My Happy Pets

Turtle Care Sheets

2009-07-28T12:49:00.000-07:00

Our Turtle care sheets section is the perfect place to find information regarding specific turtles. Use the list below to find your species of turtle. If you cannot find what you are looking for maybe we can help you!

African Spurred Tortoise

Natural Location:

Sub-Saharan Africa

Estimated Size:

Up to 30” and 120 pounds.

Feeding & Water

A large portion of your African Spurred Tortoises food should be grasses, weeds, etc as this is usually high in fiber. Ensure that any greens fed to your tortoise do not contain any sort of pesticide.

African Spurred Tortoises should not be fed anything like cauliflower, cabbage, beans or tomatoes. These vegetables are too high in protein to be safely fed to this type of tortoise.

Temperature, Lighting & Humidity

If you are unable to provide unfiltered sunlight through time outside for your tortoise it will be necessary to use a UVB bulb throughout your tortoises development. The UVB light is required for your tortoise to produce Vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is important as it is used in shell growth.

A temperature gradient of 75 degrees F to 85 degrees F should be satisfactory for your African Spurred Tortoise. This will provide it with a good range of temperature for it to choose. Some sort of a basking light is welcome in the enclosure.

Housing

You will want to provide your African Spurred Tortoise with some sort of a substrate that will allow it to burrow. They do this a lot in the wild and will spend a lot of time doing so in captivity if it is provided with a suitable substrate.

While your tortoise is a juvenile be very careful of what you place in the cage because if something were to fall on it your tortoise may not be able to get out.

Common Map Turtle

Found all over North America, the Common Map Turtle looks like its namesake. The lines on their shells resembles a map.

Lifespan:	30 Years or more
Estimated Size:	5" to 11"
Natural Location:	North America

Feeding & Water
Common Map Turtles will eat both meat and vegetation. Feed them a wide variety of foods, including fish, crickets, earthworms, mealworms, waxworms, leafy green, carrots and even commercially prepared turtle food. Feed your young Map Turtles daily, and adults every second day. Make sure to include a calcium and multi-vitamin supplement to their food. The growth of their shell requires the calcium. Remove all feces from the water as soon as possible. Turtles normally defecate shortly after eating. You may also want to consider placing your turtle in a seperate feeding tank.

Temperature & Lighting
Provide a large heat gradient ranging from 65 degrees F to 90 degrees F. You can reach this level of heat by using an incandescent bulb or ceramic heat emitter. Your Common Map Turtle will need about 12 hours of full-spectrum lighting. The UVB lighting is extremely important for the healthy development of the turtle.

Housing
To live comfortably, Common Map Turtles need a fairly large enclosure. This will have to change as well as the turtle grows. Use a screen top on the tank. Provide a shallow area and a dry basking spot. Use rock or large pebbles for the bottom (anything that is too large to eat). Make sure your Map Turtles have a "ramp' to get into the water easily.

Desert Tortoise

Approximately 95% of a Desert Tortoises life is spent underground in its burrows. Because of this it has become very good at digging into the ground. It is also on the endangered species list.

Lifespan:	80 to 100 years
Estimated Size:	9" to 15" long, 4" to 6" tall, 8lbs to 15lbs
Natural Location:	Deserts of south-west USA and northern Mexico

Feeding & Water
Desert Tortoises will get their main food supply from any grass, weeds and dandelions that it finds in your yard. As long as these have not been sprayed with pesticides or fertilizer they will be safe for your tortoise. You can also feed them a supplement of vegetables such as broccoli, zucchini and romaine lettuce. Turtles have a relatively high calcium requirement, so it is best to sprinkle their food with a calcium supplement every couple days.

Temperature & Lighting
Lighting should not be a major concern if you are housing your tortoise outdoors. It will get sufficient amount of direct sun rays this way, just ensure that it has an area of shade at all times. That way your desert tortoise will be able to decide when it wants to bask. If you live in a region that is not as warm as where Desert Tortoises are from you will need to bring it in during the cold months or at least provide a house for it outside. If you are leaving it outside an area for your tortoise to burrow must be provided so they can escape the cold.

Housing
If you wish to have a healthy and thriving desert tortoise it must live outside in your yard. You can fence off a section of your yard for your tortoise, but it is best if you can allow it in the whole yard. Make sure all areas are escape-proof, and any pools are fenced off from your tortoise. Any poisonous plants must be removed from your yard and you will not be able to use pesticides on the lawn.

Malayan Box Turtle

Malayan Box Turtles are highly sought after in the food and medicinal markets in China.

