Pets and Animals World

Pet Care

Your pet – your dog, cat, rabbit, or bird – is like a member of your family; and taking care of your pet’s needs is part of your normal routine. But what if your dog requires a midday walk and you won’t be home from work until early evening? Or, suppose you plan to go away on vacation, or you must leave for an extended business trip. Or, perhaps you are temporarily incapacitated due to illness. Who will make sure that your cat is fed and his litter box kept tidy? Who will feed and water your parakeet? For those times when you are unable to take care of your pet, you can enlist the services of pet caregivers such as dog walkers or pet sitters. But before making a decision on how to provide care for your pet, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with all your options.

Pet care services

Pet care is any service that provides care for domestic animals (dogs, cats, and birds, for example) when their owners are unavailable. These services can include pet sitting, dog walking, and doggie day care. Fees for each service vary widely, depending on where you live (fees are considerably higher in big cities) and the specific needs of your pet.

Daily pet care

If you work long hours and own a dog, you may need help with your dog’s daily care. In contrast to most other domestic animals, dogs require considerable attention every day. For example, dogs can become very anxious when they are left alone for long stretches of time. In addition, experts recommend that you walk your dog for a total of about an hour a day. If you need help with your dog’s daily needs, you might try one of the following options:

• Hire a professional dog walker. A dog walker can both give your dog a daily walk and make sure he is fed and watered. Professional dog walkers typically walk dogs from the same neighborhood in groups, giving them a welcome chance to socialize. A dog new to the walker will be taken individually at first, so the dog can get to know and trust her. Dog walkers usually belong to national professional organizations and are required to comply with ethics, codes and practice guidelines. For example, professional dog walkers are required to keep first-aid kits on hand, have liability insurance, and carry an emergency veterinary release. In addition, in many regions of the country, local laws regulate the activities of dog walkers by, for example, limiting the number of dogs that can be walked together and preventing dogs from being walked in certain locations. Dog walkers usually charge an hourly fee.
• Find a responsible neighbor. If you are confident in the walker’s skills and dependability, you will save money by avoiding a professional’s higher fees. If you prefer to employ a neighbor, you might ask a fellow pet owner or someone who loves animals. You might also place an ad in a local high school or college newsletter.
• Take your dog to a doggie day-care center. Doggie day care operates much like day care for small children. Daily activities typically include group playtime, mealtime, naptime, perhaps a learning activity (like obedience training), snack time, and a combination of indoor and outdoor activities, all supervised by day care center staff. You then pick your dog up at the end of the day. Doggie day care centers range from the basic to the luxurious. A basic facility should look and smell clean and employ a well-trained staff. A luxury facility might provide a “petcam” (which enables you to observe your dog on the Internet while you are at work) and limousine transportation for your dog to and from the day care center.

To find a professional dog walker or a doggie day-care center, try looking in your local yellow pages. You can shop online, as many doggie day care centers maintain Web sites. Ask friends or your vet for referrals. Some veterinary offices maintain on-site doggie day care, but space is usually limited.

When choosing between a dog walker and doggie day care, consider your dog’s temperament, size, and individual needs. Do you have a big dog that thrives on constant activity, stimulation, and exercise? Does she get along with other dogs? Is she an older dog who is less active? Your budget may also be a determining factor because a full-day day care arrangement is much pricier than a daily one-hour walk. Before you make your final decision, be sure to do a little comparison shopping.

Long-term pet care

Although pets such as cats, birds, fish, hamsters, or rabbits can, unlike dogs, be left alone during the day, if you go away on vacation or business you are also likely to need help caring for them. Here are the common types of longer-term pet care:

