The Pet

What do you do after waking up?

2011-12-10T01:00:00.000-08:00

You wake up, then what do you do? Well I feed my dog. That is just of the things I do to take care of my pet. You also have to clean and groom him. Another thing you have to do to take care of your pet is making sure it gets lots of exercise. If they don’t get exercise they may not be fit. It may not be easy taking care of your pet.

One of the most difficult things about taking care of your pet is feeding him. The main part of your pet’s diet is its dog food. Some brands of dog food are Old Row, Purina, and Alpo. Water is also an important factor in a dog’s meal. You should provide him with dog food and water once or twice a day depending on how much it eats. Every once and a while you can give him a tasty treat. I think feeding my dog is one of the hardest things to remember to do.

Cleaning and grooming your pet is an important part of taking care of your pet. Bathing your pet can get you wet and is lots of fun, but you must remember to do it once a month. Brushing your pet is pretty simple. You should brush him whenever it looks like it. You can tell when its hair is tangled an has burs. Don’t forget to clip his toenails, if you don’t your pet can scratch you. Grooming and cleaning is very important. One thing you definitely don’t want to forget is making sure your dog gets lots of exercise, if you don’t your pet will get out of shape and overweight. You should try and walk your pet everyday. Sometimes you can even just let him outside on a chain. You should make sure your dog gets lots of exercise.

The way I care for my pet

2011-12-09T01:01:00.000-08:00

I care for my pet in many different ways. I feed my pet every morning. I have a dog. My dog likes to play with me. My dog does not get along with stranger dogs.

I feed my dog daily and water to. In the morning my dog sleeps but when we wake up my dog wakes up. I give her dry dog food because that is her favorite kind. She likes the big chunky dog food from Beniful. My dog likes to eat outside because its so peaceful and quiet compared to the hectic inside of my home in the morning. She also likes anything we give her from the table that we don’t finish.

The Care of a Pet

2011-12-08T01:02:00.000-08:00

Mice might just seem like ordinary little fur balls, and they are! They’re easier to care for than dogs and cats, you’ve just got to feed them. Then make sure they aren’t so heavy they can’t move. They’re probably going to be asleep all day, but at night they wake up and try to escape to the delicious mysteries of the kitchen! So make sure that their cage is escape proof. That’s about all you need to know but a little more detail won’t hurt.

First of all you need to know how much you feed your mouse. Just give it a handful (but not too big of a handful) of its food daily and let it fall into someplace your mouse can find it. At first if your mouse ignores you when you put food down don’t worry, it doesn’t know that the sound of falling sunflower seeds means food! In time she/he will realize that the smell of your hand usually means corn and yummy stuff. The next thing you should do is change the water in its bowl or more likely its water bottle by emptying out the water out and filling it up with fresh water again. Make sure that the water will flow out if your mouse tries to drink from the water bottle by poking at the end where water comes out. Treats, they’re tasty enough that your mouse will pounce on them as soon as you put them into their cage (unless it’s sleep). Just don’t over do them only put one treat in a day at the most. You don’t want a scrawny mouse, but you don’t want one that’s overweight either.

If you do ever feed your mouse too much then well, the good news it’s not starving, but now you need to exercise him. It’s pretty easy. Just get him a hamster wheel or a hamster ball so he can roll around your room. Just put the wheel in the cage and eventually it will figure out what it is and start running on it. As for the ball you need to pick it up and let it crawl in. You could also take the little mouse out and play with it in your hand, (pick it up when he/she comes out and let it run around on your hand) but wear gloves if it is a new mouse because it might bite if it doesn’t trust you. Another reason to wear gloves is because it might tickle on your bare hands and you could drop it and after that it will definitely try to bite you or even run away. Just try not to feed your mouse too much and you won’t have to worry about this stuff.

Are you scared that your mouse will run away? Make sure that you buy a cage that isn’t made of cardboard or some other thing that a mouse could chew through. Plastic or glass cages are good enough to keep your mouse inside. If your mouse is a good jumper or can figure out how to climb out of its cage by climbing up on its water bottle then get a lid for your cage, but make sure that it has holes on it. Holes that are small enough so that it can’t escape through them but big and plentiful enough so that air can float through them. If your mouse ever does escape then bait your cage with treats and food. You can also check the kitchen because it’ll be likely that your little rascal is eating one crumb or another. Keeping a mouse in a cage is just as easy as getting a good cage or knowing why your mouse escaped (either freedom or food).

So now you know a few important things about mice. One, feed it everyday without forgetting because if you do forget then your mouse will start getting scrawny and desperate for escape. Two, make sure your mouse isn’t so fat it can’t move (take it out to play more often). Three, make sure you have an escape proof cage. If you’ll listen to me, then your mouse will be okay.

