When I was a child, I always had a cat. Back then, a cat was replaceable to most people, and if one got run over, killed by the neighbor's dog, poisoned, or just disappeared, there was always another cat to be found.

Fortunately, attitudes have changed over time. These days many people recognize that animals deserve to be treated more humanely and not as a throw away pet.Certainly, I've gotten wiser as I've gotten older, and my cats have benefited from that.So I decided to take all the tips, tricks, and advice I learned and "compress" it into a sanity saving resource for anyone battling bad cat behavior.

Unfortunately, one of the side effects of people bringing cats indoors has been a trend toward having them declawed for their owner's personal comfort.Declawing a cat is not a good or safe or reasonable thing to do!Look down at your hands and imagine having your fingertips, up to the first knuckle, being cut off. This is what it's like to a cat to be declawed!Please know this: With a little work, it is easy to train your cat to use a scratching post and preserve that beautiful furniture and other decorations in the home.

Read the rest of this entry »

Digg

Stumble Upon

Del.icio.us

Buzz

These days, Persian cats are among the most popular breeds of cat. Well known for their gentle and sweet personalities and their long hair, Persian cats have very attractive features. They are great companions for virtually anyone, and not very demanding. Unlike other breeds, such as the Siamese breed, Persian breeds need very little attention.

Although white is the color normally associated with Persian cats, they actually come in a variety of other colors as well. During competitions, they are divided into seven color divisions – solid, silver and gold, tabby, shaded and smoke, particolor, bicolor, and Himalayan. No matter what color of Persian cat it may be, they are best noticed during competitions by their long and flowing coats.

Persian cats should always be kept inside of the house, to protect their coat. If they travel outside, they can easily damage their coat. They will also need to be brushed daily with a metal comb, or their coat can become tangled, which will lead to hairballs. You’ll need to bathe your Persian cat on a regular basis as well, to help protect his coat. Bathing works best when the cat is young, as it will get him used to it. Bathing should never be overlooked, as it will keep your cats coat looking clean and healthy. Although some breeds can maintain their coats on their own, Persians can’t. Their fur is long and dense and you’ll need to groom them daily to ensure their coat stays healthy.

Read the rest of this entry »

Digg

Stumble Upon

Del.icio.us

Buzz

So, the Obamas have finally added that new puppy to their family, and his cute little face is staring at you from every newspaper/magazine/website you come across and suddenly you find yourself thinking "Aawww... he's so sweet. I want one of those"

But wait.... just because the 'First Family' has one, it doesn't mean YOU should! Every dog breed is different, with different needs, behavior, and requirements - and every home is different too.

Portuguese Water Dog puppies are adorable teddy bear 'look-alikes', and their lively and affectionate personalities makes them very endearing. But before all those cute photos in the media have you searching for a breeder with a puppy to sell, it's a good idea to take a few minutes to learn more about the breed, and figure out whether it's the right 'fit' for you.

The Portuguese Water Dog is an old breed, know in it's native land as Cao de Agua (literally meaning 'dog of the water'). The ancestors of todays' PWDs played an important role in their country's' fishing industry, and were used to herd fish, retrieve lines/tackle, carry messages from boat to boat or to shore, and act as guardians when protection was needed.

Read the rest of this entry »

Digg

Stumble Upon

Del.icio.us

Buzz

How Much Playtime Do Cats Need? Cats needs at least 10-15 minutes of exercise three to four times a day. The exact amount varies with age, breed, health and physical condition.

Indoor cats need to play 3 to 4 times as much as outdoor cats to satisfy their needs for exercise. One hour of playful exercise increases your cat's lifespan by 4 hours.

TIP: If your cat is neutered he is twice as likely to get chubby, so decrease his calories by one third and play more. Be creative think up games that stimulate your cat's natural instincts.

Exercise Is Fun With Felines!

Exercise is integral to life. Not only is it essential for optimal health, it also improves circulation, stimulates vital organs, facilitates digestion and helps eliminate harmful toxins from the body. Exercise provides aerobic activity that stimulates your cat mentally and physically. Playful exercise is fun too. The more you play with your cat the more trusting and alert he'll become. It is a great way to bond, and it is as good for you as it is for your cat. Most owners end up looking forward to this "special time" as much as their cats do.

Read the rest of this entry »

Digg

Stumble Upon

Del.icio.us

Buzz

Planning a party for your pet; the ultimate guide!

В 

Pets have increasingly become valued family members and many of us could not imagine going through life without our beloved animal. Pets provide us with fabulous companionship and loyalty above and beyond that offered by most human beings! We provide everything our pets need including nutritious food, a warm bed and our unrivalled attention; so why is it that when our pet’s birthday rolls around each year, we drop the ball as far as celebrating this day with our best friend goes?

В 

One theory is that people don’t know where to begin when planning a birthday party for their pets, another is that they think that pets don’t really care if they have a party or not. I am a firm believer that pets appreciate any type of attention, whether it is from their carers or other party guests. Also as a rule, most dogs love the chance to play with other dogs and eat lots of yummy treats! So armed with this knowledge, you can be sure that planning a birthday party for your pet is a fabulous idea.

