How to Correct Bad Behavior in Cats

By Becky Cohen

Correcting bad behavior in cats is very important. You need to fix the cat's bad behavior before the problem becomes so bad that both you and your cat are stressed out. First you need to understand what is causing the bad behavior in your cat. It could simply be aging and transitioning (like puberty in people). However, you need to check and see if anything has recently changed with your cat to set off the unwanted actions. Did you move? New addition to the family? If something like this is the culprit, it may just take time for your cat to adjust. Your cat may have had this behavior from a young kitten in which case it will have to be untrained.

Most importantly, you need to make sure that your cat is not acting out due to any health issues. If it is something that has just started occurring, your cat may have something wrong with it. Whatever the cause, despite the beliefs of most people, you can train cats to be obedient. They can be taught to stay off the counters, out of the trash, stop biting and clawing, etc. Most of correcting the bad behavior in cats comes with understanding what is causing it.

Reprimanding the cat is not the best way to go about solving the problem. If you want to correct bad behavior in cats you need to either correct what is causing them to act out or you can reward them when they are good. If they associate the desired behavior with a treat or reward, they will be more likely to continue that behavior. Reprimanding your cat does not correct the problem, but teach the cat to hide better and continue doing the same act.

One resource that is very helpful is cat training books. They can be found all over the internet as well as in pet stores. These books will teach you the correct way to fix the bad behavior in cats.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Becky_Cohen

Helping Your Cat Survive a Move

By D J Bromley

 

Moving home can be a stressful time for all the family including the cat. Animals, especially cats seem to have a sixth sense when things are about to change and generally they do not like it. Also as you all make preparations you may not have as much time to spend with your cat as normal and this too can be unsettling.

Ideally you need to plan ahead of time to prepare your cat for the move. Firstly, even if your cat does not normally wear a collar you should put one on so that they get used to it. Once you move your cat really does need a collar and tag for the first few months in the new neighborhood. On the same note you should get a tag with your new address already on it ready for day one at your new home.

At this stage you will also need to consider how you are going to transport your cat to its new home. It will probably travel with you in your car but however you travel you will need a secure pet carrier. Some cats are perfectly happy in a carrier whilst others will complain continually. However, this is better than losing your pet during the move.

Curiosity is said to have killed the cat and many cats find boxes and wrapping irresistible. At best you may spend hours searching for a cat that has curled up and gone to sleep in a packing case or at worst got trapped in a nailed down chest. Ideally it is best to confine your cat to a single room away from all the activity. This is particularly true on the day of the move itself when you are going to have removal men shifting heaving items around the place. The last thing that you will need is a cat getting under everyone's feet. There is also a danger with the open doors and general upheaval that the cat may make a break for freedom to get away from the turmoil.

Once at your new address again it is best to put the cat in separate rooms whilst the furniture is moved in. Do make sure that you provide water, food and a litter tray as it may be in there for some time. Don't forget to make sure that you have also put tag with the new address on the cat's collar.

It is going to take some time for your cat to adapt to its new home and at first he may be resentful of the changes to its life. It is a good idea if you can to spare a little extra time with your cat during the period of re adjustment. Finally do not forget that you will need to find a new vet and get your animals records transferred from your previous vet.

It will take both you and your cat time to readjust to your new surroundings but with some care and consideration you will both adapt quickly. In no time at all your cat will be "King or Queen of the castle" and ruling its domain just as it did in the old home.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=D_J_Bromley

Air Purifiers for Pet Shops, Kennels, Veterinary Facilities: Choose Carefully

By Rex Murphy

Most often, when a veterinarian, kennel or pet shop owner begins looking for an air cleaner, it's because of odor, allergies from the dander, or just a desire to make sure the air remains clean for customers and employees. Unfortunately, most people go looking for an air purifier that says 'pet air cleaner' or 'for pets'. And while there are a couple of units that do a decent job of removing dander, hair, and odors, they're usually inadequate for handling the amount of dander and odors produced by multiple pets in one indoor area--or it would take an army of these air cleaners, which can get expensive and take up too much floor space.

For pet shops, indoor kennels and veterinary offices, your best bet is to take a close look at the carbon filter in the air purifier. You will need the best, strongest activated carbon you can get (industrial strength is best) and lots of it-a minimum of 15-20 pounds and more if possible, to adequately remove the odors created by multiple cats, dogs and other animals. The reason for this is simple: most of the odors you're experiencing are of an organic nature or VOC (volatile organic chemical) and strongly activated carbon is good for removing these compounds. You need a large amount of carbon because the charcoal does become saturated, and more carbon means the filter remove and control those pet odors longer, with fewer filter changes, etc.

Next, make sure the air purifier has a true HEPA filter that removes 99% plus of all dander, dust & hair down to 0.3 microns, or 0.1 microns if possible. Some air cleaner manufacturers try to get away with 'HEPA-style' filters, which aren't as efficient. And don't buy an electronic air cleaner with electrostatic plates (no HEPA)-most of these require constant cleaning to keep them removing even 80% of particles, and that's not very efficient. The output of the unit and square footage coverage is also important-buying an air purifier with too low of an output isn't going to be able to remove the dust, dander & odors before it reaches your nose, which make it kind of a waste of time. You need a unit with at least a 400 CFM output or higher for an average 10 x 10 room or up to 10 x 20.

So far, we've been speaking mainly of portable air purifiers, and in many pet shop & kennel situations, a combination of several portable or floor air purifier and a unit attached to the HVAC system is needed-all with lots of high quality carbon and true HEPA filters. All those heavy duty urine and other odors are loaded with VOC's and really need the HVAC based air cleaner for overall removal and the portable units to remove them where customers and employees are standing, for the best, noticeably clean air. The portable units remove a good portion of the dust, dander, & odors quickly without having to wait for the A/C system to cycle it through its air filtration system.

Our best recommendations for very clean air in any pet shop, kennel or veterinary facility is an HVAC based industrial air cleaner from Electrocorp (such as the I-6500 AH 120) and one or more of either Electrocorp RSU floor units, Aller Air 5000 or 6000 Vocarb series, or Austin Healthmate Plus. We've had great success with this combination and by using both, you have the best HEPA filters, industrial strength carbon, and high output, not to mention 5-10 year warranties.

