Rabbit Hutches Designs

City and suburban backyards all over the world are participating, at this very moment, in a revolution. Families are completely re-creating their backyards. City dwellers are bringing the countryside into their backyards. We shouldn't be too surprised by this turn of events. In the early 1900s most of our grandfathers would have lived in rural areas. It appears as we have migrated en-mass to the comfort of city jobs and city life, but still miss aspects of our rural roots. We might be trying to experience the best of both worlds.

Two ways to join the backyard revolution.

The first is through urban farming. Wikipedia also describes it as urban agriculture. Urban farming is where city and suburban private space (backyards) is being converted into gardens primarily focused on food for sale or home consumption. Poultry is also included in this.

The second is by inviting wild-life to share our space. We see families erecting bird, possum and squirrel boxes. Others are setting up habitats for frogs, butterflies and dragonflies. Sometimes this is surprisingly easy to do. A friend of mine was interested in a particular type of parrot. A special grass was grown, and like magic three or four parrots started visiting regularly for a safe and plentiful food source. A very popular 'wild' animal to invite back is the rabbit. A few rabbits playing in the backyard is a powerful sign that the country has arrived in the city. Both children and adult visitors respond to the sight of rabbits in a backyard with huge smiles and appreciation.

The fastest and easiest of the two ways to join the backyard revolution is to introduce some 'wild' rabbits to your backyard. Rabbits are popular because they are:

• quite low maintenance, and
• very sociable. Rabbits will easily befriend your cat and given enough time even most dogs.

If you and your family have decided to add two or three rabbits to the family, you will need to consider some outside shelter for them. In the wild rabbits seek shelter in burrows. Domesticated bunnies find shelter in hutches. You will need to ponder some . Unfortunately, one rabbit hutch design will not cover all situations. You need to find a design that suits your rabbits and your backyard.

Some points to consider in this regard.

• Shelter for the weather. If you live in an extremely cold or hot region you will need an insulated hutch.
• Protection from predators. The city and suburbs still has its share of snakes and hawks.
• Exercise space.
• Feeding space.
• Sleeping space.
• Space in which to raise young.
• Do you need a mobile hutch?
• Hutches should last at least ten years. So you will need a hutch made of good quality materials.
• The hutch will need to represent good value for money.

Some additional things you might want to consider. Many people buy rabbit hutches online. This is a wise move. Buy a ready-made rabbit hutch, not a kit hutch. A ready-made hutch will arrive fully assembled, or partially assembled. Any assembly will be easy and minimal. HOWEVER, kit hutches are anything but simple. My one experience with a kit turned out to an ongoing nightmare!

In regards to space; if your rabbits are let out of the hutch each day to exercise and graze, the hutch will not need to be overly spacious. Rabbit's natural shelter are tiny burrows. They find security in small areas. A well designed rabbit hutch will solve most problems found in the above list.

Using the above list you can see there are quite a few things to take into consideration when sketching and discussing your proposed rabbit hutch designs with the family. Of course the kids will want a bunny mall, movie theater and helipad! You should now have enough information to be confidently purchase a pre-built, high quality, value-for-money rabbit hutch which suits your backyard situation.

I hope this has been helpful. Viva la backyard revolution!

Paul is a writer who enjoyes keeping family pets. You can check out Paul's latest website at , where he provides advice on buying rabbit hutches that are designed to suit the needs found in your backyard, including useful topics like Rabbit Hutches on Sale, and more.

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How to Keep Your Pets Healthy This Holiday Season

Thanksgiving Pet Safety Advice

This holiday season remember, your pets will never turn down a good treat, so you have to watch out for them... especially around "helpful" relatives and children!

Here's a checklist of No Nos to keep your pets healthy and happy this food fest season.

Herbs that Disturb.

While it can make your Aunt Alice's stuffing recipe delicious, the sage herb and many like it, contain essential oils that don't agree with your pet's digestive system. Essential oils and resins can cause gastrointestinal distress and central nervous system depression in pets if too much is consumed. Definitely want to keep kitty away from them. Cats are particularly sensitive to certain oils.

Watch out for the Turkey Bandit

Some dogs in the kitchen just can't wait until your bird is cooked for a snack. Undercooked turkey could contain salmonella and cause serious distress in your pet, or worse.

No bones about it.

Make sure if you do offer a small turkey snack to your pooch that there's no bones and it's well cooked. Turkey bones like chicken bones can be sharp and cause intestinal damage.

Just Say No to Dough

When bread dough is eaten, the animal's body heat causes it to raise many times its original size, expanding the stomach. This may lead to vomiting, severe abdominal pain, bloating... even alcohol toxicosis, caused by the fermentation of the dough. It's been known to cause emergency trips to the hospital for surgery in extreme cases.

