The Cats Exercise Techniques

The Cats Exercise Techniques by Chris Jensen

Remember, in spite of the fact that you feed them if they see a rat they will still pounce instinctively and kill it. But house cats can sometimes become lazy and sleep their time off. There are certain exercise techniques that you can follow to keep them agile, awake and fit.

What Works? Cats can be a little trickier because the type of play that they engage in is different than that of dogs. Cats engage in either social play, which is the romp, wrestle, and chase that you see between litter mates or between cats living in the same household. Or they engage in object play, which is where they will stalk, pounce, chase and play with an object so they can kill it. Object play is what you should focus on when it comes to exercising your cat. There are many interactive type play toys on the market that work, and many can be found in pet supplies stores. Several of these are detailed later. Whatever game you and your cat enjoy will work, just remember to keep up the pace for fifteen minutes.

What are the benefits?

The benefits you will experience for a regular exercise routine are endless.

Pets who have had their bodies and their minds stimulated by regular play tend to act out problem behaviors less frequently. Your pet will be gaining social skills by interacting with you on a regular basis. The bond between you and your pet will be strengthened, creating an even happier home life for you both. You will get exercise right along side your pet. Your pet's health will be improved so that they can live a longer and healthier life

Here are a few exercise that your cat can do on a regular basis to keep fit. Apart from exercise, you should always take him to the vet whenever possible and get pet health check-up done. Pet supplies are also important because only if your cat eats well will he be able to stay fit through exercise. So assuming that you have the pet supplies and have got a pet health check-up done, here are some exercises:

Use a toy that is interactive for your cat and either has a rat tail or bird feathers. Move it like the rat or like a bird and see your cat leap and trying to catch it. This exercise is great for their predatory skills too.

Set up a box, and make tunnels that are soft-sided. These will be like small or mini obstacle courses that will not only help your cat get his quota of physical exercise and predatory skills but will keep him healthy and fit always. There are plenty of tunnels, small walls, boxes that can be made using cardboard. But remember if you are putting your cat through exercise then you need to feed him well too and hence always have ready pet supplies.

Cats like anything that moves even if it is a tennis ball or a yarn ball. Get a tennis ball for him and watch him play with it as the ball keeps moving. If you are lucky, you will get to see him play some serious soccer!

You can encourage your cat to scratch by using an interactive toy near a tall post. This will enable cats to stretch, which will help tone the muscles of their back and shoulders, and the overall pet health.

Toy balls on a slick surface floor can peek some kitties interest

Catnip toys can also aid in getting your cat into the game

Laser toys are a big plus with many cats (Though hazardous if pointed in the eyes)

As well as all of these techniques you can also create a fake tree inside your home or let your cat jump off the branches of a small tree in your garden. This kind of exercise will help him to improve his balance as well as co-ordination.



This author is a Big Fan of Webkinz For Sale and Wekbinz Black Cat

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Your Dog Tips: Should You Get a Puppy Or an Adult Dog?

Your Dog Tips: Should You Get a Puppy Or an Adult Dog? by Dee Power

Are you considering a canine companion, a hound to have around, or a puppy pal? There are pros and cons to considering puppies vs. adult dogs. Puppies are great fun, but plenty of work. Puppies need a great deal of attention, much more care and training and lots and lots of play time. Puppies cannot be left alone as long as adult dogs. They must be watched at all times or kept in a secure place such as a crate when you can't watch them. They need frequent trips outside to relieve themselves; they eat several times a day. An advantage of having a puppy is you train and socialize the dog right from the beginning. A puppy will quickly bond with family members.

Your house will have to be child protected with latches on cabinets where potentially dangerous things like cleaning supplies are kept. Puppies are curious and explore everywhere, often by chewing. New pups often have difficulty adapting to being away from their litter mates and your sleep will be interrupted for the first days after you bring him home.

Housebreaking a puppy can be a messy chore. You have to be patient when the puppy makes mistakes. The good thing about a puppy is he is a blank slate: he can be trained and socialized so he is a perfect fit with your family. You don't have to worry about breaking him of bad habits.

An alternative is adopting an adult dog from a shelter or foster home, or breed rescue organization. An older dog is usually already housebroken and can be left alone for longer periods of time. With an adult dog, you know right away what you're getting in terms of: the size of the dog, the temperament, the activity level and personality. What you don't know is the dog's past, what may have happened that led the dog to be in a situation of being rescued or abandoned. Adult dogs sometimes have developed behavioral issues because of past neglect or abuse. It may take time for you and your new adult dog to develop mutual trust. Some adult dogs can be nervous or have separation anxiety when introduced into a new home. Treat an adult dog with respect and affection. Talk softly and don't move suddenly until you know your new canine companion and he knows you.

