Mango’s Corner

Those of you who want a Golden Retriever but aren’t ready to go through the trials and tribulations of a puppy should look into adopting an older Golden. Older Golden Retrievers are mature, and prove to be great in homes where they need to spend a quality amount of time by themselves. They are a very adjustable breed, being good tempered. No matter how old the Golden may be, he will quickly become a valued member of your family in little to no time at all.

Many times, breeders will have older dogs for adoption. There are several reasons for this, which include show dogs that have lost their potential, studs that have been used for breeding, female Goldens that have been bred a few times then retired, or other types of special conditions where a breeder is helping a friend find a good and loving home for his Golden Retriever.

Most older Golden Retrievers are already housebroken and know a lot of behavior patterns and how to adapt to a new and loving family. Although it will be a little hard on your new dog at first, if you give him plenty of love, attention, and patience, he’ll be just fine. You need to keep reassuring your new Golden on a regular basis, and let him know that you are his new owner and that you love him and you are glad he’s a member of your family.

If you have been thinking of adopting an older Golden Retriever, you should make sure that you learn everything you can about him. You should also determine his temperament, and whether or not it’s compatible with your family. You should also learn important things such as his diet, likes and dislikes, daily routine, and his habits. Before you decide to take him, you should always make sure that the members of your family meet him as well so you can talk it over and decide whether or not everyone wants the dog to be a member of your family.

With an older dog, you need to take care of him for the first days, and let him know where everything in your home is. You’ll need to show him where he sleeps, where he should use the bathroom, and where his food is. Take your time and be patient with him, as will normally take him a few days to learn how things in your home work.

You should always give your new Golden Retriever at least a month or so to get used to his new environment, before you start his new obedience training. Even though your new dog may have some prior obedience training, you can still enroll him in a new class. This way, he can brush up on training and you can work with him to help him understand. Once you have finished training, he’ll understand your commands better and you and him will get along just fine.

All Golden Retrievers regardless of their age love attention. Older Goldens on the other hand may have medical problems that you aren’t aware of. You shouldn’t let this stop you from getting one though, simply because the rewards that you’ll find are far greater than any cons that may come to mind. Many people don’t give a lot of thought to getting an older Golden Retriever. They are perfect for families who don’t want to put up the time and troubles of raising a puppy.

Cats in general do not need to be bathed. But there will inevitably be times that your pet cat will need some help with a bath. Bathing a cat can be a fearful thing, but with these helpful tips, you are sure to survive giving your pet cat a bath.

Mother cats teach their kittens early on to bathe and clean themselves. Cats primp and groom themselves throughout the day, keeping their coats clean. It’s rare that a cat owner will need to bathe their cat. But circumstances might arise that call for bathing, such as sickness or fleas, getting dirty from being outside, skin irritations, etc.

Most cats will naturally heavily resist a bath and getting into water. This is where the battle of wills from the cat owner and cat meets the need for the cat owner to survive and keep their body intact. Being prepared ahead of time will help both you and your cat to live over the bathing process.

Decide where you will bathe your cat. Ideally, you will want to use the bathroom because it’s a small area and you can close the door to prevent the cat from escaping as you seek to bathe it. The kitchen sink is not a good idea unless it has doors that you close to keep the cat in the room.

Run the water into the sink or tub ahead of time, making sure the water is nice and warm. Putting a cat into cold water will not be a good thing, and neither do you want to put the cat into water that’s too hot. Test the water as soon as you run it, making sure it’s a comfy temperature for your pet cat. If you use the kitchen sink, remember that it will be somewhat slippery on the bottom and it might be more difficult to hold the cat. A cat that’s sliding all over the sink will be more difficult to bathe. Consider putting a folded towel in the bottom of the sink to help prevent sliding.

Get all of the supplies that you will need and have them within arms reach of where you will bathe the cat. You will need a towel, pet or baby shampoo, and something to rinse the cat with such as a cup or bowl. If you have a long haired cat and the hair is matted, you might wish to snip the matted areas away before beginning to bathe the cat.

When you have all the cat bathing supplies ready and the water is run, take the cat to the room where you will do the bathing and close the door behind you. You might need a protective towel around your hands and arms to prevent the cat from scratching you to pieces.

Ease the cat into the water. It’s normal that your pet cat will most likely begin to freak out and fight to stay out of the water. Stay calm and continue to slowly ease the cat into the water. While there are some cats that love the water, most do not like being in the water whatsoever, and the cat will struggle to stay out of the bath water.

Once the cat is in the water, gently but firmly hold the cat in place and begin wetting the cat in preparation for the pet shampoo or baby shampoo. If the cat is still struggling, resist the urge to raise your voice at the cat. Talk sweetly and calmly to the cat as you continue to hold it with one hand and wet it with the cup or bowl.

