Pets - 11 November 2007

2007-11-11 03:19:44 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cats

I know that many do not approve of Christmas puppies, but the fact is, they will be given. Some will be gifted into peril, and some will be the treasured gift that keeps on giving.

That said ... what are some of the things that the giver should also provide for, along with the puppy? What is the responsibility of accepting such a gift? And for those that are to be made aware that a Christmas puppy is in their future, how should they prepare for what the morning will bring?

Tony Ancheta

2007-11-11 03:17:34 · 19 answers · asked by koehlerdogtraining © 5 in Dogs

My future-husband and I just got back from a weekend trip. We have two kittens, a male tabby, and a female purebred Siamese. I had my sister check on them every day, she would give them breakfast, play with them a little, and clean out the litter box.

I guess Ariel, my Siamese, had a very hard time adjusting. She barely ate, and was extremely frightened from what my sister was telling me.

When we got home last night, she continued to be scared and barely came around for the first hour. That all changed when we went to bed. She HAD to be on top of us the whole night. Meowing, crying, the works. And, very rarely does she sleep with us.

I feel so bad. Is this going to happen every time we go on a trip? What can I do different next time? She has her buddy Armin to keep her company, but it didn't seem like it was enough. Thanks in advance!

2007-11-11 03:12:39 · 6 answers · asked by I hate Doodles!!!!! 4 in Cats

I often wonder why the bird bangs away on a tree all day long.

2007-11-11 03:11:14 · 27 answers · asked by Crazy G 1 in Birds

having to change litter trays a lot more than normal.....he seems great in himself and has no ill health or any strange changes or habits .

2007-11-11 03:09:25 · 7 answers · asked by loulou 4 in Cats

I bought him without KC registration and would like to register him. I would like to show him when hes older and possibly stud him. Can anyone offer any advice on this matter?

2007-11-11 03:06:09 · 17 answers · asked by angel-eyes 4 in Dogs

i've got mice, and one of the females had babies. there are 8 babies. but how do i know which mouse is their mommy?

2007-11-11 03:04:17 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Rodents

I never thought he could be so deadly. He's such a passive dog. He let's my 2 year old niece ride his back.

My sister found the kitten (we named her Tinker) on Thursday and this morning about an hour ago my dog (Mastiff&German Shepherd mix) was in the house and I was trying to get him out and I let the room door where the cat was in open (stupidly) and I turned my back and I heard the cat hiss and the dog went after her and now she's dead.

This is all my fault. I'm such an idiot. To make it worse I don't know how I can ever trust my dog again. He's about 3-4 years old and it was a kitten (about 3 months old) that he just killed.

How do I re-gain trust in my not so gentle giant?

2007-11-11 03:03:56 · 51 answers · asked by Anonymous in Dogs

It inside the house then I put her in the basement. And then when I let her out she still uses the bathroom inside the house. And then I put her in the basement again. Why oesn't she get it?

2007-11-11 02:44:32 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Dogs

2007-11-11 02:41:26 · 13 answers · asked by Annie 2 in Birds

After reading some people's answers on here - it seems that if you work, you shouldn't keep a dog. At all.

It's "cruel".

I work full time and have a dog. Where I live, we have to pay money for dog food, veterinary care. The only way I've found to bring in money is to have a job.

So, this is a question to all you 'responsible' dog owners. You know, the ones who don't work.

Where does the money come from to pay for your dog's food and veterinary treatment?

Is dog food and veterinary care free where you live?

2007-11-11 02:37:36 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Dogs

i have a new rabbit, and she is really skinny. i gave her food everyday and same with water, but she is still really skinny. why is this and how can i make her fat again?

please and thank you!

2007-11-11 02:23:43 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Other - Pets

2007-11-11 02:15:46 · 1 answers · asked by Anonymous in Fish

PUPPIES AS CHRISTMAS PRESENTS?


by Lexiann Grant
Email: lexiann@frognet.net
Copyright© 1999

The following article has been provided by the above author. All copy rights are held by the author and any reproduction of this material in whole or in part must have the authors approval.



"Accepting deposits now for Christmas puppies," classified advertisements read at this time of year. Are you considering getting a dog for Christmas or thinking about giving someone else a puppy as a present? Do pets make good Christmas gifts?

"Puppies just don't make good presents because they need so much attention and care," said Candy Roberts, Humane Officer at the Humane Society of the Ohio Valley.