Roges

2011-12-07T01:03:00.000-08:00

In this game WOW you have to first create a character. You chose if you want to be a male of female. Then you chose if you want to be a Mage, Warrior, Paladin, Hunter, Priest, Warlock, Shaman, Druid, and Rouge. They all have a different use.

If you want to play WOW first you have to create a character. You have to chose if you want to be a Horde or Alliance. On the Alliance side there is Human, Dwarf, Night Elf, Gnome, and Draenei. On the Horde side there is Orc, Undead, Tauren, Troll, and last but pretest to my opinion is the Blood Elf. The female Blood Elf. Witch you will see later.

You can be a female or male. They do the same thing. They aren’t much different but one practically has a different body than the other. For example if you hade tow charters one was a female and a mail and you had the game gear they wore both a shaman wore the same level and fighting the same level. They would hit for the same and have the same health in the end.

In this game they say that a Mage is a wizard of immense Knowledge and skill.

My Dog Goldie

2011-12-06T01:05:00.001-08:00

Who takes care of my dog Goldie?
Well first there is my Dad his chore is to cut his fur, both me and my dad give him a bath once ever 2 months, we all play with him. Second there is my step mom Dorothy she gives him his dog liner, doggie wormer, and flee coat. Third there is me Blade I take him for walks, give him baths, feed him regular dog food and water, and clean his pen. Fourth there is my step brother Krist he feeds him and waters him and cleans his pen. Well there is another but he doesn’t do any thing.

What I feed my dog

These are the things I am suppose, I always feed him regular dog food twice a day

OMG

2011-12-06T01:05:00.000-08:00

My dog is small and brown. She is a chocolate lab. Her name is Andi. I think she I think she is 3 in people years.

I call my dog for food. After that I make her sit. I now give her the food. I feed her usually two cups of food and water a day. If she barks I might give her more water, or I give her a rawhide. If your pet eats grass I suggest a little bit of yogurt. Give them about a spoonful with a meal.

After I feed her, I have to wait about ten minutes to call her to go outside. I put my leash on a ring on the collar. I have to wait outside till she goes to the bathroom. Without a leash. Sometimes I let her out without a leash, but I always have a biscuit so she keeps nearby. When she was young she dragged me across the yard.
My dog has plenty of shelter. She sleeps in the house. She sleeps usually in my brothers bed.

I give my dog all she needs. She gets food and water. She gets shelter. She has plenty of room to roam around.

My D.A.R.E. Essay

2011-12-05T01:07:00.000-08:00

What is D.A.R.E? D.A.R.E. is a program for kids that teach them about drugs and alcohol and what they are doing to their body. D.A.R.E. stands for drug abuse resistance education. You also learn about addictions, Resting, and how to say no. There are many things people learn through D.A.R.E.

What have I learned in D.A.R.E.? I’ve learned many ways to say no. I’ve learned about peer pressure. I have also learned what it would be like to be in high school from high school role models. When the High school Role models came to our school and answered question about how it is in high school.

How to Take Care of a Pet Turtle

2011-12-04T01:08:00.000-08:00

To take care of my pet turtle you must do many things. One thing you must do is feed him everyday. Another thing you must do is to make sure he has enough water to swim in. You must keep him and his environment clean. Those are three important things you must do to take care of a pet turtle.

One important thing is to feed him everyday. Feeding him gives him lots of energy to swim around and exercise. Feeding him everyday helps him grow into a bigger turtle. You must set a feeding limit or he will eat too much and get sick. Those are three things you must know about feeding a pet turtle.

It is important to keep the water level high enough so he can swim. You must keep his water high enough so he can get enough exercise. If the water level is too high he might drown. Too little water can kill him because it will dry him out. That is why you should have the right amount of water in his habitat.

Keeping the turtle and his environment clean is very important. You must keep his environment clean or waste would build up. If you don’t keep him clean he might get infected and get a disease. Keeping the water clean will keep him living longer because then he won’t eat his own waste. That is why it is very important to keep his environment clean.

There are many ways to take care of a pet turtle but there are three main things. One of them is feeding him on a regular basis. Another thing is to keep his water level high enough so he can swim in it. You must keep him and his environment clean or he might get sick. Those are three main things you must do to take care of a pet turtle.

How to take care of a hamster

2011-12-03T01:11:00.000-08:00

To take care of hamster you will need a few things. Sometimes you even buy toys and other things. Hamsters also need love and care. They also are very delicate which means they can’t be played with like you would a dog. Also remember they have a very good since of smell.

