Archive for the ‘Pets’ Category
Monday, June 1st, 2009
We are living in a technology world, where searching/finding something is no big deal. Despite of all easy and fast search ways, your search needs to be to the point in order to obtain desired results and for the successful search you should know what you need exactly. Now coming specifically to the pets, you should know what type of pet is suitable for you? What can be the maximum cost to have a pet at home? What type of information you need to know before buying a pet for you? But before all these, you should find the best pet shop in your area. This article states all that very precisely.
How to Find a Pet Shop?
For finding the best shop for you, you have to do extensive research for that. One medium for searching is the Internet. Through the Internet, finding something is not a big deal nowadays. Everything you asked/searched for is reachable to you within few clicks. You can search through the Internet whether there is a pet shop in your area or you need to travel for that in some other town, if yes, then how much?
Selecting a pet shop is the most important step as your pet adoption depends on it. Definitely, only the best pet shops have the good and variety of pet collections in their shops that give you choices to compare and select the one that’s suits you & your family the most.
Another way to search the best pet shops is to explore them around you. Ask those who already have pets in their homes and conduct few meetings with your friends & family members to find out simply the best pet shop for you.
Make some checklist to categorize the shops and at last, select the best. You should consider following few things in your mind while selecting the pet shop:
• Whether the shopkeeper has a license to deal with the pets?
• If it is the licensed shop then what is its expertise regarding pet keeping? i.e. either they deal in only dogs/cats/birds/all of them.
• What is the overall status of the shop when it comes to repute of pet shops?
• For how many years the shop is serving in the market?
• Either the shopkeepers are fair enough in their dealings?
• How the shopkeepers behave with their customers? Are they friendly enough to discuss certain details with you regarding pets?
• Will you get any kind of pet counseling as an additional service or not?
• Will you get any kind of discount on purchasing more than one pet?
You have to take into account all these questions, while searching for the best pet shop around you.
After figuring out these few things, try to make a list of those companies that satisfies all your doubts and in all aspect serves according to your requirements. Once you have the list of the selected companies, you can figure out the best for you with great ease.
Start the selection process by personally contacting the shopkeepers and figure out their exact way of dealing with customers. Now, if you are satisfied with their way of dealing for pets then you can proceed to adopt a pet from them, otherwise try another shop. Repeat this step till you find the absolutely best shop that fulfills all your requirements, offers you the most feasible price and deals exactly the way you wanted.
Conclusion!
Now you can find the pet shop in your area with great ease and comfort. The best way to search is the Internet. Besides that you can also find different advertisements in the newspapers as well.
You should focus your search on what is really required and keep in mind different important points (stated in this article) to find the most optimum pet shop for you.
Hope you find the best pet shop and the pet at last. Happy searching and have a great living with your pet(s).
Looking for pet stores near home? Try our searchable database of over 30,000 pet stores located around the country. Includes useful links and articles.
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Monday, May 18th, 2009
There are many people among us who are true lovers of horses. They spend their valuable time on a horse activities as training, riding, feeding etc. For all horse lovers, it must be aware that the content of the horse is not an easy task. There is a law which deals with activities related to the horse known as a horse right. If you want to own a horse for you, as your hobby, then you will have to follow rules that are mentioned in the horse right. A horse of law, as a rule, addresses the legal requirements of ownership of a horse. In nutrition, as about how to keep a horse and lead it in accordance with the rules. If you have owned a horse then you should have the legal right to keep it with you. Incidents of travel, hiking, hunting etc. are part of the right horse.
The horse must be registered in the name of which means the paper work, the horse should be aware that your. These lawyers practice law profession horse, as it is known as equine lawyers. If you have questions related to horse ownership, or any other, you must accept the appointment of the horse lawyer to overcome this problem. You should personally inspect and evaluate all the paper work when you have a horse. If you are not serious at the time of purchase, you may have to face serious problems in the future. In general, it was found that those keen to own a horse this horse lovers. They often use horses for different purposes, such as horse riding, hunting. In addition, you can also appreciate the horse in the state court.
