ISSUE #2 MAY 2010 FREE TO SUBSCRIBE
BARKING MAD ~ CATS MEOW~ FEATHERED FRIENDS ~ KIDS PAGE PET PAPARAZZI ~ FEATURE ARTICLE ~ PET GOURMET ~ Q & A
Lea (tag 208616) is a 7 year old HuskyGerman Shepherd cross who has been looking for a home since arriving at the AWL in early November last year. Lovely Lea is a sweetheart. If you are looking for an older dog, Lea will be a good loyal companion. If you would like to offer Lea a loving home she can be can be adopted from the AWL for $170.
COVER ART “LEA” By the AWL Gold Coast
All AWL animals are de sexed, micro chipped, vaccinated, wormed, flea treated, health and sociability checked. In addition to this, our animals have a 10 day health guarantee (covering any illness arising as a result of having been in our care), and a 21 day ‘settling-in warranty’. They also offer the Friends For Life dog training program for new owners. Rasta (tag # 521850) is 3 years old and was surrendered to the AWL when is owner passed away. He can be adopted for $80. Caine (tag # 521805) is almost 2 and was surrendered to the AWL. He is a domestic short hair. He can be adopted for $80.
Little Jet ( Tag # 208442) wants to go home - he has been at the shelter since early October and so far had over 130 sleepovers! He would dearly love his own family, his own bed and backyard to run around in. He’s a lovely little man, a 16 month old Kelpie with that beautiful, affectionate nature that Kelpies are known for. He’s friendly, energetic, very sociable with everyone and just loves getting attention and hugs. Jet loves a game with the ball and water play at the beach.
Contributors:
Animal Welfare League Gold Coast Mars Pet Care. Dog Treat Kitchen.com Pet Peoples Place Pet Talk Radio Ursula of Monsan-kennels
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Axel (tag # 827206) is a male white domestic short hair - just 7 months old. He can be adopted for $100. Choc (tag # 208716) is a lad who has the genes of two very strong, clever breeds - Aussie Cattle Dog and Kelpie - and is still a young lad at 11 months. He needs good direction and the training and activity these dogs thrive on. If you can give that to Choc, you will have a very fine, smart companion. $180 The AWL Qld does not receive Government funding for its welfare work and is therefore reliant on volunteers and the community’s generosity. With the average cost being $400 per animal we rehome, the AWL Qld runs at a large loss when rehoming our animals.
http://www.awlqld.com.au/ Phone: 07 5509 9000
Dan Galen – Fish Tank Shop Jeff Grill - Cat Health Guide Jennifer Pool- Jenuine Ragdolls. Jen Fortney – Dog Fence.org Dr. Robert Sprackland
Thank you. Page 2
Disclaimer Notice: The information, images and graphic design (artwork) contained on this web site is owned by Pet Scene Magazine and/ or the original authors where applicable. Information contained in any of the articles is not necessarily the direct opinion of Pet Scene Magazine and, where applicable, does not take the place of a consultation with a qualified and competent veterinarian. Veterinarian advice must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each patient. Pet Scene Magazine tries to provide quality information but we make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained herein.
WELCOME TO PET SCENE MAGAZINE Australia’s hottest resource in the pet industry. We’re going to be doing a lot of exciting things here at Pet Scene Magazine and we are thrilled to bring you on board. Pet Scene is Australia’s own online publication dedicated to bringing you a quality monthly magazine available FREE right across the nation. We pride ourselves on promoting responsible pet ownership, education and community awareness. Jam packed with informative articles and professional advice, Pet Scene Magazine will have you up to date on all the latest news and information for your best friend.
With this ongoing support we look forward to a bright future and many happy, healthy pets throughout our beautiful country. Kristy Hunter Editorial Director
Pet Scene Magazine is a proud supporter of:
We are a family owned business with a long history of volunteering our time to animal welfare and from this came the drive to produce Pet Scene Magazine. With Australia having one of the highest incidences of pet ownership in the world, our goal is to provide a countrywide resource which utilizes today*’s modern technology to reach a wider demographic quickly and efficiently. In keeping our publication Free it is hoped that we can reach as many people as possible with our important message of responsible pet care. But we need your help, so jump on our support page and join the Pet Scene Street Team!
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Pet Scene Magazine will not be held liable for any loss, injury, claim, or damage related to your use of this site whether from errors and omissions in the content or from any other use of this site. This web site is not a substitute for the advice of a competent veterinarian. Some of the articles in this web site contain links to other resources and are not intended to state or imply that Pet Scene Magazine sponsors, is affiliated or associated with or is legally authorized to use any trade name, registered trademark, or copyrighted symbol that may be reflected in the links. Warranty & Indemnity Content and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publishers. While every effort is made to gather information from professionals in good faith, No liability is accepted for issues or damages arising from content or advertising by Pet Scene Magazine. No readers should act on the basis of information contained in this publication without first seeking professional advice that can take into account their individual needs and their particular set of circumstances. This publication is intended to inform and illustrate. The publishers and editors or Pet Scene Magazine give no representation and make no warranties, expressed or implied, in regard to the accuracy, completeness, currency or reliability of any of the material contained within the publication or its associated web site. No correspondence will be entered into in relation to this publication by the publishers, editors or authors. Articles are published in good faith without our knowledge of any copyright infringement. The contents, design and graphics of Pet Scene Magazine are copyright and may not be reproduced in any form in whole or part without the written permission of the publishers.
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Contents: Contributors...................................................................................2 Welcome........................................................................................3 Social Networking for Pets.............................................................6 Does your dog blog, cat chat or bird twitter?
Mars Petcare..................................................................................8 Announces Commitment To Use Only Sustainably Sourced Fish By 2020
Pet Gourmet.................................................................................10 Healthy Veggie Hearts
Kids Corner...................................................................................11 UK Considers radical new dog breeding laws..............................12 Feathered Friends........................................................................13 Study finds some pets really can dance.
Pet Paparazzi...............................................................................14
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International Equestrian Federation Aims to End Aggressive Riding Practice.........................................................................................16 Our pet foods are now getting better.............................................18 Ask Mr Beefy Q & A.......................................................................21 Barking Mad..................................................................................22 The Bichon Frise Your first fish tank..........................................................................24 Feline Immune Deficiency.............................................................26 What it Is, What Causes It, and What You Can Do to Prevent It?
