Ringworm is a very common form of skin disease that is found in both dogs and cats. Although its name makes you think differently, this skin disease is not caused by any type of worm. It is actually caused by fungi known as Dermatophytes that feed on dead tissues found in the surface of the skin, spreading them around the skin of the animal.
With cats, there is a certain type of fungi known as M Canis that is found with nearly 95% of all ringworm cases. Normally, cats will get the ringworm disease from contaminated objects like bedding, clippers, or another animal that already has the disease. If there are animals in your home or around your house that have the ringworm disease, your cat could very easily contract it this way.
If you have kittens or cats that are under a year old in your home, you should always use precaution, as they're more susceptible to ringworm. Kittens can easily contract the disease, especially if you allow them to go outside. They can easily come in contact with a contaminated object or another cat that has the disease. Kittens take a long time to build their immune system up, and in the meantime they are more apt to get common disease such as ringworm.
The most common symptoms of ringworm in cats are rough or broken hairs, or hair loss around the head or the paws. Ringworm can easily be identified by a patch of scaly skin on the body that appears itchy and inflamed. There will also be broken hairs around the patch of scaly skin. This area is very sensitive, and you should never try to touch it, as it will hurt your cat.
If you notice any of the above symptoms with your pet, you should immediately schedule an appointment with your vet. If the vet diagnosis your cat with ringworm, he may prescribe ointment or tablets. What he describes however, will determine on how serious the ringworm is. If he prescribes tablets to your cat, you should give them with meals. Ointment on the other hand, is normally spread into the coat, topically. You should always use what your vet prescribes on a daily basis, to ensure that your cat heals. The healing process will take time, normally around 6 weeks or more.
Cats that have ringworm should be labeled as infectious. If you have children in the house, you should keep them away from your pet. Whenever you handle your cat, you should always use gloves. Ringworms are contagious, and you should always use caution. Even though it’s a mild disease, ringworm can result in serious problems due to the slow recovery time and fact that it’s contagious.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Dog Obedience Training
Getting frustrated that your dog jumps up on people when you're visiting friends? Can not understand why your dog runs away from you at the park while everyone else’s happily comes back? The simple answer is have you tried dog obedience training? It is simple, effective and very fun to do if you have the right attitude and patience.
The basics of dog obedience training and teaching your dog to sit, stay, and come. These basic training commands will be extremely beneficial to you later on in your dog’s life. When you take your dog out you do not want him to be running muck in the street, you want to show him off for the perfect dog that he is! Dog obedience training can be achieved in a matter of weeks with the right attention, dedication and patience.
There are a lot of obedience classes available. So if you can not teach your dog by yourself there is plenty support at the class, there are also other dogs there. Not only are you training your dog you're socializing him to which of course is the next step after sit, stay and come. Dogs are kind of like children to an extent, except with a lot of fur, they need to be taught right and wrong.
I always find that treats are a great method of dog obedience training; you award them with a special treat when they have done something you've asked them to. If they do not respond they do not get a treat. There is no point shouting at your dog as he will only become scared of you and you do not want that, you want to form a happy relationship with him. Dog’s are a man’s best friend!
When teaching your dog obedience try and teach him away from distractions like his toys, take him to an empty field or park where there are not any people, only you and him. Tell him firmly but nicely that you want him to sit, then take your hand and place it on his back and gently guide his bottom down, when it is down say sit and tell him he’s a good boy then award him with a treat. Repeating this over and over again will make him realize that when you say sit you mean for him to sit and he gets rewarded, soon enough he will know to sit when you tell him to and the treats are no longer necessary.
Getting him to stay is another matter; you will probably need another person for that. Get him to sit (once he has learned how) and get a friend to hold him. Walk away from him telling him to stay, using your hand hold it up firmly (doing this will make him realize that when you hold your hand up in the future you want him to stay as well, not just when you tell him to) then give it a few seconds and let your friend release him, when he comes to you make him sit and tell him how clever he is! Do not forget to reward him. While using this technique you're also teaching your dog how to come to you as well, so do not forget to say "ome" to him, not just his name.
When dogs are born they're like soft clay, they need to be formed and shaped. You can train your dog from any old age and the younger you start the easier it is. Like they say: you can not teach an old dog new tricks!!!
