Friday, July 19, 2013

Why Hermit Crabs Make Great Pets

Hermit crabs have been kept as pets for quite sometime now. However, they have become increasingly popular over the last few years or so. Hermit crab lovers everywhere have made an elaborate hobby of raising hermit crabs. Some just have room for one or two crabbies. Others have a veritable colony of these creatures. This newfound love of hermit crabs as pets is not surprising considering that these crazy crustaceans called hermit crabs make great pets. There are several reasons hermit crabs make great pets. They are fascinating creatures, they are low cost, and there are many options to choose from in regard to their environments and care.

First and foremost, hermit crabs make excellent pets because they are such fascinating creatures. Living in a shell that provides them shelter, they can come out for a peak at the world around them or they can use their large claw as an iron-clad door, to keep the world out. They are active little animals, climbing over anything and everything in their path. If something is in their way, they move it without any trouble. Each hermit crab has his or her own personality, whether they are shy, extremely active, or a fan of wading in their water. Hermit crabs, in my opinion, are some of the most fascinating creatures you can own.

Another reason that hermit crabs make great pets is because they are relatively low-cost pets. If you are looking around for a pet and one of factors you are basing your choice on is cost, a pure bred puppy, a horse, or an exotic bird is not the pet for you. These types of pets can cost thousands of dollars just to purchase, when you begin to think about food, shelter, and vet bills for the upkeep of the pet, the cost sky rockets out of control. These types of pets can become very costly. Hermit crabs cost you anywhere from $4.00 $20.00 per crab. This is as opposed to pure bred pit bull puppies which can cost you upwards of $1500 dollars or even more. If you are looking for a pet that is small, cheap and wont get in the way of your life, hermit crabs most definitely be an option for you as a pet.

One other reason hermit crabs are awesome pets is because, if you do have the money to set up an elaborate crab environment, there are many options to choose from. You can choose to have many hermit crabs and create a type of colony. You can also choose several different environments for them. From a large pond container to a 10-gallon aquarium, depending on the number of crabs you have and your budget, you are free to choose what type of home your hermit crab will live in. Also, with the right amount of money to spend, you can get all of the best equipment including substrate, climbing toys for your hermit crabs exercise, as well as a variety of different foods and treats. You will never run out of different things to do with your crab or to buy for your crab. They can also live up to more than 20 years, so you can have a good friend for a long time.

There are many reasons the pet hermit crab boom is picking up. They are fascinating pets, they are low cost and low maintenance, and there are many options to choose from as far as setting up and maintaining their habitats. Overall, hermit crabs, with all their different little personalities, are terrific pets.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Why Cats Make Such Good Pets

Cats are very good pets as they dont require as much attention as other options such as a dog. You dont have to walk the cat and you dont have to deal with it barking at everything that happens to walk by your home. Young cats are extremely playful and you can interact with them when you want to. However, most cats are content to play with toys or to be independent.

This doesnt mean that cats arent excellent companions though. They can be silly at times and they often enjoy curling up on your lap and purring. Your cat wont come running when you are home at the end of day and knock you over. They also dont lick or bite so you wont have to worry about how they will interact with others when you have company. Cats always seem to be able to tell when you need some comfort.

Taking care of a pet can help a child to become more responsible but some pets just come with too much time required. A cat makes a perfect choice for children because they tend to take care of themselves. As long as they are given sufficient food and water they will remain happy. Indoor cats will have to be trained to use a litter box but most of them learn very quickly so you wont have to deal with cleaning up such messes around your home. However, you need to clean the litter box regularly because cats do not like to use a dirty litter box.

Cats are clean animals as they spend a large amount of time grooming themselves each day. In the majority of cases, cats lead a very happy and long life without too many problems. They dont cost very much because cat food and litter are very cheap. They dont require as many vet visits for routine shots either like dogs do which can become quite expensive.

For those that have problems with mice, cats make a great natural system for taking care of them. This means you wont have to deal with messy traps or dangerous poisons around your home. Many cat owners claim they havent come across a mouse in their home for years with this line of defense.

Cats are very precious and beautiful animals as well. They have a gentle hum to them that can be relaxing for humans. They have coats in all colors as well as eyes that are very shiny and bright. Each cat has their own personality and you just cant help but adore them. There are many breeds of cats if you want a particular kind but some of the most beautiful cats are those that are mixed breeds.

Cats are very smart animals too so they will quickly catch up to what you like from them and what you dont based on the praise you give them. Contrary to popular belief, cats are obedient and they want their owners to be happy with them. They will learn fast that you dont like them scratching on the furniture or putting their tail in your face while you are sleeping.

Which Reptiles Do Not Make Good Pets?

Basically, any reptile that is caught in the wild is discouraged for use as a pet. It is cruel for a reptile to be removed from its natural environment, for it to be thrust into captivity against its will, just so someone can say they own it as a pet. If you must have a reptile for a pet, buy one that was raised or born in captivity.

Compared to lizards and turtles/tortoises, snakes tend to be easier pets for kids to raise. Just make sure your child is old enough to be properly educated in the handling of the reptile for the child's safety and the reptile's safety as well. Because reptiles carry salmonella, it is essential that any person who handles the creature either wear gloves or wash their hands immediately after putting the reptile back into its housing.

But there are some lizards, turtles/tortoises, and snakes that are truly not suitable for pets. Although it is possible to keep them in captivity, it is better for the reptile to respect that it is meant to be kept in the wild.

Burmese pythons can certainly become tame enough to make good pets; however, the cute little baby will grow into a very huge adult. The size alone, once it is grown, will make it less suitable to keep as a pet. The African Rock Python and the Reticulated Python have been known to be kept as pets, but their temperament makes it more of a challenge. Just because they are so cute as babies, it doesn't mean they will still be appealing as adults. The price should not be your only decision in owning one of these reptiles. Pet shops will often sell low cost animals that often turn into high cost maintenance, which certainly enhances the chance of return business. But it is really unfair to the unsuspecting consumer.

Imported reptiles such as the pythons are often sold with problems that occurred before or during transport. The prospective owner must be well-educated to be able to spot any deficiencies in the animal prior to purchase. Mites, ticks, dehydration and emaciation are some of the possible problems.

Green anoles are sold at a low cost, but their set up can be expensive. Anoles tend to be caught wild which means parasite infestation is more likely; and they don't like to be handled.

Wild-caught ball pythons are known to have heavy parasite infestation and are picky eaters. Their stress during shipping causes trauma, which affects their temperament, appetite, and overall health. Captive hatched or farm raised are still imported and still suffer from shipping distress.

Wild-caught chameleons suffer stress, parasite, and crowding from being imported as well. They are an antisocial creature even without the added negative aspects caused by shipping, so a beginning reptile owner would find this animal a disappointing challenge. They don't react well to everyday household noises like children, other animals, vacuum cleaners, loud radios, and so on. It's not a guarantee that they'll be happy when housed with other chameleons either because they aren't even sociable with their own kind.

Other reptiles which do not make good pets, especially for a beginner, are Tokay geckos, caymans, and alligators. They are quick, aggressive, and very strong animals. Make sure you know what you're getting before you invest your hard-earned money into the cute little pet shop reptile!

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

What Types of Lizards Make Good Reptile Pets?

There is nothing wrong with wanting a reptile for a pet, provided of course you first arm yourself with knowledge. Education is the key to being a responsible owner. Of course, there are instances when you may not first get the chance. Suppose your well-meaning relative decided it would be a good idea to give you an exotic pet for a gift, not thinking of the reptile's welfare should you be unable to care for it or uneducated about its care. But, of course there are always exceptions to the rule.

There are ways of choosing your pet when you do decide to obtain a reptile. You can choose to buy a pet to fit the cage you are able to get, or you can buy a cage to fit the pet you want. Either way you go, please make sure you take into account that the reptile will grow and must be able to fit into the enclosure as it gets bigger. Please refrain from purchasing the reptile if you will be unsure about being able to afford a larger cage later on or if you won't have the space. There are plenty of other choices you can make that will fit into your budget.

A Leopard Gecko is a popular lizard choice for people who want a reptile that will be smaller than the Iguana. The Iguana has been known to reach 7 feet in length! A bigger lizard means a bigger cage and a bigger food bill. The Leopard Gecko only reaches 10 inches. There's obviously quite a difference there. First time owners have more success when they start small and build up to the other interests. This lizard also stays active at night, so night owls may get more enjoyment from it than someone who wants to interact or watch their reptile during the day. The Leopard Gecko can live up to 15 years and is easy for a beginner to care for.

A Bearded Dragon is a popular lizard choice. They're fond of crickets, but they also need fresh vegetables and fruits like the Iguana. The Bearded Dragon looks fierce and beautiful when it fans out its spiky beard. These reptiles can grow to 20 inches. Blue skinks are known for their blue tongues. Skinks can grow anywhere from 12 to 20 inches, depending on which type you get. They enjoy a diet of earthworms. This may be easier to stomach than the diet of mice and rats a snake requires!

Another common lizard choice is that of the Green Anole, also known as the American chameleon. While it isn't actually related to the chameleon, it is able to change colors from green to dark brown. This reptile only grows to 9 inches normally and eats insects.

Whatever your choice of lizard or other reptile as a pet, just make sure you do your research before you purchase. If you are given the animal as a gift, please educate yourself as quickly as possible to prevent unintentional harm to the reptile.

We may be pampering our pets to death.

