If you are looking for a cat breed that won’t mind if your children decide they want to play dress up, you may want to take a look at the Ragamuffin cat breed. These cats are very tolerant of children and other pets and will allow children to play games that would have other cat breeds and even many dog breeds running for cover.

The same characteristics that make the Ragamuffin such a wonderful family pet make it a bad choice for people who are not home for long periods of time. This breed thrives on attention and enjoys ‘helping’ its family do routine household chores, such as putting away groceries or folding laundry. Spending a lot of time alone can make your cat very unhappy. After all, a cat breed that will ride around in your child’s doll carriage or attend a tea party obviously loves plenty of company and attention.

The Ragamuffin is one of the biggest cat breeds, weighing in at a very hefty ten to twenty pounds. Although these cats have larger than normal bones, part of their weight also comes from their tendency to carry a bit of extra fat on their bellies. This breed has a big, solidly built body, a wedge shaped head that is a bit round and large eyes that are so expressive that many people say that their cats seem to talk with their eyes. This breed has a long, gracefully tapered tail that is covered in long hair, giving it a bushy appearance. You can find the Ragamuffin in almost any coat color and any pattern. However cats with points can not be shown.

The Cat Fancier’s Association classifies the Ragamuffin as a member of the Miscellaneous class. This cat breed is the only one currently in this category. As the breed becomes more established, it will eventually move to the Provisional class. While the Ragamuffin can be shown, it can not receive any ribbons or awards until it moves from the Miscellaneous class and into a different class.

Ragamuffins have long hair with an extremely soft texture. Despite the fact that these cats are longhairs, the silkiness of their hair makes them easy to care for. This breed is not prone to developing matted hair and one of these cats only needs to be groomed about once a week to keep his coat looking beautiful and tangle free.

Since these cats have a tendency to carry a few more pounds than necessary around their stomachs, you may need to keep a close eye on your Ragamuffin’s weight. If he grows too overweight, you should ask your veterinarian about feeding your cat a weight management cat food. Except for this weight problem, this cat breed has no hereditary health conditions and is an extremely healthy breed overall.

If you want a large, gentle cat that actually enjoys being around children, then the Ragamuffin is the perfect breed for you.

I would love to share my secrets with you and my new special articles on
ebooks-marketplace.com/cats/index.html cat training do just that! Everything you need to know to train your cat is included in these special reports: See our section on Cat Breads.

Related posts

• Yorkshire Terrier Care (0)
• Working Dog Breeds: The Top Ten Dogs Of This Group (0)
• Why Have A Corgi In The Family? (0)
• Whippet Puppy And Dog Information (0)
• What Is The Right Puppy Breed For Me? (0)

Tags: cat breed, dog breed, dog breeds, groom

House training a puppy need not be that difficult and can actually be enjoyable. Playtime with your new puppy can be fun, but did you also know that it could be the first steps in your puppy’s education as well? Even in the wild, young wolf cubs learn about their world through play and your puppy is no different. By utilizing play as a tool you can effectively teach your pup all the basics that will help her be a well-behaved dog when she grows up.

There are three basic things that a puppy - even one as young as six weeks old - needs to start learning. The first and most useful of those things is simply the word, “No.” You will be using that command repeatedly during your relationship with your dog and so it is very important that he knows it from the start.

And it’s easy. Dogs, even puppies, are adept at recognizing tone of voice. When they learn to associate a displeased, forceful tone of voice with the word no, you will not in the future have to be so forceful in your utterances. But first you do have to get his attention. When the pup does something wrong, simply pick him up, gain eye contact and tell him very firmly, “No.” It will get an immediate reaction. Depending on your pup’s personality, he will drop his head and become sheepish, growl or attempt to talk you out of it by asking you to play. If either of the latter two happens, you will have to repeat the command to show that you are not kidding.

Then, simply let it go. Put the pup down and keep a watchful eye on his response. A rebellious pup may repeat the action as a way to test you, in which case you need to repeat the process. Be gentle, but be firm and consistent and your pup should get the message.