• Pet sitting. A pet sitter visits your home to care for your pet while you are away. For example, you might arrange for a pet sitter to take your dog out for a few walks a day. Or, a pet sitter might come to your house to feed your cat, clean her litter box, and play with her. A trained pet sitter can recognize a medical emergency and contact your regular vet, should the need arise. Other pets typically cared for by pet sitters besides dogs and cats include birds, rabbits, hamsters, and tropical fish.
• Boarding kennels. A boarding kennel is a facility that keeps your pet overnight for a period of days or weeks. For dogs, individual kennels, or pens, typically measure about 4 foot by 4 foot, and dogs usually have access to a larger area in which to exercise. Fees are based on the size of the dog and whether you request extra walks. Cats are kept in smaller pens, and though they receive attention from staff, they do not interact with other cats. Most kennels board only dogs and cats, but a few take in other pets such as rabbits and birds.
  Before choosing a kennel, call a few places and make appointments to visit. While you’re there, look for cleanliness, good lighting and ventilation, a caring staff, an adequate exercise area, and dog runs. Ask about feeding and exercise schedules. Check to make sure that cats and dogs are housed separately.
• In-home boarding. In-home boarding is a more informal type of care provided by homeowners who invite dogs to come and stay at their home as a “member of their family”. This can be a good alternative for dogs who stress out in kennels, or owners who aren’t comfortable leaving their dogs at home alone, or in the care of someone checking on the dog two or three times a day. If you’re interested in in-home boarding, check to make sure the provider is bonded and insured.
  If you have several pets, you are likely to save money by hiring a pet sitter to come to your home rather than arranging to board each animal. However, some dogs or cats may find that the stress of leaving home is more than they can handle; your assessment of your pet’s personality will help here. As a general rule, given that cats are more territorial but less sociable than dogs, kennels and in-home boarding are a better option for dogs than cats.

If you decide to take your dog or cat to a boarding kennel, you will be required to update his vaccinations; so a trip to the vet may be in order. Make sure you schedule this appointment well in advance of your vacation date. If you are planning a long vacation, you may want to arrange a short stay for your pet beforehand in order to make the adjustment easier. When dropping your pet off at a kennel or for in-home boarding, try to avoid long, dramatic good-byes because they are likely to increase your pet’s anxiety.

Posted in Pet Care | No Comments »

Buying or Adopting a Pet

A pet can be a wonderful addition to your home and family that brings joy and love. But it’s important to take the time to think about how a pet will fit into your life and which kind of pet is right for you to be sure you make the best decision. Buying or adopting a pet is like starting a new long-term relationship that brings lots of joy along with lots of responsibilities. That’s why it’s important to take the time to really think through the decision to buy or adopt a pet.

Which pet is best for you?

Here are some questions you may want to consider to help you figure out what kind of pet would fit into your lifestyle:

• How much time can you spend exercising and caring for a pet? Many pets, especially dogs, require several walks a day and lots of attention. Is there someone home during the day or would your pet be alone most of the time? Are there lots of nights when you work late and couldn’t come home to care for your pet? Do you travel frequently?
• Can you afford the cost of having a pet? The average cost of owning a dog is $600 a year, and cat owners spend about $300 a year on their pets. You’ll have to pay for annual and emergency visits to the veterinarian, food, grooming, accessories like leashes and dishes, and any boarding or walking services you’ll use.
• What kind of pet would be a good fit with your family? Think about the characteristics of your ideal pet. Do you need a pet that will get along with children or older people? Some breeds are known for being high energy while others are more relaxed. Is there anyone in your family who is allergic to pets or pet hair?
• What kind of pet would best fit your home? Do you have a yard? Lots of space? Are you near a park? Could you let a pet outside? There are some pets, like large dogs, that just aren’t suited for life in an apartment or small home. If you don’t live near a park or safe neighborhood to walk a dog, perhaps you’d be better off with a cat or other pet that doesn’t need to be exercised.
• Do you want an older pet or a younger pet? Baby animals are very cute, but they are also a lot of work. If you get a puppy or kitten, you will need to spend a time training it, but if you adopt an older animal, it may not need as much training.

 

Choosing the right breed

 

If you decide to buy a dog or cat, you’ll need to think about what kind of breed you want. There are thousands of different breeds of dogs and cats. The first step in choosing a breed is thinking about the pet characteristics that are important to you such as

• size
• temperament
• exercise needs
• background, or what the pet was bred for
• grooming needs
• obedience
• energy level

Then spend some time researching different breeds to find out which ones match your list of characteristics. You can do this on the Internet or at the library.

Although all animals are different regardless of their breed, it’s important to try and find a pet that will fit your needs. For example, you may need a pet that will get along well with children or that doesn’t shed.

 

Buying a pet

 

Most people who buy a pet go to either a breeder – someone who breeds animals on a professional basis – or a pet store.

