my daughter keeps parakeets in a cage, and my son would like to have a pet.

People have long had a love affair with mixed breed dogs or “mutts”. These dogs tend to vary quite a lot in size, looks and temperament, even when they come from the same set of offspring. Mutts ordinarily have very superior healthiness and they make great pets.

A mutt is a dog that is a result of an unidentified ancestry. They are not of one particular breed and it is usually unknown if there parents are of purebred status. Mutts have an indefinite pedigree and a uncertain genetic line.

A purebred on the other hand is a dog that has two parents that are both of the same type. Lots of times there are extensive records of the heredity of these dogs and breeders are very careful in their reproduction techniques to make sure that they turn out the strongest genetic tendencies.

Some individuals may have a preference to have a mixed breed or a mutt for a pet as they ordinarily have great health and they make wonderful pets while others may desire to have a purebred dog. However, there is one more preference that can be considered and that is the hybrid dog or the “designer dogs”.

Hybrids are a cross of two purebred dogs from two dissimilar breeds. They are diverse from a mutt because their family is identified. Each of their parents are purebreds with inherited lines that can generally be traced back many generations.

Hybrid dogs are becoming rather the rage these days. You see them everywhere from movies to dog shows. These dogs tend to have the best character from both of the breeds and more often than not a good combination of both breeds.

The hybrid dogs are usually called really funny names that are a combination of both breed names such as a puggle, a mixture of a pug and beagle, a poogle for a poodle and pug, cockapoo for a cocker poodle blend, a goldendoodle which is a poodle and golden retriever mix and of course many others as the catalog of combinations goes on and on.

Hybrids are wonderful pets and if you are having a difficult time deciding on a breed a hybrid can get you the best of two breeds. They ordinarily have impressive health and they are intelligent and fun dogs to own.

i need to know how to care for a rabbit i am getting one soon, i have done some research, i need to know this stuff : diet,lifespan, and EVERYTHING else that is important, what are some good names?

Have you ever considered getting dog insurance to cover the medical expenses and veterinarian care that your dog or puppy may need in the near future? The truth is that most pet owners do not consider taking out dog health insurance until they experience an unplanned visit to the veterinarian to treat an injury or illness, which ends up costing hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Have you ever suffered a broken bone yourself? Well, your dog is no less likely to do so. Dog bone fractures occur across the spectrum, as well – a dog that stays indoors is not much less likely to break a bone as a dog that spends all his/her time in the backyard. And broken bones of course also occur elsewhere – when you’re out walking, or running, with your dog, or if your dog takes off on a jaunt of his own, as many do if they get half a chance. And broken bones are not cheap. The avery vet bill for a broken leg is almost one thousand dollars.

Dog Insurance Coverage

As with any insurance plan, the types of coverage offered and the prices for these premiums will vary from company to company. However, you can expect the top dog insurance plans to offer coverage on the following veterinarian services:

Spaying or Neutering: Only professional breeders and other dog owners who show their dogs professionally are exempt from the obligation to spay or neuter their dogs. All other dog owners should take it as an absolute obligation, so as to avoid any more unwanted dogs in this world. There are many other good arguments for spaying and neutering beyond the scope of this article, but suffice to say, spaying or neutering your dog is important. And it is likely to be covered by any good dog insurance plan.

Prescription Flea Control: Most dogs remain flea-free with Frontline and similar flea control products that are available over the counter at your veterinarian (or at pet stores or online). But a few dogs have ongoing problems with fleas such that prescription flea meds may be required. Most dog health insurance plans cover these prescription flea control meds.

Annual Examination: Whether or not your vet has conned you into thinking that annual vaccinations are essential for your dog, the annual examination is a necessity. It will identify minor health problems before they become major health problems, and treatment can start while there’s still a good prospect of success. Your dog insurance policy should cover the annual exam.

Heartworm Medication: Should your dog be diagnosed with heartworms, the medication needed may also be covered by most dog insurance plans.

Lab Costs: Blood tests and other lab work is covered by most dog health insurance plans. You never know when your vet may want to order blood work – especially if serious diseases are suspected, such as diabetes or heartworm.

Teeth Cleaning: If your dog suffers periodontal disease, or you are unable to keep his teeth clean by other means, surgical teeth cleaning is often required. And because it’s performed under anaesthetic, it’s pretty expensive. Good news – your dog insurance should cover this, too.