Apply the shampoo quickly and work it into the cat’s fur. Use only a little as the cat’s body is small and doesn’t need a great amount of shampoo. Start with the cat’s head and work your way down the cat’s body. Work fast as you massage the shampoo in. If you are using any type of shampoo other than baby shampoo, be careful not to get the shampoo into the cat’s eyes as this will cause a burning sensation. And it won’t help you in holding the cat in place.

You will very likely be getting wet right about now while holding a cat that is probably freaking out at the idea that you had the nerve to put it into the water. Then again, the cat might be just sitting there nicely, enjoying the pampering. Continue to talk in a sweet and calm voice to the cat as you bathe it.

After you have the shampoo worked into the cat’s fur, use the bowl or cup and rinse the cat as fast as possible. Be sure to rinse the fur well. Leaving any residue shampoo will likely cause the cat’s skin to become irritated, and that would mean a repeat bath in a short period of time. Gently flip the cat over and rinse the underneath well, holding the cat in a gentle but firm grip.

Now that the cat is bathed, gently lift the cat out of the water and wrap it in the waiting towel. Cuddle the cat, telling the cat what a great job it did by getting a bath and remaining in the water as you bathed it. Be aware that some cats will take revenge on the cat owner who bathed it by leaving a nice deposit in a place that it normally would not.

Cats come in various shapes, sizes, and a nice array of colors. Some cats are the outdoors type, wild and free basking in the sun on a warm day, not confined to four walls. Some are semi indoors cats, just as happy inside as outside. Then you have the last type, the ones who think they are royalty. And these cats think they are royalty for good reason. They have a staff of humans that wait on them hand and foot, catering to their every whim.

So how do you know if your cat is royalty? There are signs that your cat has a staff of humans, and that your cat is indeed descended from a long line of spoiled cats considering themselves royal cats, and above having their precious feet set upon those things we call grass and soil.

First of all, it’s important to note that one royal cat can come from a litter of regular cats, or all cats in a litter can be royal cats or just regular cats. The royal cat or cats can begin to stand out from their siblings beginning as early as about the age of four weeks, although it’s possible the royal bloodline won’t show up until the age of six months to a year of age.

The first major sign that your cat is a royal cat and that you are indeed the staff of this cat is when you attempt to put the cat outside. A regular cat will just walk out the door. But a royal cat won’t walk out the door. When you reach down and scoop the cat up to put the cat out the door manually, the cat will suddenly freak out and spread all four feet and legs out in the widest possible manner and attempt to grab onto the sides of the doorway to prevent you from placing him or her outside of the home. This is a natural defensive move that cats with a royal bloodline will do to save their feet from touching the outdoors in any manner.

If you are lucky enough to succeed in getting the royal cat outside, and are able to close the door, you will immediately see the royal cat trying not to touch the grass or soil with their feet, and try to get back into the house. They might be climbing the door or onto a window, attempting to hang from a window, and just anything to get back into their palace.

Once they have managed to get back inside, it’s very possible that they will be very irate with you, their staff, and let their displeasure be known by forgetting where their litter box is located at. The fact that you, the staff, will not have the cat clean up what they messed up shows the royal cat that you are indeed the staff and that they are truly royalty. Because you cleaned up the mess they made, they assume that you putting them outdoors was a case of mistaken identity on your part, thinking they were just a regular cat. They then begin to expect even more royal treatment from their staff. And true to form, the staff will cater to the royal cat even more.
The royal cat has learned that they can get almost any food they wish from their staff. The royal cat simply turned his or her nose up to whatever food is served to them, refusing to partake of the dish. The owner, also known as the staff, begins to worry that the poor royal cat is malnourished from lack of eating, and prepares special meals for the royal kitty. The royal kitty has quickly determined that by turning its nose up to the plain cat food that the staff will prepare much more delicious snacks just for the royal one.

When a cat owner gives a cat its own room complete with furnishings, it’s far too obvious that this is no regular cat nor is the cat owner just a cat owner. The cat is indeed royalty, complete with a staff of humans. The staff has prepared a nice room for the royal kitty, adorning the room with furnishings fit for a king, and sure to make any regular cat jealous. Not only does a royal cat have cat towers, the royal one has his or her own bed, complete with matching linens. More so, the royal cat has his or her own personal and private bathroom to contain the litter box, with a privacy wall.

Cat owners that take trips leave their cats with friends or at a boarding kennel until the owners return from their trip. The staff of a royal cat will never leave their precious royal one in such a manner. The staff makes accommodations for the royal kitty to travel, and the staff even goes with the royal kitty to wait upon him or her while traveling. A royal kitty is never left behind.

Royal cats are a special and unique breed of cats. Their staff is the same, unique and special in that they cater to the royal ones and see to their every need and want. The staff for the royal cats enjoy catering to the royalty and their enthusiasm shows in the way they take care of their special furry charges.

