Pet Safety in the Dark

Pet safety in the dark is always something people should consider. One of the leading causes of pet death is accidents and many accidents happen at night when cars hit pets. Pet owners sometimes assume that drivers will see their pet, but pets are fast moving and being short, they are usually below where most drivers focus their eyes.

Never assume that because your pet has never been hit by a car that it won't be hit in the future. At night a LED product can save your pet's life.

If you ride a bike and walk your dog at the same time having a LED light on your pet can help drivers take notice of the animal. A LED light on your bike is a good idea as well.

People who ride their horses in the evening may find clipping a small LED light (such as the LED collar light) on the bridle adds extra safety – as sometimes it can get darker faster than you might expect. Another safety tip when riding near roads is to ride in the direction of the oncoming traffic.

Rural people, or those who do not have fenced yards, may find that a light on their dog is a great way to see where it is when they let it out in the evening.

Nite Ize is an online supplier of LED safety lighting and other similar products (including light up pet toys), but in particular their products for pet safety are excellent.



Pick from:

• LED Collar
• LED Collar cover (turns a regular collar into a light up collar)
• LED Collar Light (red or white)
• LED Leash
• LED Flying disc (toy)
• LED Ball (toy)

Click here to see their Pet Collection

Free Shipping on orders over $45 with code FSCJ213 valid through 2/28/13


Nite Ize also sells batteries for their LED pet safety products. Nite Ize is located in the United States and most products are available to be shipped internationally. They have a 30 day return policy on all unopened products.

What Pet Products does 911HealthShop Sell?

Pets have health problems, just as people do, but in many cases it is not safe to give human medication to pets. Even so, some medications that are safe for one type of pet may not be safe for another. Tylenol, for example, is fine for humans, but not safe for cats and dogs; aspirin is somewhat safe for dogs, but not at all safe for cats.

As such if you are considering giving human medications to a pet for any reason it is always best to check with your veterinarian first. Otherwise just stick with medications intended for pets.

There are many places in where a pet owner can buy medication for pets. This article is to introduce you to 911HealthShop.com, a place to buy nutritional supplements and vitamins for people and pets too.



It is often hard to know when a pet needs vitamins, but most certainly older pets benefit from having vitamins and joint supplements. Pets that are going to shows can benefit from the vitality, those that are going to be bred can also be brought into condition with vitamins, however these should not be used while the pet is pregnant or nursing without checking with your vet first. After her young are weaned the momma might be thin and again this is a good time for nutritional supplements.

Pets who are stressed have more risk of developing health problems, including digestion problems, and mites, so by helping them maintain health you actually can reduce other problems from developing.
911HealthShop has over 250 pet health products, often priced well below suggested retail prices.

Some of their top selling products are:

• K-9 Glucosamine by Liquid Health Inc – a product that helps dogs with arthritis.
• Zinpro Skin and Coat Formula for Dogs by Lincoln Biotech – a zinc supplement to improve skin and coat.
• Multiple Vitamins and Minerals Spray for Cats and Kittens by Dynamic Health Labs – a great way to boost your cat's health.
• Transfer Factor Animal Stress Pack by 4Life – to relieve stress in all types of pets from rabbits to horses.
• Herbal Flea Collar by Petguard – much safer than the chemicals used in typical flea collars.

5% Off Orders of $50 at 911HealthShop.com click here - Use Code: nyaff550 - ends 1/20/2013- combines with human health care products too!

911HealthShop has a range of products to help with clipper burn, ear cleaning, and so forth, but by far their most popular products are those related to aiding and improving joint health in dogs and cats. You will also find many biscuits for dogs and cats that are not just treats but contain health supplements such as those for the skin and coat. Other products help with digestion or are safe ways of preventing fleas and ticks. They have products, such as a variety of dental bones, to help with cleaning a dog's teeth.

911HealthShop has a Rewards program, join and collect rewards which can be redeemed for cash.
They are located in the USA and currently only ship their products within the United States.
Just click on either ad to visit their website.



If your pet is actually sick please check with a veterinarian to get a proper diagnosis of the health problem your pet is experiencing.

Do Bearded Dragons Make Good Pets?

