Top 5 Holiday Dangers to Pets

Preventive Measures Can Save Pets

The holidays are a festive time for us and our pets. However, due to ongoing activities and constant distractions, we can easily overlook potential dangers to our four-legged family members.
Take preventive measures to protect your pets this holiday season. Being aware of these top five dangers could save you a trip to the veterinary emergency room.

1. Holiday Tinsel and Ornaments

Tinsel, while not toxic, is very attractive to pets, particularly cats. The shiny, dangling decoration reflects light and can move in the slightest draft — appearing to come alive to watchful critters.

The problem with tinsel is that once it’s consumed, it can cause serious injury to your pet. If not caught in time, this foreign body ingestion could actually be fatal as it twists and bunches inside your pet’s intestines. Immediate veterinary care is required.
In addition, bright and colorful tree ornaments can attract your pet’s curiosity. Place glass, aluminum and paper ornaments higher up on the tree. Pets can chew and swallow these fragile objects and not only can broken pieces form sharp edges that may lacerate your pet’s mouth, throat and intestines, they could also create a choking hazard.

2. Holiday Lighting and Candles

Twinkling, shiny and dangling holiday lights — such as the icicle, netting, garland, curtain, rope and candle varietal — may be another source of danger to your curious pets.
Got a pet that likes to chew? Electrical shock may occur when a pet chomps down on an electrical cord, causing tongue lacerations and possible death. Check your holiday lights for signs of fraying or chewing and use a grounded three-prong extension cord as a safety precaution.
If you have candles on display, place them in a hard-to-reach spot so that your pets can not access them. Not only can pets seriously burn themselves, but knocking over candles creates a fire hazard and may leave a trail of hot wax that will easily burn the pads of paws and more.

3. Gift Wrap Ribbon

You may be tempted to fashion your pet with a decorative ribbon “collar” but beware that this could become a choking hazard.
Also, it’s best to quickly discard ribbons and bows wrapped around holiday gifts so that your curious companions won’t be enticed to chew or swallow them. Ingested ribbon can cause a choking hazard and ultimately twist throughout the intestines, leading to emergency surgery and even death.

4. Food Hazards

Festive events often mean edible treats — and lots of them. Unfortunately, some of the most popular holiday goodies, such as chocolate, bones and nuts, can be extremely toxic or fatal to pets.

• Different types of chocolate contain various levels of fat, caffeine and the substances methylxanthines. In general, the darker and richer the chocolate (i.e., baker’s chocolate), the higher the risk of toxicity. Depending on the type and amount of chocolate ingested, dogs might experience vomiting, diarrhea, urination, hyperactivity, heart arrhythmias, tremors and seizures.
• Fat trimmings and bones are dangerous for dogs. Fat trimmed from meat, both cooked and uncooked, may cause pancreatitis. And, although it seems natural to give a dog a bone, a dog can choke on it. Bones can also splinter and cause an obstruction or lacerations of your dog's digestive system.
• Abundant in many cookies and candies, certain nuts should not be given to pets. Almonds, non-moldy walnuts and pistachios can cause an upset stomach or an obstruction of your dog's throat and/or intestinal tract. Macadamia nuts and moldy walnuts can be toxic, causing seizures or neurological signs. Lethargy, vomiting and loss of muscle control are among the effects of nut ingestion.

Keep your pet on her regular diet and caution visitors against giving your pet special treats or table scraps.

5. Toxic Holiday Plants

They may be pretty, but some holiday plants are poisonous—even deadly. As little as a single leaf from any lily variety is lethal to cats. Others to avoid:

• Christmas tree pine needles can produce oral irritation, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, trembling and posterior weakness.
• Holly, commonly found during the Christmas season, can cause intense vomiting, diarrhea and depression.
• Mistletoe, another Christmas plant, can cause significant vomiting and diarrhea, difficulty breathing, collapse, erratic behavior, hallucinations and death when ingested.
• Poinsettias can cause irritation to the mouth and stomach and sometimes vomiting.

Taking precautions with pets during these festive times can help ensure that you and your family will enjoy a happy — and healthy — holiday season!

If you're looking for pet supplies, pet stores, pet friendly hotels or dog friendly restaurants, specialty veterinarians, animal rescue, pet adoption, pet sitters and pet sitting, pet services, pet friendly services, dog parks and cat friendly bed and breakfast inns, etc- for all types of pets, birds, fish, dogs, cats, horses, reptiles, rabbits, sheep and goat, farm animals, small pets and pocket pets, etc- visit our site. It has all the free pet information and pet links you will ever need for your pet. And is totally free for anyone to use!

Don't forget to "Like" us on Facebook (and receive a special gift) and you can also follow us on Twitter. Did you hear us on Atomic Dog Radio? Click here to listen to the show and our interview. Let us know what you think. Did you see our commercials? Visit us on You Tube and Tell a friend!

Pet Businesses- please update or add your information. - To edit and/or update your information Click here: http://www.barleyslist.org/. It is a good idea to go to BarleysList.org frequently and update your profile. There are no fees or memberships to sign up for. This service is free to all users and is designed to connect pet owners to pet related businesses. If you are having any trouble with the site please email me or call me directly toll free at Liz@BarleysList.org or 877-78BARLEY. This site is for pet related businesses only.

