Pedigree Cats

Most people buy pedigree kittens from cat breeders who usually breed a specific breed of cats. For example, if you wish to obtain a pedigree Siamese kitten, you should find a breeder who specializes in that breed. Usually these breeders are people who professionally breed cats to sell and/or show. They are very proud and knowledgeable about the breed they specialize in.

Once you have determined that you want a cat that has a pedigree, you need to find someone who breeds that type of cat. Ideally, you should get a breeder's name from someone who has already purchased a kitten from them. In this way, you can see the type of cat the breeder sells and determine if it meets your requirements. If you do not know anyone with the type of cat you wish to buy, then you can look in the pet section of your local newspaper to see if anyone local is selling this type of cat. You can also check with your local veterinarian as they usually have personal knowledge of all local cat and dog breeders.

Many cat magazines have listings of breeders near the back of the magazine. Or, you can call national organizations for listings of registered breeders. Another source is the Internet. For example a query of “siamese kittens for sale” performed on May 8, 2010, resulted in 163,000 responses from all over the world, so you should probably add some additional qualifications to your query to narrow down the number of responses, such as “toronto siamese kittens for sale” which resulted in 8010 responses which is still a large number, but a little more manageable.

Many professional breeders will usually have a range of ages of kittens for sale, from six weeks to six months old. Kittens under three months of age are the most popular, and you can expect to pay several hundred dollars for a quality pedigree kitten. Cat rescue groups and your local Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) could also have kittens, but usually their pedigree is questionable, unless they were seized from a registered breeder.

You want to make sure that the breeder you choose is registered with a national cat registry and has been breeding cats for at least five years. (This ensures that their business and the lineage of their kittens is solid.) They should be able to give you a certificate of pedigree with the kitten to prove it's a purebred animal.

Find out if the breeder offers a written guarantee about the kitten's health. Also make sure they will give you a refund or exchange if the kitten develops a disease or genetic problem within the first six months to a year. Reputable breeders are more than happy to meet these conditions. If they are reluctant, or refuse, you do not want to do business with them - find another breeder.

Some pet stores sell pedigree kittens, although most are likely to only carry non-pedigree kittens. Most pet store kittens are young, usually under 12 weeks of age. They are often kept together in a pen or crate, which is great for display purposes, but not so great if one of the kittens becomes ill, because then all of the kittens would be exposed to that illness. Pet store kittens are often placed in the main area of the store. This is so people can get close to the kittens and even hold them if they want. Although this is a bit risky, it does socialize the kittens at an early age, which is a desirable thing.

If you are interested in a pet store kitten, try to find out how the store got the animals - from a breeder, pet wholesaler, or maybe just a neighbourhood family looking to place a litter from their cat. The source of the kittens matters, because it should be reflected in the price the store is charging for the kittens. Prices at pet stores can range from about fifty dollars to several hundred dollars for a pedigree kitten. (Again the actual pedigree of the animal is questionable because many pet stores do not provide a certificate of pedigree with the kitten.)

Whatever method you use to locate a pedigree kitten, if you do thorough research, you will find a great kitten which will give you many years of faithful companionship.

Until next time,

Teia

Is a Guinea Pig the Right Pet for You?

Guinea Pigs, also called cavies, are lovable furry critters that will bring you a lot of joy. In addition, Guinea Pigs can be a perfect first pet for children because they are easy to care for and more cuddly than a hamster or fish. Following is information to help you determine whether a Guinea Pig is the right pet for you.

If you are thinking about getting a pet for your home, you may at first consider a dog or cat. These animals are perfect for homes if you have a lot of time to dedicate to owning a pet. Dogs and cats need a lot of attention and a lot of space. Guinea Pigs on the other hand are just as cute as dogs and cats, but they do not require near as much space or care. Many people love the idea of Guinea Pigs as first pets for children because they live a lot longer than hamsters or gerbils. In fact, a well cared for Guinea Pig can live up to eight or nine years. Once you own a Guinea Pig, you will be hooked by these cute, sweet natured animals.

When you go to the store to get a Guinea Pig, it is always a good idea to look at them carefully and choose them for their personality. Each Guinea Pig has his or her own personality. Some are more reserved in nature, while others are more outgoing. If you are choosing a Guinea Pig for your child, you want to make sure that your Guinea pig can tolerate being held and petted. Guinea pigs are not known to be aggressive or to bite, but your child will have no fun with a shy Guinea Pig.

