Pets

As more companies jump into the competitive market of pet nutrition, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the average consumer to tell which one is the best for their pet. Many considerations must be taken into account when you choose a dog food, in particular any allergies that your dog may have. For example, many dogs cannot tolerate beef products, while others have a sensitivity to lamb. Through a process of trial and error you can usually find a dog food that your pet will eat, but is it good for them?Natural products are making great inroads and although they are expensive, many dog owners are making the switch. You’ll find everything from macrobiotic pet food, to natural meals that require more preparation than your own. If you are looking to find a natural dog food, the choices are numerous, but one company, NutroPro, has done a very good job of providing an easy to use dog food that is comparable in price to Science or Iams. If you have the time to prepare your dog’s food, you may want to consider the gourmet dog food preparations, but in many cases, bagged or canned dog food can be just as beneficial.Each type of food will come with a recommended serving amount based on a dog’s weight. Puppies obviously need to be fed more at first, but you will need to scale back as they get older. Since every dog has a different metabolism, you may need to experiment a little to see what amount of food they really need. You can use body condition to determine how well they are doing on their current amounts. The rib test is one of the easiest ways to determine a dog’s weight condition. Have your dog stand straight and place your hand on their rib cage. If you can feel their ribs, but not see them, they are in good condition. If you feel mushy or lumpy deposits between the ribs, or if you can’t feel the ribs at all, your dog may be overweight. Obviously, if you can see your dog’s ribcage, they are not getting enough to eat.Treats are a large area of concern, since most dog owner’s overdo. The average dog will never tell you when they’ve had enough, it isn’t in their nature. Most dog treats will have serving guides to help you know how many you should give your pet, but you may want to halve this amount, particularly if you are feeding a high quality dog food. Try to avoid giving your dog table scraps, even though it is tempting. Once in awhile, it is fine to treat your dog, but don’t make a habit of it. Our foods are usually higher in fat content, and when coupled with a good dog food, you’re dog will be ingesting too many calories, which can lead to obesity.One treat you must always avoid is chocolate in any form. There has been a lot of controversy over this in recent years, but the bottom line is that certain chemicals in chocolate can cause seizures in a dog. Even if you’ve fed them chocolate for years, you are still running the risk that a seizure could occur. There is a no way for a dog to be “immune” to these chemicals and it is much smarter to avoid giving them chocolate. With proper nutrition, feeding and care, you can add years to the life of your pet.

The days when people had only dogs or cats as pets are gone. Today, the number of people who have pets that were once considered unorthodox is on the rise. Python is one such pet.

Pets, as we know, are fun. And pythons are big fun. They will make great companions and bring joy to your life. You will be fascinated by their self-effacing manner, laid-back attitude and giant-like appearance. But before you acquire a python, you must realize the commitment you are getting into.

Pythons are everything you will want in a pet. They are more beautiful to look at, easier to maintain and handle, they ask for little, yet give you a lifetime of companionship. And they are safe too. No wonder, they make excellent pets. Lots of people agree. Which is why, every year, there are so many new python owners.

But there is a sad downside. Most of these newly acquired pythons die within the first year. The reason is shocking but true - an insufficient knowledge about python rearing. We are sure all these nouveau python owners loved their recent acquisition. We are also sure that they did everything they thought was needed. Unfortunately they didn’t know enough.

This is what prompted us to bring out a Free Newsletter called Python Secrets.

http://www.pythonsecrets.com/

But before we started the newsletter, we did an extensive research with existing python owners and aspirants (418 of them to be precise), to find out what they knew and what they wanted to know. Python Secrets newsletter is based on their feedback.

Let’s know some basic facts about Pythons:

Pythons are large snakes found in India, East Indies, Africa and Australia. They live in rugged tropical regions that have heavy rainfall and forests, or some type of low, dense growth. They belong to the python and boa family, Boidae. Pythons are coldblooded; they have the same temperature as the environment. They continue to grow all their lives, getting bigger and bigger each year.

The world’s longest known python, sighted at the dense forests of Indonesia, is a Reticulated Python measuring 49 feet [15 meters] long. And the shortest is the Anthill Python, which measures a little more than 2 feet [0.6 meter].

