Siberian Husky - Show Dog Standards

By Andrew A Preston

The Siberian Husky is medium in size and a graceful working dog that has a wolfish appearance and despite a powerful persona is nevertheless calm and friendly as well as attentive and even sociable in temperament. Good Siberian Husky care requires allowing them to exercise a fair bit and about an hour a day should do fine. However, they are very adept at losing themselves and so need to be kept within high and sturdy fenced areas. Other than that, they need to be groomed regularly which will include bathing, brushing and also caring for their ears, eyes, teeth as well as feet and nails.

There are a number of aspects to proper Siberian Husky breeding including realizing the need to ensure that the breed continues to remain a good show dog which is essential if you want the Siberian Husky breed to continue having great physical as well as mental attributes. In addition, if the breeding is done properly, it will ensure that the Siberian Husky continues to remain a breed that is able to both perform its required working dog tasks while at the same time being a good pet and be the fun animal which you know it to be.

When it concerns the best Siberian Husky breeding practices, as a breeder you must be aware of all possible hereditary problems that can affect the breed. Even after having provided it with the best Siberian Husky care, and once you become aware of potential problems, you need to then strategize so as to not have them affect your litters. One of the more common of these hereditary problems is juvenile cataracts, while others include corneal dystrophy and in poor Siberian Husky lines the condition known as hip dysplasia is commonly found to affect the breed.

In addition, there is hereditary epilepsy to think about that is a growing problem among the Siberian Huskies though it is by no means the only problem to be wary of. Another condition known as von Wilebrand's disease can cause disorders in the blood of your Siberian Husky leading to premature death in some instances. You will certainly have a lot on your plate when it comes to proper Siberian Husky breeding and it is only by being totally aware of all possible problems that you can do something to prevent them from affecting your breeding activity.
Siberian Husky breeding is not to be taken casually or lightly because then you would be no better than puppy-mills or like other unscrupulous breeders who care little about proper breeding practices and are more concerned about making a fast buck. And, with the present day trend of cesarean sections becoming a lot more common, it has led to many poor lines of Siberian Huskies being bred, all because of a problem with something called uterine inertia. It is problems such as these that are ruining the Siberian Husky breed, and as a responsible breeder you need to do something about this and also other problems such as thyroid problems which affects the skin and coat as well as reproductive system in the breed, causing poor lines to be bred in the process.

In addition, you need to ensure providing good Siberian Husky care, and to also ensure that all required testing is performed on the dogs prior to breeding. You must have enough funds available to meet the costs of conducting these necessary tests. It also does mean needing doing at least the genetic screening and failing to do so would indicate that you are not serious about proper breeding practices, which will be a reprehensible act on your part.

Andrew Preston knows much about the history of the Siberian Husky breed. The Siberian Husky has a long and distinguished history. Siberian Husky information can help you to learn about the specific appearance and ability of the breed.
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Pets and Exercise - A Great Fit

By Erik Weinstein

It may seem surprising, but one of the reasons that you think of your pet as your best friend is that you actually have a lot in common. Whether you own a dog or a cat, you both like to have fun, you both crave affection, and you both need exercise to stay healthy. In fact, making sure your pet is getting the right amount of exercise for its size can involve many of the same common sense approaches you would apply to your own exercise regimen.

Just as it is with their owners, pets need exercise if they are going to stay healthy, active and live a long, quality life. Nowadays, many pets live in urban environments that can make adequate exercise a real challenge. Unfortunately, many owners simply don't care for their pet's need for exercise. Consequently, many pets suffer from health problems that could easily be avoided by the proper amount of activity. By following a few simple rules, you can make sure your best friend is getting the right amount - and right kind - of exercise.

A great many ailments and conditions can arise from an inadequate amount of exercise, the most serious and widespread of which is obesity. How many times have you or a friend joked about the funny way one of your overweight pets waddled across the kitchen floor? In fact, obesity among pets is no laughing matter.

Obesity commonly arises from a number of factors. Many dogs are left alone, inside for long periods of time. Some cats spend all their time indoors. Many small pets don't have exercise wheels in their cages, or - in the case of birds - adequate space to fly about. All of these situations restrict movement and create a sedentary lifestyle. In addition, many pet owners don't take their animal's relative lack of activity into account when it comes to their pet's diet. As a result, many pets are fed far too many calories in relation to the amount of energy their inactive lives actually require.

