Owners of Pets Articles about dogs, cats, birds and all other pets!

A chinchilla can make a wonderful pet as long as one knows how to care for these creatures properly. As many people do not really understand what a chinchilla is they may try to treat it like other pets they have owned before. However, it is important that one does take care of these animals correctly. In this article we offer some chinchilla care information that you may find useful and may help you to decide whether you should actually own one.

One of the first things you will discover when it comes to learning how to care after such an animal is that it isn’t that difficult. However, they do have certain traits and like to do certain things that if not controlled can cause a lot of problems in the future.

When you bring your chinchilla home you will notice that one of the things that they really like to do is chew. In fact if anything is put in their way they will have a go at chewing it. Therefore it is worth spending some time before they are brought home to protect all things in your home from them. Plus doing this will ensure that your chinchilla will also be safe when they are given the opportunity to come out of their cage in the evening.

So how do you make your home safe for your chinchilla and to protect it from being chewed to pieces by them? Below we offer some tips that you may find useful and to keep in mind when it comes to caring for your pet.

Tip 1 – If you have any wooden furniture in your home including the baseboards running around the rooms’ edges your chinchilla will take every opportunity to try and chew on them. The best way to prevent them from doing this is to spray them with special products that they find distasteful. These sprays are not only odorless and colorless so you won’t find they bother you any.

Tip 2 – When it comes to chinchilla care information remember that along with wood your may find the wires in your home including the cables for the TV, telephone and stereo enticing to chinchillas. To prevent them from chewing on these, remove the objects in question from the area where you are going to let your chinchilla run or cover them over. The best way to protect the wires is to place either rubber tubing around them or a cardboard box over them. This should prevent the chinchillas from doing damage to the wires or harm to themselves.

Tip 3 – Look carefully around the room in which you are intending to allow your pet Chinchilla to play in when out of their cage. Watch out for small gaps or holes that they could fit in or through. It is important to remember that a chinchilla may look large compared to a mouse or a rat but when it comes to these animals they have the ability to fit in just about any opening they find. So make sure that any openings are covered to prevent them from going through.

You will find the above tips quite helpful if you have or are considering having a chinchilla as a pet. For more great information on chinchilla care, visit http://www.ChinchillaCareSecret.com.

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On the Atkins diet you are replacing fat with muscle, which is denser and heavier. You might actually gain a little weight because you are building muscle to replace your fat. The result will be an increase on the scale, but a decrease in your inches. Your body will be smaller and leaner, but you may weigh the same.

Before you start your program, measure your chest, waist, hips, upper arms, thighs and calves. You never know where you may be losing inches, so it’s important to have these comprehensive measurements to refer to. It is normal to go through periods where you body is readjusting. Remember that you are reforming the composition of your body and this process will take some time. Check your measurements once a week, just like your weight, and you can track your overall progress.

There may be periods of 3 to 4 weeks where you have a stall in weight loss, but a loss in inches. Or vice versa. Using both methods to track your fat loss is the best assurance for an accurate measure of your progress. These stall periods are not a reason to quit or to give up. They are natural parts of the weight loss process.

Stalls may occur more frequently if you are 5 to 10 pounds away from being at your goal weight. By following a low-carb, high-protein way of eating you have created a lot more muscle in your body. Your muscle-to-fat ratio is higher than ever before, so your body might be resisting losing anymore fat. It may be time to rethink your goal weight. Perhaps your body is trying to tell you something and its time to start maintaining your weight loss rather than trying to lose more.

There are some other possible causes of stalls and plateaus on the road to weight loss. If you’ve gone four weeks with no change in weight or measurements and you are nowhere near your goal weight, you can try a few different methods to get yourself out of the rut. First, make sure your carbohydrate level is in check. If you are eating too many carbohydrate grams per day, your weight loss will stall. Look for hidden carbohydrates in packaged foods, dressings and sauces to make sure they aren’t the culprits in your plateau.

Check your daily water intake. When you are dehydrated, your body will retain water and that can mimic a plateau. Water will also help flush ketones from your system and make more room for new fat burning ketones.

