There are many choices of pet toys on the market today. The choice can be overwhelming for most pet parents. Most pet stores offer hundreds of possibilities, generally priced from a dollar or two up to as much as twenty dollars. Almost all pet toys are made overseas, often in China. There are even "organically" made pet toys available these days.
Millions of pet parents purchase new pet toys each year, and many of these are purchased as gifts for the holidays. Pet parents love to include their pets in their family holiday traditions and many people give gifts to pets that belong to friends, neighbors, relatives and even co-workers. Before making those purchases this year, please consider the "Art and Science" of Buying a Pet Toy!
First of all, consider the size of your pet. Too many people purchase pet toys without thinking about size. If you buy a dog toy that is too large, your pet will find it too cumbersome to play with and soon become bored. If the toy is too small, it could become a choking hazard. With any new toy, always supervise your pet and watch to make sure they play in a responsible and safe manner. When in doubt, throw it out!
Second consideration involves your pet's chewing habits. This is especially true with dogs, but cats and small animals can chew things that they shouldn't as well. Ask yourself "What type of chewer is my pet?" Dogs that love to chew can destroy a stuffed fabric toy in just seconds. Not only can this become dangerous, but it certainly does not give you any value for your money. It is important to select toys that are matched to a pet's level of "chew". Many toys are available that can withstand a stronger chewer, and even though they cost more money, if you replace them less often, they still present a value to the purchaser. Some dogs can chew through almost anything, so keep a realistic approach when considering this type of dog.
Rabbits, Guinea Pigs and other small animals can benefit greatly by having having chew toys and treats to help overcome cage boredom. Their teeth also benefit from this chewing. Make sure the toys or treats are made for small animals, and dispose of them if you suspect that they could present a risk, such as if a toy becomes "un-wound"
The third major consideration is to ask yourself what type of "play" that your pet enjoys. If you have a dog that enjoys a "tug of war" type of play, then choosing a rope toy with a ball attached or a large rubber loop might work best. Make sure that you purchase a toy that provides some "finger insurance" which means that there is sufficient room for you to hold on, but safely far enough from your pet's mouth to avoid any mishaps!
For dogs that prefer to "fetch", a ball or flying disc type toy might be best. If a ball is part of this type toy, it can offer the "bounce factor', making it more fun when the ball lands and bounces until your pet catches it.
Some dogs prefer to carry their "prey" around, making squeezable rubber or latex toys that can be held in their mouth into a better choice. Make sure the correct size is chosen. Many dogs love to squeeze and squeak, so consider the "squeeze-ability" of a latex toy that makes sounds. Avoid buying any toy that can easily be chewed through and allow the squeaker to become a choke hazard.
Cats love to hunt and bat their "prey". Climbing and stalking are natural instincts, as is scratching. Take your cat's favorite activities into account when purchasing a new toy. A cat that loves to hide and then pounce would prefer a toy that you move, such as a toy on a string that you can pull along or lift.
Some experts believe that there is a gene that determines how a cat will react to catnip. Some cats get crazy and display an almost "drunken" demeanor when playing with catnip toys. Other cats can pay no mind and just take a nap. Either way, both reactions can be normal depending on genetics!
As a final thought on pet toys, pet parents can help eliminate boredom and enhance their pets quality of life by their choice of toys. Always remember that it is cheaper to replace a toy than to replace your furniture! By introducing new styles, colors and action features, toys can offer great levels of Pet Appeal! This holiday season, in addition to adding some new, well thought out toys for your pet, why not "experiment' with a tug toy for your dog that likes to fetch, or some other variation from your norm - you may have to show them how to play a new game, but you can teach an older dog new tricks with a little effort, a new toy and a little love!
12/27/08
How To Make Your Pet Happy! (One of Many Ways)
Most pets can't actually speak, so it's up to us to go out of our way to understand them. The more we know about their needs, the happy we can make them. The happier your pet is, the happier you will be!
We'll assume that you love your pet, and give them as much attention and love that you can. We'll also assume that you feed them properly and are attentive to their needs. What should you do to make your pet happy?
