How To Keep Your Cat Healthy - Cat Feeding Explained

Cats have a reputation for being finicky eaters, but that is usually a distortion of the truth. Cats have a very keen sense of taste and smell, and they know what they like. If you have fed your cat the same food for years, then change brands, she may boycott the new menu. If you must change her diet, do it over time, mixing just a bit of the new food with plenty of the old favorite. Slowly increase the amount of new food and decrease the old.

Cats are creatures of habit. Your feline friend will feel more calm and comfortable if you feed her at the same time each day. If more than one cat shares your home, be sure that each has a food and water bowl of its own. This lessens competition, territoriality, and ensures that everyone is getting their fair share of nutrition.

Cats have unusual nutritional needs and you should check the labelling of your chosen cat foods to ensure they are included, or consider nutritional supplements. These include:

* Vitamin A

* Niacin

* Essential Fatty Acids

* Taurine

The amount and frequency of food you put out depends on the age, health, and activity level of your cat. Kittens under 12 weeks of age usually need to eat about four times each day. Adult cats benefit from twice-a-day feedings. Read packaging labels or ask your veterinarian for guidelines on how much food your cat should eat each day. Don't panic if your cat skips a meal, but if she doesn't eat for more 48 hours, contact your vet. But, keep in mind that if your cat is allowed to roam outdoors, she may be ruining her appetite at a neighbor's house. Never feed your cat table scraps. They are unhealthy for her, and create annoying begging behaviors.

I would always pick a meat-based cat food over a vegetable-based one. Despite the fact that you will pay more for the meat food, if you are concerned about the health of your cat, this will be a cost worth paying. And because meat-based products are generally of better quality, your cat will be satisfied with less of the quality cat food that she would be with a lesser quality product.

Moist, or canned food is usually a favorite - the moisture amplifies the scent-but make sure your cat also eats dry food regularly. Leave a bowl of dry kibble out for your cat to snack on throughout the day; the crunchy food helps clean her teeth. If you do feed "wet" food, make it available for about 30 minutes, and throw away the uneaten portion. This teaches your cat to "get it while the getting is good." Never leave canned food in a dish all day long; it attracts ants, cockroaches, and creates a bad habit in your cat.

In addition to a bowl of dry kibble, make sure your cat has plenty of fresh water in a clean bowl. If your home is large, or has multiple levels, consider putting out more than one water bowl so that she always has access to water and won't need to try quenching her thirst via an "unsafe" supply.

Most people know that cats are carnivores, or meat eaters, and are puzzled when their cats begin eating houseplants. This could be dangerous - some plants are toxic. A plant-snacking cat may be trying to get required minerals that might be lacking from the commercial food she eats. Give her access to a planter pot of "cat grass" (available at pet supply stores and garden centers), and she'll leave your other plants alone.

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Tips For Fish Feeding The Right Way

Fish seem simple enough to keep as pets. They need a clean tank with fresh or salt water, depending on what type of fish you have, oxygen, and fish food. They do not require trips to the veterinarian for shots, do not need to be walked on a leash when they have to use the restroom, and they do not need to be brushed, clipped, or even trained. They simply swim around and allow us to enjoy their beauty. Things like fish feeding are pretty simple, but not always. If you are getting some swimmers for pets soon, learn about the right and wrong way to feed them.

Some fish eat only every few days, and some eat every few hours. Some are once or twice a day, which is the norm. You have to find out when your fish expect to eat to make fish feeding easy. Sometimes, all you have to do is to put a few pinches of the right food into the tank twice a day and your fish are fed and happy. You can tell if they are getting too much if there is some left in the tank a half an hour after fish feeding, or if they are not getting enough if it disappears too fast and it seems some of the fish are not getting any.

Improper fish feeding can kill your fish in one of two ways. The most obvious way would be if you are not feeding them enough. If you are only feeding the bare minimum, and you notice that your fish are dying off, it could be that you are not giving them enough so that all the fish get what they need. They could be dying off because or problems with the tank water, temperature, or even the accidental addition of a predatory fish to your tank, but feeding can be the issue and an easy one to adjust. Start adding more to each feeding to see if your fish to not return to better health.

Fish feeding can lead to death if you are overfeeding them. Some fish will eat until all of the food is gone, even if they are already full and have already ate all that they need for that day. Fish will die because they have too much food in the tank and they do not stop eating. This is one common problem in homes when one person is not assigned the task of feeding the fish. When fish feeding is wide open, everyone may be feeding them, leading to way too much food being put into the tank throughout the day. Look for sick and dying fish, along with excess food in the bottom of the tank. They will miss some if overfed.

