Raw Food Can Heal -And Hurt- Your Cat

By Sonya Hedman

Raw food for cats and dogs is the new house-hold word. It may have been at least one positive benefit of the many pet food recalls the past few years. Suppliers making raw food have been sprouting up like mushrooms. While that is a terrific thing, you will need to conduct some research of the food, especially if your pet is a cat. Many manufacturers will make the same raw food for dogs and cats with the problem that cats have very specific requirements which are different from dogs.

When deciding on purchased raw food for your cat, (as opposed to you making the food yourself) some essential details to look out for is the:

1.The Calcium and Phosphorous Ratio. Cats need a diet that is very precise in the bone to meat ratio. Calcium is found in bone, and phosphorous is found in meats and organs.The ideal range, or balance, for felines is 1.2-1.4 parts Calcium to 1 part phosphorous. Dogs, on the other hand do not have these requirements. Most raw food is targeted to dogs. Buying a "Balanced Raw" diet appropriate for a dog could cause harm to your cat. If the Ca/Phos ratio is not available on the website of the manufacturer, nor on the package you will have to email or call them. What you want is numbers. You want the result of the analysis they did. If they did not do an analysis of their mineral balances, I would not buy their food. The Ca/Phos ratio can cause damage to your cat if it is off.

2.Veggies. Cats can take some veggies in their diet. Around 5% is ideal. More than 10% should be avoided. We would never feed our cats food with 10% or more of vegetables. Raw pet food manufacturers can add excessive amounts of veggies in order to cut their costs. Then there is the type of vegetables added...Garlic and onions can be toxic to cats and should never be in cat food. Period. Tomatoes can increase the effects of arthritis, potatoes add too much starch,,, Most vegetables cause an increase in urinary pH which can be detrimental to cats with frequent UTI's. (Which is one reason kibble is the cause of a majority of urinary tract problems in cats) Herbs are often used in raw food as well. Herbs are potent agents and should never be used long term. Many herbs which are perfectly safe for a dog could kill a cat. I'd stay away from any herbs in my cat's food!

3.Organ meats. Does the food contain organ meats and at what proportion? Feline diets should contain approximately 10% organ meats. Organs provide important vitamins and other nutrients vital for the cat.

4.Taurine. Taurine is an essential amino acid to the cat. Cats are unable to synthesize Taurine so it needs to be provided in the food. Mice are naturally very high in Taurine. A cat eating plenty of mice would be assured of their Taurine requirement. While all meats contain Taurine to some degree, handling and freezing the meat diminishes the amount. Some meats, like rabbit have a dangeroulsy low amount of Taurine while chicken hearts have a high amount. We recommend you add Taurine to ALL raw food you give your cat. A deficiency could cause blindness and fatal heart problems. Taurine is not only inexpensive, it is taste and odorless and can be added to the food at feeding without your cat noticing... 1000 mg per pound of meat is ideal.

Raw food is ideal for dogs and cats. They are carnivores after all...but buyer beware. Make sure what you feed is properly balanced. Ask until you get the answers, and move on if the answers aren't coming, or don't provide the information you seek. - 31851

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Do It Yourself Dog Potty Training

By Masa Tanaka

Your desire to have your own puppy is to enrich your household through your rewarding experiences with your pet. However, you know that there will be obstacles to this objective. One important wake up call to this situation is when your pet starts to create a mess inside your house and in your daily schedule.

Yet you also perfectly know that the answer to this impending probability is dog training. Having a pet with very good manners and exceptional behavior involves many facets. It also entails varied actions and reactions that your pet will eventually exhibit. Overall, one of the very first things you must aim for your dog is potty training.

Potty training is not as daunting and stressful as you probably perceive it to be. There are even plenty of dog owners who opted to do their dog's training on their own. There could be a number of methods you could utilize for this and most of them are probably as effective as the other. But the basic idea is the same, teaching your willing student the concept of right and wrong.

With potty training, time is of the essence. The longer you delay the training, the higher the probability that your dog has started forming a habit of its own. Always remember that one of the basics of dog training is consistency which leads to the formation of the habit. This is one of the important things that your dog could understand.