Puppies require constant attention and supervision when you first bring them home. They must be fed three to four times daily. Housetraining must start immediately and is a time-consuming process. Puppies usually need to go out every time they eat, drink, play or wake up from a nap, including the sleepiest hours of these cold, winter nights.


During the holiday season people are so busy that they don't have the time it takes to fulfill a new pup's 'round the clock demands. It's unfair to bring a young dog into the chaos of holiday celebrations and ignore their needs.


"Christmas is not a good time to introduce a new animal into a household. It is best done later, when things are calmer and there's more time to help the puppy adjust to their new surroundings," said Daneen Pacifico, board member of the Humane Society of Parkersburg, West Virginia.


With all the activity during this season, it's possible that the puppy may be frightened or distressed. A new pet may also be upset by the stressful emotions of the humans around them. A stressed pet, particularly an energetic and playful pup who is left unsupervised, is more likely to get into trouble.


The rich fare served during the holidays can irresistibly tempt a constantly-hungry pup to steal and devour these goodies from the table or garbage. Another temptation is to hand feed a new puppy tidbits as a special meal. Having access to spicy, fatty or excessively-sweet Christmas foods is a recipe for having a sick puppy.


Other Christmas dangers for new pets include their investigations of shiny decorations with wonderfully strange odors. Most puppies explore by mouthing objects that interest them. If a pup chews on decorative lights, extension cords, glass ornaments, tinsel or leaves from seasonal plants, they could become injured, seriously ill or even die. A dead puppy is not a good Christmas present.


What about additional health considerations of Christmas puppies? Were the sire and dam healthy? How about further back in the pedigree -- are there any genetic illnesses -- did the breeder spend the time and money to check?


Puppies advertised as Christmas presents have most often been bred to bring their owner extra cash for the holidays. Since breeding a healthy litter costs more than can be recovered in sales, these so-called breeders may have cut corners by withholding important veterinary and nutritional care to the pups.


Also, was the litter an accident? Most reputable breeders do not have litters available during the holidays because puppies that are given as presents seldom remain in their first home. Some of these puppies end up at animal shelters, where parents may bring their children in at the last minute to pick a pet as a Christmas present.


"They don't need or really want a dog when it gets that close. It's a last minute thing then. Getting a pet isn't a spur of the moment decision," said Roberts.


Prospective owners need time to prepare for the family's new addition. The purchase of a puppy should be part of a well-researched, thorough and forward-looking plan.

"A puppy is not something that looks cute and is taken on a whim, then after a short time is returned to the shelter. We close the shelter to the public the day before Christmas to try and prevent adoptions made on a whim. These are living creatures that deserve a huge commitment. To do that someone must be ready to take on this big responsibility." said Pacifico.


Roberts said, "After the excitement is over, many kids get tired of taking care of a puppy and the parents won't do it because they're too busy. So, about half of our puppies that are adopted during the holiday season end up being brought back to the shelter. Pets aren't like toys. When you get bored with them you can't throw them away and get a different 'toy.' If you do that with a dog, it hurts them."


There are more reasons for never giving an animal as a present. Selecting a pet is a personal choice, not something one individual can do for another. What if the receiver doesn't want the puppy? Do the kids and the new dog get along? This should be determined in advance of permanently acquiring a pet.


"We advocate that if a person wants a puppy, they should choose the pet themselves so that it is compatible with their lifestyle. They must want it, agree to accept responsibility for it and be willing to provide care for the animal," said Pacifico.


If the decision to get or give a puppy as a present has definitely been made - hopefully with much forethought - breeders and humane officers make the following recommendations. Give a gift certificate, a stuffed animal or pet-care items at Christmas. Wait to bring the new pup home until after the holidays are finished and people's homes and schedules are less hectic. The right puppy will be worth the wait.


More people buy puppies as presents than other types of pets, but animals such as kittens, ferrets, birds and reptiles should also not be given during the holidays for the same reasons.


The commitment to a newly acquired pet must last the lifetime of that animal, not just on Christmas Day. So before deciding to give a puppy - or any other animal - as a gift remember: Pets Are Forever.

2007-11-11 02:14:11 · 11 answers · asked by Pequeña Traviesa ™ 3 in Dogs

My dog is a 5-month old mini maltese, and has been with us for almost 2 months.

whenever we take him out for walks, and try to socialize him with others dogs, he always growls or barks at them, no matter how much bigger the dogs are compared to him.sometimes he tries to bite or scratch the dogs, no matter how friendly the dogs might be to him.