Natural Location:

Asia

Average Lifespan:

30 to 40 years

Estimated Size:

8" to 10"

Feeding & Water

Malayan Box Turtles are mostly carnivorous, however they will also eat some greens. You may find that if you have live plants in their enclosure that they will snack on them throughout the day. Common meat includes worms, fish and snails.

Be sure not to overfeed Malayan Box Turtles, especially when they are young. If you feed them too much their body can outgrow their shell and result in a potentially fatal situation.

Some sort of a calcium and Vitamin D3 supplement is recommended for Malayan Box Turtles which are housed indoors. If they are housed outdoors you most likely do not need to provide them with additional Vitamin D3, but the calcium supplement is still recommended.

Temperature, Lighting & Humidity

A water temperature in the 75 degrees F to 80 degrees F range is sufficient for Malayan Box Turtles. They enjoy basking throughout the day, and their basking spot should be approximately 90 degrees F.

A full-spectrum fluorescent bulb should be used in the enclosure to provide enough UVB light for your turtle.

Housing

Malayan Box Turtles spend most of their time in the water. They do however come out frequently to eat and walk around. When they are young you should not have water which is any more than about 2 inches deep. This will allow the juvenile malayan box turtle to keep its feet on the ground while still being able to breathe above water.

It is important to provide your Malayan Box Turtle with a dry basking area under a heatlamp. Aquatic turtles must be able to dry themselves off after being in the water, or serious diseases can occur.

If housing Malayan Box Turtles outdoors in non-tropical areas beware that they do not hibernate. You will need to either bring them in during the winter or ensure that they have a warm place to stay.

Mud Turtle

Description	The large popularity of the Mud Turtle is mainly due to the fact that they are one of the easier turtles to care for.
Natural Location:	Mid North American to Central South America
Average Lifespan:	30 to 40 years
Estimated Size:	Up to almost 1'

Feeding & Water
Feeding for adult mud turtles should take place no more than 2 or 3 times per week. Since mud turtles are mostly carnivorous feed them items such as worms, crayfish, snails, fish and even some insects. The remainder of their diet can be made up of dark green leafy vegetables. A calcium supplement is necessary for all mud turtles. If your turtle is housed indoors provide it with vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is vital to the growth of your turtles shell and without direct sunlight exposure it will not receive an adequate amount.

Temperature, Lighting & Humidity
An air temperature of approximately 80 degrees F to 85 degrees F and water temperature of 70 degrees F should be maintained in the enclosure. A basking spot of 90 degrees F is a good idea for mud turtles. If your turtle does not make it outside very often it is a good idea to use a full spectrum UVB bulb to ensure your turtle receives adequate vitamin D3.

Housing
The water in your Mud Turtles aquarium should not be deeper than a few inches. This will allow them to easily reach the surface to breathe. A dry area such as a pile of rocks will be necessary so that the Mud Turtle will have a basking spot. You can also place some aquatic plants in the enclosure to help your mud turtle feel more safe and secure. To reduce the risk of your turtle becoming ill, ensure that a high water quality is maintained. Frequent water changes and a good filtration system are the best way to keep the water clean. Mud Turtles can be housed outside during warmer weather and is often recommended. Just be sure to secure the area to avoid having your turtle escape.

Musk Turtle

Musk Turtles are named for their 2 pairs of musk glands. This causes them to have a distinctive odor.

Natural Location:

North America

Average Lifespan:

30 to 50 years with proper care.

Estimated Size:

Up to 7"

Feeding & Water

Juvenile Musk Turtles feed primarily on small insects and are carnivorous. As they become older the start to feed on anything that is available causing them to become omnivorous. Common food for musk turtles includes worms, leeches, insects, minnows, tadpoles and frogs in addition to plant life.

Temperature, Lighting & Humidity

Musk Turtles that live in the northern states and Canada are forced to hibernate during the winter. Down south where it is warmer they are sometimes able to be active all year long. Normally temperature for your Musk Turtle should be in the 74 degrees F to 79 degrees F range. It is important to provide them with some sort of a temperature gradient within their enclosure so they can choose the optimal temperature. Water temperature should be between 70 degrees F and 77 degrees F.

Housing

An enclosure with dimensions of 24” x 18” x 12” should be sufficient for your Musk Turtle. It is important to frequently observe your turtle within its enclosure in order to better determine its preferences and environmental needs. Make adjustments slowly to not disturb them.

