I Love Animals

Are animals getting smarter? Not long ago on Utube, I watched some amazing animal videos. In these videos you could see proof of the animal using cause and effect.

In one video, a raccoon was captured in a concrete cage, outside. The top of the cage was opened, but he was enclosed on all four sides. The raccoon, with a lot of effort, was able to lean a broken tree limb, which was lying in the bottom of his cage, in one of the corners of the cage. He then used the broken limb as a ladder and climbed his way out to freedom.

In another video, there was a wild bird, (I don’t recall the species), but he was standing on a pier looking out into the water. Nearby the wild bird on the pier were some bread crumbs – instead of eating the bread crumbs, the wild bird picked up the bread and walked to the end of the pier, dropping the bread into the water. He then waited patiently, never taking his eyes off of the bread. The wild bird was quickly rewarded for his patience when a fish came to the surface to feed on the bread. With no hesitation the bird swooped down and gained his dinner of a nice, juicy fish.

This shows extraordinary ability to apply insight to problem-solving. This bird had to think his plan through, and imagine what the outcome would be. It was amazing to watch.

If you question the intelligence of animals, think back on your pets. They understand your commands, read your moods, and knows how to manipulate you to get what they want.

PBS had a ’special’ on called, “Inside the Animal Mind.” Researchers studying the behavior of Ravens noticed they have the ability to solve difficult puzzles, such as untangling a knotted string to free up a tasty treat, or figuring out how to steal fish by hauling in an angler’s untended line.

Dr. Irene Pepperburg of the University of Arizona, began systematically studying Alex and several other African Greys, parrots that are remarkable mimics, to understand avian intelligence. The study showed that Alex does more than just reproduce the sounds of human speech, but that Alex actually understands meanings. For instance, Alex can name more than forty objects and understands the concepts of “same,” and “different,” “absence,” “quantity,” and “size.” Alex has mastered tasks once thought to be beyond the capacity of all but humans, or certain non-human primates.

Researchers also agree that animals share some emotional characteristics with us; like stress. Like humans, many animals can be harried and stressed out, with sometimes serious health consequences.

In a study conducted by Stanford University, for three months each year, Robert Sapolsy travels to East Africa’s Serengeti Plain to examine the baboon. By measuring the hormones found in each baboon’s feces, Sapolsy’s team has been able to show that baboon troops are high-stress societies, with higher-ranked individuals maintaining order by intimidating lower-ranked troopmates. Sapolsy says, “Baboons and us are surprisingly similar . . . they can devote a large part of each day to making each other absolutely miserable with social stress.”

The high-stress levels also showed that it can cause serious health consequences. Stressed-out mothers, for instance, have more problems producing healthy offspring. Stress can also effect learning and memory in the animals, much like in humans.

Animals also exhibit a consciousness similar to people. Bees can create “mental maps,” images they hold in their minds that allow them to navigate around their environments by picturing themselves there.

Chimps and elephants show an awareness of death. They grieve when a family member dies. Elephants will hang around the bones of long-dead relatives – seeming to ponder the past and their own future. Are these behaviors enough to give animals membership in the consciousness club?

Researchers are actively debating over that question now. “Consciousness is one of the hardest things to define and study,” says Pete Chernika, an Austrian researcher who has studied consciousness in dolphins and other animals.

Dolphins are able to recognize themselves in a mirror. They also exhibit a keen awareness of the status and identity of other dolphins in their highly social groups. They know who their mom is, who their leaders in the pod are, and how they should behave around different individuals. Chernika says, “The more people study other animals, the more we realize how hard it is to define consciousness – and how hard it is to decide who has it, and who doesn’t.

When your beloved pet is not well, it is but a simple task to go online to seek diagnoses and purchase some pet medicine for the sick animal, as it is usually more cost effective.

However, is it the correct way to get your pet cured? Is it safe to buy non-prescription pet medicine online without advices from a professional veterinarian or animal doctor?

Although certain commonly used pet medicine, such as drugs for flea, tick or worming, does not require a prescription from a recognized veterinarian, it does not remove their potential danger and abusive powers if administered unwisely, even with repeat medications.