In recent years Bearded Dragons have become popular pets. I have never owned one myself but have met my share of happy owners, disappointed owners, and people who had their pet die within a few weeks of getting it.  This is often because they did not understand how to care for their pet correctly.  Others owners were not prepared for the size that their beardie grew.

How Big Do Bearded Dragons Get?

Bearded dragons originated in Australia. They typically measure about 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) when first purchased, but owners must be prepared for their Beardie to grow to 20 – 24 inches (50 – 60 cm), with females being slightly smaller. In most cases this means the vivarium (reptile enclosure) for a small bearded dragon will not be big enough for when they are mature.

What Kind of Enclosure  is Needed for a Pet Bearded Dragon?

A young bearded dragon may be kept in a 20 gallon enclosure, while a mature one will need at least a 40 gallon enclosure. The tank selected should be one that is made for lizards and is therefore long rather than tall, allowing for more floor space.

Young bearded dragons can be kept in groups but as they mature bearded dragons should be kept individually. It is possible to keep a male and female together, or two females, if the enclosure is large enough, but two males will fight.

Bearded Dragons are desert lizards their vivarium needs to be created to resemble a desert habitat. When young its best just to use newspaper to line their enclosure with, but later they can have 4 inches (10 cm) deep of calcium sand. They should have rocks, and in particular a raised “basking rock” on which to warm themselves for digestion, you can even buy electric heated rocks. They also need a shaded area in which to cool down.

The tank will need to be cleaned weekly. The lid must be well ventilated with proper lighting (a heat lamp and UVA/UVB light).

Humidity should be maintained at 20% to 30% and there are special humidity gauges to help you monitor the conditions of the tank. The tank must be kept warm in the day, and slightly cooler at night.

They should have a food dish and water dish. Some bearded dragons are reluctant to drink from the water dish so should be misted in the morning (in the wild they get water by licking the dew off their head), or have water sprayed on their food.

photo source

What do Bearded Dragons Eat?

Bearded dragons are omnivores, they need a variety of food. When they are younger they need a balance of 75% insects to 25% plants, but as they mature this becomes more of a 50/50 thing. The insects can be live gut loaded crickets, meal worms, or wax worms. You can also buy dried crickets, or prepared foods and see if your beardie will eat them. The plant matter can be kale, collard greens, spinach, dandelion leaves (assuming no chemicals sprays were applied), shredded carrots, pears, and chopped up zucchini.

Additional Information on Keeping a Pet Bearded Dragon

Bearded dragons can be picked up and held but care should always be taken that they are not dropped. If not use to being held they may puff up but over time they can become “tame”. People need to wash their hands before and after handling their pet. Soap should not be used before handling the pet (just wash with water) but should be used afterwards. Bearded dragons are considered one of the more relaxed types of lizards as pets.

A bearded dragon can live for 10 to 12 years, so it is important for an owner to decide if they can provide a lifetime of care for their pet.

Note that as they get larger bearded dragons are not as “cute” as when they are small, and for some people (kids in particular) that can be an issue. Again it is very important to consider the mature size of a bearded dragon before getting too committed to getting one as a pet.

If you are serious about getting a bearded dragon as a pet you may want to get some supplies and set up your vivarium first.

Pet Warehouse has a Reptile section with proper lighting supplies, sands, accessories, grooming aids, medication, thermometers, food, and so forth.  Check to see their huge range of Reptile Supplies

Your Pet Purchases can Help Feed Shelter Pets

PetFoodDirect is an online supplier of pet foods and supplies. They have a rewards program that allows their customers to help shelter pets.

Many pets end up in animal shelters for no fault of their own, sometimes a person got the wrong pet for their lifestyle, sometimes the owner had to move but could not take the pet with them. There are many reasons why cats and dogs are surrendered to animal shelters.

Most animal shelters are non-profit, they depend on donations from the public, government grants, and fund raising, to help provide food for their pets. As a pet lover you can donate to your local animal shelter at anytime. They always are happy to receive cash donations, and donations of pet food, however you might want to call first to see what they need. 

probably not what you think of when you think of feeding shelter pets!

Some of the things people often do not think about donating to an animal shelter, but that the shelters often need, are office supplies (paper, pens, etc.) and cleaning supplies (garbage bags, bleach, etc.). For pets, animal shelters often need blankets for the dogs, and toys. They can use old towels for their cats. 

