We all know that teenagers don’t get enough sleep - or rather they would if left to their own devices and allowed to go to bed at 4am and sleep until 6pm the next day. And we all know that lack of sleep comes with its own problems - ranging from mood swings (just ask any sleep-deprived new parent) to serious health problems to behavioral issues (I used to teach preschool and when one of my usually sunny, cooperative, creative kids turned into a version of Mr. Hyde that went far beyond anything Robert Louis Stevenson could have imagined, it usually meant the child was either hungry, tired, or the lethal combination of both).
According to an article published in the July edition of Pet Age magazine, sleep deprivation can also lead to behavior problems in birds. The article’s author, Allie Johnson, says that it is important to keep pet birds on a sleeping schedule similar to what they would experience in the wild. In the wild, birds sleep when the sun goes down and wake up when it comes up - anywhere from 10 to 14 hours. And typically birds in captivity don’t follow this type of schedule because their human owners (understandably in this day age) don’t either.
Sleep-deprived birds often exhibit either behavioral or physical problems. Behavior problems typically show up as feather plucking (birds tend to feather pluck when they are either bored or stressed and lack of sleep can cause a tremendous amount of stress). In severe cases, feather plucking actually progresses to self-mutilation where the bird begins chewing on his or her own skin.
When it comes to physical problems, sleep-deprived birds may suffer from chronic upper respiratory infections, fungal infections, and/or fungal or bacterial infections in the crop or gut. Just as with humans, lack of sleep prevents the immune system from functioning normally and allows more illnesses to creep in.
Lack of sleep is not the only cause of these problems. Poor diet, and lack of exposure to fresh air and natural (or UV) light, boredom, or stress from other causes can also lead to behavior and healthy problems. A visit to your veterinarian may be able to help determine the cause of your bird’s behavior or health problems.
If lack of sleep is the issue, try providing your bird with a quiet, dark, cozy place where he or she can go whenever his or her biological clock says it’s bedtime. Different birds like different sleeping habitats, so you may have to try out a variety of “homes” before you find the one that works best for your bird.
A surprising number of bird owners walk their birds. I’ve seen a beautiful white cockatoo on a tether strolling around the Lafayette reservoir with its owner; one time at the post office I encountered a man who had his parakeet in a cage (I spoke with briefly and he said that he tried to take his bird out as often as possible).
Exposing your bird to the great outdoors is a wonderful way to expose your bird to natural sunlight, provide variety to his day-to-day routine, and provide you and your bird with some quality bonding time. Keeping your bird on a harness well help ensure your bird’s safety. Harness Training Your Bird provides excellent step-by-step instructions for teaching your bird to be completely comfortable wearing a harness.
In the winter months, the cold weather will prevent the vast majority of bird owners from taking their feathered friend on outdoor excursions. Vitamin absorption, egg production, molting schedules, and waking/sleeping schedules are all directly influenced by the amount of sunlight to which your bird is exposed.
Putting a full-spectrum light (be sure to choose one specifically designed for birds and bird cages) in or near your bird’s cage will provide your bird with all the benefits of natural sunlight. In addition, you can attach a perch to a window, or put your bird’s cage near a window. This has the double benefit of allowing your bird to experience some natural sunlight, while allowing your bird to benefit from some new sights and sounds.
This guest post is brought to you by Dog Fence DIY’s staff veterinarian Dr. Susan Wright. Dog Fence DIY has several different types of electric fences for dogs. They will help you find the best system that suites you and your pet, help you install it, and train you to use it your new system. Dog Fence DIY offers the best competitive pricing as well.
Our dogs are very much a part of the family, and we love to share our leisure time and special occasions with them. This means that we like to include them in our family photo album. However, photographing our dogs isn’t always easy, and it can take practice to get the best results. Here are some suggestions to help you take the best photo possible of your dog:
1. Train your dog. Having a dog that will sit and stay when you ask him to will mean you can take your time when you go to push that shutter button. Because you know he won’t move, you don’t need to rush and take a less than perfect “grab shot” because he’s just about to get up and wander off. The other advantage of training him is that you can photograph him without his leash and collar ruining his good looks.
2. Make sure he’s groomed. Give him a bath and a haircut if necessary, and brush his coat until it shines. If he looks his best for his photo shoot, you’ll be much happier with the results. Put a packet of wipes in with your camera to clean away the inevitable eye mucus and give his mouth a wipe before you take the picture.
