|
Friday, February 5, 2010
|
|
The 10 Most Popular Cat Breeds
|
1. THE PERSIAN
Number one since the CFA first started keeping records in 1871! Although Persians are high-maintenance and need grooming every day, this is more than compensated for by their affectionate and loyal personality.
2. THE MAINE COON
This enormous all-American cat has been in second place since 1992. Maine Coons are one of the biggest domestic breeds. Males average 12 to 18 pounds in weight and females are usually 10-14. They are hardy, gentle and loving with long fur but don't need as much grooming as a Persian.
3. THE EXOTIC
These are also known as exotic shorthairs and are rounded and solid in appearance. This cat is like a Persian but with short fur. Some people call them 'a Persian in pyjamas'! They have the sweet personality of the Persian but only need combing twice a week.
4. THE SIAMESE
These cats are very communicative, yowling in a rasping voice for attention or just to chat! They are slim and athletic with large ears. Their fur is short and lies close to their skin. They love to be stroked, and are extremely loyal and close to one person. They are very intelligent and loving.
5. THE ABYSSINIAN
It is said that these pretty cats are descended from those worshipped by the ancient Egyptians - but no one knows for sure. Their coat is ticked with colors. Abyssinians are very active, busy and playful, and they love people.
6. THE RAGDOLL
Ragdolls, or 'Raggies' are extremely cute cats. They are called Ragdolls because when you pick one up, it goes completely limp in your arms! They are another large breed with males growing anything up to 20 pounds and females 15. They have blue eyes and mid-length, silky fur. They are extraordinarily affectionate and will follow you everywhere.
They are so docile that it can be dangerous for them to go out as they wouldn't defend themselves if another animal attacked them.
7. THE BIRMAN
This blue eyed cat also glories in the name of the Sacred Cat of Burma! They have characteristic white paws, making them look as if they are wearing little white boots. They have even temperaments, and are known for adjusting to your daily routine. A Birman will often be waiting for you when you get home from work (as do Siamese and Orientals). Although their fur is long and silky, they don't require much grooming.
8. THE AMERICAN SHORTHAIR
These look like regular tabbies but true American Shorthairs are pure-bred. These cats originally arrived in America on the "Mayflower" with the pilgrims. They are good hunters, have a loving nature, general good health, a quiet temperament, and they are great with children. They come in a multitude of color combinations, the most popular being silver. More than a third of all American Shorthairs have this coloring of black 'stripes' on a beautiful silver background.
9. THE ORIENTAL
This breed looks and behaves just like a Siamese but is available in two different hair lengths and over 300 different color combinations. They also have very sweet natures, and have many of the characteristics of Siamese, though they don't quite talk as loudly. But they are very affectionate and loyal, very people-oriented.
10. THE SPHYNX
This extraordinary naked cat has a rather bizarre appearance. Strangely, they are available in a multitude of colors, albeit skin colors rather than fur! They are lively and athletic, and enjoy climbing. They are loyal, loving and constantly demand attention.Labels: Cats, top 10, Top 10 Popular Cats |
posted by Animal Echoes @ 9:00 AM   |
|
|
|
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
|
|
Top 10 Most Popular Dog Breeds for 2009
|
1. Labrador Retrievers
Easily the most popular dog breed of them all, Labrador Retrievers are friendly, lovable, smart and great with kids. They have continually been labelled as the most popular family dog according to breeder surveys.
2. Golden Retrievers
Right next to the Labrador Retrievers you'll find the Golden Retrievers which are also true American family dogs. These large dogs are extremely kind and gentle by nature and love playing with people and their toys. Just make sure you have enough space in your home as they can grow up to 90 pounds.
3. Yorkshire Terriers
Yorkshire Terriers, also referred to as "Yorkies" for short, are the smallest and mightiest terriers of them all. These tiny pooches are highly energetic and very protective and loyal to their family. This means that they don't always get along well with strangers and they are not afraid to speak up and let you know this!