Of course making a donation is not always possible but that does not mean you cannot help pets.

As a pet owner all you have to do is join PetFoodDirect's Rewards Program and you can help shelter pets as well as saving on money for your pet's food and products.

PetFood Direct sells great quality dog and cat foods such as Orijen and Wellness. They carry treats and flea and tick products, heartworm products (such as Heartgard) and even pet toys. They sell things for pet birds, wild birds, fish, reptiles and small caged pets. Their autoship program allows for further savings and convenience of not having to worry about running out of pet food.

What is the PFD Rewards Program?

With the PetFoodDirect Rewards Program every dollar you spend earns you reward points. You earn 15 points just for joining the program and if you sign up for autoship your points are doubled, plus you can get 300 points just for signing up. 

• 150 points = Donates 2 meals to shelter pets
• 400 points = Donates 6 meals to shelter pets
• 600 points = Donates 10 meals to shelter pets

Or you can use your points on your own purchases, 1,000 points can be traded in for $10 off your next purchase, or 1,500 points can be used for 25% off.

Here are some links you can click to get you started on your way to help shelter pets just when buying things you already need for your own furry friends!

Join our PetFoodDirect.com Rewards program and earn points with every purchase that can be used to donate meals to animals in need! Help those who cannot help themselves!

Save 15-25% off All PetFoodDirect.com Orders When You Enroll in Auto Ship! Convenient, Reliable and Worry-Free. Start Saving Today!

Get $20 Off Any Order $150 Or More At PetFoodDirect.com Today! Use Code PFDSAVE20!

Signing up for PetFoodDirect's reward program is free and I encourage you to take advantage of it to help animal shelters to help their adoptable pets.

 

Killifish in the Pet Industry

When I was young my father use to get an aquarium magazine and my sister and I use to love looking at the beautiful fish pictures. One aquarium hobbyist magazine always a section devoted to Killifish. There were colorful pictures of fish that we never saw in the aquarium stores; these fish were Killifish.

That was some 30 years ago and I have only rarely seen Killifish for sale in stores since, and even then they were not as spectacular as the ones featured on the pages of the aquarium magazines. Of course I now know that there are different levels of quality among aquarium fish, the most fancy guppies, bettas, and so forth, are never sold in stores, they are sold privately, or often in an auction, this also applies to Killifish. You can also order live Killifish from That Pet Place/That Fish Place. 

Live Killifish shipped directly to your door from ThatFishPlace.com

 

Only a few varieties of Killifish are sold in stores if you can find them, with most others traded and sold privately. Killifish are sold as eggs or actual fish. They eggs can be shipped dry as certain Killifish lay their eggs before the ponds dry up so the eggs dry out under normal conditions.

Basic Information on Killifish

 

photo source - Golden lyretail Killifish

 

Killifish are fresh, and brackish, water fish, with different species found in and/or around most continents of the world excluding Australia, Antarctica, and Northern Europe. Many species are not as colorful as those featured on the pages of magazines, for example the Devil's Hole Pupfish is a Killifish.

Killifish are a type of carp and there are over 1200 different Killifish known, with more possibly yet to be discovered. 

About Keeping Killifish as Pets

As pets, or in the wild, the lifespan of a Killifish can be as short as nine months for some species, to a maximum of three years for some others. The shortest living Killifish often being referred to as “annuals”, these typically being the ones to lay their eggs in a pond that dries up seasonally, and even when kept in an aquarium that does not “dry up” they still do not live longer. 

photo source - Killifish from Nigeria

Each species will have its own dietary needs with some eating mostly algae, others eating other small fish, and many eating mosquito larvae or other insects. 

Most Killifish are under 2 inches (5cm) in length but some can get as long as 6 inches (15 cm). 

Some Killifish can live in a small school if the aquarium is large enough, while other species prefer to live in a small group with only one male.

The water conditions preferred by each Killi species will vary with some living in fresh water and others in brackish water (a mix of fresh and salt water - which can be made using aquarium salt, but not so much as to create a salt water tank). 

Of the species most commonly sold in pet stores, the Golden Wonder (from India), and Flagfish (from Florida), tend to be the best known. Note that in most places it is illegal to catch Killifish in the wild and keep them as pets without a proper permit, nor can you release unwanted pets into the wild.