Understanding the basic items that you provide for your pet each day, and how to choose the best one, is actually one of the best ways to make and keep your pet happy. Consider your own life. When we build homes and buildings, the designers put doors at ground level, allowing us to walk in by just opening a door. Wouldn't it get tiring if you had to throw a rope up and climb through a window, every time you had to go into a building? Of course it would! As people, we constantly make changes in our lives to make things easier. New inventions, new products and new ideas often result in making us happier.
Now consider something as basic as a your pet's food bowl. If you did not read this article, what would go into your buying decision? Probably a couple of factors including the retail price, maybe how it looks, what it's made of? Now, turn this decision over on it's head and lets look at it from your pet's happiness potential.
First of all, does this bowl hold enough food for your pet's normal feeding schedule? If you feed both wet and dry food (canned and bagged) does it have a separate spot for each? Dry food can sit out for hours, but wet food can't. It is best not to mix them, because if you leave the unfinished portion out, it could go bad. Now, consider the height. Taller dogs have a hard time bending down to eat at floor level. Older pets may have difficulty bending down as well as pets with joint problems. Pet bowls with adjustable or raised legs might be better. If your pet needs to eat or drink outside at times, such as in a dog kennel, you might need a heated bowl to keep water or even wet food from freezing. In this basic example of a pet bowl, you actually should consider the design of the bowl, number of compartments, the amount the bowl or compartment can hold, the height your pet will eat at, and under certain conditions, the necessity of additional features such as being heated.
To help make your pet happy, and keep them happy, evaluate how the item will be used by your pet, and try to make it the best match you can at a price you can afford. When buying any product for your pet, use the same criteria as you would if you purchased it for your own use. In addition to price, you would want it to meet all your needs, be easy to use, and make you feel comfortable. You would also want it to be available where and when you want or need it, enhance your daily routine, make you feel good about yourself and to solve any problem associated with the reason you purchased it.
It can take nothing more than a moment of your time to look past the obvious and see what your pet really needs and wants from the product you are buying. You can save money by buying only products your pet can and will use. Think like your best friend before you buy. You wouldn't be happy if you had to climb a rope to get in your house every night after work - communicate with your pet by thinking about what is really important to them and you'll be well on your way to knowing how to make your pet happy!
We'll assume that you love your pet, and give them as much attention and love that you can. We'll also assume that you feed them properly and are attentive to their needs. What should you do to make your pet happy?
Understanding the basic items that you provide for your pet each day, and how to choose the best one, is actually one of the best ways to make and keep your pet happy. Consider your own life. When we build homes and buildings, the designers put doors at ground level, allowing us to walk in by just opening a door. Wouldn't it get tiring if you had to throw a rope up and climb through a window, every time you had to go into a building? Of course it would! As people, we constantly make changes in our lives to make things easier. New inventions, new products and new ideas often result in making us happier.
Now consider something as basic as a your pet's food bowl. If you did not read this article, what would go into your buying decision? Probably a couple of factors including the retail price, maybe how it looks, what it's made of? Now, turn this decision over on it's head and lets look at it from your pet's happiness potential.
First of all, does this bowl hold enough food for your pet's normal feeding schedule? If you feed both wet and dry food (canned and bagged) does it have a separate spot for each? Dry food can sit out for hours, but wet food can't. It is best not to mix them, because if you leave the unfinished portion out, it could go bad. Now, consider the height. Taller dogs have a hard time bending down to eat at floor level. Older pets may have difficulty bending down as well as pets with joint problems. Pet bowls with adjustable or raised legs might be better. If your pet needs to eat or drink outside at times, such as in a dog kennel, you might need a heated bowl to keep water or even wet food from freezing. In this basic example of a pet bowl, you actually should consider the design of the bowl, number of compartments, the amount the bowl or compartment can hold, the height your pet will eat at, and under certain conditions, the necessity of additional features such as being heated.
To help make your pet happy, and keep them happy, evaluate how the item will be used by your pet, and try to make it the best match you can at a price you can afford. When buying any product for your pet, use the same criteria as you would if you purchased it for your own use. In addition to price, you would want it to meet all your needs, be easy to use, and make you feel comfortable. You would also want it to be available where and when you want or need it, enhance your daily routine, make you feel good about yourself and to solve any problem associated with the reason you purchased it.
