When Japan was still an isolationist empire, a feudal empire at constant war with themselves, the Akita held an important role within their society. Within daimyos, an Akita was a symbol of elitism that only the those of sufficient rank could own.

Before this period in Japan's history, an Akita tended to be more of a meal than a pet. As far back as 10oo A.D., Akitas were killed for their flesh and their warm fur.

When Japan entered its feudal phase, Akitas began to be called Matagiinu, which translated among Japanese royalty as the esteemed hunter. Akitas quickly became known as hunters and fighters. Those who had this dog breed decked them with ornate collars which designated the social ranking of the owner. The popularity of this breed would rise and fall over the next hundreds of years depending on what dynasty was currently in power.

To spite what people think animals can get allergies too. I know for a fact that some breeds of dog are very susceptible to certain allergies. For example, poodles are very sensitive to pollen. I know my friends poodle Scottie mix, known as a, no lie, Scottie-poo, develops a rash on its stomach every spring.

Cats can get allergies too. Many kittens are very prone to getting eye allergies. These kitten allergies are not dangerous at all but can be quite annoying for your cat. If you notice your cat or kittens eyes begin to look a bit puffy, don't panic. There swollen eyes are probably due to the change in the seasons bringing on an allergic reaction. I've had this experience before but I'm no vet. I would recommend that you take your pet to your local veterinarian as soon as possible to easy the discomfort of your furry friend.

photo credit: cnycompguy

If you have taken on the adventure of owning a ferret as a pet, you have certainly taken into consideration the fact that there will be basic materials you need to keep your pet safe and healthy.  Besides a cage, you will need to supply some type of proper ferret bedding material for your pet ferret to sleep upon.  The standard metal cage comes with metal grating across the bottom which is anything but inviting at nap time.  Ferrets can sleep an awful lot when they are not up and playing.  To keep them comfy and cozy you will need to get some type of soft, yet durable material to line the bottom of the cage.  Some people also put down a sheet of some type of solid material such as hard plastic to cover the metal bars.  Whatever your choose for bedding should be able to resist chewing and scratching.  In addition, regardless of what material you decide to use, you should perform regular safety checks to make sure that it is not getting damaged or eaten by your ferret.  If it has eaten any of the material, you should consult your veterinarian, as ferrets do not digest non food items very well.

Having your cat's claws removed may seem like common practice, especially if you don't want that brand new living room set completely destroyed. There is no place in your home that your cat can not get to and they can't be disciplined in the same way you might teach your dog not to pee on the carpet.

A few facts to consider before making the decision to dewclaw your cat or kitten. Declawing your cat isn't as simple as you may think. Your cat's claws are attached to the bone in the animals foot. In order to remove the claw those bones must be amputated. This is serious surgery and can be very painful for your pet. Imagine living your life with out finger tips, hardly a fair sacrifice to make to spare some furniture. In many European countries, the practice of declawing cats is illegal and considered inhumane.

So, think twice before making the decision to declaw your cat or cute kitten.

Thanks for reading,

Kegnum

Cat eye problems can appear in any cat.  One of the most common problems is the appearance of cat eye infections.  These infections appear in cats caused by different factors, such as the presence of viruses, the presence bacteria and even the presence of fungus.

Conjunctivitis is the most common of these cat eye problems, it can be caused by a virus called Feline Herpevirus I or a bacteria called Chlamydiosis.  In the case it is viral, the treatment prescribed by a veterinarian is the use of special medicated eye drops.

Recognizing conjunctivitis involves recognizing these symptoms: eye irritation, inflammation in the eye, nasal discharge. If you suspect your cat is suffering from eye problems, you should take him immediately to the veterinarian. There are some cases where an eye infection can mean more than simple conjunctivitis.

Dogs are a very important part of the human experience. Unlike cats, who feel entitled, dogs are social and need humans. The reason they need us is because we have domesticated them for hundreds, if not thousands of years. We domesticated them because we needed them to protect us from those who wanted to hurt us.

Throughout the years, people have done different things with their dogs. Some breed their dogs like people breed horses and others enjoy them as family pets. My dog in America is a mutt named Beavis. He is a great guard dog and loves to curl into a ball in the corner of the living room so he can watch the entire house. He didn’t always do this though, because we had to train him.

Our dog trainer specialized in Beagle training, but decided to help us anyways. We learned about animal psychology and how to properly control the dog. He said our dog was a challenge as he was not purebred, and he preferred dogs like Beagles. He said Beagle training is easy because they are very small, weak dogs. Well, I told him I’d never take such a weak dog over my Beavis!

Canine dominance is somewhat of a complicated matter, but on a basic level breaks down into two options.  Are you the boss, or not?  If you are, you must always be, and never let up. If you are not your pack’s leader, that needs to change now.  Small things make the difference, like who enters the door first.   That would be me.  End of story.  And when we go for a walk, I am in front leading the way.   You should never tolerate any squabbles amongst your dogs; they are not allowed to fight for dominance because you are the boss, and only the boss is allowed to fight.  They should be polite and respectful around you at all times.  If they are not, make them be.   I ignore my dogs when I come home, until they calm down they are never acknowledged.   Any dog that grabs something from my hand loses the item, be it food or toys or whatever.  Consistency is really the key to success with dog training, and if you are firm you will come out top dog.

Whenever you make a commitment to getting a large dog is very important that you train him the best that you can. This is because large dogs can be very dangerous whenever they are not trained properly. Even if they don't mean any harm, and out-of-control large dog could easily hurt a small child I just jumping around. And even more dangerous situation is when a dog like this bites someone. Not only can he hurt another person, but he could also end up getting the owner sued. when a dog bites is not usually done out of desire to be cruel, rather it is typically because the dog is trying to protect its property or it is just scared. The more you understand about your dog a better your going to be as an owner. The best way you can do this is by reading dog training books. Having a dog is a huge commitment, especially having a large one because there can be dire consequences.

Whenever your family decides that it's time to get a new pet, he can be difficult to figure out exactly which type of pet it should be. There are many different animals to choose from. You have to have some idea of what level of responsibility your family is willing to rise to an order to take care of this new family member. Even among dogs and a huge variety of levels of maintenance involved. Big dogs can be more work to take care of that little dog for example. This is because they require more exercise, although this can be great for people that would like to get more exercise, but that owner must be committed to the dog. You could decide to get a little Yorkie, a great Dane, but perhaps some English bulldog puppies. You should make sure that you understand all the needs of the dogs you are considering before making a commitment.

Having a dog can be somewhat of a chore when you go on vacation. You need to find a good dog kennel to bring him to for the duration of your trip. You have to make sure that the kennel is a clean place that is going to treat your dog right. You don't want him to be too stressed out while you are gone. You may consider bringing him to the kennel for a short period of time before you go so that he has an opportunity to get used to it. Looking for a kennel that also has doggie day care is a big plus. These places typically have a dog run outside that has a place for the dogs to cool off during the summer and a heated place for them to get warm during the winter. If you find this it will be like your dog is on vacation while you are on vacation too!