Don't make the mistake of treating adult toy dogs, like Miniature Schnauzers, as puppies. They're not. Some small dogs don't realize they're little (just like some Great Danes think they're lap dogs). Toy dogs should be house broken and well behaved just like their bigger cousins.

Many well-trained, sociable dogs are available for adoption, however, and you can certainly find one that will fit right into your household with minimal stress or period of adjustment. Just remember to give the dog extra care, attention and love when he first comes into your home. If he feels completely welcome and loved, he is bound to make a smoother transition.



Dee Power is the author of several nonfiction books, and the novel Over Time. She's the proud two legged companion of Rose and Kate Read their blog Find out more about Miniature Schnauzers

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Old Dog, New Trick: Teaching Your Older Dog Not to Bark

Old Dog, New Trick: Teaching Your Older Dog Not to Bark by Amy Nutt

Many people believe the old saying "You can`t teach an old dog new tricks." Fortunately, when it comes to old dogs that bark, you CAN teach them new tricks. Obviously, it is easier to train a puppy not to bark than it is an elderly dog, but this doesn't mean it`s impossible.

Whether you have raised your dog from a puppy and missed teaching him to be quiet along the way or are getting an older dog from a friend or even the local pound, it`s important to teach your canine friend not to bark needlessly.

Why Dogs Bark

There are several reasons why your dog is barking and not all of them are bad. While you don`t want the steady barking of a nervous animal, you certainly will want your pet to let you know if there is an intruder or if someone needs help. Understanding the method behind the madness will give you a far better chance of training your dog the right way.

Fear: Is your dog afraid of thunder? Perhaps he barks only around strange men, like the mail carrier. This is quite common, but it doesn't need to be permanent. Letting dogs have a safe place to retreat to can really help with this type of barking issue. A safe spot to curl up with a favorite toy and a treat will help your dog relax and keep busy for a bit.

Lack of attention: Dogs are social creatures and they often live to please their humans. If you are out of the house for long periods of time, you dog is probably suffering from separation anxiety. To help him get over this, be sure to take him with you sometimes and to take it slowly. For example, just go outside the door for five or ten minutes while leaving some treats and new toys for your dog.

Boredom: Your dog could be barking simply for something to do. If you notice that your canine pal is extra active, scratching at the door or chasing silly things, chances are he needs something better to do. Giving your dog a chore will help him feel happy and useful and will get rid of that bark. Teach him a new trick or play fetch in order to keep him busy. New toys can also be used.

Change: Some dogs are more sensitive to change than others and if there has been a recent move, death in the family or other drastic change, your older dog may be barking for this reason. In this case, it is often a matter of letting your pet become accustomed to the new situation. If there is someone missing, it can be helpful to give your dog a piece of their clothing.

Teaching an Older Dog Not to Bark

Dogs that are over five years may be a little more difficult to train not to bark, especially if this is not a recent development. Many pet owners have unintentionally taught their dogs to bark by responding to them when they make noise, often from the time they are puppies. This just lets the dog know that if he wants attention, he only needs to start barking.

Patience will go a long way in teaching your older dog not to bark. Since this is an ingrained response, the longer your dog has been barking, the longer it will take for him to unlearn the behavior. Rewarding good behavior and teaching the command, 'Quiet' will help you get your dog to understand that barking isn't a good thing to do. Most dogs are happy to please their humans and once they realize that you want the behavior to stop, they will usually attempt to comply. Again, patience is key.



Bark Busters is one of the leading providers of dog training and puppy training in Canada. With personalized trainers all across the country, Bark Busters's professional trainers can help you train your dog effectively.

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Take Care Of Your Pet Turtle

Take Care Of Your Pet Turtle by Jack Devlin

You might want to know how to take care of a turtle. After all, turtles are among the cutest, most adorable pets around. Make no mistake though. They may not seem as demanding as other common house pets but they do have crucial needs. Since turtles do not bark and jump around, you usually have to anticipate what your turtle needs. Here are a couple of important considerations when taking care of your turtle.
. From the common box turtle to the less-common Ornate Wood Turtle to the extremely rare albino soft shell, there's a turtle for every lifestyle, budget, and personality. Turtles make fascinating, peaceful pets, but their penchant for longevity means you must be prepared to devote as many as thirty or forty years of care and attention to your new reptilian friend. If you're ready to share your heart and home with one of nature's most ancient and mysterious creatures, then read on for some great pet turtle care advice.

