Category: animals

Pet Containment – Do Electronic Dog Fences Really Work?

animals, dog

Most dogs like to roam. Yes, some dogs will stay by the house even when offered unlimited freedom. But, most dogs have a natural curiosity that leads them to stray when the opportunity arises.

In a perfect world, it would not matter if your dog took an occasional stroll around the neighborhood. The unfortunate reality is that a dog left to its own devices faces many dangers – from speeding cars to other animals. So, it's important to find a reliable way to keep your dog in his own yard. If you have a sturdy traditional fence that your dog respects, then your job is done. If you live in a fence-restricted neighborhood, if your dog is an escape artist, or if you simply can not afford an expensive traditional fence, an electronic dog fence may be a good option for you.

The first question most people ask about electronic dog wings is, "Do they really work?" The answer is a qualified yes. Electronic dog wings are a very effective way to contain your dog, but only if you consider these three factors: hardware, installation, and training.

HARDWARE

Take a quick look around the Web and you'll quickly see that there are a lot of electronic dog fence options on the market. The most popular do-it-yourself dog fence brands are PetSafe®, Innotek®, and Guardian®. The most popular professionally-installed dog wings are Invisible Fence®, Pet Stop®, and DogWatch®. No matter what brand you choose, you should look for the following features:

  • Multi-level Receiver: Dog wings that provide only a single level of correction just do not get the job done. A single-level receiver will needlessly stress a sensitive dog and may fail to contain a large or confident dog.
  • Lightning Protection: Some dog fence products contain integrated lighting protection, while others require you to purchase a separate lighting protection unit. If your product does not include lightning protection as a standard part of the package, you should purchase it separately. You're putting both your dog fence hardware and your home's electrical system at risk if you do not.
  • Lifetime Warranty: If you purchase a dog fence product that does not include a lifetime warranty, you risk expensive replacement costs down the road. Most major dog fence brands offer at least a limited lifetime warranty.

INSTALLATION

You can install a do-it-yourself dog fence, or you can hire a professional to install your dog fence for you. Either way, the effectiveness of your dog fence depends on these factors:

  • Use Durable Wire: If the wire that creates the perimeter of your dog fence breaks, your entire fence stops working. So, you should make sure your installation includes burial-rated wire that's between 14 and 18 gauge to help prevent wire breaks.
  • Bury Your Wire: Unless you have unusual requirements, it's typically a bad idea to staple wire to an existing fence or to the ground. Instead, wire should be buried 1 – 6 inches underground to protect it from damage.
  • Protect Your Transmitter: Dog
… Read More

Owning a Pet Otter

animals, pets

It may seem trendy to own an exotic pet, but owning an otter as a pet is illegal in most localities without a permit. They are considered wildlife and have requirements that are different from those of the average household pet.

Reasons Not to Own a Pet Otter

If you are considering applying for a permit to own a pet otter, here are some reasons why you may not want to. Of course, if you work at a zoo or wildlife sanctuary, then these reasons won’t concern you as much.

Otters Bite

Otters have very sharp teeth, and they bite.

Otters Spray

Otters have a musky scent and spray very much like a skunk’s spray. They are definitely not inside animals.

Otters are Nocturnal

They like to hunt for food at night, and the last sound you need at night while you are trying to sleep is that of an otter splashing in your swimming pool.

Otters Need to Be Near a River

Otters like to hunt fish in a river and can eat lots of food in a day. Chances are, you don’t have secure access to a river.

Otters Learn Survival Skills from Their Mother

Otters need to learn how to survive from their mother. Their mother teaches them these skills up to 18 months of age.

Caring for an Otter

Once you have a permit for your otter, there are some special requirements that you will have to consider.

Water for Swimming and Food

Otters spend the majority of their time in the water. They like to live in very cold water, and they have a high metabolic rate to keep them warm. They can even hold their breath under water for up to 10 minutes. They are playful creatures that like to hunt for fish and eat lots of shellfish, frogs, sea urchins and invertebrates.

However, because you are keeping them in an unnatural enclosure, these foods will have to be introduced. Otters eat 15-25 percent of their body weight a day, and that’s a lot of fish. In the wild, they can spend up to five hours a day hunting for food. They can grow to be 100 pounds in weight, so plan on supplying them with lots of food each day.

Mating Season Behavior

Otters can get very aggressive in the mating season so you have to make sure that household pets or other animals are not in the vicinity because an otter will drag an animal into the water and eat it.

