Pet Supplies You Need For Your New Pet

Studies show more than 50% of US households own a dog or cat. If your family decides to join this sizable group, you'll want to be ready with the right pet supplies before bringing home the newest member of your family. Having a pet can enrich your life in so many ways with their love, loyalty, and companionship. Pets are great for kids to help them learn responsibility when taking care of their new best friend, not to mention the hours of fun and joy they will bring to them.

One of the best supplies a you could get for your new pet is a pet bed. Having a pet bed from the beginning is a great idea to get your new pet accustomed to sleeping in it as soon as you bring them home. They will learn right away where they are to sleep, and this will prevent the problems that arise if you allow your pet to sleep with you when they are first brought home.

Other essential pet products are a collar and leash. You will need these when you take your new pet outside for a walk or to relieve himself. A collar is also necessary to place your vaccination and identification tags, in case your pet runs away or gets lost.

A good pet supply that will come in handy is a dog toy or cat toy. Puppies and kittens are very playful and a toy will help keep them occupied and also may keep them from chewing up furniture, shoes, or some of your other possessions.

A sweater or jacket for your dog or cat may be a good idea if you live in an area that has cold winters. They are designed to regulate the body heat inside in order to maintain a warm condition when running and playing out in the cold.

You will also need a few miscellaneous items such as pet bowls for their food and water, plus a chew bone is helpful with new puppies wanting to chew up everything. Another item would be a pet brush to help keep your pet well-groomed. And don't forget the pet food!

It is a must for you to take your new pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible. They will need to be wormed, given their shots, and get a general check up. This will keep your pet healthy and happy.

Owning a pet can be a very rewarding experience, and although it comes a some responsibility, in the end I think you will find it is well worth the time and effort.

Barb Mueller loves animals, particularly her two border collies, Ruby and Elsie, and her cat, Sadie. She started her website, http://www.petbedsplusmore.com for pet lovers to find high quality eco friendly pet beds and other pet products.

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert

View the Original article

Cats and Dog Can Coexist

As animal lovers we have had an assortment of pets throughout the years but cats and dogs have been the primary choice when it came to our 4 legged children. Having deciding early on to only adopt rescue animals, we often had behavior issues to address before peace would reign.

When you are introducing new members to your home there are facts that must be considered. Dogs are territorial and will often be aggressive to any new addition to their home. Cats have the same tendencies and will fight to defend their territories and mark their spaces to show their dominance.

There Is Hope

It is a challenge to get dogs and cats to coexist but it can be done with time and patience. The usual process is to separate the two physically however this is not a practical long term solution. Though caging and closed rooms can be used in the beginning for safety, creating a plan of action for new behaviors can help you achieve harmony with time and practice.

The First Steps

Obedience in the most important factor when introducing your older pets to the newest member. Both cats and dogs can be taught basic commands and NO must be understood immediately. Chances are your new pet will understand the command by word or by tone but it can also be reemphasized with treats and affection.

While the older pets are contained, allow the new pet to slowly acclimatize themselves to the new surroundings and smells. By letting them wander on their own for short periods, they can scatter their own scent within the home which allows the other to become familiar to the new scent.

Once the new pet is secured, allow the older pet to investigate and acquaint themselves to the new scents and reward them positively for acceptable behavior. This stage may take some time for both cats and dogs to adjust but the more they feel safe the faster the process.

The Introduction

Once you see signs of acceptance you can introduce physical contact. With each pet being held securely and only when they are calm in each other's presence, you can allow them to sniff each other. Be ready to correct negative behavior and offer protection from aggression swiftly.

By repeating this process often and increasing the time in each other's company, they will begin to learn to adapt to the new situation.

Dogs are pack animals and are happy to be with their families and though cats are aloof, they too enjoy affection from their owners. In time you will begin to see that your dog and cat can coexist peacefully without fear or aggression.

You may find they become the best of friends and they may agree to give each other a wide berth. Whatever the case, you can teach both dogs and cats to be comfortable in their new home safely.