Hospitalization Fees: Accidents and illnesses do have a habit of occurring when you least expect them. And they can be very expensive, as already noted. There is also the possiblity of complications of other procedures, such as de-sexing procedures or even teeth cleaning. Complications of surgery may require that your dog have blood transfusions or be monitored in intensive care. Now that’s a big expense. So instead of being landed with an exorbitant vet bill, your dog insurance will cover you.

Right now the only pets I have are cats. I want a small exotic pet that is easy to take care of, and doesn't need much room. I also want an animal that could be handled easily, if I don't get an aquatic animal. What can I get? Thanks for all answers!
A rock would be easy, but I think it takes up too much space. Lol
My mom wouldn't let me get a snake even if I begged for it. She says that snakes "make her head crawl."

If you’ve ever heard of somebody crating a dog and imagined them hammering nails into a wooden box and shipping Fido to some overseas destination, you might be interested to know that’s not what the term means. Crating is a means of confining a pet for the purposes of potty training and keeping it safely out of the way when circumstances call for it. Caging might be a better choice of words. What’s surprising is that so many people misunderstand the point of crating that it is often thought of as a cruel practice.

When my family first came over to visit our new puppy many years back, they were shocked to see we had a crate setup in the corner of our living room. Never, in their wildest imagination, would they have thought that two people so devoted to animal welfare would employ such a device. It seemed cruel to them, and completely at odds with our personalities. What they didn’t realize is that crate training is an efficient and harmless way to potty train a young dog and, in later years, provides it with a place it can consider its own.

The unfortunate reality is that crates carry a stigma simply by virtue of their looks. People just assume that having a crate in your home means you’re inclined to lock your dog away for the slightest infraction. But that certainly isn’t the expected use for these things. Your dog’s cage should become a welcome sanctuary, like a wolf den.

In time, your dog will learn to appreciate, even love his crate. My own dog, now 10 years old, still goes to her crate to nap or when she’s frightened of a thunderstorm. We no longer need the crate for its original purpose (to adjust her potty habits to our work schedules) but have left it up simply because she wants it. We never even bother to close the door. It’s just her special spot to rest and feel secure.

Most dogs learn to love their crates and, trust me, you will learn to love this training technique as well if you apply it properly. Knowing that your dog is safe and secure when a repair man comes is just one of the benefits of crate training, but the main point is to help potty train your dog.

It is essential, however, that you use a crate correctly lest you cause your dog emotional damage or sabotage your efforts to use the crate as a training tool. Above all, limit the amount of time your dog spends in its crate. This is difficult for working couples, but try to keep the time your dog spends in its crate under 5 hours. If your dog is particularly young, swing by the house during the work day to let your pup stretch its legs and do its business on a short walk. Once your dog has been housebroken, you should be able to dispense with the daytime lock-up entirely.

Never use your crate as a means of punishment. You want your puppy to view his crate as a sanctuary. He should see it as a warm and cozy place to rest, not as a place he is sent to when he is bad. Crates are ideal when an over excited pup needs a break or when circumstances require your dog be locked away to be safe such as when a door must be left propped open to move furniture.

Choosing a crate for your dog is less about style than it is about size. You’re shooting for something large enough to allow your dog to sleep comfortably and turn around in. But bigger isn’t better. Too large of a crate will defeat potty training purposes and your dog may eliminate in one corner while sleeping in another. If you purchase a larger crate because your dog is still growing, use a divider to make it small enough to accommodate your dog and your potty-training objective.

Wire crates are probably your best bet. They allow better air flow and better viewing for your pup. At night, you can cover the wire crate with a blanket so that you form a den like atmosphere (your dog will like this!).

Whichever style or model crate you opt for, I think you’ll find they can be wonderful potty training tools for puppies and a much loved napping spot in your dog’s adolescent and adult years. If you still can’t stomach the idea of crating, you may want to opt for a puppy play pen. Just realize that, while you’ll still have the comfort of keeping your dog safely confined when circumstances warrant, you’ll be giving up on the potty training benefits a crate affords.

hi, i'm looking for a free or affordable online course about animals with a certificate. does not have to be from a famous uni or college but no scams. i just want to certify my knowledge about animals. thanks

The story of my 33 lb cat shown to the elementary school where I teach. Hobie is famous in stories the kids love to listen to. Stories about birds he has caught, dogs he has chased, children he has frightened, messes he has made. All in good fun. No hate mail, he is cared for by a vet who doesn’t know what to do with him either.

Getting a new puppy is very exciting. It doesn’t take long, however, to realize that a new puppy takes more patience than you may have thought. Potty training a puppy, including teaching him to go outside requires a lot of effort on your part.

