CANARY

CANARY

If you are considering sharing your home with a pet canary its probably because you have heard so much about their nearly constant bubbly singing Join the club Since the seventeenth century pet owners the world over have kept canaries for nothing more than the sheer pleasure of birdsong filling their homes A canary is not merely a feathered music box though and pet canary care is so much more than the gilded cage of old A canary is a living thing dependent on you for food shelter and love and canary care while not rocket science involves a certain level of avian expertise Ready to become an expert Study hard Thanks to selective breeding theres quite possibly a canary out there to suit every personality and desire Some canaries are bred for their coloration some are bred for their shape and some of course are bred to produce a very specific song pattern What kind of canary you purchase will depend on what canary resources are available near you If you can find a reputable canary breeder that will be your best option Many pet stores now however commit to purchasing healthy birds only from reputable breeders but check first to make sure that your canary was not wild caught or raised in lessthandesirable conditions If the pet store manager can not account for where your potential canary came from dont buy a canary from that store Oh and be sure that the canary you purchase is a male if its a strong singer you are after The females are incapable of producing the characteristic long trills and melodies that made canaries famous
Canaries can be quite delicate so a primary part of learning to care for a pet canary is to realize that prevention is key If theres a number one rule of pet canary care its that you absolutely must keep your canary away from drafts at all times A drafty room can kill a canary without any warning whatsoever and even a slight draft can prevent your canary from warbling If a lit candle flickers when held outside your canarys cage then you have picked a spot thats too drafty for your new feathered friend As far as cages go your canary doesnt require anything too spectacularjust enough room to hop about and stretch his wings Make sure you purchase a cage that is at least two feet wide and three or four feet tall Get a cage with a tray in the bottom to make for easy cleaning and make sure that the bars of the cage are not coated with toxic paint or other chemical sealants You should clean your canarys cage thoroughly at least once a week washing perches food and water containers and toys in a mild bleach solution and washing down the rest of the cage with dish soap and warm water
While they cant stand drafts canaries do love indirect sunlight A good supply of natural light will keep your canary singing and will also interest him in breeding should a female be present If a draft will kill a canary the fastest a second runner up is dehydration Because of their speedy metabolisms canaries require a lot of water and may die if they go as little as a day without it Change your canarys water daily and never leave for more than a day without asking someone to water your canary for you As for food seed is the mainstay of a canarys diet and there are many good commercially available seed mixes made specifically for canaries You should supplement your canarys seed with a little fresh fruit and boiled egg every day An apple slice and a fourth of a hard boiled egg is enough You should also provide your canary with a cuttlebone as he will gnaw on this to attain necessary calcium
With these basic rules and supplies of pet canary care well in hand you are ready to seek out the perfect canary for you Will you choose a rosy red colorbred canary an exotic Persian Singer or something in between Whatever your decision your canary will thank you exuberantly for the next ten to fifteen years the best way he knows howby singing his heart out.

BIRD FOOD

BIRD FOOD

When selecting the appropriate food for your bird it is important to think about certain things and ask yourself several questions You should keep in mind the type of bird or birds you own and their size Do they need a seed and pelleted diet Do they like to eat food from their talon or out of their dish Does your bird make a large mess when eating Does your bird have any known health problems
Some foods can help certain problems like feather picking and vitamin deficiencies With so many different types of food on the market it can be difficult and confusing The most important thing to keep in mind is that you keep them on a wellbalanced diet
One common misconception is that birds need seeds in their diet and the truth is they do not Peanuts are very high in fat content and I recommend giving your bird no more than one per day Sunflower seeds which can be prevalent in some seed mixtures are also high in sodium and fat It is ok to give your bird a few seeds but if your bird is eating them anymore than 10% of their diet that is too much Most birds need to be on 90% pelleted diet Seeds nuts and other treats can make up the other 10% Also included in most parrots diet can be fresh fruit and vegetables These can seem like a treat to your bird but are actually very healthy
There are some brands of food which are 100% organic These are best for your bird as no chemicals are used when growing the ingredients Organic foods also contain no preservatives and no artificial coloring Birds can be sensitive to those things
Human food in very small quantities can be ok for your bird but should not be practiced regularly One human food that is great for birds is the sweet potato Sweet potatoes are filled with Vitamin A which the Eclectus parrot needs in their diet because it aids in digestion They also contain Vitamin C and Iron and are relatively easy to cook and store as well.Two foods that can kill your birds are chocolate and avocado You should never feed your bird those foods in any amount.There are lots of different ways that you can feed your parrot Now some of these may require more work than others where as some of them are as easy and grabbing a bag of bird seed and pouring it into their feeder All of them can be good for your bird although feeding a variety of parrot foods as opposed to a singular food source such as seeds can make achieving a more balanced diet a little easier to achieve.