By whatever means you obtained a baby otter and want to raise it yourself (don’t go near an adult otter), you can see there is more to caring for a pet otter than meets the eye. For your own sake and the sake of the otter, why not hand it over to the authorities who will know what to do with it for its survival.…

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Great Gift Ideas For Stuffed Animal Collectors

animals, cat

Sometimes getting the animal collector a gift is not that easy. A gift card to Build-A-Bear workshop is a must have for the ultimate animal collector. Making your own bear may come with a price tag, but it's worth every cent because when a collector makes their own animal for their own collection. It adds some more meaning to it rather than just picking a random stuffed animal from the rack.

Christmas is definitely the time of year that an animal collector deserves to get something special especially in recognition of their animal collection. Build-A-Bear workshop is for anyone, you can buy clothes for any animal you choose, you get to name it, stuff it and put a heart into it.

Keeping such a treasure close, and having it mean the most, is most exceptionally the best thing that anyone could want, even someone who is not an animal collector.

Then again, if in there's no Build-A-Bear in your area or the money in your pocket, what you can do is gather up some of the animal collector's favorite animals, and since they collect stuffed animals, they may want something else for a change like a glass cat or turtle, or a metal bear. These are less expensive and can usually be found anywhere during the holidays.

Stuffed Animal collectors love the hobby because they get to have lots of toys, which are why animal collectors are usually younger. However, as we all get older we all have memories from each toy or stuffed animal, right? So to make or get a gift that will be very memorable add a bit of personality to it, and keep the person in mind for which your getting the gift for.

The gifts will vary if you are getting Grandma a gift or your niece, obviously Grandma will want something a bit more elegant, meanwhile you niece will not care, but she will want something that means a lot to her, and she'll want to know that her Aunt or Uncle cared.

Getting the "perfect" gift is not hard if you do it with love. Get something small but meaningful, you and your receiver will both be happy. Just be sure that the gift that you finally decide to get fits into all the previous limits talked about like, price, and the overall not of perfection that falls into each category. A gift is something more special than something wrapped in special paper and put in a box. …

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Games You Can Play at a Stuffed Animal Party

animals, cat, dog

For my soon to turn 6 year olds birthday this year, she decided that she wanted to have a stuffed animal party. A stuffed animal party basically means that all the little girls invited will bring their favorite plush toy so that they can all play with them together. This is a great theme, but in order to keep the young ones attention, I knew I would have to be very inventive when it comes to creating games in order to keep everyone happy.

We had ten girls invited as guests, and I knew that with those kinds of numbers it was quite possible that someone would forget their plush toy at home. So that is why I decided to have a couple extra stuffed animals and teddy bears on hand. And sure enough two girls forgot their toy. One of the girl's forget her favorite teddy bear in her mom's car, and the other had just lost her favorite plush dog at school. Luckily, my extras managed to head off the tears at the pass, and then we could get to the games. Here are some of the games we played, and hopefully they'll be able to help you if you want to create your own stuffed animal party.

The Stuffed Animals Treasure Hunt

This one I had to think ahead for, as before the party started I hid a teddy bear somewhere in our house. I then used post-it notes to write down some clues. The first post-it note I gave to my daughter's plush dog, Fluffy. This clue would lead them to the next and so on, until they (and their companion stuffed animals) finally found the teddy bear. But the game did not end there. The teddy bear itself contained another clue. You see, I had gotten some teddy bear cookies (to continue the theme) and hidden them also. This was a great game and all of the girls had a lot of fun.

Pin the Tail on the Bunny

While not as inventive as the treasure hunt, this variation of pin the tail is a classic for a reason. My daughter had a big stuffed bunny she had gotten for Easter. Realizing this would be perfect, I turned the bunny around so it's back was to the girls, and made a tail out of Velcro and some bandannas. That way, the girl's could be blindfolded, and who ever got the tail in the right place would stick with the Velcro. We played in teams, and the team that won (by pinning the tail the most times) would have got to be the first to take a picture in the bunny's lap. This kept the girl's busy, and the prize was benign enough that we did not have any jealousy issues.

Stuffed Animals Fairy Tale

After stuffed animal crackers and cake, we had time for one last game. We turned their plush toys, every plush dog, stuffed cat, stuffed raccoon and teddy bear, into a character …

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My Pillow Pets – A Welcome Christmas Toy for Your Three Year Old?

animals, dog, pets

Are you looking to welcome another toy into your house this Christmas? After all, the toy box is full and the bed is covered with all kinds of stuffed animals. So why do you need another one?