The variety of online pet supplies is large and catalogs can be your source for all the things you need to keep Fido or Fluffy happy and healthy. We go as far as buying outlandish designer dog accessories, even more expensive than what we buy for ourselves, but we don't pay enough attention to pet medication.

Whether your animal is involved in a pet therapy program, or just a loveable member of your family, the all important thing for you to remember about your pets is that their care is your responsibility.Naturally, you should always have your pet checked by a reputable veterinarian and follow his (or her) advice. Find out from your vet what your pet needs and order your pet meds online. It's fast, easy and you'll save money.

A simple reminder to cat owners: milk and other dairy products are not good for your favorite feline. They can cause severe problems to the digestive system.

Also, remember not to let your pet get overheated. It is just as dangerous for your four legged friends as it is for you. Heat stroke isn't reserved for humans.

Look for unique online pet products for some wonderful ideas to keep you and your pet comfortable during the hot days of summer. You'll be able to find the perfect pet carrier that will be comfortable for your dog or cat and easy for you to transport. Check out all the discount pet supplies that are available online.

Did you know that it's the hope of a growing number of doctors, researchers and animal behaviorists that, in the very near future, pet-patient interaction will shed its alternative therapy tag?

Scientifically measuring the benefits of pet therapy was the genesis behind Michigan State University's Human-Animal Bond Initiative conference of pet experts. The goal is that scientific research will validate animal-assisted therapies and help convince skeptics and critics of its value.

Studies would also help pet therapists confirm that putting a funny hat on a 75-pound collie and having it interact with someone undergoing cancer treatment is, as they expected, doing more for the patient than goading an easy laugh. The recent push for scientific studies is a marked departure for a treatment that has been historically supported by purely anecdotal evidence.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Try Crate Training For Your Pets

There are many pleasures in life, but few are as great as owning and caring for one or many pets. I have been a pet lover ever since I was a kid, and I have never owned less than three dogs at a time for as longas I can remember. My parents were dog lovers as well, and they raised us right. I remember being fascinated with methods for training our dogs from the time I was young. I loved learning about new ways to get your new puppies to stay in control. Crate training was one method that I constantly saw my parents using.

Basically, crate training is a method of training your dogs (and I guess it could be used for other pets as well). You use crates to put your dogs in during times of discipline as a way of training them into good habits and keeping them away from bad habits. Each time I have seen crate training used I have seen it work effectively.

When done right, crate training is a great way to train dogs. As a veterinarian, I am constantly helping my clients come up with creative ways to house train and teach other habits to their dogs. I quite often suggest crate training to my clients as long as they take the time to learn exactly how to make it an effective form of discipline.

Like any other form of training, crate training is only effective when it is done consistently and well. You cannot use crate training on a hit and miss basis and expect your dogs to respond well to your actions. You must learn the techniques of crate training and then be committed to sticking to your purposes once you begin the training. Dogs need consistency in discipline or they will never understand what you are trying to mold in them.

You can pick up many resources on crate training, or you can do an online search and find out more. It is becoming a more popular way to train dogs, so you shouldn't have any problems finding enough info to work with. Take pride in your dogs and take the time to train them to the best of your ability and with the most effective methods you can find. Crate training might just be the answer that you are looking for with your dogs. Grab some crates and start your training today!

Monday, July 15, 2013

Treating Different Problems Related To Your Pets

Pets are one of the most unselfish beings in anyones household. So treating them when any problem arises is one of the most important things to do by any pet owner.

- When your Pet gets Stung

If your pet is stung remove the stinger with tweezers, this increases his/her chances of survival with the removal of the venomous stinger.

The stung area can get some relief with the use baking soda and water solution.

To reduce the swelling apply ice pack covered with a thin towel over the affected area. Do it within every five minutes.

- For Skin Irritation

If your pet has suffered insect bites, hot spots or other skin problems you can dab some milk of magnesia to soothe and calm the irritated skin.

Apply aloe vera gel over the affected area. If you have aloe vera plant you can cut the leaf and use it as a soothing gel.

Apply organic apple cider vinegar over the irritated skin.

For hot spots you can use witch hazel for a continuous period of time.

For itchy skin and paws you can bathe your pet in Epsom salt solution. In 2 cups of warm water mix 1 teaspoon Epsom salt.

You can make a home-made spray to treat any skin problems. Use 3 capsules of sage, 1/4 teaspoon of Epsom salt and 2 cups of water. Boil this solution and let it cool. After straining, store this solution in spray bottle and keep it in the refrigerator.

- Other Problems

Emu oil is can be used for many problems such as ringworms, flea bites, bee stings, rashes, hot spots and laceration.

If your pet has been poisoned notify the vet immediately.

If the pet has swallowed any toxic substance except for caustic substances, getting him to vomit, this would reduce the danger.

If the pet has ingested alkaline substance such as cleanser or kerosene, vomiting would not be a good solution. Instead give 3 teaspoon vinegar or lemon juice diluted in equal amounts of water.

If a battery has been ingested which is acidic, 1 tsp milk of magnesia, per 5 Lbs. of pet.

If your pup has diarrhea and adult dog suffers with soft stool problem you can add canned pumpkin in their diet.

A very common problem in pets is loss of vision caused mainly due to cataract. A very useful flower called cineraria has been known to reduce the size of cataract as well as minimize its existence. With the help of tincture, dilute 1/2 saline (to be purchased) and 1/2 cineraria to make eye drops. A daily dosage of 2 drops for 3 months can help to solve this problem.

If your pet has lost his or her sense of smell, a nutritious meal can just be the right motivator. Feed your pet a rich and nutritious diet which improves the keen sense of smell. Warm canned food without salt, but with a dash of garlic powder is a good way to improve that smell.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

Things To Consider When Renting With Pets

When you are looking for a place to rent and you have a dog or a cat, you may find the apartments available are few and in between. Many property owners today do not want to rent their properties to owners of pets. The reason is because of bad experiences in the past, or they do not like pets. If this is the situation, you may have a hard time finding a place where your pets will be welcomed. If you do find a place that will allow renting with pets, you may have to pay an extra pet deposit or even a higher monthly rent.

If you are renting with pets, and decide after a while, you do not want pets anymore, you want to have a clause in your rental agreement that will lower the rent if you are paying extra or that the property owner can inspect the place and return your pet deposit. The property owner and you as the renter should agree to this prior to signing the rental agreement. You do not want to have monies held for a pet you do no longer have in the apartment or house.

Renting with pets is sometimes the hardest thing to accomplish. You may find that places that allow pets are not as nice as a place that does not allow pets. You should always look at many places rather than just a few before making a decision. Another issue with renting with pets is that you may find the apartment or house that previously had pets, attracts bad behavior from your pets. There is one sure way to find out if there are pet urines spots that could attract your pets to follow suit.

Property owners can do this before returning pet deposits as well. Take a black light and go over carpets, walls and hardwood flooring to see if there is evidence of pet urine. This works well for finding out if there could be potential problems with your pets. If you do find areas with urine, you should point these out to the property owner before your pet enters the rental unit.

You are going to find that most property owners will not accept pets. There are some however, that do but you need to know how to present your pet. If you have a dog, it is a good idea to explain the age, how long you have had the dog and if it has any behavior problems. Property owners also look at the type of dog you have because many homeowner insurance policies will not provide insurance if you have a certain breed of dog. This will be a deciding fact for property owners even if they allow pets.

If you have a fish aquarium or a small rodent such as a hamster, it may not be a problem with a property owner. You just have to learn how to present your pet in a way that is flattering and not negative.

Sunday, July 14, 2013

The Growing Use Of Pets As Therapy

The inclusion of pets into hospital and rehabilitation environments has long been considered very therapeutic, and pets continue to be an important part of life long after rehabilitation has ended.

In addition to filling lonely hours with companionship, pets can be trained, much like the more familiar Seeing Eye dogs, to perform tasks and assist persons with disabilities in many different ways.

The responsibility for pet care can enhance cognitive functioning in ways that are more subtle and enjoyable than traditional therapies. Fun activities often stimulate individuals with low motivation in ways that are not often achieved by sitting in front of a television set for hours on end.

Pets are very good companions and help people feel less lonely. They also respond with feedback which can negate inappropriate behaviours, and interest in a pet may redirect egocentricity that may arise from frontal lobe deficits.

Selecting a pet can be turned into a cognitive exercise of planning. The choice of a pet should be fun, not fraught with discord. Its important to consider all options e.g. a sophisticated set up of aquariums with pumps and filters may be too complex for some.

Pets must be cared for, otherwise they fail to thrive. This may be a hard lesson, possibly from time to time even cruel for the animal, but individuals with brain injury must learn or relearn this important fact of life.

Naturally a responsible adult should intervene if the pets health or well-being is adversely affected. When limitations arising from the ABI are barriers to independently caring for a pet of choice, talk with the individual about strategies that will enable more independence and determine what duties will be managed by whom so responsibilities can be monitored. Almost everyone loves animals.

This often enhances social skills building for individuals when encountering others in the park, neighbourhoods and other places people congregate with pets. Have you ever been able to pass without noticing or striking up a conversation with someone sitting on a park bench with a colourful, exotic bird perched on his or her shoulder?

Pets are great conversation pieces. Individuals with severe brain injury and other impairing conditions often have little control over their lives. Owning a pet can provide an opportunity for controlling at least one facet of their lives - their pet!

Pets always have time for sharing with their owners and their loyalty is indisputable.Pet therapy is a well-established routine in many hospitals, nursing homes and rehabilitation centres.

