By Emmy E Bill 

It is important as a pet parent to be aware of your pet's normal everyday behavior. Your pet cannot tell you when he/she is in pain or discomfort, it is up to you to identify if and when they need first aid.

Pet First Aid Kit:

To start, put together a pet first aid kit. Pet first aid kits can be purchased at many pet stores or you could ask your veterinarian for a list of items to combine or add. The kit will include items similar to a human first aid kit such as:

* Vetericyn Wound and Infection Spray

* Sterile gauze dressings

* 3% hydrogen peroxide

* Adhesive bandages

* Adhesive tape

* Rectal thermometer

* Cold pack

* Grooming clippers

* Eye wash

* Penlight

* Thermal blanket

* Antiseptic cream

The above products can be used for any pet; cat, dog or horse. Vetericyn Wound and Infection Spray, compared to the human product Puracyn and made by the same company, is a non-toxic spray that will kill 99.99% of infection and bacteria in less than 30 seconds increasing oxygen to the wound and promoting rapid healing.

It is also suggested that you include a list of phone numbers related to pet health or emergencies in the kit as well. Write down your veterinarian's office number, a 24-hour animal clinic, the national animal poison control center, humane organization, and local animal shelters. Having this list of numbers on hand will save time and benefit your pet if an emergency occurs. Make sure that everyone in your family knows that this kit is for the family pet. Decide as a family where to put it so everyone knows where to find it in the case of an emergency.

Wound Care:

In the case that your pet has bleeding wounds, use gauze to apply pressure to the area which will promote clotting. If a trip to the vet is necessary, it is a good idea to call ahead and describe the injury; letting them know when you will arrive. Doing this will allow the staff time to prepare for your pet's arrival.

Penetrating Objects:

Cats and dogs are known for being curious creatures that can get themselves into a mess of trouble at times. If your pet has been stabbed by a stick, arrow or other object and it is still in the pet, do not remove it yourself. Here is what you should do to make sure the object does not penetrate further into the animal:

1. Get a foam cup

2. Make a hole in the bottom of the cup and place it over the object

3. Tape the cup around the object, if the object is long gently cut the object 5 inches above the wound. If you do not have a foam cup or something similar

4. If you do not have a foam cup or something similar, gently wrap gauze around the object

5. Get to the vet immediately

As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Be prepared for emergencies; if you are, the emergency won't be quite as scary for you or your pet.

We love pets! Probioticsmart.com knows your pet deserves the very best care possible, and we're here to help. Visit our blog for more information, tips and stories on all things pet health. See you there!

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Having a saltwater aquarium can be fun. You can also find that there are some down sides to having this type of aquarium too. It is essential that you take the time to compare these options before you choose whether or not you should go with a salt water aquarium or with a freshwater aquarium.
A freshwater aquarium is easier for most to maintain because it is easier to keep clean. A saltwater aquarium will be harder to clean but it will be able to be stocked with a larger amount of variety in the fish and creatures that you can put into it. A freshwater tank will be less expensive as will the fish that you stock it with. But, again, there is more variety offered in the salt water version. And, you can even create your own living ocean in your salt water aquarium because you can put in a wide range of other sea life animals that are not fish.
You will need to do more work and invest more money into a salt water tank. You will also need to commit more time to keeping it up and running. You should realize, though, that there are many rewards offered to you in this type of tank. It will allow you to create a whole new world in your home and it can even teach children about the life under the sea. Take your time to consider your choice. Take a look at the types of fish that you would love to have in your salt water aquarium and decide if you can indeed provide for them the type of environment that they need to survive in.

source:http://www.scribd.com/doc/73341055/1/Can-You-Handle-A-Saltwater-Aquarium

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In the past, when a pet had passed away, the family would normally hold some sort of garden memorial burial ceremony for the sake of teaching children about what happens after something or someone passes away. With the exception of some parrots, animals are not meant to be with us throughout our lives. These types of pet memorials are ritualistically similar to that of human funerals. They teach children that death is a part of life.
In some low-lying areas, communities place their dead in crypts above ground, just as the ancient Egyptians did. In other areas, for centuries, the deceased have been buried in graves. The most economical way to dispose of a body was to bury it in the ground. Coffins were created of plain wood in a rectangular type shape. At one end, the coffin was just a bit wider to accommodate the person's shoulders. Bodies were laid in coffins, lowered into a hole of similar size and covered up with dirt. Usually away from the main population, there was a designated area for coffins. These were called graveyards. Funerals for the dead were held in the graveyards.
Family pet funerals are similar. For a small pet, a shoe box may serve as a make-shift coffin. For larger animals, a comparable size hole was dug in the backyard, and the body, often in a large plastic bag or covered with a tarpaulin, was lowered down into the hole. Dirt would be back-filled into the hole, covering the deceased pet. A pet gravemarker usually consisted of a cross made of twigs, a flower or wreath, and a personal pet item.
In times past, many people were buried with no gravemarker. Unmarked graves could be unearthed years later. In present day, gravestones or headstones (named from the placement of the stone over the "head" of the body) are used to mark the burial site. They are engraved with names and the dates that span the life of the family member.
Eventually, pet lovers decided their pets deserved to be honored with more than sticks and flowers. People are not the only ones deserving of headstones. Pets deserved them as well. Today, there are hundreds of different pet memorials and urns for pets. Both are available with engraved sentiments, poems, names and dates. Many can be used for burial, but some are meant to be displayed. Some of the pet memorial urns are so beautiful, one might think them treasured antique pieces of art.
Times have changed over the centuries. What we are teaching our children about death through the loss of pets needs to be brought into modern times. Exquisite marble pet memorials and pet urns should now be part of these lessons. Perhaps the new tokens of honor will bring families comfort and beauty into pet grieving ceremonies.

