The domestic ferret is the most common breed of ferret in the world. These make good pets, as long as you can take care of them properly. It is necessary for anyone who will be purchasing a ferret to realize that they require a lot of work and attention. However, they do make for interesting pets, well suited for children as well as adults. The domesticated ferret is one which you can feel comfortable adding to your home. You simply have to be able to make the committment to meet its special needs.

There are other ferrets that are wild. These have been used for years to control the rabbit population in various countries. Yet, they are also banned in many countries because of how well efficiently destroy the ecology of the area. The Black-Footed ferret is one that is fighting its way back from extinction today. These non-domesticated ferrets do not make good pets, and should not be used as such.

On the other hand, there are many domesticated versions that are perfect to add to your home. These creatures live for about eight to ten years and will exhibit curiosity similar to a kitten that just won’t grow up. The ferret is a creature that likes to get into things and play. It likes to explore its surroundings, so you will need to insure that your home, or any other areas that the ferret will be in, are safe for it.

There are many important things that you should realize about the ferret. Anyone who is looking for a pet that is full of energy and curiosity, that is somewhat different from the other animals, and that can provide the pet with a good home with lots of entertainment, should consider the ferret. Most people who have owned ferrets have enjoyed them, and would be willing to invite another one into their home.

About The Author: Patricia Johnson enjoys writing for several online magazines, including http://lotuv.com and http://lajop.com

Why parrots stop talking is not always the problem. Some people long for their parrots to stop talking, simply because they talk incessantly once they have learned a few phrases. Parrots are very sociable, and want to communicate with other members of their “flock” - which means the people with whom they live. So a talking parrot is probably more common.

There are times, however, when parrots stop talking, and then the worried owner wants to know why parrots stop talking.

Reasons Why Parrots Stop Talking

There are several reasons why parrots stop talking. We cannot give a complete list here, but one of the following may apply to your parrot.

1. Some talking parrots stop talking for a few days when they arrive in a new home. They are adjusting to the change. They find themselves suddenly with a new “flock” in a new environment. Even a talking parrot will take time to sort things out in its mind before it feels comfortable.

2. Sometimes talking parrots stop talking when they are feeling ill. If your parrot has been talking, and stops with no apparent reason, consider health issues. You may need to take it to an avian veterinarian.

3. Talking parrots will “pout” and stop talking when they are unhappy with a change you have made. It may be you have moved the furniture in the room where the parrot spends most of its time. Maybe you are wearing an article of clothing the parrot does not like.

4. Another reason talking parrots may stop talking is the introduction of a new family member, either human or another pet. The parrot must work through the change, and stops talking while adjusting.

5. Sometimes a talking parrot has been frightened, perhaps by a prey animal. The animal may be outside, but visible from the parrot’s cage.

6. Finally, a talking parrot may stop talking if it becomes bored with its own chatter, and hears few words from you. Remember that your parrot talks to communicate with you. It is in a “foreign” land, away from those that speak its language, and is trying to learn your language to communicate.

What to Do When Parrots Stop Talking

There are several things you can do to encourage a talking parrot that has stopped talking.

If your talking parrot is in new surroundings, make it as comfortable as possible. Give it time to adjust, but while it’s adjusting, talk to it gently and frequently. As soon as it decides the new surroundings are safe, it will probably begin talking again.

If you suspect your talking parrot’s sudden silence is an early sign of illness, look at its eyes and feathers. If you detect dullness in either, you may need to have an avian (bird) veterinarian check your parrot.

Sometimes the answer is as simple as finding a change you have made in the previous few days or week. Did you move a vase that used to reflect the light? Did you move the parrot’s cage a few feet one way or another? Try to remember what may have changed and put it back the way it was. Your talking parrot may quickly speak up to thank you.

Check for predators, even though you know they cannot reach the parrot. A large, predatory bird flying past the window, or sitting in a tree outside can be the reason a talking parrot stops talking.

The best solution to helping a talking parrot find its tongue is to spend more time talking to and around the bird. Take it into other rooms with you and the family so it will feel like being a part of the conversation.

Talk to your bird as much as you would talk to a family member or very good friend, and before long, it should begin talking again.

