How to Make Sure Cats Mind

Have you ever had trouble with cats minding? I have. My dog Air says this is the subject I should write about today.

I should first talk about my three cats, Trixie, Milo, and Truffles. They are always in trouble when no one watches them, scratching furniture, climbing on the table, hissing at the dogs or their people when they feel bad, etc.

This is what I do to make them mind.

To make cats stop scratching furniture or everything else, there are a few options.

Put fly paper on the places you don't want them to touch or scratch. It will getstuck on their claws every time they scratch or touch a spot the fly paper is, and they won't try again. Of course, before that, you have to pull the fly paper off their paws.

If this doesn't work (some cats are gluttons for punishment) drop the fly paper idea and use aluminum foil instead. When cats step on it, they don't like the texture or sound and probably that will deter them.

If these things don't work, spray the naughty cats in the face. If they are Egyptian breeds, like Absynnians, that like water, it probably won't work.

Spray cats in the face when they hiss, or hiss back at them to make them stop. That makes them run. Just make sure when you hiss that people aren't around, else they'll think you quite mad.

A simple thing cats don't like to have their owners say is "no". Say it with a firm voice when you want the cat that is not minding to behave. If this is new to it, you will have to remove it from the furniture, carry it somewhere else, etc. for a time before the cat learns the word "no".

What are you waiting for? Now go make sure your cats mind.

Introducing New Pets to Pets Already in the Household

I have a cute new half pug dog that I rescued from a street near South Campus Drive in SLC. She is Cuddles, and asks to tell people the best way to introduce new pets to the ones already in the household.

First, when brought home, give some water and food to your new animal before introducing it to the rest of the household. Make sure it has time to get used to its new surroundings before introductions.

If you are introducing ,say, a cat or dog to a snake, you better rethink that plan. They don't get along.

But if you are introducing perhaps a dog and a cat, proceed cautiously. Don't let them mingle all of a sudden or throw them together. If it is a big dog being introduced to a cat, it is best to have them introduced either with the dog on a leash and being held still by another person, or on opposite sides of the fence.

Cats usually don't have problems with dogs if raised around them, but can instigate a lot of fights between a dog and it if not trained around dogs. So if you have a timid dog that won't hurt a fly or a small dog, make sure to keep that dog away from cats that hiss, claw at it, or spit at it for a long time.

Dogs that are provoked or trained to go after things can and will bite other animals, even if raised around that certain species all of its life.

If you bring a smaller dog home to meet a big dog, hold your big dog back a very long way from the smaller dog until both the dogs are comfortable. You wouldn't want the big dog to harm the small dog.

Introducing a snake and a snake is pretty easy, except if it's around mating time and there is already a male and female in the cage and the snake waiting to meet them is another male. Two male snakes fight over a female at breeding time, ensuring the strongest snake mates with the female and produces strong baby snakes. It is like this with most of the natural world.

Do not try to introduce male rodents to one another. They will eat one another, and eat babies also that are in the cage along with them. I have seen this happen, sadly.

So - - now you have a guide on how to introduce pets. Go try it.

How To Tell the Mood of Your Pet

So, my really bothered cat(he hasn't gotten his night time dinner yet) told me to write on how to tell the mood of your pet.

Sometimes the mood of your pet is very obvious. If your cat yowls or pees on your stuff when he's not incontinent, that means he's mad.

But sometimes you can't figure out just what your pet is feeling. Did you know a purr can mean the cat you have is either frightened or happy? If it is frightened, it usually hides when people try to pet it. If it is happy, it lets people pet it.

Snakes are moody animals also. If they don't eat, they are sick, shedding, not hungry, breeding, or irritated. If a snake is not shedding and it has gotten used to its surroundings,and it eats on a schedule and has no other non-sexed snake in its cage, it is probably sick and should be brought to the vet. If it gets really fat around the middle and it is a girl snake while its companion is a boy, it is probably breeding. It would probably be best to take the snake to the vet in this instance also.

If snakes breed and are bothered, they can get really angry and bite. That's another way you can tell a snake's mood.

