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Persian Cats, grooming tips and background information
Written by Iftikhar Tirmizi on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 07:18:50 GMT
Persian Cats are one of the oldest, best bred cats in the world. Also called the Longhair or Persian Longhair, the first documented ancestors of the Persian cat were imported from Persia into Italy in 1620. From France it didn’t take long for them to reach Britain, where the longhaired cats were soon interbred with Turkish Angoras.
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Feeding Fish In Fish Tank Aquariums: What Food Is Best?
Written by trafficsystem on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 15:30:04 GMT
Different diets for different species
Feeding tropical freshwater fish a stable diet that is suited to their species is absolutely vital. Proper feeding maintains a healthy immune system, promotes growth and breeding, improves the appearance of fish and encourages activity. Various species of fish need different diets so it is important that you research the dietary habits of the fish you plan to have in your tank aquariums.
Discovering the right type and consistency of food
The type of diet and food consistency can be determined by bearing in mind three divisions of two groups.
The first section is the type of food. Herbivores eat plant-based food only, carnivores are meat-eating fish and omnivores eat both plant and animal matter. Most fish fall into this third section.
There are also different depths at which fish feed in freshwater fish tanks so it is crucial to introduce food in a consistency suitable for fish which collect food from the top, fish that feed on food which has fallen into the water, and fish that gather food from the bottom of fish tanks.
What will you offer?
All fish require a balanced diet consisting of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Here are a variety of foods you may consider, depending on the nutritional requirements of the fish in your fish tank aquariums.
Herbivore fish need food high in fibre, such as algae and vegetables. These fish will enjoy lettuce, zucchini, spinach, nettles, maize, carrots and peas. You need to make certain that these vegetables are boiled so they are soft, and broken down into reasonably sized morsels. These foods offer various vitamins, minerals and trace elements. I also recommend using Spirulina for herbivores as it provides them with easily digestible vegetable protein.
For carnivores and omnivores, a diet rich in protein will be essential. This can be provided through live food (ensuring it is healthy), home-made or commercial foods. Thin slices of raw red meat or cooked white meat can be used, live small fish (e.g. feeder goldfish), live or freeze-dried worms, brine, shrimp, daphnia, Tubifex, and krill. Meat, brine shrimp and worms are best fed as a luxury rather than as a daily meal. Tubifex encourages growth and may be used as a conditioning food to get your fish in good condition before breeding. For myself, I suggest krill as a dietary basis for carnivorous and omnivorous fish. They are rich in protein, contain amino acids and Omega 3 fatty acids for general health, carotenoids to bring out bright colors in fish, vitamins and minerals which support the immune system, dietary roughage for better digestion, and energizing carbohydrates. Krill are also low in salt and fat. They are superb for enabling a sick fish recover or to bring a healthy fish up to peak condition for breeding or showing. For predatory carnivores who like to catch moving things, you can dangle non-live food from a fork and lower it into the aquarium in front of the fish, wiggling it around so that it seems it is alive!
Dry foods
There are several types of dry foods for instance granules, grains, flakes, pills, pellets and wafers. All of these can be bought in different compositions depending on the type of fish you would like to feed and the different parts of the water column they live in. Most of these prepared foods are of a high-quality, designed to supply a balanced diet and are fortified with extra vitamins and minerals, so it is essential to include them in the diet. Different formulas can also be used from time to time such as preparation for breeding or for developing color. It is also very practical as it is easy to store and doesn’t need any preparation. The risk of disease or parasites being introduced into aquariums bowls with food is likewise completely eliminated.
Enjoy!
Variety is the real key to high-quality fish nutrition. Therefore, it is imperative to give your fish a choice of different appropriate foods to guarantee they obtain a balanced diet for their optimum health and their interest in and enjoyment of food.
Copyright © 2009 Jill Kaestner @ Kaestner Marketing LLC
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Do I Need to Put my Pet Cat on a Diet?