The Cats Meow.............................................................................28 The Ragdoll Cat How to protect your pet in the cold...............................................30 10 Things you should know about pet Lizards..............................32
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Social Networking for Pets Does your dog blog? Cat chat? or bird twitter? By Kristy Hunter
By Kristy Hunter
“It was a sunny afternoon at the dog park when Boris the Scruffy looking Saint Bernard first laid eyes on FiFi the elegant little Toy Poodle, all prim and proper with perfectly groomed coat and small pink bows in her hair. Their eyes met across the dog park- for this miss matched pair it was love at first sight. Boris was besotted and bounded over to Fifi almost knocking her over with excitement as he greeted her. Fifi all at once lost her collected self and took up the chase, much to her owners disgrace. The 2 frolicked and chased each other all over the park. Fifi’s owner looked on in horror as Boris headed for the muddy bog near the edge of the duck pond with Fifi still in toe. Boris lay down in the cool wet mud to relieve the heat and Fifi dove right on in behind him and the 2 rolled in the muck having a great time. As Fifi’s owner called for her in vain, the pair then found a quiet place in the shade of a large tree and laid down, Fifi alongside Boris with her dainty head resting on Boris’s large cumbersome front paw....it was love. “ Casanova*s mum picks up her Blackberry and *tweets* about these dog park capers on Twitter, and in less than thirty seconds, dog owners sitting in other dog parks all over the world are learning of this Lady and the Tramp dog park love affair and sharing their own stories via their IPhones and laptops. But wait... Casanova’s mum just happened to have her camera phone with her and filmed the whole event. So half an hour later when she is back at home, listening to a tuckered out Boris snoring with dreams of his new found sweetheart dancing in his head. She starts uploading the video onto YouTube and Boris’s Dogster.com and Dogbook pages. While she waits for this to take place she comments about the day’s events to her friends on her own Facebook page. After making herself a cup of coffee, she will sit down and post something about it on her dog blog. And, as all her posts and videos takeoff into cyberspace, there’s no real way of knowing how quickly the number of people viewing and learning of this canine Casanova’s capers will spread virally from his immediate family and friends to hundreds and then thousands and, eventually, even to millions of dog lovers around the world. You are witnessing the power of social networking, a phenomenon that has literally taken over the way the world communicates. In a technology savvy 21st century it is the new way of connecting with likeminded people with mutual interests. A way of making new friends. A way to learn about interesting information, places, and events. It’s a great way to learn about the latest products and industry updates. It’s about banding together to become a community- in this case, a community based around dogs.
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It*s instant, easy, and addictive; the electronic social network is already huge and growing by the day. All around Australia people are using social media in some form, and many of them now use these tools to communicate and interact with companies relevant to their particular interests on social media websites to get information. In the Pet Industry, this information extends to the nutritional value of your pet food, the greatest toys on the market, new pet Cafes, the latest shedding tools, grooming products, Pet friendly accommodation, events, the best Kennels and catteries that have comfortable beds and piped music, and great places to hang with your dog. You name it, it’s out there. And, if it isn’t, simply pose the question and someone will answer you- instantly. At Pet Scene Magazine we spend time each day on different social networking sites reading about what people in the pet community are interested in so that we can better bring the public what they want. The information highway used to be a one-way street with only the professional media groups putting stuff out there. Now everyday people have the opportunities to have their say and voice their opinions too. More and more people are turning to social media for information and to have peer-to-peer conversations about what is important to them. We understand what an integral roll pets play in people’s lives and people who treat their pets as family member’s makeup a very passionate and involved community. It is estimated that six out of ten people use social media websites to pass along information to others in their particular community. A Sheltie named Dusty who lives in Chicago has more than 2,500 followers on Twitter. He has his own website and a page on Dogster.com He even has his own book called Dogged Pursuit, an amusing tale about his life in the agility ring written by his pet parent, Robert Rodi.
Pet Scene Magazine’s very own resident bulldog, Mr.. Beefy, even has his own Dogbook Page and page on Dogster.com - although at this stage his friends list is much fewer than that of Dusty. But that is soon set to change with his new found stardom and he is always keen to make new friends and kick start his life as a social butterfly. So if you would like to join his ever-growing list of cyber pals you can find Mr.. Beefy at:http://apps.facebook.com/dogbook/profile/ view/5606439 Recently Dusty “attended” an online “Paw-Party.” The event was to raise money for animal charities, and just goes to show the power of the cyber world. A great idea many people are now doing is to form a social group in your own area and hold actual pet picnics in the local park, allowing your pets to make real new friends. And, of course, you can then film the event, blog and tweet about it, and even send your pictures of it in to Pet Scene Magazine, thus creating a never-ending cycle of fun and social interactions.
Social Networking is a great way of spreading the word. We have had a wonderful response from our readers and friends on Facebook and Twitter to our new publication. And with our ever growing fan base we hope to reach as many Aussies as possible with our message of responsible pet ownership. We’re pet-lovers like you who want to keep you up-to-date about everything Pet related. From news to expert advice to fun stuff, we sniff out the best. If you’d like to learn more about how you can show your support or connect with us please visit our website at www.petscenemagazine.com.au And don’t forget to send us your Tweets and those happy snaps, we love seeing our friends having a great time.
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MARS Global | 31 March 2010 In an industry first, the Mars, Incorporated’s Petcare business today announced its commitment to using only sustainably sourced fish by 2020 McLean, Virginia -- In an industry first, the Mars, Incorporated’s Petcare business today announced its commitment to using only sustainably sourced fish by 2020. Set against a backdrop of dwindling global fish stocks, Mars, which operates one of the world’s largest petcare businesses - has worked with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to develop its fish sustainability commitment. The company aims to achieve the following milestones, across its entire petcare portfolio: Only using fish from 100% sustainable wild catch and sustainable aquaculture sources Replacing all wild catch whole fish and fish fillet with sustainable fish by-products and sustainable aquaculture. Only using sustainable alternatives to marine fish ingredients. An important milestone in this sustainability journey will be the introduction of Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certified petfood in Europe by the end of 2010. This year Mars Petcare Europe will begin rolling out MSC certification across a selection of fish varieties in the SHEBA® and WHISKAS® brand portfolios across Europe, offering consumers a choice of more sustainable pet food products for the first time.
