Homestyle Gossip

Diet plays a very important role in your kitten‘s health and development. Kittens naturally need to be fed with proper and well-balanced meals to fuel their growth. Keep in mind that a well-balanced diet is more than just emptying a can of cat food into their bowls. A nutritious cat meal will require your attention and your time in preparation.

During the first few weeks of birth, kittens depend solely on their mother’s milk for nutrition. Cat owners may only start feeding their felines with kitten food when they are four to eight weeks old to complement the milk. However, if kitten food is not immediately available, you can choose to temporarily feed them with adult cat food softened with water. At eight months, your kitten’s stomach should be able to handle eating purely kitten food alone.

When buying kittens from a breeder, make sure to ask about the brand of kitten food they use for feeding. A kitten’s digestive system may still be very sensitive and different kitten chow brands may contain varying ingredients and formulations. If you plan to switch brands, do this very gradually to avoid indigestion. Buy one or two cans of your old kitten food and mix them with the new brand at gradually decreasing amounts.

From eight weeks to six months, your kittens will be growing at an incredibly fast rate and will require large amounts of food to fuel the growth. Your kitten’s digestive system is still very small so they may need to eat several times in a day. Four small meals a day should be sufficient enough to supply them with all their needed nutrients. Remember to give them unlimited access to clean drinking water as well.

Growth usually slows down when your cats reach six months of age. During this time, they’ll become less active as well. At six months, you can now safely cut back your usual meal frequency to 2-3 times a day. Do not start feeding them with adult cat food just yet. Although growth will significantly slow down, your kittens are still not completely ready for adult food formulation.

The best time to start feeding your cats with adult cat food is when they reach a year old. This time, feeding them will become less of a hassle. Cats at this age are now able to feed themselves without your constant attention. You can simply fill their bowls with cat food and they should be good to go. Canned cat food is a very popular choice among pet owners but dry foods may be used in combination with this as well.

One potentially dangerous behaviour that you should always watch out for is overeating. Although most felines eat only when they are hungry, the constant and unregulated presence of food may slowly give rise to this unhealthy habit. If your cat is starting to become overweight, limit their meals to two times a day.

Also be very meticulous about the brand of kitten or cat food that you use. Choose brands that are nutritionally complete and well-balanced. Do your research before selecting a brand or better yet, ask advice from your local vet.

Hamsters and guinea pigs are both types of rodents that many individuals have found to be adorable pets in their homes. This comes as no surprise. There are so many appealing attributes in both a hamster and a guinea pig from their round bodies covered in soft fur of various colours to their cute wide eyes, perky ears and small squeaky sounds.

As an owner of these pet rodents, you should know about their diet simply. Food and water are, after all, essential in keeping your pets healthy in mind and body at all stages of their lives. Besides, you can significantly lessen your veterinary care costs for your pets when you keep them as healthy as possible with a healthy diet.

So, what exactly do hamsters and guinea pigs eat? Before we discuss these foods, there are three important things that must be emphasized first and foremost. First, a hamster requires very little food because of their equally small intestinal tract. Experts recommend feeding an adult hamster or guinea pig a maximum of 2 tablespoons of food every 24 hours, less for a smaller hamster.

Second, both pet rodents should be provided with a wide range of foods from fresh grasses and hay to fruits and vegetables. Keep in mind that, in the wild, these animals also eat a varied diet depending on the available food sources in their environment. Plus, a varied diet ensures that these pet rodents are provided with all the necessary macro and micronutrients including Vitamins A, C, D and E as well as calcium, phosphorus and potassium for good health.

Third, hamsters and guinea pigs have certain dietary quirks. A hamster will stuff virtually everything into its cheeks, which is an instinctive habit to collect as much food as possible for the rainy days. A guinea pig will eat a special type of feces called cecotropes, which will then improve digestion.

