How Does Your Dog Rate For Intelligence?

In my explorations, i found a site that lists dogs according to intelligence. i have a little bit of a problem with the rankings, however ~ dogs who are more independant, such as Chow Chows, are ranked very low, but i have found them to be perfect farm/ranch dogs, specifically because they aren't as 'needy' as some of the other breeds. Other dogs, mostly in the AKC's Working Classification, such as the Great White Pyrenees, i have found to be a complete disaster, even with PLENTY of room to roam and other animals to herd (cows, in my case).

Here's a link to the site so that you can see where your dog stands, and if you have any dispute with the findings, please leave me a comment!

www.petrix.com/dogint/intelligence.html

Least Expensive Pet Meds

In an effort to save myself some money, i recently went on a search for Pet Medicine ~ specifically, Frontline Plus for fleas and ticks. The prices are usually pretty steep, but i did find it at PetShed.com, which is an Australian site, at a very reasonable price. PetShed also publishes the expiration date for the meds, so that you aren't buying anything that's out-of-date!

Price Comparison

PetMeds.com
for Cats
3 month supply = $37.99
6 month supply = $68.99

PetShed.com
for Cats
3 month supply = $25.95 (a savings of $12.04)
6 month supply = $43.95 (a savings of $25.05)

Since we have 2 cats, the savings really add up!

Wild Animals do they belong in our homes?

Many people have contact with wild animals and, especially if the animals are young, are tempted to take them home as pets. Baby animals are often cute, cuddly and responsive to attention. The temptation to remove them from their natural environment can be very strong, but before you try to make a pet out of a wild animal, please consider the following:

Great article for anyone who would consider opening their home to a wild animal

Building a better guinea-pig cage

By DENISE FLAIM

Newsday


When it came to designing the perfect residence for her guinea pigs, Teresa Murphy of San Mateo used her stocky South American rodents as, well, guinea pigs.
In the late 1990s, Murphy found herself with a dozen of these misnamed creatures -- they are neither from Guinea, nor are they pigs -- and on the brink of starting Cavy Spirit, a guinea-pig rescue group."

We had a couple of cavies ourselves. What fun loving creatures they are!
Kevin Lee

Inovative Cage Ideas

The Story of Bebop

This is the story of Bebop. Or at least a little bit of a story.
We got him from a pet store no longer in business, here in Grants Pass. He was teeny tiny when we got him.
Actually, we got him and a cagemate to go along with him, but he really didn't like his cagemate, so we gave the cagemate back and exchange for some hamster food. The dude that helped us out there was quite nice.
Bebop went through 2 different CritterTrail cages before we settled on one of those huge plastic storage containers.
Now, before you freak out on me for storing a cute and defenseless animal in a plastic container, hear me out.
This damn hamster had the notion that it was a great idea to chew on bars. Now, during the day it wouldn't have been such a huge problem, but he always did it at night. Well, we humans like to sleep at night, so this was a big problem indeed.
We couldn it teach him not to do it, so we had a situation on our hands.
I did some poking around on the net and read up on homeage hamster cages. There are some really neat setups people do for their evil hamsters! Especially using the plastic storage containers!
So we grabbed the biggest one in town (which isn't saying allot, this being Grants Pass) and played a bunch with it. First it started out being an extension to one of his existing CritterTrail cages. Then it became his permament home.
No chewing on bars, easy cleaning, easy to expand and accesorize (spelling, I know).
I alternated his toys everytime I cleaned it. Sometimes it was a little on the boring side, but most of the time heed have a blast with his new set up every time.
Oh, did I mention, he went through 2 or 3 wheels before we found the perfect one? I forget the name of it, but it's completly silent than"

Great Ideas about saving on costs, while keeping your Pet Happy and safe

Kevin Lee

Responsible Pet Ownership!

Pets are people, too. At least, thats the way they should be treated by their owners. The sad reality, though, is that a lot people own pets when theyre really not ready to care properly for their little furry friends. Or they just dont know how to love, clean, and treat a cat, dog, or other animal the right and humane way. What happens to these poor animals? Many end up in shelters, lost and unwanted to the tune of 6 to 8 million every year according to the Humane Society. At least half of those end up being put to sleep, to put it nicely.

When they first start out looking to buy a pet, everyone says that they arent like that, that they wont have their pet end up caged in a pound somewhere. If you want to be one of the people who says this and means it, read on. Your commitment shows you are ready to learn how to own a pet. Once you are trained in the following pet ownership basics, then you can take the next step and find the perfect pet for you.