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Petcare Business Announces Commitment To Use Only Sustainably Sourced Fish By 2020 “We are leading the way with this commitment to use only sustainably sourced fish and as the world’s largest petcare business we’re in a position to affect real change.” said Pierre Laubies, Global President of Mars Petcare. *We are confident we can be a catalyst for change and by working with sustainability organisations such as the WWF we hope to encourage the rest of the industry to follow.” “There is no quick fix to this problem but when companies as influential as Mars take a leadership role, it is great news for the world’s oceans.” said Jason Clay, Senior Vice President Market Transformation, WWF US. “Companies of all sizes need to be responsible in how they source their raw materials and understand the importance of acting now. We hope that this sets a precedent for other manufacturers.” This announcement is a part of Mars Incorporated’s commitment to responsibly source its raw materials across its business. In 2009, Mars became the first global chocolate company to commit to changing the way and the pace sustainable cocoa farming practices are being advanced by aiming to certify its entire cocoa supply as being produced in a sustainable manner by 2020. For 30 years, Mars has led the chocolate industry in its efforts to achieve sustainable cocoa production, investing well over $10 million in each of the past several years across a wide range of initiatives, including certification partnerships with Rainforest Alliance and UTZ. In September 2009, Mars Petcare opened the world’s first pet food manufacturing facility in the US with a sustainability certification. The facility received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification for its industry leading efforts to recycle water, reduce energy use, and protect against erosion and light pollution.
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Pet Gourmet Food rewards given to a fat dog should be low fat and high in fiber. These salad dog treats are a great way to get filling vegetables into your dogs diet while still giving well deserved praise. Salad Dog Treat Ingredients: 1 cup fresh baby spinach (see note) 3/4 cup California Mix vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots) 1 tsp minced garlic (optional) 1/4 cup plain yogurt, low or fat free 1/2 cup applesauce, unsweetened 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour 1/2 tsp baking powderYogurt Glaze: 1/2 tsp plain yogurt, low or fat free 2 tsp water Additional Flour for Rolling Instructions: -Preheat oven to 350째 F -Finely dice the spinach and California mix vegetables. (See tips for a quicker way). -Put the vegetable mix into a large bowl. -If using the garlic, use a garlic press and mix into the vegetables. -Stir in the yogurt and applesauce into the veggie mixture. -In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. -Add the flour into the vegetable mixture about 1/3 at a time. Stir after each addition. -Knead the dough in the bowl until a firm ball is achieved. -Fold out onto a floured surface and roll out to 1/2 inch thick. -Cut out into shapes with a dog cookie cutter. -Spray a baking sheet with non-stick cooking spray. -Place the cut outs on the baking sheet. -In a small bowl, combine the yogurt and water. -Lightly brush the cut outs with a pastry brush. -Bake for 20 minutes. Storing - These salad dog treats will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. They will be good in the freezer for up to 6 months. Yield - Aprox 4 dozen homemade dog biscuits.
A special thanks to http://www.dogtreatkitchen.com/fat-dog.html for this recipe.
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ANZAC DOGS Caesar the bulldog was a trained Red Cross dog and helped rescue wounded troops. Dogs were especially useful for finding wounded soldiers at night. Sadly Caesar was killed in action. His collar is now held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. Patricia Stroud wrote book about his life, Caesar the Anzac dog, which was illustrated by Bruce Potter.
The answer to last months It’s a Puzzler was: A) it takes 21 days for a Chicken to develop and hatch from an egg.
Q) What is the worlds only bird that can fly backwards? A) The Hummingbird.
The little Anzac hero A little known parakeet named Private Hunt became a mascot and a constant companion for our troops fighting in the pacific. This little parrot did wonders to boost the soldiers moral during these tough times and became the most popular and well-known member of the battalion. www.petscenemagazine.com.au
LEST WE FORGET Page 11
UK Considers Radical Dog Breeding Laws
Citing the welfare concerns of “puppy farms”, the report also recommends that the law is changed to require compulsory microchipping of all puppies and that breeders have a duty of care for parents and offspring. The report also recommends that a robust Accredited Breeder Scheme be set up to require pre-mating health tests. To help drive this change, the report regards a publicity and educational campaign important in improving the way the public think about buying dogs.
A new report has recognized that pedigree dogs in the UK suffer from health and welfare problems.
RSPCA chief veterinary adviser Mark Evans said: “The world has woken up to the extremely unpalatable truth that the health and welfare of many pedigree dogs is seriously compromised as a result of the way they are bred. Pedigree dogs need our help and they need it now. Some are suffering as a result of what Darwin’s disciples might refer to as ‘unnatural selection’ - survival of the most fashionable rather than the fittest. This report is what we have all been waiting for and we hope that now we can all get on and start working towards meaningful change for pedigree dogs.”
West Sussex, United Kingdom
Following a debate in the UK last year about the health of pedigree dogs, the Kennel Club and the Dogs Trust commissioned a report titled Independent Inquiry Into Dog Breeding. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has welcomed the findings of the report, which states that urgent action is required to improve the health and welfare of pedigree dogs. The report was written by the leading zoologist Professor Sir Patrick Bateson.
The report recommends that an independent non-statutory Council be formed to develop breeding strategies which address issues of inherited disease, extreme conformation and inbreeding. The RSPCA is already working with the University of Sydney and the Royal Veterinary College on a three-year research project to create a new, electronic, system for collecting, analyzing and reporting data on inherited disorders in both dogs and cats. When complete, for the first time in the UK there will be comprehensive data to show the prevalence of inherited disorders in specific breeds.
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View the latest World Pet News every week at PetPeoplesPlace.com. Original Source: http://www. petpeoplesplace.com/resources/ news/dogs/uk-considers-radicalPage 12
Dancing, or synchronized rhythmic movement in time with a complex musical beat, has long been held to be a uniquely human trait. Researchers at The Neurosciences Institute in San Diego have now shown that a sulphur-crested cockatoo, named Snowball, can in fact synchronize his movements to musical beats. These results raise new questions about the biological bases of music and suggest new ways to expand our knowledge of how the brain works. When Snowball was donated to the Bird Lovers Only Rescue Service in Indiana, he was accompanied by a CD noting that he particularly liked a song performed by the Backstreet Boys. When the song was played, Snowball began to bob to the beat, raising his legs, strutting and extending his crest in a “dance”. A video of Snowball’s dancing posted on YouTube caught the attention of the Institute researchers.
