Learn the Art of Feeding a Dog For Coat Health

If you have a pet dog, you have to constantly remind yourself that making his coat or fur or skin shiny and healthy is not just about outer beauty but taking care of its outer covering can give the impression of a healthy dog, an inner beauty in him and of course, a very happy and healthy home in effect. Can you expect to have a "no-flea or tick zone" if your dog's coat is not that shiny and healthy? And when you do have fleas around, would you expect to have a healthy home? No, sir, you can't and one of the best ways to avoid these things is to learn the "art" of feeding a dog for coat health.

The "art" of feeding a dog for a good healthy coat includes everything from watching his diet, balanced every food that he eats, making sure that the utensils that you use for his dinner is clean and free from dirt and of course, be wary where you buy dog feed and the quality of the dog food that you're buying.

Feeding your little buddy is one of the best tips to make his coat healthy, aside from always making a habit of checking your dog's fur once in a while for fleas and ticks, use a conditioner for your dog's fur, and for a shampoo, don't try to share your human shampoo with your dog. If you have heard that dog shampoo is not good for you, then, the reciprocal of that is also true. Human shampoos can be harsh for your dog.

Then, you also have to spoil your dog (sort of) with a brush. Brush his fur regularly and not just any ordinary brush but with a vet-recommended gadget.

Anyway, those are just few of the tips to make your dog's fur coat healthy and shiny. Going back to your buddy's diet, it's just true that what you give to your dog does influence the quality of his coat. It's always highly recommended that you should listen to your breeder's advice about feeding.

Matter of fact, breeders have some good diet recommendations up their sleeves and if you don't have a breeder, the next best person to approach is your vet.

Now, another important rule of the thumb is to never ever make your dog or let your dog be a scavenger. Dogs are naturally hunters and in a concrete jungle, the best hunting spot for dogs that gets out of your house and out of your yard is the garbage can. This is one of the finest places where you can find lots of catalysts to spread diseases for your dog. And aside from that, you may not be aware that, say for example, a juicy chunk or slice of meat can also have some parasites inside that can affect your dog's health and it's coat's health as well. Don't you know that a cooked steak, when poured with a soda drink, can reveal a very long and thin tapeworm? That's right so that's why you have to be very careful what you give to your pet.

In conclusion, to give you the best idea for the "art" of feeding a dog for coat health, it's best that you should consult an expert about it, preferably a breeder or your vet but if you want to know more pet health information the fast and convenient way, the best place to go to is a virtual or online pet store or online vet and it's through the Internet where a lot of sites are ready to give you the best in pet health care.

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Puppies - Seniors Learn What to Feed Them

What is a good feeding schedule for your dog? You naturally do not want your dog to get overweight. Each stage of your dog's life requires different feeding habits. When you have a puppy, you will of course have a complete different feeding schedule then you would for an older dog. Each stage is important for your dog's health. You also have to monitor your dog's weight. Not enough weight is just as dangerous as too much.

Here are some feeding tips for different stages of your dog's life. For puppies less then six week old and do not have access to their mother, should be given milk. Putting the milk in a bottle with a nipple and hand feeding the puppy at least five to seven times per day. Puppies are very smart and will let you know when they need to eat. If they begin to whine and cry, they require feeding. Between 6 and 8 weeks of age, you should be able to reduce the number of times they require to be fed. By this time, you should introduce them to solid foods. Mix up a little sold food with lots of water. Try it for a couple of feedings, if they develop diarrhea wait a little longer before trying it again. Eventually you will learn the correct amount of food they need.

You should be able to cut back a puppies feedings to three times a day, but if they whine for more you should oblige them. Of course, the feedings will vary with the type and size of dog you have. Usually between three and six months of age, your puppies will begin teething. At this time, you may cut back their feedings to twice a day, but be careful. Puppies need a nutritious and balanced diet. This is a stage in their life when they can be vulnerable to medical problems. The last thing to worry about when feeding puppies is weight gain that comes later in a dog's life. After your puppy reaches, 6 months of age start them on a highly recommended and safe commercial puppy food.

After they reach, their first birthday is when you should slowly start giving them a healthy and well-balanced adult food diet. As your dog ages and becomes a senior, you may have to adjust their diet. With age, many times dogs can get medical conditions that may restrict their diet. One important piece of information you should know it when you have an older dog make sure you give them plenty of water. Elderly dogs get dehydrated much quicker.