But before you meet this furry companion, take these following tips to heart:

Go down the list of required health-care needs. This is especially important for puppies and kittens, who need an arsenal of vaccinations when theyre little. But even older pets require regular checkups and the occasional medication (such as for heartworms for dogs). Before you get a pet, locate a trusted veterinarian in your neighborhood and go over all of your soon-to-be pets health needs.

Neuter, neuter, neuter. Point blank, this is one of the most crucial things you can do to protect your pets health. Remember that number above from the Humane Society (6 to 8 million pets in cages)? Now consider that as many as 100 million other animals, mostly cats, live on the streets. Why? Their mommies and daddies werent neutered.

Look into insurance. Believe it or not, pet health insurance is all the craze in employer benefits packages. Thats because it comes in very handy nowadays, considering the importance of pet health and how pet pills and operations seem to be getting just as pricy as people medicine. Even if you dont get pet insurance through work, look into a package on your own. While youre at it, consider third-party liability insurance, too, especially for instances such as dog bites.

Tabulate the grocery tab. Perhaps the number one thing people dont realize when getting a pet is how expensive their food can be. Figure out just how much your pet will eat before you get it, planning always to provide your critter more than enough in proper and balanced meals. Ask yourself, Can I afford this?

Pour attention and love on your pet. Why even bother having a pet if you dont plan to give it affection? Thats the whole point of keeping a critter around, right? So when your little guy (or girl) greets you at the door after work, or wants to snuggle in your lap in front of the TV, dont push them away. Award them for their faithfulness.

Groom your pet. Grooming counts toward that love and attention requirement, but it also is necessary for the animals health as well. Depending on your type of animal, grooming could involve a bath, the occasional haircut, regular hair brushing, tooth exams, and paw inspection.

Hop, skip, and a jump. Animals love exercise. Whether theyre normally cooped up in a cage, an apartment, or, well, a coop, be sure to free them from these confines as often as possible. Dogs dont just like to take walks to go potty. Cats dont like to tear up and down furniture just to shred it. They have energy to burn, and will be better off for it.

Teach your pet proper bathroom etiquette. Speaking of going potty, it is essential to train your pet at the earliest possible age to do so properly. Of course, this doesnt mean training them to put down the lid when theyre done (although supposedly rabbits can be taught to do so!). But it does mean getting a cat to use a kitty litter box, for instance, or a dog to wait until its outside. If you dont know how to train them, learn before you own them. Ask your parents or friends, read a book, visit a chat room, or talk with the vet.

Consider a proper place of higher learning. When training becomes an issue, whether its for potty training or how-not-to-chew-up-your-shoes training, consider obedience school. It is not a mark of shame for either you or your pet. In fact, it may be just what your fur ball needs to live the happiest, safest, and healthiest life possible.

To put it bluntly, if you cant follow these rules, you shouldnt own a pet. Buy a plant instead. However, if you are up to the task and really, most people are your rewards will be immense. For a little bit of responsibility, time, and money on your part, you and your family will get a lifetime of love and unconditional adoration.

About the Author

Donald Lee is the public relations manager for Buysellcommunity.com. Buysellcommunity provides free classified listing services for individuals and businesses to market their products and services online. Buy, Sell and trade: auto, computers, household items, real estate, pets and much more.
http://www.buysellcommunity.com
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Litter Box Training And Maintenance

Cats are not born knowing how to use a litter box and will need you to help train them.

I bet it won't take long if our cats are any indication.

The Nation's Pets Are Living Large...Too Large

ST. LOUIS (January 2005)�Six out of 10 pets in the United States were overweight, according to a Purina study, almost half of their owners thought their overweight pets were in ideal shape. According to the Purina Veterinary Diets� Overweight "

Time for one of our cats to hit the treadmill.

Welcome to Pet News, a blog designed to help you pick a Perfect Pet, along with how to keep them Healthy and Happy.

Each entry, we'll be examining a different breed of dog or cat, with information on each of the breed standards (if applicable), temperament, intelligence, etc. to help you avoid the expense and disappointment of aquiring the wrong pet.

Along with our examination of the various breeds, we'll also be keeping our eyes on where to find the best deals on pet medications, training books/programs, how to buy pet insurance, grooming tips, etc.

Kevin Lee