Archive for the ‘pets’ Category
Keep Cat Food Fresh And Feed Birds Stale Cat Food
Instead of throwing away stale cat food, many cat owners feed birds stale cat food. To feed birds still cat food, the cat owner can place the stale food in a bowl or shallow container.
Some cat owners feed stale cat food to birds by putting the stale cat food and other food scraps into a mesh bag that is used for onions when they are sold. However, a bird can become trapped in the mesh, so these bags should not be used.
The stale cat food can be mixed with birdseed for the birds. For some cat owners, leaving cat food outside may not be a good idea if they live in an area populated with raccoons. Raccoons are attracted by cat food which can cause the property become occupied with a clan of raccoons. This can be a health concern since raccoons can carry rabies.
Ants are also attracted to cat food. Whether there is a source of cat food outside or in open bag of cat food inside near a door, ants can become a problem for the cat owner.
Cat owners can take steps to keep dry cat food from going stale. While large bags of cat food can be a thrifty choice, money isn’t saved if the cat food is wasted because the cat won’t eat stale cat food. There are ways to keep the cat food fresh even if large bags or purchased.
Plastic storage containers are ideal for storing cat food and keeping it fresh. Using plastic storage containers will also keep away unwanted pests such as ants.
Any plastic containers that are used to store cat food should be washed with soap and water periodically. This prevents the buildup of fat residue from the cat food which can go rancid and contaminate any cat food placed in the container.
Some cat owners use clips such as those used for potato chip bags. The open-ended the bag can be folded and clipped closed. This can help preserve the freshness of the cat food, but typically not as well as an airtight storage container.
If a finicky cat refusing to eat cat food that is the slightest bit stale is becoming problematic for the cat owner, the cat owner may want to switch to canned cat food which eliminates the waste from staleness. Whenever a cat’s food is changed, it needs to be done gradually to prevent stomach upset.
Find homemade cat food recipe information at your favorite feline diet resource site now. Do you also want some make your own cat food information? Come join us for a healthier feline diet for your precious kitties.
Tags: cat food, cats, home, pets
How Much Exercise Does Your Dog Need?
Of all the creatures which man can rely upon, dogs are the ones deemed as his best friend. even though many of them would like to eat the remote control. That’s because they’re active by nature, but they’re just stuck with an keeper who knows no fun except by watching TV all they wish. A dog is more likely to feel depressed if he is matched with an owner who has a different lifestyle and this can sometimes create a tense in a human relationship.
If a dog is what you want to bring into your home, you must think about the activity level that the dog needs to be physically and emotionally healthy. Some lazy adults think that if they only had a dog that needed walking twice daily, then they would get the physical exercise they’ve so carefully avoided for so many years. Active dogs need active keepers, but if they have been matched with idle folks, a change of ways is badly needed – nonetheless, that can’t be easily done. Since idle keepers are more likely to slack off during walking sessions, the dog is not likely to get the essential benefits of having a frequent outside time thus the dog will be the one to suffer.
Giving your dog enough physical exercise is not equivalent to giving him the quantity of daily physical activity that he needs. The time to walk, run, jump and relax is what each and every dog needs for every single day. That may come with a walk on the lead to the park or around the neighborhood. You don’t have to put your dog on a leash to let him enjoy the freedom of running and playing if you have a home with a fenced yard. If you are one of those older adults who are concerned about having limited mobility, then you might as well go for a dog that won’t demand you of too much activity everyday. There are individuals who are inclined to have their recreation or enjoy the feeling of relaxation out-of-doors and they are those of which active dogs would love to spend their lives with. Both keeper and dog look forward to the end of the day, because it would be the time for them to enjoy playing chase or running together in the park.
You should be conscious that the tendency to be more physically active goes with those dogs of larger sizes. Those dogs with the heritage of being working or hunting dogs can be sited as examples of these dogs. The desire of getting busy and working off their energy is just some of their built-in traits. Movement and agility are some of the inherent traits of dogs such as the German Shepherd, Greyhound, Doberman, Irish Setter and the Beagle, thus, it is natural for them to want some kind of exercise everyday. Having an exceedingly large dog who can easily outweigh his owner such as the St. Bernard and Bull Mastiff doesn’t mean that you have an active dog since size can actually fool you. Even though you see the St. Bernard in movies rescuing the lost skier, what you don’t know is that to sleep in front of the fireplace is the physical activity that usually takes up most of the dog’s time.
