The Maine coon cat breed, also known as gentle giants, is a large pet breed that originated from the state of Maine in the United States. They are the official symbol of the state of Maine. Their largeness is one of the most important features that describe them, and they are highly intelligent too. They are good with kids, dogs, and other cats as they have easy-going personalities. They are usually quiet, but they do love to communicate and vocalize to their companions. They are wonderful family pets.

Appearance 

The Maine coon cats are medium to large. Usually, males are larger than females. Their body is large and rectangular in shape, and their tail is long. These cats are muscular and heavily boned. Earlier, they were outdoor cats and then later became working breeds. The Maine coon breed has a soft textured, and glossy coat that is easy to maintain. Their head is big with tall ears, the chest is broad, and the legs are thick. They come in varieties of colors like cream, solid white, red, blue, and beige. Maine coon kittens are born with large and beautiful blue eyes with color transformation throughout their development. The weight in male coon cats is between 8kg to 13kg, and in female coon cats, it is up to 6 kg. 

Health and Care

You should know how to care for Maine coon cats by feeding them high-quality dry food 2 to 3 times a day. Their diet includes carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and fatty acids. Maine coon cats take a long time to reach maturity; they should stay on kitten food until they are nine months. Keep checking on your pet’s weight as obesity can shorten their lifespan. It would be best if you groomed your cat once a week to prevent fur from becoming tangled. Encourage your cats with daily exercise to keep your Maine coon fit. There are a few conditions that they are more prone to:

Hip Dysplasia, a decomposition of hip joints, is an inheritable condition that creates malformation of hip joints and later arthritis. 

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy happens when the heart’s wall gets thicken, which results in inefficient pumping and possibly leading to heart failure. 

Polycystic kidney disease is a genetic condition where cysts develop the kidney, causing an increase in size and inefficient function. This disease can lead to chronic renal failure. 

Life expectancy 

They are known as a healthy breed. They have an average life span of 10-13 years, but it is not unusual for them to live 15 years or longer. A healthy diet is important for Maine’s coon health and can contribute to their active personality.  

Price and Adoption of Marine coon cats in India

If you want to adopt Maine coon cat breeds in India, you can have one from a local animal shelter, but finding a pure breed there is difficult. Adopting a cat has a lot of positive effects than purchasing. You can regularly check on sites of local animal shelters to see if anyone is up for adoption. Maine coon cat price in India may vary according to the cities and breeders. 

Apart from other things needed for best care of your horse, it is also important to cover the same during different types of weather conditions. It is equally true when your horse is inside the stable or grazing out in the fields. Depending upon the unique and varied needs of different types of horses, different types of rugs such as heavyweight turnout rug are available in the market. You need to determine about and choose the finest options available around. To ease this task for you, below given points may prove to be of great help.You may consider these factors and decide about the best turnout rugs for your horse:-

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If you will choose an unpredictable pet, pick this one. This is one of the most uncommon reptile pets available today, leopard geckos are commonly easy to consider. As they are extremely delicate, they make a splendid pet for older children and grown-ups. Their name gets from their ordinarily spotted markings on their skin and not like different geckos at all, they have movable eyelids. Leopard geckos have become quite a popular pets in the modern home and they can live for up to 20 years appropriately without any problem.

1. Living environments

Luckily, leopard geckos don’t need a great space in the room as are less complex to keep. Like most reptiles, leopard geckos should be kept in reptile vivariums with glass doors. They are similarly nocturnal which refers that they do not bother with the same unique lighting necessities from many desert reptiles. Leopard geckos will pick an area in their enclosure where they feel commonly great and don’t over-heat. Anyway, heat is a significant factor and ought to be given by a heat mat or a heat rock. Moreover, lighting from above is attractive, not important as it gives a source of nutrients, like Vitamin D. There should similarly be domains of shelters all together that the leopard gecko can hide and have a feeling of safety as they need to live in separation. In light of everything, it is in their character to dig underground.

2. Natural surroundings

One gecko should have at least a 10-gallon tank, but, specialists for the most part recommend getting the best one you can. Incorporate a sensible substrate, for instance, pea rock, flat stones, and turf or reptile carpet. Your reptile will require two or three holes for hiding. One of these should contain vermiculite or greenery and should be kept wet. This will help with shedding. Add rocks and stunning plants to make the shelter all the more engaging.