Written by petinsurance2 on Tue, 02 Mar 2010 10:33:28 GMT
As with humans, our pets can often suffer from being overweight. This can be down to either a medical condition or simply from over-eating. The latter we have seen an increase in over the last few years. Are we purely over-indulging our pets, or worse?
The medical conditions related to being overweight could include an undiscovered disease or metabolic problems such as an under-active thyroid. These are serious conditions therefore it is essential that you first seek the advice of your vet before embarking on a strict diet regime. However it may be the unfortunate circumstance that your cat is simply obese.
Cats are not always necessarily active animals; having something of a reputation for laziness, particularly as they get older. Just like us, if they eat more calories than they burn off, they will put on weight. It is recommended that an average cat needs about 20 to 30 calories per lb of body weight a day. Therefore if your cat weighs about 7lbs or just over 3kgs, it will need about 210 calories a day. If you are in doubt of your cat’s weight, you could weigh them on bathroom scales or ask your vet to do it, which is much more accurate. A couple of extra pounds here and there should not really be a worry, but prolonged heaviness can cause more serious health issues. It may be a huge shock to you, but these include:
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Chicken Coop Designs – 5 Tips to Consider before Building a Chicken Coop
Written by CristianStan on Sun, 28 Feb 2010 16:23:21 GMT
If you’re planning to build a chicken house than the most important thing you must do is to choose a proper chicken coop plan. This is not a though decision but you must choose wisely in order to get the best of the crop.
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Advantages of Mobile Chicken Coops
Written by CristianStan on Sun, 28 Feb 2010 16:21:12 GMT
So, interested in becoming a chicken owner, raising them and taking advantage of the products they have to offer? You can start by purchasing some baby chickens from a regular pet store.
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Chicken Coop Maintenance Basic Tips
Written by CristianStan on Sat, 27 Feb 2010 16:24:41 GMT
If you want to keep your chicken house as productive and healthy as possible, you need to do the things I mentioned below. You don’t spend that much time doing them and the benefits are clear, when you don’t get any diseased chickens. Just like any other creature, a chicken will need some care, to keep their health. It doesn’t mean you can’t take any vacation. It just means that you should take care of them whenever you can invest that little time.
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Advocate For Dogs And Cats
Written by davetee on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:50:06 GMT
Advocate has really begun to be extremely popular as a choice for many pet owners of late. It is a very effective heartworm medicine but so much more as well.
With so many other ways to treat for heartworms just why has it now become so popular? Well, the fact is that it treats for so much more as well. What you will find is that you will be able to get rid of many of the other meds that you may currently be using. This is safer for pets and will certainly be easier on your pocket. Advocate, also known as Advantage Multi can very effectively treat for heartworms as well as fleas, and even more. It treats for lice in Dogs and it also works amazingly well at getting rid of many common intestinal worms such as roundworms and hookworms.
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Nuheart
Written by davetee on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:46:38 GMT
There are any number of heartworm meds available for us to safely and effectively prevent this common problem in Dogs.
Although many are available for low prices the costs can still add up. Nuheart heartworm medicine is one of the cheapest ways to treat for heartworms and falls under the category of a generic. This means it comes in no frills packaging and also means that the costs are kept to a bare minimum.
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Five Common Ailments That May Affect Your Dog
Written by petinsurance2 on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 07:29:26 GMT
here are several common health problems that may affect your dog during their lifetime, hence why so many opt to take out dog insurance cover. Most of the common illnesses or ailments are not life threatening. If you take measures to prevent or treat the ailments as soon as they occur; your dog is less likely to become seriously ill from these conditions. Below are some of the most common pet ailments that can affect your canine companion.
Arthritis - Arthritis is a common problem and one in five dogs over the age of seven usually has some form of arthritis. If you notice a change in your dog’s daily routine or your dog starts to display signs of discomfort while exercising or when out for a walk you should take him to see your vet. There isn’t a cure for arthritis, however, there are treatments and medications that can help your dog be more comfortable and allow them to stay active.