About the Author: © 2007, Anna Hart. An avid reader and researcher, Anna explores many parrot species, and offers other interesting parrot information at http://www.parrots-of-the-world.com. If you would like to learn more about how to train your parrot, you won’t want to miss Anna’s advice.

Dogs can show their aggression in behaviors such as growling, snapping, showing their teeth, and biting.  The underlying intent on the part of the dog expressing the aggressive behavior is intimidation.

If you look at the situation from the dog’s perspective, you’ll see there is usually a reason for the way he is acting.  He generally feels threatened in some way.  He might interpret a friendly gesture from a human as intention to do him harm.  Or he might think someone is trying to steal his food.  Overcoming aggressive behavior in dogs can be a complex issue, and it is often a job best left to a professional behaviorist or dog trainer.

Territorial aggression, protective aggression, and possessive aggression are all closely related behaviors.  Territorial aggression is about the dog protecting his “turf”.  This may or may not be confined to the immediate surroundings.  Protective aggression is usually aimed at animals or people that the dog sees as a threat to his pack.  It is important to realize that a dog might consider your family members to be part of his pack.  Possessively aggressive dogs act out of defense of food, toys, or some other object they have decided is theirs.

A dog that is prone to dominance aggression is simply showing that he considers himself to be the leader of the pack.  As previously mentioned, dogs might perceive their human family as members of the pack, and may actually see themselves as having a higher standing than the humans.  When your dog has this perception, and he feels that you are encroaching on his authority, he may challenge you.  It could be a situation as common as chasing him off the furniture.  He might growl, snap, or even bite if you’re not careful.  Everyday actions such as hugging a dog or reaching for its collar may also be interpreted as challenges in the right circumstances.

Redirected aggression is common in many dogs, but can be misunderstood by humans.  This happens when a dog wants to show aggression towards another animal or a person that he cannot attack, so he redirects his aggression at a different animal or human that he is able to get to.  A common example of this would be two dogs who share a yard, and are provoked by a third dog on the outside of the fence.  Because the two dogs in the yard are unable to attack the provoking dog, they may become agitated and attack one another.

All of these problems can be modified, but due to the dangers of working with aggressive dogs, dog behavior modification should be left to the professionals.

Do not try to punish a dog that demonstrates aggressive tendencies.  It’s very possible that you might do more harm than good.  The possibility also exists that the dog may attack you.

You should first consult a veterinarian to determine if a medical problem is causing the aggressive behavior.

If it turns out that it’s not a medical problem, find a professional who specializes in aggression disorders.  It’s usually best to do this at your home, where the dog is in familiar surroundings.

In the end, you are legally responsible for the way your dog behaves. You have to be sure that people and other animals are safe around your house, or you could find yourself on the wrong end of a lawsuit, or even being forced to put your dog down.

It’s very important to keep your dog away from situations that could result in aggression.  If necessary, confine him and keep him away from other animals and people, particularly children, who are not aware of the dangers of aggressive animals.

Keep Chemicals Away

There are many chemicals that are used in households that may be potentially poisonous to your pet. One example of this is the antifreeze that you put in your car radiator which often spills on your driveway during winter. Make sure that you keep your dog away from these spills because the sweet smell attracts dogs and ingesting antifreeze could kill them very quickly.

Don’t Feed Dogs Chocolate

Although we can eat as much chocolate as we want, dogs are not as lucky. It seems that chocolate has an ingredient called theobromine that is really harmful to dogs. Eating a large amount of chocolate could get your dog very sick and even kill him.

Feed Dogs Appropriate food

Although generally, dogs can eat whatever we eat, it is still advisable to give them foods that are made especially for them. Eating “people” food can cause obesity. There are foods fit for humans that dogs cannot eat safely, for example chocolate and onions.

Don’t Leave Dogs Outdoors in Severe Weather

Never forget to bring your pet inside the house during very cold weather winter. Like people, they also run the risk of getting hypothermia when exposed to the cold for too long. It’s also a good idea to bring them in to the air conditioned house on very hot days, and to make sure they have plenty of water.