The deleterious effects of obesity can vary, but all are serious. Primarily, obesity puts a great deal of stress on the body, exacerbating pre-existing conditions like heart disease, orthopedic disease, and some skin conditions. Obesity can also play a role in causing chronic diseases like diabetes.

If you own larger pets, the need for exercise is greater than with small pets. Large breed dogs, or even big cats can require much more exercise than their smaller counterparts. This is partly do to the fact that a larger animal needs much more space to get adequate exercise, where a smaller pet may get a good amount of activity in a much smaller area. Larger animals should get at least 20 minutes of exercise, twice a day. Just like with their human counterparts, this should be vigorous work that emphasizes strength, flexibility and cardiovascular endurance. For a large dog, a traditional game of fetch can be great exercise, especially when combined with some good old fashioned tug-of-war between throws. Try using the My Good Dog Vibram Stick, for a new twist on this favorite, canine pastime. For a bigger cat, a similar game with a Cat Dancer Cat Charmer can provide great fun and aerobic activity.

If you own a smaller pet, you can arrange for adequate activity with less space. Many times intermittent game-playing can be adequate. Anything from friendly rough-housing with a small dog, to ball rolling can be a great way to keep your pet fit, and spend quality time together in the process. Add extra challenge by throwing a My Good Dog Vibram Ball into the fun. With smaller cats, a toy like the Cat Dancer Mouse in the House can provide lots of fun, fit play, even when you're not home to enjoy it together.

Always consult your vet with questions regarding exercising your pet. If your pet hasn't been getting enough exercise, start slow and work your way up the same way you would if you just joined a new gym. With a little common sense, both you and your pet can become healthier - and closer - than ever!

Erik Weinstein is the proud parent of 2 giant maine coon cats and the VP of http://www.pawschoice.com/ - the webs #1 destination for health conscious pet owners for all natural and organic pet food, treats and toys.
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New Trends In Cat Accessories

By Dominic Lee

There's always been a certain air of bulkiness and ugly familiarity of conventional cat care products. Lately, there's been a craze sweeping across cat lovers to make cat products as unique and stylish as their owners. Of course, quality and durability is essential to withstand even the toughest cat. Here are some fun products, from beds to litter pans, that your cat will love using and you'll love looking at!

The stylish Feline Lotus Cat Furniture set looks more like a work of art than a multi-tiered cat lounger and bed. It has two flat tiers, and a wonderfully designed third tier that's gently curved for kitty comfort. At the bottom, it comes with a huge scratching pad and a spacious privacy bed.
To top it off, this cat furniture comes with an extra-durable mahogany, birch or cherry finish. These wood finishes are neutral enough to match any furniture color scheme and actually add to the stylish value of the room!

Cats always needs fresh clean water. In the past, cat owners have always been baffled as to why cats gravitate towards running water to drink. The key to this is basic water chemistry. The longer water sits, the lower the pH becomes as it loses oxygen, and the more sour water tastes. By using the Vet Ventures Drinkwell Pet Fountain, which circulates water and also passes it through a carbon filter, you provide the freshest and most natural tasting water possible. Keeping more than one in separate rooms makes sure you never run out of water for your kitty! It can also hold up to a gallon of water, plenty for even 3 or more cats.

Tired of keeping your kitty's ugly plastic bulky litter box hidden away in a closet? Now you can incorporate the often awkward litter box into stylish end tables! The "Refined Feline Litter Box" comes in a regular size and a larger size (to support automatically cleaning litter boxes). It looks like a stylish simple table, and it comes in mahogany, birch or cherry. It has two opening doors on the front and a nicely sized cat entrance on the side.

This trendy litter box is also highly functional. With your cat's litter box being enclosed as it is in the Refined Feline Litter Box, odor and tracked litter will be minimized or even eliminated. The trays slide out for cleaning and it also has a storage drawer for convenience.
The days of boring old cat products are out! These new products are a treat for your cat and you to enjoy and admire!

