Taking Care of Horses

I would like to thank Joshua Adekane for contributing an article to our animal blog. It is so nice to have someone else write once and a while. A horse hair shampoo is most essential item for horses. It is used to cleanse their body along with the genital area. It is highly recommended to do a few allergic testing before applying this product . If, soon after 24 hours, no issue has happened, you can continue using it. Aloe-based shampoos are the great kinds of shampoo that should be used. Shampooing the horse is a vital part for making them well-groomed. Hair brushes are crucial for horses also. They come in different sizes and in different types also. A horse's body may look shinier if it is hair is brushed . For many, brushing is just a part of a horse's great grooming . People must know that brushing a horse's hair can make the animal feel comfortable. It also helps in proper circulation of blood. Horse rugs are also warm items which are well-known horse products. They are essential simply because they protect the horses from diverse weather conditions. Quite a few horses which are seen in higher altitudes need rugs to secure it from bitter cold winds. Rugs should fit the horse's body exactly for much better comfort . Horse rugs come in different kinds and fashions. Horse's vitamins are famous products too. Nutritional vitamins must be provided to horses for proper nutrition. Like mankind, they need vitamin supplements and mineral for the right development as well as prevention of ailments. They must be given the proper amount and must be taken consistently as prescribed by an equine vet. Vitamins help horses recover better . Horse shoes are also popular items to stop a horse from acquiring injured while walking. A shoe serves as their safety for each of their hooves. It may also help them in avoiding possible injury to their hooves . Horse's hooves needs to be inspected always mainly because they also need cutting. If left unchecked, hooves may dry up and split that could cause extreme pain and prevent a horse from being able to walk or even stand . Horses should be taken care of correctly. They must be supplied with good grooming as well as training simply because horses are certainly responsive to germs as well as bacterial infection along with physical injuries. It can make them feel good and at ease. Horses are naturally nervous so which makes them comfy is a wise idea to help them perform properly. Furthermore, giving ample stables will serve as protection from heavy rains or winter cold. Serving the horses with healthy diet will also make certain that their resistance from diseases will not be compromised. People should also provide them with all of the required nutritional supplements they need. You should also speak with a horse all the time because they are very wise and also receptive animals. Owning a horse is a big duty. Additionally, it could get very expensive particularly if the horse periodically gets sick. So pamper your horse with efficient horse care items that can help them perform better. Even animals require a comfortable and safe environment. For several, raising a horse is like raising a child. It costs a lot but the happiness and also contentment you get from nurturing them is immeasurable. About The Author Joshua Adekane is a devoted horse care blogger. To read his latest posts about equine care please click here equine supply The author invites you to visit: http://www.b2blatinamerica.com

When to Call the Vet for Your Cat

The most important thing you can do when caring for a vet is make sure that he or she is healthy. When you have a cat, this is very important. Because a cat cannot tell you what is wrong, you must be alert to changes in your cat. Knowing when to call your vet is very important, but it can be hard to know if there’s really something wrong or not. Knowing your cat’s normal behavior is important. First of all, what are his eating and elimination habits? Some cats eat their meals in one sitting, while others eat bites all day. If your cat has had a chance in appetite, this could indicate a problem. Your cat should also be using the litter box regularly, and diarrhea, constipation, and straining to urinate are all causes for concern. Ever cat is different, so make sure to notice how your cat normally eats and eliminates in order to notice when something is wrong. Your cat’s daily activities should also be somewhat regular. If your cat is always playing and then suddenly seems less active, you may have cause for concern. However, slowly becoming less active is a natural part of aging, and some cats are naturally just not as energetic as others. Make sure you note sudden chances and call your vet if you are concerned. Watch for problems with gait as well, as this could indicate arthritis or injury, among other things. Along with activity, watch grooming habits. Cats are very neat and tidy creatures by nature, so your cat should be grooming him- or herself regularly. Over-grooming may also be dangerous to your cat’s health. It is also important to know when there is an emergency situation. In general, if there is any doubt in your mind, call your vet or even take your cat straight to the vet’s office. For example, if your cat gets hit by a car, but is not bleeding, you should still have him or her examined, as internal problems could be of concern. You should also consider it an emergency if your cat suddenly has an extreme change in health. For example, if your cat suddenly begins vomiting frequently, he or she may have been poisoned, which can be fatal. Pet cat health care may be similar to caring for other pets. But such care may also have its own differences. One of them is that pet cats may suffer from a host of different diseases that other pets may not go through. Here is a list of some feline diseases that pet cats may suffer from at some point. Feline Distemper

This disease usually affects pet cats at a young age. Known medically as feline panleukopenia, this type of viral infection lowers down the immune defenses of young kittens by severely affecting the production of white blood cells. This infection can make young kittens pass, liquid stool with blood due to the severe hemorrhaging that happens in their small intestine. Fever may also be expected and will lead the young kitten to become depressed and then refuse to take any food and water. It may seem to the pet owner that the cat has a temperamental personality, hence the name feline distemper. The infection actually has no effect on the cat's personality in any way. Sadly, recovery for such conditions is very rare for a cat.

