How To Choose A Motorcycle Pet Carrier
When choosing a motorcycle pet carrier, safety and practicality should be your main concerns. Keeping your pet safe is more important than having a fancy or stylish pet carrier. So what type of pet carrier should you choose when taking your cat or dog along for a motorcycle ride? Here are some key features that every motorcycle pet carrier or pet crate should have.
Durable and Protective
Probably the safest motorcycle pet carrier on the market is a pet crate made of hard, durable plastic. Some are even reinforced with lightweight aluminum for added strength. Pet crates made with an aerodynamic shape with these durable materials from top to bottom provide roll-cage like protection if an accident were to occur. Other types of pet carriers such as motorcycle pet bags, chest pouch carriers, and pet carrier tank pads, are not as safe because they expose the dog or cat, driver, and passenger to potential dangers and distractions.
Must-Have Safety Features
A motorcycle dog carrier or cat carrier should have certain safety features for everyone’s protection. Its cage door should be secure at all times with no chance of the door flying open while riding over bumps or on curves. Your pet should not be able to open the door from the inside. The interior of the pet crate should be free of any hazardous protrusions. It should not have screws or other objects protruding outward (on the interior) that could harm the pet during a quick stop or turn.
The bottom of the pet crate should be leak-free and have an absorbent material in the bottom (just in case). Also, be sure the motorcycle pet carrier can be securely mounted to your motorcycle. Some pet carriers come with special mounting made for that particular carrier to maximize safety.
Proper Ventilation
Any motorcycle dog carrier or other type of carrier should have proper ventilation. Be sure an opening is available just large enough for your dog to stick his head out and enjoy the breeze! Some pet crates have removable side rails that enable you to remove and replace them as needed on the trip.
Enough Space for Comfort
Make sure the pet carrier provides adequate space for your pet’s comfort while traveling. Your dog or cat should be able to move freely within the pet crate. They should be able to lie down, stand, and turn around with ease. Many pet crates come in various sizes so you can easily find the perfect fit for your pet.
Other features you might look for include a leash attachment, handles or grips for easy carrying by hand, and versatility. Versatility means the carrier can be easily converted into a scooter dog carrier, a hand-held carrier, or a bicycle pet carrier. This will save you money in the long run.
A motorcycle pet carrier with these mind-easing safety features will likely cost a little more than many other carriers, but you might save your pet’s life by spending just a little more. Pet travel can be fun once you find a motorcycle pet carrier you can trust!
Top 10 Health Conditions In Cats And Dogs & How You Can Help
Top Ten Surveyed Health Conditions for Dogs and Cats*
Top 10 health conditions in dogs ear infection, skin allergy, skin infection/hot spots, vomitting, diarrhea, bladder infection, arthritis, soft-tissue trauma, noncancerous tumour, eye infection.
Top 10 health conditions in cats – lower urinary tract problems, vomiting, chronic renal failure, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, diarrhea, skin allergy, dental disease, ear infection, eye infection.
Have you heard of Spirulina?
Spirulina is a micro-algae which contains the most remarkable concentration of nutrients known in any food. Its is known as a functional food, as it can provide nutrition and special functions that work to enhance health.
Fact : Scientists around the world in Japan, China, India, Europe, Russia and the USA are discovering how and why spirulina is so effective for animal (and human) health.
Fact : In 1994, a Russian Patent was awarded for spirulina as a medical food to reduce allergic reactions from radiation sickness in the children of Chernobyl.
This incredible food has unique phytonutrients; phycocyanin, polysaccharides and sulfolipids, which all enhance the immune system. Spirulina is also rich in natural carotenoid antioxidants, all of which promote cellular health and are known to reduce the risk of cancer.
Spirulina is a high protein food, with over 60% all digestible vegetable protein, containing three times the protein value of beef, but without the saturated fat and cholesterols; as much vitamin E as wheat germ and 100 times more beta carotene than carrots. It also contains the highest concentration of vitamin B12, iron and trace minerals, together with the essential fatty acid GLA (gamma-linolenic acid).
How Can Spirulina Help My Pet?
There are hundreds of published scientific studies all over the world revealing that by feeding spirulina to mice, hamsters, chickens, turkeys, cats, fish and humans, confirmed that with its unique phytonutrients, spirulina improves immune system function.