Got a burning question about making pottery for fun? Grandpa Gord and Grandma Gertie put a sensible spin on expert advice, with a little humor thrown into the mix. We cover topics ranging from pets to parenting, careers to hobbies, relationships to lifestyle, finances to food, and everything in between. Visit us at SensibleGuides.com for some simple and straight from the hip advice from people who've been around the block a few times.

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert

View the Original article

Flower Essences and How They Work for Animals

Is your dog experiencing some emotional distress? Shaking or hiding during thunderstorms, barking at the UPS man, experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? A fear of the unknown? Suddenly becoming aggressive or territorial? Perhaps it is time to investigate and learn about how Flower Essences can assist your animal's emotional challenge.

Although flowers and plants with medicinal properties have been around for thousands of years and used extensively by indigenous tribes, modern day essences began their popular rise in the late 1800's through the work and medical research of Dr. Edward Bach in England.

Dr. Bach gave up practicing traditional medicine when he began observing that many of his patients were not making a full recovery with traditional medicines. He left his practice in the city and moved to the English countryside, where he began working in his gardens and tuning into to what he later termed the "signature properties of the flowers."

Following his hunches, Dr. Bach began prescribing some of the 38 flower essence remedies he named to his patients who he identified as experiencing emotional traumas or distress through an extensive questionnaire he had developed. Lo and behold, Dr. Bach began noticing major changes in his patients and roots causes of issues simply disappearing. And thus the Bach Flower Remedy line was born.

Today the Bach line is still going strong and dozens of Flower Essence producers are making excellent remedies.

The essences work based on an energetic frequency model for health. Each remedy addresses a specific issue that may be affecting the person or animal and subtly and gently assist by shifting the energy frequency that is imbalanced back into balance.

For instance, Mimulus works wonders for animals with known fears such as: thunderstorms and loud noises. Rock Rose addresses panic and terror issues, while Vine is great for animals exhibiting aggression and Rescue Remedy is excellent for anxious animals or animals experiencing stress or changing situations.

The wonderful thing about the essences is that they are inexpensive (about $16 for a bottle), non- toxic, are so easy to administer (just drop into your animals water) and they really work, often quite quickly (I have seen shifts in animals in as few as 5 minutes).

Flower Essences work wonders for animals (and humans) in distress on many levels. I utilize them extensively in my Animal Wellness and Animal Communication practices as I find them to hit the spot and address the roots cause not just the symptoms.

Alecia Evans is a professional Animal Wellness Consultant. She is an award winning producer and host of the 12 week Grassroots Aspen television series, "The Whole Animal," and a well known lecturer on the topics of Animal Communication and Natural Health and Healing for Animals. She consults with clients the world over, helping their animals get back on the road to health naturally. In addition, Alecia is an Expert Dog Trainer and Behavior Consultant who assists animals and their people creating harmonious relationships through new levels of awareness and understanding.

Find out more at: http://dogwalkinsync.com/

Watch our 5 Minute Manners Makeovers: http://dogwalkinsync.com/makeovers.php

Email Alecia for more information - info

View the Original article

The Sun Conure Parrot - 5 Reasons Why People Love Them

ByDebbie Davis

This parrot continues to be one of the most popular choices for pet birds. And while there are many other types of birds competing for adoption, here are 5 reasons it continues to be at the top of the list for adoption.

Colorful---Like their name suggests, they add a vibrant splash of color to a room whether they are sitting still or flying about. They don't start out that way. So if you adopt a young bird, don't be disappointed with the all the green feathers you're likely to see. This is nature's way of helping them survive by allowing them to blend in more easily with the trees.

They eventually turn to a stunning array of vibrant yellows, gold, oranges, and blues. Their mature colors dazzle the eye.

Manageable Size---Most birds at maturity are right around 12 inches long and weigh a whopping 4 ounces.

Easy To Train---Known for their high level of intelligence, they learn quickly and with gently and consistent training many can be taught to do pretty complex tricks. They love and need the attention, and the ground rules for behavior should be laid from the beginning and enforced gently and consistently adhered to by all family members.

Great Personalities---They are fun-loving and very active. However, "playing dead" has given many an owner near heart failure only to discover they are merely enjoying a snooze. They socialize well with humans, and children who know how to handle them. Interaction with children should always be supervised by a knowledgeable adult.