It can take nothing more than a moment of your time to look past the obvious and see what your pet really needs and wants from the product you are buying. You can save money by buying only products your pet can and will use. Think like your best friend before you buy. You wouldn't be happy if you had to climb a rope to get in your house every night after work - communicate with your pet by thinking about what is really important to them and you'll be well on your way to knowing how to make your pet happy!
12/8/08
Free Pet Advice for Better Living
Free Advice! What does your new pet need to live happy in your home? Save money when you only purchase the items that your pet needs for comfort and convenience.
Adopting a new pet is a wonderful choice, and can bring years of happiness to you and your family. You need to evaluate which items you should have before you bring your pet home, which will help to reduce the stress on you and your new best friend! A little planning can go a long way on saving you money, as well as making the transition period shorter and less stressful.
Pet Food
There are many high quality pet foods on the market today, that provide the nutrients and vitamins that pets need to grow up healthy and stay healthy as they age. It is always best to start by finding out what your pet is currently being fed, and have a supply of that food available when you bring your new pet home. Adjusting to a new home is hard enough for you new friend, so changing diets at that point in time is not a good idea. It is best to continue to feed the same pet food for the first few days or a week, and then transition your pet to the food you prefer.
Whenever you change diets, do it over a 7 to 10 day period, starting on the first day by mixing one part of the new food to ten parts of the old food. Continue increasing the new food amount each day until you are feeding equal amounts of each by the fifth day, and continue until you are only using the new pet food by the end of the period. Always transition a pet’s diet this way to avoid stomach upset.
Most "better" quality pet foods cost a bit more money than "supermarket brands", but there are many advantages. To begin with, most premium pet foods use high quality, and often all natural ingredients. These pet foods may call themselves premium, super premium or holistic pet foods. Many consumers want to reduce or eliminate the amount of chemicals found in their own foods, so it is understandable that they feel the same with their pets. High quality foods cost more to purchase but can actually save you money in the long run.
Premium pet foods are made with better ingredients. In farming, there is an old saying that goes like this "Corn In – Corn Out". This means that less expensive brands that rely on corn as a main ingredient instead of a quality meat product, will generally result in more waste over time. To start, the pet will eat more initially to feel full. Second is that corn is less digestible than many better ingredients, so the more corn that goes in the mouth, the more corn that goes out the other end! This means that you will generally have a lot less to clean up after when you use higher quality foods that are more readily digested. Smaller stools and less waste are a definite advantage when feeding premium diets. Most premium foods are nutritionally complete, so you do not need to add other items to your pet’s diet. This better nutritional package generally means a healthier pet that requires fewer visits to the vet, saving even more money. Overall, paying more initially for higher quality pet food saves you money because your pet will eat smaller portions and still feel full, will have less to clean up because of reduced waste and smaller stools, and will likely remain healthier and live longer because of better nutrition.
Currently, most quality pet foods offer "life stage" products that match a pet’s age and activity level to the proper nutritional diets. Further more, there are differences in the needs and problems of various breed sizes, so many diets for small, medium or large breed pets are now available. Life stage formulas generally are available for puppies or kittens, adult dog and cats, older or senior pets, less active pets and over-weight pets.
Specific diets for specific purposes are also available. Many pets that have skin or coat challenges can benefit by eating a Lamb and Rice diet. Some food allergies can be improved by feeding a "single source protein" diet as well. It is generally best to check with your vet to determine the best food for your pet, but your pet retailer can offer assistance as well. Most pet food manufacturers have lots of quality information on their websites as well.
Final considerations for choosing the right pet food for your new friend include your own budget and availability of your chosen food. Feeding a pet can be expensive, so buy the best quality that you can afford and feel comfortable with. Look for sales and manufacturer offers to help save. Some retailers offer free pet food after you purchase a number of bags, to help reward your buying loyalty. Make sure that you can easily get the food you choose, and purchase it several days before you run out, just in case your normal retailer is out of stock. You never want to change diets from one bowl to the next, so don’t run out!
Lastly, always plan ahead with enough food so you don’t run out on a holiday, and it is a good idea to know of an online retailer that sells your pet’s food, just in case you can’t get it locally. When bad weather is predicted, such as a snowstorm, have enough food so you don’t run out. The same is true if someone is pet sitting for you. Store your pet food in a dry place, safe from insects or rodents. Try to buy a large enough bag that you can save money and shop as frequent as it is convenient, but try to use the entire open bag in less than a month.