Low immune system function is the underlying cause of many poor health conditions in animals and humans, so by supporting your pets immune system with spirulina, you can help to prevent poor health conditions and expensive vet bills!
Key Benefits of Giving Your Pet Spirulina
Good immune function in dogs and cats can translate into better quality skin and lustrous coat.
Pets with fleas and subsequent itching skin are helped significantly with spirulina, as it helps the immune system to bring the allergic skin reaction under control.
Appetites of fussy cats have been known to lift with a sprinkled on their food.
Owners report spirulina fed pets have a fresher breath.
Older animals may regain flexibility.
A great alternative for dogs and cats that like to eat grass.
Using spirulina is ideal for detoxification after antibiotic treatment.
Spirulina promotes overall good health benefits for the pets that are regularly fed with it.
How Much Spirulina Do I Give My Cat or Dog?
Spirulina is naturally in a very concentrated form, so a little goes a long way.
For dogs the size of a Retriever size need only 1 2 teaspoons of Spirulina per day with food.
Smaller breeds need a lesser quantity.
For cats an 1/8 of a teaspoon a day is enough.
There are some organic pet foods also available containing spirulina
Finally, if you are thinking, if spirulina is that good for my pet will it be good for me too?
Oh yes!
[Top]How To Entertain Your Ferret
Your ferret is highly active, and wants to interact with you. He won’t be interested in watching television or playing video games, and he of course cannot be let out into the backyard to burn off his energy. He needs you to provide some measure of entertainment for him.
You will always know when your ferret is ready to play. He will do everything but say the words! He will most likely get in front of you, bounce a bit, run back and forth, and possibly even ‘dance’ a bit. He may even tug on your pants leg to get your attention. There won’t be any doubt in your mind that he wants to play, and he has selected you as his playmate.
Ferrets like games that involve chasing, hiding and seeking, and tug-of-war the best. Naturally, there are many variations of these games that you can play with your ferret, and it won’t take long before you know which ones he enjoys the most. He will chatter, dance, and be very interested in the games that he loves.
Entertaining a ferret is not expensive. He doesn’t need fancy toys. He likes the simple things in life. An old dishtowel for tug-of-war, a ball, a paper sack with crumpled up newspaper or wrapping paper inside – these are the things that bring joy to your ferrets life.
Get down on your hands and knees and chase him – allow him to chase you back, but stay on your hands and knees. Make sure that you have lots of energy! Ferrets are a cuddly ball full of energy – and he will be able to play the game a great deal longer than you will.
Ferrets love companions. Two ferrets are always happier than just one, because they have each other for constant entertainment. A dog or cat also makes a good playmate for your ferret.
You should also purchase some toys that will allow your ferret to entertain himself when you can’t play. Toys that hang from strings are very interesting to ferrets. They don’t just want to ‘bat’ the toys like cats do – they want to figure out how to get it to their nest, and will spend hours trying to figure that out.
Your ferret may want to nip. This is a natural part of his play – until he understands that you do not want him to nip you. Do not hit your ferret. Instead, tap him on the nose and sternly say ‘no.’ Once you’ve done this, do not remain mad at the ferret. Go back to playing with him, and when he nips you again, tap him on the nose again and say ‘no.’ Make sure that you are consistent with this, and it won’t take long for your ferret to associate nipping with you being angry at him. He doesn’t want you to be angry – he wants to please you.
You can purchase Ferretone in just about any pet store, or through online pet stores. This substance can be applied to anything that you want the ferret to be interested in. Ferretone is like cat nip – but for ferrets.
[Top]Basic Requirements For Housing A Snake As A Pet
A recent news item about a reptile that escaped prompted me to recall the necessary features of a snake’s habitat. At the top of the list, the snake’s cage needs to be secure, but also a comfortable place to live.
The housing.
First and foremost, the cage must be secure. We don’t want the snake to escape, and it’s our duty to make sure that the snake can’t harm itself. There must be no sharp or cutting edges anywhere inside the cage and the cover needs to have locking clips. A totally glass container can be employed, as long as the top is well ventilated and can’t get too warm. Many vivariums have wooden backs and sides, and glass doors which can slide, which cuts down on weight and helps make them cheaper. The sliding glass panels can additionally be fixed in place using special mechanisms.
Nutrition.
