About Pet Stress
Eyes
Dilated pupils
Glazed look
Squinting
Shifty eyes
Whale eye, white showing
Blinking
Red pigment around eyes (also inner ears)
Avoids eye contact (turns head away)
Looks to handler frequently for directions
Body posture
Body tense, stiff
Body droopy, tired appearance
Body lowered, not cowering but slinkier than usual
Stretching
Skin twitching
Change in pace
Mouth
Panting, too wide or too narrow
Licking lips or nose
Yawning
Jaw clomping
Drooling
Velvet tongue
Choosing a Proper Pet Food
Pet food, being introduced around the time of World War II, were originally made from left-over grains and cereals. The reason for this was not for the nutritional value, but because crops had been rejected for human consumption. There was a movement against waste during this time, so these products were saved for pet food. This was also the beginning of a completely new industry. Soon it became obvious to many the these left-over grains and cereals were not enough to provide proper nutrition. This is why extra protein in the form of meats was added. This provided that beloved pets could grow up without being malnourished.
Although meat was added, it was not prime meat, but meat that had been rejected for human consumption. This meat is commonly known as meat that was either dead, diseased, dying, disabled or drugged, which is a very appetizing combination. Even though this began a long time ago, rejected animals of all kinds are still used in commercial pet food. Ground up bones, feathers and heads are still commonly used as sources of protein. Fillers that are hard to digest are still used as well as harmful chemicals.
For these reasons our pets are suffering from shortened life-spans and shortened life-spans. It is sad because dogs and cats have the genetic potential to live well into their twenties or thirties, but because of poor nutrition, they only live until their teens.
The Loss of a Pet
Grieving is personal and no one experiences the loss of a pet the same way. Although, it is easy to recognize the stages of grief even when one looses a pet. As you grieve it is healthy to recognize the stages of grieving.
Shock and denial
A numb disbelief. A shock at the overwhelming loss. A feeling that they should still be there. Shock gives us emotional protection from being overwhelmed with grief all at once.
Pain and guilt
When the shock wears off it leaves us with unbelievable guilt. The realization of how great our loss is. The thoughts of, “if I would of or could of did things differently” goes over and over in our mind. This pain can become a viscous cycle. It is important to forgive yourself and allow yourself to be human.
Life will feel chaotic and confusing during this time. Don’t hide from this pain. Take time to express the grief you feel over the loss of your pet. Having a friend who has experienced the loss of a pet will be helpful at this time. Someone to talk to who understands the important role your pet played in your life.
You Can Cure Your Pet Mouse
You can take care of your pet! For once, you can do something to help your mouse before having to take it to the vet. Let’s face it we’d prefer to spend money on pet toys rather than vet bills.
Mites are everywhere; they have evolved and specialized to live off any organic matter in any environment. They can be found throughout the world, from the arctic to the Antarctic. The vast majority of them are microscopic but some can grow up to over one centimeter long. Without them the world would just fill up with dead matter, they are part of the eco system, we can’t live without them! Unfortunately some mites have evolved to feed off our loved ones.
Often your pet will have mites living on them without any detrimental affect to the mouse… their numbers are kept down with the mices’ natural grooming, however if your pet becomes ill and listless, it’s grooming habits may be curtailed and the mite population on your pet can quickly become epidemic. This is when problems occur and your mouse can have an adverse reaction to the high number of these parasites.
Some mites just live in the fur of your mouse, eating dead skin and other skin secretions; they don’t harm the mouse per say, but their waste (poo) can and does become an irritant to your pet, leading to excess scratching, rashes and bald patches in its fur.
Moving Home With Your Pets
The different sounds, sights and smells of the new house can be very upsetting for them. It may take up to a few weeks for them to settle in to their new surroundings. The journey, however short or long, can also be very traumatic for animals. Obviously we know what’s going on and that the trip will end with us being settled into a new home. Your pet however doesn’t know this, so be patient with them and try to follow the tips listed below.
• Keep your pet secure in one room while you are doing all the packing and unpacking. Put their food and water bowls in the same room along with their bedding, toys etc. With the upheaval they’ll sense that something is changing which might make them want to go and hide in the garden or at a neighbour’s, so keeping them in one area is strongly advised.
• Don’t clean your pet’s favourite toys and bedding before you move, so that it keeps the familiar smells for them when they’re in the new home.
• Don’t feed your pet too soon before leaving your home on the day you move, three hours before should be fine. If your pet suffers from travel sickness this will only add to their distress. Consult your vet if travel sickness medication is required..