Don't Egg Them On

Be sure you keep your pet's paws out of the baking batter if you're baking up holiday cakes in the kitchen...especially if they include raw eggs. Raw eggs could contain salmonella bacteria that could lead to food poisoning.

Everything in Moderation

Good advice for the humans at the table, GREAT advice for your four paw family members. A little boneless, well cooked turkey...fine. A dab of pie, or a lick of mashed potatoes... OK. But remember, your pet doesn't have the GI track you have, and changing their diet quickly generally leads to stomach upset, diarrhea or even an inflammatory condition called pancreatitis in some animals if the overindulging gets out of hand.

It's only natural to want to share the feast, but be a friend and treat them to something healthier for THEM. "Season" their usual dinner kibble with a hint of gravy, bits of turkey, vegetables or sweet potatoes. ("Season", not heapin' helpin'!) Maybe stuff it into a hollow chew toy to keep them distracted and happy (and away from your guests' "helpful hands") You can also distract them with other chew toys, Nylabones or pet friendly chewing toys so they stay active and out of the way.

And take your dogs with you for that after-meal stroll. The exercise is always needed and stretching their legs and giving them some attention on the walk will keep them calmer around all the guests and hectic energy crowds can sometime bring. Bone-A-Pet-eat!

Randy Larrow is a certified dog trainer and an authorized CONTAIN A PET of Wilmington NC electronic dog fence dealer in Wilmington NC, where he lives with his wife Laureen and four rescue dogs: Sadie, Jake, Amanda and Mia. Contain A Pet is a 14 year old national company based in North Carolina. When he's not installing electronic underground dog fences, or conducting dog obedience classes, he volunteers his time at Paw's Place Animal Rescue, a local no-kill shelter. You can reach him at: http://www.containapetofwilmington.com

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All About Rat Cages

ByJerry Coozen

Buying your pet rat a house does not need to be challenging. There include many different kinds of rat cages obtainable and each one has its disadvantages and advantages. Also, you'll need to determine if the rat home you wish for will fit where you need it to be and be certain it isn't too drafty or bright for your rat.

The rat enclosures you select should be larger than a small hamster cage seen today. Rats require room to move around. At least 2 sq. feet of surface area for a rat to move around in is advised. If you own more than a single rat, of course, you might require a bigger cage or more levels within the cage.

Aquariums include an attractive choice for a few. The food, droppings, and bedding can't be kicked out of an aquarium. This'll save a mess from accumulating around the cages for rats. The issue with utilizing aquariums for your rat cage is that there isn't any ventilation. The air becomes odorous more rapidly and you'll need to clean it more frequently. There's additionally the danger of your animal overheating if it becomes warm around your aquarium.

Plastic cages will be easy to find and inexpensive. The plastic floor is a bit easier upon the rat's feet, yet the plastic could be easily chewed through. Rats constantly have to chew. As your pet finds out that he could chew upon a cage, you may be replacing the whole cage within a brief quantity of time.

Wire mesh cages can solve the issue of chewing upon a cage, yet they additionally will possibly permit for messes to be flung around a cage. Though, a day-to-day vacuum or sweep around a cage could solve this issue. Water bottles and toys could be easily connected at the sides of wire cages and they permit optimal ventilation. Also these are the cages which usually possess two or three levels inside them.

Within the pet rat cage you'll have to place some bedding. Be certain the bedding you select is not overly dusty, as an overabundance of dust is dangerous to the rat's respiratory system. A few oils upon bedding could be dangerous, too. Don't utilize cedar or pine wood chips for the bedding. The bedding ought to be changed once a week.

The rat will possibly appreciate a few toys inside his cage in order to keep him from getting bored as he cannot be with you. Items hanging inside his cage are typically common with rats. Ladders and ropes are popular. Things to crawl on throughout are additionally popular rat toys. If you obtain many different toys, you could rotate them out and in the cage every couple of days in order to keep them from becoming boring. There isn't any replacement for time outside of a cage, therefore do not expect toys to become a magical cure for the rat's boredom. Conduct some research and locate a great value. Stock the cage with quality toys and bedding, and your pet will be thankful.

Ultimately great products and service comes down to the experience and knowledge of the business operators. Ratcagesdirect.com.au specialise in selling the best rat cages in Australia. You can always find an affordable and quality rat cages for sale today.

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Rabbit Hutches on Sale

This article will help you purchase your first rabbit hutch. It is not as easy as buying the first rabbit hutch you come across with a '' sign on it. One rabbit hutch design does not suit all rabbit raising situations. Here are a few scenarios which would lead to requiring quite different shelters.