As for the other things that your baby needs to know, you will probably default to teaching him the proper way to go potty. This is actually easier than you might think, as pups are a lot smarter than they look. Timing is, however, everything. If you notice a puddle on the floor and your pup has since gone off to play with his ball, the only thing you can do is clean it up and watch him more closely. Don’t rub his nose in it, or he will simply be hurt and confused. What you want to do is catch him in the act. When you see him start to take a tinkle, grab him and take him outside. Chances are he will be so shocked that he will save some for the yard, and when he goes there you can praise him lavishly.

The third thing that your pup needs to know is that he should never put his teeth on a human being. This is a tough one, as it is so much fun to play “bite” with a youngster. But when they are older, you really don’t want them to play so rough. So when you play with him, be sure to do so with toys that are okay for him to bite. If he bites when you are trying to pet him, tell him no and give him his toy or put his toy right in his mouth. If he persists, pick him up and tell him no. If you are consistent, you should get good results.

When your pup has accomplished learning her first command, or goes outside instead of on the floor and stops puppy-biting, she is well on her way to graduating from puppy to a well-mannered adult.

Jack Chambers is an avid dog lover and research writer on a number of onlinedogbreeds.com/index.php” target=”_blank dog behavior topics at onlinedogbreeds.com onlinedogbreeds.com You can find a great source of dog related information on a variety of topics from finding the right onlinedogbreeds.com/Best-Dogs-For-Families-With-Kids.php” target=”_blank dog breeds for young children to a number of dog health issues and more.

Related posts

• Solutions to Dog Fear Based Problems and Territory Marking (0)
• Puppy Training 101 - The Best Way to Potty Train Your Dog (0)
• Puppy Selection Process (0)
• Potty Training for Puppy Dogs (0)
• Mixed Dog Breeds versus Purebreds: Which is Right for You? (0)

Tags: dog breed, dog breeds, puppy training

As our dogs get older, they become subject to a number of age-related diseases such as canine diabetes. Diabetes in older dogs is a common metabolic disorder in which insufficient insulin is produced to process the amount of glucose required for energy. Alternatively the dog’s insulin receptors may be insensitive to the insulin produced and again insufficient glucose is processed to provide the required energy. Overweight dogs have a large amount of body fat which tends to reduce insulin production and they are therefore more susceptible to developing diabetes. Females develop diabetes about twice as often as male dogs. With proper treatment dogs can continue to live a fairly normal life. The first step in treating our beloved companion is to recognize the symptoms of age-related canine diabetes.

Diabetes Symptoms – Age-related diabetes is diabetes mellitus in which insulin is not available in sufficient quantity to remove glucose from the blood and convert it into energy. The result is too much glucose in the blood and too little in the cells which disrupts the normal functioning of the body. The early signs of diabetes that can be detected usually include increased thirst, more frequent urination and accidents or a break in housetraining. This is usually accompanied by an increase in appetite but also a weight loss. Later signs of diabetes may include bad breath that smells of ketones, vomiting, cataracts and blindness. As soon as you detect any symptoms that may be diabetes-related talk to your veterinarian. Your vet will test blood glucose levels for blood sugar control. Upon determining the presence of diabetes, your vet will probably recommend a two-pronged approach to treating diabetes. These include diet and exercise and insulin treatment.

Diet and Exercise – In the initial stages of diabetes, most dogs are too fat and don’t get enough exercise. Your veterinarian will probably recommend a high-fiber/complex carbohydrate diet to help reduce weight and slow down the rate at which food is digested and glucose released into the bloodstream. She will also recommend you feed your dog two or three smaller meals a day to reduce the spikes in blood glucose entering the body. The goal of a diabetes diet is to keep blood glucose levels as level or even as possible and minimize spikes in your dog’s blood glucose. Increasing the amount of exercise your dog receives will also help him to lose weight and ultimately lower blood glucose levels.

