Keep Your Cat Safe

Because it is a curious creature, your cat is likely to create an emergency situation. Even the best well-protected house cat is subject to dangers in the home. Although you can do your part by cat-proofing your home emergencies do arise. First aid measures are not a substitute for veterinary care. If an emergency arises, always call your vet. In some cases, however, you may have to administer first aid before you can take the cat to the vet.

If you live in high rise flat, there is a real danger of your cat falling and injuring or killing itself. Install grills on windows and balconies to prevent this. The size of the spaces in the grills should be such that your cat should not be able to squeeze through. Some steps that you can take to prevent an accident, include not hanging things that might attract your cat's attention, e.g. wind chimes, on or near the window ledge.

Cats, like a lot of youngsters, will eat almost anything. And they will play with anything that can move. Strings, yarn, dental floss, elastics and especially needles and thread are highly enticing, but if swallowed they can do serious, often fatal, damage. Store anything string-like and any items small enough to swallow in a drawer or somewhere that feline paws can't penetrate. Chewing an electrical cord can be fatal, and pulling on it may bring down an appliance — in the case of an iron, possibly a hot appliance. Hanging cords, such as those for curtains, blinds and lamps can be strangulation hazards. Bundle all cords or tie them off out of reach.

Your child must learn to respect the cat and treat him gently. Your influence as a role model is essential here. Supervise any interaction between your child and the cat until you are confident both are behaving properly.Your child should be sitting calmly for the initial meeting, any fast movements will send the cat into hiding. Bring the animal to the child and help your youngster pet him, stroking with the fur, not against it. Show your child how to play gently; no tail pulling.Teach your child how to hold the cat so that he is properly supported. And more importantly, your child should know when to let the cat go.

Most youngsters can learn to read body language: If the cat is wriggling or his tail is lashing and his ears are back, it's time to put him down. Kittens are delicate and can be injured by a child's overly tight hug. And don't allow a child to tease the cat, or to disturb him when he is eating, using the litter box or in a deep sleep.

Many toxic products are labeled with warnings. But the toxicity of other products may not be immediately apparent, and your cat doesn't necessarily have to eat or drink something to ingest it; when grooming, your cat will swallow anything on his paws or body. Furthermore, some toxins can be absorbed directly through the skin or gums and still cause serious problems. If you don't know that a product is safe, treat it as a potential poison. Store it in a tightly sealed container in a securely closed cabinet, preferably out of reach of your cat.

Hassany Ummar Email: drhassan57@yahoo.com Website: http://cat-world.50webs.com

 

Choose the Right Dog Carrier

By Amanda Potter

With the popularity of small dogs, there are numerous types of dog carriers to choose from. Your dog carrier can range from styles such as a sports bag to a stylish designer purse. You can even choose a backpack or luggage carrier to take your little furry friend along with you wherever you travel.

When choosing a dog carrier, decide what size and fabric/style you would like. You can choose a generic bag to take everywhere with you or a small designer purse to take out on the town. Dog carrier purses range in sizes, from large ones that completely conceal your pet, to small ones that allow your dog's head or even legs to poke out. You may want a large bag for the day to hold your wallet, checkbook, make up, phone, keys, and any other accessories. For the night time, usually a smaller and flashier bag is perfect for holding your ID, cash, and some lip gloss and keys next to your favorite dog.

Determine an appropriate budget. If you really want to spoil your pup, you may wish to buy the more expensive carriers that can cost up to $1,000. Otherwise, you can usually find a carrier for about $30 and up. If you want a designer dog carrier purse, expect the price to be around $100-$400. Whatever budget you decide on, make sure you choose the right style bag to match your outfits and your dog's clothes too.

When deciding between carriers, be sure that the bag is sturdy enough to carry everything that you would require. It is particularly important that is has a removable and washable bottom. Make sure it is also soft enough and comfortable so that your dog wants to get inside and ride along with you regularly.