Anecdotal accounts tell of the benefits of pets being in the presence of people in all stages of recovery, rehabilitation and even end-stage illnesses. The comforting and calming affect of stroking a furry animal often elicits more relaxing facial expressions and/or postures in persons even thought to be in minimally-responsive states.

Nonverbal individuals generally respond with contented smiles when pets are introduced into their environment. Almost all individuals with disabilities can take some responsibility for the care of an animal, even if its no more than a daily stroking or play session.

Dogs are frequently trained to assist individuals with brain injury, particularly those with mobility impairments. Custom-styled saddlebags can be placed on the dog and used for carrying personal items, wallet, daily journal and other items needed by those using wheelchairs and/or other assisting devices that increase mobility.

Pets are indeed wonderful companions and can frequently impact positively even on those for whom other therapies, exercises and/or future promise for continuing recovery hold little interest.

The Eleventh Commandment: Care For Your Pets

Pets are an extension of ones life and love. Caring for pets means one has the ability, skill and heart to give love and take good care of one of natures creations. The following are tips and advice to consider when caring for that furry feline, canine, tweety, crawly, etc. friend of yours.

Clean, clean, clean and clean

Sanitation is an all important aspect of a pets existence. It is important that pets must be washed and cleaned regularly. Also, dishes used by pets must be separated from those dishes used by other human members of the household. Rinse the dishes used by pets with boiling water, this is after they have been washed thoroughly with soap and water.

As mush as possible, do not let children kiss any and all forms of animals. Dishes used by children should never, ever be shared with pets. Wash your hands quickly and thoroughly after handling pets, pet foods, their cages, boxes, etc. Make sure that pets have been vaccinated appropriately against any and all forms of disease.

Know which does and which does not cause poison

Be aware and be in the know with regards to the kinds of poisons that are available in and around your house. Any products that are lethal for pets must be very well kept out of their reach. An example of these products are the following: pesticides, cleaners, fertilizers, detergents. However, in such a case where the animal is suspected of ingesting such chemicals, make sure that the pet is kept quiet and warm.

It is also important that the poison ingested is immediately determined as well as the quantity swallowed. Most importantly, the nearest animal doctor or the center for poison control is contacted as soon as possible.

Tis the season to have fleas

For pets, especially dogs, fleas and its bites is so annoying and irritating. Pets scratch, pets also chew. After which, what could follow is a very painful and uncomfortable process of more scratching and skin rashes or breakout.

Take note, fleas that have grown into full fledged adults are more dangerous to the health of your pets to the extent that they could cause serious health problems such as dermatitis, allergy, tapeworms. Believe it or not, these fleas could also cause your pet to have anemia. These diseases that are flea-related actually is the leading cause of almost fifty percent of skin-related cases checked up by vets.

The best thing in order to avoid these fleas is to prevent their causes rather than just simply cure them.

Veterinarians have a good idea as to the specific and latest products that effectively kills fleas, their eggs and any larvae.

Choose your vet wisely

The best way to choose the appropriate vet is by thinking how this vet bests suits your wants and needs with regards to the health of your pet as well as the needs of your pet. Good vets usually take a pet history. Records of immunization, health, medications, traits and attitudes of your pet are taken in detail and kept.

Vets must always have your pets need as their priority. The following are a few of the best ways to finding that perfect vet for your pet: ask a friend who knows. Friends who also care sincerely for animals or own one usually have a good vet in mind or are having their pets checked up to one.

In summary, pets are humans best friend. And as best friends they should be treated the same way that humans must be appropriately treated; with care, respect and lots of love.

Saturday, July 13, 2013

The Advantages Of The Microchip For Your Pets

Every pet owner wants to keep his or her beloved cat or dog as safe as possible. You do everything you can do make sure your pet is well cared for and healthy. If you have an indoor pet, you may not think that keeping identification tags is important, but it is. What if your fuzzy feline accidentally slips out of the door at night and you search to no avail? What do you do, especially if your dog or cat has no identification? Placing a collar with an identification tag is important, but collars sometimes become lost. When you consider the fact that many animal shelters only keep dogs and cats for seven days, you want to make sure that your pet is properly identified. That is where the microchip comes in handy. The microchip is the newest way to identify lost pets and helps ensure that your lost pooch or feline finds his or her way back home.

The technology of the microchip has become so popular that most animal clinics and animal shelters have the ability to scan a cat or dog for microchip identification. If you opt for the microchip, you should know that it is a painless procedure for your pet. Your vet will insert a tiny microchip about the size of a grain of rice directly under your pets skin using a hypodermic needle. The microchip is usually placed behind the neck. The microchip contains special digital number that has been entered on a national microchip database. That information will give the person your contact information. When you pet is lost, a veterinarian or animal shelter can use a special scanner to retrieve the microchip information. It is that easy.

Pet owners love the idea of the microchip because it is permanent. You cannot remove the microchip and unlike a collar or tags, it cannot be lost or destroyed. This is one of the best features of pet microchip, especially for cats. If you place a collar on a cat, more than likely it will be a breakaway collar. If your cat climbs a tree, or is caught on something, the collar breaks off. If your cat does not have a microchip, it will be very difficult to identify your cat if it is found.

There are a few important things to remember about pet microchips. First, if your pet gets lost, you should never just sit back and wait for a call, even if your pet has a microchip. Not all veterinarians and shelters are equipped with this technology. You need to take the time to call around and place lost pet flyers around your neighborhood. In addition, you need to make sure you take the time to update your contact information should you move. It does little to no good to have your pet implanted with the microchip if the information on the national database is incorrect. Your veterinarian can give you information on how to update this information.

It is important to get your pet implanted with the microchip at a young age. Puppies can have the microchip at age six weeks. Even small breeds of dogs can handle this procedure. Kittens can also undergo this procedure at six weeks. The insertion of the microchip is not painful and feels like a regular vaccination shot. You can have your pet implanted with the microchip at your veterinarian office and can expect to pay between $30 and $50 for this service.

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Teaching Kids And Pets To Co-Exist Peacefully

It is possible for children and pets to coexist in the same household, peacefully. Many people mistakenly think that as soon as they start having children that their pet needs to head to the local shelter. They fear that the cat or dog will not get along with the new child and it will result in biting or scratching. This is not always the case and if you take the time to introduce your pets to your children properly, your kids and pets can live in harmony.

One of the biggest concerns that new parents have when it comes to pets in the home is how it will react to a baby. Many of the old wives tales such as cats sucking the breath out of babies simply are not true. In fact, many cats and dogs readily accept a new child into the home and become fiercely loyal and protective over the baby.

When you bring your baby home from the hospital, you should introduce your pet to your new baby. Of course, these introductions need supervision. Allow your cat or dog time to sniff your child at his or her own pace. Make the introduction pleasant for your cat or dog. In most cases, your cat or dog will not give your baby a second thought. Allow your pet to adjust to the new situation on his or her own terms. When a baby comes to the house, it is an adjustment for everybody.

The other thing that you might want to consider doing when you bring a baby into the home is to make sure that your cat or dog is properly groomed. This includes trimming your dog or cat nails. Your dog may want to put a paw on your baby. If his or hers nails are long and sharp, your dog may accidentally scratch your infant. While you can never eliminate pet hair from your home, if your dog or cat clipped and brushed it will certainly help your home stay a little cleaner. Many new parents also worry about allergies. The fact is, many studies have shown that children who are exposed to pets from a very young age, actually have less pet allergies than children who are not exposed to pets.

Another good idea is to make sure that your pets do not have access to your babys room during naptime or at night without supervision. While your pet probably means no harm to your child, pets are naturally curious. A cat may jump into your infant crib, or in large dogs could easily a knock bassinet or cradle over. You should always supervise your pet when it is around your new baby at all times. Most of all, you should try to make sure that you are still spending quality time with your pet when possible. This especially pertains to dogs, which are used to playing in the backyard and going for walks.

As your child grows, you need to begin teaching your child proper pet etiquette. If your dog or cat has learned to respect your child, then your child also needs to learn to respect your pet. Teach your child from a young age that they should never pull or yank a cat or dog's tail or ears. Your child can learn proper pet etiquette even at a very young age. You will also want to teach your child to respect your pets space. This includes making sure that your child understands that he or she should never wake a sleeping pet. This could cause your pet to become startled and could result in biting or scratching.
In addition, you will want to make sure that your child understands to stay out of your pets food, water and litter box. Your child will be naturally curious, so it is always best to give your pet some private space away from your child.

There are many things you can do to make sure that children and pets coexist peacefully. Your children and pets need to learn to respect each other from the very beginning. There is no reason to get rid of your cat or dog just because you have a child in the home.

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Friday, July 12, 2013

Some Tips for Moving Pets Overseas

When you own a pet, you make a commitment to always take care of it. You make its health and well-being your responsibility. Some people may not take this responsibility seriously enough. Because of this, many pets become abandoned when circumstances intervene. One such circumstance is moving overseas. Many people just do not want the additional responsibility of moving pets overseas.

What you need to know is that your commitment to take care of your pet does not end because of your need to move overseas. If you arent prepared to take the extra trouble of moving your pet overseas, then you should not have gotten a pet in the first place.

However, you also need to know that moving pets overseas is not really a very complicated task. All you need is the will to go the extra mile and some tips to guide you:

1) See a veterinarian before moving pets overseas, you need to make sure that they have no health problems. You should make an appointment with your veterinarian to have your pet examined for any diseases. This will help you make sure that your pet can really handle the stress of traveling.