Some rabbit owners might want to keep their rabbits inside.Others (most) will choose to keep the rabbits outside.Some families will need a mobile rabbit house.One might be expected to shelter one rabbit.Another will be home to six rabbits.

Before we look at the features of a good rabbit shelter, it is probably helpful to first look at where you might find .

Where to find second-hand rabbit hutches.

Community notice boards at the local library and supermarket.In the 'second-hand goods for sale' section of the local newspaper.You may have luck on the internet at a site like 'craigslist'.

Where to find new rabbit hutches.

A hardware store.An urban farming supply depot.A carpenter in your area who may make animal homes.Online.

A very quick discussion of each possible place to source from will help us discover where you should purchase your first rabbit hutch. This won't take long.

First, let's look at second-hand hutches. Experience has taught me to be very wary of second-hand pet containers and houses. This is especially true if they are constructed from wood. Old, porous wood readily carries diseases. A vet gave me that piece of information. I have no wish to bring diseases to my pet animals and of course the children who play with the animals. The other thing that makes me shy away from second-hand hutches is their lack of structural strength. A hutch can sit for years in one place and stay very serviceable. However, try moving it and even before you load it onto a trailer, joints will start falling apart. I suggest to steer clear of purchasing second-hand items; they are not value-for-money.

Now, let's try to find a good place to purchase a new rabbit house.

A hardware store: While you might find the occasional pre made pet cage at a mega hardware, I would be very surprised if you find rabbit hutches. If you did get lucky and find a specific item I really can't imagine a hardware store stocking a decent range of hutches to choose from. Please don't believe the sales person's spiel that a hamster cage can serve as a rabbit home.

An urban farming supply depot: My guess is that many urban farming supply depots will have a range of rabbit hutches available to them. You would probably order via a catalogue and would have to wait for it to arrive from the manufacture. While this isn't an ideal situation, it isn't a bad option. However, how many of us have a depot near us?

A carpenter: You might know a local carpenter who may be willing to make a new rabbit hutch for you. This could be a good option if you have suitable plans for your design. You definitely don't want to end up with a carpenter's version of what a rabbit house should be! Buying plans, buying materials and employing a carpenter might not be as cheap as first thought.

An online purchase: Many rabbit owners purchase new hutches online. An online purchase is convenient in many ways. Prospective buyers can easily research a variety of items. They can even read reviews from current owners. The hutches are pre made and arrive at your doorstep! This is a huge advantage. Transportation of a hutch need never be a hassle for you. The majority of hutches arrived fully assembled. If an assembly is needed it will be easy and very minimal.

As you can see there really is only one option which guarantees that your family can have a high-quality, value-for-money rabbit hutch easily setup in your backyard soon. Online is the best way to go. Can I recommend to you Trixie rabbit hutches? Trixie Hutches has been around a long time and has a reputation for designing and building high quality, value-for-money, pre made rabbit hutches.

I feel I must put in a quick word of warning. We are talking about buying pre made items, not kit hutches. Experience with a kit purchase has taught me to warn against the kit option. I am quite good with plans and wood working tools, and still the kit project turned into a never-ending nightmare. Please steer well clear of this option.

Even though we have uncovered where to buy and who to buy from we still need to consider the features your rabbit hutch will need to suit your particular backyard. Here is a simple self-explanatory list to check-off against as you consider which design to choose.

Indoor or outdoor.Number of rabbits to be kept.Weather protection. Very hot or very cold regions will necessitate an insulated shelter.Predator protection. Most cities still have the occasional snake and hawk.Will you need a mobile item?Cleaning requirements.Consider the space required for feeding, sleeping, exercising and raising young.Quality of materials is critical as most rabbit homes will be exposed to climatic elements.Value-for-money.

As you can see there are many points to consider. The good news is that a well-designed rabbit hutch will address most of these issues for you. By now you should be armed with enough knowledge to purchase a rabbit hutch that will be suitable for your rabbits and your back yard.

Your family will soon be enjoying watching rabbits at play in your backyard. Wonderful!

Paul is a writer who enjoys keeping family pets. You can check out Paul's latest website at Rabbit Hutches Designs, where he provides advice on buying rabbit hutches that are designed to suit the needs found in your backyard, including useful topics like Rabbit Hutches Cheap, and more.

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Rabies in Dogs and Cats: How To Avoid The Biggest Mistakes Pet Owners Make

Rabies - just the word alone evokes images of fear, frothing aggressive dogs, and death. The movie "Old Yeller" left a generation convinced that Rabies vaccine is a necessity, for all pets. In this article I am going to give you a better understanding of Rabies, the real risks to you and your pet, and what you need to do to prevent it, and let you know if vaccines are really necessary.