4. German Shepherds
Among the most intelligent and most loyal dog breeds in the world is the German Shepherd. Because of their extreme intelligence and strength it's no wonder they are the dog of choice among the police force. This doesn't mean they won't make a great pet at home. On the contrary - they make great pets as long as you have room in your home for a large, lovable dog.
Ads by Google
Dog Water Fountain
Unique Drinkwell Water Fountains Same Day Shipping - Order Today!
www.Litterboy.comFind the Perfect Pooch
Which of 500 breeds fits you? Get a customized result in 2 min.
www.hunch.com
5. Beagles
The Beagle has been poplar in American households ever since Snoopy hit the big screen. Once raised as hunting dogs, this medium sized pooch is strong for its size. Just don't expect it to have an aggressive hunter attitude as this dog is kind and gentle and loves families.
6. Dachshunds
Dachshunds, also known as "wiener dogs' have also been a favorite among adults and children alike because of their cute, unique body shape. With a long body and short legs it may look like they can't run fast but don't let their appearance fool you. They love to run and play and can keep up with the ball. However, Dachshunds can also be quite protective animals and have been known to nip at strangers and other dogs.
7. Boxers
The American Kennel Club says that the Boxers play well with children, are extremely loyal and are low maintenance dogs. While they may not be the most intelligent dog in the bunch, they make up for it by being very energetic and fun-loving. Being headstrong, boxers require obedience training while they are young.
8. Poodles
Both standard and miniature size Poodles have long been popular both with the rich and famous and the not so rich. They are beautiful, loyal and extremely intelligent dogs which makes them popular among every socio-economic group.
9. Shih Tzu
New to the American Kennel Club's list, the adorable dog with the funny name has been growing in popularity over the last few years. Cut and cuddly, it's no wonder that the Shih Tzu is also popular in Hollywood making it into the homes of many famous celebrities. You don't have to be rich to own a Shih Tzu as they make great companions to the young and old.
10. Miniature Schnauzers
This miniature dog breed just made it onto the list new for 2008 but it's likely that we'll see them on the list again in the future. Miniature Schnauzers are smart, obedient and love to engage in non-aggressive play. They'll play well with children and or chew toys. Originally raised as farm dogs, miniature Schnauzers are energetic dogs that love to be around people. Similar to the miniature Schnauzer is the Schnoodle. Part Schnauzer, part Poodle, the Schnoodle is becoming ever more popular and makes a great pet.
Any one of these dogs will make great pets. Don't fret if your dog is not on the list as there are too many great breeds to make it into the top 10. You never know, they just might make the cut next year!
Remember that every great dog needs an even greater name. Check out:Labels: AKC, top 10, Top 10 dog Breeds |
| posted by Animal Echoes @ 9:00 AM |
|
|
|
Monday, February 1, 2010
|
|
Top 10 Pet Poisons of 2009
|
Top 10 Pet Poisons of 2009
medication
With various dangers lurking in corners and cabinets, the home can be a minefield of poisons for our pets. In 2009, the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) in Urbana, IL, handled more than 140,000 cases of pets exposed to toxic substances, many of which included everyday household products. Don’t leave it up to Fido or Fluffy to keep themselves safe. Below is a list of the top 10 pet poisons that affected our furry friends in 2009.
Human Medications
For several years, human medications have been number one on the ASPCA’s list of common hazards, and 2009 was no exception. Last year, the ASPCA managed 45,816 calls involving prescription and over-the-counter drugs such as painkillers, cold medications, antidepressants and dietary supplements. Pets often snatch pill vials from counters and nightstands or gobble up medications accidentally dropped on the floor, so it’s essential to keep meds tucked away in hard-to-reach cabinets.