So if you're really looking to properly solve a pet odor & dander problem in a kennel, pet store, or veterinary office, stick with air purifiers that have large amounts of high quality carbon, true HEPA filters, and think industrial strength-in many cases, that's what's needed to handle large amounts of pet dander and odor.

Hi, I'm Rex Murphy, owner of Air Purifiers and Cleaners.com. I wrote this article to help pet shop, kennel, and boarding facility owners (and veterinarians) choose air filtration systems that will effectively remove high levels of dander, hair, & odors, and not waste valuable time and money on units that don't work well.

At our online store, we offer great deals on top-quality, affordable air purifiers with true, certified HEPA filters and carbon filters with the highest grade of activated charcoal available.

For more information on portable indoor air purifiers for pets, check out our Pet Air Purifier page.

For information on the Electrocorp I-6500 and RSU industrial air cleaner units mentioned in the article, visit our Fume, Smoke & Odor Filtration page.

We'll always give you the best deals on the best products. If you have any questions, give us a call toll-free at 1-800-701-2513.

Rex Murphy, Owner
Air Purifiers and Cleaners.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rex_Murphy

How To Rid Your Kitten Of Fleas

By Kitten Miller

 

So you found fleas on your tiny kitten, what should you do to get rid of them?

This will have a lot to do with how old your kitten is. It is not recommended to put any type of chemical based products on kittens under the age of six weeks old. Fleas on young kittens are extremely dangerous and can possibly kill your kitty.

If your kitty is still nursing, it can be assured that the flea infestation is on the mother cat and not the kitten, so be sure to treat the mother first.

There are few ways to remove the fleas safely without harming your kitten. You can bath him/her in liquid detergent such as Dawn with warm water, and then pick out the remaining fleas with a comb. This kills the fleas quickly and safely.

It might be easier to have 2 people doing this, one to hold the kitten while the other one massages and washes him/her. Be sure to wrap the kitty in a warm towel so he/she does not get cold.

Once the bath is over and the kitty is warmed up, you will then need to comb him/her out with a special flea comb. One trick also is to put a small amount of Vaseline jelly on comb; this will catch any remaining fleas.

These flea combs are not expensive and work great at getting the stray fleas off. The best time to use the comb is while the kittens' fur is still a bit damp, the fleas will find it hard to move in the damp fur and make it easier for you to catch any reaming ones.

Keep the Vaseline jelly close by, so when you see a flea, you just put some Vaseline on the flea making it so it can't jump away and you can remove it.

Another idea, is to have a warm cup of water close by, when you find the flea and remove it, put it in the water, fleas will drown. For best results, put a small amount of dish washing soap in the water.

If these methods are not working for your kitty, then the next step is to call and talk to your Vet for more suggestions and help.

Do remember also, that fleas and their eggs get everywhere, not just on your kitten. You might also need to use special products for ridding your home of fleas, such as sprays and bombs. Keep in mind also that these types of remedies can also affect other animals in your home as well as small children, so please read all information before using these.

Kitten specializing in helping you care for you kitten by giving advice and more. You will discover all about feeding your kitten to caring for them.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kitten_Miller

Benefits of Fish Oil for Dogs and Cats

By David Neuwirth

 

There are a lot of supplements available for your pet to help with a myriad of health issues. One commonly used supplement is fish oil; mainly because it's a good source of Omega 3 fatty acids. Some pet owners learn about it with skin or coat issues (such as dry or itchy skin, hot spots, etc.); however, dogs and cats with no known skin or coat issues will also see an improvement after using this supplement. Your pet's coat will become shinier and softer when supplementing their diet regularly with fish oil. You might also find that your pet sheds less when incorporating it into your pet's regular diet.

While many people have heard about benefits for the skin and coat, there are additional benefits to supplementing your dog or cat's diet with fish oil. The Omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oil have been shown to help reduce inflammation, making it useful for pets suffering from arthritis and stiff joints, allergies and even I.B.S (inflammatory bowel disease). Omega 3 fatty acids help regulate the immune system, lower blood pressure, improve brain function and cognitive abilities. Research has found that Fish Oil with Omega 3 fatty acids EPA and DHA can reduce the risk of heart problems, making fish oil ideal for pets affected by heart disease. Pets with cancer and kidney disease can also benefit from regularly taking these supplements.

There are numerous types of fish oil products for pets on the market. Usually this supplement is administered to pets in a gel capsule or liquid form. I've used both with my pets, but found the liquid to be more convenient for me. Grizzly Salmon Oil is a good quality, all natural product that is easy to use. Grizzly Salmon Oil only uses wild caught Alaskan Salmon. It comes in a pump bottle so it's easy to use. Just pump the fish oil on your pet's food. A chart on the bottle tells you how many pump strokes to use based on your pet's weight. Grizzly Pollock Oil is another alternative with many of the same benefits as salmon oil.

For pets suffering from extreme itching and skin issues, Ark Naturals' Omega Mender! Itch Ender! combines wild fish oil with borage oil (a natural anti-inflammatory oil with benefits for healthy skin). This product is also in a liquid form and is administered with meals. Omega Mender, Itch Ender (formerly known as Royal Coat Express) is made in the USA. NaturVet's Unscented Salmon Oil is ideal for anyone who might not like to give their pet salmon oil without any smell. Also, some cats can be more picky about salmon oil; unscented oil might work well for finicky cats. Regardless of which salmon oil supplement you use, make sure you read the label for proper storage instructions and feeding guidelines.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Neuwirth

Shopping Tips for Buying Litter Trays for Your Cats

By Imma Sila

When shopping for your pet, you will realize the different options available when it comes to everything from food to toys and other accessories. It is important to take the time to research the options so that you can get the best products for your pets.

Whether you have one cat or several, you know that the pets can be very choosy and if they do not like the items you give them, they will go unused. Buying the right litter trays will help to make you and your pets happy.

Consider the design

If the cat does not like the design of the tray, you can be sure that using it will be a problem. There are many designs available with some that have hoods and others without hoods.

You can use the tray with and without a hood and see which one the cat prefers. If you decide to get a hooded tray, make sure that you secure the lid on the box after use. The hood falling off while the cat is using it can scare him off it for good.

