Talk with your Animals

posted by John Savage on Feb 28

As soon as you decide to own an Eclectus parrot and you start discussing this with other people there is every chance that you will hear many myths and un truths concerning these lovely birds. I want to outline for you some of the common myths is that you’re likely to hear.

When people first consider the possibility of owning an Eclectus parrot they hear so many good things about these birds that they begin to wonder if it’s all really true. well, I’m here to tell you that it is true because these are really wonderful pets to own.

Some people will tell you that Eclectus parrots only live for about eight to ten years. This is only true if the bird is not well cared for. A well cared for bird, on the other hand, lives to be between the ages of thirty and fifty.

Because Eclectus parrots were grossly malnourished when they were first brought to the United States – largely because nobody understood their dietary needs – these creatures were deemed as boring and stupid. This isn’t true. If the bird is well nourished, he is quite active and interesting.

Dont be misled by the myth that Eclectus parrots are an unhealth breed. This is just not true as long as you play your part and see to it that they have the correct quantities of the right food. If you do this then they will seldom get ill.

Even today with all that we know about these birds I still hear of people who only feed them some bird seed and pellets. What they need is a well rounded diet of vegetables, grains, seeds and fruits.

You will hear reports of Eclectus parrots that have very bad behavior. In almost all instances of bad behavior, the bad behavior is due to negligence or improper nutrition. When the bird is well attended to, he is one of the easiest of all birds to keep as a pet.

Many people mistakenly think that Eclectus parrots do not talk, or do not talk very well. This is a complete myth that only becomes true when the bird is not sufficiently worked with. Eclectus parrots are actually considered the best talkers. They can learn an extensive vocabulary of words and phrases, and will even sing songs and make sound effects. Furthermore, the males sound very masculine, and the females sound very feminine.

In the future, if you hear negative things about Eclectus parrots, make it a point to find out for sure whether the information is true. The greatest source of information is a breeder with years of experience.

posted by Virginia Sutherland on Feb 28

Having a dog that barks and whines incessantly can put strain on even the most loving relationship between a dog and her owner not to mention the complaints and problems that can arise from your neighbors. Now, some barking will happen even woth the best behaved dog, but those who have lived with a dog that barks in excess have a few tips on what to do.

1. Listen to the different “voices” of your dog. Your dog is not whining or barking for no reason. Has he spotted another animal? Did someone enter your backyard and your dog is defending his territory? Maybe he needs food or water?

2. Whining is a distinct sign that your dog is in distress. Many alert owners have saved their dogs from harm by investigating when their dog was whining.

3. Dogs whine when they are feeling lonely. Dogs are very social animals, in their natural settings they live together in packs. If you have been gone all day your dog may be whining out of loneliness. Set aside the first 10 minutes when you get home from work to play and socialize with your dog and you will stop the whining in it’s track. It is also a stress relief for you to interact and love your dog after a stressful day at work.

4. having your dog locked out in the back yard is a surefire way to make him whine, and to make your neighbors hate you. Your dog wants to be with you and misses your companionship which is had inside the house. Your dog may be whining until you take him in whether that happens within the next 10 minutes or 10 hours. For the sake opf your dog and your neighbors, leave your dog inside the house when you are away.

5. Should you discipline a dog that is whining? No, whining is always a sign of distress and punishing a dog that is stressed can make the behavior even worse. Hitting your dog or putting him outside as punishment is the wrong course of action.

posted by Virginia Sutherland on Feb 28

Cats are usually considered relatively calm and peaceful animals. Many assume that a cat will be loving and docile, playful and independent, in other words, acting like a cat, if they are just given good food, clean water and a safe place to rest.

Not all cats are wired this way. Individual cats have varying personalities, just like people do. While one cat might be cuddly and laid back, another cat might be so high strung that the owners miss out on sleep at night because the cat is constantly bouncing off the walls. As long as the personality quirks of each cat are acceptable to the owners, there isn’t a problem about differing personalities among cats.