More importantly, a visit to the vet will help you obtain the necessary documentation to bring pets into a foreign country. Do not, however, rely on the usual tests for the documentation. Some veterinarians may skip certain tests if they think those tests are unnecessary. What you need to do is to go to the USDA in order to get a list of the required certifications and tests to move your pets overseas.

2) Learn about the country learn as much as you can about your pets destination. You need to learn about the policies of a country regarding pets. It is often the case that some countries will require your pets to be quarantined for about six moths. However, some countries are willing to forgo the quarantine period if you present the proper documentation.

By learning more about the policies of the country, you can make sure that the process of moving your pets overseas will be much smoother.

3) Hire a service if handling the paperwork and taking care of all the details involved in moving pets overseas isnt for you, then you should consider getting help. A good pet relocation service will help you take care of all the necessary stuff connected to moving your pets overseas. This includes the check-ups, the airport requirement, and others. A pet relocation service will also keep an eye on your pets and make sure that they are safe during travel. They can also give you a lot of help and advice on how to keep your pets comfortable when moving overseas.

4) Fix your budget moving pets overseas can be very expensive. Because of this, you need to allot some money for it. You have to prepare to sacrifice in order to have the privilege of bringing your pets.

5) Consider finding them a new home if you cannot put up with the demands of moving pets overseas, you should seriously think about finding them a new home. Try finding people who will give your pets the love that they need.

Moving pets overseas is not easy. But if you do it out of love, you will find that it comes naturally to you.

Search Engine Optimization History

Webmasters today spend quite some time optimizing their websites for search engines. Books have been written about search engine optimization and some sort of industry has developed to offer search engine optimization services to potential clients. But where did this all start? How did we end up with the SEO world we live in today (from a webmaster standpoint seen)?

A guy named Alan Emtage, a student at the University of McGill, developed the first search engine for the Internet in 1990. This search engine was called "Archie" and was designed to archive documents available on the Internet at that time. About a year later, Gopher, an alternative search engine to Archie, was developed at the University of Minnesota. These two kinda search engines triggered the birth of what we use as search engines today.

In 1993, Matthew Gray developed very first search engine robot - the World Wide Web Wanderer. However, it took until 1994 that search engines as we know them today were born. Lycos, Yahoo! And Galaxy were started and as you probably - two of those are still around today (2005).

In 1994 some companies started experimenting with the concept of search engine optimization. The emphasis was put solely on the submission process at that time. Within 12 months, the first automated submission software packages were released. Of course it did not take long until the concept of spamming search engines was 'invented'. Some webmasters quickly realized that they could swamp and manipulate search results pages by over-submission of their sites. However - the search engines soon fought back and changed things to prevent this from happen.

Soon, search engine optimizers and the search engines started playing some sort of a "cat and mouse" game. Once a way to manipulate a search engine was discovered by the SE-optimizers they took advantage of this. The search engines subsequently revised and enhanced their ranking algorithms to respond to these strategies. It was clear very soon that mainly a small group of webmasters was abusing the search engine algorithms to gain advantage over the competition. Black Hat search engine optimization was born. The unethical way of manipulating search engine resulted in faster responses from search engines. Search engines are trying to keep the search results clean of SPAM to provide the best service to customers.

The search engine industry quickly realized that SEO (Search Engine Optimization) as an industry would not go away, and in order to maintain useful indexes, they would need to at least accept the industry. Search engines now partially work with the SEO industry but are still very eager to sort out SPAMMERS that are trying to manipulate the results.

When Google.com started to be the search engine of choice for more than 50% of the Internet users it was highly visible to anyone in the industry that search engine spamming had reached a new dimension. Google.com was so much more important to the success of a website that many webmasters solely concentrated on optimizing their sites for Google only as the payoff was worth the efforts. Again - Black Hat SEO took place, pushing down the honest webmaster and their sites in search results delivered. Google started fighting back. Several major updates to Google's algorithms forced all webmaster to adapt to new strategies. Black Hat SE-optimizers but suddenly saw something different happening. Instead of just being pushed down in the search results their websites were suddenly completely removed from the search index.

And then there was something called the "Google Sandbox" to show up in discussions. Websites either disappeared into the sandbox or new websites never made it into the index and were considered in the Google Sandbox. The sandbox seemed to be the place where Google would 'park' websites either considered SPAMMY or not to be conform with Google's policies (duplicate websites under different domain names, etc.). The Google Sandbox so far has not been confirmed or denied by Google and many webmasters consider it to be myth.

In late 2004 Google announced to have 8 billion pages/sites in the search index. The gap between Google and the next two competitors (MSN and Yahoo!) seemed to grow. However - in 2005 MSN as well as Yahoo! Started fighting back putting life back into the search engine war. MSN and Yahoo seemed to gain ground in delivering better and cleaner results compared to Google. In July of 2005 Yahoo! Announced to have over 20 billion pages/sites in the search index - leaving Google far behind. No one search engine has won the war yet. The three major search engines however are eagerly fighting for market share and one mistake could change the fortune of a search engine. It will be a rocky ride - but worth watching from the sidelines.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Search Engine Optimization A different perspective

The best source of qualified, targeted traffic is search engine traffic. But millions are still unaware of this fact. The most baffling part is even people involved in an online business are unknown to this fact. Some would say, there would be no SEO companies if most knew it. Thats a truth too.

Where does a website go wrong in being search engine friendly ? The answer to this is that it goes wrong as soon as it is started by a web designer. The lack of knowledge or complete illiteracy of SEO on the part of most web designers is the key problem. The second step where the website owners go wrong is the choice of an experienced and skillful seo expert. Tracking down someone good is not that difficult. The key to finding someone with reasonable skill is clear communication. When you interact with someone, you will find out the expertise level, the experience, search engine parameters and algorithm knowledge and also some references. These should be enough to verify YOUR seo expert. A couple of minor but sometimes reflective aspects are mode of payments and his own website rankings. While varied mode of payments reflect an established company or individual, his own website ranking should provide a lot of insight in to his seo skills.

Search engine optimization at the inception of the website or designing of the website is the best way to go about. There are a lot of optimization companies which offer web designing and development. A lot of people actually opt to get a site designed by a seo company in order to make it search engine friendly right from the start. Why not all ?

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Search Engine Optimization For Dummies.

If you have a website of your own you should know that you dont get traffic by letting your website just sit where it is. You need to point visitors to your website somehow. There are a myriad of different methods internet marketers use to get people to come to a website. These include and are not limited to, paying to get an ad on another website, pay-per-click advertising, and advertising on an ezine, or an online newsletter with many subscribers. These are all very effective ways to get traffic to your site. The strategies you need to use to make these work well have been discussed over and over again. They are also very expensive in most cases. What I want to discuss is a free way to get tons of targeted traffic.

What I am referring to is search engine optimization (SEO). This is when you change some things about your site to get them as high as you can on a search engine. Have you ever used a search engine? Thats a foolish question because these are used by everyone. When you do use Google or yahoo to find information or products what do you click on? You probably click on the first one on the list. This is because most likely this is the best site of the certain keyword you are searching for. One way to get your site rated highly on a search engine page is to have a content rich site with your own high quality content.

If you search some key words and scroll down to some of the bottom sites on the page you can see when you click on some that there content is not really that good, but they are still ranked 9 or 10 out of thousands of websites for that topic. This is because some people take advantage of the search engine system. This is the system followed that chooses where you site will rank on a search engine. The goal of every search engine is to try and catalog every single site on the World Wide Web. Unfortunately this cant be done so they can only get some websites added to there "catalog". They usually focus on the content rich sites.

There is a way to manipulate search engines to help raise your page rank. These methods are not easy to administer and they are amazingly time consuming. Some include changing the hltm or css coding of your website and your Meta tags. Search engines categorize your website in a key word. One way to help your page rank is by repeating a key word over and over again in a certain content page. If you overstuff a page with a certain word you will be penalized so I would advise against that. If youre not a coder or a professional page designer you will not be able to use the Meta tag changing. If you do know how to manipulate code then you probably already know about using the key word in them.

In internet marketing there is a way to automating everything. Of course someone had to come along and create software to automate search engine optimization. I use software for everything; its a way to be more efficient and free up your time for more important things, or other aspects of your website. If you automate search engine optimization then you can worry about your content, format, product quality, or many other aspects of internet marketing. Automation is a way to get your work done with less work. It can be looked as like a sort of an exchange. You trade the work you have to do for a small dollar price. Of course it also does the work better, in some cases, then you could. In these cases it actually creates income.

SEO is a way of getting free targeted traffic to your site. If you want your site ranked high ona search engine page, all you need is a website with a lot of good content to keep people coming back and haing each page packed with key words, but not too much. The recommended amount is 7% or 7 per100 words. This may seem like it is easy enough but it is actually hard to make a quality article with repeated words. To make it easy for yourself I recommend you invest in automation of the process. SEO can be done manually and is the best free choice for getting targeted traffic to your site.

Reality Check for Potential Owners of Exotic Pets

Owning an exotic pet is a big decision for anybody and should be given a deep thought before its taken. There are many constraints which should be considered like expenditure, permit, laws, care, time devotion, etc. The owner should not take a step forward unless he is able to make a lifetime commitment. There are chances that the owner might simply get bored of taking care of the pet and even the animal can develop behavioral patterns which are dislikeable later on. If the pet is adopted very late, it would be difficult for it to accept the new owner. If the owner is tired, it would be really difficult to find a new owner and setting them free is also not advisable as it is dangerous and will put the animals life to risk.