Some online websites provide useful and extensive information on the correct dosage and any side effects on the particular type of pet medicine that you are buying. As such, you have to exercise a lot of caution when buying non-prescription pet medicine online although it may be benign.

Our pets have become a special part of our family and we will always want the best for them. They depend on their owners to look after their needs including food, shelter and proper pet medicine when they are sick.

In addition, pet owners should have at least some basic knowledge on common pet medicine. In the event that the situation arises, they will most likely be able to distinguish and analyze the symptoms as well as to provide a little comfort to the distraught animal.

However, if the situation is critical, you should not try to diagnose your pet’s ailment yourself or log onto the websites to locate the correct pet medicine. Otherwise, it may lead to devastating adverse consequences, as time is the essence. In addition, it is not cost effective as well as inhumane to let the suffering animal wait.

The bottom line is nothing can take the place of a veterinarian. The best action is to consult him when your pet shows any signs of discomfort or abnormal behaviors. He will be the best person to prescribe some appropriate pet medicine for your beloved friend.

He is also the best source of information on the correct pet medicine to be applied and should be able to provide you with the answers about the medicine, which you may not be able to find at the online websites.

However, it is important that you monitor your pet, to ensure that the prescribed pet medicine is functioning well. If it does not work, you should have the animal re-examined. The veterinarian should provide suggestions on what you should do when the medicine is not doing the right thing for your pet. Then in no time, your pet will be completely healed and active again.

Some home remedies can be used for simple benign problems such as an irritated eye or ear infection. It is also important to know if any pet medicine is not suitable for your pet such as developing skin problems or allergies after taking them. In addition, you should store some precautionary medicine in the house, like repeat medications previously prescribed by the veterinarian.

Your pet may dislike some of the oral pet medicine prescribed by the veterinarian. Here are some effective ways to make your pet swallow them. They may even work better than that spoonful of sugar. a. smash up the medicine into tiny pieces and place it inside their food such as mixed into the chopped meat or vegetables b. wrap the piece of medicine with the food if it is big enough like a hotdog bun or tuna sandwich c. offer your pet a treat such as a piece of cheese or a bunch of butter to stimulate its desire for food and then administer the medicine after that d. make use of the above treats but hide or cover the medicine inside it e. chop up or blend the medicine and disguise it with thick soup

Lastly, always remember to check on your pet’s health every now and then. In addition, it is the owners’ duty to provide their pets with the appropriate pet care such as a clean and safe environment, a healthy diet and sufficient exercises. With your love and care will keep the pet medicine away from the your beloved pets.

Like all aquarium fish, the natural habitat of Arowanas dictates how they may be best cared for in captivity. Although Arowanas have been kept in captivity for decades, this is but a drop in the bucket in terms of their existence in the wild.

Arowanas are considered “living fossils,” and their presence has been established at 60 million years ago or more. Their ancestral history dates back more than 130 million years. The longevity and freshwater evolution of the 7 Arowana species points to their successful adaptation to their environment.

As much as possible, Arowanas natural habitat must be mimicked for their success in captivity. As closed systems, it is of course impossible to leave Arowana care to “natural” processes in the aquarium. But it is possible to let their natural preferences guide how we care for them to best support their health and promote their well-being.

From Nature to Nurture

Most Arowana fans know that the asian varieties are native to black water river areas of Southeast Asia. The four varieties of Asian Arowana each originated in different freshwater areas of Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia. The unique physical features of these rivers, swamps and wetland areas dictate optimum tank conditions for Arowanas in captivity.

Water Attributes

i) Temperature: Native Arowana habitats are located very close to the equator in tropical areas. Water temperature must therefore be kept at approximately 27°C (80° F). Water temperature would vary little in an Arowana’s natural environment, and they do not tolerate fluctuations in aquarium temperature, either.

ii) Black water: Arowanas natively inhabit black water rivers and wetland areas. Black water is incredibly clean and tends to support a wide variety of unique fish species specially adapted to its attributes. Black water is acidic, soft water fed by black water streams originating from ancient tropical forest soils that are low in nutrients. The lack of minerals present in these soils keeps black water soft. The decaying leaves of Ketapang Trees that fall into black water release tannins and humic acids which further soften it. These organic acids dye the water a distinctive tea color.