If you are going away, you may worry about fish feeding. The best part about fish is that they can be left alone without too much trouble. There are great fish feeders that you can find in the pet stores or online that you can use for fish feeding when you want to go away. These are cakes that will slowly dissolve in the tank over the course of a predetermined amount of time. The package will tell you how long they are good for in a tank. Most are good for at least a long weekend, meaning you can go away without worrying about having someone come in to care for your pets.

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Choosing the Right Pet Food

With so many choices on the market, it can be very difficult for new pet owners to choose the right pet food. The choices are so many, and each one claims that it is the best for your particular pet. The truth, however, can be rather shocking. It is actually common knowledge now that many of the types of pet foods on the market are not so healthy and can actually harm your pet. You need to learn what the right pet food is for your particular pet.

First, you need to determine if your pet has special dietary needs. For example, long haired indoor cats will need a special formula that helps them naturally control hairballs, while overweight dogs will need a special formula that helps them get back and maintain a healthy weight. The best thing that you can do is talk to your veterinarian and have your pet tested and evaluated to figure out what your new friend may need. The pet food that your veterinarian recommends will deal with the most important issues that your pet may have first, if any.

Your next step is to figure out what type of nutrition that you desire for your pet. You can choose the all-natural varieties, organic varieties, or you can even make your own food for your pet, depending of course on what type of pet that you have. All-natural foods will be made with only the best ingredients, like real meats, vegetables, and there will not be any preservatives, artificial flavors, or other chemicals that can hurt your pet. Organic pet food is made with ingredients that are not treated with any type of pesticides. Making your own foods is typically reserved for cats and dogs because it contains real meats and vegetables that you prepare.

Another thing to consider is the consistency of the food that you want to feed your pet. For most pets, there are a variety of options. For cats and dogs, you can choose moist chunk foods, puree type canned foods, or the dry kibble bagged foods. For other types of pets, like rabbits and birds, you can choose the typical pet food varieties for them, like seed and pellets, but there are also special foods that will contain other ingredients that a specific species will like. For example, birds tend to like nuts and small fruits while rabbits like pieces of fruits, vegetables, and alfalfa sprouts.

Your most influential factor is the price of the foods. There are foods available for nearly any budget. More expensive foods can be just the same formulas that are found in the less expensive formulas. The only major difference is that you are paying extra for the famous brand name. On the other hand, you do have the comfort in knowing that the brand names can often be more trustworthy than the odd pet food brands. Keep in mind that it should not cost more to feed your pet than it costs to feed your family.

For more information on Pet Food, please visit my website http://yourpetfoodguide.com.

Traveling with Pets

Pets have special needs when they travel, so planning ahead is essential. This advice can help you make sure your pet is prepared to travel long distances locally.

Taking your pet on a holiday

Your pet should be wearing a collar with its name and your contact number on it. In Australia we use the microchip system, which is highly effective and recommended. Recently laws have changed and it is illegal to have unchipped animals. If your dog is returned to the rspca or to the local vet, they can scan the microchip and find your contact details. This is really important as your pet may become disorientated or panic and run away or get lost.

Car Sickness

In particular if your pet is a kitten or a puppy they won't have traveled in a car before so its a good idea to get them used to the feeling. To do this take them for short rides. Use this experience to familiarize them with where they sit in the car. If your dog or cat is particularly anxious in the car bring there bed or basket so that they can settle down in there own space in the car. Some people prefer to use carriers for there pets especially on long drives, put something of your pets inside the carrier to reinforce that traveling is a positive experience. Sometimes using a small treat to get them comfortable in the carrier can be helpful.

Don't feed your pet right before leaving. Feed the night before as this will mean your pets stomach is settled. If you travel with your pet regularly and they have persistent carsickness your vet might prescribe motion sickness medication. To combat motion sickness and travel fatigue in your pet remember to give them frequent stops at parks so they can walk around go to the toilet. At these stops it is better to walk your pet on a lead as they might be disorientated and run off.

If you are intending to take your pet on a long plane journey and know it is very anxious then you may be able to speak to your vet about having a tranquilizer prescribed.

Packing for your pets holiday

Before leaving home you need to pack some practical things like a water dish, feed dish, plastic bags, a lead and your pets favorite blanket or perhaps a favorite toy to make the journey a lot more comfortable. If you pet requires any medication remember to carry this. If your move is permanent you can arrange to get a copy of your pets records from your vet so that you can give these to the vet in your new area.

Search for pet friendly accommodation

If you are going on a long journey use the internet to search for pet friendly hotels or camping along the way. This is also a good reason to have your pets health documentation with you, as campgrounds, hotels or kennels will need to see these before they allow your pet to stay.

