costs can easily add up to thousands of pounds. Think your insurance will cover it? Think again. Many pet insurers don't cover treatment on obese pets, because pet obesity is a risk factor that can be easily avoided. Even with insurance, your overweight pet may not be covered.

Solve the Problem for you and Your Pet

So how do you solve your pet's weight problem? If your obese pet is a dog, regular walks will make him happier as well as healthier, and that's a great start. Taking your obese cat for a walk is probably not going to work, but you can spend time playing with your cat each day to help them increase their activity levels.

Whether your pet is a dog or a cat, ensuring they're provided with nutritionally balanced pet food will help ease their health problems. When feeding an obese or inactive pet choose food that has been designed as a low-calorie 'diet' pet food to help accelerate the weight loss.

Feed your pet the correct amount for their age and breed, and don't feed them any other food. That means no table scraps or other human food treats, no matter how much they 'ask' for them. It can be tough sticking to it initially but your pet will get used to the new rule, and in the long term they'll be much healthier. Your finances will benefit in the long run, too.

And in the meantime, keep up your insurance premiums. Getting your pet down to a healthy weight won't take long, and overall, the cost of insurance for a healthy pet is a bargain compared to the potential costs of veterinary bills.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=259395&ca=Pets

No More Tainted Pet Food: Using Homemade Dog Food Recipes For A Healthier, Happier Pet By Jennifer McVey

There are many places to find dog food recipes if you are considering making your pet's food. There are also important points to think about when you make their food like sticking to the recipe, talking to a veterinarian, and paying attention to how your dog reacts to the food.

Two common places to find dog food recipes are on the Internet and through your local veterinarian. The Internet is not always trustworthy though. You cannot be sure that someone who posted their own idea for a dog food recipe is the right meal for your dog. Some of the factors might include the type of dog that they have and the types of foods in the recipe. If the dog food recipes are coming from a credible place on the internet like an animal shelter, a veterinarian, or some other place you can trust then you most likely are safe to use the recipe.

The best place to find dog food recipes is through your local veterinarian. Your vet already knows your dog best. He or she knows their digestive tract and what kinds of foods you can start your pet off with and how you can transition your animal from traditional dog food to homemade food. Many veterinarians already have recipes they can give to you so you can go home and make your pets food. Working with your vet ensures the health of your animal.

Switching your dog over to homemade dog food is a big transition. Your animal may not take the food change very well at first. For instance, your dog may not seem as if they like it or they might not be eating as much. You will notice a change in their stools. Your animal may vomit for a couple of days because their digestive tract is not used to healthy food. Be sure during the transition your dog is getting plenty of water. One thing that might be recommended is that you slowly break your dog into the new dog food rather than do a total change at once.

When you make homemade dog food, even the vet will tell you not to change the recipe. You might think you are being creative or making your pet happy by adding bacon grease to the mixture, don't. You also should not substitute foods within a dog food recipe. Stick to the recipe. If the recipes are too expensive for you then you might not be able to afford feeding your dog homemade foods. Many people have made their animals very sick by not properly cooking the foods to save time or substituting foods to save money. For your dog's health, stick to the recipes.

Dog food recipes are fantastic when you find them from the right sources. You should only trust your veterinarian or a reliable source for a recipe and you should follow it exactly. The purpose of making homemade dog food is for your dog's health. So you should follow the recipes and pay attention to how your pet responds.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=259197&ca=Pets

Exercise Your Dog With Games By Mikael Rieck

The best exercise for your dog, both physically as well as mentally, could be the various games which you can play with it. The health of your dog could be determined by how active it is in mind and body. Playing games to improve your dog’s fitness is far better than to just take it for a walk or jog as it will lead to both the physical and mental well being of the dog. A few of the games which you can play with your furry friend to maintain its health are:

1. Frisbee: One of the best games, which you can play with your dog is Frisbee. This game involves complex movements and calculations which the mind of the dog has to perform so as to comprehend the trajectory of the disc to catch it. This will act as the mental exercise for the dog. Apart from this, the game also involves running and jumping which will give the dog the physical exercise it needs.

2. Hide and seek: Hide and seek is a great game, which you can play with your dog to enhance his sensing capabilities. By playing this game, the dog will learn to use his senses better so as to track you down. This enhancement of the senses will help the dog’s development.

3. Chase: This game involves you taking some object, which is of value to the dog and running, and the dog will chase you down. Try to outrun and try to run in varied patterns so that the dog has to use the mind and the body to catch you. The game is great for the health of both you and the dog as you will also end up getting some exercise. Similarly, you can reverse the role and let the dog run with something, which you have and you should chase the dog.

4. Fetch: The classic game of fetch involves you throwing an article like a stick or a ball and your dog will run to retrieve it back. In this the dog can get physically healthier and mentally more alert as well. To improve mental alertness of the dog you should sometimes just pretend that you throw the stick and see if the dog runs.

