On the road again

Dog pets and cat pets run away for different reasons. Boredom, the drive to find a mate, frequenting another home where snacks are available and abusive owners are all reasons for a dog or cat to venture off. Then there is the “Squirrel” syndrome, the thrill of the chase. Both of these super pets have acute senses of direction and do not necessarily get lost however there are plenty of situations and environments which make these ventures dangerous and worthy of taking precautions. If you are planning to buy pets for your apartment or house, here are a few things I have personally observed which I believe prove the point.

Dogs need to run. Especially the bigger, leaner dogs. I had a friend who owned a retriever. He had a yard but it was never enough for the dog. After several incidents and because they lived near many busy streets the dog was usually confined to a leash. Once my friend got older, social and school activities began to take up much more of his time. His parents were a bit older too. This meant less walks for the dog and more time on the leash. After a while the dog became unhappy and would inevitably try to escape at every opportunity. This began to happen more often as the dog became more skilled at the art. One day he escaped, ran onto one of the busy streets and was hit by a car and injured. The dogs back was broken which cost the owners hundreds if not thousands of dollars not to mention the guilt and heartbreak of seeing their life long friend in such agony.

I do not own a dog but I am planning to get one. If I don’t my daughter will continue to torture me until I either give in or lose my mind and get hauled off to the loony bin. My biggest concern is the amount of available space for the dog to run. We have a medium sized yard and there are several parks nearby so my one condition is that the dog be small. We have decided to get a Doxie. These little guys don’t need a whole lot of room in order to run and if they do run I could definitely catch up. A bigger dog would not be happy. Some of the bigger breeds need acres to roam free in order to be happy. If confined to a smaller range it may difficult to keep them there making pet supplies like GPS dog collars necessary.

Cats on the other hand don’t usually run away. Cats are territorial and tend to monitor their claimed space, venturing out for whatever reason but always returning to familiar ground.

When I was in college I lived in a house with several other students one of which owned a male cat, Spike. Rent went up and we had to move to a more affordable apartment which was about half a mile away. We brought Spike along of course. The next day the cat was nowhere to be found. We searched everywhere, twice. Then we had a revelation, we decided to go back to the old house and look there. Guess what, there he was, in his usual spot under the trees in the lot next to the house. We grabbed him and hauled him home. Next day, same thing. When we tried to keep the cat in-doors in a feeble attempt to help him get acclimated to the new living situation he was obviously miserable. He did not eat and actually got sick. We had to let him go.

We worried because winter was approaching and no animal should be submitted to a New England winter without proper shelter. We visited the new inhabitants of our old house and let them know our situation. Fortunately they were delighted and agreed to take care of our cat. We gave them $100 to pay for food and visited often. In retrospect we were very lucky it turned out so well for him, the folks who moved into the house and for ourselves as well.

Dog pets and cat pets are awesome, they enhance any living space with their attitude, good nature, and unique personalities. However, if they are not treated well or if their environment does not suit their needs a good thing can turn bad. When deciding to get a dog or cat it is natural to consider the ramifications to your lifestyle, your environment, and routines. It is another thing to take into consideration the impact your lifestyle, environment, and routines will have on the animal.

Ferret Cage

Ferrets are cool. It seems the ferret is becoming the “hip” animal to have as a pet these days due to the fact that they are uncommon, small, and somewhat easy to take care of. If you are considering a ferret as your next pet, here are a few things I have personally experienced and how ferret cages could have solved several problems had I known then what I know now.

I owned a ferret in the early eighties and “Farley” was pretty cool. One of my favorite weekly routines was the ferret bath. Yes, Farley hated it and made it as difficult as possible however when the last rinse was through and it was time to dry off. All I had to do was put him down and he would take off like a rocket. He would proceed to speed around every piece of furniture, under every chair, table, bed and couch in an attempt to get the evil wet stuff off his body. This process should be entered in the dictionary as the definition of the word SPAZ. After the rampage he would finally settle into one of several inaccessible spots such as behind and underneath the TV stand, then poop in protest. Also, every piece of furniture he had rubbed up against now had a small deposit of fur attached which had to be plucked off. In retrospect I should have used a ferret cage, placed a few towels in there for him to run around in. Clean up would have been much simpler.