Don’t leave Spot In a Hot Car

Although most dogs love a ride in the car, and we like their company, if you’re going shopping or elsewhere on a hot sunny day and will be away from the car for any period of time, it’s best to leave your dog at home. Leaving a dog in a hot car for even a short period of time can result in a very painful death for him. The inside of a car gets extremely hot from the sun, and dogs cannot sweat like humans do.

Keep Emergency Phone Numbers Close To The Phone

If your Vet does not have 24 hour service, be sure to find out where the nearest Emergency Veterinary clinic is located, and keep their phone number handy. Also, get the number of the Pet Poison Hotline and keep that close at hand as well. If you are going out and a petsitter or babysitter is staying home, make sure to show them the location of the emergency numbers as well.

Keep close ties with your vet

Visit the veterinarian regularly and and make sure that your dog gets all the recommended preventative medications that your vet suggests, especially heartworm, parvo, and rabies. If your dog will be staying at a kennel, protection from Kennel Cough is also called for.

Proper hygiene

Good hygiene is as important for dogs as it is for people. Regular brushing will prevent the fur from matting, and will also alert you to skin or flea problems early. Also, keep Fido’s nails clipped, and periodically brush and check your dogs teeth.

Have Your Dog “Fixed”

Unless you are a professional dog breeder, you should get your dog neutered or spayed. This will help male dogs stay away from bitches in heat, and will also prevent unwanted pregnancies for your female dogs.

One of the latest advancements in cat furniture is called the Kittypod. The Kittypod is an elegant cat bed and scratching post. After getting a good morning stretch, the cat can descend from its bowl shaped Kittypod and get a good scratch on its supporting pillar below.

After descending from its perch on high, the cat can take a stroll to its modern water dish which resembles both the traditional cat water bowl and a flowing fountain. The idea behind the cat water fountain was to make drinking water more fun and fresher tasting. And why not? Don’t all of us run the tap water before drinking it?

After getting a fresh drink, the cat can wake itself up with the feline alternative to a big cup of coffee. Today, cat nip body pillows can be found and purchased for your favorite tabby. No longer confined to mere balls dunked in precious catnip, your cat can now fully experience how it feels to be in catnip heaven by hugging an entire cat sized pillow of their favorite feline brew.

Once the morning buzz kicks in, it is off to your cat’s favorite cat tree where she can play or lounge according to her mood.

Lastly, the modern age has brought dignity to the cat world by creating the covered litter box. Nothing too fancy. A simple wood chest that comes in a variety of wood types, different colors, and the choice of either stain or paint. This much needed oasis will give a cat a sense of privacy and add a wonderful eye-catching addition to any room in your home.

Needless to say, this is definitely one of the greatest centuries that a cat could possibly live in. Reaching up toward the luxuries of their owners, cats, by virtue of these modern necessities, can now feel at home, and as equals, in any home in which they live.

The problem with most people starting out with aquariums is that they get too small aquariums. With a small aquarium you don’t have many cichlid species to choose from. Another bad thing about a small aquarium is that it is a lot harder to keep your water condition good. You will most likely have to choose one of the dwarf cichlids and this can cause trouble. The dwarf cichlids are a lot more sensitive than medium sized cichlids. The biggest reason that people fail with their first aquarium is lack of knowledge and research.

All cichlids belong to family Cichlidae that contain over 1300 species. New species are discovered all the time. Hopefully lakes will be explored before over fishing and pollutions go too far. Cichlids were here before us and hopefully can stay in the wild. They have evolved to fit into many different niches and they have wide varity characteristics. Some characteristics are shared by all of the cichlid species. They only have nostril like the damsel fishes. Another rare thing about cichlids is that they have teeths in both lower and upper jaws.

Some of the most popular fish to keep in aquariums today are the Oscar (Astronotus ocellatus), Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare), Peacoch Cichlids (Aulonocara Hansbaenschi) and Jack Dempsey (Archocentreu Octofasciatum). Before you head out to buy your first cichlids you need to investigate what kind of environment, feeding habits, temperament, minimum aquarium size required and how to breed them. There is not one general aquarium setup that will fit all cichlids. Put some time to research the species you like and make sure to build the environment that exact cichlid require. Most important is the water condition. Make sure to at least check the pH of the water and the hardness before you buy your cichlids.