Filed under: General, Pet Food
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Can the best dog food help dog allergies which are common but usually undetected health issues in our canine friends.  Just like in humans, dogs develop allergies when their immune systems react to something in their immediate environment. Dogs suffering from such allergies portray some obsessive scratching either through out the body or on specific body areas, regurgitation of food, breathing issues, jerky motions or loose bowels.  Some dogs develop ocular (eye) or nasal discharges. Unless a pet owner is very keen on the dog’s behavior, most of these can be easily ignored.

The five vet-identified causes of dog allergies are Inhalant, bacterial, food, flea and contact. Such include molds, pollen, dust and mites. Digestive allergies are mainly caused by contents of commercial dog foods, which may contain digestive parasites. Bacteria allergies may be more serious causing loss of hair on the dog’s skin. While visiting the vet is advisable, pet owners can start by trying some of the home remedies that may ease the seriousness of the dog allergies.

An oat meal bath is a proven relief for allergies manifested through scratching. This involves mixing oatmeal in cold water and using this mixture to wash the skin of the dog. The oatmeal relieves the scratching by providing a lubrication layer on the dog’s skin. Allergies related to insect bites are easily relieved using baking soda, aloe Vera, eucalyptus or Epsom salts. Whatever remedy the pet owner decides to use should be dissolved in cool water and the dog bathed in the same. A dog that suffers from flea-related allergies should have a flea repellant applied on its skin. Home-made flea repellant solutions include boiled and cooled rosemary leaves. One cans also use apple cider vinegar as a flea repellant.  Crushing garlic into the dog’s food may also help drive away fleas.  When the scratching is around the ears, swabbing the ears with cotton swabs soaked in mineral oils will help relieve the allergy, which is most probably caused by mites.

The good news to dog owners is that dog allergies are less common than cat allergies. More to this, dog allergies are more manageable with or without the intervention of a vet. Some of the effective ways of managing the dog allergies include bathing the dog regularly, wiping it with a wet towel on days when it’s not bathed, and ensuring that the air in a room where the dog lives is clean. Additionally, carpets in the room should be vacuumed or washed regularly.

Filed under: Allergies, Dogs, Pet Food
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Cool & celebrity accessories for dogs make your own doggie BFF the envy of the town!

Gone are the days when dogs had to run about with Only the skin they were born with !

The truth is, just like human fashionistas can have flashy wardrobes along with matching accessories, so can your own pooch be outfitted to match and all glammed up. If you haven’t checked lately, you might be pleasantly astonished to see exactly what your dog can be wearing. We are talking about four seasons and all events.

Here is just a sample of methods to spruce up your dog’s appearance, as well as some useful finery.

All of us adore the fact that our designer purses determine our sense of style and character, don’t we?

Shouldn’t we share this enjoyment with our k9 pals? Your pet can be just as stylish as you are with their own designer dog collar and leash designed by top fashion designers Coach.

Fashion designers are now understanding that aside from being our loyal best friends, dogs have grown to be the ‘must have fashion accessory’ and therefore are making ranges specifically designed to your dog so that you can match your dog collars to your designer outfits.

A designer that has moved nicely into designer dog collars is Coach. They have a fab selection of leather dog collars, pink dog collars, oink studded dog collars, for me, it’s one of the BEST designer dog collar ranges and they are available on eBay at some GREAT prices!

When the cooler weather sets in, there’s a full line of clothing accessories for dogs, including fleece and imitation coats, along with nylon ‘bubble’ parkas and vests to keep him warmly in style. If you’re dog’s a she, or an open-minded he, take a look at the dog dresses in an array of styles to have that well-dressed dog look.

The true celebrity dog should have a variety of jewelry and other essential accessories for dogs. You’ll even find dog collars, dog ties, hats and scarves, suitable for office wear.

As for dog collars, your dog will impress her friends with a basic string of pearls, crystal beads, pendants and tiaras, fit for a Princess.

