The best way to keep my dog's health – three important tips that every dog owner should know

Posted by Snoop Dog | Cat Dog Articles | Sunday 8 August 2010 11:44 am

As a dog owner, I love to chat with other dog owners. When I made any of the questions I often ask, 'what are the options for my dog healthy. "All dogs love a lot and I know how to maintain healthy happy. Like many dog owners now have the same doubts, I decided to write well, this book share with you some tips on keeping dogs. In this article you will find three simple tips that can help your> Dogs live a long and happy life.

Diet

If someone asks the question "What are my options for my dog ', as I said, is healthy' first make sure your dog eats a balanced diet." A healthy diet is the first and most important, what your dog needs to stay healthy and active. Let's look at some important changes, "the dog food you can improve your health.

There are several ways the owner has the choice of high qualityPet food. Whatever your choice, it is essential that you choose foods in harmony with the latest developments in dogs.

Before Raw Diet: The idea behind the provision of a homemade diet or is that the first copies, like a dog would eat in nature to the fullest. While a homemade diet is the idea if you're careful, you take a lot of work to do more harm than good, if not properly balanced. The best way to feed your dog a diet is to buy the first one, alreadyprepared in a high quality pet store. Make sure the label says explicitly: "This food is nutritionally complete or sufficient evidence for all stages of life

Avoid commercial pet foods that contain artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. Avoid foods that contain gluten or fillers. Give your dog organic food is free from additives and preservatives. Feed your dog a quality certified AAFCO pet food that contains real meat instead of meat. "

SecondCommercial Diet: Our preference is for a can of diet that is AAFCO certified ingrfedients contains human grade. "This means that by eating all the nutritional guidelines of the sector will meet and use high quality ingredients. Canned diets contain more moisture than dry, helps maintain urinary tract health dog. If you can not find a diet that meets these criteria, then either buy the canned food as the vet's Science Diet, Prescription Diet, Purina Veterinary Office, Royal CaninVeterinaray or similar foods. If you can only afford food sold in supermarkets or Wal * Mart, until the food is characterized AAFCO certified. Beware, says the certification will be examined and deemed appropriate "against a standard less than the AAFCO certified yet, but says:" formulated to meet AAFCO standards.

Also make sure the day, you offer your dog with clean water for everyone. Drinking promotes urination (as an extra walk), the way still cleaning the urinary tractintestinal tract.

Exercise

The body of a dog was meant to move, not stay all day. Exercise improves blood circulation, your dog, strengthens the limbs, increases metabolism, prevents stress, increase your energy levels and strengthens the immune system. Therefore, regular physical activity "'is yet another answer to the question" What are my options for my dog healthy. "

Walking, running, climbing stairs, swimming and take some of the ball are simpleThe exercises you can do your dog. If you prefer, you can dog special agility equipment, treadmills and meetings to the dog, exercise your dog much more interesting. We especially like Toys Kong hide the fact that a piece of dog food and ask how to get out there. It provides exercise and mental stimulation.

Supplements

Pet health experts are constantly share important tips about dog dog health.He said that dogs need certain nutrients that do not always get from their diet. Therefore it is important to give high quality herbal preparation to ensure that your dog receives all the nutrients and antioxidants important for your health. Look for a supplement that contains herbs like milk thistle mistletoe, Huang Qi, Ashwagandha and Cat's Claw. These herbs increase your dog's immune system, regulates the levels of blood pressure, strengthening his vital organs,to eliminate toxins and improve circulation.

How to keep your dog healthy, everything you need to do something, is for a healthy diet, be sure to exercise power and to give a small dose of food supplements every day. Now that you know the answer to the question "What are my options for my dog healthy," the application of these suggestions and make sure your dog lives a long and healthy life.

Pet Health Care Tips to drive for the holidays without your furry friend

Posted by Snoop Dog | Cat Dog Articles | Wednesday 7 July 2010 9:44 pm

Who can do a lot of fun holiday – but leave behind a pet is often stressful. The following tips may worry you might feel differently.

June brings awareness during the summer holidays have become a reality. However, some owners to be concerned about pet health care for their furry friends while they are flying off somewhere warm.