3. Pick a nice spot to take photos of your dog. Perhaps there’s a nice park with a garden bed nearby, or a dog friendly beach or lake. Watch out though - don’t let him get wet before you’re finished taking his photos. The “wet hair look” doesn’t look great on film. One last thing, have a look at the area around your dog and make sure it’s clear - be sure that there isn’t a light post or similar object that looks like it’s sticking out of his head!
4. Learn the basic features of your camera. Know how to turn the flash on and off. On a bright day, you’ll still need to use the flash. A bright background will perhaps leave your dog in shadow, so adding some flash will light him up in the photo. Use a zoom lens to crop right on on your dog without having to get up close - dogs are curious creatures and will often leave a nose print on your lens.
5. Recruit an assistant. If you really want to take the best photos of your dog, you will need an extra set of hands. Imagine telling your dog to sit and stay, then moving away to take the photo, and calling his name to make him look at you. In most cases, it doesn’t work! Having someone to take care of your dog will leave you to enjoy working at the other side of the lens.
6. Take your time, and think carefully before pushing that shutter button. I know that with digital photography, there are no film and developing costs, but it’s still very much worthwhile pausing before you take the shot. Check your background, make sure your dog is looking where you want him to, and that his fur is in the right place.
7. Set up your photo shoot in the shade. Bright sunlight will cast harsh light on your dog, and may also result in very dark shadows. Both of these are hard for a camera to deal with, particularly in a dog that’s predominantly black or white. Bright light will also make your dog squint, which is a most unattractive look. The best time of day to photograph your dog is either first thing in the morning or at the end of the day - the light is gentler.
8. Experiment with your position. Don’t just stand in one spot and take his photograph from above. Try lying down or squatting so you’re at his level. Another good way to photograph him is by lying down and photographing him from underneath. This will also give you a nice background - trees, or a cloudy sky. You’ll need to make your flash fire, or his face will be in shadow.
9. Watch his head position. The most attractive portrait position is with his head at forty-five degrees to the camera. It usually works out much nicer than if you take his photo when he’s staring directly at you. If he’s trained well enough, try using a squeaky toy to make him look alert. It makes for a fabulous portrait.
10. With the advent of digital photography, many people take loads of photos and don’t ever get them printed. It’s important that you aren’t guilty of this. You’ve put a lot of effort into photographing your dog, so get those images enlarged and on your wall. If you’re a bit more artistic, you may want to try scrapbooking some photos.
The most important part of taking good dog photos is practice, practice, practice. Fortunately, our dogs are usually willing subjects, and with a bit of effort, you’ll have great photos of him that you’ll be proud to hang on your wall!
I absolutely love Halloween. Any holiday that gives me an excuse to play dress-upand traipse around my local neighborhood with my friend and her children and receive gobs of candy for my efforts is a good holiday in my opinion. Getting dressed up and attempting to set the world’s record for most candy collected while trick-or-treating is, however, only part of the fun (at least in my opinion). Decorating the house and yard is equally fun - and makes driving through my neighborhood a real scream (you’ll pardon the horrible play on words I’m sure) this time of year.
Pumpkins are probably the most well-recognized Halloween symbol. This time of year trips to the pumpkin patch become mandatory and supermarkets have bins that are literally overflowing with pumpkins of all shapes and sizes and shades of orange. Carved pumpkins sit on doorsteps - their carved faces leering at passersby. Unfortunately, these classic decorations can also prove a potential source of danger to your pets.
A pumpking with a flickering candle inside can prove irressitable to a curious cat or dog. In addition to risking singed whiskers or a burnt paw (when the cat or dog decides that playing “catch the candle flame” is the best game ever invented), a playful pup or cat could inadvertently knock over a lit pumpkin and start a fire.
To avoid having your halloween fun spoiled by a trip to the emergency vet, opt for either battery operated pumpkin lights (this goes to just one place I found these lights to be readily available) or buy a Mr. Potato Head decorating kit for your pumpkin - no carving involved! Each kit (the clown and the pirate seem to be the two most readily available) comes with a variety of accessories to transform your pumpkin into anything from a pirate to a princess.
In addition to pumpkins, I see windows lit with spooky eyes, lawns covered with tombstones, and (fake) spiderwebs galore. The tombstones are great (unless you have a puppy who decides to take a chunk out of one), however the spider webs and light-up decorations can be hazardous to your pet. Power cords can prove irresistible to a teething puppy or curious bird (if you choose to go with decorative lights please keep the cord unplugged when you are not home and if at all possible block off entrance to the room with the lights when you are home and the lights are plugged in). Fake spiderwebs can also prove a tempting but deadly treat (fake spider webs pose a choking hazard or can cause intestinal blockage) if ingested by a curious animal.