After you buy a dog carrier purse, pick up a gourmet dog treat to entice your dog to get inside the bag. Once he or she feels comfortable, you're both ready to go out. Whatever dog carrier purse you choose, you and your pup will look great wherever you go.

Luxury bed boutique

 

Amazing Tips To Eliminate Cat Urine Odor and Stain

By Richard Lindner

"Inappropriate elimination," is a fancy term for your cat urinating anywhere around your household.

The issue of cleaning cat urine is complicated and there are no easy answers or quick remedies. It leaves hard to remove stains and odor infusing through your home. After a thorough application of cleaning products and deodorizers, stains remained and worse, the odors come back!

Cat urine smell is so difficult to remove and it comprises of three major components: Urea – which is the sticky stuff, Urochrome – the pigments which give it color and Uric Acid – which is the stinky part.

Uric Acid is comprised of crystals and salts, when dried it releases relatively little odor, once the crystals and salts dampen again, with rain or humidity the odor comes back.

You can easily get rid of the stinky stuff and the color stain using a proven cleaner or urine remover. The trouble is, because of the uric acid that cat urine contains, normal cleaners do not effectively eliminate the smell.

There are products readily available in pet stores containing enzymes which will neutralize the smell. Examples of effective cat urine remover are Odor Secret. Follow the directions on the bottle and see the results for yourself.

I advise you to discover not only how to clean your cat's urine but what to do so you can stop the problem in the first place. The key is to completely get rid of the smell from the cat's perception because the cat may still smell where it urinated attracting it to pee in the same area over and over again.

Another tip is NOT to use ammonia or ammonia based products to clean up cat urine since ammonia smells similar to cat urine, so you will be attracting them to pee on the same spot.

One of the best things you can do to eliminate odors associated with the litter box is to keep it clean. Cats may urinate outside their litter boxes for many reasons: Cats are territorial; they mark their territory by urinating and when they feel threatened. Stressful situations can cause cats to mess anywhere or your cat has Urinary infections.

I believe in approaching the problem from many different angles and not just the most obvious you'll find the bottom line answers to putting a stop to your cat urine problem.

Find out that there could be many causes to your cat's problem and what you should do about it. You'll learn that there are more ways of dealing with your pet's problem than just cleaning it up.

Dangerous Plants And You Cat Or Dog

You can do many things to keep your cats or dogs from harm, but an inconspicuous danger may still remain in your house - your plants and food.

Curious pets might take a taste of any plant. An pet may feel the need to self-medicate (like cats eating grass), and so the plant in a pot might tempt them. Or they may just be curious. Despite being toxic, some plants taste good (for instance, the taste of a berry is no indication of its safety, as some berries can taste fine but be highly dangerous).

It is also no guarantee if a plant is edible by people. Many plants can be poisonous for pets, yet completely safe for humans. For instance, onions are very toxic to cats. Also, the quantities that pets need to eat to be affected is much less than we'd have to eat, because of their small size.

However, although many houseplants are perfectly safe, many aren't, and it is necessary to be aware of what ones to avoid.

Cats need to avoid completely: chinese evegreen, crotons, peace lillies, onion, lily spider, rubber plant, iris, evergreen, black-eyed susan, belladonna, daffodil (bulb and plant), tobacco (such as ashtray butts), rhododendron, asparagus fern, rhubarb, english ivy and other ivys, tulip plants and bulbs, lily of the valley, easter lily, aloe vera, holly, oriental lily, chrysanthemum, jasmine, java beans, potato, poppy, mushrooms, umbrella plants, honeysuckle, mistletoe, amaryllis bulbs, apple seeds, sweet pea, poinsettia, yews (all types) tiger lily, baby's breath, marigold, morning glory, philodendron, eggplant, and eucalyptus, which can include a wide selection of plants in your home and larder.

