Diva Dogs and Funky Felines - For the Urban Pet Owner

Diva Dogs and Funky Felines is a guide for city-dwelling pet owners who want to maximize the time and space they share with their dog, cat or other animal companion. Whether you live in a cramped basement apartment with an iguana or share a house in the trendy part of town with a black Lab (or two), we'll help you improve quality of life for your pet with tips, product guides and expert interviews.

Monday, February 18, 2013

DVDs for Cats –An Electronic Petsitter for Owners, a Virtual Backyard for Cats



Cats star in a large percentage of reposted videos on Facebook, but videos and DVDs for cats are less-publicized. Felines may be near the top of the viral video heap, but once in awhile, they might like to sit back and view a good video instead. DVDs (and before that, VHS tapes) for cats have been around for a few decades and many cat owners

Full-length videos that entertain and petsit cats have been on the market since the late 1980s through mail order, Internet ads and retail stores. The DVDs last an hour or two and feature chirping birds, scampering mice, bugs, fish and other creatures apartment-bound cats would chase if given the chance.

Not all cats will become couch potatoes at the sight of TV birds and squirrels.  It’s sure to catch their interest initially, but after that, some felines lose become bored. Suburban and country cats used to the real thing-hitting the backyard grass to chase real birds and rats – might not be as fascinated by the filmed version.

City cats who rarely get the chance to test out their primal instincts may jump at the TV screen or try to get inside it at the sight of birds and scattering mice. Make sure the TV (or flat screen) is secure, especially if you plan to use the DVDs as a catsitter when you’re running errands or at work.


The audio quality and selection on the DVDs is just as intriguing to cats as the visuals. Cats rwill perk up their ears to sounds like birds chirping  or squirrels running through a field.  Some cat DVDs have specially composed music  so pet owners can enjoy the show with their kitty.


Amazon lists eight different DVDs for cars as of December 31, 2011. The Petsitter DVD series have been around since the late 1980s, so longevity proves there’s something to them. Each video provides a unique selling point – CatDVD has a Laser Pointer Party sequence, Video Catnip is divided into three parts-one for humans, one for cats and humans and one for cats only. Some petowners enjoy the images and background music and find it a relaxing accompaniment to chores.

 City dwellers might save a few bucks by breaking out the Camcorder on their next trip to the woods.  A homemade pastiche of birds, critters and babbling brooks filled with fish will divert your pet’s attention from those china figures (or other tchotchkes) he likes to swat off the table. Virtual scenes of the great outdoors will be at least a temporary respite from a day of hiding under the bed for your housebound kitty.

Search for cat DVDs on Amazon.

Copyright 2011 by Jade Blackmore
This article first appeared on Yeepet.com


Tuesday, February 12, 2013

More Exotic than Fish But Not as Scary as Snakes: Salamanders and Newts as Pets




Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Digital Library/Gary M. Stoltz

People who find snakes, lizards and other reptiles too icky to keep as pets may find slimy-skinned, water-partial amphibians, like salamanders, less offensive. Sure, salamanders are a little slippery and lizard-like, but they’re pretty laid-back. They come in all sorts of colors, sizes and varieties. Salamanders are fun to watch, and there’s little chance that one will bolt from its plant and mulch-filled abode. Aside from regular feedings and terrarium cleaning, upkeep is minimal. Let’s look at tiger salamanders and fire-bellied newts, two of the most popular amphibian pets.

Tiger Salamanders

Tiger salamanders have black or dark brown skin, usually with yellow stripes or blotches, but the coloring may vary. They can grow up to 14 inches, though 6-8 inches is common. Keep them in a 10-gallon glass tank, separating land and water areas with a divider. Use substrata of eco earth or small bark pieces in their terrarium or aqua-terrarium. Tigers love to burrow, so give them plenty of places to hide. Decorate it with hollowed-out logs, driftwood or cork tube. It’s best to keep one to a terrarium since these amphibians are so big. Don’t place them in the same space as newts or smaller salamanders. Tiger salamanders eat pinkie mice, waxworms, mealworms, snails and insects, most notably crickets. Feed them every two or three nights using tweezers to place insects near their mouths; release tweezers when they grab the food. Tiger salamanders like to eat and will sometimes beg for extra servings. Resist the temptation to spoil them; it’s not good for the animal. You can learn more about caring for tiger salamanders at About.com Exotic Pets.