If you find out you have a pregnant dog, for her first weeks of pregnancy you have to monitor her diet, so she does not over eat. Then at her last three weeks of her pregnancy, it is recommended to increase her food. This is when the puppies will be growing and she will need more food. Be careful not to increase it more then 30%. Make sure the puppies go to very good home, or a humane adoption shelter. You should then have your dog when she is healthy spayed. Neutering and spaying our pets is the only way we can decrease their population, and ensure that all pets will have loving homes.

These are just suggestions for your dogs feeding habits. Every dog like people is different and may require completely different care. So always, be alert to your dogs needs and monitor their food to make sure they are always getting enough good healthy food.

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Learn the Basic Pet Diet to Be Able to Feed Your Own With the Right Food

The way your cats and dogs eat tells how their ancestors behaved in the wild before. Cats liked to hunt for foods alone. They only hunt every time their hunger bothered them. They didn't think much about where to get the next meal. Dogs, on the other hand, hunt in packs. They preyed on big animals so they went in groups when hunting for food. They would feast on the prize as much as their stomachs can hold because they can go on for days without food.

When it comes to food, cats are pickier than dogs. Many pet owners are constantly faced with the issue of what to feed their pets. Today, there are hundreds of pet food brands available so you have plenty of selections to choose from. However, an issue always starts every time your pet decides a favorite. There's no turning back once your dog has developed a taste for a certain food. Your dog will start begging for it, especially if he knows it is only within reach. Cats don't beg as much as dogs do but they can have their own favorite too and would demand to share every time the coveted food is around.

You can share the same diet with your pets provided you know the kinds of nutrition they need to keep them in top shape. Just like humans, too much calories are not good for your animals. Table food should only comprise 10% of your pet's diet. You should still feed him with commercial foods since these foods are especially formulated to provide animals with a balanced diet. Fruits and vegetables are good for humans and the same nutritional benefits can be acquired by your pets if you feed them these.

Dogs like to eat from their owner's hands. There will be instances when you serve him the same food in his bowl and he will pass up on it. Cats share the same habit, too, but only to a lesser degree since they are solitary animals. Begging can become a bad habit but there are ways to control it. Say no firmly or gently spray your pet with water every time he starts to beg. Vets would always tell pet owners not to give their animals foods from the table. This will inspire begging and an uncontrollable appetite. There are a lot cats and dogs that have issues with their weights because their feeding time is not strictly regulated. If you want to give them table scraps, give it to them in their respective bowls after you have finished eating.

Generally, dogs like to eat foods that are also endorsed for human consumption. Most commercial dog foods are comprised with these ingredients and they are either served dry, canned or partially moistened. You might have noticed that your dogs like the canned version better but they cost more and dry foods contain the same amount of nutrition that the canned version offers. To make dry foods more palatable for your dog, you might want to add a little amount of milk or broth. Just be prepared to do this every meal since they might refuse to eat foods that are dry ever again.

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Learn How to Properly Care For and Feed Your Hermit Crab

Most people don't realize that having a hermit crab as a pet can be quite exciting. These crabs borrow shells of other ocean creatures such as sea snails to live in; a big reason why these creatures obtained the name hermit crab. However, the name hermit is kind of misleading for these crabs, as they are actually very sociable and love to live in groups of more than 100.

When you own a hermit crab, it's not going to be the same as owning a cat or dog. You should learn all you can about hermit crabs including how they live and eat.

Nine Important Things You Need To Learn About Hermit Crabs

- This species, which fall under the coenobitidae family, are easy to take care of; thus they make wonderful pets.
- They have a hard exoskeleton and have five pairs of legs.
- They also live in borrowed shells of dead animals such as sea snails. While they are generally found in the water, hermit crabs can live together outside the water for several months. However, they will gravitate toward water to replenish lost moisture.
- They sleep under the sand to avoid the sun, which can kill them.
- They are happier living in groups. For many people, these animals make adorable pets.
- Many live in captivity like to live in one place together just as they do in the wild.
- Also, they are not picky about the kind of food they will eat. This means pet owners don't have to spend a lot of money on extra food just for their pet.
- They don't mind being held in the palm of their owner's hand. They won't move and don't twitch when they are being held.
- They also are very active creatures at night so keep them away from your bedroom.