Guinea Pigs are social animals and they enjoy the company of other Guinea Pigs. If you are planning to get a Guinea Pig, you might want to consider getting two Guinea Pigs at the same time. Male Guinea Pigs get along quite well with each other if you get them when they are both babies. Male Guinea Pigs will fight with each other if you introduce them after they are grown. Female Guinea Pigs also get along well with each other. It is not recommended that you get a male and a female, unless you want to breed Guinea Pigs.

When looking at Guinea Pig cages, you need to find one that will allow enough room for movement and play. Make sure that your cage has an exercise wheel, to keep your Guinea Pig healthy and active. Guinea Pigs like to stay hidden when they sleep, so make sure that your cage has a place where they can hide. A plastic or wooden structure inside the cage is always a good idea. You will want to add some sort of lining to the bottom of your Guinea Pig cage for easy cleanup. Cedar chips are not recommended, however pine wood chips, newspaper, ground up corn cobs or kitty litter are all fine. You also want to include a large water bottle for your Guinea Pig. If you have two Guinea Pigs consider getting two water bottles. Guinea Pigs love to drink water, so make sure that you give them plenty of fresh water EVERY day.

Some experts recommend adding vitamin C drops to their water. This works well for some Guinea Pigs. However, some Guinea Pigs do not like the taste and will not drink the water. If you do decide to add vitamin C drops to their water, make sure they are staying hydrated throughout the day. If you choose not to include vitamin C drops with their water, you can supplement their diet with fresh fruit and vegetables. Guinea Pigs love fresh vegetables and fruit of all kinds. Just make sure that you do not overfeed your Guinea Pigs and use fruits and vegetables as treats. As far as food is concerned, you will need to feed your Guinea Pigs specially formulated Guinea Pig pellets available at pet stores. Guinea Pigs also needed a daily supply of Timothy hay, available in some pet stores and most farm supply stores, to help aid their digestion.

Guinea Pigs are great pets for all types of homes. When you get a young Guinea Pig, you and your child or children will have to work with it to socialize it. All family members are sure to enjoy these adorable pets for many years to come.

Until next time,

Teia

Unusual Pets: Chinchillas

Chinchillas are small sized crepuscular rodents belonging to the Chinchillidae family. They are almost the size of a rabbit. They originated in the Andes Mountains of South America. There are two different species of Chinchilla, Chinchilla Lanigera and Chinchilla Brevicaudata. Although they look almost similar, the tail and ears of Chinchilla Brevicaudata are shorter, its shoulders and neck are broader and it is found in the wild. The Chinchilla Lanigera species can be kept as pets. Their standard colour is grey and they can also be found in ebony, beige and other colours.

Wild Chinchillas are an endangered species. Chinchillas can be kept as domestic pets, but are very shy animals and are not good with small children. Because of their fragile bone structure, they should be handled with care and that might be the reason why Chinchillas don’t like it when people hold them in their hands.

The life span of Chinchillas is about fifteen years, when kept in captivity, although some live for twenty or more years. Chinchillas are nocturnal animals and they are quite noisy. They make squeaks, barks and chirps. They make these noises to express their moods. They use a sweet chirping sound to attract another Chinchilla for mating. They bark loudly when they get aggressive or scared. Chinchillas are social animals and can be kept together. When keeping Chinchillas of the opposite sex, they should be neutered. A group of same sex Chinchillas will do well if they are introduced to each other when young. Older Chinchillas can be added to the group, but it has to be done very slowly or there is a chance of them fighting.

Chinchillas are very playful animals. If they cannot have a room of their own, then their cage should be very large and should contain an arrangement of shelves, which they will jump and play on. Toys like large wheels measuring more than eight inches in radius, hanging wooden toys, and paper towel cylinders can also be placed in the cage. Care should be taken that none of the objects they are given should be of mesh construction as there is a possibility of Chinchillas getting their feet or toes stuck in the mesh. When they are given wooden toys or wooden chew sticks the material shouldn’t be conifer wood because it contains resins which are poisonous to Chinchillas. Plastic should never be placed in their cage because their sharp teeth will quickly shred it and the plastic pieces or shavings could block their intestines if swallowed. The cage should be very airy and the bedding shouldn’t be cedar wood. Birch, apple tree, willow, and Manzanita are good options for wooden toys, chew sticks and bedding.