Dogs need to keep away from (among other things): croton, apricot, chinese evergreen, daffodil, easter lilly, jasmine, baby's breath, philodendron, potato, hydrangea, poinsettia, apple, mushrooms, corn plant, honeysuckle, mushrooms, mountain laurel, mother-in-laws tongue, walnuts and many nuts, apple, pear seeds, aloe, holly, umbrella plant, green potatoes (especially the skins), lily of the valley, virginia creeper, peace lily, jade, hyacinth, wisteria, iris, plum, peach, apricot, cherry, pits, schefflera, almond, black-eyed susan, ficus, english ivy, tomato plants (and green tomatoes), and yews. These would include a wide variety of plants in your house and larder.

Note that this list is not complete. If you are in doubt about any plants, do research at your library, or on the Internet, consult knowledgeable friends, or if all else fails, get rid of the item.

Even if you truly value a favorite plant, your dog or cat must come first. If any plant is creating a health problem, it's an easy choice what to do, and you can make the correct decision for your pet's wellbeing.

Eric Hartwell oversees "The World's Best Homepage" intended to be a user-generated resource where YOUR opinion counts. Anybody can contribute and all are welcomed. Visit us to read, comment upon or share opinions on pets, cat and dog care and animal health and visit our associated site articles for free.

 

Protect Your Cat from Household Dangers

Most people take precautions when it comes to children and household chemicals but did you know that there might be over 100 household items that could be potential dangerous for your cat. These products include common household items such as laundry detergent, dishwashing detergent, dusting spray, bleach, all purpose cleaners, oil, medicines, antifreeze, mothballs, fertilizers, insecticides, oven cleaner and more.

There are many reasons for the old saying curiosity killed the cat. Cats are very curious creatures that can get themselves into a lot of trouble. Just like with children sometimes its common household things that can hurt our feline friends. There are no specific stats on cat poisonings but the majority of reported cat poisonings have happened in the home by either eating or drinking a chemical, mostly cleaning products.

Automatic dishwashing detergent and dryer sheets contain large amounts of synthetic detergents. Highly concentrated products can irritate the tissues in the nose and throat, can make your cat salivate excessively, vomit, create ulcers in their mouth or throat or cause diarrhea. Cleaning products like oven cleaner can cause fumes that can irritate your cat's eyes. Anytime cats get anything on them or their paws they lick it making it easy for them to ingest products that they come in contact with.

Another very deadly product that we have around the house is antifreeze. Unfortunately, cats are attracted to the taste of antifreeze. Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, a chemical compound that even in very small quantities can kill or make your cat very sick within a few hours. If you suspect that your cat has gotten into antifreeze get them to a Vet immediately. The sooner that they can get veterinary care the greater the chance of survival.

Remember anything can be toxic if enough is ingested. This creates a problem because cats seem to check everything out with their tongue. Treat all of your cleaning products, medicines, and grooming products as potential dangers for your cat. Try to isolate your cat when using chemical products. If you have a chemical spill remove your cat immediately, if you haven't already, and clean it up completely. Make sure that the area you cleaned is completely dry before you let your cat back into it. If your cat has any of the above symptoms, seems lethargic, depressed or won't eat, take them to the vet right away.

Tina Seay is the author and webmaster of http://www.forthecatlover.com a website devoted to cat lovers everywhere, with cat articles, cat pictures and a nice selection of cat gift items.

 

Dyson Animal Vacuum Cleaner - A Kitten or a Tiger?

By Matt Adler

Dyson Animal Vacuum Cleaner is marketed towards pet owners as a vacuum cleaner that was specifically designed to help clean up pet hair. As anyone with pets knows, pet hair clings to everything, and most vacuum cleaners have a difficult time actually picking it all up.

The most confusing aspect of the Dyson Animal is that it is really just a trim line for each of the Dyson models. There are four Dyson upright vacuum cleaner models: DC07, DC14, DC15, and DC17. Each of these models comes in a variety of trim lines, including the Animal, with the exception of the DC17 which only comes in the Animal trim.