They can sometimes choose a favorite owner, but as long as all members of the family continue to interact, this should not cause a problem. That being said, each bird has its own personality. And what may be usual for most Conures may or may not be the same for the bird you adopt.

Reasonably Priced---Everything is relative, but as exotic birds go, Conures range in price from $250 to $350 when purchased from a reputable breeder. Pet stores are also an option, but having a veterinarian check them over before finalizing the adoption is recommended.

Adopting a rescue bird is another option, but unfortunately many of these birds have behavioral problems of their own or some caused by previous owners. Many times they are older birds and have developed habits that are nearly impossible to change. Acquiring a bird in this way is not recommended for the first time bird owner.

More than not, the pros outweigh the cons when it comes to this parrot. And making them part of the family typically adds a lot of sunshine to life.

Description This parrot continues to be one of the most popular choices for pet bird. And while there are many other types of birds competing for adoption, here are 5 reasons it continues to be at the top of the list for adoption.

Give your Sun Conure the gift of clean air 24 hours a day with the air purifier offered by PurerAir.com at http://purerair.com/bird_dust_air_purifier.html

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert

View the Original article

The Difficulties and Rewards of Working in a Pet Store

Working at a pet store is not something that all people are suitable for. While a job at a pet store may fit some people like a glove, it is entirely impossible for others. Those working in a pet store have to be true pet lovers to take care of so many different pets day after day, and have to be strong enough not to burst into tears when their favorite animal is sold. A lot of responsibilities come with the job as well, as they will be responsible for the safety and health of all the pets in the store. If one of them gets sick and is not treated in time, the responsibility falls on those taking care of the pet. Even those employed as simple sales men or women still have to assume responsibility for the pets in their care. Knowledge of products being sold in the shop is also required, as customers will require information on all products available, from simple hamster cages or squeaky toys to a large terrarium for their reptile friend.

Caring for the pets being sold in the store means more than simply feeding them and providing them with water. It also involves playing with them at regular intervals, to keep them happy, as well as cleaning their cages, or fish tanks, in the case of fish. Anyone who has ever cleaned a fish tank before knows that this is quite a lengthy process, especially as it also involves a complete cleaning of the filtration system, and a change of water. So taking care of the pets from the store does take a lot of time, and has to be done regularly, so only true animal lovers will be able to do this time after time.

Those working in pet stores also have to clean the cages of the other animals by removing all waste from them and disinfecting them at specific intervals of time. This is the only way to make sure that germs and other harmful bacteria do not affect the safety of the animals living inside. It is also extremely important to keep sick animals away from the others, as they may transmit the disease and eventually cause all the pets in the store to become infected.

A close relationship with a vet is required, and regular visits from the vet are highly recommended to ensure the well being of the pets being sold. Pet types should never be mixed, as there are germs and diseases that, while harmless to a rat, may cause the death of a lizard. Keeping them close together, even if in different cages, is a certain way of infection, so it should be avoided at all costs. Naturally, keeping hamsters close to predatory animals is also not a good idea, even if they are only young.

There are a lot of people who come to pet stores to sell a great variety of pets, at a very small age, because they do not have room to keep them, or the money to feed them. While this is understandable in some cases, some only do this for a profit, and it should be noted that many types of animals will not be able to properly develop without support from their mother. It is very important for most pets to stay close to their mother until they are at least 2 months old, to properly develop, and they should not be purchased until then.

Working in a pet store offers numerous personal rewards, as there is no better feeling than seeing all the pets cheer up in the morning when they see the sale men and women arrive to work. It can also be difficult, especially for those with limited knowledge of hamster cages, for example, or other similar products such as a terrarium or a rabbit hutch. Customers are sometimes extremely well prepared and know exactly what they want, and not knowing how to answer their questions can lead to problems. However, pet lovers everywhere will find no better position than those offered in a pet store, if they want to remain close to numerous types of animals, all looking for some love and attention.

Leah Williams writes articles for Supapet, a pet store that offers a range of products for different animals. Whether you are looking for hamster cages or dog leads, Supapet have a wide selection to choose from, also catering for lizards and amphibians with their range of terrarium accessories.