Traveling to another country Get a current health certificate from your vet

Make sure your pet has all current vaccines, and up to date flea and heartworm prevention

Check airline pet policies- most require a special pet ticket. Some airlines will also give instructions where to deliver your pet as they may not check in with your regular luggage.

Find out what the quarantine policy is for every country/state you will be traveling through

Sites which provide information specifically on quarantine rules.

http://www.petsonthego.com USA, Canada, Mexico

http://www.airpets.co.uk UK, Europe

http://www.pet.net.au Australia, New Zealand

http://www.quarantine.co.uk UK, Europe

Copyright 2006 Paul Nelson

Paul Nelson loves to write articles for Animal lovers, and real Issues facing day to day issues. http://www.vetstop.com

How to Select a Boarding Facility For Your Pet

So you are planning a trip and need to find a clean and safe place to board your furry family members while you are gone. With the proliferation of pet resorts and boarding facilities, how do you choose the right place? Following are some guidelines and questions you should ask when choosing a home-away-from-home for your pet.

First and foremost, you need to ask if they board your particular species of pet. While many places offer lodging accommodations for dogs and cats, finding a place for other species such as birds, rodents or reptiles may be more difficult. Some veterinarians who treat "exotics", as they are known, may also offer boarding for traveling clients. Other places may offer to accept them as part of a "package deal" with dogs and/or cats, but check to make sure that staff there is familiar with the particular species and their needs.

For dogs and cats, the options are broad, and checking the internet or phone book listings will provide a wide array of choices. You might ask for recommendations from friends or family, or check on-line sites such as local CitySearch listings, which provide not only a list of facilities but also reviews from previous clients. Narrow the choice down based on reviews and recommendations as well as the location's accessibility to you. Now that you have a "short list" of options, you should plan to investigate the individual facilities in the same way you might investigate a child's daycare needs, with a lot of questions and legwork.

Being able to tour the facility is important. Call ahead to see if they offer tours, and if so, ask if you need to make an appointment. The better facilities will generally tell you that you are welcome to come in for a tour at almost any time during regular business hours. If they will not offer tours, or require that you make an appointment, these answers might be your first "red flags" that the facility is not up to par. Even first-class facilities may limit tours during certain periods such as holidays or days when they are open limited hours (usually Sundays) for pick-ups...and these refusals will generally be based on the fact that staff is busy caring for pets or facilitating departures.

When you do tour, the first thing you should notice is the smell - or lack thereof. High quality facilities generally have stringent cleaning and sanitation guidelines, so the unpleasant aromas that may be associated with many kennels should be largely absent. Ask about cleaning and sanitation procedures, and observe the overall cleanliness of the facility.

The following list of questions (and your requirements for your own pets and their needs) should help you determine which facilities might best meet your own expectations for your pets' care:

1. Can you bring your pet(s)' own food (particularly important if they are on a special diet or have a sensitive stomach)? What brand of food do they offer?

2. Are they able to administer medications and if so, are there any restrictions?

3. How often are they able to offer feeding and medications and can they accommodate your pet's schedule?

4. How often are they taken out for potty breaks and for how long are they out?

5. Are the accommodations climate-controlled? What size and type of accommodations are offered? Depending on your pet's needs, you may be very interested in a facility that offers larger rooms or enclosures for your furry friend.

6. Do they offer bedding and/or can you bring your pet's own bedding and toys to make them feel more comfortable?

7. Are pets allowed to intermingle with other families and if so, how do they control the interaction to make sure there are no unpleasant encounters?

8. If you have multiple pets, are they allowed to stay together? If so, can they be separated at certain times like feeding if needed?

9. How do they handle pets who appear stressed? Stress in a boarding situation may manifest itself in a number of ways, including not eating well, developing symptoms of vomiting and/or diarrhea, pacing or spinning in an enclosure, etc. Well-run facilities will let you know if your pet is having ongoing difficulties and may offer such things as over-the-counter medications, special treats or hand-feeding to entice eating or similar tactics to help your pets adjust.

10. How do they handle any medical emergencies that may arise? Do they have a veterinarian on-site or on-call for emergencies? How do they communicate with you if these situations arise? Many good facilities will have relationships with local veterinarians, and will do their best to contact you or ask you for a good local contact if they need someone. Often, they will ask you to complete an emergency authorization form in case something happens and they are unable to reach you quickly.

