Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Do You Spend Too Much On Pet Supplies?



An average American pet owner spends more than 0 a month on pet supplies and pet food alone. With the latest craze on pet fashion, and about ten or twenty new toys brought into the market every season, your bill on pet supplies is only bound to get bigger. How do you know when you’re already spending too much good money on useless things? You should try to ask yourself these questions.

Does your pet really enjoy the things you buy?

Ten years ago, a good bone would have been perfect for any pet dog. Now, pet shops take advantage of the latest fad in the market-pet fashion. Owners with small lap dogs are bound to splurge on these overpriced items. Most people take the “toy” in toy poodle too seriously.

Before buying a sweater for your pet dog, make sure that it will actually enjoy your treat. Pet owners in tropical countries should be very careful about buying their pet dogs “clothing”. Pet supplies along these lines might do more harm than good to your little mutt. They’re already covered with fur, which makes their bodies very prone to overheating. Think twice before spending too much on a pet accessory. If you must buy that cute basketball jersey for your pet, ask your vet if it’s advisable.

Most pet owners go through extremes of treating their dogs like infants or toy dolls. Your pet is a living creature, but it’s not bare and naked like an infant. Unless you just had your pet mutt’s fur shaved because of tick problems, there’s no reason for you to spend so much on extra garments.

Are you compromising good health for fashion trends?

Your pet dog should not be your best fashion accessory. It’s pretty cute to be seen in the same get up as you favorite mutt on special occasions, but spending too much on toys and fashion accessories could seriously dent your wallet.

A good pet owner should know how to budget his/her pet expenses well. Make sure that you’re still spending more on your pet’s health care than you are on rubber treats and dolled up clothing. Your dog’s health should be your top priority among other things.

Is your pet food worth it?

Most pet foods work their way up the price ladder by building on popularity. Take time to check the nutritional facts box though. A cheaper product might be able to provide your pet dog more nutrients. Some vets even recommend altering processed pet food with organic pet food you can cook in your own skillet. To be sure, ask your vet about these details before engaging your dog in a new diet. Not everything that’s good for a human is good for a dog, so try not to let your mutt chomp on your leftovers. Always ask your vet advice on how to care for your dog. It’s also helpful to check out online forums for the best deals on pet supplies in your area.

Monday, August 9, 2010

Molly the Owl Becomes a Proud Mother Again



Molly the owl became an internet sensation when Carlos Royal, a retired real estate agent, set up an owl box with a camera inside streaming a live video feed to the internet.

Now the first owlets of the second clutch of eggs have hatched in front of many curious and delighted onlookers around the world.

The site has had 15 million views since going live in January – viewers are fascinated by the real-time activities of the barn owl.

After the first clutch of eggs hatched, Molly and her partner, McGee, flew from the box with their owlets. It caused a brief period of darkness in June until they returned in July and laid another set of eggs, according to Mr Royal.

Hopefully Molly and her family will return again so the ‘owl cam’ can continue to make inquisitive onlookers a little bit wiser with each frame.

Check out Virtualvillage Pets Supplies

Friday, July 23, 2010

10 Frozen Treats For Your Pets To Eat


Although our main focus is usually on food for human consumption, with the weather oh-so-toasty lately, our four-legged friends are also in need of a little refreshment. Snacks for pets are always less expensive to make yourself and we've rounded up 10 ideas to keep them cool and your wallet full all at the same time!

Without getting into the world of what's actually healthy for dogs to eat, we'd like to give you a few options of great frozen snacks for dogs and cats alike. We're not big on adding fruits and vegetables to this mix, but you're welcome to do so (though we suggest researching it first). We'll be sticking to meats and proteins and staying away from sugar.

Here are a few of our favorite frozen treats for pets:

1. Ice Cubes: Plain, simple and easy.

2. Frozen Yogurt: You can buy pre-made or simply freeze regular yogurt containers. It's as good for their digestive tracks as it is for yours. Helps those animals that are especially gassy! (older animals might require less dairy, try mixing half yogurt/half water for those who need a little help)

3. Frozen Liver: Cut chicken/beef liver into small bite size pieces and place on a sheet pan covered in parchment paper. Feed 2 or 3 pieces daily (unless raw feeding and then you may feed regular daily amount). They keep well in a zip lock once frozen.
4. Frozen Egg: Although this one is best eaten outside, toss an egg or two in a blender (including shells) and blend till smooth. Freeze in an ice cube tray (half way full) for easier dispensing. Do not feed more than 1 per day to ensure proper nutrient absorption.

5. Tuna: There isn't much a cat or a dog won't do for tuna. For them, it's just as tasty cold, so freeze in small bite size pieces or mounds on parchment, or even blend with any of the ingredients above before freezing.

6. Organic Low Sodium Broth: Broth is a good base to mix in all sorts of things. Add a bit of peanut butter or assorted meats. If you tape off the end of a Kong toy (for dogs or cats) and fill the toy with broth, they'll be able to slowly lick at it as it melts.

7. Cheese Chunks: You can freeze them as is, or try freezing them in something else (broth or water) for extra visual appeal.

