Using a Vari Kennel

There are many different types of dog kennel available for transporting your dog from place to place.  They vary from those made of rigid plastic, with a grate which can be locked, through folding nylon covered kennels to sturdy metal cages.  However, not all these kennels are suitable to use on a flight.

If you have the need to take your dog on a plane with you then you may not be surprised to learn that you will need an airline approved kennel for your dog to be allowed onto the flight.  Luckily, it is easy to find kennels with just such approval, the market leader being the Petmate Vari Kennel.

There are several features which are essential for air travel.  One is that the kennel needs to be strong enough to withstand a certain amount of knocks and bangs associated with being put onto a plane.  Secondly, the hold of a plane doesn’t have much free airflow and so it is vital that any kennel is very well ventilated.  Vari Kennels have vents on all four walls and the roof and the walls are slightly angled so that there is no chance of a vent being blocked by the kennel being pushed up against another object in the hold.

The gate on the kennel must be very strong and lockable and the mesh must be small enough that a dog could not get his paws or nose through the gaps, where they could be injured.  It is a good idea to buy a water bowl that can be fixed to the gate as this way there is no chance of your dog knocking over his water and going thirsty whilst in transit.

If you buy a Deluxe Vari Kennel then you will also get detachable wheels and a leash which will allow you to pull the kennel through the terminal rather than carrying it or balancing it on a trolley.

Quick Guide To Home Cat Grooming Tools

If you are the lucky owner of a cat, then you likely know that they can only take care of themselves so much. For the most part cats are very clean creatures. They lick themselves clean every chance they can get, and they are usually pretty easy to train when it comes to using a litter-box. Their hair will still have to be cut every so often as well as their nails in order for your cat to look in top shape. There are a number of great cat grooming tools available that can help you take care of your cat at home.

Cat Shampoo + Conditioner

Your cat’s hair can get very dirty even if they strictly stay indoors. There is dirt and dust everywhere around your house that your cat will likely get into. Without properly shampooing and cleaning your cats hair, your cat could be a walking duster with tons of germs and bacteria covering it.

Cat Clippers

Your cat’s nails can get very sharp. If you have little kids, or don’t enjoy getting scratched all the time, then it is important for your cat to get it’s nails clipped. It can be difficult to cut a cat’s nails because cat’s are fidgety and there are lots of highly sensitive nerves located by their nails. If you cut the nail too short, you could cause your cat to be in a lot of pain with exposed nerves. You may end up wanting to get a professional to do this for you because they do it all the time.

Cat Brushes

Cats have their own special brushes that can help you straighten out any knots a cat may get in their hair. A cat brush may also be useful if you are trying to control the amount of shedding your cat will do around the house. By brushing your cat once a day you will be able to get most of the hair that is ready to fall out each day. This will keep your cat from getting as much hair around the house, and keep their hair nice and clean. There are also tiny cat scratching brushes you can put on walls. Cats will scratch against the brushes and any hair the cat sheds will stay on the brush to help keep your house cleaner and free from hair.

It’s important to make sure you take care of your cat because it is an important addition to your home, and nothing looks better than a freshly groomed cat. Even if you don’t have time to groom your cat yourself, there are tons of mobile cat grooming businesses available that can pick up your cat on call and drop them off when they are finished.

Large Metal Chinchilla Cage

The chinchilla has become an increasingly popular pet on the last decade or so. There are a wide range of different styled cages that one can house them in but the best is the large chinchilla cage. The larger the better, this gives them more space to roam free. The wire metal chinchilla cage is superior for a number of reasons.

The plastic alternatives can easily be damaged or eaten away by the sharp teeth that the chinchilla has. This can mean not only the animal escaping but also the need for a new cage. If the animal does not manage to escape it could still be injured either by the sharp edges of the gnawed plastic or simply by ingesting the plastic. Either way the money saved on buying a plastic cage is just not worth risking the safety of your pet.

When keeping any type of pet hygiene is absolutely paramount. The metal chinchilla cage is far more hygienic that its plastic counterpart as the animals waste is not as likely to stick to the metal as it would the plastic. This helps greatly to reduce the chance of bacteria build up. It also makes the cage much easier to clean which is obviously better for you. This is vital as with a pet like a chinchilla there can be a vast amount of waste due to their fairly hefty diet. The cage should really be cleaned every other day, so the simpler it is for you the better.

The cages come in various different sizes. It is always best to opt for the largest cage that will fit into your budget. Obviously the creatures are used to living in trees and mountainous areas so the more space that you can give to them the better. With this in mind whenever possible it is advisable to let the chinchilla out of the cage to climb around the room. This just gives him or her more chance for much needed exercise.