5. Wrestling: mild wrestling with your dog over stuff can increase his strength. But in this game care should be taken that the game doesn’t get out of control. Don’t overdo it or else either the dog or you will get hurt. Also playing this game a lot is not good as it could hamper the way the dog looks to you. It is better to play this game only occasionally.

These are just 5 out of the many commonly played games by dog owners with their furry friends. You can even develop your own personal game with your dog depending on its nature. It is very important the game which you play matches the behavior of your pet, so choose wisely and enjoy yourself.

Resource: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=258285&ca=Pets

Choosing The Perfect Pet Snake By C Swarens

Are you thinking about keeping a pet snake in your home? While pet snakes can be a great addition to your home, there are several things that you need to keep in mind in order to guarantee the best possible experience for both you and your slithery friend.

Think About Size

Before purchasing a pet snake, you need to consider the size of your reptilian friend. Don't be fooled by the size of the snake that you see at the pet store. Often, pet stores sell snakes that are not fully grown. So, while the snake may seem like a manageable five feet of slithering scales, it may grow to be much larger and much thicker than it currently is.

Before you purchase a pet snake, be sure to do your research about that particular breed. That way, you will know how large you can expect the snake to grow and you can choose one that will be manageable for years to come. Not only will this help you have a much more pleasant snake-raising experience, it will also ensure your snake's habitat is the proper size and that your snake remains happy and healthy.

Consider Breeding

Ideally, the pet snake that you bring home should have been captive bred. If you snag a snake from the wild, it has two distinct drawbacks. First, the snake will be decidedly unhappy because it is used to running free and wild. Second, the snake is more likely to be aggressive because it is not used to human handling. Obviously, this will result in a poor experience for both you and your snake.

In order to create the best possible solution for you and your snake, you should purchase one that was bred by a reputable breeder. This way, you can be certain the proper methods were used for the breeding process. You can also be more certain the snake will not be diseased or contain parasites.

Choose a Good 'Starter' Snake

When purchasing your first pet snake, you should start out with one that is generally considered good for beginning snake owners. These include king snakes, corn snakes, and ball pythons. Each of these breeds tend to be gentle, which means you should have a good experience when handling them. These snakes are also relatively easy to care for when it comes to meeting habitat requirements and feeding.

Just as there are some snakes that are good for beginners, there are others that are decidedly bad for beginners. These include red-tailed boas, Burmese pythons, water snakes, tree boas or pythons, and any snake that has been caught in the wild.

Regardless of the breed of snake, it is best to avoid any snake that is overly large or that has a poor temperament. Be certain to handle the snake before making a purchase and observe how well the snake takes to being handled. If the snake makes a sudden movement at you or bites you, move on to another one that will be easier for you to handle

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Cat Behavior And Cat Hunting Tendencies By Martin Marks

Imagine some sophisticated hunting machine and individuals will surely think of their beloved cats. Cats are natural hunters and they possess all the physical tools, and proficiencies, required to chase the prey. They have adequate speed, athleticism, flexibility, and killer instinct, which are essential characteristics of a sharp hunter.

However, cats are not born hunters, who kill for food. Instead, tracing, killing and hunting are learned behaviors. Possibility of hunger cannot drive or teach a feline to kill the prey. A feline may be a skilled mouse hunter and yet may never eat a mouse or wish to eat it anytime. They consider rat killing as a play.

Many domestic cats also are good rodent and bird hunters. However, they may not hunt them daily. If foods served by the pet owners are not adequate, cats hunt rodents or birds to gratify themselves.

Hunting Lessons:

Kittens develop the basic skills of chasing the prey right from their birth. They learn the skill of coordinating, chasing, and timing while playing. They become skilled in adjusting their speed with the speed of prey. They pounce on the prey by guessing the distance. Thus, playing enables the cats and kitten to learn and make judgments through experience.

As the kitten grows up, mother feline teaches the young cats to kill for eating. The first lesson involves bringing the dead prey at home and eating it in front of the young cats. Soon, they too join her. At the end of first lesson, mother cat brings the dead prey and places it in front of the kittens, so that they can eat it themselves.

However, most people who have cat in their house often see that female cat brings the prey and drops it in front or at the feet of the cat owner's child. This is particularly seen in spayed female cats, because by this way she tries to teach the lessons to human child, which otherwise she might have done for her own kittens.

The second lesson in hunting is bringing the dead prey partly in house. The female cat then finishes off the prey in front of her kittens. Later, she allows kittens to practice these skills and teach them to kill the wounded or slow prey.

Gradually, cats bring more kills at home until kittens become expert in these skills. Finally, kittens accompany the mother cats. They hunt, and slay the preys themselves.

Tendencies:

Cats are efficient hunters, but pet owners may have noticed that, their cats often torture their prey before slaying it. Some say it is because of lack of self-confidence in them. Cats are anxious that their preys are not dead completely and may fight back or bite them at any moment.