Read the rest of this entry »

Digg

Stumble Upon

Del.icio.us

Buzz

Over the last thousands of years, cats have pretty much handled their breeding themselves. In the beginning, they were used for one purpose - hunting and killing rodents. As the years progressed, we began to breed cats more to our liking. Nowadays, there are several different breeds of cats - which you can tell if you look closely.

These days there are over 70 distinct cat breeds, which are recognized through cat registries. There are several registries that will recognize around 40 breeds or so, as they exclude the more domestic breeds such as tigers. There are also many variations as well, including wild cats that have longer hair.

There are some cat breeds who have roots going back quite a bit in history. Some Japanese breeds, such as the Japanese Bobtail, can be traced back more than 1,000 years in history. These cats were very common and well known throughout Medieval Japan. Now days though, they are all but a myth throughout Japan and the entire world.

Read the rest of this entry »

Digg

Stumble Upon

Del.icio.us

Buzz

Face it, you like toys.В  So does your pet.В  That's because toys are a fun source of amusement for your pets when you're busy living the part of your life that doesn't involve leashes and plastic bowls with the name "Killer" across the side of it. Plus proper use of toys can keep your pet healthy (and you thought they were just good for making fun of Bower when he spins out chasing it across the linoleum).В  Toys put your pets in the habit of regular exercise as well as building a sense of enjoyment that will keep them young. After all, a playful pet is a healthy pet.

In fact, toys play a major and important role in emotional and mental development of your pet (they may not have the same effect for you, sorry). They offer a great solution for boredom, inappropriate chewing and anxiety (and you thought you had problems).

Now keep in mind that just like the multitude of mood swings your furry friend can have, there are a multitude of toys to choose from, but hey, variety is the spice of life, and don't worry, when it comes to picking the toy that's right for your pet you just need the right information from your pet. To start with, let's say your cat is touchy and demands a smorgasbord of play things, the message in those creepy green cat eyes is simple, buy cat toy. Dog owners don't worry because dog's always have the same idea on this as the cats and it's just as simple; buy dog toy.

Read the rest of this entry »

Digg

Stumble Upon

Del.icio.us

Buzz

Ever noticed the sniffy hauteur with which purebred dog owners appraise mixed breed dogs? You can almost see them flinch as their condescending eye roves across the form of the objectionable mutt while they grudgingly concede that perhaps their refined canine specimen and that pollutant mutt do indeed belong to the same species! In fact you need only trawl various online dog forums to experience firsthand just how contentious the issue of mutt versus purebred really is. Yet much as purebred dog owners may put down the humble mutt or mixed breed dog the strange thing is:

Purebred Dogs Are Merely Strain-Refined Mutts!

Doberman Pinscher: The Doberman Pinscher dog breed was the brainchild of door-to-door tax collector Herr Louis Doberman. Whether Herr Doberman developed this dog breed as enforcer or protector has never been truly established but one aspect that is not in contention is the fact that his was an unenviable profession! It is well documented that since biblical times the tax collector has been much reviled; even today the tax collector is the subject of scorn and disgust. If you truly want to belabor the point, the next time you are at a social gathering, casually mention that you work for the IRS and watch the little-witnessed phenomenon of how so many can disappear so quickly!

Read the rest of this entry »

Digg

Stumble Upon

Del.icio.us

Buzz

It is often said that Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. People love their pets, and want the best care for them. However, with the hectic lifestyles of today, these adored associates are not able to get the exercise they need to stay healthy and happy. A Dog Day Care Salon serves the purpose by providing a safe and healthy atmosphere with lots of interaction, both with other dogs and with people. Dogs can participate in group play, gnaw on a favorite toy, hang out with humans, or just lounge on a couch and watch television. Owners return home to see their pet, absolutely calm and relaxed.

There are some excellent Pet Salons in Houston that offer the best-in-class day care and grooming facilities for pets, particularly dogs & cats. They provide lavish comforts to pets in their comfortable boarding suites, take them for regular exercises, and provide all other provisions that result in pets' over-all well-being. Some of their important services include:

Read the rest of this entry »

Digg

Stumble Upon

Del.icio.us

Buzz

For cat lovers, it is essential to know that there are several breeds of cats can be domesticated. No doubt, the cats are lovely pets and can easily be trained to fit your home environment. There are a number of breeds of cat, you can surf the internet and get the details on each and then decide what you like best for your companion.

Some of the most popular breeds are the least:

Maine Coon: They are natives of America and have long hair. They have received the status of a good cat breed Maine State. They are known for their skills to catch the mouse. Maine coon has no problems with adjusting to the harsh winters and other seasons of the region. They are known for their brains, temperament gentle and affectionate nature. They also easily get along with children. They do not have many problems coping with dogs too.

Ocicat: This is a breed of spotted cat. This is a moderate agouti spotted cat; he was cross with the American Shorthair, Siamese and the Abyssinian. The interesting thing is that this is the only breed of cat that is spotted and resembles wild cats. May she look wild, but it has a very soft. It can be easily formed because of his intelligence and elegance.

Read the rest of this entry »

Digg

Stumble Upon

Del.icio.us

Buzz