If you try potty training your puppy to go outdoors too soon, say at one month, you will probably meet with little success. Wait until your puppy is at least two months old to get started potty training in the great outdoors. If the puppy is with its mother, you may have an easier task of training, as the puppy will tend to take its cues from the mother. Otherwise, one thing you need to do is establish a routine.

Instead of running your puppy outside every few minutes, start with thirty minute intervals. The times between going outside can be longer or shorter depending on your dog. Then, take your puppy out around mealtime, so that your own meal will not be interrupted to jump up and run outside with your puppy.

Get a routine going and maintain it and you will have your puppy potty trained in no time. Trust me; it seems to take forever if you don’t work with your dog on a schedule. You and your puppy will be more happy with a schedule which you intend to stick with.

Some people feel that establishing a routine is just too excessive. The reality is that it is a fairly simple thing to do, and it will help get your puppy trained. It is the best way for your puppy to learn. Just like potty training a child, your puppy will need to see and complete the process a number of times before it actually “clicks” that going outside means time to potty.

Sometimes you have to try to determine why your puppy doesn’t want to go outside. This is difficult, but not the worst problem you will face. There are other issues like puppy whining and barking. Take one thing at a time. Don’t give your puppy sensory overload. Get him accustomed to pottying outside first. This will be your most pressing task.

Disney often has us living in perfect harmony with our animal friends. The reality for the dogs and cats in our lives is sometimes less rosy. It doesn’t take much searching of the various internet news outlets to find all too many animal abuse stories out there. For those who would like to make a difference, the obstacle is often just insufficient information. Let’s see if we can change that today.

There are many humane education programs available that teach people the importance of recognizing animal abuse and how to stop it. In 2008, the ASPCA partnered with a program called Do Something! Do Something is an on-line community aimed at teenagers. It is a place for teens to gather (via the internet) so that they may discuss ways to make the world a better place. Animal welfare is one of the “hot topics” that is discussed on a daily basis. It is one of the top concerns of teens today (thank goodness!).

Focusing on “humane education” the animal welfare resources and, in particular, its popularity with teenagers is truly inspiring. The program has been a tremendous success, awarding ten $500 grants to teens who have started their own animal welfare projects!

So, at this point, you may be asking, “What exactly is HUMANE EDUCATION?” Well, according the ASPCA, humane education teaches us how to care for the animals in our home and communities. It fosters kindness, respect and empathy for all beings, and it teaches responsible stewardship of the environment and its diverse inhabitants. Humane education has one simple goal: to make the world a more humane and kind place!

Ultimately, making a difference requires action by people just like you. Does the idea of making the world a better place for animals appeal to you or your kids? Are you up to the challenge? Are you wondering what you can do to help? Every one of us can make a difference. If you’re wondering where to begin, consider some of the following ideas.

Know who to call if you witness or suspect animal cruelty or abuse. Many metropolitan areas have enforcement agents who have the authority and resources to act in animal cruelty cases. New York City, for example, relies on the ASPCA’s animal cruelty officers. If you aren’t sure who to call should you witness abuse, contact your local police non-emergency number for guidance.

You can also make a big difference by simply keeping your eyes open for animals frequently left chained outside for extended periods. If you notice a dog chained outside with no available food or water, make the call for intervention.

Education starts at home! If you have children, talk to them about the importance of treating animals (all animals!) with kindness and respect. Teach them that animals are living creatures that have the ability to feel pain, joy and sadness. Educating children about the importance of humane treatment is VERY important, after all, they will take these valuable life lessons into adulthood!

Should you witness animal abuse, avoid getting involved directly. Call the authorities and let them deal with the situation. It is difficult to stand back while abuse is going on, but you expose yourself and your family to the risk of retaliation should you try to take matters into your own hands. Responsible agencies will act even if the report is made anonymously.

Fight for stronger animal cruelty laws! Jump on board and join the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade! If society implements stronger cruelty laws and harsher penalties maybe, just maybe, people will take the humane treatment of animals more seriously. Animal abuse is no laughing matter; make sure your voice is heard! The best way to do this is by signing anti-cruelty petitions and writing letters to your local legislators asking for tougher laws!

There are many things you can do to help animals and prevent animal abuse. You don’t have to spend a lot of money or give up a lot of time, all you have to do is open your heart and be aware of what is going on in your community. Together, we can make this world a kinder and safer place. Not only do humans deserve fair and kind treatment, animals do as well. So jump on board.let’s fight animal cruelty together!