The simplest way to feed your parrot a balanced diet is to buy some quality parrot food from your local pet supplies store These come in many different forms that will include additional vitamins and minerals this means that you will not have to it any additional vitamins to their diet In fact you may not know this but adding additional vitamins and minerals can in fact harm your parrot as it could lead to bad toxic level of the vitamins and minerals in their system.You should try and choose a seed mix for your parrot that doesnt allow it to choose one seed or food item in preference to another as this will provide him with a more balanced diet Be aware that some food products will claim to be fortified seed mixes which in theory should be just right for your parrot but this claim is not necessarily true This assumes that the bird will consume all the seed that is offered instead of choosing just a few of its favourite food items.One should always try to get parrot food which uses a formulated diet without any addition fragrances or colours A lot of parrot owners may worry that this does not provide enough variety for their parrot when in fact this is not the case One can easily counter this by providing enough fresh vegetables or fruit equivalent to the amount that you would normally use with a formulated diet While fruit and vegetables may not be as energy intensive as the prepared diet because they are mostly water they will still be a good addition to your parrots diet and you may notice that your parrot will still eat the same amount of fortified food This will lead to a more rounded and balanced diet.

Try not to need any high fat foods such as peanuts or even sunflower seeds Only use them as an occasional treat as this will reduce the amount of prepared diet food that your parrot would normally eat which means that it may not receive its balanced diet
With all the choices these days it can be confusing to know what type of bird food to buy Bird food and bird feeders can be purchased at gardening stores hardware stores and even at grocery stores Different birds eat at different levels some feel more comfortable eating on the ground while others prefer to eat higher up so place a variety of feeders at a variety of heights to attract a larger variety and number of birds Keep a journal and record which feeder attracts what types of birds

Before purchasing a bird feeder examine it closely You should buy a bird feeder that is rain and snow resistant so that the food for the birds will remain fresh Also try opening the bird feeder to ensure that it is easy to fill and clean out If the bird feeder requires too much work to fill or clean chances are you wont do it and then you wont attract as many birds as you would like to
Heres a break down of the different types of food available for birds.Bird Seed Bird seeds are the most common food placed in bird feeders While there are many different kinds of bird seeds black sunflower seeds are the most common because the majority of birds will eat them If you do place bird seed out for birds to eat make sure that the seeds are unsalted Also store bird seed in a cool dry place to ensure the freshness of the seeds.Suet Suet is when berries seeds and other ingredients have been mixed into meat fat Suet is popular with nuthatches chickadees blue jays and woodpeckers and is commonly offered to birds in the winter Be careful if you put suet out in the summer as the heat can turn the fat rancid very quickly To create your own suet first melt the meat fat which can be bought at your local butcher shop Next add berries seeds and other ingredients to the fat and mix well Remove the mixture from heat and allow it to harden.Nectar Nectar is a water and sugar mixture that is offered to hummingbirds To create your own hummingbird food bring 4 parts of water to a boil and add 1 part sugar Stir and allow the mixture to cool before filling hummingbird feeders Change the mixture every three to five days in order to prevent bacteria and mold from growing Hummingbirds are readily attracted to the colour red so in the past it was common practice to add red food colouring to homemade hummingbird food This addition is unnecessary as most hummingbird feeders have a red base which is sufficient to attract hummingbirds If you want to ensure that hummingbirds will come to your feeder plant some flowers with red blooms nearby or tie red ribbons to the hummingbird feeder

POND FISH

POND FISH

For most people the only thing they know about these scaly creatures is whether they taste better with lemon or tarter sauce For Pond owners however a little more information is needed If you are a new Pond owner who has just purchased or are thinking about purchasing Koi goldfish or other pond fish you might have a few questions How do I introduce new fish into my pond What do I need to do to make my pond suitable for them How do I maintain my new friends
Fortunately I know a little bit more about fish then the topping they taste best with Here are a few basic tips all future pond fish owners need to know
Before purchasing fish you must first have your pond suitable for life Meaning there should be no zip zero nada Ammonia Chlorine Chloramines or Nitrite in your pond water A test kit will be needed to determine the level of those parameters A dechlorinator can be used to rid the pond of Chlorine Chloramines and Nitrites And a water change can be conducted to do away with Ammonia
A filter is crucial to maintain Ammonia levels A Biological filter is the best choice Be sure the filter can support a pump that is able to move the total gallons of your pond AT LEAST once per hour So if you have a pump assuming your pump is big enough for your pond that has a GPH of 950 you would want a filter with the capacity of at least 950 although a 1000 would be better
Once you have your water levels up to par and proper filtration unit has been installed its time to purchase the new additions to your family which is exactly what they will become After selecting the right fish there are a few things you need to know when introducing them into your pond
A bagged fish generally only lasts for 45 minutes assuming the correct water to Oxygen ratio has been applied Be sure your drive home is less than 30 minutes away If this is not the case tell a sale associate so special measures can be taken An additional supply of Oxygen can be given to you
Once you are home let the bagged fish float in the pond for 15 minutes before releasing it This will regulate the water temperature and help to prevent it from going into shock If however you feel that your fish is stressed or the ride home took longer than 30 minutes gradually fill the bag with some pond water to speed the regulating process
Once the water from the bag is about the same temperature of your pond water you can place your new fish into the pond Do not pour the water from the bag along with your fish into the pond Use a net to drain the water from the bag outside your pond and then release your fish into its new home
Now that your new friends are swimming pretty what has to be done to maintain them Here are a few tips
1 Test your pond water for Ammonia Nitrite pH Oxygen Carbonate Hardness and General Hardness once a week for 23 months for new ponds Once the pond is pretty much established you can test as needed
2 Do not over feed your fish They eat Algae Aquatic plants especially lilies and small bugs found in your pond Only feed them fish or Koi food twice a week This along with regular filter cleaning will help prevent high Ammonia spikes
3 Keep in mind the changing seasons As fall and winter come around special accommodations will have to be made A deicer for climates that tend to drop below freezing and Wheat Germ food no matter the climate for the fish slowing metabolism