Insecticides
In our effort to battle home invasions by unwelcome pests, we often unwittingly put our furry friends at risk. In 2009, our toxicologists fielded 29,020 calls related to insecticides. One of the most common incidents involved the misuse of flea and tick products—such as applying the wrong topical treatment to the wrong species. Thus, it’s always important to talk to your pet’s veterinarian before beginning any flea and tick control program.
People Food
People food like grapes, raisins, avocado and products containing xylitol, like gum, can seriously disable our furry friends, and accounted for more than 17,453 cases in 2009. One of the worst offenders—chocolate—contains large amounts of methylxanthines, which, if ingested in significant amounts, can cause vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst, urination, hyperactivity, and in severe cases, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors and seizures.
Plants
Common houseplants were the subject of 7,858 calls to APCC in 2009. Varieties such as azalea, rhododendron, sago palm, lilies, kalanchoe and schefflera are often found in homes and can be harmful to pets. Lilies are especially toxic to cats, and can cause life-threatening kidney failure even in small amounts.
Veterinary Medications
Even though veterinary medications are intended for pets, they’re often misapplied or improperly dispensed by well-meaning pet parents. In 2009, the ASPCA managed 7,680 cases involving animal-related preparations such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, heartworm preventatives, de-wormers, antibiotics, vaccines and nutritional supplements.
Rodenticides
Last year, the ASPCA received 6,639 calls about pets who had accidentally ingested rat and mouse poisons. Many baits used to attract rodents contain inactive ingredients that are attractive to pets as well. Depending on the type of rodenticide, ingestion can lead to potentially life-threatening problems for pets including bleeding, seizures or kidney damage.
Household Cleaners
Everybody knows that household cleaning supplies can be toxic to adults and children, but few take precautions to protect their pets from common agents such as bleaches, detergents and disinfectants. Last year, the ASPCA received 4,143 calls related to household cleaners. These products, when inhaled by our furry friends, can cause serious gastrointestinal distress and irritation to the respiratory tract.
Heavy Metals
It’s not too much loud music that constitutes our next pet poison offender. Instead, it’s heavy metals such as lead, zinc and mercury, which accounted for 3,304 cases of pet poisonings in 2009. Lead is especially pernicious, and pets are exposed to it through many sources, including consumer products, paint chips, linoleum, and lead dust produced when surfaces in older homes are scraped or sanded.
Garden Products
It may keep your grass green, but certain types of fertilizer and garden products can cause problems for outdoor cats and dogs. Last year, the ASPCA fielded 2,329 calls related to fertilizer exposure, which can cause severe gastric upset and possibly gastrointestinal obstruction.
Chemical Hazards
In 2009, the ASPCA handled approximately 2,175 cases of pet exposure to chemical hazards. A category on the rise, chemical hazards—found in ethylene glycol antifreeze, paint thinner, drain cleaners and pool/spa chemicals—form a substantial danger to pets. Substances in this group can cause gastrointestinal upset, depression, respiratory difficulties and chemical burns.
Prevention is really key to avoiding accidental exposure, but if you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please contact your veterinarian or the Animal Poison Control Center’s 24-hour hot line at (888) 426-4435.Labels: Animal Health, ASPCA, CatsAndDogs, dogs, insecticides, medicine, plants, poison, Poisons, top 10, top Pet Poisons, Toxic, xylitol |
| posted by Animal Echoes @ 9:00 AM |
|
|
|
Saturday, January 30, 2010
|
|
Mermaid vs Whale
|
Recently, in a large city in France, a poster featuring a young, thin and tan woman appeared in the window of a gym.
It said, "This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?"
A middle-aged woman, whose physical characteristics did not match those of the woman on the poster,
responded publicly to the question posed by the gym
To Whom It May Concern
Whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, sea lions, curious
humans.)
They have an active sex life, get pregnant and have adorable baby whales.
They play and swim in the seas, seeing wonderful places like Patagonia , the Bering Sea
and the coral reefs of Polynesia !
Whales are wonderful singers, and have even recorded CDs !
