Pet Goddess

The trouble is also that the chemicals are everywhere.  Pets breathe the vapors given off by these products. So do you if you sleep with your pet.

Cats lick the chemical from their fur when they clean themselves. Flea powders can fall off onto kitchen counters and other surfaces where food is prepared and/or eaten. Children who pet dogs and cats may easily pick up the chemicals on their hands, and then ingest it if they put their finger in their mouth, or eat something without washing their hands first.

Flea bombs are particularly dangerous, as they fill your entire house with a poisonous, flammable cloud. In one case reported in the Seattle area, a woman forgot to turn off the pilot light in her stove before using over a dozen flea bombs. The bombs ignited, blowing out all the windows and shifting the roof — yet the fleas actually survived.

New topical flea products that can be applied monthly make flea control less labor intensive, but still have their problems. You need to read the labels carefully to follow all instructions.

These products are praised for their effectiveness by the pet industry. They supposedly kill 96% of adult fleas within 2 hours of application, and all adult fleas within 24 hours. Their safety is supposed to be such that it is safe “even for kittens.”

Yet we found them being sold on a pesticide website, acconpanied with the following instructions:

Wear household latex gloves…Do not get this product in your pet’s eye’s or mouth.

So much for safety for kittens.

K9 Advantix is neve supposed to be used on cats, or even in a household with cats.

Often these products even warn about the dangers of the chemical getting into the water supply if you wash your pet within 48 hours of the treatment. If it is that dangerous even diluted, why am I rubbing it on my dog or cat’s skin?

Vets rarely see problems with these products, though some animals have skin reactions or act unwell for a few days after treatment. But they also warn that flea resistance to these products appears to be occurring, as often happens with pesticides, so natural flea control is still the better method.

Posted May 22, 2008 Comments(0)

Natural Flea Control Part 2

TOXIC FLEA CONTROLS
A lot of people think that flea protection is no big deal these days, because there are so many flea control products on the market. However, which is the right one for you, your family, and your pet?

Unfortunately, most of them are extremely toxic. Their warning labels speak for themselves:

Impregnated flea collars:

“CAUTION: Do not allow children to play with this collar. Dust will form on this collar during storage. Do not get dust or collar in mouth. armful if swallowed. Do not get dust in eyes. It will cause temporary pupillary constriction. In case of contact, flush eyes with water. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling collar. The dust released by this collar is a cholinesterase inhibitor.”

Insecticidal powders and shampoos:

“WARNING: Causes eye irritation. Do not get in eyes. Harmful if swallowed. While washing pets, avoid getting shampoo in animal’s eyes. Do not use on kittens or puppies under six weeks of age.”

Aerosol flea bombs:

“CAUTION: USE ONLY WHEN AREA TO BE TREATED IS VACATED BY HUMANS AND PETS. Harmful if swallowed or absorbed through skin. Avoid breathing vapors or spray mist. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Do not apply directly to food.
In the home, all food-processing surfaces should be covered during treatment and thoroughly washed before use. Remove pets and cover fish aquariums and delicate plants before spraying. Remove all motor vehicles before use in garages.”

Active ingredients in flea killers and preventives include pesticides such as DDVP, propoxur, diazinon, and carbaryl, nerve poisons that are toxic to pets and humans, and may cause long-term health problems.

Some flea collars and powders can cause severe conditions such as contact dermatitis on the skin of your pets, or even you.

Posted May 21, 2008 Comments(1)

Fleas bites are annoying to your pet and to you, but they can also cause serious health problems if left unchecked.

In kittens, fleas can cause anemia. Adult cats are often allergic to flea bites, and can develop a nasty skin irritation called flea-bite dermatitis.

A single bite can set off intense itching, which can result in a secondary bacterial infection.

Many people are also highly allergic to flea bites. Fleas that are swallowed by cats can transmit tapeworms, which can cause malnutrition in an adult cat, and stunt the growth of a kitten.

Don’t assume that if your pet is scratching a little that it has fleas. Animals scratch, just like humans do. Every time we scratch, we don’t assume we have fleas.

But scratching is the obvious sign to look out for, especially if you have an outdoor cat.

To be sure it’s fleas, place your pet on a white towel and give it a good rub. If dark specs fall off, and they turn red when you touch them with a drop of water, your pet has fleas.

Posted May 20, 2008 Comments(0)

Grooming
The eyes need regular cleaning. Often the ears will as well. Many cockers can be allergic so it is good to clean these areas every day when the pet is young to avoid issues and them being head shy later on.