All pythons can climb and swim. Some pythons are truly beautiful to look at. Like the Carpet Python which resembles an intricately woven oriental carpet, with its solid velvety skin speckled with bright yellow markings; the stunning Green Tree Python which is bright green with subtle white patches; or the Indian python, with its bold pattern of dark brown blotches, edged in yellow, on a light brown background.

Pythons are also called constrictors. Know why? Because they wind themselves around their prey and strangle them to death. It may be no consolation to its victims, but the python will not crush their bones; just squeeze them tight enough to stop their breathing. Large pythons usually eat animals the size of a house cat, but 100-pound (43.3 kilos) wild boars are eaten as well.

Pythons swallow their prey whole, head first; and not surprisingly, take several weeks to digest them. But we can breathe easy. Despite their enormous strength and intimidating size, Pythons are inoffensive by nature and do not usually attack humans. They are not poisonous either. Unfortunately for pythons, this makes them easy targets for hunters.

A python’s finest wisdom is its sense of smell. They are able to smell with the aid of the “Jacobson’s organ in the roof of the mouth” They dart their tongues in and out of their mouths to obtain gases from the air. The tongue brings in small particles floating in the air to this organ. Also they have special sensors at the tip of their nose to identify the heat generated by the prey. Therefore, the python can catch their prey in light or dark conditions. This allows them to hunt in dense jungles even at night.

The python doesn’t chase its prey. It waits discreetly hiding, and when a prey comes close enough, grabs it with its Ainward-curving teeth. The python’s top and bottom jaws are attached to each other with stretchy ligaments, which let the snake swallow animals much larger than itself. The prey cannot move away, because the more it tries to pull out, the deeper the python’s needlesharp teeth will sink and hold it even more firmly in the mouth. The python now quickly coils around the victim’s body and squeezes, not so hard as to break its bones, just tightly enough to stop its blood circulation and suffocate it to death.

Then begins the long, leisurely process of unhinging its jaw and savoring the prey; swallowing it slowly, starting with its head first. The rhythmic muscular movements will pull the prey from the mouth to the throat and to the stomach, where it’ll be dissolved and digested by strong acids.

There are 24 major species of pythons. Some are for the novice, and some strictly for the seasoned herpetologist.

Whatever the species, Python Secrets tells you everything you need to know about pythons - about their selection, care, feeding, breeding,handling,healthcare,caging and selecting a healthy specimen. Python Secrets is designed to serve as a single source reference on the subject, whether you are a first-time python owner or an expert seeking more information.

http://www.pythonsecrets.com/

Wish you and your python (pet/ pet-to-be) a long and happy companionship!

Family vacations used to involve Parents, the Kids, and sometimes Grandma. These days, taking a family vacation might also mean bringing Fido along for the ride.Taking pets on vacation might seem like a great idea. After all, who would enjoy the endless expanse of tropical beach more than your Frisbee-catching golden retriever? But to make it a great vacation for everyone, you need to look after every detail and prepare for any situation.Getting ThereIf you’re traveling in the car, be sure that your pet will be comfortable for the entire trip. Nothing spoils a family vacation quite like a dog with motion sickness. Plan ahead to help your pet become familiar with long journeys. Start with short trips to get both of you used to traveling together, and then gradually increase the length of your drives. Stick to your regular feeding routine, and wait until you’ve arrived at your destination to give your pet a big meal. Dry food is more convenient to use while traveling. Finally, never let your pet ride on your lap while you’re driving. It’s dangerous for you, for the animal and for everyone else on the road.If, on the other hand, you’ll be traveling by bus, boat, train or airplane, check for rules and restrictions and make arrangements for your pet while you’re booking your tickets.Don’t Put Yourself in the DoghouseTaking your pets on vacation is only half the battle. You also need to keep them on vacation, so be sure that your hosts or holiday accommodations will welcome your furry friend. If you’re staying with friends or family, be considerate. Ask in advance if your pet is welcome, and expect an honest answer. Some people are allergic or just uncomfortable around animals. If you’ve booked a hotel room or campsite, make sure that pets are allowed on the premises.Stay Boy, StayThe reality of taking pets on vacation is that you will likely not be with them every hour of every day. Chances are, your pet will not be welcome in the hotel dining room, in the amusement park, on the ski lift or aboard the fishing charter. There will be times when your pet will have to stay alone. If your pet is prone to barking, make other arrangements as a courtesy to other hotel guests. When you leave the pet in the room, make sure that you place the DO NOT DISTURB sign on the door, and tell the hotel supervisor or housekeeping staff what is going on. A portable kennel is useful at times like these, especially if you’re staying in someone’s home.May I See Some I.D?Your pet needs to be properly tagged, whether you’re traveling by car or by plane. Make sure that he or she has a current tag containing the proper identification. We’ve all seen those tear-jerking tales of animals that find their way home from the other side of the country, but you don’t want to risk having it happen to your pet. Bring along a copy of your pet’s medical history, including medications and recent immunization. This information is essential is crossing state or international borders. Tell your vet that you’re planning to travel, just to be sure that your pet can handle it.Pack for Your PetDon’t forget Fido while your family is getting ready for vacation. Having pets groomed before vacation time helps them look neat and tidy, and makes them more comfortable for the trip. Pack along your pet’s favorite food dish, snacks and toys to make him or her feel more at home and relaxed.Your pet is one of the family, so naturally you want to include him or her in your family vacation plans. If done successfully, bringing pets on vacation can be a fun experience for all of you. Think ahead and you’ll all have a tail-wagging good time!