Arthritis can affect your pets hips, shoulders, joints, neck and back. There are two kinds of arthritis. Degenerative joint disease, also called osteoarthritis, is caused by stress on the joints. Inflammatory Joint Disease is usually caused by an infection. Some of the symptoms include loss of weight and fever. The most common causes of this condition is ticks and bacteria.
Worms – There are many types of worms your pet could become infected with. The more common worms are Flatworms, Tapeworms, heartworms, hookworms, whipworms and lungworms. Worms are very common in dogs and are easily treated. Did you know that a puppy can be born with worms if their mother is infected. An adult dog can get worms from being bitten by fleas, ticks and even mosquitoes. While out playing in the parks they can easily pick up worms by eating or coming in to contact with dead birds, eating frogs and most commonly dog and cat feces. They could even share toys with an infected animal and pick up intestinal worms in this manner. It will not always be apparent that your dog or cat has worms, some worm infected pets show no symptoms initially while other worms cause diarrhea, weight loss and abdominal pain. Possibly one of the best indicators you’re your dog or cat has worms is when they show a lack of energy and motivation to exercise. There are many different treatments ask your vet which one is right for your dog. Worms are not life threatening if you treat them properly. If you set up a regular worming programme you will not have to worry about your dog becoming infected. Most worm infections do not pass to humans, however some do. Ask your vet for more information if you are concerned about your family pet passing worms to your kids.
Anxiety Disorders - Anxiety Disorders are fairly common and recognising them and getting the proper treatment is key to keeping your dog healthy. An anxiety disorder can affect the dog’s emotional and physical health. Some things that dogs are afraid of are things like thunder or fireworks. Sensitive dogs even become anxious when their owners raise their voices unexpectedly. A dog can also suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for long periods of time.
Studies have shown that this may be a genetic trait in some specific breeds of dogs. Some of the breeds include, Great Danes, German Shepherd, Jack Russell Terriers and Dalmatians. Some of the symptoms a dog may have include, barking, pacing, urinating in the house and licking themselves excessively. When a dog is in acute distress they may try to hide under a bed.
Your vet can run tests to see exactly what is wrong with your dog. Some of these symptoms could also be associated with other ailments. Once the vet has determined it is anxiety, then they will give you medications or treatments for your specific dog. A dog with anxiety disorders does not deal well with change so you should try to establish a daily routine for your pet. If you maintain a regular schedule of feeding, playtime and walking the dog will be much calmer.
Canine Allergies - Canine Allergies are very common in dogs. Dog allergies usually affect the skin and cause itching and a rash while other common allergic reactions may cause you pet to sneeze and or wheeze. Coughing is actually quite common too. There are three major causes of allergies in dogs. They are insects, with fleas being the most common and airborne allergens such as pollen, grass and mold. The third type is an allergic reaction to certain foods or medicines. Regularly airing your pets bed sheets and kennel, dusting and removing any mould will greatly help reduce the chances of common allergies from flaring up.
A dog will not always display an allergic reaction immediately after exposure; there is often a delayed reaction. One common symptom of allergies is if your dog constantly licks its paws. Other symptoms include face rubbing, head shaking and belly licking. A dog can also get hives from an allergic reaction and they usually disappear within 24 hours. You should consult your vet when you think your dog may be allergic to something. They will suggest the proper treatments. It is possible to have your dog tested for allergies if you are concerned. That way you will be able to prevent some allergies from occurring. Depending on what your dog is allergic to will depend on the treatment, such as changing a dog’s diet or flea treatments.
Ear Problems - Ear problems in dogs are quite common and there are multiple causes, including wax, mites and bacteria. The most common ear problem is excessive ear wax build up or ear mites. Some dog breeds are more susceptible to ear problems than others are, especially breeds with hairy inner ear flaps, like miniature poodles and schnauzers. Did you know that underlying food allergies is the actual cause of ear infections in around 18 to 20% of dogs who have regular ear infections! A dog’s ears should be cleaned and checked on a regular basis to prevent ear infections from occurring. A simple way to help keep your dog’s ears healthy is to keep the hair from blocking the ear’s opening. You could trim the hair to allow air to flow into the ear which will help prevent ear infections.