Painted Turtle

Painted Turtles live in ponds, marshes, swamps and creeks. Painted Turtles hibernate during the cold months by burying themselves in soft mud.

Lifespan:	15 to 25 years
Estimated Size:	6" to 8"
Natural Location:	Eastern USA

Feeding & Water
Feeding for Painted Turtles should only be done every other day, even if they seem to be begging for food in between. A Painted Turtles diet should consist of approximately 70% meat. The meat portion can come store-bought turtle food and fish. The fish should not be frozen, so either fresh-caught or live fish will do. Any sort of leafy, dark green vegetables will suffice for the remaining 30% of the Painted Turtles diet. Some sort of a multi-vitamin supplement containing Vitamin D3 can be applied to the food once or twice weekly to ensure a healthy turtle.

Temperature & Lighting
Air temperature should be kept between 85 degrees F and 89 degrees F in the basking area of your Painted Turtle. Even though Painted Turtles need an aquatic habitat, they still will need to come out of the water and bask in the light. This is important so that they can completely dry off and avoid diseases such as Shell Rot. Water temperature should be in the 70 degrees F to 75 degrees F range.

Housing
For painted turtles you should provide them with an aquatic habitat. The minimum recommended depth of its water is approximately the width of the painted turtles shell. You do not need to worry about a substrate as changing the water becomes very difficult with a substrate. Having some sort a filter in the water will maximize the allowable time between water changes.

Red-Eared Slider

Red-Eared Sliders have been one of the most popular pet turtles over the last few decades. They are named for the red stripes running horizontally across their faces, and their hurried movement when frightened.

Natural Location:

Eastern USA, Northern Mexico

Average Lifespan:

Up to 25 Years

Estimated Size:

6" to 12" in total length

Feeding & Water

Red-Eared Sliders require a varied diet of vegetables, fish and feeder insects. Make sure all insects are gut-loaded with healthy foods. Leafy vegetables and non-toxic plants will be eaten, so make sure to offer a variety of them. Small feeder fish and commercial turtle food should also be fed to your turtles. The majority of their diet should be vegetables and commercial food, keeping the animal protein level around 25% of their overall diet. Feed your turtles once a day, making sure to remove any waste immediatly, in an effort to keep the tank clean.

Temperature, Lighting & Humidity

Your Red-Eared Slider should be kept within a heat gradient ranging from 90 degrees F to 70 degrees F. The heat should be given using an incandescent bulb, mixed with a ceramic heat emitter. Your turtle will also need full-spectrum UVB lighting for 12 hours a day.

Housing

Your Red-Eared Slider needs a tank appropriate to their size. As they grow, increase the size of the tank. They need enough room to swim around and a dry part to bask. Make the dry area easily accessable, using a ramp like walkway from the water. The water area should have a deep end, and a shallow end. The turtle needs to be able to rest in the shallow end, leaving it's head sticking out of the water. The deep end doesn't need a substrate, but if you use one, make sure what you use is too big to be swallowed. Large pebbles or rocks work well.

Russian Tortoise

Natural Location:	Asia (Russia, Ukraine and parts of China)
Lifespan:	Up to 100 years
Estimated Size:	8" to 10"

Feeding & Water
Fruits contain a high level of sugar which has been known to cause digestive trouble in Russian Tortoises. For this reason fruits should be fed sparingly. Grasses such as dandelions and clover make up the primary food source for Russian Tortoises. Red leaf, and romaine lettuce are also excellent choices. Russian Tortoises require a large amount of calcium and fiber with low protein levels.

Temperature, Lighting & Humidity
A temperature gradient of 70 degrees F to 80 degrees F is recommended for Russian Tortoises. At night the temperature gradient should fall up to 5 degrees. During the day they will also need a warm basking area. As with all reptiles heat rocks are not the best idea for warm in the habitat as they can easily result in burns to your turtle. As with all turtles UVA and UVB light are an integral part of proper bone and shell development. Consequently, Russian Tortoises should receive 10 to 12 hours per day of direct UVA/UVB light.

Housing
While in the wild Russian Tortoises generally live in relatively dry conditions. You should attempt to mimick this in their captive habitat. Any sort of dry substrate such as newsprint or outdoor carpet will be adequate.

Spider Tortoise

Spider tortoises get their name due to the unique pattern on their shell resembling a spider web.