Small dogs like Poodles and Chihuahuas can live in small spaces and forgo the daily long walk in the park, but these dogs can be high in activity even just around your house because they have in them some high-strung temperaments which are already part of their breed. Granted, their activity may be running aimlessly around the room, jumping on your guests or bouncing on you, but once they’re already out of energy, all they do is simply behave. That’s the point where the little dogs crawl back on your lap or on their sumptuous pillow for a well-deserved nap to recharge.
There are a lot of things that you need to consider just before you decide on buying a dog. By taking time to make a profile of the dog that best fits your living space, character, and personal activity level, you’ll have a better match for a lasting relationship.
If you are busy and have a difficult time taking out your dog check out a Dog Treadmill. Also visit here to a get free course on Dog Training.
Tags: animal, dog, dog care, home, pet, pet care, pets
Dog Leashes, It’s the Owners Responsibility
Dog Owners should know the value of a dog leash. A dog leash is a great way to protect your pet from the dangers the outside world can hold.
An unrestrained dog can get be a problem, regardless of the training your dog has received. Many pet owners treat their pets like their own children, and just like a child should have boundaries lest they wander off and get hurt, so should dogs.
Various distractions occur in the outdoors that encourages a dog to leave the yard. The noise of automobiles and motorcycles can cause a dog to bark, and in many cases they will run after the vehicle causing a distraction to the driver as well as potential harm to your dog.
Many other diversions occur that may cause your dog to leave its boundaries are wildlife. Birds, chipmunks, rabbits or deer can make an otherwise obedient canine to desert their manners and chase the taunting animal. Take your eye off your dog for only a moment and they could be gone. If they return unharmed, they may return having rolled in something with a bad odor. If it so happens your dog escapes on garbage day your neighbors might have quite a mess to clean up.
Allowing your dog to freely wander the neighborhood can aggravate your neighbors, particularly if your dog decides to relieve themselves or dig holes on their lawn. Little children may also be afraid. Sometimes a dog will want to play but the young child sees the dog as being aggressive a chase ensues. Even though the dog is being playing, the child does not realize this and may get hurt as they try to run away from the dog.
Even if your dog is not aggressive, a stranger might approach the pet to read a dog tag or a young child sees a cute dog and hugs the dog and the dog nips or bites. This is a devastating situation for everyone: the injured, the owner and the confused dog. The pet owner is responsible.
The best option for a dog to run leash free is a fenced yard. Dog owners who have no yard or just don’t have a fence, try a Dog Park. Dog Parks are an ideal location for dogs to play, exercise and socialize with other dogs. Many cities have Dog Parks now days. To find a Dog Park in your area, get in touch with your municipality or ask your local veterinarian.
Taking care of your pet is a large responsibility. Dogs must be supervised at all times to keep them safe. A dog on a leash is a simple solution to keep your dog out of harm’s way
Dog Leashes are manufactured in many sizes and styles. 4 foot leashes are great for those who live in the city; hands free dog leashes are great for exercising with your dog, couplers can be purchased for walking multiple dogs; retractable leashes offer a little more freedom; and the standard 6 foot leash is usually accessible in one inch and 5/8 widths to hold most dogs.
Although playing with your dog unrestrained is enjoyable, dog owners must understand the implications of not leashing their dogs when appropriate. Joanne suggests ensuring your dogs safety by browsing to Jakes Dog House for dog leashes of a variety of designs and sizes.
Tags: Dog collars, dog safety, dog supplies, dogs, pet collars, pets, sports dog collars
Is A Turtle The Pet For You?
There are many different types of turtles, so choosing the right one for you and your family can be a bit overwhelming. The first thing you should be aware of is that it is possible to catch Salmonella from pet turtles. Therefore it is highly important that anyone who handles a turtle washes his/her hands immediately afterward.
The turtle is a perfect pet for any person or child. There’s just precautions you should know about first and it is a very good way to teach your kid the responsibilities of taking care of a turtle. Turtles can be easy animals to keep up with depending on what turtle you have. You can get tortoises and turtles mixed up easily. The trick to remembering is that tortoises are land-dwellers and turtles tend to live near or in water.
Turtles are aquatic and need water in order to get their hydration. The shell needs to have time to dry every once in a while, which means you need to make sure you have them a area they can climb up on in order to get dry. A turtle aquarium is something that will take no time to make, but did you know you have to clean the tank every week or twice a week?
The reason you want to go to such effort to keep the turtle’s aquarium clean is that it can cut back on the likelihood of Salmonella growth. This is probably the most important aspect of turtle hygiene for both you and your family.
There are many turtles to choose from, however it’s probably a good idea not to get your hopes set on something so large as a green sea turtle, as these are prohibited to have as pets. However, there are many other varieties which you can browse through at your local pet store or even online. As long as you are prepared to care for a turtle, you should have a wonderful experience raising one.
