Health Benefits of Owning a Dog

It has long been thought that a pet can have a beneficial effect on its owner. This is realized almost daily in people who own dogs. Here are some of the health benefits that owning a dog can do for you.

Before we go any further it bears to be noted that dogs function better in the family unit when they are trained. As puppies they are cute but also unruly. Some of their primal instincts dictate that certain dog breeds will try to challenge their owners for dominance. If this urge isn’t nipped in the bud in the beginning, your dog could become a behavioral problem.

So, owning a dog and reaping mutual benefits from them will involve training of some sort. This can be done by you, the owner, through crate training and other forms of instructive discipline. Or, it can be done by professionals in dog obedience classes.

Once a dog learns how to behave and work with their owners, the benefits to their health will begin to form. If you are thinking about getting a pet, these reasons may affect your decision.

1. Lower rate of obesity in some dog owners – Dogs like activity. Many dogs, especially large ones, need to be walked several times a day for exercise as well as to use the bathroom. All of those walks are also good for the owner who also improves their cardiovascular health.

2. Calming effect on mood – Sometimes life happens. When it does, coming home to a companion who is waiting and glad to see you can help brighten your mood. No matter what is going on in the outside world, your dog is ready to show their affection. Pets provide unconditional love that can help to combat bouts of depression, sadness and the “blues.”

3. Lower stress levels – Just like a soothing bath can help to drain away stress from your body, so can stroking your pet. Spending time cuddling with your dog after a hard day can melt away those stressful thoughts with each pass.

4. Lower cholesterol levels – This is also related to the activity that your dog needs each day. Getting regular exercise can lower your level of cholesterol in the blood. With lower cholesterol, there is also a lower risk of heart disease.

5. Stronger immune system – What saps your immunity? One element is stress. Exposure to long term stress can compromise immunity leaving you open to all sorts of illness. Since dogs help to boost mood and reduce stress, this fact can increase immunity along with regular exercise with your pet.

6. Companionship and long life – As we reach our golden years, a pet can be a constant source of companionship to thwart loneliness. They can bring back new life leading to a longer healthier one for you.

There are many health benefits to owning a pet, especially a dog. Consider those when you are looking for a pet.

Fancy Goldfish – Kishimoto, Striker, and Calico

Kishimoto, Striker, and Calico"What do goldfish do for fun?"

Here’s what Jane says about Kishimoto, Striker, and Calico:

"Kishimoto likes to spit up rocks, and the others like to chase each other! Kishimoto is the huge one, Calico is, well, the calico one, and Striker is the mini Kishimoto."

"It looks like you have a fine gaggle of goldfish here. What fun they must be to watch and enjoy! Thanks for sending the pics and info about your goldfish."

Lovebird – Dudley

Dudley"Who ever heard of a lovebird that talks… and says just how cute he is?"

Here’s what Kayla says about Dudley:

"Dudley Talks! He says “hello”, “Love you”, “Cutie”, “Dudley” and “Stop It” rnI love him he has such a cute temperment. rnLOVE YOU DUDLEY! "

"It sounds like Dudley is the smartest lovebird around. Very few can talk and his vocabulary is amazing! We appreciate you sending the pics and information about your amazing lovebird Dudley."

Elephant Ear Coral

Elephant Ear Coral
Sarcophyton trocheliophorum
"I can get big, I’m all ears, and I’m dressed in ruffles… What am I?

The Elephant Ear Coral has a ruffled look and is considered a mushroom coral or

large toadstool!

Being a favored leather coral in the Sarcophyton genus, the Elephant Ear Coral (or Green Toadstool Coral), Sarcophyton trocheliophorum is often kept by enthusiasts. As it grows, this coral develops deep folds in its cap, and it also looks similar to mushrooms and toadstools. The name Elephant Ear comes from these deep folds. Thus the name Elephant Ear. This is also a great beginner’s coral due to it’s tough nature, and it adds variety to a soft coral tank… Read More

Featured Pet of the Week: The Pet Rat

The Featured Pet for this week is: The Pet Rat!

When I was growing up, I had many many pet rats over the years. I got my first rat when I was in 4th grade and her name was Pepper. From then on out, I got several more and actually started breeding them (with my parents help of course!). I love rats, and believe they can make one of the best small pet companions out there – for both children and adults.

Rats are rodents that are small enough to be kept in cages that can easily fit in a child’s room or on a table in a main family room without taking up too much space. As long as they are taken out of their cage on a regular basis, this can be an ideal home for them. For their basic care, just make sure that they have clean bedding once or twice a week (they generally do not create much odor), clean food and water (preferably in a water bottle), and a nice place to sleep in, such as a log or house purchased at a pet store or made from cardboard.

The best way to make sure your rat is nutritionally cared for would be to provide him with commercially prepared rat foods. These should have the right balance of proteins, vitamins, and minerals that he needs. You can also always give your rat fresh fruits and vegetables on the side, such as lettuce, carrots, and apples, as well as various treats found at pet stores or scraps from your table. Other things to take into consideration include giving them something to gnaw on to keep their teeth from getting too long (their teeth are constantly growing!), and giving them vitamin supplements such as calcium supplements because they can be prone to vitamin deficiencies.

