by Tara M. Clapper, Contributing Writer
Salon treatment. They say that dogs match their owners, but some owners take this to a different level. Some Chihuahuas receive serious salon time and pampering--including painted (pet-friendly) nails and even fur treatments at pet spas.
Fashion show. Everyone's seen dog costumes, especially at Halloween. Some people dress their dogs daily and often match the dog to their own clothing. Dog reaction varies, depending on the attitude of the dog being dressed. These things are all cute when done on occasion, but celebrities like Paris Hilton have glamorized the idea of using a Chihuahua as a fashion accessory. Chihuahuas are petite and often babied due to their small size; they also make ideal companions for those wanting a companion dog. If you engage in fashion accessory behavior, it's important to pay attention to your dog's reaction. Is he happy when you fuss over him after providing the new outfit? Is he fearful when you take him out for a stroll in the doggie purse? In many instances, it depends on the dog and the activities that specific dog enjoys. Which do you think involves making the dog a fashion accessory? Which are cruel and which are cute? Please leave your comments below. This post was originally published on Examiner.com as Chihuahua Examiner. Republished with permission of the author.
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by Tara M. Clapper, Contributing Writer
Most dog owners have crates, but these are necessary devices easy to overlook when you have a Chihuahua. That's because Chis are small and portable--and most house guests are not afraid of them. However, all dogs should have crates of their own. This provides a sense of safety and security for a dog. If you find yourself traveling or relocating, many airlines will require a crate for small dogs.
Selecting the appropriate crate for a Chihuahua can be difficult. It's recommended that you take your dog with you (if possible) to select a crate. Chain and main street pet stores are often pet-friendly; don't hesitate to bring your Chihuahua in and ask for help.
If you can't find a small-enough crate, ask for a puppy-sized crate. Many puppies of larger breeds are Chihuahua-sized when they're puppies. You should also ask your veterinarian for further recommendations, including a brand recommendation. When you bring the crate home, place your Chihuahua's toys inside of it and leave the door open. Your dog should experience the crate as a safe shelter, not an area of punishment. This post was originally published on Examiner.com as Chihuahua Examiner. Republished with permission of the author. When you first bring your hamster home, he may be a little nervous, perhaps even distressed. The way you handle him from the start can make a big difference in the way he reacts to his new home. Also pay attention to his reaction to certain surroundings and actions. My children have cared for numerous hamsters, some that came from delicate situations. Help soothe your hamster's transition into a new home by using some of the methods we had success with in multiple cases.
Give the hamster time to get used to you. When you first bring your hamster home, you may immediately want to interact. But keep in mind that may be the exact opposite of what your hamster has in mind. It doesn't mean he hates you. He just needs time to adjust. Soothe him by granting that adjustment. Wait a few days before handling the hamster. Approach your hamster slowly to ease his fears. Start out with a gloved hand at first. Place your hand into the cage and leave it there a few minutes at a time each day. Eventually the hamster will come up to you and may even start sitting in your hand on purpose. Never feed your hamster food from your hand, unless your goal is to create a biting habit. After a while, once your hamster used to you, the glove probably won't be needed. Provide a hideaway. Your hamster needs to have one or more places to hide inside his cage. Being hidden can be soothing, especially during a transition. One of our hamsters enjoys his edible log for this purpose. The other likes a small wooden house, as well as his enclosed hamster wheel. No matter what you choose, be sure it is safe for hamsters. It also should be something the hamster can fully fit inside when he needs to retreat. This helps calm the hamster down when he is nervous or scared. Keep familiar items in your hamster's cage. If you are just switching your hamster to a new cage within the same home, transfer some of his favorite items into the new cage. We recently switched cages for one of our hamsters and he felt soothed by his favorite log and food dish. Though we switched out some items, we kept those two things to ease his transition. He was very happy in the new cage and is adjusting well. At first he would sniff the new items and test them out. Then, he would retreat to his log for a little while. That helped him feel secure. If you are just bringing your hamster home for the first time, you may not be able to use items from the previous habitat. Purchasing similar items is the second best option. *The author is not a licensed veterinarian. Always ask your veterinarian for the best advice specific to your hamster. **I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network Has your guinea pig been eating his droppings? Are you sure that is actually what he's doing? Do guinea pigs eat their poop? Some animals, such as guinea pigs, partake in coprophagy either unhealthily or as part of their regular nutrition regimen. Should your guinea pig be eating his poop? If not, can you prevent guinea pigs from doing this?