Temperatures should be maintained below seventy-seven degrees Fahrenheit, because Chinchillas don’t have sweat glands. When the temperatures get too high, they get overheated and get heat stroke. Since the animals are hyper active, they should be made to spend at least half an hour outside their cage to exercise, with supervision. They clean their fur many times a week by taking dust baths. A container filled with special Chinchilla dust, made from sand and fine pumice, should be kept in their cage for bathing purposes. Chinchillas shouldn’t be given wet baths because their fur has the ability to retain moisture and this could result in a fungal growth. If, in an emergency, it is necessary to give a chinchilla a wet bath, they should be dried very fast with the help of a blow dryer on a LOW setting. (Remember their susceptibility to heat strokes.)

Chinchillas shouldn’t be given a sweet or fatty diet, like nuts and fruits, as their digestive system is very delicate. Their main diet should be a hay-based pellet and loose hay. On very rare occasions, they can be given small pieces of papaya or raisins. If they are fed sugar or other sweet products, they have a tendency to develop either diabetes or diarrhoea, both of which could be fatal. Even fresh vegetables could block their digestive system which would be very dangerous.

The original cause of the extinction of some types of Chinchillas and the near decimation of others is that they were killed in huge numbers for their superb soft feeling fur. Although the nearly extinct wild species are no longer hunted for fur, the domestic species are especially bred for this purpose. There are many fur farms where Chinchillas are bred in large numbers. Some of these fur farms keep their Chinchillas in terrible conditions and do not humanely kill them. This has resulted in confrontations with the group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).

Over that past few years, Chinchillas have become very popular as pets, so quite a few pet stores have one or more on hand. If you are interested in getting one, make sure that you do proper research and talk to knowledgeable pet store staff.

Until next time,

Teia

Unusual Pets – The Hamster

Heaps of fun and a lot more cuddly than a gold fish, Hamsters make great pets for both adults and children. During the final decade of the last century and the first few years of this century, millions of homes had at least one pet Hamster. Hamsters are still among the most popular small pets and with good reason.

Hamsters have many advantages as pets. Because they are nocturnal, Hamsters are well suited for people who work or attend school all day. Another advantage is that they have almost no odour and are generally clean and easy to look after.

There are three common species of hamsters, each of which has its individual characteristics. It is, therefore, important to choose the species that most closely matches the desires and personality of the person who will become the care giver. The most common variety is the Syrian or Golden Hamster. These are the largest Hamsters, measuring around five inches in length. They are also the gentlest species, tolerant in nature and suitable for young children. Syrian Hamsters are solitary creatures and should not be kept in groups. The Russian or dwarf Hamster, as the name suggests, is much smaller in size and more social. They can be reared in pairs or small groups. However, they are more lively and active, but less tolerant of careless handling and may, therefore, not be suitable for very young children. Chinese Hamsters are also small like the Russian Hamster, but they are more placid in nature and tend to be timid.

When selecting a Hamster it's best to pick an inquisitive, alert and active animal. Not only will they make a pet that is more fun than a lethargic or quiet one, but these features are also indicative of the animal’s general health. Clear eyes, nostrils free of discharge and a clean coat, free of droppings are also good things to look for when purchasing a Hamster. Diarrhoea and respiratory problems are relatively common among Hamsters so look for any evidence of diarrhoea or laboured breathing. Diarrhoea can be particularly harsh to Hamsters as their tiny bodies soon become dehydrated.

Another deadly Hamster disease is "Wet Tail.” This is caused by a tapeworm and is often fatal. Symptoms are scruffy appearance, loss of appetite and a distinctively wet tail! This is a highly contagious disease and bedding and other material used by an infected animal should be destroyed. To avoid this problem, it is important to keep the Hamster's cage clean. Hamsters are quite fastidious in their grooming and will often use a specific area of the cage as a toilet while allocating other areas for food storage and other activities. Clean regularly but not too often as frequent intrusion into its territory could stress your Hamster. About once or twice a week is best.