There are several options for finding a dog or cat while on vacation: you canAnimal in a kennel or breeding with a friend, or leave to remain at home with a babysitter.

Whichever method you choose, help with the following tips could easily any concerns you may have.

The choice of breeding or rearing.

Do not choose a place for your pet if you have already discovered all their practices and procedures. Before you trust your beloved animal to a plant, you should visit the site several times in order to learn,The personnel and procedures. Knowing people who know how to treat your pet, ask them about the emergency protocol and type of diet, exercise and care of your pet get on a daily basis is also advisable. If you are unsure about where you are leaving your pet, does not even exist. Some institutions also have special PET Webcam with your dog or cat to play and relax can see, so why not ask for this?

How does oneChild?

Catsit If you ask a professional or a friend for a week, could be a good idea to spend some 'time with them and the dog before leaving. This should help calm on how to interact with your pet and his aspiring nurses, as well as the opportunity to get the babysitter to know the animal and its idiosyncrasies.

Vacation leave behind.

No matter where your pet or stay with, so that the assistant is a list of emergencyContacts, information on special diets, routines, or the characteristics of the animal and can get copies of their documents veterinarian is probably a wise decision. Make sure your pet insurance details are included in the documents submitted. And 'many things to think about your pet that you take the course but it is not known to his caregiver, so hard on these things and write them down for the caregiver. Give your pet a favorite toy and maybe a blanket or a T-shirt bearing the scent of you andHome can also help calm him.

How not to start without them.

ASPCA, the American cat and dog rescue organization said that when the owner leaves, many animals, especially dogs, desperately. If your dog shows this need through destructive behavior or physical symptoms are all shocked. Pet health experts recommend checking the association Getting Any tick – as nervous urination – for veterinarians before leaving for the provisionall biological questions. Welcome and farewell parties, according to experts, quiet and short, or may frighten your pet. But how do you feel emotionally, your pet is the best since he left you can casually delivered.

What you should choose – Pet Pet Health Insurance or health insurance?

Posted by Snoop Dog | Cat Dog Articles | Thursday 1 July 2010 3:22 pm

During appear Pet Health Insurance Pet Health Insurance against a pun, if it is anything but! Knowing the difference can save your pet a lot of unnecessary burden and save a lot of money and pain. The following article is a guide for their differences.

Pet Health Insurance

$ 15 per month makes perfect sense should leave your cat or dog is hit by a car, or enter into a fight with another animal, when the average cost of a broken bone$ 2,500.

However, it should not be used to restore the health of a pet, immune and gastrointestinal diseases has. Almost all of these disorders and diseases are caused by poor quality of food, water, and lack of quality awards and digestive aids.

Why your pet and your wallet from this unnecessary misery?

Pet Health Insurance

You should now that you are what you eat. If you are ill, eat in the near future, probablyhigher taxes on junk food, such as alcohol and tobacco are heavily taxed, but the food on animals? Pet Food is the equivalent of fast food to eat (junk food) 24 / 7 during your life.

In the 2004 documentary "Super Size Me, Morgan Spurlock wanted to know what effect a diet fast food 24 / 7 to 30 days would have on his health. Luckily it was intelligent enough to understand the help of several doctors and began a complete physical. I Doctors monitored throughout theto verify.

If you have not seen, please. Here's the abstract: Although Morgan was determined to end of 30 days, after only two weeks his health had deteriorated so rapidly that doctors and his friend, urged him to abandon the experiment. In just three weeks, Spurlock gained eighteen pounds and became depressed and withdrawn. He also suffered from severe headaches, mood swings and disruptive chest palpitations. All these changes take place before disturbing the camera. Afterthirty days, he goes into liver failure.

Fast Food Pet Food

If you take the time to investigate what is actually canned or dry food that you would never feed an animal that you loved and cared about. Pet Health Statistics bare this out: Most pets suffer from food allergies. Over time, this allergy to develop overt disease, 50% of all animals older than 10 have some form of cancer. Why?
Dogs and cats are carnivores. meat quality is an importantComponent for maintaining their health. What little 'meat found in pet food is meat not intended for human consumption: the rest is mostly filler grain (usually the chaff), which has virtually no nutritional value.