Fire Newts

Newts are tiny version of salamanders, ranging in size from 2 to 6 inches depending on the species. Newts are black with bright orange or red bellies, and males tend to be larger than females. Chinese fire newts have black specks on their bellies. Fire-bellied newts are nocturnal creatures that live partially underwater. Called fire newts for short, aquatic types eat brine shrimp and chopped nightcrawlers, though some will eat reptile food pellets or sticks from the pet store. Terrestrial newts can eat crickets or tubifex worms. Newts have light appetites, so feed them every other night or every third night. Dust crickets and other insects with vitamin supplements once or twice a week before mealtime. Check for leftover crickets; they may bite unsuspecting newts.  Unlike salamanders, a 10-gallon glass terrarium/aquarium can provide comfortable accommodations for up to four newts. Use mulch and sphagnum moss for land. Avoid gravel, as it’s too rough for newt skin. You can find out more about fire newts here.

 General Rules for Keeping Salamanders as Pets

Wear latex gloves when handling a newt or salamander. Oil from your hands can harm the salamander and residue from their skin can cause you to develop salmonella. Wash hands thoroughly before and after handling any amphibian pet.

Clean the entire tank once a week, with daily spot cleanings as necessary. Temporarily place the salamander in a secure container with a small amount of water. Scrub the terrarium with a small sponge or cloth and hot water. If necessary, use an eco-friendly cleaner like Seventh Generation and rinse thoroughly, eliminating any smells that might disturb the salamander. Experts recommend drying just-cleaned tanks outdoors in sunlight.

Take your salamander to the vet if you notice weight loss, bloating or skin lesions. The most common salamander malady, gas bubble disease, is caused by a tank that’s too aerated (too much air). Gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide seep in through tank or pump leaks. This causes bubbles to form in the salamander’s bloodstream. The bubbles may cause the abdomen to swell and may be visible underneath the skin. Take your salamander to the vet if you suspect gas bubble disease. Seal leaks in tanks and hoses to prevent this problem.

Purchase salamanders from a reputable dealer. Check out Reptile Channel or Caudata.org, the largest newt and salamander portal on the net.  Petco and other pet stores also sell salamanders and newts.

Copyright 2011 Jade Blackmore
This article first appeared on Yeepet.com

Monday, February 11, 2013

His Royal Majesty- the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel



Overview

The Cavalier King Charles, a descendant of toy spaniel breeds of the 16th century,  is  a wide-eyed cutie who enjoys being around people. The Cavalier King Charles is named after King Charles II of England. King Charles admired the toy spaniel and they followed him around during his daily routine.  Breeding changes in the 17th and 18th centuries led to the flat-nosed version of the dog we have today. They were even allowed in the House of Parliament, a law that’s still on the books today! These good-natured canines have a medium coat and undocked tail. The breed comes in four variations. The Blenheim has chestnut markings on a pure white coat.  Some of these adorable doggies  sport a chestnut-colored  Blenheim spot in the middle of their forehead. Black and Tan Cavaliers boast a black coat with tan markings.  Ruby Cavaliers have an all-chestnut coat with occasional white markings. Tricolors are black and white with tan markings above the eyebrows, inside the legs and/or on the cheeks.


Only recognized by the American Kennel Club as an official show breed in 1995, the Cavalier King Charles is gaining popularity in America, rising from 56th place in 1998 to 25th in 2008. Adult dogs weigh ten to eighteen pounds and grow to 13 inches tall, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are prized for their loyalty, companionship and good looks!


 Characteristics

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels perceive every visitor as a friend, so if you need a guard dog or live in an unsavory neighborhood, consider another breed. If you’re merely looking for a loving companion, a Cavalier will fit the bill.