To test that Snowball was truly responding to the musical beat, the team prepared versions of his favorite song with a wide range of beat speeds. Analysis of videos of his dancing to these versions showed that Snowball changed his dancing speed to match the altered beats. While his rhythm is not perfect, his synchronizing skills are comparable to those of a human child. While many animals can move rhythmically, such as when walking or running, most appear unable to synchronize their movement with sound. What is it that makes cockatoos different? Drs. Patel and Iversen believe that it may be vocal learning. Like humans, cockatoos learn to imitate complex sounds. This ability requires a tight integration of auditory and motor systems within the brain so that an animal can learn the movements necessary to reproduce what it hears.
Thus the ability to synchronize with sound might have arisen as a consequence of an animal’s having brain mechanisms that evolved for other reasons, such as vocal learning. View the latest World Pet News every week at PetPeoplesPlace.com. Original Source: http://www. petpeoplesplace.com/resources/ news/birds/study-finds-somepets-really-dance.htm
Click http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=cJOZp2ZftCw&feature =player_embedded to see video of Snowball getting his funk on! Guaranteed to put a smile on your face and brighten your day.
San Diego, California www.petscenemagazine.com.au
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International Equestrian Federation Aims to End Aggressive Riding Practice The international body governing equestrian sport has met to discuss the controversial practice of “Rollkur”.
Lausanne, Switzerland
And, while recognizing the distinction between Rollkur and “the riding of the horse The Federation Equestre Internationale in a deep outline not achieved by force”, the (FEI) has held a round-table conference FEI is keen to rid equestrian sports of the at the International Olympic Committechnique. The FEI discussion group redetee (IOC) headquarters in Lausanne to fined Rollkur as “flexion of the horse’s neck discuss the use of aggressive force to achieved through aggressive force”, which achieve specific head and neck positions will mean the technique is therefore unacin horses. Specifically, “Rollkur” or hyper- ceptable. The technique known as Low, Deep flexion of the horse’s neck, has caused and Round (LDR), which achieves flexion controversy in equestrian circles for some without undue force, will still be acceptable. years, and there is even a threat to boyThe group unanimously agreed that any form cott the London 2012 Olympics if the of aggressive riding must be sanctioned. The practice is not ended. FEI will establish a working group, headed Rollkur is in fact already banned, but the by Dressage Committee Chair Frank Kempertechnique is still used by dressage and man, to expand the current guidelines for show-jumping riders. The FEI moved to stewards to facilitate the implementation of ban the use of Rollkur after a video apthis policy. The FEI Management is currently peared to show use of the technique studying a range of additional measures, including the use of closed circuit television for warm-up arenas at selected shows. View the latest World Pet News every week at PetPeoplesPlace.com. Original Source: http://www.petpeoplesplace.com/resources/news/horses/international-equestrian-federation-aims-to-endaggressive.htm
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Our Pet Foods Are Now There is a new secret ingredient making its way into Australia’s premium pet foods that is going to have tails wagging.
Signs to look out for in poorer quality foods are those which list very generalised non specific ingredients; such as meat, meat bi products, or cereal bi products.
The new ingredient to look out for is PRE-Biotics (as opposed to PRO-Biotics) There is strong and sound independent scientific evidence to back up claims that PREBiotics will make your pets feel better, live longer and save you money. Pet Nutrition Guru and Veterinarian Dr. Danielle Haack reminds us that the most important thing for pet owners to pay attention to when choosing their petfood is the quality of the ingredients and what ingredients are actually going into your pets food.
As a result of purchasing a premium pet food you are going to get better health care benefits for your dog or cat.
Her tip is to look at the first 5 ingredients listed. Making sure these include a good source of animal protein like chicken. As well as a quality source of carbohydrates such as Corn, Sorghum or Barley.
Dr. Danielle Haack also points out that while a lot of people are concerned about the expense of buying a premium pet food, in the long run you will need to feed your pet
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an awful lot more of a lower quality pet food because the ingredients aren’t as nutritionally valuable. So you will go through that food a lot faster than a premium pet food.
Another key benefit of this is that what goes in must come out, so you will find that pets on a premium diet will produce less waste and smaller firm stools. Making their owners life that bit easier.
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w Getting Better!
By Kristy Hunter days PRE-Biotics can grow good bacteria by 80% and decrease bad bacteria by up to 95%. Not only is digestive balance important for your pets health, but it also helps to reduce faecal odour.
A good PRE-Biotic ingredient to look out for in your pets food is beet pulp fibre. This actually improves the health of the intestinal wall, which in turn helps your pet absorb more nutrients. That means your pet is able to get the most out of what you are feeding them. But the key NEW ingredient to look out for is Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) which builds on the nutritional benefits of beet pulp.
This is really good news because we all love our pets, they are part of the family and all this means healthier while the bad bacteria starve. happier animals. This is a way of naturally changing the digestive balA special thanks to Pet Talk ance. Where as PRO-Biotics Radio for the information are a source of adding in contained in this article. more good bacteria to the http://www.pettalkradio. system. Both work well, but com.au PRE-Biotics are an amazing innovation showing fantastic scientific results. Evidence shows that in as little as 28
A PRE-Biotic is a fibre that only the good bacteria in the intestinal tract can use. So the good bacteria grow in number, www.petscenemagazine.com.au
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Pit Bull Terrier Vs Staffordshire Bull Terrier. With so much media attention at the moment surrounding the possibility of extending breed specific legislation and the controversy over the case of the Gold Coast couple spending almost $500,000 on their fight to appeal against a Supreme Court decision that ruled American staffordshire terriers were the same breed as the outlawed pit bull. We have had a lot of people asking “are they in fact the same breed?” The decision has potentially dire consequences for Queensland’s 25,000 AmStaff owners, including at least 1000 on the Gold Coast. Upon investigation we have been informed that the name “Staffordshire Terrier” was invented by the American Kennel Club in 1936 for people who wanted to register their American Pit Bull Terriers in the dog show circuit. It was a way of distancing the dogs from their fighting past. The United Kennel Club, originally formed in 1898 to register American Pit Bull Terriers, never adopted the Staffordshire Terrier name. As a result, many dogs hold a dual-registry as Pit Bull Terriers with the UKC and Staffordshire Terriers with the AKC. Some American Staffordshire Terrier breeders insist that their dogs are a separate breed since the lineages have been separated for so long and that genetic testing can be conducted to distinguish the difference between the 2 lines. What happens next for blocky-headed dogs in Queensland is unclear. We should perhaps ask the government to punish the deed and not the breed, rather than so much focus being placed on trying to distinguish specific breeds.