The majority of cat / dog food grains is over, but cats and dogs are not grain eaters. Cereals, in any amount, should not be a part of their regular diet.

All vitamins and minerals attracts flashy pet food labels is of little valueand the small crowd. The rules concerning the identification of pets is actually worse than this for people.

Supplements Meat + = a healthy pet

Meat alone is not enough to keep your pet healthy. Cats / Dogs need probiotic supplements such as soil-based, running a series of tasks, such as maintaining the right pH, and optimizing the balance between good and bad bacteria in the digestive tract.

Fact: The digestive system makes 80% of the total of your petThe immune system.

Unfortunately, this is completely ignored by the producers of pet food and most conventionally trained veterinarians, but is the foundation to keep your pet healthy!

Other supplements to help a specific blend of oils (joints, skin, arteries, veins to lubricate, and muscles) and digestive enzymes that break easily digestible food ingredients.

Cat / dog for a healthy diet of quality meat and vegetables have increased not onlyhealthy, live 5-7 years longer.

A Clean Bird Cage and the health of your pet

Posted by Snoop Dog | Cat Dog Articles | Saturday 26 June 2010 12:00 pm

The first priority of pet owners must ensure that the animal was healthy. This is no different from a cat, dog or bird. We want to ensure that birds are part of our family healthy, not only for themselves but also for members of your family. The birds, the ability of certain diseases to humans have spread so that the maintenance of a healthy animal is not only good for the bird but good for the family.

Birds are generally clean animals. However, one bird,confined to a cage, not the luxury of a rain shower, dust-bathing and bathroom seemingly endless. There are many steps to make sure your bird is able to clean and healthy. First you choose a good place to put the cage. The cage must not be in direct sunlight but a place where the change of day and night can be seen. Place the cage in an area that does not get too hot or too cold and windy is not final. Comfort your birdsLevel is essential for their physical and mental health.

Keep the cage clean is a must. The bird's cage should have a line that you can easily clean the bottom of the cage allows. Liners also help to prevent rust and other damage in your cage through contact with moisture, excessive acidity may occur, for example urine. A line can take all the debris that falls to the ground and is easily removable for routine cleaning.

Clean the cage regularly is very important. Pet birdswill be a casino. They tend to throw and throw food, water and anything else that can can get their beaks on. Cleaning at regular intervals to prevent odors that cause waste. A cage clean means less odor with another pleasant experience for the whole family.

If you find you have a bird can be very messy, you need an extra layer of protection cage, like a cage or something hung a net to catch everything that falls into the cage.

Regardless of the actionstaken to clean the cage of birds, are a few things going for it on the floor from time to time. For this reason, the cage at a point where the earth is shown to be easy to clean. Brick, concrete or wood floors are preferred. Carpet would be a good alternative for this sector.

One of the key, and is a great to keep your bird healthy and happy, has a clean cage. This is done by emptying the bottom of the cage and cleaning regularly all that can happen toto get outside the cage. Not only your bird, but your family will remain safe, happy and healthy.

Pet Care Cost Cutters

Posted by Snoop Dog | Cat and Dog | Wednesday 10 March 2010 1:02 am

Who doesn?t like to visit the local discount/Dollar store in search of deals? Many pet care items can be purchased at these stores, some of these items are not obviously for pets. A trip to the Dollar store can be an excellent time to stock up on grooming supplies, as well as an opportunity to build a pet First Aid kit.

Boar Bristle brushes are often available at these stores, in the section for human hair care. These brushes are a necessity for a nice glowing finish. You can find quilted cosmetic pads for ear cleaning, as well as tearless Baby Shampoo to use on your dog?s face. If you want to smooth the nails without the use of a nail grinder (which must be used with care), you can find packages of emery boards to smooth out the rough edges after you clip. Tweezers are a good thing to have, get a pair to put in your Dog?s Fist Aid kit.