Being overweight isn’t just confined to the human population. The number of overweight pets is growing. There are ways to help your pet lose weight and be healthy by eating better and getting more exercise.

The majority of overweight pets are that way for two reasons. They eat entirely too much and they get little exercise. Some are overweight due to medical reasons, but that’s the exception rather than the rule.

Pets do not need to have a supply of food readily available to them all day. Puppies and kittens need fed about three to four times a day while they are growing. Pregnant and nursing cats and dogs need to be fed about the same about of times a day. Grown pets only need fed once a day, with the amount varied according to their size. Whatever they will eat at one sitting is usually plenty. If your small dog eats a cup of food and leaves a little on a regular basis, then that one cup is more than plenty for him. A large dog will obviously need more. The point is don’t overfeed the animals.

The food being fed to the pets is another factor in weight gain. Some pet owners prepare the food themselves, which is fine. But feeding a pet table food in general on a regular basis will often lead to the pet being overweight. High calorie foods meant for human consumption is not healthy for pets to eat over an extended period of time. It’s best in general to stick to the commercial pet foods unless you are experienced in preparing healthy pet foods.

A pet needs exercise just as humans do. A pet that lays around and doesn’t move much or play will eventually gain too much weight, which is very unhealthy for its body and the heart especially. Playing with the pet, letting the pet outside more often, taking the pet for a walk, even jogging with the pet can help the pet to lose weight, get exercise, and be healthier.

Some pet owners live in areas that make it difficult for the pet to get regular exercise. An idea for this dilemma is to turn your treadmill on a low setting and place the pet on the treadmill, allowing him to walk. Be sure to never leave the pet unattended while the pet is walking.

Pets need exercise and good eating habits to be healthy and have longer lives. Making sure your pet is up and moving, playing, walking, running, and living a more active life, plus eating healthy, can ensure that your pet has the best life and a happy one.

Dogs love getting special treats from their owners. Pet owners spend money on dog treats to give their beloved pets something that seems like it’s a good thing. Unfortunately, pet owners may be giving their dog pet treats that are toxic to them.

There are a lot of different varieties of dog treats on the market, from rawhide bones to chew to special bites of artificially flavored bacon treats. While some items available for your canine are fine and not harmful, there are some products that you want to avoid giving to your canine because they are very harmful, and may even cause death.

Dog owners also give their dogs treats that are not made for dogs, such as chocolate candies. Chocolate is very toxic to dogs and to cats. Dog owners should never feed their pet canine anything chocolate. Sometimes dogs will get into something without your knowledge. If you have given your canine chocolate or if you suspect the dog got into some, look for signs of vomiting and shallow breathing, or the dog appearing to be very tired more than usual. If you see these signs, you might want to take your pet to see the veterinarian.

Rawhide chew bones help to clean your canine’s teeth, but these chews can be dangerous to your dog. Some of these have been known to splinter apart, causing part of the chew item to lodge in the dog’s throat. The dog either manages to get the chew out, swallows it, or chokes on it, if the owner doesn’t see what’s going on and removes the chew part from the dog’s throat. Rawhide chew items should be the proper size for the dog. Bone shaped rawhide chews are best because they tend to splinter less than the strip shapes.

What dog doesn’t love to chew and gnaw on bones? Dogs and bones just seem to go together. But some bones can prove to be fatal to your dog. Pet owners should never give their canine chicken bones or turkey bones. These bones will often splinter in the dog’s throat and cause choking. Some beef and pork bones will also do this, but beef and pork bones are far less likely to splinter as a dog chews on them. Watch for signs of bleeding if you suspect your dog has eaten a chicken or turkey bone. Contact your vet immediately if you see bleeding. To prevent your dog from digging into the trash and getting bones that are harmful to them, wrap them well in foil or put them in Ziplock bags before disposing of them.

Young puppies or dogs that scarf their food down fast should not be fed chunk size treats. Large chunks of food might choke a young puppy that is scarfing down food quickly. Be sure to feed appropriate size treats to puppies.

Dog food treats are generally safe for dogs, but for all the good ones, there will always be bad ones. With the recent recalls on pet food, it’s a good idea to keep a close watch on pet food recalls to be sure that you are not feeding your canine something that isn’t safe for them to consume.

Animal rescue organizations or groups offer you a great place to get your next family pet. These groups are all different, but they do have common goals. These groups work hard to locate a permanent loving home for unwanted or misplaced cats and dogs. Many of these rescue groups rely on volunteers and donations to care for these pets while they are between homes.

