Pets are as commonplace in India as they are in the rest of the world. Many people want to keep them so as to enjoy the unconditional love of these animal-friends. Pets in India belong to diverse species and breeds and to help provide them the best love and care, many pet care centers have also sprung up.

You must be familiar with the typical animal lovers argument- pets can give you a companionship which is as wholesome as that offered by humans, and to a certain extent more trustworthy. Well, many people do believe in it. And that is why pets in India are so popular. Apart from the simple bond you share with them, certain pets like dogs also offer you a sense of security.

Pets in India are not restricted to the ubiquitous cats and dogs. There are people who keep fishes, rabbits and even turtles as their pets with as much enthusiasm as dog-lovers and animal-lovers have. And even when it does come to cats and dogs, you will find many foreign as well as local breeds. May it be a Basset hound, a Chihuahua, a German shepherd, a Golden Retriever or a Labrador, a lot of people buy them through pet agencies no matter what the price. In cats too, you can get Siamese, Persian, American Bobtails, Burmese and a lot more.

Keeping pets involve a lot of care and you must be prepared to devote your undivided attention to them. If you do not know the basics, then you can gather valuable know-how and tips from various experts. Pets in India now live in better times as there are a lot of pet care centers and experts who can help you out for your pet-problems. Pet care centers also offer to take care of your pets if you plan to leave town for a long period of time.

Pets in India are available with many agencies but you should take care that the one you are buying your pet from has license to do so. You can also get pets through online sources where you can also get free advice and tips form experts.

Have you ever wondered about this? I don’t know for sure, but with the relatively sudden appearance of a plethora of super pet stores and the burgeoning growth of the industry in general, my guess is that it might have something to do with people wanting to decrease the stress that plagues all of us.

Personally, we do not have any pets, because we have no timeor spacefor them and don’t want the extra work and responsibility.

But many people, especially those with children at home, for some reason do wish to care for one or more pets. And I realize that some parents simply yield to the “want ones” from their kids. And that’s okay, as long as they also teach those kids the responsibility that goes along with pet ownership. Sadly, many don’t.

Some single people seem to acquire pet(s) as a status symbol or as a means of meeting someone by establishing an excuse to speak to someone while out walking or running.

Still others are simply lonely and dote on their pet(s) as they might dote on a mate if they had one.

Now, you would think that anyone who has or would be thinking about acquiring a pet, especially a relatively large one, would already be a home owner, wouldn’t you? Well, if that’s what you think, you would be wrong!

How do I know that?

Because I’m a property manager, and it just boggles my mind the number of people who call and ask if we accept pets. We have both single rooms and one-bedroom apartments, but that doesn’t seem to faze these people.

I mean, some of these people have not one large dog or cat, but several . . . and they expect someone to rent them a small room or apartment? Makes you wonder what goes through their minds (if anything)!

Don’t get me wrong. I love cuddly animals and have had many pets in years past . . . but always in a house with a yard that we owned. And our dogs did their business in our yard, not on public grounds.

Then, of course, there are those home owners (or home renters, as the case may be), who allow their dogs to become nuisances in otherwise quiet neighborhoods. They bark incessantly for hours at a time, to the apparent unconcern of their owners, and disturb others’ peace.

Years ago, I remember resorting to sleeping with a box fan on “high” just so that I could get to sleep, because of a neighbor’s “pet.” When I complained to that neighbor, she told me that their Border Collie was a “watch” dog . . . really? How would they ever know if someone was intruding, because the dog barked non-stop? She could not have cared less if neighbors were being disturbed!

Again, the question is, why do these people insist on harboring these animals at the expense of their neighbors’ peace and quiet?

Could it be that this somehow relieves their stress? I do not see how that would be possible, and it certainly adds to the stress of their neighbors!

But caring for an animal does seem to contribute to the happiness and peace of mind of many. I know, for instance, of a nursing home where an Irish Setter roams the halls and brings joy and happiness to the faces of the folks there.

Finally, I know of several couples who have reached the point in their relationships where they seem to just tolerate each other, and their pets are mutually enjoyed so that they have sort of a “substitute” to fill in the gaps that are wanting in their relationships.

It is as if these kinds of people transfer their affection for another human being to the pet kingdom, and they’re losing a lot in the end.

Loving animals is one thing. Giving them precedence over human beings is quite another. Everything should be done in moderation.

A recent news item about a reptile that escaped prompted me to recall the necessary features of a snake’s habitat. At the top of the list, the snake’s cage needs to be secure, but also a comfortable place to live.

The housing.

First and foremost, the cage must be secure. We don’t want the snake to escape, and it’s our duty to make sure that the snake can’t harm itself. There must be no sharp or cutting edges anywhere inside the cage and the cover needs to have locking clips. A totally glass container can be employed, as long as the top is well ventilated and can’t get too warm. Many vivariums have wooden backs and sides, and glass doors which can slide, which cuts down on weight and helps make them cheaper. The sliding glass panels can additionally be fixed in place using special mechanisms.

Nutrition.

Reptiles need water, and although some kinds of reptiles can go for long periods without taking in water, most pet snakes also like to get immersed from time to time. No other liquids are needed by the reptile except for fresh clean water changed every two days or so. Reptile food is a very broad subject, and most snake care guides cover this in much detail. Smaller reptiles migh eat small insects and crickets, whilst the larger boas and pythons will take big rats. Mice and rats can be given either dead or alive, but the animal must be relaxed or it might not eat.

Bedding and Surroundings

Normally, a snake is comfortable with either sawdust or hay strewn across the cage floor. Although snakes are not that intelligent, some extra things in the tank will serve to stimulate them, keeping them active and healthy. A rock or tree branch will do nicely. Snakes also need to hide themselves, so a small box or cover will allow it to hide when it wants. Be careful not to put anything into the tank that may contain parasites, fungus or small insects.