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What Goats Need

- Companionship -
Goats are herd animals. They generally do not do well alone. "An only goat is a lonely goat" A lonely goat will let you know it, and no one will be happy. They need other goats, or at least other livestock such as sheep, pigs or horses. When keeping goats with horses there are some important considerations, such as the ability of the goat to compete for food.
We recommend that you consider having a minimum of three goats. This allows for an interesting mix and keeps things dynamic. Also, with three goats, if one goat dies you will not be left with just one goat while you locate a new companion.

- Protection -
Goats are vulnerable, particularly to attack by dogs. Dog-proof fencing is essential. (see Fencing, below). If your goats do get out and are running away from you, do not chase them. Run the other way and they will follow you! Much has been said of the cleverness of goats, and they will find a way to escape from time to time. Keep a container of grain (e.g. COB) handy. If the goats get out, rather than trying to herd them, Just run and get your grain can and start off in the direction you want to go while shaking it loudly. The goat (or the whole herd) will follow you anywhere.
It's a good practice to call out to the herd whenever you are offering food or treats. If I want the herd to come back to the barn for food, I call out "goat, goat, goat" and they all come running.

- Shelter -
Goats need shelter from rain and wind. They need a dry place to bed down. A three-sided shelter is sufficient, as long as the open side is on the lee, away from the wind. Goats are bossy, and a dominant goat might take over a particular part of the shelter. In that case it is best to provide a variety of shelters, sufficient for the individuals in your herd. We have found that large dog houses, or "Dogloos" are very good goat houses, plus they are fun for the goats to play on. If you live where it rains for long periods, consider that the goats won't want to be stuck inside a small shelter. Then they need a nice big roofed area where they can move around and still stay dry. When designing your shelter, it's best to offer two ways in and out. Smaller goats will generally avoid a space they can get trapped in by a bigger goat, and bigger goats will prefer the larger spaces.

- Bedding -
In cold weather, a bed of straw or left-over hay is very good. We feed our goats both from mangers and directly on the floor of the barn, and let the left-over heay build up on the ground. This hay, combined with their own poop, composts and creates heat, such that if you were to dig down just a few inches with your hand you would find it to be quite warm. When the goats bed down on this surface, they enjoy the heat. The warmth from the floor heats their stomachs and actually helps them digest their food.
For that reason, we suggest that a clean, bare floor is not really the best thing for goats. Even though it seems hygienic, in a cold climate a bare floor deprives the goats of the benefits of warmth.

- Fencing -
Four-foot fencing is generally sufficient to keep goats in. Young goats may jump over a fence that high, and we have had "climbers" who will climb a four foot fence, but that is very unusual. Often these climbers are pygmy goats. Full-sized goats are just too heavy to get that high off the ground.
Several kinds of suitable fencing are suitable. We prefer "no climb" fencing, which consists of 2" wide by 4" high mesh. "Sheep" or "Field" fencing is OK too, but not quite as strong or impenetrable. Also, young goats with horns may put their heads through the larger mesh and get their horns caught. Recently we have been using a good compromise between field fencing and the more expensive no-climb, consisting of a uniform mesh of about 3" square, and designed specifically for goats. All fencing should be woven, not welded, since goats will butt and rub against it, and break the welds. Be sure that your gate latches are not too simple or too accessible. Goats are very clever and will quickly learn to open them.
If you are concerned about dogs getting into your fenced area (and generally you should be), consider running a length of electric fencing around the outside of the fence, near the bottom.
Electric fencing is inexpensive and easy to install, and can be useful under certain circumstances. For example, you might use it to fence off an additional area of pasture that the goats might not otherwise have access to. However, goats can get through it, electricity can fail, and dogs and other predators might choose to jump it or ignore it, so you should only use it when you are around, and you should bring the goats in to sturdy wire fenced enclosures at night. In my experiments with electric fencing, I found four-strand tape or cord fencing to be much more effective than three-strands. The white tape or cord is more visible to the goats and easier to work with.
Goats will girdle and kill some mature trees. To prevent this, wrap the tree trunk several times around with chicken wire.
Do not stake out your goat or put them on a tether. Not only is this illegal in many areas, it can be very dangerous for the goat. A staked out goat is prey to dogs. It can easily turn over its water and wrap its tether around any obstructions. Also, a staked out goat is alone, and goats don't like to be alone.

- Nutrition -
Goats are a lot like deer in their eating habits. They can live on a steady diet of good alfalfa, but that is probably a little too rich. They will be healthier and happier on a varied diet that includes of shrubs, leaves, tree bark, etc. We feed our goats mostly local grass hay. Even if there is plenty of brush, they will still need a little alfalfa or oat hay as a supplement, particularly in the winter.
They need a salt/mineral block too. There are mineral blocks made especially for goats. These contain copper -- which goats need, but which is harmful to sheep. If your soil lacks selenium then it is important to provided it. It is best to provide the salt and minerals in granular form, as this encourages them to take as much as they want.
They need a source of fresh water at all times. Chopped apples, carrots and a handful of grain makes a great goat treat. A few plants are poisonous to goats. If you are not sure, don't feed it to the goats. Be especially careful about trimmings you get from neighbors because you might not know what is in them.