Firstly, what species of exotic animals you want to adopt as pet should be decided upon. Then, understand the qualities, needs, and problems related to the particular animal like humans are different from the other, so are animals. A brochure or a website might give a generalized view. But only when an in-depth study of the individual animal is done its true personality can be determined. The owner should also understand that some animals even after perfect training grow up to be more aggressive and undisciplined and on the other hand sometimes abused animals grow up to be perfect pets.

The owner and family members must question themselves whether they will become responsible owners or not. The size of the animal, when it is young and when it is fully grown should also be considered, as this is important factor deciding upon the environment to be provided to the animal. Initially potential owners portray a picture of cuddling and playing with the pet. This sure is feasible only if the exotic animals do not grow very big. If a household exotic pet is desired, its fully grown weight should range from eighteen to forty pounds to be adopted as a pet. Some exotic animals become more of a threat when they grow and the owners decide to confine them to a cage due to this reason. This results in pet missing sleeping with the family members and also missing the freedom of moving around the place. The problem with the smaller animals is that when they grow up they begin to spray on everything in the house.

When a potential owner does research before buying the pet, he will surely come across conflicting views. On one hand there will be animal rights activities who will sound completely in love with the animal and will go on and on and paint a beautiful picture. But on the other hand, there will be testimonials of owners who write down about the problems they had faced with the animal. The potential owner should choose the more realistic information. If time permits, potential owner should work voluntarily with some organizations which deals with the animals you want to have as a pet. This real time experience will be a true lesson.

Owning an exotic animal is very costly. Costs such as buying, legal work, feeding, habitat building, and veterinary costs should be jotted down before adopting a pet. The smaller the animal the more affordable it is. Bigger animal grow more rapidly and so will the cost associated with it. They will become more dangerous also by the day. This doesnt exactly mean that the animal will attack the family members, but it can cause harm for instance while playing. The pet like relation will no longer remain after they grow up. They will simple become captive animals locked up in a cage for the rest of their life.

After the decision is being taken, next step is the law regarding the adoption of the pet. The potential owner must study the federal, county, city and state laws about the ownership of that particular species. The regulations are heavy and many requirements are usually have to be met. The endangered species status should also be checked for the desired pet because of legal issues. Additional permits if necessary would have to be taken. Also the laws and legislations change from time to time, which should be kept track of. If situation arises, the owner should also be ready to fight for the custody of the pet. In many places, owing an exotic animal is banned.

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Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Protect Your Pets From Fleas and Ticks

Ask pet owners what they consider to be the most frustrating part of having a dog or cat, and fleas and ticks will likely be high on the list.

From powders and sprays to dips and pills, the array of products available to combat these annoying insects can be a difficult road to navigate for even the most dedicated pet owner. But choosing the wrong product or applying it incorrectly can be dangerous.

"Dogs and cats have different needs, especially when it comes to flea and tick control, and applying the wrong product can be harmful to a pet," said Dr. Jordan Siegel, technical services veterinarian for Wellmark International. "Some people are too busy to read the labels or they simply get products confused, particularly if they have more than one dog or cat."

Wellmark International, located in Schaumburg, Ill., has created topical applicators designed to eliminate that confusion and make applying flea and tick treatment easier.

Zodiac Spot On is the company's easy-to-apply monthly treatment that controls flea and tick infestations. Its Pet Specifix applicators feature cat-head shapes for felines and dog-bone shapes for canines to help pet owners keep track of the treatment they need for each pet. In addition, the applicators are color-coded to match pet weight ranges to help avoid accidental misapplication.

Because just one adult flea on a pet can lay up to 50 eggs a day, which can end up in a home's carpet and furniture, it's important to break the flea life cycle. Ticks can be more harmful than fleas because of their ability to spread Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other infections to humans.

Here are some tips on applying flea and tick treatment:

* Don't use a product on a species other than the one for which it is registered.

* Select products that contain both an adulticide and an insect growth regulator. This one-two punch will kill adult fleas and ticks while preventing flea eggs from maturing into breeding, biting adults.

* Read and follow all product label instructions.

* Treat all pets in the household, not just those with the flea problem.

* Institute an ongoing treatment and prevention program to avoid reinfestations.

Protect Your Family And Pets Against Shared Threats

On one hand, there are many ways having a pet can contribute to your health. Pets offer emotional support, help people exercise and assist the disabled.

On the other hand, pets (and other animals) can also spread diseases to people. Called zoonotic diseases or zoonoses, they can be especially dangerous for young children and people with certain medical conditions.

There are two main types. One, such as leptospirosis (a bacterial infection), can be transmitted from animals to people. The other type infects both people and pets. Lyme disease, for example, can cause arthritis and is spread by ticks.

Fortunately, there are ways to keep your family and pets healthy. According to veterinarians, you should:

• Get a wellness exam for your pet every six months. Remember, pets age seven times faster, on average, than people and need regular checkups.

• Make sure your pet is protected against disease whenever possible. Many zoonotic diseases, including leptospirosis, Lyme disease, rabies and giardia (a parasitic infection), can be prevented by vaccination.

• Ask your veterinarian about flea and tick control.

• Wash your hands often when touching, playing with or caring for pets.

• Never handle the stool of any animal without wearing disposable gloves or using a plastic barrier.

• Avoid kissing your pet or letting him lick your face.

• Do daily "tick checks" on yourself, your kids and your pet. If you find a tick, use tweezers to slowly pull it out. After removing the tick, immerse it in rubbing alcohol. Wash the tick bite wound and your hands with soap and water.

• If you're pregnant, have someone else clean the cat's litter box. If you must do it yourself, wear gloves and immediately wash your hands after changing the litter.

• Wash your hands after gardening or working in soil where pets may have relieved themselves.

• If you are scratched or bitten, wash the area with soap and water right away and administer first aid. If you are concerned, contact your health care professional.

• Not let your pet drink from standing water outdoors.

• Remove food, garbage or nesting material that may attract disease-carrying wildlife.

To help protect pets and the people they come in contact with, thousands of U.S. veterinary clinics are participating in National Pet Wellness Month, a veterinary clinic-centered educational campaign sponsored by the American Veterinary Medical Association and Fort Dodge Animal Health.

Veterinary clinics offer pet wellness exams and consult with pet owners about disease prevention and other ways to help their pets live longer, healthier and happier lives.

Your veterinarian will know the predominant disease threats in your area and can develop a plan to provide disease protection for you and your pet.

Monday, July 8, 2013

Pennsylvanias AKC Health insurance for Pets

Throughout history most of a veterinarians clientele was farm livestock (large animals). Dogs, cats and other household pets made up such a small amount of their daily business there was very little reason to study up on it. Even the beloved European veterinarian, James Herriott, counted on the Yorkshire farmers for a majority of his country clinics business. In 1884 that began to change when the University of Pennsylvania's veterinary school opened the United States very first clinic specializing in the veterinary needs of dogs. In 2001 the United States of America had over 28,000 veterinarians who specialize in small animals.

It is fitting that Pennsylvania opened the very first vet clinic that specialized in the veterinary needs of dogs, the state has had a long running bond with the canine population, starting with the states founders, William Penns, Great Dane. A portrait of this Great Dane standing beside his master can be seen hanging in the governors reception room of the governors mansion in Harrisburg Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania considers the Great Dane the state dog. Owners of Great Danes appreciate the breeds faithfulness, intelligence, beauty, courage, and tolerance. Great Danes stand approximately 30-34 inches tall and weigh anywhere from 120-200 pounds, people who have Great Danes believe that the larger the dog the better. Because of their large size Great Danes are not an exceptionally long lived dog; their bodies simply arent designed to last very long. Many Great Danes suffer from heart problems, bloat, twisted intestines, and tail injuries. Some Great Danes have been diagnosed with hip dysplasia. Great Dane owners are not advised to take their Great Danes jogging until the puppy is at least one year old. Dogs featured in ancient Greek art work bear a strong resemblance to todays Great Dane. German hunters were especially impressed with the dogs ability at hunting bears and wild boars and bred the best great Danes to the best Greyhounds which helped create a leaner more agile breed.

Dog owners in the state of Pennsylvania are more then eligible to purchase pet health insurance for their dogs from the American Kennel Club. The American Kennel club estimates that the average pet owner who purchases an essential pet health care insurance plan (the essential health insurance plan is the name of the AKCs lowest health insurance policy) through them will only pay approximately sixty-eight cents per day. Pet owners who purchase pet health insurance through the American Kennel Club have four different types of health insurance plans to choose from. The American Kennel Club Insurance company is happy to include cats into its health care insurance program. The American Kennel club is so confident that pet owners will love the benefits of purchasing pet health care insurance through them that they proudly offer owners the opportunity to test drive their insurance policy free for sixty days. Pet owners who insure their pets with pet health care insurance offered by the American Kennel Club are allowed to decide if they would like to receive a monthly statement in the mail or if they would rather pay for the an entire years worth of insurance in one lump sum and then not have to worry about it for twelve months.

Natural Remedies for Pets: Are They Safe?

In the United States, there are millions of Americans who use natural remedies as a way to seek treatment or relief from a minor medical issue. Since many are pleased with the results, ease of use, as well as affordability, many pet owners wonder if natural remedies can be used on their pets. In most cases, you will see that they can.

When it comes to using natural remedies for pets, there are a number of important points that you will first want to take into consideration. One of those points is your source of information. If you decide to use a natural remedy that you got online, be sure to use your best judgment. Make sure that you are getting your information from a trusted website. In fact, the best ways to get information on natural remedies for pets is by buying printed resources, namely remedy books for pets, or by speaking with a vet.