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert

View the Original article

Pet First Aid - Be Prepared for Any Emergency

I consider my pets members of my family, and do my best to plan for emergencies as much as possible. It is important as a pet parent to be aware of your pet's normal everyday behavior. Your pet cannot tell you when he/she is in pain or discomfort, it is up to you to identify if and when they need first aid.

Pet First Aid Kit:

To start, put together a pet first aid kit. Pet first aid kits can be purchased at many pet stores or you could ask your veterinarian for a list of items to combine or add. The kit will include items similar to a human first aid kit such as:

View the Original article

New Years' Resolutions for Pet Owners

Happy New Year! When we think of the first month of a new year, we probably ponder all the resolutions to make for our personal and professional growth. We want to lose weight, eat better, and maybe work toward improving skills to do well at work. If you have a feline or canine companion at home, you may wish to consider adding a few resolutions and include your dog or cat in on your plans for improvement. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

1) Commit to daily walks so you both get in your exercise. We like to make excuses for not getting in shape - we have to work, we have to take our kids to their practices, and so on. When the dog needs to go out, at best we may just circle them around the neighborhood, but that's not always a good, healthy walk. Consider broadening your walk circuit with your dog so that he/she gets his exercise, too. With cats, you may not walk them as you would a dog, but it's a good idea to engage in some kind of exercise program with yours to keep him/her and you fit.

2) Groom your pets regularly. Keep an eye on fleas and ticks, and watch those paws and claws, too. A clean and well-groomed pet is a healthy one, and the more attention you give could mean less problems with the veterinarian as far as skin issues are concerned. Taking the time to properly groom your dog or cat also helps you bond with them. Give it a try - you'll enjoy the time spent.

3) Keep regular veterinarian visits. Speaking of the vet, don't sacrifice doctors' visits. Your pet's health is vital, and if you suspect something is wrong and you are not schooled in veterinary medicine it's best to leave any diagnosis to a doctor. Regular check-ups for preventative measures can help keep your dog or cat feeling great.

4) Include your pet. Your dog or cat is part of the family - therefore it makes sense to consider his/her wants and needs when you travel and when emergencies arise.

Make this year the one you and your pets grow in happiness and health. Whether you are a new pet owner or have had a four-legged friend at home for some time, making New Years' resolutions to help you and your pets can start the year off right.

Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer specializing in articles on pet supplies and pet care products.

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert

View the Original article

Tips For Preventing Giving Your Pet a Stupid Name

BySharon E Hearst

I have had dogs and cats all my life. The ones I named by myself have always had unique, interesting names, many being named after characters in mythology or classic literature. The ones I allowed someone else to name have often been something that I really didn't want to be yelling out into the street at night to get them to come home for bed.

Before naming your pet, you have to consider how you will feel calling it in public. The all-time worst pet name I have been saddled with was "Fart", name by an eight year-old boy who considered that to be the all-time greatest joke.

When I go to the dog park, I find an amazing array of animal names. There are dogs named Bob, Charlie, and Angus. These names are fun, and sometimes related to the breed. No one will take offence if you call your dog Bob, not even if their own name is Bob. Be careful with using people's names, though. My little dog "Emma" had to have a name change to "Mia" when my son became serious about a girl named Emma.

There are also the "high society" names of the show dogs and cats, often with "of" somewhere in the phrase. These are, of course, intended to impress judges with the impressive heritage of the animal. The name alone proves that the dog or cat in question deserves "Best of Show".

Most of us do not intend to show or breed our animals. We want a family pet who is just another one of us, except with four legs. If Doug or Susie is a good enough name for one of our children, then there's no reason for the dog or cat's name to be any more imaginative. Although, if Doug or Susie are named after a favourite grandparent, then the same rule may not be applied to the family dog. Grandpa Doug would not be impressed.

Dogs don't have a very good command of language, so you want to make the name short, with a maximum of two syllables. That's about all they can understand. One syllable is preferable. "Butch" is easy for a dog to decipher. As mentioned earlier, you want the name to be something that you can repeat in public. Although your dog may, in fact, be a bitch, it's not advisable to name her that.