The brownish-yellow color of black water is believed to contribute to the bright, iridescent colors typical of many black water fish species, including Arowanas. Vibrant coloration may make it easier for species to spot each other in darkly colored water.

With this in mind, many hobbyists try to reproduce black water conditions in their Arowana aquariums. Dried Ketapang leaves are used to promote a healthy environment and lower the pH of tank water. The natural organic acids released by the leaves may help absorb undesirable chemicals, detoxify the tank, and reduce the population of undesirable bacteria.

Peat and decayed driftwood are two other black water additives used in Arowana tanks. Commercially prepared “black water extract” is another option. When creating black water conditions, care should be taken that the tank’s pH does not become too acidic or dip below 6.5 – 7.0.

Feeding

i) Diet: Arowanas in the wild are predatory, surface feeding fish that hunt in shallow, shaded areas along the shore. They are notorious for leaping after food flying or hanging above the surface. Their diet consists of live food in their natural environment, and it is what they prefer to be fed in captivity.

It is not only possible, but wise to adjust your Arowana to eating some non-live foods. But for mimicking their natural environment, nothing comes closer than live foods. In the wild, Arowanas are known to feed on insects, spiders, frogs, fish, lizards, birds, bats, and even small monkeys. In captivity, farm-raised prawn, worms and feeder fish allow Arowanas to exercise their natural hunting instincts.

Their natural diet also makes it challenging to find suitable tank mates for an Arowana. In the wild, they commonly consume anything small enough to fit in their mouths. The same tends to occur in captivity.

ii) Feeding Schedule: Many experts doubt Arowanas feed every day in their natural environments. Even a large tank allows only minimal exercise for Arowanas kept in captivity. Daily feeding is therefore unnecessary and may compromise water quality.

iii) Tank Cover: Another direct result of its natural feeding habits is the Arowana’s tendency to leap from its tank. Extreme care must be taken to secure aquarium lids. Attempting to discourage jumping in any other way is unlikely to prove fruitful, and may result in harm to the fish.

Habits

Arowanas are usually found singly or in small groups in the wild. They are extremely territorial and aggressively defend the areas they occupy. Their natural instincts are at odds with housing Arowanas together.

Other surface-swimming or aggressive fish are likely to appear threatening to an Arowana. Reduce the risk of altercations by choosing one or two bottom- dwelling or larger, shy tank mates for housing with Arowanas.

Environmental Elements

Although Arowanas are typically found among shallow waters littered with reeds, wood, rocks and water plants, most hobbyists prefer to keep Arowana tanks sparsely decorated. This helps prevent injury to the fish and makes tank maintenance less tedious. Artificial plants and decorations that do not interfere with surface swimming habits are safe, low maintenance alternatives for offering some “natural” habitat features.

One thing that cats certainly love is their food. If left to their own devices, cats would seek out rats, mice, or other creatures to devour as dinner. However, nowadays many people have cats as household pets and purchase food for these animals. When purchasing this food, it is important to buy something that resembles a cat’s natural diet. Basically, two types of cat food are most commonly found in grocery and pet supply stores today. These types are dry food and canned food.

Dry food is very popular because it comes in bulk, is cheaper and convenient, and won’t spoil. By chewing the dry food, the dry particles break down and help get rid of the tartar on cat’s teeth. However, dry food doesn’t contain much water and is dehydrating. Cats don’t drink much water, so a food that contains water would help with hydration. In addition, this type of food is heavily processed.

Canned food comes in smaller portions. They have a large water content, which helps prevent kidney or urinary problems in the feline. It is most like a cat’s natural diet and contains less grain and carbohydrates than dry foods. Although it doesn’t assist in tartar problems, it does reduce health problems. It is also good for strong bones and muscles. There are many varieties to choose from, which will help prevent feeding problems with a cat known to be picky. You will be sure to find a selection to satisfy your finicky eater.

Whatever type of cat food you choose, it is important to choose one which provides the necessary nutrients a cat needs. It is important to look at the labels to see what ingredients are contained in the food. Make sure it mentions National Research Council guidelines on nutrition and is certified by the Association of American Feed Control Officials. You want to be sure the food is balanced and complete. It should contain a high quantity of protein and certain amino acids, such as taurine, which a cat needs. It should also contain performed Vitamin A, which is found in foods of animal origin.