Ferrets are quite smelly. A deep musty smell that is not necessarily bad but definitely announces the animals presence to anyone who enters the abode. Frequent baths can reduce the smell a bit but it returns fairly fast. Using ferret cages will not solve this problem however, if the animal has one, likes it, and has been trained to sleep there, it will be less inclined to use other areas as a napping spot. The spots where the ferret sleeps tend to be the more pungent areas of the house or apartment.

Although Farley was very nice and would cuddle every once in a while, I have known other ferret owners who did not get along too well with their pet. Ferrets were not bred to be domestic animals as extensively as dogs or cats so there is still a bit of the wild in their blood. One thing I realized was that most of these people had acquired their ferrets when they were over a year old and had no idea where they were born or what the environmental conditions were when the animal entered the world. If you are going to get a ferret, the younger the better. Give it lots of love and teach it the cuddle early on. If you have other pets in the house this may be a bad choice, a trial period would be a good idea if you are able to negotiate one with the seller. If you do have a dog or a cat and they do not like the ferret all hell can and will break lose. In this situation you will be glad you have a ferret cage for sure. Keeping the ferret in the cage for short periods of time will let the other animals know that their seniority is not disrespected and it will keep them all safe while they become accustomed to the new situation.

It is a good idea to keep in mind what the other definitions of the term ferret are. Ferrets are great hunters, there ability to “ferret” out other animals from their holes is a perfect asset to hunters who use them for that exact purpose. Does your house have nooks and crannies? Broken heating ducts? Holes of any type that are close to the ground or a flat surface? Your ferret will find them all, immediately. You really need to ferret-proof your home before bringing your new pet home.

One last tip, ferrets will use a litter box if they are taught to do so early on. Otherwise you will be introduced to the “chocolate swirl”, a lovely surprise you will find just about anywhere, in my case it was on the way to the bathroom at 6:00 am, squishy and between the toes, multiple expletives followed. If I had known better I would have put the little guy in a ferret cage during the night.

If you are considering a ferret, ferret cages can be a invaluable asset. They can act as a safe haven, a spot for “time out” when your pets behavious is less than perfect. and if prepared properly, a preferred nook for ferrets to call their own.

For a more comprehensive website on ferrets check out Laughing Ferret, it has everything you could possibly need including ferret cages, pictures, videos, screensavers, as well as a ton of quality information.

proper dog supplies make travel a breeze

Going on vacation? Considering whether or not to bring the dog can be a big decision on several levels but with the right dog supplies and a little preparation you’ll both be much happier and able to enjoy your time away together.

Finding a neighbor or friend to feed and walk your dog (and pick up the poop) can be difficult and dog kennels are usually a last resort. So if you do decide to bring Rover along here are some things you can do and some pet supplies you can get to make it a bit easier.

First, you really should consider taking your dog to the vet for a check up and to be sure all his vaccinations are up to date before heading out. If you are flying you will need all his or her health certifications as they are required by most if not all airlines. A visit to the vet will also give you the opportunity to stock up on any medications your dog may need.

Invest in a nice dog crate. Dog crates not only keep dogs safe in the car, they are required for traveling in a plane. A dog crate will also help to keep your dog out of “trouble” in a hotel room, a car, or at a home you may be staying in as a guest. A proper dog crate should be tall enough for the dog to stand and long enough for it to lie down. Make sure the bottom is leak proof and as a precaution line it with something that will absorb spills. And always label it properly with your dogs name, your name, and your address and if you are flying be sure to put a “Live Animal” sign on it and an arrow that says “this way up”. Give your dog some water, some dog toys and he or she will be ready to go.

Double check all dog collars and identification tags. If your dog by chance should get away and you are in unfamiliar territory it could prove disastrous. Bring a picture of your dog too. You may even want to consider a form of permanent identification such as a microchip which a vet can “install” under the dog’s skin and can be read by a chip scanner.

