I Love Animals

Fascinated to the world of the fast-talking, fun-loving parrots? Are you contemplating on the idea of getting one as your pet bird? If you have plans of purchasing one in the future, then you must familiarize yourself with the different parrot species existing in the pet trades and pet stores today.

As defined, parrots are a very popular group of birds for possessing high intelligence depending on the degree of its socialization and training. Famous for its ability to imitate human speech and various sounds, these tropical colorful birds are mainly found in Australia and South America.

Having a variety of species, parrots differ in size and color. Some parrots are bigger and grander while others are smaller and typical. When it comes to colors, green is considered the most common shade of parrots and are usually wonderful pets for their amazing talking abilities. Several types of parrots are multi-colored—with a distinctive combination of bright blue, yellow, green, and white mixtures.

These birds are also characterized by having powerful hooked bills and feet meant for tree climbing. Mainly vegetarian, other basic foods of almost all types of parrots are includes fruits, chicken or meat and a lot of seeds. Although they belong to only one family of birds, parrot species have distinctive personalities and nature. Some of them are naturally friendly while some are moody and destructive because they pluck their feathers if they are bored or unhappy.

Parrot species include Macaws, Conures, Amazons, African Gray Parrots, Cockatiels, Cockatoos, Budgerigars, and Eclectus. Macaws are one of the most coveted birds in aviculture because of their comical and affectionate nature. Conures, on the other hand, are small cousins of the Macaw that has 2 sub-specie: Aratinga and the Pyrrhura.

While Conures are known for its variety of color and gentle personality, Amazons are famous for their superb talking ability. Considered as the most popular large parrots in aviculture that exhibits distinct personalities, amazons are often considered as delightful pets for imitating sounds well.

African Grey Parrots is probably the most intelligent parrot there is. Despite their intelligence, greys can be hard to handle because they are generally quiet, resulting to stress attacks and reactions.

Cockatoos are considered among the favorites because they are beautiful, smart, playful, cuddly, and good talkers. Although they are generally tame, cockatoos can be hard to handle because they thrive in too much attention.

Cockatiels are most common pet birds because they are easy to breed and are relatively inexpensive pets; Budgerigars or “parakeets” that are usually afraid of humans if not trained properly; and the Eclectus that are “sexually dimorphic” or the male and females look markedly different.

Over the years, the dog has become a limitless topic of conversation. From the funny things they do, the cute looks they give, the amazing tricks they achieve, and yes, the not so pleasant things as well, dogs have brought an enormous addition to humanities lifetime.

There have been many occasions throughout the course of time that a famous saying has come as the direct result of a dog’s behavior. It’s quite amazing the influence that dogs have had over even our English language.

As a tribute to this fact, here’s a list of notable quotations on dogs that have been said by famous people. You’re bound to have heard a few of these and probably know of a few that aren’t listed here.

Famous Dog Quotations

1. When a man’s best friend is his dog, that dog has a problem.

   – Edward Abbet

2. A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself.

   – Josh Billings

3. Every dog has his day.

   – Miguel de Cervantes

4. A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of.

   – Ogden Nash

5. You want a friend in Washington? Get a dog.

   – Harry S Truman

6. Did you ever walk in a room and forget why you walked in? I think that’s how dogs spend their lives.

   – Sue Murphy

7. Any man who does not like dogs and want them about does not deserve to be in the White House.

   – Calvin Coolidge

8. We are alone, absolutely alone on this chance planet; and amid all the forms of life that surround us, not one, excepting the dog has made an alliance with us.

   – Max Dupree

9. Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend and inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.

   – Groucho Mark

10. From a dog’s point of view his master is an elongated and abnormally cunning dog.

    – Mable L. Robinson

11. Critics are to authors what dogs are to lamp-posts.

    – Jeffrey Robinson

12. Did you ever notice when you blow in a dog’s face he gets mad at you? But when you take him in a car he sticks his head out the window.

    – Steve Bluestone

13. I think we are drawn to dogs because they are the uninhibited creatures we might be if we weren’t certain we knew better.

    – George Bird Evans

14. Women and Cats will do as they please. Men and dogs had better get used to it.

    – Robert Heinlein

15. I loathe people who keep dogs. They are cowards who haven’t got the guts to bite people themselves.

    – August Strindberg

16. A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down.

    – Robert Benchley

17. It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.

    – Mark Twain

18. Dachshunds are ideal dogs for small children, as they are already stretched and pulled to such a length that the child cannot do much harm one way or the other.