Consider the maintenance

Most people prefer trays that are easy to clean and the plastic open trays are a good option. They are also quite durable and they offer more ventilation. A trashcan will come in handy to scoop the waste. You can get a lidded can that comes complete with a foot pedal, leaving your hands free to work. You should line the can using a plastic trash bag and be sure to seal the bag and replace it when it is full or when it starts to smell.

Choosing a good size

When you are shopping for a litter box, look for a tray that is a good size for your cat. The cat needs to be able to move or maneuver comfortably and if the box is too small, you will have to deal with "spray" outside the box.

Trays that are large and have high sides will help to make sure comfort and keep the litter inside the box. Some cats find it difficult entering or exiting boxes that have high sides and it may be necessary to cut an opening.

You should avoid changing boxes abruptly to avoid disorienting the cat. If you buy a new one, you should not remove the old one until the cat gets used to it. Consider the location of the litter box and the type of litter you use when choosing the best type.

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Backyard Beekeeping Benefits

By Rief Zar Fieq

There are several beekeepers who love backyard beekeeping and they have maintained bee hives. Sometimes bees are also kept on the roof-tops. Usually bees' travel many miles for collecting pollen as well as nectar hence they don't require flowering plants nearby. Maximum beekeepers will take good care of their bees so that their neighbors don't feel uncomfortable and unsafe in their yards. The advantages of beekeeping go far beyond pollination and honey. There are many other products that are produced by bees that can easily be harvested as well as put to great use like propolis, royal jelly, and beeswax. Some other advantages of maintaining backyard beekeeping are explained below-:

• Honey-: the biggest attraction of keeping bees is harvesting honey. No other honey will have that taste and nutrition which original honey harvested from bee hives will posses. It is not only delicious but also very good for health. The amount of honey that you will get is based on location, rainfall, and weather.

• Bees act as pollinators-: usually all gardeners know the importance of pollinating insects. There are different insects performing vital activity in seed and fruits production. Basically the plants will survive because of pollination. Honey bees are responsible for 80% of all pollination that is carried out by insects. If honey bees are not there, several vegetables and fruits will be lost.

• Become educated-: irrespective of whether you are performing backyard beekeeping as your hobby or for the purpose of obtaining delicious honey, you are also becoming educated by this task. Beekeeping helps you to continuously discover different things about bees, their extraordinary social behavior, and nature. You can share this knowledge with nature centers, schools, youth organizations, as well as garden club.

• Enhancing health-: bee therapies help in relieving stress. Studies have shown that honey bees dramatically help in reducing stress. When you work with bees, you get a feeling of calmness that is actually magical. You imagine yourself to be a part of nature and all problems that you may be facing will evaporate. What can be much better than a warm day when you are out to explore some wonderful bee hives or hear that gentle humming of uncountable bees? Pollen, propolis, honey, and royal jelly are an important part of all health remedies since ages. Moreover, propolis and honey have great antibacterial qualities. Propolis is actually sticky resinous substance that is collected by bees from plants and trees. Royal jelly is a substance secreted from glands of bees and used for feeding brood. This substance has abundance of vitamin B. It is largely used as fertility stimulant and dietary stimulant. Pollens are rich in proteins and are used in homeopathic for allergies like seasonal pollen.

Apitherapy is the term used for the use of products of bees for treatment of health disorders. Bee venom is administered to patients suffering from inflammatory conditions like arthritis. Prior to performing backyard beekeeping, one needs to make sure that they have gained complete knowledge regarding how this process that place.

There are lots of beekeeping benefits for you and your family. You can learn how to build your own beehive on your yard to start your backyard beekeeping activity

Online Dog Boutiques - Providing Comprehensive Solution For Dog Fashion Needs

By Jennifer Kirk

The trend of shopping online resulted in inception of online dog boutiques. They provide costumes and accessories, and other stuff required for a dog and its fashion. Online boutiques are ultimate solution for all fashion needs. All fashion, luxury and essential needs are taken care by these boutiques. People can find all types of stuff for their doggies at any reputed online pet.

Making Dog Fashion Shopping Easy and Convenient

Dog fashion stores have been among the prime factors behind making dog fashion popular in wider prospects. They have done a great job in making it popular among people globally. Online boutiques have made shopping very easy by presenting exciting collection of fashion costumes and accessories from all prominent pet fashion designers at one place.

Serving Everyday Needs of Modern Doggies

However, it is wrong if we limit the contribution of online pet boutiques it to fashion only. They are undoubtedly the major factor behind the increasing sense of dog fashion among people, but they have also done a great job in fulfilling all essential needs of modern doggies.

Everyday dog costumes, bowls, carriers, beds, ID collars, leashes, and winter wears are necessity for every dog. In order to stay fit and healthy they needs all round care and things like winter costumes (jackets and sweaters) and carriers are among the mandatory items for dog owners. Online pet boutiques take care of all such needs of doggies and their owners.

Ensuring Luxury And Comfortable Life For Doggies

These types of boutiques also ensure a luxury and comfortable life for upscale doggies. Owners want their puppies to live a luxurious life where they can have access to all heavenly comforts and luxury. Dog boutiques provide comfortable beds and mattresses to provide a comfortable living to doggies. Wherever luxury is concerned, these beds can surpass all luxuries.

With help of expensive dog collars and leashes owners can give a distinct look to their loving dogs. Nowadays, some exclusive boutiques present a great collection of expensive dog collars studded with diamond or other precious stones providing a royal look to doggies wearing them. People also have option to buy leather collars and leashes made of exclusive leather (crocodile leather, snake leather or ostrich leather).

In summary, online dog boutiques provide comprehensive solution to all essential, luxury and fashion needs of doggies. By offering various designer dog fashion stuff at one place they are making life easier for dog owners.

Posh Puppy Boutique is luxury dog boutique, carrying Dog clothing, dog carriers, dog toys, dog collars and more. With great brand names like Juicy Couture Dog, Ed Hardy, Christian Audigier, Louis Dog, Chrome Bones, and other designer dog clothing. For more information please go: http://www.poshpuppyboutique.com/.

Cats Hairball Remedies

By Beth Tawney

My cats have vomited many many hairballs over the past 16 years. I have also cleaned up tons of hairballs all by myself because my husband and daughter refuse to touch the hairballs even with paper towels in hand! Does any of this sound familiar? Anyway, here are a few hairball remedies cats to put into practice.