Hamsters need to be active and lack of exercise could result in paralysis. Some animals are actually known to get addicted to activities such as the Hamster wheel. It is important to ensure that your Hamster has lots of variety in the toys and activities you provide for it.

Hamsters also need a varied diet but aren't difficult to feed. Many mixes are commercially available including sunflower seeds, cereal, millet and alfalfa but they will also eat fruits such as apples, raisins and grapes plus vegetables like carrots and celery. Hamsters have sharp incisors which continue to grow. They need to gnaw on hard material to ensure these teeth wear down naturally. If they don't get enough wear, these teeth may grow too long and restrict your Hamsters ability to feed itself. It is, therefore, mandatory that you provide something in your Hamster’s cage that it can chew. Knowledgeable pet store staff should be able to recommend something that wears down the teeth but does not lead to your Hamster ingesting something that could cause it harm.

You Hamster needs bedding at least 2 inches deep so that it can burrow down into the bedding making it feel secure while sleeping. Suitable bedding can be purchased at most pet stores. Bedding usually consists of wood shavings with cedar, pine or a mixture of both, being the most popular. It is best to avoid woods that are contaminated with toxins, dust or strong oils as these may cause skin allergies or illness in more sensitive animals.

As with any creature with sharp teeth, Hamsters may on occasion nip an unwary handler. This can be unnerving, especially for young children. Usually this problem can be overcome as handler and Hamster become more accustomed to each other. Perhaps another concern could be that a Hamster's average life span is only about two to three years. All in all however, the positives seem to outweigh the negatives and Hamsters can be truly delightful pets giving many hours of joy.

Until next time,

Teia

What Every GOOD Dog Breeder Will Tell You

Before I start today's entry, I'd like to tell you a little story about a dog breeder that my mom and dad dealt with years before I was born. Mom and dad decided that they would like to get a new puppy to replace a Poodle who had recently passed away. They looked in a book about dog breeds and decided that a Bichon Frise would be the dog that they should get. They checked the local pet stores and none had a Bichon for sale. A check of the pet section of the local paper revealed one breeder with puppies for sale. Mom and dad phoned the telephone number listed in the advertisement and were told that there was only one puppy available, a female. The rest of the litter had been sold. Mom and dad found out that the breeder lived hundreds of miles away, but that she would be in the city mom and dad lived in visiting a relative. An appointment was arranged and mom and dad went to look at the puppy. It was white, cute and had a good personality. Mom and dad asked if it had any genetic defects and the breeder said that it didn't.

They agreed to purchase the puppy and paid the breeder the requested fee. Several weeks later, they noticed that “Brandy” was limping a bit on her left hind leg. They kept an eye on her and as the days passed, the limp became more noticeable. They took “Brandy” to the veterinarian and he advised that she had hip dysplasia. Mom and dad contacted the breeder to advise her of this problem. The breeder replied, “You bought a dog, not a car or an appliance, they come as is, so she's all yours,” and slammed down the phone. Mom and dad didn't want a refund, they just wanted to let the breeder know that her bitch or stud had genetic problems. Needless to say, they informed all the pet stores, veterinarians and people they knew that this breeder was selling dogs with genetic defects. This lady was not a GOOD breeder; she was only interested in making money from her dogs. Now, on to today's post.

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So you have decided you want a puppy? You have done all your homework to decide the breed you want and you know you have the finances, time and energy to take care of it. Next step is to find a breeder and purchase a puppy.

Be warned, purchasing a puppy from a breeder can be fraught with risks. As in any business there are those breeders who are genuine, who care for their animals and whose reputation is important to them. Others, often known as backyard breeders or puppy mill owners, are only interested in making a fast buck. It is now up to you to find a reliable and honest breeder. Fortunately, because of the Internet, it is much easier today to conduct this research than it was prior to the introduction of this electronic marvel.

Do some research before contacting any breeders. Contact the kennel club of the breeds you are interested in and request a list of their breeders. The Internet can also be a good source to find and research breeding kennels. Ask friends who have dogs of that breed where they purchased them from and if they are happy with their chosen dog.

Shows are another place where you can meet breeders and see their animals, both in a show environment and in kennels before and after the show. Just remember this is a busy time for the breeder and they may not have a lot of time to chat. Get their details, observe their animals and contact them at a less busy time.

