From the smallest parrots with great popularity among the lovers have budgies – their weight reaches up to 40 grams, and the length of their body is no more than 20 – 23 cm. Usually cages for budgies are sold equipped with perches, made of wood or hard plastics. But after that the owner of the feathery ones has to complete the interior with several real, rough, unattractive twigs, because if the budgie never changes the position of its toes and always holds tight to the flat and smooth surface of standard sick, its toes start swelling, rubbing sore and there start to appear wounds and scabs. If you don't have fine sandpaper to cover the floor, you can spread out under the layer of very fine ballast (or very coarse sand ) and an ordinary newspaper, which must not have colored illustrations. Most printing inks are poisonous for budgies. Something more that can threaten your birds is using twigs from the coniferous tree – yew, whose wood is also poisonous for birds. It is best for this purpose to use twigs from orchard trees.
WHAT DO THEY NEED?
My recommendation is to use transparent feeders – thus it will be easier for the budgie to find its food, when it sees the food. Feeders must be two types – one for seeds and sand with stones and another bigger one for the vegetation and fruit. The sand could be from the sea, mixed with crashed shells and mussels ( but not from the white one that is sold for the canaries), and the stones should be from granite or flint. Budgies get bored with the same toys, so it is better to change or to take turns of them into the cage. It is considered that a mirror makes the loneliness of the bird more endurable – looking into the mirror the bird start imagining that it is not alone, but I consider that constant looking in the mirror is not recommendable because of danger of inhibition.
Choose the most spacious cage, which you can afford and which you can dispose at home. It is considered that the ideal size of cage for a couple of budgies is 91/45/45 cm, and when only one bird is going to live in the cage its size could be 2/3 from the stated one. Don't be in a hurry with you purchase – many cages are sold in the zoo shops, but you can have the chance to buy a suitable already used one. Different constructions exist, so it is sensible not to hurry so that you can buy something really good. You buy a home for your budgies, where their life will pass, so do your best to choose such, where they will feel best. Choosing a cage it is not bad to think about some things. Is it spacious enough ? Is its shape proper – you might like a high circular cage, but in “ lodgings ” birds very often don't have enough room to move and to outspread their wings. It can seem less important, but closing the door must be secure. There should be a mobile plastic bottom in the cage, which to ease cleaning it. The sticks of the cage can be chromium plated or glazed and it is good to have horizontal not only vertical sticks on the sides of the cage so that the budgies can climb easily. The p erches must be located so that birds can reach all feeders and watering troughs and place one higher than the other ones. Don't install them near the sides of the cage, because staying on them, budgies will constantly rub there tails on the metal sticks. Prepare the cage before buying your feathery friend. And when you take it from the shop, put it in a cardboard box, handle it with care and quickly take it home. If it is cold outside wrap the box, but so that you don't reduce air flow. At hoe wash the whole cage with very hot water, but neither use soap nor washing detergents, use only special disinfection means, that are intended for birds'cages. This is absolutely compulsory if you have obtained a used cage. Dry very well the new home of the bird. Place a sheet of very fine sandpaper on the bottom and spread fine ballast. After that, install the perches, feeders and water troughs.
Birds don't like the location of the cage to be often changed, that is why choose the most proper place for them in your flat right in the beginning. The place should be lighted up enough, but not to be lit up directly by sunlight. If you have a glassed balcony from late spring to early autumn you can keep your birds there. You can put pots with big - leaved plants around the cage. Thus birds will feel well. The balcony should not be facing south, because during the hot summer days the bird can die of overheating. When temperatures get lower you should bring the bird inside the flat Watch out not to put it near the central-heating or other heating devices because air is drier there. When you bring the birds in be careful because the make lots of mess around especially when they start flying in the cage.
It is known that budgies like to have company – your feathery pet will feel best in the room where the whole family gathers. Choose a room, where you can let the bird fly free –this is very important for its education. Budgies also need fresh air – that it why the room should not be stifling. Exactly because of this reason the cage of the birds should not be put in the kitchen as some beginners do. The steam that appears when cooking is harmful for birds. Except for that, it is very dangerous when flying in the kitchen the budgie to have a tragic end. The cage should not be put in front of the window – there the sensitive feathery creatures very sensibly feel the atmosphere changes – the cold in winter and the burning sunrays in summer. The cage should not be exposed to draughts, very close to the radiator of the central heating or near the fire place. Whether the cage is placed on a special for this purpose rack is not very important – it could be placed on every solid table or shelf. But on a special rack the cage takes less space, it can be put higher, which the birds will like and it will be easier to move it.