There are several places to purchase your cat food. Grocery store cat food is usually at the lower end of market quality, but is cheaper. This is probably not the healthiest choice. Premium foods are sold in pet stores and are a higher quality food, although you will still find preservatives, artificial colors and flavors in them. This is a little costlier than grocery store food, but will be more easily digested. The healthy foods are sold on-line or directly from the manufacturer. This would be the healthiest and highest quality food for your pet. They contain real meat, veggies, and fruits as well as being vitamin fortified. They will also be the costliest.

Whatever food you choose and wherever you decide to buy it, make sure you are looking at ingredients. A cat will probably eat any food you put in front of him, whether it is dry or canned, or even a combination of both. Choose foods, which possess high protein and few preservatives and grain. The healthier food you feed your pet, the healthier he will be.

Owning a dog is one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have in their lifetime, but having a dog is much more than the occasional walk around the block or playing fetch in the yard. There are many other responsibilities that one must consider in order to be a good dog owner. Your dog’s health is a major concern to any good pet owner and in this article we will concentrate on some preventable threats to your pet.

As winter ends and spring starts, so do different types of threats to your dog. Obviously, as the weather starts getting nicer, your pet spends more time outdoors and is more susceptible to the these threats. It is important to be alert for ticks, mosquitoes and micro organisms that spread diseases that are harmful to your dog’s health. Ticks normally live in wooded areas or in tall brush and do not transmit bacteria through the air, but by biting the dog. Some other threats are summarized below:

Lyme disease- is a tick-borne bacterial disease and it can cause lameness, kidney damage and death.

Leptospirosis- this is the #1 cause of acute renal failure, “lepto” is a deadly bacterial disease that is spread by contact with urine from other pets, wildlife and livestock and can be transmitted from dogs to people.

Rabies- is a fatal viral disease transmitted by saliva most often through bite wounds and is a threat to both humans and animals.

Heartworm Disease- is a mosquito-borne disease that is preventable and attacks multiple organs and will cause death if untreated.

As a dog owner, there are many things you can do to minimize the risk to your pet. Brush your dog often and visually inspect your animal especially after an outing in the woods. Additionally, use tick and flea treatments and medications that your veterinarian recommends to kill these harmful pests. Furthermore, your veterinarian can suggest how to protect your pet from lyme disease through vaccination.

There is another important factor in taking care of your dog: twice-a-year wellness exams. You see, dogs age faster than we do and major health changes can occur in a short amount of time. Moreover, your dog is living longer, which increases the chance of potentially serious illnesses during their lifetime.

These wellness exams can help your veterinarian diagnose, treat or prevent problems before they become life threatening. Additionally, these exams allow the veterinarian to discuss nutrition, your dog’s behavior or other concerns you may have.

In return for all this attention, your dog will reciprocate with unconditional love, friendship and affection. Try to educate yourself to protect your dog from these and other harmful threats. If we were to think in terms of finances, what a wonderful return on your investment!

If you are purchasing or adopting a cat for the first time, there are many things that you need to take into consideration and know about your new pet. Cats require a decent amount of training, care, and attention. With these things, your cat can become the pet you always dreamed of.

Initially, you will need a few items before bringing the cat home. A collar is a good idea, since it provides identification. Unfortunately some cats don’t like to wear them. You will also need a water bowl, as well as a food bowl, a litter tray, scratching post, grooming tools, toys, a bed, and a pet carrier.

You will also need food for your pet. The cat is a carnivorous animal, so its diet should follow this trait. They need animal based proteins found in meats. Canned foods are a good source of this. They will need to be fed twice a day and make sure you supply plenty of fresh water.

Now that you have the essentials, it’s time to go pick up your cat. Bringing the cat into a new home is a very stressful time for the feline. You should let the cat set the pace for now. Put him in a small area or room with all his necessary items, such as bowls and litter box. Open the carrier door, and let him make the decision as to when he decides to explore. Keep coming to check on your new pet. This will make the transition a lot easier.