Inside, you can replace flashing lights and spider webs with windows and wall clings (these should be available anyplace that sells Halloween supplies) to transform from your house into the spookiest house on the block.
In a prior posting, I expressed concern that Pixar featured a chocolate-addicted parrot in its new movie UP. I actually saw the movie last night (and yes, I promise in the future that I will see the movie first and write the posting second). After seeing UP, I must agree with the comments of my readers that Kevin (the bird in the movie) does not in fact bear any resemblance to a parrot! I would have to say that if anything, Kevin most closely resembles a beautifully and brightly colored ostrich. That being said however, I do want to reiterate my hope that when people see movies which portray domesticated animals, they use it as an opportunity to start a conversation about the differences between how animals behave in movies, and how they react in real life.
I love the idea of making new year’s resolutions that involve pets. This article entitled “New Year’s Resolutions for Pets & Their People” was written by Janet Tobiassen Crosby, DVM and was originally posted in About.com.
Here, in no particular order, are 10 tips to a healthier lifestyle for animals in need and our own pets.
Exercise
Regular exercise has the obvious health benefits, but it also is a great time to bond with our pets. A simple daily walk helps a dog learn proper manners, provides some good quality time, and does wonders for the human counterpart, too! Keeping pets at the proper body weight reduces the risk of heart and joint problems, diabetes, and a host of other poor health conditions.
Health Check Up
A regular visit to your veterinarian is the best way to stay ahead of potential problems. Annual examinations of teeth, heart/lungs, and body condition overall will be less costly than waiting for a problem to develop and your pet suffering needlessly from complications of preventable problems. Having a good “baseline” of information about your pet also gives the veterinarian something to compare against and determine exactly what is wrong when something isn’t quite right with your pet.
Good Nutrition Like humans, pets who eat poor quality food just don’t have the health reserves than those that a good balanced diet. Poor skin, hair coat, muscle tone, and obesity problems can be a result of a poor diet. Also, pets are not humans — a diet rich in table scraps is not a healthy one, and can lead to problems such as obesity and pancreatitis.
Good Grooming
No one wants to be around a stinky pet. Regular grooming — bathing, toe nail clips, brushing out coat, parasite control — not only make the pet more pleasing to be around, it is much healthier for the pet! For skin and coat problems that don’t resolve with regular grooming, please see your veterinarian — there may be an underlying medical condition affecting the skin, coat, or toenails.
Safety
Keeping pets safe is something most pet owners take for granted. However, take a moment to assess the toxic chemicals used in your house and yard. Are they necessary? Are all safety precautions followed? Where are household chemicals stored? Can your pet access these items? If toxins such as rodent poisons are used, can your pet access the rodents? Think too about enclosures for pets — is the fencing secure? Can your pet get caught or hooked up on the fence, a tree, etc. and choke or be stuck out in the weather when you are away?
Information
Being informed is the best way to keep track of our pet’s health and well being. If possible, keep a medical log of your pet’s vet visits, medications, special needs, etc. to help keep track of your pet’s medical history. Knowing what is normal and not normal for your particular pet will assist your vet figure out what is wrong in the case of illness. The Internet is a wealth of information, but caution is advised when seeking out a diagnosis or medical assistance via the web. Just as in real life, there is good information and bad information out there. The only way to get an answer/diagnosis is through a thorough physical examination, review of medical history, and possible lab work performed by your veterinarian.
Love & Attention
This is probably obvious, but too many pets are left outside in all kinds of weather, with very little human contact. Same goes for inside pets — those who are largely ignored for lack of time and busy human schedules. Take the time to focus on your pets and create/nourish that human-animal bond!
Volunteer There are thousands upon thousands of animals in need of help each day. This concept can be overwhelming for many people. Every little bit helps, though. Financial donations, donations of supplies or your time to a local shelter or rescue group is always appreciated, and real live animals are being helped by your generosity.
Maintenance
This refers to the more “unpleasant” aspects of pet care — the litter box scooping, yard clean up, cage cleaning, and fish tank maintenance. A clean environment for our pets is a healthy one! Poor sanitation can lead to behavior problems (i.e. litter box avoidance) and health problems such as skin infections and the spread of communicable diseases.
Be a Voice
Speak up when you notice neglected or abused pets in your neighborhood. This isn’t pleasant, but if you can help even one animal escape a painful life, it is worth it. Shelters and rescue groups will thank you and most will accept an anonymous tip to help animals in need.
