What if we had dragons and unicorns existing in  reality? What if magic wasn’t a long lost word. It really existed. What if there were werewolves and creatures like the famous buckbeak from Harry Potter and Prisoner of Azkaban. Well, taking an inspiration from the movie itself, I would like to question you all. Which pet would you think would be best to keep among the myriad magical creatures you have ever come across. Here is a list of few pet candidates that you might want to chose from.

10. Cheshire cat

Remember the classic from your childhood Alice in Wonderland where Alice meets a mischievous cat with this grin that it would wear on its face all the time. Yes , Cheshire, the cat that would sometimes appear in cartoons and other television shows. The mystical thing about it was that it would tend to disappear every now and then, solely leaving behind its creepy grin. Making a disappearing cat a pet of yours would surely scare your friends away. You could even pull a prank on them with your fantastic feline friend.

9. Griffin

As I had mentioned about ‘buckbeak’ from the Harry Potter movies, this mythological creature is more commonly called as griffin/ griffon or gryphon. With head and wings like an eagle and the hind part and talons of that of a lion, this creature is considered as the king of all. This majestic animal is known for guarding treasures and priceless possessions. Riding one would surely be a memorable experience if it were true.

8. Pegacorn

Now you must have heard of Unicorn, the magical horse alike creature with a single horn on its forehead. May be less likely about Pegasus, the winged horse in various mythological stories. Pegacorn is basically a hybrid of the two, with horn and the wings together in one, hence the name. OK, so equine owners can imagine better if their horses had a single horn and a pair of wings. If maintaining and caring for a single horse wasn’t enough, a Pegacorn would surely make their life a hell. Imagine while cleaning and grooming the horse would fly away or in anger would knock the owner down with its horn. Despite all this, the lucky person is surely going to enjoy a ride to heavens!

7. Orthrus

This is one of the creatures that is said to inhabit the underworld. If you are a Harry Potter fan, you might have remembered it by the two-headed dog that guarded the secret chambers. It is a Greek mythological creature who was said to be owned by a three-bodied giant called Geyron. No wonder a three bodied beast required to tame a two headed monster! Such creatures were made to protect priceless items from being stolen. Imagine this dog guarding your house, probably even a known visitor would keep away from coming to your place in its presence, forget thievery.

6. Dobhar-chu

If Ben10 series were not made who would have related to this hideous creature today. WIldmut is the closest in resemblance to this legendary animal. It is more of a mix between an otter and a dog. With good sense of smell and also an excellent ability to swim like an otter, it is a beast that wins over water and land both. Having a Ben10 alien lookalike with athletic abilities beyond human imagination, Dobhar-chu becomes a deadly dog-beast. Speeding and jumping heights sitting on your pets back would be worth an experience though you better be careful avoiding him eat someone walking past you.

5. Mermaid

U mm-hmm, seems somebody needs a big catch. Bored of your goldfish circling round and round in the glass and doing nothing else? You are looking for a mermaid now. Half human half marine, too fishy isn’t it? Remember Pirates of Caribbean? Yes, where the mermaids got hold of men and dragged lulled them only to drown them to fathoms and tear them apart. Well, you can’t keep it as a pet though you can surely have one for a company  probably if you don’t  end up being a breakfast meal for the beautiful creature. Don’t say that I didn’t remind you before, mermaids are beautiful but equally dangerous. Or probably no one knows.

4. Will-o’-the-Wisp

This one comes from the movie Brave. A will-o-the-wisp, is said to show the beholder, the path to destiny. It appears like slight scintillations in specially in marshy lands. It turns out to be a distorted shape flame-like flickering object that urges you to follow it, if you don’t it reappears in your path. Probably a pet to look forward to who can guide you on the right way in dark times.

3. Nemean Lion

Aslan! the majestic beast from the Chronicles of Narnia, displayed the pride of a lion and quite a bit smug on his face. With the roar that shakes up the whole Narnia to life, Aslan was surely the mighty king of that world. Nemean, the lion was double the size of a normal lion. This would surely give you an idea, how much the gigantic animal would eat in one go. Even the mighty Hercules couldn’t defeat the lion at once. A surely indestructible demon, a Nemean lion comes at number two on the mythical pet list.

2. Phoenix

Phoenix, even the word contains in itself certain impetus and a sense of power. The Greek mythological bird, is said to rejuvenate from its own ashes after its death. Associated with the sun it is considered as the bird of fire. According to legend, phoenix lives for up to 1400 years, so probably you are going to give it a good company for its lifetime. You might not live to see it take rebirth but this bird would prove to be a wise pet.

1. Dragon

The majestic beasts of all times, a dragon is one of the most legendary and well known among many folklore and fables. As a dragon rider, gliding through the sky on the back of your fire-breathing pet would be one of the most terrific experiences ever. The ‘How to train your Dragon’ and ‘Eragon’ would literally come to life if this magical creature would come to life and be your pet someday.

These pets are figments of imagination that few people dare to dream of and yet if they actually come true, it would be no less than destruction for power will be misused and people will be misguided. Yet the fun in keeping a legendary creature would be beyond comprehension.

The post The Lesser known Pets of All Times appeared first on Pet Attack.

We humans are so susceptible to getting influenced by things around us that we try to reason any unusual happening with hypothetical possibilities, without knowing the logic behind it. Our ancestors came up with religious beliefs,the foundation of many of which where simply based on unknown facts which nobody tried to dig upon and find out the reason behind. Well when it is said that half knowledge is dangerous then that be true because it can turn out to hurt someone or even be fatal. As such we have never spared our fellow species, our pets can be no exception in it as we drag them into this colossal field of false beliefs and myths.