If you are traveling by car you may want to avoid feeding your dog just before driving to lower your chances of car sickness. Be sure there is plenty of water though. Dogs hanging their heads out the window and flapping their tongues in the wind is a familiar picture however, this can lead to serious eye injuries and should be avoided. And of course you will want to take frequent bathroom breaks. Most of all never leave your dog in a closed vehicle, especially in the Summer. If you have to leave the car try to designate someone to stay with the dog and always leave a window craked open.

If you are traveling by plane definitely call the airline company in advance. All airlines have different rules concerning pets. Some will not allow animals in extreme weather, hot or cold. All airlines require proof of vaccinations and health certifications. Big dogs have to be in a dog crate that is approved by the airlines while smaller dogs can sometimes ride under the seat but must be confined to their dog crate or dog carrier.

Unfortunately, Dogs are not permitted on Amtrak trains or Greyhound and several other bus companies. So unless you are blind or disabled in a way that requires a service dog, if you are traveling by bus or train Rover will have to stay home.

Travel by boat is another story all together. Many luxury liners and cruise ships, provide special lodging and free meals for dogs. However, it makes sence that you should check the policies of the particular cruise line or ship you will be traveling on before making any plans.

Finally, if you are staying in a hotel or motel you really need to call ahead to find out if they will allow you dog to stay there. If your dog is allowed be sure to respect the other guests by keeping your dog on a leash keeping your dog as quiet as possible. I probably don’t need to mention that you definitely should not let Rover chew on the hotel room couch or pillows either. Be sure to find out from the management where you can and cannot walk your dog and as usual, always clean up their mess!

A dog crate, some dog toys, and dog bowls for food and water are really all the dog supplies you’ll need. Otherwise, with a little preparation and some attention to a few guidlines your trip with your dog will be a big success.

1. Food and water bowls – For every type of pet, having food and water is absolutely necessary. Dog food and cat food is something that will be given to your pets every day and will most likely be the object used most. Do not be afraid to spend a little more on the bowls than other items. Try and find a stainless steel dish or something that is sturdy, easy to clean on a regular basis and will last awhile.

2. Pet Beds – Many folks may not consider a pet bed an absolute necessity, however having a separate bed for your pet is a good idea on many levels. If your dog or cat has a bed, they can claim it as their own. This is a place where they can sleep, somewhere they can go when they are scared or a place for them to just get away for a while.

3. Grooming supplies – Just like people, pets nails and hair grow. Your job as caretaker is to maintain your pet and keep them healthy and happy. By researching and shopping around, you can find the best shampoos for your pet, what types of brushes to use and what size nail clippers to use. Yes, they usually hate the entire process but in many cases cleanliness is closely related to their health and well being.

4. Traveling supplies – Having a proper attitude towards pet supply when you travel is essential. Some things you can bring with you that you use at home, such as bowls for the dog food and cat food, the leash and possibly the bed. However, it is worth investing into a kennel, especially if you are flying your pet to a different location. You may want have a separate suitcase just for your pet. Considering hair and smell its probably a good idea to keep all of your pets toys and grooming supplies together and separate from your own stuff.

5. Pet Toys – You should bring along a few toys for your pet to play with. However, notice how I said a few. There is no point in buying your pet a hundred toys because this will only clutter your house with objects that will not get used. Giving your pet a few different pet toys so they have options will be sufficient enough.

The types of things you purchase will vary depending on the pet you have and this is just a starter to get you into the mindset. Fish need aquariums and aquarium supplies, dogs and cats need food bowls and toys, and there are other aspects to consider such as whether your cat is an indoor or an outside cat. Regardless, it is important to empathize with your pet when it comes to their health, their personal needs and their pet supply needs.

Having a cat is a two way street. The higher the level of cat care you provide, the more energetic, affectionate, and well behaved it will be. Proper care will also make your feline more inclined to respond to training and behavior modification techniques. This does take effort. Start by creating a routine that you can both live with, set time aside for grooming, play and training if need be. Onve you are settled into the routine you will see that it really takes the headaches out of pet ownership. Excellent cat care often translates into a well behaved cat that responds more willingly than an attention deprived cat. The healthier your cat is, the stronger the emotional bond between you and your pet will be, and that bond often serves as the core of their training.