My personal favorite is the Coach pink spiked dog collar which can look really stunning on your loyal canine friend, giving your companion a ’stylishly elegant’ yet macho look.

Filed under: Clothing, Dogs, Products, Shopping
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Buying apParrot as a pet, especially a first parrot, is a big decision and not to be taken lightly. Parrots require time, commitment, care, love, and will live for many years if cared for properly.

Before buying a parrot, you must consider several important factors. This is the only way that you will be happy with your decision long after your purchase. This is also the only way to ensure the parrot will not end up having to be re-homed.

First, consider the amount of space you have available. Your parrot will require a spacious parrot cage to call its own home. It should also have a play stand or play area. Do you have the space to provide these important factors for your parrot? Think about this critically because, if you were to buy a macaw, you need LOTS of space. However, a budgie or cockatiel doesn’t require nearly as much room. Sure, the big, beautiful birds are great, but can you live with a huge cage and enormous play stand in your home? This will help you choose the right size parrot to consider.

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One of the hardest things to do is to leave your pet behind when you decide to take some time off from your busy schedule. Before we go on vacation (let me tell you it always leaves me feeling guilty) we need to find an appropriate shelter, pay the fess, if you’ve done it before you would be familiar with the drill. There is an article on my site which discusses the ways in finding pet friendly cabin rentals. Wouldn’t it be great to bring our pets along if possible.

Sometimes, if pets are not normally allowed, they will consent to offer a few of the cabins with this restriction removed. This is partly so that a section of the population which would like to bring a pet is not excluded completely, and partly because there is money to be made from catering to this group. Pet owners are naturally resentful if they are denied the same vacation opportunities as those without pets, and even if they end up paying a higher premium, most will accept this as a natural consequence of having a living pet. Please drop by and read more and I hope you find the information useful. My web site has other information on finding the right mountain cabin rentals for your vacation. Thanks for dropping by.

Filed under: Animal Shelters, Cats, Dogs, General, Hotels, Pets
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Just because you have a dog doesn’’t mean you have to stay home all the time. If you plan ahead and take a little care, it is easy and fun to travel with your dog.

Here are some tips to make the trip easier on both you and your pet:

1. You need to first get your dog or pet used to riding in the car by taking him on short trips. Going to fun places like the park, the fast food drive through (where you can feed him bits of meat from your burger), or to visit friends will help provide good memorable moments. You want him to think that trips in the car are fun. You don’t want your dog to think that all car trips end up at the vet’s office.

2. On long trips bring along plenty of water and a water dish. You will need to give your dog periodic drinks of water when you make rest stops. It will be easier to get your dog to drink if it is familiar water from home. Water in different places often smells or tastes differently, and your dog may not want to drink it.

3. Be sure to pack your dog’s favorite food, treats, favorite bed, toys, and leash. Some dogs are very finicky and will not eat unless it’s food and water they are use to.

4. How should your dog travel in the car? Some dogs like to sit or lay on the seat, so be sure to protect your car with a dog seat blanket to protect the upholstery. Other dogs may need to be kept in a crate in the car. Be sure the crate can’t slide around and scare the dog while you’re driving. You can also purchase dog seat belts to keep your dog safe while sitting in the car.

5. If your dog is anxious about staying in a hotel or strange house at your destination, he might not eat or drink. You don’t want him to get dehydrated, so be sure to get him to drink, at least. You can mix chicken broth or gravy into the dog’s water. That will usually get him to lap it right up. You can mix chicken broth or gravy into the food too.

The first trip will be the hardest, because your dog will not realize that you are coming back. With the first trip behind you, if you have taken the time to make sure it is pleasant for your dog, future traveling with your dog should be a breeze.

Filed under: Dogs, General, Pets
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I have a new article posted in my chinchilla tips web site.

The article is about teaching tricks to your chinchilla.

If trust is there, it will be a lot easier to train your chinchilla to do some tricks. They may not be easier to command like dogs but they can be trained in a way that dogs will not be capable of doing as well. Learn to love and understand your pets. Discover new possibilities with them. In this way, your time together will not only be fun but also a wonderful experience.

