By Dr. Andrew Jones
The Pet Food Recall of 2007 has brought an enormous amount of attention to pet food. With tens of thousands of pets affected by the recall and with the death of several thousand pets from tainted food (refer to the PetConnection Database), it is not at all surprising that we have questions. The surprising thing is that it’s taken us all so long to ask these questions.
What have we been feeding our pets all these years? We’ve all, including Veterinarians like myself, trusted the pet food companies completely. We believed they have always held our pets – and our – best interests to heart. But in the case of the large multinational pet food companies, apparently not.
What we’ve been feeding has obviously not been what’s best for our pets. What we’re seen is shorter life spans, more disease, and more cancer – not healthier pets. While genetics do play a role, our pets are just like us. Garbage in... you know the result.
Pet food company ethics aside, the ultimate question that needs to be answered is this: what is the best food that we can feed our pets? Should we feed home diets, or are there companies that we can still trust? And what about raw food home diets?
The quick, simple answer, regardless of what you choose to do, is this: be informed. Be an informed, educated pet owner, and know what you are feeding your pet. You are your pet’s guardian. You know your pet better than anyone else, including your veterinarian. Your pet’s health is ultimately your responsibility – and that definitely includes what you feed your pet.
If you feed home diets, you’ll clearly know the ingredients, and can find the ultimate sources of the foods you buy. If you feed prepared food (kibble or canned), make sure you know what really goes in that food. Make sure you know the company very well – that they have trustworthy sources for their ingredients, and that they can prove it.
The other consideration, and I am hearing this quite a lot lately, is simplicity and convenience. The main reason prepared pet food became popular in the first place was because of convenience. Many of the dog and cat home diets you see tend to be quite complicated, and this scares many pet owners away.
I also hear many pet owners voicing concerns about home diets, wanting to ensure that they are ‘nutritionally balanced’. And while this is a consideration, the truth is that it’s not difficult to attain.
And again, what about raw food diets? Raw food and all of the apparent concerns (founded or unfounded) are definitely the subject of another article entirely, although it is definitely something I do recommend to some degree. So where does this leave us?
Ideally, I would recommend a switch to home diets, whether raw or cooked. You have the most control (again, in as much as we trust our own food sources) over the ingredients. You see, every day, exactly what you are feeding your pets.
However, the ideal is not always the most practical for many pet owners. There is also a consideration of the transition from completely packaged kibble to home food preparation. Many pet owners are unsure of how to prepare the foods properly, especially when dealing with raw food.
A great way to start, and this is what I am currently doing, is to feed a combination of home diets and packaged kibble. Again, make sure that you trust the company that produces the packaged food – do your own research! But I have found that this works well for most pet owners. Start with a home diet that you are comfortable with and feed it once or twice per week, and go from there. For my own pets, I feed one home cooked diet and one prepared, pre-frozen raw food diet. My dog and cat both love their new diets and are responding very well.
The other benefit of doing a combination is that you are providing a varied diet, something I definitely recommend now. There is not one food – packaged or otherwise – that is going to be perfect for all pets. By varying the diet you will make up for any nutritional imbalances your pet may experience from one particular diet or another.
For home diets, I have several available on my site, “Dr. Andrew Jones’ Inner Circle”, theonlinevet – please see the link in my bio. I’ve also prepared a list of pet food companies that I feel are trustworthy. In addition, I’m in the process of writing a book on pet food that will take on all of the subjects in this article, and provide many home diets and recommendations. Please visit my sites below to sign up for my newsletter if you would like to be notified when the book is available.
Being an informed pet owner includes not only diet, but health in general. I have an e-book and complete home study course on just that – visit Veterinary Secrets Revealed for more information.
To your pet’s good health...
About the author:
Dr. Andrew Jones, a practicing Veterinarian, has a special interest in alternative, natural pet remedies. Visit his sites: http://www.veterinarysecretsrevealed.com and http://www.theonlinevet.com.