Family: Characidae

Species: Hyphessobrycon pulchripinnis

Size: 5cm (2 inch)

Diet: Omnivorous

Tank levels: All

Habitat: Streams of the Amazon basin

Remarks: This fish looks best shoaling in a well planted tank.

Comments: The dorsal fin contains black with a yellow streak on the front edge; the adipose fin is yellow with a black edge; and the long-based anal fin has a bright yellow front and black rear edge. General colouration is greenish yellow with silver belly. Mature males are more intensely coloured. If you want something that’s a little different from the normal tetra, this is a good choice to go with. Quite easy to keep and looks good in any aquarium with other small fish!

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This fish comes from the “Tropical Fish” family species of fish. I hope you enjoyed this fish profile that I put together to help people to choose the right fish for the right aquarium tank setup you may own, or be thinking of buying in the future. If you require more information about keeping fish in general and what are the right fish to choose for your tank setups, you can always visit my site called “GB Aquarium” and see what’s posted new there and also join in the discussion taking place.

West Highland Terrier Dogs - When setting out to find a Westie is right for your lifestyle and your family, you have to consider a few things first. Bear in mind that owning a Westie is a very special experience and the fact is that you are adding a member to your family. Therefore you are about to bring a major change to your life.

Moreover, a healthy Westie can live for 12-15 years or more, so it is important for you and your future Westie, that you give all this some serious thought. You must be prepared to invest considerable time, money and patience in training your Westie to be a good companion.

Make sure your Westie gets enough attention and exercise. Spend the money it takes to provide proper veterinary care including but certainly not limited to:

Annual vaccines

Heartworm testing

Monthly year-round preventive

Spaying/neutering.

Keep the breeder informed and updated on the Westies accomplishments and problems. Have the patience to accept responsibility for the Westie despite inevitable life changes such as new babies, kids going off to school, divorce, relocation, or returning to work.

All you need to do is just take your time and find a Westie that matches your lifestyle. Most of all, don’t get a Westie on impulse or because it is trendy. Trends just come and go, but your Westie will stay with you for a longer time.

You’ll probably see lots of adorable puppies. But try to think of your future Westie as an adult. Every puppy is a cute ball of fluff, but you need to know what it will grow up to be.

You can begin by studying the breed’s history, as it is common knowledge that all breeds were developed to perform a specific function. If you know that purpose and the history of the breed, then you will have a good idea of its needs, its temperament and personality and you will be best prepared for a long-lasting, successful relationship.

Bear also in mind that having a Westie creates responsibilities. Also make sure you will have quality time to spend with your Westie. There are many resources to help you in your search. Start at surfing the Internet, searching for more information on Westies, as well as on clubs and kennels.