You can also sponsor your horse at a track, competition and fair. During the public highway, it also sometimes happens that a horse rider injured in an accident. To keep yourself protected from such conditions, you can also get your horse insured. There are many companies that provide services to the insurance of horses. You can go who provide insurance for veterinary bills for the theft of the track. Make a serious consideration when you are going on a horse insurance. If you plan to bring your horse in the competition, you can hire a horse trainer who can teach various activities on the horse.
Owning a horse is not only a challenge, other than those you have to worry about other things like maintenance, food, veterinary services etc. How to look at the green pastures around you, when your horse can get enough hay. You should check the physical and medical conditions of the horse before the master. Get it properly registered with the appropriate registry rules. If you choose to own or lease a horse, but do not have the farm if you have the opportunity to sit on the horse. This means that the horse will be sheltered in a stable fully equipped with all amenities, services, training will be provided to the instructor. You just have to pay a monthly fee for food.
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Tuesday, May 12th, 2009
Water Gardening Projects of any type benefit from advanced preparation. Regardless of the type of project, having all the necessary supplies on hand before you get started always makes it go faster. Realizing it’s a good time to fertilize the water lilies after your pond has been drained, and running to the store for lily tabs tends to slow down the spring clean-out process, turning a half-day job into an all-day chore.
Planning ahead a little means you can spend less time working on your pond,and more time enjoying it!
De-chlorinator – If you are on city water, you’ll need to de-chlorinate the newly filled pond before you put the fish back in.
High Pressure Sprayer – Use a pressure nozzle on your garden hose or a pressure sprayer to dislodge debris and algae from the rocks.
New Filter Mats – Filter mats should be replaced every three years or so. If you think it might be time, be prepared ahead of time by purchasing replacements prior to your pond clean-out.
Expanding Foam – Expanding foam may need a bit of a touch up in some areas. Be prepared with a can of it just in case.
Rubber Gloves and Boots – Spring clean-outs can be cold, wet, and messy. Arming yourself with boots and gloves will go a long way toward making this chore much less unpleasant.
Pump and Discharge Pipe – To drain the water out of the pond, you’ll need a pump and some discharge pipe. It’s ok to use your pond pump, but even better if you have an extra pump to lessen the wear and tear on your pond pump. About 2000 gallons per hour, depending on the size of your pond, will do the trick.
Fish Net – Before you drain your pond, you’ll need to catch and relocate your fish. A good quality net means doing this without injuring your fish during the catch.
Net to Cover Fish Container – Fish, especially large koi, jump, and they may very well jump right out of the container that you’ve set up for them. Be sure to cover it with a net that is pulled taught across the top to prevent them from jumping.
Pruners – Part of a spring clean-out is pruning back dead plant material from the previous season. Make sure you have a good pair of pruners or scissors to get the job done.
Plastic Rake – Rake the leaves right out of you pond with a children’s garden rake.
The plastic eliminates the chance of tearing the liner and the small size makes it easier to maneuver in tight spots than an adult sized rake.
Lily Tabs – Take advantage of the water-free accessibility of water lilies, lotus, and other plants that may need to be fertilized. Have a container of lily tabs on hand when you’re doing your pond clean-out.
Container for Plant Debris – Grab an old plastic plant pot or bucket so you can easily dispose of any debris that you gather from the pond bottom.
Planting Pots – A spring clean-out is a good time to thin and divide plants that have grown out of bounds or crowded a pot. Make sure you have some aquatic plant pots handy so you can re-pot and share your new plants with other water gardeners.
Extra Gravel – After the freeze and thaw of winter, you’ll inevitably find rocks and gravel that have shifted, exposing bare liner. With an extra bag or two of gravel, you can cover exposed liner in a jiffy.
For more information on water gardening, water garden, and ecoysystem ponds maintenance, please visit.
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Friday, May 8th, 2009
So you decided to choose a rescue dog, well done. There are many homes need for dog that end up in rescue, breed by people who really don’t care where they end up. or left by owners who didn’t make the right decision (not to get a dog).
They have been let down and given up on. Every dog in rescue did not ask to end up in rescue in fact they deserve better.