An important hairball remedy is water! You need to make sure you are giving your cat new fresh water everyday! The other important thing is to make sure that what the cat drinks out of is clean. I suggest cleaning the water bowl daily to keep from getting bacteria growth in it. That would not make the water fresh nor clean! Water is a vital part of the cat's digestive system. To maximize your cat's water consumption, supply the water in such a way that your cat prefers. Such as, a drinking fountain or a pool of water. The drinking fountain simulates running water; were as a pool of water is just that... a pool of water. My cats prefer the pool of water method.

The next hairball remedy is laxatives! Laxatives are petroleum-based. This allows hairballs to pass through your cat's digestive system by coating the hair inside the stomach and the stool. This can work one of two ways for your cat's hairball, in most cases: 1) They will either poop the hairball out; or 2) They will vomit up the hairball easier. I personally do not recommend using petroleum jelly out of the jar that humans use. I would go to the pet's store and purchase a commercial laxative. These are flavored so the cats will enjoy it. You can put the laxative in their food, on your finger for them to lick off or on a cat treat.

The last hairball remedy is fiber! The last hairball remedy is fiber! Fiber adds bulk and moisture to your cat's stool; helping your cat pass their stool easier. Canned pumpkin is a hairball remedies cats source of fiber that your cat can have. You can try to add a teaspoon of canned pumpkin to your cat's canned food several times a week to help control hairballs. Another fiber source is cat grass. This grows indoors in a controlled environment and is chemical free. The cat grass rejuvenates quickly and is cheap. The best thing of all is that cats love cat grass!

Since I have been trying all these hairball remedies cats suggestions, my cats have hardly vomited any hairballs up! That's wonderful for my cats. I don't like the way it sounds on the cat trying to cough a hairball up! They sound like they in pain. Please let me know if these suggestions help out your cat(s). Please visit: http://www.pets.siterubix.com/about-cat-hairballs

Ear Cleaning for Dogs: How to Prevent an Ear Infection

By Jhon Ford

Animal parents must learn the basics of pet parenting to care for their animals well. Canines in particular, "man's best friend" needs extra attention, being that they are ever-present around humans. Conversely, ear cleaning for dogs is a topic that encourages continuous discussion among peers caring for mutts. Some common concerns worth shedding light on is about the frequency at which to clean a dog's ears. According to veterinarians, cleaning a canine's ears once or twice weekly is acceptable. It is highly a responsibility that pet care lovers, living in a humid or warm environment must execute according to pet parenting guides; especially if dogs have long, floppy ears. It is susceptible to trap moisture and dirt. Moreover, an owner must use the right cleaning agents and tools to clean his or her ears. Below are tips to improve dog ear cleaning and hygiene.

Using the right supplies

When executing ear cleaning for dogs, cotton balls and a pair of sterilized hemostats are enough to do the job well. Medical swabs are what masses of pet owners have used to clean their dog's ear, but it has a few downsides; because it pushes debris into a dog's ears and risk internal damages if not done properly.Drug stores, veterinary offices (order for customers) and pharmacies sell hemostats; the ideal ear cleaning tool. Since it is an instrument designed specially to clean the ears of dogs, parents who use it; put their animals at lower risk to contracting an ear infection or other medically related issues.

Additionally, a vet can prescribe hygienic, chemical free solutions to clean dog ears. A host of pet care brands do offer these items for sale. When choosing a product manufacturer, it is imperative that a pet parent chooses well. It often calls for inspection of various products, taking into account their pros and cons. What is more, the materials used to create the end product have much to do with features and benefits. As such, an adoptive parent needs to research and do a comparison of the options to make an educated decision.

Effects of harsh cleaning solutions: How do pet parents keep their canines safe?

A canine's ear canal is a particularly delicate area, despite them not resembling that of humans. When pursuing ear cleaning for dogs, a pet care provider must opt to using a product that; has no negative side effects on animals. If he or she wants to attempt cleansing it by themselves, a mixture of properly concentrated; vinegar and water or hydrogen peroxide/water are helpful at-home remedies. It is ideally perfect for suffers of different ear-specific bacterial and chronic yeast infections. Alcohol has harsh effects on a mutt's ears; because it dries the inner ears excessively, causing sensitivity and in some cases, an allergic reaction. It is another common solution a considerable percent of pet owners use, but it harms a dog; instead of giving him or her relief.

For more information about paw licking please click here this url or visit Dinovite.com/blog/2011/12/homemade-ear-cleaning-solutions-for-dogs/

Alpacas - How to Get the Most From Your Investment

By Patricia A Cobbold

Prior to the European colonisation of the Americas, Alpacas were already highly prized. They were primarily used as a source of meat, but clothing and blankets were also made from the soft dense alpaca fleeces, the hides were also used, and the manure was used for fuel.

Not much has changed since those times as far as their uses, but it serves as a good reminder to identify the benefits of your investment in your Alpacas.

Meat - Whist the Alpaca is still eaten in some parts of the world, here in the UK they have not been added to any menus - yet. Given the monetary investment in the Alpaca one could only imagine that the price of an Alpaca steak would require a good bank balance!

Fleeces - Alpacas are sheared once a year and at this time, care is taken in collecting the beautiful fleeces. There are many ways of reaping the monetary rewards of a good fleece and decisions rest entirely on the owner as to how this is done. Many sell the fleece in its entirety; some process it and sell it for others to spin (carding); some spinning the fleece themselves, or it can be taken to a Mill and the yarn sold; and some go as far as to make lovely luxurious garments for resale. Whatever the option, there is the opportunity for monetary reward at shearing time.

Fuel - In the Americas dried alpaca manure was, and probably still is, used as fuel. Unlike most animal manures, the small pellets of the Alpaca manure, are easily collected and dried. An amount is then squashed in to brick like shapes and left to completely dry. They can be used as a biomass fuel, burning for 1-2 hours. Thankfully, Alpaca manure has no smell!

Fertiliser - The Alpaca is a ruminant with three stomachs and this very efficient digestion system ensures very little organic matter in their manure. Because of this there is no need to compost the manure but it can be spread directly around plants. It can also be spread onto the ground, allowing the rain to take it into the ground, or can be generally dug in like other fertilisers. Alternatively place some of the manure in water and use the liquid to water your plants. It really is excellent, whichever way you use it. The manure is rich in nitrogen, and potassium, and provides an excellent source of nutrients for optimal soil and plant health.