The first step in potty training is to designate a spot for this. If possible, the floor must be easy to clean so that you could breeze through with the clean up in cases your pet misses the spot. Put layers of newspaper or cardboard over the designated area. When it is time for your pet to go to the bathroom, guide it on top of the layers of newspapers.

It is also important that you lavish your praise while your pet is at it. Delaying the shower of love for a job that is being well done might not be easily connected by the dog. Then, as you remove the pile of newspaper each time you clean up the mess, get a slightly soiled one and put on top. Your dog could then connect its bathroom requirement with the real function of the layers of paper.

Overtime, slowly decrease the area covered with newspapers. In times when your dog did not manage to hit the mark, slightly increase the coverage again. Then repeat the process of decreasing the covered area until your pet learns to always find the proper spot.

When the covered area is as small as your dog's mess, you can now move on to the next step. It is either to purchase the indoor toilet or it is now time to transfer the bathroom towards the door for the house training step. Your dog could now understand where to go for its bathroom activities.

Remember one general rule about your dog and training; your main goal is to form a habit, a good habit at that. Because of this, it will automatically involve time and endless repetitions to achieve your purpose. But don't be disheartened as the reward of your patience is that you and your pet gets rewarding experiences together, without the unsightly and unwanted mess. - 31851

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If you are training your puppy to be his best, please take a look at How to Stop My Dog Barking, and see our reviews of Bark Collars For Dogs.

One Way to Help Dogs Live More Years

By Tornoe Rose

Now that you have your dog and have it for awhile, you know how to take care of its needs. You water and feed it every day and then groom it when needed. Do you want to know how to help you dog live for more years? Here is one way to help your dog live for more years.

Feeding your dog carefully is important to its health. Look for dog food that gives it totally daily nutrients. For a long time it has been advised not to feed your dog from the table scraps, that you and your family leave behind after a meal. It could cause your pet to put on excess weight.

The dog food that you buy at the vets or in the grocery store has been processed not to have too much fat in it. They come for senior dogs, adult dogs, and puppies. Each group of food is geared appropriately to the age of the dog.

Your dog also needs water given to it daily. They have hydration needs just like we do. On the market now are watering bowls with reservoirs attached that continuously feed water into the water bowl. This is an easy way to keep water out for your dog.

Groom and brush your dog as much as is called for as far as what breed it is. Your dog usually can be brushed everyday and then give the dog a bath maybe twice a month unless the dog requires it more often. Some get dirtier than others because they are outside a lot more. The dog having a nice, shiny coat shows how healthy they are.

Dogs need exercise just like we do and there are several ways to exercise your dog. You can take them for long walks this gives you exercise too. You can train your dog to catch a Frisbee in mid air; they usually have to run to do this. Have your dog fetch a ball or stick, some dogs will run full out to do this. Many dogs love to swim and enjoy the water right along with you, when you go for a swim in your pool or a lake. They also have competitions for dogs to run courses and do different activities. Some parks now have sections for dogs to go play with other dogs too.

An annual checkup by a vet is required for your dog. There are certain vaccines that the dogs require to help protect them against diseases like rabies. Their ears and teeth also need to be in good health. The dog will have a hard time eating and getting nutrition without teeth. A dog's ears can become easily infected, depending on the breed, when not given proper care. Your vet will show you how to give your dog the correct care.

Follow the method outlined here and add plenty of love and your dog will live a longer life. Dogs become part of our families and losing one is very heartbreaking, so take good care of your dog today. This way they can be part of your family for many years to come. - 31851

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Being a cat owner you'll find a ton of things you should think about. An important thing is to get pet health insurance to be certain that your cat is covered. Most owners of cats will start searching online for cheap cat insurance and get a bad policy plan. Don't let the price be the only thing you look at.

Cherish The Kinship by Making a Oil Painting

By Lizza Price

Our family is one of the most treasured things in our lives. We spend almost all of our life with our dearest kin, through thick and thin. The many special moments with them, the memories which we wish to remember and cherish each day are as precious as can be.