Feline Infectious Peritonitis This is another viral infection that is also fatal in cats. Once your pet cat shows signs of this infection, it can take years and years of trouble. This infection is usually common mostly in young adult cats and can be transmitted to other cats. There are two known types of this infection. There is the "dry" type where the young adult cat is affected by high fever as well as problems with internal organs such as the kidneys, lungs and the intestines. With this type of infection, the cats never seem improve no matter how well the treatment is given.

There is also the "wet" type of the disease has the young adult cat having a fluid discharge within the abdomen. Occasionally the cat's chest displays a golden and dense liquid that contains flakes within. This infection makes the cat run a high fever and would usually not eat well. The only protection that cats can have over the disease is vaccination. But vaccines should be given to pet cats prior to any exposure to the virus or else the vaccine would not be very effective to prevent any infection.

Feline immune Deficiency Viru

This disease is similar to the Human Immune Deficiency Virus or HIV in humans. This virus in only found in cats and is being spread mainly through a bite from an infected cat. This disease suppresses the cat's immune system and leads the cat to be more prone to all sorts of infection. There is an intranasal vaccine available to protect cats from the FIV infection although some veterinarians are not that convinced that it can protect more effectively as compared to other vaccines.

The important thing is to never take matters into your own hands if you are unsure. A vet can make sure that your cat is healthy and happy. As a guardian for your pet, it is your responsibility to provide this care whenever necessary, and its always best to be safe.

Common Health Problems Of Cats, Why Cat Health Insurance is Almost Mandatory Now To Owning A Cat.

If you are new to owning a cat, you may be surprised to find that health problems are a common thing. No matter what breed of cat you own, health problems are to be expected. Some may be hereditary, while others can easily be prevented. Behavioral Problems This is an important problem when adopting especially like shelter cats. After months in a cage almost all the cats that you would adopt have some behavioral problems and diagnosing them and helping to break the cat of it can be expensive. Worms No matter what breed of cat it may be, worms are a very common and recurring problem. Tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms are among the most common that infect cats. Cats who have problems gaining weight, problems with fleas, or if you find white specks in his stool, you should have your vet test him for worms. Although they can be treated with medicine, worms can prove to be fatal if they are left untreated. Hairball Hairballs are the most common health problem for cats. All cats groom themselves on a daily basis, normally swallowing the loose hair that comes from their coats. On occasion, this loose hair will gather into a ball and become lodged in the digestive tract instead of passing through in your cat’s stool. When your cat starts to cough and hack, he is normally coughing up a hairball. Although it can be rather disgusting in the end, most cats can dislodge hairballs without any problems. In rare cases, a hairball can pass through to a cat’s intestine, creating a blockage. Blockages are very serious problems, and can be life threatening if they aren’t treated. If your cat becomes constipated, isn’t eating properly, or has a very dull coat, he could have a blockage. If you notice any of these symptoms, you should take him to the vet immediately. You can prevent hairballs and blockages by brushing your cat 2 – 3 times a week to remove loose hair. You can also feed him food that is designed to control hairballs as well. Urinary tract infection Urinary tract infection is also a common health problem with cats. Urinary tract infection is more common with male cats that haven’t been neutered, although females can suffer from this problem as well. When a cat suddenly stops going to his litter box, this problem is normally the cause. Another symptom is when the cat’s urine starts to smell really strong. If you suspect that your cat has a urinary tract infection, you should take him to the vet. Your vet can treat the problem with medicine, and make recommendations to help avoid this problem in the future. Feline leukemia In the past, feline leukemia was the biggest cause of death in cats. These days however, there are vaccines available that can treat the disease. To treat the disease, your cat will need to be given the shot before he or she is exposed. Even though death doesn’t happen immediately, cats that are exposed to feline leukemia normally don’t have a long life span. If you know your cat has feline leukemia, you should never allow other cats around him, as the virus is highly contagious. To protect your cat, you should always make sure that you take him to the vet for his regular check ups. If you keep him up to date on his vaccinations, he should lead a healthy and productive life. Although some health problems can’t be avoided, most of them can. You can also keep your cat indoors as well, which will protect him from a majority of health problems. If your cat is an outdoor cat, regular visits to the vet will keep him healthy. As long as you take your cat to the vet and keep him healthy – he will be your companion for years to come. Do you need Pet Insurance Cost of Insurance runs around $25 to $35 a month. Regardless of the insurance provider, your veterinarian should be monitoring the health of your pet as part of a valid Veterinary-Client-Patient Relationship 1.