Live Killifish shipped directly to your door at ThatFishPlace.com

Information on Reeves Turtles as Pets

My daughter recently got a new pet, a Reeve's Turtle. In my area many turtle species are illegal to buy or sell (such as the red-eared slider) but Reeves are allowed. I was surprised to see turtles for sale that so tiny, her turtle was maybe 2 inches (5cm) at most.  In the USA this would not be legal as the trade of turtles whose shell is under 4 inches is illegal.  

I was quite worried about getting her, but my daughter is 18 so it was her decision.  

 
The Reeve's Turtle is also known as the Chinese pond turtle, they are found in China, Hong Kong, Korea, and Japan; they are considered to be an endangered species particularly in China. The biggest threat to them comes from being hunted for use in Chinese medicine, however they breed well in captivity.

Turtles are not good pets for first time pet owners, they have very specific needs and a person should never get a turtle unless they know they can care for it for its lifetime in relationship to how big it will eventually grow, which is 6 inches. They can live over 40 years.

Housing for a Reeve's Turtle

A small Reeve's turtle needs at least a 10 gallon tank, and 20 gallons (or more) when mature.  We are using a 15 gallon tank made for turtles, frogs, or salamanders, it is not tall but offers a lot of "floor" space.

The water should be 4 inches deep (see more below about water) with a rock for basking coming up out of the water. Other large pebbles can be placed at the bottom of the tank and a land area should be constructed at one end of the tank. A shallow container set on top of rocks can be filled with bark for reptiles and placed in the land area. Anything added to the tank should be sold specifically for use with reptiles.

A water heater and filter are important and should be selected for the size of the tank. An air pump is not required as turtles breathe air from the surface.

Live aquarium plants may be eaten but plastic plants can be used to provide some décor.

The water itself must be free of chemicals or chlorine. If you live rurally on well water there are usually no issues, but city water often has chlorine added. This can be removed by leaving the water out for 24 hours or by buying a product to remove the chlorine. Water conditioner for turtles should be used in either case. As young reeve's turtles may not be great swimmers the water for small turtles should be no deeper than 3 inches, with lots of things for them to climb up on. As they get use to their tank, and get bigger, a depth of 4 inches is fine.

The tank should have a screen lid. If you have other pets (such as cats) a fine screen is best as it will not only keep out the pet but pet hair and fur that will clog the filter system.

You will need two lights, one for UV and another for heat. The heat lamp should be above the basking rock. The lights should be on for 12 to 14 hours a day.

How Often do Turtle Tanks need to be Cleaned?

You should try to clean your turtle's tank once a week. This is best done by siphoning out about 1/3 of the water, getting under rocks with the siphon. Add warmed water that has had the chlorine removed. The filter itself should be cleaned once a month.

Feeding a Reeve's Turtle

Reeve's turtles are omnivores. They will eat small fish, crickets, worms, and so forth. They may eat romaine lettuce or dandelion leaves (only give in small amounts and only if washed very well and no chemicals were used), pear, and cantaloupe. They can be given turtle pellets. When the turtle is small and if the pellets seem long, they should be broken in half. In regards to fish a small turtle will have a hard time catching fish but a few small minnows or young feeder guppies can be kept in the tank.

Turtles can be fed at anytime but should not be fed just before bedtime.  My daughter feeds her turtle a pellet or two first thing in the morning and a cricket later on around noon.  She also has fish in the water and a few other crickets loose in the cage. 

About Handling your Pet Turtle

Always wash your hands before and after handling your turtle. Use only plain water (no soap) when washing before handling your turtle. You want to remove any salts, greases, or other contaminants from your hand. Washing afterwards is a good idea because turtles can carry salmonella.

Care should be taken not to drop the turtle (of course), but otherwise Reeve's turtles are fairly easy to tame.

When you put your turtle back into its tank, always put it on land.  Reeve's turtles might otherwise panic and dive without taking a proper breath of air first and have been known to drown.

Where to Buy Supplies for a Pet Turtle?