- Recreation -
Goats love to climb and to stand on top of things. They like it if you introduce new things from time to time, or at least move things around. They love to go for walks, and do not need to be leashed, as they will follow you. However, do not take them where there might be dogs.

- Maintenance -
Hooves: Goats need their hooves trimmed approximately every three or four months. In general, goats with dark hooves seem to need less frequent trimming than those with light-colored hooves. It's easy to tell when they need trimming, because the horn will start to splay out in the front or wrap under along the sides. You can learn to trim the hooves yourself, using a sharp pair of pruning shears or specially designed trimming sheers. My favorite sheers were designed for sheep's hooves. During the winter, if the ground is wet, their hooves tend to de-laminate on the sides. If this happens be sure to trim as high up as necessary to eliminate any pockets that might get packed and infected. If you do this, then the hoof will grow back out during the summer.

Vaccinations: Except for worming, we do not maintain a course of vaccinations. This type of treatment is probably more suited to commercial settings. We give our goats Ivermectin shots worms. This medicine is available at feed stores if you want to do it yourselves, or through a veterinarian.
We keep some injection vitamin B and antibiotics handy for those situations that seem to indicate it.

- Horns and Disbudding -
Almost all goats are born with heads that will produce horns. The horns begin to develop (bud) within the first few weeks of birth. We do not disbud our goats, but plenty of the goats we rescue have already had their horns removed. Any herd of goats has a hierarchy, and the horned goats are almost certain to be dominant over any goats in the herd that do not have horns. That's usually not a problem.
We do not recommend removing the horns of pet goats, although we do recognize that there are situations and circumstances where people might find this to be their choice. Certainly if it means the difference between your taking a baby goat or not, it is better to satisfy your concerns and disbud than to not take the goat. Usually, though, you don't have a choice, because if disbudding is done it should only be done when the goats are very young. Very soon, the sinus passages grow up into the horns, (sooner for males; sooner for some breeds such as alpines, than for other breeds, such as nubians) and there is a risk of infection. Once the horns are about an inch long, the sinus cavity has probably already reached the horns.

If you're looking for pet supplies, pet stores, pet friendly hotels or dog friendly restaurants, specialty veterinarians, animal rescue, pet adoption, pet sitters and pet sitting, pet services, pet friendly services, dog parks and cat friendly bed and breakfast inns, etc- for all types of pets, birds, fish, dogs, cats, horses, reptiles, rabbits, sheep and goat, farm animals, small pets and pocket pets, etc- visit our site. It has all the free pet information and pet links you will ever need for your pet. And is totally free for anyone to use!

Don't forget to "Like" us on Facebook (and receive a special gift) and you can also follow us on Twitter. Did you hear us on Atomic Dog Radio? Click here to listen to the show and our interview. Let us know what you think. Did you see our commercials? Visit us on You Tube and Tell a friend!

Pet Businesses- please update or add your information. - To edit and/or update your information Click here: http://www.barleyslist.org/. It is a good idea to go to BarleysList.org frequently and update your profile. There are no fees or memberships to sign up for. This service is free to all users and is designed to connect pet owners to pet related businesses. If you are having any trouble with the site please email me or call me directly toll free at Liz@BarleysList.org or 877-78BARLEY. This site is for pet related businesses only.

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Caring for Reptiles

The lot of a reptile captured or bred for the pet-store trade is grim. The trip from the breeder or dealer is typically cramped and unsanitary, and many reptiles do not survive it. Those who do will probably have health problems that don't show up until months later. Unfortunately, reptiles are perceived as requiring minimal care rather than specialized care, so they're big business—nearly 4 million U.S. households owned a reptile in 2000. Pet-store employees are rarely trained to effectively tend to the sensitive needs of reptiles and therefore cannot educate prospective reptile caretakers.

Snakes
Depending on the variety, snakes can live for decades and grow to lengths in excess of 5 feet. They require at least a 30-gallon tank, frequent checkups, and care by a veterinarian who specializes in reptiles. Fresh water and a spotless environment must be provided at all times. Most are carnivorous. They are susceptible to a variety of parasites as well as blister disease, respiratory and digestive disorders, and mouth rot. Strictly controlled daytime and nighttime temperatures and the careful application of pesticides are required in order to guard against mite infestations.

Iguanas
Green iguanas are some of the most frequently abandoned companion animals, likely because people find out too late what is required to care for them. A properly cared-for iguana can live for more than 20 years and grow to be more than 6 feet long. The enclosure for a full-grown iguana should be at least 18 feet long, humidified, and maintained at a particular temperature with specific timetables for darkness and ultraviolet light. Common problems for captive iguanas are metabolic bone disease from calcium deficiency, mouth rot, respiratory disease, abscesses, and ulcers. Wild iguanas do not suffer from any of these illnesses. They're also strict vegans, limited to a very specific range of greens and fruits. Costs for food, an enclosure, lighting, and vet bills can total hundreds of dollars per year. It takes about a year of daily interaction to socialize an iguana, and even then, sexually mature males will be very aggressive six months out of the year if they see their own reflections or if confronted with other iguanas.

