Posts Tagged ‘pets’

Cool Dog Names

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

Fashion seems to dictate everything these days. From what you wear to what you name your dog, everything you do is dictated by the need to be fashionable. Cute dog names are hard to come by and even harder to choose. This is because as soon as something is in fashion, than it is out again.

Who would want to pick a cool dog name that may not be fashionable tomorrow? So, people usually play it safe, which is why the same names have been so popular for so long. To try and break that cycle, five cute dog names are given below with our reasons why you should choose one of them for your dog.

Phoenix: What could be cuter than a bird that goes up in flames and then rises from the ashes? Phoenix is one of the cute dog names that will never go out of fashion because it is located in mythology. It has a timeless quality which has surprisingly failed to boost its popularity.

Star: Star is one of the cute dog names because it has so many meanings that you can have a hard time finding out where to begin. A star in the sky is a phenomenon and a star can refer to someone that outperforms in a certain field. It is indeed a high form of praise and so is definitely a cool dog name.

Lady: Lady is one of the most popular dog names but it is also one of the cool dog names because of the Disney cartoon film, Lady and the Tramp, which was a massive hit. The film made the name popular but also gave it some credibility. In this case, popularity comes second to coolness.

Elvis: The coolest of cool dog names. Elvis Presley was definitely cool and remains cool today even after his death. It is infinitely cool to name your dog after an icon who never goes out of fashion.

Shadow: There is a dark and ethereal quality about Shadow that makes it a cool dog name. It would be best used on a large breed of dog however, because it wouldn’t have the same strong effect with a small one.

Whatever cute dog names you consider for your pooch, it is one sure-fire way to give them an identity of their own and make them memorable in the eyes of others. .

Does your dog need training? If you need further information on dogs in general, then visit our website entitled Successful Dog Training

The Spitting Cobras

Monday, October 26th, 2009

The snake called the spitting cobra is one of the most peculiar species as it not only has a venomous bite but it also sprays venom into the eyes of its prey and aggressors. Contact of this venom with your eyes can be very painful and even temporarily blinding, therefore, if you get cobra venom in your eyes, irrigate them immediately in order to prevent permanent tissue damage.

The King Cobra, Ophiophagus hannah, also distinguishes itself in this large family of snakes (elapids) by the fact that it feeds almost entirely on other snakes with mice and small birds also falling prey to its venom.

The King Cobra is also unique because of its size - it can reach 5.85m (almost 20 feet) in length, which makes it the longest poisonous snake in the world. The latest discovery of a new species of cobra was made in 2003 when it was identified by London Zoo as part of an illegal shipment of exotic pets.

Going by DNA reports, this new species of snake is similar to the red spitting cobra but differs in genes. It apparently originates from an area between Sudan and Egypt and it has been named the ‘Nubian Spitting Cobra’.

Though highly dangerous when it is threatened cobras will not attack if you leave them alone, although the spit is very accurate for about two meters. Compared to the strike of a rattlesnake, the cobra is fairly slow in its attack and furthermore, many bites prove to be blank, that is without venom.

A study conducted on Malaysian cobra snake victims indicates that only 55% of the wounds involved venom release and the same statistics indicate a mortality rate of 10% for people bitten, since the toxins injected into the blood of the prey devastate the nerves (neurotoxin) inducing respiratory failure half an hour after being bitten, giving you 30 minutes to seek an antidote.

Their colouration varies from light green-grey to black, although juveniles are yellow and black banded.This snake is widespread throughout south-eastern Asia.

Are you interested in the Cobras? To learn more about snakes visit Caring for Snakes our brand-new online resource.

Why Do Dogs Snore?

Friday, August 7th, 2009

We all know that it is not unusual for pet owners to permit their pets to sleep with them on their beds at night. In deed, one third of pet owners have at some time, permitted their pets to sleep on their beds. Dogs readily provide a companionship that can’t be given by any other breed of animal. However, this doesn’t mean to say that cat owners do not let their cats or another pets sleep with them too.

It is facilitated too by dogs having a sleep pattern which is rather similar to our own. Dogs usually have complete trust in their masters, which makes them a lot more relaxed during the night. This goes a long way to explaining why most dogs fall asleep easily and even go into a deep sleep where REM sleep activities can occur. In fact, once a dog enters this phase, the owner often has to call them several times before they can be woken up completely.