For updated lists of items that your new adopted pet may need, please stop back regularly. Please view our favorite links to the right and begin enhancing your relationship with your pet!
Adopting a new pet is a wonderful choice, and can bring years of happiness to you and your family. You need to evaluate which items you should have before you bring your pet home, which will help to reduce the stress on you and your new best friend! A little planning can go a long way on saving you money, as well as making the transition period shorter and less stressful.
Pet Food
There are many high quality pet foods on the market today, that provide the nutrients and vitamins that pets need to grow up healthy and stay healthy as they age. It is always best to start by finding out what your pet is currently being fed, and have a supply of that food available when you bring your new pet home. Adjusting to a new home is hard enough for you new friend, so changing diets at that point in time is not a good idea. It is best to continue to feed the same pet food for the first few days or a week, and then transition your pet to the food you prefer.
Whenever you change diets, do it over a 7 to 10 day period, starting on the first day by mixing one part of the new food to ten parts of the old food. Continue increasing the new food amount each day until you are feeding equal amounts of each by the fifth day, and continue until you are only using the new pet food by the end of the period. Always transition a pet’s diet this way to avoid stomach upset.
Most "better" quality pet foods cost a bit more money than "supermarket brands", but there are many advantages. To begin with, most premium pet foods use high quality, and often all natural ingredients. These pet foods may call themselves premium, super premium or holistic pet foods. Many consumers want to reduce or eliminate the amount of chemicals found in their own foods, so it is understandable that they feel the same with their pets. High quality foods cost more to purchase but can actually save you money in the long run.
Premium pet foods are made with better ingredients. In farming, there is an old saying that goes like this "Corn In – Corn Out". This means that less expensive brands that rely on corn as a main ingredient instead of a quality meat product, will generally result in more waste over time. To start, the pet will eat more initially to feel full. Second is that corn is less digestible than many better ingredients, so the more corn that goes in the mouth, the more corn that goes out the other end! This means that you will generally have a lot less to clean up after when you use higher quality foods that are more readily digested. Smaller stools and less waste are a definite advantage when feeding premium diets. Most premium foods are nutritionally complete, so you do not need to add other items to your pet’s diet. This better nutritional package generally means a healthier pet that requires fewer visits to the vet, saving even more money. Overall, paying more initially for higher quality pet food saves you money because your pet will eat smaller portions and still feel full, will have less to clean up because of reduced waste and smaller stools, and will likely remain healthier and live longer because of better nutrition.
Currently, most quality pet foods offer "life stage" products that match a pet’s age and activity level to the proper nutritional diets. Further more, there are differences in the needs and problems of various breed sizes, so many diets for small, medium or large breed pets are now available. Life stage formulas generally are available for puppies or kittens, adult dog and cats, older or senior pets, less active pets and over-weight pets.
Specific diets for specific purposes are also available. Many pets that have skin or coat challenges can benefit by eating a Lamb and Rice diet. Some food allergies can be improved by feeding a "single source protein" diet as well. It is generally best to check with your vet to determine the best food for your pet, but your pet retailer can offer assistance as well. Most pet food manufacturers have lots of quality information on their websites as well.
Final considerations for choosing the right pet food for your new friend include your own budget and availability of your chosen food. Feeding a pet can be expensive, so buy the best quality that you can afford and feel comfortable with. Look for sales and manufacturer offers to help save. Some retailers offer free pet food after you purchase a number of bags, to help reward your buying loyalty. Make sure that you can easily get the food you choose, and purchase it several days before you run out, just in case your normal retailer is out of stock. You never want to change diets from one bowl to the next, so don’t run out!
Lastly, always plan ahead with enough food so you don’t run out on a holiday, and it is a good idea to know of an online retailer that sells your pet’s food, just in case you can’t get it locally. When bad weather is predicted, such as a snowstorm, have enough food so you don’t run out. The same is true if someone is pet sitting for you. Store your pet food in a dry place, safe from insects or rodents. Try to buy a large enough bag that you can save money and shop as frequent as it is convenient, but try to use the entire open bag in less than a month.
For updated lists of items that your new adopted pet may need, please stop back regularly. Please view our favorite links to the right and begin enhancing your relationship with your pet!
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