Budgies suffer if the don't sleep enough. That is why you should cover their cage with a light material – it reduces light, but birds don't stay in full darkness.
2008年8月28日星期四
2008年8月23日星期六
Let's Buy Dog Clothes
There are some dog owners who frequently purchase clothing for their pets, while other dog owners think that buying clothing for a dog is unnecessary. Most people assume that dog clothing has no specific function and is only used to 'decorate' the animal. Actually, animal clothing, such as wraps, boots, coats, and collars, has very important and specific functions, not the least of which is to protect animals from dangers in the environment.
Protective Wraps
Protective wraps are similar to blankets, and they help to calm animals in the event of inclement weather, such as thunder or lightning. Also, protective wraps help alleviate tension, fear, or excitement in animals. A protective wrap provides warmth and a slight degree of pressure, which helps an anxious dog switch focus off of an intimidating environment to a sense of security. A dog might have to be trained to wear a protective wrap. An owner can introduce the wrap for short periods of time along with praise and treats. As the dog becomes accustomed to the wrap, extending the 'wearing time' will result in a greater degree of the intended, calming effect.
Foot Protection
Dog boots are manufactured for use by animals that live in severe-weather environments or who work in a service capacity that involves exposure to hazardous environments. Dogs that live in northern states, such as Minnesota, Maine, or New York, spend months living with winter weather. Temperatures fall well below zero, and snow blizzards aren't uncommon in the north and east. Dog boots are made to protect canine feet from environmental dangers such as snow, ice, heat, and chemicals. Dog clothing, such as protective boots, is used most effectively by animals that are in a service capacity. This footwear protects feet from both weather dangers and dangers encountered while searching for lost hikers, people buried in collapsed buildings, and hidden drugs.
Coats and Raincoats
Inclement weather and hazardous environments can affect much more than a dog's feet. Service dogs were used by rescue workers to locate trapped people on 9/11, and they are frequently used after tornadoes or hurricanes to search for victims. Dogs in these environments need to wear clothing such as protective coats or raincoats. Protective coats help protect all dogs from distress or injury, and they enable service dogs to continue working in adverse environments, without injury.
Reflective Collars
Dog clothing, such as a collar, can help owners control their pet's movements. In addition, collars can be used as a tracking device for service dogs or dogs living in rural areas. Service animals, such as police dogs, may be required to chase criminals, search for missing persons, or sniff vehicles for drugs. A collar that contains an electronic tracking chip or reflective material enables the dog's owner to track the animal's movements and find its location at any time. Reflective collars provide accountability for an animal that is a valued animal in a service capacity.
Dog clothing is generally viewed as a luxury, and dog owners are often seen as eccentric when they put clothing on their dogs. Dog clothing, such as protective wraps, foot protection, coats and raincoats, and reflective collars provide necessary protection for animals that live in inclement weather or are in potentially hazardous service capacities. Dog owners should look into available products that may be of benefit to their pet or service animal.
Protective Wraps
Protective wraps are similar to blankets, and they help to calm animals in the event of inclement weather, such as thunder or lightning. Also, protective wraps help alleviate tension, fear, or excitement in animals. A protective wrap provides warmth and a slight degree of pressure, which helps an anxious dog switch focus off of an intimidating environment to a sense of security. A dog might have to be trained to wear a protective wrap. An owner can introduce the wrap for short periods of time along with praise and treats. As the dog becomes accustomed to the wrap, extending the 'wearing time' will result in a greater degree of the intended, calming effect.
Foot Protection
Dog boots are manufactured for use by animals that live in severe-weather environments or who work in a service capacity that involves exposure to hazardous environments. Dogs that live in northern states, such as Minnesota, Maine, or New York, spend months living with winter weather. Temperatures fall well below zero, and snow blizzards aren't uncommon in the north and east. Dog boots are made to protect canine feet from environmental dangers such as snow, ice, heat, and chemicals. Dog clothing, such as protective boots, is used most effectively by animals that are in a service capacity. This footwear protects feet from both weather dangers and dangers encountered while searching for lost hikers, people buried in collapsed buildings, and hidden drugs.