RonCole

For more detailed information about African cichlids you can have a look at www.africancichlidssale.com for a great resource. Many great articles and information on how to keep and breed African cichlids.

Many cats get a disorder of their ears which is called “Otitis Externa“. This disorder causes the external ear canal to be inflamed. It is typically caused by mites, which are very tiny annoying parasites that measure from 0.3 to 0.5 mm, and belong to the genus Otodectes family.

Not all cats will develop these types of disorders, even if they are being inhabited by mites and other parasites. The truth is that it depends on the health of your cat and how resistant he is to attacks. For example, when I brought my cat to his first check-up my veterinarian told me that he had been a carrier of mites for at least six months, but because he had high resistant levels he remained healthy.

What Are The Signs Of Infestation?

If your cat is affected by mites, then from the very start of the infestation your pet will be plagued with severe itching and will scratch his head almost non-stop. You will not be able to see these mites by looking in your cat’s ear but the more light-colored mites can be viewed with an otoscope.

Very soon, patches will form that will be brownish-black in color and will eventually turn into very thick crusts inside your cat’s ears. These patches and crust formations are preceded by cloudy lymph fluid that is mixed with ear wax and the excretions from the mites. As you may guess, this creates a very good breeding ground for bacteria (and fungi) to grow in. Worst still is that when the ear mites have died off, many infections are caused by these secondary pathogens.

Cleaning Your Cat’s Ears

You should never ignore your cat’s ears if they are dirty. Actually, this should be considered a sign of a possible abnormal condition. If there is indeed an infection and the external ear canal is looked at promptly by your veterinarian, then a few ear drops will usually take care of everything.

Inflammation of your cat’s ears may not be caused by mites or diseases at all. In some cases the presence of small foreign objects inside the ear can be the cause. This is why it is extremely important to have your cat’s ears checked out and cleaned by your veterinarian on a regular basis.

Box turtles

The box turtle is one of the more popular types of pet turtles that are found practically all over the world. Wherever there are damp, mossy areas, one is sure to find a box turtle inhabiting the land. These types of pet turtles are pretty territorial and are required to stay near their place of birth for their entire lifetime. As a matter of fact, if you try to remove a box turtle to another area half a mile from where it was born, it acquires the tendency to systematically search for its former habitat. It may not be able to find its way back to its old home but it will spend most of its life looking for it. This is one of those types of pet turtles that you will want to be cautious about because you need to create a living environment that is very similar to its old habitat. A box turtle is omnivorous so it can live off of insects, berries and various types of food products. They are ideal pets for people who live in the country because it is easier to recreate their natural habitat.

Slider turtles

Among the many types of pet turtles, sliders are probably the most controversial due to the salmonella scare in the 1970’s. Apparently, young children have contracted the disease due to improper handling of slider turtles. However, through the years, these types of pet turtles have managed to redeem their popularity as they have always been known to make excellent pets. A slider can grow up to eleven inches long so you will probably need to replace your tank if you started with a ten-gallon aquarium for a baby turtle.

Slider turtles naturally live in swampy areas that have lots of mud such as shallow ponds and lakesides. These types of pet turtles love to bask in the sun for hours and are typically omnivorous. However they tend to minimize on their intake of meat as they grow older. You can try feeding your pet live goldfish, worm cubes and food sticks. It’s also a good idea to feed it lots of lettuce and other types of vegetables.

Painted turtles

Painted turtles are probably the most beautiful types of pet turtles because of their colorful markings on their shells. The turtle usually has a dark olive to black skin color combined with red and yellow stripes on its legs and neck. It usually comes with a smooth carapace and can grow up to ten inches in length.

These types of pet turtles are generally aquatic. Compared to other species, they are a bit more complicated to take care of because they have specific habits that you need to take note of.

by Steven Magill

For great turtle care advice, turtle food recommendation or turtle health issues visit us at ….. http://www.petturtlecare.net/

A splint should be applied immediately upon suspicion of a broken bone. If the bone is allowed to move, it could sever an artery and complicate the treatment of the injury further. Splinting a greenstick fracture is just as important as splinting a clean break, as leg movement with a greenstick fracture could break it further.