Another point that you will want to take into consideration, before deciding to use a natural remedy on your pet, is the problem at hand. For example, if your dog is having difficulty breathing or if they are bleeding excessively from a deep wound, it may be best to seek professional help. With that being said, natural remedies are a safe, easy, and affordable way to treat some pets with minor medical issues.

Now that you know it is safe to use natural remedies on pets, you may be wondering what some of the most popular remedies are. A few popular home remedies for pets are outlined below. However, remember that additional remedies can be found online, with a standard internet search, by speaking with a vet, or by purchasing printed natural remedy resources for pets.

Arthritis is a problem that many older dogs deal with. If you are the owner of a dog who is suffering from arthritis, there are number of natural ways that you can provide them with relief. A warm wet washcloth or towel can be applied to the painful area for about twenty to thirty minutes. Additional steps involve reducing your dogs weight and keeping them away from extremely cold temperatures.

Ear mites is another issue that pets, especially dogs and cats deal with. Ear mites are important to take care of, as they result in itching, which can lead to an infection and other complications. One natural way to get rid of ear mites is to create an ounce or half-ounce mixture of vitamin E and almond. The mixture should then be put into a dropper and inserted in your dog or cats ear. Garlic and olive oil can also be used to reduce the itching that is commonly associated with ear mites.

Although natural remedies can be used on many other pets, besides just cats and dogs, it is important to use your best judgment, as previously stated. Just because one home remedy works on one animal, like a dog, it does not mean that it will work or be safe for another animal, like a horse. If you use the internet to find information on natural remedies, be sure to find detailed and specific instructions. This simple step can help to ensure that your pet gets the best level of relief, safely, from the use of a natural remedy.

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Sunday, July 7, 2013

Natural Insecticide for People and Pets

Sometimes you don't just need natural insecticide for your yard, garden, and home. You also need it for yourself and your pets. You want to avoid the aggravation and even the disease that can come from bug bites. You just don't want to put unnatural chemicals on your body that might cause another kind of harm.

Luckily, there is a natural insecticide for your every personal insect killing need. Many people don't like to use the mosquito repellent with DEET in it. They fear that it is unsafe for their skin.

Fortunately, there are all kinds of natural insecticide on the market to replace DEET. One mosquito repellent has only water, natural oils, and vanillin. One kind of natural insecticide for mosquitoes is a patch that you wear for 24 hour. After this time, you will be protected for 36 hours. One natural insecticide recipe for insect repellent works for fleas, ticks, and chiggers. It uses lavender, sage, mint, rosemary and wormwood. You mix these ingredients together and cover them with vinegar of the four thieves. Let it set for a week and then apply it with a cloth.

Another natural insecticide insect repellent recipe is for all kinds of biting insects. You mix aloe Vera gel and skin lotion. Then you add citronella, eucalyptus oil, and patchouli oil. You shake it up in a bottle and put it on anywhere but your face.

If your pet has brought fleas into your home, you can get rid of them by dusting your carpet with boric acid. Wait a week and then vacuum it up. You can also use natural insecticide to get the fleas, as well as ticks, off you pet.

Diatomaceous Earth can be used as a natural insecticide in the home to keep fleas from coming back and attacking your pets. Pyrethrum or rotenone sprays will kill lice, fleas and ticks in your house to keep them off you pets. A natural insecticide called neem oil can be used directly on the pet to get rid of fleas. Orange oils can be used. There are also herb-based flea collars available to buy. These are all available to buy through brick-and-mortar or online stores.

There are also natural insecticide methods you can use made with simple ingredients. You can put certain things in your pet's food. Some of these are fresh garlic, brewer's yeast, and flaxseed oil.

It's an unpleasant thought, but through no fault theirs, people can sometimes end up with bed bugs. These bugs are tenacious and very good at hiding in crevices of the bed. There are several ways to get them out of your bed. To get them off you, soap and water helps, but the natural insecticide neem oil does wonders.

No one wants to think of having bugs on themselves or their pets. It isn't a pleasant thought. Besides, it is uncomfortable and hard to deal with. Natural insecticide can help take care of the problem. On top of that, they can even make it safer for your health. Maybe it's time to give natural insecticide a try.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Moving Pets Overseas: Issues to Ponder On

There are lots of guidelines and issues you should follow and take into consideration when moving your pets overseas.

The first thing you have to know is if your pet will be allowed in that destination. Keep in mind that some countries do not allow pets to be brought in. For those who do, they require a health certificate from your veterinarian. Included in the certificate are records that show that your pet is rabies-free and has been vaccinated.

Once you got all these, you also need to know the duration with which the permit will remain valid. If it is only good for a few months, then you can inquire where you can get the following entry permits so that you will not violate any of the laws in the country.

Breed and age are also a major consideration. There are countries that require pets to be quarantined for a period of time before they are brought to their owners. This is because there is some breed of animals that are considered safe and some are not. The best thing to do is check with the consulate of that country so you will know the specifications that they have regarding quarantine.

If all these are not enough to cause you headaches, the cost will. The fee for quarantine in that country is charged to you. If your pet is required to be placed in a quarantine facility, make sure that you check out that certain first before agreeing.

Check out the cleanliness of the area, the care they provide and the staff that will cater to your pet's needs. Oftentimes, there are a number of facilities available around the country. If you were given the option of choosing one, opt for the best one you can find. It will be your assurance that your pet will remain safe and in capable hands.

It can be noted that there are a lot of issues regarding the transport of pets from one country to another. One issue is about the sedation that is given to these animals in order for them to be boarded on planes.

Many animal deaths are attributed to the effects that sedation can cause. If you feel that you pet is capable of being transported without any incident, you must therefore inform the veterinarians about this. They are not really required to use sedation in case some pets show good behavior and obedience during the course of the transport.

Another issue that veterinary associations are concerned about is the pressure of the confined spaces and altitude that the animals are subjected to if they are boarded in airplanes.

There are animals that do not easily adapt the chance in their usual environment. If you feel that your pet is not acting like its usual self, seek the help of a veterinarian immediately. They will be able to tell you the cause of that behavior and may even require some medications to counter them.

The rules and regulations, along with the effects of the transport are enough reasons to discourage your from moving your pets overseas. But if you think of the alternative of never seeing your pet again, then all these measures will be worth it once you and your pet have finally settled down in your new home.

Keeping Pets our of your Plants

Cats and dogs love dirt, they dig in it, play in it and if a cats litter box isnt clean they
may find a back-up location in your potted plants. Some pets will leave the dirt alone but
are irresistibly drawn to the leaves, either to nibble on or bat at. There is no fail-safe
plant but there are some tips and tricks you can follow to make your pets leave the plants
alone.

The biggest problem and the most damaging to an indoor plant is a cat deciding to use the
dirt as a litter box. Once a cat has done this once, the odor is there and it is going to be
hard to stop them from going back. To prevent this from happening in the first place,
cover the dirt in larger pots with lava rock or wood chips. A cat will not like the feel of
either of these materials on their paws and will not feel comfortable using the pot as a
bathroom.

Dogs are easier to train and keep away from plants but it is harder for other animals.
Especially for cats - a deterrent may be necessary to keep them away. You can use a
spray bottle of water to stop them from chewing on plant leaves or digging in the dirt.
Since cats dont like anything from the citrus family you can put fresh citrus rinds at the
base of the plant too their sensitive noses will stop them from getting too close.

Keep your soil nice and moist, not only is this good for the plant, cats will not enjoy
digging in wet dirt. Some trial and error may be called for until you find the right
solution that works for your pets. If all else fails, buy hanging plants instead or put the
plants in an inaccessible location.

Friday, July 5, 2013

Keeping Pets In Mind When Making Disaster Preparations

As the weather gets warmer, weather conditions can change quickly. Recent hurricanes taught us many hard lessons, but one of the clearest was that pets left behind in a disaster don't fare well. Here are some tips to help prepare your extended family for almost anything:

• Keep a pet carrier ready. Hard-sided carriers and crates often end up in attics or basements, gathering dust until the annual veterinary visit. If you live in an area that is frequently at risk for weather-related disasters, keep your carrier/crate out where it can be easily accessed.

• Prepare a disaster kit for your pet. Include food for five to seven days, jugs of water, a nonbreakable bowl, litter, any medication your pet may be taking, a recent photo (in case your pet gets loose and you need to prepare "lost animal" posters or prove ownership in order to retrieve her from a shelter), a harness or collar and leash and a thick bath or beach towel for safe handling during stressful times.

• Give your pet an identification tag. Nationally, only about 2 percent of stray cats turned into shelters are ever reunited with their guardians, though dogs fare somewhat better at approximately 16 percent. At the very minimum, a dog should always wear a license tag on his or her collar. While a few communities license cats, most do not. Get your cat a break-away collar and identification tag with your cell phone number on it as soon as possible. If your pet wasn't microchipped at the time of adoption, ask your veterinarian to inject your pet with this permanent identification tool and be sure to keep the microchip registry updated whenever you change contact information.

• Organize a neighborhood pet watch. Trade keys with a neighbor who works from home to ensure someone is available to care for-or even evacuate-your pet in case of an emergency, when you can't be there. Provide them with a list of your pet's favorite hide-outs, as stressed animals are particularly adept at disappearing. Let police and fire officials know you harbor animals by placing a "Pets Inside" decal in the window of your front door. Make sure to remove the decal when you move or no longer have a pet, to ensure rescue workers do not endanger themselves looking for pets that are no longer there.