• All pets like routine as this makes them feel secure. Try to stick to your normal patterns leading up to the move and as soon as possible after you’re in your new home.
Things You Didn’t Know About Cute Animals
If you search online, you will see that there are lots of lists of cute animals published from every end of the world; you’ll find funny animals, cute puppies, birds and countless wild animals that, regardless of their appears, have continued to attract travelers. Isn’t that exactly what cuteness is all about?
Some dangerous cute animals
Try not to be tricked, cute isn’t equal to risk-free! Some cute creatures are dangerous, particularly those in the wild and need to be dealt with with the greatest care and caution.
• Hippos
Of course, you’ve seen how lovable and safe these creatures seem on those calendar pictures. But for the sake of your own safety, you are advised to consider the age-old wisdom that appears can be misleading. Much-loved for the Disney-cuteness, the hippos need no much provocation to unleash the devil within. With their sheer toughness, your bet is often as good as mine, that it’ll take them a split of a second to either maim or kill.
Loving Our Pets Too Much
Almost 25% of the pet population is considered obese and many under veterinary care for this reason. With our tendency to treat ourselves with food as a reward for a challenging day, we are doing the same things to our animals. But as we are doing so, we are putting their lives at risk.
Our Busy Lives
As we run through our lives juggling more daily expectations we are not only neglecting our own health with fast food and less relaxation but the health of our pets.
With the lack of time for ourselves, our dog walks become short strolls to the nearest park or a quick jaunt around the neighborhood. Our hectic days don’t leave much play time for our pets so we offer treats to keep them busy and assuage our guilt.
Animals are creatures of habit and quick to learn this type of behavior. They easily attach a play time with treats and begin to demand treats more frequently. Their vocal demands are then rewarded just to keep the peace and a cycle is born.
As we move and downsize, our spaces leave less room for play. Apartment living may seem suitable for cats but even cats need room to exercise. The less room there is to move, the more sedate they become and excess weight becomes a problem.
Why Free Pets Always End Up Costing More Money
Much like any other pet, they call for the appropriate food, care and environment, and it depends on what kind of animal you’ve got. You must also take into account the grooming and any other facilities vital for appropriate care. Below, we’re about to discuss several of these areas in taking care of a free pet, and how they end up costing more money than you anticipated.
Concerning its surrounding environment, you need to make certain there is enough space and is proper for the type of animal you wish to keep. You see, even pets of the “free” variety come with their own habitat, which will certainly have need of appropriate cleaning together with the right bedding material. You ought to make certain everything’s maintained as much as possible, especially when you have the problem of animal droppings making things a little problematical to put them in a healthy environment. In this regard, non-toxic cleaning agents and animal-specific equipment like litter boxes should be carefully considered.
Caring for a Pet Hamster
They will burrow into the floor of their cage, so provide a fairly deep layer of bedding material. Be sure that the bedding is not toxic or dangerous in any way. If eaten, unsuitable bedding can cause impaction in the intestines, and this is likely to prove fatal. A metal cage will be strong enough to withstand the onslaught from the hamster’s teeth, but over a period of time the urine is likely to attack the metal, causing bubbles of rust at first. This problem will not be encountered in a cage with a deep plastic base or in a plastic fish tank, but the claws of hamsters may scratch its sides.
Provide an exercise wheel for these active rodents, but be sure that it revolves smoothly, otherwise it will become a major source of irritation as it squeaks in the room. Hamsters tend to be nocturnal in their habits and, surprisingly, studies have shown that pregnant females are most active. They can ‘travel’ 8 km (5 miles) a day, walking on their wheel. Perhaps exercise improves muscle tone in preparation for birth, but even now little is known about the habits of hamsters in the wild.
Explaining a Pet’s Death To a Child
Under 2: The child may realise the pet is gone but is more likely to be affected by the actions of those around them. If you are upset the child will pick up on that but they are too young to understand the subject of death and will probably not be affected by the pet being gone.
2 to 5: Between these ages the child will be aware that the pet is gone, and may miss playing with it. They are more likely to see the animals death as temporary, and will not be able to grasp that the pet is “not coming back”. Explaining to the child that the pet has died will probably be necessary, and it is important that you do make death sound frightening but that all pets die, and when they do die they are in a peaceful and happy place.
5 to 9: The child will be more likely to understand that death is permanent, and will be more traumatised by the pets death. They may cry a lot and experience feelings of guilt. It is important that the child understands that all pets die, and that it is not their fault.