Reptiles need water, and although some kinds of reptiles can go for long periods without taking in water, most pet snakes also like to get immersed from time to time. No other liquids are needed by the reptile except for fresh clean water changed every two days or so. Reptile food is a very broad subject, and most snake care guides cover this in much detail. Smaller reptiles migh eat small insects and crickets, whilst the larger boas and pythons will take big rats. Mice and rats can be given either dead or alive, but the animal must be relaxed or it might not eat.
Bedding and Surroundings
Normally, a snake is comfortable with either sawdust or hay strewn across the cage floor. Although snakes are not that intelligent, some extra things in the tank will serve to stimulate them, keeping them active and healthy. A rock or tree branch will do nicely. Snakes also need to hide themselves, so a small box or cover will allow it to hide when it wants. Be careful not to put anything into the tank that may contain parasites, fungus or small insects.
Comfortable Environment.
Reptiles are cold blooded, which just means they take on the ambient temperature. A chilled snake will move slower than a warm one, and generally be less happy. A decent reptile care guide should give you the best temperature for each species. A good heating source might take the form of a synthetic rock, with an electric heater element hidden inside. Another type of heating is by infra-red lamp suspended from the lid, or a normal incandescent lamp could be employed. The last example would also provide light, but is not perfect, as the temperature is better controlled thermostatically. A separate lamp may be timed to simulate day and night. Finally, make sure you take greta advice on how to buy a pet snake.
[Top]Pancreatitis In The Shih Tzu
It is very important to feed your Shih Tzu a well-balanced diet of pet food and not table scraps. Pancreatitis is a severe inflammation of the pancreas that can result from feeding your Shih Tzu table scraps.
A Shih Tzu with pancreatitis may suddenly vomit, become dehydrated, be lethargic and have diarrhea. These symptoms are common to a lot of different canine diseases; therefore, the diagnosis of pancreatitis is very difficult for a vet to make. He will depend a lot upon a good history from the Shih Tzu owner.
High amounts of fat in the Shih Tzus diet, a high-fat meal or allowing your Shih Tzu to get into the garbage and consume leftover food may cause pancreatitis Pesticides. Some canine drugs can cause side effects of pancreatitis as well. There is a higher incidence of this disease in obese Shih Tzu.
Pancreatitis can also lead to diabetes and loss of some liver function in your Shih Tzu. It is very important to introduce an easily digestible diet to avoid diarrhea.
Repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis or has signs of diabetes may be chronic pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis can appear suddenly, but doesnt last as long. There is little or no permanent damage to the organ. In chronic pancreatitis the pancreas undergoes permanent damage and possible loss of function.
Once a Shih Tzu is diagnosed with pancreatitis, the intestinal tract must be rested. All food and water is withheld from the dog for a period of time, usually 24 hours. If the Shih Tzu is dehydrated, intravenous fluids will have to be given. The Shih Tzu normally responds to treatment in a few days and can gradually be put back on food.
You need to avoid acute or chronic pancreatitis at all times with your Shih Tzu. Feed your Shih Tzu a well balanced commercially prepared diet to be certain your Shih Tzu is getting all the nutrition it needs.
The best choice of food for your Shih Tzu is a veterinarian formulated product inspired by nature and made using good science. Your Shih Tzu depends upon you to make the right choices when it comes to his or her health and happiness. Your Shih Tzu is a part of your family and you probably want the very best for him.
You might think all pet food manufacturers have your pets best interests in mind. This is not always the case. Current pet food regulations allow manufacturers to use ingredients that you would never give to your pet. You probably would be shocked to learn what some brands of pet food really contain.
For example, the use of by-products on the label of a dog food actually means feet, bones and intestines, etc.). You will often see listed on the dog food label, chemical preservatives (BHA and BHT), and grains that are often difficult to digest (corn, wheat, gluten and soy). These things are often used as a protein source instead of meat. These types of ingredients can also cause acute pancreatitis and possibly even chronic pancreatitis in your Shih Tzu.
Choose a dog food for your Shih Tzu that is made with the freshest, human-quality ingredients, which can give your Shih Tzu the best quality possible. This would be also a dry dog food that contains all natural chicken and top quality catfish with the best fresh fruit, vegetables and select farm foods. The dog food you choose for your Shih Tzu should contain no artificial flavors, colors, sugars, or chemical preservatives. Be sure to read the labels on the dog food before purchasing for your Shih Tzu.
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