Training is an important part of pet ownership. A well-trained cat will be a happy cat, which results in a happy owner. Litter training should be done early. With proper time and encouragement, your kitty will master this quickly. It is also important to attend to the socialization aspect of training. Remember; encourage good behavior with rewards and praise. Bad behavior should be discouraged, by making it an unpleasant experience. But keep in mind: punishment plays no role in training.

You will also need to make some important decisions when acquiring a cat for a pet. You have to decide whether it will be kept indoors only or outdoors, or a combination of both. Just keep in mind, the risk factors present when allowing your cat to roam freely outside. You will also need to decide whether to declaw the cat or not. Some research into this will help you make an informed decision. Your cat will also need to be neutered around twelve weeks of age. This will be an asset to his health.

Learning to communicate with your cat is very important. You should be able to let him know what you want, and what you don’t want him to do. This can be achieved by developing a bonding relationship with him. Spend time with the cat and interact with him through play. Not only will this help you with communications, but it will also keep your cat stimulated. Have an ample supply of toys on hand to help accomplish this also.

Grooming is also a basic part of cat ownership. Your cat should be brushed daily, and have its nails clipped monthly, if not declawed. Bathing will depend on its coat. A good relationship will make grooming a breeze for you both.

Finally, make sure your cat gets basic medical care. There are immunization shots which are very important to your cat’s well being. Likewise, pay attention to your cat’s communication with you to find out if he is sick. The litter box will be the first sign there is something wrong with your cat.

You’ve prepared your house, taken care of medical needs and trained your cat. Now take the time to enjoy your felines company. He will purr with delight, as he snuggles on your lap.

Many shih tzu owners fail to recognize the importance of having a shih tzu that comes when called until there is a problem, such as the collar or leash breaking, or the shih tzu tearing free to chase a person or another animal. These situations can be dangerous for the shih tzu, the owner and other members of the community. In areas where there is a lot of vehicular traffic, the situation could even prove fatal to the dog.

Unfortunately, many well meaning owners sabotage this important part of their shih tzu’s training by allowing it to run off leash and unattended. Whether the shih tzu is allowed to run in the park, on the beach, or just play with other shih tzu, this teaches the shih tzu that there are many fun things that do not involve its owner. In fact, from the shih tzu’s perspective at least, these fun times are often ruined by the appearance of the owner.

Look at things from the shih tzu’s perspective for a moment. You - the shih tzu - are having a ton of fun running on the beach with all your doggy friends, and suddenly here comes this human to take you away from the fun. When you see the shih tzu’s point of view it is easy to see how the appearance of the owner, and the leash can be seen as a negative.

This negative perception causes many shih tzu to delay this outcome by refusing to come when they are called. From the shih tzu’s point of view, this makes perfect sense, since every minute of delay means another minute of romping on the beach or in the park. In other words, the shih tzu has learned that the most rewarding thing to do is to ignore the calls of its owner. While this may seem like a good idea to the shih tzu, it is definitely not a good thing from the owner’s perspective.

For shih tzu who have not yet learned this type of avoidance behavior, it is best to prevent it from happening by supervising the shih tzu at play, and making the time you spend with your shih tzu as much, or more, fun, as the time it spends alone or with other dogs.

For shih tzu that have already learned the value of ignoring their owner, some retraining is definitely in order. It is vital that every shih tzu respond to the “come here” command, for the safety of both humans and dogs alike.

One thing to avoid is following the “come here” command with unpleasant activities. Calling the shih tzu, and then immediately giving him a bath, clipping his nails, taking him to the vet, etc. will quickly teach the shih tzu that coming to the owner has negative consequences. It is best to ask the shih tzu to come and then play with him, feed him, walk him or engage in other fun activities. If you do need to take your shih tzu to the vet, bathe him, etc. be sure to allow some time to pass so the shih tzu does not associate the “come here” command with the bad experience.

It is important to remember that shih tzu are constantly learning, whether a formal training session is in process or not. Your shih tzu is always learning something from you, whether good or bad. It is therefore important to make every interaction with your shih tzu a positive one.

