Pets Need Your Tender Loving Care - Much Like Children

If you view your pets as young children, you will ensure that you always have happy, healthy animals around your home. Just like children, they require a healthy diet, exercise, personal attention, play and training to understand right and wrong. If you do not enforce all of these principles, misbehaviour could result which can affect their health and safety.

The Correct Meal Plan

The size and breed of your pet will often dictate the type of food you choose for their diet. For instance, if you have a large dog like a mastiff, they need a higher calorie dog food specially formulated to support their bones and joints and active lifestyle whereas a small breed dog will need something entirely different. The age of your family animals also need to be taken into account because as they grow older, their dietary needs change.

Tools to Promote Exercise and Playtime

Family pets, when left to their own devices, often create their own activities - some of them destructive. Have you ever come home to find your shoes or furniture chewed on? With the right toys and activities, you will not only keep your pet entertained and happy, but you could also prevent destructive mishaps around the home. Balls, kongs filled with treats, chew toys, and tough, durable cotton or plush toys are just a few of many options for pet entertainment.

Training and Grooming Care

A trained pet is often a happy one. When taught a basic set of "rules" and acceptable behaviours, the animals in your family will flourish under your care because they know what to expect. There are many items that help in the training process such as special head collars, whistles, clickers, small treats to reinforce model behaviour and even training books and videos for pet owners.

Grooming is an essential part of pet ownership as it can also directly tie into their overall health. For instance, an ungroomed cat that is not brushed often can develop hairballs which can cause discomfort in their digestive tract. Flea and tick shampoos and conditioners are important as are preventatives so that your family animals do not develop any diseases or illnesses as a result of these pests. Of course, prescriptions and supplements for health maintenance may be a factor in overall care at some point in time.

As you can see, taking care of your family pets is quite similar to raising children. Both need proper nutrition, exercise, play, grooming and personal attention in order to thrive. Keep these things in mind before your family purchases or adopts a pet.

Chris Jenkinson is an internet marketing consultant working and writing for K9Capers an online pet supplier.

Children With Allergies Can Have A Pet - How To Pick The Right One Is The Problem

Mum dad said I had to ask you, can I have a pet, can I have one mum can I.

How many times have you heard it or something like it.

Please mum I promise I will look after it, I will do all the cleaning up after it and the pestering goes on.

You know it is not true because you did it yourself when you were a kid.

Your parents may have bought you a pet, regardless of what it was I bet they took over the care of the animal.

You are probably thinking to yourself now, I just do not have the time to care of a pet.

Think again you may be doing your child some harm by refusing them an animal friend.

1. It has been proven that animals in the home can be beneficial to a child, the child can build up a tolerance to allergies this way.

2. If your child has shown to be ill after being with friends animals you can work out what animal made them sick.

3. Long haired animals seem to be the worst offenders.

So why not look at some different species, hamsters a favourite of mine when I was a kid. The only trouble is they are nocturnal, and kids are not.

So the problem starts when the kid tries to wake the hamster during the day, if disturbed they can bite and as small as they are they hurt.

Rabbits are always a favourite with children, but they can also bite and scratch when frightened. If your child is calm towards their rabbit they can make good pets, but a boisterous child can scare the animal into biting.

Guinea pigs can make marvellous pets especially if they have been handled from a young age. But they do not like to be on there own, they are often kept with a rabbit for company.

If you know for a fact that your child is allergic to fur clad animals there are numerous options.

1. You may not like the thought but snakes can make an interesting hobby for a child.

2. How about fish you do not have to just go with a goldfish in a glass bowl. There are hundreds of tropical fish to choose from. Another alternative nowadays are cold water fish, do some research they can be fascinating.

3. My grandson was allergic to all fur clad animals when he was younger, he suffers with allergic asthma his parents bought him some geckoes ( small lizards ) he now breeds them for sale.

4. Terrapins can also be a great hobby for a youngster with allergies, but I would think carefully about this subject because there is a lot of work involved getting the conditions right for them.

5. A little known fact, it has been shown that boys who have had pets and have actually been involved in their upkeep. Will grow up and have a better understanding about children as they get older, meaning they can turn out to be better fathers.

There you have it folks you may have to care for the family pet yourself, while the kids have the fun bit playing with them.