Maybe a better question to ask would be: Are there practical toys that will please my child and be easier to take care of?

Do your toddlers leave their toys all over the house – in the living room, the den, the kitchen? Many moms get worn out picking up after a busy three year old who goes from on activity to another. Then, your little girl crashes and falls sleep right on the floor. Or your little man of the house, who has been fighting a nap all afternoon is ready to conk out.

Imagine that same child playing with a large, soft, stuffed animal friend – a dog, panda, unicorn or any of 30 other styles – starting to yawn, then picking it up and heading to bed for a nap. That is the beauty of a My Pillow Pet toy. It's a pet. It's a pillow. It's a pillow pet.

My Pillow pets are an ingenious toy, developed by a mom with toddlers. This stuffed animal acts like a warm, soft, pet that becomes a special friend for your child. Then, with a quick release of a Velcro strap. a pillow unfolds that your child can rest her beautiful curls on; a soft cushion for your boy as he naps with sweet dreams. The smart design includes a flap that fits over the Velcro, so it will not irritate your child when the strap is undone.

For example, a child who owns the Snuggly Puppy stuffed dog pillow can love having a cute dog, cuddle it, play with it, and then take it to bed. Who can do this with a real dog, anyway? Moms have one less toy to pick up, too.

Pillow Pets are made of chenille, a plush and durable fabric that is very soft. These toys come in near 30 different animal forms, so that your child can choose one that she likes for her own personal pet. Patterns include a cow with black-and-white fluffy looking patches, a lady bug with a red nose and black antennae, and many more.

Each pillow has a cute, special name, such as 'Sir Horse,' 'Patriotic Pup,' 'Cowardly Lion,' or 'Zippity Zebra'. Any child can create a bond and make a friend for life with one of these great, soft, and practical pillows.

Pillow Pets are useful around your home, and even more so when you travel. In long car rides during a family trip or when visiting grandparents, these fluffy and cuddly companions keep kids company. These durable pillows can pass through security systems at an airport as a carry on item. Your child will have a comfortable head rest on a long flight. Think of how your child will be guided to bring her new friend along when …

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4 Aspects of Proper Pet Care

animals, cat, dog, pets

Being a pet owner is one of the most exciting and fun experience one person can have. Studies even show that owning a pet provides great health benefits. People have different reasons why they want to have the most domesticated animals like a dog or a cat. Most seek the loyal companionship, active playfulness, great comfort or unparallel joy that they give. To reciprocate all these pleasant things that a pet brings, owners must ensure that they are also able to provide for the various needs of their dogs and cats. There is more to their basic needs. They also need love and affection.

There are 4 important aspects that every owner must look at to ensure proper pet care. These requirements can be highly supported by pet products specifically made for them.

Pet Grooming

What's the first thing people notice in a pet? Of course, it's the look.
Every pet must have proper grooming. Good hygiene must be observed. Regular bathing, clean paws or short claws, and well-combed smooth fur are the most common practices of keeping pets clean and pleasant. Dogs are usually taken to groomers for professional service, but for those who are not willing to spend, dog grooming supplies are available. Why not design a personalized groom shop right inside the house? Get a dog tub, dog shampoos and conditioners, paw-dicure set, etc.

Pet Health

Most pet owners focus on maintaining or improving their pet's health. Providing nutritious food and complete pet supplements are the usual ways to achieve it. There are a number of food brands containing various minerals, same as the numerous pet meds with different vitamins.

Some pet accessories today have also been designed to benefit pet health. Injured pets can get a lift from pet strollers. Old and arthritic dogs can be relieved of sore joints inside an orthopedic heated dog beds, and as for cats, there are thermo heated cat sills and mats.

Pet Training

Dogs and cats are two of the most easily trained animals. Some owners even take training very seriously. Some take their pets to training schools, while others do the training themselves. For pet owners who do not have much time, they usually seek training aids. Petsafe is one of the most reliable names when it comes to dog training collars. Safe and effective, dogs can learn quickly without too much hassle for their owners.

A well-behaved and obedient dog is the result of using a Petsafe dog training collar backed by proper training techniques. Other training aids also include shock collars, bark collars, and beeper collars.

Pet Safety

Another important priority for every owner should be pet safety. Pet owners want to be sure that their favorite four-legged friends are away from harm.
Having a reliable pet containment is the easiest way to keep pets secured.

