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

Face

Furrowed brow

Mouth corners back

Ears back or uneven

Veins prominent under eyes

Vocalizing

Whining

Barking

Other

Starts to chew on self, scratch

Just sits or lays down

Comes to you in an attention getting manner

Paws sweating

Tail held lower than normal

Sniffing

Digging

Circling, returning to you in arc path

Out of context behaviors-destructiveness, restlessness, moving things in and around the house

Developing ulcers

Eating or drinking excessively

There are numerous indicators of pet stress, but sometimes we miss them (perhaps due to dealing with our stresses?) and our pets continue to suffer. Once you have learned how to recognize pet stress, you will be better able to help prevent it. Here are some tips and potential remedies for reducing pet anxiety and stress.

I. Ways to Keep Your Pet Stress Free

A. Be sure your pet gets plenty of exercise each day.

B. Have toys that provide plenty of stimuli so that your pet doesn’t laze around while you are at work.

C. Variety is the spice of life. When you take your pet for a walk, vary the route and the pace.

D. Don’t discipline your pet with yelling or hitting as this causes fear and anxiety.

E. Despite the prevalent belief that getting a companion pet for your current pet, sometimes this can actually trigger more pet stress, especially if your pet has a more laidback personality.

II. How to Help Your Pet Deal with Stress

Different species of pets react to stress in different manners. However, right now, we will focus on the most common of household pets-dogs and cats.

A. Dogs

1. If possible, take a play break as often as you can. Remember “all work and no play” isn’t just unhealthy for people, pets need to play too.

2. Use calming signals such as yawning, blinking your eyes, looking away rather than making eye contact or taking a deep breath then sighing.

3. Allow yourself to relax. Remember, pets often notice the moods of those around them.

4. Talk calmly to your dog to let them know everything is okay.

B. Cats

1. Install magnetic cat flaps to lower the likelihood of another animal entering the house.

2. Remove the cat from the stressful environment.

3. Remove the anxiety-causing element from the cat’s environment.

4. Preventative medicine

If you are getting a kitten, then this is the best time to teach your pet how to deal with stressors. Rather than sheltering them from chaotic sights, loud sounds, odd smells and new people, it is actually better to introduce these elements to your kitten-ideally between 2 and 7 weeks.

Of course, perhaps the most well-known, even by non-pet owners, is a trip to the vet. So, what is it about the vet that causes a normally docile pet to behave like something out of Stephen King’s Pet Cemetery? Is there anything pet owners can do to make a visit to the vet less stressful? Perhaps, there is something your vet could do? Here are some basic methods pet owners can employ to help alleviate vet stress.

I. Reducing Pet Stress at the Vet

Pets don’t realize that it is the vet’s job to help them feel better, so it is up to people to do everything possible to make vet visits as positive an experience as possible. There are a variety of actions we can take to make pet visits less stressful. Some of these include:

A. We need to remain calm and have a lighthearted demeanor. Remember, your pet can sense your feelings, so if you are uptight, so will they!

B. If you go to a vet who doesn’t offer treats as rewards/incentives, then find a new one. Positive reinforcement goes a long way toward reducing pet stress.

C. Is your pet more comfortable with one gender over another? Choose your vet with this in mind.

D. Visit the vet with your pet in tow, just to say “Hi” as this will help your pet build a stronger rapport with their vet. Be sure always have your pet’s favorite treat on hand for the occasion.

E. Exercise your pet before going for a checkup; a tired pet is less likely to have the energy to be upset.

F. Take your pet for rides to locations other than the vet’s office so they don’t associate car rides only with vet visits.

G. Beginning early in your pets life, make it part of the daily routine to check their eyes, ears, mouth and paws as rub them all over as this will get them accustomed to being touched.

H. Eliminate fears you can control. If there are certain words, or objects, that cause a negative reaction, then don’t introduce them at the vet’s office.

I. Distract your pet with a favorite toy.

If being at the vet still results in anxiety, despite having tried these tips, find out if your area has a mobile veterinary service. These are great as they allow your pet to get the medical treatment/immunizations they need, but in a place where they feel comfortable.

It should be very important to all pet lovers that they get the best nutrition for their pets. In order to understand how to find the best pet food, let us go back to the very beginning and see how pet food began.

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.

When choosing the best pet food, you should follow certain rules. You must learn to read labels on pet food packages to find out exactly what is in them. There are also things that should not be in the pet food. Corn, wheat and soy are all ingredients, specifically cereal grains that should never be included in your pet food. These ingredients are used to increase the percentage of protein, but they are all very hard to digest.

These hard to digest proteins can cause stress on the kidneys and this is one of the reasons that pets can be classified as seniors when they are only five or six. These ingredients are also known to cause allergies. Do your pets have allergies? Sometimes pets with allergies are put on drug therapies when all they need is to take the offending food out of their diet. Instead of using these grains, meats should be used as the primary source of protein.