In the case of broken ribs, it is important to keep the dog quiet. Broken ribs can easily puncture a lung. Lay the dog down on the side opposite the broken ribs and keep him as calm and still as possible until the vet arrives. Do not try to transport a dog with broken ribs yourself.

A fractured hip is slow to heal. Little can be done to treat broken pelvis bones or to speed up the healing process. If only one side is broken, the dog may still be able to walk on three legs. Most hips break in a fashion that prevents the dog from walking at all until numbness develops and acts as a natural anesthetic. The dog may be unable to raise himself for several days after a break, and will require assistance in getting up.
The ability to walk will improve gradually, but don’t expect to see a dog with a broken hip running for a month or longer after the injury occurs. Even after the healing is well under way, the pet may still require assistance in getting up, and you may have to carry him outside and hold him steady while defecating.

Broken backs in dogs are not always without hope of healing. Skilled veterinarians are often able to set and wire backs in a fashion that permits near normal function. If you suspect your dog has a broken back, keep him as immobile as possible and transport him quickly to the vet. The spinal cord is fragile and damage to the nerve-fiber must be minimized if the animal is to survive.

A common back break in dogs occurs at the point where the tail vertebrae start. The tail hangs limp in such cases and the animal is unable to raise it to defecate. These injuries sometimes result in the tail becoming gangrenous which makes removal of the tail necessary to prevent the spread of infection.

If you are a cat owner, it is immensely important for you to know about cat poisoning symptoms. Anything injurious to our body is known as poison. Cats, at times, get in touch with things like insects, dead animals and toxic plants because of their curiosity of pursuing objects such as trivial game or wood piles, weed thickets and storage ports. It is a tough job to know the cause of poisoning because of the existence of a mixed bag of poisonous plants and shrubs, unless the owner is an eyewitness to it. Consequently, sometimes the object remains unknown, whereas, sometimes we point out the wrong ones.

Household chemicals, plants, trees and shrubs can all be harmful for a cat and the cat owners should have an apt knowledge of it. When you suspect a case of poisoning, the job of a vet becomes easier, if you can particularly name the object causing this poisoning. Some plants and household chemicals are mentioned here that can affect your cat; although, it is tough to know about the agent once your cat steps out.

In spite of not consuming some plants, its contact with your cat’s skin can create irritations. Fig plants, chrysanthemums, poinsettias are some instances. In fact, amaryllis, ivy, azalea, spider mum and creeping Charlie plants or flowers can prove to much more dangerous for your cat. Vomiting, abdominal pain, tremors and heart and respiratory ailments are the symptoms if such objects are consumed by your cat. In case, if your cat has consumed any toxic plants, seek advice from your vet. These are some typical cat poisoning symptoms.

A veterinarian’s clinic should be your cat’s destination if it starts giving signs of nervous system involvement. Either have the sample of vomit along with you or the best option is to bring the poison in the actual container. Get in the refuge of CPR provided your cat is unconscious, trembling or not breathing but at least, give the first aid at the drop of a hat.

Antifreeze can be dangerous for your cat but other Chemicals (i.e. a toxic chemical) and cleaners can also give birth to poisoning of your cat. Antifreeze can create seizures and it often kills a cat. The cats like it and get it off of the garage floor from a puddle. So, be sure about cat poisoning symptoms.

Getting in touch with the National Animal Poison Control Center is the best option if you suspect your cat being poisoned. They provide several treatments and can even tell you what to do next. A vet usually strives to make your cat vomit in order to take out the poisonous toxins. Toxins like turpentine or gasoline get on your cat’s hair and need a washing. Vegetable oil and mineral can also be good. Convulsing, breathing problem and unconsciousness suggest the possibility of toxin affecting the cat’s nervous system. Such cat poisoning symptoms require a medical care because it is dangerous.

Your cat’s health may be in trouble. Cat Poisoning Symptoms may signal something that’s terribly wrong. Know what to do and how to respond.