Geckos
People who would never take on the commitment of a 6-foot iguana might be interested in geckos. Sadly, these are very popular reptiles in pet stores. These small, frail-looking lizards can often live up to 30 years and require a very particular environment without the slightest variance in temperature. They feed on insects and baby mice. Although wild geckos are found throughout temperate and tropical regions of the world, most of the ones offered for sale are captive-bred.

Turtles
In contrast, most of the North American species of turtles available in pet stores have been taken from their natural habitats. All other species are probably captive bred—most likely in Louisiana, which has nearly 60 "farms" that exported 11 million turtles in 2000. Most states have laws either banning or restricting the sale of turtles, so it is likely that any you see at a pet store have suffered illegal capture or were raised in less-than-humane conditions. Since parasites, bacteria, and fungi prey on weak or stressed turtles, the health of a store-bought turtle is questionable. Just like any other reptile, a turtle's needs are very specific: thermostatically controlled temperatures, enough water to swim in, a large housing area, and a varied diet. The average lifespan of an aquatic turtle is 25 years, while a land tortoise could outlive you.

Caution
There is a health risk associated with owning any reptile. Seventy thousand people in the U.S. contract salmonellosis from direct or indirect contact with reptiles and amphibians every year. Children, pregnant women, and people with compromised immune systems are particularly at risk of serious illness or death. If you or anyone close to you is in one of these categories, rethink bringing a reptile into your home—even healthy-looking animals may be carrying the disease. Many reptiles are brought into the country with little or no inspection or quarantine.

Adoption
Welcoming a reptile into your home means a commitment of time, space, and money. You'll need to provide the right temperature and humidity and specific light/dark cycles that may not coincide with your own or be convenient to you. Backup power is necessary to keep a constant temperature in the event of a power failure. It is a harsh fact that most reptiles are carnivores—do you really want your freezer full of dead animals? In all, costs for food, an enclosure, lighting, and vet bills can total hundreds of dollars per year.

Purchasing a reptile caught in his or her natural habitat encourages the removal of wildlife from delicate ecosystems. Buying captive-bred animals only encourages breeders to replenish their stock. If you must have a reptile as a companion animal, please consider adopting one from a local shelter or rescue group.

If you're looking for pet supplies, pet stores, pet friendly hotels or dog friendly restaurants, specialty veterinarians, animal rescue, pet adoption, pet sitters and pet sitting, pet services, pet friendly services, dog parks and cat friendly bed and breakfast inns, etc- for all types of pets, birds, fish, dogs, cats, horses, reptiles, rabbits, sheep and goat, farm animals, small pets and pocket pets, etc- visit our site. It has all the free pet information and pet links you will ever need for your pet. And is totally free for anyone to use!

Don't forget to "Like" us on Facebook (and receive a special gift) and you can also follow us on Twitter. Did you hear us on Atomic Dog Radio? Click here to listen to the show and our interview. Let us know what you think. Did you see our commercials? Visit us on You Tube and Tell a friend!

Pet Businesses- please update or add your information. - To edit and/or update your information Click here: http://www.barleyslist.org/. It is a good idea to go to BarleysList.org frequently and update your profile. There are no fees or memberships to sign up for. This service is free to all users and is designed to connect pet owners to pet related businesses. If you are having any trouble with the site please email me or call me directly toll free at Liz@BarleysList.org or 877-78BARLEY. This site is for pet related businesses only.

BarleysList.org is Where People Go for Pet Info

The Evolution of Cats: From Tiger to Housecat

The friendly, little feline sitting on your lap has a long and predatory ancestry. Its family tree is unusually complicated and only recently has been deciphered.

It appears that all modern cats developed about 10.8 million years ago in Southeast Asia. These were not the first cats. Nimravids, similar to a saber-tooth, date back 35 million years ago, but there descendants went extinct long ago.

Today there are 37 species of Felidae from the tiger to the tabby that form 8 lineages. A distinctive feature of all cats are their highly developed predatory skills-fast, dexterous and with five weapons (four clawed paws and a mouthful of fangs), evolution has created few predators more perfect for the task. Yet, all cats in the wild are currently threatened with extinction.

The ancestor of today's cats was a panther-like creature that split into the big cat families of today, Panthera. Panthera includes the following species: lions, leopards, jaguars, tigers, snow leopards, clouded leopards and Bornean clouded leopards. Wherever these cats live, they are the dominant predator. All of them roar, except for the two clouded leopards.

A little over nine million years ago, the bay cat lineage formed. Small to medium in size, the Bay cats, Asian golden cat, Bornean bay cat, Marbled cat, are limited to forested areas in Southeast Asia.

The next split came 8.5 million years ago with the caracals. The caracal, African golden cat and serval are all native to Africa. They have distinctive long legs and large ears.

During the time that cats were developing distinctive lineages in Africa, they were also traveling to North America. About eight million years ago, the ocelot family formed. The ocelots, Geoffroy's cat, kodkod, tigrina, Andean mountain cat, pampas cat, margay and ocelot reside in Central and South America. The ocelots have 36 chromosomes, all other cats have 38.

A little over seven million years ago, the lynx ancestor formed in North America. Besides their short tails, unique among cats, they lynxes have shown a tendency for wide dispersal. They live in all the northern temperate climates of Europe (Iberian lynx), North Asia (Eurasian lynx) and North America (Bobcat and Canada lynx).