Before taking a rescue dog home, please make sure it for all the right reasons, not because you feel sorry for them, or you are determined to right the wrongs of the world, and it will make you feel a better person. These reasons are all wrong.
All dogs that end up in rescue or dogs that or that are sold in the paper are all dog with problems.
It is unfortunate but true. they are not problems they where born with, they are problems that the owners created, and embellished neurotic behaviour.
Owners who have not taken the time to understand the commitments they must make to there canine friend in order for the relationship to be successful. Just give up and these dogs end up looking for new homes through absolutely no fault of there own. This is why dogs moved on through the papers or end up in rescue.
I have read many adverts in my local paper that read sad change of circumstances, marriage break down, or my personal favourite unforeseen circumstances. Go on call one of these adverts up and ask them what these reasons could possibly be. I know i would never be separated from my canine companions.
For a good example of determind dog companion, relationship just look at the homeless on the street. They have nothing yet some have a canine companion, so most of the above really don’t make sense to me. I personally can not think of any reason that could possibly separate me from my dogs.
The dog is going because the owners have failed him/her. The dog is out of control. There could be multiple reasons why and they just can’t be bothered and probably don’t have the time to set the behaviour right.
Aggression, chewing, restlessness, doesn’t do as it was told, doesn’t live up expectations, too dominant, too submissive, not housetrained, barks excessively, attention seeking, prone to medical problems, developed health problems not covered by heath insurance, temperament problems.
This is just to start. When offering a rescue dog a home you will not be getting a ready trained dog, you will be getting a dog with problems, a dog that needs to learn the basics, needs to go to training class. Will need a behaviourist at some point.
These dogs desperately need you to be loving understanding and patient, for you not to turn you back on him or her for you to be willing to do whatever it takes to help you dog become a well
adjusted member of your family pack.
Please, please think carefully before going down the rescue road. They don’t deserve another owner that turns there back on them because they are difficult rescue dogs.
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Friday, May 8th, 2009
Dog ownership should not be thought about on a whim, it should be something you think about, seriously and you need to be certain you are ready to offer a dog a home.
A dog is a lifelong commitment, some breeds live allot longer than others (we have known jack Russell’s to live up to 25 years)
You need to have the relevant finances.
Dogs are expensive, they need regular injections, wormer and flea treatment from a vets. Not the rubbish you by from pet stores it is cheap and ineffective and if does work it last for a Maximum of a month.
In the long run you save more from buying the correct wormer and flea treatment.
Regular yearly trip to the vet to check teeth, and general health, even if your dog is in good health, check ups ensure he/she stays happy healthy and content
Trips to a groomer. unless you wish to groom yourself then you to purchase all the relevant grooming equipment.
The right food the diet is your choice but i would recommend the following diets Barf, for those breeds that has sensitive tummies, and only for owners that know what they are doing. this really is not a choice for the novice owner.
Complete foods, Hills Science Plan, James Well Beloved or Eagle Pack are all a very good way to start, They are sufficient in all the important ingredients and are not high in fat ot have a large amount or rice or wheat, it is very important to select the right food for your dog as, choosing the wrong brand can cause expensive and unnecessary illnesses (hot spot e.t.c) and hyper active behaviour.
Treats and toys, (Kong’s are great for dog that chew) You will need a dog insurance policy in-case you dog suffers from an illness.
You will need able to pick up dog mess, i know this is obvious but the amount of mess i have seen on the streets today, this is not responsible ownership and anyone leaving behind mess should be ashamed of themselves.
Dog mess contains bacteria. It has a negative effect on the environment and potentially be dangerous to the wild animals. It is also very unpleasant for no dog loving folk to walk on.
So be responsible from the word go. and clean up after your dog.
If you are in a relationship with problems a dog is not the answer you dog will end up feeling very insecure and will develop behavioural problems and end up in rescue
Be in a secure loving and happy solid relationship, and seriously think about what will happen to the dog if we separate, the amount of dogs that end up in rescue for this reason alone is frightening.
If you offer a puppy a home or a dog, you need to be prepared to go to training classes again expensive.