Coats and Raincoats
Inclement weather and hazardous environments can affect much more than a dog's feet. Service dogs were used by rescue workers to locate trapped people on 9/11, and they are frequently used after tornadoes or hurricanes to search for victims. Dogs in these environments need to wear clothing such as protective coats or raincoats. Protective coats help protect all dogs from distress or injury, and they enable service dogs to continue working in adverse environments, without injury.
Reflective Collars
Dog clothing, such as a collar, can help owners control their pet's movements. In addition, collars can be used as a tracking device for service dogs or dogs living in rural areas. Service animals, such as police dogs, may be required to chase criminals, search for missing persons, or sniff vehicles for drugs. A collar that contains an electronic tracking chip or reflective material enables the dog's owner to track the animal's movements and find its location at any time. Reflective collars provide accountability for an animal that is a valued animal in a service capacity.
Dog clothing is generally viewed as a luxury, and dog owners are often seen as eccentric when they put clothing on their dogs. Dog clothing, such as protective wraps, foot protection, coats and raincoats, and reflective collars provide necessary protection for animals that live in inclement weather or are in potentially hazardous service capacities. Dog owners should look into available products that may be of benefit to their pet or service animal.
2008年8月14日星期四
How to Train Your Dog The Basics
If you think about it from a dogs point of view, training a dog is a simple process. Each time your dog does the thing you want, you should reward it and when it does not do it right just ignore it. You can teach your dog in a way that they will associate a reward with a gesture or sound. Lets say you give your dog a treat that you have in your hand and say eat every time. Over a period of time your dog will associate the word eat with food and every time you say this word your dog will be expecting he or she will be getting some food.
Positive or negative reinforcement is where you reward your dog for doing something right or when something not so pleasant stops when your dog does something right.
Positive reinforcement is where you praise your dog every time it does something right. So when you say sit and your dog sits you say good dog and give her a treat.
Negative reinforcement is where you have to help your dog first, lets say you say the command sit again and your dog does nothing so you push down on your dogs hind quarters. Then when your dog sits you stop pushing, that is using the negative reinforcement to strengthen the command sit.
To train your dog you must be consistent all the time, its no good letting your dog do something one day and then changing it the next. Your dog will become confused and will not understand.
To get your dog to obey your command every time you say it you need to repeat it in different environments and situations. If you just train your dog in the back garden and then take him or her over the park and say the command your dog might not do it the first couple of times. Tour dog might think that the commands are just for the back garden only. This process is only to be taught after your dog will obey your command in the back garden, not before.
Skinners conditioning is where your dog will repeat something he or she has done and been rewarded for. Lets say you are having a barbeque and your dog comes over and puts her paw on your leg or knee. You might give your dog a piece of chicken or meat you are eating but your dog will then associate this as a good experience and he or she might do this every time you are eating and expect a reward.
Positive or negative reinforcement is where you reward your dog for doing something right or when something not so pleasant stops when your dog does something right.
Positive reinforcement is where you praise your dog every time it does something right. So when you say sit and your dog sits you say good dog and give her a treat.
Negative reinforcement is where you have to help your dog first, lets say you say the command sit again and your dog does nothing so you push down on your dogs hind quarters. Then when your dog sits you stop pushing, that is using the negative reinforcement to strengthen the command sit.
To train your dog you must be consistent all the time, its no good letting your dog do something one day and then changing it the next. Your dog will become confused and will not understand.
To get your dog to obey your command every time you say it you need to repeat it in different environments and situations. If you just train your dog in the back garden and then take him or her over the park and say the command your dog might not do it the first couple of times. Tour dog might think that the commands are just for the back garden only. This process is only to be taught after your dog will obey your command in the back garden, not before.
Skinners conditioning is where your dog will repeat something he or she has done and been rewarded for. Lets say you are having a barbeque and your dog comes over and puts her paw on your leg or knee. You might give your dog a piece of chicken or meat you are eating but your dog will then associate this as a good experience and he or she might do this every time you are eating and expect a reward.