    – Robert Benchley

19. The more I know about people, the better I like my dog.

    – Mark Twain

20. Dogs feel very strongly that they should always go with you in the car, in case the need should arise for them to bark violently at nothing right in your ear

    – Dave Barry

AWWWWW…who can resist the innocence of a small puppy? Puppies can provide so much joy and companionship in a person’s life. As they say, dogs are man’s best friend. Doing some research before getting your puppy could save you a lot of aggravation and unnecessary frustration. If you plan properly, you will be very happy with your choice.

Some of the questions that might be important to you could be: are you planning to breed the puppy, are you planning to show the puppy, will this breed of puppy be good with children (if there are children or will be children in the house), what purpose would you have for the puppy, whether it be for hunting, guarding the house, or simply a house dog, these are all questions that you need to think about.

Visiting some pet stores to see if they have the breed available would be a start. Checking online for particular breeders would be another option. Checking your local SPCA would really be a help not only for the puppy, but also for the facility.

Puppies with AKC (American Kennel Club) papers can be very costly depending on the breed and the line from which the dog came from. Puppies that are for show must be certified with papers, so if you are planning to show the dog, you have no other alternative but to purchase your puppy from a breeder or pet store that provides papers for him. If your puppy is for your child, and not for showing, it would be a better choice to either adopt from the SPCA or buy one without papers; the cost will be greatly reduced.

Once you find the puppy you wish to buy, immediately take him to your veterinarian to have his shots and check-up. Secondly, sign him up for puppy training classes, this way, as an adult dog, he will have manners and possibly know a few tricks!

Be sure you get the same kind of puppy food that the previous owner (whether it is from a breeder or a pet supply store) fed the puppy. If you want to change his food, do so gradually by mixing some of the current food with the new kind you want to switch to. This not only helps to avoid diarrhea, but doesn’t shock the puppy’s system.

Also, be sure to register him for a license for the state in which you live. You must register each dog you have on an annual basis. The fee is minimal (especially for the dog that is sterilized) but the violation or citation if you are caught with an unlicensed pet is extremely costly. Be sure to also buy some personalized identity tags for the pet with his name, your name, address and telephone number. You will be thankful you did in case he happens to dig a hole under your fence and wander around the neighborhood.

Have lots of fun choosing your puppy, he will be part of your family for a long time!

The good news is that you can house train a dog (an adult dog that is) fairly quickly…faster than puppies anyway…the bad news is, you’ve got to be consistent and actually do the work because your dog won’t have a clue what to do.

So how do you get started?…I thought you’d never ask.

1. Set Up “His Space”

Create an area where you can confine your pooch…you’ll use it for those times when you’re away or when you don’t want to be keeping a close eye on him…make sure a large part of that space is covered with newspapers too (about 3 sheets thick).

When (not if) he uses the papers, clean up the mess and replace the papers as soon as you can…but place one of the soiled papers right in the middle of the new batch…this will help build the “here is where I go” idea in his brain. Over time (maybe days, maybe weeks) his “aim” will improve and you’ll be able to reduce the papered area to maybe just a single sheet.

2. Create a Feeding & Watering Routine

Your best partner in house training your buddy will be setting up and sticking to a feeding and watering schedule…feed and water him at the same times every day – no exceptions…no snacks in between; no special treats (until he’s trained)…in this way his body will automatically respond to the schedule and be predictable…this will help you immensely with your house training.

3. Observe, Observe, Observe

Keep an eye on him at all times (when he’s not in “his space”)…now that he’s on a schedule, you’ll find out that Fido will need to “go” shortly after each feeding session, and perhaps shortly after each watering session and maybe a few more unpredictable times…watch him closely and learn what his body language is when he needs to relieve himself…is he suddenly restless; is he sniffing around; is he (and wouldn’t this be great?) scratching at the door?

4. Do Your Leg Work

When he “shows the signs,” put him on a leash and get your legs workings…take him outside to the place you want him to use. Make sure this is the same place every time…don’t confuse him by switching it around on him.

Be patient and while he’s sniffing around, repeat a command he can associate with this behavior in the future…use something like “go, go, go” or “time to go boy,” etc…then when he finally “goes,” make sure to give him a lot of praise and strokes…you want him to associate that praise with his actions so his little doggie brain will remember “Go Outside = Good Stuff”

5. Correcting Mistakes

If he goes “where no dog has gone before,” immediately, make eye contact with him and correct him with a firm “No” then lead him to the place you want him to use (either outside or to his “papers”)

But you must remember (and never forget) you can only correct him if you catch him in the act…if it’s any later, even just seconds later, your correction won’t work; he won’t make the connection you want…in fact, it will have a negative impact…so, if you miss your chance, you’ll just have to be more vigilant and catch him the next time.