English Saddles Vs Western Saddles
There are two main types of saddles for sale, english and western saddles. With so many different saddles for sale, it is helpful to know a quick way to distinguish between english and western saddles, the horn that is found on western saddles. Another easily noticeable and distinguishing feature is that western saddles are usually more robust and rugged than english saddles.
Which is Better for Riding?
Western saddles are built to be comfortable for the horse and its owner. Western saddles are built bigger to spread the weight more evenly across the animal’s back. These saddles are usually constructed out of rawhide to ensure longer-lasting comfort on long and arduous cattle drives. Although many modern saddles for sale are built from synthetic and lighter materials other than leather, sheepskin and wool.
There is also a difference between trail or pleasure and work or ranch saddles for sale on the market. Different tasks or uses require different balancing and component design such as horn shaping. Barrel saddles provide closer contact. English Saddles sit higher to give the rider better positioning than a western saddle would for that sort of riding.
But what are the real differences between english saddles and western saddles?
The English saddle is lighter than the Western saddle and has steel stirrups. The cinch is elastic and is designed to allow the saddle to stay on the horse but still allow the horse enough give to breathe. There are no fenders to keep the straps from pinching your legs but wearing tall boots will take care of this problem.
On the other hand, Western saddles do come with protective fenders. Obviously, most cowboy sorts do not wear boots up to their knees, so it is good to have an extra level of shielding from impact or pinching in between the saddle and the horse’s back. Stirrups on western saddles also have leather wraps to add friction for a better hold on the slick bottom of a cowboy boot. Western saddles for sale will also have scurry trim which should not be warped if you are going to make a purchase.
Show Riding Vs. Pleasure Riding
English saddles for sale, in general, are not meant for rugged use. You can purchase an all purpose western saddle if you engage in multiple riding styles. Be sure that you know well what you are using your saddle for before you spend a lot of money of new saddle.
The difference in saddles for show or for pleasure is the way they are built. Western saddles are normally constructed on wooden trees. They are cover with fiberglass or a ralide, which is a synthetic polymer. They can be covered in rawhide. The lighter saddles are made of synthetic. The seat is covered with suede or split leather. The saddles are often carved with ornate embellishments as well as using silver to decorate.
Synthetic or steel trees are used to construct english saddles. These saddles are then covered in leather and are often less embellished than western saddles. Today, english saddles are filled with foam instead of the traditional horse hair filling.
Browsing and buying saddles for sale
Saving money should definitely not be your top priority when selecting the perfect saddle. Saddles require a great deal of craftsmanship in order to last and ensure the greatest comfort for both horse and rider. An inexpensive saddle may turn out to cost more in replacement, repair and medical expenses than a quality saddle costs in the beginning.
Saddles that are poorly built can easily fall apart during regular use. Loose parts and edges can bother and injure both the horse and rider. So remember spending the extra money on a properly crafted saddle can save you a lot of grief.
Whether an english or western saddle is right for you, be sure to choose a saddle that is well-made. It may be a bit of an investment up front, but in the end, it will be well worth it. And you will enjoy riding much, much more.
Author: Jodie Daisy would love to share information about saddles for sale with anyone who has any inquiries regarding a new saddle purchase.
Tags: barrel racing, cattle farms, cow horses, English saddles, Farming, hobbies, horse saddles, horseback riding, horses, pets, ranching, saddles for sale, show horses, Western saddles
The Mandarin Goby : A Guide On This Difficult Dragonet
The Mandarin Dragonet (Synchiropus Splendidus) is one of the most stunning fishes ever to reach the hobby. Blue, green and orange lines and patches are intricately painted onto this spectacular fish. Despite not being a true goby, the name “mandarin goby” seems to have stuck with this fish. Its seldom called true name, is the mandarin dragonet.
The mandarin dragonet is heavily collected from the Indo-Pacific. Unfortunately they do poorly in captivity despite their popularity. I will touch on this later.
The mandarin dragonet is one of the most unaggressive fishes available in the trade. They are aggressive only towards other members of the genus such as the scooter dragonets. Attaining a pair of mandarin’s isn’t too difficult, look for a mandarin with an elongated first spine (a male) and look for one without (a female) and put them together.
Mandarins can grow as long as 4 inches. Technically, they require a tank no smaller than 30 gallons, only if you can get them to eat. Getting them to eat prepared foods is a real challenge. Copepods in the wild are all they eat. Therefore, they need a tank full of live copepods, something like a 75 gallon established aquarium. In an aquarium that large, you’d never have to feed them. They will live off available copepod populations without wiping them out.