These four easy steps will help you not only protect your animal pals from being left behind when violent weather strikes, but help you and your family reach safety with as much peace of mind as possible. Only one last task awaits. Make sure your community disaster plan makes provisions for animals as well as people.

Keeping Active Pets Healthy During The Warm Weather

Getting back to nature may not always be the best thing for pets. In fact, medical claims data shows that as pets spend more time outside in warm weather, they are more likely to be injured, suffer from heat stroke or be affected by a number of other ailments.

Of course, that doesn't mean pets need to be kept on a short leash just because it's nice out. Pet owners just need to take some precautions.

"Pets are treated more frequently in the warm months due to their increased exposure to the outdoors. Warm weather exposes pets to more insects, higher temperatures and bodies of water, such as swimming pools, lakes and oceans," says Dr. Carol McConnell, director of veterinary education and services for Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (VPI). "High temperatures can lead to sunburn and heatstroke. Exposure to swimming pools can lead to ear infections or-worse-case scenario-a pet accidentally falling into a pool and drowning."

Dr. McConnell says her company sees a significant spike in veterinary claims during the warmer months. In February of 2005, for instance, her company paid on 12 claims that involved a pet stepping on an object such as glass and injuring its paw. That number jumped to 76 claims in June and 87 in July. Some of these injuries most likely required surgery, which averages about $574 for canines and $337 for cats.

Dr. McConnell suggests offsetting those costs by keeping a watchful eye on your pet and by purchasing pet insurance.

"Protecting your dog or cat with a pet health insurance policy is not only a smart decision prior to warm weather months, but all year round," she explains. Her company's insurance plans cover dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets for thousands of medical problems and costly procedures relating to accidents, illness or injury. Optional Vaccination & Routine Care Coverage is available as well.

The following facts from Dr. McConnell explain some of the most common warm weather injuries to pets:

• Foreign Bodies-Foxtails, a type of grass with sharp points, are common in dry, warm months. The sharp points often become embedded into pet paws, ears, eyes or noses. As a penetrating foreign body, the foxtail inevitably causes an infection.

• Stings/Bites-Insects and spiders of all shapes and sizes come out of their hiding places in the warm weather months. Mosquitoes congregate near pools of water. Dr. McConnell recommends ridding your yard of even the shallowest pools of water (including the toddler's pool) so mosquitoes don't breed. Additionally, pet owners should keep their pets away from bees, wasps and woodpiles that may harbor spiders.

• Heatstroke-Dr. McConnell recommends keeping pets indoors as much as possible during the warmest hours of the day (usually 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Never leave your pet in the car unattended.

• Burns-Hot sidewalks can be downright painful for pets and could account for the rise in claims for burns, says Dr. McConnell. In addition to burns on the paws, sunburns are more common in hot months, especially on body areas not protected by fur or dark skin.

• Ear Infections-These are frequently caused by water getting trapped in a dog's ear after swimming or bathing. If your pet is involved in water activities, speak to your veterinarian regarding specific ear-cleaning products that will help dry the ear canal after water exposure to prevent recurring ear infections.

• Near Drownings-Although relatively rare, cases of near drownings do increase in warm weather summer months. If this happens, be sure to keep the pet warm, and dry thoroughly with towels. Then, take the pet to the veterinarian immediately.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Intestinal Blockages in Pets caused by Foreign Objects

Playful pets tend to eat a lot of things which they find it difficult to digest. Sometimes these foreign objects can block their intestines and if immediate action isnt taken it can even lead to death of the animal. Usually in serious cases, the foreign object needs to be taken out surgically.

Animals such as dogs, cats, mouse, have the habit of chewing loose chords, especially that of the computer. Other things which get chewed are plants, wool strands, plastic bags, shoes, toys, purse straps, vinyl objects, leather objects, baskets, furniture, and bed frames. Though prevention can be taken and the house can be made pet proof, but still there are chances of such accidents. Some animals either pass these objects through stool or vomit it out. Such incidents can happen anytime and the animal cannot be lucky every time. The objects can still remain in the body even after pooping and vomiting.

Vinyl and leather materials get stuck to the walls of the intestines. This condition is hard to be determined immediately as the animal doesnt stop breathing or starts feeling dizzy. But by close observation if it is noted that the animal isnt eating properly as it used to before, doesnt excretes and lies dull on the bed whole day long, means something fishy is going on. Since the animal isnt in serious condition, the owners need not panic. An x-ray and a blood test can explain the situation and the veterinarian can get a clear idea of what to do. If the blood test comes out normal, it indicates that the animal still has time on hand and the foreign object can be removed with the help of some laxative. And if there is an indication of an infection in the blood, a sonogram or a barium x-ray can be done. The very last resort is surgery, and this should be done only when the animal refuses to eat anything. In situation vomiting should be induced as this could aggravate the condition. If the animal vomits by himself, it is good.

Heavy duty materials block the intestine completely. Other than blocking or sticking to the walls of the intestines, some plants can also be toxic to the animal. The owners can restrain from planting such plants in their yard or home garden. Instead, most of the pets like to play in grass, so grass, especially oat grass can be grown for the animal to enjoy. Plastic bags also pose a big threat to the animal. But the rustling noise can make the plastic more attractive and enjoyable for the pet. Objects made out of plastic such as purses, wraps, and purses should be kept out of reach. Another precaution that can be taken is that the objects which the animals enjoy chewing can be made unattractive by spraying with bitter apple spray. They can be even cleaned with a disinfectant with a strong odor but be careful the type of disinfectant you use as they can be poisonous too to our pet.

Most of the pet owners do not buy leather product such as shoes and purses any more as they are expensive and get easily ruined by pets chewing them. Shoes can be stored in high shoe racks, drawers, chest or even better, in walk in closets, along with the purses. Some pets do not watch where they are going. There are chances that they walk straight into the objects. If objects made out of glass fall from a height, it will immediately break into pieces. This is the most dangerous, because if consumed can lead to on the spot death. The broken glass pieces can wound the organs internally, which can lead to sever bleeding.

Even if the animal undergoes the surgery, it would still take him a lot of time to recover from it. Along with the expensive surgical procedure, comes pain. Various pet owners deal with the situation in their own way and no one way is recommended as the official one. But the best way is to immediately rush the pet to a veterinarian who has a good experience treating animals similar to your pet.

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Household Pets: Problems faced during Litter Box Training

Not all owners are good trainers, but all of them do put in effort to discipline their pets and face certain challenges. The biggest problem is faced during litter box training. If there is a problem with the pet, it should be handled with care and the habit should be positively reinforced on it. Basically, the point is that the training method should be fun for the owner as well as for the pet.

If the animal excretes outside the box, it meant that the pet has a disliking for the box. The disliking can happen if the litter box is small, unclean and filled with litter most of the times. The box should be cleaned regularly and disinfected; otherwise an unpleasant odor will fill the area. Care must be taken that disinfectant doesnt have a scented smell. If the smell is too scented or strong, the owners can switch to air fresheners and cleaners that have a mild smell. Another reason for disliking the litter box is because of its texture. Most of the pets like litters boxes not made out of hard clay but made out of a more fine grained, soft material.

Any good pet store will have a wide range of litter box collection. The owners can choose the most suitable one depending on the nature of their pet. If there is adequate place at home, an alternative to the litter box can be found. A particular corner in your lawn can be filled with soil, sand or wood shavings. The wood shavings shouldnt be of coca husk or cedar as it can be harmful for the animal. Another good option for litter is laying down chicken feed. And if size is a problem with the pet, the owner should obviously get a bigger one. Usually the size preference will develop when the animal is growing big in size.

Some animal have surface issues, that is, they prefer surfaces with a specific texture. The preferable surfaces are clothes, carpet, bed and anything soft along with using the litter box sometimes. Pets which have been declawed can also develop surface issues. For such animals, the litter box can be replaced with a towel. It would be lot better than the animal excreting in beddings and blankets. And if the animal has already soiled places other than the litter box, those places should be cleaned with an intense enzymatic odor remover, because if the animal smells its pee, it will be going to use the object or place again to pass.

Pets can even have location preferences. In this case they wont care about the surface provided to them. This is a lesser problem, because the pet wont ignore the litter box and the litter box can be placed in his preferred location. Usually the reason behind this preference is because of the place being too cold or hot, or cut off or too busy but some places are unacceptable, as it can be unhygienic for the other family members and also that place will be filled with odor from the pets excreta. If the pet has a fancy to use a particular room, the owner can keep the door shut for that particular room. It should be denied access to that area. If the area is open, it can be disinfected by a very strong smelling cleaner. Commercial repellants meant especially for the pets are available in the market. Scat mats can also be used to cover up that area.

Pets can be very fussy sometimes. Some wont like to urinate and excrete in the same litter box. If this is the case, they should be provided with two different boxes. Owners must try to reward the animal with food or toys, when it uses the litter box properly. This gives it more encouragement. Sometimes the animal can even have a urine marking problem. This condition can be successfully treated with the help of medicines. These medicines are used to alter the behavior of the animal. A good vet can be consulted in this regard.

Even after all these efforts, if the pet still insists of using the same location for passing, an acrylic blanket which is easily washable can be sewn with a waterproof material at the other side and can be placed. Disposable housebreaking pads are also available at most of the pet stores. This is even easier as once it gets soiled it can be simply disposed.

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Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Fishes are Perfect Pets for Small Kids

Fishes could be an amazing household pet. Among all
the animals, they are the easiest to care for plus
they dont really take so much room. However, most
kids lose their interest in fishes rather fast
especially those children who want to have a pet which
they can cuddle up with. They tend to be a bore for
kids who are active and always on the go. That must be
the reason why not too many would ask for a school of
fish. Nonetheless, fishes can be the perfect pet.