Visit the breeder’s facilities before choosing a puppy to see how the animals are cared for. Do not buy the first puppy you see. A good breeder will want to ensure you are a suitable owner just as much as you want to ensure they breed quality animals. Look for clean facilities with healthy, clean dogs that are free of parasites. The dogs should behave in a manner you would wish your future dog to exhibit, e.g., if the majority of the dogs appear to be timid and afraid it is a safe bet any pups will be of a similar disposition.

Ask the breeder questions such as:

- How long have they been breeding dogs?
- What is the pedigree of the animal you are considering purchasing?
- Are both parents at the kennel?
- Are there veterinary certificates available for both parents and offspring?
- What screening has been done for any common health issues for the particular breed?
- What guarantee will they offer if the pup proves to have any major health issues within a short time of purchase?

The breeder should also ask you questions like:

- Do you have a house/yard suitable for the animal?
- Do you have the time to care for a dog?
- Are you fully aware of what is required to care for the animal?
- Will the dog be a pet or for breeding/showing?
- Do you have children and if so, what are their ages?
Breeders are well within their rights to refuse to sell a pup to anyone they consider not suitable as an owner of their dogs.

A sales agreement should be signed by both parties outlining the obligations of both purchaser and seller.

The good breeder will usually offer advice on feeding, grooming, health care and list any equipment you may need, as well as a schedule for all necessary immunizations.

A reputable breeder will also ensure you do not take your puppy home too early, to ensure it gets early socialization with its siblings. A puppy removed from its litter too early may fear other dogs for the rest of its life. While six weeks is the time many puppies are taken to new homes, many breeders prefer to retain the pup until they are around nine weeks old.

Once you have collected your puppy keep in touch with the breeder as they will be a fountain of knowledge for you regarding your new dog and they often like to keep track of their animals.

If you do all your homework and purchase from a reputable breeder, you will have a dog that will be a wonderful part of your family for the next 12 to 15 years.

Until next time,

Teia

Walking Your Cat

There's nothing strange about taking a dog for a walk, but taking a cat, well that's a whole new game. However, taking a cat for a walk is not as difficult as it may seem. With a little patience and a very secure cat harness, it is possible.

Many people believe that cats should be kept indoor at all times, so that precious wildlife is protected. Cats can be notorious killers of small animals and birds and keeping them indoors is a great way to keep them under control. But do cats miss being outdoors? Are they being deprived of some inbuilt instinct to hunt and capture their prey?

An easy way to overcome this is to let your cat outdoors, but only if he is fully under control. There are a few steps to take that will eventually allow you to take your cat outdoors, in a safe and secure manner.

Start by purchasing a cat harness and lead. These are available from your local veterinarian or pet supply store. If they don't have any in stock, you can also use a very small dog harness, the size that is appropriate for a Chihuahua.

Introduce the harness to your cat slowly, leaving it near his bed and food bowls on a regular basis, over a period of days. Attempt to put the harness on your cat when he no longer appears interested in it. Continue putting the harness on for a two-week period, until your cat accepts the harness as part of his daily routine.

The final step is to lead your cat outside, for a small period of time. Each day, increase the amount of time spent outside. After a week or two of this, your cat should be very comfortable with the harness and with being outside.

If you have reached this step, congratulations. You can now start to slowly walk your cat for short distances. Fairly soon your cat will be sitting at the front door waiting for you to take it for a walk.

Walking your cat is a great way to relieve his boredom and give him some exercise at the same time. It can stimulate his senses, exercise his body and hopefully save some of your household furniture from scratches. Give it a go. Your cat will thank you for it. Just remember to keep your cat away from dogs because some dogs are not friendly to cats. You don’t want anything to happen to “Kitty” do you?

Until next time,

Teia

Improve Your Dog's Health with Proper Grooming

You probably know the typical benefits of grooming your dog, such as removing knots and tangles in the coat. However, grooming also allows air to flow through the fur more easily, which helps the dog to cool itself during hot weather. Brushing also gives your dog's coat a nice healthy shine. However, there are many lesser known benefits to a regular grooming regime for your pet that I thought you might like to know.