But once the deed is done, clean up the mess completely and remove the odor completely too, because it will be the smell that brings him back to that spot for a return visit.

6. Keep Your Attitude Positive

Keep in mind that house training any dog takes time…it could take weeks…some dogs will be able to control themselves sooner than others and some will learn what you want from them sooner than others. If you want to be successful in the shortest amount of time, it’s up to you to maintain the right attitude and be persistent and consistent so your buddy has the best chance to learn.

I hope this helps…thanks for reading.

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Are you in the market for a dog trainer? Do you want your dog to learn from a top notch certified dog trainer? You may have dreams of seeing your dog in professional dog competitions and shows. Therefore, you need to have your dog trained by a certified dog trainer to ensure the best results.

Why should you hire a certified dog trainer instead of a basic dog trainer? A certified dog trainer is one that takes their dog training career seriously enough to become certified. You can feel comfortable in the fact that they have met high dog training standards and passed certification exams and tests. You don’t want a fly-by-night dog trainer, but a certified dog trainer that is in it for the long haul.

How do you find a certified dog trainer? There are numerous dog trainers available in the market place today. Dog trainers range in age, skill level, and experience. Your neighbor might tell you that they are a dog trainer because they have read a few books on the subject and taught their dog to fetch the newspaper. This is not sufficient dog training experience.

You should consult a variety of resources. Try asking your dog breeder, groomer, and veterinarian. They can direct you to local dog training schools that have certified dog trainers on their faculty. Various pet supply stores have dog training programs that train and certify their dog trainers. Example pet supply stores include PETCO.

However, research what they mean by “certification”. Is the certification by PETCO standards only or by a universal certification? Find out what the requirements are for their certified dog trainers. Only then can you determine if their dog trainers will supply the skill level and experience you desire.

You need to find a dog trainer that has had comprehensive training and can proudly demonstrate that they are a certified dog trainer. Be aware, though, that there are many “certified dog training” schools and home correspondence courses available. Not all of these schools are credible nor do they provide proper instruction. You need to find a dog trainer that has certification as described by the Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers.

The Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers is a well respected organization that provides testing and certification services for dog trainers. They administer specific dog training tests in various states around the country approximately twice per year. These intensive tests root out the professional dog trainer from the average dog trainer. Check out their website at: http://www.ccpdt.org/.

The Certification Council for Pet Dog Trainers also provides a listing of certified dog trainers. You can search through this listing to find a certified dog trainer in your area. This roster of certified dog trainers comprises certified dog trainers all over the world. The certified dog trainer list will give you their contact information including name, city, phone number, and e-mail address. Another great feature is that they list the date the dog trainer became certified. This will let you know how many years they have been in the dog training business. Peruse the list at: http://ccpdt.org/rstr/index.html.

Certified pet trainers do not only need to pass a certification exam and testing, they must also continue their education through workshops, conferences, and other means. When selecting a certified dog trainer ask them about the extent of their continuing education. You want a certified dog trainer that continues to hone their craft. They should actively learning about various dog training methods. This demonstrates that they are committed to providing the best dog training.

A certified dog trainer should have at least three to five years of dog training experience. This is especially true if they charge higher fees. You can take the plunge with a newly certified dog trainer if cost is an issue. Newly certified dog trainers may charge lower rates in order to establish a list of clients and garner experience. “Master” certified dog trainers are those that have twenty to thirty years of experience. They may have great skill and in depth background experience, but may come at a higher price.

You have the beginning knowledge regarding finding a certified dog trainer. Spend time searching resources available through your dog breeder, veterinarian, and pet supply store. Scour the book store, library, and Internet for detailed information. You can find a certified dog trainer in your area as well.

You wouldn’t go to an unlicensed doctor would you? So why would go to a trainer that is not certified? Certified dog trainers are out there and ready to help you and your pooch learn valuable skills. They are committed to your dog, their career, and learning everything they can about becoming a top notch dog trainer. Who knows, your certified dog trainer may help your dog win the Westminster dog show. Not only would your dog be trained well and achieve glory, but the expense would be well worth it.