Cats in general are adept at spreading to new areas. As they reach maturity, males move on to new territories. This has allowed cats to spread from Asia to Africa and from Asia to North America and then South America. Amazingly, this migratory tendency has then allowed new species to develop in the Americas and migrate all the way back to Africa.

This evolutionary surprise is found in the Puma lineage that formed 6.7 million years ago and split into the Puma (North and South America), jaguarondi (South America) and cheetah (Africa). Usually the large cats of Africa are thought of as closely related--lion, leopard, tiger and cheetah. However, the cheetah's closest living relative is the puma of the America's. The American cheetah went extinct in North America long ago.
The ancestors of the leopard cat also came from America and formed about six million years ago. The Asian leopard cat, fishing cat, flat-headed cat, rusty-spotted cat and Palla's cat would become the dominant feline lineage in Asia.

Finally, over three million years ago, the cat we are most familiar with, the domestic cat and its close relatives, the wildcat, sand cat, black-footed cat and jungle cat, began their lineage.

Somewhere between Israel and the Near East, about 8-10,000 years ago, the cat was domesticated from the wildcat, creating its own specie. While nearly all the other cat specie's face survival threats in the world today, the domestic cat flourishes at about 600 million.

Sometimes, it is hard to imagine that the purring, happy cat rubbing against our leg has an ancestry as one of the top mammal predators of all time. Only when a mouse or even a toy catches its attention do we glimpse a predatory instinct as basic in the tiger as the domestic cat.

If you're looking for pet supplies, pet stores, pet friendly hotels or dog friendly restaurants, specialty veterinarians, animal rescue, pet adoption, pet sitters and pet sitting, pet services, pet friendly services, dog parks and cat friendly bed and breakfast inns, etc- for all types of pets, birds, fish, dogs, cats, horses, reptiles, rabbits, sheep and goat, farm animals, small pets and pocket pets, etc- visit our site. It has all the free pet information and pet links you will ever need for your pet. And is totally free for anyone to use!

Don't forget to "Like" us on Facebook (and receive a special gift) and you can also follow us on Twitter. Did you hear us on Atomic Dog Radio? Click here to listen to the show and our interview. Let us know what you think. Did you see our commercials? Visit us on You Tube and Tell a friend!

Pet Businesses- please update or add your information. - To edit and/or update your information Click here: http://www.barleyslist.org/. It is a good idea to go to BarleysList.org frequently and update your profile. There are no fees or memberships to sign up for. This service is free to all users and is designed to connect pet owners to pet related businesses. If you are having any trouble with the site please email me or call me directly toll free at Liz@BarleysList.org or 877-78BARLEY. This site is for pet related businesses only.

BarleysList.org is Where People Go for Pet Info

Why does dog urine cause brown spots on grass?

Grass burns from dog urine are a source of frustration for dog owners who take pride in a beautiful lawn. Brown or yellow spots of dead grass are unsightly, but some dog owners feel that it's just part of living with dogs. In fact, there are ways to prevent grass burns from dog urine.

While nitrogen is an essential component in healthy soil, high concentrations of it can cause grass to turn yellow or brown. Urine is naturally high in nitrogen and alone can cause grass burns. However, lawn fertilizer also contains nitrogen. An excess of either or a combination of urine and fertilizer may result in an overdose of nitrogen, thus "burning" the grass. Salts and other compounds in dog urine may also contribute to grass burn. In addition, highly acidic or alkaline urine may alter pH of the soil in that area of your yard, adversely affecting the grass there.
It may seem like female dog urine causes more trouble to the lawn than male dog urine. This is simply because most females tend to squat and urinate in one place, while many males lift the leg and "mark" upright objects in multiple locations. The composition of a dog's urine does not vary that much between male and female dogs, especially when spayed or neutered.
There are a few ways to prevent brown or yellow spots on your lawn caused by dog urine. You can try more than one option at a time for maximum results. There is no guaranteed way to end urine spots in the yard, but the following methods might help stop grass burns caused by dog urine:

1. Train your dog to urinate in one area and plant a urine-resistant ground covering in that area. One great option for this is clover. You might also try creating a dog-friendly landscape in your entire yard.
2. Give your dog a supplement or food additive that is designed to neutralize the nitrogen in the urine. One example of this type of product is Naturvet Grass Saver (compare prices). As always, ask your vet before starting any supplement. Additionally, never attempt to alter your dog's urine pH unless specifically recommended by your vet.
3. Immediately after your dog urinates, use a garden hose to rinse off the area. You might also consider switching to a low-nitrogen fertilizer for your lawn (make sure it's pet-safe too).

Remember that other animals might have access to your yard and their urine can cause lawn damage as well. A fence will keep out any dogs passing by, but cats and various wild animals are not so easy to stop. This may or may not explained continued brown or yellow spots in the yard after implementing the above recommendations.

If you're looking for pet supplies, pet stores, pet friendly hotels or dog friendly restaurants, specialty veterinarians, animal rescue, pet adoption, pet sitters and pet sitting, pet services, pet friendly services, dog parks and cat friendly bed and breakfast inns, etc- for all types of pets, birds, fish, dogs, cats, horses, reptiles, rabbits, sheep and goat, farm animals, small pets and pocket pets, etc- visit our site. It has all the free pet information and pet links you will ever need for your pet. And is totally free for anyone to use!