Your Puppy Questions Answered
With the surprise arrival of Mr. Beefy’s first litter to Skye, we have been asked a lot of questions about puppy development. Mr. Beefy is a very proud daddy at the moment and would like to help answer your questions about his babies. * The gestation period ( pregnancy) in a dog typically lasts 9 weeks from the time of conception. This can vary slightly depending on the size of the breed. * Puppies are born both death and blind. Their ears open after 10 days and their eyes begin to open after day 12. All eyes are blue at first. * Puppies will start to get their first teeth at around 3-4 weeks. * It is normal for puppies to twitch in their sleep, this is their way of strengthening their muscles and is a sign of a heathy pup. * You can begin to introduce your puppies to solid simple foods, such as a chicken and rice blend, at 4 weeks. * Puppies are fully weaned and ready for their new homes by 12 weeks of age.
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The Bichon Frise I fell in love with Bichon’s, when visiting a friend who had a litter a couple of weeks old, mum a small /medium size white, curly coated girl had 6 little bundles of white fluffies, as my kids used to call them at first, I picked a little girl, talked to her in my way, than told my friend Maree that she was the one for me. When it was time to pick her up, Maree found it difficult to tell them apart, but no worry ‘Chrissie’ knew me, she was born 13th May 1987, I registered her and also applied for a Kennel Prefix with the RAS Kennel Control, now Dogs NSW. This was the beginning of my Prefix Monsan and my breeding of Bichon Frise. At the time it was not a widely known breed in Australia, “Bichon what” was the most common expression. The Bichon Frise’s origin dates back to manly four different breeds, the Bolognese, the Havanese, the Maltese and the Teneriffe on the Spanish Mainland and after it was introduced to the Canary Islands, hence its name Bichon Teneriffe, or lapdog of the Canary Islands, a companion dog manly for the Mediterranean aristocracy, mostly resembling the Bichon Frise of today. French dog fanciers commenced a breeding programme in the 1920’s and changed its original name of Bichon Teneriffe to Bichon Frise. Frise is french for curly or frizzy. The Breed became popular after the 2nd World War, due to its promotion in the USA, which introduced the type of show grooming we have today, that it became more widely known in Continental Europe and all over the Globe. Today it is known and popular for their friendly, engaging personality and temperament, a companion to a wide variety of people, young and old, kids who are frightened of dogs and handicapped persons, they are also found as a pet in hospitals and nursing homes, due to their coat being non allergenic, being important for allergy sufferers and their easy acceptance of all circumstances. www.petscenemagazine.com.au
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By Ursula Bichon Frise are happiest being part of your family, in and or outside your home, like traveling in the car with you wherever you go, shopping, visiting friends, family and while you sit on the lounge snuggling up with you, kids put dolls clothe on them and cart them around in the dolls pram, not a problem.
Bichon Frise should always have raw bones to chew on and to clean their teeth, a favourite are chicken necks, but No Chicken bones. And plenty of toys to play with to prevent boredom, furniture rage and other things they might take a fancy to when you are not there to amuse them.
Bichon Frise will need grooming regularly, you can do it yourself or have it done at a grooming Salon, I have listed the items needed and any other information you might need on my website www.monsan-kennels.com
Never feed your Bichon Cakes, Biscuits or Sweets.
Your pup will need 2 meals a day, preferably until 6-8 month of age, I have found that 1 meal of raw meat with a supplement (available from my website) in the mornings and a commercial dry food of a night works best, it will make their stool more firm, which is easier to dispose of when accidents occur during the night or early in the morning, before we wake up. ALWAYS LET YOUR PUPPY SLEEP IT IS NEEDED AS MUCH AS FOOD For adults, I prefer to use raw meat with a supplement in the mornings and either dry food or whatever you have, mashed potatoes, rice or pasta with meat or chicken (no bones) and vegetables of your choice whatever is suitable for you.
Water should be available at all times The white curly coat ( wool - no allergy problems, or shedding) will need grooming regularly, brushing can be done of a night when you curl up together, a wash when needed. Clipping can be done by you or a professional at a salon. There is no need to have a show dog grooming done if you don’t desire too, you can groom to just a short clip to suit your lifestyle. On my website you will find a list of all grooming items needed, litters of pups/adults available, some handy hints and lots more information. www.monsan-kennels.com , or email me on bichon01@bigpond.com you can always email or ring me, I love “my kids” and am only to happy to help. Pet Scene Magazine would like to give a very special thank you to Ursula for contributing this review and sharing with us her 23 years of experience with the breed.
Dogs like raw meat; it is in the genes, in the wild they do not get supplied with matches to light a fire, a pot for cooking, knife and fork for eating, never mind the tablecloth. Eating utensils should be taken away full or empty approximately 1/2 hour after being served. To avoid contamination and encourage good eating habits
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Your First Fish Tank By Dan Galen The basics for successful fish keeping can be summarized as follows: Research your pet fish environment to facilitate duplicating it within your fish tank. Locate your fish tank in a consistent environment, while still enjoying your fish. Population density is crucial to a happy fish tank, even more so than fish species. Temperament of fish species within the aquarium population shouldn’t be mixed. Aquarium equipment selection, fish tank size, and aquarium supplies.
Location - The first thing you should consider in your research is the placement of the fish tank in your home. You want to keep it out of direct sunlight, and away from air conditioning and heater vents, but not out of sight. You want to be able to enjoy your Clown fish, Guppy fish, Angel fish, Gold fish, or Puffer fish, while keeping the tank at a consistent temperature, and not encouraging the growth of algae, which will rob the water of oxygen and stress your pet fish.