Dominic Lee is the spokesperson for PetPetSupplies.com - the premier internet destination for pet supplies, accessories, and products for pets. Please check out http://www.petpetsupplies.com/cats-cat-furniture-scratchers.html for more trendy cat furniture and accessories.
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3 Essential Tips on Choosing a Cat or Kitten

By Steve Hill

Buying a new cat or a kitten can often be an impulsive action. Once you see a new cat, more especially a kitten, it is hard to resist their charm; this makes it important you answer a few important questions before you finally make your choice.

Cat or Kitten?

First establish whether you want a fully grown cat or a kitten. Kittens are obviously cute, cuddly and playful but they can be stressful and make great demands on you as an owner, they will initially require a lot of your attention and time so if you are not able to give them this full attention from the start you should consider getting a more mature or adult cat.

Older cats are invariably already domesticated and will have some established behaviour patterns. Ideally you should try and discuss with the previous owner details about the eating habits, disposition, toilet behaviour and any other habits the new cat may have.

Male or Female?

There is a widespread belief that male cats are usually more independent and females are more friendly and loving towards their owners, however there is little difference in behaviour between the sexes once they have been neutered. Unless you intending to let your cat breed, neutering is advisable as this will result in a better pet with less "anti social" habits which are associated with cats used for breeding.

Pedigree or Non-Pedigree?

An important advantage of pedigree cats is that you can usually easier to predict the sort of cat you are going to end up with, especially how it will look and to some extent what temperament it may have.
If you intend showing or using your cat for breeding purposes then you should buy a cat that has a proven pedigree.

Their will obviously be more factors you will need to take into consideration and there is a wealth of useful information to help you, this can come from magazines and books, friends and other cat owners, the internet or your local vet.
Steve Hill is a webmaster from Birmingham, he has interests in a number of websites including:
stutteringalternative therapiesdvd replication
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Aggressive Cat Behavior - What To Do

By Paul Proctor Any plans for happily ever after with your new feline friend are quickly ruined by aggressive cat behavior. If you are victim to a cat scratch, clawing, or biting, it can be more than a temporary ailment. If you do not clean and dress the wound, it might easily become invaded by bacteria and infection.

Instead of worrying about the consequences of aggressive cat behavior, it is much better to understand what causes it and to head it off before it starts whenever possible. This can begin with the play of tiny kittens, and requires understanding a cat's normal instincts and their psychology.

Kittens will naturally exhibit some degree of aggressive behavior since it is instinct for them to stalk and capture prey. However, it's important for the new pet owner to teach the kitty appropriate behavior. The kitten needs strict limits for his behavior and substitutes he can use to vent his aggression. Your first thought may be "How cute!" when your kitten viciously attacks you with little bites and claws. At this point you have to think of the future and tell your kitty a forceful "No!" What is cute now won't be so cute when kitty has grown to adulthood.

Always have cat friendly toys and furniture available for your four legged friends. These provide safe outlets for aggressive play and healthy scratching and stretching. Stand firm and be clear that biting and clawing people is unacceptable. Use kind words and occasional treats to help reinforce every positive behavior you see, but don't use violence to punish your cat. This will devastate your relationship, and often makes the cat more aggressive.

A cat that is ill or stressed out is unable to tell you in words, so he may display aggressive behavior to get your attention. If you pet begins showing aggression you haven't seen before, be sure to take him to the vet immediately to have it checked out. A pet can become stressed by such things as changes in your household or his diet, loud noises, or having a new pet invading his territory. If you can, introduce your kitty to changes gradually in order to reduce his stress.

Lower stress levels should result in less aggressive behavior.
Some think aggressive cat behavior may also be caused in part by the diet, so discuss this with the veterinarian as well. Obesity may cause joint pain in older cats, so weight loss can improve both mood and health. Again, speak with a vet because to rapid a loss can be dangerous and even fatal to a cat.

Make sure that you pay attention to the body language of your cat. An over-stimulated feline can quickly turn and show aggressive behavior, just like when a cat goes from purring to biting in the flash of an eye. Danger signs include a flicking tail, an arched back, and pulling back of the ears, which should warn you to back away from the cat. Starting behavioral training early in a cat's life and reinforcing good behavior will pay dividends for years and years by teaching the cat good habits at an early age.