Rabies is a relatively uncommon viral disease that affects mammals, causing inflammation in the brain, otherwise known as encephalitis. It is spread via bite wounds from other animals; in North America the primary reservoirs for the disease are bats, skunks and raccoons. The virus travels from the bite wound, through the nervous system, and eventually to the brain. The disease can be treated prior to reaching the brain, but is inevitably fatal if it has time to spread.

The signs of Rabies start similar to many viral infections; flu like symptoms of fever, lethargy, decreased energy and decreased appetite. The virus can take anywhere from 2-6 weeks to spread from the bite wound to the brain. Once in the brain the 'classic' Old Yeller clinical signs can be seen: aggressive, erratic behavior, otherwise known as the furious phase. This then proceeds to the paralytic phase with increased salivation, loss of muscle control, paralysis, and eventually death as the breathing system is affected.

The incidence of Rabies in North America is relatively low, with virtually all of the cases occurring in the Eastern United States. In Canada in 2011, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency reported 1 dog positive in Quebec, and 2 cats positive in Saskatchewan and Manitoba ( 3 animals total). British Columbia's last positive case was a cat in 2007. In 2009 the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in the United States reported 300 cases of Rabies in cats, 81 cases in dogs, and 4 human cases. The North American dog and cat population is estimated at 130 million, so the incidence of Rabies is approximately.003%, which means that it is extremely rare.

Rabies is easily preventable with vaccines, but there are concerns as to the timing of the vaccine, the vaccine side effects, and how often it needs to be given. Most veterinarians advise giving the first rabies vaccine at 12 weeks, followed up with a booster 1 year later, then to be given every 1-3 years thereafter. Rabies vaccine is associated with a number of serious diseases, and these include: autoimmune diseases such as hemolytic anemia, polyarthritis, thyroid disease, anaphylactic shock, epilepsy, vaccine injection site cancer ( fibrosarcoma), and polyneuropathy (the muscles/nerves are affected).

The risks of the vaccines need to be weighed against the risks of getting the disease. Based on the real health risks, my suggestions are to wait until your dog or cat is 6 months of age before giving the first rabies vaccine. Do not give it in combination with other vaccines, and avoid giving it if your pet is sick in any way. Depending on provincial or state laws, (as in many require you to have the rabies vaccine at certain intervals), I would advise having a rabies titre check performed by your veterinarian at 1 year, and only revaccinating if the titre level is not deemed to be protective. Immunologist Dr. Ronald Schultz's has studies showing that dogs have antibody titres with rabies immunity 7 years after vaccination.

Rabies is a very serious disease in pets, but the risks of your dog or cat contracting it is extremely low. The rabies vaccine itself is one of the more potent veterinary vaccines, with a host of side effects. As a pet owner, you should carefully consider vaccinating your pet for this disease, giving it as infrequent as possible, and discussing the use of antibody titres with your veterinarian. Your pet may be fully protected and no longer need the vaccine.

Dr Andrew Jones is the author of a Free Ebook, Dog and Cat Health Secrets, which gives you over 100 safe, natural and effective at home remedies to solve your pet's health problems quickly and easily at home. He reveals what Vaccines to AVOID and what to give, The BEST food to feed, plus HOW to save money on veterinary fees. Your FREE DOG AND CAT HEALTH SECRETS BOOK is at http://www.theonlinevet.com.

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Important Facts About Rabbit Care

Feeding: Rabbits should receive pelleted food and the food should be of high quality because they tend to fall sick quickly after eating stale food. An average of 120 gms of food per day is required. However, for breeding purposes, an average of 90 gms of food per day is enough. The food should contain lots of green stuff such as ramie, comfrey, banana leaves and vegetables given in controlled amounts. Try to avoid feeding lettuce. To avoid wastage, it's recommended that you increase the total number of meals, but not the amount of food per meal. The water should be clean and abundant.

Health Care: The best way to protect the flock against disease is to keep the flock in perfectly hygienic conditions: periodic cleaning of the cages with brushes and bactericides is very essential. Sheds and cages should be cleaned monthly with antibacterials and flame-throwers to keep them as clean as possible. The removal of the manure should be done after a maximum period of twenty days in summer and forty days in winter. It's best to clean every fortnight. After removal of manure, cover the area with a layer of sawdust (about an inch thick) or other dry material. Nests and dirty bowls should be washed with disinfectant and sun-dried at least every week. The water tank should be flushed and drained every month.