How To Know When Your Hermit Crab Is Molting

Owners may be unable to know when their specific breeds are molting. Some will begin to look different and act strangely. However, here are three signs that can let you know when your pet is about to molt:

- The eyes may begin to get cloudy
- They may consume more food and water than normal
- They'll begin to dig much more

If you notice your pet doing any of these things, then you need to move them to a more humid tank and supply them with more food and water dishes.

The Diet of Hermit Crabs

They do need a well-balanced and healthy diet; this means they need a mixture of antioxidants, calcium and carotene. When the molting process is over, these crabs become deficient in carotene, which makes their color fade thus becoming dull and gray. Feed your pet plenty of carrots, corn and vegetables to keep them happy and lively.
It's best to not feed them, boxed macaroni, cheese and potato chips; stay with fish, meat, fresh fruits and vegetables. Make sure they get plenty of tannin in their food supply, which can be found in tree bark and oak leaves.

Nick A. is hermit crab enthusiast. For more information and advice on feeding hermit crabs please visit www.hermitcrabland.com

Pet Food Shopping and Preparation - Learn What Your Dogs Need

Pet food is not automatically human food nor scraps of cooked food. Animals, like humans, need proper care and nutrition in order to be healthy and fit. Being our "best friend", we should be sensitive and careful on what we feed them because we could be giving food that's harmless for their health. What they need are foods that contain vitamins and minerals that would improve their fur, teeth, bones, stamina, skin and overall health. Most importantly, these will strengthen your dog's immune system to ward off bacteria, parasites and other viruses.

Dogs also need carbohydrates, protein, fiber and fat in their diet. To build strong muscles, good coat, nails, skin and healthy cells, our dogs need protein which meat, fish and eggs, among others, can provide.Fat transports vitamins in our pet's system, boost metabolism and is a known source of energy. Carbohydrates are essential for a dog's energy, digestion and body cells as carbohydrates supply it with glucose.

While knowing what's good for your dog's health is important, it is equally important to know what's bad for your canine pet, too.The quality and quantity of meals they take can lead to malnutrition, obesity and other health disorders such as cancer, kidney and bladder malfunction, skin diseases and arthritis, among many others. Many books and websites share a list of foods that should not be fed to your dogs such as chocolate, beans, garlic, onion and cooked chicken bones. To personally monitor their pet's food intake, many owners end up preparing homemade dog food themselves.

Homemade dog food offer a lot of benefits such as ensuring your dog's good health and it saves you a lot of money.While it takes time and effort to learn what to feed them, making your dog's food is economical and results-oriented as you will see good changes in their health. Just remember not to add preservatives and added spices, especially garlic, and to balance their diet and add variety to it. Feel free to also include cooked good grain in their bowls, like brown rice and whole wheat, to complete their protein meat and vegetable meal. The difference between the generic dog food and the premium dog food is that latter normally uses high quality ingredients - hence, it is also more expensive. It has no added fillers and by-products and, although more expensive than the regular kind, offers variety in shape, color and taste.

These premium food comes in various shapes, colors and flavors which might appeal to pet owners but it is still important to discuss to a veterinarian your dog's nutrition needs.

Paying a visit to your dog's veterinarian is best in order to know the kinds and types of pet food to buy for your pup.It doesn't matter whether you purchase dog foods or make them yourself, knowing more from professionals is the way to go.You will learn that every dog requires a specific diet because their needs vary depending on size, breed, age and their activity level. And if you're just learning how to feed your dog properly, don't forget to incorporate the healthy food slowly in their diet instead of changing it too fast. They are, after all, similar to humans who doesn't take drastic diet change with open arms.

Pet food and snacks are essential to your pet's health and overall well-being. Dogs, man's best friend, is the most challenging pet to feed because of its needs for vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fat, protein and many other compounds. Having a bad diet can result to many illnesses and diseases for your dogs, as serious as cancer. To care for their beloved canine, some people resort to buying premium dog food while other feed dogs with homemade dog food.

Should You Feed Your Dog High Protein Dog Food? Learn the Answer Here!

Should You Feed Your Dog High Protein Dog Food?



The contents of the dog food available on the shelves in the super markets are a growing concern for many pet owners. They constantly wonder if the so-called specialty foods are nothing more than a rip-off. Or, if the grocery brands of dog foods are in fact providing the nutrition the labels promise they do.