Lifespan:	Up to 50 years.
Estimated Size:	Up to 6"
Natural Location:	Madagascar

Feeding & Water
A Spider Tortoise requires a 100% herbivorous diet. You can feed them just about any type of fruit or vegetable that has been diced into small pieces. Tomatoes, berries, squash, apples, mushrooms and lettuce all make great choices. A large variation of food should be provided to give your tortoise a good selection. Clean water must always be provided for your Spider Tortoise to drink from. They will also use it to bathe in so it must be changed regularly.

Temperature & Lighting
An average humidity level of 77% is recommended for all Spider Tortoises. The hardest part about maintaining a Spider Tortoise is providing the proper humidity and temperature levels. In the wild these tortoises experience large temperature variations. To care for them properly means you must also mimic these temperature variations, but that can be very difficult to do in captivity. The lower end of the temperature scale would be about 55 degrees F all the way up to 85 degrees F.

Housing
In comparison to other tortoises and turtles, Spider Tortoises do not tend to need a large area in which to live. You can easily house a half dozen or even more in an enclosure the size of your average bathtub. As mentioned above it is incredibly important to provide Spider Tortoises with an appropriate temperature gradient and a relatively high humidity.

Star Tortoise

Description:	Star Tortoises have a yellow or tan head. Females are much larger than males and have a shell which is much broader.
Lifespan:	Up to 80 years
Estimated Size:	Up to 12"
Natural Location:	India

Feeding & Water
The best way to feed your Star Tortoise is to allow it long periods of grazzing time. It will happily forage around your yard for several hours a day. If you are going to allow your tortoise to graze in your yard you will not be able to use any sort of pesticides on your lawn or in your garden. Greens such as turnips and collards can be fed a couple of times per week. In addition, carrots, potatos and squash can also be offered, although this should not be done more than once per week. Some fruits such as apples, peaches, bananas and strawberries work well in smaller quantities to offer a variety in the diet of your Star Tortoise.

Temperature & Lighting
The optimal temperature for Star Tortoises is between 75 degrees F and 85 degrees F during the day and between 75 degrees F and 78 degrees F at night. Since Star Tortoises are not supposed to hibernate in the winter, you must provide them with a warm enough temperature that they do not attempt to do so. In the winter ensure that the daytime temperature does not dip below 70 degrees F during the day. A drop in nightime temperature is acceptable as long as it is not more than about 5 degrees F.

Housing
If their enclosure is too damp it can easily lead to skin infections in Star Tortoises as they are not adapted for wet conditions. Although Star Tortoises are not that large, they require a fair bit of room to graze as they like to move around a fair bit. Keeping your Star Tortoise outside will provide it with plenty of room to move about. Star Tortoises are not known for their digging capabilities however you should still ensure that their enclosure does not permit escape.

Wood Turtle

North American Wood Turtles are diurnal and generally very docile in nature. A proper environment is required for Wood Turtles in order to make them good pets.

Natural Location:

North America

Estimated Size:

7" to 8"

Feeding & Water

Wood turtles tend to eat just about anything that is edible. In the wild they have been observed to eat almost anything that will fit in their mouth. Given a choice they seem to prefer worms, beetles and other insects as well as fish. In terms of plant life they tend to prefer berries such as strawberries and raspberries.

Temperature, Lighting & Humidity

An air temperature gradient of 70 degrees F to 80 degrees F for your wood turtle seems to work well. The water should be slightly cooler; between 60 degrees F and 70 degrees F.

Housing

In the wild Wood Turtles rarely leave an area of water. They prefer the cooler water in the shade. Adults should have an area of water that is approximately 2 feet deep. About half the area of the enclosure should be land with the remaining being water.

Wood Turtles in general should be housed outside. Juveniles and near-adults can be housed indoors, but ultimately will need to be moved outside.

General Turtle Information

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Our General Turtle information section provides a broad range of turtle care topics. If you are interested in more specific info regarding a specific species be sure to browse through our turtle care sheets.

Determining the Age of your Turtle

Like humans, mammals, fish and all creatures, different turtles live to different ages. Turtles in the wild will live different lengths than turtles in captivity. The care you give you turtle will also play a large role in their longevity.

The average lifespan of a turtle is 50 - 80 years. Box turtles can reach 100 years of age, but this is fairly rare. There have been cases of tortoises reaching 300 years of age, but again this is incredibly rare. Keep this in mind when buying a turtle as you will have to provide care for it for many years to come. Most turtle owners do not realize this when they buy one.

With the safety of captive care and living, a turtle will generally live longer lives than their cousins in the wild. Predators, natural disasters, and random conditions that can not be controlled kill off thousands of turtles each year.

