The big day has finally arrived, a new member of the family will be joining your ranks. When you bring the little one home, you want to know you have made the right decision, are they going to fit in well with the other family members, will they be kind to everyone, will they be too rambunctious or too big? Of course by little one I am referring to a new dog in the family. These are questions that often come to mind when bringing home a new pet. While there are no guarantees that whatever dog you choose will connect instantly with your family and most important your children, considering a few different things will better ensure a proper match.

The first item to consider is the size of the dog you want to bring home. Canines vary in size from miniature two pound Chihuahua's up to three hundred pound English Mastiffs. While it seems like a very small dog might be best for very small children, think again. If the dog is too small it has a greater likelihood of being stepped on or hurt even by small children who are ten times their size. Huge dogs are not taboo when it comes to children, they can work well, but now the child's size gives them the disadvantage. Other things to think about are where you live; will the dog have enough room to stay active? Large dogs in a small apartment or tiny dogs on a huge plot of land may not pose problems, but do you want to take the risk?

Another item to think about when choosing a family dog is personality. While mean dogs are generally that way because of training, there are breeds that are more likely to be bad with children. Of the 279 deaths caused by dogs between 1979 and 1994, Pit Bulls, Rottweilers and German Shepards were the most commonly reported dog breed involved. Other dogs that have a tendency to be biters are Dobermans and Dalmatians. Along with thinking about how vicious a dog is, dog activity is another thing to consider. Even if a certain breed is known to be less vicious, it may be too rambunctious for small children. There are many things about a dogs personality that lend themselves to being good with children, one that is docile, loving, patient, and willing to be tugged at. Finding a dog that has these characteristics is the key.

There are other things that will make having a dog and children easier as well. Children take a lot of your time, having your daily walks with your dog may not be as easy as it once was, especially in cold climates where it is difficult to take children out at the same time. Dogs that require a lot of exercise such as larger terriers, spaniels and most dogs over 50 pounds may not be able to have the attention required to keep them healthy and active. Other considerations in choosing a dog is how easy it is to clean up after, does it shed a lot, or does it require regular grooming? While they may seem small considerations now, constantly having to vacuum or pull dog hairs off you baby or child will eventually become very tedious.

The last item to think about when it comes to dogs and children is timing. What do I mean by this? Many dogs do much better when they are raised at the same time as the children. It is more difficult for an older dog to adjust to infants or small children than one who has grown up with them. When a dog is accustomed to children from the time they are puppies, it can tolerate the hair pulling, hitting and tugging with more patience. It might even be more willing to be dressed up for a tea party or two.

There are no guarantees when it comes to choosing a new dog for your family, but when certain things are researched first, it can increase the likelihood of a good match. A family dog will be a member of your clan for years to come, hopefully some of the information here can help them fit in and become a loving part of any family.

Article Source: http://www.simplepetcare.com/pet-articles

Choosing a bed for your precious dog is a very important decision - especially if your dog is on the larger side.

When it comes to bedding big dogs have some unique and special requirements - it's not as simple as throwing a cushion down on the floor. Your dog will be spending a whole lot of time in the bed you select so why not make it a special place for him/her?

I've come up with a checklist of things to keep in mind when selecting the perfect large dog bed for your housemate. The good news is that if you make a good decision you may even get your place on the sofa back!

Please work your way through the checklist below - hopefully it will help you to identify the most suitable type of bed for your dog.

Choosing A Large Dog Bed - Comprehensive Checklist


1. When it comes to choosing a large dog bed size is important. If you don't get the sizing right then nothing else really matters - it's not going to be much use to your dog. Be sure to purchase a bed that your puppy won't grow out of. As a general guide when determining the right sized bed you should measure your dog when he/she is sleeping, and then add a couple of inches.

2. Make sure you select a bed that will be comfortable for your individual dog. All dogs are different. My Dalmation loves the round style bed with the soft padded sides. He likes to curl up in a tight ball and rest his head on the raised side - what does your dog like?

3. Be sure to select a dog bed that is appropriate for the climate where you live - there's nothing worse than being cold in bed. In some cases you may require a different bed depending on the Season. You can even get heated dog beds these days!