The one personality trait that most cat owners aren’t willing to deal with, however, is aggressive tendencies within cats. Dogs can sometimes get away with aggressive personalities because some owners actually want a dog that is mean and able to scare people away. Cats, on the other hand, are generally brought into a home in order to protect the family. For this reason, aggressiveness is not really a trait that most cat owners look for.

Cats that are aggressive can cause quite a bit if damage. While they are small and can’t inflict the type of bite a large dog can, their speed and agility can cause damage very quickly.

Some cats are aggressive by nature, but other cats become aggressive after dealing with abusive owners or other unfortunate situations. It’s no wonder that a cat dealing with a sadistic owner would become aggressive, no matter what its natural demeanor once was. Some people refer to aggressive cats as “feral,” but this isn’t entirely accurate because an aggressive cat might be quite domesticated in terms of using a litter box and eating from a bowl. By the same token, not every undomesticated cat is aggressive.

What should you do if your cat is aggressive? First, get some books about cat behavior. Learn to see the signs if kitty is getting agitated. Cats will give off signs that will give you time to back off. Feliway is a product used to calm anxious cats and to lower aggression. Also be gentle and demonstrate tenderness towards your cat so she learns to trust you, and include some quality playing time to increase your bond.

It may be that your cat is just aggressive by nature, or is acting aggressive due to a dog in the house, or young children. while aggression is most often due to fear, it can not always be trained away. If your cat is a risk for young children or babies, it may be best for all involved to find your cat a home with no children.

posted by Jon Martin on Feb 28

Here are a few questions that need to be asked when you are considering the adoption of your dog. A dog is a lifetime commitment. So, you need to do your research.

A. How old is the puppy?

B. How long till you can adopt your new family member? Your puppy should be at least eight weeks before they are able to go to their new family.

C. Ask if the breeder has a waiting list for their animals. Most breeders that are good will have a waiting list for their dogs.

D. Have the puppies receive their first shots and have they been examined? The puppy should receive their basic veterinary care at the initial home.

E. Are you required to neuter your dog? if your dog is of pet quality a good breeder will require the dog to be altered.

F. Did previous litters suffer any genetic diseases? If so, what type of genetic diseases were present?

G. Is their a return policy if the dogs are not compatible? A good breeder will always want you to be able to return their dogs if they are not a good fit.

H. How long have you been breeding “X” dog? Optimally, a breeder should have few years experience in dog breeding. At all costs avoid puppy mills and back yard breeder that are out to make a quick buck.

I. Ask how many breeds they are currently breeding? A breeder that is legitimate does not breed more than two different dog breeds. If they breed more than two dog breeds you could be supporting a puppy mill.

J. How frequently is the dog bred? A quality breeder will only breed their dog one time a year.

posted by Jonathan C Halpert on Feb 27

Ear-mites, fungus, and common allergies have many dogs – and their owners – scratching the heads. There are many treatment options for ear infections, but wouldn’t it be easier if they could be prevented in the first place? Fortunately, with a little extra effort and watchfulness, owners can greatly reduce the frequency and severity of their dogs outer ear infections.

For severe cases, veterinarians usually prescribe a course of antibiotics to treat ear infections. Common antibiotics include antibiotic/anti-fungal/anti-inflammatory medicines like Otomax or MalOtic. Recently, many people have begun turning to more holistic options before treating their pups with a drug regimen.

Keeping the ears clean and free of debris is the simplest way to help stave off an infection in your pet. Keep the hair around the ears, clean and trimmed and check the ears periodically to make sure they dont have a buildup. Dogs with long floppy ears seem to pick up more debris than those with pricked ears. Be especially sure to do a quick cleaning after a hike or a trip to the beach.

A solution of vinegar and water or Hydrogen Peroxide and water is a good way to make a simple rinse for dogs with extra dirty ears. rinse the ears using either a 1:2 solution of white vinegar and water or a 1:1 solution of hydrogen Peroxide and water. Gently massage the dogs ears with a clean towel to break up and big chucks of debris, then rinse a few more times with clean water.

Commercial ear cleaners are often a step up from home-made solutions and for troublesome infections may go a step further to help keep your dogs irritations at bay. Many of the commercial varieties also come with an applicator which can make ear cleaning much easier on both the dog and their owner. Check with your local pet store.