For more information on how to teachtricks to your chinchilla, drop by my site and read the article.

(more…)

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An allergic food reaction happens when a number of ingredients in a pet’s food is understood to be ‘foreign’ by the pet’s immunity mechanism and this in turn initiates an inflammatory mechanism to defeat this understood ‘intruder’.

The common manifestations connected with food allergies are itching, gnawing and licking. The skin’s food hypersensitivity also causes skin conditions with some pets experiencing gut rot and other digestive issues too. Curiously some allergies feline experience may start after a pet has started on a new diet or perhaps after the pet has been eating the same food type for some years.

Read rest of article on Allergies Felines

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Keeping a dog will mean you possess the responsibility to take very good care of your pet. It is a good idea to provide him their own small place where he may go for being protected and furthermore safe from the elements. A dog house is the type of shelter make sure you currently have for your k9 to offer him a pleasant site with regard to safety in addition to cover. It’s really a room that could keep your canine snug in the winter weather and then cool in the warmer summer months, particularly when you assemble it effectively. Your conclusion to build your own dog house yourself is a worthwhile one and you will discover it will not take that long to undertake. Building a dog house is a pleasing undertaking that the whole clan can get working in. It does not have to be an intricate building because you can get away with building a simple box with a roof. You can choose to invest in a readymade dog house but take note they are not cheap. You can save a lot of cash if you get dog house blueprints and then buy the resources necessary to build your own. Doing this, you will additionally have a much better thought of the quality of the finished product since you will recognize accurately what went into it.

Filed under: Dogs, Educational, Pets, Puppies
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You are going to love making dogs treats right in your own kitchen. It’s way more healthy for your dog because you know exactly what’s going into them – no unnecessary preservatives or colorings. Plus it’s cheaper, and lots more fun!

Check out the Top Ten Recipe Ideas to get you inspired. Once you get it all organized, making homemade dog treats is easy to do on a regular basis. Plus your dog will love you for it!

Filed under: Books, Dogs, Nutrition, Pet Food, Pets
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An Elevated What? Yup, Raised Dog Feeding Stations

Never heard of them? Well have a good read and then do your best friend a favor and get him one, he’ll love you for it! Read this description of the Dynasty model: 11 and a half inch tall pet feeding station is a superb, healthy and very comfortable way for your pet to eat. It is an easy to put together pet feeder that presents their food just 11-1/2 inches above floor which can help them with their posture, leg muscles, their joints, food digestion and plus it will reduce the chances of any choking. This elevated dog feeder comes with 2 three quart stainless steel bowls which are embedded into the base of this unit.

This product is finished in beautiful antique black. This is a great design because it has been built with storage in mind. There is lots of space for the food, the toys and extra treats to be stored right inside this pet feeding station. Don’t worry about any spills from the bowls into the storage area as there is a panel that will prevent any accidents. The bowls can be put right into your dishwasher for effective cleaning.

You can learn more about this dog feeder and others at http://www.elevateddogfeeder.net – Come in and see us today!

Filed under: Dogs, General, Pet Food, Pet Supplies
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I think when I go off on a vacation and leave my pet behind an emotion akin to betrayal overcomes me. Call me a sooky lala but one of the hardest things when planning for a vacation that I have found is actually deciding where to take a valuable member of the family. There are not many places where your pet may be welcome. I have an article on my website which helps you decide where to find pet friendly cabin rentals.

Pet friendly cabin rentals are not always that easy to find, although in most resorts it is usually possible to find someone who is prepared to rent you a cabin if you bring a pet. There will usually be an extra consideration for this, principally to cover extra insurance against damage. In resort areas where the cabins are all owned and rented by the resort itself, there will usually be a uniform policy in place concerning children and pets…

If you would like to read more please drop by and have a read about the different options available to vacation in mountain cabins. See you there.

Filed under: Animal Shelters, Cats, Dogs, Educational, General, Hotels, News, Pets
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