Your dog's name defines you to people you meet as much as it identifies your dog. Naming your pet after a favourite book, movie, vacation spot, food, or pastime will give you an identity as well. If you spend a few days with your pet before naming him or her, the animal's own personality might be the clue to their name. The name "Digger" might be just right. The names "Thing One" and "Thing Two" would be perfect for a pair of Hairless Chinese Creasteds. A humourous or ironic name lets people know that you have a sense of humour. A chihuahua named "Killer" is just to elicit grins from anyone who meets it, and you.

Before you tell your child or children that they can choose a name for the family pet, make sure you set out some ground rules. "Fluffy" might not be something that you want to have to repeat for 15 years. A stupid name lasts forever. My son's choice of "Ukulele Aloysius Hucklebuck" was shortened to Yuki, and everyone was happy, including the dog.

When naming a cat, the rules are much easier. Just give it a name that acknowledges its majesty and superior intellect, such as Cleopatra or Shakespeare. Remember, with cats, there isn't the issue of you calling its name over and over in public. It will just ignore you, anyway.

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert

View the Original article

Arnold's Free Ride

Being a single mom, one of my "Great Ideas" (at the time) was to raise piglets and sell halves. Not only would we make money but we would have yummy bacon and ham in the freezer. Soon we had three adorable pink and white piglets rooting around in a pen. Their names...Hammy Faye Baker, Arnold Snorztenegger, and Pinky-Jo Curly Tail.

At first all went well, they didn't eat much and were very friendly, standing up on their little hind legs to greet us every morning. My "Great Idea" included going to various fruit and vegetable stands to gather older produce and feed them for free. We picked "pig weed" along the sides of the road and went to the Hostess store to buy all the past due cakes and bread to supplement their diet. They chowed down on pigweed and veggies like there was no tomorrow, but they would only sniff suspiciously at the Hostess goodies and fruit. Pigs are extremely smart and have an incredible ability to change food into fat at an extremely rapid rate, and soon they were three obese, waddling, 250 pound porkers.

About this time, Hammy, Arnold, and Pinky-Jo decided that there was more of the world to see than their little pen. After all, that yummy stuff they get every day had to come from somewhere... they did their level best... daily... to get out and find more. I tried hot wire. Hammy Faye would short it out shoveling dirt against it with her snout. We tried wooden boards. Arnold would run at it and throw himself, trotters scrambling wildly, up and over the boards. We tried hog wire. All three would stand up on their hind legs and put their front feet up on the wire, walking slowly forwards until the wire bent enough that they could just clamber over the top. They were three little piggy geniuses.

One day I received a phone call from my neighbor down the road. "Your pigs are out."

The boys and I hitched up the horse trailer and high-tailed it down the road where we found the pigs corralled in a rather large pasture/pen. I was able to back the trailer into a corner. With the door open against the fence on one side, it made a fairly good trap. We attempted to get the pigs into the corner so they could have nowhere to go but into the horse trailer. They ambled unconcernedly up to the trailer when herded, but at the door they stopped and eyed the dark interior suspiciously. Suddenly, Hammy let out a grunting snort and all three scattered like startled deer.

I tried to jump in front of Arnold, but he plowed through my legs at a gallop with me spread face down across his back.

You would think a grown woman riding a half-grown pig would be tiring, but I swear he enjoyed it. All three pigs hurtled around the pasture like little pink racehorses, with me hanging on for dear life. About the third lap around the pasture I lost my grip and fell hard, bouncing like a super-ball across the mucky pasture.

As I lay gasping for breath, Keegan and Garry (my two boys) quietly walked Hammy Faye and Pinky-Jo up to the trailer where they loaded quietly. Arnold refused to get into the trailer. I drove the other two pigs home, and got a bucket of pig feed and a lasso.

Back to the neighbor's I went, Keegan and Garry happily anticipating the fact that Mom was about to do something entertainingly stupid once again. I lassoed Arnold around the neck and found that a combination of pouring little piles of food in front of him and pulling him from pile to pile would get him to follow me. Unfortunately, I lived about a half a mile up the road. At this rate it would take at least a day.

