Betta Fish

Betta Fish, also known as the Siamese Fighting Fish or Betta Splendens, come from warm, slow-moving waters in Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand). They are commonly found in rice paddies and standing waters of canals. In the late 19th century, start a selective breeding of this fish because of their fighting abilities, creating the fish we know today.

Male Bettas become very possessive in their territory, and for this reason they turn aggressive towards any fish they have close. They flare their fins as a signal of threat, however in some cases it could be a sign of flirt. Specialists do not recommend keeping two male Bettas in the same tank; they will attack each other to mark territory. You can maintain a male with a female together only for breeding, if you house them together for a long period, they will often attack each other.

We can differentiate males from females through some particular characteristics:

•       The males have bright colors; the females tend to be rather plain.
•     In addition to their colors, male Bettas typically have long, flowing fins and tails, while female Bettas have a shorter fin, being this a little bit rounded.
•        Males tend to have larger bodies, and they're skinnier that females.
•        Female Bettas can cohabit with other fish while males are more aggressive.

Bettas can live about 3 to 5 years in captivity. You need to take good care of your Betta to increase its life expectancy. The quality of the water is essential for them. Bettas need to have the water temperature between 74 and 84 Fahrenheit; if the water is too cold, it could be exposed to health problems. Also, you have to use water without chlorine to avoid skin problems.

Diet is another important factor in Betta’s health. They are carnivores and for this reason they need a diet with some proteins. The most common types of Betta food are fish flakes, fish pellets, and freeze-dried food such as bloodworms and brine shrimp. All of these treats you can get it in a pet store, they are inexpensive and easy to find.

If you are a fish lover, and you want to have some of them in your house; we recommend to start with a Betta Fish. They are easy to take care of, and they don't need a lot of space, so you should have no problem finding room at home for your new pet.

Siamese Cats

The Siamese is one of the most elegant and refined breeds. They are originally from Thailand, specifically the Kingdom of Siam, where stood out for being the pet of kings. Some of the first Siamese Cats in Europe participated in a cat show in London, 1871. In 1909, The Siamese Cat Society of America was founded, and the breed was officially recognized in the United Kingdom in 1936.

These cats have strong muscles, and a flexible, fibrous body; their back legs are longer that the front ones. The most common colors include light beige and cream, chocolate with ivory, white and gray and white with pearl gray. Two types of this breed are known: the Oriental Siamese and The Traditional Siamese. The Oriental has blue eyes, and a triangular head; their ears had a wide base with a pointy end while the traditional has a rounded head and is not too slim.

The ability of communication in these animals is very well developed. Through various sounds, they are capable of expressing particular needs and moods. Siamese Cats are intelligent, sociable and very amorous; they like to feel part of the family; however, demand a lot of attention, are jealous and impatient. They love to play games and could be so restless that their training turns a difficult task; the most important thing for the pet owners is to have patience, and avoid excessive scolding.

Some of the essential care is brushing them once or twice a week. Also, is important to maintain a good hygiene and accustom cats to bathe when they are small. Frequent tooth brushing or dry foods designed for oral health is highly recommended. For the nail trimming is imperative that a professional groomer or a vet do this job since a cut made by inexperienced hands can cause injury.

Siamese diet should be high in protein. Usually, they are healthy cats; however sometimes they may suffer from respiratory infections or heart disease. Additionally, with the pass of the years they tend to gain some weight, and their coat turns darker due to increased body temperature or poor circulation. The life expectancy of these cats is 15 years on average.

Siamese Cats are excellent pets to have at home by they beauty, sweetness, and independence.

Knowing more about Rodents

Most of these incredible animals are small with robust bodies, short limbs and long tails. They use their sharp incisors to gnaw food, excavate burrows and defend themselves. Most of these animals eat seeds and vegetables, but some of them have more varied diet. They tend to be sociable animals; which makes them great candidates as pets.

About 40 % of all mammal species are rodents and also are the most diversified mammalian who lives in a variety of terrestrial habitats, including human-made environments. There are more than 2,000 species of rodents, grouped in 30 families and 418 genders; the most popular are mice, rats, guinea pig, hamsters, prairie dogs, capybaras, chipmunk, porcupines and beavers.