The most obvious food for these pet rodents is grass preferably on a daily basis. Be careful about choosing the type of grass to feed your hamster and cavy. The grass should be free of pesticides, insecticides and weed killers; it should be as dry as possible; and it must be picked from a place where no other animal has soiled on it. Wet grass and other plants can cause illnesses in both pet rodents.

Hamsters and cavies also like hay especially during the winter months when the grasses are too wet. It contains plenty of fibre, thus, making hay an essential part of your pet rodents’ diet. Experts suggest timothy hay for its soft qualities, easy availability and low cost.

Vegetables are better food sources than fruits because the latter may be too sweet and, hence, cause health issues in pet rodents. Still, fruits can be given as treats. The best fruits and vegetables for pet rodents are carrots, broccoli, cabbage, cucumber, celery; kale and kiwi although these should be given in small amounts only for 3 times a week, max. Avoid feeding pet rodents with rhubarb, raw beans, lettuce, peaches, potatoes, coconut and cauliflower.

You can also feed your hamsters and cavies with dried foods and nutritional supplements made especially for them. This way, you can supplement the nutrients they receive from their natural food sources. No matter what you feed your pet rodents, the most important thing is always moderation lest they become obese.

Both man and his pets need a holiday, away from the stresses and pressures of modern life, away from it all, so to speak. Fortunately, pet friendly holidays are now possible thanks in part to dog friendly hotels, apartments and even bed and breakfasts.

Why book pet friendly accommodation, you may ask? Common sense reveals the reasons: Pet-friendly services, amenities and facilities in a luxury hotel or a budget inn means greater convenience for both man and animal. For example, the dog friendly hotel provides for a wide variety of sleeping arrangements for dogs of all breeds including beds, beddings and crates as well as a wide selection of food items from dog food to treats. There may even be a shop for pet clothes!

When looking for accommodations for yourself and your pet, be sure to ask detailed questions and get satisfactory answers before actually booking your room. Just because the website or the reception area of the hotel says that it offers pet friendly accommodation does not necessarily mean it is the best among the dog friendly hotels in the area. Take a physical or virtual tour of the premises; look at their facilities and amenities; and ask questions about their arrangements for guests’ pets.

Don’t worry about not being able to find pet-friendly establishments in the United Kingdom. The hospitality industry is well aware of the trend of taking pets on vacations and, thus, its major players continue to offer innovations in pet-friendly services, amenities and facilities. A few luxury hotels are even offering lavish accommodations for dogs and cats such as separate suites coupled with professional pet handlers, groomers and tailors.

The level of services offered and facilities provided by dog friendly hotels differ from one establishment to the next. Budget hotels can only offer the most basic amenities like a dog bed so you should bring along dog supplies to last your stay. Luxury hotels can offer plush dog beds, high-end dog treats and even dog spa services to truly pamper spoiled pets.

It should also be noted that hotels with pet-friendly policies and corresponding services will charge extra fees. These charges can cover possible damage to the hotel’s premises and property, which is not surprising since even domesticated animals can be rambunctious in unfamiliar surroundings. Don’t be surprised, too, if certain charges are added to your bill for specific violations of pet-related rules and regulations in dog friendly hotels.

Now, when you have booked your room in the hotel, your next step is to make the travel arrangements from your home to your chosen vacation spot. Aside from your usual packing of clothes, personal accessories and personal travel documents, you must also pack your pet dog’s stuff. Think of its crate, leash and even favorite toys and treats as well as its vaccinations, which mean that you should coordinate with your vet.

Upon arriving at your vacation destination, you can unwind and relax with your pet in tow. This begins your pet friendly accommodation, which started when you first considered the fine selection of dog friendly hotels in the area.

Dogs adopted from animal rescue shelters require similar level of care in comparison with their counterparts who grew up in their homes as puppies. However, it should also be noted that these rescued canines may have certain mental and physical issues borne of abuse and neglect from their previous owners. As such, certain accommodations must also be made in dog rehoming to account for their possible issues.