Below are few myths-considered-facts that that we has been going around for a long time now but needs to be clarified.

1. Black BAD LUCK

As if hypothetical ghost stories lost their charisma that they dragged a poor little feline into it. Considering them as inauspicious, black cats are often seen as carriers of some evil that is bound to happen and inevitable. People stop and flinch if they see black cats come across their way. This one is too old a myth and some still follow till date. ‘Uh-uh! I won’t go that way else bad luck would follow’, seriously? You think a cat can make a truck run over you while crossing the road, probably yes if your gaze is fixed on that four-legged dark shadow and not on the road while crossing it. Get over that sick myth! They are like any other cats that people pet around rather just more beautiful and unique!

2. Old dog New Tricks, Uh-uh!

No! This is a false verdict. There is no relation between age and ability to learn new things when it comes to your canine friend. No matter what age they reach you can still teach your friend to sit, roll, stay, fetch or whatever pleases you. This has nothing to do with its age. An everyday practice for a week or two and then your dog is smart enough to grasp what is being taught. Don’t underestimate your dog friend they can be stubborn or lazy but they will definitely pick up more quickly than you expected and surprise you. Changing their habits isn’t that difficult as goes the saying everywhere.

3. A Camel’s own water tank?

Camel is the ship of desert, some books poetically explained so. With their ability to live several days without food and water, they are considered as the most well adapted animal to the harsh conditions of the deserts. Camels have distinctive features like padded feet, long eye-lashes and most visible of them all, its hump. Well most of the people think the camel carries water inside its hump and avoid death due to dehydration. The actual fact being they have got oval shaped red blood cells instead of the common circular shaped cells that most mammals have. This lets them retain water in their body for much longer duration. And as for the hump, it just a mount of fat that acts as a food reservoir rather that that of water. Camels can stay fit and fine for as long as three weeks without food with the fat burning in the hump providing the necessary energy. Special thanks to the kidneys and intestines that reduce the water excretion to minimal levels and help it survive whilst other animals die of hunger and thirst.

4. All parrots DON’T talk

You pay a visit to your neighbor got a parrot pet recently and the first question that comes out is, ‘Hey does it talk?’ And with high expectations you try saying monosyllables to it, thinking probably it might mimic you in the funniest way possible. Well, here goes down your expectation and myth, not all parrots talk. Why?! Simply because they are individuals like us. Parrot species like Amazon parrots and African grey parrots are most famous among the parrot species as they can pick up vocabulary faster and mimic better. Whilst on contrary some of the species won’t talk at all. Even among the above two species, there can be few odd ones who don’t talk or very less in comparison others. The reason for this is still a mystery to the scientist who give the individualistic trait as one of the reasons. Hence so forth, don’t overestimate about the poor parrot, because all parrots can’t speak like you.

5. That Egg is Hers!

Well, it doesn’t who came first the egg or the chicken, you simply have your non-veg delicacies without thinking nonsense, but what is to be clarified it that the eggs you have aren’t the ones that would hatch if you keep them warm or something. As a child I often used to do that, thinking that at least one of them would hatch and I would have a chic to play with. Sadly the eggs that we eat are not the fertilized ones. The hen lays eggs regularly, be it fertilized or not. So no you are not committing any crime and killing those babies developing inside the calcium shells. Veggies, take a note!  If you have roosters n your farm and you think probably the hens are having a good time making fertile eggs then you can keep them in the fridge. Refrigeration can  to stop the further growth inside the egg.

6. RAPE RACK

This one goes as a matter of fact, clearing out every possible ‘made-ups’ and beliefs around. You think you get ample calcium supplies from that glass of milk you have everyday (which is actually not true) and with those endorsement brands of milk showing cows happily grazing in the background, it all seems a perfect cycle of milch industry. The horrendous truth being that the milch animals are tortured inhumanly to get you that glass of milk or cup of coffee in the morning. The concept is simple, cows only lactate when they have babies. No baby means no milk. Hence they are impregnated time and again effecting their health and what is done with the calves is even more unfortunate. They are weaned onto some other diet whilst the milk that is supposed to be for the calf goes to us humans. The babies are kept away their mothers, tied all the time with little space to roam around and if they seem of no use, specially the male calves, they end up in slaughter houses. The sorry and disturbing truth, isn’t a myth but a fact covered with the veil of the benefits of developing good health through milk.

The post Myriad Myths about your Pets appeared first on Pet Attack.

Ah! So now you are looking for ape friend that seemed to be a pretty smart buddy in that latest Hollywood flicks you saw recently. You must be wondering if you could own one and keep yourself occupied with your new found friend. Well, take it slow buddy, because it isn’t as easy as it looks like on the screen. No I am not saying it would turn out to be another ‘The-Rise-of-The-Planet-Of-The-Apes’, but you would surely have  a tough time handling your monkey friends. Here is why.

Disciplinary Issues

While you may find baby monkeys and Chimpanzees irresistibly cute but as they grow up, the reality would soon strike upon you in the form of disciplinary issues associated with them. Look! They are not same as a dog or cat, which would wag its tail around you and listen to your orders. They are wild and certainly not the ones who would respond when you throw the stick. As kids, the apes learn all the monkey etiquette via social interactions by observing their elders and imitating them. This way of learning is obstructed when they live in human filled environment and tend to behave differently, which can be abnormal. As babies they can be easy to handle but as they grow up they can prove to be an uncontrollable liability that would chatter and roam around in your house defying your sense of peace and safety. It is difficult to teach an ape human behavior and etiquette and it obviously not preferable and expected.