How many fish - The general rule of thumb is: “1 inch of fish Research first - You should spend per gallon of fish tank”. Therethe majority of your time research- fore 10 fish of 2 inch size should ing your aquarium fish tank enbe fine in a 20 gallon aquarium. vironment prior to making any However, this rule is often mispurchase; Do you want freshwater used, in that this rule refers to fish, or saltwater fish, a few big the adult size of fish, not the size fish, or smaller plenty of fish? Are of the fish at the time of acquisithe fish you want to keep mostly tion as they are usually younger passive or aggressive? The answers and smaller then. For instance, if to these questions will dictate the you get a 2 inch Cichlid it could size and type of aquarium equipgrow to 7 inches, or more, in 2 ment, and the fish tank supplies years time. In my opinion, this you need. rule should be “1 inch of adult size fish per 2 gallons of fish tank” for beginners. In my opinion this rule should only be used for passive fish, as aggressive fish typically won’t tolerate such a tight population density.
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Types of fish - Freshwater fish are typically easier for children and busier adults to keep as they are more tolerant of fluctuations in their environment and able to withstand longer periods between water changes. However, saltwater fish can be just as easy to keep if you choose your fish and configure your equipment carefully. Fish temperament, size, and space requirements, must be taken into consideration. Beta fish (a.k.a. Siamese fighting fish) won’t tolerate most other fish at all, while Oscars, Discus, and Cichlids, while aggressive, will tolerate other aquarium fish, although they will harass, or eat, smaller fish species in dense aquarium populations. Try not to mix fish temperaments within your aquarium to minimize fish stress.
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This is not a comprehensive discussion, but it does cover the things most often overlooked by beginners. If more hobbyists would follow these basic guidelines in the setup of their fish tanks, they would spend more time enjoying their pet fish rather than struggling with algae, fish disease, and replacing dead fish. Dan Galen is an author and enthusiast on all things aquatic and owner of FishTankShop. com. To learn more about [http://www.fishtankshop.com] fish tanks please visit the site. Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Your-First-FishTank&id=1263691] Your First Fish Tank
Aquarium equipment - Finally the question of what aquarium supplies to get; what size aquarium should I get? Most beginners should start out with, at least, a 55 gallon, to 75 gallon fish tank for saltwater fish, or a 20 gallon to 30 gallon fish tank for freshwater, or tropical fish. The volume of water in the aquarium lends to stability of the aquatic environment; the bigger the fish tank, the more stable the water temperature and water quality. For beginners, and experts alike, I recommend aquarium kits, as these usually consist of aquarium filters, pumps, and other compatible equipment that has been pre-configured by the distributors for optimal performance, for most typical situations. You will also need a Water Chemistry kit, water conditioners, and heater, and/or chiller, depending upon your location and typical ambient temperature within your home. www.petscenemagazine.com.au
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Feline Immune Deficiency -
What it Is, What Causes It, and What You Can Do to Prevent It? Feline immune deficiency is a problem which affects a large number of cats these days. Still, a lot of cat owners are not aware of the seriousness of this problem and they do not know what they can do to prevent it. So, in this article, I am going to share some important information about immune deficiency in cats which will help you understand what it is, what causes it, and what you can do to prevent it.
Causes Feline immune health gets affected due to four important reasons.
The problem Feline immune deficiency, as the name suggests, is a state in which the immune system of a cat loses its ability to fight against diseases. The immune system of domesticated cats becomes weak due to various reasons. When it does, the cat becomes fragile and vulnerable to a number of health problems. In fact, a lot of pet health experts say that a compromised immune system is the most important cause of a majority of health problems in pets.
1. Poor diet - If a cat isn’t receiving the nutrition necessary to support their physiology, then the immune system could become weakened. There are approximately 40 nutrients that a cat needs. Most cat foods available such adequately meet a cat’s nutritional requirements. 2. Lack of physical exercise Your cat needs physical exercise as much as you do to stay healthy. Unfortunately, most cat owners do not realize this fact. Cats which stay inactive all the time not only become physically weak, but get depressed as well. This could have an adverse effect on their immune system.
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3. Lack of natural health supplements - Cats in the wild often eat herbs and other medicinal plants to cleanse their system and improve their health. Domesticated cats, needless to say, do not have access to such plants. As a result, they are not able to get rid of the toxins from their system. While most commercial foods that are AAFCO certified should meet a cats requirements, some may require extra support. 4. Excessive use of antibiotics For bacterial infections and other such problems in cats, vets usually suggest antibiotics. Antibiotics, though effective, could have the tendency to weaken the immune system when taken often. Without realizing this, a lot of cat owners tend to give antibiotic drugs to their cats even for health problems which could be treated with milder, safer medications.
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Feline immune deficiency is usually the result of any or all of the four factors mentioned . Now that you know what this problem is all about and what causes it, let us take a look at the things you need to do to prevent this problem. Tips to prevent immune deficiency in cats 1. Healthy diet - Make sure that the food you purchase is AAFCO certified and that specifically states that it is “complete and balanced.” 2. Physical exercise - Get your cat some interactive toys to play with. Even better, get another cat and let both cats play with each other. You might want to consider a “kong” toy where a treat is hidden inside the toy. It exercises the body and the mind as your cat figures out how to get to the treat.
As a cat owner, you need to remember that the odds of a feline immune deficiency problem can be reduced through the way you care for your cat. Jeff Grill is an editor of the [http:// www.cat-health-guide.org/]Cat Health Guide and has written on many feline health problems. See this site for more information on natural approaches to help with [http://www.pet-health-guide. com]feline immune deficiency. Article Source: [http:// EzineArticles.com/?FelineImmune-Deficiency---Whatit-Is,-What-Causes-It,-andWhat-You-Can-Do-to-Prevent-It&id=2725579] Feline Immune Deficiency - What it Is, What Causes It, and What You Can Do to Prevent It
3. Natural health supplements - Give your cat a regular dose of natural health supplements which contain herbs like mistletoe, Indian ginseng, milk thistle, Huang Qi, and cat’s claw. These herbs are very effective and can improve feline immune health to a great extent. 4. Limited use of antibiotics and medications - Use medications sparingly and as needed.