But you could be doing your children a big favour by granting them their wish an animal to love. You never know it might take you back to your childhood and you will love every minute of it.

If you are still stumped as to what pet you would like, have a look on the internet but if you decide it is going to be some exotic animal you are on your own.

I have not got a clue how you would look after a big cat or a crocodile cheers folks.

Chris Emmerson full of aches pains and woes but sorry folks still around contrary to some folks wishes.

The Benefits To Children When They Have A Pet

The dictionary definition of a pet is: "a tame animal kept as objection of affection." Every parent wants their child to be affectionate and will often prompt them to do so by requiring them to give a kiss or cuddle. There are however experiences in life that help such attributes to grow and blossom naturally. Here are some other benefits to a child when they have a pet:

It teaches them about commitment and responsibility
This is the time when children learn to persevere even when they don't feel like it. Their dog will still need taking for a walk even if they are tired or it's raining hard. Sometimes they will have to put someone else's needs before their own and still be there for them. Giving up isn't an option when an animal needs feeding and the child learns how, by overcoming their own feelings, they become trustworthy and reliable. They will have to learn to prioritize and manage their time. This is a marvellous characteristic to learn at an early age that will bring them great benefits in the future when looking for a job or a marriage partner. It will win them many friends, as their pet won't be the only one to appreciate these qualities.
It teaches them about the animal world and nature
When our son acquired a different sort of pet- a Gekko, he spent some time looking on the internet to find out how to house him, feed him and care for him. To know about Gekko Pet Care was important when the reptile couldn't survive without a certain temperature and diet. It was a matter of life and death. He learned a lot about reptiles and the Gekko certainly seemed to do well in the safety that our son's knowledge provided him. The animal world is vast and amazing and with just a little time and effort can teach us much about the whole world in which we live and the role we play in it. By reading and making notes, our son's new project helped to improve his academic skills also of reading and writing. In the end it did his self-confidence good to know that he was an expert in a field that many adults even, knew little about.
Often gets them outdoors in the fresh air
In the Western World where many children are now obese and yet the temptations of sitting too long at screens are huge, having a pet is a great way to add diversity and exercise to their lifestyle. Obviously different sorts of pets have different needs. Generally, the larger they are, the more space and exercise they need. Even small pets need a bit of housework on their cages every few days and by getting them out and playing with them children are developing their motor skills. When dogs need taking for a walk it forces the child to take a break from their indoor occupation and gets them out into the fresh air, providing valuable aerobic exercise. It's also an opportunity to explore the countryside and discover new areas of their neighbourhood. The life and excitement of a dog who has been offered a walk gives a lift to any child's mood and encourages them to meet other people.
Gives them a companion to love and share
Nowadays many families consist of one child who needs a companion. This is exactly what a pet can be for them. It enables them to learn the skill to some degree, of sharing and caring for someone else, so that when they do go out into the world, they are able to relate more easily with other people. Just as it can be a relief and therapeutic to be able to talk to someone and just have them near, so with a pet a child can feel comforted knowing that they are there and they can talk to them even if their pet cannot answer back. Even the act of stroking an animal can be very soothing and calming. The saying that "a dog is a man's best friend" has often been proved to be very true.

This article has not mentioned the negative aspects of owning a pet such as the mess, noise, expense and time commitment, but it can certainly be argued that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.

Christine Hulme loves writing about ways in which we can "live well" in a difficult world. She believes in creating a safe place in a healthy family environment, from which she believes we can go out and accomplish great things. She has an NVQ3 In Early Years Care & Education and loves cooking, arts & crafts, music, guitar, singing, walking, swimming and sharing these things with others.

For further articles about this subject go to Guinea Pig Adventures and Pets For Kids-Making It Work

My Pillow Pets Snuggly Puppy Review

There are a lot of fantastic options from the My Pillow Pets Dogs collection. With so many different ones to choose from, picking the right one is going to come down to finding one your kid enjoys and loves the look of. The most popular of the dog collection would probably be the My Pillow Pets Snuggly Puppy. This pet is a lot of fun, and something that children are sure to love, especially if they enjoy dogs. Here is a basic review of the product, hopefully making it easier for you to decide if you would be interested in them or not.

