Pets and Animals Articles

Pets and Animals | By Tristan Andrews @ Monday, 1st March 2010 @ 3:11 PM

Hamsters are usually free of parasites, but occasionally they can be exposed to and become carriers of mites. Mites are tiny, black parasites that can cause much discomfort for your pets. They live in the hair follicles in your pet's fur. If left untreated, mites can spread to and infect other hamsters and can also lead to mange. (Mange is a skin condition that is characterized by redness, intense itching, skin irritation and hair loss). Hamsters can get mites from several source... more...

Pets and Animals | By Tristan Andrews @ Monday, 1st March 2010 @ 3:07 PM

When you first get a hamster, you often just start with one and might want to add more. This might be possible, depending on the breed of hamster you have. It is best to get littler mates and raise them together. This will not eliminate fights and territorial squabbles, but it should help prevent serious injury or death. Syrian hamsters (also known as golden or teddy bear hamsters) are extremely territorial and should be kept in solitary housing conditions. They are not social at all ... more...

Pets and Animals | By Tristan Andrews @ Monday, 1st March 2010 @ 3:04 PM

Sexing your hamster is only necessary if you are breeding your hamsters or you have more than one hamster and you wish to prevent breeding. No significant difference has been found in sexes as far as temperament or the ability to be a good pet, so if you are choosing a hamster that will be a solitary pet, do not worry about if your hamster is male or female. Both sexes can make loving, even-tempered and tame pets. (While there are a few owners who believe that there is a difference betw... more...

Pets and Animals | By Tristan Andrews @ Monday, 1st March 2010 @ 3:04 PM

Realizing that hamsters have different range of senses than humans is a large part of treating your hamster well. Some of the limitations or amplitude of your hamster's senses will affect his behavior, and if you understand this, you will not be puzzled or frustrated by your pet's behavior. It can also keep your hamster safe. Eyesight: The hamster has very poor eyesight. Hamsters are born blind and as adults a hamster is only able to see a few inches in front of his nose. T... more...

Pets and Animals | By Tristan Andrews @ Monday, 1st March 2010 @ 3:04 PM

Hamsters need to have special considerations when brought into a home that has existing pets or when new pets are brought into a hamster's home. Their small size and lack of natural defenses make them easy prey for a larger pet, such as a cat or dog. We have all heard the odd news story about how cats and hamsters (or another rodent) can get along. This makes a cute news story, but the truth is that you cannot expect a predator and prey to get along and be friends. It would be the... more...

Pets and Animals | By Tristan Andrews @ Monday, 1st March 2010 @ 3:03 PM

There are few things that are worse than having a sick hamster. Knowing that your pet is not feeling well is both difficult and upsetting. Here are some tips to help you try to make your pet feel better. If you notice your hamster is ill, be sure to quarantine him. This is a good reason why you should always have a quarantine tank set up. This makes for quick isolation from the rest of the group. (Having to either purchase or set up a quarantine tank can cause precious time to be los... more...

Pets and Animals | By Tristan Andrews @ Monday, 1st March 2010 @ 2:57 PM

Hamsters are an ideal pet for teaching and learning about a variety of subjects. They are suited for both the traditional classroom and for the homeschooling family. Because of their small size, clean habits, quiet natures and minimal care needs, they are perfect for almost any educational situation. First you must choose what type of hamster you want to have. Syrian hamsters (also known as golden or teddy bear hamsters) must be kept alone in a housing unit. If you want to keep more t... more...

Pets and Animals | By Tristan Andrews @ Monday, 1st March 2010 @ 2:56 PM

Young children are often more at risk for disease. This is not only due to a weaker immune system, but it is also because of habits that children have that make passing germs from child to child easier: they hug and kiss each other a lot. They put their fingers in their mouths and touch their mouths often. They will chew on toys and then pass them to another child. They are not usually good at consistent hand washing and hygiene. In other words, they do not do anything to help preven... more...

Pets and Animals | By Tristan Andrews @ Monday, 1st March 2010 @ 1:48 PM

You cannot have a puppy without puppy toys - the more the better. The truth is that most puppies have more toys than many babies. Puppies are playful and they need to learn - the right toys can help in both areas. But just as you are careful about giving children age appropriate toys, you should do the same with puppies. Any small, removable parts, such as eyes, or strings, can be a choking a hazard to a puppy The toys should be something that your puppy will enjoy - which usually include... more...

Pets and Animals | By Tristan Andrews @ Monday, 1st March 2010 @ 1:38 PM

Dog ownership carries with it the burden of a number of other purchases. To properly care for a dog and to comply with certain local laws, the owner must have a number of dog accessories in your arsenal. Some of these are needed, others are merely conveniences. It is important to know exactly what you'll need to properly care for your dog. The Essentials Most truly necessary elements for dog care are fairly obvious. If you've got a dog you'll need bowls for dog food ... more...

