Passion4 Pets

The hydroponic nutrients that your plants require depend on a number of different factors. These include the types of plants you are growing, the hydroponic medium you have chosen (such as coco coir, perlite, vermiculite or wood chips), the condition of the plant and the quality of available water.

Plants require three broad groups of nutrient elements:

Primary plant nutrient elements<

These are elements found in the highest concentrations in plants, which rely on their presence for their structure and metabolic/physiologic functions. These are potassium, calcium, nitrogen and sulphate.
• Potassium is involved in sugar and carbohydrate production.
• Calcium ensures efficient cell division and cell wall formation.
• Nitrogen is vital because it is a structural component of all proteins and also chlorophyll.
• Sulphates are responsible for converting inorganic nitrogen into protein.
Because the primary nutrients are vital to plant health, they are found in nutrient packs from specialist firms that sell hydroponic supplies.

Secondary plant nutrient elements

These nutrients are phosphorous and magnesium.
• Phosphorous is important in photosynthesis and when they occur in the correct amounts they ensure quality yields from plants.
• Magnesium works in conjunction with phosphorous, acting as a carrier. It is also an activator and component of several enzymes.

Trace elements
These elements are found in minute quantities in plants. They would poison the plants if they were present in great quantities, but without them the plants would be stunted and would eventually die. Plants depend on their presence for proper growth and development. The vital trace elements are
• iron
• manganese
• zinc
• copper
• boron
• molybdenum

Because of the important of these trace elements, they are also available in various forms from manufacturers of hydroponic supplies.

In hydroponics, while most nutrients are administered via the water supply, it is also possible to feed plants by means of foliar spraying as plants are able to absorb nutrients via their foliage.

When starting in hydroponics, it is advisable to visit hydroponic websites to establish what hydroponic nutrients are needed in what quantities for particular types of plants.

Many people think that since dogs already have fur coats, there is no need to get pet accessories such as additional coats or jumpers for them. This may be true for a dog which lives outdoors, and has the opportunity to gradually acclimatise to changes in the weather. But for an indoor dog, accustomed to the temperature of your home, going outside for a walk in the cold or rain can be problematic.
The two main reasons for getting outerwear dog supplies are to keep your dog dry and to keep your dog warm. There is no problem with your dog getting wet during a walk, so long as you take care to dry the dog as soon as you get inside. However, if you’d prefer not to spend the time washing and drying your dog after every walk in bad weather, you may want to get rain gear pet accessories to keep your dog from getting wet in the first place.
The more serious reason to purchase dog supplies such as coats or jumpers is to keep your dog warm. Some breeds are cold weather dogs which suffer in the heat of summer, and enjoy frolicking around in ice and snow. However, most dogs that are out in the cold for any length of time need pet supplies that provide some additional protection.
A simple jumper may be sufficient for most dogs, and you can find a wide variety of styles and materials where you purchase your pet supplies. For extremely cold days, or dogs that are highly sensitive to cold weather, a heavier coat is advisable. If your dog is a breed whose ears are prone to injury, you can also purchase pet accessories of coats with hoods.

A large percentage of dogs, cats, and probably most other animals suffer, at least to some degree, from seasonal allergies- just like humans. Airborne pollens and molds are probably the most common culprits, but the list of possibilities is practically endless. Finding and removing the exact allergens that cause your pet’s misery can be virtually impossible. It doesn’t matter where you live either – with spring comes a plethora of potentially allergenic particles— particles that are everywhere— in the wind, and in the water dish.

So what to do? A trip to the veterinarian may yield a prescription for an antihistamine or, if symptoms are severe, a corticosteroid drug. Although either one can be effective toward shutting off the symptoms of seasonal allergy, neither will help correct the underlying immune system dysfunction that causes the problem. And in the case of corticosteroid drugs (such as Prednisone) the side effects of extended use can be far worse than the allergy itself.

So, what to do?