You can really clean up in the medicine isles of these stores. It?s a great place for non-buffered, non-coated aspirin( NOT Ibuprofen). Real aspirin is basic in your Dog?s first aid kit. This can be administered to dogs for muscle strains, joint aches, teething pain or any inflammation. Call your vet for dosage. You will need a bottle of liquid bismuth (pink stuff), this helps diarrhea and upset stomach. Again, call your vet for dosage. There will be a variety of non-adhesive bandages here, as well as gauze. Get plenty, they are always good. (Make a stop at your farm store, get some co-flex bandage wrap (sticks only to itself). This will hold your bandage in place, and so worth the $2.00 you will spend on it.) Although you don?t need these things often, when there is an emergency and you need them, it?s really awful not to have them. And having dogs is a lot like having kids, at some point, sometime, something will happen.

Get a pair of blunt nosed gauze scissors if they have them, as well as gauze fasteners (these are just small pieces of metal with teeth at each end).You will need a tube of antibiotic ointment, which they should have. It?s usually called triple antibiotic or Bacetracin or the like. If they carry thermometers, rectal or not, grab one. A dog normally has a body temp. of 101 F, a temp. can tell you much about what?s going on, and if your dog should see a vet. If there is a bottle of buffered saline solution for eyes, this makes a very nice eyewash in a pinch. Occasionally, these stores carry Electrolytic Solution for dehydration (generally in the Baby section), if so get one of these. Ipecac can be a good thing to have on hand also, in case of accidental poisining that calls for you to induce vomiting. In the case of poisoning, call your vet IMMEDIATELY, with some substances YOU DO NOT WANT TO INDUCE VOMITING. I can?t stress enough the importance of having your vet?s number posted and using it in these cases.

Jen Thon lives with her beautiful family in a small town in Michigan. She has been involved with pets for 30 years, as a trainer, the owner of my own grooming shop for ten years, and as a pet lover. Even though she has a BS in Psychology with studies in Animal Behaviorism, still she constantly learns new things from pet lovers she meets online and off. Jen says As a mom, I found it was necessary to work from my home, on my own (or rather the kid’s) schedule. So I, combined my love of animals with my experience of what works and what doesn’t nutritionally, and that was the beginning of Small Town Pets. I’ve always heard you’re supposed to make a living with what you love, that way you love your job! So that’s what I’ve done, with the advent of my online holistic store. Also, as a pet owner for three decades I’ve found many things that work for cleaning, and many that don’t. Cats and dogs (in most cases) are much smaller than humans, therefore they are much more suseptible to the negative effects of chemicals that are in the most common of products. That is why she decided it was so important to try and educate owners on the dangers of feeding chemicals, and using harsh cleaning products.

In her store, at www.smalltownpets.net/TownStore/ you will find an array of natural cleaning products that Jen uses herself, and wholeheartedly recommends. So please, browse the site and store, enter Pet of the Week contest, and leave a comment on the blog or forum!

Canine Diabetes Does Your Dog Have It?

Posted by Snoop Dog | Cat and Dog | Tuesday 2 March 2010 5:00 am

Canine Diabetes: A Serious Dog Disease That is Completely Manageable

Canine diabetes is a serious disease that causes there to be too much glucose in the blood. If your pet has any of the signs, a dog health exam will help you find out with certainty. Canine diabetes symptoms usually include the following:

- drinking excessive amounts of water
– frequent urination
– weight gain (or weight loss in some cases)
– increased lethargy during the day

A simple blood test can tell the vet if the glucose counts look suspicious. You should have a full physical exam done on your dog annually, even if he seems perfectly healthy. Be sure to ask your vet to include a full blood work-up, to rule out diabetes (as well as many other diseases). It?s well worth the added cost!

If your pet has been diagnosed with canine diabetes, don?t panic. While it is a ?special needs? issue that will influence many daily decisions, it is a manageable disease in dogs. You just have to learn some simple steps and stick to a schedule.

The first goal after a canine diabetes diagnosis is to get the glucose levels down to a normal (or only slightly elevated) level. This will not require thorough dog health exams like the original blood test. The vet can draw some blood and test the levels fairly quickly, with minimal cost to you.