When teaching the shih tzu to come on command, it is vital that the shih tzu be consistently rewarded every single time he does as the owner wants. A reward can be as simple as a pat on the head, a “good boy” or a scratch behind the ears. Of course, treat based rewards are appreciated as well, and many shih tzu are highly food motivated and respond quickly to this type of training. The key is to be consistent. The shih tzu should get some kind of reward, whether it be praise, a toy, or a treat, every time he appears at the owners side when called.

It is better for a hunter to have knowledge and experience in hunting the deer. Resting or sleeping deer are easier to stalk. Some eyes needs to be trained to be able to spot the deer in better positions which many hunters do not pay attention to.

Perhaps it was taking an unfair advantage, but when I found another deer in almost the same circumstances, I shot it before it was aware of its danger. With the first deer, I was hunting for knowledge and experience; and with the second, I was out for meat. Probably some of the other deer which I have stalked were asleep before I saw them and some sound or scent had alerted them to danger but not enough to cause them to leave their beds. I have found these sleeping and resting deer comparatively easy to stalk, but it requires a lot of time and concentration on the job at hand as well as trained eyesight in order to be successful. Many hunters cannot or will not do this.

A friend of mine, who is an excellent hunter and who has killed his share of deer, tells me that he has never had a standing shot at a deer in the woods. They have always been on the move. This speaks well for his marksmanship and his eyesight must be good, but evidently his eyes are not trained to identify stationary objects.

Feeding deer are considerably easier to stalk than resting deer, mostly because their feeding motions make them easier to see and because they are partly preoccupied with their feeding. This is no reason for any slackening of caution while attempting to approach feeding deer.

The presence of tracks around an area is often help in stalking deer, but if the hunter concentrates on these tracks, he is apt to miss seeing the deer until it is too late for an aimed shot. The idea of using tracks as an aid to stalking is not to trail a deer to its bed or feeding area, but to use these tracks to obtain some idea of where the deer might be located. Knowledge of habits and of the surrounding country is necessary for the successful use of these tracks and other signs as aids in locating deer without the need of following the tracks to them.

Another man and I were portaging from one pond to another on a late summer day. He led with a pack and I followed with the canoe on my shoulders. My view was obscured by the canoe and my eyes were on the trail in order to insure safe footing. When I saw fresh deer tracks in the trail, I began to speculate about where the deer might be going and why they were traveling at that time of day. I spoke to my companion and told him to watch for deer at a spring that was a short distance along the trail. When we came in sight of the spring, there were a doe and a fawn.

This is an example of the type of reasoning which should be used in order to take advantage of tracks while stalking deer. I knew the location of the spring. I knew that the deer would not be moving at that time without some reason. It was not feeding time and the deer were walking, a fact which indicated that they had left their beds of their own accord. The logical reason for such actions was to obtain a drink of water. I would not advise a hunter to stalk the nearest spring whenever he saw a fresh deer track, because each individual case presents a separate problem and each case requires a different solution.

The successful stalking of, bedded deer is a task for the expert—the specialist of the hunting fraternity. The novice will have more success in stalking feeding deer. This should not deter the novice, or restrict his stalking activity. He should attempt all types of hunting, for this is the only way that he can improve his ability to the point where he becomes an expert.

The feeding deer may looks easier to stalk but it doesn’t mean that you have to slacken the caution while attempting to approach feeding deer. And try using the present track in stalking the deer because they could of good use to the hunters.

It is good for a hunter to stalk the nearest spring whenever he saw a fresh deer track, because each individual case presents a separate problem and each case requires a different solution. The successful stalking of, bedded deer is a task for the expert—the specialist of the hunting fraternity.

Are you a treat giving pet owner or do you give more of the table scrap brand of love? This is the time when this question is the most relevant. Guests are visiting and feeding our pets plenty of table scraps. Actually, the majority of us sneak a morsel or two to our pets during meals and though there is nothing really wrong with this, we want to be cautious about starting the wrong kind of trends.

For example, when you reward begging with table scraps, expect to start seeing those same yearning eyes night after night from then on. It is quite hard to “untrain” pets from expecting such a treat. And who can actually blame them? Do you want a dog that sings the “No Food Blues” at your feet and a cat that uses the meal table as a trampoline every night? Here are a few more reasons why you might just want to reconsider table scrap giving:

Table scraps can be the gateway to weight issues. Our pets often end up with the fat from our plates that we did not want.