Let’s assume that you have already chosen the dog from the animal rescue shelter and you want to take it home now. You must remember certain key point before actually taking your new pet home as well as when it is already in your home. These key points will be the crucial turning points in your new pet’s successful integration into your home life.

The most important point is to refrain from hugging and kissing your dog as soon as it is out of its cage in the animal shelter. Yes, hugs and kisses may be a sign of human affection but it is not so for canines because these actions represent dominance and aggression where dogs are concerned. You are, in fact, exposing yourself to becoming the underling in the relationship, which you want to avoid since successful dog rehoming means being the alpha dog of the pack early on.

You should also not go straight home after getting your pet dog from the animal rescue shelter. Walk the dog first in the park and other open spaces for two main reasons. First, you want it to become accustomed to your presence instead of exposing it to other members of the family in a sudden manner. Second, you need to establish the rules of the relationship at the onset where said relationship involves you being the leader/alpha dog and your dog being the follower – not the other way around.

When you have established the most important rule of the relationship, your efforts at dog rehoming will be successful.  So, how exactly do you walk your new dog? You must make it heel on the lead without pulling and you should also go through entrances and exits first followed by your dog. You are establishing the rule that you lead and your dog follows.

Once on the doorstep of your home, be sure to enter first but do not unsnap your dog’s leash to prevent it from investigating your home on its own. Tell the other members of the family to avoid greeting the dog with hugs and kisses since it’s still too early for these actions. Your main goal is to introduce your dog to its new home in a calm manner – the lesser stress and stimulation given to your new pet, the better for your dog rehoming efforts.

Then, lead your dog into its crate or dog bed. Be sure that it is well-equipped with all the essential things that dogs need from comfortable bedding to dog treats and toys. This way, your new pet will associate positive things with being inside a crate in particular and in your home in general. When your new pet is comfortable in its new home, feed it from its own bowl.

Your next step is to lay out the rules of the house including where it will sleep, eat and play. Potty training is obviously your topmost priority followed by obedience training. In the end, you will find that, indeed, dog rehoming is not different from bringing a new puppy home except for the fact that you must deal with an older dog.

In many ways, taking care of your exotic pets involve similar activities as the usual pet care for cats and dogs – the more popular kinds of domestic animals. These activities involve providing for food and water, exercise and play, a warm place to stay and plenty of love as well as good veterinary care. After all, both exotic and popular pets need their owners to be responsible, caring and loving.

However, exotic animals require a special level of care simply because of their special needs. Keep in mind that canines and felines can easily be taken care of because of their familiarity with humans but reptiles, birds and spiders, among other kinds of exotic pets, require a certain level of maturity and sense of responsibility over and beyond the usual pet care to thrive in a home environment. As such, these exotic animals are not recommended for young kids because of safety issues for both man and pets.

So, how exactly can you take good care of exotic animals in your home? First, ask a professional animal caretaker, a veterinarian and expert pet owners the best ways to take care of your own exotic pet. You should ask questions like what, when and how to feed, handle and clean your exotic pet as well as what to look out for in terms of behaviour. In fact, you should be well-informed of proper care for exotic pets even before you bring them home in the first place.

Second, you must know the exotic animal’s history. Ask questions of the animal shelter staff about the animal’s social behaviour, medical history and other information that will be of use while it is in your care at home. Animal shelters usually keep detailed records for each animal in their care including its feeding habits, vaccinations and health issues, all of which your vet can refer to in the future.

Third, aside from gathering information about pet care for exotic animals, you should also find a good veterinarian. You want to avoid frantically searching the Yellow Pages for a nearby veterinarian when your exotic pet suddenly becomes ill. In fact, you will want to schedule an appointment with a good veterinarian as soon as your pet comes home just it can be checked over for any possible health issues.

Fourth, you should follow the recommendations suggested by the abovementioned experts on exotic pets especially when you are still a novice. For example, if the animal shelter staff said that your gerbils eat at a certain time with specific foods, follow the schedule and formulation for the diet. If the gerbils are also fond of certain items in their cages, you can also recreate their familiar environment at home. You are then helping your new pets make a good transition from the animal shelter to your home.