For instance,earlier today, we took our dog out to a dog cafe where a maltese gathering was held. There were about 15 maltese dogs there, about 10 or so of other different breeds. we tried socializing him with almost all the dogs, except the really big ones. They tried sniffing his butt and playing with him and so on, but he snapped at every single one of them, and almost bit off the noses of quite a few dogs.

He has no problems with humans though. He gets really excited when he meets a human stranger, but he has got huge problems socializing with dogs.

Why is my dog behaving this way?
And what can we do to correct his behavior?

2007-11-11 02:12:43 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Dogs

I have a bd and he just yawend

2007-11-11 02:07:54 · 18 answers · asked by xXx-CrAzYsMuRf911-xXx 2 in Reptiles

what sort of little peaceful fish should I put in it with neon tetras.How many fish can I put in my tank?

2007-11-11 02:05:43 · 3 answers · asked by tokoyojo 1 in Fish

Thanks for the great replies on messy litter box woes ...

Now my other problem ... our kitten's stinky butt is not going away ..

I changed his food ...
I've washed his butt ... only for it to actually smell even worse after doing it!
He will start cleaning his butt, but then stops almost immediately.
My older cat even think this is a problem ... on a regular basis, Buddha will wrestle Baby down and give him a good cleaning ... yet baby still stinks.

Honestly, this is making it hard for me and my hubby to bond with the little guy. .. which is so important to me.

He hasn't yet been given a real name ... maybe it should be SCHTANKY butt boy!

Any other suggestions? Thanks so much!

2007-11-11 02:04:15 · 5 answers · asked by Curioustress 1 in Cats

im considering buying one of this dogs and was wondereing if anyone has any advice etc..
thank you

2007-11-11 02:00:00 · 11 answers · asked by Duckzee 3 in Dogs

7 corydoras, 11 platies (5 are dwarves, won't get over 1.5''), 1 paradise gourami, 1 opaline gourami. I do w/c's every week, plus gravel vacuum every week.

Here's a picture, as of yesterday.
http://s167.photobucket.com/albums/u151/abnmfish/?action=view¤t=PictureorVideo022.jpg

2007-11-11 01:51:24 · 11 answers · asked by abnm 3 in Fish

Ok now i have more space to type. Found kit in yard, only 1.5 lbs. eats dry or wet food. Readily uses kitty litter, but cries out loud, when either peeing or poohing. Got her to vet same day I found him. Had one eye close due to conjuctivitis, using ointment and worm meds. Gave bath. Apparantly fleas liked the bath. Found fleas on her, combed the best I could, and re-bathed. Some dead fleas on towel, but not in the water, cannot use flea shampoo or meds on yet too yet..help...why the cry and how do u get fleas off when they didn't come off body when bathed in deep water.finally some drowned and came off......just vacuumed everywhere and washed bedding in case....so little, the cries don't seem normal unless used to mother egging on to pee or pooh or doens't like feel of litter..anyone have these experiences...at wits end for the little guy.......will call vet tomorrow if persists...ty chris

2007-11-11 01:37:36 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cats

2007-11-11 01:35:15 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Birds

2007-11-11 01:31:17 · 13 answers · asked by Austin M 1 in Cats

2007-11-11 01:29:29 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Dogs

Can you tell me what prices you pay to have your dog groomed and what state you are from please.
i.e. cocker bath & clip = $45.00.
Thanks, I'm trying to get average prices.

2007-11-11 01:25:08 · 5 answers · asked by buzzword07 3 in Dogs

2007-11-11 01:24:49 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Dogs

He looks sort of like a Koovas mix, but he is not a husky as he is way too big. What other dogs have a blue eye brown eye combo that he could be part of. I suspect he is part lab or Koovas and part?

2007-11-11 01:24:43 · 6 answers · asked by Cy Gold 4 in Dogs

I cant find anymore in my neighborhood

2007-11-11 01:22:31 · 12 answers · asked by simplyconfusednohio 1 in Other - Pets

i'm scared

2007-11-11 01:14:26 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Reptiles

I woke up this morning with my cat beside me when I turn to tell him good morning I notice he has a glue like substance on one eye. That eye will not open. Is this anything I should be worried about? What is it? Can my family catch it? What can I do to help him?

2007-11-11 01:12:40 · 7 answers · asked by Me Myself & I 4 in Cats