With 2008 having drawn to a close, many radio shows, magazines, and newspapers are taking a look back at the top stories of 2008. Obviously events like hurricanes, the election, the economy, and bankrupt car moguls arriving in Washington to plead for funds in a private jet topped the list. In keeping with this spirit, it only seemed appropriate to take a retroactive look at the top pet stories of 2008. Here are five of the most widely read pet stories of 2008:
PETCO PET FOOD RECALL
In 2007, pet owners reeled from the knowledge that thousands of pounds of pet food were possibly contaminated with melamine. Just over a year later, in June 2008, Petco has had to shut down one of its distribution centers as a result of “unsanitary” conditions. The FDA reported that “During an FDA inspection of a PETCO distribution center in April, widespread and active rodent and bird infestation was found. The FDA inspected the facility again in May and found continuing and widespread infestation.” What is most frightening about this is that this problem was originally noted in April and apparently no action was taken at that time.
A ROARINGLY GOOD REUNION
In 1969, two gentleman (John Rendall and Ace Berg) purchased a lion cub from Harrods. The lion was taken from its cramped and solitary cage and given a home in their London flat. John and Ace were given permission to exercise their pet (named Christian) in a local churchyard. Unfortunately, Christian quickly grew too big for both the flat and the churchyard. Wanting the absolute best for their pet, John and Ace sent Christian to Africa to live in a wildlife sanctuary. Christian rapidly became the head of his own pride. A year later, John and Ace went to Africa to visit their beloved pet. This video of their reunion has been viewed by thousands of people all over the world.
PUPPY MILLS
In July of 2008, the Humane Society of the United States raided a puppy mill in Tennessee and rescued, in addition to over 680 dogs, 25 horses and donkeys, 20 cats, 4 parrots, and 15 chickens. This video, day 3 of the rescue, shows the dogs after they have been transported to a temporary shelter and are receiving food, water, and medical care.
Shows like Oprah took up the cause, helping to raise awareness of the filthy, cramped, and miserable conditions of puppy mills, alerting people to the fact that pet stores and internet “breeders” (do not confuse these people with legitimate breeders who advertise via the internet) frequently provide animals from these horrible places. For more information on what you can do to stop puppy mills, please visit http://www.stoppuppymills.org.
MICHAEL VICK
Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick’s operation of a dog fighting ring drew outrage after it thrust the violent practice into the national media spotlight, writes Teri Webster, a reporter for Examiner.com. 47 pit bulls seized from Vick’s property were taken to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary of Kanab, Utah, and other rehabilitative shelters across the country.
The lengthy rehabilitation and re-socialization of some of the pit bulls was documented in the television series Dogtown, on the National Geographic Channel. One of the “prize fighters,” Lucas, became one of the most affectionate and lovable dogs, despite a deeply scarred muzzle from his violent past. But a court ruled he could never leave the sanctuary because of his background. Vick, a former Atlanta Falcons quarterback, is serving a 23-month sentence at maximum-security prison in Leavenworth, Kansas. The NFL suspended him indefinitely without pay. Vick must also pay nearly $1 million to support the facilities caring for his former pit bulls.
POOR ECONOMY IMPACTS PETS enseignement sp cialis
Shelters nationwide have been experiencing a tremendous upsurge in the number of pets being surrended by their owners. Shelters from California to New Jersey are reporting that more and more people are surrending dogs and cats as well as horses, rabbits, guinea pigs and even chickens. The number one reason cited by people being forced to surrender their pets is economic hardship. Shelters, which are literally overflowing with pets, are practically begging owners to try to place their pets with friends and family members. The problem facing the owners is that their friends and family members are frequently in similar situations. So please, if you are considering adding a pet to your family, start by looking at your local rescue organization.
I know a lot of people believe in spring cleaning, I’ve always been more of a new year cleaner. Year after year I resolve that this year I am going to get organized. So the first few days of each new year finds me scouring closets, drawers, and cupboards that haven’t been organized since last year at this time. Without fail I unearth a variety of items that I have been meaning to take to my local donation center.
As I pile old towels, pillow cases with holes, and a variety of other odds and ends in the center of my living room, my husband watches from the sidelines (usually to make sure that I’m not secretly donating the shirt which is, apparently, the only shirt he owns that is appropriate to wear when watching Sunday afternoon Football). This time he also pointed out that most donation centers prefer towels and blankets that do not come equipped with their own ventilation holes. I explained that these items were not going to our local donation center. Instead, I was taking them to our local animal shelter.