Don't forget to "Like" us on Facebook (and receive a special gift) and you can also follow us on Twitter. Did you hear us on Atomic Dog Radio? Click here to listen to the show and our interview. Let us know what you think. Did you see our commercials? Visit us on You Tube and Tell a friend!

Pet Businesses- please update or add your information. - To edit and/or update your information Click here: http://www.barleyslist.org/. It is a good idea to go to BarleysList.org frequently and update your profile. There are no fees or memberships to sign up for. This service is free to all users and is designed to connect pet owners to pet related businesses. If you are having any trouble with the site please email me or call me directly toll free at Liz@BarleysList.org or 877-78BARLEY. This site is for pet related businesses only.

BarleysList.org is Where People Go for Pet Info

Separating the sheep from the goats

Taxonomy
While sheep and goats have many similarities, their taxonomy (scientific clasification) eventually diverges. Each is a distinct species and genus. Sheep (Ovis Aries) have 54 chromosomes, while goats (Capra Hircus) have 60. While sheep and goats will occasionally mate, fertile sheep-goat hybrids are rare. Hybrids made in the laboratory are called chimeras.


Look at their tails
The easist way to tell the difference between a sheep and goat is to look at their tails. A goat's tail goes up (unless it is sick, frightened, or in distress). Sheep tails hang down and are often docked (shortened) for health and sanitary reasons.

Foraging behavior
The biggest difference between sheep and goats is their foraging behavior and diet selection. Goats are natural browsers, preferring to eat leaves, twigs, vines, and shrubs. They are very agile and will stand on their hind legs to reach vegetation. Goats like to eat the tops of plants. Sheep are grazers, preferring to eat short, tender grasses and clover. Their dietary preference is forbs and they like to graze close to the soil surface. Goats require a more nutritious diet.

Behavior
Sheep and goats tend to behavior differently. Goats are naturally curious and independent, while sheep tend to be more distant and aloof. Sheep have a stronger flocking instinct and become very agitated if they are separated from the rest of the flock. It is easier to keep sheep inside a fence than goats.

Goats will seek shelter more readilty than sheep. Neither likes to get their feet wet and both prefer upland grazing to lowland. In a fight, a ram will back up and charge to butt heads. A goat will rear up on his hind legs and come down forceably to butt heads. This fighting behavior favors the ram.

Physical differences
Sheep and goats have many physical differences. Most goats have hair coats that do not require shearing or combing. Most sheep grow wool coats that need to be sheared at least annually. Lamb tails are usually docked (shortened) whereas goat tails are not.

Sheep have an upper lip that is divided by a distinct philtrum (groove). The goat does not.
Male goats have glands beneath their tail. Sheep have face or tear glands beneath their eyes and foot or scent glands between the toes. Male goats develop a distinct odor as they grow in sextual maturity. The odor is very strong during the rut (mating season). Sexually mature rams have much less of an odor, if they have an odor at all.

Horns
Most goats naturally have horns. Some goats have beards. Many breeds of sheep are naturally hornless (polled). Some sheep have manes. Goat horns are more narrow, upright, and less curved than sheep horns. Sheep tend to curl their horns in loops on the sides of their heads.


If you're looking for pet supplies, pet stores, pet friendly hotels or dog friendly restaurants, specialty veterinarians, animal rescue, pet adoption, pet sitters and pet sitting, pet services, pet friendly services, dog parks and cat friendly bed and breakfast inns, etc- for all types of pets, birds, fish, dogs, cats, horses, reptiles, rabbits, sheep and goat, farm animals, small pets and pocket pets, etc- visit our site. It has all the free pet information and pet links you will ever need for your pet. And is totally free for anyone to use!

Don't forget to "Like" us on Facebook (and receive a special gift) and you can also follow us on Twitter. Did you hear us on Atomic Dog Radio? Click here to listen to the show and our interview. Let us know what you think. Did you see our commercials? Visit us on You Tube and Tell a friend!

Pet Businesses- please update or add your information. - To edit and/or update your information Click here: http://www.barleyslist.org/. It is a good idea to go to BarleysList.org frequently and update your profile. There are no fees or memberships to sign up for. This service is free to all users and is designed to connect pet owners to pet related businesses. If you are having any trouble with the site please email me or call me directly toll free at Liz@BarleysList.org or 877-78BARLEY. This site is for pet related businesses only.

BarleysList.org is Where People Go for Pet Info

BarleysList- Your Pets Newsletter

BarleysList is where people go for pet info

Ever wonder where you could find reliable pet care? A good dog walker? How about an online pet store which actually has what your looking for? You can find all of this and more at BarleysList.org. Find what others are saying about the services you want, then you can share your experience with others too with our review and 1-5 star rating system. Google, Yahoo and AOL only offer businesses which have web sites. BarleysList.org offers businesses which could not be found otherwise. What makes BarleysList.org so unique is that pet lovers can offer their feedback regarding the services that they have used. Priceless!

Take your pet with you. Did you know there are hotels which offer horse boarding? I have heard from many people who prefer to take their pet- large or small. Almost every Best Western offers pet friendly accommodations. Prefer to stay at a Bed and Breakfast or The Westin Resort or need pet camping supplies? We list those too!