Next you should look at by-products. By-products are similar to corn, wheat and soy in that they are very hard to digest. Intestines, chicken heads, duck bills and fish heads are parts of animals that are certainly not fit for human consumption and should not be expected to be nutritious for your pet. Unfortunately, by-products are the top ingredients in some of the most popular pet food today.

The last topic of our discussion today will be meat and bone meal. This disgusting ingredient can legally contain dead pets and animals from the side of the road or the vets office. These animals could have died from any disease, trauma or natural causes.

The reasons listed above, along with the fact that chemicals, some of which are known carcinogens, are used as additives in many pet food, is why you should be particularly away of what is contained in your pet’s food. Think of your pet when you review the ingredients in the food you are feeding him.

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.

Anger, hostility and bargaining

This is a time you may lash out and blame another for the death of your pet. It is natural to feel anger at this time but remember others in your family are hurting as well. Don’t lash out and permanently damage your relationship with others. Just remember anger is a part of grief. We can’t control everything that goes on in our lives. Forgive others as well as yourself is important in this stage.

This is also a time when we ask why did this have to happen to me? We start to bargain with the powers to be out of the despair we are feeling.

Depression, reflection and loneliness

The psychical systems of illness related to the loss such as sleeplessness, lethargy and depression. This is the best time to understand the grief process and is most helpful to have others in your life that do as well.

It is natural to be absorbed in memories during this time. Grief can be compounded by the role your pet played in your life. The normal routine of life is disrupted. The key to coping is allowing yourself to feel the loss. Embrace the emotions that come. Acknowledge the special role your pet played in your life and share it with others who have experienced the same.

Readjustment to a new reality

Your depression begins to lift and you began adjusting to life without your pet. You know there is no replacing your pet but you become much more calm about the loss.

Overcoming of grief and reconstruction of life

This is the time you begin reconstruct you daily life without your pet. Ones begins considering getting another pet. It is important not to rush into getting a pet. You will never be able to replace the pet you lost. Take time to consider what your lifestyle can support. Can you handle the intense work of training a puppy? What kind of breed would be best for your lifestyle? Should you adopt a pound pet? What will you expect from this new pet?

Your family members might be anxious at this time to get another pet. Remind your family that it is important to take the time to search for a pet that is the perfect fit for your family. Getting the wrong pet or one that doesn’t fit can compound the heartache of the loss of your pet.

Acceptance and hope

This is the time you begin to accept the reality of your loss. You begin to enjoy the memories of you beloved pet. There will still be sadness but the heartbreaking pain, confusion and regret will be gone.

Don’t let other people’s opinion, that it is just a dog or cat, dissuade you from having a funeral for your pet. Like you would for any family member it is helpful to you and your family to have a funeral to celebrate the life of your pet. It enables you and your family to share their grief openly without being censured. It signifies the importance your pet played in your life and helps bring closure to you and your family.

A funeral ceremony can be done at your home with your loved ones and others who support you. Cremation with a custom urn displaying a picture of your pet placed for viewing is a wonderful way to memorialize your pet. There are many different types of customized pet grave markers for backyard burials. If your lifestyle doesn’t support any of these consider getting a customized portrait or plaque with your beloved pet’s picture on it.

Remember it is important to grieve for your pet. Allow yourself to go through the stages of grief. Not everyone will be sympathetic to your loss and grief. Just remember not everyone has had the privilege of having a deep bond with a pet. Its vital to share your memories and celebrate the life of beloved pet.

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.

Other, more insidious types of mites are the ones that actually feed on blood of your pet. Some are blood suckers that pierce the skin to get at the blood, other smaller types of mite actually burrow into and under the skin, living their whole life there!

These blood feeders in very small numbers are not a problem for your pet but in epidemic numbers they can make your mouse extremely uncomfortable and even anemic; also their “bites” can get infected causing even greater distress for your mouse.

The bad news is that if one mouse is affected and you have more, then all your mice are probable hosts to mites, even though they are not showing signs of distress…Yet!

The mites will also spread throughout your house looking for other mice to feed on, or other hosts if no mice can be found. There is one type of mite, called the Tropical Rat Mite, that will even look at us as a food source! However, luckily all mouse mites can not reproduce without a mouse as host, so while some mites will feed on us they will eventually die and bother us no more.
There are numerous remedies and cures for mites on the market; some are even costlier than a trip to the vet, while others are a waste of time. It all depends on the type and strength of the infestation of your pet.

Once your pet has had the mites eradicated from its body it is imperative that re-infestation does not re-occur. This is much easier and will become part of your care for your mouse.

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.

• Give your pet lots of attention before, during and after your move as while you’re packing he might think that he’s being left behind and not coming with you.

• If you’re really worried about your pet during all the disruption of packing up your home, you could consider using a kennel or cattery for a few days, especially if they’ve been there before and enjoyed it. Keep in mind that you’ll have to book your pet in some time in advance and you’ll need to make sure that all their vaccinations are up to date, as decent establishments will request to see a vaccination certificate.