Hamsters need lots of things for a complete healthy home. Some of the things they need for a healthy environment is a nice size food and water bowl, exercising wheel, bedding I would recommend pine, and food. You should feed them once or twice a day. And give them water every time they run out. You should only feed the hamster food you are for sure about if not look on the internet, or ask a friend with a hamster; also you could ask someone at a pet store or anyone like that.

Here are some more facts about taking care of hamsters. First of all you defiantly do not let your hamster run roam around your floors or high places. I know you would think some people would not do that but kids can get very curious just from experience. Also if you love to hold your hamsters please hold it correctly if you don’t it could fall out of your hands or worse. And don’t put in small airless places going to the kids.

After eating you probably will look in those little black eyes and want to pick it right up STOP! Do not do what I know you are going to do.

Did you know that I have 5 pets?

2011-12-02T01:12:00.000-08:00

I just got a new dog. It is a girl and she is a chocolate lab. One of our dogs, a yellow lab named Titan that was 5 years old, died 1 month and 9 days ago. It was hit by a school bus on my road. The dog that we got we found on the Internet at www.petfinder.com. She was dumped when she was 6 months old and has lived with a foster family for 2 years. When my family adopted her we decided to name her Hope, but when we first got her they had named her Chaos. Hope has 3 different shades of brown in her. We spent about half of the day thinking about what is going to be her name. We thought of Lucky, Rose, Brownie, Cocoa, Recess, and Hope. But we went ahead and named her Hope because we had hope finding her and she has hope because she found a home. Hope likes to eat, exercise, and train.

Hope eats about 2 cups of Pedigree dog food every day. Hope eats a lot of food and sometimes even eats my other dog’s food. My other dog is an eight month old Pug named Stella. Whenever Hope eats, she eats really loud. We don’t give her as much food as we are supposed to because she is a little overweight.
Hope is really wild and playful. We sometimes call her boxer. We call her that because when she is on her back she kicks her legs up and down. I also get a tennis ball and throw it a lot for her to chase. Hope is the wildest dog I know.

Hope, I think, is really dumb. She only knows one trick, “sit”. We are trying to teach her how to “stay” but she just won’t listen. She knows how to fetch really good, but really nothing else. In about one year when she knows a lot more stuff I am going to try to teach her how to play dead.

Hope is not really good with our other dog, Stella. She will growl and snap at her sometimes. For example, whenever Hope is eating or chewing on things. Whenever that happens Stella barks and howls and gets really mad. I really like my pet and I take really good care of her.

Camping with Alligators

2011-12-01T01:14:00.000-08:00

On a summer Saturday morning at 5:30am, my mom woke me up in my large lumpy bed. “Wake up Denali you should get ready your about to live with Bill to Okefenokee Swamp” Mom whispered in my ear.

As soon as I heard I remembered the trip Bill and I planned for a couple of months. I got dressed. I got on a pair of wind pants and a T-shirt and I was ready to go.
I hugged my mom and got in Bill’s little truck, ready for a long journey.
The place where we were going was at the tip of Georgia and was a National Wildlife Preserve and a State Park. The Swamp had many alligators and we didn’t know what we were in for.

We arrived at 8:00pm and I said “There is nobody here so how are we going to camp.” “I see somebody in front of the ranger station maybe he can help,” replied Bill.
As we reached the ranger station we could tell it was an older man. The man looked very nice and simply said “Hi.” We asked what we could do and he replied “There is a night registration over there and you can fill out the form.”

After Bill finished filling out the form we went to find a campsite. On the way there I thought what it would be like seeing a real alligator in the wild. When we arrived I ate a cold and wrote in my journal:

“Today was long and boring but tomorrow we get to go camping with alligators.”

“It’s canoeing day,” I said to myself while racing to the picnic table. I found a Spoon, yogurt, and a banana.