Breeders

If you buy a pet from a breeder, you should be able to make an appointment to see the pet in its home and observe its living conditions. Look to make sure that the space is clean and well kept, and try to figure out how much interaction the pet has with other people and animals.

Reputable breeders usually breed their animals for temperament and health. Some breeders may even offer some form of guarantee under which they will take the pet back if it turns out to be the wrong match for you. Ask the breeder about the temperament of other pets he or she has bred, and ask to meet a parent of the animal if one is available.

Unfortunately, not all private breeders are reputable. Find out which breed club the breeder belongs to and also ask for references from a client who purchased a pet from the breeder.

Pet stores

Many people buy wonderful pets from a pet store, but it can be hard to learn anything about the background of a pet bought at a pet store. Some stores stock pets that are bred in large facilities that produce hundreds or thousands of pets. These animals may have health or behavior problems that you’re not aware of. Be sure to ask any pet store where it gets its animals. You may also want to contact your local business bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against the store.

Adopting a pet from a shelter

Most animal shelters have lots of pets available for adoption – everything from kittens to purebred dogs. Shelter animals can make wonderful pets, and it is far less expensive to adopt a pet from a shelter than it is to buy one.

If you’re thinking about adopting a pet, call your local shelter and ask them about the procedure. In some cases, you may be able to just walk into the shelter, choose a pet that you like, pay a small fee, and then bring your pet home. Other shelters may have a more involved process. You may have to have the pet spayed or neutered before you can bring it home, provide proof of home ownership or landlord approval, or even bring in all members of your family before adopting a pet.

When adopting a pet from an animal shelter, ask a shelter employee about the pet’s background. Some pets may have been abused, which could result in behavioral issues. Also ask about the pet’s personality. Is it friendly? Does it get along with other animals in the shelter? Does it enjoy being with people? If you have a child, be sure to introduce the pet and the child before making a decision.

Posted in Pet Care | No Comments »

Llama – An Introduction

Llamas are members of the camelid family. The camelids originated on the central plains of North America about 40 million years ago. Primarily a beast of burden, they also provide native herdsmen with meat, fiber for clothing, hides for shelter and manure pellets for fuel. Differentiating characteristics between llamas and alpacas are that llamas are larger and have more elongated heads. Alpacas are sometimes considered to have more valuable fiber, as it is typically finer than that of a llama.

Posted in Llamas | No Comments »

Lizard – An Introduction

Lizards are four-legged reptiles with external ear openings and movable eyelids. Many lizards can change color in response to their environments or in times of stress. Lizards typically feed on insects or rodents. A few species are omnivorous or herbivorous. Most lizards lay eggs, though a few species are capable of live birth. Many are also capable of regenerating lost limbs or tails.

Posted in Lizards | No Comments »

Lions – An Introduction

King of the jungle, the lion is the largest carnivore in Africa, and the second largest feline predator in the world. The males reach an overall average length of 8-9 feet from the tip of the nose to tip of the tail, and females averaging 7-8 feet. Males possess a mane and it can range in colors from blonde to red to brown to black. It covers their head, neck and chest. Lions use a variety of vocalizations, most notably the roar.  It can be heard over a distance of 5-6 miles.

Posted in Lions | No Comments »

Lice – An Introduction

Lice come of a range of over 3,000 species of parasitic insects. Lice are highly specialized based on the host species and many species specifically only feed on certain areas of their host’s body. As lice spend their whole life on the host they have developed adaptations which enable them to maintain a close contact with the host. Lice attach their eggs to their host’s hair with specialized saliva which results in a bond that is very difficult to separate without specialized products. A nit comb is a comb with very fine close teeth that is used to scrape nits off the hair.

Posted in Lice | No Comments »

Leverets – An Introduction

Young hares are called leverets.

Posted in Leverets | No Comments »

Leopard – An Introduction

Leopards are one of the big four cats. The leopard is closely related to, and appears very similar to, the jaguar; it is less often confused with cheetah. Leopards do not have spots on their rosettes where the jaguar always has. The leopard is smaller and less stocky than the jaguar and more heavy set than the cheetah. The leopard is heavier, stockier, has a larger head in proportion to the body, and has rosettes rather than spots.

