Pet Toy

Toy Dogs for Pet Owners with Allergies

2008-05-31T01:01:00.000-07:00

People living in small, confined spaces like condominiums or apartments are attracted to toy dogs because of their size. Generally, toy dogs only increase up to 20 times their birth weight. Adult toy dogs only weigh between one and ten kilograms. They typically reach their adult weight and size in a period of eight months. But not all toy dogs are alike. Some are active and require a lot of exercise, some are barkers, some shed more than others and some are not good with other pets. A particular group of people that needs to consider these differences in toy dogs carefully are the allergy sufferers. An allergy should not stop anyone from enjoying the company of a pet dog.

There are no dogs that are "hypoallergenic". But there are breeds that considerably produce less dander, which causes the allergies in pet owners. Among toy dogs, the following breeds are particularly favorable for people with allergies:

The Chinese Crested is known as a hairless dog, but there are actually two varieties, the hairless and the powderpuff. The hairless variety is not completely bald but has hair on the top if its head, feet and tail. The powderpuff has hair that covers its entire body. The hairless is best for people with allergies, but even the powderpuff does not shed much. It also comes in a variety of colors. Its life span is 12 to 15 years, adult weight is 5 to 10 pounds and adult height is 11 to 13 inches.

The Italian Greyhound is a good choice because it is clean and odorless. It is a miniature of the greyhound and is affectionate and makes a good family dog. Its life span is 13 to 15 years, adult weight is 7 to 12 pounds and adult height is 13 to 15 inches.

The Maltese's coat of long, white hair resembles human hair. It requires good grooming, but does not shed much. It is a good family pet, but its size does not make it suitable for rough play. It is gentle and affectionate and is a good pet for the elderly. It makes a good watch dog as well. The Maltese's life span is 12 to 15 years, adult weight is 6 to 8 pounds and adult height is 6 to 8 inches.

The Shih Tzu has hair instead of fur thus making it good for owners with allergies. It is a small but sturdy dog and its gentle and affectionate nature makes it a good choice for children and the elderly. Its long coat requires daily grooming to avoid matting. Its life span ranges from 12 to 14 years, adult weight is 9 to 16 pounds and adult height is 8 to 11 inches.

The Toy Poodle does not shed much. It makes a good watch dog and is a lively companion. It is perfect for apartment or city-dwellers, but hates to be alone. It is an excellent pet for children and the elderly. Its life span is 10 to 14 years, adult weight is 6 to 9 pounds and grows up to 10 inches.

Michael RussellYour Independent guide to Dogs

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Cat Toys - Make Your Pet Happy

2008-03-29T07:04:00.001-07:00

Cat Toys - Make Your Pet Happy
By Jennifer Akre

Christmas is right around the corner and the family cats would like to remind you not to leave them out this year. While many people think their pets don't understand Christmas; that's not true. While they may not understand the nuances of the holiday, cats and dogs do understand the excitement that fills the air around this time of year. While they may not understand the idea behind Santa, they know there is a lot of wrapping paper flying and that everyone around them is getting new things to play with.

You may have noticed that the cat has been crawling in the middle of everything going on and pawing at presents a time or two. That's because he wants to be a part of the family and take part in this family fun event, even if he doesn't completely understand what it's all about.
So, make sure to remember this year to include the cat in these activities. It's not hard. Most cats have a certain type of cat toys they enjoy. You can purchase a few new toys for them to unwrap (with a little help from you).

If you want a really fun toy this year, here are some of the top cat toys on the Kitty Christmas 2007 List:

Da Bird Interactive Toy for Cats - This is a simple, yet very popular, cat toy. Think of a fishing pole with a stretchy piece of string and a feathered lure on the end. This is essentially what this toy is, minus the hooks. While it seems simple enough, it's amazingly popular with cats. You may even notice when you're not swinging the toy around your cat is trying to play with it by himself.

Mews Ments 5-in-1 Laser Pet Toy and Exerciser - This present is like having a number of cat toys in one. It's one of the laser pointer key chains you may have seen in the past, but this one has fun designs that a cat will like to chase, including a mouse and butterfly. You can kick back and whirl the laser around the room and watch your cat get quite a workout trying to catch the flashing images. This is one of the cat toys that seem to entertain the whole family as they watch the cat chase the light pattern. Just make sure not to shine the pattern directly in the cat's eyes.

If you really want to have a good time, you may be able to take a couple good-smelling cat treats and lightly wrap them in paper, letting the cat rip it open. Just watch that your cat is not eating the paper. Some cats will rip the paper, other cats will eat it, If yours is prone to eating, don't try this.

Another tactic to take is to put a few cat treats in a small box that the cat will have to knock around to open. You can give him the same attention that you give the kids when it's time to open presents and he well may be very excited to be taking part in the family event.

Author Jennifer Akre is an owner of a wide variety of online specialty shops that offer both products and information on how you can easily furnish and decorate your space for yu and your pet. Whether it's your living, bedroom, or even your deck or patio, there are many tips you can use to make your space both functional and beautiful for you and your furry friends. Today, she shares her insight on how to create a fabulous space for your cat by using easy to climb cat furniture, soft and cozy
cat houses and fun and functional
cat trees

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Akre
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Lab Finds Toxic Metals In Wal-Mart Pet Toys

2007-11-30T06:07:00.001-08:00

Harry, a 3-year-old Jack Russell terrier, loves to explore ... so much so that he has forgotten all about his chew toys, at least for now.

ConsumerAffairs.com reported that a Texas lab found elevated levels of lead, chromium and cadmium in two Chinese-made pet toys sold at Wal-Mart. The site added that two veterinarians said the levels of toxic metals found in the toys do not pose a health risk to dogs or cats. The dog toy, a latex green monster, tested positive for high levels of lead and the carcinogen chromium. The other toy, a cloth catnip trinket, also tested positive for "a tremendous amount" of cadmium.

"The bottom line is if you don't have to give your pets toys, don't, especially as we're going through this scare right now," said Dr. Allison Healy of Brykerwood Veterinary Clinic. "If you do give them a toy, give them something indestructible, they can't swallow, ingest or have the potential for having lead inside of it."

Healy advised that if your pet swallows toxic metals, pet owners will notice warning signs of vomiting and diarrhea.

"I never would have thought about that would have been the case with dog toys, but I'll tell you I'll definitely look out for that," said Marcus Devere, Harry's owner.

Pet Toy

2007-11-22T13:01:00.000-08:00

Learn about pet shop toys and pet toys. Also watch pet toys.