Pets – breeding, nutrition, health

Not too long ago, the rich and fashionably elite money makers were flashing their cute little teacup Chihuahuas and dressed up canines. The smaller the better. The more fashionable these little dogs were, well that was even better yet.
Before we knew it everywhere you would look you would see a flock of Chihuahuas and designer dogs under the arm of almost every pet crazed teen and trendy ‘wannabe’ out there. Retailers were even selling gemstone flocked attire and pet purses that matched the pampered canines.
I remember to my surprise when I was vacationing in Florida, I stopped at a small pet boutique to do some browsing and a woman reached in her purse and pulled out a mini- dog! It easily fit in the palm of one hand! The poor little dog just sat their shaking as the owner drooled and made over it like a baby. Whatever!
Well it seems as if Designer Dogs are yesterday’s news, designer cats are the next ‘Chic’. Designer Cats are seemingly becoming the latest trend in the Hybrid Pet Craze, but at what cost?
Breeders are taking the plain old domestic cat and cross breeding the animal with an Asian Leopard or even a Jungle cat! These are the Hybrids that are going for a very hefty price tag anywhere from a few hundred dollars to around $20,000.00.
It has become more of a style statement than anything else. These Hybrid Kitties are being bred just for the mere fact the breeders know they can make some serious money with these pets. They don’t tend to take into consideration what damage they are doing to either breed of the cat. Cross breeding is not a good idea as it destroys the bloodline and DNA of pure bred cats, this also results in medical ailments which can in turn rack up some seriously high Vet bills.
This isn’t stopping the elite and wealthy from going out and purchasing these felines to add to their own family tree. For those whom money is not an object, they rarely think about what conditions these animals initially came from. The problem is many of these pets are bred day in and day out and their bodies are not able to recover fully to regain proper strength and stamina. Many cats at these breeders are not receiving medical care and are not up to date on their shots, putting them and others at risk of getting very sick. Most breeders only care about putting money in their own pocket and not focusing on the care of the cats.
Because most of these animals are not registered, a question could be raised as to how the pets are being treated during the breeding and pregnancy stage. If a so called ‘Back Room Breeder’ is just in it for the buck, some of these animals may be in danger or at an increased risk for developing health problems, especially during their pregnancy and delivery stages.
The Hybrid cat scene has remained quite controversial due to the fact that they are selling for such a high price. Some breeders are trying to cash in on mixing pure bred felines with mix bred felines and selling the animal for much less than an exotic cat. What most owners don’t know is the past health problems of the breed and also what problems could arise due to the breeding of two different types of felines.
With designer kittens that resemble small snow leopards or mini black jaguars, the look appeals to all ages and serves as distinct gifts that some people may chose to give to the debutante or super spoiled brat who already has it all. These cats are merely being bred and sold to show off.
Truly it is hard to believe that most of these designer kitties will be loved and cared for as much as a farm cat or stray from the local humane society. Not to mention there are thousands of felines out there at the moment who need homes and also need to be spayed and neutered with adequate medical attention.
None the less, as with designer dogs, designer cats are the newest up and coming trend in the lifestyles of the wannabe chic and fabulous. Before we know it Paris and Brit will be toting around a darling little tigress instead of their yappy little pooches. Hopefully they realize they will need to leave the cat fights at home, not for the paparazzi. Wait, that will never happen.

Article Source: http://articlewealth.com

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Making the decision to set up a pet trust is an important part of owning an exotic pet. As the popularity of exotics as companion animals increases, so does the responsibility to be sure that they are properly cared for in the event something should happen to you, their owner.

Choosing an animal such as a monkey, a tiger, a frog, or a snake is a very big decision. There’s quite a bit of research and preparation required to bring home one of these amazing animals and ensure that they get the care they need. A crucial part of exotic pet ownership is planning for their continued care in the event that you die or become disabled before they do. Fortunately, a pet trust can help you do this by ensuring that your pets are cared for, even if you’re no longer around.

Proper care of an exotic animal can be both time consuming and expensive. In addition, not everyone has the ability or the desire to provide the kind of care these animals need. As a result, the grim reality is that many exotic animals are euthanized annually due to the untimely deaths of their owners and the inability of family members and friends to adopt the animal as their own. Animal shelters are under-funded and overcrowded, and more importantly, many of them are not set up to provide care to exotic pets. Setting up a pet trust is the key to ensuring that your pet has a happy future.

Pet trust laws are different everywhere, so it is important to obtain legal assistance as you determine what kind of care your exotic animal requires and who should provide that care. An experienced pet trust lawyer can help you to cover all the details and can also see to it that your wishes are carried out with regard to your pets’ daily lives when you are gone.

You’ll also want to be sure to talk with the people in your life about what should happen to your exotic animals, should they outlive you. If there is someone who really enjoys your exotic pet but perhaps is not quite knowledgeable enough about it to be a good caretaker, you might consider teaching that person more about the animals you have come to love in your life. One of the most important parts of setting up a pet trust is the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your pet will be properly cared for in the event you are no longer able to do so.

Another very important part of creating a pet trust for your exotic animal is specifying a dollar amount that will keep your pet comfortable for life. Depending on the animal, the cost of food, proper shelter and appropriate veterinary care can vary greatly. You’ll also want to add in the cost of emergency care and liability insurance if needed. A pet trust lawyer can help you estimate all of these expenses and navigate the legal requirements of your state.

Ensuring that the physical and emotional needs of your exotic animals are taken care of for the rest of their lives is an important part of being a responsible pet owner.

EasyPetPlanning.com was created by the founders of The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys (http://aaepa.com ) a national organization promoting excellence in estate planning by providing its exclusive membership of attorneys with up-to-date research, educational materials, and other vital practice management techniques. To learn more about pet trusts and to sign up for our free e-course on how to protect your pet’s future, visit our website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=R_G_Armstrong

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