On Friday, the day before we left, we packed some food such as yogurt, wheat bread, noodles, rice mix, fruit, lunchmeat, and cheese.
I was so hungry I ate it before Bill noticed I was up.
“Man you must have been hungry!” Bill exclaimed, noticing my Breakfast was gone.
Because of the butterflies in my stomach I did not realize what Bill had said. I was nervous about today.
Bill approached me to ask “Are you O.K.?”
“Bill I’m a little nervous,” I replied
“Denali you don’t worry about a thing, now come on we need to get our things packed,” he said.
I forgot about the butterflies and got my stuff ready.
I took care of the clothes and Bill took care of food and within 45 minutes we were ready to go.
Getting in the boat was pretty easy, but paddling was harder. Bill showed me how to paddle, “Take your left hand and place it on the top of your paddle, then push it forward,” This worked very well and he also told me you could switch hands when paddling.
Once I got the hang of it we were out and on our way. There was a small passage that led us to the big swampy lake and there it was, my first every alligator. It was big and green and its tail was huge. I could not believe it, “hubba bubba,” I said in amazement.
I soon realized there wasn’t just one, but hundreds, they were everywhere, on the banks, in the water, and on logs. They went from the size of 3 feet to 12 feet.
After about ten miles or so I couldn’t see any sign of the campsite. Of course I notified Bill, “Bill there’s no sign of the campsite.”
“I realize that,” Bill replied softly. It was 11:30 am so we had plenty of time.
“Bill I think were lost,” I said in concern.
“No we’re not let’s keep going we’ll find it,” Bill said firmly.
“Grrrrrrr,” my stomach said again and again. I had to ask Bill if we could stop to eat.
“Sure, let’s stop at that bridge,” Bill said as he turned left to the bridge.
As we approached the bridge we noticed there were people there. As we got closer we noticed it was a couple, a tall young man and woman. When we got up the hill we asked if we could join them. They replied yes so we went down to the boat to get the food, bread, cheese, and lunch meat.
When we reached the top of the hill we sat down close and started a conversation as we ate.
“So where are you guys headed,” I asked.
“We’re actually headed back to the Park,” they replied.
Then out of nowhere Bill asked, “What are your names this is Denali and I’m Bill?”
“Well my name is Jenny and my boyfriend’s name is Rob,” Jenny replied.
“Where are you guys going?” Rob asked.
Bill replied, “Well were going to a campsite not too far from here but we can’t find the place.”
“You mean this place?” Jenny said as she pointed at the eastern side of her map.
“Yeah that’s it, it’s called Long Hammock!!!” we shouted.
“To get there you have to go back about one mile. Then there is a small passage to your left. Then you keep going to find two other passages take a right and you will find a campsite to your left,” Rob said clearly.
After talking for a while we ate our lunch. Bill had a ham sandwich and I had a turkey sandwich. It was pretty good but not as good as my mom’s cooking.
When we were done we talked a little, then we were off. The water was very still so we went pretty fast. When we canoed back we soon found the passage. When we entered the passage we could tell it was different than the rest of the lake because there was a large amount of lily pads. As we went on further we found that it narrowed.

Caring for a Rabbit - Diet, Exercise, Grooming & Health

2008-10-08T21:01:00.000-07:00

DIET

Daily
Your buns should have fresh water, a high fibre pellet no less than 21% fibre, plenty of hay (Orchard Grass) and a good serving of fresh greens i.e. all types of herbs, green/red peppers and carrot tops

Weekly
A small piece of fruit i.e. apple or pear. OR a small piece of carrot.

Never give nuts, anything containing sugar, cabbage, lettuce or potatoes.

EXERCISE

All rabbits need plenty of exercise to keep their muscles healthy and their digestive system functioning well. Your buns should have at least 2 hours a day where they have plenty of space to run and that means being able to build up speed.

GROOMING

Your buns should be brushed daily. This is a great bonding time for you and your bun, plus it removes loose fur that would normally be ingested by the bun or his partner. This is why it is so important for rabbits to have a high fibre diet, as the fibre helps ingested hair pass through the rabbit's digestive system. A diet too low in fibre will cause major blockages and GI Stasis will set in. This is a condition where the normal movements of the digestive system, stops. Prevention of this condition is better than cure, as it can be life threatening.

I usually use a flea comb on my buns, as most cat flea preparations are deadly for rabbits. This last summer I used Advantage for cats which really helped get rid of the fleas.
Please speak to a 'rabbit' experienced vet when buying Advantage for your buns as they will help you with the amount needed for the weight of your bun.

NAILS

Once a month your bun should have his nails clipped. Free range rabbits that dig a lot usually don't need their nails clipped as they wear down. If you are too nervous to do this, you can get your vet to do this for you. When clipping your rabbit's nails, remember to look out for the blood vessel that runs close to the end of the nail. Be cautious and clip small pieces off at a time.

TEETH

Once a month check that your rabbit's teeth are not overgrown. The top incisors should overlap the bottom ones and should be white and straight. Signs of teeth problems are a wet chin. If your rabbit wants to eat soft food rather than pellets, this too could be a sign. It is so easy for teeth problems to go un-noticed. My Marge carried on eating, but when I touched her face, she would flinch. I knew this was a sign of something, not being right. Whenever you take your bun to the vet, get them to check the back teeth, as these can cause very painful problems if they are misaligned.

SPRAYING & NEUTURING

This is so important. If you think that you can let your rabbits just have one litter of bunnies, then think again. It won't stop there. The day she gives birth, if the male is present, and mounts her, she will fall pregnant again.
Females have a 75% chance of getting uterus, mammary or ovarian cancer if not spayed and males will become less aggressive if neutered. Remember to take your rabbits to a 'rabbit' experienced vet.