Cavaliers mature slowly, and should spend ten to twelve weeks with their Mom and siblings before entering their new home.

 Give a Cavalier King Charles pup a rollicking social life at a young age, introducing him to neighbors, relatives and folks at the veterinarians’ office. He’ll need to be around people beside his master early on to avoid behavior problems later in life.  Isolating a Cavalier pup may lead him to be shy around strangers. Spoiling him may lead to believe he’s the boss of you!

Cavaliers are suited to both house and apartment living. They need a moderate amount of exercise, including a long walk once a day. A small outdoor play area or fenced-in backyard will give this happy canine enough space to move around and keep fit. If you have a staircase, let your Cav bound up and down every so often. It will help him expend some of his cheerful energy.

Watch your Cavalier King Charles when he’s around around birds and small animals. He is a spaniel by  nature and loves to hunt and chase. If you work long hours, buy a cat or dog companion and introduce it to your Cav when he’s a pup., Cavs love playing with an animal companion, and they’ll become best buddies, especially when raised together.

Leaving a Cavalier alone for long periods-without other animals (or people) to keep him company can make him nervous and extremely jumpy upon your return. Cavaliers are classified as a lap dog even though they’re natural hunters, so you’ll have the best of both worlds. They’ll cuddle with you on the sofa or sit contentedly on a cushion on the floor while you watch TV.

Due to their trusting nature and small stature, Cavs aren’t recommended for families with children under five. Youngsters may unwittingly tease or prod the Caviler and hurt him. Like other lap dogs, the King Charles Cav is too cute for its own sake sometimes, and young children may treat him like a toy.

Cavaliers make great traveling companions. They’re happy to be around their owners and adapt well to pet-friendly motels and new surroundings, as long as there’s a familiar person around to guide them.

Owners should groom Cavaliers on a regular basis, bathing their pet and brushing and combing the dog’s coat once a week..  Cavs shed occasionally, and can develop tangled hair on their ears and eye infections. Check for these conditions while performing weekly upkeep. They’re clean dogs, and an occasional trip to the groomer will keep them trim and handsome


Health


While Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are beautiful, affectionate dogs, they are prone to a more health problems than many other breeds. Prospective owners should take this into consideration before purchasing a Cavilier. Some of the most common health issues include:

Mitral valve disease, a heart disorder, is the most common cause of death among the Cavalier King Charles breed.  Most Cavaliers develop this condition at some point in their lives, usually by age five.  Owners should have their dogs screened once a year for heart murmurs from age one year onward.

Syringomyelia (a cyst within the spinal chord), though unusual in most breeds, may affect up to 90 per cent of all Cavaliers. Symptoms include scratching ears or paws until they are raw, whining when being picked her up, sleeping in cold areas of the house, like a cement floor. Syringomyelia  is diagnosed through an MRI. This test may be prohibitive for many families, costing between $600 and $2,000.

Glue ear, or PSOM (Primary Secretory Otitis Media),a  build-up of mucus in a Cavalier's middle ear, causes neck and head pain, hearing loss and fatigue. The Cavalier may tilt his head, cry, yawn or scratch his ears. Since some of the symptoms are similar to Syringomyelia, vets must carefully consider all factors before making a diagnosis.


Learn more about the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel at  the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club







Copyright 2011 Jade Blackmore

This article originally appeared on Yeepet.com

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Odd Pet News - Bark Mitzvahs - The Latest Pet Party Trend?


Photo: Wikipedia



People will do just about anything for their dogs - feed them gourmet treats, buy them fancy sweaters and raincoats to protect them from the elements – and throw them birthday parties or Bark Mitzvahs. Yes, Bark Mitzvahs, the animal counterpart to the traditional Jewish coming of age ceremony for 13 year old boys, have gained popularity in the Jewish community during the past decade. While most Bark Mitzvahs are informal parties honoring a pet, some do have a spiritual component and take place at a synagogue.