Of course, if a rattler rattles, it is warning you off. A rattler for a pet is crazy, some of you say. In California, it's legal to own a rattler for a pet.

A dog can growl when either happy or irritated. If it is irritated, the growl will be low in the throat, it will stop wagging its tail, and hair will stand up on the back of its neck in an extreme instance.

A happy dog will have a less throaty growl, and will wag its tail. I have a dog named Diamond. She uses this body language while she growls all the time. She loves being petted.

Have fun using this knowledge.

Simple Questionsand Answers About Pets

The snake is here telling me that it's his turn to pick the daily topic. He picked the topic of simple questions and answers about pets.

Q: Should I help my snake shed?
A: Try not to. If you help a lot, it won't figure out how to do it by itself. On some occasions, though, you have to help a snake shed.

Q: Can you put a live animal underneath a microscope to see little features on it invisible to the human eye?
A: I have actually done it. I put a fish between two slide glasses. I put it underneath a microscope and could see the blood going through veins in the fish's tail. It was awesome. And for those of you who are wondering, yes, the fish was okay after.

Some Really Interesting Questions I've Been Asked About Animals - - Answered

Truffles thinks she wants to have some pet questions answered today, so I am going to do that.

Q: Can snakes eat spiders?
A: They can,and will if they are hungry, but things such as minnows and rodents have lot more nutritional value for a snake.

Q: Can dogs have a four foot long tongue?
A: No, they can't.

Q: Can snakes eat other pets?
A: They can, and will, as long as the snake is hungry and has big enough jaws to eat it. Remember, snake jaws unhinge, and this makes more room for the snake to grasp and swallow something.

Advice About Traveling With Cats

My cat Milo is helping me pick the topic of the blog today. He told me the topic of today was going to be advice about traveling with cats.

First off, don't travel with cats often. Cats are creatures of habit and they get stressed if their habits are interrupted. Usuallythey are not in the habit of traveling unless they are a starlett's spoiled cat or something like that.

If you do travel with a cat, make the cat feel secure. Put him in a cat carrying case. Make sure it is plastic and put a bowl of water and blanket in it. Plastic is the best for a cat carrier because anything less will make waste drip out of the carrier ifthe cat eliminates in it.

Make sure you latch the case tightly. You don't want your cat clawing your back seat.

Happy traveling!

How To TAke a Dog on a Trip

My dog Diamond is in the mood for a trip, so she wanted me to talk about how to take a dog on a trip.

First, decide if your dog can stand being inside a car or a box for a few hours. If it can't don't take it on a trip.

If it can be in a container or a car for a few hours, by all means, take it on a trip.

Make sure if you are to put thedogin a container that it is well ventilated and very secure.

If you need to stop at a hotel before you end your trip and you have a dog with you, consider which hotels allow petsand which don't. Book withtheone that does allow pets.

Remember if yo uare on a driving trip to let the dog eliminate every few hours. If you don't, you're bound to have a very wet, very gross surprise.

If you are going on an airplane with a dog, note that if the dogis bigger than carry-on size, it will have to be put in withthe luggage. The luggage department has no temperature control, so if you're traveling through cold places on your trip, you might want to bring a blanket for your dog.

Airlines have been known to lose dogs in planes. Definitely take that into consideration.

If you travel overseas, the dog will have to be quarantined for about ten days. Keep that in mind also.

Happy traveling!

How To Clip Dog Nails

My cat Milo said I should make this article because he doesn't want me to talk about how to clip cat claws.

To clip dog nails, make sure to start when the dogis a puppy. The later someone starts to clipa dog's nails, the harder it will be.

This is because dog nails have a coating on their nails much like our cuticles, except stronger and with more blood vessels. Like cuticles, the coating grows every year. As the cuticle grows, so does the nails, along with it.

The dog has a blood vessel going through its the middle of its nails that is particularly long on an older dogs' nails. This is because it grows apace with the cuticles, faster than the actual nails of the dog.