Teaching a shih tzu puppy or a shih tzu dog proper socialization skills is vital to the safety of both your dog and other dogs and people with whom he comes into contact. A properly socialized shih tzu dog is a happy dog, and a joy to be around for both humans and animals. A poorly socialized shih tzu dog, or one with no socialization at all, is a danger to other animals, other people and even his own family.

Socialization is best done when the shih tzu puppy is as young as possible The socialization lessons a young shih tzu puppy learns are difficult to undo, and it is important to remember that the socialization skills the shih tzu puppy learns will affect his behavior for the rest of his life.

A shih tzu dog that is properly socialized will be neither frightened of nor aggressive towards either animals or humans. A properly socialized shih tzu dog will take each new experience and stimulus in stride, and not become fearful or aggressive. Shih tzu dogs that are not properly socialized often bite because of fear, and such a shih tzu dog can become a hazard and a liability to the family who owns it. Improperly socialized shih tzu dogs are also unable to adapt to new situations. A routine matter like a trip to the vets or to a friends house can quickly stress the shih tzu dog out and lead to all sorts of problems.

Socialization is best done when the shih tzu puppy is very young, perhaps around 12 weeks of age. Even after 12 weeks, however, it is important that the shih tzu puppy continues its socialization in order to refine the all important social skills. It is possible to socialize an older shih tzu puppy, but it is very difficult to achieve after the all important 12 week period has passed.

There are some definite do’s and don’t when it comes to properly socializing any shih tzu puppy. Let’s start with what to do. Later in this article we will explore what to avoid.

Socialization do’s

Make each of the socialization events as pleasant and non-threatening for the shih tzu puppy as possible. If a shih tzu puppy’s first experience with any new experience is an unpleasant one, it will be very difficult to undo that in the shih tzu puppy’s mind. In some cases, an early trauma can morph into a phobia that can last for a lifetime. It is better to take things slow and avoid having the shih tzu puppy become frightened or injured.

Try inviting your friends over to meet the new shih tzu puppy. It is important to include as many different people as possible in the shih tzu puppy’s circle of acquaintances, including men, women, children, adults, as well as people of many diverse ethnic backgrounds and ages.

Also invite friendly and healthy dogs and puppies over to meet your puppy. It is important for the shih tzu puppy to meet a wide variety of other animals, including cats, hamsters, rabbits and other animals he is likely to meet. It is of course important to make sure that all animals the shih tzu puppy comes into contact with have received all necessary vaccinations.

Take the shih tzu puppy to many different places, including shopping centers, pet stores, parks, school playgrounds and on walks around the neighborhood. Try to expose the shih tzu puppy to places where they will be crowds of people and lots of diverse activity going on.

Take the shih tzu puppy for frequent short rides in the car. During these rides, be sure to stop the car once in a while and let the puppy look out the window at the world outside. Introduce your shih tzu puppy to a variety of items that may be unfamiliar. The shih tzu puppy should be exposed to common items like bags, boxes, vacuum cleaners, umbrellas, hats, etc. that may be frightening to him. Allow and encourage the shih tzu puppy to explore these items and see that he has nothing to fear from them.

Get the shih tzu puppy used to a variety of objects by rearranging familiar ones. Simply placing a chair upside down, or placing a table on its side, creates an object that your shih tzu puppy will perceive as totally new.

Get the shih tzu puppy used to common procedures like being brushed, bathed, having the nails clipped, teeth cleaned, ears cleaned, etc. Your groomer and your veterinarian with thank you for this.

Introduce the shih tzu puppy to common things around the house, such as stairs. Also introduce the shih tzu puppy to the collar and leash, so he will be comfortable with these items. There are of course some things to avoid when socializing a shih tzu puppy. These socialization don’ts include:

Do not place the shih tzu puppy on the ground when strange animals are present. An attack, or even a surprise inspection, by an unknown animal could traumatize the shih tzu puppy and hurt his socialization.

Do not inadvertently reward fear based behavior. When the shih tzu puppy shows fear, it is normal to try to sooth it, but this could reinforce the fear based behavior and make it worse. Since biting is often a fear based behavior, reinforcing fear can create problems with biting.

Do not force or rush the socialization process. It is important to allow the shih tzu puppy to socialize at his own pace.

Do not try to do too much too soon. Young shih tzu puppies have short attention spans, and continuing lessons after that attention span has passed will be a waste of your time and your puppy’s.