Be able to offer the puppy/dog the time and attention they deserve. Have a suitable home environment and the right lifestyle.
Be healthy, people with health problems should consider very carefully if owning a dog is a good responsible choice.
If you choose a rescue dog, be prepared for a long bumpy ride, you will definitely need to go to training classes, consult behaviourist to undo all the damage that has been done by irresponsible people who didn’t think long and hard and make the right decision, to not get a dog in the first place.
These are the basics. You need to think about, So think long and hard and make the right choice.
I would also recommend before even considering offering a dog a home you read books by Caesar Milan and Jan Fennel. they give you a good idea and understanding of the dog mind.
Dogs are fantastic pets and great and firm friends they are the most enjoyable and dependable pet. In the right hands.
In the wrong hands a dog becomes a wild animal, untrained, unloved and unforgiving. The consequences can be tragic for anyone who meets a dog raised in the wrong hands. It is due to the wrong owners and there unwillingness to except that perhaps a dog isn’t right for them so many of these unnecessary attacks have occurred.
from The Dog Master www.letsgowalkies.net
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Friday, May 8th, 2009
Citrus oil extract – can cause vomiting
Yeast dough – can expand and produce gas in the digestive system , causing pain , maybe even causing tummy to twist
Sugary Food – can lead to obesity and dental decay , if prolonged can lead to diabetes meltus
Salt – If eaten in very large quantities can result in an electrolyte imbalance
Table scraps – curries takeaways e.tc are not good for your dog all fat if possible should be removed from meat
Raw fish – Given in large quantities can result in loss of appetite
Cows Milk – cannot digest lacto lose in milk which will lead to diarrhea by the bucket load (good alternative goats milk)
Alcoholic beverages – poisoning intoxification ,can even cause death
Chocolate , Coffee tea – Contain caffeine, Theobromine, or theophylline, which can be toxic and affect the heart and nervous systems can cause poisoning symptoms
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Friday, May 8th, 2009
You and your rescue dog A self help guide
I have decided to write this hopefully it will be of some benefit for those who have just offered there home to a rescue dog or dog from a paper. So you have a finally got a dog, i hope it took you a while to reach this decision. The first day must be the same as the rest of your life. You must be willing to help your dog understand the boundaries within your home and be willing to work through the good times and the not so good time to damn right frustrating times.
Remember this is a dog you have offered a home too and you are not going to give up on this fog you are going to be your dogs leader and supporter and offer your dog the help it need to become a happy healthy mentally balanced companion.
I would recommend buying some DAP. From a vets surgery, it works very well, you can buy this in a plug in or spray and it will help your dog settle in nicely, its not however a miracle cure. but will help with any form on anxiety your dog may have): , so they can relax happily into there new home environment.
DAP is basically a dog appeasing pheromone, it is a syntactically engineered pheromone similar to that produced after delivering puppies. A will produce this pheromone for up to a week after giving birth. So it has a natural calming effect on your dog:)
Your rules should be consistent, continue as you mean to go on so from day one the rules should be same for the rest of your life. If the dog is slightly nervous or shows signs do not overly exacerbated the situation, the best thing for your dog here is just to allow him/her to settle and get used to the surroundings the fear could be your dog acting out. Also just because your dog is rescue do not shower him/her with copious amounts of attention, of course give attention but giving too much attention could cause more harm than good and cause your dog to play out, just like a child. So by being Calm and assertive you will be projecting the right energy to your dog.
Dogs communicate via energy and body language so to be a successful owner you need to project a calm assertive energy. I feel a crate is always a good tool for a rescue dog (even if they have been crate trained) as this can create there own space, somewhere where they go when it all seems to much. You must never use a crate as punishment and for a housetrained dog, you can leave the door open the dog will return to the create when he/she feels it is necessary to do so.