Another idea is to ask a family member or friend that your pet is comfortable with to house them for a week or so, just whilst you’re moving and unpacking the other end. Your pet will then only have to cope with one trip to their new home after you have dealt with the dreaded moving in day and unpacked.

• It’s strongly advisable for a few weeks after you have moved to keep your pet indoors, because their natural instinct may be to try to find their way back to their original home. For dogs going outside, make sure you go with them and that they are wearing an up-to-date identity collar. Microchipping is also a good idea for any pets that go outside. Don’t let dogs off the lead until they have had time to get used to their local parks and landmarks. Cats are best kept indoors again for a few weeks until they have also gotten used to their surroundings and scents.

• Don’t forget you will need to find the best vet in your area. Ask around at local pet shops, your neighbours or dog walkers/carers in the area. Also ensure your pet records are sent from your old vet to the new one.

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.

• The duck-Billed platypus

When it was initially learned, experts in the beginning considered that it was ridiculous and totally bogus. Where would you begin to describe a creature who has hairy body, a tail, otter-like feet and most surprisingly a leatherlike duck bill? It was either a scam, or one of these natural mysteries which have no logical experience. This complete thing is surrounded in mystery: the animal lays eggs. Extraordinary! And utilize the bill to look out food buried in silt. Nevertheless, in spite of its mesmerizing characteristics, the duck billed platypi are toxic.

• Chimpanzees

Hailed as the nearest cousins of human beings, the chimpanzees have uncanny behavioral similarity with the homo sapien sapiens, just that they’re primitive. They are appropriately one of the cutest creatures since they are witty as they are entertaining.

You may think their grin is wonderful, until the mouth is fully opened. The subtle message being communicated is you really are a nuisance. If you are blessed to evade the gigantic teeth and super-powerful jaws; pelting with a stool might bean alternative to exhibit their displeasure.

Pets as cute animals

A pet a day will keep the doctor away. Pets are cute, both physically and psychologically. Research indicates that men and women who keep pets are less likely to develop stress and stress-related issues like depression. And thus the potential risk of heart illnesses decreases. That’s how cute animals can be!

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.

A few pounds may not seem to be much for a large breed dog, but for small pets, 5 pounds can decrease their life span considerably. As with humans, obesity can lead to diabetes, arthritis, kidney problems and heart complications.

The more obese the animal, the less they are able to groom themselves and this can be a frustrating life for fastidious cats.

What We Can Do

If you suspect your pet may be overweight, take them to your local veterinarian for an assessment. There are many types of food available to help get their weight back under control. They will also be able to advise you of tips and tricks with different toys to help along the way.

Get off the couch. Going for a walk with your dogs at the end of the day is one of the best ways to reduce stress and increase your physical well being. Use favorite toys to play with your cat to encourage exercise.

No matter what kind of pet you have, you must be careful not to overcompensate for our lack of time with food and treats. Be sure you are feeding the proper food for the age and condition of your pet and most importantly take the time to enjoy some play time.

It will do both of you a world of good.

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.

You also need to consider the kind of food you are going to feed your pet. Much like humans, suitable nutrition is vital to keep them healthy, so it’s unquestionably a no-no to hand your pets table scraps, since there is a huge chance you just might add to their illnesses. You must find the appropriate food for your pet, which means you’re going to must fit this expense within your budget. Together with that comes an abundant supply of fresh and clean water to be made accessible for them.

If you happen to have the typical cat and dog kind of pets, you will need to take them to the veterinarian for vaccinations to make sure that they are okay to be kept within the house, as public safety is always a must. Visiting the vet at least one year will truly add up to your costs, especially when you take into consideration any form of preventive medication that will sustain their health. Other costs which are essential for free pets consist of suitable grooming and discipline training, which would certainly take a chunk out of your savings.

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.

Although diets prepared for other rodents suit hamsters well, their dietary needs are not yet fully understood. It appears that a protein level of about twenty-four percent is to be recommended, certainly during pregnancy. Interestingly, hamsters do seem to need fruits, especially apple, in their diet. Studies have suggested that hamsters fed on dried diets have smaller litters, with fewer ova actually implanting into the uterine wall. In addition, a higher incidence of cannibalism is likely in females deprived of fresh fruit. As a guide to food consumption, hamsters tend to eat about 15gm (0.5 oz) daily, and can drink up to 20 ml (0.7 fl. oz) of water, particularly when they are being fed exclusively on a dried diet. Be sure to remove any fresh food, however, before it can turn sour.

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.

10 and above: Children are now able to understand that all things die, but even though they understand death they are likely to experience all the emotions of grief. It may be necessary to take your child to a counsellor if they are particularly affected.

Should I Show My Child The Pet’s Body?

Again this is dependant on age. A child under the age of 5 will only be more traumatised and confused at the sight of a dead body, which means it is better not to let them see it. If the body is distressing for example if it has wounds then it is best not to show it to a child of any age. If the pet looks peaceful then you can give the choice to a child over 7 if they wish to see the body.