11. What are their vaccination and health requirements? Most good quality facilities will require not only rabies, but also the distemper combo and bordetella to protect against respiratory illness. Vaccination requirements may vary depending on what part of the country you live in and the proliferation of various illnesses in that region. Many facilities will also limit boarding to pets over a certain age (four months is common, and will also require all of the puppy or kitten series of vaccinations) and may limit geriatric pets or pets with serious health conditions for their own safety. Young pets (puppies and kittens), senior pets or pets with serious health problems may be better off boarding at your veterinarian, as they are better able to monitor your fur-kids' ongoing health and may be able to respond to any crisis more quickly.

12. Since studies have shown that pets in a boarding environment do better when they are active and stimulated, ask what extra programs they may offer to make your pet's stay more enjoyable. Are extra playtimes, doggie daycare or other fun activities available? Many first-class facilities offer a variety of choices so that you can select a program that best meets your pet's needs.

13. What are the staffing ratios and how is staff trained? One guideline says that there should be at least one staff member for 25 dogs, and there should be at least some training required of all staff. Ask if anyone on staff has any previous veterinary experience (for example, are there supervisors who have worked as veterinary technicians?) so that someone may be able to spot potential health concerns quickly.

The Pet Care Services Association (PCSA) is a voluntary organization that offers guidelines and a Code of Ethics for boarding facilities. It also offers a Pet Care Technician Certification program for staff. If the facility you are interested in is a member of this organization, it has agreed to follow the practices, ethics and codes of the PCSA, and should provide an added level of security for owners that they have chosen a high quality and caring place for their fur-kids.

Finally, any well-run facility should be staffed by people who understand animals and love what they do. You should be greeted by friendly and helpful staff members, and don't be surprised if they say hello to your pets before they greet you!

Joy Lee is co-owner and general manager of Rover Oaks Pet Resort in Katy, Texas. She is also passionate about animal rescue, and has authored a book, "Rover's Rescues...True Stories of Shelter Dogs and Second Chances", for which a portion of each book sale will be donated to Citizens for Animal Protection in Houston. Visit her website, http://www.joyleebooks.com/, for more information.

Tips on Feeding Your Horse

A horse, unlike any other pet requires you to have a great deal of commitment especially when it comes to financial matters. Spending a substantial amount of money does not end at the point of purchase. Feeding a horse will indeed require you to be well prepared if you want to have a healthy and admirable horse. You need to have comprehensive information and advice on how to feed your pet horse.

Horses feed is largely forage as befits fomenters, under which category a horse falls. This you can provide in form of hay. Pastures also go well with horses but you need to make sure it is of good quality. You should also ensure that you feed your pet horse with much grain especially if it is involved in exercise or races. Grain can be provided in form of oats mixed with molasses. The proportions should however be regulation to ensure that the horse's digestive system is not strained.

Ensure that there is a frequent supply of clean water while feeding your pet horse as water eases on digestion but you should ensure it is not closely located to the forage lest you find full of hay in no time. You should be very keen when you feed your pet horse because there are some that experience certain medical ailments such as allergies from eating certain food. Such horses will require you to have a special diet for them. You can also seek a vet's advice on the same.

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Feeding Your Red Eared Slider Turtle - An Overview of What to Feed Your Pet Slider

When feeding your red eared slider turtle, be sure that you are feeding it the right amount of plant and animal protein material. Baby sliders need to eat larger amounts of protein than adult sliders do because they have a larger carnivorous side to them. Adults, on the other hand, eat mostly plant matter.

While younger sliders may not eat much vegetation, it's a good idea to still offer them some as it's helpful in getting the turtle to recognize it as food. When they become adults, you can then transition to mostly feeding greens and vegetables, in addition to some protein.

You can also offer your slider pellet food. These, small, easy-to-eat foods are generally fairly nutritious and have a decent amount of vitamins and minerals included. They can also be more convenient to feed for pet owners. However, pellets should not be the staple diet of your turtle. In order to ensure your pet is getting all the nutrients it needs to grow and be healthy, animal proteins and vegetables and greens need to be added.

When feeding red eared sliders animal protein, you have several choices. These include: earthworms, waxworms, crickets, silkworms, bloodworms, and feeder fish (such as guppies, danios, and minnows).

Choices for vegetation include: kale, dandelion greens, bok choy, carrots, and dark green leaf lettuce. Avoid feeding iceberg lettuce as it has no nutrition.

If your slider lives in a pond, you can also add aquatic plants to its menu. It would love to snack on submerged plants like frogbit, water hyacinth, water lettuce, anacharis, and duckweed.

Feeding your red eared slider a variety of vegetables and proteins will help your turtle live a long and full life in your care. It will also give you the satisfaction that you're taking care of your pet the best way possible. Don't you owe it to your red eared slider to learn about feeding it the foods it will love to eat?