If you are lucky enough to have a store in your area that specializes in reptiles they will have a good selection of products for your turtle.  Most other pet supply stores carry basic supplies too.  If you are in the USA you might want to order some of your turtle's supplies from That Pet Place or Pet Health USA.  Here are some links to help you out. Click here to get reptile supplies from Pet Health USA, Get 5% Off Your Order with checkout code: PETHLTH Or Discount Reptile Supplies from the Largest Pet Store In the World: That Pet Place

Please do not get a turtle unless you are certain you can provide a good home for it with proper lifetime care!

Share Your Pet Pictures on Your Own Custom Calendar

I remember several years ago my aunt surprised us with a calendar she had made using pictures of her cat, dog, and kids. It was very unique. She did it really well too using pictures she had taken throughout the year and matching them up with the appropriate month. 

I realize that it is a little late in the year, but I only got to thinking about this just now after finding Calendars.com.  They also have a huge assortment of dog breed specific calendars for all the dog lovers out there as well as a full range of pets and animal calendars.  Some of their wildlife calendars (such as the Hummingbird WWF 2013 Deluxe Wall Calendar) have a special bonus - in that part of your purchase price goes to WWF as a donation to help them help more wild animals!

You can make your own custom calendar at Calendars.com and if you are talented enough, and have time, you can stage a few pictures now to use throughout the calendar, such as having your pet sit with a red rose by its feet and a red background to use for February (Valentines Day). 

Their prices are great too, and if a personalized calendar is not for you they have a huge range of other calendars (as mentioned) books and puzzles with animal themes.

click here to go to the site

If you are looking for a unique gift or just something unique for yourself then for sure consider making your own custom calendar. I wish I had remembered to make this suggestion earlier, but there is still a little time before the New Year. A calendar is something pretty much everyone enjoys getting and when finished with the year they still have frameable pictures they can keep if they wish.

Like them on Facebook and get 10% off (a window should pop up after you have been on the site and picked out a calendar).

Do Dogs Need Heartworm Medication in the Winter?

Heartworm is a very serious concern in pets. While cats also can suffer from heartworm, these pests are mostly associated with dogs. The treatment for a dog infested withheartworm is risky in itself so prevention is the best measure.

There are many medications that are used to prevent heartworm and although not terribly expensive the costs do add up, so reducing the number of treatments per year can have financial benefits to a pet owner. Additionally, and perhaps more importantly, there are concerns in regards to the over-medication of pets and potential risks (including cancer).

The question remains, should you treat your dog year round for heartworm or only in the months in which mosquitoes are active?

First let us understand how heartworm medications work.

Heartworm is spread to cats and dogs via mosquitoes. The mosquito must drink the blood of an infected pet and take up the very young heartworms at that time (larval stage 1) . The larva grow inside the mosquito and eventually travel to the mosquito's mouth and wait to be inserted into another pet. The heartworms develop in the pet's bloodstream eventually making their way to the heart. Heartworm prevention medication does not actually “prevent” the heartworm infections, but rather they kill the young heartworms at one larval stage which is about 30 to 45 days after the initial infection, but before the worms make their way to the heart. Heartworm prevention medication does not kill the mature heartworms in the heart.

In order for the heartworms to develop in the mosquito temperatures must be relatively warm. When temperatures drop below 57F (14C) the lifecycle of the heartworms in the mosquitoes is ended.

But recalling that the heartworm preventative medication is only effective on larvae that have been in the infected dog for more than 30 days, you can see that treating a dog in the fall (depending on how cold it gets in your area), after mosquitoes have died off, is still a good idea, however into the winter is not necessarily required unless you live in a warm weather area. As such if you live in an area where winters get cold you may find that you do not have to treat your dog with heartworm medication from December to February or March.

You may want to discuss the risks of heartworm with your vet before going on a heartworm medication prevention program. In warm areas where there are lots of dogs and mosquito's (areas with lots of water) the risk is certainly higher than in areas with desert conditions and a lower population of pets.

Click here to Shop US Pets for the lowest prices on pet supplies, medicine, treats, and more. Save up to 50% on major name brands, plus free shipping!

If you are looking for places to buy heartworm medication for your dog (or cat) here are some great online places worth considering. They sell many other pet health products too and you should note that a healthy pet has a natural defense against heartworm. 