The DC07 is the base model cleaner. The DC14 adds a telescoping wand, or vacuum hose, and the DC15 uses a rubber ball for maneuverability instead of the traditional four wheels most vacuum cleaners use. The DC17 only comes in the Animal model and uses a more advanced root cyclone suction method that Dyson became famous for.

What is the main difference between the Dyson Animal and all of the other trim lines for each model (excluding the DC17 model)? Believe it or not it is just two add on tools, the mini turbine head, and the low reach floor tool. The mini turbine head is what they market specifically to pick up pet hair out of carpet, furniture, and other types of materials that pet hair sticks to. What makes matters slightly more confusing is that several of the other trim lines also include these tools!

The DC17 Animal is the only true upgrade that deserves to be called an Animal. It uses an advanced technology they call the Level 3 Root Cyclone which is an improvement over the Root Cyclone in the other Dyson vacuums. It adds additional cyclones to increase efficiency and further remove dust particles from the air.

When it comes down to it, the DC07, DC14, and DC15 Animals are more than likely just a marketing ploy geared towards pet owners. They offer no real difference over the other trim lines of the same models. The DC17 Animal on the other hand is the tiger, and offers more advanced technology for the money.

For more information on the Dyson Animal Vacuum and other Dyson vacuum cleaners, visit http://www.dysonvacuumguide.com

Tips on How to Remove Urine from Carpet

Urine is such a normal occurrence every day, yet not so many people consider it as something that should be taken seriously.

However, when damage has been or it has penetrated on the wrong area, it suddenly becomes a very demanding job.

Why? It is simply because urine can bring about bad odor that can actually humiliate you from your visitors especially when it has penetrated in your carpet.

Carpets are hard to clean especially when it comes to animal urine. In addition, when the problem has happened before, chances are, your pet will continue to pee on the same area. This is because animals such as cats and dogs can still identify the exact place where they have peed before. By the time they like to pee again, they will opt to have it on the same place, as if the area becomes a marked spot for urinating.

Many solutions have been tried and tested just to remove the stinking odor that urines leave behind when penetrated in carpets. However, most of these solutions failed to remove the foul odor.

To solve the problem, here are some simple steps:

1. Try to use some solutions that will effectively remove urine odor

Even if most solutions fail to resolve the problem, there are some "bio-enzymatic" solutions that have been proven to be effective in eliminating urine odors in carpets. These products were known to remove even the past urine odors that had long been soaked in the carpet.

"Bio-enzymatic" refers to the ability of the solution to work its way in removing bacteria or cleaning the enzyme material present in the urine. These are the things that create stinking odors.

2. First aid remedy

Once you have spotted urine material in your carpet, it is best to dab several layers of paper towels in the area. This will guarantee instant absorption of the urine. Let the paper towel absorb as much urine as it can handle by putting more pressure on it.

Repeat this process for about two to three times until greater amount of urine has been absorbed by the paper towels.

3. Use a car shampoo

After removing the urine and eliminating bad odor by using "bio-enzymatic" solutions, it is best that you use a car shampoo. This will make your carpet smell good enough. Besides, it can also condition your carpet since it contains some conditioning agents. Hence, your carpet's softness is maintained.

4. Always rinse with warm water

After doing all the necessary application of proven solutions, always make it a point to wash away the entire residue by using warm water. This can also effectively wash away bacteria and other materials not removed by the solutions.

5. Home-made solutions are great alternatives

If your budget cannot afford to buy those commercialized urine and pet odor removal solutions, you can opt for some alternatives.

Try using some solution of vinegar, baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and some water. This solution will neutralize the odor that urine can cause.

Use the solution in your carpet and let it stay there for about a day or two. If some odor persists, repeat the procedure.

Keep in mind that nothing can work better than an instant remedy. So it is best to remember to treat the area as soon as you have spotted urine material on it.

Michael Louis is a dog lover with a passion for knowledge who enjoys sharing his dog cleaning care secrets. Did you fine these dog odor tips useful? You can learn more tips and training tricks at the-dog-stop.com

 

How To Clean Cat Urine

By Donovan Baldwin

Why is a cat urine smell so difficult to remove even after you have cleaned the spot with a good cat urine cleaner?

