What Do I Get The Dog For Christmas?!

  by  Nils Geylen  As Christmas draws near and our shopping comes to a close, we may realize we've forgotten someone very important, our pets! Every dog owner knows there's something special about having our canine friends, right by our side opening presents with the rest of the family. In my own personal experience, it's obvious our pets know whats going on, and they become just as excited about it. Dogs that never destroy anything at all, become excited and tear into their own Christmas gifts. They seem to know they are not allowed to tear into anything that is not given to them. So what do we get our pets this holiday season? Here's a few ideas.

For Dogs, Greenies can be one of the healthiest snacks we can give them in moderation. I've never met a dog that wasn't crazy about them, and with the 45 or 96 count packaging, it's a gift that can last longer than a few seconds. Make sure to choose the right size for your pets saftey. 

I've always been a fan of toys that can challenge your dog's mind, and allow him to problem solve as he would in the wild. The Buster Food Cube does just that. It's rugged design can keep your dog from chewing the toy itself, and get him more interested in trying to figure out how to get his favorite food out. The rounded corners keep the cube stable, but allow your pet to easily flip and it turn it the direction they desire.

And lastly, don't forget the stocking! These paw shaped stockings can't be left off the fireplace this Christmas and come in two different sizes, depending on if your pet has been naughty or nice this year. Don't let Santa forget your pet on Christmas Eve!

Got other great gift ideas this season for you pet? Submit them in the comments and I'll add them to the list! Be safe this holiday season, and let your pet partake in the festivities with you. It will keep you and your pet happy!

Dangers Round the Christmas Tree

This Christmas season everyone is looking forward to spending time with family. As the year draws to a close, we gather together full of love and hope for the future. It's important to remain healthy for the events that bring us all together this holiday season, and there is no exception for our favorite family members, our pets.

With the decorating and excitement that comes to this time of year, it can be easy to overlook small dangers that our pets can come across. Unfortunately, many of the plants we use to spread holiday cheer in our homes can be toxic to our furry friends, and care should be taken to keep them out of reach.

The most well known of these dangers is the Poinsettia plant. Shiny green leaves and bright red flowers make this hardy plant an obvious choice for decorating our homes in the holiday spirit. Its easy to forget that despite it's beauty, it's natural oils are toxic if ingested.

  by  OiMax 

The good news is that it is frequently not deadly. The more an animal digests, the worse the symptoms can be. Drooling, vomiting,  and diarrhea can all by signs that an animal has eaten part of a Poinsettia plant. Generally vet treatment is not necessary, unless the symptoms do not go away quickly, the animal begins to have tremors, or becomes listless.

Another household danger this time of year is mistletoe and holly. Mistletoe is generally hung far out of a pets reach and is very little threat. Holly however, is usually much easier for your pet to encounter. The leaves of a Holly plant, if ingested, usually provide symptoms similar to the Poinsettia. Drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain are at the top of the list. The real danger with Holly though, is it's berries.

  by  Air hugs

The berries of a Holly plant contain a toxin that can cause seizures in cats and dogs. If you think that your pet has eaten a berry from a live plant, it's best to make an emergency vet visit. The symptoms can onset quickly and without warning.

The final overlooked danger this holiday season, is one of the most obvious decorations in your home, your Christmas tree! The lights, ornaments, and power cords can sometimes be a little too inviting to your canine and feline children. Your pets should be watched closely around these Christmas decorations. The tree itself can even cause illness, the oils from the tree are mildly toxic and pine needles are not digestible to your pet. If drooling or vomiting does not go away within a few hours, it's best to get your pet to a veterinarian.

With a little planning and a watchful eye, your pets can enjoy a happy and healthy holiday with the rest of your family. Here's to wishing you and your pet and happy holiday season!

Picture of the Week, No Caption Needed

  by  Beverly & Pack 

Product Review - Jolly Pet Tug-n-Toss

As a dog owner, I'm always on the lookout for new and fun toys that my dog's won't destroy within a matter of minutes. One of the finer examples of quality dog toys that I've ever found is the Jolly Pet Tug-n-Toss Ball.

The Tug-n-Toss is made of a high quality plastic that is durable as well as flexible. Unlike hard rubber toys like Kong Brand Dog Toys, the Tug-n-Toss has some give to it, so it flexes in your dog's mouth, and provides resistance for a different feel than most dog toys. Because of it's larger size, your puppy will have difficulty getting it's entire mouth around it, providing hours of mind stretching fun. It's rugged handle, allows you or your dog to carry the ball for fun times throwing and retrieving.

The Tug-n-Toss feels like an inflatable ball at first glance, but because it is molded plastic instead of actually inflated, it won't collapse if it is punctured. It retains its shape no matter what abuse your canine can dish out. I think the fact this company makes larger versions of this same toy for large cats and bears at zoos, is a testament to it's durability.