They are incredible creatures and have virtually no predators other than humans.
They are loved, protected and admired by almost everyone in the world.
AND.......to Whom It May Concern
Mermaids don't exist.
If they did exist, they would be lining up outside the offices of Argentinean psycho-analysts
due to identity crisis. Fish or human?
They don't have a sex life because they kill men who get close to them, not to mention......how
could they have sex?
Just look at them ... where is......... " IT " ?
Therefore, they don't have kids either.
The choice is perfectly clear to me:
I want to be a whale.
P.S. We are in an age when media puts into our heads the idea that only skinny people are beautiful. But I prefer to enjoy an
ice cream with my kids, a good dinner with a man who makes me shiver, and a piece of chocolate with my friends !
( With time, we gain weight) because we accumulate so much information and wisdom in our heads
that when there is no more room, it distributes to the rest of our bodies.
So we aren't heavy, we are enormously cultured, educated and happy.
Beginning today, when I look at my butt in the mirror I will think, "Good grief, look how smart I am!Labels: cute, Mermaid, Whale |
| posted by Animal Echoes @ 9:00 AM |
|
|
|
Friday, January 29, 2010
|
|
Pet Recipe
|
Dog Treats From Your Kitchen
Ankle Biter Peanut Butter Drops
(for those little guys out there)
3/4 cup flour
1 egg
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon peanut butter
1/4 cup shortening
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup rolled oats
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Heat honey and peanut butter in microwave until peanut butter is melted (about 20 seconds)
Mix add remaining ingredients
Drop by 1/2 teaspoonful onto cookie sheet
Bake at 350 F for 8 to 10 minutes.
***************************************************************************
Cat Treats
Carrot & Liver Crunchies
Ingredients:
1/2 cup precooked chicken livers
1/4 cup water
1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup cooked carrot, mashed
1 tablespoon soft margarine
Instructions:
1.Preheat the oven to 325°F. Add the cooked chicken livers in a blender along with the water. Blend the two together for several seconds on the highest speed. If necessary, stop the blender and stir, or scrape down the sides to ensure an even mix. Blend the liver and water until completely pureed.
2.In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine the flour with the margarine, by stirring the two together until then are well blended. The mixture will be dry, and should consist of coarse crumbs. Make sure to mix this well to avoid any large clumps.
3.Add the liver mixture along with the mashed carrots. Then mix everything well, either by hand or with an electric mixer on a medium speed. As you mix, the ingredients will begin to form a dough and may become difficult to mix. As they do, use your hands to knead this mixture well, ensuring all the ingredients are fully mixed and incorporated into the dough.
4.Transfer the dough out to a floured surface and knead for several minutes to make the dough soft and easy to work with. Then, use a rolling pin to roll the dough out to a sheet measuring about 1/4" thick.
5.Prepare a cookie or baking sheet by greasing it with margarine, or oil, or by spraying with non-stick cooking spray. Then using a knife, a pizza cutter, or other utensil, cut the dough into tiny square shapes, each measuring about 1" square. As you cut out each square, arrange them onto the prepared cookie sheet.
6.Continue with the remaining dough, reusing any scraps that form, until you can no longer make any more squares.
7.Place the squares into the preheated oven. Bake for about 10 minutes, then remove them from the oven and allow them to cool completely before serving to your pet. Makes about 1 1/2 dozen liver crunchies.
***************************************************************************
For The Birds:
Suet Cupcakes
You will need:
•1 lb chopped suet
•1 cup mixed birdseed
•1 cup yellow cornmeal
•1 cup peanut butter
•1 cup rolled oats
•1 cup sunflower seeds
Melt the suet over a low flame and stir in the ingredients until they are coated in suet. Spoon into a cupcake tin and chill until the suet is hardened. Place in suet feeder.Labels: Homemade pet treats, Pet Treats, Recipes |
| posted by Animal Echoes @ 9:00 AM |
|
|
|
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
|
|
Top 10 Foods to Avoid Giving Your Pets
|
Provided by ASPCA
Chocolate, macadamia nuts, avocados … these foods may sound delicious to you, but are actually quite dangerous to your animal companions. The ASPCA nutrition experts have come up with a list of top 10 people foods that you should not feed your pet.