Here are some other suggestions. Take a look at some of the many books, magazines, web sites and videos you have at hand. Consult with your local all breed club, boarding kennel, or veterinarian. Go to a Westie show and talk to Westie breeders and owners, when they are not busy grooming or showing.You can also test to see what Westie you should choose to match your lifestyle.

Also called the Westie, this terrier has its origins, as the name already suggests, in the western Scottish highlands.

In this sheer and rocky landscape, small robust terriers were used for the hunt on foxes, wildcats, otters and badgers. The exhausting hunt, usually in the pack, required much courage and endurance as the hard climate required. Beside the hunt, the Westies were also put into the guarding of house and yard of their owner.

It is probable that the West Highland White Terrier and all the terriers of Scotland came from the same stock. The Scotties, Cairns, Dandie Dinmonts, and West Highland Whites are branches from the same tree and its roots.

The most important branch of the predecessors of the Westie was in the 18th Century from the Poltalloch terriers of the Colonel Malcolm from Argyllshir.

As the legend goes, a reddish Westie of his, emerging from cover, was mistakenly shot for a fox. Malcolm is said to have decided on the spot to breed only white Westies that could be readily identified in the field.

The breed was listed officially as the West Highland White Terrier in 1907 at the Crufts Westie show in England. The name was chosen for the rugged character of the Westies and the area of their development.

Westies were originally bred for controlling the population of rats, fox, otter and other vermin. Nowadays, this charming terrier is mostly bred as a companion or family Westie. The Westie belongs to the Terrier group and has full recognition of the most important Kennel Clubs worldwide.

Why is my dog dirtying and wetting indoors and what can I do about it?

Your dog has been house trained for some time and you were confident that this challenge had been overcome. You and your family have been away for the day visiting relatives and your dog has been left at home. On your return, the dog greets you as normal and then goes into the youngest child’s bedroom, or worse still the master bedroom and wets or dirtys in the middle of the bed.

This is another common problem that some dog owners are faced with. The first thing that we have to look at is why has this happened? There are a few root causes for this type of behaviour, which can be very distressing for the owner.

First of all we must look at the dog’s natural behaviour in the pack. Dogs use urine and faeces as a means of communication. A dog will scent mark his territory, a bitch will often squat near the same spot to signal her presence and status within the pack. Few dogs will soil their own bedding, but it is not uncommon for a pack animal to soil another’s bed in order to show its disapproval of a particular action or to try and dominate that animal.

In the case of our soiled bed, the dog is showing his displeasure at being excluded from the pack outing. This is, of course, totally unacceptable and as pack leader it is your job to address the behaviour. So what to do? Should you rub the dog’s nose in the mess and then throw it out, or maybe beating it will cure the problem?

NO, NONE OF THESE IDEAS WILL WORK!

Your dog does not know that it has done wrong, it is behaving perfectly naturally. However, there is a solution to the problem. In order to re-assert your authority you must exclude the dog from the pack for a period of time. I suggest shutting it in another room for 15 minutes and then letting it rejoin the family. On its return it must be ignored and treated as if it is not there by all of the family members, even the youngest child must be told to ignore it. Do not make eye contact with it.

About 10 minutes later you, as pack leader, may call the dog to you and make a fuss of it. This is followed by each member of the family, in order of seniority, repeating your action. Take note that the pack leader is always the Alpha Female followed by the Alpha Male (this is true in human society also, but we men just won’t admit it).

The reason that this type of reaction to the dog’s behaviour works is because the dog is a pack animal and there are very strict rules within that pack. One of the worst things that can happen to a pack animal is to be excluded from the pack. Why? Because on his or her own the dog is very unlikely to survive in the wild where it will either be killed by some type of predator or, without the rest of the pack, be unable to hunt sufficient food to keep itself alive. Any injury will result in the animal being unable to defend itself or hunt to its full potential, thus weakening it still further.

When you exclude it from the family it does not know that this is only temporary and will feel very insecure. On being allowed back into the room but ignored it will consider itself an outcast watching the pack from afar. Then when you welcome the dog back into the pack it will be overjoyed and fawn around you and the other family members, licking you all and rolling over to signal its submission.