3. Diet

Leopard geckos can eat crested gecko food, in any case, they should feed on crickets, wax worms, mealworms, and super worms, which should all be presented with some balance and changed at whatever point possible. There is a different new scope of live nourishment for reptiles and you should choose what do leopard geckos eat. Likewise, serving a little dish of calcium powder can be profitable as it ensures a solid turn of development. Generally, it is ideal to deal with juveniles each day and grown-ups each a couple of days. To keep your leopard geckos hydrated, it is the key to have new water available reliably in a little bowl.

4. Be Friendly to It

Leopard geckos are exceptionally sensible. To keep your scaled pet sensible and manageable, you’ll need to focus on him consistently. Interact with him, pet him, and let him spend his time when you’re sitting before the TV. You should never hold it by its tail.

Guidelines to Handle

Leopard geckos will not create any problem with being managed once they should know their owner. They will scratch or bite and will fight if they are sacred. The best way to deal with leopard gecko is to hold them by their shoulders softly, but strongly and try to manage the weight of their body with your other hand. If you would feel still great using instruments, numerous organizations offer an assurance of reptile dealing with and dealing with devices.

Health and Hygiene

Another extraordinary piece of news about these reptiles is that their home shouldn’t be cleaned as often as possible as little creature home. Along these, pet owners should reliably have to wash their hands after dealing with their pet, and pet food dishes should be washed properly. Moreover, it is typical for all reptiles to shed their skin, in any case, it is as often as possible eaten so isn’t normally watched. To help them with this, it is significant that they approach a humid area, for instance, a cover-up with damp greenery. The pro vivarium cleaning device is available and can be ordered from numerous sites.

Ultimately, remember this that the most significant pieces of their thought are giving warmth, food, and supplements to keep up a vital good ways from all possible issues.

Affordable raw dog food is easily available in market. Yes, if you are worried about the food for your dog, then this is the blog that is going to give you multiple tips for choosing the companies that provide the affordable raw dog food. There is no doubt in saying that the affordable war dog food is what every one of us wants to have for our dear dogs. The dogs that we keep as a pet deserve to eat the food that is best from nutritional point of view. The affordable options for raw dog food are easily approachable. If you are concerned with the health of your baby dog, then you need to take some time out to look for the best affordable healthy food options for him. Yes, the dogs who eat healthy raw food are active and fine. They play with the owners and do not disturb them for any reason. This is the best part about the dogs that they keep you all calm and relax when you feed them properly. It is their right to have the food that is tasty and nutritionally rich. The health of the dog depends 80% on the food that he eats and then his rest and hygiene is important. Affordable raw dog food is such an important thing for many of us for which we do put a lot of efforts and sometimes we succeed too. This is the blog that some tips that are so effective yet easy to follow. Read them out, implement them and then see the best results. You will definitely find the quality food for your dog in the most affordable rates.

AFFORDABLE RAW DOG FOOD IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT TOPIC! 

How can we forget the food of our dogs? The affordable raw dog food that is healthy and approved is what we all need to find. The most appropriate thing to do is to research. Yes, whether you want to go out and search the market, or you simply check on Google. As we take care of your health and fitness, we should take care of the health and fitness of our dogs too. They need this or otherwise, they will become weak and lazy. Who likes a dog that is lazy? Nobody! Yes, this is true that to buy expensive food for dogs is not possible for everyone but still there are many companies that offer to prepare the best meals for our dogs. These companies are certified and make the food that has been approved by the food department. Without a doubt, affordable raw dog food is their aim and they work so hard to make it perfectly. Compromise on quality is not an option so the food is just perfect for your dog. You can buy from the shop directly or even can order online. The benefits of the fresh raw dog food are so many if you read about it.

1- Your dog stays healthy and fit.

2- No chance of infection or disease.

3- He remains active and alert.

4- His mood becomes good after having healthy meal.

5- His energy will boost you up.

6- He will play with you.

7- He will sleep well.

8- He will stay calm and peaceful.

TIPS TO FIND THE BEST AFFORDABLE RAW DOG FOOD

Here are some tips that may help you to find the most affordable options for raw dog food. Read them out and see how they help.