Thus, it is very easy to cut older dogs' nails too close and make them bleed.

Make sure you have powder from a pet store that stops the bleeding before you cut dog nails. Very sharp nail cutters are required so they actually go through the nails, thus loosing a bigger amount of blood than dull ones if they nick the blood vessel in the middle of the nail.

You should clip dog nails outside. I'm not saying everyone knicks blood vessels in dogs' nails. A lot of people do. It is very hard to clean up a dog's blood from knicked blood vessels in nails if one is inside the house.

So, now you know about clipping dog nails, make the decision whether or not you want to clip a dog's nails, leave the nails be, or if you want a professional to do it.

How To Choose Whether or not To Declaw a Cat

Many of us with cats have wondered whether or not to declaw a cat. Milo my shorthair cat wanted meto give advice on this subjectbecause he believes anything having to do with cats is of utmost importance.

Here is the facts of what the vet does when he declaws a cat:
It's very simple. In order to declaw a cat, he has to remove the first joints of the cat's paws. Then the claws are gone, and can grow back no more.

You should ask yourself whether or not you want your cat to go through this surgery. It would be like the doctor you go to cutting off the half tops of all your digits.

Some people declaw cats because they want a nice looking house or couch - - no claw marks in the drape or couch, etc.

For some people they are lucky if they declaw their cats. Their house does stay nice because it has no claw marks.

Others aren't so lucky. Some cats have easily bothered paws after declawing and havetheir paws hurt because of scar tissue when they go in their litter boxes. Therefore, they use everything but their litter boxes to eliminate on.

Now, if you have a cat that scratches your legs or other body parts very badly, it might be good to declaw your cat. Or you can return it and get another, nicer cat.

Go ahead and choose whether or not to declaw, since you now have all the information you need to make a decision.

Can a Dog Sprain its Tail and Other Questions Answered

My dog Air felt in a playful mood today, so he asked that we answer some really weird questions about animals so he can laugh at the questions.

The first one my child asked. He asked if dogs can sprain their tails. I have heard of it happening. Sometimes dogs wag their tails so vigorously they do sprain their tails.

Some kids ask if boas can eat trucks. The answer is no. Trucks are too wide for boas to swallow.

Some kids ask if snakes are slimy. You can answer they most certainly are not. The baby ones have very soft skin.

So, there you have it. Some ofthe most puzzling questions that have ever been put to grown ups about pets - - answered.

The Ball, or Royal, Python

Some people wonder about the ball python. Is it a good pet, and what is it's background information?

Well, let me tell you. My python thinks this is the second most important topic next to basic snake care.

Ball pythons are really called royal pythons by people outside the USA, their official name. Well then, you may ask, why do we call them ball pythons? The answer is that when they are scared they curl up in a tight ball to protect themselves.

The ball python can be found in the wild in Africa. They sleep underground in tunnels most of the day, and are more active during the night.

The ball python is a good pet. it's not partcularly active, and is easy to find and buy in pet stores.

You should always pick up a snake by its back, not by its head. Like any snake, ball pythons do not like their heads touched.

If you startle the ball python, smell like prey, or neglect him for say, three weeks or so, the python will get mad.

A mad python may bite. If you get bitten, please try to be careful you don't jerk your hand out of its mouth if you still want your snake to be able to eat after he detaches from your hand. He may lose his teeth if you do that.

You sometimes cannot get a biting python off of your hand. Just wait it out if that happens.

Now onto the food the python eats. Like all snakes, the python eats no vegetables. The ball python eats meat. It likes other snakes, mice, rats, and sometimes fish. It may try to eat other kinds of meat if it feels like it.

Feed the ball python about every seven to ten days. Like any snake, look at its middle, the largest part of its body. If the snake's middle is as large in width as the animal you are trying to feed him, it is a perfect size of prey for the snake.

Most snakes from pet stores eat frozen rodents. You can thaw them and warm them before a snake eats by runnin g them under hot water. This is a must, as snakes only eat warm prey. If it is cold, they think it is dead and will not eat.