Wild, Real Wild!

They are not domestic beings. Though they are vegetarians but they have got canines that can prove to be dangerous if not fatal. There have been many cases where a poor owner lost a finger or two as his pet lost his temper. By the time they are adults, that is around five years of age, they become quite stronger than humans. In any case if they become aggressive then even the most experienced care taker cannot help but watch the mess come into existence despite all the efforts. Apes, though can be handled to some extent when they are young but as puberty hits, they long for others of their kind and become ecstatic.

Space and Time

Apes, with chimps specially stay with their moms for more than five years. Even while sleeping, the mamma chimps keep in contact with their infants while sleeping. They are raised with affection and care which a human cannot relate to or imitate. Even devoting all the affection and care, owners often overlook the everyday needs of constant cleaning, developing new tricks to keep them occupied, feeding regularly etc. Petting a chimp is not only concerned with keeping a hold on basic needs, ample space and dedicated time devotion are a part of it. No matter how big your bungalow is, or if you have a huge backyard, for a grown up apes, it would never be enough. Apes like to roam around and explore new spaces, that way your whole house can turn into a mess. It is how you imagine a 3 year old powerful kid roaming across your house, pulling down curtains and moving tables and furniture.

Chimps can become irritated if neglected. You may be off your schedule or come late sometime only to find your pet friend really angry upon you, that may take the shape of a havoc. Oh and if you think you can take your pet on a trip with you then forget that, you won’t even find a proper caretaker when you are away all by yourself.

Communicable diseases

Of course we are not much different from them, they being our ancestors. What could be more dangerous than getting infected by a disease they carry, which can b easily transferable living with your pet. Any disease that harms them can affect us too, since we are so similar genetically. So either way, a disease can be bad for both you and your ape friend equally, no matter who is the transmitter.

Time to say goodbye

Finally after going through all the headache and back breaking struggles , you would realize that these big monkeys only belong to the forest, where they can be happy and stay healthy. It can come to you that no matter how much compassion and care you show towards your pet and all the time you devoted for it, all of it turned out to be a treachery. Well, then let it be clear, like you can’t stay in a jungle with a chimp family, climbing trees and eating fruits, similarly an ape cannot be tamed to be a domestic amuse. Though you might have bonded with the ape but you realize have to let go, well deep down you actually knew this day would come.

The Disturbing Truth

Many owners don’t know this but zoo keepers don’t accept apes that have grown under human influence as they don’t mingle up well with others of their kind. They cannot adopt to the character traits that are though small  but unique and equally important to stay alive among their own species. Thus as a misfit they are targeted by other apes and suppressed. Same is the reason why they can’t be let out in the wild, the conditions being tougher there, decreasing the survival chances.

One dark truth that follows is that, these chimps are sent to various laboratories for innumerable experiments that are conducted ruthlessly upon these creatures. The are subjected to pain and torture and kept in inhuman conditions. Though the owners are told not to visit their chimps and disturb them in their new and happy homes, they don’t come to know that their beloved friends actually become victims to various horrendous conditions they are kept in. Thus following this many countries and places have banned keeping apes as pets.

The post The Ape Gape appeared first on Pet Attack.

India raises its chest with pride in being the world’s largest producer of milk. It is probably the only place where milch animals are both worshiped and killed for meat in different cultures. Strange paradox and yet we exist together in a country undisputed most of the times if not all. Many eyebrows were raised when National Diary Development Board came out with figures that showed an increase in the monetary value of milk and meat from 2004-05 to 2011-12 by measures that cannot go overseen. Where at one moment it was a moment of contentment in the domain of production, it gave a shock to the country, when the veil was lifted off. The animals that bore the responsibility of making the country fit and healthy went through a sequence of their tortures and states of turmoils.If vegetarians are happy thinking that by not consuming meat they avoid invoking killings and suffering then this is to better inform them that they do the most.

Let me explain how. Everyone need proteins right? And apart from the flesh, vegetarians make up to their nutrient requirement by consuming more milk.

“So whats wrong in that?”, You might think! , “At least I am not killing anyone.” Well you are doing worse. Milch animals are treated as no more than just machine. The horrible truth goes like that.

Cows and Buffaloes, bred for milking, are inseminated many times over a short period of time. Since the milk production is more at the time the animal gives birth, cattle are impregnated at least once every year for cows and every 15 months for Buffaloes, to get maximum profit out of it. Sooner after birth, within days, the calves are separated from their mothers causing emotional trauma for both the baby and the mother, which leads to 15-30% increase in milk production, again feeding the greed for profit. All of the mothers milk is then sent for human consumption. The females are injected with oxytoxin shots and other hormonal shots so that their body produces much more milk than usual. It is literally forcibly sucking out the life of poor creature.

The repeated milking via machines causes the udders to swell due to unnatural suckling, sometimes even giving electric shocks to the cow and causing infections. The calves that get separated are frightened and bewildered. The female calves are reared for the same torture they would witness on maturing while most of the male calves are sent to slaughter houses or abandoned, probably left to starve. Few, healthy ones are used for breeding. Sometimes they are used for labor and undergo castration without anesthesia. Once they are old, the males are sent to slaughter houses. The number of male cattle account to just 35.57 % against 64.42% females and counts to 85.18 per cent female against 14.8 per cent male in buffalo, which clearly shows the undesirability of the male cattle.

To keep the production going on the animal husbandry manual provided by the government recommends re-impregnation around 60 days after the previous delivery. Any longer interval would cause loss and if it is shorter the milk production would be low.Ever wondered how it would effect health of a human female getting pregnant and giving birth at the same frequent interval?

