Hot Pets & Animals How-Tos
How To: Purchase cattle for your ranch or farm from a cattle auction
If you're starting up your own farm or ranch, one animal that you can raise is cattle. Not only are they a fantastic source of meat, but they also provide milk and cream which also opens up to butter and whipped cream. The usual way of acquiring cattle is through a cattle auction. In this video you will get some tips on how to approach a cattle option and what to watch out for as far as buying the cattle.
How To: Perform passive range of motion (PROM) exercises on your dog's hind legs
Stretching isn't just good for humans, it's a great way to keep animals loose and healthy, especially dogs who have suffered bone deformities, muscle aches or arthritis. This video will show you how to give your dog passive range of motion (PROM) exercises on its hind legs. Perform these exercises daily if your dog has recently had orthopedic surgery or suffers from arthritis. Doing so helps maintain flexibility, reduce stiffness and increase blood flow to painful joints. For more information...
How To: Trim a pet bird's wing with scissors and care
Birds are feisty little creatures, especially when it comes time for grooming. If you want to trim your bird's wings, you have to cut those feathers off, and this video shows you how to do it. This technique is the easiest way to go about cutting feathers off your bird's wing, and here it's demonstrated on an Eclectus Parrot. Find out more information at the Olathe Animal Hospital.
How To: Make a DIY bird feeder from a plastic milk bottle
Plastic milk bottles are a fixture of most American trash cans, but they need not be. With a little effort and some simple tools you can covert an old milk bottle into a DIY bird feeder! Watch this video to learn how.
How To: Take care of hermit crabs
Hermit crabs are a cool pet to own and are generally pretty low key. But taking care of them is a chore in itself and requires some very specific needs! In this video you will get some basic care tips including constructing his environment, foods and more!
How To: Extract honeybee honey from backyard harvesting beehives
If you already have the skills for amateur beekeeping, as outlined in Mary Reilly's previous video, then it's time to start harvesting the honey from those honeybees. Mary shows the fruits of her busy hive and demonstrates honey extraction techniques. Mary and Kelsey Clark suit up in heavy-duty garb to sweep irritated bees from the hive frames. The comb on each frame is then raked to expose the honey. Then the frames are placed in an extractor that spins out the liquid gold using centrifugal ...
How To: Start harvesting honey from honeybees with amateur beekeeping
Love the taste of honey, but hate the price? The solution many people have turned to is amateur beekeeping, where you can have all the honey you want, for minimal startup costs and periodic maintenance. It's a little work, but if you're a honey nut, just as much as the honeybee, then you need to become a recreational beekeeper.
How To: Properly trim your cat's nails using the regular and "kitty burrito" methods
One of the most painful, but necessary things to be done for cats is trimming their nails. Trimming your cat's nails is beneficial any pet owner, because it helps prevent scratched furniture and helps reduce scrapes and punctures in the skin. But it's also great for cats, because if left unkempt, can grow abnormally, creating tons of pain for your feline friend. Also, if the claws are left too long, they could get caught in carpet or furniture and pull them out while trying to escape. So, cli...
How To: Teach your dog to swim without stress
If you've got a new pup, or just a stubborn dog who hates water and doesn't feel like swimming, there is a way to get them to be more friendly with water. But it takes patience, as anything with dog training. In this video you will learn some simple tips for easing your dog into the water.
How To: Brush and clean your cat's teeth
Usually people associate pet tooth-brushing with dogs. Cats eat a lot of gross stuff too and can easily get bad breath. Watch this video to learn how to successfully brush your cat's little teeth without making it plunge them or their claws into you.
How To: Give your cat a good massage
If your cat and you seem a little stressed out, massaging the cat can be good for both of you. Watch this video to learn a little routine sure to please both human and cat.
How To: Determine the gender of birds with copper wire, string and a wine cork
If you have some pet birds, but are unbeknownst of their gender, this farmland trick will help you determine if they're male or female birds. Use this technique for any kind of birds… parrots, pigeons, doves, chickens… any bird! You just need some copper wire, some string and a wine cork. See how it's done!
How To: Choose the right place to put a bird cage
A birdcage is your bird's home, and if you want them to be happy members of your family you should follow some common-sense guidelines for positioning the cage. This video will introduce you to these rules and show you how to make your bird a little happier.
How To: Train a bird to step onto your finger on command
Birds are tricky to train due to their tiny brains, but nearly any hook-billed bird species can be trained to step onto your finger on command. They're at least that smart. This video will teach you a quick and easy way to do it.