Canine diabetes means someone must administer insulin injections (in most cases). They are easy to do and will quickly become routine. One person in the family should be responsible for the shots, but everyone should know how to give them (age teen and up) in case of a dog health emergency. I highly recommend posting a printout of how to give the injection to your pet in every room in your house, just in case.

In our house, where we have a diabetic dog, we made a canine diabetes ?Dog Health Cheat Sheet? for potential problems, like these:

- too much insulin is accidentally injected
– the needle breaks off while in the dog
– there?s a seizure (not common, but can happen occasionally)

The cheat sheet includes the vet?s emergency number and some basic actions to take in each scenario. We made several copies to be posted all over the house, but especially by the phone, the fridge (where the insulin is kept), and the bed (where our dog hangs out a lot).

The other goal with canine diabetes is to maintain the glucose level (with your vet?s help). It is crucial to take your pet periodically to the vet for a whole day (8-hour period at least) so they can check blood sugar levels throughout the day. Just as in humans, blood sugar levels fluctuate in your pet throughout the day. Having your vet monitor and take several blood readings during a longer stretch of time helps ensure that your diabetes treatments are actually working as intended.

It?s a little more work to care for diabetic dogs, no doubt about it. But our pets are family members and we love them dearly. Right? They give us their devotion, protection, and love, so the least we can do in return is give them proper health care, especially if they have problems like canine diabetes. Going the extra mile for them will help them live happier lives with less pain and more enjoyment. Can there be a nobler goal?

John Schwartz is a freelance writer, webmaster, and dog lover. He has written many published articles on subjects that include shopping for dog supplies, improving pet health, and good dog training practices. Please visit my dog supplies website at http://www.puppies-dogs-supplies.com for more dog and puppy tips.

Bad Dog? I Don’t Think So

Posted by Snoop Dog | Cat and Dog | Saturday 20 February 2010 9:02 pm

One of the things I run into often is people telling me about the bad behavior they see in their dog or cat… I cringe everytime I hear it.

I have always contended that animals do not show bad or good behavior. They just respond to their environment, be it immediate stimulus or things they’ve been sitting on for a while.

We humans have asked our animals to behave in ways that we perceive as good. But I would contend that we actually ask them to behave in a desirable fashion. Show me the behaviors that I find acceptable and not undesirable.

Jumping up to give kisses is undesirable to many people. But to dogs, it’s a way to say hello. (Just like butt sniffing… but I digress) Cats scratch on furniture. Cat’s NEED to scratch but do they do it to be mean or bad? No, they do it to satisfy a need.

The biggest issue I hear about is inappropriate urination. I often hear things like the dog or cat is intentionally peeing on the rug or on the bed… etc etc… but in all my years of being around animals, not once have I seen this. I’ve seen dogs urinate in front of people, but more often than not, they have a urinary tract infection and need to let their people know it. Cats often refuse the litter box due to some emotional issue.

Before we label any behavior as bad, we should always look to find the root of the problem. Whenever your dog or cat (or ferret or whatever manner of critter you have) starts showing a behavior that is new (even if it’s sleeping more often), there are things you should do.

  • Take your critter to the vet. Rule out any physical problems first! I know of a dog that started urinating by the door and it was two months and a few bloody spots later before the owners figured out it was a UTI and not just a spiteful dog.
  • Keep a record. Mark you calendar everytime you see this new behavior. What else happened on that day? Did you change food? Was someone visiting? Did you neighbors have a new roof put on?
  • Remain calm and patient. Rest assured that your critters are not doing these things to be mean. Animals are not vengeful. Fluffy didn’t puke in your shoes to tick you off.
  • Reduce the stress in your home. What is different about you? Job got you down? Kids making you nuts? Try meditation or just taking 10 minutes to yourself once in a while and just be still.
  • Consider alternative or complementary products. Flower Essences are effective, relatively inexpensive and safe to use. There are no known side effects and the results can be amazing.
  • Contact a professional. Whether it’s an animal behaviorist or an animal communicator, seek out someone who can help you.
  • Remember, good and bad are terms that we have given to our animal’s. Animals are just trying to live their best life and are communicating in the only way that most humans listen. With their actions.