With the females the same process of insemination, impregnation, separation, continuous milking followed by possibility of mastitis or breast infection. The cattle are stuffed in an unhealthy environment and subjected to tortures throughout their lives. They are treated more like milk producing machines than animals. Milk production reduces after three to four pregnancies, post which the females are sent to slaughter houses as well. Such inhuman practice is done in a country where cows are considered sacred by the most populating sect and carried out by the same people. If this is not ironical then what is. The ill-practices to innocent creatures spits on the pride that Indians show in being foremost in milk production. Diary production involves killing. Production of beef is just a part of this process. The annual report of Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries clearly states an increase of milk production from 102.6 million tonnes in 2006-07 to 127.9 million tonnes in 2011-12 referring to various plans and measures taken up. The truth finally lies in the fact that the poor animals undergo ill fated consequences of these plans and policies.

All in all, a milch animal has to go through more distress than an animal reared solely for meat. But that doesn’t bother us from having our filter coffee or bed tea. We take joy in the fact that we are taking in milk and hence treating our health well. The poor animals on other hand suffer throughout their lives and go unnoticed to their graves, one after the other. This seems worse than being reared for meat where the animals are fed well and finally terminated in one go.

Today we don’t talk here about milch pets. We take up an issue of absolute cruelty that has gone unnoticed for so many years and is projected as an achievement rather than a misdeed. Animals are not being taken care of as they should be. The question just circumferences around economical or uneconomical, overseeing the ill-fated lives of the milch animals.It seems there is no point in feeling good being a vegetarian if you have supplemented milk in your protein build-up diet.now.Taking care of a milch pet is a far cry here. The diary farming today is an issue of survival under struggle for these cattle. In the end it only clears the glass for the fact that the process followed in production of milk is as gruesome as in that of meat if not more. If you really want to extend a helping hand towards those milch animals, reduce that extra cup of tea or filter coffee which you have got addicted to, to begin with.

This piece of writing is not intended to focus upon caring for your milch pets rather it solely focuses on how to provide a better life to our bovine friends. After all they are also living and deserve to be treated far better and not so inhumanly.

The post The White Truth of Indian Diary appeared first on Pet Attack.

Remember the time, as a kid, you used to go for horse riding in fairs, wishing that you had one at home too! Well if you still are into thinking of buying a horse to pet around and enjoy a ride everyday then better be it, but before you get your horsey home, make sure you have ample space time and resources to take care of your friend. Horses need a lot of attention and maintenance on regular basis, else they might easily fall ill. PetAttack brings to you points to keep in mind and ways to take proper care of you equine friend.

8. Cost

Horses  or ponies, you better buy them only if you can, because here my friends the cost of maintenance will be more than the cost of buying. Yes, the food, space, shelter and medical care are going to cost you a lot more than you think you can think. Never mind if you are cousin of Richie-rich. In the end its all about loving and caring for your friend which can give you as along as 35 years of companionship.

7. Space

You wouldn’t just want to buy that four legged mammal just because you like riding it. It is not a dog or cat or a parrot that you can keep in your home or lap and pet around. A horse needs ample space and when I say ample it literally means a lot. It needs to roam, stride, run and most of all graze whole throughout the day. So unless you are rich enough to have a huge grassland in your backyard or you are one among the bunch of hippies, that move across lands, your friend won’t stay happy in your home.

6. Food

Horses eat a lot. They have got weak digestion so they cant take in and digest two meals a day like we humans do. They simply graze throughout the day. They mostly feed on hay and forage. Grains can be included in their food twice a day along with veggies like carrots and apples.

5. Grooming and Cleaning

Get your brushes out folks, its time you give a little grooming to your friend. If the horse is outside most of the time, don’t groom it too much, that removes the good  natural oils that keep it protected from weather. Grooming is a vital part of keeping a horse. You got to buy curry comb, stiff brush and not-stiff brush. If the horsey fur has got too dirty start with curry comb to brush of the dirt. Use a wet sponge, make your horse shine like a brilliant stallion. Brush the mane and tail with a comb. Try avoid getting kicked and for that don’t stay directly behind the horse. Believe me,you will not regret anything more than standing behind that tall legged creature.

Your horse might keep moving away from time to time while you brush and groom it. Try making them stand still by tying a quick release knot in the lead rope.

4. Hoof Picking

Here comes the most critical part of cleaning, the hoof picking. Probably you might not be knowing it, so please don’t try to do it yourself and hurt the horse or get kicked. It may be possible that your pet can get injured and never be able to run properly, so better contact a professional. A hoof pick is used for picking. Run your hand down his legs, press the fetlock and lift its foot. Be careful with the sensitive area that is the soft part called frog. Remove the dirt and small pebbles from the groove around the frog area.

3. Exercise

Your horse needs regular exercise. Take it out everyday for a ride or run into an open field or paddock. Make sure the fencing of the area where your horse moves around isn’t made of barbed wire else it may be a cause for injuries. After the exercise if it sweats too much don’t let it drink too much water, just few sips would do. Walk it around so that it cools off slowly. Go for the sweaty summer way, ride your horse and make him exercise while during winters keep it warm and don’t go hard on it. Sweat can be removed by wet sponge and again the grooming and cleaning with different brushes. There is no fixed time to groom your horse, do it when you feel like and do it properly and gently all over the body using different combs and curries. There are separate face brushes which can are made for the face, use sponge or cloth to clean the ears, eyes and nose. If you have multiple horses avoid using same wipes to prevent spreading of any infections.