2008年8月9日星期六
Determine How Much Your Pet Is Worth
Has the cost of caring for your pet become too much? Exactly how much is too much to spend on a pet? The human society reported last year that there are over 73 million dogs in America, and 90 million cats. And this is only the ones that are known about and documented. A whopping 40 percent of all households have at least one dog, and 35 percent of all households have at least one cat.
Let's assume for a moment that you bought your pet. For an average purebred dog, you might expect to pay anywhere from $400 - $1200 dollars. This is just for the puppy, and will only likely include your first puppy vaccination shots. Within a few months you will also be looking at the cost of additional veterinary visits, cost of chew toys, food, training, crates, supplies, and any repair costs for chewed furniture. A generally healthy dog will still incur on average $200 per year in veterinary bills and a cat's average bill will be only slightly lower. But what if your dog or cat is not healthy?
The first step involves training your pets
The first things to keep in mind about your family pet is what things you can do to help lower the cost of maintenance. For starters, the first step would be to have your pets trained. You can either have your pets professionally trained, or you can choose to do this at home. There are many programs out there that will be quite effective for training all but the most aggressive canines. Unfortunately cats are not as trainable as dogs, but they still can be trained for some things like litter box usage. The better your pet is trained, the less likely they will incur potential damage to themselves or your belongings. The type and amount of training will also depend on the breed of dog you own.
Any dog owner who has had a puppy knows that they like to chew. This constant desire to chew things is often the greatest cause of property damage, next to digging, and frequently leads to a vet trip for some items that are accidentally swallowed whole. Some breeds, like golden retrievers are notorious for swallowing almost any item. Mine once swallowed an entire sock. Luckily though, this sock filled with grass was vomited up safely an hour later and did not require surgery to remove it. Make sure your puppy is trained to chew on specific items or toys. Once the puppy has learned that these items are good and others are bad, you can lessen the chance of emergency vet visits
Training your pets will also offer the benefit of pets that listen to their owners. Pets like to go for walks. Larger breed dogs such as Malamutes or German Shepherd can be quite strong and hard to control. There are wonderful training aids available to help curb your dogs of the desire to pull on his leash. One such item is often seen on a horse, and it is called a halter. First of all, when used properly, a halter will not harm your dog in any manner. I used one quite successfully with a large malamute, which is a breed of sledding dogs that are known for pulling.
The halter is designed to be placed over the dog's muzzle and attached to a leash or collar. When the dog starts to tug on the leash, the halter will provide a slight backwards tug on the dog's nose forcing the dog to turn his head. This gives the dog a moment of pause to let them know they should not be pulling ahead. Within a few days of using this item the malamute went from constantly strong pulling to gently walking beside the owner. The owner no longer worried about the dog running off and getting hurt.
The top issues that you will need to address for training purposes will include potty training, digging, biting, jumping, and coming when called. Training your pet will make your pet happier, and less likely to get into trouble in some manner. The pets will no longer poop in your home, they won't jump on strangers, and you will be able to control them when you're out in public.
Other issues besides training,
A well trained pet will considerably help to lower your overall cost of ownership. But there are also other steps that can be taken as well. One thing that we think about for ourselves is called preventative maintenance. A good number of animal owners do not think about brushing their pet's teeth, regular pet baths, or general grooming. This is often thought of for the "show dog", or the "high society" pet. But just like us, they can become infected with a myriad of disease or health issues due to being unclean. Regular bathing will also help control any potential problems with fleas, ticks and other parasites.
With a little time, patience, and practice you will be able to do a professional quality grooming in your own home. This does not need to be done by a vet or some expensive grooming shop. If you do not have the time to do this yourself, then make sure you shop around for a good groomer. Get recommendations from friends, family or your vet.
Pet foods are also a big concern when it comes to cost. Many people do not realize that most store bought brands of dog foods are not good for your pets. Think of this like eating fast food every day. Much of the common dog food consists of filler products. These can be ground up chicken, pork, or beef bones or other parts. Some pets may even develop allergies to commonly found ingredients in these major brand foods.
