Thinking About an Aquarium? First decide on Fresh or Salt

If you’re thinking of buying an aquarium, you must first decide between a freshwater tank and fish or salt water tank and fish. For beginners, freshwater is often the way to go as it is less costly to start and maintain, the fish are generally hardier and there is less work involved in maintenance. The allure of salt water aquariums, however, is the much larger variety of far more colorful and interesting fish and marine life. If you have the time, money and spaces to dedicate to the salt water tank,... [Read more]

Tips to Help Your Dog Get Along with Other Pets

Let’s assume you have a Bichon Friz at home and have decided to adopt another one as a companion.  Here are some tips to help your dog get along with other pets. Before we get into the whys and wherefores, it is important to remember that any new member of the pet family will encounter a rigorous and sometimes jealous stance when a new pet arrives.  If you think about it, some children who are presented with a newborn baby tend to become upset because they have to compete for attention for the... [Read more]

Tips for Choosing the Right Diet for Dogs

If you were told that part of a dog’s diet should consist of spaghetti and meatballs (without the sauce), what would you think?  Would you be surprised to learn that it can be quite good for your dog?  Here are some tips for choosing the right diet for dogs. While more and more dog owners are choosing to prepare homemade meals for their pets, others opt for high premium foods.  Still, others simply feed their dogs whatever is on sale.  The only problem with commercial dog food is that there is... [Read more]

10 Tips for Choosing the Right Dog Trainer

Not every owner can hire “The Dog Whisperer” to train their dog.  When a dog’s behavior is consistently bad, however, or if you are a first time dog owner, you may want to hire a trainer to teach your pet the basics.  To this end, here are 10 tips for choosing the right dog trainer. The trainer should use techniques that do not harm the dog in any way. His methods should be above reproach and treat the dog fairly and firmly, but not in an unkind manner. Does the trainer get to know... [Read more]

Make Your Pet Stand Out with a Unique Name

If you are getting a new pet and don’t want to use a name everyone else has, check out http://www.bowwow.com.au. The maker of pet identification tags which produces tens of thousands of tags annually, has compiled a list of the top 60 names in a variety of countries, including the US. While some of the names won’t surprise you (Buddy, Max, Fluffy, Blackie), some unexpected names make the list as well (Oliver, Taz, Kate) Also, keep in mind that most animals (dogs in particular) learn two-syllable... [Read more]

Online Pet Resources

  You don’t have to get in your car and drive to the library to research puppies.  On the weekend, or whenever you and your family are all in one place, gather around the computer.  Here are some Internet resources that provide all you ever wanted to know about puppies. Check out the Internet site sponsored by the humane society.  Type the address www.hsus.org into your browser.  This site offers information on all animals not just puppies.  If you are trying to decide if you can handle a puppy,... [Read more]

Rise in Family Pets Entering Animal Shelters

I read a troubling article in my local newspaper siting statistics about the rise in animal shelter populations as a result of the economic downturn.  Both of my cats , Bingo & Chloe, are shelter kitties that we rescued, and they have been wonderful companions. We love them dearly. So I have a soft spot in my heart for the plight of animal shelters and their inhabitants. The article indicates that our local Humane Society shelter (Indiana) is at full capacity, seeing a 59% increase in surrendered... [Read more]