As an aside from the above, there is much to be gained from breeding Alpacas and selling them. Ensuring you are honest about the history of your animals, set a good price and offer a good after sales support - will ensure that you have many referrals.

Here in the UK, Alpacas (both Suri and Huacaya) are classed as pets, and therefore are subject to VAT. In order to recoup the VAT on your animals and all the other things you need for them (shelters etc), you should become registered for VAT. The HRMC website is very helpful in this regard or your accountant can help you. It does mean good record keeping of your financial income and spending, and filing quarterly reports on line, but the returned VAT helps with the cost of feeding your alpacas in the future.

The above are all monetary ways of getting a return on your investment. There is however no monetary value equal to the sheer joy of getting to know your animal and becoming friends.

Patricia Cobbold is an experienced Alpaca Breeder in Wales. She also works with her alpaca fleeces, both spinning and weaving. She says that looking after alpacas along with her sheep, goats and chickens, has been a huge learning curve for both her and her husband, but a very pleasurable one. Patricia's website gives useful information about alpacas and her smallholding.

Holistic First-Aid For Cats and Dogs: You Can Help Them Feel Better

By Anne Whitehouse Ph.D.

We all value our pets. They give us so much: affection, love and entertainment. So it's very hard to watch them when they are ill, afraid or suffering. Over the years I have sometimes been asked to provide healing for pets. Let me share with you some simple and effective healing techniques which you can use to help your furry friends. These have all been used with real animals, and without exception, the pet responded well to the treatment.

Of course, before you try anything holistic, you must get your pet any appropriate medical treatment. After this, start your holistic regime. Animals respond very well to natural therapies because they are extremely sensitive to subtle energies. You should see an improvement within a few hours of starting treatment, but should carry on for at least a couple of weeks to get maximum benefit.

Flower Remedies: The Gentle Healers

Whenever your cat or dog is distressed, injured or afraid, you can give them a Bach Flower Remedy. Yes, flower remedies are completely safe for cats and dogs, with a little extra preparation. You can easily purchase these from a health-food store.

When you have selected your remedy, put four drops into a cup. Then add a little boiling water to make the brandy preservative evaporate. It helps if you swill the mixture around; you will be able to smell the alcohol as you do this. After a couple of minutes, you should be able to confirm that most of it has gone by checking the smell. Then use cold water to make the mixture up to about 30ml. This remedy will now last for up to four weeks, but you must keep it refrigerated.

To give the remedy to your pet, simply add four drops to their drinking water. Usually, they do not notice that you have added anything, and happily drink the water. Make sure you change the water and add fresh remedy every day.

When giving flower remedies to pets, I recommend giving Rescue Remedy in the first instance, and then up to two other remedies. I have found the following remedies to be particular effective for animals:

Rescue Remedy for shock, after operations or accidents.
Mimulus and Aspen when they are afraid.
Larch and Centaury when they are being bullied.
Holly and Beech when they are overly aggressive.

Colour Therapy for Pets

Your pet cannot tell you what is wrong, and cannot tell you what has upset or frightened it. The colours which will help an animal are therefore blue and orange. Blue clears communication, calms and de-stresses. Orange clears shock and trauma. To help a pet with colour, simply wrap them in a towel or blanket of the appropriate colour, or place coloured blankets in their bed.

Crystal Healing for Pets

Crystals can be extremely helpful for pets. Simply place the crystal in your pet's bedding and they will get the benefit.

Examples

Injury, Operation or Accident
Obviously the first priority is to get your pet the required medical treatment. After this has been taken care of, you can start the healing. Give your pet Rescue Remedy. If they are unable to drink, simply dip your finger in their drinking water, and let them lick your finger. Give them an orange towel or blanket to help with the trauma. I also recommend placing a piece of smoky quartz in their bedding. The energy of this crystal is excellent for absorbing pain.

Being Bullied and Attacked
Again, you should start with Rescue Remedy and an orange blanket. I also recommend adding Mimulus and Aspen to the remedy. This will help deal with your pet's fear and timidity. After a couple of days, you should see a change in your pet's behaviour. It will then be beneficial to give them Centaury and Larch to increase their confidence.

Aggression and Bullying Other Animals
Give the aggressive animal Beech and Holly flower remedies for several weeks. Use a bright blue towel or blanket with your pet. I also recommend putting a rose quartz crystal in their bedding. This combination will make your pet feel safe and loved, and should reduce their aggression towards other animals.

Making a difference to your pet's well-being is very easy. All that is required is to have a couple of bottles of flower remedy, a few crystals and some coloured towels. What could be easier?

Dr Anne Whitehouse is a Colour Psychologist and Flower Remedies practitioner. She uses colour to clear stress and trauma, and help people move forward with their lives. Colour is a truly universal language: it can reach anyone, regardless of their ability to communicate their problems. Flower Remedies are safe and gentle yet extremely powerful: they can produce life-changing healing. Anyone can incorporate holistic healing techniques like these into their daily life to make things better for themselves and those around them, at little or no cost. Find out how to do this at www.anne-whitehouse.com.

Are Aquarium Snails Pets Or Pests?

By David Yearwood

Most fish keepers see snails as pests. You can't blame them as some really are. But on the other hand, some folks keep snails as pets. There are a variety of aquarium snails available. Typically, pet grade snails are available at your local pet shop. In some cases, little snails can be hidden in aquarium plants. Be careful when buying since some people get a big surprise after a couple of weeks when they find their aquarium infested.

There are quite a few kinds of snails to think about. Every type has different features and characteristics. Below are the common types and a brief description of each.

Ramshorn snail:

They're called such due to the ram like horns it has on its head. Their colours range from black, red and checkered patterns. They usually eat any kind of house plants and are notoriously prolific.

Trumpet snail:

These do not lay eggs like most snails. They are live-bearing. They normally feed on particles that are present in the substrate and seldom consume plants. These are advisable to get if you have a tank full of plants. These snails are nocturnal, which means that they are active at night. This type of snail has been known to keep the bottom of your aquarium free of debris.

Pond snail:

This type is pretty notorious as they have been observed to hide in aquarium plants. They are usually football-like in shape. Pond snails reproduce very fast and they have big appetites. They can easily wreak havoc on your aquarium plants.

