Saturday, December 27, 2008

Buying Your First Tropical Fish

Whenever you start a new hobby it is very tempting to try to get everything at once. It can be also be easy to buy whatever the store clerk tells you is the right thing, especially as you are probably keen to get started. But if you are setting up your first fish tank and buying your first fish, then it is a good idea to think what you really want and what may be suitable for you before you buy.
Aquarium Systems Fancy Plants

If you are not familiar with tropical fish, then the best thing you can do is to find someone who is. If you have a friend who knows about tropical fish then take them to the store with you. But if you don't, make sure that you do your research first. It might be tempting to go to the store and buy the fish that look best, but if you have no idea whether or how you can look after them, then it is not a very good idea.

There are some wonderful beginners books on how to keep tropical fish that will tell you exactly what the requirements of each fish are and how well they get on with other fish. If you do this research then you will be in a much better position to choose the right fish that you can look after well and your new hobby is much more likely to be successful.

One mistake that many people make is that they buy everything at once. There is no point in buying the tank and all of the accessories at the same time as you buy the fish. To set up the fish tank properly without using chemicals to clear the water, you need at least 24 hours to let the water and gravel settle and clear. You also need to make sure that your filter, aerator and heater are working properly and that your tank is set up properly and that everything works well. There is no reason, even if you did not have to let the water clear, to leave your new fish in a bag while you do all of this.

It is much better to wait until everything is set up and working well so that when you get your fish then you know that they will be ok. Tropical fish are a great hobby and choosing carefully and taking the time to set everything up well can make all the difference.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

How Go Hire A Good Pet Sitter

Hiring a pet sitter is a great option for multiple reasons. First, it allows your dog to remain in her familiar environment when you're away. It also relieves family, friends, and neighbors of having to take care of your dog. And, the pet sitter will usually bring in mail and newspapers so that your home isn't a target for burglars. Interested? Here are some tips for finding a pet sitter.

Pet sitters have evolved. They're no longer the boy-next-door who just wants a bit of extra money. Sitters these days have commercial liability insurance and are often bonded. These combine to cover accidents and protect against theft. In addition, may pet sitters have completed some form of training and are associated with at least on vet. When interviewing potential sitters, make you ask if they're covered and what courses they've completed. In addition, ask the sitter if they have a backup.

What happens if they get sick or their car won't start? Does this mean your dog will be alone? In addition, ask for a written contract that covers any and all services and fees. The contract can also specify visitation times and duties. And, references are never a bad idea. Make a few phone calls to see if other clients were happy.

Once you've chosen a sitter, invite her over to meet your pet face to face. This will give your dog the opportunity to meet the person that will be taking care of her for a while. And, it will give you the opportunity to show the sitter where the dog eats, sleeps, her favorite toys, etc. Also, be sure to hold up your end of the bargain. Good communication is key.

For example, make reservations early, especially during busy holidays, and make sure you leave all the necessary information. Have specific instructions, vet numbers, food, supplies, and your pet's identification at the ready. It might also be a good idea to leave a key to your home with a neighbor in case something does come up and the sitter can't make it. If you have an alarm, let the sitter know the code. If you want her to pick up the mail, tell her.

The ideal pet sitter will make both you and your dog happy. Communication is key. Respect her schedule and always provide her with ample instructions. It's better to be overly communicative than leave some aspects to chance.

And, the pet sitter will usually bring in mail and newspapers so that your home isn't a target for burglars. Interested? Here are some tips for finding a pet sitter.

Pet sitters have evolved. They're no longer the boy-next-door who just wants a bit of extra money. Sitters these days have commercial liability insurance and are often bonded. These combine to cover accidents and protect against theft. In addition, may pet sitters have completed some form of training and are associated with at least on vet. When interviewing potential sitters, make you ask if they're covered and what courses they've completed. In addition, ask the sitter if they have a backup.

What happens if they get sick or their car won't start? Does this mean your dog will be alone? In addition, ask for a written contract that covers any and all services and fees. The contract can also specify visitation times and duties. And, references are never a bad idea. Make a few phone calls to see if other clients were happy.

Once you've chosen a sitter, invite her over to meet your pet face to face. This will give your dog the opportunity to meet the person that will be taking care of her for a while. And, it will give you the opportunity to show the sitter where the dog eats, sleeps, her favorite toys, etc. Also, be sure to hold up your end of the bargain. Good communication is key.