Pet foods with a high content of filler will not satisfy your dog's daily meal or nutritional requirements. This will often lead to repeat feedings to satisfy your dogs hunger, and if your dog remains hungry it may resort to chewing other items again. Try to keep your pet on a consistent diet as well. Too many changes from one brand to another can cause problems with their stomach or digestive systems.
We often think buying a 50 pound bag is cheaper. Until years down the line and our pet is losing his fur or becomes unhealthy for no apparent reason. Make sure to ask your vet about healthier alternatives to buying these "cheap" store foods
We own pets because we love them. They have grown to be parts of our families. We take them with us when we go on vacations, we walk them everyday through rain and snow, and we do our best to care for them. Many of us would say that our pets are priceless and that we would pay any price to keep our loving pets with us a little longer. Unfortunately we often think of this when it has become too late, or too expensive, and this does not need to be the case.
If you have a pet that you love, then like any child, get them on the healthy path early on. Feed then good quality foods, take them for regular checkups, and keep your dog clean and well trained. Consider getting things like baseline x-rays for comparison so that you will know if your pet has hip or elbow problems in the future. If you think of your pet as one of the family, then please treat them like one and take care of them with preventative care. Your pet will thank you for this treatment with many more years of additional love and devotion.
Let's assume for a moment that you bought your pet. For an average purebred dog, you might expect to pay anywhere from $400 - $1200 dollars. This is just for the puppy, and will only likely include your first puppy vaccination shots. Within a few months you will also be looking at the cost of additional veterinary visits, cost of chew toys, food, training, crates, supplies, and any repair costs for chewed furniture. A generally healthy dog will still incur on average $200 per year in veterinary bills and a cat's average bill will be only slightly lower. But what if your dog or cat is not healthy?
The first step involves training your pets
The first things to keep in mind about your family pet is what things you can do to help lower the cost of maintenance. For starters, the first step would be to have your pets trained. You can either have your pets professionally trained, or you can choose to do this at home. There are many programs out there that will be quite effective for training all but the most aggressive canines. Unfortunately cats are not as trainable as dogs, but they still can be trained for some things like litter box usage. The better your pet is trained, the less likely they will incur potential damage to themselves or your belongings. The type and amount of training will also depend on the breed of dog you own.
Any dog owner who has had a puppy knows that they like to chew. This constant desire to chew things is often the greatest cause of property damage, next to digging, and frequently leads to a vet trip for some items that are accidentally swallowed whole. Some breeds, like golden retrievers are notorious for swallowing almost any item. Mine once swallowed an entire sock. Luckily though, this sock filled with grass was vomited up safely an hour later and did not require surgery to remove it. Make sure your puppy is trained to chew on specific items or toys. Once the puppy has learned that these items are good and others are bad, you can lessen the chance of emergency vet visits
Training your pets will also offer the benefit of pets that listen to their owners. Pets like to go for walks. Larger breed dogs such as Malamutes or German Shepherd can be quite strong and hard to control. There are wonderful training aids available to help curb your dogs of the desire to pull on his leash. One such item is often seen on a horse, and it is called a halter. First of all, when used properly, a halter will not harm your dog in any manner. I used one quite successfully with a large malamute, which is a breed of sledding dogs that are known for pulling.
The halter is designed to be placed over the dog's muzzle and attached to a leash or collar. When the dog starts to tug on the leash, the halter will provide a slight backwards tug on the dog's nose forcing the dog to turn his head. This gives the dog a moment of pause to let them know they should not be pulling ahead. Within a few days of using this item the malamute went from constantly strong pulling to gently walking beside the owner. The owner no longer worried about the dog running off and getting hurt.
The top issues that you will need to address for training purposes will include potty training, digging, biting, jumping, and coming when called. Training your pet will make your pet happier, and less likely to get into trouble in some manner. The pets will no longer poop in your home, they won't jump on strangers, and you will be able to control them when you're out in public.
Other issues besides training,
A well trained pet will considerably help to lower your overall cost of ownership. But there are also other steps that can be taken as well. One thing that we think about for ourselves is called preventative maintenance. A good number of animal owners do not think about brushing their pet's teeth, regular pet baths, or general grooming. This is often thought of for the "show dog", or the "high society" pet. But just like us, they can become infected with a myriad of disease or health issues due to being unclean. Regular bathing will also help control any potential problems with fleas, ticks and other parasites.