The first thing you should know about these products are that they have dual usages. The first usage is as a stuffed animal, and that occurs when the Velcro on the underneath of the animal is attached. The second usage is as a pillow, and that occurs when the Velcro that is underneath the stuffed animal is undone. Both of these options are very neat, and kids love to use these pets in both of those situations.

The second, and probably most important thing you should know about My Pillow Pets Puppy, would be what it looks like. In the case of this product, it is going to be made out of a very soft plush material, which makes it very easy to cuddle with, and gives it a great looking fur. The rest of the look is a brown body with a small little tail, a dark spot on the back and on the ears, and a very cute and smiling face. It looks very realistic and stands on four legs like a puppy would, making it something that kids love to play with and use as a stuffed animal.

The third thing that you should know about this product is why parents enjoy them so much. It is obvious why children like them, because they are soft and cuddly, and because they look great. Parents love them because they are recommended for children ages three and up, because they are very reasonably priced, because you have some neat options to choose from, because they are very durable, and because they are machine washable, making them incredibly easy to clean.

All of those factors above really make this a very popular product. When both parents and children like receiving an item, and parents see it as a great value, you can easily see why so many people have decided that My Pillow Pets Snuggly Puppy is a great gift idea, and why so many people have already purchased this product.

And for more information about My Pillow Pets Snuggly Puppy, please visit the link provided. Additional information about the My Pillow Pets Dog collection can be found by clicking on the following link: My Pillow Pets Dogs.

Children and Pets

Little children have always been fascinated with animals, even it' s about pets, zoo animals or farm animals. Maybe because they see them in various backgrounds, in the street, on posters, in books, in their neighbors patio, on television, or they have plush pets. Babies may like pets because of the noises they make, or maybe because pets are very playful and express happiness.

Your baby is so happy when he sees an animal. Take advantage of this and have a lot of fun with him, as well, making "Animal" signs. This is very educative, too, as your baby learns facts about animals, which one is dangerous and shows its claws or fangs, which one is friendly, what to do when he sees an animal, and so on. The American sign language provides signs for all common met animals and it is very easy to learn.

You can learn how to sign the most common met animals in your baby's life, regardless the settings - "Cat", "Dog", "Bird", "Fish", "Cow", "Sheep", "Horse", "Chicken", "Frog", "Elephant", "Lion", "Cow" and many others. In order to make this process become even more educative, you can associate them with other signs, like "Egg" with "Chicken", "Milk" with "Cow", "Lion" with "Danger", "Dog" with "Friend" and many other examples. You can combine signs at the Zoo, for example, if your baby is thrilled by a monkey, you can sign "Monkey" and then sign "Happy". Or if your baby sees a bird in the park, you can sign "Egg" and say "Chicken are birds and birds make eggs".

It won't last long until your little kid will ask for a pet. They all do. You should be very careful when taking such a decision. If you allow your child to have a pet, or you already have one, then you need to ask for specialist advice in order to keep him safe and, at the same time, create a friendly relationship between the pet and your little kid. Some doctors think that pets and children should be separated, others recommend they stayed together even from an early age, as this would help your baby's immune system get stronger. The most recommended pets for people who have babies are the fishes. Whatever the species are, they are not dangerous at all and they are fascinating for both adults and children, the image of an aquarium with fishes is very calming.

Alexandra is the editor of this article, but she also started a new project about how to use a clicker garage door opener [http://www.clickergaragedooropeners.net/]. This is a website which also provides more info about the most common garage door problems [http://www.clickergaragedooropeners.net/garage-door-problems-most-common-malfunctions-and-their-sources].

Things to Know About Hamsters As Pets for Children

If your child has been begging you for a hamster, chances are you're considering giving in, or you wouldn't be reading this. Before purchasing hamsters as pets for children, there are a few things adults should consider.

First, if you purchase an animal, you should accept that while the pet belongs to your child, you'll also be a primary caregiver. You'll have to assist your child with cleaning the hamster's cage, feeding it regularly, providing it with fresh drinking water, and taking it to the vet if it becomes necessary to do so.

Keeping hamsters as pets can be a lot of fun, but there is also some work involved. Be sure that your child understands that pet ownership is a responsibility, not a right. You should also help your child to understand a few basic facts about keeping hamsters as pets.