For sure, many of us have already observed a dog paddling during sleep or at times, barking with his eyes closed. These dogs are believed to be dreaming. Breathing patterns can also be observed among dogs. For instance, there are breeds which breathe more heavily while there are those who breathe very lightly. The heavy breathers are much more prone to snoring than those who do not breathe as heavily.

Often, dogs that snore can be rather a nuisance during the night, depending on the degree and frequency of the phenomenon. Like with humans, there are various considerations why dogs snore, although most deal with the obstruction of the passage of air in the windpipe, which in turn is caused by the collapse of certain areas along the throat. It is the same problem as with humans.

A dog that snores very badly ought to be checked for various issues to evaluate which treatment can be best provided. Some dogs are especially prone to some allergic reactions that cause obstruction in the airway. It may also be that there is some excess tissue in the areas that are preventing proper breathing. It is best if a veterinarian checks on various factors through careful evaluation of the dog’s anatomical features and general physical symptoms.

Is you dog obese? I ask this because, as with humans, obese dogs are more likely to snore than thin ones. This is because they have more tissue surrounding their windpipes. Therefore, they have excess fat hanging around the throat which can potentially cause obstructions. Once this problem is corrected, the risk of snoring will be decreased. This would not only be healthy for your dogs, you may eventually enjoy a decent night’s sleep too.

The general facial features of the dog affect the amount of snoring too. Some dogs seem to have pushed-in faces which narrows their air passages to a certain degree. The construction of their nasal passages also largely contributes to their problems of breathing. They are pretty much like humans with the flu, who are forced to breathe using only twenty-five percent of their nostril capacity. Dog breeds with shorter faces need to expend lots of effort to breathe properly. It takes them more effort to breathe and they are also more prone to snoring.

Minor surgery can afford your dog great relief. Be sure though that, before any decision is made, you are well informed about the potential risks and consequences of surgery to stop a dog snoring. Most procedures are irreversible, so careful thought must be given to any operation you allow. In fact, it is best to accept the guidelines provided by your veterinary surgeon.

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Parasites on Dogs

Saturday, July 25th, 2009

You really need to get rid of heart worm, fleas and other parasites in dogs whenever it becomes apparent that your dog is infected by using the relevant treatment against them. Loads of products are available to protect our dogs from heart worms, fleas and other parasites like hook worms, whip worms, round worms, lice, ticks etc.

Of the heart worms, fleas and other parasites, fleas can produce a hyper-sensitive reaction in the affected animal. Animals infected with fleas scratch their skin very vigorously. Often the scratching is so bad that the skin becomes hyper-sensitive and dermatitis is the result in the scratched areas of skin.

The result of a serious flea infestation is often that your dog can not lie down for long or sleep properly due to the persistent flea bites. Therefore, the animal looks as if has some severe skin disease. If the the animal is not properly treated for these flea bites, there could be a secondary bacterial attack in these sites and there may even be a bad smell coming from the affected area of the animal’s skin.

You have to inspect your pet closely in order prevent a serious outbreak of fleas. However, it is essential to avoid such a serious outbreak as they are extremely upsetting to your dog. Similarly, the skin of the animal needs to be inspected often for the presence of ticks and lice. In order to do this effectively, you must inspect the dog’s skin by separating the dog’s hairs. The easiest way to achieve this is by slowly back-combing or ruffling the animal’s hair.

Often, if your dog is anaemic, and he is not infested with fleas, you have to rule out hookworm. Symptoms of hookworm are anaemia, loose stools and a pot belly. The dog’s owner may notice these symptoms themselves, however, to be honest, the dog needs to undergo a routine health check at the vet’s involving faecal and hematological tests.

There are many products available commercially, some of which are useful for dealing with all these conditions in a single dose. Drugs like ivermectin are highly efficacious and are available in injection, oral and solution forms. The latter should be applied directly on the dog’s skin. These drugs can lead to the prevention of the above conditions too.

Therefore, the best policy to adopt is to keep a keen watch on your dog. This can very easily be carried out at bath time and when you are brushing him. You can use an anti-flea and anti-tick shampoo, which will keep these pests at bay, if used as stated on the bottle. Couple this with frequent grooming with a lice comb and the use of a flea collar should keep your pet flea, lice, and tick free.

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Stalking Snakes and Reptiles

Monday, July 20th, 2009

There are not many places in the world that haven’t been colonised by snakes and other reptiles. Snakes are even to be found in towns, although it is only the friendlier ones that tend to survive our wrath. However, if you want to find some of the more uncommon snakes, you could look in parks and fields, on beaches or in rivers and ponds and even in the sea, depending on where you live, of course as sea snakes are inclined to inhabit warmer, tropical waters.