First and foremost, clean up the diet. If your purchasing choices are driven more by cost than by quality, chances are you are compounding the problem by throwing poor quality food ingredients into the mix. You may even be feeding ingredients that are causing your pet’s allergy. Regardless, poor quality meat and grain bybroducts, artificial flavorings and preservatives and things like soy protein may be compromising the natural immunity of your pet. So make changes. Buy good food– recipes that feature whole meats (“chicken”, beef”, “duck”, etc.) and real vegetables as top line ingredients- not meat byproducts or cheap grain fillers.

Second but equally important: start supplementing your companion’s diet with fish and vegetable oils that are rich in Omega 3 fatty acids right now. Omega 3 fatty acids are essential components in the animal body’s regulation of inflammatory response to any allergen that enters the body system. Without enough Omega 3 fatty acids in the diet, the body’s inflammatory response to an invading allergen cannot be properly regulated, making the whole problem much worse than it should be. In my opinion, the best essential fatty acid supplements use fish oil as the primary ingredient- and the best fish oil is that which comes from the whole bodies of wild harvested cold water fish. Avoid products that are made from farm raised salmon or other cultivated sources, as they might contain potentially carcinogenic contaminants, like PCBs, or residual amounts of antibiotics and growth hormones that are used to farm the fish.

Finally, to help alleviate some of the symptoms, you might want to try adding a few herbs to your pet’s daily regimen. The following herbs are safe for dogs, cats, and most other mammals, and are all part of my favorite “Spring Tonic” tincture formula for hay fever.

NETTLE (Urtica spp.)

At the top of my list of anti-allergy success stories is nettle leaf. Many people and their animals find symptomatic relief from daily use of this herb, especially when its use is commenced at the earliest onset of hay fever season. One of the predominant theories of how nettle works is centered on the release of histamine. Histamine is a protein produced by the body that contributes to the body’s inflammatory responses. If histamine is released by the body too quickly or in too much abundance, symptoms such as swelling, sneezing and coughing are more likely to occur. Nettle’s chemistry includes an interesting assortment of proteins and histamine-like compounds that herbalists (like myself) believe may slow the body’s own release of histamine, thus lessening severity of allergy symptoms.

EYEBRIGHT (Euphrasia officianalis)

Herbalists have used eyebright herb for centuries to help relieve inflammation of upper respiratory mucus tissues. Eyebright is also thought to help support and strengthen various liver functions, meaning that it helps with the body’s elimination of systemic waste that may otherwise compound the allergy scenario.

BURDOCK (Arctium lappa/minor)

Burdock has been used since ancient times as a safe, gentle liver tonic. In both Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine (where it is known as “gobo”) burdock has been long regarded as a specific remedy for various forms of chronic dermatitis. It is thought to work by supporting the liver in the elimination of protein byproducts and other metabolic waste that may otherwise cause allergic reactions if left in the body. The idea: get the allergenic stuff out of the body before inflammation is triggered.

LICORICE ROOT (Glycyrrhiza glabra/uralensis)

I regard licorice root as perhaps the most broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory herb available. In addition to strong liver-support attributes, this herb contains an assortment of phytosterol constituents that may serve to supplement the body’s natural production of cortisone; a hormone that serves to further slow and regulate the body’s inflammatory response. It is also anti-tussive and expectorant, meaning that it will help make your pet’s coughs and sneezes less violent and more productive.

Pets do lots of strange things that might not always seem normal. However, many quirky habits are normal in dogs, though a few may suggest hidden medical problems. Read on to learn about the reasons why dogs do what they do-and what to do if it is an unhealthy behavior.

1) Tail-Chasing

When puppies chase their tails, it is simply a way for them to get used to their bodies. The behavior should stop happening as often as they get older. But if it doesn’t, it could signal a compulsive disorder, which is common in certain breeds. It can be treated with behavior modification and medication.

2) Scooting

It’s completely normal for dogs to scoot or drag their butts on the ground after going to the bathroom. However, if you notice your pup is scooting frequently, it could be a sign of impacted anal glands. It can have serious complications if left untreated, so you should take an immediate trip to the veterinarian if you notice frequent scooting.