Some fascinating rodent’s facts are:

1. The little rodents have big appetites, despite their diminutive size; they can eat between 15 and 20 times a day. They like to eat frequently, and live extremely close to any food sources.

2. They are excellent gymnasts, for example, mice are great at jumping and climbing. In fact, a tiny mouse can jump as high as a foot in the air, allowing them to scale high.

3. Exceptional escape artists! A little ferret can squeeze through a narrow hole to get where he wants to go.

4. Rodent’s lifespans is very short, although hamsters can live between two or four years old in captivity, in the wild the chances are lower due to predators like owls and snakes.

5. Some of them can reproduce as young as 2 months of age and mate every three weeks. This means a single one can give birth to as many as 100 offspring in a year!

6. Some rodents like the capybara, are excellent swimmers; they can stand in the water for several hours.

Many of these animals are ideals as pets, they are playful, friendly, docile, and easy to take care of. However, they required attention and love another family member.

Persian Cat

            

The Persian is one of the most popular breeds of cats around the world. Their beauty has become an object of desire among children and adults. They are considered exotic, aristocratic, and so attractive that they could be part of any specialized cat exhibition.

The first Persian cat was taken from Persia to Italy around 1700. In the 19th century, the animal developed into the Persian cat we know today, as the result of the crossbreeding with the white Turkish Angora. The species arrived in North America around the 1800s. Although the name has become official around the world, this breed is known as “long haired” in the United Kingdom.

        

Their coats show different colors such as black, white, chocolate, red, and beige among others. Its diversity has originated around 80 different species. They have a strong bone structure. Because of their big eyes and small noses, it is said that they have a “doll face”.

Persian cats are also called sofa tigers, they love to lie down and sleep. Because of their nature, it strongly recommend not to let them out of the house and keep them in a safe place at home all the time. Their behavior is really kind. They love quiet environments, and also love to be admired; therefore, they always find a way to be the center of attention for everyone around.

These cats need human care and attention. However, they are very selective when choosing who they are going to spend time with; but once chosen they will be inseparable. Persian cats do not enjoy playing games for a long time; hence about 10 or 20 minutes of any activity is enough to entertain them. They like to play with balls and objects that make nice sounds.

        

Their coat is really light and may get knotted easily, so they need to be brush daily with a natural bristle brush, avoiding nylon. Also, they should be taken to the pet stylist every six weeks, to receive special care. Protecting their eyes is also very important; they should be cleaned properly on a daily basis, using a towel with warm water, or following vet recommendations.

Persian cats have a very fragile health. They may develop breathing, ophthalmologic and teeth diseases. They also tend to become obese and may get polycystic kidneys; therefore it is necessary to keep them under permanent diet control, especially if they are sterilized.

http://www.petstationmagazine.com/web/animal/3

Guinea pigs are a species of herbivorous rodent from the Andes region of South America.  They are known by different names, such as “cuy,” “cavy,” and, of course, “guinea pigs.”  These furry animals can live up to 7 years of age, weigh up to 3 pounds, and grow to be up to 20 to 25 centimeters.  As pets, they make excellent company for kids and adults.  They don’t bite, they use their voices to whistle, and some can learn tricks like running in a circle, sitting, or responding when spoken to.

Some important guidelines for their basic care include a big cage or habitat with proper ventilation, solid flooring, and a bed of hay at the base.  It is important to use hay instead of cedar or pine, as the oils from these trees can be harmful.  Also, guinea pigs sleep in caves, and therefore, it is necessary to build one or purchase from a pet store.  It is important to keep these little friends entertained, and therefore, plastic tubes in the habitat are essential for playing and hiding. 

Another fundamental aspect of guinea pig care is the diet.  The guinea pig’s diet should be high in fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as hay.  It is important to assure they are getting enough vitamin C, as their bodies do not produce this naturally.  Chocolate, canned fruit, dried fruit, legumes, garlic, onion, celery, potato, avocado, iceberg lettuce, cauliflower, and curly parsley are among the foods that should be avoided completely.

Guinea pigs are very neat animals, they make excellent company, and they are low cost, as they can be purchased from pet stores or adopted from shelters.  If you are looking for a happy, playful pet who will not destroy your home, the guinea pig is the perfect pet for you.