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
The Right Food to Feed Ragdoll Cats and Kittens
By Drew Pilton Pilton
Cat food can be classified into dry, moist, and semi-moist foods. Each one has its advantages, and Ragdolls need various kinds of food at different stages. Kittens need on the whole breast milk and moist food, while adults require more protein and dry food. Pregnant Ragdolls have special dietary needs that change all through the pregnancy as well.
A. Feeding Ragdoll Kittens
Introductory food
Ragdoll kittens ought to be only breastfed for the first four to five weeks. Cat milk includes all the nutrients necessary for the kitten's growth, including antibodies that help prevent disease. Breast milk also passes on other antibodies that the mother produced to fight previous diseases.
More food ought to be supplied after four to five weeks, as the kitten requires more nutrients to support its fast growth. Introductory food ought to be easy to digest. Mix canned food with warm water or kitten replacement milk until it constitutes a loose paste. Do NOT use regular cow's milk this is too heavy for kittens and could cause in indigestion.
Dry food
After another four to five weeks, your kitten should be ready for dry food. To make the change easier, moisten dry food with a little warm water in the first few feedings. It's also essential to choose high-quality supplements to dry food and some of the good brands are Iams®, Science Diet®, and Nutro Kitten®. Science Diet Feline Growth® is popular among Ragdoll kittens. Supplements can be provided twice a day with morning and evening feeding. You can switch to adult food after approximately 12 months.
Choosing and preparing kitten food
Ragdoll kittens have fragile stomachs, so take extra care in choosing kitten food. Food should always be warm or slightly above room temperature. Discard all food that has been left out for more than 30 minutes, especially in the summer. Bacteria grows fast in warm, wet foods and may possibly upset your kitten's stomach, or even lead to food poisoning. To stop wasting food, just observe how much your kitten eats at a time so you know how much to prepare per feeding.
House flies can easily contaminate kitten food, so keep your feeding area as fly-proof as possible. Wash the feeding bowl daily with hot, soapy water and replace water in the drinking bowl several times a day. Wash the drinking bowl at the same time and refill with fresh water.
Table scraps can be given occasionally, but don't make regular meals out of them. Cooked human foods do not contain the nutrients necessary for your kitten's growth. Generic cat food from groceries are better, but Stellarhart recommends high-quality foods from specialty pet stores. Also, cats don't like the smell of plastic and metal containers, so use only glass drinking bowls.
Dry vs wet foods
Dry foods are generally better for your Ragdoll, except in the breastfeeding and introductory stage. They work your kitten's chewing muscles and help keep the teeth white. Dry food consists in the main of meat and vegetables, and can be moistened or served dry. Serving them dry allows your cat to nibble throughout the day, rather than eating one large meal at a time. Dry food ought to contain about 9 to 10% moisture, 8% fat, and 30% protein.
Moist food contains about 75% moisture and equal amounts of fat and protein. Not all moist foods are the same some are all-meat or all-fish, while others are a mix of meat and vegetables. The former should not be used for regular meals, as your cat can get addicted and refuse to eat other foods. The small treat cans of variety foods are usually all-meat or all-fish. As with kitten food, moist foods ought to be warmed to room temperature before serving.
Semi-moist food has about 35% water, 27% protein, and 7% fat. Most of them are nutritionally balanced, very tasty, and can be left out for nibbling, but they spoil quicker than dry food.
Kitten treats
Occasional kitten treats will not harm your kitten, but take care not to fill them up so they can still eat regular meals. Treats ought to not provide any more than 10% of your kitten's daily caloric intake. Look for hard chew treats to help improve your kitten's dental health
B. Feeding Ragdoll Adults
Ragdolls are not very active, so they gain weight faster than other cats. Do not let them become obese provide them only 70 calories per kilogram of body weight. A lot of what people believe to be cats’ favourite foods are actually harmful. Here are some of the most common cat food myths:
Fish
Fish may be good for cats, but it can’t cover all their nutritional needs, and too much of the same nutrients can be harmful. Tuna is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, which need vitamin E to break them down. too much tuna in your cat’s diet can cause yellow fat disease (steatitis).
Milk
Milk is rich in water and carbohydrates, but many cats are lactose intolerant and get digestive problems a few hours after drinking milk. Regular cow’s milk can cause diarrhoea and loose stools, which can lead to malnutrition and dehydration. If your cat likes milk, use replacement cat milk instead.