As an extra note

Remember that rabbits can live for as long as 12 years. Keeping your rabbit healthy will give him the best chance to reach this ripe old age. Nutrition, exercise and clean living conditions will help give your rabbit a long and healthy life.

Pet Travel Sickness

2008-05-07T21:04:00.000-07:00

What is travel sickness?
Travel sickness; or motion sickness, is an unpleasant, temporary disturbance of the body’s natural balance and equilibrium that occurs while travelling by sea, road or air. In the dog it is characterised by dizziness, salivation, restlessness and vomiting.

What causes travel sickness?
Travel sickness is caused by movement; the strong, repetitive movements that are usually produced by a car or boat.
The body's sense of balance and equilibrium are maintained by three elements:
1. The inner ear, which contains fluid-filled canals (the semi-circular canals) that react to strong repetitive movements
2. The eyes, which tell the brain where the body is in space; they confirm the direction of motion
3. There are a whole group of sensitive receptors on skin, joints and muscles, which tell the brain which parts of the body are moving

Why do symptoms develop?
The signs of travel sickness occur when the brain receives conflicting signals from these three systems. For example, the dog that is sitting quietly on the back seat of the car may only see the person beside it or the chair in front yet its inner ear and skin receptors sense that it is moving.
It is not known why some people and animals are more affected by travel sickness than others. It affects both sexes and all ages in equal numbers.

What are the symptoms and complications of travel sickness?
Travel sickness is usually just a minor annoyance and does not signify any serious medical illness, but some animals people can be markedly and temporarily disturbed by it. Symptoms of travel sickness include:
• loss of appetite
• nausea and vomiting
• dizziness
• cold sweats
• excess saliva production
• yawning
• rapid shallow breathing
These symptoms usually begin soon after transport begins and worsen as the journey continues.
There are very few complications associated with travel sickness although they can include dehydration following excessive vomiting and injuries following falls or unsteadiness. For many the greatest complications are the fact that transporting badly affected individuals makes the journey unpleasant for their fellow passengers.

What is the treatment for travel sickness?
Puppies should begin the adjustment processed at an early stage.
1. Allow them to spend short periods in the stationary car, preferably ensuring the experience is a fun thing.
2. Continue the process by playing in the vehicle with the engine switched on and gradually closing doors and windows.
3. Begin with five minute journeys and gradually extend these as the dogs reactions are monitored.
4. Do not allow food or water for two hours before the journey begins.
5. If possible the seating may be elevated to allow the animal to look out of the window.
6. Open a window whenever possible to get some fresh air.
7. Avoid strong odours and smoking.

Dosing required?
Treat three times daily for ten days, irrespective of travel or not, as indicated by the weight chart on the product insert. After the fifth day begin the desensitisation process from stage five above.
In the future always give a booster treatment four hours and one hour before the journey commences.

Guinea Pig basic care guide

2007-03-07T20:40:00.000-08:00

Guinea pigs make excellent pets. They are generally friendly, loving and attentive to their owners. Make sure you give your piggy the best care and enjoy a long, healthy and happy life with him.

Food:

Many people make the mistake of simply feeding their cavies a rabbit pellet diet. Just like humans, Guinea Pigs don’t produce their own vitamin C, so it’s vitally important to ensure that this is included in their diet. The SAGPS currently recommends the Versele Laga Cavia Pro or Crispy food. This is to be fed daily, along with unlimited fresh hay, such as lucerne, and fresh veggies. It’s important to remember that high sugar levels can cause diabetes in your piggy, so keep fruits to a minimum.

The following veggies can be fed daily:

Lettuces – except Iceberg
Carrot
Tomato
Green Pepper
Parsley

Avoid vegetables that tend to produce gas, such as cabbage, as guinea pigs can easily suffer from bloat.

Housing:

Guinea Pigs are energetic and playful animals, and so need lots of space to run, a 1 square metre cage or bigger is ideal, and the more piggys you have, the bigger the cage should be.

Bedding is a difficult matter as there are not many commercially viable products available. Try to avoid soft wood shavings, as these release toxins and phenols that are detrimental to your cavies’ lives. Corncob and cat litter is also bad as they eat this and it causes blockages in their intestines. We recommend you keep them on pelleted straw bedding, Kenaf, Fleece bedding, or alternatively on newspaper and hay.

Health:

Guinea pigs can suffer from a myriad of different illnesses, so it is important to monitor them regularly. Guinea Pigs are prey animals, and as a result hide their illness quite well. We recommend you weigh your piggy weekly, as weight loss is the number one sign of disease.

If you suspect your guinea pig is unwell, visit your nearest experienced vet as soon as possible. It is important that you find a vet that has experience with guinea pigs, as they require a specialized care that goes beyond the usual veterinary training.