Gestation Period: 31 days. Three days before giving birth, the female should be placed in the nest in the female's cage. The nest box should have a small front opening (around 15 square cms) and the box should be 30 x 40 x 30 cm, preferably lined with "shavings" (not sawdust or tape). You can also use straw or a grass mat for the lining. During pregnancy, the female just needs a quiet place. No other special care is needed. Soon after birth, the nest should be examined and the stillborns need to be removed. Make sure that the live ones stay together inside the nest and not loiter around. Nests should be examined daily. 15 days after birth, the female can be left to stay with other rabbits again.

Rabbits are curious and emotional animals: Rabbits have a tendency to explore everything that they see around them; they might hurt themselves while trying to bite through exposed electrical wires, sharp objects or disinfectant containers. So, have someone to keep an eye on the animals so they don't harm themselves. Sometimes, rabbits also tend to isolate themselves (and even commit suicide) after picking a fight with a neighbor. A big space can prevent such incidents from occurring.

Check out the rabbit collection on the biggest rabbit portal on the internet. Also check out our peter rabbit collection.

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Pet Friendly Hotels Feature: The Inn at Schoolhouse Creek

ByKim Salerno

Some pet friendly hotels and accommodations go above and beyond when it comes to pampering your pet. Pet friendly Inn at Schoolhouse Creek is one of them!

The Inn at Schoolhouse Creek on the Mendocino Coast provides a unique experience on the Northern California Coast. It has cottages and rooms spread out over 9 acres of lush gardens, meadows and forested land as well as cliff side cottages providing the perfect setting to catch the sunset.

A stay at this pet friendly inn will be a vacation your pet will appreciate. They have a pet welcome basket full of items to ensure a comfortable stay for your pet and a frisbee waiting for your four-legged friend upon arrival.

Their meadow and forest creek trails provide great room for your pet to run and frolic without their leash. Take a short three minute walk to the private beach at Buckhorn Cove, where your dog can play off the leash as well! Upon return, they have a dog bath at the Inn for your convenience.

Mendocino's scenic coast and beautiful state parks provide a great place for you to explore with your pet. There are many parks and beaches near by that your pet is sure to enjoy. Take a trip to Mendocino Headlands State Park, Friendship Park or Navarro State Park where your pets are welcome, but must remain on leash.

The Inn at Schoolhouse Creek warmly welcomes your pets as treasured guests. Your pets are their guests too and they'll strive to make them feel like they are on vacation as well! The Inn at Schoolhouse Creek has many pet friendly amenities including their large off the leash pet exercise meadow, dog bath, cover sheets for furniture, water and food dish with a rubber mat, a pet towel, waste bags, and a welcome dog treat and toy.

At this pet friendly accommodation there is a one time $50 fee for the first pet and $25 for a second pet. This is a per stay (not per night fee) and it is not refundable. There is a maximum of two pets per unit unless special permission by management is granted. They do ask that pets be under the owner's control at all times for the safety of their guests and their four-legged friends.

Come escape to the coast and discover the distinctive difference at The Inn at Schoolhouse Creek. A comfortable, pet friendly accommodation offering all the amenities you are looking for to relax, unwind and get away from it all.

Kim Salerno is the President & Founder of TripsWithPets.com. She founded the pet travel site in 2003 and is an expert in the field of pet travel. Her popular web site features pet friendly hotels & accommodations across the US and Canada, along with other helpful pet travel resources. Her mission is to ensure that pets are welcome, happy, and safe in their travels.

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Buying Your Pets Christmas Presents Is Becoming a Norm

It is no secret that Christmas is coming round again and all the towns are full of sparkling lights and Christmas banners. You may have got all of your Christmas presents in already, or you may be a last minute person - but do you always buy presents for your pets? It has become a phenomenon that people are spending a lot more money on buying Christmas presents for their pets within the past few years and there has been an up rise in pet products across the market.

In the USA it has been stated that some people are spending more money on their pets at Christmas rather than their own children. Although this may be extremely controversial with the current conditions of the third world countries I believe that there is nothing wrong with treating your pet to a present at Christmas. It is easy to forget that it is also Christmas for your pets too, therefore a treat would not go a miss when everyone around them is receiving presents - no gift or attention could possibly leave them sad over Christmastime. No one should be sad at Christmas.

There are many different presents that you could buy for your pets. Some pet manufacturers actually design innovative pet products especially for the pet season, for example Santa hats for ferrets. Alternatively, pet owners make a habit of kitting their pet out with all of the essentials to keep them healthy and content for the next year at Christmastime.

Personally, giving Christmas presents that will last for life rather than just Christmas is my most favourite form of gift. I then like to get my pets everything that they need with a few extra treats as presents. With the extra advertising and the huge rush around this seasonal time of year it is hard to find an appropriate collection of pet products which are both fantastic quality and affordable. Yet after much needed research and scanning through reviews I have got through the hard part of finding the perfect place to purchase your pet's lovely gifts.