1- Take some time out and search:

You cannot achieve anything by only thinking about it. This is important for you to do a proper research work. Take some time out and then search, either online by visiting the physical store. There must be several brands that provide the affordable raw dog food in your state so just keep searching and you will find the best suitable options.

2- Ask your friends:

This is an effective tip. Asking your friends and family can help you a lot in knowing about the brands that prepare the affordable raw dog food. Taking opinions never goes waste. Make sure that you ask everyone in your circle so that you get the perfect advice.

3- Online recommendations are helpful:

When you search for the affordable raw dog food brands, you simply check the highly recommended brands that people trust upon. Every brand has a website that has the rating bar. Check it out and then decide.

4- Be smart and read reviews:

No matter how good the content seems, you need to check the reviews on the website. This will help you out. Compare the rates of the brands and then select the one that has the most positive reviews.

AFFORDABLE RAW DOG FOOD-THE PRIORITIES MATTER

Yes, when we search for the food that is affordable and cheap as well, we should not forget to check if the company makes the food that is approved. Your priority should be the health of your dog. Affordable raw dog food that is nutritionally enough for your dog should be bought.

Why Is Dental Care So Important?

Pooch and feline breath is nothing to grin about! Did you realize it is evaluated by the age of two, 80% of mutts and 70% of felines have some periodontal infection (AVMA 2013)? The periodontal sickness is the most widely recognized illness in felines and pooches. It is a disease brought about by microbes. The microbes are situated on the teeth, and the tissues encompassing the teeth (periodontium). Most dental ailment happens beneath the gum line, where you can’t see it. Microscopic organisms that you can’t see can harm the tissues interfacing the teeth and jaw. That is the reason it’s so imperative to have your veterinarian usually analyze your pet’s teeth and perform customary expert dental cleanings.

The admonition indications of conceivable Dog Dental Disease/Pets are:

• Redness of the gums
• Terrible breath
• Free teeth
• Stained teeth
• Broken teeth
• Delicacy around the mouth as well as teeth
• Slobbering or dropping nourishment
• Seeping from the mouth
• Loss of hunger/poor craving
• Weight reduction

Consistently brushing your pet’s teeth is the absolute best thing you can do between proficient cleanings.

Pet dental infection, additionally called periodontal illness, is one of the most widely recognized clinical conditions seen by our veterinarians. This shocks no one when we think about that most grown-up mutts and felines give a few indications of the illness when they arrive at 3 years old. Whenever left untreated, pet dental ailment can prompt agony, tooth misfortune, disease, and even harm to the fundamental organs, for example, the heart, liver, and kidneys.

The dental strength of our patients is imperative to us at Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center. In acknowledgment of National Pet Dental Health Month, which is watched each February, we’d prefer to put the focus on periodontal malady and what pet proprietors can do to counteract and treat this genuine condition.

What Is Periodontal Disease?

Periodontal infection in pets happens when plaque film and tartar (solidified plaque) develop on the teeth both above and beneath the gumline. This aggregation aggravates the gum tissue and enables microscopic organisms to thrive, prompting harm of the steady structures of the teeth, which are the gums and the sinewy connective tissue that interfaces the underlying foundations of the teeth to the encompassing alveolar bone.

Noteworthy agony, oral contamination, bone and tooth misfortune, and even fundamental harm can happen because of untreated periodontal ailment.

Phases of Pet Dental Disease

Pet dental infection can be separated into four phases, as pursues:

1. This beginning time is described by gum disease, which is irritation of the gums because of the nearness of tartar and microscopic organisms. You may watch some growing of the gums. A slim red line on the gums alongside the teeth may likewise be obvious during this stage.
2. Also known as early periodontitis, this stage happens when there is a modest quantity of bone misfortune – fewer than 25% – noticeable on oral radiographs. You may see aggravation of your pet’s gums, awful breath, and some noticeable plaque and tartar. Now, your pet will require an expert cleaning to expel the plaque and tartar altogether, and to turn around the advancement of dental sickness.
3. Serious dental harm starts to happen at organize 3, otherwise called moderate periodontitis, when 25-half bone misfortune is unmistakable on oral radiographs. Gums will be swollen and disturbed, and presumably drain effectively. There is loss of gum connection to the tooth, framing regions known as periodontal pockets. Your pet may likewise encounter awful breath and huge torment, and need to have contaminated and additionally harmed teeth expelled.
4. Extreme, ceaseless periodontal malady is obvious in the fourth and last stage, where bone loss of half or higher is noticeable on oral radiographs. Your pet isn’t just in extreme torment, it is in danger of losing different teeth, just as fundamental contamination and harm to inside organs, because of microorganisms from the mouth entering the circulation system and spreading all through the body.