One of the easiest ways to reduce all types of infections is to improve the quality of your dogs food. The fillers often used in cheap big brand dog foods offer little to know nutritional value. In addition to sometimes triggering allergies, non-nutritional fillers do your dog no good and only serve to add bulk to the product – and ultimately to your dogs too. Treat your pup to a healthy lifestyle by starting with a high quality dog food, check with your local specialty pet center for quality brands.

Most ear infections only affect the outer ear in spite of smelling and looking bad. By taking the time to practice good hygiene you can greatly reduce the incedence of common ear problems. More serious symptoms including head tilting, walking in circles, and general clumsiness can be signs of a more serious inner ear infection and are best handled by your local vet.

posted by Craig T Lewis on Feb 27

There have been a lot of pet owners over the years who have agonized over whether or not they should choose to get a dog door installed in their home. On one hand it would give the dog unlimited access to the house and the yard so that you wouldn’t have to worry about whether or not they have to go to the bathroom during those long hours when you have to be at work, and they could get out into the open air and get exercise if they need it. However, on the other hand it poses a problem as a traditional dog door can be breached by any animal that is in the area, including stray dogs, cats, and even possibly raccoons. If the dog door is big enough, you might even be giving a burglar access to your home unwittingly. These are all factors that people consider when they look at getting a dog door.

One thing that you can do to allow yourself to still have access to the dog door while at the same time making sure that your home is as secure as possible, is to invest in a locking dog door. These types of doors do not open for any animal or person that may push on them and can cut back on any security concerns you may have about installing a dog door. The secret to the locking dog door system is the way in which the opening to the outside is activated. There are two different types of locking dog doors on the market and although they use different unlocking mechanisms, they are still the same basic concept.

Magnetic dog doors can only be opened when a very strong magnet that is found on the dog’s collar comes within a certain distance from the door and activates it to release. These types of doors do prevent any other animals from either entering or exiting the house, but some people have had concerns over having a high powered magnet on their dog’s collar. While this does not have any harmful side effects to the dogs, it is a drawback for some pet owners to consider.

Locking dog doors rely instead on an infrared sensor that is mounted on the dog’s collar, much like the magnet. The door is triggered to release when this sensor passes in front of the door and it opens up. Pet owners who are worried about their dogs wearing magnets on their collars usually opt for this choice instead.

Whatever option that you choose, it is important that you go with a dog door that has some form of security so that your home is protected. Thanks to the locking dog doors that are on the market, you can have the convenience of allowing your dog to go in and out of the house when they need to, while at the same time maintaining the integrity of your home’s safety. Even though locking dog doors can cost more than the traditional dog doors, in the end they are well worth the investment for the safety and peace of mind that they offer.

posted by John Sommer on Feb 27

Assuming that you are a pet owner and that you probably own either a cat or a dog (as that is what most pet owners do) I am not going to teach you something that you do not know but rather bring your attention to something that you might have forgotten.

* Amount of exercise: Both cats and dogs need physical activity. Movement is vital to any pet and the larger pet the more exercise is needed. That is why dogs will often require more exercise than cats.

* Exercise options: Whether you have a cat or a dog you can easily take the for a walk. Just put on a leash and go outside. If you live in a crowded city you might want to go to a park but if you live in the countryside you can just go for a walk in your neighborhood.

* Don’t spoil: Giving your pet food in excess amounts will be just as harmful for them as it is for you to overeat. The problem is that since they are pets they don’t know that what you’re giving them will actually harm them.

* Healthy ingredients: Be sure to feed your pet with high quality food. You will find that you’ll have to pay a little extra for the food but your pet’s health condition will be improved drastically if you do.

* Caring: Be sure to express that you care for you pet via both words, tonality and physical gestures. Pets are no different than humans and if they don’t receive love they’ll become sad and lose the will to keep on living.

* Insurance and medication: Be sure to sign up for a pet insurance in case of emergencies. You never know what could happen and not being able to pay for proper surgery and medication will not be something you want to experience.