BETTA FISH

BETTA FISH

If you have visited a pet store a chain discount store or even a florist lately you have most likely been attracted to the rich colors and longfinned elegance of the betta fish Bettas also known as Siamese fighting fish are relatively inexpensive but exceedingly beautiful For these reasons they have recently and unfortunately become popular not so much as pets but as decorating accents due to misleading reports that theyre meant to thrive in tiny amounts of water and need very little looking after However betta fish care entails much more than plunking your new fish into a wine goblet with a marble or two for company Taking care of a betta fish requires preparation education and compassion Let this brief tutorial turn you into a better betta owner
Perhaps the misconception that bettas are meant to live in small amounts of water stems from the fact that bettas are usually sold in containers no larger than a teacup Unlike most other fish at the aquarium store bettas are extremely aggressive towards one another and cannot be housed with other fish Since they must be sold separately theyre put into cups and stacked row upon row to save room Potential betta owners are then happily informed that the fish needs very little oxygen or water The sad fact is that many bettas die within a few weeks of purchase due either to ammonia buildup in their small habitats or lack of oxygen With this in mind let the first item on your betta fish care checklist be an adequate tankat least one gallon but preferably three or more With optimum room to swim and an aerator providing fresh oxygen bettas have been known to live for ten or more years
When you go to the store to select your betta know first of all that almost every fish is going to be a male unless otherwise specified The male bettas are what earned these fish the title Jewel of the Orient while the females are remarkably dull and shortfinned by comparison Most bettas sold in pet stores will be around nine months oldjust after their fins have lengthened and their mature coloration has arrived When selecting a betta seek out the healthiest specimen by looking for and avoiding torn fins dull color patches and wounds Most bettas will appear extremely droopy as they float in their alloted six ounces of water but rest assured that when you take them home and introduce them to their new larger dwelling they should perk up immediately and start gliding about unfurling their magnificent fins for you to admire
When it comes to a bettas diet moderation is key as a bettas stomach is about as large as the black dot in the center of his eye With that in mind feed your betta one specialty betta pellet once a day For a treat try giving him a pinch of frozen bloodworms about once a week as it will help maintain his jewelbright complexion Other than taking precaution to not overfeed your betta the most crucial factor in betta fish care is water quality Never place your betta in water straight from the tap There are many products on the market that will instantly make water safe for fish or you can use bottled spring water Ensure that your bettas tank is kept warm enough but never placed in direct sunlight especially during the winter months You can get a small thermometer and if needed a heater made especially for fish tanks to make certain the water temperature is kept between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit When changing the water replace no more than half of the water at any given time and always make sure the replacement water is purified
With this betta fish care advice well in mind youll always have a healthy betta Remember a healthy betta is a beautiful betta and a beautiful betta is one youll be proud to enjoy and share with friends and family for years to come
Because betta fish can be kept in relatively simple containers as opposed to large aquariums with complicated filtration systems many people are attracted to them as easy to care for yet beautiful tropical fish But betta fish care does require some frequent work to keep the fish happy and healthy
One important factor in betta fish care is to use a container that allows the fish to swim around a bit Bettas can of course survive in the little jars they are often sold in but this is far from a healthy environment and bettas in such tight quarters may fade in color and become sluggish Bettas dont need a huge amount of space but a little room to swim and a decent amount of surface area for the fish to get gulps of air in are recommended As a suggestion a 1 to 2 gallon fish bowl is a good option
It is a good idea to have a cover not an airtight cover over the top of your container as bettas have been known to jump out of their containers
The next part of betta fish care that is critical to the health of the fish is to keep the container and water very clean Part of keeping the container clean is to use caution when feeding your fish Excess food will accumulate at the bottom and cause bacterial growth and cloud the water I suggest feeding your fish with the standard betta food pellets by dropping in just one pellet at a time perhaps 3 or 4 times per day Not only will this help keep the container clean it will also prevent overfeeding which can cause swim bladder problems which can kill bettas
Frequent water changes are important to keep toxins from building up Small containers should have at least one third of their water changed at least twice per week Larger containers with one to two gallons of water or more can be done once per week with about half the water being changed out
I suggest using bottled distilled water to change your bettas water Distilled water is pure and free of chemicals like chlorine that are toxic to fish In addition since distilled water has a neutral pH it is ideally suited to the needs of betta fish
Because bettas are from tropical regions an important part of good betta fish care is to keep the water relatively warm about 75 to 80 degrees
Smooth objects without sharp edges make good decorations in the betta fish container because these fish like to rest on objects above the bottom Bettas have delicate fins so anything with sharp edges must be avoided even artificial plants that are particularly rigid
By following these tips you are well on your way to having your betta stay healthy and showing a wonderful display of its vibrant colors A bright active fish is your reward for good betta fish care