Dog training tips: how to stop chewing

2007-03-06T06:31:00.000-08:00

Simple steps can help you prevent your dog from chewing up your possessions!

Chewing is a natural activity for all dogs. Even when they are not eating a meal, wild canines chew bones for nutrients, such as minerals, or for the bone marrow inside of them. They may chew sticks, bark, or even rocks at times, to keep their teeth clean and free from foreign substances. They may even chew things to pass the time. Dogs in the wild, however, don't have owners monitoring what they chew. There is no chance of anyone being upset over a wild dog chewing the television remote control or over the damage they do to the furniture.

Our dogs do have concerned owners, yet they still have the need to chew. As much as we like to think of our dogs as little people in fur suits, they are not. They have instincts. Sometimes those instincts interfere with what we perceive as civilized behavior. What we must do is accept our dogs' needs into our human reality. How can we do this? We do it by asking these questions:

Why is my dog chewing?
When does my dog chew the most?
What is my dog chewing?
Why is my dog chewing what he is chewing?
What is the best way to stop the behavior?

Flying with a Pet

2006-05-07T20:33:00.000-07:00

• The travel box should be big enough to allow your pet to be able to stand up, in a normal position, lie down and turn around in. Your dog’s head/ears should NOT be touching the top of the travel box. To measure your pet: height is measured from top to bottom in a standing position, while length is measured from nose tip to the base of the tail.

A further 10cm in height and length is then added in order to comply with airline regulations.

• Your travel box must be fitted with an attached water container. You can use a normal tupperware or plastic bowl for the water, so long as it’s attached to the pet container, even if it means using cable ties to connect the water bowl to the mesh door of the travel box. You can also use a slow-release water bottle but make sure your dog is familiar with how this works before you fly.

The airline will fill the water bowls before and after the flight so if the water spills out, your dog won’t dehydrate, but the water bowl must be easy to reach as they won’t be opening the carrier door to get to the water bowls.

• You can put a blanket, toy and/or chew into the travel box, but no raw, wet or dry food that the dog might choke on.

• You will need to use cable ties (or similar) to double lock the door of the container so that it can’t come loose during the trip.

• The mesh door and the clips on the carrier should be metal, although most Vari kennels - the preferred travel crates - now have heavy-duty plastic clips that are acceptable.

But we do recommend taking additional cable ties to ‘double-lock’ the carrier. The last thing you want is a clip being bumped open in commute and your pet running loose in the hanger or worse, the plane itself.

A word of warning though: it would be advisable to make contact with your airline before you travel to follow up and ensure that there are no changes to the rules/additional requirements in the meantime. We also recommend you let your vet know of your travel plans incase there are additional vaccinations or concerns he may have with your pet travelling.

Please also be aware that most airlines won’t allow you to travel with both dogs in 1 carrier.

A handy tip from one of our customers who bought a Skipper carrier from us for their Yorkie: try fly during the week so all the necessary staff are on hand/easily contactable, and see if you can check-in early, before the crowds, so your dog can be settled somewhere quiet before the pre-boarding rush.

How To Get Rid of Dog Mouth and Body Odor

2006-04-07T20:01:00.000-07:00

All dogs have some sort of mouth odor. The time to become concerned about it though, is when your dog’s breath has a foul smelling odor that simple will not go away. If your dog’s breath smells bad one day and goes away the next, then you shouldn’t be concerned. If your dog’s breath smells bad from one week to the next, then it’s time to make an appointment with the veterinarian. The veterinarian can make the distinction between a normal bad smell and a smell that could indicate a larger problem. It all depends on what the mouth odor smells like, and dog owners aren’t very good at diagnosing the problem themselves.

Mouth odor in dogs is usually the cause of dental disease or gum disease. Just like humans, dogs can also get gingivitis, which can be the cause of the foul smell. Bad teeth can also be a cause of the foul odor. Tartar not only cause odor, it can damage your dogs gums and loosen teeth. It is best to have the veterinarian take a look and clean the teeth if necessary.

The cause of body odor in dogs could be caused by a number of factors depending on their activities and how much freedom they are given. Rolling around outside, getting caught by a skunk, going through the trash and dog accidents (vomit, urine) are some examples of why dogs have body odor.

Here is a guide to help you select the best dog odor control products:

Easy to apply
Safe around kids and pets
Guaranteed
Pleasant scent
Does it actually work?
Works on various fabrics
Doesn’t stain your upholstery
Ingredients- avoid ammonia as this is similar to the urine odor molecule

A variety of dog odor control products are available to break down the source of the odor. There are a lot of dog odor control washes and dog odor control sprays on the market. These products are made to eliminate undignified odor, including normal body odor, urine, feces and skunk.