2. Shelter

So you have a got a huge house, a wide backyard, nearby some stretch of fields and a separate paddock for your horsey, but it needs its own house too. A stable, a barn or a shed would do. Covered from three sides, this would be where your horse would take refuge in summers, during cold and in rains. Make sure the place around is clean, stuffed with hay. Make sure the droppings are cleaned regularly and your horse has a clean and dry bedding of its own where it can rest away, even the smell can irritate your pet. Even when the horse is outside the muck should be regularly cleaned.

1. Care

Horses are gentle creatures. They just need your care and patience and they can be your best friends. Buy when only when you think you can fully take care of it. Regular medical checkup is necessary. Horses need to get Tetanus and other vaccinations once in a while and regular veterinary care. On any medical eventuality, the  costs are going to blow you away, so think before you wish to own your equine. Since they graze upon grass regularly, horses are prone to get intestinal worms, hence the deworming is required every six to eight weeks.

Remember a healthy horse is a happy horse.

The post Horses Neigh! appeared first on Pet Attack.

Why do people keep pets? What is that pushes them to spend their extra time, attention, expense on some random animal? Why people are ready to make a pet a part of the family? Some of the obvious reasons can be to shed boredom, to make their children happy, to establish a status in society owning a pedigree or may be just to get a companion. They don’t speak human yet we try to bind them into an owner-pet bond, which not only provides a love-affection binding but a lot more. Though they are categorized as animals and claimed to not understand human emotions, they still and time and again have proved to be our best friends.

So how keeping a pet helps us live better? Let us have a look.

7. Human needs and Benifits

Pets were basically used to fulfill needs of humans, for domestication. The poultry and dairy pets are kept for wool, flesh, milk and eggs. The horses and donkeys carry our loads. Some are even for leisure and sports. A dog for protection and cats and other small pets are for companionship and leisure. The basic need was to fulfill our own day to day needs that we began petting animals. With time it has developed from a benificial relationship to a good companionship.

6. Routine your Life

Once a pet comes into your life, you get to shed off the procrastination you carry out every day. No matter how lazy you are, you need to get up to feed your pet, clean it up, play with it, may be take it out for walk but overall you will enjoy all of it. With the well on time feeds and walks, regular cleaning and grooming, you will surely end up retuning the clock of your life while doing it for your pet.

5. Increase your social circle

Yes that’s true! When you take your pet out for a walk you will always meet up other owners and tend to interact with them. You meet people in training centers, clubs, pet stores, pet shows and public parks. Believe me, you end up going out and making new buddies when you are out there with your pet, the conversation starting by talking about each others pets and their behavior. You may progress from having a cup of coffee together to being really good friends!

4. Family Bonding

Children love playing around with pets. They can be one of the reasons for your kid’s joyous day to day activities. Kids can learn to develop affectionate and caring nature from the very beginning, by regular petting and pampering their pets. Even the elderly, who sometimes feel lonely and don’t mingle up with other members of family, get to have a companion and to enjoy lives by spending time with pets. A pet generates affection, laughter fun and exuberance among the people it lives around and hence gets the family together.

3. Relieving Anxiety

Touching, petting, pampering, cuddling your pet can reduce stress levels considerably low. Remarkable behavior changes have been observed in prisoners who have been exposed to being with pets. A sense of comfort and satisfaction is observed in spending time with pet. Your pet always tends to divert your mind and attention to pull it towards it. It is scientifically proved that pet owners are less likely to suffer depression than those who don’t have one. There have been many good outcomes of keeping a pet considering health, behavior, fitness stress etc. Also it is very satisfying to take care of another living creature. According to a research, presented in American Heart Association, the stress and blood pressure levels in stockbrokers, who had been on medication, had come down significantly come down, after they took to petting an animal along with medication. The affectionate bond and support can help in reducing stress that is a major contributor to cardiovascular problems.

2. Exercise

Well, not all pets can help you stay fit but most of them can. Take for example of your pet dog or cat. Regular morning and evening walks is good for your pet and healthy for you too. If you are not a regular gym person then make a habit to go for regular walks with your pet or chase your kitty around playfully. That will not only keep you healthy physically but mentally too you will stay off stress and diverted and devoted towards your pet.

1. Companionship

That is one of the most considered reasons for keeping a pet. A new member in family is always welcomed like a guest and so is a pet. Why because you always look forward to develop that bond with your pet. Sometimes even the closest people betray you and you seem alone and lost. But when you have a pet along it gives a sense of comfort and company to be with. A good pet will always try to interact with you or least keep you busy and try building a bond with you if taken well care of.

The post Why you need to have a Pet? appeared first on Pet Attack.

When you think of chicken, what comes to your mind? In one go, all the non-vegetarians out there would think of all kinds of mouth watering chicken cuisines. Well if you are what they say as ‘pure-nonvegetarian’, then why not have your own farm of poultry and raise your own healthy chickens, so that you never have to go to the supermarket to buy eggs and flesh and get a fresh supply from your own backyard. Keeping poultry pets is not so popular in suburban areas but here are few reasons as to why and how you keep a flock in your backyard.

Why?

1. An omelette in morning and a chicken cuisine for dinner would be something quite common for you, and that includes the family dinners and parties as well. You will be happily feasting with your friends and relatives.

2. Keeping chicken is fun. They are active, alert always ready to run around. You can cuddle them, pamper them only if you take care of them and bond well. They are unique! Yes, every chicken is unique in its personality trait, apart from varied feather colors and sizes. Chicks are equally adorable. You will love to play around with them and raise them in your backyard.

3. Keep them if you have pest problems in your garden. They can turn it into a fertilizer. No need to use pesticides also. Chickens love to roam around freely and forage. They can eat almost anything, even the grass that has grown too long. So stop caring about mowing your gardens and let those chickens go loose.