Some pet owners may even wonder if table scraps are a good thing for their pet while theirs may be naturally concerned about questions regarding the good sense of feeding their pet high protein dog food.

This article aims at answering these and other common questions and doubts pet owners may have regarding the nature and benefits of feeding their dog high protein dog food.

There are a lot of arguments for and against the notion. However, there are also a lot of things many pet owners do not know - yet. These points are presented in an easy read format for pet lovers to learn, understand and decide for themselves the true scope of feeding their furry friends high protein dog food.

Nature of high protein dog food - implications pet owners must understand

Contrary to popular belief, high protein dog food will not do any damage to the dog, irrespective of the age of the dog and the amount of activity the dog partakes in.

High protein dog food does not cause kidney damage or trouble with bone development. In fact, protein could really help the overall growth of the animal because the amount of lean muscle your dog develops is built by the protein intake he or she partakes of,and it is this balanced protein intake that contributes to a well-developed coat and skin for your dog.

However, dogs suffering from kidney trouble should be kept on a moderate level of protein and not on a low protein diet. Many dogs do not get enough protein in their diet and this is a growing and very valid concern for vets and pet owners.

If the diet of the dog lacks the required levels of protein, it could lead to a lot of health issues, such as increased stress levels, immune disorders and other problems.

Benefits of high protein dog food - tips for dog owners

High protein dog food will ensure that your dog stays away from the vet's clinic more than dogs on a low protein will.

Ensure that you pick a variety that does not go overboard with the necessary counts for calcium and protein content. Large breed puppies should have at least 2 percent more protein and calcium than small breed puppies, but not more.
High protein pet foods that get their protein from animal fat are a great choice for very active dogs, but not for animals that spend most time lying around the house - like old dogs.
Many dogs do not readily change their brand or type of food, but this does not mean that you cannot improve the protein content of the food, if required. You can do this by slowly introducing your dog to low quantities of fresh foods that contain high protein levels by adding minimal amounts of these to his or her daily diet. Some good examples of this type of healthy dog protein includes cottage cheese, fresh fish or canned fish, such as mackerel, which are sure to be happily lapped up by the dog. Other healthy protein foods for your dog are yogurt, eggs, meats and many more products that are sure to have the dog their bowl clean in no time - much like Jack Sprat!Finally, it pays to make a note of the medically proven fact that most of the time it is the high carbohydrates in the dog food that causes behavior problems, like lethargy, in an animal.

The solution for this common dog food related problem is simple - just increase the protein in the dog food and see the difference within a matter of days.

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Learn the What, When and How of Parrot Feeding

As with all pets, diet plays a major role in parrot care. The right knowledge on how to go about parrot feeding, what to feed it (they're finicky), and at what times of the day to give them food. Unlike conventional pets like canines or felines, parrots don't gobble up food at any time of the day.

When you bring Polly home to be a new member of your household, don't panic if he seems to have a lack of appetite. This is probably just a reaction to his new home. Give him time to adjust and when he feels secure in your abode, he will start to eat. You can speed-up this "adjustment period" somewhat by giving your new pet a tasty treat- maybe some honey-dipped crackers (no processed food please) or fresh fruit. Your parrot will recognize his new surroundings as a good source of food and will feel at home fast.  

If your find that your parrot still isn't eating as much as it should after quite some time of being in your care, it might have something to do with the time you're feeding it. Wild parrots get their food by foraging in the forest. They do this not only as a means to survive, but this also has a social function for them. Parrots forage in the morning at sunrise (when they wake-up) and right before going to sleep (at dusk). Proper parrot feeding then requires you to give them food during these times of the day. Try to give parrots food during lunch and chances are they won't have much of an appetite for it. Most animals have innate instincts left over from their wild ancestors and parrots are no exception.  

When we think of bird food, we automatically think bird seed. True, an assortment of various seeds can be part of good parrot feeding, but it shouldn't be the only source of nutrition. Seeds lack other nutrients like protein and calcium. Pellets are good, but feeding your pet pellets day in and day out might give it an overdose of nutrients. Variety is the key in parrot feeding. Seeds and pellets supplemented with fresh fruit and veggies will keep Polly from getting bored and develop behavioral problems.  

When it comes to what is really the ideal diet for parrots, there's somewhat of a debate. Ironically, a real expert on parrot nutrition still doesn't exist even though society has been adopting them as pets since ancient times. For this reason, parrot feeding necessitates a bit of research by the owner. You should be able to provide proper parrot care by knowing which types of food are nutritious or toxic for your pet.  