Domestic cats often get desired food to eat and their natural behavior to hunt is usually decreased considerably. As a result, cats play hunting by wiggling the toes, ears, and fingers of the humans. Thus, house cats chase the imaginary prey and they run up, down across the house, drapes, and tables and wrack things in this process.

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Bathing Your Dog By Jayne Waldorf

Great care should be taken when bathing you dog; his ears must be protected from the water with large cotton wool balls. If water enters the ear canals he may get an ear infection. The symptoms of an ear infection are a shaking of his head and a constant discharge from his ears.

How often you bath your dog depends on his breed. If long haired breeds are bathed too often their skin and coat will not protect the dog as well as they should. However sometimes it is unavoidable if the dog has messed its self due to illness then it would be necessary for the sake of hygiene.

Ensure that bath products used stipulate that they are suitable for dogs. Human shampoo and soap is not suitable to use on your dog. Human shampoo and soap could irritate the skin of your dog. If you use a new product be sure and read the label.

Dogs love water if you take him out to where there is river or stream let him have a swim in it. Ensure that you are organized with the lease to hand and a towel. When bathing your dog organize yourself before hand and make sure you have everything you need within reach.

As with humans if you use conditioner on your dog at bath time his coat will be easier to comb.

If you don’t clean your dogs ears properly you could damage them as they are very delicate. In order to clean your dogs ears properly you need to ;-

Use cotton wool balls in his ears at bath time to prevent water getting in his ears and causing an infection.

Every four weeks clean your dogs ears with a cotton swab, your vet may make a recommendation as to a mild cleansing agent but you could use mineral oil. Take the swab and gently clean both the inner and outer parts of the dogs ear but being careful not to push any wax into the ear, leave a little wax in the ear as this will protect the ear canals.

Clean under the ear flaps and remove any foreign objects that may be stuck in the fur around the ears.

Trim any long hair around his ears as this can cause an infection. The air circulation will be improved by trimming the hair.

Call your vet if necessary if you dog has any wounds, cuts or scratches to his ear flaps that have become infected.

Clipping your dog

Clipping a dog is an art. Skin disease can be caused by dirt accumulation in a dog’s coat. Clipping of a dogs coat or nails must be done very carefully so as not to cause any injuries.

Clipping can expose any skin complaint or parasite that your dog may have. Pet Health Parlors are available for the clipping of your dogs coat and nails. If you you’re your dog yourself take care not to cut his coat too short in the winter, also you may cause your dog injury which could cause bleeding if you clip his coat and nails too short.

If you do your own clipping sharp good quality clipping instruments are available from most pet shops remember it is not advisable to clip you dog if he is ill.

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Discover the Best Dog Grooming Tips From a Top Expert By Madeleine Harding

All dogs require grooming, how frequently depends on the coat type of the dog. When you bring your new puppy home the last thing you might be thinking about is getting the grooming kit out, especially with his lovely soft puppy coat. However, introducing your dog to grooming early in his life is essential if you want a dog that will find the process of grooming tolerable – if not pleasant. At this stage of his life it will also strengthen the bond between puppy and new owner.

Get him used to his feet and nails being held, examined and gently squeezed and gently open his mouth and check his mouth, teeth and gums. Lift the ear flap and look inside and lift his tail to check the anal area. As well as him being conditioned to letting you examine him regularly, these checks will ensure an easier and less stressful time at any forthcoming parlour visits or veterinary examinations.

This is particularly important for the high maintenance breeds that require regular grooming either at home or at the grooming parlour. In addition to regular home handling it is wise to get the dog used to being placed on a table, but do ensure that grooming sessions for the younger dog are not too lengthy or you run the risk of him becoming bored and restless. Shorter sessions are best, and inviting other members of the family to take over will increase his confidence in being handled by different people.

Introduce him to a soft brush at an early stage, just a few strokes at a time before he becomes restless or tries to chew the brush. Reward his patience with praise or a small treat gradually increase the amount of strokes you apply to the coat. A little time in the first few weeks of your lives together will make a great difference to the way he can be handled in the future.

Keep him comfortable and support him on the table making sure that nothing loud or scary occurs. To be spooked now might affect his confidence in the future. Use the correct command “stand” and praise as necessary.

Regular grooming allows you as the owner to assess the condition of your dogs’ coat through inspection.

The coat should be glossy and healthy looking, the eyes should be bright and alert, tail held aloft and wagging with a spring in his step. A good healthy balanced diet, the right amount of exercise and regular grooming contribute to the condition of your dog’s coat.

Choosing a particular breed of dog suits our personalities and possibly our own personal image. To choose a stylish dog and to keep it looking stylish a great deal of work is required on the owner’s part or a great deal of money to send him to the groomers!

When a dog has had his weekly groom or visit to the hairdressers, it makes both him and us feel good.

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