Catnip
Cats love the smell of catnip leaves, but it can cause short-term behavioural changes. Catnip is a hallucinogen and may possibly put your cat in a state of near delirium. Some effects include rolling, rubbing, chasing phantom mice, or simply staring into space. Although it’s not addictive, catnip has no place in your cat’s diet.
Dog food
It could be more convenient to feed your cat and dog from the same dish, but it’s not very healthy for either pet. Cats require more protein, taurine, preformed vitamin A, B-complex vitamins, and arachidonic acids, which they can get from a meat-heavy diet. A shortage of these nutrients can make your cat seriously ill, and an overdose can have the same effect in dogs.
Low ash diets
A popular belief among cat owners is that diets low in ash can help discourage urinary tract infection. But that’s only partly true. Ash is not a single nutrient, but is actually a group of minerals including calcium, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc. Lower levels of magnesium keep urine at its normal, slightly acidic state, but reducing other minerals will have no effect.
Other foods to avoid
Alcoholic beverages.
Alcohol can be toxic and cause fatal complications.
Baby food.
Many baby foods contain onion powder, which can be harmful to the blood.
Fish and meat bones.
Small splinters can cut into the digestive tract and lead to bleeding.
Caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate).
Caffeine can affect the cat’s heart and nervous system.
Citrus oil extracts.
This can lead to stomach upsets and vomiting.
Fat.
Animal fats can lead to pancreatitis.
Don’t feed your cat fatty cooked meats, or at least trim the fat off first.
Grapes and raisins.
These contain a toxin that can harm the kidneys.
Human vitamin and iron supplements.
Excessive iron can damage the liver, kidneys, and the lining of the digestive tract.
Liver.
Liver is safe in limited amounts, but an excess can cause vitamin A toxicity.
Macadamia nuts.
Unknown toxins in macadamia can damage the muscles, digestive system, and nervous system.
Marijuana.
Marijuana can lead to vomiting, depression, and irregular heart rate.
Mushrooms.
Some mushrooms contain highly toxic substances that can affect multiple systems and even cause death.
Onion and garlic (powdered, cooked or raw).
These contain disulfides and sulfoxides, which can cause anaemia. They are harmful to both cats and dogs, but cats are more vulnerable.
Persimmons.
Persimmons seeds can obstruct the intestines.
Potato, tomato and rhubarb.
These can be harmful to the nervous, digestive, and urinary systems. The leaves and stems could possibly also be toxic.
Raw eggs.
Raw eggs can damage your cat’s hair and coat.
Salt.
Salt and salty foods can cause electrolyte imbalance, a potentially fatal condition affecting the heart and nervous system.
String.
Strings from beans and other vegetables may possibly not be digested, which can cause blockages.
Sugar.
Sweets are high in empty calories, which can lead to obesity, diabetes, and dental problems.
Yeast dough.
Yeast can expand in the stomach during digestion, causing it to rupture.
Once you have educated yourself as to the unique requirements of ragdoll cats you will instinctiveley know what is good or bad for your cat.
About the author:
Discover the trade secrets of Ragdoll Cat care, training, breeding and showing. Visit http://www.ragdoll-cat-care.com
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
Cat food can be classified into dry, moist, and semi-moist foods. Each one has its advantages, and Ragdolls need various kinds of food at different stages. Kittens need on the whole breast milk and moist food, while adults require more protein and dry food. Pregnant Ragdolls have special dietary needs that change all through the pregnancy as well.
A. Feeding Ragdoll Kittens
Introductory food
Ragdoll kittens ought to be only breastfed for the first four to five weeks. Cat milk includes all the nutrients necessary for the kitten's growth, including antibodies that help prevent disease. Breast milk also passes on other antibodies that the mother produced to fight previous diseases.
More food ought to be supplied after four to five weeks, as the kitten requires more nutrients to support its fast growth. Introductory food ought to be easy to digest. Mix canned food with warm water or kitten replacement milk until it constitutes a loose paste. Do NOT use regular cow's milk this is too heavy for kittens and could cause in indigestion.