Apple snail:

This one is a well-liked aquarium addition. The apple snail has four different species. They are known to consume aquarium plants. Be cautious when deciding to add this type to your tank. Under appropriate conditions, the apple snail can be an inhabitant of your tank for a long time. They can even grow the size of tennis balls.

Nearly all aquarium snails thrive well in community tanks. They consume algae and other debris that accumulates in the tanks. They can help a lot in keeping good water quality. However, some consume aquarium plants. Make certain that you know everything about them before you add them to your tank.

Aquarium snails are good companions to fishes such as Danios, Guppies, Neon Tetras and White Cloud Minnows. On the other hand if you discover unwelcome snails in your aquarium, you could add a Skink or Clown Loach as these fish consider snails as dinner.

Aquarium snails are a great addition to your tank. Make sure to consult your pet store attendant before buying as the compatibility of the fish and snails are crucial.

Want To Know More

Click here to Get A FREE Copy Of the Beginners Aquarium Guide. http://www.uniqueaquariumdesigns.co.uk/ Download your copy right away and put the tips to work for you immediately.

Or see our complete aquarium set-up here Aquarium Setups

How to Find the Best Vacuum for Pet Hair

By Heather F Schultz

If you are a pet lover and keep pets in your home, you probably know how difficult it can be to keep your carpet clean and your house smelling good. Unless you have hairless pets, you will always have the problem of pet hair sticking to everything. If your entire house has hard wood floors or tile, you will find the most difficult area to remove pet fur from is the carpet. The good news is that in this day and age there are very good pet hair vacuums available to everyone.

You're probably wondering what is the best vacuum for pet hair? That question is not easily answered. There are many factors to consider when shopping for a pet vac. Manufacturers are constantly improving their models, so at any given time there may be several vacuums that would qualify for the best vacuum for pet hair.

When you decide to search for a pet hair vacuum you should keep in mind that many vacuums may work well for removing pet fur even if they aren't labeled as a pet hair vacuum. Also, there are many models that will work very well when they are new, but quickly lose their cleaning ability as they age. You know the saying, you get what you pay for.

So, what should you look for in a pet vac? There are several factors to consider before you begin your search. How big is your house? Do you have mainly hardwood floors or carpet? Do you have stairs and are you able to carry a heavy vacuum upstairs? Then of course you must consider your budget.

If you have a large budget then the playing field narrows quickly as to which pet fur vacuum you should purchase. If you can afford to pay $500 plus dollars for a vacuum, then I would recommend purchasing a Dyson DC25 Animal pet fur vacuum, or a Sebo X4. If you have a limited budget there are many new pet hair vacuums on the market. One of the most popular inexpensive vacuums used for pet fur is the shark navigator vacuum.

So, what makes for a vacuum the best vacuum for pet hair? Obviously suction plays a big part in any vacuum. Without it you won't get anywhere with pet fur. The standard unit to measure suction is the airwatt. Unfortunately, most manufacturers of lower end pet vacuums will not disclose the airwatt suction of their vacuums. They try to confuse consumers by listing the watts of the vacuum motor, which has nothing to do with the suction of the vacuum.

One thing about vacuums is that they generally have good suction when they are clean. Traditional vacuums use bags to capture dirt and pet fur prior to exhausting air. The latest trend has been to make bagless vacuums. Be warned, not all bagless vacs are created equal. Dyson invented the popular cyclone technology that prevents loss of suction. There are many cheap pet vacuums on the market that look like Dyson's but in fact don't even possess cyclone technology. The only cheap pet hair vacuum with true cyclone technology is the Shark Navigator Vacuum.

If you have carpet in your home you will need a vacuum with a beater brush. This is the roller with bristles located at the suction intake of the vacuum. Generally, the beater brush is powered by a belt. In many lower in vacuums the belts will quickly stretch and the roller will start slipping. This can be very aggravating because you will notice that there is pet fur remaining in your carpet after you vacuum. This is one of the main reasons I recommend that you purchase a high end pet hair vacuum. Most high end pet hair vacuums either have lifetime belts or they have a direct drive system.

The best way to find the best pet vacuum is to read pet vacuum reviews. If you search the internet you will find many pet vacuum review websites. In addition to vacuum review sites it is advisable to read reviews left by real customers on merchant websites. Many merchants encourage customers to leave reviews of products they have purchased. If you find a pet hair vacuum that is loved by hundreds of people then you can bet your on the right path to finding the best vacuum for pet hair.

If you would like to find the Best Vacuum for Pet Hair then you should read reviews at our website, http://www.Pet-Hair-Vacuums.com/.

You may interested in our recent Dyson DC25 Animal Review. May you have a clean pet filled house!

Pet Shampoo - Saving Money by Buying Wholesale!

By Gary Pellegrino

We all love our pets, but love can get expensive. If you've been to a pet store recently, you will notice aisles filled with expensive bath and body products ranging from dog nail polish to fancy spa treatments for your canine. While some of the products can be kitschy fun, oftentimes they are a waste of money. When looking for a pet shampoo, it is also important to be an aware consumer.

When most people go to the beauty supply store, they look a shampoo that will best handle their hair-type, protect against sun damage and leave it clean and smooth. I've found that people will spend ridiculous amounts of money on hair care product without even looking at the ingredients. Most of the time, you can find exact same formulas for less than half the cost of a high end salon-type product. So why spend $40 on a product you can get for $5? I challenge everyone to keep all their receipts for their bath and body products and see just how much money is spent on things like haircare and lotions. You will be amazed at how much you COULD be saving.

Now back to pet care. Why should you be spending so much money on a luxury pet shampoo that you can get for half the price? Why not purchase your product wholesale? Your pet will always need to be cleaned, so instead of buying small bottles, buy by the gallon and save your money. If you want a more luxurious product, try adding an essential oil or fragrance oil to your wholesale pet shampoo and it will customize the product and people will think your pet just left the spa!

There is currently a debate about the best type of pet shampoo for your animal. The 'soapless' trend is a widespread debate on the Internet, and many people are turning to all-natural or organic products, which may not be the best for your pet. It's most important to look at the ingredients and research ANY product you are using that could be harmful to your pet's health. All-natural is certainly a plus when it comes to any bath and body product, and particularly pet shampoo. However, 100% organic may be harmful to your pets health, depending on the hair type and animal type.