    Jennifer Albertin is an internationally respected Animal Communicator. She has over 20 years experience working with energy and its applications. Visit Jennifer’s website Sacred Paws for more information on Animal Communication, Energy Work and for free information and resources on how you can support your animal companions mental and physical health.

    ? Copyright Jennifer Albertin, Sacred Paws 2006

    Pet Health Alert! Chocolate Poisoning In Dogs

    Posted by Snoop Dog | Cat and Dog | Tuesday 11 August 2009 2:00 pm

    Cocoa beans, cocoa bean shells, cola and tea contain a natural ingredient called theobromine that can kill your pet when ingested. Dogs often cannot metabolize this fast enough to avoid poisoning. The amount of bakers chocolate to produce the adverse reaction is about 1 ounce for every 2 pounds of dog weight.

    If your dog has symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting along with lethargy and muscle tremors you should want to take him to the vet quickly. If you are sure your dog has eaten chocolate do not wait for the symptoms to appear. In that case poisoning is very likely to occur and you may lose your pet if you hesitate to take action.

    Dogs love sweet products. Make sure to keep your chocolates in tightly closed containers placed high up where they cannot reach them. Be particularly careful on holidays like Christmas or Halloween when dogs can easily pick up chocolates off the floor.

    Cocoa bean mulch also contains theobromine. Garden retailer suppliers do wash this product before selling it but the best practice is not to allow your dog near this product.

    The ASPCA now has a new service providing pre-recorded information on more than 125 petcare topics, including health issues and behavioral problems: 1-888-252-7387 (24hrs)

    Greg Cryns is the owner of http:http://www.gochihuahua.com Go Chihuahua addresses issues for chihuahuas and other dog breeds Greg is also the founder of http://www.nursingprogramsonline for nurses and http://www.go-law-school for lawyers

    Kitten Vaccinations: Types Of Vaccinations

    Posted by Snoop Dog | Cat and Dog | Tuesday 28 July 2009 6:00 pm

    In recent years, the vaccination of cats has become more popular. The three most common vaccines give protection against feline infectious enteritis (FIE), feline influenza (cat flu) and feline leukaemia (FeLV). An initial course of two injections, the first at nine weeks are usually given, and yearly boosters are recommended thereafter.

    FIE causes vomiting and diarrhoea, and the cat develops a very high temperature. Before the vaccine was introduced, it killed a great many cats by dehydration due to the bowel symptoms. Cat flu is caused by two viruses: the feline rhinotracheitis (FCV). FVR is the more severe of the two, causing coughing, sneezing, and nasal and eye discharges.

    FVC has milder discharges but more gum inflammation and mouth ulcers. Neither FCV nor FVR is usually deadly but the infection can linger on in the form of snuffles, and some cats become symptomless carriers of the disease. When stressed, these cats develop mild symptoms and spread the virus.

    FeLV suppresses the activity of the cat’s immune system, allowing a wide range of symptoms to develop. It often results in the death of the cat after several months of illness. The virus is spread mainly in the cat’s saliva. It is a disease of cats that fight a lot, and of cats in large colonies, who share the same food and water bowls. It should not be a threat in a well-run boarding cattery, where the feeding and grooming utensils are properly cleaned, and the cats do not mix with each other.

    A vaccine exists against the chlamydial organism, which can cause not only mild eye and nasal symptoms, but more importantly, infertility and abortion. This vaccine is used mainly in breeding colonies to protect against infertility.

    1st Cat Care is to provide information and guidance to pet cat lovers in taking care of their cats’ health, cat toilet training, tips on using the cat litter box, vaccinations, pregnancy and more …

    Hamster Hair Loss

    Posted by Snoop Dog | Cat and Dog | Tuesday 28 July 2009 6:00 am

    Please note that the author is not a veterinarian. Please consult your vet for any medical advice about your pet.