For such special moments, they ought to be treated specially. You can turn all your cherished photographs into beautiful oil paintings and hang up this portrait of love anywhere you want at home. Certainly it will be the marvelled by all.

Paint The Moment (www.paintthemoment.com) is a great place to do this. There, they provide the finest paintings which are completely handmade. Furthermore, they are priced at very affordable prices. I had mine made the other day there and my family simply loved it! It was indeed an expressive work of art.

There are a few types of portraits which are suitable for oil paintings. I'll share three common ones with you. The traditional photographs taken by professionals in the studio will be the first. These professional take beautiful pictures of you and your families which are just perfect for oil portraits!

The next in line will be those photos which are taking during family outings, vacations or events which hold special significance and memories. Such hard to come by moments make them special to be painted down into beautiful oil paintings.

What's the third one then? It is the spontaneous shots of you and your family in action! These candid pictures are simply perfect to be painted down onto canvas! They capture the truest expressions and emotions which are then transformed into timeless art pieces!

It really doesn't matter which of the above types of photos you choose to turn into an oil painting. The most important thing in choosing the photo is that all of your family members love it! Go through your photos and choose one today. - 31851

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At Paint The Moment, they turn lovely photographs into beautiful Oil Paintings. Made from the finest material, its hand painted works of art can last for generations! So don't hesitate to hang your portrait of love in your homes!

The Top Three Rugs A Pet Owner

By Seane C.J. Hess

For those among us who love our pets, we know that having an animal in the home means certain adjustments must be made. While the majority can just go out and buy new braided wool rugs, for instance, owners of pets have to be a bit more careful about the goods they bring into their home. Area rugs must be tough, prime quality, and in a position to resist friendly, gnawing lab puppies and the open claws of pussies stretching in the sunlight.

And when you have just bought your pet furniture from Petco, not just any area rug will do. So here are the top three area rugs for animal owners.

Area Rug 1: Braided Rugs. These kinds of area rugs provide multiple benefits for pet owners, and in reality are sold by some of the most important names in pet suppliers on the market, including Orvis. Platted area rugs are durable, impervious to foot and paw traffic, and easy to bathe. In addition, they can be made out of many different types of materials including mixes of cotton and polypropylene, which makes them resistant to mould, stain, sunfading and soil. And as anyone who owns a water dog knows, a mildew resistant rug could be a smashing thing.

Area Rug 2: Derclon Rugs. A synthetic, wool-like fiber that resists both stain and fading, derclon is another popular choice for those that own pets. The fact that derclon area rugs are hypoallergenic makes them ideal for owners of pets who have allergies to their pets, as well as for owners whose pets themselves have allergies - something that occurs more frequently than you may think! I knew a lady whose fighter was allergic to pet dander, and she swore by derclon, as it was hypoallergenic and simple to clean.

Area Rug 3: Water Trapper Rugs. While not strictly area rugs, doormats and rugs that trap water can be a pet owner's best friend. Made out of polypropolene, these rugs grab moisture off boots, shoes and paws, and keeps it out of your house. And because polypropolene drains off and dries quickly, rugs made out of them are perfect for spring and winter, when it feels like all anyone brings into your house is mud and snow! And one of the best benefits? They can be simply cleaned just by hosing them off. - 31851

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if you need to get brilliant deals on new leather shag rugs or contemporary rugs, then 360Rugs is a great place to begin your search. Their internet site has a great choice of all kinds of area rugs.

How a Pet Can Make You Happy

By Tukakir Hellaos

When you are at the mall, do you see people who stroll as if there is a spring in their step? At the office, do you encounter individuals who seem to radiate with a good aura that makes you wonder what they are thinking of? Conversely, when you are at the park, do you feel envious of people who have smiles plastered on their faces? Well, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out what makes them seem like they are in seventh heaven. Most probably, their happy disposition is due to their pet.

Whether you believe it or not, having a pet is something extraordinary. This statement is more apt today with the continuing financial turmoil that every person is undergoing today. The bad write ups are always on the front page of local dailies and it's quite easy to succumb to the gloom. However, to those who have something to keep them away from the pessimism in this world, especially those who have pets, they have managed to feel wonderful and filled with hope.