Forestalling and Treating Pet Dental Disease

An oral assessment is a significant piece of your pet’s yearly health test. An intensive investigate your pet’s mouth, joined with your report of any indications or issues you have watched, will enable our veterinarian to decide the subsequent stage in your pet’s oral consideration. Most pets require normal cleanings performed while the pet is under general anesthesia so as to guarantee the strength of their teeth, just as to address any issues brought about by periodontal malady.

Standard teeth brushing at home is likewise a basic piece of your pet’s progressing oral wellbeing support program, and takes one moment daily to achieve. Your veterinarian will be glad to show appropriate brushing method and answer any inquiries you have in regards to dental malady and your pet. Day by day brushing, joined with exams and dental cleanings when required, will enable your pet to have a more advantageous and progressively agreeable life.

Your leopard gecko might be a friendly and gently pet, but they may not thrive without food. You will find all the food-related information, including the best food options for leopard geckos.

Leopard geckos are one of the most popular choices of pets for reptile lovers. They are gentle, friendly, and are quite lively. Additionally, they are colorful and are incredibly adorable. They are easy to maintain and interact with their owners freely. Due to this, many people own them.

Leopard geckos are a long-living creature and often live up to 27 years with proper care and maintenance. If you are interested in them, it is the best article for you. Here you will find their best food options.

 What do they eat?

The most common question is, What Do Leopard Geckos Eat? Well, they are insectivores and eat insects. It is best to feed them live insects. Here are the best feeder insects for leopard geckos-

• Crickets

Crickets are among the staple diets of leopard geckos. It is because these insects are easily found and are not pricy. Additionally, crickets are wholesome and come with many nutrients. You can also quickly gut-load them to provide a complete meal to your pet. Crickets have a higher amount of protein with less fat and are a healthier option.

It is better to choose crickets that are not longer than the size of the head of your gecko. Crickets are useful because they tend to move a lot. Leopard geckos will eat anything that wiggles in front of them. So, it becomes easy to feed your pet.

You need to place crickets very close to your pet to attract it. If your pet does not eat any insect, you need to remove them after 20 minutes. Otherwise, the crickets may infest the habitat of your pet or might even bite them.

• Mealworms

Mealworms are another popular staple diet for leopard geckos. Mealworms are not noisy or fast as crickets. Additionally, they also do not bite the gecko.  You can easily store mealworms in your fridge, and they tend to live longer than crickets.

You can easily take some mealworms and place them in the feeding bowl of your pet. Your pet can quickly eat their food that plate.

Mealworms are also protein-rich and readily available. But, they have higher fat content. Additionally, mealworms are affordable, and you can even breed them all by yourself.

Mealworms are not good feeder option for baby geckos as these insects are trough to digest for them.

• Dubia roaches

Dubia roaches are probably the best choice for a staple diet. It is because they contain the proper amount of fat and protein with a lot of minerals. But, dubias are not readily available. You might have to search a bit, and they are also expensive. Due to this fact, a lot of pet owners prefer to breed dubia roaches.

Dubia roaches are goo because they do not make noises or cannot escape from your pet. Hence, your pet can quickly eat insects. Additionally, dubia roaches are easy to gut load and are easy to store, SO, you can easily use them as the staple food for your pet.

• Super worms

The super worms or king worms are also popular as a feeder insect for leopard geckos. In reality, these are not worms, rather larvae of the zophobas morio beetles. Hence, some people also call them Zoophobias.

Superworms contain a lot of calcium and protein. If you have a baby pet, you can easily feed them these worms. The super worms are easy to digest for any leopard gecko.

But, they are not great for gut loading and often bite the geckos if they do not eat the worms.