The insurance provider should clearly spell out to you the details, including the limitations and exclusions, of coverage for routine and/or wellness care as well as emergency treatments and conditions that require extensive care. Find out how your premiums will be increased as your pet ages or if you make any claims.

2.

See if they have add-on options to provide any specific coverage (e.g., dental care, travel insurance, etc.) you may want. Find out how they define and handle pre-existing conditions (diseases or conditions your pet already has – or has had – prior to purchasing the insurance plan).

3.

In some cases, insurance providers will not insure a specific pet or breed of pet, or may limit the number of pets you can insure, if they consider them "high risk."

Some providers will give multiple pet discounts. 4.

All of the charges, including co-pays, deductibles, add-on charges and other fees, should be clearly explained to you so you fully understand the policy and its limitations.

You should be allowed to choose the veterinarian who will provide veterinary care for your pet. 5.

Pet insurance plans are generally reimbursement plans – you pay the bills up front and are reimbursed by the insurance provider. Ask the insurance provider how claims are processed as well as the timeframe for reimbursement of your expenses so you know what to expect. If you're concerned about covering the expenses up front, ask your veterinarian about payment options that will work for you in case you need to make arrangements. (It's best to find out your options ahead of time so you don't have the added stress of trying to make payment arrangements on an emergency basis.)

Judi Singleton is a free lance writer who writes 20+ blogs a week. You can advertise in her blogs for $5. a week per blog, mix and match.

Cats Bonding With Their Owners

There are a lot of experts out there who say that cats are strictly independent animals. These very same experts state that cats have chosen to associate with humans due to their strategy of survival. Although many argue with this statement, there are many who agree as well – although those that agree are normally those in the percentile who do not agree with cats. Anyone who has owned a cat will tell you that cats are great at bonding with people, although they are very particular. Normally, a cat will choose someone in the home that he bonds with. You will know when a cat wants to bond with you, as he will hop on your lap seeking attention or snuggle up to you at night when you are sleeping. Purring is a strong sign of affections, especially with cats that are looking to bond. Although many experts have tried to figure it out, no one really knows why cats choose a particular person whom they will bond with. It could be the individual’s manners, voice, or simply how that person treats the cat. Perhaps it may be the individual is really gentle, or maybe a little more forceful – bringing the best out in the cat. There are a lot of ways that researchers have tried to take this subject, one of which being psychic. Some say that cats bond with someone due to a “psychic aura” that is compatible with both the person and the cat. If a cat feels that someone is giving them a bad vibe, they will simply ignore that person. Although this can be true to a sense for some, a majority of those who own cats will tell you that this couldn not be any further from the truth. Even though there are a lot of theories and speculation out there, no one really knows why cats bond with humans. There’s little to no proof available as well, other than cats and their natural instinct for physical survival. Those who own cats know that cats crave attention, simply to make them feel needed. They love to be pampered by their owners, and will shower you with attention and affection if you just give them the chance. Those who are new to owning cats may find bonding to be very different. Cats are different from other animals, including dogs, in the sense that they bond different. Different breeds of cats will bond different with their owners, although most prefer affection and attention. The more time you spend around your cat, the more he will bond with you. Over the years, you will find that the bond you create with your pet has grown very strong – and simply cannot be broken. Here are three signs of love from your cat. Your cat brings you their “presents” 1.Not for the faint of heart, when your cat brings you their kill it is actually meant as a present… even though it’s a present you do not want to touch with your bare hands. Cats are natural hunters, so when they bring you these gifts they are trying to show you what they can “offer” you. Think of it as a love token, even if the sight of a dead bird/rodent makes you squeal. Once we went camping and my cat caught all these live things, mice, a baby rabbit, a bird, Then she put them under my pillow in the tent. I went to bed and snuggled up with the pillow and it started to move. I went screaming out of tent. My cat's way of telling me she really loved me. 2. There you are, just watching TV together. You reach over to stroke your adorable kitty, who’s snoozing on the next cushion. The next thing you know, your hand is caught in a vice grip of tiny cat teeth. What happened? Nibbling or ‘love biting’ is just your cat’s way of saying, ‘hey thanks for those awesome rubs! I like you too.’ Love bites are often the natural progression for a cat who likes to lick. 3. Socializing is a huge factor for humans and animals. A cat that lives outdoors and isn't played with may turn out to be aloof and indifferent to people. A beloved house cat that gets a lot of attention and play might follow you around and get involved in everything you do. My cat loves to get up in my face when I’m trying to work, repeatedly slamming her forehead into my nose, chin, whatever. Turns out she isn't doing a Zinedine Zidane impression. Head bonking (actually called ‘bunting’) is a cat's way of marking something that they love and trust, and should be considered a huge compliment. Advertising isn’t cheap; join dailyplanet.biz today and get a 25 percent discount on your advertising for life!