Some owners prefer to leave the coat long, brushing daily and shampooing frequently with regular scissoring and clipping. Others prefer to clip the coat to medium length to be more functional. Either way, the dog will need regular trimming.

When brushing, be careful not to pull out the silky hair. There is a thick dense undercoat on many of the breed. Hair can range from straight to very curly. This breed is an average shedder.

Make sure you keep an eye out for ear and eye inflammation when you are grooming.

Origin
The popular Cocker Spaniel, sometimes called the American Cocker Spaniel, was originally developed from careful breeding of the English Cocker Spaniels brought to the United States. The American Cocker Spaniel is quite a bit smaller than the English Cocker Spaniel and has a different conformation, especially regarding length and placement of the tail.
The name “Cocker” comes from the woodcock, a game bird these spaniels flushed particularly well from the bushes whilst out hunting.

Today, the Cocker Spaniel serves primarily as a companion and glamorous show dog. It can also be used for hunting, tracking, retrieving, watchdogging and agility.

Group
Gun Dog, AKC Sporting

Recognition
FCI, AKC, UKC, KCGB, CKC, ANKC, NKC, NZKC, CKC, CCR, APRI, ACR

FCI = Fédération Cynologique Internationale
AKC = American Kennel Club
UKC = United Kennel Club
KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain
CKC = Canadian Kennel Club
ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club
NKC = National Kennel Club
NZKC = New Zealand Kennel Club
CKC = Continental Kennel Club
CCR = Canadian Canine Registry
APRI = American Pet Registry Inc.
ACR = American Canine Registry

Summary=The American cocker spaniel is a lively, engaging companion. It does not get too large, but nor is it a lap dog. It should be very gentle with children, but they should be taught to be gentle with it. They love toys and can hoard and be territorial. Always let it have a crate for its den, and to stop it from thinking it is the alpha of the pack.

1003 words

Posted May 20, 2008 Comments(1)

Health Problems
Some major concern in American Cocker Spaniels are: cataracts, glaucoma and patellar luxation. Some minor concerns are hip dysplasia, ectropion, entropion, PRA, allergies, seborrhea, lip fold pyoderma, otitis externa, liver disease, urolithiasis, prolapse of nictitans gland, CHF, phosphofructokinase deficiency, and cardiomyopathy. Occasionally seen are gastric torsion and elbow dysplasia. Also IMHA (Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia)

Exercise
Cockers will do okay in an apartment if they are adequately exercised, and are fairly active indoors. A small yard is sufficient.
American Cockers have plenty of stamina and need regular exercise. They should be taken on daily, long walks. When walking, avoid brushy thickets that can tangle the coat. They need a firm but loving owner to be the head of their pack.

Life Expectancy
About 12-15 years.

Litter Size
1 – 7 puppies – Average of 5

Posted May 19, 2008 Comments(0)

Temperament
Bold and keen to work, the American Cocker Spaniel is equally suited to life as a gundog or as a household pet. Cheerful, sweet, and sensitive, the Cocker Spaniel is respectful of its master’s authority without much challenge.
Merry and endearing. A happy tail-wagger. Gentle and trusting, with average intelligence. They are lively, playful and devoted, but should be socialized well when they are young to avoid a tendency for shyness.
Usually good with children. Cockers love everyone and need people to be happy. They can be difficult to housebreak and some like to bark. However they are mostly easy to train and get along well with other animals.
Note: This is a very popular breed; the above is the typical temperament of the American Cocker Spaniel, like any breed there are always exceptions. Due to this breeds popularity one must be careful to choose a Cocker from a reputable breeder; as some have reported that their cockers did not have great temperaments, and were not good with children. Cockers with this type of temperament are not typical of the breed.
Before adopting an American Cocker, be sure to give it a puppy temperament test and if possible ask to meet the parents. Beware of poorly bred puppy-mill Cockers as they may have bizarre temperamental changes and behavioral problems. This would include shy-sharpness, which is a combination of fear and dominance that can cause viciousness.
Also look out for submissive urinating; aggressive guarding of objects, people and places, hyper-sexuality and roaming, especially amongst males.

Height, Weight
Height at the shoulder: Dogs 15 1?2 inches (38cm.) Bitches 14 1?2 inches (36.8cm.)
Weight: 15-30 pounds (7-14 kg.)