These dogs are playing with the 10" size, I've found the bigger the better. Even small dogs enjoy the larger size. There is even one for horses! For hours of fun and exercise, I highly recommend the Jolly Pet Tug-n-Toss Ball. It will, without a doubt, help to keep you and your dog happy!

Picture of the Week, Caught in the Act

  by  gilmorec 

The Fish Tank Barometer

Did you know you can use your fish tank as to predict the weather? That's right, you're home aquarium might be more accurate than the local weather man if you know what you're looking for. They can be used to predict upcoming storms, the passing of a front, or even let you know there's a tornado about to strike!

  by  mrpbps 

To use our fish tank in this manner, we need only have live fish in it. Fish possess an organ called a swim bladder. It's a large sack of air in the fish's innards that helps to keep it neutrally buoyant. It basically helps the fish to remain where it is in the water, without sinking or floating. The size and shape of this bladder can vary depending on the species of fish. Many catfish have a small one, or none at all, to keep them on or near the bottom of the water they are living in. Others, like the flying fish, have a very large one that can help keep them near the surface of the water at all times.

So what does this have to do with the weather? Because fish rely so heavily on this organ, just to remain in one place, changes in air pressure can have gigantic effects on a fish. If the air pressure goes up, a fish's bladder becomes slightly compressed. I'm sure the fish feels like it has really bad gas. The result is a sluggish fish that doesn't move too much. The fish would be "weighted down" and would not be able to perform at it's peak. On the flip side of this, when the air pressure drops, a fish has the opposite reaction. Many fish can perform better and this shows in their activity. As any good fishing guide could tell you fish become much more active when the air pressure drops. If your normally peaceful and calm aquarium, suddenly becomes an active parade of color, you can bet the air pressure dropped and there is some weather on the way.

One fish in the pet industry displays this attribute so readily, it's been called the weather loach. A slender eel like catfish, that prefers to hide almost all the time. It burrows in the gravel or under decorations, unless the air pressure has dropped. When weather is on the way the weather loach, also called a dojo loach, becomes extremely active. This is a fish you never see in your tank, that suddenly is racing and darting  the whole length of the aquarium.

  by  Rhizae 

While owning an aquarium might not be the ideal barometer for weather predicting purposes, it is a fun trick if you already have one in your home. The next time you know the weather is coming, check out your tank, you might be surprised at what you find. You can see for yourself that when air pressure drops, your fish become happy!

Product Review - Nature's Miracle

I've often been asked, by many a frustrated dog owner, "What is the secret to house training a puppy?". Some would say patience while others might provide insightful knowledge into their methods of crate training. But truly, the one thing that can make house training a success, is Nature's Miracle Stain and Odor Remover. 

Accidents are inevitable when house training a new puppy. When a puppy goes in your house, it leaves a scent. The puppy uses this scent to determine where it's bathroom is. If you clean the scent, then the puppy won't be inclined to keep using that area as it's bathroom. This sounds easy enough, just get some carpet cleaner or bleach, and scrub away, right? Wrong, traditional cleaners will clean up a pet mess, at least enough that you or I would never know it's there, but a dog's sense of smell is many times more sensitive then ours, and they can pick up even the smallest traces of urine in your carpet padding. What may look like nothing to us, will stand out like a neon sign to your puppy, calling it to continue to use a certain area as a bathroom.

Natures Miracle Stain and Odor Remover is an enzyme solution, that actually "eats" the small particles of urine that may be left over after cleaning up a mess. Not only can it remove a stain so it's not visible to us, it can remove all particles so even the dog cannot tell it's there. It's a necessity for any pet owner, and can clean up any pet stain, not just urine.

When bringing a new puppy home for the first time, a bottle of Nature's Miracle is a must. It will save hours of frustration and help to keep your home clean. With the odor's gone, housebreaking your new puppy will be a snap, and you and your new puppy will both be happy!

Funny Picture of the Week!

  by  anomalous4 

Hamsters And Gerbils As A First Pet

The Teddy Bear Hamster is undeniably one of the most popular pets used to introduce children to the responsibility and joy of pet ownership. They are small and active and keep children's attention for long periods of time. Almost everyone has been mesmerized at some point by a hamster running for miles on a hamster wheel. They are relatively inexpensive, and it's not uncommon to be able to purchase everything someone would need to keep one of these fuzzy little animals for under 50$. It sounds like the perfect pet for a trial run with a small child, and they can be. Teddy Bear Hamsters are not the only option though, and sometimes they are not the best.

  by  Steve & Jemma Copley 

If you do choose a hamster for a first pet, you should know they do have some habits that may be undesirable in your home and around your children. First, hamsters are nocturnal. This means they sleep during the day and are awake at night. They are also very active while they are awake. They will literally run for miles every night, while you're asleep. This can prove a little inconvenient when your hamster is making noise all night long, running on its wheel, and shuffling around it's cage. It also won't even be awake during the day when you most want to interact with it.

