When's the last time your cat worked out? Daily exercise can help keep your furry friend healthy.
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Select your new dog with your lifestyle and living situation in mind. In addition to your new family member's personality, consider its temperament, size, and coat as well. Some breeds have traits that may be objectionable in certain circumstances, such as hyper excitability or a tendency to bark. Your veterinarian is a valuable resource and should be consulted before you acquire a pet of any kind.
Breed Selection
There are two types of dogs--purebred and mixed breed. The 124 recognized breeds are grouped into seven categories: hound, working, terrier, toy, sporting, non-sporting, and herding. There are thousands of mixed-breed combinations. Each purebred or mixed-breed dog has a unique personality. Dogs originally bred for a specific purpose tend to retain these characteristics. These dogs may require additional training and patience. Selecting a specific breed does not guarantee a particular behavior, but choosing offspring from animals with desirable temperaments does increase one's chances of getting the best pet. Mixed breeds can be as beautiful, intelligent, loving, and companionable as purebreds.Veterinarians, breed-specific books (usually available at libraries and pet stores), and dog shows are excellent sources of information about individual breed characteristics and needs.
Friend or Protector?
Most dogs, even tiny ones, bark when strangers approach their home or yard. This bark is usually enough to deter intruders. A pet should not be trained as an attack dog. Attack-trained dogs require special handling and knowledge to prevent accidental injury to people, including members of your own family.
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How to Help Your Cat Get More Exercise
Category: Newsletter Library, Cats
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9 Reasons Your Cat May Be Losing Weight
Category: Newsletter Library, Cats
Does your cat look thinner than usual? One of these nine reasons may explain why your cat is losing weight.
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The Canine Genome and DNA Testing
Category: Newsletter Library, Visiting the Vet
Have you ever looked at your adopted dog with its short legs, shaggy hair and brown spot encircling one eye, and wondered what dog breeds are in there? Now that science has decoded the DNA of dogs, science can tell us many things. Harvard and MIT programs unraveled the canine DNA sequence in 2006, which
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What to Do If Your Pet Eats Grass
Category: Newsletter Library, Recognizing Illness
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Euthanasia: Saying Goodbye
Category: Newsletter Library, Recognizing Illness
It's not easy to say goodbye to cherished pets, even those that have lived long, happy lives. Although you may hate the thought of life without your pet, euthanasia can be the kindest decision you can make when your friend is suffering. Making the Decision If your pet has been seriously injured in a
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How to Celebrate Your Pet During National Pet Month
Category: Newsletter Library, Seasonal Topics
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Managing Pet Allergies in Kids
Category: Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners
Are you concerned that your child's allergies may mean that you will have to give up your pet? Although rehoming a pet may be necessary if allergies are severe, most children can live with pets if you are willing to make a few changes. The Problem About three in 10 people who have allergies are allergic
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How to Tell A Pet's Age from Its Teeth
Category: Newsletter Library, Tips for Pet Owners
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Cat Food Labels: What Nutritional Facts and Ingredients to Look For
Category: Newsletter Library
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First Aid Basics for Pet Owners
Category: Newsletter Library
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What You Can Do to Protect Your Dog from Worms
Category: Newsletter Library
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How to Pet-Proof Your Home
Category: Newsletter Library
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Does Your Cat Need a Bath?
Category: Newsletter Library
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How Healthy Are Your Pet's Teeth?
Category: Newsletter Library
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What Your Cat's Eyes Can Tell You
Category: Newsletter Library
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The Best Dog Breed for Your Personality and Lifestyle
Category: Newsletter Library
If you're looking for a dog breed that has the temperament to match yours, these tips will help you find a great match in your new pet.
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