It is near impossible to tell the age of a turtle. The lines on their shells, unlike trees, do not paint an accurate picture of age. These lines are however useful in obtaining an estimate of how old the turtle may be. The older it gets though the less accurate it becomes as layers of the carapace will fall off over time.

All in all, turtles live for a very long time. In many cases, if you decide to buy a turtle as a pet, you are buying a pet for life. So be ready, be prepared, and give your turtle the long, healthy, and happy life it deserves.

Foods to Avoid for Turtles

Although many people feed their turtles lettuce and celery it has little or no nutritional value that will benefit your turtle. Dark, leafy greens are usually the best option for turtles. Tortoises that are allowed to graze outdoors and forage for their own food will likely receive the best diet. Keep in mind that all species of turtles have their own requirements for food so be sure to review our turtle care sheets first.

Avoid feeding your turtle any food which has a high level of salt. Most food that is available in the supermarket is too high in salt for turtles.

Any food that is too high in fat. This includes canned dog and cat food. Hamburger meat and ground beef in general is also too high in fat content for your turtle. Feeding your turtle these types of food can quickly lead to the turtle gaining excess weight.

Rhubarb and spinach is very high in oxalic acids. This prevents proper calcium absorbtion which can lead to bone disease in your turtle. There is nothing wrong with feeding your turtles these items in small quantities just do not make it a primary part of their diet. You can read more about this and other turtle diseases in our health section.

Scottish Terrier

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Country of Origin: Scotland

Many popular breeds of terriers originate from Scotland and the Scottish Terrier is likely the most notable of them all. Although the Scottish Terrier is relatively small it has a very muscular body and can run quickly when necessary. A full-grown Scottish Terrier usually weighs approximately 20 pounds.

These terriers have a lot of energy which is one of the reasons they are so popular. Despite their small size, the Scottish Terrier is known for being a stubborn dog. To avoid this behaviour it is important to be firm with them from an early age, otherwise it is difficult or impossible to correct this behavior afterwards when they are full-grown.

Yorkshire Terrier

2009-07-28T12:23:00.000-07:00

Country of Origin: Scotland

Despite its name the Yorkshire Terrier is classified as a toy dog by most of the major dog clubs. They are so small that they rarely exceed a weight of 7 pounds, even when full grown. The Labrador Retriever is the only dog in the United States that is more popular than the Yorkshire Terrier. These dogs are very athletic in nature. Despite their small body they are actually quite muscular which aids in their active lifestyle.

Yorkshire Terriers only have a single coat. Their hair continues to grow as opposed to regularly shedding which is good for dog owners who have allergies. Dander which is present in the coats of most dogs is absent for the most part in the coats of Yorkshire Terriers. This absence of dander helps alleviate the foul odor that most dogs have when they are wet.

Welsh Terrier

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Country of Origin: Wales

The Welsh Terrier makes an excellent companion for hunting small game such as birds and fox. This is what it was mainly used for in the past, however nowadays the Welsh Terrier is commonly kept as a household pet.

As is typical with terriers, the Welsh Terrier has a soft undercoat as well as a rough protective outter coat.

Terriers in general are noted for having a fair size temper as well as being very energetic in nature. This holds true in both respects for the Welsh Terrier. However, if raised properly from a young age they can make great pets as their tempers are more easily controlled.

Ferret Health & Diseases

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Generally ferrets are easy to care for and do not incur a lot of diseases. However, occassionally a ferret will obtain an sickness or disease. Since this is not very common there is not a great deal of information available about treating sick ferrets. This section should help you if you run into this situation.

Adrenal

Adrenal disease affects the glands of ferrets that grow their fur. For this reason the disease will most likely be noticed during either the spring or fall seasons. If the disease has progressed significatly it is likely that when the ferret sheds its winter coat, nothing will grow back. If it has not progressed to an advanced stage the hair loss will begin at the tail of the ferret and then continue towards its head.

The biggest problem with adrenal is that it is still unknown how infected ferrets obtain the disease. One thought is that an improper diet may have something to do with it but at this point that has not been proven.

Common signs of this disease include the ferret have difficulty defecating and/or urinating. As mentinoed above hair loss is the end result but small amounts of hair loss around the tail may be noticable early on.

If you notice any of these signs be sure to take your ferret to the veterinarian as some treatment options do exist. Furthermore, fur loss is a sign of other diseases as well so it may not necessarily be adrenal that you are dealing with. Either way a veterinarian will be able to help you.