The second habit a hamster has that you may find difficult to adjust to, is it's solidarity. Hamsters are not social creatures. When two hamsters are placed together they will often fight to a gruesome death, and the winner will cannibalize it's opponent. If you're not expecting this, it can be an uncomfortable thing to explain to a small child. Pet stores are often deceiving because they do keep many, sometimes hundreds, of hamsters in the same enclosure. The hamsters they have are all very young, and have not yet developed the instinct to kill their own kind, but I assure you, they will. Behind the scenes, you might be surprised to find how many hamsters are actually killed at a pet store, when one hamster happens to stick around long enough to grow into this instinct. Also, because hamsters are unsocial by nature, they won't usually look for interaction from their human owners. To a hamster, a human is just nothing more then something to else to explore and climb on.

Finally, a hamster has very poor eyesight. Hamsters tend to perceive their world mostly through smell and sound. Unless a hamster has been hand raised, and exposed to being handled by a human, they will bite. They bite almost everything, in an attempt to understand the world around around them. These bites can be painful, and will often draw blood. Definitely not the best situation for a small child.

So what do you do? You've already purchased the cage, litter, and toys for a hamster. Is it time to head to Ebay and pawn these things off on someone else? No! There are still options. You can still have the life learning experience, for nearly the same price. There is another pint sized fur ball that can be your savior, the Gerbil!

Gerbils look very similar to hamsters, with one exception, their tail. A hamster has a very small bald tail, and the gerbil has a longer, hairy tail. Although they look similar, and cared for in exactly the same way, their personalities are like night and day, almost literally!

  by  Tazmany 

Gerbils are diurnal, meaning they sleep at night and are awake during the day. They will be most active during the day, and ready for interaction while you're awake. You'll be able to see them eat and play! There won't be a squeaky hamster wheel while you try to sleep.

Gerbils are also social animals. They don't kill their own kind, unless it's an extreme circumstance. Their social nature will lend them to crave interaction from you.Gerbils actually enjoy being in your presence, and love to be held. Many will actually feel comfortable enough to fall asleep in a shirt pocket, or in your hand.

Lastly, they have great eye sight. As a rodent they will chew everything that seems hard enough to wear down their teeth. The difference is, they won't bite just to see what your hand is made from. Gerbils don't naturally bite, unless they have been abused in some way and have learned humans are a threat.

The only difference between the  husbandry of a  gerbil over a hamster is the wheel. A gerbil's wheel must be fully enclosed, not one of the squeaky metal ones that we are all familiar with. A gerbil's tail can sometimes become caught between the rungs of a metal wheel, and injure the animal. 

When choosing your child's first pet, it's best to be informed on the difference between the species that are available to you. Although they look very similar, the differences between a gerbil and a hamster can be the deciding factor in making your child and your pet happy!

Product Review - FURminator deShedding Tool

As the weather warms up and the summer heat comes, our pets begin to shed their winter coats. There are lots of products out there to remove pet hair from your clothes, upholstery, and flooring but they can be expensive and only mildly effective. Even a few hours after you clean your personal items of pet hair, you can see it needs to be cleaned again. The FURminator deShedding Tool takes managing your pets shedding to a new level. The FUrminator deShedding tool attacks shedding at its origin, your pet.

At first glance the FURminator appears to be just an overpriced brush, but the price is well worth it. The FURminator can do what no other shedding tool can do, it can get to the source of the problem. With just a few swipes across your pet, you can manage to brush out entire handfuls of your dog's undercoat. Within 15 minutes, you can fill an entire garbage bag with the hair. Don't believe me? Check out this video.

Although the FURminator can be one of the priciest hair care products for your pet, the money it can save you on lint roller refills will more then pay for itself. It's sturdy design can withstand dropping or sitting on it, and the ergonomic handle provides a comfortable grip for brushing your dog or cat.

As the seasons change, your pet no longer needs this insulating undercoat and it dies and begins to fall out. FURminator doesn't hurt your pet, it merely pulls the dead undercoat out from underneath the top coat of fur. It's long metal tines, have the ability to get through a thick top coat and massage the undercoat out from underneath it. There is nothing comparable on the market. So if you have a seasonal shedding problem, check out the FURminator to cleanse your pet of it's thick undercoat. Your pet will be cooler and happier, and you'll be happier with the time you save!