Dry food
After another four to five weeks, your kitten should be ready for dry food. To make the change easier, moisten dry food with a little warm water in the first few feedings. It's also essential to choose high-quality supplements to dry food and some of the good brands are Iams®, Science Diet®, and Nutro Kitten®. Science Diet Feline Growth® is popular among Ragdoll kittens. Supplements can be provided twice a day with morning and evening feeding. You can switch to adult food after approximately 12 months.
Choosing and preparing kitten food
Ragdoll kittens have fragile stomachs, so take extra care in choosing kitten food. Food should always be warm or slightly above room temperature. Discard all food that has been left out for more than 30 minutes, especially in the summer. Bacteria grows fast in warm, wet foods and may possibly upset your kitten's stomach, or even lead to food poisoning. To stop wasting food, just observe how much your kitten eats at a time so you know how much to prepare per feeding.
House flies can easily contaminate kitten food, so keep your feeding area as fly-proof as possible. Wash the feeding bowl daily with hot, soapy water and replace water in the drinking bowl several times a day. Wash the drinking bowl at the same time and refill with fresh water.
Table scraps can be given occasionally, but don't make regular meals out of them. Cooked human foods do not contain the nutrients necessary for your kitten's growth. Generic cat food from groceries are better, but Stellarhart recommends high-quality foods from specialty pet stores. Also, cats don't like the smell of plastic and metal containers, so use only glass drinking bowls.
Dry vs wet foods
Dry foods are generally better for your Ragdoll, except in the breastfeeding and introductory stage. They work your kitten's chewing muscles and help keep the teeth white. Dry food consists in the main of meat and vegetables, and can be moistened or served dry. Serving them dry allows your cat to nibble throughout the day, rather than eating one large meal at a time. Dry food ought to contain about 9 to 10% moisture, 8% fat, and 30% protein.
Moist food contains about 75% moisture and equal amounts of fat and protein. Not all moist foods are the same some are all-meat or all-fish, while others are a mix of meat and vegetables. The former should not be used for regular meals, as your cat can get addicted and refuse to eat other foods. The small treat cans of variety foods are usually all-meat or all-fish. As with kitten food, moist foods ought to be warmed to room temperature before serving.
Semi-moist food has about 35% water, 27% protein, and 7% fat. Most of them are nutritionally balanced, very tasty, and can be left out for nibbling, but they spoil quicker than dry food.
Kitten treats
Occasional kitten treats will not harm your kitten, but take care not to fill them up so they can still eat regular meals. Treats ought to not provide any more than 10% of your kitten's daily caloric intake. Look for hard chew treats to help improve your kitten's dental health
B. Feeding Ragdoll Adults
Ragdolls are not very active, so they gain weight faster than other cats. Do not let them become obese provide them only 70 calories per kilogram of body weight. A lot of what people believe to be cats’ favourite foods are actually harmful. Here are some of the most common cat food myths:
Fish
Fish may be good for cats, but it can’t cover all their nutritional needs, and too much of the same nutrients can be harmful. Tuna is rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, which need vitamin E to break them down. too much tuna in your cat’s diet can cause yellow fat disease (steatitis).
Milk
Milk is rich in water and carbohydrates, but many cats are lactose intolerant and get digestive problems a few hours after drinking milk. Regular cow’s milk can cause diarrhoea and loose stools, which can lead to malnutrition and dehydration. If your cat likes milk, use replacement cat milk instead.
Catnip
Cats love the smell of catnip leaves, but it can cause short-term behavioural changes. Catnip is a hallucinogen and may possibly put your cat in a state of near delirium. Some effects include rolling, rubbing, chasing phantom mice, or simply staring into space. Although it’s not addictive, catnip has no place in your cat’s diet.
Dog food
It could be more convenient to feed your cat and dog from the same dish, but it’s not very healthy for either pet. Cats require more protein, taurine, preformed vitamin A, B-complex vitamins, and arachidonic acids, which they can get from a meat-heavy diet. A shortage of these nutrients can make your cat seriously ill, and an overdose can have the same effect in dogs.