For example, make reservations early, especially during busy holidays, and make sure you leave all the necessary information. Have specific instructions, vet numbers, food, supplies, and your pet's identification at the ready. It might also be a good idea to leave a key to your home with a neighbor in case something does come up and the sitter can't make it. If you have an alarm, let the sitter know the code. If you want her to pick up the mail, tell her.
The Professional Pet Sitter: Your Guide to Starting & Operating a Successful Service

The ideal pet sitter will make both you and your dog happy. Communication is key. Respect her schedule and always provide her with ample instructions. It's better to be overly communicative than leave some aspects to chance.

About the Author:
To Find the best Dog Supplies for your dog takes time and effort. You can get your dog beautiful and elegant Dog Clothes to place a smile on their faces. Get your dog set to impress and keep them warm and comfortable in their new Dog Beds so they can feel safe and sleep well.

Article Source:
http://www.freearticles.co.za/pets-and-animals/how-go-hire-good-pet-sitter.html

Friday, December 19, 2008

How your pet will affect your Homeowners Insurance rates

Due to the high number of liability insurance claims being filed due to dog bites, many insurance companies now are charging higher premiums to the homeowners, the type of dog breed an homeowner has will determine if they will get home insurance with certain carriers, to know if your rates will increase or if you will be denied insurance coverage one needs to be informed of the possible dog breeds that are considered high risks.
Some of the types of breeds that cause personal injury due to dog bites are Rottweilers and Pit Bulls which account for 50 percent of the emergency dog bites reported.

Other breeds include Malamutes, German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers, Huskies, Great Danes, and Saint Bernards. If you have one of these types of dogs some things you may want to consider before getting homeowners insurance is to find out which carriers ban certain types of dogs, some insurance carriers will consider each case individually depending on the history of the dogs behavior and if their is any record your liablity rates will rise because of dog bites reported in the past. Plus if your dog is trained to attack individuals even in self defense you may not be eligible for coverage.
Insurance For Dummies

Some carriers will require a waiver to be signed by the homeowner who has a high risk dog. In order to get the best rates, one will have to check around and see what type of coverage is available. Dog obedience training may be required in order for your pet to qualify for coverage. Also it may be necessary to purchase a seperate policy for your dog. Laws on dangerous dogs and homeowner insurance varies by each state. Check and see what your state says about this issue.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Quality Pet Meds to Keep Your Best Friend Healthy

In our daily lives we are surrounded by people who care about us, who think about our well-being and who worry when we are sick. These are the people we call friends, and every friend has this kind of behavior when it comes to people they care about.


Even though human interaction is very important for the social well-being, people aren’t the only ones we can call friends. There are also lots of animals that people prefer to spend a lot of their time with and these animals are often named best friends.


Pets are very important in anyone’s life, because they can sometimes offer the support a real person cannot. Maybe it is because of one’s ego, maybe it’s because of the lack of trust, but many people often turn to their pets to confide in, because they are the ones that will never reveal a secret, they are the ones that will always listen and they are also the ones that can get you in a better mood.

Keeping your closest friends in shape and healthy is, or should be a priority. When you pet comes down with something, you will need to provide pet meds in order to make them better, otherwise you might lose their company. They are not like people and they rely on their owner to provide the best conditions and the best health care in order to live their lives.

Pet meds are something you can find in lots of places. Veterinary pharmacies can be found quite often nowadays as opposed to the past, but these aren’t the only sources where you can purchase what you need. You need to find something that can provide lots of solutions with little trouble.

If you are in a situation when you cannot find what you are looking for, then this might be a good time to start thinking about turning to the internet as the provider of the pet meds you need. The internet is a very good source for everything you could possibly desire, because here you have access to a multitude of websites that are bound to solve your problems.

But enough about diseases and unhappy situations! What if your pet is feeling great, they play all day, bounce around feeling happy, making you wish they would keep this kind of behavior forever? Then you should consider helping them with some good pet supplies.

Pet supplies include lots of things, just about anything that relates to their overall good health and well-being. For example, if you leave for a few days, you wouldn’t want your pet to starve, would you? Then you should think about providing an electronic feeder.


Pets are like children, most of the time playful, but sometimes a little down. What is the best thing you can do to cheer them up? Another important part of the pet supplies is the toy department, where you can find all the things you need to keep your pet entertained and happy.

When you are searching for a website that can provide top of the line pet meds and highly entertaining and useful pet supplies, you may spend some time in front of your computer. Because of this you should look no further than epetdrugs.com.