Background and Controversy

The first Bark Mitzvahs were recorded in the New York City area in 1997. The practice is frowned upon by some rabbis, who think it makes a mockery of a sacred spiritual ceremony.. Still, Bark Mitzvahs (and the occasional Meow Mitzvah) have taken hold in New York, Florida and California. Some folks use it to mark a dog’s 13th year or 13th month, while others calculate the appropriate canine Mitzvah age as 2 years, which roughly calculates to 14 human years. Bark Mitzvahs have attracted a good amount of mainstream media coverage over the past few year. Keith Olbermann featured a story about a coming-of-age party for a Florida dog named Columbo Rudy on MSNBC's Countdown with Keith Olbermann.


 Fundraising and Neighborhood Pet Parties

Most dog owners consider Bark Mitzvahs just another fun way for pet owners to celebrate their furry companions. Some owners fit their dogs with a prayer shawl and/or a special version of a yarmulke, or skullcap, used during real Bat Mitzvahs for teen boys.


The term “Bark Mitzvah” is sometimes used to describe a generic party or event for a group of dogs and their owners. The play on words is amusing to many people, and some synagogues sponsor trips to the dog park under the moniker. The festivities are often part of a charity fundraiser, benefiting organizations like the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) or animal shelters. Private Bark Mitzvah parties are a great way for neighbors and their dogs to hang out and have a good time. Flashier parties take place at dog salons or even restaurants. Bark Mitzvahs are as much fun for the owners as for the dogs, as this video demonstrates.


Small businesses specializing in quirky pet products have jumped on the Bark Mitzvah bandwagon. Owners can indulge their pet with a celebratory doggie basket that includes plush toys, chews and treats. Café Press has a selection of Bark Mitzvah greeting cards and invitations. Dog bakeries offer all-meat cakes, homemade biscuits and a star collar for the canine guest of honor.

The concept may seem a little wacky to some, but overall, Bark Mitzvahs are just another way for dog owners to bond with their pets. And the guest of honor will surely enjoy all the attention!

Article Copyright 2012 Jade Blackmore  

This article originally appeared on Yeepet.com

Angelfish for Beginners


 

Queen Angelfish

General Information

Angelfish belong to the Cichlidae family of freshwater fish and their saltwater relatives belong to the Pomacanthidae family. These colorful, triangular-shaped creatures are an attractive addition to your aquarium. But be forewarned, they require more upkeep than goldfish or other common tropical fish. Saltwater (or marine) angelfish varieties are even more exotic-looking and need more time and specialized care from fishkeepers. But if you have the patience and the money, caring for a tank or two of brightly-hued angelfish will give you many hours of enjoyment and fascinate even your non-aquarist friends.


Natural Origins

Freshwater angelfish live in South American rivers. Marine angelfish swim in oceans throughout the Southern hemisphere. If you’ve ever watched film of scuba divers swimming past coral reefs and schools of brightly-colored fish, there’s a good chance some of those fish were marine angels.


 Identifying Characteristics


Since there are about a hundred different species of freshwater and saltwater angelfish,  the characteristics are as varied as the names-from flameback to zebra, from Cherub to Emperor, full descriptions will vary, but there are a few similarities. Freshwater angels have long dorsal and back fins and a flattened, laterally-shaped body. Saltwater angelfish are flat like freshwater fish, though their fins are usually not as long as freshwater angels. Marine angels tend to have striking coloration, and they eat algae, vegetable and animal matter. Saltwater angels eat sponge and are territorial about their surroundings. For this reason,   aquarists recommend keeping only one species (or in some cases, only one fish) to a tank.

It’s hard to tell the difference between a male and female angel fish except at breeding time. The female’s breeding tube will be blunter and wider than the male’s.  While this info makes some angelfish species harder to keep than the average fish, their looks make them worth it to many aquarists. Call them the high-maintenance fish of the aquarium hobby!