You should also closely observe your new pets in terms of their individual personalities – temperament, habits and quirks, for example. You can then adjust their feeding times, cage conditions and other aspects of caring for them as you see fit. Your attention to their needs and wants will make all the difference in their healthy physical and mental development while in your care. Indeed, exotic pets can be happy additions to your home if and when you know how to properly and lovingly take care of them.

Cats are naturally curious animals that have a habit of wandering away from their homes. Many of them who roam too far away from familiar territory get lost and become strays. And most of the time, these stray cats end up seeking shelter in someone else’s home.

If you see an unfamiliar cat hanging around your property for several days now, the very first thing that you need to do is to check if it is feral or a stray.  It’s very important that you know how to tell the difference. Stray cats are domesticated cats that have simply lost their way while feral cats are wild, undomesticated and are possibly dangerous. Be very careful when you spot these kinds of animals around your property as feral cats are not used to being around people and may show aggressive behaviour when approached.

If you want to catch the animal, always put your safety and the animal’s safety at first priority. Restrain the animal with a piece of cloth or put him in a cage. Check for any identification marks such as a collar, a tag or a microchip. If there are none, then you can go to your local vet to check for any reports of a lost animal and see if the description fits the appearance of your feline visitor. Try to contact possible owners or post posters around town in case someone recognizes the animal before asking help from cat rescue.

If you think the stray cat is in need of special medical attention, contact your local Cats Protection League or an animal rescue organization for assistance. The Cats Protection League and other similar organizations are experts at cat rescue and are dedicated to rehabilitating lost and abused cats.

Although it is completely safe to offer stray cats protection and shelter, make sure that you do not get too attached to the animal while they are under your care. You will eventually be returning them to their original owner so it’s best to avoid any kind of emotional attachment from the beginning.

If you wish to make your visitor a temporary home, you can do so by using old boxes and Styrofoam. Tape the box close and cut a small hole at the side for an entrance. Cover the outside of the box with used Styrofoam for insulation and with heavy duty plastic to make it waterproof.

If you still haven’t found the animal’s owner after a few days of searching, you can opt to adopt the cat yourself or you can contact the Cats Protection League or other similar animal charities to take care of the stray. These organizations will be responsible for finding these animals a suitable home.

Before taking the cat officially in to your home, take them to the vet and have them checked for diseases and existing medical problems. This is to prevent the spread of possible infectious diseases that your new pet may have contracted while in the wild.

So always be open to giving lost cats protection and shelter when they need it. Your simple hospitality can mean a whole lot to these homeless felines.

Deciding on what type of dog to get will always require a good amount of time and research. This is mostly because there are different kinds of dog breeds fit for different types of owners. So before you go out looking for that potential pet to bring home, here are a few very important factors that you need to consider.

One of the best places that you can turn for pet adoptions today are the animal rescue centres. Rescue centres are organizations that rescue dogs for adoption and find them new homes. Contrary to popular belief, dogs found in rescue centres are not there for bad behavior. These poor animals are mostly abandoned or abused by their previous owners and thus, need new people and new homes that they can call their own.

Choosing what breed of dog to get is never an easy decision. You’ll need to take a lot of factors into consideration. There are certain dog breeds that need large areas to move around while there are those that can live well in small apartments. There are breeds that are especially great with children while there are those that may not be very patient around kids. So do your research and try look at breeds that will suit you and your family’s lifestyle best.

One other very important factor that you need to keep in mind is the kids. Safety should always be a priority. If you have kids in the house, it’s best to look for breeds that are gentle and patient. Breeds such as the Labradors and the Retrievers are especially great around kids.

While visiting rescue centres, never forget to ask about the dog’s background and history – such as information about their previous family and the reason why they ended up in the rescue center. Check if they have been trained previously or not. If they have been in the centre for a long time, the caretaker may know a good deal about that dog’s personality as well. His or her opinion can come very helpful.