Low ash diets
A popular belief among cat owners is that diets low in ash can help discourage urinary tract infection. But that’s only partly true. Ash is not a single nutrient, but is actually a group of minerals including calcium, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc. Lower levels of magnesium keep urine at its normal, slightly acidic state, but reducing other minerals will have no effect.
Other foods to avoid
Alcoholic beverages.
Alcohol can be toxic and cause fatal complications.
Baby food.
Many baby foods contain onion powder, which can be harmful to the blood.
Fish and meat bones.
Small splinters can cut into the digestive tract and lead to bleeding.
Caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate).
Caffeine can affect the cat’s heart and nervous system.
Citrus oil extracts.
This can lead to stomach upsets and vomiting.
Fat.
Animal fats can lead to pancreatitis.
Don’t feed your cat fatty cooked meats, or at least trim the fat off first.
Grapes and raisins.
These contain a toxin that can harm the kidneys.
Human vitamin and iron supplements.
Excessive iron can damage the liver, kidneys, and the lining of the digestive tract.
Liver.
Liver is safe in limited amounts, but an excess can cause vitamin A toxicity.
Macadamia nuts.
Unknown toxins in macadamia can damage the muscles, digestive system, and nervous system.
Marijuana.
Marijuana can lead to vomiting, depression, and irregular heart rate.
Mushrooms.
Some mushrooms contain highly toxic substances that can affect multiple systems and even cause death.
Onion and garlic (powdered, cooked or raw).
These contain disulfides and sulfoxides, which can cause anaemia. They are harmful to both cats and dogs, but cats are more vulnerable.
Persimmons.
Persimmons seeds can obstruct the intestines.
Potato, tomato and rhubarb.
These can be harmful to the nervous, digestive, and urinary systems. The leaves and stems could possibly also be toxic.
Raw eggs.
Raw eggs can damage your cat’s hair and coat.
Salt.
Salt and salty foods can cause electrolyte imbalance, a potentially fatal condition affecting the heart and nervous system.
String.
Strings from beans and other vegetables may possibly not be digested, which can cause blockages.
Sugar.
Sweets are high in empty calories, which can lead to obesity, diabetes, and dental problems.
Yeast dough.
Yeast can expand in the stomach during digestion, causing it to rupture.
Once you have educated yourself as to the unique requirements of ragdoll cats you will instinctiveley know what is good or bad for your cat.
About the author:
Discover the trade secrets of Ragdoll Cat care, training, breeding and showing. Visit http://www.ragdoll-cat-care.com
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com
Pet accessories – Choosing the right dog and cat beds, dog ...
A dog collar is a dog collar isn’t it? Well – even dog collars are getting more advanced these days. One example is the canny collars - a collar designed to stop your dog pulling on the lead. Its’ made from a simple dog collar with a slip line that fits over your dog’s nose and works with a ‘pressure and release’ system. This applies gentle pressure to the bridge of doggie’s nose when he starts to pull,. The pressure is released as soon as he stops. It’s more comfortable and less restrictive than a traditional head collar. The Canny Collar won’t jerk your dogs head sideways or ride up into the eyes. It’s a kind, safe and effective method of training.
And what about electric dog collars? The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors has condemned the use of devices which deliver electric shocks to for training or behaviour problems. Users of devices like this need advanced training without which, pets can become distressed - as you might imagine. A dog experiencing a nasty shock to the neck will associate it with whatever it happens to be focusing on at the time. Unwanted side effects could occur when the dog being shocked becomes afraid of a particular area, or an owner, child, other dog etc. It's also possible that the device could be triggered by external influences, or could malfunction, resulting in disastrous consequences for the dog. Others may be triggered by barking - enough to send a dog "around the bend" if shocks are received for an extended period. Training by punishing may be considered a sloppy and lazy way of trying to get a pet to do what the owner wishes. A dog trained in this way is unlikely to be happy, behaving in a certain way for fear of dire consequences - like a circus bear. These devices should only be used in exceptional circumstances, where other methods have failed. Owners with problem pets should understand that the unwanted behaviour can be altered winder kindness and patience - after all, would we train our kids with electric shocks when they didn't do as they were told?