The dog will remember this lesson and should it repeat the offence then the next exclusion will make it realise why it is being banished. Very few dogs will persist in this offensive behaviour after they have been banished from the pack.

Show an uninformed dog lover a photo of a Westie, and they’d identify a Westie as a white Scottie. This mistake is perfectly understandable, since they do have similar physical attributes and both originated from Scotland.

There are a lot of postulated theories about these similarities. However, one valid assumption is that centuries ago, a generic terrier was once a native to Scotland.

Over the years, different breeds came about from interbreeding, locations, the conditions and human requirements, which resulted in the different breeds. So when you compare the modern Westie to its’ two closest relatives, the Scottie and the Cairn, you’ll see more similarities than differences.

Here are just some of the differences between a Scottie & Westie.

A Westie is usually between 12-15 inches tall terrier with a straight and erect tail, about 5 – 6 inches. This breed has a two inch white double coat, while the outer coat is hard straight hair the under coat is soft.

They possess a black button nose and pointed erect ears. Their deep chests and muscular limbs give the westies the agility and power that was required in the original line of work for their breed. They were originally developed to hunt for vermin in the mountains of West Scotland.

The shorter Scottish Terrier is about at 10-11 inches tall. The coat of a typical Scottie is hard, wiry, weather-resistant and a thick-set, cobby body which is hung between short, heavy legs. Unlike the westie, they come in different colors; black, brown and bindle.

Another difference is that their noses are larger compared to the westie, although sometimes, you’ll come across a Scottie that has a button like nose. The Scottie’s ears and tail are pointy and erect.

How does the American Kennel Club (AKC) describe the standard gait of both breeds? The Westie’s movement is free, straight and easy, and it’s a distinctive gait, not stilted, but powerful, with reach and drive. Their overall ability to move is usually best evaluated from the side, and topline remains level.

The gait of the Scottish Terrier isn’t the square trot or walk desirable in the long-legged breeds. Their forelegs incline slightly inward because of the deep broad forechest. Movement should be free, agile and coordinated with a powerful drive from the rear and good reach in front. When the dog is in motion, the back should remain firm and level.

You won’t make a mistake of choosing a pet from either breed, for they are popular not only for their looks but also because they’re loving, intelligent, affectionate and loyal dogs.

(Disclaimer: Any information contained in this site relating to various medical, health and fitness conditions of Westies or other animals and their treatments is for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own veterinarian. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing the health of any animal. You should always consult and check with your own vet or veterinarian.)

I do hope that you have found the article of use to you.

Good health and happiness

A healthy routine is a good idea right from the day you are bringing new puppy home. You want Lilly on the right track with puppy obedience training from the start. It is best for Lilly to have each day go something like this …

You see, puppies have short attention spans. They are easily distracted and bored. However, their little minds are like sponges which soak in all they can. Your Lilly is just as eager as all the sponges out there. Be patient with her.

Let’s start. Take Lilly outside first thing in the morning. Have her go to the bathroom, and bring her right back in for a five minute training session.

Do not yell at Lilly if she stands up when you told her to stay. She is allowed to make a mistake. Bring her back to the spot and do it over. Mix up the commands and put an appropriate challenge with them to keep Lilly interested.

For example, when you tell Lilly to stay, change your place a bit. Do not change hers for the puppy training session. Use a different place for your own position each time. Move yourself back and fourth, away, in back of her, to the side . . . Be creative, but do not overwhelm her.

If Lilly has clearly had enough, end her puppy obedience training session with her obeying a command. You always want to end on a positive note. She will remember her pack position at the time you stopped — her submissive and compliant mode or her willfulness in doing what she wanted to do. She will come back to that the next time you start dog obedience training, so this does matter — and matters a lot! Do not cater to her or stop because she wants to stop.

After the puppy obedience training session, take Lilly outside and play with her for an equal amount of time that she worked. You may take off her leash for that time, but be sure the time is equal so Lilly sees that the leash being off does not mean for her to take off. As in raising your child, freedom must be given in doses.

After play, bring Lilly back inside and let her cool off for at least ten minutes. Only then give her water. Make Lilly wait a little bit before you let her eat, and feed her a piece or two out of your hand. This avoids dog food aggression and dog possessive behavior.