I looked around and spied the neighbor's tractor. It had a large bucket on the front and a blade in the back. Keegan started up the tractor and pulled up next to Arnold. Garry poured the last of the pig feed into the tractor bucket while I pushed and pulled, finally shoving Arnold into it. Keegan lifted the bucket about 2 feet off of the ground while I clambered in along side of Arnold to "steady" him. At first, Arnold wasn't sure he liked this, but as we headed up the driveway and onto the road headed home, he quickly relaxed, even standing with his front feet on the rim of the bucket, ears flapping in the wind like some bizarre Cocker Spaniel.

I can only imagine the picture we made: two young boys driving a tractor with their mother, both legs dangling over the edge of the bucket, hanging onto a lasso tied to a large pig that was showing every indication of enjoying the ride immensely. I won't go on about the looks we received from passing motorists, but Keegan and Garry waved happily at their slack jawed faces as they slowly passed us.

Soon after that, I sold the pigs. I could not butcher them. I have not raised pigs since then... I can't. They have too much personality. Some days when life gets me down, I look back on that period in our lives with Arnold peering happily over the rim of the bucket... and I can't help but laugh.

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert

View the Original article

Tips for Finding a Good Dog Breeder

ByGabriele Gottschlag

When it comes to picking a dog breeder there are some important things to know. But first there are a few vital questions to ask: Is the breeder registered? Do they have a good reputation? Are the kennels clean? And do they breed show quality or pet quality? If show quality a breeder may request that you agree to show them and this can be more work then you want to get into. When it comes to choosing a dog breeder, it is very important to locate ethical, straightforward dog breeders, ones who willingly provide you with written health guarantees. A good place to find reputable breeders is at dog shows or your local breeder directories. Do a web search and record check for added security.

Once you have found a dog breeder it's a good idea to visit them in order to look over their kennels and home environment. Observe the cleanliness of the dogs' living environment, this will impact the state of the puppies' health. An unclean pen where a lot of feces is found can result in worms being transferred from the mother to the puppies as she cleans them. This can cause a lot of discomfort for your puppy as well as for you in terms of vet visits, cost and reduced ability to get dog insurance. An unclean pen can also result in the puppy forming the unpleasant habit of eating feces which carries on into adulthood; this habit is called Coprophagia, which develops when a puppy nurses on the unclean fur of the mother.

A warning against dealing with any pet stores who have puppies or adult dogs for sale, because ethical dog breeders will never sell to stores or brokers. Pet stores get them from puppy mills who have little or no regard for conformation breed standards, dog diseases, genetic testing or dog care. Ethical puppy breeders do care about their chosen dog breeds.

Once you have located a reputable breeder it is a good idea to get a sense if you would be able to maintain a good relationship with them. A good relationship is invaluable as they would be a good resource for you for the life of your dog. They are experts with regard to that particular breed as well as to the genetic history of the individual dog you've chosen. A healthy relationship with the breeder can be invaluable if important questions arises down the road or a particular health issues arise where added insight is needed.

Once you've chosen and purchased your dog don't forget to get all documentation, proof of pedigree as well as health guarantees from the dog breeder. Be leery if the breeder indicates that they do not want further contact with you after the sale. A good breeder would want to make sure the dog is well taken care of and to be of assistance to any new dog owner in order to give the dog the best life possible.

Article written
by Gabriele Gottschlag

Find more invaluable advice and information for dog care

View the Original article

What Not To Feed Your Rabbit

You've likely read countless articles on what you should feed your rabbit to ensure its health through nutrition. While what you should feed your rabbit is relatively easy to understand, knowing what not to do isn't always clear. The following information is the "don'ts" of rabbit feeding. Do you know what not to do when feeding your bunny? Read on to find out.

View the Original article

Rabbit Rearing

Because they are great breeders, there is no need to keep many rabbits together to achieve a good volume of meat. They even produce seven to twelve young rabbits (at a time) and return on investment can be realized between 18 and 24 months. Just make sure that there's someone to watch over your rabbits at all times during the day because they can harm each other quite easily.

The California race rabbit is ideal for producing meat, while the fawn burgundy and white rabbit (Angora) are good for their skins.