The point is, pet shampoo is something that consumers need to research. Every animal owner will need it, so it doesn't make sense to by small quantities or expensive product that is harmful to your pet's health. Furthermore, it's important to look at your spending in this economy and figure out every possible venue to save money. Pet care supplies are an area most people overlook when trying to budget for the month. Get creative, get thrifty and save your money to treat yourself!

Bulk Apothecary is a huge manufacturer of pet shampoo among other soap and lotion making supplies. Also find various fragrance oils to mix with the wholesale base! We invite you to visit Bulk Apothecary.

Gary Pellegrino - Owner of Bulk Apothecary

Tarantula Care - What Every Beginner Needs To Know

By Geordie J Williams

While not the first choice of pet for everyone, the number of pet tarantula owners continues to grow every year. People of all experiences are taking these spiders on as pets, and for those just beginning it's essential to learn appropriate tarantula care techniques for your particular species of tarantula. This article will cover four essential general areas of care including choosing a good tarantula species, the type of housing or enclosure you need for your new pet, what to feed them, and finally what to expect during the molting process.

There are over 900 species currently cataloged, many of which are totally unsuitable to keep as a pet - some are too aggressive, while others are too rare (and therefore extremely expensive if you can even find one for sale at all), and others still just have too strict or complicated care needs. There are certain species that are definitely recommended for beginners looking to get their feet wet, and then more species recommended for those with experience.

We've probably all seen cheap horror movies involving spiders that take over buildings or towns and leap out of tress on unsuspecting travelers and such, but when it comes to keeping tarantulas as pets the reality is totally different. These spiders have rather weak abdomens and are very prone to injury from falling, so your ideal tarantula enclosure needs to be reasonably low, but wide and long enough to allow the spider room to move around. Depending on the specific species, how big an enclosure, and what you need to put on the inside will vary.

Tarantula food doesn't need to be complicated, and possibly surprisingly most species of tarantula will be happy to eat gut-loaded live crickets. While there are other options to live crickets, these are by fat the most common source of food used by owners.

I included molting in this article because during the tarantula molting process many owners mistakenly think their spider has died. The spider will likely have stopped eating for a couple of weeks prior to the molting, and will lay motionless and prone, sometimes for hours. This process is very stressful on your pet and leaving her alone is essential until the process is complete.

Hopefully this article gave you some ideas of the preparation you need to do before you actually purchase your pet tarantula. Please don't forget that not every species is suitable for beginners, and that your enclosure will vary depending on what species of tarantula you chose, so get educated on the specific tarantula care needs for the species you choose..

For a list of the top 8 recommended tarantula species for beginners, and species specific tarantula care advice, visit the Tarantula Care Center here: Tarantula Care Center

How to Get Rid of Hobo Spiders

Hobo spiders

The Hobo Spider (Tegenaria agrestis) is a member of the genus Tegenaria and closely related to the giant house spider (Tegenaria gigantea). It is a moderately large arthropod. The females can reach a body length of 20 mm and a leg span of up to 50mm. Although the males are generally smaller with a maximum body length of 12 mm, they can acquire an impressive leg span reaching up to 80 mm. Their natural home is Europe, the species was introduced in the 1930s in the United States. There, it was probably first seen in Seattle, from where it spread rapidly. This rapid spread is due to the absence of their natural enemy, the giant house spider.

These spiders are not more aggressive than other species. The common name "the aggressive house spider" seems to be a misinterpretation of the Latin name. In English, "agrestis" does not mean aggressive but "from the fields". This strange name leads from the fact that unlike in the U.S., there are rarely, if at all Hobo spiders in European houses. The reason for this phenomenon is that its major competitor, the giant house spider is very common there. The more Tegenaria gigantea, the less agrestis will inhabit a house.

Hobo spider bites

The bites of Tegenaria agrestis in the U.S. seem to have serious consequences. In the 1980s, scientists searched for the cause of strange spider bites. They closely resembled the bite of the Brown recluse spider, but the medical implications were not quite as severe. The cause was discovered soon - the Hobo spider. The symptoms of a bite may include pain, redness, tachycardia and, far worse, necrotic skin lesions. Most bites happen accidentally when such a spider is squeezed. This occurs, for example, when a sleeping person rolls over and places a limb on the spider. Most Hobo spider bites seem to occur in bed. One should be examined by the doctor after a bite as soon as possible.

How to get rid of Hobo spiders

There are many ways to get rid of these spiders such as sprays or other repellents. The disadvantage of sprays is that you must search the whole house for the spiders. You must also use special spider sprays, because arthropods are resistant to many insecticides. Spider traps are the best non-toxic method to exterminate them. The traps lure the Hobo spiders with pheromones in order to catch them with a very sticky glue. Spider traps are safe for use around children and house pets.

Manfred Kendlbacher is an expert on spider repellents. So come visit his latest website that discusses spider pest control products like spider traps and spider deterrents.

All the Supplies a Beekeeper Needs

By Ben A Field

Having the correct beekeeping supplies is of prime importance. The best supplies are needed to properly manage and keep the bees in the best of health. Harvesting and extracting the honey requires equipment, jars, labels etc. Also without protective clothing beekeeping can be dangerous.

Treating the bees correctly means that much greater levels of enjoyment can be derived from beekeeping. It also means that the quantity and quality of the harvests will be much better. At the centre of the supplies required to handle the bees is the smoker. This can be used to emit smoke into the hive which will 'calm' the bees. It works by fooling the bees into preparing to leave the hive because they fear a fire in the hive. It also hides the alarm chemicals produced by the guard bees signalling an intruder. These reactions combine to allow the beekeeper to open and work in the hive without a defensive reaction by the bees.

There are a large variety of fuels that can be used in a smoker ranging from cartridges to natural fuels such as hessian, twine, pine needles, corrugated cardboard and rotten wood. There are now aerosols that can be used as smokers.

A range of tools have been developed to help the beekeeper work in the hive. These are used to lift the frames, strip the wax caps etc.

Bees are very good at finding their food themselves having survived for millions of years. But it is necessary to supplement their diet with sugar syrup. This prevents starvation in bad times and it stimulates the laying of eggs by the bees. There are different kinds of feeders available for the beekeeper to achieve this. In the summer when the bees are active coming and going from the hive an entrance feeder is the best bet. In the winter inside feeders are best - hive top, pail or division boards can all be used.