Any plans for happily ever after with your new feline friend are quickly ruined by aggressive cat behavior. If you are victim to a cat scratch, clawing, or biting, it can be more than a temporary ailment. If you do not clean and dress the wound, it might easily become invaded by bacteria and infection. Then it can be a really serious issue. Unusual feline aggression may often be contributed to the cat's health. Without the ability to communicate many cats will use aggression as a signal that they are ill or have been injured.
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Natural Pet Health Information

By Nadia Vg

If your pet appears to be having trouble with his health, first thing you should do is have your vet check him out thoroughly. Depending on what is wrong with your best friend, the vet may give you a prescription drug to tackle whatever is wrong. Sometimes, your pet will have to take these drugs for the rest of his life.

Unfortunately, a lot of these drugs have many potential negative side effects such as; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and hair loss. They could even lead to serious, life-threatening side effects that might be a lot more dangerous than the illness that is being treated. Side effects can involve the digestive tract, liver and kidneys. Some pets have actually died from taking prescribed drugs to treat arthritis or diabetes, simply because they caused kidney or liver failure.

Luckily, a growing number of people are turning to holistic and natural medicines for their own problems. I am happy to see this change is slowly seeping through to pet medicines as well. After all, if a natural remedy works for an animal, you really know it works. They don't know or understand why you are giving them the remedy, they might not even realize they are receiving medication, and they certainly can't convince themselves it won't work anyway, as many people do.

But don't jump in the deep end and just believe the first sales pitch you come by. Take your time to discover what natural remedies are out there that can possibly help or even cure your pet.
Read reviews from real people, and be aware of scams. Plenty of manufacturers don't care about making your pet better, they only care about making another sale. Make sure the manufacturer has properly tested his products according to regulations. And if the company really believes in its own products, they will give a very good satisfaction guarantee and money back guarantee.

Natural remedies and supplements can help your pet, just make sure you choose the right one and check with your vet first before giving any kind of remedies, supplements or vitamins.
As a life long doglover I like to help out where I can to make our best friend's lives a litlle better. My advice is based on every book I've ever read, documentaries I've seen, my own experiences with dogs and the training I followed to become a dog behaviour therapist.
For more natural pet health information and please visit my website here.
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Traveling with Pets

By Kiya Sama

Some pets are happy, eager travelers; others are totally traumatized. Dogs or cats that are ill, very young, old with medical condition, very nervous or aggressive, are not good candidates for travel. Also, pets that are prone to motion sickness should not be subjected to the rigors of travel. In general, dogs adjust better than cats. If you choose to take along your pet (or if you have to because you are moving to a distant place), there are a number of things you need to know so that your furry loved one will arrive safe and sound.

Before Leaving Home:
Your animal's vaccinations must be up to date you should take along a current health certificate. Be sure your pet is wearing and identification tag, and take along a color photo and a description of your pet (height, weight, distinguishing features), in case the pet gets lost en route.
Pack a bag for the animal: feeding and water bowls, grooming tools, leash and collar/harness, pet toys, cleanup items (pooper scooper or litter and litter pan, paper towels), food and water, any prescribed medications.

Most important: test your anima for motion sickness. Begin by taking your dog or cat for a short ride in the car and every day increase the length of the trip. Put the animal in a cat or dog carrier and be sure it is large enough for the pet to be comfortable.

Traveling By Car:
Pet carriers or kennels are a must, even for dogs that are used to short, frequent car rides. Having your pet in a carrier that is sturdy, well-ventilated and comfortable (soft mat or cushion inside) will best ensure the safety of the animal as well as the safety of the other passengers. The carrier should be large enough for the animal to stand, turn around, and lie down in. It should be placed in the sunny side of your vehicle.

Do not feed your dog or cat for at least three hours before setting off in a car. In general animals should be fed less than usual when traveling. On longer trips, snacks and water or small amounts of food are fine. Remember that cats need to use a litterbox about every three to four hours. If possible, the main meal should be given at the end of the day when you are finished driving or have arrived at your destination. Frequent stops are recommended; the dog can stretch and exercise (be sure the leash is on before the dog gets out of the car) and the cat can just get a break from the motion of the car.

Leaving your pet in a closed, parked car can be dangerous, especially in hot weather when car temperatures can rise quickly and cause heat stroke. If you have to leave the animal alone, park in a shaded area, roll down the windows a few inches, and return quickly. Cold weather can be equally threatening, causing hypothermia if your pet is left alone for too long.
KiyaSama is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Writers.
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