http://www.critterology.com/main.rss All the latest pet & livestock articles from Critterology.com! en-us Tue, 27 Mar 2007 14:35:24 MST http://www.critterology.com/?article=11 Before making a big move, check with your new local municipal office and fine out if there are any regulations or by-laws that could affect your canine companions. Check first to see if there is any type of breed ban in effect in your new location. Certain dog breeds may be prohibited altogether by neighborhood or homeowners' associations. You may be required to hold a special license or have your dog muzzled at all times. Breed regulations may also dictate the type of outdoor enclosure or fencing required to contain your dog Leash laws are in effect in almost every town--this requires all dogs out in public to be held on secure leashes. Tue, 27 Mar 2007 00:00:00 MST http://www.critterology.com/?article=10 On 17 March 2007, Menu Foods recalled 90 brands of dog and cat foods after 16 pet deaths were reported and countless animals became sick. The international recall covered 60 million packages of "cuts and gravy" pet food sold in cans and pouches. The Food and Drug Adminstration's official count of cats and dogs that have become fatally ill from eating the contaminated food stands at 16. It is unclear how many deaths will eventually be linked to the recalled food, but is it expected more will be announced. Menu Foods food advised retailers to remove all brands from store shelves to verify their packaging dates. Mon, 26 Mar 2007 00:00:00 MST http://www.critterology.com/?article=8 More pet owners pay attention to dental health than ever before. Dog owners now commonly brush their canine companions’ teeth--and fret over bad breath. But this isn't just an aesthetic interest: all dog owners should be aware of the importance of dentistry to our pets' overall health. Plaque is full of bacterial organisms. Gums are quite vascular and have a ready blood supply. Fri, 23 Mar 2007 00:00:00 MST http://www.critterology.com/?article=9 Don't let your cat allergies get the best of you! There are several ways to lessen the effect of cat dander in your home. Inside the home: - If you're only considering taking a cat home, shorthaired cats generally have less dander to reckon with. - Curtains, drapes and full carpeting hold dander in. Consider trading these for blinds and hardwood floors with rugs. - Invest in a vacuum with a good filter, and vacuum all soft surfaces regularly. Fri, 23 Mar 2007 00:00:00 MST http://www.critterology.com/?article=7 Feline asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that affects one percent of all adult cats. It is characterized by recurrent and sudden attacks of dyspnea (difficult breathing), and is caused by a spasmodic contraction of the bronchi. Symptoms you may notice include wheezing, labored breathing, coughing, and frantic attempts to obtain air. Cat coughing sounds more like a hairball being passed than a human cough. The disease can be caused by allergies, smoke, inhalation of small particles, or bacterial infections. Tue, 20 Feb 2007 00:00:00 MST http://www.critterology.com/?article=2 Any cat owner will tell you that the idea that cats are solitary and distant is largely a myth. Cats love attention and affection as much as the most excitable dog. But cats also like to have a space that's entirely theirs, where they can groom or nap or just get away from it all. A cat or kitten in a new house, in particular, will have a much easier time adjusting to home life if he has space to call his own. Your cat doesn't necessarily require a whole room just for him--an unused closet, the empty corner of the laundry room, or any relatively quiet place that doesn't see much foot traffic will do. Sun, 31 Dec 2006 00:00:00 MST http://www.critterology.com/?article=3 Nutrition is an important subject at any age. The geriatric cat tends to present a unique set of problems. Cats are by virtue of their nature are an obligate carnivore; they require meat in their diet. Cats do not typically consume carbohydrates which constitute the energy portion of most diets. Cats must therefore create a carbohydrate source by changing proteins through a process call deamination. Sun, 31 Dec 2006 00:00:00 MST http://www.critterology.com/?article=4 Puppies can have a problem when baby teeth don’t fall out as expected. Retained baby canine teeth can be a severe problem because hair, plaque and food can become packed between the adult and baby canine tooth. The impacted material will result in decay and or displacement of the adult tooth. Baby teeth should not be allowed to remain once the adult teeth have come in. If a breed or family of dogs has a history of retained teeth it is better to remove baby teeth before they cause the permanent teeth to come in misaligned. Sun, 31 Dec 2006 00:00:00 MST http://www.critterology.com/?article=5 Kennel Cough--or Infectious Tracheobronchitis--is an easily transmitted combination bacterial/viral disease in the canine patient. It is caused by a bacterial infection of Bordetella bronchiseptica and viral components parainfluenza and canine adenovirus. Tracheobronchitis is a highly infectious condition seen 5 to 10 days following exposure to the causative agents. Kennel cough usually begins as the sudden onset of a harsh productive cough. If the throat is palpated or the pet pulls on a leach the cough is easily produced. Sun, 31 Dec 2006 00:00:00 MST http://www.critterology.com/?article=6 Although skunks are lovable animals, we all know they have a very specific odor, and it's generally not pleasant. What do you do when a skunk leaves its mark on your pet? A few standard household products will take care of it. The standard home recipe for the elimination of skunk spray is as follows: 1 quart of hydrogen peroxide ½ cup baking soda drop of liquid dish detergent The resulting solution will foam. Wash the offending area with the solution and rinse clean with warm water. Make sure you do not get the solution in your pet’s eyes. Sun, 31 Dec 2006 00:00:00 MST http://www.critterology.com/?article=1 Housetraining is the number one concern new dog owners have when they bring home their new family member--aside from taming the occasional wild curtain-destroyer or couch-mauler. Luckily it's as easy to master as it is to get to know and love your new canine friend. In fact, getting to know your dog is the key element to successful housetraining. Knowing his habits and paying attention to the signals your dog is giving you is the easiest way to understand your dog’s cycle--and to avoid accidents. A puppy can generally hold its bladder one hour for every month he's lived. Sat, 30 Dec 2006 00:00:00 MST