Hamsters are Nocturnal

Hamsters sleep during the day and play at night. This means that your child's pet may not always want to play when he wants to play. Ask your child how he would feel if you woke him up at 3AM to play jump rope, and then explain that this is how the hamster feels when it is bothered many times during the day. You may want to set a regular time during the evening for your child to play with his hamster.

Hamsters can Bite if Provoked

Hamsters as pets are generally safe animals, but if they are provoked, scared, or treated poorly they can bite. Remind your child about the necessity of treating the hamster gently at all times to help them avoid a painful hamster bite.

Hamsters are Delicate Animals

Hamsters are not suitable pets for very small children. They are small and fragile, and their bone structure is extremely delicate. They can be easily injured if they are squeezed or dropped; an easy accident when they're around an overzealous child. If your small child wants a pet, choose a sturdier animal, such as a fish or hermit crab.

Hamsters Need Regular Maintenance

Hamsters as pets do require some maintenance. You may need to remind your child to clean out the hamster's cage, change its bedding, and give it regular food and water. Your child's hamster will also need to be handled regularly. Be sure that the hamster has plenty of toys and cage accessories for play and exercise, to prevent annoying chewing behavior.

By teaching your child about responsible pet care, you're providing them with skills they can use for a lifetime. Hamsters are an excellent animal for older children to keep as pets; they're friendly, active, and require just the right amount of responsibility.

My name is Kevin Highfill. Please visit my site at http://www.online4pets.com/ to discover more information about hamsters as pets.

Large Breed Dogs That Make Great Family Pets

There are many breeds of large loveable dogs that make wonderful family pets. They are not well suited for small homes, apartment or condominiums, as they require more space to roam and exercise. A large home with a big backyard or country living is ideal. Large dogs are often very social and great with older children. These loveable monsters can knock over smaller children accidentally. Make sure that whatever breed of large dog you might consider, always learn as much about the breed as possible. Anybody that chooses a large dog should be prepared to train it well, to prevent injury to others, teach them manners and socialize there pet. When a small dog jumps up to greet you, it is far different from a sixty-pound dog. Also, remember that dogs are social animals and want to live with the family, not outside by themselves. Your dog will need a lot of exercise so if you are a couch potato, you may find a toy breed of dog more suitable for your lifestyle. Bored dogs can develop some bad habits and destructive behavior so exercise, long walks and playing are a necessity.

Large dogs eat more so cost more to feed. You must supply your dog with a high quality food, balanced specifically for larger breed dogs and the same for large breed puppies. Large breed dogs are usually much rougher on their toys, so make sure any you purchase are durable, big and sturdy.

Some people have referred to Afghan Hounds temperament as cat like because they love to be petted and then go and lay down for a nap. Terrific with children of all ages, they love to clown around and show off. These loyal, gentle and kind dogs are extremely loyal to their human family. Afghan hounds have a wonderful, long, luxurious coat but do require frequent grooming. Approximately 27 inches high, their average lifespan is around thirteen years.

The intelligent German shepherds are great with older children when raised with them. Training and early socialization is necessary, along with a large fenced yard for exercise. Extremely intelligent, these large dogs are very loyal.

English setters make wonderful family pets that are great with children. They are very gentle but let you know when a stranger knocks on the door. Be prepared to spend time brushing them a few times a week and trimming every six or eight weeks. They require well-fenced, large yard.

Saint Bernard's are great big loveable family dogs. Although they have a deep bark, they are not good watchdogs. They require a large yard to exercise. There are two varieties, which are the shorthaired and longhaired. Both require weekly grooming to control their shedding. Because of their weight and large size, Saint Bernhard's are prone to hip dysplasia. Their life expectancy is around eight or nine years.

The Newfoundland is a great big cuddly bear of a dog, good with children and very protective. Because of their calm, tolerant nature, they made wonderful family pets. As with most of the large breed of dog, a secure fenced yard is necessary. Because they do shed, brush them a couple times a week.

Large breed dogs are harder to shop for. Since large breed products usually take up more space, retailers carry less of them. To find a great online selection of Large Breed dog beds, dog feeders, and more supplies for your big dog, check out Oh My Dog Supplies