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The Ragdoll Cat By Jenuine Ragdolls Ragdolls were developed in the 1960’s by Ann Baker; a breeder in California. She bred Josephine, a loving, gentle, longhaired white female carrying Siamese markings, to other longhaired cats carrying Siamese markings. Her original stock consisted of sturdy, free-roaming cats. By selecting individuals with the look she wanted for her breeding program, she created the type standard for the Ragdoll. Ragdolls are large, loving, laidback longhairs with beautiful, big blue eyes. The body is lightcolored, with darker Siamese-type points on the face, legs, tail and ears. In most patterns, the points are partly covered with white markings. The ideal Ragdoll is a well balanced cat, with no extreme features. Altered males may reach 20 pounds or more; females are proportionately smaller. Ragdolls are slow-maturing, reaching full coat color at two years, and full size and weight at four.
Ragdolls adore their humans. They run to greet you at the door, follow you from room to room, flop on you, sleep with you, and love you. They are gentle, carefully avoid scratching people, and are good with children, the elderly, and dogs. Ragdolls tend to be floor cats, not jumpers. They feel that humans prefer purrs to yowls, and keep their voices softly musical. Ragdolls are considerate of humans’ busy schedules, so they bathe and groom their moderately long, silky coats themselves. Usually, a weekly brushing is all that’s needed to keep their coat looking great. They shed very little, rarely have hairballs, are well behaved, and eager to please. There are four patterns: bi-color, van, mitted and pointed. Patterns come in six colors: seal, blue, chocolate, lilac, red, and cream. Points may be solid, lynx, or tortie. CFA accepts bi-colors and vans for showing; mitteds and pointeds are registered.
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Pointed Ragdolls have the classic, Siamese-type markings. Mitteds look like they went wading in whipped cream and sneaked a sip: their chins are soft, fluffy white, and so are their mittens and boots. Bi- colors look like they went swimming in whipped cream and dunked their faces in for a deep drink. All four legs, their underbodies, chest, and an upside-down “V” marking on their faces are white, and they may have a splash or two of white on their backs. Only their tails, ears, and the outer part of their masks show the darker markings. Vans look like they nearly drowned in whipped cream. Only the top of the mask, ears, and tail, and perhaps a few spots on the body, show darker markings.
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Pricing on Ragdolls usually depends on type, applicable markings and bloodlines. Usually breeders make kittens available between twelve and sixteen weeks of age. After twelve weeks, kittens have had their basic inoculations and developed the physical and social stability needed for a new environment, showing, or being transported by air. Keeping such a rare treasure indoors, neutering or spaying and providing acceptable surfaces (e.g. scratching posts) for the natural behavior of scratching are essential elements for maintaining a healthy, long and joyful life. Ragdolls are 100% indoor cats that need a safe and loving indoor home. Since they have little or no hunting/fighting instinct, they must live indoors. This also gives ragdolls an extremely friendly and non-aggressive personality, and they are very sociable and extremely affectionate. Ragdolls can be easily trained (even walking on a leash) but are normally very quiet and not very energetic. They get on very well with adults, children and other pets, and are very friendly and affectionate. Ragdolls are also great companions for older and retired people, since they’ll lay in your lap for hours lapping up the attention.
Ragdoll cats don’t like to be left alone for long periods, or take care of themselves. They are not “mousers” or independent wandering (outdoor) souls that you will only see at meal times. Ragdolls want to be with you every minute you’re at home, even in the bathroom or shower. They want to be with you, play with you etc, and love to be spoilt with lots of cuddles and hugs. As such, a Ragdoll is not for everyone. It is important to consider your family’s lifestyle, home, environment, pets and other family members. For that reason, we will only place our Ragdolls with approved families that will give them lots of love and attention, and can provide a suitable and loving indoor home. If you think you’re ready to give your life over to (or to be owned by) a Ragdoll cat, please give us a call on 0403 510-732 or e-mail us at jenuineragdolls@bigpond.com . http://www.freewebs.com/jenuine-ragdolls/
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How To Protect Your Pet In The Cold By Jen Fortney The cold winter months are fast approaching, if they have not arrived already. Winter is the season for fun, family, the holidays, and cold weather. If you live in an area that has snow and ice, here are a few tips for caring for your pet during the cold winter months. First, protection for you pet’s precious paws is essential. The cold and hard ground, particularly when snow or ice is present can cause your pet’s paws to become sore and cracked; sometimes, it can even cause their paws to bleed. There are several things you can do to help protect your pet’s paws. Oftentimes, the best option is to purchase puppy boots. These boots are made of water-resistant fabric on the exterior, and they usually have warm material such as fleece or flannel lining on the inside. They usually sport elastic cuffs around the top and Velcro underneath to ensure they stay on. If your pet does not take to wearing booties, there is another option: grooming your pet’s paws. When it is particularly snowy outside, the ice and snow can easily cling to the hair between your pet’s paws and on their paw pads and ‘ankles’. Simply trim the hair to keep it short, this way they snow and ice will have nothing to hold on to. Also, keep your pet’s toenails trimmed short (but not too short).
This can help prevent your pup’s paws from soreness. Finally, gently rub petroleum jelly on your puppy’s paw pads before and after they go outside. Doing this protects their paws from cracking and bleeding by providing a film of protective gel over the paws. Winter nights are cold, especially if you like to keep your house somewhat cool, even in the winter season. Secondly, to help your pup remain warm and comfy at night, there are a few things you may want to consider. If your pet does not have a doggie bed, you may want to get one for your pooch this holiday season. Doggie beds are built so your pet can snuggle warmly at night in their soft fabric bed. You can also buy your pet a throw or a fleece blanket. When you put your dog to bed at night, simply toss the blanket or throw over their body, and it will help keep them warm.
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Another option to purchase puppy pajamas. It may sound silly, but flannel pajamas for dog’s can really help keep them insulated and warm. Also, if your dog tends to shed, this is a great option, because it contains the shed hair within the garment until you wash it. This is great because then you won’t have pet hair all over your couch, on your bed, or other warm places in your house that you don’t want covered in pet hair.