Ben Greene is an expert in parrot care. For information on feeding your parrot [http://www.happyparrotguide.com/parrot-feeding], visit [http://www.happyparrotguide.com].

Learn the Best Ways to Feed and Care for Your Pet Welsh Corgi

There are two types of Welsh Corgis, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi. The differences between the two are that Cardigans have long tails and are a larger older breed and are not as common. The Pembroke Welsh Corgis are smaller, have no tails and are more common. Pembroke Corgis are more popular with breeders and owners.

Corgis are the smallest breed of the herding dog group and are extremely smart, amicable, and loving. They are so smart, in fact, that they make fine competitors, excelling at obedience training, herding, and many other skill-based contests. Like many other breeds that rank high in intelligence, they can sometimes have a mind of their own and often are not keen on having a leader, other than themselves.

Obviously, both breeds of Corgi originated in Wales and were well-respected and highly regarded working dogs. These dogs are long, low, and sturdily built. Due to their length your pet Corgi will need to be handled in a way that will not compromise their spinal cords.

They range from approximately 25-38 pounds, according to their gender. Their coat is medium length and comes in brindle, red, sable, blue merle, and black. With a sprinkling of white on various parts of the body, the Corgi is a handsome and powerful dog, and are a favorite of the British Royal Family.

Pet Welsh Corgis are great with people, especially good with children, and make good guard dogs. They get along well with family pets, but will probably want to chase away strange dogs or cats, as keeping strangers away from their masters' land was one of the jobs they were trained for. Like other breeds in the herding category, Corgis are intelligent and easy to train, as long as the owner has a strong will and plenty of confidence. Herding dogs are used to being boss and making their own decisions and you will have to be patient as well as firm in training them,

As far as temperaments the Pembroke Welsh Corgi is usually more friendly and outgoing while the Cardigans tend to be a bit more stand-offish, especially with strangers and other pets. Outside, a pet Corgi will be playful and very active as well as attentive to their families.When inside, they rest, are quiet and well-mannered. Welsh Corgis like most dogs will be polite and obedient if the owner gives the proper training, affection, attention, and proper exercise.

Your pet Corgi with their solid bodies and short legs are like some other breeds that can have a problem with weight gain. You must keep them at the proper weight in order to maintain first-rate health. The best diet for your pet would be natural dog food with no harmful additives or fillers. Do research, talk to your vet and breeder before deciding on the food you will feed them.

If you have the time and energy it would be a good idea to make your pet Corgi's food at home. Good natural food is available but the price may be more than you can afford. By preparing the food at home you will know the exact ingredients that go in it and what the quality is. Normally you will find this is less expensive than buying ready made food. For added convenience and saving money prepare large amounts and freeze individual meal size portions.

If you want to have variety in your pet Corgis meals, you can find hundreds of dog food recipes. In making your own or buying your pet's food make sure it only contains nutritious natural ingredients with no harmful grains or artificial fillers. If your pet has a problem with bloating you can prevent it by feeding 2 small meals a day, rather than 1 large one.

Welsh Corgis rank very high in every area of personality and temperament. They are obedient, affectionate, energetic, intelligent, playful, and friendly. Due to their herding traits they are good with children. They will play with them while keeping an eye on them at the same time. If your family is active you'll find your pet Welsh Corgi will play with you until they drop. All in all they will be the ideal pet for every family no matter the families living quarters or activity level. Any family would be fortunate indeed to have a Welsh Corgi as their pet.

If you are a pet owner or thinking about becoming one you should go to the website at Natural Pets Health to get more information on natural pets health foods, products & cures. You will also find general information such as the pros & cons of owning along with the caring for & feeding of all types of pets from dogs to snakes to fish to exotics.

Do You Know What You're Feeding Your Cat? Learn The Shocking Truth About What's In Most Cat Foods

My own search to what's really inside most pet foods started with the love I have for my cat Charlie.

You see Charlie isn't just a cat to me, he's my best buddy and has been a constant companion to me since my divorce 2 years ago. Without Charlie being around I seriously think I would have went crazy from loneliness.

When there was a massive pet food recall in March of 2007, I started to look for alternatives to store brands of pet foods. What I found out was shocking to say the least. I had no idea what was being put into the cat food I was feeding Charlie and I realized I was literally killing him slowly with what I was feeding him.