For pictures and more information on pet memorials and pet urns, please visit: http://perpetualpetmemorials.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barb_J_Williams

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Discus Care Management Skills and Organization
It starts by proper organization and planning. This is all about finding a way to let the discus fish recognize the owner and interact with you. The discus fish is unique because it does not only swim, eat or hide. They are fun to have because they can also watch a person across the room. They are aware of what is going around the room and it is easy to learn to love them due to their personality. In order to win the affection of this fish, one must learn discus care to be able to train the fish to greet you when you are near and for them to eat their food out of your hand. This fish is very interactive, which makes it interesting and lovable to have.
Understanding Discus Care Feeding Patterns
It would be important to understand the feeding patterns of a young discus fish from a mature discus fish. One must understand that fish would normally die not out of hunger but out of excessive eating, which is why it is best to learn the proper eating proportions in order to avoid overfeeding them.
The younger ones would need more and would tend to be active during feeding time. But as they grow older, the need for eating would decrease. This type of fish in intelligent and would require attention and c are in order to win. The parents of the discus fish would raise their young together.
In order to be good at discus care, one has to be able to understand what they need for breeding, feeding, daily needs and plan a way to meet these goals without overshadowing other goals. A starting hobbyist does not have to worry about the costs because they can plan methods to make it affordable. What is important is to check the parameters of local tap water and to check if the pH is suitable for the discus. If this is the case, it would be good to use soft water and combine it with tap water in order to create desirable water condition for the fish.
Remember that some local water tap in the US are not good for the discus care due to the chloramines being used to disinfect it. It would be better to have the water filtrated and dechlorinated. Remember to keep the school of discus fish in groups and exclude different varieties of fish. For discus care to be effective, there should be at least 5 or more discus fishes in a water tank because one discus fish cannot stand alone.

Tom Rollins a Discus Fish expert. If you want to learn more about discus care, visit http://www.discusfishpro.com/.

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Create A Pet-Free Zone---We both know this is easier said than done, but it can really mean the difference between keeping your pet and enjoying it, or being miserable all the time and possibly having to find a new home for it.
The clean space will have less pet-related stuff on surfaces and in the air. Being able to relax here will give your body some down time that it needs to rejuvenate. It will also let you relax emotionally because you know that you are less likely to have a flare-up because the air has fewer triggers.
Clean Frequently---With a warm-blooded pet you are never going to get rid of all of the hair, dander, and fur. But with regular and thorough cleaning to can greatly reduce the number of allergens which will give you relief from symptoms.
Bathe Your Pet---In some cases this works well, but you will have to decide whether this is a feasible option based on your individual pet. Consulting with a veterinarian before you begin bathing is crucial.
Bathing your pet can sometimes lessen the amount of dander it shed. And since it is the protein in the dander that is such a potent allergy trigger, anything you can do to get rid of it is worth a try.
The right kind of cleanser and the frequency are crucial to your pet's health. Using the wrong kind of product can cause health problems for your pet, and can make the dander situation worse.
Some pets will object to this regimen more than others. So you will have to weigh the possible benefits against your pet's possible disdain for baths.
Wash Bedding Regularly---Dander is a food source for dust mites. So it is crucial that you keep your bed linens laundered as well as your pet's special blanket, rug, and/or bedding.
These should be washed at temperatures that exceed 160 degrees Fahrenheit in order to kill mites. Washing the linens gives double benefits . Reducing the dander reduces the food source for mites, and since dust mites are also an allergen you are successfully eliminating two of the most potent indoors allergens known.
Use A HEPA Air Cleaner---Using an air purifier with a HEPA (an abbreviation for high efficiency particle arresting) filter is an effective, low maintenance, and non-invasive way to eliminate airborne particulates.
As its name suggests, it is highly efficient at removing airborne particles. In order to be designated as a HEPA it must be able to trap 99,997 out of every 10,000 airborne particulates that are.3 microns or greater.
The really good thing about this type of filtration is that not only will it remove pet-related pollutants such as dander, and hair; but it will also remove more normal indoor irritants such as dust, dust mites, mold and mildew spores, seasonal pollens as well as airborne bacteria and viruses.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6775771