4. Low maintenance is what is synonym to keeping chicken. No walking, no brushing only feeding twice a dy. With minimal needs and plethora of benifits what more you can ask from your pet, than an egg every morning. The cleaning and bedding is a once in a while effort.

5. Save a chicken from the farm-factory where they follow ruthless and cruel farming of poultry and diary animals to produce higher output. High epsticides and antibiotics are used to rpevent spread of diseases in the stocked up innumerable poultry animals. Here you keep chickens, there one less chicken is put in a gruesome situation plus even you prevent yourself from ingesting those chemicals.

6. Its not just about chicken and eggs, in the end you get a pet to whom you can cuddle, scoop around, comb and pamper. Amaze others as you make your chicken fall asleep in your arms, they can be good pets if bonded well.

Now that you have got enough reason to keepp them, lets see the how part.

HOW?

DIET

FOOD

Chicken diet depends upon the breed and the age. Feed should be well balanced and the containers should be regularly cleaned to avoid any chances of illness. Chickens need insoluble grit in their diet like hard flint grit. Chicken feeders are equally important when keeping chickens as pets.

Water

Constant clean and fresh water is a must in your poultry house. The drinkers should be cleaned regularly. Care should be taken that drinkers are not too deep to prevent the chicks from falling into them.

HOUSING

The place where your chicks will grow up and thrive has to be warm, dry and well ventilated. The area needs to be cleaned and disinfected regularly to remove parasites and other insects. The feeders and drinkers should be placed in one corner of the house and if you have more number of chickens, two or more feeders can be kept per chicken coop.

Flooring

The flooring should be made of dry material like wood shavings or straw that should be topped up. Chicken like to forage and dust bath around so the toppings can be replaced when required. The floor should be dry to avoid habitats for parasites to grow and cause unwanted diseases to your pets.

Space

Chickens require ample space to stretch their wings, run and hop around. If you have 30 birds in your coop, roughly 12 square meters of space would be enough for them. But this also depends on size and number of chicken pets you have. You can fill the space with perches, about 3 to 5 cm in length with round edges to avoid the chicken getting hurt.

 Nest Boxes

When the hen is getting ready to lay eggs it needs quiet places. Make sure you provide the would-be moms with warm, serene enclosed nest boxes where they can lay eggs in peace without any disturbances from humans and other male chickens. The flooring can again be straw or wood shavings, in short, something dry and comfortable.

Outdoor Environment

Provide an overhead cover over the coop, like a small tree or a shed to protect your pets from sun and weather. Chicken constantly sun bathe and forage so enough space should be there for them to do so. Feeders and drinkers should even be kept outside for easy access to food and water. Proper fencing should be there to protect your pets from wild animals or other pets in your house. Make sure the bird doesn’t get out of the fence or not hurt itself getting stuck in it.

HEALTH

Healthy chickens are easy to notice. They have bright eyes and alertness in their movement. Poor health symptoms include hunched posture, reluctance in movement, erect feathers, hiding in corners etc. The chicken seems dull and less interested. Always contact your vet if you think your chicken is not doing well. Late response may make other chicken unwell too. Chickens should be checked for lice and red mites, generally found under the wings or in the crevices of the coop. Chickens need regular de-worming, if kept outside in the same area over a long period of time.

Chicken Company

Feather pecking can be a cause of serious trouble while introducing new chicken to the flock. Cockerels who haven’t grown together should be kept separate to avoid rivalry. Even hens peck and pull at the feathers of other hens causing injuries. This can occur anytime and may even lead to cannibalism. Care should be taken to separate any newly introduced member into the flock if they break into a fight.

Before getting yourself a flock of your own birds make sure you have ample space and can devote enough time and care towards them.

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Relocating and have got a pet? Pet owners always freak out a little when it comes to taking their pets to a new place. Before you choose your dream home, make sure it is as good for your pet as it is for you. Your pet shouldn’t feel alien or uncomfortable in a foreign place. Make sure the dog in the neighborhood isn’t too aggressive or always kept loose, there might be chances of your pet getting into an unwanted fight unnecessarily.

1. Space

Ensure there is ample space for your pet as it was in the house before. If not possible at least make sure the pet is let out to roam around if you feel the space is too congested for it. Your kitty doesn’t love much change. Try to make it feel as homely as possible by keeping certain empty shelves for it to climb over and find a space for herself in some corner of the house.

2. Packing

When you are busy putting things in carton and taping them, or when the trucks arrive to take your luggage your pets might not like too much change and may freak out. For that on the day you are moving keep your pet in a quiet room and keep the doors closed until all the commotion is over. You can also send your pet to your friend’s place where it is accustomed to go, so that it doesn’t feel scared by the sound of trucks.

3. Moment

When you move your animals, in crate or a cage, you should be sure they are comfortable enough for a long journey and it doesn’t freak out or get impatient. For this you need to make sure your pet habitual to the crates and cages long before you move. You can first try to keep their food inside an open crate and repeat it periodically. Gradually you can shut the door and have them eat their meals with door shut. Try keeping your pet inside crate for some time or take it for a short drive. You can even keep their favorite toys or piece of cloth, so that they don’t feel alien.

4. Home

It may be exciting for your pet to explore the new house and roam around. For it to get accustomed to the new place start by making them comfortable in one room where they are going to spend their maximum time or where you would like them to stay. Place their favorite toys, food, water and other treats at that place so that they get adjust to the room and make it their home base. Gradually introduce them to other rooms as well, keeping the other rooms shut. Five days is usually enough for your pet to get accustomed to a new place.