Ball pythons can be picky eaters. If they don't eat the first time they are offered a meal, try again in a few days.

Most ball pythons in the wild have parasites, so a person purchasing a ball python should get one from a breeder or pet store.

As with all snakes, ball pythons need basic snake supplies - - a red light, a living cage, hides, etc. I cover more about the basics of snake care in my previous blog.

Ball pythons that have eggs will not eat for four months, or until the eggs hatch. She spends this time wrapped around her eggs.

Male ball pythons can grow to about five feet tops, while females can grow to six feet. Most ball pythons, though, grow to about four feet.

Ball pyhtons have mild attitudes and wil usually not bite. A corn snake is apt to bite more often than a ball python.

Ball pythons can constrict prey. If the ball python tries to constrict your body part he is on, gently remove him from that body part.

So, now you have the basics of ball python care, very useful if one is to buy a ball python.

Basics of Dog care

On this great Sunday afternoon, the dogs tell me it is their turn to pick the topic, Basics of Dog Care.

First, you need to find a vet in your area, preferably one you know is a good one. This will be the one your new best friend will go to to get shots and when he gets sick.

Then you have to buy dog food and two bowls, one for water and one for food. If you are going to get a puppy, gather some newspapers and/or puppy pads where they can pee on. The pet stores have them. Petco and Petsmart are two major pet stores that have them. Bird World in Bountiful, Utah has them also.

Now, pick the dog. Go through the breeds that are out there, and see the temperaments of the different breeds. This is very important to know before you pick a dog. If you get a mutt, it can have two or three temperaments mixed in, and this can make life interesting to say the least.

Get the dog. If it needs shots, schedule an appointment. If it needs spaying or neutering, get this done also.

Get a checkup scheduled for the dog. This is an important step. Some places a person can get pets have a guarantee for a certain number of days. Perhaps the guarantee says if the pet is sick, the place will refund money. Some make you trade the dog for a different one. There are many different policies out there.

If the dog is healthy, have fun with it. If you wish, sign it up for obedience classes.

I love my dogs, which is very easy to do in my opinion.

How to Pick Out A Healthy Dog

Have you ever wondered how to pick out a healthy dog? I have, so I got some advice from professionals. My dog Diamond says it's a good idea to post this because he has fond memories of being picked out by us.

First, pick what dog breed you want, or if you just want a mutt. Certain dog breeds have certain characteristic behavioral traits. That doesn't mean they show up in all dogs of that breed. If I was a betting woman, which I'm not, I'd bet I'd be safer to go by the general characteristics of a breed when picking out a dog rather than picking out a dog based on looks, etc.

We will talk about seperate breeds on another day.

If you go to pick out a dog, see if the dog cowers or not. If the dog cowers, this is not a good dog for you. It means it's too submissive, and will perhaps bite because it's scared.

Look for dogs with pink, clear ears and clear eyes. Gunk in ears and eyes can mean a lot of vet bills later for the person who picks outthat dog.

If the dog you are looking at is sneezing, he probably has kennel cough. It is a cold dogs get when they are in kennels or pounds because they are so close together. It is easy to treat. Your vet can give you some medecine to treat this. If you buy the dog from a pound, perhaps you can get a free vet visit for your dog and perhaps even free medicine. The dog pounds want to see dogs get a home so they no longer have to pay for their keep. That is why they provide these incentives.

Stick you hand close to the dog you want. If he growls, don't get him. He's bad news, and will probably bite.

Make sure the dog gets along with your other pets. If you get a dog at a place like humane society, it is perhaps even a requirement to introduce you animals and the prospective pet to each other to see if they will get along. Some humane societies require your children to visit it also, so the humane society can see if your prospectve pet gets along with your children.

Think about if you have big enough, secure place to put the dog you want. For example, a Belgian Mamute is larger than a German Shepherd, and would not be securely kept behind a three foot fence.

Consider if you wantto spay or neuter your dog. These dogs are generally more even tempered than the non-fixed ones. Sometimes it is a requirement to let dog pounds or humane societies fix your dog before you buy him.