Pets and Animals | By Tristan Andrews @ Monday, 1st March 2010 @ 1:38 PM

When it comes to pets dogs are obviously a top choice. Let's face it, few animals can compare to the companionship a dog can offer. But what is it that makes a dog so wonderful? And what about your dog is so special? Tell the truth, aren't there some breeds of dogs that you absolutely would not tolerate in your home? And then there are others that are simply perfect. Have you ever wondered why one person prefers one type of dog - perhaps a type that you dislike, while another adores th... more...

Pets and Animals | By Carolyn Anderson @ Monday, 1st March 2010 @ 1:27 PM

If you are a dog owner trying to make that big switch from commercial dog foods to healthy homemade gourmet dog food recipes, you can actually find a lot of recipes online or from your veterinarian. Of course, you may have heard the term gourmet from classy restaurants but you can actually let your dog experience similar quality foods that also promote good health for your pets. With the many issues surfacing now about commercial dog foods having allergens and possible contamination, man... more...

Pets and Animals | By Tristan Andrews @ Monday, 1st March 2010 @ 11:48 AM

Whether you have had babies intentionally or came home from the store with a pregnant female, knowing how to care for baby hamsters is an important part of being a responsible pet owner. The first thing to remember is that the mother does not need your help and she can have babies all on her own. You don't need to coach her on breathing or fetch hot mater. Just let nature take its course. Even though you want to look and touch the babies, make sure you do not disturb the mo... more...

Pets and Animals | By Tristan Andrews @ Monday, 1st March 2010 @ 11:47 AM

Breeding Syrian (also known as golden or teddy bear) hamsters can be a very rewarding experience; however, before you decide to breed hamsters, there are some things to consider: Do you have homes lined up for your hamsters? Hamsters are weaned after only 20 to 25 days, and they can breed at only 45 days old. You will not have much time after the pups (baby hamsters) are born before you will need to find homes for them. It is best to determine where you will send your hamsters well in ... more...

Pets and Animals | By Tristan Andrews @ Monday, 1st March 2010 @ 11:47 AM

In order to properly take care of your hamster, it is important to address the changing needs of your pet as he ages. The needs of the senior hamster are quite different than the needs of young hamsters or pregnant females. Hamsters have an average lifespan of 2 to 3 years. This means that when a hamster is aged 15 to 18 months, he is considered to be middle-aged. A hamster who is over the age of 2 is considered to be a senior hamster. Senior hamsters are more susceptible to ill... more...

Pets and Animals | By Tristan Andrews @ Monday, 1st March 2010 @ 11:30 AM

Now that you're convinced that you're ready to welcome an Akita Inu to your home, you have to be properly educated also on the health problems of this dog. It is sad see a dog with so many ailments even if they are 100% health and energetic. Sometimes you can not prevent this from happening -- it is part of their DNA. Akita puppies should be given vaccines once they reach 11 to 16 months old. They're prone to health conditions that may be brought about their gene pool espe... more...

Pets and Animals | By Lawrence White @ Monday, 1st March 2010 @ 9:51 AM

We all love our pets and actually many of them are better fed than some humans. Our dogs, cats, parrots, turtles, and yes even goldfish are companions and we take good care of them by providing the best pet food we can. The sales of cat and dog food alone amounted to over £1.6 billion in the United Kingdom alone in 2006. The United States saw over forty five billion dollars spent on the feeding of dogs and cats. Typically, pet food is derived from plant and animal material that ma... more...

Pets and Animals | By Tristan Andrews @ Monday, 1st March 2010 @ 9:15 AM

Akita puppies are very energetic and they love running around and having fun. They love romping around and cause mayhem wherever they go. This is the life of a 10 to 12 month old puppy. They are very curious with their surroundings and they can't help but to jump for joy too especially when they come in contact with the people he loves - you and your family. These Akita puppies are very affectionate and very loyal so you could really notice him following you around most of the time ... more...

Pets and Animals | By Tristan Andrews @ Monday, 1st March 2010 @ 9:13 AM

Now that you are indeed getting closer and closer to deciding if you should really bring home that Akita Puppy that is so overwhelmingly adorable, there are just some things that you should go over with in order to fully say that you have purchased your dog legitimately and legally. Nowadays, there are some stores that sell smuggled animals and you do not want for the animal police to come knocking at your door. Especially for these foreign blooded animals. Better safe than jailed right?... more...

Pets and Animals | By Tristan Andrews @ Monday, 1st March 2010 @ 9:12 AM

Now that you have visited the dog store, you chance upon different beautiful and remarkable breed of dogs. Your feet bring you to the puppies section and there you begin to hold back a tear towards these oh-so admiringly adorable little bundles of fur. There seems to be one distinct little fellow who is starting to tug at your heart. He likes to play with all the children. After picking one up, you look into those soulful eyes that may seem to have witnessed a lot but you disregard the i... more...