I subscribe to a free online e-mail tips service called Ideal Bite that provides simple ways to be more environmentally friendly. The last tip I received alerted me to the fact that many animal shelters welcome items like old blankets, pillow cases, and towels which are perfect for cushioning cage floors. They wrote that if If 10,000 people take three used jackets to an animal shelter, we’ll keep the weight of 258 adult male Great Danes in materials out of landfills.
Trust me when I say that nothing can ruin an Easter egg hunt or an Easter dinner faster than having to take Fluffy or Fido on an emergency trip to the veterinarian. Fortunately, there are very simple steps you can take to ensure that all your family members enjoy their celebration.
1)Choose pet-friendly flowers and plants for decorations
Cats and puppies are especially fond of munching on house plants (and adult dogs have been known to sample the local flora and fauna as well). Many common household plants, including Easter Lilies which are extremely popular this time of year, are poisonous to pets. The ASPCA has a listingof poisonous plants and non-poisonous alternatives. If you believe your pet has been poisoned, seek help immediately or call the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. Please note that there is a $60 consultation fee for this service.
2)Stick to chocolate rabbits and marshmallow chicks
Every year, thousands of rabbits and cute baby chicks wind up in shelters (according to the HSUS, rabbits are the third most commonly surrendered animal). The majority of these animals were purchased as Easter gifts for young children. The problem is that, just like cats and dogs, rabbits and chicks require a tremendous amount of time and care and in general do not make good pets for young children. I recommend reading the ASPCA’s article entitled “General Rabbit Care” to learn exactly what it takes to care for a rabbit. You can also help spread the word that rabbits are not disposable pets by getting involved in the Make Mine Chocolate! campaign. Started in 2002 by the Columbus House Rabbit Society, the campaign aims to educate the public about the challenges of owning a rabbit and encourages parents to give chocolate or toy bunnies as Easter gifts instead of live rabbits.
3)Keep the chocolate and treats for the kids
Chocolate contains an ingredient called theobromine, a substance that can potentially prove fatal if ingested by dogs, cats, or birds. According to a report published by the ASPCA, as little as 1oz of chocolate is potentially lethal. As opposed to a sugar high, chocolate in cats, dogs, and birds can produce clinical effects ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to panting (in dogs) excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death in severe cases. If your animal shows any of these symptoms, or you believe he or she has gotten into your chocolate stash, contact your veterinarian immediately.
4)Choose Easter basket décor with care
As anyone who has ever owned a pet can tell you, animals are both innately curious and prone to satisfying their curiosity by attempting to eat unrecognized substances. Plastic grass is extremely dangerous to animals if ingested. The grass can become twisted within a pet’s intestines and can be fatal if not caught quickly enough. Often, the only solution is expensive surgery. Candy wrappers, plastic eggs and small toy parts can also pose a danger to critters. Keep your pet out of harm’s way by using tissue paper instead of plastic grass and doing a thorough clean-up after Easter celebrations.
5)Pets Do Not Make Good Party Animals
Even the most placid pet may not respond well to chaos and noise. If you are planning an Easter egg hunt at your house or a large family get-together, your pet may be more comfortable tucked away in a quiet area of the house. Keeping your pet separate from the festivities also significantly reduces the risk of him or her gobbling up some Easter goodies.
Although it may be cold and icy outside, your furry family will still spend portions of the day outside. De-icing of sidewalks and driveways may prevent deadly falls, but the ice melt products themselves can be deadly.
60 percent of American households use salt-based viagra low cos
ice melt products in the winter. Children, pets, surfaces and the environment can be adversely affected by the use of these products. For dogs, in particular, exposure to salt-based ice melt products can mean an unhealthy winter with multiple trips to the vet.
Salt-based ice melters sit on ice and snow for a long period prior to penetrating into the ice. When let outside, dogs frequently eat the snow and ice thereby ingesting these pellets. The pellets also get frozen to their paws. Once back inside, the ice melts and dogs begin to lick their paws. The salt can heat up as high as 175 degrees and not only burn their skin but their mouth and digestive system.
Salt and salt residue left over from these products also causes permanent damage to asphalt, concrete, wood decks, floors and rugs and can harm the environment, including burn and kill lawns and plants and contaminate well and drinking water supplies.
The good news is that there are alternatives to harmful salt-based ice melts. This winter season, look for an ice melt that is safe for your family, your pets, and the environment.