About the author:
Article written by www.hotdiggidydog.co.uk
www.hotdiggidydog.co.uk - suppliers of dog collars, dog beds, cat beds and dog clothes.
And what about electric dog collars? The Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors has condemned the use of devices which deliver electric shocks to for training or behaviour problems. Users of devices like this need advanced training without which, pets can become distressed - as you might imagine. A dog experiencing a nasty shock to the neck will associate it with whatever it happens to be focusing on at the time. Unwanted side effects could occur when the dog being shocked becomes afraid of a particular area, or an owner, child, other dog etc. It's also possible that the device could be triggered by external influences, or could malfunction, resulting in disastrous consequences for the dog. Others may be triggered by barking - enough to send a dog "around the bend" if shocks are received for an extended period. Training by punishing may be considered a sloppy and lazy way of trying to get a pet to do what the owner wishes. A dog trained in this way is unlikely to be happy, behaving in a certain way for fear of dire consequences - like a circus bear. These devices should only be used in exceptional circumstances, where other methods have failed. Owners with problem pets should understand that the unwanted behaviour can be altered winder kindness and patience - after all, would we train our kids with electric shocks when they didn't do as they were told?
About the author:
Article written by www.hotdiggidydog.co.uk
www.hotdiggidydog.co.uk - suppliers of dog collars, dog beds, cat beds and dog clothes.
Desired Cat Condos & Trees
By : Jim Otto
If you own a cat then you must be aware that cats have an innate urge to scratch. According to the expert veterinary doctors, scratching on a sisal scratch post acts as a form of therapy or stress release for your feline. Otherwise, your cat scratches your bed and furniture. To avert such a saddening situation it is wise to buy cat condos and cat beds.
If you don’t provide your feline with a scratching post, you may witness various negative results on your sofa or your favorite carpet. This is the reason why people nowadays prefer to buy separate cat condos and cat trees so that cats can get some privacy and can also use that place for scratching.
Cat condos and cat trees provide your cat a perfect place for claw-sharpening. Apart from that it also acts as a source of entertainment and exercise, for your cat can play, climb, hide and scratch. Last but not the least cat condos provide your feline friends a place to relax. Seeing its real worth and importance nowadays you can find various types of cat condos and cat trees, and the internet is the best place to find various types of cat condos and cat trees available in different sizes, colours, fabric and material.
If you are looking for the best cat condos and cat trees then Pet Supply Factory is the best place to get one of the best and most comfortable cat condos. Furthermore, it also offers various types of cat furniture like cat beds and even a cat gym.
Your cat deserves a great place to laze and enjoy life. That’s why buying the best cat condos and cat trees becomes the obvious and best solution. But prior to buying any cat condo or cat tree, try to keep various checkpoints in mind.
While buying any cat condo or cat tree, make sure it is sturdy in order to avoid any accidents. After safety, it’s durability. Durability is something which can’t be ruled out while selecting a cat condo. Thus make sure that your bought cat condo is durable and you get true value for your money.
Thus, if you want to provide your cat maximum comfort then simply buy one of the best cat condos and cat trees from Pet Supply Factory. For more information on cat condos, cat trees, cat furniture and cat beds please visit www.petsupplyfactory.com.
Article Source: http://articleaddict.com
Jim is a well known author and has been writing content for Pet Products available online for so many years. His content is worth reading as it gives you an insight about different aspects of purchasing furniture for your pets. For more information visit www.petsupplyfactory.com.
If you own a cat then you must be aware that cats have an innate urge to scratch. According to the expert veterinary doctors, scratching on a sisal scratch post acts as a form of therapy or stress release for your feline. Otherwise, your cat scratches your bed and furniture. To avert such a saddening situation it is wise to buy cat condos and cat beds.
If you don’t provide your feline with a scratching post, you may witness various negative results on your sofa or your favorite carpet. This is the reason why people nowadays prefer to buy separate cat condos and cat trees so that cats can get some privacy and can also use that place for scratching.