Do not wait too long to begin. There is a short window in which to begin the socialization process. A young shih tzu puppy is a blank slate, and it is important to fill that slate with positive socialization skills as early as possible.

Little kids are particularly fond of dogs and dogs too like running around children. Dogs really take very good care of kids and are quite protective about them. However, if you have a kid, there are several important factors that you must consider before deciding to bring a pup home.Learn about various breeds and their primary traits. Choose the dog breed that is known to be of easy temperament and training friendly. Besides, the breed the individual traits also matter. For instance, Dobermans are not supposed to be the children’s friend yet some of them have been found to be extremely friendly with kids and are very tolerant of their rashness. In a few instances dogs of certain gentle breeds turn out to be short tempered and highly irritable. The best way to find out whether a pup will grow into an angry dog or an affectionate one is to have a look at his mother or grown up siblings.Never forget that the puppy might be much smaller than your kid but would grow much faster than him. One thing that you must make your little ones understand that a pup is not a toy and cannot be handled the way they like. The child, therefore, must give a gentle treatment to the dog and mend his pushing, pulling and twisting ways.Kids have the habit of putting everything in their mouths and once they get a dog they try to put all of it in his mouth. Teach him not to, for the dog might not like it that much, besides the kid might also hurt himself or herself doing it. And, no tail pulling.The child must also be encouraged to train the dog himself or herself so that they grow up together and the dog understands your child’s commands fully well. Do not allow your child to walk the dog unless you or some other elder is around because dogs often get distracted by sounds and may go berserk in excitement. This might hurt the child though the dog himself would feel very sorry for having hurt the little one. Dogs are very sensitive creatures and can feel human pain. If you are in pain they just might end up crying literally.

From: Dr Andrew Jones

Author: Veterinary Secrets Revealed

http://www.veterinarysecretsrevealed.com

A dog is injured… what now?

I was recently called out by the local Police on an emergency visit.

A dog had been hit by a car on the highway, and a few well meaning by-standers who were trying to help could not get near him.

When they went to touch him, he tried to bite.

He obviously had a fractured leg, so he needed urgent veterinary care.

In approaching him, I saw that he was a gentle looking Lab, who was in a lot of pain.

But before I could do anything - even properly examine him and give him some pain medication - I had to properly restrain and muzzle him.

Here are the basics for restraining and picking up an injured dog.

Restraining a dog

1. Approach the dog, speaking quietly and avoiding direct eye contact.

2. Move close without touching the dog. If the dog can stand, often sitting close beside him and encouraging him to come to you works better than reaching out to him. Some small dogs will jump into your lap.

3. If the dog is quiet, head lowered, shivering or outwardly friendly, allow the dog to smell your hand. Then pet the dog if it is still submissive. Start under the jaw then slowly move your hand over the head.

4. Slip a leash around the dog’s neck. This can be made from a rope, tie, belt or whatever is available. The leash is best made as a ‘noose’ that will tighten if the dog pulls back. If the dog is aggressive then the noose can be made very large and dropped over the dog’s head from above. Such a dog probably can’t walk, otherwise he would not be allowing you anywhere near him. If the dog is on the road it may be better to pull (or if necessary) drag the dog off the road before proceeding further. This sounds awful but may be required for safety reasons.

Muzzling a dog

1. Use a long piece of rope, gauze bandage or panty hose (this makes a great muzzle) or whatever you can find.

2. Start with a half throw, with the knot on the top of the nose. If the dog is very aggressive we will make the loop and then slip it over the nose by holding the ends of the rope and pulling it tight once in place. This will shut the dog’s mouth.

3. Place another half knot under the jaw. Again if the dog is aggressive work the knot at a distance and then draw it tight.

4. Bring the ends behind the ears and tie them FIRMLY in a bow. The muzzle needs to be fairly tight otherwise the dog may remove it with a paw.

How to Pick Up An Injured Dog

1. With the dog facing away from you, put one hand under the dog’s neck and grasp the collar on the side that is opposite to you. If the dog is unknown (or it looks like he might bite) it’s not a bad idea to grab a bit of skin as well. It gives you some control of the head - but not total control.

2. With the other hand reach over the dog and place your hand, palm up, under the dog’s chest, taking some weight with your forearm.

3. Lift the dog then cradle the dog against you so he is secured between your forearm and your body. You may be able to let go of the dog’s neck at this point.

In the case I was called out on, the Labradors’ name was Pierre. His owners were found and were very grateful he was cared for. He recovered fine with supportive care, and a splint.

