Dog Toys
When everything else seems to be going to the dogs, man's best friend is right there with a wagging tail, nudging his furry head at his best friend, waiting to reassure. Dogs know their best friends - the people who care for them - will always provide what they need. And sometimes, they need a lot.
Even though dogs love to play with their families and with each other, they still need time to relax and sink their teeth into a good chew toy, play tug-of-war with a rope dog toy, or tackle a squeaky stuffed animal for fun. Finding a dog toy that Rover will enjoy might not be hard, but finding one that is safe for him to play with can sometimes be a little more difficult.
Larger dogs with strong jaws need safe, durable chew toys that will offer many hours of chewing pleasure. Strong rubber or nylon dog toys usually work best for these dogs. Latex or vinyl dog toys may last for a while with smaller dogs, or dogs who chew less intensely. Some dogs like to carry around a plushie "baby" and snuggle with it. Check dog toys regularly for wear and tear; if a toy seems to be getting worn, replace it immediately.
Exercise Essentials
Although dogs like to play, they need to run and exercise on a regular basis. While allowing them to run in a fenced-in yard keeps their bones and muscles strong, they also need to be well enough trained to walk on a leash without incident. Different dog leashes work best for different breeds and temperaments of dogs.
Choose one long enough to allow the dog to walk alongside or do his business. Avoid leashes that are too long for maintaining proper control, though. Well-trained dogs may benefit from retractable leashes that allow a little more freedom to roam, while dogs new to training may require a retractable leash that allows more limited freedom, until he or she is ready to walk obediently on a leash.
Both dog collars and leashes are available in nylon and leather. Like nylon leashes, nylon dog collars are very lightweight but durable. Nylon collars also withstand water well. In comparison, a leather dog collar is also durable, if it doesn't get wet. Choose a collar that fits the dog's neck comfortably, and ensure that the width is appropriate for the dog. Larger dogs require wide collars, while smaller dogs are more comfortable wearing narrower collars.
Guides for training
Dogs don't just automatically know how to obey or walk on a leash; they need to be trained. A wide variety of training materials, including dog whistles, bitter apple spray, and dog harnesses are available for use with training. If teaching the dog boundaries at home, a bark collar or electric fence may be necessary. Avoid cruelty and remain consistent during the training process.
Nutrition
Dogs that eat healthy foods and treats tend to stay healthier. Choose dog food appropriate for the dog's age and activity level. Dog treats are fine, but avoid spoiling mealtimes with frequent or excessive treats. Good nutrition will also help to keep the dog's coat healthy and shiny.
Health Considerations
Fleas and ticks are more than just a bother for dogs; they can be carriers of serious diseases such as heartworm or Lyme disease. Use flea and tick medications as recommended by the manufacturer. Most flea medications come in droplet form and are easily placed on the back of the dog's neck without much fuss.
Caring for a dog's teeth is also essential to maintaining good health. Several good dental care products will accomplish this goal, including dog toothbrushes or dog toothpastes. Certain nylon bones or rope toys also help to keep teeth clean and remove food from gumlines.
Dog Crates
A number of different dog crates are sold by pet manufacturers. Choose a model that is sturdy and safe, especially for dogs who are chewers or very strong. For smaller dogs, or dogs that are very well-behaved, consider a collapsible mesh crate. Or go all-out and purchase an expensive tote or dog carrier. Just remember, the dog really won't care how much the tote cost.
Supply Feline Friends with the Essentials
Don't forget to care for the king of the house. With any luck, offering him or her these items will earn an owner some extra reward points - which are critical for cuddle time with these independent creatures.
Cats need toys too, but their needs tend to be quite different from those of dogs. Felines love to race around the house, pouncing on unsuspecting furry (stuffed) mouse toys, carrying them to secret hiding places. Items that swing just out of reach are also tantalizing. Cats will make toys out of nearly anything in the house, so be sure to teach a forever friend what a safe toy is - and what it is not.
Cat collars are helpful, especially for kittens who love sneaking up on unsuspecting family members and startling them. Many nylon cat collars and some cloth cat collars include bells that ring with the cat's movements, preventing a stealthy ambush. Good cat collars, whether nylon or velvet, feature an elastic midsection, allowing the cat to escape if he or she leaps and becomes caught by the collar.
Feline Nutrition
Cats eat protein. They don't eat plants or people food. They also require calcium, carbohydrates, fats, and other important nutrients. Choose a cat food that offers the right proportion and meets the cat's dietary needs. Buy age-appropriate food as well; kittens require more calcium, while elderly cats don't require as many calories in their cat foods.
Waste Disposal
Choose a litter box large enough for the cat, and clean it out regularly. Many currently available models are self-cleaning litter boxes. These are designed to save quite a bit of time and effort.
Exercise and Health Care
Healthy cats need exercise. One way to offer your cat this is by purchasing a cat condo. These toys double as perches, resting places, and scratching and climbing posts.
Keep fleas and ticks away from the cat by applying medications design to prevent fleas and ticks from making their homes on the cat's back. These medications work fairly well to prevent these pests from taking over both the cat and the house.