Whether your pet is large or small, they need extra care during the warmer months. You can easily find tack and feed stores or pet boutiques either locally or while traveling with your pet. I remember traveling in Mammoth Lakes, CA and lost our dogs thyroid medicine. I wished I had BarleysList.org created then because it was so difficult to find a veterinarian on a Saturday.

If you're looking for pet supplies, pet stores, pet friendly hotels or dog friendly restaurants, specialty veterinarians, animal rescue, pet adoption, pet sitters and pet sitting, pet services, pet friendly services, dog parks and cat friendly bed and breakfast inns, etc- for all types of pets, birds, fish, dogs, cats, horses, reptiles, rabbits, sheep and goat, farm animals, small pets and pocket pets, etc- visit our site. It has all the free pet information and pet links you will ever need for your pet. And is totally free for anyone to use!

Don't forget to "Like" us on Facebook (and receive a special gift) and you can also follow us on Twitter. Did you hear us on Atomic Dog Radio? Click here to listen to the show and our interview. Let us know what you think. Did you see our commercials? Visit us on You Tube and Tell a friend!

Pet Businesses- please update or add your information. - To edit and/or update your information Click here: http://www.barleyslist.org/. It is a good idea to go to BarleysList.org frequently and update your profile. There are no fees or memberships to sign up for. This service is free to all users and is designed to connect pet owners to pet related businesses. If you are having any trouble with the site please email me or call me directly toll free at Liz@BarleysList.org or 877-78BARLEY. This site is for pet related businesses only.

BarleysList.org is Where People Go for Pet Info

What is Therapeutic Riding?

Therapeutic Riding, also known, as Equine Assisted Therapy, Equine Facilitated Therapy, and Riding for the Disabled, is the use of the horse and equine-oriented activities to achieve a variety of therapeutic goals, including cognitive, physical, emotional, social, educational and behavioral goals.

Therapeutic riding is practiced in some form in most countries in the world. Great Britain formed the Riding for the Disabled (RDA) program initially to promote competition and equine sports for the disabled. Germany and Switzerland have been in the forefront of developing and establishing Hippotherapy as a medical model of equine-assisted therapy. The North American Riding for the Handicapped Association (NARHA) in the United States puts forward a model that incorporates therapy, education, sport, and recreation/leisure activities.

• At some centers, the emphasis is on learning riding skills and using these skills for recreational or sport purposes. These would include trail riding, driving, vaulting and competition.

• An emphasis on education and/or psycho/social development usually includes educational, behavioral, social, and emotional growth. Specific goals in these areas are incorporated in the standard riding lesson.

• The therapeutic/medical model integrates principles of medical and/or psychological development into various uses of the horse. In this case, the use of medical practitioners such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, speech therapists and others become an important part of the program. A specialized form of therapy called Hippotherapy is sometimes employed by physical, occupational and speech therapists who are trained in this area.

• Many centers use an integrated approach, involving all three of the above approaches. Most centers, as well, use a team approach to therapeutic riding. The team consists of some or all of the following: riding instructors, volunteers, educational specialists, behavioral specialists, and medical professionals.

Pet Friendly Businesses- To edit and/or update your information follow the link to that page: http://www.barleyslist.org/ and Select Add/ Edit your business.

If you're looking for pet supplies, pet stores, pet friendly hotels or dog friendly restaurants, specialty veterinarians, animal rescue, pet adoption, pet sitters and pet sitting, pet services, pet friendly services, dog parks and cat friendly bed and breakfast inns, etc- for all types of pets, birds, fish, dogs, cats, horses, reptiles, rabbits, sheep and goat, farm animals, small pets and pocket pets, etc- visit our site. It has all the free pet information and pet links you will ever need for your pet. And is totally free for anyone to use! BarleysList.org is Where People Go For Pet Info

Rabbits as Easter Gifts

Thinking of bringing home a live bunny as an Easter gift this April? Did you know that…

…Pet rabbits can live from seven to ten or more years and require the same long-term care as dogs and cats?

…Young children and bunnies aren’t such a good match?

…Pet rabbits aren’t low-maintenance pets―they have specific dietary and veterinary needs, and must be handled with care?

…Pet rabbits must live indoors, with their human families?

…Thousands of ex-Easter bunnies are abandoned to shelters or into the wild each year when their novelty wears off?

If your family's set on getting a rabbit, start by giving a chocolate bunny or a stuffed toy for Easter and, if your young children are really serious about it, a book on rabbit care. If they're still begging you for a bunny after the holiday has passed, go to your local shelter or rescue group and find out how to adopt a rabbit (or even better, a bonded pair) of your dreams. For info on bunny care and rescue groups, head to the House Rabbit Society.

You can also help spread the word that rabbits are not disposable pets by getting involved in the Make Mine Chocolate! campaign. Started in 2002 by the Columbus House Rabbit Society, the campaign aims to educate the public about the challenges of owning a rabbit and encourages parents to give chocolate or toy bunnies as Easter gifts instead of live rabbits. Check out the group's website, MakeMineChocolate.org, for more info.