Animals are parents too

I want to let you know about an event that changed my life many years ago. It is a memory that periodically comes and goes, but it is one of the most precious memories that me and my wife share. I am thankful that we can remember it together. It's a...

International Homeless Animals Day

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Hot Weather Tips for Animals

We all look forward to the long, sunny days of summer outdoors with our pets, those long hot days of summer in the park throwing the frisbee, but being overly enthusiastic in hot weather can spell danger Summer is upon us and you know what that means – blissful summer nights, warm sunny

The higher temperatures and long sunny days are one of the best things about the “dog days” of summer, but can pose some dangers to animals unless precautions and safety measures are taken.r, ASPCA experts warn. What is fun in the sun for you can be dangerous for your pet. Take simple precautions and use common sense. I never expose my dog or cat to anything I would not expose my child to. So follow some simple rules and all will be fun.

Visit the Vet 1. Early Spring is the time for a vet visit. Check your animal's health as well as ask the vet to check for heartworm, recommend a good flea and tick regime.

Shade, Shade and More Shade 2. Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water when it's hot outdoors. Make sure your pets have a shady place to get out of the sun, be careful to not over-exercise them, and keep them indoors when it's extremely hot. Know What the Symptoms are for dehydration

3. Symptoms of overheating in pets include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. They can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomit along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees. Animals with flat faces, like Pugs and Persian cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. These pets, along with the elderly, the overweight, and those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible. Better safe than sorry.

Do not leave your pet alone in a parked car on hot days. Despite the warnings, every year, pets die after their owners leave them in a parked car that overheats. Within just a few minutes, a car can get extremely hot, stifling, and deadly, even with the window cracked. Within 30 minutes it was 117 degrees inside the car. “Never, ever leave your dog in a parked car on a hot day.

Provide your Pet With A Cool Way to Cool Off A Kiddy pool is a great thing to provide your pet with but be sure to supervise not all dogs are good swimmers. Avoid Potential Accidents "During warmer months, the ASPCA sees an increase in injured animals as a result of High-Rise Syndrome, which occurs when pets-mostly when they fall out of windows or off of balconies. I put fish net on my balcony to prevent children or pets from falling. I put it from the top of the balcony to the bottom and securely fasten it down. I then planted climbing plants on it. I still had a view because I left the middle fish netting free. I also raised two vintage tomato plants in pots on each side of the railing. I also secured all screen by screw by ing them down tight. Summer Trim Feel free to trim longer hair on your dog or Cat, but never shave your animals: The layers of dogs'& cats coats protect them from overheating and sunburn. Brushing cats more often than usual can prevent problems caused by excessive heat. And be sure that any sunscreen or insect repellent product you use on your pets is labeled specifically for use on animals. When the temperatures get high never Leave your pet lingering on hot asphalt as it can heat up their bodies and burn their paws. Buy doggie and cat shoes to prevent their paws from burning, this also works for not having their paw freeze. Keep the walks to a minimum as exercising is not good in the heat, Avoid Chemicals Commonly used flea and tick products, rodenticides (mouse and rat baits), and lawn and garden insecticides can be harmful to cats and dogs if ingested, so keep them out of reach. When walking your dog, steer clear of areas that you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals. Keep citronella candles, oil products and insect coils out of pets' reach as well. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 if you suspect your animal has ingested a poisonous substance. My friend just lost her dog to brain cancer that the vet said was the cancer was due to lawn chemicals. Taking your Dog to A Party Taking your dog to a backyard barbeque or party? Remember that the food and drink offered to guests may be poisonous to pets. Keep alcoholic beverages away from pets, as they can cause intoxication, depression and comas. Similarly, remember that the snacks enjoyed by your human friends are not necessarily good for your dog. Allowing your pet; any change of diet, even for one meal, may give your dog or cat diarrhea and severe stomach upset. Avoid raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate and products with the sweetener xylitol, Marijuana. A friend just fed her dog edible marijuana by accident but she did not secure the edibles or she would not of got into them. She left cookies containing marijuana on the table and the dog ate them had seizures.

Don't take your pet to see the fireworks or have them around while you do them at home. Please leave pets at home when you head out to Fourth of July celebrations, and never use fireworks around pets. Exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns or trauma to curious pets, and even unused fireworks can be hazardous. Many types of fireworks contain potentially toxic substances such as potassium nitrate, copper, chlorates, arsenic and other heavy metals. Last year several people I know took their pets out while doing fireworks and they got burned. Remember pets are like children they need your protection.