Ear Mites

Ear mites will occassionally affect ferrets. This generally only occurs when the living conditions are not up to par. Since ferrets generally are allowed to roam around the house the ear mites can come from a variety of places. For this reason you must take care to ensure that any area the ferret is allowed to go is sufficiently clean to avoid the transfer of diseases and infections.

Signs of ear mites in ferrets includes a brownish looking discharge from the ears. If you notice your ferret excessively scratching its ears, that can also be a sign of ear mites.

Usually veterinarian treatment is recommended for mites that are living in the ear of a ferret. This is because the ear is much more sensitive than the rest of its body. There are however treatments that you can purchase from your local pet store that should be able to rid your ferret of the mites.

Heat Stroke

All animals are susceptible to heat stroke. Small animals are at the greatest risk and ferrets are no different. The most common cause of heat stroke is prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. This occurs usually when the ferret is locked in its cage and the cage is near a window. During the hot summer months take special care when leaving your ferret along to ensure that heat stroke does not occur. Giving it a fresh supply of cool drinking water will also help it reduce its body temperature.

Heat stroke can be fatal if steps are not taken to remove the ferret from the heat. If you suspect that your ferret does have heat stroke take appropriate steps to slowly cools its body down and then immediately take it to a veterinarian.

Norwich Terrier

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Country of Origin: United Kingdom

Most breeds of terriers were originally bred to hunt a specific type of animal. The Norwich Terrier is no different as they were developed to hunt rodents and other small creatures. The Norwich Terrier is too small to hunt anything much larger.

The coat of the Norwich Terrier is typically brown or red in color although a couple other colors do exist which includes black and gray. Their coat also consists of two layers.

Norwich Terriers are much more affectionate than most other terriers which makes them much more suitable for pets. They also are known to bark very little, this fact contributes to their desirability as a pet. Be sure to allow your Norwich Terrier plenty of exercise as they are very active little dogs.

Cairn Terrier

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Country of Origin: Scotland

Along with the more popular Scottish and Skye Terriers, the Cairn Terrier also originates in Scotland. Although officially considered a terrier, the Cairn Terrier is also classified as a working dog. Its small size makes it particularly good at hunting prey which burrows in the ground. Even if the Cairn Terrier is not hunting prey it loves to dig in the ground. The Cairn Terrier is believed to be one of the oldest breeds of terriers.

The Cairn Terrier has two coats. The inner coat is very dense and soft, while the outter coat is more like a brush.

Most terriers are known for having a strong-willed personailty and the Carin Terrier is no different. For this reason they typically do not make good lap dogs, this is coupled with the fact that they are usually full of energy.

Making sense of a bird cage and bird toys

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Your child struggled with a bully most of the school year, and ended up breaking her leg on the school picnic. She isn't going to be able to do much the first several weeks of summer, so you decide to get her something she's asked for every Christmas and birthday, a bird. But you're a dog person, and don't know the first thing about this bird and its needs. What kind of bird cage are you going to need? Do you really have to have all the bird toys and gadgets you see in the cages of friends?

A bird cage is your pet's home, and you'll want to give them a good bit of room to move around in. Birds are happiest when they can flutter about. Sure, your daughter and others in your family will want to take the bird out and play with it. But you can't keep it out all the time it needs to exercise. First, you need to decide what kind of bird you want to get. Different species requires different attributes in their homes. Set the bird cage up near a window so your bird can get natural light and fresh air. Some people even set them cages outside. In a moderate climate, that's wonderful to do. You want to look for a metal cage, which is much easier to clean than anything else on the market.

You will need to set up different perches in your bird cage so that your pet can get the exercise it needs while in its cage. Obviously one needs to be by its food and water. You don't want the cage to be cluttered, so put two or three perches in there.

Birds love bird toys, and want a variety of toys. You may want to purchase several toys and trade a couple once a month or something like that. Birds are intelligent animals that need to be stimulated. Toys also help maintain your bird's beak and nails. bird toys also allow birds to use their energy wisely, instead of screaming or nipping at people. You will want to make sure that every toy you buy is sturdy and will not fall apart. They should also be toxic free. You are going to need to replace toys because birds need to chew on things. And it is far better to replace toys than furniture.

Okay, so it is necessary to have bird toys, but what kind of toys do birds like? Ropes always make good toys. Bells are another things most birds really enjoy. These pets are also attracted to anything that is colorful and bright. They also like and need to figure things out. So one thing you can try is to put some colorful objects in a bottle and let them figure out how to open the bottle and get everything out. Birds even like playing with toilet paper rolls.