When you begin looking for a rescue group to work with, you will find that most of these groups do rely on their hard working volunteers and support from the local community to operate. You will also find a wide variety of animals available through these rescue groups. Many of these groups handle all types of animals and you will find kittens, puppies, and even older pets available for adoption. You might be surprised to learn that some groups even offer exotic pets such as reptiles, pot bellied pigs and even guinea pigs.

As you begin looking at pets available through rescue groups, keep in mind some of these animals have had very hard lives. You may find a dog that was abused by its owner. You may find a female cat that has just given birth. Their owners have relinquished many of the animals offered by rescue groups because they are moving or can no longer care for them. In addition, some of these groups take animals that live in kill shelters or as strays living on the streets. Some programs also offer spay and neuter release program for feral cats.

Rescue groups do a good job of screening animals before adopting them out to new homes. They also screen potential pet owners. IF you find a pet offered through a pet rescue group, you will be asked to sign a contract saying that you agree to care for the pet long term. You will also be asked several questions about your home, your children and other pets you may have. This is not to be nosey—it is simply to help match an owner with the right pet. If the animal suffers from a medical condition, such as diabetes, the new owners know this up front before adopting. Having the animal’s health history at the time of adoption helps the animal find a permanent home.

You can gain a lot of personal satisfaction by adopting your next pet through an animal rescue organization. You know you have done something to help and your new pet will show its appreciation. If you are interested in adopting through one of the many rescue organization, it is easy to find one in your area. Your vet can give you the contact information for organizations near you. Most of the time, these pets are kept in private homes (foster homes) until they are adopted. This gives the animal time to be socialized with other pets, children and time to get used to living in a home. Sometimes, animal rescue groups will bring their animals that need homes to pet stores or other locations for interested people to see and meet the animals on certain weekends.

When you choose a pet in a rescue program, be prepared to go through an interview and application process. The organization wants to know these pets will be well cared for the long term. You will probably be asked about other pets you may have, the age of your children, the size of your yard and your thoughts on a cat with claws if you are looking at a cat. This is to help match the pet with the right owner. Adoption fees vary by each organization, but you can expect to pay $100-$200 for a rescued animal. These groups do not make a profit. These fees cover the cost of the animal while it was in the care of the organization. This adoption fee usually covers vaccinations, medical exams, spaying, and neutering.

Getting your next pet through an animal rescue organization is a responsible way to get your next family member. You can also find many volunteer opportunities through these organizations.

Pets are wonderful creatures to share our lives with, and they need just as much care as humans. All pets need to be fed properly, though we always have the question of what that might be. There are individuals who give their pet’s human food, while others strictly give pet food. We will concentrate on dogs, cats, and rabbits for proper feeding.

Rabbits
How many times have you heard that rabbits like their vegetables? This is true. Most rabbits need a steady diet of rabbit food that includes lettuce and carrots. Most of the time we raise our rabbits on pellets, however, this may not be fibrous enough and can cause obesity. A steady diet of hay, vegetables, and pellets will lead to a healthy rabbit.

Dogs
Is it wise to feed your dog human food? Most dogs are related to the wolf family a very carnivorous bunch, which means they need to have meat in their diet. This does not mean human food is the correct food for them. It is best to find a dog food product where the first ingredient is meat. Make sure it is real meat and not some processed substitute. Feeding your dog human food is a bad idea because it can be too greasy for them and block their arteries. Dogs have very sensitive digestive tracks so they are susceptible to diarrhea and upset stomachs if you change their food. It is best to find a dog food you prefer and that is healthy for them. You also want to keep them on the same food. Changing food can cause problems. If you feel you need to change food, you should slowly integrate the new food with the old until you have fully replaced the old. This should take two weeks or a little more. Dogs when full grown should be fed once a day at the same time.

Cats
Cats are great hunters if you let them explore the outdoor world. They will often find mice, birds, and other animals to gain protein. Like a dog, your cat needs a consistent diet. You should find a cat food that has the proper amounts of protein. Cats can also have a very sensitive digestive system. Finding the right food may be difficult and take a few tries. If they have a smelly litter box, you will need to change their food. This is a sure sign they are not receiving a proper diet. When you change their food you will want to integrate it slowly over two weeks. Cats also need the vitamins from milk, though our processed milk can be too rich for them, they do sell milk for cats in the pet stores. Another idea is occasionally giving them a small piece of cheese to help with their dietary needs, however you should try and find pet food that fits all of their needs. Grass is also available for indoor cats and may be a needed to get rid of hairballs. Cats eat grass when they have an upset stomach. The grass will allow the cats to rid themselves of the problem and can help them cough up hairballs.

Picking the right food for your pet will often mean not feeding them human food, but checking the ingredients of pet food found in the stores. You want to keep you pet just as healthy as you would want to keep yourself. Proper nutrition for any animal is important to having your pet around for many years. Some types of pets are more susceptible to disease, like dogs with heart problems, but they can be monitored through proper care.