There are also natural dog odor control products on the market as well, which are safer for your dog and mother earth. For example, the fragrance of natural cedar also repels fleas and ticks, and the fragrance stays with the dog wherever he goes.

Most natural products are made from environmentally safe enzymes, and they do not “mask” the odor like citrus by-products- the natural products control odors at the source by breaking down the natural organic compounds associated with dog odors.

Recommendations for leads/harnesses for a new Dog/Puppy

2005-12-11T20:43:00.000-08:00

The right equipment for your dog can often prevent behaviour problems and even some medical problems, provided you use it correctly.

COLLARS AND HARNESSES:

Collar
The best collars are lightweight webbing or thin leather. An adjustable webbing collar with a plastic buckle is idea for a puppy as it is more likely to chew leather. Collars are also often perfect for walking and training your dog. Make sure it fits properly and does not slip off if your dog pulls back. It should not be too tight either, as it may damage the windpipe. You may need to tighten it slightly for walks. A slip collar is designed to tighten slightly when the lead is pulled to prevent your dog from escaping, but should release easily.

Nametag
A collar should be worn at all times with a nametag on it, even if your dog has a microchip.

Harness (webbing or soft leather)
A harness is for walking or training and should not be left on your dog. Martingale (e.g. Mikki Walkrite) and step-in harnesses are specially designed to prevent pulling as the dog pulls against its own weight, not your arm. A harness is useful because it helps to prevent the lead getting caught up in the dog’s feet. Also small dogs can be lifted to safety, if necessary, using the harness. A harness can also be clipped to the car seatbelt to prevent the dog from jumping around in the car, preventing injury in the case of an accident.

Head halter (e.g. Halti / Snootloop)

A head halter is useful for a dog that pulls on the lead or is aggressive or over-friendly during walks. The lead is attached under the chin and therefore pulls the head into a submissive position rather than a dominant one, as with a collar. Head halters are not muzzles and when used correctly your dog can drink, eat, pant and bite with it on. It is important that your dog likes the halter and does not try to get it off. Using it in combination with a collar and two leads is ideal.

Check chain

This is to be used for training purposes only in dogs over 8 months old. A check chain should never be left on a dog as it could cause strangulation if it gets caught on something. It should be used correctly so as not to cause spinal damage and the dog should never be choked or jerked. The idea is to remind your dog that you mean what you say and, after checking the lead, it should be released immediately. Often ordinary collars, head halters or webbing slip collars are preferable and sufficient for training purposes.

LEADS:

Webbing lead

A two metre long webbing, leather or rope lead (no chains, as they are hard on the hands) is ideal. A long lead is better for general walks as it gives the dog more space to sniff and meet other dogs. It also gives you space to give correct body language signals, thus reducing the need to hang on tightly. For training purposes it is useful to have extra length for teaching the stay command.

Extending lead

Useful for walking on the beach/mountain. Some areas do not allow dogs off lead and puppies should not be off lead as they may get lost or into trouble if they get a fright or chase something. Some dogs are just unmanageable off lead. In these cases this type of lead is very useful as it gives the dog a lot of space without the owner losing control. Once the technique is learned the owner can reel the dog in quite easily. However this is not a good idea if you have two or more dogs.

How to Stop Your Dog from Licking People

2005-07-06T21:56:00.000-07:00

One of the most annoying habits that can be developed by your dog is for him to lick people. While this may seem cute when he is twelve weeks old, it will quickly become a nuisance as he grows.

Dogs lick for a variety of reasons, and it is important to understand them in order to understand your dog’s behavior. Instinctively, puppies lick their mothers in order to get food, or as a mouthing behavior that corresponds to language; meaning they are in need of something. This stems from their heredity. Wolf mothers would return to the den to find their pups licking their faces. This was a sign for the mother to regurgitate food for them. Older dogs will lick as a sign of submission in the hierarchy of their pack. And yet still some dogs will lick people as a sign of affection, just as a bitch licks her pups.

Dogs who lick people constantly is a hard habit to break, and involves time and patience. Owners will need to modify this behavior through training. There are several different methods that you can try, depending on your specific pet as well as your personal preference.

Training your animal to have diligent respect for the word “no” will be very handy in dog licking situations. Reprimand the animal verbally whenever he responds to people in an inappropriate manner, and praise him when he acts correctly. You may want to try greeting the dog with an immediate command when you enter the room, such as “sit”. This will distract the dog from licking, and he should be rewarded with a treat and verbal praise. With enough time and repetition, the dog will come to expect this response, and forget about licking. A clicker-training device can also be implemented here, if you so desire.

