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An
Essential Guide for Choosing
And Buying Your Pet Parrot
By:
Jimmie Lee
Do
you know how many bird species there are in the
world? Answer: Over 9000 species. And out of which the parrot group
itself consists of about 330 species and are particularly popular with
pet owners.
Parrot Buying Tip 1 -- Buy a
young
parrot
Rearing
a new parrot from young helps to facilitate taming. An older
parrot can also be tamed just that it takes more time and patience.
However, the tricky part is in determing the age of the bird. However,
some basic things to look out for are the scales on its legs, color of
the eye and the color of the body. A young parrot often has a dark gray
iris that becomes white or brown when it grows up. The scales of young
parrots are also much smoother than that of mature birds. Their body
color also appears initially to be much duller than when they are
matured. The best option is to buy one which is newly born which is
independent of its parent.
Parrot Buying Tip 2 -- Choose
the
right species
Do
you know the characteristics of the parrot you are interested in
buying?
Do they
•
make
tremendously loud voices which can cause huge
disturbance to the
neighbors?
•
have a very powerful beak that can damage your
personal
belongings if let free in the house?
•
need special accomodation, which
will potentially incur higher costs for you. Bigger birds would require
bigger cages made of metal so that the parrot cannot damage it.
•
need
special nutritional foods? Some birds such as the lorikeets need
special foods since they feed on nectar. This also relates to cost.
Parrot Buying Tip 3 -- Check
its
condition
If
possible, ask for a certified health certificate by the veterinarian
so that you have assurance of buying a healthy parrot home. If that is
not available, dont worry, you can check out the below factors for some
tell-tale signs on the conditions of the bird.
Inspect
the living conditions of the bird. Dirty or poorly
maintained perches, food and water containers, excess fecal wastes in
the cage, all show poor management of the birds leading to bad health.
The eyes should also be clear and not showing any discharge. Also look
out for any swelling signs which will indicate rising health problems.
It
is great to have parrots as pets, as they can be good
source of fun and companionship. However, it is important to know some
essential tips on selecting and buying the right parrot, and this can
be categorized into 4 great tips namely to buy a young parrot, choose
the desired parrot species, check condition of the parrot, and always
buy from reputable pet shops.
Originally
Written @ http://Parrotalk.Blogspot.com/
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New
Puppy? Natural Remedies
And Products Are A Great Idea
By
Susan Koranki
Many
pet owners are now
actively seeking out natural remedies and products for both
preventative care, and the treatment of certain conditions.
Obviously,
there needs to be a balance between conventional veterinary
care and the use of natural remedies. When you use the
best of both worlds in a complementary way, your puppy's benefits are:
Better Overall Health - many
common dog ailments, such as digestive
disorders and allergies, can be prevented or significantly reduced.
Longer Lifespan - due to
better health and a stronger immune system
Improved Healing - your pup will heal faster after sickness or injury
due to a stronger, healthier body.
Better Quality of Life - a
natural
approach to pet health care includes treating all the factors
(environmental, behavioral, nutritional etc) that lead to ill health.
By treating the causes and not just the symptoms, your pup will be
happier and healthier.
Natural Dog Food
Natural
dog food (including holistic/organic options) can provide
optimum nutrition. Benefits include
human-grade ingredients, and the absence of hormones, chemicals,
additives and other undesirables. Feeding a natural diet (and that
could include a raw diet, or BARF), helps strengthen your puppys'
immune system, reduce the incidence of allergies, and research
indicates a long puppy life.
Natural Remedies for Dogs
Many
puppies have digestive issues, and constipation, flatulence and
loose stools are common puppy
problems. Natural
laxatives, pro-biotics, digestive tonics and other products can be very
helpful for a puppy who has tummy troubles.
Many
dogs suffer from allergies of one sort or another, some
are sensitive or allergic to ingredients in their food, others to
environmental or seasonal triggers or parasites such as fleas.
Medications
such as anti-histamines can supress allergy symptoms,
but natural remedies actually target the imbalances/weaknesses at the
root of the problem. Soothing herbal salves and ointments can help
relieve
constant scratching, and food supplements can help keep your dogs' coat
and skin healthy and supple.
Anxiety,
fear and general nervousness are also fairly common puppy
behavioral issues. From separation anxiety, to submissive urination
and stressors such as thunderstorms or car travel.
There's
a whole range of products to
choose from - Flower remedy essences, pheremone-based
sprays, diffusers, dietary supplements, and more.
Combining natural
remedies
and health care, along with routine vet care
that your puppy needs, you're giving him the very best chance of a
long, happy and health life. Isn't that good to know?
Susan
Koranki @
http://www.the-puppy-dog-place.com
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Aquarium
Fish Can Provide
The Perfect Relaxation Zone
By
Joe Slavin
An
aquarium that has been well looked after must surely be one of the most
attractive sights known to man. When casualy walking past a fish tank
display, it is difficult not to stop in your tracks and feast your eyes
on this array of colourful fish varieties. Relaxation is just one of
the benefits that can be accrued from aquariums, more so in the busy
stressful lives we live today.
If
you are in the same room as a tank of fish, you find yourself drawn
to viewing it time and again. Aquariums are an attraction by themselves
and can complement their surroundings and are widely used by interior
designers to enhance their commissions. If you have ever had the chance
of viewing an aquarium you may recall the experience of how you were
transfixed by the various species of fish as they darted between
the plants and rocks.
You
can totally switch off from your surroundings and immerse yourself
completely while observing this watery habitat of these wondrous pet
fish. Personal viewing is highly recommended. You cannot convey to
anyone just how wonderful this exhibition can be in the natural medium
of water. The antics of the fish constantly vary and are never repeated
exactly, putting on an ongoing show.