How to Diagnose your Pet's Health Symptoms

A brief look at what some common symptoms mean in a pet and where to find more help if you think your pet is sick.  This list is not every symptom, nor is every cause listed it is only to give you some ideas of health concerns in pets.

Vomiting – There are a few different types of vomit pets can have. Food vomit is when there are still undigested chunks of food and can just mean the particular type of food does not agree with your pet's stomach (or is rotten). Bile is yellow liquid containing no food and can mean the pet has an upset stomach but the stomach is empty. Cats sometimes vomit up hairballs. Vomiting can be a sign of poisoning or other health concern. 

Diarrhea – Diarrhea can signal many problems, from a poor food, to a too rich food. Diarrhea can be an indication of worms, bacterial infections, or a viral problem. Black smelly diarrhea can indicate parvo. 

Blood in the Stool – If bright red, blood in the stool indicates a problem (such as worms) in the lower intestine, if dark red it can be a problem in the stomach.

Refusing to Eat – Can be just a minor tummy upset or something more serious. The pet could have bad teeth, or an upset stomach.

Refusing to Drink – This is a very serious problem that can cause body organs to shut down and often means the pet is very ill and should see a veterinarian immediately.

Drinking A Lot – This can be a sign of many health concerns, of which diabetes is one.

Frequent Urination – Again this can be a sign of diabetes, or urinary tract problems.

Change in the Stool Habits – This can be from a change in food or an internal health problem.

Pet Appears to be in Pain – Could the pet have been hit by a car, hurt by a neighbor, or child, could it have fallen down stairs? Could the pet have been bit by a snake? Is the pet old and possibly suffering from arthritis?

Swollen Joints and Pain – This could be a sign of Lyme disease.

Holding Head at a Tilt, Falling Over – This could be a sign of a brain injury, stroke, or vestibular disease, it can be due to an ear infection affecting balance.

Pale Gums – Can be a sign of anemia, poor blood circulation, a weak heart.

Coughing – There are many different types of coughs in pets and a cough can be a sign of any number of concerns including a bacterial or viral infection, heartworm (if coughing after exercise), something stuck in their throat, trachea collapse, and so forth.

Fever – Note that to determine if your pet has a fever you must actually take its temperature, feeling the nose is not an accurate way to judge if your pet has a fever. If your pet does have an elevated temperature this usually means it is fighting some sort of infection.

Lethargy – Can be a sign of an infection, poisoning, or other concerns.

Itching - Can be from fleas, lice, ticks, or even a food allergy or an allergy to chemicals used in the home or yard.

Bad Breath -  May be due to rotten teeth, poor food, or can be a sign of a problem with one of the pet's internal organs.  Diabetes can also make a pet have bad breath.

Above all if your pet is exhibiting any kind of health problem you should consider taking it to a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis.  Kittens, and puppies, in particular can get worse very quickly but symptoms of a health concern should not be ignored in older pets either.  This list was only very basic. I am including two links for further help regarding diagnosing your pet. 

PetMD lets you ask questions online from a real veterinarian.

Their Symptom checker lets you select either a cat or dog and you click on the body of the pet to see a list of symptoms and then are given information in regards to what the problem could be. Just click on their ad or link below.  

Does your pet have suspicious symptoms? Visit petMD's Pet Symptom Checker today for informative, helpful, veterinarian approved articles.

Remember in most areas vets are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  There is no reason to ignore the health of your pet.

Tips on Getting a Pet Rabbit

Are you thinking of getting a pet rabbit?

Rabbits are pretty good pets for the certain people such as those who do not have time or space for a cat or dog. Rabbits are active in the day (unlike hamsters and other nocturnal pets) and can be walked on a leash when using a harness.

There are several breeds of rabbits, some being rather small and others being very large (often used for meat). Fluffy rabbits require proper grooming and regular brushing. Breed selection is very important, keeping in mind that the larger rabbits will need a lot more space. The lop eared rabbits also tend to need more space because in a small cage they tend to stand on their ears a lot which makes them dirty.

The size of the rabbit's cage, or hutch, is important. At the very least a small rabbit will need three square feet of space in its cage, while a larger rabbit may need six square feet of space. The smaller the cage the more time the rabbit should have out of it for exercise and mental stimulation.

Some people leave their rabbit loose in their house, allowing it to use a litter box much like cats do.