Posted May 18, 2008 Comments(0)

Description
This is a beautiful spaniel with very long hanging ears, a rounded head, and a profuse, silky, feathered, medium-length coat. The head is chiseled with an abrupt stop. The muzzle is wide, deep and broad with a square jaw.
The upper lip hangs down, covering the lower jaw completely. The teeth are strong and should meet in a scissors bite. The nose is always black on black dogs, but may be brown on other dogs.
The eyes are round, set on so they look straightforward. The eye rims are slightly oval.
The body is compact, with a short back. The topline should slope gently downwards from front to back. The front legs are straight, with good bone. Dewclaws on front and rear legs should be removed.
The coat comes in buff, black, and other solid colors, black-and-tan (like a Rottweiler or Doberman Pinscher), parti-color (white with black, white with buff or red, white with black and tan points)
Some requirements for correct markings are specified in the standard. The tail is docked to 2/5 its original length and is carried on a line with its back; it is constantly in motion.
Field lines generally have shorter coats which are better suited to work in brush. They also have better hunting instincts. Both types make very good pets.

Posted May 17, 2008 Comments(1)

When you choose a pet in a rescue program, be prepared to go through an interview and application process. The organization wants to know these pets will be well cared for the long term.

You will probably be asked about other pets you may have, the age of your children, the size of your yard and your thoughts on a cat with claws if you are looking at a cat. This is to help match the pet with the right owner.

Adoption fees vary by each organization, but you can expect to pay $100-$350 for a rescued animal.

These groups do not make a profit. These fees cover the cost of the animal while it was in the care of the organization. This adoption fee usually covers vaccinations, medical exams, spaying, and neutering, and often the fees help cover the other animals, for example the older ones, who are less likely to get a home, and those who need medical attention, to help offset their costs.

Getting your next pet through an animal rescue organization is a responsible way to get your next family member. You can also find many volunteer opportunities through these organizations.  So even if you do not think you want to have a pet yourself, but still love animals, there’s a lot you can do to help even if you don’t adopt. You can donate, help walk them, feed them and clean out the pens, and lots more.

You just need time, energy, and an open heart.

Word Count 1225

Posted May 16, 2008 Comments(0)

You can gain a lot of personal satisfaction by adopting your next pet through an animal rescue organization. You know you have done something to help all the homeless animals, and your new pet will show its appreciation.

If you are interested in adopting through one of the many rescue organizations, it is easy to find one in your area. As we said, do a zip code based search on petfinder.org. You can also set your other choices for what you are looking for in a pet, age, gender, specific breed, and so forth.

Or, ask your vet.  Your vet can give you the contact information for organizations near you. If this is your first time pet, compare the policies of the local shelters. Some are far more strict than others. The adoption fee, which basically is a nominal fee toward the cost of having cared for the animal, can also vary widely depending on shelter and on the age of the pet.

Most of the time, these pets are kept in private homes (foster homes) until they are adopted. This gives the animal time to be socialized with other pets, children and time to get used to living in a home. They can also determine the pets’ likes and dislikes to enable them to place it in the best home.

Sometimes, animal rescue groups will bring their animals that need homes to kennels or doggy day care to be socialized and shown off, to see if a home can be found for the unwanted animal.  They will also bring them to  pet stores or other locations for interested people to see and meet the animals on certain weekends.

Posted May 15, 2008 Comments(0)

As you begin looking at pets available through rescue groups, keep in mind some of these animals have had very hard lives. You may find a dog that was abused by its owner and so has some lingering issues.

You may find a female cat that has just given birth.  Many of the animals offered by rescue groups have been relinquished by their owners because they are moving or can no longer care for them.

In addition, some of these groups take animals that live in kill shelters, or as strays living on the streets. Some programs also offer spay and neuter release program for wild cats.

Some cats can be taken off the street and can get good homes, but need time and patience, and to be carefully screened for disease before they can go near any other animal, or even people.

Rescue groups do quite a good job of screening animals before adopting them out to new homes. They also screen potential pet owners. If you find a pet offered through a pet rescue group, you will be asked to sign a contract saying that you agree to care for the pet long term. You will also be asked several questions about your home, your children and other pets you may have. This is not to be nosey–it is simply to help match an owner with the right pet.

If the animal suffers from a medical condition, such as diabetes, the new owners will know this up front before adopting. Having the animal’s health history at the time of adoption helps the animal find a permanent home with owners willing to cater to their special needs.

When you adopt, you might also be asked for a letter of reference from your vet.  Again, this is to determine if you are a responsible pet owner. There is nothing worse for a shelter or rescue group than dogs who just keep coming back in because the adoption does not work out for one reason or another.

Posted May 14, 2008 Comments(0)