Rats get along pretty well together for the most part, so feel free to get a friend for your rat, especially if you don’t think you will be spending a whole lot of time with him/her. However, males will sometimes fight with each other – especially if there is a female around – so you may want to make sure to get 2 females, or 2 males that have grown up together and are proven to get along well. Only get a male and a female if you want to have offspring!

Pet rats are also extremely intelligent little critters and they can be taught to do many tricks! By spending time with them daily and rewarding them with treats after they’ve done something you want, they can pick up quickly on the tricks you want them to do. They can be taught to come when you whistle or call their name, ride around on your shoulder, and stand up to take food from your fingers!

You will want to make sure your rat gets plenty of exercise as well. If they are very tame and handled often, there’s a good chance you will feel completely comfortable letting them run around the room, provided it is safe and there are not other animals around who could harm them. You also should make sure there is no way they could escape outside – which could be perilous for them! There are also exercise wheels available at pet stores that rats just love to run on!

You will want to watch out for any sign of problems – such as breathing problems, diarrhea, or lice, mites, or fleas. They are prone to getting respiratory infections as they get older, and if their cage is not kept clean it can be easier for them to attract parasites. There are various ways to handle these problems if they do occur.

By taking good care of your pet rat, you can have a wonderful, fun, and healthy pet for 2-3 years! They are relatively inexpensive as long as they are kept healthy, and they will give you much satisfaction.

This is a great pet, and to learn more about pet rats, see this pet rat page.

Jasmine is a team member at Animal-World and has contributed many articles and write-ups.

Yellow Naped Amazon – Duke

Duke
"Who does this bird talk to? You might be surprised!"

Here’s what Linda says about Duke:

"Duke loves to play peek a boo he will go a round his big cage and see if your looking, also he will blow kisses and sing, he will hang upside down. He can sound just like the cats so he yells at them lol. He talks a lot and if he can’t see me he yells it’s not fair! I don’t care!rn"

"It sounds like Duke keeps you entertained all the time! The cats too Thanks for sharing your Amazon Parrot with us."

Common Dog Skin Problems

Even dogs can encounter skin conditions. They are covered in fur but the epidermis below can still be irritated by a number of things. Here is an introduction to some common causes of skin irritants and the problems they produce.

Dogs have an outer protective layer of skin just like we do. They also have hair follicles, although their hair is much longer on the skin than ours. It can be hard to see what is attacking that skin through the hair but that is where watching and knowing your pet comes in handy.

Most skin conditions are not comfortable for your dog. Prompt treatment can prevent much suffering on their part.

Skin Irritants / Allergies

They are as much a problem for dogs as they are for people. Environmental allergies are harder to nail down. It could be something that your dog comes in contact with while running and playing outside. More often than not it is due to flea or tick bites. If your dog is allergic, the symptoms can show up months after being bitten.

Allergies can cause itching and redness of the skin. Your dog might lick, scratch or chew his skin in an attempt to reach the spot and stop the problem. This can result in some hair loss from constant gnawing.

Talk to your veterinarian. If the cause is a flea or tick bite, applying medication or a repelling color may clear up the allergic reaction.

Just as hard is finding a food allergy. If all else fails and you are left with something in their diet causing the skin problem, try reducing their food to one protein and one vegetable. Add foods back into the diet until the allergen is found.

Bacteria

Bacterial infections are often a result of other skin problems. Your dog gnaws on his skin trying to scratch an itch and introduces bacteria from the skin into his bloodstream. Bacterial infections are characterized by hair loss, redness and inflammation at the site of infection.

This can potentially lead to yeast infections too. These are characterized by an increase in bacteria in warm moist places on the skin. Usually there will be a foul odor that is given off by the bacteria. The skin will be scaly and greasy feeling.

Parasites

Fleas and ticks usually lead to allergic reactions in dogs. Some more distressing reactions can be caused by mites. An example is the Demodex mite which leads to what we call mange in dogs. They lose their hair in spots, the skin gets scaly and it is red.

The key to finding the source of the skin problem in order to help your dog begins with noticing signs of change in the appearance of his skin or his other habits. Make sure to keep a look out and check your dog regularly to avoid any distress on his part.

Texel Guinea Pig – Sammy

Sammy
"What makes Sammy comfortable?"

Here’s what Denton says about Sammy:

"Sammy is very shy, but once you start to cuddle him he gets comfortable very quickly."

"Sammy is a beautiful texel. He would be very comfortable with us around too! Thanks for sharing Sammy with us."

Choosing the Best Pet for You

Types of Pets

"There are pets that suit all types of living situations – from small apartments to huge farms!"

Finding “what pet is right for me”, is the key to fun and successful pet ownership!

If you want a great companion pet, you want to make sure it is the best fit for you. The perfect pet can be any number of several types, depending on your lifestyle and your personality.

For some people, finding the best pet for themselves can be rewarding and fun. Many people indicate that they eventually find the “perfect” pet for them and how their lives were changed drastically for the better. You want to find a pet that will be a true member of your family… Read More

Hamster – Fluffy

Fluffy
"Fluffy was a joy to all who knew her!"

Here’s what Laurie says about Fluffy:

"Fluffy has now left this earth for the giant hamster wheel in the sky and I miss her terribly. I thought it might help to share her photos with other pet lovers. Fluffy was fun-loving and brought joy to everyone who knew her."

"Fluffy was an exceptionally cute friend. The pictures are awesome. Thanks for sharing your pictorial memorial with us. We will all miss her."

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