I've owned cats and dogs all my life and in almost every case, my cats died of kidney failure with a maximum lifespan of 15 or 16. I learned that there are so many byproducts and harmful ingredients in most pet foods that are extremely hard on their digestive systems and this in turn causes great stress on their kidneys and they die prematurely.

There are five D's that make up the meat in most pet foods. Here's what they are and it's not pretty:

1. Dead

2. Diseased

3. Dying

4. Disabled

5. Drugged

None of the above is fit for human consumption, but most people don't think twice about feeding this to their pets. Why would you feed your cat something that isn't fit for humans?

Rejected animals of all kinds are still used in commercial pet foods. Ground up bones, feathers and heads are still used as a protein sources. Hard to digest grains and fillers are also still used as well as strong chemical preservatives to maintain long shelf life.

Well after doing a lot of research and checking into many different natural cat foods, I chose Life's Abundance Cat Food. This cat food was formulated, fed and tested according to the Nutritional profiles of the American Association for Feed Control Officials for all stages of life. It's a nutritious low ash cat food formula that will maintain your cats natural acidic balance for Urinary Tract Health.

Life's Abundance Premium Cat Food contains only fresh, natural, wholesome ingredients. It provides 100% complete nutrition in accordance with AAFCO feeding protocols.

This premium cat food is a high antioxidant formula and contains 5 sources of superior protein ... chicken meal, egg, chicken liver meal, fish meal and turkey meal. There is no corn, wheat, dairy, by-products, artificial colors or flavors in Lifes Abundance.

The manufacturing facility is a USDA certified APHIS (Animal Plant Health Inspection Service) plant. APHIS certification allows the sale a of finished product to the International market, including the European market, which has extremely high standards on ingredient sources.

If you really love your cat or dog, I urge you to watch these videos [http://www.HealthiestPetFoodDirect.com], but be prepared for some shocking information that may have you throwing out your regular pet food. And don't be fooled by some of the higher priced so called 'premium' pet foods being sold in major chains. They all originate from the same plants using the same harmful ingredients wrapped up in some clever packaging, marketing and advertising.

I hope you benefit from what I've learned and will use this information to help your cat live a much longer, happier and healthier life.

Greg Swift has been a pet owner his entire life and is always seeking out the best nutritional information for his own pets. Through his articles he hopes to share what he has learned so that our beloved pets can remain here with us for as long as possible.

To learn more about the only pet food Greg recommends, please click the following website link and watch the shocking videos on what's really in most pet foods. You can also request a free sample as well.

[http://www.HealthiestPetFoodDirect.com]

Raising A Pet Coatimundi: Learn The Details

Raising a pet coatimundi can be quite a challenge at the start especially if you're going to do this for the first time. You need to know a lot of important things. You also need to consider different sets of factors while you're doing this so that you can ascertain that your exotic pet won't grow up having bad habits that may cause you some harm later on.

One of the most important things that you need to know about raising a pet coatimundi at home would be not overfeeding your baby during one feeding. You need to watch how much you feed your exotic pet because coatis usually continue feeding until they become really bloated. Overfeeding can lead to inhalation pneumonia; loss of body condition; and loose stools. When you finish feeding your pet coati and it's still hungry, you have to wait for at least 45 minutes before you can offer the bottle again. At 5 weeks of age, your pet coati should start eating an average of one ounce per feeding. You should feed your pet four times daily. You can increase this frequency as your exotic pet gets older. Don't forget to burp your pet coati after each feeding.

The next important thing that you need to know about raising your exotic pet would be the right time when to wean. This is usually up to the pet owner and can be based on your own circumstances. You have to know that the more frequently you bottle feed your baby coati, the less inclined it's going to be on eating solid foods. At 5 to 6 weeks of age, you should start leaving some dry puppy food for your exotic pet. When you start feeding solid foods to your exotic pet, you can mix some apple juice with puppy food or monkey biscuits. Each coati is considered as individual with its own unique taste buds. Some of the favorite foods of coatis include pizza, luncheon meats, newtons, blueberry muffins, watermelon, eggs, and bananas.