So now you dog is used to the home environment and surrounding i would recommend a period of two weeks, before you try and take them on a walk, so they get to know there surrounding and there territory. You can always exercise in the garden by playing fun names such hide and seek, this is a great way of helping your dog to learn his/her new name, always reward you dog when he/she finds you with a nice tripe titbit or something equally as tasty or maybe a fast paced game of fetch, or Frisbee great for letting off any excess energy.…
The teaching of manners how to respect you and your home, how to politely answer the door, by sitting waiting patiently and allowing you to answer the door not your dog, How to greet others with all four paws firmly on the floor. How to learn to leave food and wait to are ready to let your dog eat. You dog will respect you, and dogs are looking to you for rules. These are very important rules of the household and it should be you who is control of your house not your dog and helping your dog understand this from day one will lead to a successful rewarding relationship. This should give you plenty to be getting along with and will also enable you some fantastic ways in which to form a new loving and respectful bond with each other.
Your next step after the initial settling in period, is to take your dog on a walk. This should be the first outing do not let your dog off the lease for about a month or so after you have initially, when you are certain they will recall well. A walk should take place on your terms, so instead of allowing your dog to get all excited and pull you out of the door. Simply and calmly clip leash onto collar and gain your dogs attention, start walk in a nice calm and relaxed sit position. If your dog is over excited you have to be willing to stay put until order is restored and your dog is sitting calmly and attentively. You must walk through the from door first, if your dog rushes past you. repeat the calm si the other side of the door until your dog willingly lets you go first. This will often take quite some time. so you need a lot of patience during this tentative stage.
Eventually you will be allowed to walk through the door first and proceed for your walk. If you are going by car, Repeat sit when you arrive at your destination and only proceed when your dog is calm and attentive. Never allow your dog to pull you on a walk, this is your dogs way of controlling you and it should not be allowed. A good dog is willing to walk at his masters side calmly and intent on moving forward progressing on his walk. To do this successfully it again takes time and patience, when your dog pulls just wait do not move, your dog will eventually rest and calm down only proceed when you dog has decided that it is you who is making the decisions and not them. This method will encourage a good respectful bond to form.
If you are unable to master this technique then i would recommend investing in a halti they are very effective, but be sure you are firm with using it and only allow you dog to walk by you side to heel or behind you. Both of these positions allow the handler to send positive messages to there canine companion, allowing there dog to know it’s position whilst walking. Walking in this position send a clear signal to your dog. Your dog acknowledges the signal like this, there handler is there protector and there leader they will do as there handler requests.
After two weeks at home you must also start finding a positive way to socialise your dog, remember your dog may not have met many other dogs before now, so it is a good idea to do this in a controlled manner with a lead, don’t be alarmed by your dogs reaction, he/she may react in many different ways. To mix with other dogs you could take your dog to socialisation classes, go to the nearest park, allow you dog regardless of size to be sniffed by other dogs and to sniff other dogs. It is not rude, despite what many owner may think, it is normal doggie behaviour. Dogs know there own language and can communicate far better than with each other than we can understand there communication. So let them enjoy being a dog.
The reason your dog sniffs another dogs bottom is because there anal glands are there, these glands secrete different smells allowing the dog to have a good idea of this new comers personality, this and body language sends signals to your canine companion that they understand.
Do not try and humanise there communication, to do so will damage any positive socialisation skills your dog is learning. Dog that will not allow, bottom sniffing are normally dominant dogs these dogs will hold themselves high normally with an alert tail and hold an also regal posture, if two dominant dogs met, this can sometimes lead to grumbley behaviour.
I would recommend anyone who owns a dog read the following books Jan fennel, the practical dog listener and also Caesar Milans books. They will help you develop a better understanding of the canine mind, which i believe should be essential for anyone who is willing to offer a rescue dog a home, as it will help you grow together and you will have a far better understanding of there behaviour. You will come across problems with your dog
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Thursday, April 23rd, 2009
Making the decision to get a pet is very exciting. Once you’ve considered all the positive and negative factors and have considered your lifestyle, you’ll know whether you’re ready for a pet or not. If you’ve determined that it’s time to adopt a dog, cat, bird or even goldfish, there is much preparation that you must undergo before actually bringing the new critter home. The following guidelines will help you get off to the best possible start with your new “family member” by preparing your home and ensuring a smooth and comfortable transition for all.