8. Hot Dog Bits: Although you can freeze almost any meat and we're believers that raw meat is better than cooked, we still don't know a dog who says no to a hot dog. We do suggest cutting them length wise (in strips) so your animal doesn't try to swallow it whole and choke.

9. Baby Food: Try to find one that doesn't (or shouldn't) contain onion powder and your pets will do almost anything for it! Freeze in mini muffin cups for easy feeding.

10. Commercial Retail Popsicles: If you check your local grocer, they often sell doggy popsicles right next to the human ones. We've tried them on several occasions and our pups won't go near them, but we know many who do. We have personally taste tested them ourselves (what, we were curious?!) and we're pretty sure the options above will be far tastier!

Do you have a favorite frozen treat to feed your pet? Just in case you'd like to experiment on making your own, here's a list of items that are toxic to dogs and cats, so make sure to review or check with your vet before you begin!

10 Interesting U.S. Presidential Pets


Before Bo the Portuguese Water Dog started chowing down Kibbles ‘n Bits in the Oval Office, plenty of other presidential pets frolicked around the White House grounds. From raccoons to rams to roosters, U.S. presidents have owned plenty of odd pets.

Check out ten of the most interesting POTUS animal pals:

Andrew Jackson: A parrot named Pol that he taught to swear
John Quincy Adams: An American Alligator
George Washington: Black and Tan Coonhounds named Drunkard, Taster, Tipler, and Tipsy
Thomas Jefferson: Two bear cubs
Franklin D. Roosevelt: Scottish Terrier named Fala that was left behind during a visit to the Aleutian Islands, but saved by rescue ships.
Benjamin Harrison: Opossums named Mr. Reciprocity and Mr. Protection
Calvin Coolidge: Canaries named Nip and Tuck
Franklin D. Roosevelt: Great Dane named President
John F. Kennedy: Mutt named Pushinka that was a gift from the Russian premier and a puppy of Soviet space dog Strelka.
Andrew Johnson: No official pets, but fed the white mice he found in his bedroom

Monday, July 19, 2010

The Right Pet Food For Your Dogs and Cats

Pets have been glorious as well as infallible companions to be kept during home. They widespread certain appetite inside your home. Keeping them during home comes with a lot of responsibilities as well as they need to be taken caring off only as we would caring for an individual.

Of all else which needs attention, food as well as other pet supplies is a single of a many critical aspects in house pet care. But a subject which mostly confuses pet owners is – what to feed? Some cite giving tellurian food to their pets whilst others buy packaged pet food. But, which of this is a preferred food?
Let’s see what is a preferred food for dogs as well as cats.



Right Dog food:
Should we feed your dog with tellurian food? Almost all dogs have been ascendants from a wolf family which is a really insatiable bunch. This equates to which beef should be a partial of their diet. But this does not meant which tellurian food is a most suitable food for them. It is regularly receptive to advice to find a great dog food product where a initial part is meat.

WHen selecting a processed dog food we need to be certain which a beef calm in a food is genuine beef as well as not a little processed substitute. Human food is not suitable for dogs since it is as well oily for them as well as can retard their arteries. The digestive marks in dogs have been really sensitive. This creates them receptive to disease as well as dissapoint stomachs, if we shift their food. So adhering to a great dog food which is full of health is a most suitable idea.

You would additionally wish to keep them upon a same food. Frequent changes in their food can equates to serious problems. If we feel a need to shift their food, begin by solemnly integrating a latest food with a aged a single until we eventually have entirely transposed a progressing food. An preferred duration for this is about 2 -3 weeks. Fully grown dogs should perfectly be fed once a day as well as during a same time everyday.



Right Cat Food:
Cats have been glorious hunters. They try a surrounding area as well as will mostly find mice, birds, as well as alternative animals which have been great source of proteina. Just as a dog needs a unchanging diet, your cat as well needs a same. Hence it is necessary which we find a food which is abounding in proteins. The digestive complement in cats have been additionally really sensitive. Hence anticipating a right food for them competence be a bit formidable as well as competence take a couple of tries.

The pointer which their diet needs to be altered is a “smelly spawn box”. This shows which they have been not removing a correct diet. LIke in dogs we should confederate a latest food with their aged a single over a duration of 2-3 weeks until we progressively have altered their food totally. Milk is an additional order for cats as it contains necessary vitamins. But processed divert can be as well abounding for them. You can find cat divert in house pet stores these days which would be an preferred substitute.

Occasionally stuff oneself them a tiny square of cheese can additionally be really great to do their dietary needs, yet it is regularly preferable to buy an suitable cat food with all a ingredients. Pet stores additionally sell weed for indoor cats. This can assistance them get absolved of hair-balls. Cats eat weed if they have an dissapoint go through as this weed allows them to absolved themselves of a complaint as well as can additionally assistance them cough up hairballs.

Human food is not a right food for your pets. Choosing a right pet food for your pet equates to removing a great packaged pet food from a pet store nearby. But in we do so we should check for all a mixture in a packaged food only to safeguard which we have been giving them a suitable food. Proper nourishment can assistance your pet live for long.