You must consider where you are going to keep your pet rabbit. While many people do keep pet rabbits outdoors in hutches this is not the ideal place. Not only do they tend to be neglected when outside but they also are at risk for attacks from predators and problems such as fly strike.

Rabbits need proper rabbit food, timothy hay, and fresh vegetables. You can feed them carrots, cucumbers, apples, and romaine lettuce (no other lettuces), but be sure to wash all vegetables first. You can also give a rabbit dandelion greens from your yard as long as you have not used any chemicals on your lawn.
Bedding in the cage should be straw, or aspen shavings; pine shavings are okay, but cedar shavings should never be used in a rabbit's cage.

When looking for your rabbit's supplies be sure to check That Pet Place for discounted pet supplies and treats.

General Considerations Before Getting a Pet Rabbit

• Be sure you have space, and money, for a large cage.
• Be sure you have time to let your rabbit out of its cage for at least 2 hours a day.
• Can you make a lifetime commitment to owning a pet rabbit?
• If you are planning on keeping your pet rabbit outdoors, is it safe from predators, will it be warm and dry in bad weather?
• Where do you plan on getting your pet rabbit? Consider adopting your pet rabbit from an animal shelter.

Problems for Pets in the Winter

Winter can be a wonderful time, however the cold weather can present a lot of problems for our pets.

Of course most people are aware of the risks as related to frostbite or just problems with being cold in general but there are other winter concerns and problems for pets.

Arthritis Pains

In cold weather pets with arthritis have more aches and pains then ever. Some people try to help their dog with arthritis pain by giving it aspirin, however aspirin can be risky for dogs, and should never be given to cats. 

There are better medications for helping pets with arthritis, including those with glucosamine and chondroitin.  I personally take glucosamine and chondroitin for my own arthritic pains and can tell you they work.  Some dog foods have these added but there are some claims that say when these are cooked into dog food they are not as effective and should be fed as a supplement. 

Cold weather means aches and pains for arthritic pets with hip and joint issues. Prescriptions like Previcox, Remadyl and Carprofen can help! Shop today at NationalPetPharmacy.com!

In this cold weather, your dog needs everything he can get to stay healthy. Click here to check bone and joint supplements that are great for senior dogs, athletic dogs, or dogs suffering from an injury.

Aches and pains can also be relived by offering your pet a warm heated bed.

Keep your cat warm this winter with heated cat beds that are now UP TO 25% OFF at NationalPetPharmacy.com

Dry Skin

Our pets also tend to suffer dry skin in the winter. You may have already noticed your cat or dog has more dandruff than usual. This can also make pets itchy and uncomfortable. Better food can help as can having a humidifier on in the room where the pet spends most of its time but there are also supplements you can buy to help improve your pets skin and coat in the dry winter months.

Dermatitis is what your pet gets when they've got itchy, dry skin from the cold weather. Shop for brands like Atopica Cyclosporine at NationalPetPharmacy.com to keep your pets feeling comfortable.

Other Winter Worries for Pets

Dogs can burn their paw pads by walking on ice and ice melting chemicals. There are special boots you can buy for your dog, as well as special de-icing chemicals you can use that will not burn your pet's paw pads.

Ice melts can often contain harsh chemicals that are not good for pets. Check out the "pet approved" ice melts that are safe for you and your pet!

Of course a sweater might also be something your pet would benefit from. Small dogs may even need a sweater for indoors when temperatures also cause our homes to be cooler. They particularly will need a sweater after having their hair clipped.

Shop from PetFoodDirect.com's wide selection of cold weather outdoor gear to keep your pet warm and cozy this winter.

Be sure kids know not to let pets outside on cold days, kids often forget to let the pet inside and if left out too long a pet can get frostbite.  Make sure all younger family members know to ask an adult first before letting pets out when temperatures are very cold.

Remember that short nosed dogs have more problems with cold weather and their walks should be kept short. 

Tips and Supplies for Breeding Pet Birds

Many bird owners want to breed their birds, for some species this is quite easy, but for others it is more demanding. Overall breeding birds is not something you should get into doing without a lot of thought and preparations. Be sure you have homes for any offspring you produce, do not just assume you will figure that out when the time comes. 