Do guinea pigs really eat their own poop? Yes. In a way, guinea pigs do eat a substance that is extracted the same way as their poop. But they do not actually eat their poop, per se. Guinea pigs need to eat their food twice before it is fully digested. Therefore, the substance they are eating should be thought of as a nutritional pellet. Plus, it's just easier on the ears to say your guinea pig is eating nutrition pellets, rather than referring to it as poop. Eating one's own fecal matter is called coprophagy. What is coprophagy? As explained above, coprophagy is the act of eating one's own excrement. Many animals practice this. For some, like the guinea pig, it is normal and healthy. Many animals actually need to digest their food twice in order to benefit from the nutrients. Therefore, do not be alarmed if you see your guinea pig doing this. How much coprophagy is normal? Generally, a guinea pig will not eat anymore of these pellets than is necessary. A general rule is to make sure your guinea pig is also eating his regular diet and drinking fresh water. Coprophagy helps your guinea pig digest the rest of the food in the diet. If a guinea pig is not doing this regularly, a deficiency in protein and other nutrients may occur. While guinea pig food includes nutritional pellets, the pellets consumed during coprophagy are better for your pet's health. Can I prevent coprophagy in my guinea pig? It is natural and necessary for your guinea pig to partake in coprophagy. In one study, guinea pigs who were prevented from partaking in coprophagy suffered nutritionally. This was true , even with those guinea pigs being fed commercial pellets. Therefore, unless your vet recommends it (generally in an extreme case), you should never try to stop your pet from eating pelleted excrement. If you do need to prevent your guinea pig from doing this, your veterinarian will advise you on what to do based on your guinea pig's individual needs. What happens if my guinea pig does not eat his own pellets? Eating the pellets (or poop) is vital to your guinea pig's health. If your guinea pig does not show signs of doing this, it is best to see an appropriately licensed animal care professional. Your pet's veterinarian will be able to tell you how to help your guinea pig meet nutritional needs , as well as any other steps you can take. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network You're perusing a magazine or website and notice they are holding a contest. Should you enter your pet in a free photo contest? As a pet parent, I've seen these offered many times. Recently, on the advice of a friend, I was reminded to read the fine print and dig deeper before entering my pets into any contests. How do you know if the contest is really the best thing for you and your pet? Consider the source. Does the company pass a scam test? How long have they been around? What is the company's purpose? While contests from smaller companies could certainly be legitimate, if you can find no information on the company, that could be a red flag. Do you really want your pet's photo in the hands of a company who has no visible track record? Look over the rules. Is it clearly laid out what will happen to the photos during and after the contest? Make sure you are comfortable with what's stated. If there are no rules posted, it's probably a better idea not to risk it. You have no idea what they have planned for your pet's photo. The rules need to be clear and they need to be in easy-to-find location. If I can't agree with the rules or even fond them, you can guarantee that my pet's photo is not getting sent to anyone. What is the prize? Check out all of the prize offerings and make sure it is something you and your pet will benefit from. For instance, your pet will not gain anything from a prize consisting of food that he does not eat. If the prize offers stardom for your pet, will it be compensated? Starring in ads, commercials, or magazines should always be compensated. If that is the only prize your pet will receive in the photo contest, think about the company's motives. They may simply be using the contest as a way to avoid paying for pet models and actors. If our pets are photo contest winners, I would want them to reap the most benefits, not me or the contest host. Does your pet like posing? If your pet is not comfortable posing for pictures, don't stress him out just to enter a contest. However, if your pet enjoys the practice, let her soak up the attention of the camera. Remember to have plenty of water, nourishment, and entertainment available if the photo shoot will take a considerable amount of time. Make posing for the photo contest a fun event for your pet. If you just have fun with your pet and don't force it, the experience will be more enjoyable for your both. The hamsters in our family enjoy posing for the camera. That's probably due to the fact that we just let them do their thing and snap away, instead of trying to force them into posing a particular way. Is it something your pet should be paid for? This can be a huge deal-breaker. As mentioned above, some companies hold pet photo contests simply to create PR buzz. If the company is trying to cut down modeling and acting costs by having a contest, is this really a company you'd want your pet working for? If my pet is going to star in a commercial, on a website, in a magazine, or anywhere else, I want them to be compensated fairly. Just like humans should not work for free, neither should animals. They should be fairly rewarded for their efforts. How many photos will 'win'? If you are entering a contest, the number of winners should be much lower than the number of entrants. If everyone who enters is a winner, the contest is likely not very legitimate. Also, watch for companies who ask you to purchase the items your pet is featured in once they win the contest. If your pet is a contest winner, you should not have to pay any money for any reason. Government taxes on a prize are legitimate. But if you are asked to pay anything other than that, you may be the victim of a pet photo contest scam. When entering your pet into a photo contest, it's always important to check all the facts first. While it can be exciting and you want to see your pet's name up in lights, there are many factors to consider first. Choose wisely and your pet has a better chance of something worthwhile should she end up a winner. Jump in and you may end up dealing with more than you bargained for. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network |
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