Pet urine, cat or otherwise, is comprised of three major components:

1. Urea - Sticky stuff

2. Urochrome - Pigments which give it color

3. Uric acid - The stinky part

It is generally conceded that almost any decent cleaner would probably do to get rid of the first two if that was all that was involved. No specialized cat urine remover or cleaner would be required for that part of the task.

However, it is the last item, the Uric Acid which accounts for that lingering reminder of, "Oh! You have a cat!" when there is no visible feline. It is also the reason why normal household cleaners will not work to clean cat urine effectively. What happens is that the Uric Acid part is comprised of crystals and salts, which, once dry, release relatively little odor. However, once the crystals and salts dampen again, with rain or humidity, for example, the pet odor comes back. Even steam cleaning a carpet in hopes of getting rid of the odor for good just dampens everything and brings the odor back to life.

This is the point at which you will need a specifically designed cat urine remover such as Simple Solution Cat Spray & Urine Stain & Odor Remover which is readily available at pet supply stores such as Petco and PetSmart. The most effective products rely on bacteria and enzymes to actually eat up the last remnants of the Uric Acid and thus rid your home of the unpleasant odor. Many home remedies will recommend the use of vinegar to remove the smell. I have never tried this, but those who have tend to give mixed reviews to the process.

A word of warning here. No matter what anyone may try to tell you about how to clean cat urine from carpets or furniture, do NOT ever try to use a product with ammonia in it as a cat urine cleaner. Cat urine contains ammonia, and by using that product, you have just provided a marker for your cat telling it where to do its business next time.

Sometimes, finding the offending spot can be difficult. One trick is to search with a black light. Remember, you will probably not be looking for a large puddle, particularly on carpet. The urine will have come out in a stream, so the actual spot visible in the black light may not be much larger than a pencil eraser. However, the problem will be that once in the carpet, the cat urine will seep into the backing, the pad, and possibly through to the floor itself. To effectively remove the cat urine smell and prevent further visits to that spot by your cat, it may be necessary to lift the carpet and clean the pad and the floor as well as the carpet itself.

By the way, one of the best things you can do to help cut down on odors associated with the litter box while decreasing the possibility of "accidents" is to keep the cat pan clean. Cats can be picky, and a dirty litter box can encourage your pretty Persian kitty to find another place to grace. Keep access clear to it, and make sure that your cat can get to it in time of need, even if there is company present.

Donovan Baldwin is a Texas writer and a University of West Florida alumnus. He is a member of Mensa and is retired from the U. S. Army after 21 years of service. In his career, he has held many managerial and supervisory positions. However, his main pleasures have long been writing, nature, pets, health, and fitness. In the last few years, he has been able to combine these pleasures by writing poetry and articles on subjects such as animals, health, fitness,yoga, writing, fuel economy, the environment, happiness, self improvement, and weight loss. You can find information on caring for your cat or kitten at http://cat-and-kitten.com/

 

Serious Dog Urine Cleaning Products from a Surprising Source

Nobody enjoys thinking about dog urine stains and odor, but it happens. Even older dogs have accidents. (And let's also admit that dogs sometimes do it on purpose in order to mark their territory - no accident involved).

I'm thinking about this unpleasant subject at the moment because I just moved, and a very distinctive stain showed that a medium-sized dog recently lifted his leg on my new porch. To prevent my own dog from re-marking the house when I moved him to his new home, I had to find a good dog urine cleaning product, and fast.

With the help of my local pet store owner, (who also runs a house cleaning service), I found a great product - but not at her pet store.

So where did my friendly pet store owner take me to find a serious dog urine cleaning product? She led me next door, to the auto supply house. She asked the proprietor to search his shelves for a product that would be good enough to remove the smell and stain from my porch wall, but which would not be so strong that it would remove the paint. The product he had in stock was called Unbelievable!, from CORE Products Co., Inc., (but the man at the auto parts store said there are other brands that work as well).