By educating yourself about cat behavior and practicing tested cat care techniques, you can make sure that your cat is as happy as possible. The happier your cat is, the happier you will be. A cat that is well cared for is a cat that will be interested in active playtime as well as in calm relaxation. Great cat care provides a strong foundation for your bond with your cat by making sure that he or she is always up for spending time with you.

Owning a cat means that you have taken on the role and responsibilities of being it’s caretaker. If your cat isn’t getting the right kind of care, from a proper diet to an ideal grooming routine, your cat will probably develop behavior issues that can make him or her feel like a problem child. On the other hand, conscientious and responsible cat care can help your cat overcome issues ranging from constant meows to over weight or skinniness to destructive behaviors. Proper care results in a healthier, happier cat, and any cat who receives enough of the right kind of attention can become a pleasant companion.

While you probably wouldn’t want to buy a fish online, the aquarium is growing into one of the fastest moving products on the internet. An online aquarium supply store will carry a wide range range of supplies and accessories including food and feeders, pumps, heaters, filters, and all sizes of aquariums. Shopping online places all your aquarium needs in one place, your computer screen, a huge advantage to searching the two or three stores that are within a reasonable traveling distance from your home or office.

This is not the only reason why online aquarium supplies are becoming so popular. Another reason is the vast amount of information that is generally included on the aquarium products. This information and guidance helps the buyer to make more of an educated decision on what to buy and how to care for their fish.

Another point to keep in mind is that the prices available from most online aquarium stores are very competitive and well below the market price. This is due to the much lower cost of running an e-commerce site because the website owner can make their prices more attractive by passing part of their commission, profits, and lower overhead to the buyer. This is a no brainer for the buyer, not only do you get the aquarium supplies at lower prices, you don’t have to leave home to get them.

However, Keep in mind that there will be shipping costs. There are plenty of advantages to shopping at a local offline aquarium store.  Being able to regularly visit a store to keep up to date on the latest products available is a strong advantage as well. This is of course not the case for a lot of us.

Finally, there are some aquarium products that may actually be more expensive when bought on the internet due to shipping and handling. The weight of a fish tank as well as the extra care needed to ship something made of glass will add to the overall cost of the product. This is one reason why many aquarium stores try to avoid stocking a large selection of glass tanks.

In the long run, it is normally to your advantage to purchase aquarium supplies on the internet but get the actual aquarium and the fish at a local pet shop.

However, let it be known that dog grooming supplies not only make your pet pretty, they can make your pet healthier as well. A well kept, clean dog is much less likely to attract diseases and house ticks and fleas and other pests. This is why you should never borrow grooming supplies. Previously used brushes and combs may look clean but still carry diseases or ticks or fleas, all of which are acquired through direct contact. You wouldn’t borrow someones toothbrush or comb. Don’t borrow equipment for your dog either! If there is not a pet supply store near you there is always the internet. Selection will always be greater and the price may be less if you shop at an online dog supplies store. Yes, there will be a shipping charge and perhaps a small wait but in most cases, due to reduced overhead, an online store can usually offer better prices.

Brushes and combs for dogs are not all the same. There are grooming brushes for all types of dogs, short-hairs and long hairs, thin and thick fur. Using the right size and type of brush on a regular basis will keep your dog’s fur free of tangles and burrs, and massage out the oil from the surface of the skin giving the fur a nice healthy sheen.

It may not need to be said that not all shampoos and soaps are created equal. There are bath products just for enhancing the smoothness or richness of your dog’s coat, and then again there are bath products for eliminating pests and skin diseases. Shampoos and soaps that kill pests use chemicals that are good for your pet’s coat. Using medicinal bath products doesn’t mean your dog will have a duller coat. Keep in mind that some cleansers are stronger than others – a puppy or a  small dog will need a milder shampoo than a larger one. Use caution though, always consult with your veterinarian before using a pesticide on your pet.

