The American Society for the Prevention for Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says, Cats’ claws are a vital part of their arsenal for both offense and defense. They use them to capture prey and to settle disputes among themselves as well as with other animals and people who are hurting, threatening or annoying them. Scratching with the front claws is normal, instinctive behavior for cats. The purpose of this activity is to remove old, worn fragments of nails. Though scratching is normal for cats, this behavior can be destructive and costly in the home It is a must that a declawed cat be confined indoors, since the claws are its primary means of defense. Many times a veterinarian will have to deal with severe injuries to a declawed cat that "just slipped out" and got attacked by a dog because they will, based on individual personality, choose either to fight or run- with or without claws. The procedure of declawing is know as Onychectomy. This procedure is not advised for older cats since cats claws are attached to the last joint therefore the whole last joint is removed. Before you make the decision to declaw your cat, you should know that, declawing is not like a manicure. It is serious surgery. Your cat's claw is not a toenail. It is actually closely adhered to the bone. Try not judge people for decisions made as long as they were thought out and without malice or cruelty involved. There was a man who loved his cat dearly and the cat would play fight him. Unfortunately, this man had AIDS and risked serious infection with the slightest scratch. It was an older cat and being mean spirited was not a candidate for adoption. He chose to declaw the cat and the cat recovered well and he continued to play fight with his owner. Remember that declawing is not a natural nor health saving process, though it may be the only way for you and your pet. And it is harder on the cat.
Have you ever owned a guinea pig? Then you know they make wonderful companions! They are docile members of the rodent family, rarely bite and are known for squeaking with delight when their favorite humans enter the room. Guinea pigs are excellent pets for older children who have learned proper handling techniques. They are the gentlest of the pocket pets, which include mice, hamsters, rats and gerbils and so are ideal pets for responsible children. Guinea pigs drink a lot of water and love to run the water out of the bottles! Water bottles with stainless steel ball bearing sipper tubes are the best kind to use. Before buying a guinea pig, please consider these facts:
1. They are social animals. 2. They are usually quiet they can call out quite loudly. 3. They can be active both day and night. 4. Consider keeping a same sex pair so they have company. 5. Their life span is around 5-7 years, however, they have been known to live longer. 6. They are a long-term commitment. 7. They can generally become very tame with frequent handling. 8. A pair of females is a good choice, while a pair of males may fight. 9. They may be a little nervous at first, but they rarely bite. 10. You can purchase a cage…or make your own. 11. Keep the cage in an area where temperatures range between 65 - 75 F (18-25C). Guinea pigs handle cold quite well but they are very susceptible to heat stroke. Appearances: Guinea pigs are larger than hamsters, but smaller than rabbits. They have rounded stout body, with no visible tail. However, a few tail vertebrae can be felt under the skin. They are approximately 10 inches long, and can weigh between 2-3 pounds. They also come in a variety of colors Health: You should choose a Veterinarian that works with exotic pets, guinea pigs, parrots and other small animals. Always contact your Vet if you observe any of the following: Your pet has not eaten for more than eight hours; has very labored breathing; is bleeding from mouth, rectum or genital area; inability to urinate; extreme lethargy; and diarrhea that is watery and foul-smelling. Please take a look at this cute video showing 3 guinea pigs fighting over a cucumber!