Rosewood pet products are a brilliant brand that manufactures pet products for any pet you can think of. Although I usually prefer to buy the essentials I just could not resist buying a cute Santa hat bed for my cats and I was also mildly tempted to buy a Santa coat for dogs but attempt to squeeze it onto my cat! Rosewood is where I usually buy my pet essentials from and they have a lot of new stock available so I can renew everything for my cats.

It is very important to treat your pets to the attention and care they need especially over Christmastime as they may feel unloved with the pandemonium of the festive period!

Jade Jennison is an enthusiastic writer in subject matter including pets and keeping them entertained during the Christmas period. The websites recommended by Jade have been thoroughly researched and come highly acclaimed from direct experience. Take a look at Rosewood pet products from Millbry Hill today.

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Thirty Christmas Gift Ideas for Pets and Pet Lovers

With Christmas approaching I thought I'd put together a few Christmas gift ideas for pet owners and pet lovers. The list includes toys; treats; books; games; apparel and transportation devices to help you find the perfect gift for your precious pet. You'll find these online and in local stores.

Remember to keep our pets happy and healthy we need to keep them physically and mentally entertained and many of the ideas on the list will help you achieve this. Having a variety of toys to rotate on a regular basis will keep your pets interested.

Dog Gift Ideas

1. Bob A Lot

A fun interactive toy that dispenses treats and food

2. Busy Buddy

A fun interactive toy that dispenses treats and food

3. Vegan Chews

A great alternative to pig ears

4. Bubble Buddy

You blow the bubbles and the dogs just love chasing them

5. Go Dog Go

For the ball mad, an automatic tennis ball launcher

6. Thunder Shirt

A shirt designed to calm your dog during thunder storms and other anxious situations

7. Glow in the dark collar and lead or ball

A great idea for those who walk, run or play at night

8. Collapsible Water Bowl

Great for when you're walking, they usually attach easily to a lead or bum bag

9. Portable Pet Water Bottle

These are great, not only do you have a bottle of water they come with a built-in water bowl.

10. The Dog House by Pet Pillow

This is a great outdoor pet bedroom offering a flea free bed complete with an attached waterproof canvas tent-like cover.

11. Car Harness

Safely transport your pet in your car with a car harness

Cat Gift Ideas

1. Buster Cat Food Ball

A fun interactive toy that dispenses treats and food

2. Tiger Diner

Makes dinner time fun and interesting, you place dry food inside an enclosed bowl and the cats have to reach into it to retrieve their food.

3. Peek a Prize

Provide hours of entertainment by hiding toys and treats for you cats to retrieve

4. Banana Catnip Toy by Yeowww

Cats seem to love boxing and carrying this toy around

5. Crinkle Puffs

Cats take great delight from the sound these make when they move them around

6. Fishing Frenzy Cat Toy

The pole comes complete with three different lures to entice your cat to play

7. Cat Tunnel

A fun tunnel for the cats to play, hide and run through

8. Feather teaser with catnip

Most cats love catnip and enjoy being teased

9. Cat Tree

A climbing, scratching, playing, exercising and snoozing spot all in one

10. Glow in the dark collar with bell

Make sure your cat is seen and heard

11. Igloo bed

A comfy cosy place to sleep and hang out

12. DVD

DVD's recorded especially to entertain cats

13. Cat Grass Kit

Grow your own cat grass it's high in important vitamins and minerals, aids digestion and helps with fur ball elimination.

Bird Gift Ideas

14. Can O Nuts

A fun interactive toy that dispenses treats

15. Activity Toy - Tango Dango

Your bird will be exercised and stimulated

16. Activity Gym

Provides climbing, exercise and stimulation

17. Parrot Toy - Leap Frog

Stimulates and exercises your pet

18. Chew Stick Dowels

Tasty treats designed to give hours of stimulation. They keep your bird mentally stimulated and encourage tooth and beak maintenance.

Small Animal Gift Ideas

19. Fruit flavoured mineral stones

An excellent source of essential salts and minerals that helps keep teeth healthy.

20. Run around wheel

For fun and fitness

21. Treats

For special occasions

Pet Lovers Gift Ideas

22. Treat Cook Book

Cook your own cookies and treats for you precious pets

23. Calendar of your favourite pets (I like 'Yoga Dogs' and '365 Days of Dogs' by Workman)

There is a calendar to suit every pet lover

24. Coffee mug with your pet's photo on it

25. Trick book

A fun way to build a strong bond between you and your pet while stimulating them

26. A pet portrait

Capture your favourite pet on film and have the photo put onto canvas or just enlarged

27. Pet stroller

What a great invention. Giving you the opportunity to take your elderly or sick pet out

28. Pet Bike Basket or Pet Bike Trailer

Share your love of bike riding and take your best friend with you

29. Amazing Dog Stories a collection of stories published by Pet Rescue

Read their amazing stories. You will shed a few tears and help raise funds for pet rescue

30. Dog Safe Hands Free Leash by Blue Dog Training

This is a great leash for walking your dog. It has two components, a leash and an adjustable belt that you wear around your hips.