With a little time, patience, and practice you will be able to do a professional quality grooming in your own home. This does not need to be done by a vet or some expensive grooming shop. If you do not have the time to do this yourself, then make sure you shop around for a good groomer. Get recommendations from friends, family or your vet.
Pet foods are also a big concern when it comes to cost. Many people do not realize that most store bought brands of dog foods are not good for your pets. Think of this like eating fast food every day. Much of the common dog food consists of filler products. These can be ground up chicken, pork, or beef bones or other parts. Some pets may even develop allergies to commonly found ingredients in these major brand foods.
Pet foods with a high content of filler will not satisfy your dog's daily meal or nutritional requirements. This will often lead to repeat feedings to satisfy your dogs hunger, and if your dog remains hungry it may resort to chewing other items again. Try to keep your pet on a consistent diet as well. Too many changes from one brand to another can cause problems with their stomach or digestive systems.
We often think buying a 50 pound bag is cheaper. Until years down the line and our pet is losing his fur or becomes unhealthy for no apparent reason. Make sure to ask your vet about healthier alternatives to buying these "cheap" store foods
We own pets because we love them. They have grown to be parts of our families. We take them with us when we go on vacations, we walk them everyday through rain and snow, and we do our best to care for them. Many of us would say that our pets are priceless and that we would pay any price to keep our loving pets with us a little longer. Unfortunately we often think of this when it has become too late, or too expensive, and this does not need to be the case.
If you have a pet that you love, then like any child, get them on the healthy path early on. Feed then good quality foods, take them for regular checkups, and keep your dog clean and well trained. Consider getting things like baseline x-rays for comparison so that you will know if your pet has hip or elbow problems in the future. If you think of your pet as one of the family, then please treat them like one and take care of them with preventative care. Your pet will thank you for this treatment with many more years of additional love and devotion.
2008年8月3日星期日
The Manx: Good Protectors, Good for Children
Are you looking for a cat that would make a great pet for your children, one that could grow up with them? Then you might want to seriously consider getting a Manx kitten. Originally a working cat, the Manx is a fierce, dedicated hunter. They are also extremely protective of their homes. Upon hearing a strange noise or disturbance, the Manx will produce a low growling sound. You must be particularly careful to keep your Manx away from strange dogs, as the Manx are prone to attack them. In spite of this, the Manx is affectionate, friendly, even-tempered and mellow, and possess a strong desire to be with people. They will follow you wherever you go and try diligently to be helpful, too. Not prone to restive movement, Manx cats love to curl up in your lap for a nap, and don't like getting on things. You will most likely find one at a human's eye level like tables, bookcases, and chair backs.You can't beat them for companionship, either. The Manx loves to talk to you. Although their voice is unusually quiet for a cat its size, it will trill not only to its kittens but also in response to your talking. They're not timid cats, although if they're used to peace and quiet, a loud noise will startle them. Typically, they base their own reactions on those of the people who live with them.As for how a Manx looks, they are basically a round cat, with round eyes, round body, round head, round rump, and even round paws, with its most striking feature being the complete absence of a tale. A Manx has only a slight indentation or dimple where you would usually find the tail. They come in just about every pattern, and range in color from red, blue, and cream, to white, black, and brown and are typically a mackerel tabby, tortoiseshell, solid, and bi-colored or calico.Manx cats are originally from the Isle of Man, which is located off the coast of Great Britain. They share the same common ancestors as the British Shorthair. Several hundred years ago, a spontaneous mutation resulted in the birth of kittens that were born without the vertebrae that usually form the tail of the cat. And because it is a dominant gene trait, most cats on the Isle of Man eventually became tailless.There are a number of mythological tales surrounding the origins of the Manx cat. One says that Noah cut off the tail with the door of the Ark when it started raining. Another British folk tale claims that the kittens' mothers bit their tales off in order to keep humans from snatching them away. The Manx cat also was considered to be a sacred animal in Welsh legends, and in New Guinea, their owners cut off the tails so that if the cat was ever stolen, they could bury the tail with special spells that would bring misfortune to the unsuspecting thief.
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