How To Recognize A Respiratory Tract Ailment In Your Parrot
December 31, 2008
A respiratory tract ailment can be fatal to your parrot if left untreated. Find out how to recognize if your parrot is having problem with its breathing.
The most obvious indication that your parrot has a problem can be seen in their tail movement. You should barely be able to see the tail of your parrot moving. If the parrot’s tail is moving a lot, is very noticeable, and is labored, this may be a sign that there is a problem with its health.
If your parrot is having a hard time breathing because it has blocked nostrils, this could be a sign that your parrot has a respiratory tract ailment. You should check your parrot’s nostrils for discharge or even blockage.
It may be possible to relieve the blockage with medication. See your Vet for the best medication for your parrot. They will more than likely instruct you to hold your parrot on its back and put a drop of the medicine in each of its nostrils. If there is a lot discharge there, you can bathe the nostrils with warm water in order to remove the worst of the blockage before you start with the medicine.
How to Deal With a Noisy Dog - Curing Uwanted and Excessive Barking
December 30, 2008
Contributed with the help of Karen L Overall of the Centre for Neurobiology and Behaviour, Psychiatry Department, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.
There are many causes for this behaviour. Separation anxiety, craving for attention and even the doorbell can cause the most placid dogs to bark inappropriately.
When trying to discourage inappropriate barking it is important that you know the reason for the barking. Some dogs bark at the doorbell in protection of their pack (the family). It is important not to discourage the desire to protect the family, but allow the dog to associate the doorbell with good things. Practice this by inviting friends over to ring the doorbell. Correct any barks with a firm ‘no’ and allow your friend to reward the dog when he resists temptation to ‘warn you of intruders’.
Dogs that suffer with separation anxiety should be treated for that before any barking issues are addressed as barking is a symptom of it rather than a result.
The key to dealing with dogs that bark for attention is patience and the ability to be on hand to reward good behaviour. It is ineffective to reward a dog for simply not barking, unless that reward is an alternative to the undesirable behaviour.
Facts About Rottweilers
December 30, 2008
Looking for some quick Rottweiler dog facts? Here’s a quick rundown of basics facts about Rottweilers.
Vital Stats:
Colour: Black with distinctive tan markings over cheeks, muzzle, chest and legs as well as over both eyes
Coat: straight, coarse and of medium length. Rottweilers are double coated and tend to “blow out” their undercoats twice a year.
Size: Medium-large, Males range from 95-135 lbs, Females tend to be smaller from 80-110 lbs
Types: American Rottweilers tend to be taller and slimmer through face and body whereas German Rottweilers tend to be shorter, stockier and more muscular.
History:
It is thought that the ancestors of this breed (a mastiff type dog) originated in the Roman Empire and that many of them accompanied the Roman army over the Alps as the loyal protector and drover of cattle that were used as the army’s food source.
According to historians, the next appearance of this mastiff type dog was in the beautiful little town of Rottweil nestled in the southern mountainous region of Germany, where the Roman armies had left them as they continued their travels.
You Dont Get a Second Chance!
December 29, 2008
I’m sure you’re aware of the bad reputation Pitbulls have. That reputation is mostly based on ignorance and irresponsible owners that don’t take the time to learn about the breeds special needs.
You see, alot of people buy a Pitbull and expect it to naturally turn into a perfect pet without any work on their part. That’s exactly why you hear so much about Pitbull attacks in the news… Irresponsible and Uninformed Owners(as well as neglect and abuse in many human attack cases).
As a well known Pitbull expert, I receive up to 40 emails a day from normal people all over the world. Most of the emails are from people that are desperate for help with their Pitbull.
Unfortunately I don’t have time to answer every email I get, but I often spend as much as 5 hours in a day answering as many as possible. It’s because of this fact that I wrote The Pitbull Guide. The goal of my book is to help people before they get into a bad situation that requires them to give their Pitbull away, or put it to sleep.
First Aid for Parrots
December 28, 2008
Unfortunately, accidents can - and DO happen, so it’s always a good idea to be prepared! While accidents usually produce obvious injuries, illnesses are often kept well hidden by birds. In nature, if you’re sick you pose a threat in making your whole flock vulnerable to predators, so parrots have become adept at masking signs of illness. This is one reason that it’s vital to have a “well bird” check-up annually. Needless to day, once a bird is showing obvious signs of illness, he’s often very sick and needs immediate vet attention. First Aid is intended to help you get by until you can see the vet, or in treating minor injuries.