You will need to be very alert and train your eyes to spot even the smallest movement. Wear clothes of dull, drab colours and move very slowly, stopping often to listen out for movement in the grass or bushes. In the beginning, you will have many false hopes, until you learn to tell the difference between the sounds of the various animals that live or hunt in the grass.

Snakes are difficult to find, because most of the adventurous snakes get killed by frightened (and often ignorant) humans, but a good tip is to look for relatively damp areas in arid regions and, conversely, dry spots in damp areas. Look for where their prey might congregate. For example, near water for toads and frogs. Look out for frightened lizards or birds fleeing for all they are worth. And listen out for geckos warning each other of the presence of a predator.

If you need to move anything, at least don’t damage it and furthermore, ensure you put it back as you found it. Two useful tools while out looking for snakes and other reptiles are binoculars (for tree snakes) and a snake-hook, which should also be used for moving bits of debris so that you don’t risk getting bitten by a snake or stung by a scorpion. A camera, a torch and a notebook and pen are quite, depending on how seriously you treat your interest in herpetology.

You could also take a rule or tape to measure your specimens and a few plastic bags and boxes to hold them while you are doing it. However, do not harm anything and do not take anything away with you either! Apart from it not being right to wander into their domain and cause mayhem, it is frequently against the law too. Be very wary of picking up any snake that you cannot definitely identify as non-poisonous. You could be miles from anywhere and will probably not have any anti-venom with you. Since many snakes can kill within 30 minutes, you would almost certainly die.

To summarize, go looking for snakes by all means. However, take it easy and slowly and wear camouflaged clothing. Moreover, wear strong, climbing boots to give you some protection where you are most vulnerable and do not move anything unnecessarily. Use a snake-hook to move things if you have to; a tape, torch, camera, notebook and pen to record your experience and/or findings and a couple of clear plastic receptacles just in case you feel that you have to pick something up.

I hope you really enjoy your search for snakes and other reptiles, but always remember that snakes are not friendly and they are definitely not pets, so be wary of snake bites especially if your search is not taking place in the gardens of a hospital!

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Organic Dog Food

Monday, July 20th, 2009

The desire for healthy food appears to apply just as much to humans and their animals, because a lot of animal owners would rather buy organic foods to feed man’s best friend. One could be forgiven for being surprised at the large amount of organic dog food on offer in the market. Just like for humans, there are a lot of pet illnesses that one could cure or even prevent in the first place by the use of organic pet food.

For instance, organic dog food could reduce the risk of the pet developing skin diseases and allergies. The explanation for the positive health impact is the absence of additives, chemicals, colourants and pesticides. Instead there are only grain extracts and high quality proteins as ingredients in organic dog food. Organic dog food also contains more nutrients, which is reflected in the higher levels of energy and the normal weight of the pet.

Normal dog food can cause diabetes and excess weight with all the other problems that accompany these illnesses: back ailment, organ failure and decreased mobility. How can organic dog food help here, then? Well, because organic pet food does not contain bulk filler; they are nutrient-packed products that create energy not fat. Moreover, it is far better and definitely a lot easier to prevent health problems than try to cure them afterwards.

A better digestion and a stronger immunity system are the other main benefits that come with the use of organic pet food. Due to the absence of chemicals usually present in regular pet food, your dog will no longer be sick or experience wind or diarrhea. A more efficient is what you will achieve with a healthy diet. Furthermore, the quality of the nutritional substances in organic dog food, boosts the immunity functions, thereby reducing the risks of infection and all sorts of specific diseases that affect dogs on a routine basis.

A large number of veterinarians say that organic dog food substantially extends the life of any animal, not to mention the fact that it will pass through old age a lot better. It is not uncommon that pet owners who choose organic dog food, are also interested in eating organic foods themselves, sticking to healthy natural food that enhance bodily functions and avoid toxins and disease.

Ask your local dog food supplier about organic dog food and if there is none available at your local shop, try to order it online. There are many web sites that offer such products at pretty decent prices.

One last tip, be very, very careful with dried dog food like biscuits, no matter what the label says. A few years ago, I had a dog called Becky that stayed at home alone during the day, while I went to the office. I didn’t like to leave her tinned food, because of flies, bacteria and vermin, so I bought dry food, which would not deteriorate during the day. However, within six years she had gotten diabetes, which meant that I had to inject her with insulin every morning. Sometimes, she would have a fit. The vet said that it was quite common for dogs fed only on dry biscuits to contract diabetes, so check the food with your vet first or feed organic wet food.