You will also want to use caution not to over-breed your birds as this will lead to breeding exhaustion. To be a proper breeder you need to have a lot of room and time, you need to have many cages, and if you are going to be hand-raising the young birds you almost certainly have to be home for the majority of the day.

Extend the hours of light to encourage breeding, reduce the hours of light to discourage breeding in birds.

Supplies Needed for Breeding Birds

Your birds must be put on a special, high quality, diet for breeders. 

They need a nesting box or nest. Different species have different preferences, but these should be removed later to prevent the birds from continuously laying eggs and rearing young.

The birds need nesting material. Allow your birds to place this in the nest themselves. You can purchase different nesting materials as well as providing some pieces of dried grass from your yard (assuming you have not used any chemicals on your lawn). Aspen or pine shavings may be given, but never give them cedar shavings, never use a cedar nesting box.

Your birds need to be kept in a stress free area.

If you plan on hand rearing the young birds you will need special feeding tubes, lubricant for the feeding tubes as well as special food for the hatchlings. This is not something I would recommend for a beginner to try on their own without a coach or mentor to show you how it is done. Note that different species of birds eat different food and are fed by different methods.

Incubation Period for Birds Eggs

For most birds you must note that they lay several eggs before sitting on them, often laying one egg per day. Calculate hatching by counting from the day when the birds start sitting on the eggs to incubate them.

• African Grey Parrot – 26 to 30 days
• Cockatoos – 28 to 29 days
• Cockatiels – 18 to 21 days
• Conures – 23 to 25 days
• Doves – 16 to 18 days
• Finches – 14 to 15 days
• Lovebirds – 21 to 25 days
• Macaws – 24 to 28 days
• Parakeets, Budgies – 17 to 20 days

Just click & you'll receive free shipping on your online order of $49 or more at PetCareRx.com!

If you are looking for bird supplies, or specifically for supplies for breeding birds be sure to check out Bird.com or PetCareRX, links are provided by clicking above!

Great Online Pet Product Deals for January

Are you looking for great online deals for pet products for January?

Hello pet lovers, and pet owners.  If you have been following along, the December deals are over and we move into some deals and coupons for pet products for the New Year.

These are all reputable companies  that provide good quality products for your pets.

To use the coupons (where codes are needed) just make a note of the code I have given you.  When you are done shopping and go to the checkout you will see a box where it asks for your Promotion, or Coupon, Code, put the code in and click the APPLY button and your total price will be recalculated.

Happy Shopping!

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Dog.com

Dog.com is offering a great January Deal, from now until January 21, 2013 you can get 10% off your purchase if the total is over $75.  This means a savings of at least $7.50 on fantastic products for your dog.

Get 10% off $75 or More at Dog.com! - Use code: CJDWEEK2 - Ends 1/21/2013

Ferret.com

Ferret.com is offering $5 Off orders over $75.  They have a great range of products for ferrets, from food to hammocks. 

Save $5 on orders of $75 or More at Ferret.com! - Use code: CJFWEEK2 - Ends 1/21/2013

Here is an article covering some of the basic ferret supplies offered at ferret.com.

Horse.com

Horse.com is offering two great deals.  From now until January 31 it is their big blanket blow out.
Winter Blanket Blowout! Save up to 45% Turnout Blankets and Sheets at Horse.com! - Use code: CJHWEEK
Another great promotion to help horse owners save money is this deal for $10 off orders over $100.

Save $10 on orders of $100 or more at Horse.com! - Use code: CJHWEEK2 - Ends 1/21/2013>

StatelineTack.com

And of course Statline Tack also has some fantastic January shopping deals.
They also offer a savings of $10 for purchases more than $100.

Save $10 on Orders of $100 or More at StateLineTack.com! - Use code: CJSWEEK2 - Ends 1/21/2013

Pet Care RX

Pet Care RX has great savings on pet supplies and medications and you can get free shipping right up until March, 2013.

Save up to 50% every day on Discount Pet Supplies at PetCareRx.com Pharmacy! Find pet meds for dogs, cats, and more! Enjoy FREE SHIPPING on orders over $49!

Only Natural Pet Store

Clicking on the ad will take you to the site where you will enjoy great savings, just make a note of the coupon code to get the discount on all your pet food, treats and supplies.