How To: Build a chicken coop that will hold 4 chickens
If you love fresh eggs and don't live near anywhere you can get them, but your house is zoned agricultural, you can raise your own chickens to get them! This video will show you how to build your own 4 chicken coop that will keep your little layers happy.
How To: Get your cat to eat canned cat food
Cats can be fickle eaters when it comes to cat food. If you cat has been eating dry food and you want to switch to cans, watch this video. It will give you tips on how to do so successfully.
How To: Make puppies sleep better
Does you puppy keep you up all night with it's barking and tiny bladder? There are ways to minimize the problem. This video will give you some easy things you can do to make sure your puppy sleeps soundly through the night.
How To: Teach your dog to walk next to you on a loose leash
In this tutorial, we learn how to teach your dog to walk next to you on a loose leash. If you train you dog to back up while on the leash, he will avoid touching the end of the leash after this. First, take a treat and put it under your dogs chin, then push them backwards. Use a wall to practice this at first. You can also practice with the dog in front of you. Do this over and over until the dog understands, then try it without a treat. Next, try doing this while standing next to the dog. No...
How To: Litter Box Train Your New Kitten
I love cats (dogs too - but that's a subject for a different article...;o)). There are few things more enjoyable than welcoming an adorable little kitten into one's house; watching them inspect their mysterious new surroundings - timidly at first - and then quickly make it their empire.
How To: Have and properly take care of your pet rat
Though rodents may have a bad reputation, a rat can make a great pet for kids. Rats need a good sized cage, lots of toys and regular trips to the vet to maintain their teeth and make sure they don't get sick. Follow these tips to keep your new pet happy and healthy!
How To: Solve your dog's flea problems
Does your pet puppy have a problem with pests? Use these quick and easy grooming tips for a flea-free Fido! Your veterinarian might offer an expensive flea dip, but you can give your dog a bath and shampoo at home.
How To: Make an Easy Dog Pull Toy
Pull ToyI love dogs, but the toys can get really expensive. This is an easy to make, inexpensive way to make a toy that really works. My dog loves it! The materials you will need is an old dish towel and a pair of scissors.
How To: Trim your dog's nails without cutting
In this tutorial, we learn how to trim your dog's nails without cutting them. Before you begin, you will need a Dremel tool with a sandpaper drum attached. Now, have your dog sit down and place their paw up on your knee. Now. grab the tool and gently place it on the tip of the dog's nail. Do this on each of the nails, until you have trimmed all of the nails. Make sure you don't trim down too much or push too hard, this could cause a burn on the dog's nail or injure them severely. Keep treats ...
How To: Communicate with a dog in their own language
In this video, we learn how to communicate with a dog in their own language. First, you will learn common signals that dogs use to calm down other dogs. Dogs offer each other signals constantly and when you start to recognize these you can start to see what your dog is thinking and feeling. Dog thinks they are being obvious and don't understand you don't know you don't understand what they are trying to tell you. The first signal is soft and slow eye blinks. The second is looking away, the th...
How To: Give your cat medication with a few fool proof tips
In this video, we learn how to give your cat medication with a few fool proof tips. The first method to do this at home is to wrap the cat inside of a towel, then drop the medication into the cat's ears or mouth. This will help your cat feel comfortable and it will prevent you from getting scratched. Next, you will use treats and place the pill into the pocket of it, then give it to the cat. The animal won't even know the pill is inside of it. After this, you can use a pill popper, which is a...
How To: Teach your dog to do a reverse through
In this tutorial, we learn how to do a reverse through. First, teach your dog how to back up. Start off in an enclosed area and give your dog a treat when it goes back, increasing the number of steps he goes back every few minutes. Next, introduce the cue and start to fade out the lure of the treat. Next, teach your dog to do this in other places. After this, teach your dog how to turn 180 degrees away from you, giving them treats when they learn. If your dog is hesitant, make sure you reward...
How To: Train your dog with a clicker instead of food
In this video, you'll be shown how to train your pet dog to respond to a clicker. Instead of having your dog respond to treats, have your dog respond to the clicker. It'll cut down on food costs for you as the owner and help keep your pet healthy and sane. Just follow along with the video to learn how to do this training.
How To: Set up a man-made beehive for honey bees
How to set up a Bee Hive" presented by The FruitGuys Farm Steward Program.Your purchase of organic fruit delivery supports projects helping small family farms nationwide.