3) Humping

It’s not abnormal for dogs to engage in this every once and a while, mainly because it relieves stress for them. It becomes an issue if the dog begins to hump humans more often than wanted. If it becomes an issue, behavior modification can be used to treat the issue.

4) Eating Grass

Dogs are omnivores, so it’s normal for them to eat grass, sticks, and even dirt. But it’s only healthy in moderation. Otherwise, your pup may have an upset stomach or other condition that may need veterinary care.

5) Rolling in Garbage

Dogs have a natural urge to roll in things that smell bad. It is said that they like to cover up their own scent with awful odors to make it easier to surprise prey. The best way to fix this problem is simply by avoiding stinky situations when you are out with your dog.

6) Drooling

Excessive drooling is in fact, not normal for dogs and may be a sign of a wide range of medical problems. Your dog may drool because he has an illness, is having a reaction, or has a behavioral problem. However, if your dog is just drooling while he watches you eat food, then there’s probably not a problem. It’s also important to note that some dog breeds are more prone to drawling such as Bassett Hounds and Great Danes.

7) Noise Phobia

Most dogs have a little bit of a noise phobia and will tremble or cower in the corner when they hear a loud bout of thunder, sirens, or a gunshot. However, it can become more serious when the dog becomes extremely afraid at every loud noise. Noise phobia can be difficult to treat, but through conditioning programs, dogs can learn to relax when they hear upsetting sounds. It’s important to take care of the problem right away instead of waiting for the phobia to progress.

Chances are that your dog has or does engage in at least one of these behaviors. In most situations, the problem isn’t too serious and can easily be taken care of. But it’s still important to take him to the vet right away if the behavior becomes excessive or if you have any other concerns. That way, hidden medical problems can be diagnosed and treated efficiently.

Cats shed microscopic pieces of dead skin to make way for newer healthier skin. These flakes are called dander and are one of the most potent allergens know. Here are 7 other facts about it that will help you understand it better and deal with it effectively.

What you can’t see can be a problem. There’s an old saying that what you don’t know won’t hurt you. But if you are sensitive to the protein found in these dead skin flakes, your body doesn’t have to be told that it’s there. And it can definitely hurt your quality of life by causing you to sneeze, wheeze, itch, have watery eyes, and a congested nose. Because these particles are microscopic, they cannot be seen with the naked eye. Don’t let that give you a false sense of security about your air quality.

There’s no getting rid of it. Replacing older skin with newer skin that is more able to protect the body against disease and infection is the body’s ingenious way of keeping your pooch as healthy as possible. So this process is normal for all warm-blooded animals. That means that it’s a fact of life for as long as you have your pet.

Grooming your cat can help minimize the amount of dander on your cat. That means there is less to attach to furniture and go airborne with daily activities. Feeding it a healthy diet can also help keep skin healthier and reduce unusually high amounts of shedding because of improper nutrients.

Every cat produces it. There is no such thing as a cat that doesn’t produce dander. Even with minimal hair this process of rejuvenating skin continues. And even though the hair and fur are not the actual allergens, because dander is sticky stuff, it often attaches to these particles and makes it seem as though these big particles are the allergens.

Eliminating hair and other particles can help. In addition to pet-related pollutants there are a number of particulates found in indoor spaces regardless of how clean it is. They include dust, dust mites, mold and mildew spores, seasonal pollen, bacteria and viruses.

By reducing the number of airborne particles, you are also reducing the microscopic particles (dander, bacteria, and viruses) that use them to travel from one host to another. That means you can eliminate multiple sized particles. And that’s a good thing.

Filtering the air is the most reliable way to reduce dander. A high efficiency particle arresting (HEPA) filter is specifically designed to remove airborne particulates that are.3 microns or greater in size. A micron is defined as one millionth of a meter is considerably smaller than the period at the end of this sentence.

Nothing will get rid of all of the airborne particles. But by continually filtering the air of normal pollutants as well as the ones your cat generates will drastically reduce the respiratory issues that can be caused by the protein in dander.