Yes, they’ll complain and possibly head for the hills when you break out the soap and sponge but in the long run they always appreciate the attention. Its just a good idea to invest in good grooming supplies and keepping your dog clean. Good dog grooming supplies and all pet supplies are an investment, one that may well last you and your pet a lifetime.

Finding pet stores online is a snap, just type in “pet stores” at your favorite search engine. Kids may not be able to touch the animals but they can see what is available and gain an interest and perhaps even learn a thing or two. Buying a pet online is probably not a good idea, but using an online store for accessories and pet supplies is a great idea. You can find stores that offer incentives for repeat customers and you will probably find many stores with competitive if not lower prices. Some internet pet stores can even offer a bigger variety of foods and accessories than a local pet store. You will also find that bulk quantities are available as well.

One benefit of an online pet store is that it may have all your supplies in one place where as a local pet store may not be able to hold as much inventory due to space limitations. Dog cages, cat boxes and aquariums take up a lot of space. Online stores usually ship your purchase directly from the manufacturer, which enables them to supply most items as if they were in stock. They don’t have many of the upkeep expenses a brick and mortar store has which is why they usually offer the same products at reduced prices. You still have the same quality but have a bigger selection than a pet shop with limited space. Finding the right pet medications at your local store can be hit or miss, they usually only carry a small amounts whereas an online store that deals directly with manufacturers will have whatever you need in any quantity you want.

The pet store is a wonderful place for children to visit to gain a love of animals. While your kids may not be able to touch the animals at an online pet store, the variety of pet products is almost guaranteed to be far greater than your local store. Either way, at the local shop or online, kids love to look at animals and it is always a learning experience.

Training is by default one of the first things you will do with a new dog… whether you want to or not. You will have to set the ground rules, where it will eat, sleep, what objects it can consider toys, and of course where, when, and how  it will poop. Like any other creature on this earth, your dog needs to know how to get along within it’s environment and if there are no rules it will make its own… on your floor, in your bed, and with the stuffing in your couch.

The Internet is a great resource and as far as dog training supplies go, it is the best place to start looking. The Internet has obvious advantages, for starters you are browsing hundreds of stores from around as opposed to the one or two shops in your hometown which means you can probably find products at cheaper prices. It may sound too good to be true and you may believe that in exchange for this you will be expected to wait weeks for delivery. However, since the internet provides such a wide selection of different suppliers, with a little shopping around you will surely find an outlet that will meet your time requirements. There are many online pet stores that provide next day delivery.

Puppy training can be as simple as a clicker. The clicker is simply used to help with positive reinforcement. Every time your puppy or dog does something good, you can click your clicker and give the dog a nice treat or plenty of affection. Another technique is to use noisy chains to bang on the floor in front of the dog when it is misbehaving. The loud, harsh noise will stop the dog in it’s tracks and you can then show him what he should be doing. Of course be sure to praise him when he does it right. This is a much more humane practice than the usual bap to the nose.

Another overlooked resource for training your dog is the dog crate or portable dog kennel. This safe haven can also be used as a place to send your dog for a time-out. Similar to the “go to your room” routine used with children, the dog kennel can be used as a disciplinary tool to let your dog know it has committed a no-no. You may want to remove any food or toys from the  kennel or crate as a reminder that this is a punishment.

The walk can be a bit of a drag, the old who is walking who syndrome. Using a harness as opposed to a leash you will have better control, especially with a bigger dog. A harness is attached to a wider area, not just around the neck and therefore enables you to better guide your dog with less effort. Walking your dog should be fun and good exercise for both of you but you will need to set the rules. With a harness, this is very easy to do.  Got a beagle? Get some ideas specific to beagles at beagle training tips.

Its not really all that complicated. Training your dog on your own will definitely require time and effort but in the long run, the benefits of the bond that you will create will last a lifetime. Dog training supplies can be no more than a leash, a clicker, and lots of love and positive encouragement.