5. Additional Tips

Like humans animals can get airsick too. Give your pet light meal the previous evening of travel, at most 12 hours before flight. Avoid giving anything liquid to your pet 4 hours before departure. Also keep in mind that your pet is done with peeing before it begins with the travel. If you are going on a long road trip, take some breaks in the journey for your pet to stretch and relieve itself. A big no to tranquilizers or sedatives during travel as this can hurt them during travel. You can put shredded paper or wood shaving inside the crate for comfortable bedding.

WHILE TRAVELLING BY:

1. Car

Your car can turn into an oven for your pet if leave your pet alone in the vehicle on a hot day. It can even distress and in extreme cases lead to death. Ensure that you don’t leave your pet in the car alone, whilst you are out somewhere. Make sure your pet is not super excited and disturbs you while driving. When you or anyone else exits from car, make sure they don’t follow you and escape from the vehicle. Cats, birds, rabbits and other such pets can be kept in crates or cages that have proper ventilation with enough space to sit up, stretch or curl around in their usual positions. The crate should be securely placed to avoid any accidents while applying sudden brakes and cause injury to your pet. Before taking them for the long journey, take them for small car trips so that they are accustomed to it. Make sure they don’t suffer from travel sickness, otherwise consult your vet. Make sure your pet has ample water to drink. Don’t feed them too much during the journey. A meal 2 hours before the journey should be fine enough. Take regular breaks in between so that your pet can go to toilet and stretch around a little.

2. Train

Travelling by train can be a little stressful looking at the sound and continuous movement. Try to make the journey as short as possible as your pet may not be accustomed to the sounds and the sights. It may be freaking or too exciting for him leading to unexpected reactions. You can contact the railway prior to journey to know the rules and policies of travelling with the pet. Again the crate or cage should be secure and robust and big enough for your pet to stay comfortably in. Travel when it is cooler, and when you expect less people around, may be early morning or late night. Again make sure your pet has plennty of water.

3. Ferry

In most cases you may not be allowed to accompany with your dog in the passenger area. Contact the travel people prior to arrangements for travel to know about their pet travel policies.  You would have to keep your pet in crates or cages, or leave them in the car if you feel it is cool and safe. Before doing that make sure your pet can’t escape and land itself into danger. Proper ventilation in and around the crate is a must along with ample water. Your pet might get sickness or may freak out in an alien environment, so take a look over a few times if your pet is comfortable. Keep it busy with his favorite toy and food and let him feel everything is normal. Let the ferry officials know you have a pet along with you so that necessary measures for its safety and comfort and advice some to you too.

4. PLANE

Your pets can’t travel with you in the cabin of the plane; they will be kept in the hold. Hold is usually temperature controlled and ventilated but while the plane is on ground t can become warm. Also if there is any delay in the flight the situation may worsen. Sometimes they do not allow the hold to be opened even during high temperatures. Considering all this you should decide upon selecting the mode of transportation for your pet. Choose the direct flight for your destination, don’t go for break journeys. Travel in early morning or late night to avoid warm conditions. Make sure the water is provided to your in non spill container or even gel water can be provided. Try to get your pet accustomed to flight containers if possible. Contact the air-transport people prior to journey so that they can take necessary measures for comfort and safety of your pet.

Above all make sure that you have got all legal rights and requirements to take your pet along if you are travelling to a different country altogether.

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Gone where the days when people thought dog as man’s best friend. The rich and famous have proved it all wrong by owning all sorts of exotic pets that range from reptiles to rats and lions to lemurs taking the human-animal bond totally to a new level. Some of them may look scary or risky to be kept in your house but these popular people have cross all bounds and levels to have an affectionate pet companion in their lives. Below is a list of few celebrities who chose not to be too mainstream in their selection of pets. Lets have a look.

 1. Tori Spelling

An award winning actress and author seems to be a dedicated animal lover and a proud owner of a lovely white chicken which she calls Coco Chanel. The pet has got all facilities that a pet dog can have with a dog bed next to its owners bedside and like any pet dog, the chicken goes around to places with her owner. Tori calls her a house chicken or a dog chicken. She doesn’t have a coop like other normal chicken in Tori’s backyard. She dresses her chicken and let her alone take posses for captures. She even pecks the dogs and other chickens which come close by. It is totally unexpected to have so much love and care towards a chicken pet but Tori loves her Coco like any other pet lover would.

2. Kristen Stewart

She appeared in news some time back, for reasons that other than her relationship issues. The actress’s mother is said to own several wolf-dog hybrids. Four not 100 percent wolves, named Jack, Lily, Tommy and Lola, stride on their own piece of land owned by mommy Stewart. Recently she was accused of keeping the animals illegally by her neighbor, to which she retaliated and defended her pets’ ownership.

P.s -And you thought Bella Swan belonged to the vampire team.

3. Leonardo Dicaprio

Jay Brewer Vella, the owner of reptile shop, was taken back when he saw Leonardo DiCaprio entered his shop one fine day. Knowing that the actor had an interest in tigers, he said in total surprise, “We had no idea he was coming.” The actor bought 38 pound, Sulcata tortoise for $400. Tortoise make good pets and give their owner a long company of 80 to 100 years. To this Leo made a note that tortoise make really good pets. The tortoise was the largest available in the retailer’s shop.

4. Nicole Kidman

Owning a farm in Nashville, the famous Nicole Kidman and her husband are raising their pet Alpacas, camel like fluffy animals with long eyelashes. Her 2 year old kid loves their pet and they even walk it around on a leash. Why [alpacas]? Because they’re pretty,” was her reply when inquisitives asked. “They have the long lashes. Have you seen them?” Seems the actress fell in love with animal’s long neck and eyelashes and admits that she would like to add a few snakes too, to her collection of pets.