• Waxworms

Your pet will need some occasional treats to get some change in their taste buds. Waxworms are excellent as treats for your leopard gecko. It is because these insects contain a lot of fat and are a favorite of geckos.

But, waxworms are not as great as a staple because they might make your pet obese. If your pet is not eating, you can feed them one or two waxworms to encourage them to eat. Waxworms are easy to find and are also cheap.

The above insects are good as feeder insects for your leopard gecko pet. You need to include all these insects to offer your pet a balanced diet.

As a pet owner, we all look forward to keeping them in the best possible means, taking care of their daily health and hygiene, and looking forward to providing them with the best of health possibilities. However, when it comes to dog pet food, many things need to be considered. That is the size and proportions you want to feed your pet. The likes and dislikes of the beloved pet and also about the quality of food that you are in search of.

There are variable means from where you can get hold of the pet food. You could buy dog food online in Dubai, or search the local stores for the food delivery services. In both cases, one thing that needs to be in special consideration is that you receive the quality of the product that you are ordering from, and in search of the cheapest possible food products, you don’t pose any threat to the health of your pet. Not only food for the dogs is important, but buying cat food in Dubai could be as important as for other pets. If you are a multiple pet owner, then you must try and look for food delivery services that cater to the needs of cat food delivery services as well? Here are a few things that you need to keep in mind when you look forward to placing your order for the processed or fresh food prepared for your pets. And these tips will help you become a better pet parent and allow your pet to grow and lead a happy and healthy life.

1. Planning And Research:

If you are a new pet owner and looking forward to work in the best possible ways to help build a better relationship with your pet. It is always advisable for you to conduct complete research about the beloved new member of the family. It may take you weeks to decide what’s good for the young one and what things aren’t, and therefore, your search for the right choice of food should begin days and weeks before having a new pet in the house. For all those who are already pet owners must always try and update their information about the new technological findings related to pet food.

2. Vet On Board:

Whenever you look to order pet food from the services, it is always essential to note that the company has the recommendations of the veteran staff on board. Those who know what is in the best interest of the pets and what’s not. Therefore, all those companies that have the expert recommendation of the vet on board are more favorable than those who don’t have any such services. Adhering to the advice of the pet doctors is always considered as a reasonable and reliable thing to go for.

3. Cost:
   

When you own a new family member in your family, your pet is there to stay, and you look forward to buying food supplies that are reasonable and give you extra advantages if you are confirming the supply of the food from the single services wither for months or weeks to come. Those pet food services should be given preferences that allow you to order bulk stock on most reasonable rates if you find some pet food services that give you enticing offers relating to the bulk supply. It is always advisable to go for the one. But before you could order in bulk, it is necessary first to check on the quality and quantity of the services ordered.

4. Quality Of Food:

One of the most important things that should be considered when ordering pet food online is the quality of the food. When you have fresh, quality food served at your doorstep, what else could you ask for? You may look for online reviews to know more about the kind of services they offer and how much their customers are satisfied with their services. However, if you are good to go and be satisfied with their services and quality of food, you can go for a premium supplier for food that allows you to have hygiene and hassle-free pet food services and that at your doorstep.

There are so many things that need to be kept into consideration, like the nature of the pet, his likes and dislikes, and the change in nutritional plan with the growing age. All these factors should be kept in mind when you look forward to ordering pet food services online in Dubai. Ensure that the food is packed and processed under food regulatory laws that don’t pose any threat to your pet’s health.

How can I stop my dog from rushing food at lunchtime?

Dogs that swallow their food too quickly tend to take large amounts of air while eating, which can cause stomach upset and the digestive system. This can be avoided by placing a large object such as a ball in a bowl to encourage it to take smaller bites, or there are some treat dispenser toys available that have built-in obstructions and cause the food to be released slowly. If you have more than one pet, feed them separately in order to reduce competition for food.

How am I supposed to introduce a different food to my dog’s diet?

Your dog will need to be introduced to new food gradually as the number and type of bacteria in the intestines that help in digestion can be changed and their ability to digest food may be affected. Because dogs can often be sensitive to changes in their diet, try to make any transition as smooth as possible. Start by mixing the new food with your usual brand, before gradually increasing the proportion over seven to ten days, until your dog only eats the new food. The amount of new food should be reduced if the dog shows any signs of vomiting, has soft stools or appears constipated.