Vaccination schedules are another thing that you should consider. These should be the same with puppies and kittens. First vaccinations and worming are given at 5 to 6 weeks of age. After which, this is then done every 3 weeks until coatis reach the age of 16 weeks. Annual boosters and worming are also highly advised. Aside from this, coatis should also receive a dog distemper-parvo shot or DHLP-P and the cat panleukopenia vaccine. You can have your pet coati wormed with any good cat wormer or dog wormer.

Next, never use too much counter flea products because most of these things are toxic to exotic animals. If you have a pet coati that's below 12 weeks of age, it would be best for you to spray Adams brand flea spray on a towel and wipe it on its skin. Don't overdo this.

Lastly, if you have a male coati, it's highly advised that you have it neutered. Males that are intended to be breeders on the other hand, should be mother raised or should be placed in the breeder pen at 4 to 6 months of age.

Read more about important details regarding raising a pet coatimundi at the Tifkar Publishing website.

Learn The Truth About The Price Of Pet Food Secrets To Comparing Pet Food Prices

I recently received an email asking my opinion about a couple of different types of pet foods - what I thought about the quality of the foods. Both of the pet foods he asked about (which he was feeding his family) were what I considered to be very inferior foods. I informed him of this and his response was that they probably couldn't afford a better food.

While I understand that better quality dog and cat foods can be two or even three times more expensive than some of the cheaper brands, folks who think they can't afford it, unfortunately, will 'pay' in the end. When a pet is sick with kidney or liver disease, when a pet must be treated for skin irritations and ear infections - vet bills to 'fix' the health concern cost pet owners far more than the 'few cents' a meal to feed them quality nutrition. And I'm often questioned about this 'few cents a meal' theory - but before you question me too, let me explain.

Many pet owners suffer 'sticker shock' when considering purchasing a better quality food. They look at the price tag and gasp when considering how fast Fido or Fluffy eats that bag of food. What they don't know is that with better quality pet foods, you don't feed as much - cheap foods have cheap 'filler' ingredients that do not satisfy the nutritional needs of the pet, thus they eat A LOT more attempting to get the nutrition that their body is telling them they need. Better quality foods/ingredients provide the animal with quality nutrition and they eat on average 1/3 less.

So let's break it down to cost per meal...

Let's say your pet currently eats 1 cup of food per day. A 20 pound bag of food will provide you with about 50 servings. If the food costs you $15.00 for a 20 pound bag - that equals about .30 per meal.

Now with a good quality pet food - feeding about 1/3 less - a 20 pound bag will provide you about 80 servings. If the better food costs $30.00 for a 20 pound bag - that breaks down to a little less than .38 cents a meal.

So even though the price tag of the food reads to be twice as expensive - it's actually far from the truth. Using the above example, at .30 cents per meal, two meals a day, in one month you are spending around $18.00 per month to feed a pet with the inferior food. With the apparent twice as expensive higher quality pet food, at .38 cents per meal, two meals a day, in one month you are spending around $22.80 per month. Less than $5.00 per month difference that can save you thousands of dollars in vet bills and add years to their life. You must look at the cost per meal to completely give the price of the food consideration.

Here is what has happened to us...for years and years we've watched the television commercials of pet food. They emphasize the words 'for your pet's health' or 'choice'. We've trusted them and we've followed their directions to feed our pet 2 or 3 cups of food per day. What we didn't know was that those recommended 2 or 3 cups of food was necessary because the pet food contained cheap inferior nutrition sources like by-products, meat and bone meal, and grains.

So, it has become our habit to feed more - which they do need more with inferior ingredients. Then someone like myself comes along and tells you how horrible ingredients like by-products and meat and bone meal are - and you learn that grains such as corn, wheat, and soy are inferior - and since this recent pet food recall, you learn that chemicals can actually be added to variations of these grains (glutens)...so then you look over your options at the pet store or online. And you think in terms of how much per 'bag' of food. After all, you've probably tried several different types of pet food in the past - maybe even one or two that cost a little more than the cheap brands - and you still ended up feeding the same 2 or 3 cups of food a day. Naturally, you look at the $30.00 for a 20 pound bag of pet food and gasp at the cost - you are thinking just the way they want you to think...in terms of the cost of the bag, not the cost of the serving.

The determining factor for your choice of pet food should not be cost or advertising. You must look at and understand those first five ingredients. Of course there is much more involved than the first five ingredients, but in my research...if the first five ingredients of a pet food are good, so are the rest of the ingredients. If a pet food manufacturer cares enough to make the first five ingredients quality - which is the majority of the food...they care enough to make all of the ingredients quality. Don't be mislead into any comfort zone of a pet food manufacturers advertising...do your homework and read and understand at least the first five ingredients of your pet's food.