If you have found a potential dog to adopt, give him a visit several times before actually deciding to take him home. This will make the transition so much easier and will also give you enough time to get to know the dog’s personality. Bring along a toy every time you visit so you’ll know just how active or how passive he can get even before you take him home.

And last but definitely not the least: ask about their current and past medical conditions. Most of the dogs found in rescue centres may have experienced trauma and abuse in the past. They may not be at the best of shape or may have pre-existing medical conditions that require close attention. Have them checked by a vet so you’ll know the possible precautionary measures that you need to take.

Getting a dog from a rescue centre gives you the opportunity to open your homes to animals that need care and love the most. So if you have been planning to get a pet for a very long time, chose to rescue dogs for adoption instead.

A very commonly asked question, when it comes to choosing saddles, is whether you should consider the horse or the rider? The answer is you should really consider both, perhaps the horse a bit more than the rider but nonetheless both should be comfortable with the device. Generally speaking, you should be able to find an appropriate saddle for your horse designed for your taste.

Appropriate Fit

Horses are great pets but the honest truth is they really do not care what type of saddle you use, whether it is Australian, Western or even and English dressage saddle makes little difference as long as it fits their back well and is in good repair. Saddles vary in gullet width and bar length, and the important thing for you to remember is that these should be compatible with the type of horse you own. For example, Arabian saddles (created for narrower shouldered Arabian horses) are narrower in the gullet and may not fit well on a full size quarter horse.

Appropriate Use

Are you trying to break a horse to ride? Perhaps you are interested in English jumping. Your choice in activities will also have a great deal to do with what type of saddle you purchase. When you are working with a horse that has not been ridden, a lot most people will opt for a western saddle for the extra leg control and the horn to grab in case things go terribly wrong!

Rider Considerations

Each saddle type will come in a variety of seat sizes, from tiny varieties for small children to extremely large seats for full sized adults. Seats are measured in inches, a standard saddle will be approximately 15 inches, this will suit most average size adults however there are saddles in excess of 17 inches for extremely large people. There is a twofold purpose for proper seat size, one for your comfort and two so that your weight is distributed over a wide enough area to prevent pressure points on the horse.

Why Worry?

Only those who have never ridden would wonder what all the fuss is about! An improperly fitted saddle, whether it is on your end or your pets can lead to difficulty staying in the saddle. Some horses will simply take the discomfort and ride as if nothing is wrong, however they may suffer sores or aching muscles later as a result. A less gentile horse will let you know right quick that the saddle or some part of the equipment is not their cup of tea. Snorting, stomping and even bucking can result, none of which is good for you.

Conclusion

Buying the right saddle for your beloved pets is not as difficult as you might imagine. Unless you have a very highbred Arabian or thoroughbred, you likely have a quarter horses or quarter horse mix. These horses will generally take a saddle with full quarter horse bars. If you are in doubt, you can always measure your horse at the withers and compare that figure with the gullet size on a potential saddle. When all else fails have your horse professionally fitted for equipment.

Fundraising events are activities that aim to generate money for different kinds of causes. This is a very common event hosted by charities and non-profit organizations. There are actually many different types of fundraising events and the success of each activity is largely determined by the number of guests who participate and join. Thus, charities and organizations are always faced with the challenge of coming up with interesting ideas to attract guests and visitors. If you need a little help with those creative juices, here are a few unique fundraising ideas that you can follow.

A Canine Bakery

Set up a little bakery that sells delicious cookies and treats made just for your furry friends. This is something that dog lovers and their pets will surely love to be part of. Setting up a canine bakery is not that hard to do at all. You can easily find plenty of inexpensive but delicious pastry recipes for dogs. Get the fundraisers together and bake the cookies yourself to lessen the cost.