Cat condos and cat trees provide your cat a perfect place for claw-sharpening. Apart from that it also acts as a source of entertainment and exercise, for your cat can play, climb, hide and scratch. Last but not the least cat condos provide your feline friends a place to relax. Seeing its real worth and importance nowadays you can find various types of cat condos and cat trees, and the internet is the best place to find various types of cat condos and cat trees available in different sizes, colours, fabric and material.
If you are looking for the best cat condos and cat trees then Pet Supply Factory is the best place to get one of the best and most comfortable cat condos. Furthermore, it also offers various types of cat furniture like cat beds and even a cat gym.
Your cat deserves a great place to laze and enjoy life. That’s why buying the best cat condos and cat trees becomes the obvious and best solution. But prior to buying any cat condo or cat tree, try to keep various checkpoints in mind.
While buying any cat condo or cat tree, make sure it is sturdy in order to avoid any accidents. After safety, it’s durability. Durability is something which can’t be ruled out while selecting a cat condo. Thus make sure that your bought cat condo is durable and you get true value for your money.
Thus, if you want to provide your cat maximum comfort then simply buy one of the best cat condos and cat trees from Pet Supply Factory. For more information on cat condos, cat trees, cat furniture and cat beds please visit www.petsupplyfactory.com.
Article Source: http://articleaddict.com
Jim is a well known author and has been writing content for Pet Products available online for so many years. His content is worth reading as it gives you an insight about different aspects of purchasing furniture for your pets. For more information visit www.petsupplyfactory.com.
Hybrid Cats Represent Fashion at a High Price
By : Nicholas Hunt
Not too long ago, the rich and fashionably elite money makers were flashing their cute little teacup Chihuahuas and dressed up canines. The smaller the better. The more fashionable these little dogs were, well that was even better yet.
Before we knew it everywhere you would look you would see a flock of Chihuahuas and designer dogs under the arm of almost every pet crazed teen and trendy 'wannabe' out there. Retailers were even selling gemstone flocked attire and pet purses that matched the pampered canines.
I remember to my surprise when I was vacationing in Florida, I stopped at a small pet boutique to do some browsing and a woman reached in her purse and pulled out a mini- dog! It easily fit in the palm of one hand! The poor little dog just sat their shaking as the owner drooled and made over it like a baby. Whatever!
Well it seems as if Designer Dogs are yesterday's news, designer cats are the next 'Chic'. Designer Cats are seemingly becoming the latest trend in the Hybrid Pet Craze, but at what cost?
Breeders are taking the plain old domestic cat and cross breeding the animal with an Asian Leopard or even a Jungle cat! These are the Hybrids that are going for a very hefty price tag anywhere from a few hundred dollars to around $20,000.00.
It has become more of a style statement than anything else. These Hybrid Kitties are being bred just for the mere fact the breeders know they can make some serious money with these pets. They don't tend to take into consideration what damage they are doing to either breed of the cat. Cross breeding is not a good idea as it destroys the bloodline and DNA of pure bred cats, this also results in medical ailments which can in turn rack up some seriously high Vet bills.
This isn't stopping the elite and wealthy from going out and purchasing these felines to add to their own family tree. For those whom money is not an object, they rarely think about what conditions these animals initially came from. The problem is many of these pets are bred day in and day out and their bodies are not able to recover fully to regain proper strength and stamina. Many cats at these breeders are not receiving medical care and are not up to date on their shots, putting them and others at risk of getting very sick. Most breeders only care about putting money in their own pocket and not focusing on the care of the cats.
Because most of these animals are not registered, a question could be raised as to how the pets are being treated during the breeding and pregnancy stage. If a so called 'Back Room Breeder' is just in it for the buck, some of these animals may be in danger or at an increased risk for developing health problems, especially during their pregnancy and delivery stages.
The Hybrid cat scene has remained quite controversial due to the fact that they are selling for such a high price. Some breeders are trying to cash in on mixing pure bred felines with mix bred felines and selling the animal for much less than an exotic cat. What most owners don't know is the past health problems of the breed and also what problems could arise due to the breeding of two different types of felines.
With designer kittens that resemble small snow leopards or mini black jaguars, the look appeals to all ages and serves as distinct gifts that some people may chose to give to the debutante or super spoiled brat who already has it all. These cats are merely being bred and sold to show off.