* Plan ahead: With a little planning you’ll get a long way when it comes to making sure that your pet stays healthy and vital for all of it’s life. Planning visits to the VET at regular intervals and to make sure that it gets the proper vaccines are just some of the things to put into a plan.

posted by Allen Smith on Feb 27

Online dating has reached such levels of recognition that it is now becoming more satisfactory than it used to. In truth, thanks to the countless stories about successful relations that started as an internet partnership, folk are turning to this alternative way of looking out for a partner. If you’re new to the idea or you have been online for years, one key to online dating success is your profile. When you are online people perceive you as you announce on your profile. The 1st way to make a stand out profile is to come up with a familiar profile title and screen name. This is generally what folk see first. So put all you have into writing an attention grabber. However, elude being a copy pussy.

Instead, be original. This may also serve you very well in the long run.

If you show something of the genuine you, then there’s no need to pretend at any time in the relationship. before you start to write that title, think real real hard about how you perceive yourself and how your mates see you. Try to remember what your best qualities are.

Select the ones you agree with, and then write them down. Remember not to ramble continuously. As for your screen name, the same applies. It might take you a little whilst to come up with something but it is going to be worth your effort. Should you upload the photo? That is the question. Some people tend not to be comfortable with putting their footage on the Internet. The explanation is this : my appearance shouldn’t matter people should love me for the fact that I love horses alone. That is well and good. However, online dating web sites testify to the proven fact that folks who include a flattering photograph in their profiles get replies eight times more than those that don’t.

If you need to get more replies, then have a picture taken from your most flattering angle and include it in your profile.

Emphasise your unique traits. What makes you different? Help the other person understand your viewpoint, a little. Be detailed solely to the point of avoiding obscurity. It is fine for you to give some private information but desist from being too private. It is not necessarily the greatest idea to start spewing all of the issues and problems that you have been dealing with. Make your expectancies clear. That is just perfect? Is this merely a fling or something more stable? Mention what the other person can expect from you too. Talk about your hobbies and things that you want to do with your other half.

posted by Find a space in your home that you want to set up the fish tank at. This should be somewhere that is not in the way and make sure you are happy with the spot because moving a tank can be a pain once you have fish in it. on Feb 26

This will be a beginners guide to setting up a tropical fish tank. You will need to take your time and make sure not to add fish to the tank right away as this could kill your fish. You must understand that it takes a little time for the water to fully cycle so your fish can live a long time and stay healthy.

Before you go out and start buying aquarium equipment determine what kind of fish that you will want to put in there and how many. This is necessary as you will need to know what size tank to get, if you are on a budget you will have to work with it. The general rule is for small to medium fish is 1 inch per one gallon of water.

The items that you will need to set up a fish tank are the aquarium, filter pump, heat pump. Optional items that you should get also are gravel, thermometer, lamp, decorations, and a back up filter pump in case the main one goes bad.

Find a space in your home that you want to set up the fish tank at. This should be somewhere that is not in the way and make sure you are happy with the spot because moving a tank can be a pain once you have fish in it.

The next thing that I would do is make sure that there are no leaks in the fish tank. Fill up the tank with water to the top, and just let it sit there for about a day, more if you want. Once that day is up check the surrounding area for any signs of water, once you know your tank is not leaking you can empty it.

While you are leak testing your aquarium you can start filling up jugs of tap water. Mix the tap water with water conditioner as fish do not like plain tap water. I also add bacteria supplement to the water also. Make sure you follow the directions on the water conditioner bottle exactly.

Now the tank is still empty so this would be the best time to add all of your decorations and gravel if necessary. Before you add gravel to the fish tank make sure that it is absolutely clean and free of dirt, this is very important. Wash the gravel and decorations with running water multiple times.

Start setting up the filter pump and the heating pump. Add the water solution from the jugs that you already pre-mixed, fill the tank up to about an inch from the top. Put the overhead lamp on if you have one and turn on the heater and the filter pump, you now want to be patient and let the water cycle for a week at the minimum.

After a week of the water cycling you can add a few starter fish, this will help the conditions for future fish a lot better. Once you select a couple of starter fish, keep a close eye on them. I would not recommend added any more fish into the tank for about 4 to 6 weeks.