The product was developed for professional cleaners, and works to remove pet and food stains (and odors) from a car's upholstery and carpet. The product costs far less than the enzyme product I recently purchased from a veterinarian, and it worked immediately. I just sprayed it on the siding where the dog lifted his leg, and the stain disappeared instantly, along with the smell. I'll be trying it on that suspicious spot on the carpet in a few minutes.

The first product that most people turn in these situations is enzyme-based cleaning products that can be purchased at grocery and pet stores. I recently had an opportunity to use an enzyme product on a borrowed cat carrier that had been sprayed by the owner's cat, and most of the odor did go away, eventually.

However, the enzyme product, which I purchased from a veterinarian, was expensive. It also took a long time to work, and my cats could still tell that the carrier had been sprayed, even though my own human nose could no longer detect it.

The product I purchased from the auto parts store worked better, and faster. And it cost less. So, the next time you have a need for a dog urine cleaner, don't head for the pet store - go to the auto supply store, and ask for a product that works on urine stains and odors. You'll save money by not buying an expensive enzyme product from the pet store or vet's, and you'll be happier with the results.

Copyright 2006 Jonni Good

Jonni is the owner of a large and popular website that is totally devoted to helping you adopt an older dog at your local humane society. You'll find a list of local animal shelters, and many articles about selecting exactly the right dog for your family. http://www.older-dog.com

 

Pet Friendly Travel – 10 Tips For Hassle-Free Travel With Your Pet

In the United States alone, over 60 million households have one or more pets. Pet owners in 15 million of those households travel with their pets, and the majority stay in pet-friendly lodging. Fortunately, pet friendly hotels, condos and vacation home rentals do exist. If you will be traveling with your pet, here are some pet friendly tips to remember for safe and trouble-free travel.

 

1 - When you make your reservation, double-check that pets are allowed. An important advantage of reserving online is that you can see - in writing - whether or not pets are permitted and any restrictions. Online, you can print out your reservation receipt that includes the "pets allowed" information. Verbal reservations leave more room for misunderstanding and miscommunication. If reserving by telephone, ask the reservation person to mail you a confirmation receipt that includes the "pets allowed" information.

 

2 - Is your pet an experienced traveler? If not, you should begin getting your pet more accustomed to traveling. Begin by making your car a fun place for your pet. Get in the car with them, play with them, give them a treat – have them enjoy being there with you. Then take a short drive with them. Gradually increase the length of time and distance that you drive with them. Before making a long trip with your pet, the idea is to have them comfortable with being in the car for extended periods of time.

 

3 - Remember that securing your pet while traveling in the car is crucial for their safety and yours. Consider purchasing a dog safety harness for your pet to use while traveling in the car. If you have a station wagon or SUV, you can purchase a vehicle barrier that keeps your pet confined to the rear area. They are usually sold at pet stores or are available online.

 

4 - Be sure that your pet has an identification tag and wears it while on the trip. The tag should have your pet's name, your name and phone number. If possible, use your cell phone number, a home number and the number of where you will be staying.

 

5 – Carry a photograph of your pet with you on your trip. If your pet should ever become lost, you'll be able to show others exactly what your pet looks like instead of just relying on a verbal description.

 

6 - Check with your vet for any recommended vaccinations appropriate for your trip - exposure to ticks while hiking, exposure to other dogs while boarding or heartworm prevention if your dog will be exposed to mosquitoes are examples of important preventative measures to take before your trip. If your pet is a dog, have an up-to-date rabies tag for your dog's collar. If you decide to day board your dog while on vacation, you may be required to show paperwork proof of the rabies vaccination.

 

7 - Once you arrive at the pet friendly lodging, inform the check-in person that you have your pet. You can inquire if there are any restricted areas where your pet should not be taken. Pet friendly lodging staff should be very accustomed to answering these kinds of questions and will appreciate your awareness.