If the dog you want is a puppy, shake keys at it when it isn't looking. If it yelps excessively or cowers, go with a different one who startles naturally but not overly much.

Flip the prospective pet on it's back. If it starts bucking lie a bronco, don't buy it.

Make sure if you buy a puppy that it is playful, not lethargic.

Lethargic dogs in general are usually not healthy. However, if the dog you are trying to buy is a sixteen year old, don't expect too much playfulness out of it.

This is my advice on how to pick out a dog. Use it if you are buying one and you don't know what to look for.

Do you have any comments or suggestions related to this article? If so, please do.

I think basic snake care is my next topic. It's fitting in that I just bought a baby ball python named Monty Python. He says he thinks basic snake care is the most important topic of all.

First, to get started, you need to get a cage, not any old cage. The cage needs to be a snake cage, not a gerbil or bunny one left over from that pet that escaped.

The snake cage has to be tight and have a safety lock on it. If the top wiggles and has a crack, make sure the snake you put in there has a head bigger than the crack, or you will surely have it escape. Trust me, I learned the hard way.

The snake you pick has to be the right one for you. Since this is basic snake care, we won't cover all the kinds of snakes that make good pets today.

The snake you pick has to have a red light put on one side of it's cage. It is especially important to providethis in winter, as this is the light snakes need to warm up with by basking, or laying there stretched out under the light.

The snake needs a water bowl big enough so if it feels like it, he can bathe in it and drink out of it.

The snake needs bedding. I have always used Aspen bedding, as my snakes love it. There cannot be any bark from the general pet section or garden section of the store you shop at. That stuff can get in snake sinuses, and the snake can eat the bark. If the bark gets in the sinuses, it can cause problems.

You have to find a vet that deals with exotic animals before you bring your snake home. Snakes get sick or have problems like any other animal.

The snake needs a bark hide, something to hide in. Since the snake sheds once every month or two it is useful for him to rub against to loosen its skin.

You should also have another hide of any kind put in the cage. A bottle that is not glass works well, as does a flower pot or box. The second hide should go in the opposite side as the first, so the snake can pick what side he wants to hide in, the warm side or cooler side.

The snake eats frozen mice every seven to ten days on average. You need to warm this mouse thoroughly before feeding the snake. No microwaves, please. Run the mouse under hot water until warm. Make sure the rodent doesn't get on your hands, as you will smell like prey and the snake then will mistake you for pray. Then it will bite you. Kitchen tongs may make it easier for you to feed the snake, as tongs can be bitten without any harm to you.

To pick out the right rodent to feed your snake, notice the fattest part of the snake's body. The width of the fatest part of the body is the width the feeder mouse should be. Hairy, larger mice cannot be eaten by a baby corn snake, nor can a full grown ball python be content with a pinkie mouse that is just barely born.

It needs to be fed in a cage seperate from its living space. The snake will associate this cage with food. If you put the mouse in the living space of the snake, it will associate its living space with food, and therefore might get excited and bite you every time you stick your fingers in the cage.

It also needs to be fed in quiet. No audience is ideal. Put a towel over the feeding cage and let the mouse sit there for about five minutes. It will probably be eaten by then.



So, now you have it. Have fun raising your snake(s). I do.

I get together with one species of pets each time I blog, and they tell me what subjects to write on.
The first subject: the basics on how to care for your cats
My cats live in peace and harmony, partly because they are well cared for. What cats need from their owners to live happily is pretty simple. They need food, water, and a litter box. The food needs to be given twice daily. Read the the pet food bag/box/can to see how much of the food to give each time you fill the food. One bowl of water, refilled when needed, is required by my cats. There needs to be one litter box full of litter every two cats in the house. So if you have four, you need two litter boxes full of litter. Get a scoop at any pet store to scoop out their mess once a week. Once a month, refill the cat litter completely, or if the cat(s) have digestive problems, sooner. So there you have it. It's easy, right? But only if you follow the directions above . . .