There are numerous fencing products that can safeguard pets. The wireless dog fence, Petsafe dog containment is one of the top selling dog fence today. Working on wi-fi technology, protecting …

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Pet Containment – Do Electronic Dog Fences Really Work?

animals, dog

Most dogs like to roam. Yes, some dogs will stay by the house even when offered unlimited freedom. But, most dogs have a natural curiosity that leads them to stray when the opportunity arises.

In a perfect world, it would not matter if your dog took an occasional stroll around the neighborhood. The unfortunate reality is that a dog left to its own devices faces many dangers – from speeding cars to other animals. So, it's important to find a reliable way to keep your dog in his own yard. If you have a sturdy traditional fence that your dog respects, then your job is done. If you live in a fence-restricted neighborhood, if your dog is an escape artist, or if you simply can not afford an expensive traditional fence, an electronic dog fence may be a good option for you.

The first question most people ask about electronic dog wings is, "Do they really work?" The answer is a qualified yes. Electronic dog wings are a very effective way to contain your dog, but only if you consider these three factors: hardware, installation, and training.

HARDWARE

Take a quick look around the Web and you'll quickly see that there are a lot of electronic dog fence options on the market. The most popular do-it-yourself dog fence brands are PetSafe®, Innotek®, and Guardian®. The most popular professionally-installed dog wings are Invisible Fence®, Pet Stop®, and DogWatch®. No matter what brand you choose, you should look for the following features:

  • Multi-level Receiver: Dog wings that provide only a single level of correction just do not get the job done. A single-level receiver will needlessly stress a sensitive dog and may fail to contain a large or confident dog.
  • Lightning Protection: Some dog fence products contain integrated lighting protection, while others require you to purchase a separate lighting protection unit. If your product does not include lightning protection as a standard part of the package, you should purchase it separately. You're putting both your dog fence hardware and your home's electrical system at risk if you do not.
  • Lifetime Warranty: If you purchase a dog fence product that does not include a lifetime warranty, you risk expensive replacement costs down the road. Most major dog fence brands offer at least a limited lifetime warranty.

INSTALLATION

You can install a do-it-yourself dog fence, or you can hire a professional to install your dog fence for you. Either way, the effectiveness of your dog fence depends on these factors:

  • Use Durable Wire: If the wire that creates the perimeter of your dog fence breaks, your entire fence stops working. So, you should make sure your installation includes burial-rated wire that's between 14 and 18 gauge to help prevent wire breaks.
  • Bury Your Wire: Unless you have unusual requirements, it's typically a bad idea to staple wire to an existing fence or to the ground. Instead, wire should be buried 1 – 6 inches underground to protect it from damage.
  • Protect Your Transmitter: Dog
… Read More

Budget Friendly Halloween Costumes

animals, cat, dog

…by observing you, children learn how to create and they learn craft. These powerful memories imprint a more important message. They come to understand the superiority of the creative tightwad method. – Amy Dacyczyn, a.k.a. The Frugal Zealot

Halloween costumes are so different today. Super heroes, wizards, and cartoon characters rule the trick or treat. It was not too long ago…..ok it was maybe a while ago……when I was a small trick or treater that costumes were much more original.

You were not likely to bump into three or four other characters that looked exactly like you. Oh, you might run into a costume of the same theme, but it would be totally unique by comparison. Of course my mom created our Halloween costumes. You can create unique Halloween costumes and save money by recycling items.

Create your own unique costumes. Remember that Halloween costumes exaggerate to be most effective. So the more accessories, the better. Some easy to make costumes using items around the house, borrowed from friends and/or relatives, or purchased for next to nothing at your local thrift store include:

  • The little old lady or man – dress accordingly in an older man’s (a suit is great) or woman’s clothing. A hat is a nice touch. If you don’t have a real walking cane you can substitute an appropriate size stick. Add some creative face painting with lots of wrinkles of course. Be sure to add the cracking voice and a prominent limp.
  • The Hobo – Recycle some unwanted clothing. Paint on or put on patches, rip some areas (especially around the bottoms of pants, ends of sleeves, elbows and knees, since these areas show wear first). Use black or brown makeup to smudge the face a little to look un-kept. Blush the nose to look a little reddish. (hobos get cold outside) Sport the oldest pair of worn looking shoes you can find (or even better, two different shoes) and a tattered hat and you’re good to go!
  • Princess – This is a timeless costume. I think every little girl wants to be a princess at least once. But don’t rush out and buy the frilliest costume you see. The princess is merely an expression of elegance. As long as your little girl feels elegant she is a princess. If you don’t already have a full length fancy party dress, check the thrift store for a low cost floor length party dress. Just pick one that looks “princessy.” Even better, borrow one if possible.