Did you know that the goldfish are one of the most common type of pets in the world? They were one of the first fish species to be kept in ponds by humans. By nature, goldfish are social creatures and prefer to live with other goldfish. Many people think that goldfish are pets for someone who doesn't have much time for pet care. The lifespan of your goldfish depend upon how much care you provide goldfish. If cared for properly your goldfish could live for many years! Goldfish start off small, but grow to be quite large, sometimes even a foot long, if you take good care of them. First time goldfish keepers usually buy a small tank or bowl to house their goldfish, only to discover that they need to keep buying ever-larger replacement tanks. You should buy a large enough tank at the beginning. You should provide a 20 to 30 gallon tank for your fish. Then add at least 10 gallons to that volume for each additional goldfish you might add. They grow large, excrete a lot of waste and need room to swim in order to be happy! Food:Goldfish like a diet of flakes, pellets, wafers and sticks Goldfish Facts: Do goldfish have ears? They have internal ear bones called an otolith that can feel vibrations. Avoid tapping on the glass since it will stress or even kill them. A goldfish can survive in an outdoor pond where water temperatures dip down below 40*F (5*C). Some ponds might even freeze over during the winter and the goldfish still survive through to the spring. Exterior Parts of A Goldfish
As a child I always wanted a horse. Once my parents explained to me that I could not have a horse living in the city (Washington, DC)…I settled for a dog that finally had a litter of 6 pups. My mother told me that after the pups where here, I told her, “you should have let me have a horse!”. The closest that I have ever gotten to a horse was a pony ride, and watching the series, “Mr. Ed”. Mr. Ed the talking equine star of the 1960s television series, was a golden palomino. He learned an enormous amount of tricks for his role, including answering a telephone, opening doors, writing notes with a pencil, and unplugging a light. What Is A Horse: A horse is a large hoofed mammal (Equus caballus) having a short-haired coat, a long mane, and a long tail. It has been domesticated since ancient times and used for riding and for drawing or carrying loads. Horse Facts: Horses are social animals and will get lonely if kept alone Horses sleep longer in the summer than in the winter Horses generally dislike the smell of pigs Horses teeth never stop growing. You can tell if a horse is cold by feeling behind their ears. If that area is cold, so is the horse.
Adopting a senior dog is a wonderful experience for you and your new dog. You will gain a faithful companion. You will save a life. Senior dogs and senior people bring out the best in each other! Old dogs make great friends! Don't rule them out. They have lots of life and love to give. Dogs are generally considered "senior" at seven years of age, even if they haven't started to slow down, or show any signs of aging. Many "seniors" still have years of play left, some as many as another eight years. Unfortunately the "senior" tag will put off a lot of people who aren't familiar with more mature dogs. Senior dogs are a wonderful addition to most dog homes. Don't let their age stop you, there are many advantages to adopting an older dog. Changes you may notice in the senior dog: Graying around the face and muzzle. Most dogs commonly show a bit of gray starting at middle age (5-6 years). They lay around and sleep most of the day They may have cloudy or bluish colored eyes. As they age, dog's eyes often show a bluish transparent "haze" in the pupil area. This is a normal effect of aging, and the medical term for this is lenticular sclerosis. Senior dogs are often the first to be killed in area shelters. They are often passed over for cute and cuddly puppies. They are killed to make space for more puppies. If you are considering pet adoption, think about saving a life…and adopt a senior dog!
Are dogs really mans best friend? For years dogs have been used by man to accomplish many goals for mankind. For instance, did you know that Search and Rescue (SAR) dogs where used in 9ll to look for victims buried underneath the rubble? This was considered the largest deployment of search dogs in U.S. history, using between 350 – 500 search dogs. Dogs are currently being used by the military in Afghanistan to detect roadside bombs. The dogs of choice are usually Belgian malinois, German shepherds and Labradors, and are called bomb-sniffing dogs. These dogs even have service numbers tattooed inside their ears. While they are considered working dogs…they still enjoy getting treats and playing with the Soldiers! Additionally, dogs are used in prison settings to search for weapons, drugs and cell phones. They are also used in prison based dog training programs, called “Rehabilitation for Canine and Human”. This program allows the inmate who has received training the responsibility of raising and training dogs from animal shelters. Some of these dogs are used for people with disabilities or available for adoption. So, as you can see dogs play an important role in our lives, not only as pets, but they serve as: Police dogs, Fire dogs, Bomb sniffing dogs, Guide dogs for the disabled, Search and Rescue dogs, Guard dogs for home and property, Military dogs, Therapy dogs, and loving companions!