With better, more nutritious pet foods - they do NOT need as much as with the cheaper foods. Don't let the old habit of feeding more sway you when you switch to a more nutritious pet food - again, with more quality ingredients they just don't need as much food as with inferior ingredients. If you switch your pet to a quality pet food and continue to feed the same amount as the lesser quality food you were feeding - your pet will gain weight.

The daily amount of food our pets require depends on many things such as activity level, age, breeding animals, or neutered animals. As an example, my 100 pound German Shepherd only eats two cups of food per day; 1 cup AM, 1 cup PM. My little guy (8 pound Papillion eats about 1/3 cup a day. Both dogs are active. However, my little guy is young and is fairly high energy level. My big guy is 12 years old and much more sedate. Considering his little size, the small dog eats far more for his size than the big dog. His energy and activity level requires it.

My cat on the other hand free feeds - he has access to a full bowl of food at all times and eats when he wants. He has never been an over eater and this works well for him. I could never do the same with my dogs.

So serving size for your pet is something you will need to experiment with. If your dog or cat has no 'figure' - shows no waist when looking at them from above - chances are they need to lose a few pounds. Cut back the serving size. If you can visibly see ribs - they probably need to gain a couple of pounds and you need to slightly increase the serving size. Please note too that a cup of food a day at 2 years old will more than likely be too much food when they are a little older. Keep a constant monitoring eye on them - a healthy weight is a healthier pet.

And please don't just look at the cost of the bag of food, look at (at least) the first five ingredients and consider the cost of the serving.

Wishing you and your pets good health

Susan Thixton has worked in the pet industry for over 20 years helping thousands of pet owners to enjoy their pets. She's produced an internationally distributed dog training video, authored the tell all book Truth About Pet Food, and recently has begun publication of a one-of-a-kind pet owning consumer report Petsumer Report. For more information please visit http://www.TruthAboutPetFood.com
Susan Thixton
Truth About Pet Food
Petsumer Report
http://www.TruthAboutPetFood.com

Learn More About Pet Health And What You Can Do To Improve It

If you own a pet, you know how frustrating it can be when they get sick and nothing seems to get them better. Visits to the vet, drugs, pills, shampoos ... it seems as though they will be sick forever.

The problem usually lies in their food. Nutrition, or lack thereof, is the number one factor that determines a pet's health. Store bought commercial pet food lacks almost all the nutrients that pets need. To make matters worse, they are loaded with toxic chemicals, synthetic preservatives, and discarded animal parts that you would never knowingly give your beloved pet.

Even 'premium' store bought pet foods lack the proper nutrition that your pet requires. They also usually contain most of the same dangerous chemicals that the cheaper brands do. It's all about slick marketing and advertising. Unfortunately, once again, it's all about the money.

However, there is hope. There are a handful of companies that really do care about your precious pup or fuzzy feline. They manufacture top quality, human grade, natural and organic pet foods that have everything your little friend needs, and nothing they don't. The best part is that they usually don't cost much more than the store brands, sometimes even less. Because they are so nutrient dense, you normally will feed your pet less because they won't need as much in their bowl. This makes every bag last longer and will actually save you money.

Even the best pet foods usually lack a few vitamins, minerals, or important nutrients. This is where nutritional supplements come in. There is a very wide range of products available and you need to know exactly what you are buying. Consulting a pet nutritionist or holistic veterinarian is usually a good idea if you plan on treating your pet without drugs. There are specific alternative remedies for every condition or ailment out there. Most are very effective.

Do a little research on the Internet for organic or natural pet food, nutritional supplements, holistic or homeopathic pet remedies, etc. You will see thousands of resources listed, but the top 4 or 5 will usually be reputable companies that can be trusted. The more you read, the more you will learn and can then make informed decisions about the health and nutrition of your pet.

Learn more about pet health [http://www.healthy-pet-supplies.com] at Healthy-Pet-Supplies.com. Read about natural pet foods like Life's Abundance dog food [http://www.healthy-pet-supplies.com/lifes-abundance-dog-food.html] and nutritional supplements like Dinovite [http://www.healthy-pet-supplies.com/dinovite.html] that can restore and maintain your pet's health.