You Always Hurt The One You Love

The first job I ever had was pet sitting for neighbors and friends. One of those friends had a male cat, that I had the pleasure of watching one week while they went on vacation. It was a frisky feline and friendly as could be. He would rub all over my legs and meow for attention every time I arrived and I was more than happy to oblige. This cat had a particular personality trait that I had never encountered before. Whenever I would sit down and get comfortable, he would climb on my lap. He would then purr and meow for my attention, and when he got it, he would jump up and bite me on the head! I was scared the first time it happened. I had never been attacked by any animal at that point, and I certainly didn't expect it from this loving cat on my lap. I wasn't hurt, but it was still a jarring experience. Unfortunately for the cat, for the remainder of the week, I didn't sit down and spend quality time with him. I did try a few other times to remain calm and allow the cat on my lap, but every time he eventually attacked my head and bit me.

  by  pestbarn 

For more then a decade, I never had another encounter with a male cat. My family always kept female animals, and as luck would have it, none of my friends ever had a male cat. That all changed a few years ago, when we added a little male kitten to our family. I had completely forgotten about my experience as a pet sitter, until our male cat started behaving the same way. At first it was just a playful nip when we were rough housing, but it soon turned into an every day occurrence. He never bites hard, in fact he's never drawn blood or left a mark of any kind. That doesn't change the fact that he has sharp little teeth that hurt. I had just dismissed that one cat from the past as "having an attitude problem". But when our little kitten started biting, I made the connection and did a little research.

As it turns out, this is normal for male cats! What I interpreted as aggression, was actually the cat's way of telling me he loves me. How can this be? The kitty is actually biting the hand the feeds it! You would think this would be against any animal's instinct,  but this is not the case for the male cat. To understand why your male cat continually bites you, we have to understand how your cat reacts to others of it's own kind. In a male cat's world, biting and pain are synonymous with any interaction with the opposite sex. When mating, the male cat climbs on the back of the female and bites the back of her neck. This act is not to hold the female in place as it may appear, but to inflict pain. The female cat actually needs the pain to trigger her to ovulate. Her body uses this feeling as a guide to know when she has a strong fertile male ready to mate with her.

Now obviously, you and your cat are not trying to make little kittens, but he has no outlet for his affection. There are a few exceptions in some of the big cats, but as a whole, felines are solitary creatures. Males rarely allow another male in their presence, as they prefer to cover a large territory of real estate that encompasses many females. In a more domestic situation, when the cat is always around you and other animals, he just doesn't know how to express himself in a more polite manner. There are products that claim to help biting cats, such as Feliway Cat Pheromones. These products do in fact help, but they will never get your cat to stop. Many cat owners learn to live with the feline's habits. I feel a male cat biting is one of those things that you cannot make him stop doing. That's like asking him to stop loving you. The only way I've been able to train our little feisty fur ball, is to just stop giving him affection when he bites. He has learned over time that if he want's to continue to receive attention, he must control his urges. There are still nips now and again when he gets a little too excited, but he's become a much more nurturing cat. If you have a male cat that bites, the best prescription is a little patience and understanding to make you and your male cat happier!

Product Reveiw - Pedipaws Pet Nail Trimmer vs. Dremel

I received not long ago the Pedipaws Pet Nail Trimmer as a gift from a family member, for our two dogs. The late night infomercials had been convincing! It appears to be a Dremel type tool that can safely grind down your pets nails, without having to worry about cutting too close to the quick. I always cut our pets nails with traditional scissor style pet clippers, but our two black labs have black nails. As anyone who has cut black pet nails knows, its almost impossible to tell where the quick is. It seemed the Pedipaws Pet Nail Trimmer had come up with the perfect solution! I was sure the plastic nail guard would keep my pet's nails safe, and it seemed the high powered sander would make quick work of my dog's nails.

As it seems, this particular infomercial was deceiving. After opening the box and inserting the batteries, I was pleasantly surprised at the quietness of the device. I could hardly hear it running and thought this was going to be a breeze, I knew my dogs would not be afraid of such a small sound, and I was right. Unfortunately, this was the last feature of the Pedipaws Trimmer that I would be pleased with.

When I attempted to use the trimmer on my dog's nails, I found that two of it's best features are flawed. I have always used scissor style nail trimmers, because I've found that it's always difficult to get my dog's nails into a guillotine style nail trimmer. The Pedipaws saftey guard proved to have the same issue. If I was able to get the dog's nail into the guard at all, I wasn't able to keep it there.

The Pedipaws trimmer uses sandpaper instead of stone like a traditional Dremel. After just a few seconds my dog's nail began to tear the sandpaper, and I'm not even sure if the paper was a coarse enough grade to make any headway on the nail at all. It did come with another finer grade head for detail work, but I didn't even attempt that, as the first head was already destroyed by my dog's nail.