It may come as a surprise to you to learn that the simple act of grooming can do much more for your pet than just improving the look of her coat. By making grooming a regular activity with your dog you'll be pleasantly surprised by the numerous health benefits that can be achieved.

Some of the many health benefits of grooming include:

1) Removing dead hair which improves the overall look of the coat as only new healthy hair is left behind. This will help prevent the dog from getting hot spots from the dead hair matted next to her skin.

2) Improving the blood flow to the follicles of each hair will improve the health of the entire coat. The lymphatic system is also stimulated by grooming, giving the same health benefits to your dog that you would get from having a massage.

3) Improving the emotional state of your pet, because of the bonding achieved whilst grooming. A gentle hand and kind voice while grooming goes a long way to building a bond with your dog and helps build trust between the two of you.

4) Having the opportunity to notice any potential health problems by becoming familiar with your dog's body. Tender areas for instance could indicate an injury of some sort which may require further investigation. It is also important to look for health dangers such as ticks which if left undetected can be deadly to your pet. It will also allow you to detect if your dog has fleas which can potentially cause all sorts of problems for you and your dog.

5) Paying attention to your dog's paws while grooming by clipping long nails and checking the pads of the feet for any sore areas that may need attention. (See previous postings on the topic of fleas).

You can find all the tools you need for effective grooming at local pet supply stores. Or, if you prefer, you can find a number of Internet locations that carry pet supplies. Just do a Google search on pet supplies or pet grooming supplies and you will have numerous sites to check out.

If you make a habit of visiting your local pet store, once you become known by the staff, you will learn all kinds of interesting things and you can frequently work out a discount for being a frequent buyer.

Most areas of the country have classes at community colleges where you can learn the correct methods of grooming your pet. Also check out dog clubs and groups where you will find other dog owners to give you some tips and advice on where to start.

If you find that you enjoy grooming and become proficient enough you may wish to start a dog grooming service in your local area. Dog grooming is in BIG demand and can be a profitable part-time/full-time business.

By putting in a little time and effort along with a few dollars for some basic grooming tools you will be greatly rewarded with a healthier, happier dog. Even if you're just starting to learn about correct grooming techniques your dog will still benefit greatly from the little time and effort involved in grooming.

Until next time,

Teia

Simple Tips for Taking Care of Fish in a Home Aquarium

Mom used to have a lot of aquariums, and at one point she had ten of them. However, she began eliminating them about 5 years ago. She got rid of the last few when auntie moved home a couple of years ago. Watching the fish swimming around in their aquariums was fun.

An aquarium in your home can add beauty as well as fun to your living area. Psychologists claim that watching fish swim in an aquarium is one of the greatest stress relievers there is. That is probably why so many doctors’ offices now have aquariums. If you are going to install an aquarium in your home, there are a few simple tips you need to keep in mind if you're going to be successful at this intriguing endeavor.

1. Choose an appropriate aquarium for your home.

Don't purchase an aquarium that is extremely deep unless you're prepared to do a lot of extra work. If you own a deep aquarium and one or more of your fish dies, the water may become polluted before you even notice any dead fish.

In a deep aquarium it's difficult to get the plants you may wish to introduce to grow properly since the light has to go all the way down to the bottom. If you want an extra large aquarium, you need to purchase a 48-gallon aquarium that is 48 inches long by 12 inches wide by 12 inches deep. Get one that comes with a flourescent light canopy as this will be capable of illuminating the large aquarium's bottom. Because the aquarium is only a foot deep, your plants will get adequate light and you will have no difficulty seeing all parts of your aquarium. If you get a 48-gallon aquarium, make sure that you get a filter that will be large enough to adequately filter that volume of water.

2. It's best if you purchase all needed aquarium supplies before you set up your aquarium. Let the aquarium sit for at least one week full of water with the filters going before putting any fish into it. Then only put one or two in at a time with at least a three day to one week interval between each group of fish. In this way you won’t upset the biological balance in your aquarium.

Here are some supplies you're going to need:

* aquarium
* aquarium cover with a flourescent light bar
* heater
* aquarium filter
* gravel
* 5 gallon bucket
* strainer
* glass scrubber
* fish food
* replacement filter media
* chemical test kits
* plants -- natural or artificial
* decorations
* fish net
* aquarium vacuum
* aquarium stand - if you don’t have a piece of furniture capable of supporting over 500 pounds (480 pounds of water plus the weight of the aquarium, gravel, fish, filter, and decorations) you should consider getting an aquarium stand to put your aquarium on.