How To: Prevent ticks from spreading disease in dogs and cats
Ticks. They're everywhere, and they're a pet owner's worst nightmare. Ticks can spread deadly diseases to your dogs and cats, even to people, so it's important to know all the tick prevention tips. Learn how to care for your pet with help from VetVid, and see how to prevent ticks from spreading disease in dogs and cats with this video tutorial.
How To: Teach your dog to stand on your back
This video tutorial belongs to the Pets & Animals category which is going to show you how to teach your dog to stand on your back. The video starts off with showing the dog jumping over the owner's back while he is bent over and staying on top while he is turning around. This may look difficult, but it is easy to teach the dog. This trick is called the canine backstall. And there are two rules to follow. Rule number 1: don't hurt your dog. Rule number 2: don't hurt yourself. You can start off...
How To: Use the Solarmeter 6.2 for reptile habitats
In this video, we learn how to use the Solarmeter 6.2 for reptile habitats. This is the most accurate hand held meter on the market. Make sure you use UV blocking sunglasses while using this. This type of light will provide the reptile with needed vitamin D. Make sure you set this up without the reptile in the cage. Move the device until you find the center, then see how far down the UV light goes. Move the light according to where the light hits. Check until you have the right amount of ligh...
How To: Make money-saving standing reptile plants
Reptiles come from a variety of biomes, but certain reptiles, like snakes and lizards, do prefer a wet, tropical environment with lots of tree and bush cover. Because they feel more at home in this kind of environment, you must try to simulate their preferred surroundings when you take one home as a pet.
HowTo: Make Kitty Crack
As a non-cat owner, catnip is a mystery to me. So, people essentially... drug... their cats? Weird. Google catnip, and you will find a whole slew of incredible images related to the topic...
How To: Teach your dog how to sit on your command
A dog who constantly follows you around the house wagging his tail is a dog who really likes you (or is hungry), but sometimes you're tired and just want your dog to sit and be still for once. Teaching a dog to sit is one of the most basic obedience training tricks out there, and one of the most important (especially in cases of your dog bounding onto friends who enter the house).
How To: Safely remove a tick
In this tutorial, we learn how to safely remove a tick. Using professional tweezers that are pointy are the very best for removing ticks. Blunt tweezers will tear the tick. First, use the tweezers to grab the tick on it's skin in the front. Then, pull up and slow to remove the tick from the skin. Have a steady hand so you don't drop the tick or tear it in half. You can purchase tweezers that are made specifically for removing ticks from CVS stores. Give the area 24 hours to heal after you hav...
How To: Train your dog to close a door
In this tutorial, we learn how to train your dog to close a door. To do this, you must first have a positive approach and a motivator that your dog enjoys. Instead of asking the dog to close the door right away, you will reward the dog with small steps along the way. Train your dog with first giving them a post it note and giving them a treat when they touch it with their nose and making a click noise. Keep doing this, and when the dog is by the door, have them shut this and they will underst...
How To: Stop your dog from jumping all over you
Zephyr Clark-Dolberg teaches us how to stop your dog from jumping all over you in this video. When your dog comes up to you and starts to jump on you, knee him and yell at him to get off. When the dog goes to the ground, praise him for going down tot the ground. Continue to get the dog excited and jumping on you and correcting him. The dog will only take a few times to understand that you don't want him to jump up on you. This may take more time with a hyper dog, so just take time and patience!
How To: Take care of a new kitten and keep them healthy
In this tutorial, we learn how to take care of a new kitten. The first thing to do when you bring home a new kitten is to keep it away from any other animals in your home, to keep all animals safe. Next, you want to take it to the vet to make sure it's healthy and free of diseases. You will also have to get the kitten a number of different shots throughout its life. You should give you cat a flea collar during hot months to lessen the chances of fleas. The last thing to do is make sure your c...
How To: Give your dog permission to "go sniff" on a walk
In this tutorial, we learn to give your dog permission to go sniff around while on a walk. When you are walking on your dog, let them go out and sniff things, so that they can explore the area that you are around. Make sure you are following close behind and still have them attached loosely to a leash. When you are ready to leave the area, say "lets go", and move on with your walk with the dog. Practice this several times with your dog, and eventually they will start to know the length of tim...
How To: Make organic green dog treat muffins for your puppy
If you own a dog, you have probably spent more money than you are comfortable admitting on treats for them. Most of these treats, though, aren't very healthy or sustainably made. This video will show you one recipe for making your own homemade organic dog muffins cheaply and easily.