 If I wanted to use a Dremel style trimmer for my pet's nails, I would definitely opt for the brand name Dremel. It's got the motor power to get the job done, and the heads are quality material that won't be damaged within a few second's of using it. It might be a little louder, but that's only because it has a motor that can actually do the job. It is slightly more expensive, but the Dremel name guarantees you'll get what you pay for. Dremel 7300-PT 4.8-Volt Pet Grooming Kit

At the end of the day, I always go back to my scissor style nail trimmers. They are simple, durable, and easy to use. They get the job done, with little inconvenience to you or your pet. They won't break, and they always have the power to get the through the nail.

Trimming your pets's nails can be a daunting task for some, and many groomers offer a nail trimming service for around five dollars, if you truly feel uncomfortable doing it yourself. If you do choose to do it yourself, the simplest solution is usually the best. I'd stay away from the fancy items that seem too good to be true, and stick with the tried and true. This will help keep you and your pet truly happy!

Picture of the Week! English Bunnydog

  by  dr_XeNo 

Keeping A Clear Fish Tank, And A Clear Conscience

I remember my first aquarium. I was so excited, I had been perusing the local fish stores for weeks looking at all the beautiful fish from all over the world and I couldn't wait to make my first little ecosystem in my own room. I set up my ten gallon and it was perfect. The water was crystal clear, the plastic plants carefully arranged, and a small rock formation placed ever so carefully so my new fish could hide but I could still see them. I was very proud, and very naive. I went to the pet store and picked out about a half dozen of the prettiest fish I could find. I brought them home and placed them in my fish tank, the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

  by  ryarwood 

But like most people, it didn't last. As I slept that night, with visions of colorful fish darting to and fro in my fish tank, nature took over and crushed my dreams. Within a day, the water had turned cloudy. Two days later the tank was so cloudy I couldn't see anything, and my fish began to die. It was hopeless, or so I thought.  It wasn't until years later when I learned what had really happened in my aquarium that week, and how it could have been prevented. 

When we have an aquarium, we are caring for a complete ecosystem in a glass box. If we don't put something that is necessary into this system, it won't be there. Likewise, if we don't take out things like fish waste, they will remain there forever, building to lethal levels. Nature is willing to give us a hand with a natural process that happens constantly in the world we live in. It's called the nitrogen cycle. It is the constant recycling of nitrogen in our environment, so levels don't get too toxic for life.  This cycle runs constantly in a healthy aquarium, processing toxins from fish waste and converting them to non-toxic compounds. It's like a very slow motor, constantly driving the process of life in your fish tank. 

Like a very slow motor, it has to get up to speed before it runs efficiently. Each step in this cycle takes 2-3 days to complete. After your fish tank goes through this cycle the first time, it is a constantly occurring process. When I added fish to my tank the way I did, I basically inserted fish waste into the tank, and started the cycle. At day two, my tank was still probably only on the fist step, and the fish waste was being converted into ammonia. If I had only known I still had two more steps to go through before my tank would be safe for my fish! This is why my tank turned cloudy after a day, and the fish began to die after two.

So what should I have done differently? I should have set up the tank and added a small amount of bacteria to get the process started. This can be done by buying a bottle of bacteria from your local pet store, or adding 1 or 2 very small fish, depending on the size of the tank. In a small tank like a ten gallon, buying a bottle of bacteria culture would have been my best bet. Even one fish in a ten gallon tank or smaller, can have a gigantic impact on the cycle. 

The second thing I should have done, is the most difficult task of any aquarium owner. I should have done nothing. I should have let the tank sit empty, with the filters running for a week. To be a successful aquarium hobbyist, patience is a virtue. After a week has gone by, and the tank has gone through it's first cycle, then fish should be added 2-3 at a time. Every time fish are added, you should wait another week before adding more. This will allow the cycle to catch up to the new amount of waste you have added to the tank.

If you find yourself in the same position as I did, there is still hope. Since we are in control of this ecosystem, we have the ability to physically remove the toxins ourselves. We can do this by doing water changes. If you have added fish to your tank too soon, and your water starts to become cloudy, you can take out 25% - 50% of the water and replace it with fresh dechlorinated water. This will drop the levels of ammonia down to a safer level for your fish. These water changes must be done every day to keep the levels safe. Anyone who attempts to do this for the first week will be thankful mother nature takes care of this for us! If we didn't have bacteria converting toxins to safer chemicals, we would have to do this constantly to keep fish alive in an aquarium.

Learn from my mistakes. When you take the plunge and set up an aquarium for the first time, patience will guarantee you success. When the proper precautions are taken during the initial setup, an aquarium can be a gorgeous addition to any room. Fish and other aquatic creatures are interesting and relaxing to watch, so take your time, and you will keep your fish and yourself happy!