Work with Lilly four times a day, and you will be astounded at how quickly she masters the commands. (Some trainers suggest six times a day, but that is rarely necessary and is too much for many puppies and dogs.)

Puppy Training Tip: Never forget the playtime. It is special bonding time for you and her. It is natural for her. Even the oldest members of the wolf pack play with one another.

Keeping Lilly on a routine like this will bring you one awesome dog. By the time she is four months old, remember to walk her for forty five minutes each morning on a leash for her to expend excess energy and to be mentally and physically challenged. A dog who receives no challenge or just one of them is likely to have some bad dog behavior problems.

Often when we move, we’re so busy with packing and preparing for the move that we forget to give proper attention to our pets. But we shouldn’t. For dogs, like for many other pets, a move to a place with new sights, sounds and especially smells can be a challenge or even a trauma. Especially it concerns dogs which never leave the house but for a veterinary clinic. It’s harder for them to adjust than for the dogs that are used to new experiences going out every day. The most important thing in moving with a dog is to make it feel as secure, calm and comfortable as you can, otherwise your move can turn to nightmare. The following suggestions will make the dog moving easier:

Start packing 1 or 2 week before the actual day of the move in order not to get a dog overly excited when you try to pack everything in a rush during the last couple of days before movers arrive. Do not pack your dog’s favorite toys or move the bedding if possible. Sudden change of safety environment will make your dog anxious and may lead to unpredictable behavior.

Don’t change the feeding schedule of your dog and keep doing the regular walks with it on, before and after the move.

If the place you are moving to is located not far from the place you are moving from, try bringing your dog there so it can explore new sights, sounds and smells during the walks. In this case the change of moving won’t be as stressful for your pet.

Prepare the new id tag for you dog and be sure that the dog wears it on the day of the move, especially if you’re moving long distance. This is in case the dog gets scared and runs away or gets lost in the turmoil of the move.

It is strongly recommended that you leave your dog at your neighbors’, friends’ or relatives’ your dog is familiar with on the day of the move. If you have to use a pet care center for the move day. This will serve several purposes:

a) - the dog will not feel invaded, threatened by seeing the strange people entering its space. This can trigger the aggressive behavior and may lead to accidents if the dog encounters movers; dog can damage the furniture if it is locked in a room. Other dogs may feel frightened and this can lead to runny stomach and accidents of other sort.

b) you do not have to tend to him while the moving men are around packing your household goods and loading the van.

c) moving men will not be distracted or scared to do their job and this will also result in a faster and more efficient move.

If you have no other option - then lock your dog in a room where it feels comfortable and make sure the dog has its favorite toys and a bed. Try to and make sure the room is empty of the boxes and furniture your movers will need to take. Often dog’s anxiety can turn to aggressiveness to strangers so it might be even better to put a sign on the door like “Dog. Do Not Open.” so your pet won’t be disturbed and excited by the sight of the moving men.

Transporting the dog to a new place can also be problematic, unless it is so close so you can walk there. Do not put your dog in the back of the truck. When truck body is closed, conditions are very adverse: it is dark, noisy and scary. Shipment may shift, boxes and furniture might fall. It is extremely hot inside in the summer.

If you do not have a car - then use a pet-friendly taxi to get you to the moving destination with a dog. When moving your dog by car, make sure you prepared a sheet or a blanket for the car seats, paper towels, food and drink if the trip takes more than two hours. If you’re traveling far, don’t feed the dog at least 3 hours before the trip and don’t forget to make stops every 2 hours to get some fresh air and drink for you pet. You can put one of the favorite toys of your dog in the car for it to relax. Check the pet friendly hotels you can stop at on your way.

If you are traveling by air, take into consideration that no airline can guarantee acceptance of an animal it has not seen. Make sure you’ve got all the necessary documentations, proper carrier markings and sizing, and food and drink for the flight. You can check with Delta Airline recommendations on shipping your pet.