The activity of is relatively low-cost because it uses little space and you don't need to worry a lot about what to feed them. Rabbits are herbivores and have very strong digestive systems; they can easily consume and digest a lot of stuff that other animals would never even think of eating. Cheap food items such as potatoes, corn, soybeans, wheat, rye and oats are enough to keep them going.

Rabbit breeding first started in Asia. Fossils have also been discovered in the Iberian Peninsula. Although they have been domesticated for many years, it was not until the Middle Ages that rabbits were bred in cages by monks in Asia. In USA, professional began in 1957.

If you want to take a hamster home, here are some necessary precautions that you need to undertake:

View the Original article

Can Fleas Survive On Your Pet In Winter?

As a pet owner, I thought I knew pretty much everything when it came to cats and dogs. Having flea problems in the summer was something I was used to dealing with. Flea treatment prevention in the spring and extra grooming in the summer months helped to keep the little blood suckers off my beloved pets. However, I didn't anticipate a flea breakout in the winter. This particular winter in my London home was freezing with a long spell of snow ahead, so naturally the central heating was on full blast! I had never had a flea infestation in the colder months so I was a bit confused as to how they had survived and what they were living on? I found out they usually they lie dormant in winter but with the central heating on these little pests came back to life with a vengeance.

To combat fleas during the winter season, it is vital to treat both the pet and their environment, because fleas live a large part of their life cycle off of the pet and in the environment (house, bed, garden etc). Fleas need warm and humid temperatures to survive. The inside of your house provides a warm environment to allow fleas to live all year round regardless of seasons. I didn't have carpet, floorboards only, so I thought that apart from my pets bedding etc I had cleaned everything at the end of that summer and all would be fine. WRONG!

Your first step is getting down and dirty with the vacuum cleaner. Carpet and floorboards are a great place for the eggs and larvae to hide as they can easily survive in the cracks and crevices. Then, when you or your pet walks by, they latch on. Have you ever noticed when you have a flea infestation, that you have bite marks around your ankles more than anywhere else. That's because of the flea problem in your floor corners and cracks. Fleas will bite you once and then fall off as they can't live on humans, but will happily feed off your pet forever.

Those little sneaky places your pet likes to hide in, under the bed, a cosy corner, in a secret cupboard are all breeding places for fleas. Not only do you have to hoover and treat the floor in your home you have to hoover and treat your mattress and bedding. Fleas are known to come to the surface when they feel the vibrations from a vacuum cleaner, then straight after, you hit them with the flea household spray treatment. Keep your pets out of the rooms as you individually treat them and close the door for as long as you can. House flea spray is not to be used anywhere near an animal, spot on treatments for them will do the trick. Hoovering will also collect the eggs, so you'll be starting to break the cycle. Regardless of whether you allow your pet on your bed or not it is advisable to spray both sides of the mattress as soon as it has been hovered. Throw away all of your pets toys, beds and play stands. Harsh, I know but they'll soon be just as attached to the new toys you buy them as they were to the old flea ridden ones. Make no mistake, fleas and flea eggs are made of hard stuff. They will survive and survive, so be ruthless.

Breaking the flea cycle will only happen if you treat your pets on the same day that you treat the home. 80 - 90% of fleas and eggs are not on your pet but lying dormant in your carpet, furniture and bedding. Eggs become larvae, larvae become pupae so the more of the pupae you vacuum up the better. The pupae stage is them developing into adult fleas and the cocoon surrounding the developing flea is water tight and immune to insecticides. So vacuum up as much as you possibly can before spraying. Be vicious about it, they will multiply and come back again and again. When you start spraying make sure you get into all the tiny cracks and gaps as well as all of your furniture, curtains and rugs. Also get rid of the hoover bag when you have finished. Yes the little pests will happily survive in the warm vacuum sack.

Now even in winter I thoroughly groom my pets and keep flea treatments to hand at all times. After I had vigorously tackled my home and pets I had only one further very mild problem, which has since never returned. The key is to break the cycle and the only way is to treat your house and pets at the same time, thoroughly!

At http://www.petpromenade.co.uk/ we understand how important it is to not only have the latest cat toy, or the trendiest dog collar, but also to make sure the boring bits are covered. That's why we have a variety of flea, worming and fur treatments.

Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert

View the Original article