Posted in Leopards | No Comments »

Lemur – An Introduction

Lemurs have large reflective eyes, some species are nocturnal. They range in the sizes of 30gr to 10kg. Lemurs are found naturally only in Madagascar. Currently, there are approximately 56 living lemur species and subspecies.

Posted in Lemurs | No Comments »

Lark – An Introduction

Larks are small terrestrial birds with often extravagant songs and display flights. This fact, combined with a willingness to expand into anthropogenic habitats – as long as these are not too intensively-managed – has ensured larks a prominent place in literature and music. Most lark species have long hind claws, which are thought to provide stability while standing. Most larks are fairly dull in appearance. They feed on insects and seeds.

Posted in Larks | No Comments »

Koala – An Introduction

The Koala is broadly similar in appearance to the wombat. It has a thicker, softer coat, much larger ears, and longer limbs, which are equipped with large, sharp claws to assist with climbing. About 40% of the cranial cavity of a Koalas brain is filled with fluid, the brain is like shriveled walnut halves on top of a brain stem. It is the only animal on Earth with such a strangely reduced brain.

Posted in Koalas | No Comments »

Kiwi – An Introduction

Kiwi is found only in New Zealand. Kiwi are shy nocturnal, flightless creatures, they have a highly developed sense of smell. Although the Kiwi is about the size of a domestic chicken, it is able to lay eggs that are up to ten times larger than a chicken’s egg. The Kiwi cannot fly, and lives in burrows on the ground.

Posted in Kiwis | No Comments »

Kitten – An Introduction

Kitten refers to a pre-adolescent cat.

Posted in Kittens | No Comments »

Kangaroo – An Introduction

Kangaroos are large herbivores, native to Australia. The average life expectance of a Kangaroo is 9-18 yrs, some live up to 28 yrs. Kangaroos having powerful hind legs and large feet for leaping, with a muscular tail for keeping the animals’ balance. Kangaroos are the only large animals to use hopping as a means of locomotion. Kangaroo babies stay in their mothers pouch until they are well grown.

Posted in Kangaroos | No Comments »

Kakapo – An Introduction

The ancient, flightless Kakapo is the world’s rarest and strangest parrot. It the only flightless and nocturnal parrot, as well as being the heaviest in the world, weighing up to 3.5 kilograms (8 lbs). The birds live in New Zealand, an island country which had virtually no mammals living on it for millions of years. Once common throughout the three main islands of New Zealand, there are now approximately 62 Kakapo left. These remaining birds have been relocated where they are safe and are being bred.

Posted in Kakapo | No Comments »

Jelly fish – An Introduction

Jelly fish are invertebrates. The body of an adult jellyfish is composed of a bell-shaped, jellylike substance enclosing its internal structure, from which the creature’s tentacles suspend. Most jellyfish are passive drifters that feed on small fish and zooplankton that gets caught in their tentacles.

Posted in Jellyfishes | No Comments »

Jaguar – An Introduction

Jaguars are closely related to lions, tigers and are big mammals. It is the third largest feline after lion and tiger. Jaguars are powerful animals for their size. They are powerful enough to drag an 800-pound [363 kg] bull 25 feet [8 m] in its jaws and pulverize the heaviest bones. Jaguars hunt mainly on the ground and mainly at night. Its food consists of everything from mice to birds to tapir.

Posted in Jaguars | No Comments »

Jackal – An Introduction

Jackals are nocturnal, dog-like scavengers and predators with pointed ears and faces. Reputedly carries rabies, but in fact ultimately dies from the disease. As an omnivore it eats almost anything that is available including insects, lizards, rodents, plant materials and carrion. As such it assists in maintaining the ecological balance. It scavenges when carcasses are available.

Posted in Jackals | No Comments »

Jackrabbit – An Introduction

Hares are similar to rabbits, having ability to rum upto 70km/hr they are seen chasing each other in the meadows. Hares live solitarily or in pairs.

Posted in Jackrabbits | No Comments »

Insect – An Introduction

Insects are invertebrates that are numerously widespread. Insects are the most diverse group of animals on the earth, with around 925,000 species described. Insects may be found in nearly all environments on the planet, although only a small number of species have adapted to life in the oceans.

Posted in Insects | No Comments »