Electric shock collars are another way to try and alleviate this situation. These types of collars can be purchased with hand held remote that can activate a sensor on the collar, emitting electric shocks to the animal when he performs unwanted behaviors. While this type of training emphasizes negative reinforcement, it may be the only option in severe cases.

It is important not to get too frustrated with your pet, as he is responding to years of hereditary response.

The 5 Basic Steps... to Brushing Your Cat's Teeth

2005-02-11T20:37:00.000-08:00

Brushing your cat's teeth should ideally become part of your daily interaction with your feline friend. This should not be a chore for you or your cat but rather an enjoyable time that allows you to further the bond that you have with your pet.

By starting slowly and giving lots of praise, this daily bit of attention should be something that your cat starts to look forward to.

Remember, this should be fun for you and your cat, approach it as a game and be sure to praise your kitty throughout the process. Do not restrain your cat too much, this just makes them struggle. Keep sessions short and positive.

The first challenge is to get your cat used to having things put in her mouth. Try dipping your finger in some tuna juice, chicken broth or some marmite in a bit of water and then letting your cat lick this off your finger. Then try rubbing your tasty finger gently over your cat's gums and teeth. After a few sessions your cat should start looking forward to this and should come running at the mention of the words "Tooth Time".

The next step is to wrap a small piece of gauze around your finger, dip this in some tasty liquid and gently rub the teeth in a circular motion. Remember to keep praising your kitty. Do several sessions of this to ensure that your cat is comfortable with the texture of the gauze.

Once your feline is accustomed to the feel and taste of the gauze in her mouth, you can now start using a cat-specific toothbrush. Some cats take a while to get used the bristly feeling of the brush so be prepared to spend a fair amount of sessions on mastering this step. Let your cat lick something tasty off the brush so that she gets used to the texture.

The next step is to get kitty used to the toothpaste. Pet toothpastes are usually malt or poultry flavoured and most cats love the taste. Let your cat lick some toothpaste off your finger and then apply some to the gums and teeth with your finger. Keep on telling her what a good kitty she is.

Final step - a combo of toothbrush and toothpaste. Keep on praising and gently brush those teeth. For the first few sessions it's advisable to just clean the canines (the 4 long teeth near the front of the mouth). Concentrate on the gumline as this is where the most plaque tends to accumulate. Gradually increase the number of teeth that are being brushed. Try to brush once a day or at the very least 4 times a week.

Give yourself a pat on the back and a medal for good pet ownership. You're doing a great thing for your cat's future health and happiness!

Why we shouldn't breed rabbits

2004-12-11T20:28:00.000-08:00

People who get rabbits as companions tend to forget that nature created rabbits as a prey species. As a prey species, rabbits will keep producing litter after litter, in order to keep their species alive in the face of extremely high predation in the wild. This is an effective strategy in the wild, but for the domesticated pet rabbit, it is creating a situation of too many unwanted rabbits.

Rabbits reach sexual maturity between three and six months of age. A rabbit differs from other mammals in that the female ovulates after being mounted by a male. This is called induced ovulation. This is the only time she produces an egg. This also means that after a rabbit has given birth, if the male is still present, she can and most likely will become pregnant within 24 hours of giving birth.

If you choose to allow your rabbit to breed, what are you going to do with the 4 to 12 babies that she will have? Are you prepared to find good, loving homes for all of them. If you don't, are you willing to care for them, including spay and neuter them, for the next 8 - 10 years? So before you breed your rabbit, go down to your local pet store and see all the rabbits that desperately need homes.

The best thing that you can do for your rabbit is to have him/her spayed or neutered. Female rabbits will live longer because you eliminate the possibility of ovarian, uterine or mammary tumours. Your rabbit will be less aggressive, his or her litter box habits will be more reliable, and most importantly, it will prevent any unwanted litters. Please, for all rabbits, spread this message.

Make sure that you take your rabbit to a rabbit experienced vet.

Handling a Bunny

2004-09-11T20:30:00.000-07:00

Rabbits do not like to be held for long periods of time. By handling your bun gently and using a soft caring voice, he will learn to be at ease when being picked up.
The correct way to handle a rabbit is to place one hand under the rabbits back legs and the other under the chest. Then slowly bring the rabbit up close to your chest, keeping the one hand at the hindquarters and other at the back of his neck, while gently pressing the rabbit closer to you, so that his feet feel secure.
Hold him firmly, so that he cannot kick or jump, running the risk of injuring himself. If when you are holding your rabbit, he starts to kick and looks like he is about to fall, drop to your knees so that he doesn’t have too far a distance to fall.

Points to remember:
- Don’t ever pick your rabbit up by the ears. This is extremely painful.
- Don’t ever pick your rabbit up by the flesh around the shoulders or the neck.
- Don’t ever punish your rabbit by hitting him. He will learn more by you being loving and patient.