Scraps do not necessarily offer the same level of nutrition that quality treats may provide. Much of table scraps are in fact empty calories.

Table scraps are a major cause of digestive disorders. The richness and/or fattiness of our foods can sometimes harm your animal’s digestive tract.

Mary Shelley created a monster, you may have create a thief. If a pet is used to getting food from the table, do not be surprised if you catch him or her eating the leftover turkey that you left on the kitchen table. A head in the garbage can is not all that uncommon either.

You may also create a picky eater. If you get your pet too used to human type food, he or she may not even want to eat their own food.

But if you must give your pet table scraps,

try to remember that they should be used as treats and not the main course. The best scraps are probably: meat (without the bones), cooked or even raw vegetables, cooked grains, eggs and brown rice. Let us not forget dairy products. You know that cats in particular adore milk. Luckily lactose intolerance is usually not found in pets.

But try to avoid these particular ones: Chocolate, fatty meats, stuffing with raisins, raw eggs when baking (cats really like them), cooked and raw bones (much too dangerous).

This article initially appeared in the December 2005 issue of the Healthy Pet Net newsletter.

Domesticated horses rely on humans to provide the opportunity for skin care, unlike the wild horse where they have the opportunity to groom each other! Grooming should be incorporated into the daily routine of owning and managing your horse to maintain its health and happiness. This practice increases the circulation to the skin, releasing necessary oils that promote a vibrant and lustrous coat. Daily grooming allows the coat to be shed gradually, easing the burden of trying to remove long hair and excess dead skin. A horse that is worked regularly should be thoroughly and properly groomed at all times.

Grooming not only allows us to give our horses a shiny, short, healthy coat, it also gives us the opportunity to go over our beautiful animals from head to toe, to notice any abnormalities such as cuts, wounds, irritations, fevers that your horse may have developed. The H-10 product range for first aid, H-10 Ointment and Spray is perfect to treat these problems.

Stages Of Grooming

WASHING. washing your horse helps to remove excess dirt, dry skin and unwanted hair, thus keeping the coat clean. Always use a good quality shampoo, low foaming or high foaming. The H-10 Elegance range is an ideal product and low foaming too which means that far less water is used when rinsing the coat.

Begin by making sure that your horse is tied up securely and safely. Lightly soak the horses face, working your way down to the end of the body and wetting the tail. When your horse is completely wet, apply your shampoo. The H-10 Elegance Blue Label can be applied directly or the H-10 Elegance Green Label can be diluted up to 4x in a bucket of water, depending on what you like to do. Use a big soft sponge for a thorough wash. Follow this with washing the horses face gently. Shampoo the tail mane and tail as you would your own hair.

Once the horse has been entirely scrubbed, wash off the shampoo. You can condition your horse’s tail to remove any knots with a quality conditioner or you can simply apply the H-10 Coat Gloss and Detangler. If your horses mane is going to be plaited following its bath, do not condition this as it will make it slippery. Scrape off the excess water with a sweat scraper and towel dry your horses face, mane and legs paying attention to the fetlocks. These can prone to bacterial and fungal problems if not dried thoroughly.

PULLING A MANE. Scissors should NEVER be used to pull a mane. A pulling comb is used to shorten and thin out a mane and forelock. A mane will pull a lot more easily if the pores of skin are open and the horse is warm, after exercise for example. Run a comb through your horse,s mane to remove any knots before you start so that it is lying flat. Assess the thickness and length of the mane and any areas that may have cowlicks as these are prone to more thinning. Start at the wither, where it is less sensitive then move up near the ears. You should try to match the rest of the horse’s mane to that of it closest to the wither. Secure a thin piece of mane with your left hand from underneath the mane. The top layer of mane will lie smoothly over this once finished. Using the pulling comb, push the hair up towards the crest. Wrap the thinned portion of hair around the comb once or twice for leverage and pull down towards the horse’s neck.

Remember, gentle downward pressure will keep your horse more relaxed and less likely startle him and always use common sense when grooming your horse!! This will make grooming safe and easy!!