 

8 - In your hotel room, condo, cabin rental or vacation home rental - never let your pet use the furniture or beds to sit, lay or sleep on unless you've covered the furniture or bed with your own cover. Place your pet's food and water containers on a mat or newspaper in the bathroom, where cleanup will be easier. When staying in pet friendly accommodations, you may choose to feed your pet outdoors.

 

9 - If you'll be leaving your pet alone in the room or vacation rental, make sure the front desk or rental agent knows. Be sure that you leave your pet secured in their travel container or crate if housekeeping staff will be entering the room at any time to clean. You certainly don't want a housekeeper to enter and be surprised or even attacked by your pet! A pet may also run out of the room when housekeeping enters if left unsecured.

 

10 - Be very careful in warm or hot weather with leaving your pet in the car. Even when the outside temperature is only in the 70's or 80's, the interior of a vehicle can reach 100 degrees and higher, especially when parked in the sun. It doesn't take long at these temperatures to cause serious or even fatal harm to your pet.

 

Traveling with pets and staying in pet friendly lodging can be lots of fun - after all, your pet is part of your family too. Just using common sense and planning ahead makes for an enjoyable and surprise-free vacation.

 

Copyright 2005 David Buster

 

About the Author:

 

David Buster is Vice-President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.bestvacationrentalsonline.com - visit the website for more on pet friendly lodging and to find vacation home rentals, condos and chalets, places to get married, discount hotel rooms, adventure travel and more.
 

Choosing A Pet

By Alyssa Hallam

 

Do you know that in the United States pets outnumber people? Recent statistics show that there are about 380 million pets opposed to 290 million people? 62 % of the households own a pet, and 46% of all households own more than one pet.

 

The first three categories are cats (78 million), dogs (65 million), and birds (18 million). Also popular are fish and small animals but their number is far behind the numbers of cats and dogs.

 

More and more people are buying pets because they realise the great advantages of having a pet, a pet is a great companion, a loyal friend and a part of the family. Since a pet has such an important role to play in your life it is important thinking hard to pick the right pet for you.

 

Careful research before allowing the new member in can save a lot of frustration later. If you and your pet are not compatible, your coexistence will not be peaceful and eventually you may have to expel the poor creature, because it is you, who made the wrong judgment.

 

If you are choosing a pet the real choice you are probably making is whether to get a dog or a cat, perhaps you are considering a pet that requires less effort such as a fish or bird also. If you decide to opt for a dog you must then choose what breed of dog toget, with over 150 breeds you are spoiled for choice!

 

Generally dogs are more loyal companions than cats but they also demand more care and attention, while cats often prefer to have moments of their own. Cats are more independent and they usually feel affection for the home, rather than the people, with whom they live.

 

You will need to carefully consider how much space you have, cats and dogd reuire quite a bit of space, so if you live in a small apartment then even a small breed of dog or a cat will feel restricted. If you have very little space perhaps you should go for a bird or fish, or may be a hamster?

 

Also, dogs cannot be left alone for a long time, so if you live alone and travel often, consider a pet hostel or a neighbor who could take care of the animal, while you are away. Cats also do not like being left alone but at least they do not need walks twice a day.

 

If you choose a dog you must remember they need to be walked once or twice a day and that they need space in which to live. This is particularly true of large breeds of dog such as St Bernards. Large dogs also eat a lot which must be factored into your costs.

 

There are many advantages to having a big dog, for one they can be trained to protect you and your home. Smaller dogs, while particularly effective for security, can be a great novelty in the home, particularly with children and the elderly. Small dogs do not need as much space or walks as large dogs either making them particularly suited to the young and old.

 

Whatever your final decision, the most important thing is to do your homework -- research the facts and consider what will suit you best -- because if it doesn't suit you, your new pet will be unhappy also.

 

About the Author: Alyssa Hallam is the webmaster of AH Pet Her site has a great collection of information on all different kinds of pets, including a free newsletter, pet resources and articles. For great pet information, go to: http://www.ahpet.com