Karaoke Night

Everyone enjoys a good round of Karaoke. You can rent or buy an inexpensive Karaoke machine and set this up in the town gym or any available venue for a night of singing and fun. Your guests can pay a certain amount for a song or they can request someone to do a performance for a donation. Aside from the fundraising, this is also a good and fun way to bring the entire community together for the night.

Donate for a Portrait

A lot of people pay hundreds of dollars to get their portraits done. So why not turn this into a fundraising event instead? Look for artists who are willing to volunteer for this activity. During the event, guests can have their portraits done for any amount. This type of fundraising event will surely attract families, local organizations and even businesses.

Fun Run

A fun run is something that will not only appeal to runners and outdoor lovers but to families and kids as well. Make different categories to separate the young runners from the adults. For a certain fee, participants can get a simple shirt, a certificate or a token. Running for a cause is surely one good way to get into shape.

Collaborate with fast food joints

There are now a surprisingly large number of business establishments that are willing to participate in fund raising activities. One very good idea is to collaborate with famous fast food joints by asking them to give your organization a percentage of the sales that you’ll help them generate. Distribute flyers to people around town and ask them to present this to the establishment upon dining.

Family Day Festival

You can invite concessionaires, vendors and even a mini-carnival to set up business within a designated area for a fee. This kind of activity can turn into a pretty big event and may require a permit for operation. However, large fundraising events such as these can generate huge amounts of money as well.

So if you are up for another challenge, try out any of these fundraising ideas today and be ready to make good money for an even better cause.

If you are thinking of taking your pets on vacation, one of your most important preparations is finding pet friendly hotels for many obvious reasons. For one thing, you want to enjoy a vacation free from the hassles of hiding your dog from the management and staff of a hotel with the strict ‘no pets allowed’ policy. For another thing, your pet will appreciate its own dog-friendly accommodation like a comfortable dog bed, treats and play area that, in turn, will make you one happy camper, too.

Finding a dog-friendly hotel is relatively easy when you know how to look for it. You have so many resources right on your fingertips from the Internet to travel agencies, telephone directories and even from other fellow pet owners who have travelled with their pets in two. The trick is in choosing from among these pet-friendly hotels, motels and other accommodations according to your budget, tastes and preferences.

Since you are already online and reading this article, your first step is to consult pet-related websites. Just type in keywords like ‘dog-friendly accommodation’ and the search engines like Google and Yahoo will present hundreds of thousands of possible choices from luxury hotels to budget motels. You can also join online message boards and forums to ask other pet owners for their recommendations.

Family and friends as well as acquaintances and co-workers will also have great ideas about hotels that offer pet-friendly facilities and amenities. You will be surprised at the honest reviews that will be coming your way from people in your social circle. These reviews are definitely more reliable than those found in the hotel sites since you can be sure that your friends’ reviews are not tinged with marketing hype.

Your travel agent will also be of big help in finding pet-friendly hotels. Be sure to tell him about your plans in bringing along your pet so that the proper arrangements can be made. Plus, be sure to ask about any extra charges as well as the necessary travel arrangements like vaccinations, quarantines and sleeping quarters.

When you already have the list of hotels with pet-friendly policies, amenities and facilities, you can then start to choose which one best suits your needs and wants. Look at the pictures of the rooms, facilities and amenities to determine if these are to your liking. Ask questions of the hotel management via e-mail, live online chat or phone call to clarify certain issues.

Keep in mind that pet-friendly hotels will have different levels of quality when it comes to their service, facilities and amenities. It always pays to ask detailed questions so that unpleasant surprises can be significantly lessened on your arrival. For example, you want to be sure that the hotel actually has dog-friendly accommodation instead of just admitting dogs into the premises – there’s a huge difference.

When you have chosen the best dog-friendly hotel for your vacation accommodations, you should book a room as soon as possible and be sure to confirm the reservations a few days before your actual travel time. You want the details to be ironed out down to the check-in time for obvious reasons. After all, pet-friendly hotels can only do so much for their clientele – you have to do half the work, too.