The basics of dog obedience training and teaching your dog to sit, stay, and come. These basic training commands will be extremely beneficial to you later on in your dog’s life. When you take your dog out you do not want him to be running muck in the street, you want to show him off for the perfect dog that he is! Dog obedience training can be achieved in a matter of weeks with the right attention, dedication and patience.
There are a lot of obedience classes available. So if you can not teach your dog by yourself there is plenty support at the class, there are also other dogs there. Not only are you training your dog you're socializing him to which of course is the next step after sit, stay and come. Dogs are kind of like children to an extent, except with a lot of fur, they need to be taught right and wrong.
I always find that treats are a great method of dog obedience training; you award them with a special treat when they have done something you've asked them to. If they do not respond they do not get a treat. There is no point shouting at your dog as he will only become scared of you and you do not want that, you want to form a happy relationship with him. Dog’s are a man’s best friend!
When teaching your dog obedience try and teach him away from distractions like his toys, take him to an empty field or park where there are not any people, only you and him. Tell him firmly but nicely that you want him to sit, then take your hand and place it on his back and gently guide his bottom down, when it is down say sit and tell him he’s a good boy then award him with a treat. Repeating this over and over again will make him realize that when you say sit you mean for him to sit and he gets rewarded, soon enough he will know to sit when you tell him to and the treats are no longer necessary.
Getting him to stay is another matter; you will probably need another person for that. Get him to sit (once he has learned how) and get a friend to hold him. Walk away from him telling him to stay, using your hand hold it up firmly (doing this will make him realize that when you hold your hand up in the future you want him to stay as well, not just when you tell him to) then give it a few seconds and let your friend release him, when he comes to you make him sit and tell him how clever he is! Do not forget to reward him. While using this technique you're also teaching your dog how to come to you as well, so do not forget to say "ome" to him, not just his name.
When dogs are born they're like soft clay, they need to be formed and shaped. You can train your dog from any old age and the younger you start the easier it is. Like they say: you can not teach an old dog new tricks!!!
Monday, September 10, 2007
Boxer Dog Training
The Boxer is an amazing dog and is extremely playful, energetic and definitely a handful (in a good way of course). This breed if dog is extremely loyal and when a friendship is built it lasts forever. The boxer is very unique and not for everyone, if you are a new owner of a boxer you have to be aware that they need a lot of attention and training. They are extremely intelligent dogs which can work to your advantage when it comes to training, but then again can be very disadvantageous as they know how to use their intelligence to get what they want.
Boxer dog training consists of training them up to become guard dogs; this is their main profession if you like. People who do not know boxers tend to assume that they are naturally aggressive when they are in fact the opposite and could not be more playful than any other dog! Because of their good stature and aggressive look, people are automatically assuming this dog could do more harm than good. If your boxer is not trained properly then he just might.
Because of their intelligence Boxers can be very stubborn but when it comes to training a boxer it can be very helpful. Owners must remember that there will be times when you ask him to do something and he is going to look you in the face and basically tell you where to go, he knows he is supposed to do what you are telling him but he decides he can not be bothered and does not. The main thing you have to remember in these circumstances is to be patient. From as early as 6 weeks old you should start your boxer dog training as this will help him when he grows up, socialize him, play with him and teach him, but do it in an exciting way and he is more likely to listen.
The main aspect of training for a boxer is socialization. Boxers can be very friendly dogs but they need to be trained to become one. They need to get accustomed to other dogs and people. The best way to do this is training classes. That way your boxer will be trained alongside other dogs.
When your boxer reaches 13-16 weeks old it's time for some serious boxer dog training, this is the stage where he is going to test for dominance, he will nip and try to show you that he is the more dominant one, mainly by not listening to you. You have to be a strong leader at this time; you must show him that he acting like that will not be tolerated no matter what!
Boxers are genuinely a lovable family dog and would make a proud pet for anyone, they are dogs that prefer to sit on you lap for a cuddle than anything else. Train your boxer early with some serious boxer dog training and you can be assured you'll have a stunning, loyal family friend!
Boxer dog training consists of training them up to become guard dogs; this is their main profession if you like. People who do not know boxers tend to assume that they are naturally aggressive when they are in fact the opposite and could not be more playful than any other dog! Because of their good stature and aggressive look, people are automatically assuming this dog could do more harm than good. If your boxer is not trained properly then he just might.