Now that you know what to look for in a bird cage and bird toys, go out and get what you need today. Your daughter will be glad that you did.

Nutrition For Your Developing Puppy

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Puppy nutrition is crucial to proper puppy development – yet hardly any owners can keep up with their rapidly-developing puppies' nutritional requirements. Many puppies experience less-than-optimal brain and nervous system development due to improper nutrition. The implications of this are long-lasting and may result in shortened life span or decreased quality of life. Most puppy foods today lack the specific nutrients which stimulate development and enhance sensory and cognitive functioning – key underpinnings for puppy training. A surprisingly high number of puppies, more so females, are also affected by Urinary Tract Infections.

Common health problems found in puppies are caused by a lack of several critical nutrients in their diet. The first of these is Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). DHA is commonly found in fish, but the highest-quality DHA comes from microalgae. In fact most people do not know that even fish obtain their DHA from microalgae they consume. Aside from being fully vegetarian, sustainably grown microalgae contains none of the heavy metals, PCB’s or dioxins commonly found in fish oils. DHA plays an essential role in brain development. Scientific studies have confirmed that a diet high in DHA improves eyesight, learning, memory and concentration – all essential for proper puppy development, particularly for those who want a smart and easy-to-train puppy.

A second nutrient that works in synergy with DHA to improve nervous system development is choline. Choline helps with proper nerve cell transmission and is also essential for maintaining an optimal growth rate and good appetite in puppies.

The third class of nutrients for ensuring the health of puppies into adulthood are Phytochemicals, (literally plant derived chemicals). Particularly enriched in berries like cranberries, phytochemicals particularly anthocyanidins are critical for maintaining a healthy urinary tract in puppies. These compounds keep E.Coli, the bacteria responsible for up to 90% of all UTIs, from adhering to the urinary tract lining. With a diet high in anthocyanidins, puppies enjoy a greatly reduced risk of contracting UTIs and healthy kidney function.
The inclusion of berries in your puppies diet has many additional benefits too. Cranberries are the world’s healthiest fruits and are high in antioxidants called Polyphenols. Polyphenols help rid the body of free radicals, harmful compounds which damage internal tissue and arteries. Puppies that consistently ingest high levels of polyphenols can look forward to a long and healthy life.

Despite the strong health benefits of DHA, anthocyanidins and polyphenols, puppy owners worry their pet will not eat berries in sufficient quantities to attain significant health benefits – not to mention the cost of feeding a growing dog fresh berries. It may also be difficult to obtain high quality sources of DHA from micro algae. Fortunately, recent advances in pet nutrition give consumers a growing variety of concentrated pet supplements which can be added to a puppy’s meal each day. Not all supplements are created equal: look for those which are certified organic, vegetarian, food-grade (e.g. Kosher), and made exclusively with natural ingredients.

Puppies face many health and developmental challenges as they become adult dogs, but their odds of encountering degenerative diseases like cancer, arthritis and immune dysfunction can be greatly reduced with proper nutrition. By incorporating DHA, choline, anthocyanidins and antioxidants into your puppy’s diet, you can help guarantee your puppy a healthy childhood and adolescence.

Most Popular Miniature Dogs

2009-07-24T12:23:00.000-07:00

Miniature dogs are smaller types of the dog family. They are commonly called toy dogs because of their small size. Learn more on some of the most popular miniature dogs.

Many people all over the world own dogs for different reasons. They are considered as man’s best friend. There are so many breeds of dogs with different characteristics and abilities.

Miniature dogs are the most popular nowadays among the types of dogs because they are easier to take care. Miniature dogs or sometimes called toy dogs are basically smaller types of dogs than the regular ones.

Many miniature dog owners feel the greater advantages of owning small dogs. For starters, smaller dogs do not consume as much food as compared to bigger dogs. Toy dogs also do not require too much space in their house or backyard. These dogs can easily adapt to owners who live in small apartments as they do not require too much exercise.

Though these dogs are small in size, they have strong and distinct personality. They are also ideal pets for younger children and a good playmate.

If you are interested in owning a miniature dog as your pet, it is important for you to understand that these dogs have special characteristics and needs. For example, the elderly would be more inclined to gentle and affectionate dogs for companion. Some would prefer the kind they could bring with them when hunting. Your lifestyle and personality should be considered when choosing what breed to get. You should also consider your financial capability in terms of providing the necessary food and grooming also.

Many breed of miniature dogs have an excellent intelligence just like the Shetland Sheepdogs. Some are good for dog shows while others are ideal as watchdogs.