Usually interstate health certificates for dogs have to be obtained before entering most states. Rabies vaccine is required for dogs to enter most states. Hawaii even requires that dogs be quarantined for the period of 120 days. Be sure your pet wears identification tags with your pet’s name and description, your name, address and phone number; vaccination tags are often required as well. For more detailed information on each state requirement for pet’s travel go to USDA Veterinary Services.

Airlines generally transport animals in the cargo compartment of the plane, but small dogs are allowed to travel in airliner cabin with their owners, provided they are placed in an approved carrier that will feet under the seat. Dog kennels should be roomy enough to allow you pet sit, stand and lie naturally; they must be easy to open, strong enough and leak proof; kennels should have proper ventilation: at least 14% of the total wall space and at least one third of the openings must be located on to the top of the kennel with the rims on the sides to provide at least an inch of clearance in case the opening is blocked by another cargo. The kennel should have handles to lift it and marked “live animals” with the directional arrows showing the proper position of the kennel. Also the instructions for feeding and watering you pet should be attached to the kennel. Food and water must be provided for puppies every 12 hours and for mature dogs should be fed every 24 hours and given water every 12 hours.

Feed your animals no less then 3 hours before the flight and take it for a long walk. It would be better if you arrive to the airport early so you have enough time to take care of your pet according to the airline regulations. When you reserve the flight make sure it has as few stops and transfers as possible and try to avoid peak travel periods. Also when you make your reservation tell the airline directly that you are traveling with the dog and ask what requirements they have. The law is changing and airlines often require animals to be prepared by professional transport companies with all necessary documentations.

If you are planning to use sedative for your pet consult your veterinarian to be on the safe side. Generally it is not advised to use sedatives because animals lose balance and control over their bodies what may hurt them during turbulence or other unstable conditions of a plane. You get a word about using sedatives from American Veterinary Medical Association .

At the place you move in, find again the small and comfortable room for your dog to lock it in while the moving men unload the truck.

Make sure your pet knows where his stuff is: bed, crate, litter box, toys, eating area. And don’t interrupt the day routine for you dog. Give the dog the water from the previous home, gradually mixing it with the water in the new one. Leave as little surprises for it as possible. Get your dog acquainted with the new home gradually: don’t let it roam around everywhere at once.

Keep the dog at home for few days for them to adapt before letting it out to the street. Try not to leave the new home to eat out at first, do it at home so your pet won’t feel forsaken.

And, lastly, be human - don’t punish your pet for initial misbehavior, find some way to reduce their stress. But should your dog leave some “accidents”, be quick to get rid of it, so the odor won’t attract it again.

You have endless possibilities when setting up an aquarium of your own in your home. A fresh or saltwater aquarium can be a great addition to any room of the house, and you can create any environment you like using an array of aquarium supplies for your fish to live in. It is important to keep in mind that there are things to consider when first setting up an aquarium, such as the type of fish you would like to have in it. This will determine whether you want a freshwater aquarium or a saltwater aquarium, or maybe even a warm water aquarium. Tropical fish will require a heater to supply warm water, but geneally it is best to start with a cool water aquarium until you gain experience wit fish tanks. Besides, tropical fish are expensive, and chances are, they will die if you don’t yet have the experience.

If it is your first time setting up an aquarium, you probably want to start with something small like a ten gallon tank, and in time, upgrade to a bigger tank, maybe even a saltwater tank depending on the fish you have chosen. Once you move up to a larger tank, you can create any environment you choose with a variety of aquarium supplies. You should also know that in order to maintain your aquarium, supplies are a necessity. For starters, your tank will need a hood to prevent the fish from jumping out, a filter to keep the water clean, water testing kit for PH water levels, a pump, lighting and others depending on type of aquarium.

Having an aquarium in your home is a lot of fun and promotes a relaxing atmosphere. It requires a little time getting accustomed to it, but once you do, you will reap the rewards. Before you set up any fish tank, clean it thoroughly, condition the water, and clean all aquarium supplies, including gravel and rocks before you add them in the tank. Cleanliness is critical to aquarium maintenance, and will help your fish stay healthy. After all, they are pets, and you want to make sure they are taken care of. One thing to remember, it is wise to start with freshwater, and once you’ve mastered that, you can always convert it to a saltwater aquarium if you choose.