Very important to the bees is their house - the hive. By far the most popular is the Langstroth hive, originally devised back in 1860 the design has lasted through time not yet being bettered. In this hive the beekeeper used a wax foundation in a removable frame to assist in the harvest of the honey. The frame is reusable but the wax foundation is a necessary supply. This foundation is a thin wax sheet with a hexagonal cell pattern embossed on both sides. This assists the bees so that the effort required in the construction of the comb is much less. This means the bees concentrate on making honey. Thus much more honey!

Last but not least we must consider the protective clothing that is required to keep the beekeeper comfortable - no one enjoys being stung. The essential elements are a hat and veil, gloves and a beekeeping suit. It is most important to protect the face and neck. The bees will be attracted to this area by the person's breath and it would appear that the sting's affect is far more severe. Two types of gloves are used heavy working gloves and latex gloves for the more delicate worker. However many beekeepers do not use gloves feeling that they hinder the finer worker that is often necessary. The beekeeper suit should be light coloured and a close weave to stop the penetration of the bee's sting.

By using the correct supplies and protective clothing beekeeping provides hours of highly rewarding pleasure, benefit the pollination of all the plants in the area, stop the decline in the number of bees (with its devastating effects if not controlled) and provide the most delicious honey.

Ben Field is a beekeeping expert. For more great tips on beekeeper supplies, visit http://www.thebeekeepingcenter.com.

 

How To Bury A Pet Is Important

By Adriana Noton

How to bury a pet is the last thing many of us want to consider. However, like humans, our beloved animals must also reach the time when they must cross the bridge that leads them to the green pastures where they will no longer suffer the pain or illness that will eventually take them away from us. Preparing for that time is important.

If a pet coffin is to be ordered from one of the several pet casket makers, it may be necessary to handle that in advance so it will be available when the time comes for it to be used. The cost for a factory made container is quite expensive. If the budget will not allow the custom built, perhaps a hand made one will suffice. It may be a challenge but a necessary project in order to have something to place the beloved in at that end time of his or her life.

A plastic container with a tight fitting lid can be fashioned to fit the need. Using foam rubber for the mattress and pillow, and covering it in satin is easy to do. It may take a bit of sewing, but the final results will be worth the effort. The lid can also have the foam rubber and satin applied to it using a hot glue gun.

The next step is to locate the spot in the yard or area where the plot will be. It is important to make sure that the city will allow pet burying in the city limits. There are many cities that do not allow it. If not, pet cemeteries are available.

When the pet passes away, dig a grave between two to four feet deep. This can be done if the time for the pet is drawing very near, a few days in advance. Make sure the opening is covered to avoid a possible accident. Or the grave can be dug the day of the animal's passing.

Wrap the animal in a favorite blanket, sweater or towel. The second wrapping should be a large piece of plastic. A shower curtain or a large leaf bag is sufficient. The plastic may need to be taped to close it tightly.

Place the pet inside the coffin. If an eulogy is preferred with family members gathered, say final good byes before closing the lid. Make sure the grave is large enough on the ends and sides for the coffin to fit easily into. Place the dirt shoveled out of the grave back onto top of the casket. Tamp it down securely after every few shovels full until it is filled.

It is never easy to say good bye to a family member and there will defiantly be a time of grieving. Special pets leave paw prints on the heart that do not pass away with the animal but linger forever. How to bury a pet and give them the best farewell possible will make the final passing much easier. Burying them properly will make the owner rest assured that they did the very best they could for their pet.

Having pets and animals are wonderful for adding enjoyment to our lives, so be sure to have pet supplies ready to meet their needs. Puppies, kittens, birds and more can be found in puppies Toronto as well as www.perryspetmart.ca/ near you.

High Tech Pet Doors - Which Electronic Pet Door Is Right for Me?

Electronic pet doors, that can offer safety from intruders and other animals entering their homes are showing up in more and more homes around the world, and as such, there are many pet companies manufacturing them today. Companies such as Innotek ®, Petsafe ®, Dogtra ® and High Tech Pet Products are are all companies where you can find some form of electronic pet doors and they're in stiff competition for your business. Some are very cleverly designed, and some fall short of filling the bill.

Two features that often fall short and have to be carefully examined before buying your doors are insulation and security. Make sure when buying your electronic doors they are well insulated. Unless you live in a climate that has very pleasant weather year round, if your doors are poorly insulated, you'll be unhappy with them once the cold and wind start coming in. Electronic doors can have different insulation factors, from being very poorly insulated to having such an airtight sealing system that they hold out bitterly cold weather.

Secondly, when purchasing electronic doors, if they are of the electronic flap model, make sure that when they're in auto mode, they lock in the inside to the outside direction. Many electronic flap doors can be manually locked, but do not auto lock in this direction with the theory that the door needs to lock from outside to inside in order to keep out other pets, but there's no reason to lock them in the inside to outside direction unless you specifically want to lock your pet in for some reason. If you do want to lock your pet inside, you can lock it manually. If you think this through, you'll easily see the flaw in this reasoning. Any intruder wanting to come in can pull the flap toward the outside and crawl through and any smart raccoon will soon figure out how to do the same thing. Make absolutely sure the door locks in both directions on auto mode, not just on manual mode.

Thirdly, decide which door is more appealing to you as far as the way the electronics are handled. There are basically two groups in which the electronics fall into. The first group works from a magnet attached to the pet's collar or a chip implanted under the pet's skin. Most of the automatic pet doors in this group work in a very similar fashion, i.e. the magnet or chip unlocks a flap that the pet can then push open and walk through.

The second group powers from an electronic collar worn by the pet that actuates a motor driven panel that raises up into the top of the door panel, lowering and locking it once the pet is through the door. Whichever electronic pet doors you finally decide on, if you've kept these basic issues in mind when choosing them, you will end up making a purchase that you won't regret in the long run.

By Marilou Sabina High Tech Pet Products Co. features the Power Pet Door, which has a motor driven panel made of strong lexan, a deadbolt locking system, making it secure against intruders and raccoons, and an airtight sealing system that holds out bitter cold and seals out ants and other small insects. Besides the many features that put this door in a class of its own, it is also quite visually pleasing. Because of the unique features, the Power Pet Door has been featured on HGTV's show, I Want That