Glenda's Pet Sitting and Dog Walking is here to help you care for your pets. We hope you find inspiration in these Christmas gift ideas. If you would like more details please visit our website.

Glenda D founder, Glenda's Pet Sitting and Dog Walking. Providing solutions to your pet care needs. Based in Kingscliff we service the Tweed Coast and southern Gold Coast.

http://glendaspetsittinganddogwalking.hopout.com.au

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Why Flea and Tick Protection Is So Important

Fleas and ticks are the curse of your pet's and families' health and love of life. The irritation caused by these nuisances can make your companion uneasy. However these vexing creatures can cause more than misery; they also pass on illness to you and your family.

A flea is a nomad, any site can become home to them. Your house can be the ideal breeding ground for fleas. Not only that but fleas can endure for a sustained time without a nutrient source.

Being the blood-sucking parasites that they are, fleas and ticks may pick up an illness from one source and bring it home to you and your companion. Protection is the extremely important earliest step in controlling an infestation of fleas and ticks. Frontline spray for pets is a very affordable, effortless-to-use way to help in keeping things under control. You can utilize it on both your pet and their bedding. Frontline spray can be applied to several of your pets from eight weeks and up regardless of size and type. Now there is no need to pay money for multiple products, one works for all of your flea and tick protection needs. For tick protection, you can even use it on your horses!

As previously noted, they are not just a nuisance but a risk to you and your pets. Here are a few of the diseases they can convey to your happy home.

Cat Scratch Fever: This illness can be transmitted a couple of ways. If your feline has been bitten by a flea that has ingested the blood of an infected animal, your feline can also become infected. If your infected cat scratches or bites you, you may then become infected as well. Another means is if an infected flea leaves behind waste in your cat's fur and you scratch your cat contaminating your hands, later you wipe your eyes again you have opened yourself to infection.

Tapeworms: Appalling creatures that can be transferred from fleas to pets and mankind alike. Your pets would most possible be exposed to this when chewing at fleas and swallowing an infected flea. While the chance of transfer from your pet to you is low, the risk is still there.

Flea Bite Dermatitis: Causes a rash-like response that is very fretful for both man and beast alike. In animals, it may also bring about hot spots opening the door to secondary infections, while in humans may also cause hives and secondary infections.

Typhus: Fleas that have contact with rodents infected with typhus can also transmit it to your pets. The flea feeds on your pet and leaves waste in their pelt. You may be contaminated if you have an open injury that comes into contact with the waste.

Bubonic Plague: Fleas feed on an infected animal that has the plague. You become susceptible to the infection when the flea then bites you. It can also infect your pets and they in turn could infect you.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: This is a bacterial infection caused by the dog tick. This can be a dangerous and life-threatening disease and affects humans and pets alike.

Lyme Disease and Southern Tick: Lyme disease is caused by the deer tick, the most widespread of all tick-related diseases. While the southern tick is caused by the lone star tick. When a human is infected, the bite is generally marked by a bull's eye. If not treated, it can cause stiff joints among other ailments in both humans and animals.

While the risks may be modest, I closely have had dealings with three of the above-mentioned diseases. As the saying goes, the best offense is a good defense. Frontline spray for pets is a perfect first line of defense. If you would like more information on this product, please visit us at http://www.frontlinesprayforpets.com

Janie Woodard
www.frontlinesprayforpets.com

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Should You Treat Your Pet At Home or Go To An Emergency Animal Hospital?

You may have gotten a new pet or you may have moved to a new location. You may want to know where to take your pet in case of emergency or how to treat it at home. If you want to treat it at your home then you need to study its behavior from the very beginning. Veterinary hospitals are vital for pet health care, and it is difficult to open an emergency hospital for pets and run it efficiently. But you do need a veterinary hospital with emergency services for your pet in your vicinity as your pet may require immediate assistance at any time.

Some pet care drugs are easily available and you must have them at your home. You can use these drugs in case of emergencies if there is no pet clinic or hospital available in your vicinity. Vaccination is a vital part of pet care, and you can get them easily from a veterinary hospital. Vomiting and diarrhea are common in pets but people do not know the cure and rush to the hospital, whereas you can simply give the medicine to your pet and it should be fine in no time. Most of the emergency veterinary hospitals do not operate 24/7 so you should know their hours of operation if you want to take your pet to the hospital.

