Category Pet care

Is there any correlation between what is the "Best in Show" and maybe…most popular Breeds in America? The answer is no. Let' s take a look at the registration numbers from a large kennel club and compare that to dog show winners. The American Kennel Club which was established in 1884 and includes 151 breeds.

These days, thanks to good nutrition and health care, cats live an average of 14 years, and some a lot longer. When you adopt or purchase a cat, you will be bringing home a friend and companion that will be with you a long time. Adopting a cat is a decision that you should not take lightly or one that you should make on the spur of the moment.

What breeds have won the Westminster Dog Show? When the Westminster show takes over New York's Madison Square Garden February 13-14, 2012, it marks its 136th consecutive year of operation. Westminster represents the pinnacle of U.S. dog shows by any measure, starting with sheer numbers. Its 2,600 entrants have all attained the rank of champion, and it includes representatives of the American Kennel Club-recognized breeds.

Many sugarless gums contain xylitol, which have been associated with causing low blood sugar, and associated with liver failure in dogs. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center strongly urges pet owners to be especially diligent in keeping candy, gum or other foods containing xylitol out of the reach of pets.

The holidays can be the best of times to welcome a new pet into your home. Or they can be the worst of times. While the emotions and warmth of the season can inspire you to share your home with an animal, the distractions can also make this a terrible time to bring home a furry friend. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind when thinking about acquiring a pet over the holidays.

Do you buy your pets gifts? Most pet owners do. In fact, the entire pet industry has grown steadily even during challenging economic times. Pet owners are projected to spend over $34.3 billion on their pets in 2004. Let's look at some great gift ideas for this holiday season. From items to keep pets comfortable and safe, to things that let pet owners know their animals are being well cared for in the hands of caretakers, these products are top-notch, timely, and unique gifts.

If keeping an aquarium is your hobby, you might want to accessorize your tank to improve its appearance, add interest or mimic a natural setting. Whether your goal is a whimsical theme or a very natural look, there are steps you can take to provide an attractive, yet safe, healthy environment for your fish.

In 2004, visitors to New York during Westminster and viewers in a huge national television audience for the world's most famous dog show were treated to a historic site: for the first time ever, the Empire State Building was lit in the club colors of purple and gold during each evening of the show as a salute to Westminster's enduring place in the city's incredible history.

The Westminster Kennel Club is indeed America's Dog Show, evidenced once again by the fact that everyone wants to be at Madison Square Garden in New York City this February 14-15, 2005 for the 129th Annual event. As in recent years, the entry limit of 2,500 dogs was reached in less than an hour after entries opened on December 3.

As any cat owner knows, it is nearly impossible to guess what toy is going to make your kitty sit up and take notice. However, when choosing toys that will provide stimulating play for your cat and keep him engaged, you must also consider the safety factor. So, just which safe toy will engage frisky kitties when the clock strikes playtime?

Finishing sprays are designed for application when your pet is still wet that make the coat slick and shiny. Most of these sprays contain silicone and function to seal the hair shaft, make it lay down flat and make combing and brushing easier between baths. Use it sparingly; a little goes a long way.

Sometimes greasy coats, allergies and plain old dirt require a cat to have a good bath. This can be tricky because cats usually don't like water. It is best to introduce a cat to bathing as a kitten so that baths become less stressful with time. The process requires a medicated baby shampoo and a good animal shampoo manufactured by a company such as Lambert-Kay, Ring 5, Tomlyn or Vita-coat.

In streams, rivers, and oceans, fish find places where the environment is right for them to live, eat and breed. Since the temperatures and conditions of streams and rivers fluctuate seasonally, freshwater fish have to move a great deal. By contrast, saltwater fish have it easy. Although they are generally far more sensitive to water quality than freshwater fish, the ocean environment is relatively stable.

Most marine systems house tropical warm-water fish since they are the most colorful. These same fish also happen to be quite temperature-tolerant, since their native home is usually a shallow coastal area where water temperatures can fluctuate several degrees, even within the same day. So why bother with a heater?

Before adopting a dog, take this test to determine if you are ready. You've decided to get a new dog because: A) The kids' whining has finally worn you down. B) You hope to attract cool babes/guys while walking your dog. C) You feel terrible for all the homeless pets in the shelter. D) That puppy in the pet store window is just too cute for words.

It's the thing every pet owner fears most. You stroll into the yard to call your pet and no one comes running. You walk to the side of the house and call again. But he's nowhere to be found. You wonder if he's wandered off somehow - or been stolen. This is no time for terror, no time for panic. It's time for action.

It's the thing every pet owner fears most. You stroll into the yard to call your pet and no one comes running. You walk to the side of the house and call again. But he's nowhere to be found. You wonder if he's wandered off somehow - or been stolen. This is no time for terror, no time for panic. It's time for action.

That depends on your dog's hair type and length. Purchase a good-quality brush and comb and get your dog used to being handled. Types of hair coats include a long double, long silky, short smooth, short double, short wiry, curly or hairless. Some breeds have special grooming needs, so ask your vet or a professional groomer for advice on particular equipment necessary for your pet.

Here is a tip from one of our users: Before you declaw your cat because it has been sharpening its claws on your furniture as well as its scratching posts, try this: Buy a role of adhesive-backed shelf liner (sometime called contact paper). Cut pieces large enough to cover the areas your cat is most likely to shred, remove the backing on the paper, and voila!

Keeping your dog's coat at its best means keeping a regular check on internal parasites. Worms can sap essential nutrients from your dog, which would cause the hair coat to lose its luster and quality, not to mention causing other serious health problems. Your veterinarian will recommend a fecal exam during wellness exams to check for parasites.