Guinea pigs originated from the Andean region of South America, presently known as Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru. They were a food source for mountain tribes around the year 2000BC. They are still to this day used as a food source in that area. They also live off of families scraps and are used as pets or collectors of evil-spirits in healing ceremonies. European trades transported quinea pigs to Europe, people saw them as exotic pets.

Where do Guinea Pigs get their name and why?

No one knows for sure just how the guinea pig came to be called a “pig”. They really are not pigs but are larger rodents. However they do tend to make noises that are very similar to that of a pig. They alos have some similar physical features with a pig. Their heads are large, with a rounded hind end, and with no tail. The guinea pig is also able to survive in cramped conditions such as a “pig pen” therefore they were easier to transport to England. Even in other languages they are referred to as pigs. The Dutch often called them “Guineas Biggetie” (Guinean piglet). In Germany they use the term “Meerschweinchen” (little sea pigs). The Germans gave the guinea pigs the name from when they would stop in the New World to stock up on provisions and would purchase large amounts of guinea pigs for their main source of meat.
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By: Joe Maldonado

Anaconda snakes extract similar responses from most of us, a response smeared by hatred, fear and probably revulsion. The image of this serpent that we carry in our mind is that of a creature that looks vile and is widely known to be monstrous. Apart from a few of the wealthy and the adventurous ones who want them as pets, most of us prefer to see anaconda snakes in TV and glossy travel magazines rather than in our homes and at the patio.

The natural habitat if these reptiles are the dense tropical forests in lovely South America. Found extensively in the Amazon River basin and also other tropical forests, this serpentine creature is worlds one of the largest snakes.

These snakes are carnivores, and prey a range of aquatic as well as land based creatures. While fish, turtles, frogs, dogs, sheep and deer are its favorite preys, anaconda snakes are also know to have constricted and swallowed considerably bigger animals like fully grown deer and even jaguars.

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An iguana is a fascinating lizard pet that when handled properly and gently from the time they are received, are not aggressive at all. When an iguana does show aggression he shows signs of fight or flight syndrome and will hide away or try to fight.

Like every other living being, aggression shows signs of extreme discomfort to the point that the living thing believe it has no other choice but to fight or flight. It’s simply a defense mechanism and in some animals, it is mating behavior. The iguana is also included in this group in that the male iguana will show aggression around certain hormones but that will be discussed later on in the article.
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It should go without saying that you should never, ever use violence to attempt to correct unwanted behavior in your cat. And when it is necessary to discipline your cat, never let your cat know that the discipline is coming directly from you. That may sound strange at first, but it is quite fitting, especially since your goal is to create a strong bond with your little feline friend.

If your cat relates discipline, anger, or pain with you, then you run the risk of having your cat fear you when your goal is to have him love you. There’s not much of a relationship when your pet runs away every time you approach. It’s much better to develop methods of discipline that the cat will not associate directly with you. This way, they associate an unpleasant result, and not you, with their unwanted behavior,

In other words, disciplining your cat should be done in a way so that he directly relates the action with whatever he was doing “wrong” - not you. Continue reading »

It’s important for all cat owners to pay attention to their cat’s dental health.  Unhealthy teeth can lead to other serious health problems.  Consider that if it’s painful for a cat to eat, their diet will be affected because they may not eat a sufficient quantity of food to maintain a healthy weight.

Cats may suffer from a wide range of dental conditions if they are not properly cared for. That is why it is the responsibility of the pet owner to make sure that his or her pet cat follows a regimen of good dental hygiene. It may be work, but it well serve you and your feline friends well in the long run.
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If you have done the proper planning for your new aquarium, you’ve already purchased, or otherwise acquired, everything you need to set it up, and have prepared a location in your home where your family and guests can get the most enjoyment from it. If you haven’t, you should do your research and planning, and then go out and get your equipment. Do not get your fish yet. Wait until your tank is set up and running correctly. If something goes wrong, you don’t want to have to worry about where your fish will live while you deal with the problem.

Okay, let’s get started. Whether you have a new or used tank, you should clean it thoroughly. Avoid soap and chemical cleaners, as they can leave a residue that could make your fish sick or even kill them. Use clean water and a sponge or brush manufactured specifically for aquarium use. Fill the tank and check for leaks. It’s much easier to deal with a leak now than after you’ve installed everything. Once you’ve determined that the tank is okay, drain it and let it dry. Continue reading »

It never ceases to amaze me how many people I see being pulled along by their dog while out “walking”. What amazes me more is that most of these people blame their dog for this behavior. If they only realized that the problem is on the other end of the leash.

If your dog pulls on the leash, you’re kidding yourself if you think you’re the “master”. Dogs are smart, and they will take advantage of a situation if you allow them to.
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Cat furniture is a commodity that is known by many names. The most common include Cat Trees, Cat Condos, Kitty Condos, Cat Towers, Cat Climbers, Cat Scratchers and Cat Gyms. There are dozens more, but whatever term you use to describe cat furniture, the purpose is the same - to enable your cats to follow their instinctual desire to scratch without damaging your furniture, carpet, or other belongings, and also to give them a place of their own where they can exercise, play, and lounge.

There are many different types of cat furniture, made from such a variety of materials, that shopping for cat furniture can be confusing. Which materials are better? What design is the most stable? What size should I buy? Which style would my cat like? In this article, I’ll try to help you answer these questions so you can make a more informed buying decision.
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So, you’ve decided to start a hobby aquarium. That’s a great decision! Keeping fish as pets is a rewarding hobby, which will give you hours of pleasure, and is not as demanding on your time as other pets. Additionally, an aquarium will make the interior of any home more beautiful.

But don’t be fooled. It’s not just a matter of filling a tank with water, adding some fish, and sitting back and enjoying them. There are some important decisions to be made up front, as well as some commitments you must make regarding maintenance of your tank. Continue reading »

Learning to train a dog is usually very straightforward. Most dog training techniques are time-proven, so if someone claims they have a “new” technique, chances are that it’s an existing technique that has been slightly modified or adapted for a particular case.  And although it is straightforward, that doesn’t mean it’s easy for a beginner.  A novice dog trainer is likely to experience frustration when his pooch doesn’t respond as quickly as he likes. But rest assured that if you persevere, you will see results.  Without a doubt, most important aspects of training your dog are consistency, repetition, and positive reinforcement. Your dog will be more eager to do what you request if he’s doing it to please you, rather than to avoid an unpleasant correction.
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