Insulin Treatment – Insulin treatment can involve giving oral diabetic medication but the vast majority of cases will require insulin injections. You will work with your veterinarian to select the best type of insulin and frequency of injections. Most diabetic dogs will require twice daily injections and regular visits to the vet to monitor the effect of dosages on blood glucose levels. Initially it is important to monitor blood glucose levels carefully as too little or too much insulin can have a very serious impact on your dog’s life. Diabetic coma can result if your dog exercises too much and/or misses a meal. Too much insulin can result in an adverse insulin reaction and your dog will need additional glucose to prevent weakness and convulsions. Insulin shots are easy to administer and most owners will become proficient in using blood and urine test strips to monitor blood glucose levels and adjust dosages.

Canine diabetes in the aging dog can be managed to maintain your dog’s quality of life and extend his life expectancy to three or more years. Untreated diabetes can result in many complications including kidney disease, blindness and death. See dog-breed-facts.com/old-senior-dogs.html for additional information on age-related canine diseases.

Mike Mathews is a contributing writer and editor for the popular dog breed site: dog-breed-facts.com Dog Breed Facts. He provides informative, real-world advice and tips on dog breeds, dog health, dog grooming and more. As well be sure to check out his new E-Book choosingadog.dog-breed-facts.com/” title”Choosing a Dog For Your Lifestyle Choosing a Dog For Your Lifestyle

Related posts

• How to Find a Sitter for Your Dog (0)
• Working Dog Breeds: The Top Ten Dogs Of This Group (0)
• Toy Dog Breeds: The Top Ten Dogs Of This Group (0)
• Toy and Small Dog Clothes (0)
• The Royal Pug (0)

Tags: dog breed, dog breeds, dog grooming, feed your dog, groom

Have you taken your dog to the vet recently? Did you balk at the cost of a regular check up or the price tag of your dog’s medicine? In a more extreme example, your dog may have eaten something that didn’t agree with them and they are convulsing and coughing up blood. This frightens you and you rush them to the emergency vet hospital. The vet has trouble ascertaining the cause of their distress and runs several tests and pumps a plethora of medicines in your dog’s body.

Of course you love your dog and will do anything to save him. However, after the fright of the situation wears off you realize that your dog has racked up quite a vet bill. In fact, the bill may be over $1,000. Wow! There is no question that you should save your dog’s life by any means possible, but if this type of situation happens more than once your bank account might dwindle to nothing. Therefore, you need to purchase pet insurance for your dog.

Pet insurance for your dog you ask? Yes, you can purchase pet insurance for your canine companion. It is a great idea to purchase pet insurance for many reasons. Was your dog born with birth defects and other chronic problems? For example, some dogs are born with misplaced knee caps, “trick knees”, and will need costly surgery in the future. Another reason to buy pet insurance for your pet is that if they are getting on in years. Many times dogs will hit a certain age and it seems as if they are struck with several health problems at once.

Pet insurance is also a good option if you have an overly active or working dog. Does your dog tend to run around the country side and come home with scrapes and bruises? Do they bring home disease infested rodents for your viewing pleasure? Do they feel compelled to eat trash that is filled with bacteria even when they know they aren’t supposed to? Do you have more than one dog and fear the spread of a dog illnesses or infections? Pet insurance is something to consider in any of these cases.

How does pet insurance work? Pet insurance is very similar to your own health insurance plan. There are several different pet insurance plans to choose from that range in the amount of services and cost. Many pet insurance plans offer coverage regarding annual checkups, lab tests, vaccinations, drugs/medications, spaying/neutering and emergency visits. Often you will visit the vet, pay for the service and then submit your claim to the pet insurance company.

The range of coverage varies as does the deductible and reimbursement percentage. Some pet insurance plans will pay up to 80% of your vet bill after you have reached the $100 deductible. Pet insurance is an especially thankful gift when your dog has an emergency and racks up the medical costs.

In addition, pet insurance plans also allow you to choose the veterinarian you would like your dog to see. You do not have to worry about veterinarians “in your network” like you commonly do with your own health insurance plan.

When choosing a pet insurance plan you have a host of pet insurane companies available. Many of these companies have websites that can provide you an instant pet insurance quote. You type your contact information, the breed of your dog, and your dog’s age. You can find the costs for pet insurance plans that are basic to comprehensive and whether you want to pay the pet insurance premium monthly or once a year.