It has been proven by numerous studies that pets are therapeutic creatures to be with. Therefore, it doesn't come as a surprise that many hospitals are utilizing this technique.

The next few paragraphs will enumerate the reasons why a pet can make you happy. Read this interesting and comprehensive article to know the details.

First of all, a pet can make his owner feel loved and appreciated. They are loyal, showy with their affection and do not demand much. They do not complain incessantly with what you have to offer. They are content that you feed them, groom them, give them attention whenever you can and bring them to the veterinarian's clinic when they are not well. At times, they are better than their human counterparts because they do not act clingy. This means that one need not worry about annoying phone calls in the office while in the middle of an important negotiation, nagging messages or hysterical moments.

Second, owning a pet can greatly improve your self-esteem. Of course, when you are the one in charge of somebody else's basic needs, you have to be at the top of your game. You can't afford to dilly dally when there is a shortage in their food, medications, grooming needs, hygienic materials and so on. This makes you feel like a productive individual. Being productive would raise your self-worth. Other people will definitely notice it in the way you deal with them. Don't be surprised if you hear your boss or co-workers say something nice to you. Your parents and friends will also see the change and might compliment you for it. The inner happiness you feel will simply manifest itself outside and reflect on your disposition.

Third, a pet will gain you new friends. People gravitate towards other people who carry with them their dog, cat, rabbit or pigeon in the park. It will improve your social networking skills. Remember that there are a lot of topics that can be broached when one is in the company of an animal. From their needs to their quirks, you will not be at a loss for something to talk about with a total stranger.

Are you excited to have a pet that can make you happy? Get one now at the nearest animal store. - 31851

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Wanting to become a pet owner is wonderful. But there are two things that you need to know about. An important key is quality pet health insurance because unless you have it your pet is not secure if accidents happen. The second is that using cheap pet meds can hurt your pet terminally if you find the wrong quality of medication.

Answers To Cat Health Questions

By Harold Peterson

Every owner will have cat health questions from time to time. Short of calling a vet or paying for an expensive visit every time a little issue crosses your mind, you have to find resources that will give you answers directly. Cats are a pleasure to have in the home, but their health must be looked after just as any other animal requires.

It is very easy to find answers to simple health concerns such as how to properly clean out a littler box and keep it sanitary, but there are many issues of cat health that most owners never consider until a problem arises. Let's look at 3 very different questions that are commonly asked by owners.

Are pain medications safe for a cat?

If your cat were to somehow get injured and appeared to be in severe pain, what would you do? This is a common issue with cat owners, because this species of pet is very good at hiding signs of pain. Some pets actually have to be in severe pain for it to really be obvious, but you can assume there is pain if they are less active, hiding, or just not acting like themselves after an accident or mishap of some sort.

The answer is to go to the vet and ask about appropriate pain medications for your pet. Pain killers were once considered unsafe and downright dangerous to felines, but there are some kinds now that have proven to be safe and effective.

Can diseases be passed from cats to humans?

It is hard for many owners to even entertain the idea that their beloved pet could actually pass a disease or health condition to their own body. The truth is there are some feline diseases and conditions that can in fact be passed to humans.

This doesn't mean that you have to get rid of your cat to be safe. You just have to take proper care of every animal in your household. Care includes making sure they are vaccinated on schedule, cleaning the litter box properly and routinely, and maintaining a regular grooming schedule.

How many years does a cat usually live?

A feline is not going to live anywhere near as long as a human, but they are living longer in modern times than they did in the past. There are some cats living twenty or more years thanks to owners keeping them properly vaccinated and well cared for.

The average age of death for a cat is 9, but do not be surprised if your friend is around for much longer.

In the end, there is a lot of care required to keep your cat friends healthy and happy, but the happiness and peace that they bring into the home far outweighs this issue. Just make sure to familiarize yourself with other common cat health questions so you are more knowledgeable for whatever comes up in the future with your pet. - 31851

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If you want to get some FREE answers to some of the more common cat health questions, then please click on any of these given links: cat health questions cat health questions