Dog food calculator is a reliable source to know your dog’s feeding requirements when you are not sure about it.

Is it okay to give dogs healthy table scraps?

It is always best to feed your dog’s specially developed treatments for dogs and to use them solely for training purposes. However, you can feed the leftovers, provided they do not represent more than 10% of your dog’s diet. Although many owners do, it is not recommended to feed your dog scraps, as it is almost impossible to create a well-balanced diet. Never feed fatty scraps, as they may cause your dog to gain weight. Uncooked vegetables such as carrots, peas, green beans and broccoli are low in fat and provide a good source of vitamins and fibres. They should still be fed in moderation or as a cure as dogs are not well equipped to digest a lot of fiber and can cause stomach upset. Raw meat can be infected with bacteria, and bones can damage the teeth and cause intestinal obstructions. It is also not ideal to feed your dog cat food because, since it is intended for cats, it does not have the right balance of vitamins and minerals for dogs. Never feed chocolate dogs as they are toxic to them. Feeding table scraps may encourage your dog to beg during meal times and steal food from the table, some of which may be hazardous to his health.

Consumption of food is a source of energy that is needed by every living organism to survive. Eating right, healthy as well as nutritious food items provide the minerals, vitamins, and nutrition to a living body, and with the help of the energy produced from the food, any living organism can perform daily activities. So basically, all living things, including humans, plants, animals, and even bacteria and viruses need their amount of food for basic survival.

Consuming a healthy diet helps in keeping everybody energized all day long. While choosing the food items, generally, food that is full of vitamins and minerals is preferred. Especially, when it comes to human beings and their family members, there are no compromises in the quality of food.

But when it comes to pets, they need to be loved, pampered, and taken care of in the same way as the family would take care of their own kids.

For such precious pets, the family always chooses the best pet food that is available in the market. Depending on the type of pet the family has, they choose the food accordingly.

Before talking about the varieties of pet food available in the market, let’s see how you can choose the food. There are three main criteria for choosing the food for your pets –

• Type of the pet- The type of food you buy depends on what kind of pet you have, whether it is a cat, dog, parrot, hamster, etc. Different pets may have different dietary requirements, and you need to choose food for them accordingly.
• Age of the pet- This is the second most crucial point to keep in mind while choosing the pet food. Remember, puppy food cannot be given to grown-ups or vice-versa. Elderly animals may also have different dietary requirements as compared to young pets. So, consider the age of your pet before selecting food for it.
• The food has to be nutritious as well as tasty- The food that you buy should be filled with essential nutrients like proteins, minerals, and vitamins. Apart from that, you need to make sure that it is tasty as well. Your pet may refuse to eat it if it does not taste good.

Depending on the type, age and taste preferences of the pet, you can choose any one of pet food varieties available in the market. There are pet foods available in solid form, liquid form as well as in semi-solid form. If the pet you have is too old or very small, liquid or semi-solid food might be ideal for them. Little puppies or kittens do not have teeth to eat solid stuff, so they can lick such food from the bowl. Similarly, elder dogs or cats are too tired all the time, and so they require food that is easily consumable as well as easily digestible. Also, the activities of elderly pets are restricted, and so they do not tend to eat more. Smaller portions of liquid food could be the best option for them.

As the opposite of the above scenario, the growing up dog or cat requires a maximum amount of energy, and hence their food needs to suffice their daily nutritional needs. A good portion of solid pet food at least thrice a day can keep them active as well as healthy. The food filled with vitamins, minerals, and good fat keeps the furry friends free from any viral diseases.

Last but not least, pets are programmed to love and be loved. They love their human family unconditionally, and it is the duty as well as the responsibility of the family to look after them and to provide them with the best possible pet food available in the market.

Caring for pets should be a joy and a privilege for children, not a punishment. If your kids come to see their pets as nothing but chore-inducing nuisances, then you may be reinforcing negative attitudes towards animals and a lack of empathy for them, the exact opposite of your original intent. If your children aren’t ready to make good on their promises, you must be prepared to do everything yourself, at least for a time.