Make Sure It’s Allowed
If you own your own home, you can skip over this section as you are not subject to the terms of a rental lease. If you are thinking about adopting a pet from your local SPCA or Humane Society, you may be asked for proof that the animal will have permission to live with you. You will need proof of homeownership or permission.
If you live in a rented apartment, house or condo, you will need to dig up your rental contract. Read through the lease to see what it says about pets. Since many leases are automatically written to exclude pets, do not be surprised if the lease states that pets are not allowed. Do not give up just yet. Many landlords are willing to compromise as long as you just ask. Call the owner of your rental or call the property management company that handles it to request permission to have a pet on the premises.
Keep in mind that most likely the landlord or property management company will want to know specifics such as type, breed, weight, etc. A pet deposit may be required in order to grant permission. You will have to decide whether you are willing to pay the deposit or not. If you are able to convince the landlord to allow you to have pets, make sure that you get it in writing by issuing a lease amendment. Try to at least get an email from the owner stating that you now have permission to have pets on the premises. This will serve as your proof of permission to the animal rescue organization and can protect you down the line.
Preparing the Space
In order to start getting your home ready for a new pet, you’ll have to sit down and make some decisions about what your pet’s life will be like in your home. You’ll need to decide things such as whether your new pet will be and outdoor or indoor pet, whether it will be allowed to jump up onto furniture, sleep in your bed with you, and many other things. Will the pet be groomed by a professional or will you do it yourself? If you do it, where will it be done? Once you have a basic idea of how exactly you want your pet to enjoy it’s new home, you’ll be ready to make a list of the basic necessities for your pet’s comfort. Below is a list of some of the items that you’ll need. Keep in mind that you don’t need to spend an arm and a leg stocking up your home for your new pet. Instead of buying all new items at your local pet store, try finding used pet items in online classifieds, or ask the person you’re adopting the pet from if the pet can keep it’s “belongings.”
* Bed or sleeping area
* Crate (if adopting a dog)
* Blankets (if adopting a puppy or kitten)
* Toys and playthings
* Litter box and litter (if adopting a cat)
* Food and water dishes
* Food
* Collar
* Leash (if a dog)
* Cage (for rabbits, ferrets, hamsters, gerbils, birds, etc.)
* Treats
* Books and information
Preparing the “People”
Before even considering the idea of getting a new pet, you must make sure that all other members of your household are on board. If you live with your family, every family members opinion must be considered. It would be terrible to surprise your family with a new puppy or kitten, just to discover that your son is highly allergic or your daughter is deathly afraid of dogs. Making sure you’re all on the same page about specifics is also important, as an animal’s personality will make all the difference when it comes to fitting in with a new family.
If you live with housemates or roommates, it is also important that everyone is okay with your adopting a pet. You must also realize that unless somebody else in the house is willing to share responsibility with you, the care, feeding and expenses of the pet will fall solely on your shoulders.
Whether you live with a family, with roommates or by yourself, you must also consider any other pets that live in your home. Think about how bringing a new pet will impact those other pets. Try socializing your existing pets with new animals by visiting neighbors with pets or taking your pet to a new dog park to “play.” Observe how your pet reacts to new animals and keep in mind that having a new critter in your home may trigger territorial tendencies in some animals.
Bringing Your Pet Home
The day you bring your pet home, make sure that you’ve set up the space where your pet will sleep. Set up his food and water bowls in the kitchen or wherever else you’ve designated as his feeding area. Set his new toys up in a different area so you can encourage your new pet to get acquainted with his new home. Encourage kids or other family members to hang out by the different areas so that when you bring your pet inside you can “introduce” him to his areas and things along with his new family members. Make sure everyone is calm, warm and friendly without being too aggressive with the new pet. Getting used to a new home will take some time for any pet, but with love and preparation, a smooth transition can be easy.
Find everything you need to prepare your home for new pets at PetLeeg pet classifieds.