Product Review - Fooey and Bitter Apple Biting/Chewing Deterrent

Chewing or biting by your pet can be an unpleasant habit that at times seems impossible to break. Some animals, such as dogs, chew objects to ease stress. Birds, ferrets, and other small animals bite objects to get a sample of their smell, taste, and texture. Biting and chewing is a natural behavior of our pets that helps them to perceive their world. 
Unfortunately, when they are trying to perceive your finger, or your kitchen table's legs, the results can be pain or the destruction of your prized possessions. There are many products available that claim to deter your pet's natural behavior. The most effective of these are the sprays Bitter Apple and Fooey.

by  Bukowsky18 


The first of these, Bitter Apple, is a spray that you apply to any object you don't want your pet to chew or bite. It is non-staining and can be applied to almost any object. It's secret is it's ingredient, pure alcohol. There can be a slight odor when applied, but it dissipates quickly as the alcohol evaporates. The evaporation rate of alcohol is also this product's downside. While the taste is unpleasant, it doesn't last long. If the animal is curious enough to try and put the object in their mouth a second time, it's likely they will learn the taste starts to go away.



In my opinion, a more effective deterrent is the Fooey Ultra Bitter Spray.  I have personally tasted both of these products, and I tell you from experience, Fooey is exponentially worse tasting. It still has a bitter taste, but it doesn't evaporate like Bitter Apple. Once the taste gets on your pets tongue, beak, or lips it is there to stay. Some dog owners have found that their dog actually enjoys the taste of Bitter Apple, but this will not happen with Fooey. Fooey is not made with alcohol, but grapefruit skin extracts. It also has no odor, and won't stain. Fooey can even be used topically on a dog that may be chewing at itself, and it won't burn an open sore like the alcohol in Bitter Apple could. If I have had to choose between these two products, I would definitely choose the Fooey for every occasion.

While it may be impossible to prevent your pet from biting and chewing, it is possible to deter them from biting or chewing certain objects. Both of these sprays are effective at making your pet think twice about chewing anything the spray is applied to, including fingers. By directing you're pet's chewing behavior to more acceptable objects like toys, you'll be able to make both you and your pet happier!


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Picture of the Week! Beautiful Horses!

  by  ashleycareyphotography

Bud and Rufus from Fountain, Florida (Reader Submission)

Disaster Preparedness For Your Pet

You can never predict where and when a disaster will strike. From something as small as a house fire to as large as Hurricane Katrina, a little preparedness can make the difference between life and death. This also applies to your pets. As much as we care for our pets they are often overlooked when preparing ourselves for a disaster, and it only occurs to us at the last moment that we should have done more for our friends. The result is that many dogs and cats are left to fend for themselves, and those that survive the actual disaster, find it very difficult to live in a world where food and shelter are no longer provided for them.

The first thing we should consider when developing a plan to get our pets through a disaster is their basic needs. I recommend making a "disaster kit" in a sturdy waterproof container and keep it readily available if you must leave unexpectedly with your pet in an emergency. This kit can be a life saver whether you are forced to evacuate or stranded around your home.

Make sure to include:

• A pet first aid kit
• Your pets vaccination and medical records, medications, vet contact information, microchip information, list of behavioral problems, and feeding instructions.
• Current photos of your pet
• Food and water bowls, litter boxes, etc.
• Pet food and water for at least a few days (Make sure to rotate out the food every few months, so you don't end up with bad food when the emergency strikes)
• Spare sturdy collars with rabies and identification tags

The second thing to consider when preparing your pet for a disaster, is where you can keep your pet. Everyone just assumes that they will take their pet with them in an evacuation, but without proper planning, you might be surprised when you get to your destination. Most shelters, including Red Cross, do not allow pets unless they are service animals. You must research where a shelter will be that does accept pets in your area. If you have time, make sure any hotel you go to allows pets, many will make an exception in an emergency but you have to ask in advance. It's always a good idea to have a fail safe back up plan, such as an out of state neighbor or friend that is familiar with your animals and could care for them, even for a few months if needed.

When a catastrophic event happens, there is mass confusion afterwards. This applies to people and it also applies to our pets. Many people assume that your pet's instincts will help it cope when it's world gets turned upside down, but this is not the case. Expect your pet to act differently, whether it be depressed and lethargic or even aggressive. The best thing to do for your pet is to keep it confined in isolation from other pets in a sturdy carrier if possible. Pets that get along together normally may not be so friendly with each other in their frenzied state. There will be many dangers on the ground after a disaster such as chemicals, sharp objects, maybe even traffic where there usually isn't. Keeping your pet confined keeps them out of harms way.