3. It's essential that you keep a close watch over your aquarium. Be sure to check the water in your aquarium for fungus infections, parasites and bacteria. There are parasites that can enter your aquarium through infected fish. Before you notice anything wrong, your entire aquarium could be totally infested. Therefore, be sure to keep close watch to see if any of your fish show signs of being infected and put them in a separate tank away from your healthy fish.

Before adding new fish to your aquarium, you should keep them in a separate tank for at least a week before introducing them to your other fish. You only need an inexpensive plastic tank with no gravel or plants to keep your new fish in to make sure they're healthy. Then add fish gradually so you don't get so many fish in your aquarium that ammonia problems arise, which can result in some or all of your fish dying. A good rule for the number of fish, is to have a maximum of one inch of fish for every gallon of water. Therefore, a 48-gallon tank could handle up to 48 inches of fish. Note! Fish grow. Before purchasing fish, check with the pet store you are buying them from to find out how big they will be when full grown. Overcrowding your tank will cause a lot of problems and spoil the fun of having an aquarium.

4. Take care of your fish by choosing them wisely. Not every fish is compatible with every other fish; so don't purchase fish that won't get along well together just because they're attractive. You'll be sorry if you do. A friend of mom’s did this. Three days later he only had his new attractive fish in the tank. It had eaten all the rest. Pet store staff should be able to tell you if the fish you are looking at is a candidate for a community tank (one with a variety of different fish in it). If they can’t, then go to a different store to buy your fish.

Educate yourself about fish at your local pet store before you make your purchases. You will want to learn what your new fish is like and what its habits are so you'll know how to take care of it. You'll also need to learn if it is compatible with your other fish. Check with the pet store to see if there is an aquarium club in the area. If there is, join it. You will meet a lot of knowledgeable fish enthusiasts at the club. They will gladly help you out and answer all your questions. Aquarium club members frequently have fish to sell or give away, so you can frequently get some good quality fish at very reasonable prices. Also, having someone you can call when you have a problem is invaluable.

5. Be sure that you don't give your fish too much to eat. One of the most common causes of fish dying prematurely in aquariums is overfeeding them. A good rule is to only put enough food in the tank so that your fish can eat it all in two minutes, with none settling on the bottom of the tank. It is much better to under feed your fish than overfeeding them. Provide a little variety in the diet of your fish. Just like you, your fish won’t be happy eating the same food every day of the week. Pet store clerks should be able to help you out in this regard. If they can’t, members of the aquarium club certainly will.

Now that you've read these five simple tips to help you successfully raise fish in your home, be sure to put these tips into practice. Then have fun as these marvelous creatures entertain you.

Until next time,

Teia

PS. The tank shown above is too deep. Mom had a lot of trouble getting the water to circulate properly and as a result, polutants from fish waste built up regularly causing the fish to become ill. She finally solved the problem by putting extensions on the intake tubes to the filters. In this way she drew in the water to be filtered from the bottom of the tank and emptied the filtered water into the top. Once she did this, her fish remained healthy and the tank ended up being in biological balance. She never had this sort of problem with her 48 gallon tanks.

PPS. When buying a tank over 10 gallons, always buy a tank with thick walls. The glass should be one-quarter of an inch thick or thicker. There is much less chance of the glass breaking and spilling a large volume of water onto your floor. Also, the pressure of the water will not make the sides of your tank bulge out. If this happens, your tank cover will not fit properly and your glass will always be under stress.

Ten Steps to Finding the Perfect Sitter for Your Pet

Your tickets are purchased, the flight is on time, the bags are packed and the kids are finally ready. But just as you’re rushing out the door, you run into "Bowser" with those big, sad puppy eyes. Oh No, what about "Bowser"?

When planning vacation and holiday getaways, pets are often a forgotten, last-minute detail and as your chosen companion, they shouldn’t be. In order to avoid this, I’m offering a great solution.