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Dog Names

Wednesday, July 8th, 2009

Dog owners will explain that there is no proven method for picking a good name for a new dog or puppy. Whether they need to come up with girl or boy dog names, they will normally pick a name that sounds trendy or a name they like rather than putting some thought into what the name really means. Popular boy dog names have meanings, as do human names, so more often than not the meaning will not suit the dog it is given to. Here we give a list of the top five boy dog names and what they actually mean.

Undoubtedly, one of the first things you do when you get a new dog or puppy is pick a dog name for him or her. For most dog owners, this actually requires little thought. They just pick a dog name at random and that is the name by which the poor animal will be known forever. However, there are certain issues that ought to be taken into consideration when going through dog names in order to make sure that you choose a suitable one.

First of all, dogs can sense attitude and tone of voice better than humans can. If you pick a dog name for comic value or after someone you don’t like, your dog will know by your tone of voice that something is not right. As a result, their attitudes may change towards you or they may refuse to respond to your commands. Dogs’ names should mean something but should not hinder their training, so you should really take the decision of the dog name carefully.

Although dogs are very intelligent creatures, they can’t understand the same amount of data that we can. Therefore, dog names ought not be more than two syllables long. If they are more than that, most dogs will not respond. Max, Sam, Becky, Lady, Molly and the like are excellent dog names because they are short and the names are easily heard. They understand these dog names and that will help your chances of training them successfully.

However, dogs’ names ought to assist them mould a character of their own. Common names don’t really help them to do that, so finding something simple but unusual can help their characters grow a great deal without reducing their willingness to respond to a command.

Max: This is probably the most popular boy dog name and the meaning is probably the reason why most people choose it for their hound. It literally means “the best”. After all, every dog owner thinks that their dog is the best.

Jake: Jake is short for Jacob, which means “conqueror”. This is an apt boy dog name, if your puppy takes over the house within moments of setting foot inside it!

Buddy: Buddy is a familiarization of Budd, which means “messenger”. This boy dog name may be apt for a working dog, or one you can train to bring in the newspaper every morning. It is a popular boy dog name and can be very widely found within the USA.

Bailey: The boy dog name Bailey is French and means “steward”. This is fairly apt if your dog is responsible and sensible, so it is probably not suitable for a Jack Russel puppy, for example!

Sam: Sam seems to mean “an answer to prayers”. This is a good boy dog name for dogs that are easy to train and are largely quiet!

Few new dog owners consider a name’s meaning when picking a boy dog’s name, so instead of just going ahead with your first idea, it would be worth taking the time to choose a dog’s name that is really suitable for your dog. After all, it doesn’t cost you anything to spend some time considering your dog’s name.

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Cobras

Thursday, July 2nd, 2009

The spitting cobra is one of the most peculiar species of snake as it not only has a deadly bite but it also sprays venom into the eyes of prey and aggressors alike. Contact with the eyes can be very painful and even blinding, therefore, if you accidentally get cobra snake venom in your eyes, wash them out immediately so as to prevent permanent damage to the tissue.

The King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) is also unusual in this large family of snakes (elapidae) bexause it feeds almost exclusively on other snakes with mice and small birds also making up part of its diet.

The King Cobra is also unique because of its size - it can reach 5.85m (almost 20 feet) in length, which makes it the longest poisonous snake in the world. The latest discovery of a new species of cobra was made in 2003 when it was identified by London Zoo as part of an illegal shipment of exotic pets.

Going by DNA reports, this new species of snake is similar to the red spitting cobra but differs in genes. It apparently originates from an area between Sudan and Egypt and it has been named the ‘Nubian Spitting Cobra’.

Although they are highly dangerous when threatened cobras will rarely attack if you keep your distance from them, although the spit can travel very accurately for two meters. Compared to the strike of a rattlesnake, the cobra is rather slow in its attack and besides that, many bites prove to be non-venomous.

Statistics of a study conducted on Malaysian cobra snake victims indicate that only 55% of the bites involved poison release and the same statistics indicate a mortality rate of only 10% for people bitten, since the poisons injected into the blood of the prey destroy the nerves (neurotoxins), which induces respiratory failure approximately half an hour after being bitten, so you have 30 minutes to seek help.

The colouration is variable from light green-grey to black, while juveniles are yellow and black banded. This snake can find a habitat all over south-eastern Asia.