Help keep your pet warm and protected from the winter elements this cold season. Consider purchasing winter wear such as water-resistant booties, puppy pajamas, or even a coat or jacket. A doggie bed and pet throw or blanket can also go a long way. Remember, investing in your pet’s comfort is investing in your pet’s happiness. It is well worth the cost! Article brought to you by [http:// www.dog-fence.org]Dog-Fence. org. Visit our site today for information on [http://www.dog-fence.org/ responsible-pet-owner-duties] responsible pet owner duties. Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Protect-YourPet-In-The-Cold&id=840723] How To Protect Your Pet In The Cold
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Ten Things You Should Know About Pet Lizards By Dr. Robert Sprackland If you are about to obtain your first pet lizard, congratulations. Lizards are, in my view, the most wonderful, fascinating and beautiful creatures on Earth. Part of their appeal is their incredible diversity; there are more species of lizards than all the mammals or amphibians, and they range from three-inch legless burrowers to the mighty 200-pound Komodo dragon. Some are coloured with sombre tans and ochre, and others rival the most ostentatious of butterflies with gaudy green, red, and yellow markings. Some glide on fragile wings, some run across the water, and some can stick to ceilings. With my sincere apology to Samuel Johnson, it is my opinion that “when a man gets tired of lizards, he is tired of life”!
That said, here are ten valuable guidelines to help you and your lizard get off to a good start, and stay on a safe and happy course. I speak with a wee bit of experience, having kept lizards since 1961, and going on to spending over 30 years as a professional herpetologist. These tips are just a starting point, but they cover ten really important points!
2) Avoid getting a species that people think of as “pets” but are really very challenging to keep properly. Among those species to avoid: iguanas, Nile monitors, chameleons, and small species that grow to only 3 - 8 inches in length. 1) Start by getting a lizard that is easy to care for! Many lizards are very demanding in captivity, and those should be left to experienced keepers. Among the best starter lizards are the Australian bearded dragon and bluetongue skinks, which grow to a total length near 13-inches. They do not become stressed when properly handled, are generally tame, and eat a wide variety of foods, from fruits, vegetables and flowers to insects, moist dog food and small mice. Savanna monitors are also good for beginners, but get a young specimen and raise it to adult size; freshly imported adults may be aggressive, but captive bred/raised specimens are excellent animals for beginner
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3) Read up about your lizard, because there is no excuse for doing a poor job as its keeper. For books, you can consult Bibliomania! at http://www.herplit.com one of the largest reptile book dealers in existence. Then subscribe to one of the magazines published for reptile keepers, which include REPTILES, REPTILIA, and REPTILES AUSTRALIA 4) Remember that lizards and snakes are very closely related groups of animals, but lizards need very different care. Unlike snakes that may need food only once a week or month, lizards usually need to eat every day, and sometimes more than once per day. But do not leave rotting or dirty food in the terrarium, because it could be contaminated with germs and cause your lizard to become sick. 5) Do not grab or hold a lizard by the tail. Even though the tail of a bearded dragon, bluetongue skink, or savanna monitor will not break off, it is uncomfortable for the lizard. Get used to holding the lizard by putting your hand under its belly and support-
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6) Never use your lizard to frighten anyone! Strange as it may sound, some people are afraid of reptiles, and that kind of fear has led to many laws and regulations being passed that make owning reptiles in some places difficult. It is much better for the lizards - and the rest of us keepers - if you use your lizard to help teach other people how wonderful they really are!
9) Always be sure your lizard has access to fresh, clean water! Some lizards only drink dew drops from leaves, but these species are not among the beginner’s species. Even desert lizards - and that includes all of the beginner species I’ve listed - can and will drink from a dish, and even enjoy soaking if the dish is large enough. Soaking also makes skin shedding easier for your lizards.
7) Never release an unwanted pet reptile into the wild. Most pets are from other continents and will not live long where you live. It is also possible, especially in a place like Florida, that the released pet will do well and, if many such pets have been released, found a colony of foreign animals. This is not good for the local wildlife and really upsets conservationists and Fish and Wildlife officials.
10) Do not crowd your lizard. If you are getting two lizards to start with, make them both the same species, preferably one of each sex, about the same size, and house them in a terrarium that is large enough. Overcrowded lizards become stressed and may refuse to eat. They are also more likely to catch an illness. If you cannot offer enough space, do not get the lizard. Period.
8) All diurnal (active during the daytime) lizards need some ultraviolet light in their lives. But UV light does not penetrate glass, so it doesn’t help to put a terrarium near a window. In addition to a heat light (all lizards need a temperature of at least 78 degrees F, many much more); you will need a good full-spectrum UV light. These are now produced to fit in either a screw-in socket or a standard fluorescent tube socket. For examples of excellent products check the Zoo Med website at http://www.zoomed.com
BONUS TIP 1) A fourth excellent starter lizard is the leopard gecko, a delicate and very popular nocturnal species that has been bred into many colour morphs (it’s something like the lizard keeper’s equivalent of the guppy!). Unlike the other starter species I mentioned, leopard geckos are smaller (to about 6 inches), have soft, delicate skin, and have tails that are easily broken. Yes, they grow back, but only as stiff rods that never look as good as the original. They also require more gentle handling than the larger starter species. They do not need UV light, but they still need a warm terrarium (70 - 78 degrees at night, 78 -95 degrees by day), sandy soil, and
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places they can hide. Feed them live insects, especially crickets, young roaches, and wax worms. BONUS TIP 2) Do not use heat rocks to keep diurnal lizards warm! The lizards are, frankly, not “wired” to know that their bellies are actually cooking, and they may stay on the rock until badly injured or dead! Leopard geckos, however, will be fine with a heat rock or two. Other things that you should know include washing your hands well after handling your lizards, do not tease or annoy the animals, and be sure to keep the terrarium clean. The second edition of Dr Sprackland’s classic book, “Giant Lizards,” is scheduled to be released in October 2008. It not only covers the world’s largest lizards, but includes chapters about lizard care and biology that are useful to all reptile keepers. Look for “Giant Lizards, 2nd Edition” published by TFH, Inc., at your favourite pet shop or book seller’s. The author is a professional biologist who teaches human anatomy and physiology. His blogs present a view of human nature as might be observed by a visitor from another world...
Article Source: [http://EzineArticles. com/?Ten-Things-You-Should-Know-About-PetLizards&id=1010169] Ten Things You Should Know About Pet Lizards
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