It depends on the age and breed of your dog, but you can find pet insurance premiums as low as $10-$15 per month. As your dog gets older, the cost will increase slightly due to the fact that older canines are prone to more illnesses and veterinarian visits. This rise in cost can be offset greatly by the amount of money you will save by purchasing a pet insurance plan.

Think pet insurance is too high or unnecessary? Consider the fact that if you don’t purchase pet insurance, you will have to pay the full amount for every vet service out of your pocket. This can soon add up to over thousands of dollars during your dog’s lifetime.

If your dog is susceptible to illness or you find yourself at the vet’s office often then check out pet insurance plans. You can peruse the Internet for instant quotes or contact your vet for possible pet insurance options. Finding pet insurance is as easy as signing up on the Internet. If you don’t feel comfortable with the Internet, then seek out the guidance of your vet. They may know well respected pet insurance companies that offer affordable pet insurance plans. Your pooch and your pocket book will thank you.

Katie Brandt’s website, dog-breeds-infosite.com/ dog-breeds-infosite.com is the ultimate dog lover’s resource. Research dog breeds & get free tips on dog training, dog supplies, dog health, dog school, dog grooming, dog laws, dog products & how to find dog sitters & dog walkers.

Related posts

• Working Dog Breeds: The Top Ten Dogs Of This Group (0)
• Toy Dog Breeds: The Top Ten Dogs Of This Group (0)
• Toy and Small Dog Clothes (0)
• The Royal Pug (0)
• Sporting Dog Breeds: The Top Ten Dogs In This Group (0)

Tags: dog breed, dog breeds, dog grooming, dog training, groom

Give your new pup a few days to adjust to his new home. Hopefully, your new pup is at least 8 weeks of age or older when you adopt. A good breeder or good rescue organization will have you wait until at least 8 weeks of age before surrendering a pup to his new home.

Initially, when you take your puppy home, give him a walk through tour of your home on his leash. It is important to let him sniff around the rooms of his new home. It is best to keep him on his leash so you can control the situation (some what!)

Potty training can start the day you bring your new bundle of loving fur home. You will need to be patient and loving with your new dog. The best way to start, is to walk your dog on your own lawn every 15 minutes for the first few days. No, I’m not kidding! Dogs are very smart and will quickly understand that potty belongs outside. The secondary benefit to this is that your puppy will also need to learn how to walk on a leash. These frequent trips outside will help.

If your new puppy decides to mark his new territory inside the house or continues to pee after a play session, start out by startling him AS HE IS GOING… You will need to say, “Potty outside…potty outside…potty outside”. Keep repeating this phrase as you pick up your puppy, put on his leash and take him out immediately. The moment you step outside the door of your house, you will need to reinforce, “Potty outside…potty outside…potty outside”. By now you are probably thinking, oh boy what have I gotten myself into! All I can tell you is that potty training really isn’t that bad IF you get your entire family to use the same commands and act constantly when these little mistakes occur. This puppy is a part of the entire family and as such, the entire family needs to be equally accountable for the potty training process.

Your nighttime routine should be to crate you new puppy. Dogs as pack animals, like the security of sleeping in an enclosed “safe” space. Also, dogs do not like to dirty in the spot where they sleep.

Some dogs will be potty trained very easily and the whole process may take just a couple of days to weeks. I have also had the more “normal” puppy experience, in that my last dog it took us about 4 months to completely potty train. The good news is once you are through the potty training process both you and your dog will feel great and really look forward to those daily walks!

Donna Skolnick is a respected industry leader in the pet industry. She runs MyDogsBreed.com, a free mydogsbreed.com dog breed directory to help people learn about the different dog breeds and find the right dog for their family.

Related posts

• Potty Training for Puppy Dogs (0)
• Solutions to Dog Fear Based Problems and Territory Marking (0)
• Puppy Training Tips - Teaching Your New Puppy (0)
• Puppy Selection Process (0)
• Mixed Dog Breeds versus Purebreds: Which is Right for You? (0)

Tags: dog breed, dog breeds, potty training, puppy training