The following links have a wealth of information on preparing your pets for a disaster. Research and be aware of the situations you may encounter.

http://www.avma.org/disaster/petsact_faq.asp
http://floridaredcross.org/Petsafety.html
http://www.ready.gov/america/getakit/pets.html

A disaster is always unexpected and can change your life forever. But with a little planning, you can keep both you and your pet safe and happy.


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Product Review - Ethical Pet Laser Pet Toy

What is the most fun you could have with your pet for under $5.00? The Ethical Pet Laser Pet Toy is! I have never found a toy that can provide so many laughs, and hours of entertainment for you and your pet as a simple laser pointer.

There's something about a little red dot that can instantly capture the attention of any four legged  animal you may have in your home. The erratic movement inspires your pet's instinct to hunt, and their inability to ever catch their "prey" provides the mental stimulation that our pets so desperately need.

The Ethical Brand Pet Laser Toy comes with 5 interchangeable lenses so you can change the appearance of the dot. One of them is even a mouse for your cat to practice it's killer instincts around your home! The Ethical Pet Laser Toy comes with it's first set of batteries, so the fun can start as soon as you receive the product.

If you're still not sold on a the most fun for your buck that you can find anywhere, here are some satisfied customers.



This dog loves it so much he even asks for it by pressing a switch!


So if you're on a budget and tired of buying toys for your pets that seem to just get destroyed within a few days, or you just want something new to entertain your pet, try the Ethical Pet Laser Toy. They are cheap, last forever, and will provide hours and hours of happiness for you and your pet!

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Picture of the Week! Cute Puppy!

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Feather Plucking

You've noticed lately that your parrot has started losing feathers. At first it was just a few on the bottom of his cage, but now, he appears to be going bald! Not to worry, this is a fairly common issue with birds, particularly parrots.


Generally, when birds fall ill, they show very few signs of being sick. Of all pets, bird's are probably the least domesticated, and act almost exactly the way they do in the wild. Hiding illness serves them well, as predators don't know who to pick as the weakest member of the flock. What does this have to do with feather plucking? Well, we can rule out a major illness. If your bird is plucking out it's own feathers, there's little reason to suspect that it may be sick. That's good news!

When your bird is plucking it's feathers, it's a sign that the bird is bored. Parrots are very intelligent and need to have large amounts of socialization and mental stimulation. They get this in the wild by being a part of a flock, and searching for food. In your home, in a cage, it's like being in solitary confinement for your bird. We use this same method as punishment for our criminals, we should understand the effect is similar on a bird.

A cage is necessary for your parrot's safety around your home, so we must do our best to make it's cage a place of relaxation and fun. The first way to do this is lots of toys. I prefer tough indestructible toys that present the bird with a problem, like how to get the treats out. This exercises their mind and gives them a creative outlet.

  by  â™¡Blackangelツ

 When people first hear this, their inclination is to fill the cage from top to bottom with as many toys as it can hold. I'm sure your bird would love this for a week or two, but it's not effective. Eventually, the bird will get used to it's toys and get bored again. I like to recommend having a supply of 7-10 different toys, and only put 2-3 in the cage at any time. Every week rotate out the toys, so no single toy stays in the cage for very long. By the time you put any specific toy back in the cage, it will be like new again!

Every parrot owner also needs to allow their bird some time outside of their cage. Even if you own a parrot that cannot be handled, you should allow it some time out of its cage. They need to explore their surroundings and be in a new environment on a regular basis. I highly recommend making sure your birds wings are clipped to prevent it from flying, house's are generally not good places for aerial acrobatics. This time out of it's cage will do wonders for your bird, it helps the bird to not view it's cage as a prison, but rather just another room of the house.

The third thing your feather plucking parrot needs is socialization. Most parrots live in large flocks in the wild, and they need to feel a part of a group to feel secure. If possible, the best thing you can do is directly interact with your bird. Play with it, talk to it, and hold it. When you're not directly interacting, the bird's cage should be in a high profile area of your home. They do best in a room where your family spends most of it's time. Even being in a cage, seeing the members of your house gives the bird something new to concentrate on all the time. It lets them know that their "flock" approves of them, and will be there for them.

If you own a bird that is plucking it's feathers, its best to improve it's daily mental workout. By providing toys and socializing your bird, you can make both you and your parrot happy!
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Product Review - Feliway Cat Pheromone

When we think of owning a cat, we think of a soft fur ball that likes to cuddle. This is what everyone wants when they bring home a kitten. Often though, we end up with a cat that hides all day. A cat that may be completely unsociable, constantly on edge and afraid of everything, even months after bringing it home. A cat with high anxiety can put a stress on a household, and even be dangerous if the cat bites or scratches out of fear. So what do you do to earn your cat's trust and make it comfortable around your home? They are difficult to train, and unlike dogs, they do not forgive easily if they were treated badly before they came to you. The solution, is Feliway.