Get the kids involved at the outset. Encourage them to compile lists of the pros and cons of each type of pet in relation to your family’s home situation and lifestyle. Make charts comparing different types of companion animals. If you are contemplating adding more than one type of pet to the family, be sure that each one’s safety can be assured. How will you mix cats and rabbits, or fish ?

You might also consider acquiring two new pets of the same species. Each animal deserves to have the companionship of a fellow member of its own species. Two cats, for example, could keep each other company when the rest of the household is out during the day. My own two cats, who are sisters, don’t exactly interact with each other a lot, but they do take comfort in each others presence, particularly when something such as a thunderstorm makes them feel insecure. If you like mice, housing several mice together in a large airy home will give them more opportunities for play and provide you with an entertaining daily circus of activity.

Once your whole family has settled on the right species, you can start to think about your new pet in more detail. If it will be a dog, do you prefer a mongrel or a purebreed ? What size, color and features would best suit everyone’s taste ? Do you need a dog who can be trusted around a baby and who is tolerant of the behavior of very young children ? If you have lots of flower beds that you would hate to see dug up by a dog avoid terriers, as they have a propensity for digging. What color cat would you like. If your kids go in for small rodents, would they prefer rats or mice, gerbils or hamsters ? If they want variety, then a little group of mice might be just the thing, as they can be found in all sorts of colors and patterns making it easy to tell each individual apart from the others.

Please don’t ever consider trying to turn wild animals, such as raccoons or squirrels, into pets. It’s cruel to deprive wild animals of their natural lives in their natural habitats. Those adorable little baby animals are likely to grow up to be destructive when kept in a human house, or quick to bite, as they mature and their instincts fully develop. They’ll become impossible to keep, and yet unafraid of humans and poorly equipped to survive the rigors of life in the wild. Making a wild animal into a pet is a recipe for disaster and its the animal who inevitably suffers the consequences. Please think twice, too, before caging a wild bird, as birds are born to fly and to cover large distances.

When you’ve finally settled on the species decide which sex you want. Male cats may spray the furniture when indoors, if not neutered. Two male mice, when kept together, may fight, while a colony of female mice can live together harmoniously. If you’re adding small caged pets like rodents to your family, be sure that you don’t inadvertently bring home a male and a female, or you’ll soon find that you have more little critters than you can manage.

If you welcome female cats or dogs into your home, do not let them have babies so that your children can witness “the miracle of birth.” It’s a far better lesson for your kids to see you take on the responsibility of spaying and neutering cats and dogs so that you do not contribute to the problem of pet overpopulation. There are already far too many unwanted pets who end their short lives in shelters. Spaying and neutering bring health benefits to animals, as well. For example, neutered male cats will not spray in the house or roam far afield getting into fights, and spayed female cats will be less subject to certain medical conditions as they age.

Once you’ve decided on the perfect family pet you’ll need to gather information to better prepare you for life with your new friend or friends. Involve your kids in the research and reading as much as you can. Don’t confine your research to aspects of pet care, important as that is, because it’s also a good idea to have a information on hand that can help you out if your pets ever show symptoms of illness. Information on signs and symptoms and their possible causes can help you determine when it’s safe to “watch and wait” and when immediate veterinary treatment is vital.

Take your kids with you when you are ready to start shopping around for that perfect pet. Be sure to stick to reputable sources (ie. no puppy mills) that provide hygienic conditions for the animals in their care. If the caregivers also display gentleness and spend time playing with their animals, the animals will be more likely to develop into affectionate and sociable pets.
Consider adopting a cat or dog from a reputable animal shelter. Here you’ll find animals who have already suffered at human hands and been abandoned or mistreated. You’ll be rescuing them and offering them a second chance for a happy life. Although they may require some extra patience on your part and lots of TLC to get them over their past traumas, you’ll be rewarded by knowing that you’ve given a good home to an animal in need, one who may otherwise have faced euthanasia.

When you’re out pet hunting, be sure that your kids know how to move slowly and quietly, so as not to frighten the animals they’re looking at. During your search of shelters, pet shops or private homes that have placed classified ads, at some point you and your children will find yourselves looking into that face, the sweetest face on earth, the face of the little creature whom you absolutely must have. It will be love at first sight, your hearts will melt, and you’ll all be sure that this is the one, even if he or she does not meet all of the criteria that you had so painstakingly defined beforehand!