    A princess wand can be easily made with a dowel or stick and a cardboard star covered with foil. Add frills with duster feathers or ribbons if desired. Make a crown. You can easily make one using a headband and craft materials. Here’s a great tip: Recycle a Burger King Crown. You know the crowns they give out to all the little kiddies at Burger King. You can cover with foil or paint and add beads or gemstones to decorate. They also

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    How to Travel Cheap – Traveling With Your Pets Across the Country

    animals, dog, pets

    Have a new job and need to move your pet across the country? Trying to decide on the best and cheapest way to accomplish this? This article will provide some insight of how to travel cheap with your pets across the country or even just across the state if that's how far you need to go.

    Many people look upon their dogs, cats, and other pets as children. I know I do! I could never consider moving to another place without taking my pets along. Whenever I hear about someone taking their dog to the shelter because they are "moving" I really can not fathom it. So let's see what you need to do to get your animals moved with you!

    First, be sure your pet is healthy. You need a health certificate, license, and proof of vaccinations, so pack those along for each pet.

    If you are flying and wondering how to travel cheap on planes, the best thing is to take your pet on board with you if they are small enough. I recommend avoiding projects if your pet can not be taken on board with you. But if you have no other options, shop around well in advance for discounted airfare for pets.

    Remember that you will be in a strange place so – this is very important – check all collars and make sure they are very secure and with identification tags attached. See that the collar can not slip over your pet's head. You will be getting out of the car to let them potty in, most likely, different rest stops on the interstate and I have heard of many horror stories of dogs getting lost at rest areas. Please be extra careful the minute you open the door. Dogs are amazingly adept at backing out of collars so use a harness if possible.

    Plan ahead for your accommodations. Many books feature pet-friendly hotels, or you can look them up online. However, be sure to call ahead to verify and also make reservations so you will not be left driving late into the night looking for a place to stay. How to travel cheap at pet-friendly hotels? Compare prices before leaving home and make your reservations well in advance to take advantage of specials.

    Consider a seatbelt for your dog if he or she is not traveling in a crate. I am a volunteer with english pointer rescue, and we require all our traveling points to be secured in the car with a doggie seatbelt. You can easily find one in your local pet shop or online.

    With a little extra effort, and a little research on how to travel cheap, you can easily move you and your furkids across the country without a lot of trouble. …

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    How to Clean Stuffed Animals Without Damaging Them

    animals

    Are you concerned about the dust and germs that can accumulate over time on your child’s favorite plush animal toys? As lovable and huggable as these stuffed toys may be, furry objects can attract a lot of dust. But, of course, you don’t want to damage your child’s plush pal! There are a few simple ways to clean, disinfect, and refresh plush animals without destroying any of their charm. To start, you need to carefully read the label on the toy, or, if it is missing, you need to determine what material the plush animal is made from and how delicate it may be.

    Sturdy Toys – Washer and Dryer

    Many plush toys will say right on the label that they are machine washable. If the label says to hand wash only, or if you are not certain, try one of the other methods below. The majority of toys with no label could probably survive a washing machine cycle, but you should check the type of material. There are a few key differences between a load of laundry and a plush animal or a group of stuffed toys. Make sure to use the most delicate cycle with only cold water to keep the colors bright. Add some fabric softener to keep the toys soft and huggable. It’s important not to stuff the machine too full – plush animals absorb water like a pillow and become heavy. When you put the plushies in the dryer, use the fluff/air or tumble dry cycle. You might want to use extra dryer sheets as stuffed toys can create a lot of static and a soft feel and fresh scent never hurt a teddy bear!

    More Delicate Toys- Home Dry Cleaning

    If your toy is a bit more fragile, consider using Dryel or another reputable brand of at-home dry cleaning bag. Put a small number of toys in the dryer on a low setting, as per the instructions, and you will soon have a fresh teddy bear or other stuffed toy. If your toy has plastic parts such as eyes or noses (many plush dogs, stuffed cats, or other toys have glued-on plastic,) you might want to use the dryer method. Plastic can melt and glue can loosen under heat and a regular run through the washer and dryer might damage them.…

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