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Several causes of cat dandruff and what you can do to help;

 A poor diet which lacks moisture and oils, usually a result of relying on dry food, can cause a deficiency in omega 3 fatty acids, moisture and other vitamins and minerals imperative for a shiny, healthy coat. This cause of dandruff can be helped by supplements and simply supplying your cat with a quality canned cat food approved by the AAFCO (aafco.org) which regulates nutritional levels for animal food.

 If your cat is not grooming often enough, or not at all, because they may be overweight, ill or elderly, you can lend a hand by grooming them daily. This will help stimulate and distribute the natural oils which can help with a dry coat.

  Heated forced air in the home during the winter can dry out your cat's skin as well as yours. Try using a humidifier in the home to help combat dry air.

Sunburn dandruff might not be actual dandruff but a result of sunburn and the skin peeling. You can apply a topical cream, but mainly it's a matter of waiting for the burn and flakiness to subside. In extreme cases kitty should see their vet. Brew and cool some green tea and rinse kitty with it (if they'll let you). The antioxidants in the tea will help soothe and heal the sunburn.

 Seborrhea or scaly skin can be treated with medicated shampoos available at your local pet stores or vet. Seborrhea is caused by abnormal skin cell production making the skin flaky and dry as well as oily and scaly.

 Mites cause a condition called Cheyletiellosis or walking dandruff. This type of mite is usually transmitted by other pets in places such as shelters, boarding or grooming businesses. It can also be transmitted to humans or from humans to pets, so the whole home, as well as other pets, must be treated to avoid re-infestation. Poor nutrition can lower your cat's immune system making them more prone to mites.

 If after trying the at home treatments and you still notice your kitty has dandruff you should seek your veterinarians help so that any serious conditions can be eliminated.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rebecca_Shelly

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Ultimate Frisbee
Make your dog an ultimate champion this summer! Playing Frisbee is an inexpensive and fun way to keep your dog active in the summer. No matter where you are  the beach, the park, even in your own backyard teach your pal to leap through the air to make a perfect catch. You’ll build his confidence and stamina while helping him get fit. Plus, it will do wonders for your arms! If your dog is already a champion or you want to challenge him a bit more, find a Disc Dog Club in your area.
Swimming
This summer let your dog enjoy his day poolside. If he loves swimming let him lounge in style in a dog pool float. If your dog can’t swim or you prefer to keep him in shallow water, set up a kiddy pool or even clean out an old plastic or stainless steel tub and fill it up with nice, cold water. Your dog will love splashing around and keeping cool in his own special doggie pool!

Camping 
If you have an active, energetic dog he’ll love the great outdoors. Once you’ve proven he is travel ready, pack up the whole family and head to your favorite place to camp out. Be sure to research the campgrounds and make sure there are no harmful plants or insects that will make him sick in the camping area. Take your pal on hikes and explore new areas. Plus, if you are camping in an RV and own a PetSafe Wireless Fence you can contain your pal on your trip! Simply bring your Transmitter, Receiver and Boundary Flags with you to make sure he doesn’t run away.
Treats on a dog day afternoon
On those hot, sticky days of summer it’s hard to even fathom going outside. It’s even harder to make yourself workout in that heat. Instead of sweating the day away playing Frisbee or mastering a ring jump, go on a picnic! Treat yourself to a nice cool bowl of frozen yogurt and grab your pal one as well. Many pet-friendly fro-yo and Italian ice shops, like select Rita’s Water Ice stores, offer a special doggie bowls to keep your pal cool. Then head to his favorite park to enjoy your treats and play in the sun!
Summer School
The thought of summer school may make you groan, but summer is a great time to send your pal back to school. Summer is a great time to teach your dog his boundaries in your yard. Do you have a garden he isn’t allowed to play in? A plant he isn’t allowed to eat? Do you live near a busy road? Plus, you can freshen up his understanding of basic commands and so much more.
Keep in mind that your pet may not be able to handle diary foods. Also, be sure to ask about sugar content in the frozen treat before giving it to your pal. “Sugar-free” options can be extremely harmful to your dog. Most sugar-free items use artificial sweeteners, such as xylitol, which are extremely dangerous for your pal to consume.
Article source : http://www.petsafe.net/Education/5-ways-to-have-fun-in-the-sun-with-your-dog

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