Comfortable Environment.

Reptiles are cold blooded, which just means they take on the ambient temperature. A chilled snake will move slower than a warm one, and generally be less happy. A decent reptile care guide should give you the best temperature for each species. A good heating source might take the form of a synthetic rock, with an electric heater element hidden inside. Another type of heating is by infra-red lamp suspended from the lid, or a normal incandescent lamp could be employed. The last example would also provide light, but is not perfect, as the temperature is better controlled thermostatically. A separate lamp may be timed to simulate day and night. Finally, make sure you take greta advice on how to buy a pet snake.

What kind of pet you are looking for? Have you ever thought about a gecko? You will find different kind of geckos but there is only one which is perfect as a house pet.

If you have seen pictures of leopard geckos, you are probably aware of what beautiful reptiles they are. Because of the work of breeders, leopard geckos come in an astonishing array of colours and patterns, from tangerine orange all the way to black and white striped, and many of these are quite striking creatures. I have been breeding reptiles for years and years now, and let me tell you: leopard geckos are some of my very favourite. This is not just because of their striking appearance, however. It is because they make such great pets.

Many people complain that reptiles are lousy pets. They feel that snakes and lizards are bad tempered, unaffectionate, dull, and boring company. For many of these creatures, this is true. They are simply not very easy to socialize, and are at best indifferent to humans. But the leopard gecko is different. Leopard geckos, if they are brought up among humans for their whole lives, are friendly, affectionate creatures who are really quite easy to get along with for anyone. They are pretty easy to care for as long as you remember a few basic facts about them. All leopard geckos must receive adequate, but not excessive warmth. Leopard geckos also must be fed daily with insects, and the like, and have enough space to move around. Finally, leopard geckos must not be left all by themselves. They technically can survive by themselves, but as a leopard gecko breeder, I can tell you that they are much happier when they have company. Really, leopard geckos do best when raised in groups of two or more, but even human companionship will help keep your pet happy. And a happy pet is a healthy pet.

If you are thinking of getting leopard geckos, there are a few things that you must consider first. They are not cute in the traditional sense, and so if your idea of a perfect pet is something soft that you can pet at your convenience, then the leopard gecko is right out. Although they are fairly affectionate lizards, if you are looking for some creature that will be overjoyed every single time that you enter the room, ditch the leopard geckos in favour of a nice golden retriever. But, if you are a lizard person, you probably already know it. If your idea of a nice pet is an interesting pet, then leopard geckos might be just the thing for you. I hope you already made your choice; you will never find a friendlier house pet than a gecko.

It is very important to feed your Shih Tzu a well-balanced diet of pet food and not table scraps. Pancreatitis is a severe inflammation of the pancreas that can result from feeding your Shih Tzu table scraps.

A Shih Tzu with pancreatitis may suddenly vomit, become dehydrated, be lethargic and have diarrhea. These symptoms are common to a lot of different canine diseases; therefore, the diagnosis of pancreatitis is very difficult for a vet to make. He will depend a lot upon a good history from the Shih Tzu owner.

High amounts of fat in the Shih Tzus diet, a high-fat meal or allowing your Shih Tzu to get into the garbage and consume leftover food may cause pancreatitis Pesticides. Some canine drugs can cause side effects of pancreatitis as well. There is a higher incidence of this disease in obese Shih Tzu.

Pancreatitis can also lead to diabetes and loss of some liver function in your Shih Tzu. It is very important to introduce an easily digestible diet to avoid diarrhea.

Repeated episodes of acute pancreatitis or has signs of diabetes may be chronic pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis can appear suddenly, but doesnt last as long. There is little or no permanent damage to the organ. In chronic pancreatitis the pancreas undergoes permanent damage and possible loss of function.

Once a Shih Tzu is diagnosed with pancreatitis, the intestinal tract must be rested. All food and water is withheld from the dog for a period of time, usually 24 hours. If the Shih Tzu is dehydrated, intravenous fluids will have to be given. The Shih Tzu normally responds to treatment in a few days and can gradually be put back on food.

You need to avoid acute or chronic pancreatitis at all times with your Shih Tzu. Feed your Shih Tzu a well balanced commercially prepared diet to be certain your Shih Tzu is getting all the nutrition it needs.

The best choice of food for your Shih Tzu is a veterinarian formulated product inspired by nature and made using good science. Your Shih Tzu depends upon you to make the right choices when it comes to his or her health and happiness. Your Shih Tzu is a part of your family and you probably want the very best for him.

You might think all pet food manufacturers have your pets best interests in mind. This is not always the case. Current pet food regulations allow manufacturers to use ingredients that you would never give to your pet. You probably would be shocked to learn what some brands of pet food really contain.

For example, the use of by-products on the label of a dog food actually means feet, bones and intestines, etc.). You will often see listed on the dog food label, chemical preservatives (BHA and BHT), and grains that are often difficult to digest (corn, wheat, gluten and soy). These things are often used as a protein source instead of meat. These types of ingredients can also cause acute pancreatitis and possibly even chronic pancreatitis in your Shih Tzu.

Choose a dog food for your Shih Tzu that is made with the freshest, human-quality ingredients, which can give your Shih Tzu the best quality possible. This would be also a dry dog food that contains all natural chicken and top quality catfish with the best fresh fruit, vegetables and select farm foods. The dog food you choose for your Shih Tzu should contain no artificial flavors, colors, sugars, or chemical preservatives. Be sure to read the labels on the dog food before purchasing for your Shih Tzu.

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