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Thursday, April 23rd, 2009
If you are thinking about getting a pet for yourself or for your family, you should know that dogs and cats are not the only animals that make good pets. If you are interested in getting a more unusual and intriguing type of pet, you’ll be glad to know that there are many different, some unexpected types of pets available to you. You may have come across some of these pets in your life, and others, you may be shocked to learn make very good pets to certain households (and could make a good pet to yours). The type of exotic pet that suits you best will depend on many factors including your lifestyle, budget, personality, tolerance, etcetera. Some of these types of pets are very low-maintenance and easy to take care of, while others may require large amounts of attention and money. No matter what type of rare pet you decide is right for you, cultivating the bond between pet and pet-owner will take time and effort.
Ferrets
Ferrets are very amusing pets. They are a lot of fun to watch and play with. A little-known fact about ferrets is that they sleep for a large part of the day. Ferrets require a good-size cage and plenty of toys. Ferrets also have a high metabolism and require food every 3 to 4 hours. While ferrets are generally very playful and have personalities of their own, they also tend to be very quiet animals.
Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs are popular pets because they have great attitudes and are playful and amusing. Guinea pigs are social animals that very rarely become aggressive. Guinea pigs do come with some requirements that you may find to be costly. For starters guinea pigs require a large cage and ample room for the cage. In addition to the cage, guinea pigs need plenty of exercise outside of the cage. You will need to invest in wood shavings or saw dust for your guinea pigs’ cage. These furry friends also require a diet rich in vitamin C and roughage.
Iguanas
Iguanas are a very popular type of lizard that people consider exotic pets. Iguanas can sometimes be found at pet stores, especially young ones. Many times young iguanas at the pet store are very small and very cute. They may inadvertently give the false impression of being manageable and easy to take care of. Iguanas, like other reptiles, have very particular cage and feeding requirements. Also, iguanas tend to grow very rapidly and can turn out to be much larger than expected. Growing iguanas can be somewhat aggressive and difficult to tame.
Snakes
There are several types of snakes that make good pets, even for beginners. The best breeds for smaller spaces and for more inexperienced snake owners are king snakes, ball python, milk snakes and corn snakes. Keep in mind that you will need to feed your snake either pre-killed or live prey – so if you are squeamish, a snake may not be the pet for you. Also, you must be very careful that your snake does not escape its terrarium, as this can lead to a very nervous household!
Parrots
Parrots are popular exotic pets because of their unusual beauty and personality. Most parrots have glossy bright green feathers with colorful patches of red, yellow and blue throughout. Parrots are known for “talking.” That is, they actually learn to imitate sounds so well that they sound like speech so that the parrot appears to be speaking. The upper half of a parrot’s beak is hinged and movable. Because of this, serious wounds can be inflicted and special care must be taken in dealing with a parrot that is not comfortable around you yet. Many different factors should be considered before adopting a parrot as a pet. Make sure you discuss bird care with a reputable parrot breeder before taking the first step.
Special Considerations
Adopting an exotic or unusual pet carries even more special considerations than adopting a typical pet such as a dog or a cat. As with any pet, you must realize that adopting an animal is a long-term commitment and must be taken seriously. You must examine your lifestyle and be honest about whether you will have the time, energy and focus to provide adequate care for your animal. You must ask questions such as “Can I afford monthly/weekly groomings?” and “Who will care for my pet when I travel?” If you live in a household with children or other pets, consider how your new animal will fit into the family. Try to think about any possible drawbacks and consider the cons very carefully. If a dog or a cat doesn’t work out in your home, it is not very difficult to find a new owner ready to adopt. With exotic or unusual pets, this is more difficult.
Finding the Perfect Pet
The first place you should contact when looking for an exotic pet is your local Humane Society or SPCA. If your local organization doesn’t have the type of pet you are seeking for adoption, they should be able to refer you to other regional rescue organizations for the type of animal you desire.
Contact the animal rescue organizations that are most likely to come across the pet you want and ask them to contact you if they come across a ferret (or snake, parrot, etc.).
You should also contact local breeders, though this route will prove to be more expensive. The upside of dealing with professional animal breeders is that you will receive accurate information and you will know that your pet has been cared for adequately and so on.
Finally, don’t forget to check your local newspaper and/or online classifieds. You can search through online classifieds in your area by typing the type of pet you’re looking for into the search bar. You may also consider placing a classified yourself, reaching out into the local community for the type of pet you are looking for.