Here are some of the most favorite miniature dogs of many pet lovers.

Miniature Poodle
Miniature poodles are considered one of the most popular breed in the world. Poodles are very friendly, obedient and intelligent. This type of dog excels in the field of obedience competitions. They are the most common types used for dog shows. They live longer compared to other types of dogs. Poodles need a lot of grooming and regular bath to maintain its hair.

This breed of dog is originally hairy retriever that has been used to protect flock of sheep. The word poodle was derived from a German word puddle. The miniature poodle that we have known today has originated from the standard poodle from Germany.

Shih Tzu
This breed of miniature dog is fun, loving and intelligent. This toy dog would love to be cuddled and adored. This type of dog likes to be groomed daily and walked on regular places. They are also considered as good guard dogs.

If you decide to own a shih tzu, it is important to groom it daily, otherwise its hair would develop tangles. The coat should also be trimmed in order not to hinder with its daily activities. Its furry body is also prone to nits and ticks so make sure it is bathed and shampooed regularly.

The breed of the Shih Tzu is the result of crossed breeding of Pekingese and Lhasa Apso by the Chinese people. During the time of Empress Tzu-his, the exportation of these breed of dogs is not allowed. It was until the death of the Empress that Shih Tzu dogs were smuggled and reached Europe.

Chihuahua
The Chihuahua is another breed of miniature dog. They are basically easy to maintain compared to other types of miniature dogs. It is the smallest dog breed in the whole world.

Its name was taken from a state in Mexico. These dogs are considered sacred for the Incas.

Whatever breed of miniature dogs you chose as your pet, it is important to know enough information with regards to the characteristics, maintenance needs and abilities before deciding on owning one as your pet.

Puppies Get Bored Too

2009-07-24T12:21:00.000-07:00

Puppies need exercise and lots of attention. Otherwise, they may start to entertain themselves doing things that will annoy you. Play with the pup and interact by giving praise or a scratch between the ears. Take him for a short ride down the road.

Bored puppies can pick up some really bad habits. Some of these are really hard to break. Start showing correct behavior when you see the puppy doing the wrong one. Give a treat and praise him when he performs the right behavior.

Licking is a big one. Excessive licking may mean a problem for the vet, or the puppy could just be bored. A bath may help to calm and soothe. Praise the puppy for staying still in the bath.

Whining is hard to deal with at times. If they have been put to bed, maybe place the crate in your room so they know you are near. But each time you go in to check on them, when they whine, reinforces the behavior.
Whining can mean several different things. Some good and some bad. A dog who is housetrained may need to go outside. A sudden yelping whine may mean he is in pain and a trip to the vet is needed.

Some dogs whine when you are eating because they want your food. Some whine to be let in the house. The most important thing is not to give in. Teach them by praising during the quiet times. Then they learn when they are quiet, they will get praise and attention.

Puppies will chew everything in sight from shoes, books, or papers. He may be teething, and like his human counterpart, his gums are sore or itching. Sometimes he is just trying to entertain himself. Make sure he has toys that he can chew and praise him for chewing the right ones. Say NO in a low voice so he will know you disapprove of his actons.

Pet Food Market now runs into Billions

2009-07-24T12:15:00.000-07:00

The pet food market is a billion dollar industry. Manufacturers of dog foods and cat foods play on the sentimental feelings (and love for their pet) of every animal owner. The best ingredients are promised to have been used for yet another type of exquisite dog food that you simply need to buy to make sure that your beloved pet will lead a long and healthy life.

Just as with people there is a current trend of companies offering (and promoting of course) natural pet foods. The ingredients that are used in common commercial pet foods are not always the best and may even jeopardize your pet's well being. Dog food sometimes contains too much salt, colorings and modifiers. Kidney problems or food allergies may surface when a pet gets older so many vets believe that a good and healthy diet is the key to a long and healthy life.

Choosing foods with natural ingredients is of course no guarantee for a longer life but there is something to be said for natural foods. Too many sugars in dog treats and biscuits may cause diabetes and other health problems that may go unnoticed for a long period of time. It all depends on the personal preferences of a dog or cat owner and consulting a vet to find out what diet is best for your animal is of course always a good idea as switching to another diet may not always be the best choice for you and your pet.

My Happy Pets

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Making sense of a bird cage and bird toys

Nutrition For Your Developing Puppy

Most Popular Miniature Dogs

Puppies Get Bored Too

Pet Food Market now runs into Billions