 Tank Set-Up


Each adult angelfish requires four gallons of water. Breeding couples need 15 gallons of water. Use 25 plus gallons of water if fry will be raised with the parents.  Fill the tank with filtered tap water at a temperature of 74 to 80 degrees Celsius. Maintain a pH  of between 6 and 7.5 – 6.5 to 6.9 if breeding. Use a sponge or under-gravel filtration system. A high-flow system may be too taxing for these sensitive fish. Add java moss, java fern, and/or tall, blade-like Vallisneria (eelgrass) to the tank. Angels love to glide through eelgrass. Include broadleaf plants if you have spawning angels. They like to lay eggs on the leaves.  Keep the tank free of debris by use a net to remove excess food. Use a gravel vacuum to siphon off debris at the bottom of the tank. Change 20 per cent of the water once a week for show fish and 50% for breeding fish.

Feeding

Angelfish can eat commercially-prepared dry flake and freeze-dried food. Live foods like brine shrimp and bloodworms are good choices for angels. Saltwater species need frozen foods that contain both meat and algae.

To find more specific information about caring for angelfish, consult Fishchannel.com or browse angelfish for sale at Petco.com.

French Angelfish

Article Copyright 2011 Jade Blackmore
This article originally appeared on Yeepet.com .

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

The Difference Between Stray and Feral Cats



There are almost 60 million stray and feral cats in the United States, with the number growing everyday. Some cats are truly feral or wild animals while others are lost cats that have strayed too far from home.

 Feral cats are domestic cats that have reverted back to their ancestors’ natural, predatory state.They have been away from humans too long and may fear people or be downright hostile and vicious. A stray is simply a domestic housecat that has wandered too far from its owner’s front door.

A lost housecat may be dirty or banged up a bit from being outdoors for a few days. Some cats may withstand this initial experience better than others, but after awhile, they get tough. Most lost domestic cats who don’t get back to their home-or a new home - within a reasonable amount of time won’t survive very long on the streets. That is, unless they join a clowder or group of other feral cats. Clowder cats usually band together in alleys, parks or other secluded spots. If you live in a crowded urban area, a clowder of fighting or mating cats may wake you up with their high-pitched shrieks  in the middle of the night..


A Stray Story

My cat Petey was a stray. She would walk up repeatedly on my doorstep and rub up against me til I fed her. Petey followed me inside the first few times I left food on the porch , but I didn’t bring her in, figuring she belonged to one of the many “cat people” on the block who sometimes let their pets outdoors during the day. When a neighbor said she’d spied Petey sleeping on our porch one night ,that was it. The next day when she showed up at feeding time, I took her in. I was unable to locate her original owner, so she stayed with me for several years.

Wild In The Streets

It’s easy to tell a feral cat from a newly-minted stray, though it will take more than a quick sidelong glance. A feral cat will flat-out avoid humans or snarl and hiss when anyone approaches him. Unlike Petey and other strays, a feral cat has no interest in returning to a housecat status. They’ve had a taste of the hunter lifestyle, and it’s now permanently etched in their genes.

Taking in a feral cat is not recommended, even for the most experienced and patient cat people. There’s no way of knowing how long the cat has been in the wild or if he has contracted toxoplasmosis, rabies or other diseases while out on the streets.

 A friend of mine once took in a feral cat . He actually saved the cat’s life by rescuing him from a wheel well. He took the cat home, fed him, and tried to treat him like a regular housecat, but the feral feline would have none of it. He wasn’t interested in living in a home, except for the regular feedings. He did take to the other household cat, a mild-mannered domestic, and they would often play and clean each other’s ears. The feral cat never did get chummy with any of the people in the house, even after several years off the streets. He spent most of his time hiding and sleeping under the bed..Eventually, he ran away. He did return once, a few months after gallivanting, and followed me up the stairs. He took one look at my friend and ran away again. That’s gratitude for you!

Trap-Neuter-Return
 So while it may be tempting to take in a feral cat, you’re fighting a losing, and maybe dangerous, battle. The ASPCA and other animal and cat organizations advocate Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), a humane method of trapping feral cats so they can be neutered or spayed and checked for rabies before being released back into the wild. You can find out more about T-N-R by reading the ASPCA’s Feral Cat Sterilization Guidelines.



Article Copyright 2012 Jade Blackmore

This article was first published on Yeepet.com