The type of care your turtle will require depends, for the most part, on the type of turtle you plan on getting. While you will certainly want to learn as much as you can about the specific breed of turtle you select, there are some basic rules that apply to pet turtle care, and these rules are different for the two main categories of turtles-water turtles and land turtles. To ensure your turtle's long life and happiness, you should strive to give him a comfortable, home-like environment. For water turtles (such as sliders, coots, and map turtles) this means providing at least 20 gallons of tank space complete with a small ""island"" for basking, a heat lamp for simulating sunlight, and a UVB light to help the turtle absorb maximum nutrients from his food. Water turtles are graceful, speedy swimmers, so the more swimming room they have, the better! Land turtles (such as box turtles) require plenty of room to roam with hollowed logs or flowerpots to hide in, natural vegetation, a basking area with a heat lamp, and a shallow dish of water for soaking. Many people choose to keep their land turtles outside in specially designed pens. This enables the turtles to not only enjoy the great outdoors, but to hibernate in the winter just as they would in the wild.

While the housing needs of water and land turtles differ dramatically, their diets are actually quite similar. As you learn to take care of a pet turtle, you'll discover that turtles, like most people, are omnivores. This means you'll probably be adding some groceries to your list! There are several varieties of pre-made ""turtle chow"" available at pet stores, but it's best to use those products sparingly and offer your turtle a wide range of foods. Most land and water turtles alike will happily devour crickets, earthworms, and snails. Water turtles love chasing feeder fish such as minnows and goldfish around their tank and many will also eat cooked chicken, shrimp, and tuna Never feed your turtle hamburger meat, as it's far too high in fat for your turtle to digest properly. Turtles also enjoy a nice salad or fruit plate from time to time. They're particularly fond of Romaine lettuces (never feed iceberg or spinach), dandelion greens, carrots, cantaloupe, strawberries, blackberries, tomatoes, and apples. Who knows! Having a turtle might just help you on your way to healthier eating habits (though we probably can't say the same for exercise).

While you may not feel like a pet turtle care expert right now, you'll hopefully have many happy years to become one! Caring for a pet turtle can be an experience that is both unique and rewarding in a pet-keeping culture dominated by dog and cat owners. While a turtle may not greet you at the door or curl up purring on your feet, it provides a lower maintenance option for busy people who don't have time for a dog or cat. At the end of a long, hard day, a turtle's gentle, peaceful, low-stress personality will surely be a calming influence and inspiring refuge in a speed-driven society. Take some time to relax, munch on a piece of fruit, and enjoy time well spent in the company of your new turtle!



Find turtle care and more useful information about pet care, pet guides on pet directory

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Adopting a Dog - Four Things to Consider

Adopting a Dog - Four Things to Consider by Charles Essmeier

Dogs are wildly popular pets; in 2006, there were more than sixty one million dogs in the United States alone. While dogs have utilitarian uses, such as hunting, security, or aiding the handicapped, most people have them as pets simply because they provide companionship. Dogs do make good companions, and they are loyal and attentive pets. They are not suitable for everyone, however.

Prior to adopting a dog, there are a few things you may wish to consider ahead of time:

Maintenance issues. Dogs require a lot of maintenance. Unlike cats, they will need to go outside from time to time. If you don't have a fenced yard where the animal can run unattended, you will have to personally walk your pet several times a day. You could hire that job out, but either way, you will have to provide either money or time in order to tend to your pet's outside needs.

Suitability issues. If you have young children, you should choose your pet carefully. It's not uncommon for parents of small children to choose a "puppy" for a pet without considering what sort of puppy they are adopting. While a young Dachshund and a young Labrador Retriever may be similar in size, they will not be the same size in six months or a year. Your dog will grow much faster than your children, so you should keep the pet's future size in mind if adopting a puppy.

Expense issues. Owning a pet of any type can be expensive, and dogs are no exception. Pets need to be fed daily, and the cost of food can add up quickly, particularly if you have a larger animal. In addition, there will be occasional visits to the veterinarian, along with vaccinations and even licenses, depending on where you live.

Responsibility issues. Owning a pet comes with great responsibility. Dogs need to be regularly fed. They need time outside the house. They need to see a vet from time to time, and they need attention. Pet ownership comes with an obligation on the part of the owner to see to it that all of the pet's needs are met. If you are an adult and you are buying a pet for your child, keep in mind that these responsibilities ultimately become yours.

Owning a pet in general, and a dog in particular, can be a rewarding experience. Prospective owners need to be aware of all that is involved in owning a pet prior to adopting one. The better you understand what you will need to do ahead of time, the better off you and your dog will be.



Copyright 2008 by Retro Marketing. Charles Essmeier owns several Websites, including FatLoss4Idiots-Review.net, a site that reviews the FatLoss4Idiots weight loss program, and SitStayFetch-Review.net, a site that reviews the ebook Sit Stay Fetch.

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