Feliway is a synthetic facial pheromone. Basically, a man made version of the scent cats emit from their cheeks and face. A cat's facial pheromone provides comfort and relaxation to a cat. Many cats rub their cheeks on you, the corners of walls, chairs, and even your carpet to spread their scent all over anywhere they consider safe. The Feliway diffuser allows you to fill a room, or even your whole home with this same scent, calming the cat naturally. I've always been skeptical of anything with pheromones that claims to "Really Work!", but I have seen this particular product in action. Feliway is amazing, and can relax an anxious cat enough, that it may come out of hiding and learn for itself what a safe home it has with you.


The Feliway diffuser is easy to use, you just plug it into the wall. It looks just like the newer designer Glade Plugins, and works the same way. There is no odor, the pheromone is a chemical that can only be smelled by the cat, so you don't have to worry about anyone even knowing you use it.


Feliway also works well for cats that scratch on furniture. A well adjusted cat will often scratch items around your home in an effort to spread this same chemical, and provide itself a relaxed environment. By introducing the Feliway Diffuser, you essentially do the work for the cat, and the scratching stops.

If you've got a scared and anxious cat that you would like to socialize with your family, or a well adjusted cat that just wants to relax, then this is the product for you. It's safe, economical, and effective. Feliway Diffusers will help to make both cat owners, and their kitty's happier!

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Picture of the Week! Cute Kitties!

 Rene and Aubie from Panama City, Florida, acting like drying dishes on the towel. (Reader Submission)

Nervous Scratching and Biting

Everywhere you turn there is a product to keep your dog from itching. We all know from experience how frustrating it can be to have an itch you can't scratch, and we feel helpless when our puppy is biting or scratching itself. In some instances the dog can bite at itself so intensely as to cause an open wound around the base of the tail or its hind legs. There's hype about flea treatments, skin sprays, and the newest avenue is all about food allergies. True, all these things can contribute to a dog scratching or biting itself uncontrollably, but the most common cause is a lack of exercise or mental stimulation.

  by  orphanjones

All modern domestic dogs can trace their lineage back to the wolf, and this is important to know as we begin to understand and decipher some of their behaviors. A wolf's life is not an easy one. They must travel several miles a day to find food, and they must use their intelligence to catch that food and find shelter. Wolves have evolved to accomplish these goals. They have tremendous amounts of energy, and their ability to be insightful and solve problems is almost unparallelled in the animal kingdom. Its hard to picture your cute puppy bringing down an elk with those puppy eyes and hanging tongue, but his body and mind are designed to do just that. Those same attributes that help a wolf to survive in the wild, have been passed on through the generations to the dog sitting in your living room. These qualities are half the reason we love our dogs so much!

Like the wolf, your dog needs exercise, and lots of it. A dog's body stores energy for when it is most needed, like catching and tracking food. Your dog does not have that outlet. Fido merely has to walk across the room to it's food bowl and gorge itself. This sounds like a pretty good life for a dog, and it is. But, it's need to travel and run are still there. When your dog cannot satiate this urge, it will start to bite and scratch at itself, unaware that a little exercise would make it feel better. Without your help, this urge literally becomes an itch your dog can't scratch. The urge is so strong, that it clouds their mind, and even basic obedience can go out the window. A dog should be walked at least once a day, some breeds require more. There are always exceptions but, generally the larger the dog, the more exercise it needs. Sporting and hunting dogs do better with two walks a day.

One of the things we love most about our dog is it's ability to learn. They seem so smart and intuitive at times, you wonder if there's not an actual person under all that fur. Your dog's ancestors, needed this ability to become creative and work as a pack to catch food and find shelter. Your dog doesn't have to worry about any of these things, but it's smart mind is still there. Your puppy's brain is designed to run at full throttle, but in your home, it's got no where to go. Not much changes within your home on a day to day basis, and your dog has no problems to figure out! The joys of being domesticated! You must give your dog something to keep its mind entertained. Walking can help tremendously, but sometimes they need a little more. Many toys are designed with this in mind, some more complex then others. It's important to keep a healthy selection of toys for your dog to play with, and provide him with something new from time to time. Another great way to exercise your dog's mind is with training. Even basic obedience training can stretch your dog's brain and give him some relief. Without mental stimulation, your dog can frequently destroy things in your home, or even turn that anxiety on itself in the form of biting and scratching, anything to relieve the boredom.

Many dogs scratch for many reasons. It's important when trying to decide how to give your pet some relief, that we don't forget the most basic and obvious causes.  No flea treatment, itch cream, or food can stop your dog from itching if a few of it's most basic needs are not met. So walk your dog! Test your dog mentally! It will make you and your pet happier!


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Picture of the Week! Funny Felines!

  by  rainy city 

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