Pet Friendly Businesses- To edit and/or update your information follow the link to that page: http://www.barleyslist.org/ and Select Add/ Edit your business. If you're looking for pet supplies, pet stores, pet friendly hotels or dog friendly restaurants, specialty veterinarians, animal rescue, pet adoption, pet sitters and pet sitting, pet services, pet friendly services, dog parks and cat friendly bed and breakfast inns, etc- for all types of pets, birds, fish, dogs, cats, horses, reptiles, rabbits, sheep and goat, farm animals, small pets and pocket pets, etc- visit our site. It has all the free pet information and pet links you will ever need for your pet. And is totally free for anyone to use! BarleysList.org is Where People Go For Pet Info

WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SALTWATER & FRESHWATER FISH

I’m asked that question often. There are the obvious differences in color & form, and also the environmental and scientific differences. But, from the practical standpoint of fishkeeping, the differences are not as many as a lot of people think.

The basics for keeping freshwater fish also apply to saltwater fish (keep the environment stable with adequate filtration, monthly partial water changes and temperature control.) The only major difference is that with a marine aquarium you must add salt to the water (by mixing a dry salt blend) and the cost of the fish themselves is much greater in most cases. Of course a varied diet is important for both freshwater and saltwater fish. One other difference is that most saltwater fish are wild caught specimens whereas most freshwater fish are either tank or pond raised. The transition into a captive environment from the wild can sometimes be difficult, hence the theory that saltwater fish are more "delicate than freshwater". Most aquarium problems occur in the newly set up aquarium, by people who don’t understand the basic principles of biological filtration. In their enthusiasm they start up the aquarium with too many fish and/or the wrong kinds of fish, then overfeed them and conclude that marine fishkeeping is too difficult. This is why you hear stories about people spending a whole lot of money on saltwater fish and giving up within 6 months or so because their fish kept dying. Be patient, start with 1 hearty fish per 10 gallon of water (damsels or clownfishes are good choices), feed them lightly and give the aquarium 3-8 weeks to cycle and in most cases you will succeed.

Whether you choose Freshwater or Saltwater fish, READ and LEARN as much as you can and you will enjoy the hobby so much more because you will have minimal losses and your tank(s) and fish will look so much better!

Pet Friendly Businesses- To edit and/or update your information follow the link to that page: http://www.barleyslist.org/ and Select Add/ Edit your business. If you're looking for pet supplies, pet stores, pet friendly hotels or dog friendly restaurants, specialty veterinarians, animal rescue, pet adoption, pet sitters and pet sitting, pet services, pet friendly services, dog parks and cat friendly bed and breakfast inns, etc- for all types of pets, birds, fish, dogs, cats, horses, reptiles, rabbits, sheep and goat, farm animals, small pets and pocket pets, etc- visit our site. It has all the free pet information and pet links you will ever need for your pet. And is totally free for anyone to use! BarleysList.org is Where People Go For Pet Info

History of the Domestic Cat

Cats have always been a source of fascination for mankind throughout history. Today cats have become one of the world's most popular pets perfectly suited to the lifestyle of our day. They are beautiful, enigmatic and easy-to-care for pets. But where and when did the domestic cat originate? This page will give you some insight into this question.

It has been about 4000 years since the first cats were domesticated. The Ancient Egyptians were the first to keep and use cats to control vermin and other pests to protect stores of food. In Ancient Egypt, the cat was revered as a hunter and worshiped as gods and goddesses. The ancient Egyptians imposed the death penalty for killing cats and cats were also mummified before being buried.

Other ancient civilizations later began to domesticate the cat and took tame felines to Italy where they slowly spread around Europe. Eventually, they arrived in the New World with the Pilgrims. The short-haired domestic cat spread across the world from Egypt while long-haired cats came later from Turkey and Iran. The domestic cat also spread from India to China and Japan.

Except for a short period of persecution in the Middle Ages when cats were associated with the devil, by the eighteenth century cats had become popular household pets world wide.

The wild cats of today such as Lions and Tigers descended from early carnivores called miacids. From there the modern wild cat developed into three main types; the European wild cat, the African wild cat and the Asiatic desert cat. The domestic cat is thought to have evolved from the African wild cat because of its tabby markings.

Domestic cats today still take many characteristics from their wild ancestors. The arresting eyes, body shape, feeding and grooming habits are the same along with the ability to pounce into action at any given moment. It is this link that makes the domestic cat so fascinating around the world.

The non-pedigree domestic cat, the Moggie is the most popular house pet today with the black and white Moggie being the most popular followed by the black cat followed by the Tabby cat. There are also 36 recognized breeds of pedigree cats around the world with the Siamese cat being the most popular. Most homes today that keep pets have at least one cat in residence.

Pet Friendly Businesses- To edit and/or update your information follow the link to that page: http://www.barleyslist.org/ and Select Add/ Edit your business. If you're looking for pet supplies, pet stores, pet friendly hotels or dog friendly restaurants, specialty veterinarians, animal rescue, pet adoption, pet sitters and pet sitting, pet services, pet friendly services, dog parks and cat friendly bed and breakfast inns, etc- for all types of pets, birds, fish, dogs, cats, horses, reptiles, rabbits, sheep and goat, farm animals, small pets and pocket pets, etc- visit our site. It has all the free pet information and pet links you will ever need for your pet. And is totally free for anyone to use! BarleysList.org is Where People Go For Pet Info