If you are ever in this type of situation, properly restrain, muzzle and pick up the injured pet. You now know more than 99% of the pet owners today.

It’s Your Pet- Heal Them At Home!

Dr. Andrew Jones, DVM

http://www.veterinarysecretsrevealed.com

But how do you really choose which type of dog would best suit you? As you very well know, dogs have different kinds of breed, type, size and temperament. When thinking of bringing one into your family or your home, it is imperative that you know which dog would agree with every member of your family and the place you live in as well.

Things to Know:

Before thinking of buying a dog, you have to know if the place you live in allows you to keep one in the first place. If you are living in an apartment unit or a condominium unit, it is probable that the owner of the building would not want any pets within their property. Maintaining the cleanliness and the smell of the place is foremost in any owner’s mind and you should give some considerations for this. Your neighbors surely do not want to hear a dog yapping the night away and disturbing their sleep, right? Living in an apartment unit surely makes it difficult to bring a dog in, no matter how cute and cuddly he may be. But if you live in the suburbs and have a large lawn, a dog would surely be a welcome addition to your family.

Is there a member of the family who has time to take care of the dog? This is another important factor. You can opt to tie the dog in one corner when you’re away from your place or you can even buy a pen to confine him in but a dog still needs special attention especially when he is still not house-trained. Who would clean up after his every poop? Is there a member of your family who is willing to take that responsibility? And another thing: who would take the dog to its veterinary visits every now and then? Veterinary visits mean an increase in your expenses and this take precious time from the one who’ll take the dog to it, too. Before purchasing a puppy, be sure to have a talk with your family first. Remember that owning a dog means having a responsibility of taking care of it properly.

What Type of dog do You Want?

If you still have your mind set on purchasing a dog after going through the decisions from above, the next thing you have to do is choose the right dog for you and your family. Dogs have different temperaments, personalities and types to them. Keep in mind that when you have little children, you have to choose a dog which is not hot-tempered or impatient. If you are an active type of person, choose a dog which will compliment your lifestyle. You hate constant barking? Steer clear from the small types of dog for they really enjoy barking. Ask around the pet shop when purchasing one and surely you will get all the help and advices you need.

My husband and I purchased our first pet drinking fountain a number of years ago at a cat show, at a booth that had the latest in pet commodities. It was a little bit pricey, coming in at about fifty dollars at the time, but at after some deliberation, we decided it would be worth the cost. We had three cats, all of which loved to drink from the bathroom sink. So perhaps a fountain would give them that fresh, running water that they craved all day long.

What I particularly liked about the fountain was the notion that it would encourage our pets to drink more, which would assist in keeping them healthy and happy. I also liked the idea of the filtration system. Even water changed twice a day could potentially get pretty stagnant in between refills.

Setup was fairly easy, although the fountain we chose at the time, the Drinkwell Fresh Water Fountain, had a number of parts that needed to be cleaned and dried before use.

Our cats did indeed love their fountain, although I kept their regular water bowl filled in case they exhibited any reticence. The Drinkwell actually has a stream that drops down freely, just like a faucet, and my cats showed no hesitation to drink directly from the steam.

We’ve tried several pet drinking fountains over the years, as there are a number of different styles and designs. There’s also a nice one from Petmate, although our cats didn’t take to it as well, considering the water flows down a sloped piece of plastic rather than flowing freely. There are also several newer models that I haven’t had the opportunity to try out.

The filtration system in most of these fountains is a simple charcoal filtering system. It isn’t perfect. If you have cats — like mine — that have a tendency to drop nuggets of food into their water dish, the filtration system won’t take care of the debris left behind, even when it breaks down.

Cleaning, although not difficult, is time-consuming, one drawback to most of these fountains. A basic rinse-out isn’t a big deal, but to take it apart and clean it thoroughly, which is essential to keeping the fountain functioning properly, you’ll need to take the proper time.

A nice feature for many of these fountains is the option to purchase a reservoir that will hold additional water. This is especially helpful for multi-pet households as the water in the fountain must be kept at a certain level in order to keep it running, and several pets can go through water at a pretty rapid pace.

Pet drinking fountains are one of the best new inventions to hit the pet scene over the last few years. My fountain did indeed get my pets drinking more often, and though maintenance of the fountain is often an inconvenience, it’s been wealth worth it. I look at the fountain less as a commodity and more as an essential to good pet health. Your pets are worth it.