You can also train them to eat prepared foods.You’ll need live adult artemia to accomplish this task. Getting them to eat live brine is easy enough, they’re receptive to live artemia. Next, slowly start introducing frozen artemia in with the live stuff during feeding. Once they start taking frozen artemia the task is half done. We need to slowly get them to accept a more nutritious food like mysis shrimp.
As before, mix in some mysis shrimp with the frozen artemia. Once they start taking mysis you’ve pretty much settled the problem. Offer them some krill and a good pellet after that.
But wait, there’s another problem you will likely face with mandarin dragonets. They are painfully slow feeders. It cannot compete with other tank mates for food, its that slow. There are three solutions to this problem. You could feed a lot more, thereby ensuring some food will be left for the mandarin and in the process, foul up your tank. Or, you can spot feed the mandarin with a pipette. Lastly, you can find a bottle with an entrance only big enough for the mandarin and stuff some food in there.
All of these methods will work.
Tags: goby, mandarin dragonet, Mandarin fish, mandarin goby, mandarin goby care, mandarin goby care guide, mandarin goby guide, marine aquarium fish, marine goby, pets, saltwater fish, saltwater goby, synchiropus
Savvy Tips For Traveling With Your Pooch
When you travel, your dog will naturally want to accompany you. He wants to remain by your side, even if that means being in unfamiliar territory. If you decide to take him with you, the challenge is to make sure his needs are met while you’re on the road. His safety and comfort are entirely dictated by the decisions you make for him. Here are four smart tips that will help you navigate the often choppy waters of traveling with your canine.
Tip 1 – Make An Appointment With The Vet
Before hitting the road, take your pooch to the veterinarian for a check-up. Make sure that he has received all of his vaccinations and that his certifications are updated. You’ll be required to show them not only when you board a plane, but when you check into pet-friendly hotels. Also, be sure to pack any medications that your dog needs while you’re away from home.
Tip 2 – Call The Airline Prior To Your Trip
Pet travel is not entirely standardized across all airlines. Each airline has their own set of rules. Call ahead to make sure that you meet any requirements they have. Ask about the certifications they need to see and the type of crate you should put your dog in prior to arriving.
Tip 3 – Make Your Pooch Easily Identifiable
Pets and their owners often become separated while traveling. This can happen just as easily when you travel by plane as by car. Make sure you’ve placed a collar on him with his identification tags securely fastened to it. The tags should list your name and contact information, your pooch’s name, and information regarding his rabies shots. Also, consider having him microchipped as a secondary form of identification. It’s a good idea to carry a picture of him with you that you can show people in the event you’re separated.
Tip 4 – When Traveling By Car…
Traveling with your dog by car requires a few extra precautions. Take plenty of drinking water for him and try not to drive long distances if he hasn’t had anything to eat. Don’t allow him to ride with his head hanging out the window; it’s far too easy for debris to harm his eyes. Also, keep in mind that your canine will need restroom breaks, even if you don’t. Stop often and have the resources handy to clean up after him.
If you’re traveling with young kids, make sure they understand that it’s unacceptable to tease or taunt the dog while he’s in his crate (road trips can be boring). Finally, don’t ever leave him in the car with the windows up. If possible, don’t leave him in the car by himself at all.
While traveling, your dog is dependent upon you in ways that are easy to neglect. Use the four tips above to ensure that you both enjoy the time spent together away from home.
Tags: canine tips, dog car, dog tips, pets
Diabetic Dog Diets And Diabetes Management
A disease that can affect dogs and be potentially fatal if not properly managed is diabetes mellitus. As it does in humans, diabetes in dogs causes uncontrolled blood glucose levels. Diabetes in dogs is managed through diet, exercise, and medication if necessary.
Diet and exercise are essential components of the management of diabetes in dogs. If the diabetes is managed effectively, the dog can continue to live an active lifestyle for a relatively long time.
The dog owner may or may not notice the initial symptoms of diabetes. Often, a dog will experience more frequent urination and increased thirst when the dog develops diabetes.
Diabetes mellitus must be diagnosed by a veterinarian. The veterinarian may want to do blood or urine tests and may require the dog to be fasting at the time of the test.
A key feature of diabetic dog diets is routine. The veterinarian may prescribe a specific routine for feeding the dog and administering insulin if necessary. Often the dogs daily intake of food is divided into two or three portions given at different times.
Ideal diabetic dog diets are generally high in fiber, protein, and complex carbohydrates. The dog food may need to be low in fat if the dog should lose weight.