How to Pick Out a Dog Pen

Anyone who owns dogs is aware that even if you keep them indoors, they need to have a dog pen outside to stretch their legs, vent some energy, or just relieve themselves. To do this, and maintain their safety, it is a good idea to have an exercise cage set up for them. If you are traveling, you are going to want something light and portable, but still large enough to allow your pet enough room to get some exercise

If you are looking for something for your home, exercise pens for dogs come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials. What you chose will depend in large part on what you’ll use it for, and how large your pet is. You’ll also need to assess how destructive your pet is. Some of the larger breeds will require all wire construction because that will be the only material that can contain them. Dog runs and kennels can be purchased at reputable dog supplies stores for anywhere from $90.00 to $2,500.00. (Most are made out of 9 or 11 gauge wire. Wire gauge is the thickness of the wire. For example, insulin needles are made of hollowed 32 gauge wire, and most bird cages use 11 to 12 gauge wire. The smaller the gauge, the larger the wire size.  Stakes can be used to secure the fencing to the ground so that only you can move it, not your pet.

For smaller breeds, that are primarily indoor animals, an 8ft x 8ft wire dog pen would probably serve their needs. Keep in mind that these kinds of kennels need to be cleaned out frequently. You can pick from different materials such as all wire, wire and wood, wire and mesh, or wood and mesh. It is important to keep in mind that none of these wire style cages are designed to be permanent lodging for your dog. These kinds of pens are designed to be moved periodically.

Chihuahua’s Aren’t All That Bad

photo credit: wsilver

The Chihuahua has had a bad rap lately. Ever since Paris Hilton starting prancing around with one of these little dogs in her pink purse, people have started to regard them as being really bad fashion statements (except for those who blindly follow everything that people like Paris do).

The fact is, if you can get over this stigma, you will find that the Chihuahua can be a great family pet. They are loyal and playful, and are great especially for children. Although the history of this dog is a little sketchy, they were first introduced to America in the late 1800’s, after some travellers discovered this breed in Mexico and bought some home with them. They have continued to be a favourite amongst pet owners right up to present day.

With all the hype surrounding them, thanks to Paris, you may be hard pressed to find Chihuahua puppies for free, but if you do a little bit of research, you should have no trouble finding one at a decent price.

Finding the perfect trailer for your horse!

As far as horse trailers go, the safety of your animals should always be the first priority. When looking for a horse trailer, there are a few important things to check out. First, on the trailer you’re looking at, inspect the floor. Make sure that there is no rust or deterioration to the floor. This is very important. Your horse(s) need a secure floor, and you can’t risk your animal falling through the floor. Also, observe all mechanical aspects of the trailer. Everything should operate smoothly and easily. Also, check lights, wheels, and the hitch to be sure nothing is out of order. Although this is a very basic list of what needs to be looked at and considered, the internet is a great resource for telling you everything you’ll need to know when shopping for a horse trailer. Proper research will only get you a better unit if and when you make your purchase. Good luck!

Daisy the Kitten VS the Blue Jay

Cats are natural climbers. You will be amazed to see a cat, or even a kitten for that matter, easily jump up on a tree and claw their way up to the top.

I have a fenced in backyard with a large oak tree dead in the center. This past weekend it was a beautiful 80 degree summer day and I decided it would be fun to let me one year old kitten Daisy outside to play. The first thing my cute kitten decided to do, of course, was climb the big oak tree.

She was barely half way to the first branch when a mother blue jay came swooping down and almost knocked Daisy right off the tree. Daisy jumped down and quickly ran back inside, she was completely unharmed but will think twice before she ever tries to climb another tree. What did I learn? Never mess with a mother blue jay , they are vicious!

Submission Issues in Dogs

Submission issues in dogs can be much more difficult to train out than aggression is, and if your dog is really shy your work will never be done.  I work my submissive dogs young, and often, and make sure they pick up on my confidence.  Once they trust that I am the boss, they start to pick up on my positive energy.  Gently support them through things they might be fearful of.  This won’t garter an immediate result, and don’t be frustrated if it doesn’t.  It will take a long time but you must persist, if you don’t put their mind someplace else, they will continue to spiral further into fear and fearful dogs are very dangerous.  I try to find a small success for us to build on as a team.  And if your dog is afraid all the time, you aren’t really getting to enjoy it’s company, and he certainly can’t enjoy yours.  You’ll be telling your friends you’re allergic to dogs.