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Considering an exotic pet? Interesting facts about Meerkats

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If you thought you had seen all the possible pets, then brace yourself for some major enlightenment. Keeping cheetahs, venomous snakes, lions among other dangerous animals as pets in the home has been evident in some countries now. With the risk factor being too high, people still go ahead and enjoy the thrilling experience.

Surprisingly, some wild animals have the potential to become some of the best pets. For example, the Meerkat, which is a small carnivore belonging to the mongoose family. With the right training and precaution, you can pull this off and even have a mini-zoo in your home.

Do you feel tired of listening to the same purring cat or whimpering dog? Get yourself a unique pet today. Even though they are deemed to be vicious to their own species according to Stateschronicle.Com, Meerkats are quite friendly to humans. Before getting one, here are some tips for you

1. They love having company

Unlike bears, foxes, and moose, meerkats are not anything close to being loners. They value their company and even live in packs. With this in mind, don’t get one meerkat as it will get lonely and eventually run away in search of its own species. Two or three could do. In short, think of it as a friendly mongoose.

2. It is essential to have a small, sophisticated house for them

Meerkats treasure the sophistication of their tunnels and the many entrances and exits underground. Build something that has a couple of rooms and is concrete enough to stand any weather, probably in your backyard. This should be an ideal home for them.

Letting the meerkats inside your house would definitely be a grave mistake because they would chew off your cables, seats and even clothes.

3. Learn how to enforce discipline

While still young, train the meerkats about some of the basic rules, like how they are not supposed to enter the house, or even at what time they are supposed to eat.

Any animal is trainable; it just depends on the kind of time and determination you have. As hyperactive as they can be, training and living with meerkats at a tender age will make everything easier for your family and you

4. Know what they like eating and have it in abundance

The good thing about this species of animals is that it is a carnivore. Meat is always readily available in stores, and in all forms of shapes and sizes. Shortlist a few types of meat you like and have a variety of them in your fridge.  Let the small mammal try it out and then you can know their favorites. Advisably, feed them during your normal meal times.

5. Be friendly and avoid fighting them

As innocent as they look, they can be quite murderous; but take it easy, they only kill their kind. However, you should always take precaution, especially if you have kids. These animals have two extremes; too playful, and too vicious. All in all, if push ever comes to shove, you can call the animal control agencies to control the situation.

Get out of your comfort zone and learn as much as possible about these small interesting creatures and share your experiences with a friend.

7 Home Additions Just for Your Canine Companion

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There comes a time in every dog owner’s life when they realize that their dog is more than just a cute furry companion, but a member of the family. At which point, they start thinking of ways to celebrate and appreciate the presence of their pawed household member.

Some households make their dog feel more of their love by giving him a personalized martingale collar and other accessories that show his unique personality. Others plan trips to dog-friendly restaurants and outdoor spaces where dogs are free to run and play. Still, some take it to the next level and modify their home to make their canine family members more comfortable.

If you’re a pet parent and a homeowner who is looking to do the very same thing, then here are some ideas that your dog will love:

  1. Doggie Bath. Some dogs can tolerate taking a bath while others try their best to hide from one. Make bath time an easier time for you and your dog by getting a doggie bath. This refers to a half-size shower stall with a low, detachable showerhead. It’s a perfect setup for a dog who just can’t sit or stand still while wet. The glass wall will prevent messy splashing, while the lowered showerhead will make rinsing a breeze.
  2. Doggie closet. Everyone in the family has a closet for their clothes and accessories, so why shouldn’t your dog have one as well? A dog closet is a perfect addition to your home if you like accessorizing and dressing up your dog. In addition to clothes, the closet can also hold toys, dog collars and leashes, and dog beds. Does your pup need a special outfit for Halloween or any other special date? Just walk into the dog closet and take a pick.
  3. Baseboard drawers.Improve the look of your kitchen and add a bit of fun to meals by modifying a kitchen cabinet to hold your dog’s food and water bowls in place. These floor-level drawers won’t only make post-mealtime cleanups much easier, they’ll also add a bit of organization to your kitchen. Aside from food and water, the drawers can also be made to hold treats and toys for games of hide and seek.
  4. Porch potty.Taking your dog out to potty can be quite a chore if you’re living in a condominium or apartment. To make the task more convenient for you and your pet, you can make a porch potty out of a faux lawn with a built-in drainage system. This way, your dog can do his business anytime without making a mess.
  5. Dog windows.Dogs love observing the outside world through windows, but most windows aren’t made to accommodate dogs. Indulge your pup and let him take a look at the world by giving him a small window that’s just right for his height and size.
  6. Dog gates.This home addition is less about the comfort of your dog but more about his safety. Install strong dog gates in strategic places around your home, such as the kitchen entrance or at the top or bottom of the stairs. These can go a long way in keeping your dog safe and preventing accidents. Plus they can turn a room into a temporary ‘time-out’ area when your dog is misbehaving.
  7. Dog mansion.For those who want to give their dog the high life, you can always have a dog mansion: a luxurious and highly customized dog house. Be warned, though, that this type of dog accommodation costs a bit of money. Of course, if you’ve got the skills for it and the spare time, you can always just build one for your dog rather than buy it.