Consistency is also considered an important factor for diabetic dog diets. For this reason, it is generally recommended that the dog owner use one type of dog food and not switch dog foods or make their own dog food.
The dog should not have drastic changes in weight. If the dog is overweight, losing weight can help the management of diabetes. Any necessary weight loss should be done gradually.
Regular checkups by a veterinarian are necessary for dogs with diabetes. The dog owner may have a number of questions regarding the management of diabetes in dogs. The dog owner should feel comfortable asking the veterinarian any questions they may have.
The veterinarian may recommend that the dog owner to use testing strips to test the dog’s urine for sugar. If the veterinarian wants the dog owner to test the dog’s urine, the veterinarian will show the dog owner how to use and read the testing strips.
Diabetes management for dogs can benefit from regular exercise. Consistent exercise helps keep blood sugar levels within a healthy range. Having a regular daily amount of exercise such as half an hour a day is best.
Tags: dog diet, dog food, dogs, home, pets
No Bark Collars: What You Should Know
There are currently three types of no bark collars commonly used on dogs. They all give good results, but you might be wondering if using them is ethical. If you have a dog, you should know some basic information about no bark collars before getting one for your dog.
Citronella Spray Collars
Some no bark dog collars work by emitting a spray of citrus smell if the dog barks for a while. Because the smell of citrus is not pleasant for dogs, they will eventually stop barking. These collars usually give a hissing sound before releasing the citrus smell, giving the dog a chance to stop the barking and saving itself from the spray. Trainers and professionals consider the use of these collars ethical, as there is no pain inflicted on the dog.
Sonic No Bark Collars
Ultrasonic or sonic dog collars will emit a high pitched tone if the dog barks. This tone is similar to the dog whistle sound. Most humans can’t hear it or be annoyed by it, but dogs can and will stop barking once they realize that when they stop barking the high pitched tone goes away. Is this considered ethical by the experts? Yes. Once again, there is no pain involved – it’s just a bit annoying for the dog. Note: This type of no bark collar is considered the least effective, as the dog can become used to the sound over time.
Electronic No Bark Collars
These collars give the dog a small electrical shock when it barks. The shock isn’t painful, it’s similar to what you feel when you handle fabrics or walk over a rug. Due to its name, people think that this type of collar is cruel and unethical and shouldn’t be used on animals. The main reason why these people consider this collar unethical is that it actually causes a physical stimulus that can be felt by the dog. That’s why some animal lovers think that’s bad. However, these collars are very effective for reducing excessive barking, so take them at least into consideration.
There are three types of no bark collars that you can use to train your dog: citrus spray collars, sonic or ultrasonic collars, and electrical shock collars. Most people have no problems with spray collars or sonic collars, but the idea of an electrical shock makes them think that shock collars aren’t good for dogs. However, all three methods are perfectly safe for dogs.
Tags: no bark collars, pets
Have Fun Using Small Cat Food Tins for Deodorizing
Many people enjoy thrifty crafts that reuse items that would otherwise be discarded. Using small cat food tins for deodorizing is a way to reuse the tins.
The cat food tin needs to be washed thoroughly. Applying spray enamel is a quick way to make the cat food tin colorful.
The cat owner may want to consider the colors of the room in which the decorated cat tin will be placed when deciding on how to decorate the cat food tin. Wrapping paper, wallpaper, or colored paper may be used to wrap or decoupage the tin.
Numerous types of craft supplies can be used to decorate the cat food tins. Craft accents such as small floral appliqu?s, buttons, foam letters, and other craft supplies can be glued to the tin after it has been sprayed with enamel or covered in paper.
The cat owner may want to place a cat food tin containing white vinegar in an area with strong odor. One of these vinegar-filled tins could be placed near the litter box.
Cotton balls sprayed with a favorite cologne or dipped in pine cleaner can be placed in recycled cat tins to be used as deodorizers. Scented oils can be added to cotton balls placed in a small cat food tin.
Using small cat food tins for deodorizing can be done by decorating the outside of the tins and filling them with potpourri. Potpourri may be made by adding a scent such as vanilla to pine cones or dried flower petals.
Tins can also be decorated for holiday decor. Using green and red spray enamel with accents added with paint pens or acrylic craft paint can hold pine cones or holiday potpourri.
Whole coffee beans can be used as scented filler for reused cat food tins. The cat owner can squeeze and break some of the coffee beans to reactivate the scent once the coffee scent is no longer noticeable.
With a little care, cat food tins could also be used as candleholders. A scented votive candle can be placed in the cat food tin. The tin must be placed on a heat-proof surface since the tin can heat up when the candle is burned.
