Cat - Dangerous Plants And You Cat Or Dog

Quality Cat Supplies available at Low Prices and Free Shipping! You can do many things to keep your cats or dogs from harm, but an inconspicuous danger may still remain in your house - your plants and food. Curious pets might take a taste of any plant. An pet may feel the need to self-medicate (like cats eating grass), and so the plant in a pot might tempt them. Or they may just be curious. Despite being toxic, some plants taste good (for instance, the taste of a berry is no indication of its safety, as some berries can taste fine but be highly dangerous). It is also no guarantee if a plant is edible by people. Many plants can be poisonous for pets, yet completely safe for humans. For instance, onions are very toxic to cats. Also, the quantities that pets need to eat to be affected is much less than we'd have to eat, because of their small size. However, although many houseplants are perfectly safe, many aren't, and it is necessary to be aware of what ones to avoid. Cats need to avoid completely: chinese evegreen, crotons, peace lillies, onion, lily spider, rubber plant, iris, evergreen, black-eyed susan, belladonna, daffodil (bulb and plant), tobacco (such as ashtray butts), rhododendron, asparagus fern, rhubarb, english ivy and other ivys, tulip plants and bulbs, lily of the valley, easter lily, aloe vera, holly, oriental lily, chrysanthemum, jasmine, java beans, potato, poppy, mushrooms, umbrella plants, honeysuckle, mistletoe, amaryllis bulbs, apple seeds, sweet pea, poinsettia, yews (all types) tiger lily, baby's breath, marigold, morning glory, philodendron, eggplant, and eucalyptus, which can include a wide selection of plants in your home and larder. Dogs need to keep away from (among other things): croton, apricot, chinese evergreen, daffodil, easter lilly, jasmine, baby's breath, philodendron, potato, hydrangea, poinsettia, apple, mushrooms, corn plant, honeysuckle, mushrooms, mountain laurel, mother-in-laws tongue, walnuts and many nuts, apple, pear seeds, aloe, holly, umbrella plant, green potatoes (especially the skins), lily of the valley, virginia creeper, peace lily, jade, hyacinth, wisteria, iris, plum, peach, apricot, cherry, pits, schefflera, almond, black-eyed susan, ficus, english ivy, tomato plants (and green tomatoes), and yews. These would include a wide variety of plants in your house and larder. Note that this list is not complete. If you are in doubt about any plants, do research at your library, or on the Internet, consult knowledgeable friends, or if all else fails, get rid of the item. Even if you truly value a favorite plant, your dog or cat must come first. If any plant is creating a health problem, it's an easy choice what to do, and you can make the correct decision for your pet's wellbeing. Eric Hartwell oversees "The World's Best Homepage" intended to be a user-generated resource where YOUR opinion counts. Anybody can contribute and all are welcomed. Visit us to read, comment upon or share opinions on pets, cat and dog care and animal health and visit our associated site articles for free. Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Hartwell Cat - Understanding Dog Fleas: How Fleas Breed & Affect Your Dog's Health Fleas belong to the insect order Siphonaptera. They are common pests and may attack many mammals, including man. They can be a year round problem because they infest not only pets but also the home of the owner. Because of this, treatment of the pet alone may only temporarily solve a flea infestation. Although many species of fleas feed primarily on one type of animal, the common cat and dog flea will readily take blood from a variety of animals, including man. Flea infestations of pets and their homes will most likely involve the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis and occasionally the dog flea, C. canis. Fleas are small (2 to 4 mm in length), brownish to black insects which are characteristically flattened from side to side. Adults are wingless and capable of jumping relatively long distances. Adults feed exclusively on blood with their piercing-sucking mouthparts. When not actively feeding, adult fleas often hide in locations frequented by the host animal such as your dog bedding, sofas, or carpeted areas. The common cat and dog fleas breed throughout the year. After feeding and mating, the female deposits her eggs, usually on the host. Several eggs are laid daily and up to several hundred over a lifetime. Eggs normally fall off the host into bedding material or similar areas and hatch within two weeks. Flea eggs accumulate in areas where the host spends most of its time. In addition, adult fleas defecate small pellets of digested blood which also drop off into the environment. A flea comb will often gather this fecal matter at the base of the tines providing a good sign of flea infestation. The combination of white flea eggs and black dried blood specks may appear as a sprinkling of salt and pepper where an infested animal has slept. Fleas undergo complete metamorphosis, that is, they pass through four developmental stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Immature fleas do not resemble adults at all. Flea larvae are tiny, light colored, and, worm-like, without legs. They feed primarily on various debris and organic material including the droppings of the adults which contains digested blood. Flea larvae occur indoors and outdoors, wherever the eggs have fallen off the host. In houses, flea larvae live in carpeting, furniture, animal bedding and other protected areas with high humidity. Flea larvae also live outdoors in areas where animals spend time such as under porches in and around dog houses, etc. Because flea larvae depend on the adult's fecal pellets of dried blood as a food source, they cannot live in lawns or other outdoor areas unless the pet visits those areas enough to provide this food. Depending on the species of flea and environmental conditions the larvae will pupate in one week to several months. The pupa is contained within a loose silken cocoon which is often covered by bits of debris. Under average conditions, the life cycle of the flea normally requires between 30 and 75 days but may take much longer. Adult fleas inside the cocoon, called pre-emerged fleas, will stay in that condition for weeks to months if no external cues from a host is available. However, when disturbed by the presence of a host such as vibrations or carbon dioxide from exhaled breath, the fleas emerge simultaneously and attack the host. This is why it is possible to return to a house or apartment that has been empty for months and find it full of fleas. When the normal host is available, fleas may feed several times a day but they are capable of surviving extended periods of starvation. In household situations, the normal host is a cat or dog. However, if the normal host is removed, starved fleas will readily seek other sources of blood and more often than not, man is the alternate host. In severe infestations, fleas will attack humans even though the normal host is present. Certain species of fleas have been known to transmit such diseases as bubonic plague and murine typhus. These have never been a major problem. The major problems with fleas is as a nuisance pest of pets. The irritation and itching from flea bites results in scratching and potential secondary infection. Fleas may also transmit the double-pored dog tapeworm to dogs and cats. Finally, persistent attacks from fleas can cause severe allergic responses in some people and pets. Once sensitized, a single flea bite may produce symptoms including hair loss, usually around the base of the tail, dermatitis, and intense itching. In worse cases, puppies and young kittens can also died from serious fleas infestations. With proper flea management knowledge, flea problems will not be a big issue and can be battle and win over easily.