A guide to age appropriate pets from the ASPCA

INFANTS
Primary Issues: Introduction to current pets
Recommend: N/A
Tasks for the Child: N/A
Other Observations: Resident dogs and cats need gradual, supervised introduction to infants.

Toddler
Primary Issues: Curiosity; pulling, touching, etc.
Recommend: N/A
Tasks for the Child: N/A
Other Observations: Care must be taken with dog food dishes, toys; litter boxes for cats; aquarium wires.

3-5 Years
Primary Issues: Learning about contact, empathy.
Recommend: guinea pig
Tasks for the Child: Filling water bottle and food dish
Other Observations: Guinea pigs like to be held, seldom bite and will whistle when excited or happy.

5-10 Years
Primary Issues: Attention span is variable
Recommend: Shelf pets or goldfish
Tasks for the Child: Clean cages with adult help, supervised play with dogs/cats
Other Observations: Adults should always check to ensure that pets have food/water and cages are secured.

10-13 Years
Primary Issues: Greater interest in pets and capacity for responsibility
Recommend: Dogs, Cats, Rabbits
Tasks for the Child: Feed pet; walk dog; clean rabbit cage; clean cat litter
Other Observations: Children this age can be reliable, but adults should always check on food/water, etc. Participation in dog training classes are an excellent learning opportunity for children.

14-17 Years
Primary Issues: Competition for time and attention (i.e. Sports, clubs, etc.)
Recommend: Birds, Aquariums
Tasks for the Child: Most tasks. Use allowance to buy treats, etc.
Other Observations: Developing interest as a fancier, more likely to do research or read about the species. Parents should note that dogs and cats acquired at this age will probably stay in the home when the child leaves for college, etc.

from the ASPCA website

Guide by Stephen Zawistowski, Ph.D, ASPCA Executive Vice President of National Programs

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Pet Elephants in the UK

The Guardian Unlimited is reporting that the UK is not allowing people to keep elephants as pets.

More than 650 signatories supported a petition which argued that children could get a better understanding of the giant creatures if they were kept as pets.

African male elephants, much larger than their Indian cousins, can stand up to 3.6m (12ft) tall at the shoulder and can weigh more than 6800kg (15,000 lbs).

In response to the petition, "The government agrees that keeping a pet has many benefits, not just for children but people of all ages.However, the government does not think elephants would make good pets. They are very large animals that are not used to being kept as pets, and have welfare needs that would be impossible to meet in pet shops or people's homes."Elephants can also be dangerous and it would not be safe for people to be able to keep them in their backyard."

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Purchasing insurance for your pet.

Because you may consider your pet to be a family member or you just want the added security, health insurance for your pet may be an option that you have considered.

Here are some things to consider in your decision.


1. Be sure that the rate of the policy related to the age of your pet.
2. Check to see what the policy is on preexisting conditions if they are an issue.
3. Be sure that the policy covers the cost of routine care such as vaccinations if that is what you are purchasing it for.
4. Do you need coverage for spaying or neutering?
5. Double check to see what specific disorders are excluded from coverage.
6. Make sure that you take note of the added requirements such as that your pet be kept inside at all times.
7. Like any other kind of insurance, there will be a deductible.
8. Make sure that your veterinarian or clinics is one that you can use.
9. Who has the final say about whether or not a procedure is necessary or will be covered? Is it the vet or the insurance company?
10. Buy the level of coverage you really need. Keep in mind that this is a pet.



Reference: "Pet Health Insurance" Cat Watch, Cornell University College of Vet Med., July 2001

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Ten Most Common Poisonous Plants According to the ASPCA

Marijuana
Ingestion of Cannabis sativa by companion animals can result in depression of the central nervous system and incoordination, as well as vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, increased heart rate, and even seizures and coma.

Sago Palm
All parts of Cycas Revoluta are poisonous, but the seeds or “nuts” contain the largest amount of toxin. The ingestion of just one or two seeds can result in very serious effects, which include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, seizures and liver failure.

Lilies
Members of the Lilium spp. are considered to be highly toxic to cats. While the poisonous component has not yet been identified, it is clear that with even ingestions of very small amounts of the plant, severe kidney damage could result.

Tulip/Narcissus bulbs
The bulb portions of Tulipa/Narcissus spp. contain toxins that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, loss of appetite, depression of the central nervous system, convulsions and cardiac abnormalities.

Azalea/Rhododendron
Members of the Rhododenron spp. contain substances known as grayantoxins, which can produce vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, weakness and depression of the central nervous system in animals. Severe azalea poisoning could ultimately lead to coma and death from cardiovascular collapse.

Oleander
All parts of Nerium oleander are considered to be toxic, as they contain cardiac glycosides that have the potential to cause serious effects—including gastrointestinal tract irritation, abnormal heart function, hypothermia and even death.

Castor Bean
The poisonous principle in Ricinus communis is ricin, a highly toxic protein that can produce severe abdominal pain, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, weakness and loss of appetite. Severe cases of poisoning can result in dehydration, muscle twitching, tremors, seizures, coma and death.

Cyclamen
Cylamen species contain cyclamine, but the highest concentration of this toxic component is typically located in the root portion of the plant. If consumed, Cylamen can produce significant gastrointestinal irritation, including intense vomiting. Fatalities have also been reported in some cases.

Kalanchoe
This plant contains components that can produce gastrointestinal irritation, as well as those that are toxic to the heart, and can seriously affect cardiac rhythm and rate.

Yew
Taxus spp. contains a toxic component known as taxine, which causes central nervous system effects such as trembling, incoordination, and difficulty breathing. It can also cause significant gastrointestinal irritation and cardiac failure, which can result in death.

source aspca

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Glowing Cats

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Celebrity Pet Blogs

On FetchDog.com, actress Glenn Close hosts a blog called Lively Licks. Not surprisingly, it's fueled by star power: Among her topics are stories of celebrity dog lovers, including the likes of Debra Messing, Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen. Close also writes about visits to New York Animal Care and Control Center's Manhattan shelter and also includes plugs for animal charities, including Puppies Behind Bars.

On his Web site SteveMartin.com, the dog-loving actor-author-art collector provides links to his favorite blogs, one of which includes the hilarious StuffOnMyCat.com, which features amusing photographs of kitties in costume. (Also check out its companion site, StuffOnMyMutt.com.)

Another fine feline blog, Hodge Shall Not Be Shot, takes its literary name from a statement uttered by one of history's notable cat lovers, Samuel Johnson.

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