Because of their intelligence Boxers can be very stubborn but when it comes to training a boxer it can be very helpful. Owners must remember that there will be times when you ask him to do something and he is going to look you in the face and basically tell you where to go, he knows he is supposed to do what you are telling him but he decides he can not be bothered and does not. The main thing you have to remember in these circumstances is to be patient. From as early as 6 weeks old you should start your boxer dog training as this will help him when he grows up, socialize him, play with him and teach him, but do it in an exciting way and he is more likely to listen.
The main aspect of training for a boxer is socialization. Boxers can be very friendly dogs but they need to be trained to become one. They need to get accustomed to other dogs and people. The best way to do this is training classes. That way your boxer will be trained alongside other dogs.
When your boxer reaches 13-16 weeks old it's time for some serious boxer dog training, this is the stage where he is going to test for dominance, he will nip and try to show you that he is the more dominant one, mainly by not listening to you. You have to be a strong leader at this time; you must show him that he acting like that will not be tolerated no matter what!
Boxers are genuinely a lovable family dog and would make a proud pet for anyone, they are dogs that prefer to sit on you lap for a cuddle than anything else. Train your boxer early with some serious boxer dog training and you can be assured you'll have a stunning, loyal family friend!
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Dog Training Tip
When it comes to dog training there are no secrets. Every dog training tip is different but it has been used before and if they say it's new, it means adapted. The simplest of tasks for an experienced dog master could be the hardest of tasks for the beginner. There are no magic potions, or miracle sayings that can make your dog do what you want. You've to spend time with him, loving him and training him.
Many people seem to "have a way with dogs" in the sense that they can ask your dog to do anything and your dog will adhere to their command straight away, you try it five minutes later and your dog just stares at you blankly. It's true that some people have more of a chance getting dogs to do what they say, not because of some aura around them but because of experience and tone of voice.
One great dog training tip is your tone of voice. Your dog needs to know that you mean business but he has to know that you are not angry at him. The handler must find a tone of voice that shows dominance but compassion. If you're constantly shouting at your dog he is going to get used to it, he will not know when he is doing something wrong because he does not know when he is doing something good.
A lot of praise and attention is another great dog training tip. Dogs won't learn the difference between good and bad unless they get treated differently. When your dog does something bad do not roar at him, strictly tell him he was bad and not to do it again. Then when he does it right shower him with cuddles, treats and praise. Dogs come to learn that when they do something that they are told they will get rewarded for it and then after a while it just becomes second nature to them, of course praise is still needed!
All dog training tips are different and one dog isn't identical to the next, so try them. It won't hurt to keep trying. The most influence on your dog's life is when they are 3-16 weeks; this is the time that moulds them into the kind of dog they are going to be when they grow bigger. When you train your dog in these weeks this is what he will be doing for the rest of his life. Make sure you try a variety of the dog training tips available to you, some may work some may not but at least your giving your dog the best start in life.
Many people seem to "have a way with dogs" in the sense that they can ask your dog to do anything and your dog will adhere to their command straight away, you try it five minutes later and your dog just stares at you blankly. It's true that some people have more of a chance getting dogs to do what they say, not because of some aura around them but because of experience and tone of voice.
One great dog training tip is your tone of voice. Your dog needs to know that you mean business but he has to know that you are not angry at him. The handler must find a tone of voice that shows dominance but compassion. If you're constantly shouting at your dog he is going to get used to it, he will not know when he is doing something wrong because he does not know when he is doing something good.
A lot of praise and attention is another great dog training tip. Dogs won't learn the difference between good and bad unless they get treated differently. When your dog does something bad do not roar at him, strictly tell him he was bad and not to do it again. Then when he does it right shower him with cuddles, treats and praise. Dogs come to learn that when they do something that they are told they will get rewarded for it and then after a while it just becomes second nature to them, of course praise is still needed!
All dog training tips are different and one dog isn't identical to the next, so try them. It won't hurt to keep trying. The most influence on your dog's life is when they are 3-16 weeks; this is the time that moulds them into the kind of dog they are going to be when they grow bigger. When you train your dog in these weeks this is what he will be doing for the rest of his life. Make sure you try a variety of the dog training tips available to you, some may work some may not but at least your giving your dog the best start in life.
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