You can find typical pets for sale, such as cats and dogs, or more unusual pets like parrots, ferrets and all kinds of pet gear online at PetLeeg Pet Classifieds.
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Tuesday, April 21st, 2009
I think that’s a valid question, and I don’t ask it lightly. The short answer is yes. The long answer may be no, and let me tell you why.
I think I’ll start things off with a short story. It’s interesting and I think it will shed some light on what I am thinking.
Way back in 1999, I was attending graduate school at Binghamton University. I lived on the third floor of an old house in a very small apartment. The house was in a rather congested part of town, so all of the residents could get a very clear picture of what was happening in the neighborhood around them. From my apartment, I had a pretty good vantage point of a few backyards that were close by.
As you could imagine, while attending graduate school, I was required to study for a good portion of the day and night. There was no way to get around it and much of it had to be done in my apartment. In order to have a good studying session, I needed quiet. Thinking back, I should’ve moved into a more sparse part of town.
The day after I moved in, I remember looking out the window into the backyard across the street. There were two dogs lying down on a dirt area. They were tethered together by the same dog leash, a piece of one tied to the other. Their heads were about a foot apart and they had no where to go. Every time someone passed on the sidewalk, they would stand up and run to the chain link fence, barking. This went on day after day. Eventually, someone from the neighborhood called the ASPCA and had the dogs removed. The owners were charged with having the dogs outside without shelter and a few other things.
This brings me to the point of this piece. Why do people bring dogs into their homes, when they clearly don’t have the means to properly care for them?
I’m sure we have all seen it a thousand times; the messiest house on the road with three viscous dogs chained to a stump in the front yard, the college students who thought it would be fun to get a “house” puppy, the overworked parents who thought it would be a good idea to get their young children an active puppy to play with.
What’s the common theme that runs across all three examples above? Bad choices. I think the mistakes many people make are 1) they don’t understand that owning a dog is a huge responsibility and 2) dogs can lead miserable lives, if not taken care of properly.
Here is a (hopefully helpful) list of reminders that you should consider before bringing a dog into your family:
1.
Dogs bark. If you like your neighbors and want them to continue liking you, be sure to consider this when choosing the breed of dog you get.
2. Dogs eat. If you have trouble paying your own grocery bill, think about the extra expense of a big bag of dog food once a month.
3. Dogs need to go to the doctor. If you are having trouble paying for your own health care, think about what you are going to do the day your dog needs to have an operation.
4. Dogs need to relieve themselves. If you like to snuggle under your warm covers at 5AM in the middle January, think about the feeling you will have when your new dog starts barking to go outside at that time.
5. Dogs need to play. If you work late and no one is home, who will be there to take the dog outside to burn off all the energy they have?
6. Dogs need love. Are you ready to spend at least two hours a day with your dog?
7. Dogs need space. Do you have the room for a dog that may become hyper when it gets excited?
8. Dogs are not welcome in many rental units. Do you rent? Be aware that by having a dog, you are limiting yourselves to about 10% of available units for rent.
9. Dogs require patience. Take a good look at yourself. Have you ever lost your temper? Many dogs may do things that will upset you.
10. Dogs need to be licensed. What are the rules of your area when it comes to dog ownership?
The above list is not meant to be depressing. It’s meant to give you a realistic view of what you can expect after you bring that cute, cuddly little puppy into your home. I have owned many dogs and I write from experience.
A good friend of mine owns two rather large dogs that he adopted from a friend during his senior year of college. They are both about five years old now. He loves the dogs, but feels he may have made a mistake. He may not have been ready for them. I remember asking him how he feels about owning the dogs, to which he replied, “Yeah, that was pretty much the biggest mistake I ever made.”
Now, let’s discuss the brighter side of things. If you have looked over the above list and think you might be ready to give a dog a new home, good for you. Just be sure to look for that dog in the right places. There are many dogs in shelters across this country that are just waiting for someone like you to walk through the door. Do the right thing and adopt. You’ll be glad you did.
This article was written on behalf of PetLeeg, a popular pet classifieds website.
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