It
does not matter whether it is a fresh water aquarium or saltwater
aquarium, both can offer endless hours of entertainment for all the
family, irrespective of age, young or old, who can take an interest in
the fish. Indeed you will find in many families, three generations who
all have their own fish tanks, the knowledge and enthusiasm being
handed down from parents to the children. Keeping fish can be both a
very interesting pastime and hobby that you can enjoy in your own home.
There
is a wide choice of aquariums, so you can select one that is both
suitable for your home and budget. You can start quite modestly and
upgrade as you gain experience and you are able to afford further
purchases. It can be interesting getting to know the types of fish that
are suitable, their species names, and how to look after them properly.
Adults
and children alike usually like to give their pet fish names.
This can be as obvious as to name a gold coloured fish "Goldie" or a
white one "Snowy" and can be lots of fun both to give the names and
then remembering them. It can be very interesting if you study the fish
closely to observe tiny differences and in this way you can recognise
them individually and give them a name.
Joe
Slavin @
http://petsuppliesfish.co.uk
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Caring
For Your Elderly Cat
By
David Beart
Our
cats become a part of the family over time. But unlike humans, who are
considered elderly at 60 or 65, cats are considered "senior citizens"
at the ripe old age of 10. A kitten cannot be fed, groomed, medicated,
and treated the same way as an elderly cat. Here are some pointers:
Feeding Time
Most
pet supply stores sell specially formulated cat foods tor elderly
cats. Senior cats cannot assimilate their food in their digestive
tracts the same way they did as kittens.
It
is important to maintain good dental hygiene in cats at a young age
by either brushing, taking them to the veterinarian for a cleaning, or
feeding them snacks that clean their teeth. If your elderly cat eats
less, it may be due to a toothache.
Feed
your older cat a diet rich in essential fatty acids to fix a dull
coat. When organisms, including cats, get older, they have an increased
production of free radicals in the body. Help build up the immune
system of your beloved cat by increasing his or her intake of vitamin C
and E.
Finally,
you want your cat to remain active in old age. If you allow
your cat to become obese it will lay around the house and have reduced
quality of life.
Grooming Elderly Cats
Aging
cats sometimes stop grooming themselves with the same frequency
as they did when they were younger. This can create a matted fur coat
that is dirty and smells bad. Bad hygiene will eventually lead to bad
health. It is important to groom your eldery cat yourself. Purchase a
good cat bristle brush that doesn't just brush the outer coat, but also
reachs down to the skin to pull up old hair.
The
best way to wash a cat is to place it in the tub and gradually
introduce water to the cat's coat until they are completely wet and
then work in some shampoo quickly.
Vet Visits and Medication
In
older age, cats may seem fine but still have complications. Going
back to dental care, most older cats develop gum disease which can lead
to health problems down the line. Gum disease is treatable by your vet.
If
your cat has medicine prescribed, do not miss a
day of medication as your older cat's system is much
more delicate than those of younger cats.
Pet
Insurance
It
is best to enroll your pet into an insurance program at a younger
age to assure a more reasonable premium. Having pet insurance
will give you peace of mind about your cat as it ages.
An
indication of a
healthy cat is a lustrous, shiny coat, and a tail that sticks straight
up when the cat is walking. Love your senior cat with
healthy care.
David
Beart @
http://www.professorshouse.com
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Miniature
Pets - When Small Is Big
By
C. S. Swarens
It
is uncertain exactly when miniature breed animals first came about.
Historical and archaeological evidence point to gargantuan rats and
dinosaurs smaller than many chickens. What is certain is that miniature
pets are a big business and offer big rewards, both financially and
personally.
There
may be many jokes among some men about miniature poodles or
chihuahuas but the fact of the matter remains that miniature dogs are
increasingly popular among people. Many people simply do not have the
room to own a large dog. A small dog can be just as happy in a small
house as it can be in a large home.
These
days, you can find miniature horses, miniature pigs, and many
other breeds that were very uncommon just a few short years ago. For
some people it is simply a matter of the cute factor. Smaller animals
somehow become "cute" even when their larger relatives are anything but
good looking or popular among most people. Unless you live in the
country, you probably never heard anyone bragging about their 1200
pound pig.
For
some other people, the joys of owning a miniature pet is in no
small part, due to the fact that they make much smaller messes. Anyone
who has ever had to carry a plastic bag for waste removal every time
that they took their dog for a walk will probably agree to this.
Anybody who has ever had to housebreak a pet would also be hard-pressed
to find the fault in this logic.
For
some people, cost is a major factor. A large dog would eat large
amounts of food every day. Over the course of time, those costs will
add up to a large amount of money which to some people at least, shows
no positive return for their investment. Other people may see the true
value of their pets but just cannot afford to feed a large dog or other
animal that will quite literally, eat them out of house and home.
Whatever
reason people have for wanting a miniature pet, they have
become big business as well. Contests, shows and major events regularly
occur all over the world for miniature pet lovers. Some of these shows
stress the importance of a lack of size but they are increasingly
looking at other criteria for deciding winners as well.
Miniature
horse shows have spawned entire new industries to keep up
with the demands of that lifestyle. Miniature surreys are available as
are carts, miniature saddles and other features that have no market
outside that of the miniature horse.
Similarly,
shows for the miniature pot-bellied pigs and other miniature
breeds are becoming increasingly popular as well. Whatever your reasons
are for wanting to own a miniature pet, remember that not only can you
reap big rewards, you will also open brand new opportunities in ways
you may never have imagined possible. There are many different reasons
for owning a pet. Pet owners can enjoy a host of benefits that people
without pets will never truly know or understand. Just remember that
when you are looking for a pet, size really does not matter.
C.
S. Swarens @
http://www.findapetonline.com
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