You should look for some particular facilities in a hospital before opting for it. If you have a pet cat then look for a cat-only hospital where there are no growling dogs to scare your pet. You may find a lot of veterinary clinics and hospitals in almost every city, but you cannot choose them randomly. Yes, location is important but there are other more important things. You should not be hesitant to travel a few extra miles.

The next step is to know the veterinarian who will be looking after your pet. You must make yourself comfortable with the veterinarian and the hospital staff as you and your pet will have to deal with them a lot. If you are taking your pet to a hospital in case of emergency, then you may not get your favorite veterinarian to look after your pet.

If you have a pet that requires regular check up and needs continuous attention, then you must opt for hospitals that offer extended hours. You must know whether your hospital has emergency facilities or not, and where you should head in the hour of need. If your hospital does not have 24 hour on site emergency services available, then the staff can at least guide you to the next best option.

You can treat your pet at home in controllable situations, but do not waste time. Head to the hospital if you think you can't take care of your pet yourself. A little delay on your part can be life threatening for your pet.

If you are looking for information about emergency vet services in Kansas City then visit http://emergencyvetkansascity.net

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Pet Evacuation: Are You Prepared?

ByLori Kniff

You may have prepared for an emergency for you and your family, but what about your pets? Have you planned for them?

In every area of the United States during each season of the year, the possibility of evacuation could become possible. Natural disasters occur often enough, somewhere, to make it reasonable to start thinking about preparing ahead of time for your pet's needs.

1. NEVER leave your pets behind. They won't be able to care for themselves, and they could possibly escape, never to be reunited with you, or worse case yet, they could be injured and die.

2. Evaluate what kind of disaster could occur in your area that would force you to leave your home: fire, flood, tornado, hurricane, or volcano. It could even be a gas leak.

3. There are many evacuation shelters that do not allow pets. Some shelters will provide one area for pets and another area for people. Some hotels and motels may lift restrictions for pets when a disaster occurs. Check with your local emergency planning commission to find out where there are pet-friendly evacuation areas. Check with possible hotels or motels to see if they will accept pets in this situation. Check with them every 6 months or so in case policies change at the facilities.

4. If evacuation orders occur while you are not home, find someone to rescue your pet. It may be a trusted neighbor, someone that knows your pet. Make sure they have all of the information from you as to what you expect them to do.

5. Assemble an evacuation kit for your pet. Include enough supplies to last 2 weeks. Duration of an evacuation is always an unknown.

6. Putting a sticker on the front of your home indicating you have a pet so rescuers would know if a search is necessary if you are not at home. If you are at home, and you evacuate with your pet, if you have time, you should mark through the sign indicating that you have evacuated your pets. The ASPCA has these stickers available or you could contact your humane society.

Since Katrina hit in 2005, Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (PETS) was passed so that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would make plans for evacuated pets and service animals.

What should you put in your pet emergency evacuation kit? There are several lists of emergency supplies necessary for people. Check with the Red Cross if you are unsure. There are not many lists for pets, however. Here are some suggestions to put in your pet's emergency supply kit:

• A sturdy crate! The crate is very necessary because you will need to take care of many things when facing a disaster, so containing your pet will save searching time, and it will definitely protect them. If possible, you should have one for each pet.
• Blankets: These could be used several ways such as bedding in the crate, comforting and wrapping them for warmth during cold weather, or even picking up a stressed pet.
• Medication: Rotate these medications every 2 months so they don't go bad.
• At least 3 days, up to 2 weeks of food (canned with pull tabs or dry) and water. Make sure you take bowls for both. Food and water should be in water tight containers. Rotate the food and water every 2 months also.
• Several small garbage bags for waste.
• For cats, litter box and litter. A good litter box would be a disposal roasting pan.
• If you are keeping your pet in a crate, which is advised for their safety, put several potty pads in the kit.
• Comfort toys, chews, or snacks.
• Photo of your pets for identification.
• Extra collar or harness and leash.
• Liquid soap and disinfectant for clean up.

Preparation is the key for a safe evacuation. Don't wait until the emergency is upon you. Bring your pet inside when the disaster is looming. If and when the evacuation is mandated, you will be able to leave under much less stress, and you will know you've done your best to protect all in your household.

Disclaimer: I am not a veterinarian nor do I have any formal training in any medical field. This article is not to replace the advice of your veterinarian. I am only providing options and ideas that you may want to discuss with your veterinarian.

Lori Kniff loves cats and dogs. She has had a cat most of her life and several dogs. She is concerned with the health and welfare of our pets. Please visit http://www.pawsitivepamperings.com for items that will help you to be able to evacuate your cat or dog safely.

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