    Growing up, a sense of wonder at nature and a love for animals was instilled in us. A normal weekend was spent at Elachee Nature Center in Oakwood, GA learning about the climate that controlled Georgia?s agriculture and natural resources. This normally went into detail about animals as well as the plants that naturally supported such wildlife. This inbred fascination with nature was also reflected in our home. My brother, sister, and I all had numerous books on wild animals and we loved to watch The Discovery Channel. My mom brought it on herself that we tended to bring home and love animals. By the time I had moved out, my family had two birds, two turtles, numerous white mice and hamsters, and one very rowdy little dog. After I moved out, I collected a couple of cats and a couple of very rowdy large dogs.

    The most recent addition to the family is Hannah, the dwarf hamster. My brother, Bob, brought her home in late 2003 and my mom quickly became enamored with her. Mom has been known to get Hannah out of her cage in the middle of the night to play and feed her almonds in the kitchen while she gets ready for work.

    Early in 2005, Hannah began to develop bald spots under her chin and across her body. My mom would often talk about how it worried her during our weekly conversations, but I hadn?t realized how far spread it was until I woke Hannah up one Sunday afternoon. She climbed up against the walls of her plexiglass hamster-haven and I realized that she had lost most of the hair on her stomach in a patch that stretched from her right arm to her right leg. Her little pink skin showed through clear as day, and I got her out for a closer look. She didn?t exhibit any bumps or discomfort as I probed her, although she was a little irritated that I was bringing her out without the offer of a tasty treat. I gave her a hamster treat and set her back down in her little home.

    Then, I decided it was time for an internet search. Little Hannah needed some help, and I didn?t want to pay a vet to tell me she was just getting old. I researched ?hamster hair loss? and found that it is a fairly common problem, especially in older hamsters. The search told me that the most common reasons were age, protein deficiency, vitamin deficiency, hair getting caught in the hamster-wheel, mites, and allergic reactions to the bedding. It also let me know how to check her for mites. Mites cause a red or black pattern of bumps on the skin and they normally nest in the hamster?s hair and bedding. I checked her and realized that her skin was clear, smooth, and free from little insects.

    I knew Hannah was aging and getting to where this was a natural instance for her species; however, I couldn?t just tell my mom to prepare for a little hamster funeral. I focused on the deficiencies and found that most pet stores sell a water-soluble vitamin supplement for hamsters. You simply dissolve a pill in the hamster?s water supply, and the hamster ingests it without even knowing.

    I called my mom and let her know what my research had concluded and she said that she had found basically the same thing in her own search. She said she was going to get a supplement and see how Hannah responded.

    After a couple of weeks, Mom reported that Hannah had regained a new love for life and was even making her wheel ?go squeaky, squeaky in the middle of the night.? She mentioned that the hair had not started to grow back but had stopped falling out. She also noted that Hannah seemed to really like her new supplemented water and she had to refill her little dispenser more often.

    Before, whenever I had browsed the pet store the animal multivitamins struck me as silliness for profit: a plan to play off our love for our pets to line the company?s pockets. Now that I have seen it in action, I realize how close we are to our little animal neighbors in how our bodies need the substance of healthiness. In animals and in humans, our food comes pre-processed and our exercise is limited by our lifestyle. As people, our doctors, magazines, TV programs on healthy living and even our mothers tell us to take our daily multivitamin to keep us young, fit, and healthy because our food simply does not satisfy the nutritional needs of our bodies. As hamsters, they only have the attention of their owners to see to it that they get what their little bodies need to survive ? and there aren?t any TV commercials on the benefits of hamster vitamins. Now the victim of a successful experiment, it seems that Hannah now has a greater appreciation for her nutritional supplement as well.

    For more advice from real professionals, the following websites helped me in my search for the cure:

    http://www.hilltopanimalhospital.com/hamsters.htm

    http://www.petinfo4u.com/advancedsmallanimals.htm

    http://www.britishhamsterassociation.org.uk/getarticle.php?fname=journal/dermatitis.htm

    Cynthia Dollins works in corporate America and is well known within her company for her training manuals and easy to understand instructions. She also has a love for animals that is often shown through her writing and an odd family that inspires much humor. This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.PetLovers.Com/ which is a site for Pet Forums.

    Next Page »