1. Chocolate, Coffee, Caffeine
These products all contain substances called methylxanthines, which are found in cacao seeds, the fruit of the plant used to make coffee and in the nuts of an extract used in some sodas. When ingested by pets, methylxanthines can cause vomiting and diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death. Note that darker chocolate is more dangerous than milk chocolate. White chocolate has the lowest level of methylxanthines, while baking chocolate contains the highest.
2. Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages and food products containing alcohol can cause vomiting, diarrhea, decreased coordination, central nervous system depression, difficulty breathing, tremors, abnormal blood acidity, coma and even death.
3. Avocado
The leaves, fruit, seeds and bark of avocados contain Persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Birds and rodents are especially sensitive to avocado poisoning, and can develop congestion, difficulty breathing and fluid accumulation around the heart. Some ingestions may even be fatal.
4. Macadamia Nuts
Macadamia nuts are commonly used in many cookies and candies. However, they can cause problems for your canine companion. These nuts have caused weakness, depression, vomiting, tremors and hyperthermia in dogs. Signs usually appear within 12 hours of ingestion and last approximately 12 to 48 hours.
5. Grapes & Raisins
Although the toxic substance within grapes and raisins is unknown, these fruits can cause kidney failure. In pets who already have certain health problems, signs may be more dramatic.
6. Yeast Dough
Yeast dough can rise and cause gas to accumulate in your pet’s digestive system. This can be painful and can cause the stomach or intestines to rupture. Because the risk diminishes after the dough is cooked and the yeast has fully risen, pets can have small bits of bread as treats. However, these treats should not constitute more than 5 percent to 10 percent of your pet’s daily caloric intake.
7. Raw/Undercooked Meat, Eggs and Bones
Raw meat and raw eggs can contain bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli that can be harmful to pets. In addition, raw eggs contain an enzyme called avidin that decreases the absorption of biotin (a B vitamin), which can lead to skin and coat problems. Feeding your pet raw bones may seem like a natural and healthy option that might occur if your pet lived in the wild. However, this can be very dangerous for a domestic pet, who might choke on bones. Pets can also suffer a grave injury should the bone splinter and become lodged in or puncture their digestive tract.
8. Xylitol
Xylitol is used as a sweetener in many products, including gum, candy, baked goods and toothpaste. It can cause insulin release in most species, which can lead to liver failure. The increase in insulin leads to hypoglycemia (lowered sugar levels). Initial signs of toxicosis include vomiting, lethargy and loss of coordination. Signs can progress to recumbancy and seizures. Elevated liver enzymes and liver failure can be seen within a few days.
9. Onions, Garlic, Chives
These vegetables and herbs can cause gastrointestinal irritation and could lead to red blood cell damage. Although cats are more susceptible, dogs are also at risk if a large enough amount is consumed. Toxicity is normally diagnosed through history, clinical signs and microscopic confirmation of Heinz bodies. An occasional low dose, such as what might be found in pet foods or treats, likely will not cause a problem, but we recommend that you do NOT give your pets large quantities of these foods.
10. Milk
Because pets do not possess significant amounts of lactase (the enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk), milk and other milk-based products cause them diarrhea or other digestive upset.Labels: Animal Health, Caffeine, Chocolote, Foods to Aviod, pet health, top 10 |
| posted by Animal Echoes @ 9:00 AM |
|
|
|
| about me |
 - Name: Animal Echoes
- Location: North Augusta, SC
We are an educational site to help people understand Animal Communcation and Remote Healing.
View my complete profile
|
| Recent Post |
|
| Archives |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
 ; |
| |
|
|