It’s helpful to have a “hospital cage” for emergencies - a smaller, easily portable cage where you can isolate a sick or injured bird and easily move him to a warm, quiet, area of your home. It’s advisable to have a quarantine area as well - for new birds coming into the home, as well as sick birds recovering from an infection. This area should be well separated from the rest of your birds to prevent air-borne transmission of germs, as well as those spread by direct contact.
5 Ways to Pamper Your Parrot
December 27, 2008
We are all busy these days and I know it’s hard to meet all the demands in your life. But, it’s time for a breather. Take an some time with each of your feathered kids and give them the royal treatment. I know some of you out there have multiple birds, so it doesn’t have to be all the parrots in the same day! Get into the habit of doing at least a short version of this regularly. Your parrots will thank you!
Some birds are more ’social’ than others. Two of mine I can pick up and snuggle with without fear of needing stitches. The other one I have to be really careful with. I use a stick as his main form of transport. No matter what level of ’snuggliness’ your parrot prefers, you can adjust each step to your parrot’s comfort level.
I hope both you and your feathered kids have a great time. Not only is this a great time for your bird, but you get a relax a bit as well. For an added bonus, turn the phone off!
Choosing Dog Tags for Your Canine
December 26, 2008
Remember when you first met your dog? He was fresh and new, and you were just getting to know each other. You went through training together, perhaps even ate together. With time, you and your dog became very close ? even closer than you are to a lot of people you know. Your dog is special to you. He might be your best friend, a rascally mischief-maker, or just an accessory to your lifestyle. He depends on you for feeding, play, and discipline. You depend on him for companionship, a connection with the animal world, or household security and protection. For these reasons and more, you should protect your dog from harm, and yourself from loss, by getting him a dog tag.
Dog tags hang on your dog’s collar and provide all the necessary information for calling your dog, contacting you as the owner, and alerting people to your dog’s dietary restrictions. Some dog tags also include vaccination information, such as when your dog last received shots, and some municipalities even require this.
An Introduction to Dog Beds
December 25, 2008
Some people are so attached to their pets that they wouldn’t dream of asking them to simply curl up on the floor to go to sleep. Pet owners, especially dog owners, have created an industry for dog beds that rivals the bedding industry for humans in both creativity and profit margins.
Just as dogs come in a variety of sizes — from toy Chihuahuas that fit in the palm of your hand to Great Danes who are large enough to command most of the back of that family SUV — so do dog beds. The very first designs for dog beds stressed comfort and ease of cleaning for the small, medium, large and extra large pooch in your life. Today there is a dizzying array of options for dog beds. There are dog beds designed to look like real beds so the lucky canine doesn’t feel left out, dog beds designed to look like real furniture, and dog beds for that aging canine, designed to accommodate his creaking bones and stiff joints. There are dog beds made out of fabrics designed to blend in with the décor of your home and there are dog beds that can accommodate a dog who likes to stretch out while he naps versus the type who prefers to curl up into a ball.
How to Choose the Right Bird Cage
December 25, 2008
If the "tweet, tweet" of little beaks is in your future, bird cages are undoubtedly on your mind. Bird cages are available in every price range. They are also available in an increasingly diverse range of styles.
Bird cages are made in many different materials. Some of the most popular are wood, metal, and acrylic. Powder-coated and stainless steel cages are also available.
When choosing a bird cage, there are several main considerations. The first is, of course, price. If you are on a limited budget, you will not be able to buy a custom cage. The second consideration should be the type of bird you are buying. Different birds have different needs. Some birds, such as Amazons, cockatoos, conures, or African grays, require large cages. Others, such as canaries, parakeets, and finches, do better in smaller cages.
The next consideration is purely cosmetic. You will need to pick a cage that matches your décor. This is especially important if your bird is to be a focal point of your home. Bird cages are offered now in styles ranging from simple to elaborate, elegant to whimsical.
Love Your Animal Companion? Spay or Neuter
December 24, 2008
Ozzie, my four-month old Rottweiler peered up at me with his big brown eyes, as I temporarily left him for a very important surgical procedure. As much as it broke my heart to drop off my “baby” at the local humane society, I know it was the responsible thing to do.
What Ozzie doesn’t know is that today is the first day of the rest of his life. He is being neutered.
Being a rescue volunteer, I’ve acquired a rather large brood of dogs into my family circle. Having adopted six boys and two girls of the canine species, I’ve come to complete understanding of the importance of spaying and neutering our furry companions.
Persons who come in contact with me and my animals will ask, “how can you spay and neuter these beautiful animals? You could breed them and make a profit.”