5. Stewan Tailor

People go for all kind of weird pets, but Steven Tyler once crossed the limit by getting a pet raccoon. The American Idol judge and rock legend told on the famous show The Late Show With David Letterman that he used to put the raccoon on his shoulder and go for fishing every day. Raccoons are legal to own and their companionship can be compared to that of a dog. Contrary to the belief that raccoons attack people as shown in certain flicks, these pets can be litter box trained and make good pets.

6. Goeorge Clooney

He owned a potbelly pig whom he named Max. Sad to say his beloved pet is no more. We quoted him saying that the pet was like a family member to him. It lived with Clooney’s in his home at Hollywood Hills. The pet was 19 years old when he died peacefully of natural causes. He owned the pig for 18 long years and said that the pet was his longest relationship. It came as a surprise to the actor when he heard the news of his pet death since it considered him big part of his life.

 7. Slash

Slash, the guitarist from the famous American Rock Band, Guns & Roses  is said to be fascinated by reptiles and dinosaurs. From early age he started petting and caring for snakes. In 2008 he almost had hundred snakes, lizards and crocodiles at his home. Slash also been a supporter of Los Angeles Zoo and an advocate for many zoos across world. He even received Tom Mankiiewicz Leadership Award for his contribution and involvement in wildlife and environment protection. His  list of pets include Mickey (black-and-white rat), Jack (Jackson’s chameleon), Clyde and Sam (anacondas), Pandora (boa constrictor which appears in “Patience” music video), Jacob (another boa that Slash gave to the Los Angeles Zoo), Adrianna (Burmese python) and Curtis (mountain lion).

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The smallest breed of dog in the world, Chihuahua got its name from the Chihuahua state in Mexico. The progenitor of the breed was found in the same place in 1850s though the origin of the breed is still deduced from many different theories. Right from the traces in the Great Pyramid of Cholula and ruins of Chichen Itza to the discovery of a similar looking dog effigy to 1325 AD in Georgia, there are various arguments over the breed’s origin. History is by-gone, now these little dogs have become the most popular breeds as a toy dog. A litter may have pups that may differ drastically in weight and size. Chihuahuas give you a good long company of up to 20 years if cared well for. They are good pets to keep and easy to take around. They are feather light so just hold them into your arms and carry on. A quirky breed, it doesn’t need much exercise. If not anything it will be a loyal protective companion at least.

Appearance

There are two breeds of Chihuahua, recognized by the hair length- the short haired and the long-haired. The height ranges from 6-9 inches however some breeds even grow to 12 to 15 inches tall while the weight of around 1.8 to 2.7 kilograms is considered healthy. They have big round eyes, ears that stand erect and round or sometimes deer like skull. Their furs can have velvety touch or can be upright like whiskers. Surprisingly the short haired breeds shed more hair than the ones with long hair. The fur color is a mix of hues that range from solido red, cream, brown and spotted.

Temperament & Traits

The behavior of the owner greatly affects the behavior of the Chihuahua. Temperamental Chihuahuas can get provoked easily and may even attack, so it is better not to have this breed in a family with small children. Sometimes they may become possessive towards their owner and may even attack in the act of protecting them. Children of 13 years or above can manage with the dog if properly taken care of. Chihuahuas don’t get along well with other breeds as much as their own breeds. Despite being the smallest in the canine family of dogs, they dare to show their bold side at other dogs. They usually sneak into small places making their own den kind of thing. They also love to bury themselves under pillows, blankets, clothes and bottom of beds. Many people treat Chihuahuas like a doll or a baby, carrying them everywhere along, shushing them playfully, ignoring signs of aggressive display and swaying it all off in one or two excuse maybe. But the reality is the temperament of your dog totally depends on how you raise it. They generally get suspicious towards strangers. A  Chihuahua cab be trained to various things including not barking at anyone and everyone. They bark because they usually get suspicious about strangers which is the first sign towards building a tendency of biting.

Health

Chihuahuas require extra care in case of births and dental care. They also have tendency to have some genetic disorders generally neurological like epilepsy and seizure. They don’t grow equally in a litter, with drastic variations in weight and height among their siblings. Chihuahuas have larger eyes hence more chances of eye infections and watery eyes due to dry air or air-borne allergies. They also shiver when excited, stressed or feeling cold. The ones with shorter coats are less tolerant than their counter breeds. They usually like to be in sun or under blankets to get warmth. They would look for the tiniest sunspot and gather themselves there to warm up. It is recommended to make them wear something warm during winters, specially the breed with shorter hair.

Taking Care

People buy toy dogs out of wish, of just to have one, but they don’t realize that a breed this small can be easily injured or stepped over. Now that you know they have tendency to hide under pillows and blankets, you might sit on one, unknowingly or maybe hurt him, while he has slit under the sofa pillow.  Proper care is required towards the breed and they should be always kept under your eyes so that you are assured, they don’t run away and injure themselves. It is better to put them on leash and getting themselves to injury. They jump around and use their front claws like cats, so if you have leather furniture just be careful with this little devil, as they even have tendency to chew off your possessions. Your home should be comfortable enough with not too many holes and spaces as these dogs tend to snug themselves almost everywhere. Chihuahuas shed a lot of hair, but that also depends upon which is it.

Like every dog or any pet for that matter, your Chihuahua requires a lot of attention. If you work late and have  little time for your pet then this breed is not the right choice. Your pet will gift you with its tremendous loyalty and compassion.

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