When you are planning your next holiday, consider using a pet sitter. It allows your dog, cat, bird, rabbit or whatever pet you have, to stay in the comfort of his own home and maintain his normal routine. These are things well-meaning friends or family, pet stores (in some areas pet stores will board your non dog or cat pet) and certainly kennels, cannot offer. Also, having a trusted pet sitter in your home can help protect your home from intruders.

So, how do you find the perfect pet sitter? Start looking before your next trip and follow these ten recommendations.

1. Personal Referrals. Ask trusted friends or family members if they can recommend a pet sitter they have used. Word-of-mouth referral by someone you know is often the best reference. If none of these can provide the name of a sitter, then check with local pet stores or the local branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) as both should know of local pet sitters. Once you have several names, proceed to step two.

2. The Interview. Set up a meeting in your home with each potential pet sitter. Watch how the sitter interacts with your pet. Are they actively involved with the pet or are they distant or restrained around him? Does your pet want the pet sitter’s attention? Don’t second-guess your pet’s reaction or your own. If your pet and the sitter don’t seem to interact in a positive way, move on.

3. Questions and more Questions. The kind and volume of questions the pet sitters ask will indicate their actual experience in caring for your particular pet. A professional sitter will take notes and you should too. If they don’t ask questions, cross them off your list.

4. Affiliations. Judging a pet sitter solely by an organization affiliation such as Pet Sitters International or National Association of Professional Pet Sitters is tempting. However, remember that national organizations do not know these individuals or their reputation. Instead, ask for local affiliations and follow-up. This is EXTREMELY important. A number of years ago, my mom and dad hired a pet sitter without doing the follow up. She impressed both of them. All of us pets reacted positively during the interview, so they made the mistake of bypassing the follow up. That was a big mistake as it turned out. She dumped a bag of dog food into our dishes and onto the kitchen floor, put several water bowls down, dumped bird food into Bert’s (the parrot) and Cisco’s (the cockatiel) dishes and proceeded to party with her boyfriend in our home for two weeks. When mom and dad came home there was rotting dog food all over the kitchen, dried pee spots all over the house and piles of dog manure everywhere (she seldom let us go out into the fenced back yard). Cisco and Bert only had seed husks in their food dishes and only a few drops of filthy water in their water dishes. All of mom and dad’s liquor was gone, the money they had left for her to buy food, etc. was gone and there were dirty dishes, empty pizza boxes and potato chip bags everywhere. Mom and dad tried to contact her, but her landlady said she had moved out a couple of days before they got home. They never did find her, so she must have left the city we were living in at that time. The clean up costs greatly exceeded the money that she would have been paid if she had done her job as promised.

5. Client References. Ask for other client references. These will help you get a clearer idea of what to expect if you hire this person. Strangely enough, the young lady mentioned above had a number of client references and when these people were phoned, they gave glowing recommendations. What made her stay at our house different we were never able to learn.

6. Bonding & Insurance. Bonding and insurance protects you in the case of damage or theft of your property. However, this does NOT ensure that the pet sitter is reliable, caring or trustworthy.

Unfortunately insurance was not available when we had the above problems. Insurance of this type is relatively new in our part of Canada.

7. The Dotted Line. Ask for a copy of their contract and carefully review the details later. A contract will protect you and your pets. It will also spell out exactly what you can and cannot expect from the pet sitter. It should also list the appropriate rates for all services offered. Do not hesitate to ask questions!

8. Arrange another visit. Arrange for the pet sitter to spend some time alone with your pets, particularly your dog(s). A walk with your dog is a great idea. Monitor your dog’s reaction. Is he happy and comfortable with the pet sitter? Or does he seem eager to get away from the sitter? This also gives the pet sitter a chance to see if she or he can appropriately handle your dog(s), particularly if one or more of your dogs is a large-breed, strong or very energetic.

9. Listen to your gut! Finally, go with your gut feeling! If it doesn’t "feel" right, it’s not, so keep looking.

10. Before you leave. Leave detailed instructions (prepared earlier), phone number(s) in the event of an emergency, and your vet’s name and number.

If you invest your time in advance and follow these steps, you will ensure the best possible pet sitting experience. So the next time you’re making those early travel plans, remember to put "Bowser" and his pet sitter on your checklist, so you can avoid those big, sad puppy eyes.

Until next time,

Teia