What treats are good for dwarf hamsters?
July 24, 2010 by
Filed under Pet Talk
I’m getting a hamster and I just need to know everything. I already know what cage I’m gonna get, and ball, and bedding, and stuff. All I need to know now is what treats dwarf hamsters like. And it has to be from Petco or Petsmart.
Healthy Pet Treats: What To Look For
January 15, 2010 by
Filed under Pet Talk
If you are a dog or cat owner, you undoubtedly have come across the myriad of dog and cat treats available today. Determining what type of dog or cat treat to give to your pet can be challenging. While there is a wide variety of so-called healthy pet treats; what to look for specifically is the subject of our discussion.
There used to be a time when milk bones would suffice; in most cases they still remain the top choice for most pet owners. However, there are considerations you must make to safeguard the health of your pet. The ingredients in any treat must be the first priority. No doubt your vet will advise you as to the nutritional value of most treats, or you can certainly research their viability on your own.
The caloric intake is the second consideration. Too many treats are not a healthy way to maintain your pet’s weight (same applies to humans as well). The ingredients should be of the highest quality. For example: Milk bone treats consist of 15% protein; 12% moisture; 5% crude fat; and 3.5% crude fiber. The size of the dog determines the size of the treat; 1-8 of these treats a day are a good dietary regimen for large dogs. As long as the treats are low in fat and high in vitamins and minerals, there will unlikely be any stomach upset to your pet. Conversely, smaller milk bone treats are ideal for puppies; and a recommendation of 1-3 biscuits a day is sufficient.
Pets are no less fussy than humans. There are some pets who desire certain treats. Certain types of dogs require treat experimentation to ascertain which treat they prefer, especially puppies. Older dogs, however, invite any type of treat with excitement; but in any case, choosing the safest and healthiest treat is ultimately up to you.
Never substitute treats for good nutrition. Feed your pet the best quality food available. It is not advised to give any pet table food, chocolate or any other type of “human” food that will wreak havoc with their digestive system. While it may take a while to determine which type of food your pet finds acceptable; if it is high quality, your pet will most likely settle for it without any problem.
By their very nature, treats are just that; a reward for good behavior or just because you want to give them something special. It’s akin to a snack; and everyone enjoys a snack now and then, right? A good way to control treat-giving is to break the treat in half. In this way, your pet will not expect that which he didn’t receive in the first place. In addition, this will save you money in the long run, as the treats will last longer.
If your pet has any food allergies, check with the vet who can advise you which treats are suitable. While some pet owners use specialized treats for dental hygiene, the best method would be to simply brush away the plaque and tartar. Another consideration is to ensure that your dog actually chews the treat, and not swallow it whole. Breaking the treat in half or in pieces is recommended.
Pets not only provide unconditional love, but trust that you will take care of them in every facet of their growth process. This applies to their diet as well. As with all healthy pet treats, what to look for as it relates to nutritional benefit should be first and foremost in the care of your pet.
Choosing proper treats is only one aspect of holistic pet health care. Learn more about keeping your pet healthy at: http://www.NaturesHealthyPet.com
Dog Training – Treats
January 15, 2010 by
Filed under Pet Talk
There are many choices when it comes to rewarding your dog with a treat for obeying your commands, and these treats make a big difference in your dog’s attitude towards you in learning new tricks, and why wouldn’t they? To get anything in life you have to give something back and dogs are no different, you help them and they’ll help you. Simple.
But what are the best rewards and treats to give your dog in times of good behavior? Well for starters you won’t be short of treats to try, the markets as it is now is full to the brim of all the fancy rewards and treats you could ever think of.
One of the favourite for dog owners is to treat their dog to homemade treats from recipes that can be found across the internet in many places, some of my favourites and personal recommendations are listed in the products page of www.dog-behavior-training.co.uk along with other tips on dog training there.
Consumer products are also a good choice when rewarding your dog; these include chewing toys which can be very rewarding for puppies and dogs alike. Saving one of their favourite toys for when they behave well makes everything more exciting for your dog and causes them to want to perform more for this reward.
If a chew toy is not to your dogs liking then they may instead enjoy a tug toy, tug toys are good for your dog’s teeth the same as chew toys are and it enhances the relationship between you and your dog as you play with them. Be careful while using these toys as some dogs may think of this game as good behaviour and will start tugging on trousers or other annoying or destructive things.
The last toys I am going to talk about are the throwing toys; these are good to calm your dog down when they are over active or if you just want to reward your dog with quality playing time for their good behavior. These toys range from a simple tennis ball to special durable dog Frisbees and help you to react with your dog wile also training playing the ‘fetch’ game.
There are lots more dog toys available, probably at your local pet shop. It is a good idea to keep in mind what textures and current toys your dog likes to play with or chew before making your choice but as long as your dog enjoys it, it can be used as a good reward and training method.
For more information visit our dog training website at this link… Dog Training