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Is She a Bitch or a Lady?

Thursday, July 2nd, 2009

So you may wonder, what is in a dog’s name? Just what does it matter what your female dog’s name is? The answer is a lot, because your bitch’s name defines him or her in the eyes of your neighbours, especially if you have a small dog. What small dogs lack in stature they can make up for in attitude. For small dogs, being cute will get them everywhere. But what is a cute dog without a cute dog name?

Cute dog names are really meant for female dogs or bitches. Abby, for example is a very cute dog name. When you match with a mental image, you probably see a little Westie or a Labrador pup romping around on a lawn in your mind’s eye. Other cute female dog names are Queenie, Beauty, Becky and Blackie. All of these cute dog names seem to embody a bundle of fur that has a sweet nature and just loves cuddles. They all allude to a pretty appearance and a very happy dog owning experience.

However, there seems to be very few cute dog names out there for male dogs. This may be because it reduces the masculine image that male dogs are supposed to have. Still, there are some male cute dog names about. Bobby, Casper, Patch and Spot are all cute male dog names that have the same effect as the female ones do. However, you do have to ensure that you have the right kind of male dog to give a cute dog name to, because if you get it wrong, he will sound ridiculous.

Cute dog names can be very appropriate for male and female members alike of certain breeds and can help to develop a lovable personality, because of the affection it will be shown. But be warned, you do not want to leave your dog open to ridicule so choose when to use cute dog names very carefully.

Whilst dogs are very intelligent animals, they cant process the same amount of information that we can. Therefore, dog names should never be more than two syllables. If they are more than that, it is very rare that a dog will actually respond. Max, Sam, Lady, Molly and the like are excellent dog names because they are short and the syllables are hard. They easily respond to those dog names and it can increase your chances of training them successfully.

Moreover, dogs names (can|should help them shape a character of their own. Common names dont encourage them to do that, so finding a simple but unusual name can help their characters a great deal without hurting their ability to respond to a command.

I am prepared to bet money that most dog owners do not think of the factors outlined above when thinking of dog names for a new pet. Instead, dog names are chosen at random, but it is worth putting a bit more thought into it, for your dogs sake if for no other reason.

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Is She A Princess Or A Lady?

Saturday, June 27th, 2009

So, you may be asking yourself, what is in a dog’s name? Just what does it matter what your girl dog’s name is? The answer is perhaps a fair bit, because your dog’s name defines him or her in the eyes of your neighbours, especially if you have a rather small, puny dog. For what a small dog lacks in stature it can make up for in attitude. For a small dog, being cute will get her everywhere. But what is a cute dog without a cute dog’s name?

Cute dog names are really meant for female dogs or bitches. Abby, for example is a very cute dog name. When you put that together with a mental image, you probably see a little Westie or a Labrador pup romping around on a lawn in your mind’s eye. Other cute female dog names are Queenie, Beauty, Becky and Blackie. All of these cute dog names seem to embody a bundle of fur that has a sweet nature and just loves cuddles. They all allude to a cute appearance and a very happy dog owning experience.

However, there seems to be very few cute dog names available for male dogs. This may be because it lessens the masculine image that male dogs are supposed to have. Still, there are a few cute male dog names about. Bobby, (Old) Nick, Patch and Tigger are all cute male dog names that have the same effect as the female ones do. However, you do have to make sure that you have the right kind of male dog to name with a cute dog name, because if you get it wrong, it will make him sound silly.

Cute dog names can be suitable for male and female members alike of certain breeds and can help to develop a lovable personality, because of the affection, with which it will be treated. But do be warned, you do not want to leave your dog open to ridicule so pick when to give your dog a cute dog name with caution.

Whilst dogs are very intelligent creatures, they cant process the same amount of information that humans can. As a result, dog names should never be more than two syllables. If they are more than that, it is very rare that a dog will actually respond. Max, Sam, Lady, Molly and the like are excellent dog names because they are short and the syllables are hard. They easily respond to those dog names and it can improve your chances of training them successfully.

Moreover, dogs names (can|should assist them form an identity of their own. Common names dont encourage them to do that, so finding a short, simple but unusual name can help their characters a great deal without damaging their ability to obey a command.

I am willing to bet money that most pet owners do not consider the factors outlined above when thinking of dog names for a new pet. Instead, dog names are chosen at on a whim, but it is worth putting a bit more thought into it, for your dogs sake if nothing else.

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