Truly it is hard to believe that most of these designer kitties will be loved and cared for as much as a farm cat or stray from the local humane society. Not to mention there are thousands of felines out there at the moment who need homes and also need to be spayed and neutered with adequate medical attention.
None the less, as with designer dogs, designer cats are the newest up and coming trend in the lifestyles of the wannabe chic and fabulous. Before we know it Paris and Brit will be toting around a darling little tigress instead of their yappy little pooches. Hopefully they realize they will need to leave the cat fights at home, not for the paparazzi. Wait, that will never happen.
Article Source: http://articleaddict.com
Nicholas writes on animal insurance both for household pets and also horses.
Not too long ago, the rich and fashionably elite money makers were flashing their cute little teacup Chihuahuas and dressed up canines. The smaller the better. The more fashionable these little dogs were, well that was even better yet.
Before we knew it everywhere you would look you would see a flock of Chihuahuas and designer dogs under the arm of almost every pet crazed teen and trendy 'wannabe' out there. Retailers were even selling gemstone flocked attire and pet purses that matched the pampered canines.
I remember to my surprise when I was vacationing in Florida, I stopped at a small pet boutique to do some browsing and a woman reached in her purse and pulled out a mini- dog! It easily fit in the palm of one hand! The poor little dog just sat their shaking as the owner drooled and made over it like a baby. Whatever!
Well it seems as if Designer Dogs are yesterday's news, designer cats are the next 'Chic'. Designer Cats are seemingly becoming the latest trend in the Hybrid Pet Craze, but at what cost?
Breeders are taking the plain old domestic cat and cross breeding the animal with an Asian Leopard or even a Jungle cat! These are the Hybrids that are going for a very hefty price tag anywhere from a few hundred dollars to around $20,000.00.
It has become more of a style statement than anything else. These Hybrid Kitties are being bred just for the mere fact the breeders know they can make some serious money with these pets. They don't tend to take into consideration what damage they are doing to either breed of the cat. Cross breeding is not a good idea as it destroys the bloodline and DNA of pure bred cats, this also results in medical ailments which can in turn rack up some seriously high Vet bills.
This isn't stopping the elite and wealthy from going out and purchasing these felines to add to their own family tree. For those whom money is not an object, they rarely think about what conditions these animals initially came from. The problem is many of these pets are bred day in and day out and their bodies are not able to recover fully to regain proper strength and stamina. Many cats at these breeders are not receiving medical care and are not up to date on their shots, putting them and others at risk of getting very sick. Most breeders only care about putting money in their own pocket and not focusing on the care of the cats.
Because most of these animals are not registered, a question could be raised as to how the pets are being treated during the breeding and pregnancy stage. If a so called 'Back Room Breeder' is just in it for the buck, some of these animals may be in danger or at an increased risk for developing health problems, especially during their pregnancy and delivery stages.
The Hybrid cat scene has remained quite controversial due to the fact that they are selling for such a high price. Some breeders are trying to cash in on mixing pure bred felines with mix bred felines and selling the animal for much less than an exotic cat. What most owners don't know is the past health problems of the breed and also what problems could arise due to the breeding of two different types of felines.
With designer kittens that resemble small snow leopards or mini black jaguars, the look appeals to all ages and serves as distinct gifts that some people may chose to give to the debutante or super spoiled brat who already has it all. These cats are merely being bred and sold to show off.
Truly it is hard to believe that most of these designer kitties will be loved and cared for as much as a farm cat or stray from the local humane society. Not to mention there are thousands of felines out there at the moment who need homes and also need to be spayed and neutered with adequate medical attention.
None the less, as with designer dogs, designer cats are the newest up and coming trend in the lifestyles of the wannabe chic and fabulous. Before we know it Paris and Brit will be toting around a darling little tigress instead of their yappy little pooches. Hopefully they realize they will need to leave the cat fights at home, not for the paparazzi. Wait, that will never happen.
Article Source: http://articleaddict.com
Nicholas writes on animal insurance both for household pets and also horses.