Sensible Choice

Whenever parents think of granting their little kids
plea for a pet, most often the choice is to give them
a fish. Even with the little care it requires, they
could still teach them how to be responsible in taking
care of a living thing. Having a pet fish would
instill in them the value of love and acceptance of
simplicity.

Parents really have a great deal of accountability
when it comes to introducing a pet to a child. They
have to keep in mind the childs well being and that
of the pet. With fishes there is less threat to the
childs safety. It is ideal especially for a kid who
easily gets tired of new things and just wants it for
the novelty of having one. This would save the parents
a lot of trouble in the long run since more often than
not; it is them who are burdened with the duty once
their child bails out.

Basic Rules

There are only a few things to remember in taking care
of them. The rules are very basic and could easily be
followed by little children. One, do not dump anything
in the fish tank. Two, do not take the fish out of the
water. Also, they need a minimal amount of day to day
and weekly care. All you have to do is feed them
adequately and clean the fish tank at least once a
week. Keeping an aquarium of fish can be educational
and an enjoyable experience.

First, consider the size of the tank that will be
adequate for the fish to swim freely. The aquariums
size will determine the number and kind of fish that
you would get for the child. Second, think of the best
place in your home where you can put the fish tank.
Make sure that the stand serves as a good foundation
will support the aquarium and in the right height so
the child will have no difficulty reaching the brim
during feeding time. Put it away from busy traffic to
prevent it from being collided into. Place it where
there is enough sunlight and ventilation. This would
prevent mosquitoes from plaguing the area. However,
placing it near a window where there too much sunlight
would cause the water to turn green easily. When this
happens, you will need to change the water more often.
If there is no other place, you can solve the problem
by covering the window with curtains.

After everything is set, teach your child the right
amount of feeding. Overfeeding will result to the
fishes death. Be sure that the child is under
supervision when he or she does the feeding. Cleaning
the tank could also be a time for the parent and child
to bond. You will have to do it but have your kid
assist you. The bulk of the chore is just about it. No
matter how simple it may seem, the goal of turning
your child into a responsible person could still be
achieve. Thus, fishes could possibly be the perfect
pet for your kids.

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Dogs And Pets Provide Health Benefits

Do dogs provide health benefits? Believe it or not they do! Did you know that owning a dog and pet ownership in general, can help a person in many ways? Owning a pet can improve your mental wellness, reduce your visits to the doctor, improve your cardiovascular health and allow for faster recovery time from surgery as well as higher survival rates. Recent research suggests that dogs may be able to detect cancer on a person's breath! Lets' explore these amazing health benefits of pet ownership:

It has been proven that dog owners have lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels than non-dog owners. These factors, in turn, reduce the chance of cardiovascular diseases. In fact, just stroking a pet has long been known to reduce blood pressure. Furthermore, a study from the New York State University concluded that these benefits continue even without the pet being present!

Hospital studies have shown that senior citizens and recent post-op patients respond better to treatment and recover faster while in contact with dogs and other therapy animals. Did you know that dog owners have a greater chance to survive a serious illness than non-dog owners? In fact, a study revealed that a pet affected a person's survival rate even more than the presence or company of family members or friends!

Studies conducted at Cambridge and UCLA concluded that there is a direct correlation between pet ownership and improved overall health, which leads to fewer visits to the doctor. The Journal of American Geriatrics Society notes that pet ownership has a positive effect on a senior's physical and emotional well being. Additionally, a Medicare study of elderly patients also shows that people who own a dog have fewer doctor visits than patients who do not.

Pet owners have better emotional health and mental wellness than people who do not own a pet. Pets offer unconditional love and affection and their presence alone helps reduce loneliness. For people who are isolated, disabled or handicapped, a pet offers friendship and can even add a element of safety to their lives. Dogs are used as a form of therapy in hospices, nursing homes and as companions for the disabled and blind. In fact, there are studies that prove that people with a major illness fight the stress of having the illness better by having a dog as a pet.

There is new research that suggests that dogs may be able to detect certain types of cancer. Researchers at the Pine Street Foundation in San Anselmo, California and the Polish Academy of Sciences exposed dogs to breath samples from breast and lung cancer patients and samples from healthy people. They claim that the dogs were able to detect cancer with astonishing results and accuracy. The dogs were able to identify 99% of lung cancer breath samples (which included early stage cancer patients) as well as 88% of breast cancer samples. The study, which has been met with skepticism, will be released early in 2006 and published in the March edition of the Journal for Integrative Cancer Therapies. Experts agree that this holds promise, but must be evaluated and researched further.

As you can see pet ownership or having a dog comes with many benefits for an individual. Owning a pet encourages social interaction, reduces stress levels, boosts self-confidence and self-esteem and encourages exercise. Having a pet is a great investment, not only in the joy and pleasure that the animal brings into your life, but the many health benefits that come with the territory!

Dog Health Tips Care For Your Pets at Home

Dog Health Tips Care For Your Pets at Home


Everyone with pets, whether dogs or puppies, needs to have a veterinary surgeon to turn to in an emergency. They do a wonderful job, and you should never ignore a pets suffering. However, it is a waste of money to attend the Vets surgery when the problem is one you can solve at home. This is a short guide to dealing with minor ailments as a form of Pets First Aid. If the symptoms persist you can still contact the vet. Dog health need not always be a costly worry to the wise pet owner.

Some dog breeds do not like being handled: pitbull dogs and bull terriers for example. This should be key element of dog obedience training so that the dog accepts that you are entitled to treat him for his own good. After a country walk it is a good idea to give your dog a quick grooming or rub down, and check for any lumps or bumps that he may have picked up along the way. My own dog, a Collie German Shepherd cross, gets twigs and sticks caught in round his rear and his bushy tail. Left unchecked, these can cause the fur to mat around them. The dog will worry at it and probably lick the area bare, leaving it open to infection. You can avoid this with a few minutes attention.

Ticks are nasty. They have a one-piece body and the harpoon-like mouth barbs attach to a host (your dog) for feeding. Crablike legs and a sticky secretion help the tick to hold on. Long-haired dogs like Schnauzers often suffer badly from ticks. When attempting to remove a tick, the aim is to prevent the mouth section from coming off and remaining embedded in the skin. The home remedy is simple and cheap petroleum jelly, which is what you would get if you went to a pet shop and paid for a proprietary tick remover! The most effective way to remove the tick is to put a big lump of petroleum jelly over the area where it has attached itself. Leave this for at least ten minutes. Once the ticks grip loosens, you can wipe it out of the way with a tissue.

Ear mites - if your pet has ear mites, then place two drops of corn oil into its ears (an eye dropper will do the trick), massage the ear gently then clean with a cotton ball. This will suffocate the mites. Repeat for 3 days. Regular ear bathing with oil is recommended by vets, to avoid a buildup of wax and irritants.

Constipation - try this quick fix for a constipated pet. For a large dog, add 3 to 4 tablespoons of mineral oil to its food. For a small dog reduce the dose to 1 to 2 teaspoons. Do this for two days and the problem should clear up.

Diarrhoea mix one heaped teaspoon of carob powder with a little water and mix into your dogs dinner. Use half a teaspoon if you have a puppy.

Urinary tract infections mix 30-40ml of cranberry juice into your pets food. This will boost the acidity of its urine, reduce bacteria and help relieve the discomfort.

And if youre not sure whats wrong say your pet seems off colour then heres a tip we use all the time. Add half a dissolved aspirin or childrens liquid analgesic to your pets food. It can perk up a German Shepherd in minutes!

Monday, July 1, 2013

Creative Scrapbooking Albums For Your Pets

Scrapbooking is a wonderful way to preserve your cherished memories. For many people their pets are an important part of the family, so it is just natural to want to capture those special times shared with a beloved pet. You can use your favorite scrapbooking tools to make unique pages that you can enjoy for years to come.

As always, make sure the scrapbooking materials you use are acid and lignin free. You'll need the typical scrapbooking supplies such as an album, cut-outs, stickers, letter rub-ons, and any other creative embellishments you desire. Choose things related to your pet such as dog breed stickers or cat themed papers. Creating scrapbook pages for your pets is also a great way to get the kids involved.

To get started, you'll need to have some good photos of your pet. Try taking pictures from a variety of different angles and include your pet with different members of the family. If your dog has a favorite toy, include some special pictures of that as well. Do you celebrate your pet's birthday? Then by all means include some "birthday" photos in the scrapbook. My children even celebrate the birthdays of our fish!

Here are some fun theme ideas for creating your pet's scrapbook.

Focus on "the firsts". If you are fortunate enough to get your pet while he or she is still a baby, then create a scrapbook album around the "firsts". Even if you adopted your pet when it was older you can still create some great "first" scrapbook pages. Create a scrapbook page or album around your pet's first bath, coming home, first holidays, first visit to the park, first car ride, etc.

Another great scrapbook theme is "A Day In The Life of ________" which would include pages about your pet's morning routines, nap time, meal time, play time and favorite toys, and outdoor time. Trace your pet's paw print and include that in the pages too!

A theme around "pet favorites" is also a fun idea. Take photos and create pages around your pet's favorite activities. For a cat you might include pages on favorite toys and favorite nap places. For a dog, choose photos of favorite outdoor play or playtime with favorite toys.

Whatever kind of pet you have, you can enjoy creating special scrapbook pages that you will enjoy for years to come!