Choose crunchy foods and chew toys that will help to clean a cat's teeth and remove accumulated plaque. Some owners opt for designer cat chew treats that are designed especially for keeping a cat's mouth in good health.
Aquarium Fish Habitats: What a good pet owner needs to know
These colorful finned creatures make quiet, unobtrusive pets that rarely make a mess. All they need to be happy is an aquarium, the right food, and a proper filtration system.
Two basic types of aquariums are available: glass aquariums and acrylic aquariums. Choose from nearly every size and shape imaginable, from hexagonal aquariums to spherical aquariums or more traditional rectangular aquariums.
Size is the biggest consideration when determining the number of fish to purchase. Although a small five-gallon tank might be large enough for only a few fish, larger schools will require at least a 20-gallon tank. Choose from live coral colonies, algae eaters, sponges, or other scavengers for aquatic companions that will help to keep the tank clean and the water healthy for the fish. Clean water is critical to a fish's health.
Aquarium filtration is critical for keeping the water in an aquarium clean. Filtration systems that use under-gravel aquarium filters are quite simple but fairly efficient for smaller tanks. Charcoal aquarium filters are somewhat more expensive and work well in larger tanks. The best filtration system is the protein aquarium skimmer, which works by shooting several million microscopic bubbles into the water to separate wastes and oil from the water.
Feeding the Fish
Aquarium owners can choose from four different kinds of fish food. Flakes are the least expensive and most commonly sold. Several different compositions of flaked food are sold, so choose the one that is right for the type of fish in the aquarium. For larger fish, consider using pellets instead. For the best nutritional value, purchase frozen fish food. These are sealed in vacuum package for easy use, and are composed of the remains of tiny sea animals. Live fish food, consisting of these same tiny sea animals, is perfect for aquarium fish, and can be used regularly or as a special treat.
Bird Care
Keeping birds is much more complex than simply offering birdseed to one's avian companions. Diet, a clean living environment, and toys all help to keep birds happy and healthy. Choose bird food that is made of less than 50 percent seed. Avoid fattening seeds such as safflower or sunflower seeds. Greens, including lettuce or broccoli, are an important dietary component. Other foods, such as potatoes or carrots, are also good bird foods. Add pellets to a bird's diet for necessary nutrients and roughage. For birds that are ill, molting, or breeding, add vitamins regularly.
Finding the right birdcage is also very important. The right size of birdcage is one that will allow the bird to fly about inside. Many different sizes and shapes of bird cages can be purchased, including vintage cages and specialty cages. For most birds, long birdcages with a rectangular shape are ideal, because flying forward is easier for them than flying upward.
Larger birds, like parrots or macaws, need bird cages that are very different from those used for smaller birds. Birdcages for large-breed birds are made of thicker metals, and more intricate latches. Because of their intelligence, many large-breed birds are capable of unlocking standard locks or bolts, so this investment is especially worthwhile.
Bird toys are important to keeping birds happy and active. A number of toys are available for birds, including mirrors, bells, chew toys, ladders, and swings. These will help birds to stay active and engaged while their owners aren't away from home. Active birds are less likely to get into mischief.
Owners who are planning to breed birds will need bird egg incubators. Because incubation needs vary depending on the breed, check with an expert to make sure that the incubator will meet the necessary criteria for successful incubation.
Caring for Smaller Mammals
Many people enjoy keeping small mammals, including hamsters, rats, ferrets, rabbits, and guinea pigs as pets. Proper nutrition and housing are essential. For most rodents, top-quality rodent food can be purchased in pellet form. Adding fruits and vegetables to their foods will greatly improve their nutrition. Because guinea pigs don't make Vitamin C, they will need plenty of dark greens to prevent a deficiency of this vitamin. Unlike other small mammals, ferrets require little fiber, so vegetables and fruits are less necessary. Protein and fat are more important in their diets instead.
Choosing a cage for most small mammals isn't difficult, but it is very important. Glass terrariums provide great houses for mice or rats, while guinea pigs or rabbits prefer wire cages. Choose one with a top that can be easily removed to clean and manage. Owners of animals such as ferrets or sugar gliders usually purchase birdcages as habitats for these small mammals. Security is important; these animals escape easily from cages. Include a hammock; ferrets and sugar gliders enjoy these.
Caring for Reptiles
Contrary to many people's opinions, herpetologists and other reptile admirers find that reptiles are the perfect pets. Reptile nutritional needs vary greatly from species to species, so careful research is needed to determine which is best. Some reptiles eat crickets, pellets, mealworms, or even live mice.
Habitats for reptiles aren't too difficult to find. Use a glass terrarium or fresh air terrarium. These are also called reptariums. Some reptiles that cannot regulate their own internal temperatures may need hot rocks or warming heat lamps. Don't forget to include some hiding places in the habitat. Good choices for hiding places include tree trunks, rocks, caves, or driftwood. Be sure to use a secure portable carrier whenever transporting your pet reptile.
Pets vary as greatly as the people who own them. Choose a pet that fits your lifestyle and budget. Some pets require higher maintenance than others, so select a pet that fits well with the household's needs and availability. This will make you - and your pet - much happier!