Which of these items will your dog love to have? Whatever you choose, you’re sure that your pup will thank you for it.

The Do’s and Don’ts of What to Feed Your New Cat

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Have you just brought home a new little kitten? If so, then you know better than anyone just how easy it is to be swayed by their cute little faces into giving them all kinds of snacks and goodies. While you are just trying to spoil them and show them how much you love them, the fact is that many of these items you may be giving to your cat to eat or drink are not good for them at all. With that in mind, we’ve put together a handy guide of what to feed your new cat so that they get all the nutrients they need and are as healthy as can be.

Should You Give a Kitten Milk?

Many people assume that when you bring home a new kitten you should give them milk because that’s what they’d be drinking from their mother. That, and there is the pre-conceived notion that cats love milk and would do anything for it. The problem is that pets tend to have very sensitive stomachs. If you aren’t giving them the right food, then you could end up causing stomach upset and discomfort.

When it comes to milk, it is indeed great for kittens, but only until the age of eight weeks when they are weaned. After that, their bodies no longer produce the enzyme lactase, which is necessary to break down the lactose found in milk. Giving kittens’ milk who are over the age of eight weeks will, therefore, result in indigestion and discomfort.

You can read more about kittens and how milk affects them at ourpetspot.com.

Get Them Used to Different Types of Food

When it comes to picky eaters, cats really take the cake. They are known to be incredibly picky and tend to develop all their likes and dislikes by the time they are one year of age. It is recommended that you introduce them to all styles of food before they turn one, just so they get used to it all. This means dry, wet, and semi-dry food.

You never know when they will need to switch the type of food they eat due to health or medical concerns, so you want to be sure they won’t turn away from it.

Kittens Need More Frequent Meals

Another tip is to feed your kitten three to four times per day. They go through calories very quickly when they are young and growing. Once they reach adulthood and their full size, you can then cut down to two meals per day.

Look for a Well-Balanced Food

The final tip is to look for well-balanced food that contains the same amount of vitamins that the adult food would have, fat, and a high level of protein. Be sure there is also fresh water available to them at all times.

Setting Your Cat Up for Good Health

Following these tips will help ensure that your cat gets all the nutrients, vitamins, and calories it needs to be healthy and grow strong. If you want to make sure your cat stays happy and healthy at all times, it would be a good idea to invest in the best cat insurance out there!

Top Tips For Making Sure Your Cat Has Excellent Oral Health and Hygiene

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Adult cats have 30 teeth and unlike humans or dogs, there are no easy ways for them to keep them clean. Where as humans will brush their teeth and dogs can use bones to make sure that their teeth are strong and healthy, cats must rely on other methods. As a cat owner it is important that you have your cat’s oral hygiene in mind and that you find ways to make sure that you keep their gnashers in good shape.

Let’s take a look at just some of the things that you should be doing to make sure that your cat has excellent oral hygiene.

Spotting the Signs

Even if you have a solid routine with your cat, it is still important that you look out for the signs of poor oral hygiene. The key sign from a cat is that they have foul breath, a key indicator that they could have oral problems. Cat’s breath won’t smell like roses on a  normal basis, but it should most definitely not smell foul, a sign which usually signifies gum disease or tooth decay.

Check Up

Just as you would with your own teeth, or those of your children, you should have your cat’s teeth checked out annually by your vet. This can help you spot any issues, and give you the chance to ask your vet any questions which you may have about your cat’s teeth.

Brushing

You can brush your cat’s teeth and you should try to do so at least once a month. Adult cats can be pretty resistant to having their teeth cleaned and so if you are able to, you should try to get them started early. It is very important to note that fluoride toothpaste should never be used on your cat as the ingestion of it can make them very ill indeed. You can buy toothpaste specifically for cats and this is what you should use. Try to make the experience as quick and painless as possible, and use treats to win your cat over.

Gum Massage

After you have brushed your cat’s teeth, and assuming it will let you, try to give their gums a massage with your fingers. Doing this can speed up healing, it can also avoid gum irritation and help your cat to boost their gum health.

Diet

Diet is a huge factor in looking after your cat’s teeth and whilst you can’t control what they eat when they are outside the house, you can manage what they eat inside. Try to feed your cat a combination of both wet and dry foods and vary the meats which you give them for healthier teeth.

Treats

Yu can also help with your cat’s oral hygiene through giving them tartar control treats and chewy treats. Giving your cat treats like this, in moderation of course, can really help to clean their teeth and improve gum health.

How do you keep your cat’s teeth clean? Let us know in the comments section below.