4. The durability of the bed is always important. It's frustrating when you find what appears to be a good large dog bed but then it doesn't cope with day to day life with your dog. There are some beds in the marketplace that are claimed to be "chew proof dog beds" - I'm not sure there is such a thing, but some brands come pretty close.

5. Will the bed be easy to wash? This is an important one, you want it to be a quick and easy process to wash your dog's bed. Try to avoid beds that will take forever to dry. Also keep in mind that some beds are much easier to vacuum which is worth noting if your dog sheds hair.

6. Consider how the bed will look in your home. If you are worried about the appearance of your home you may want to check out some of the luxury designer dog beds.

7. Does your dog have any special needs? Many dogs (especially larger breeds) have aches, pains, stiffness, arthritis or joint problems. These dogs absolutely need a suitable large dog bed for their health and quality of life. You can purchase specially made orthopedic dog beds for such cases.

8. Will the bed be used outdoors or only indoors? If the bed is going to be used outdoors you may need to go for a waterproof product. As a side note - always keep in mind that dogs hate to be in the path of cold drafts while trying to sleep.

9. Will you be moving your large dog bed around? Is it a bed that will need to perform duties such as fitting in your dog's crate or going into the car on road trips?

Good luck in your search for the perfect large dog bed. Another benefit of having a comfortable place for your dog to sleep is that it may even keep him/her out of your bed!

Article Source: http://www.simplepetcare.com/pet-articles

During the first few weeks of life, puppies and kittens should nurse at least four to six times per day. Infrequent or weak nursing often signifies chilling, illness, or congenital problems and should be attended to immediately by a knowledgeable breeder or veterinarian. The two primary activities of all newborns are eating and sleeping. The eyes of puppies and kittens open between 10 and 16 days and their ears begin to function between 15 and 17 days after birth. Normal body temperature for puppies is 94 degrees Fahrenheit to 97 degrees Fahrenheit for the first two weeks of life. Normal kitten temperature during this time is about 95 degrees Fahrenheit. By 4 to 5 weeks of age, body temperatures have reached the normal adult temperature in both species (approximately 101.5 degrees Fahrenheit).

Because puppies and kittens have no shivering reflex for the first 6 days of life, an external heat source is necessary. The dam is the best source for this warmth. After 6 days, the puppies and kittens are able to shiver, but they are still very susceptible to chilling. Keeping the environment warm and free from drafts is of utmost importance during the first few weeks of life to prevent hypothermia. It is recommended that the environmental temperature be kept at 70 degrees Fahrenheit during this period, assuming the dam is providing an adequate amount of warmth and protection to the newborns.

Newborns should be weighed daily during the first 2 weeks and then every 3 to 4 days until weaning. A helpful guideline is for puppies to gain between 1 and 2 grams (g) per day for every pound of anticipated adult weight for the first 3 to 4 weeks of life. For example, if the anticipated adult weight of a dog is 25 pounds (lbs), the puppy should be gaining between 25 and 50 g/day (0.9 to 1.8 oz). Kittens usually weigh between 90 to 110 g at birth and should gain between 50 and 100 g (1.8 to 3.5 oz) per week until they are 5 to 6 months of age.

Although there is limited information available concerning milk intake in nursing puppies and kittens, one study reported that Beagle puppies consume between 160 and 175 g of milk per day. Naturally, puppies of larger breeds are expected to consume a greater volume of milk, with smaller breeds and kittens consuming less volume. Similarly, the volume of milk that a bitch produces varies with her size. German Shepherds produce about 900 g of milk per day in early lactation, with increases to a level of up to 1700 g/day during peak lactation. In contrast, a much smaller breed, the Dachshund, produces between 100 and 180 g/day in early lactation.

Other influences upon the volume of milk produced are litter size, age at which supplemental food is introduced, and age of weaning. In healthy puppies and kittens, the dam's milk supports normal growth until puppies and kittens are approximately 4 weeks old. Supplemental feeding with commercial milk replacer should only be necessary with unusually large litters. After 4 weeks, milk alone no longer provides adequate calories or nutrients for continued normal development. At approximately the same time, puppies and kittens become increasingly interested in their environment and begin to spend more time awake and playing with each other. The time at which the dam's milk is no longer solely able to meet the nutrient needs of the offspring corresponds to the time at which the young are becoming more interested in trying new foods.

Rich Masters: Source: Virtual Veterinary