Your vet is in the best position to determine what is wrong with your dog’s ears and suggest the best treatment. Treatments usually include putting medicated drops in their ears and sometimes a vet will also give your dog an antibiotic. Always contact your vet before you treat your dogs ear infection as infections and treatments vary.
These are just a few of the common ailments that dogs tend to get at sometime in their lives. If you use preventive measures and keep an eye on your dog’s behaviour; you will be able to keep them healthy and happy for their lifetime. Lastly don’t forget pet insurance in case the unexpected happens!
About the author: Simone Davis is a freelance author writes articles on pet insurance; especially on dog insurance. To learn more about dog health insurance please visit www.animalfriends.org.uk
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Why you should buy Pet Insurance
Written by petinsurance2 on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 06:26:19 GMT
For some pet owners buying pet is not top of the priority list in terms of the things that they’ll get for their pets. But for people who love their pets dearly and who would do anything for their pets, taking out pet insurance cover can prove a very wise investment.
Nowadays, recent advancements in veterinary science mean that there are treatments and medicines that were unavailable few years back. This means that some fatal conditions can now be easily treated-but this too comes with a hefty price tag.
In addition, if your pet is unfortunate enough, he or she might suffer from illness such as arthritis and diabetes in which several years of treatment is required. Without pet insurance the costs of this could be prohibitive.
This is where an excellent pet insurance cover comes in! Quite apart from easing the financial burden, it gives you the peace of mind knowing that the insurance offers the best treatment for your pet without financial constraints, leaving you to worry about nursing your pet back to good health.
Below are other benefits of a good pet insurance that maybe offered by your pet policy: (Please note, all pet insurance policies differ, therefore, please check your policy booklet or with your insurer for details)
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Feline Fine: Cat Care for Cat Lovers
Written by jbarclay on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 16:56:28 GMT
Image by kevindooley via Flickr
Dogs, as it is often said, are a man’s best friend. But whilst they may indeed be a very loving and loyal companion to have around, the large proportion of cat owners in the UK would probably argue that their moggy is every bit as faithful a friend, and also a fully integrated member of the family unit.
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How to Take Care of Your Pot Belly Pig
Written by CristianStan on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:59:51 GMT
Getting pets in the form of pot belly pigs is quite popular these days. Plenty of folks look for something out of the ordinary for their pet choices, and a pig like this usually fits the bill.
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Introduction To Pigeon and Dove
Written by davidreg on Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:24:17 GMT
Pigeons and doves constitute the bird family Columbidae, which include about 300 species of near passerines. In general, dove and pigeon are almost the same. Their names are used interchangeably. And historically the common names for these birds involve a lot of variations. However, there is a tendency for dove to be used for smaller species and pigeon for larger ones. This family of bords occurs worldwide, but the greatest variety is in the Indomalaya and Australasia ecozones.
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Revolution For Cats
Written by davetee on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:17:32 GMT
Just why Purchase Revolution Meant for Our cats
Revolution for Our cats is quickly becoming definitely one of the top medications ordered for a number of reasons. In recent years there has been a big surge in the amount of owners who may be buying it and using it to help to safeguard their animal. What many are finding is that it is absolutely one of the supreme best medicines to keep them safe from a quantity of familiar problems.
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Dog Cages—What You Should Look For!
Written by dreamsubmitting on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 09:53:16 GMT
The one thing that you would search for if you have a dog, cat or any other pet would be a comfortable housing for the pet. There are many requirements that you would check for when selecting a comfortable housing for the pet. The few major concerns would definitely be safety, comfort, security, ventilation, portability, affordability, durability and so on.
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Affordable Heartworm Meds Designed for Dogs And Kitties
Written by davetee on Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:06:21 GMT
Currently there are quite a quantity of low cost heart worm medicines for Dogs and also for our Kitties as well. Although there are not as many solutions for Kitties as there are for Canines we do nevertheless have a sizeable enough selection to be able to make sure that we keep them safe.
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