FISH TANKS

FISH TANKS

In Asian and Chinese culture fish play an important role You have likely seen many works of Asian and Chinese are that portray koi or goldfish and there are also many designs for Asianstyle water gardens which allow you to incorporate these lovely creatures into your home When you are using this art and science you may also want to have a feng shui fish tank at home Where do you begin and what is the best location for it in the house Are there other places within the home where you should not install it

Tank Need Not Be Large

Sometimes people may be under the erroneous impression that when you are considering a fish tank this means a very large fish tank that will occupy an entire wall in a room but this is not the case As with all of the basic principles simplicity and balanced are very important so attempting to fit a toolarge fish tank somewhere within a smaller home or room will just make the room feel cluttered definitely against the principles of feng shui
Using a small aquariums is just as good particularly is it adds to the balance of the room And a feng shui fish tank may not be a fish tank at all Even a simple fishbowl containing one or two goldfish can work just fine if it is correctly displayed and maintained If you are on a tight budget for decorating this is helpful to know because you do not need to spend a lot of cash in order to buy a big aquarium stock it with fish and maintain it
Where to Install

Feng shui incorporates natural elements identifying five elements water wood fire metal and earth The five elements are intended to be complementary to each other and to be balanced so that none of them overpowers the other in a room or other area The fish tank you are planning to install will likely be used as a room accent especially if it is a fishbowl or smaller tank
In a room which is decorated with colors in earth tones like a warm tan or brown a water element is a perfect complement If the fish are then bright colors for example orange or yellow this can contrast with the warm earth tones very nicely
Be sure that your feng shui fish tank is not clamoring for attention with other elements in your room By having it where you also have a fireplace say in a living room the fish tank may not work These two strong large elements may compete for attention and will not result in harmony Take time to determine where is best for your fish tank so that it is complementary to your room and environment so that you are using your fish tank properly

TROPICAL FISH TANKS

It is very important to research the fish you want to keep properly The best way to do this would be to buy a good book on tropical fish The adult size of the fish would determine the size of the tank and the habits and care would tell you what equipment you need and how to set up the fish tank
This will also give you the opportunity to see if the fish would be compatible If their care or requirements are too different or their temperament is wrong you shouldnt keep them together
Determine spaceHow much space do you have in your home Whats the biggest size tank you can fit Determine where you want the fish tank and see how much space there is Include some space between the wall and the tank for cord tubing etc
Determine your budgetHow much money can you spend Remember that this money has to buy the tropical fish tank as well as all the necessary equipment fish plants decorations etc If this is your first fish tank keep in mind that this is a hobby you might decide not to pursue
Select equipmentGo to a local supplier and discuss what would be needed for the setup you require This is partly based on the fish you want to keep Get prices for everything youll need including the fish tank preferably from more than one supplier so that you can get some comparisons
Evaluate your budget against space constraintsHow does your budget compare to the costs you got in the previous step Can you get a tank large enough for the fish you want to keep that will still fit in the space available If the setup is too expensive or the space to small look at your fish selection again Is there any specific fish that is causing a problem If you can remove a single type of fish to fit the rest in the space you have available how badly do you have your heart set on that fish Make sure that all the fish you chose are available in your area See if there is maybe a different place you can fit the tank or whether you can increase the budget
Buy the equipmentOnce you have sorted out your budget space and fish selection you can go ahead and buy the equipment Do NOT buy any fish yet
Set up your tankOnce you have all the equipment you can start setting it up If this is the first time you are doing this expect to spend a few hours on this
Once everything is set up fill the fish tank with water and let it settle for a couple of days to make sure that the equipment is working properly and that nothing is leaking This also dechlorinates the water
Select starter fishSelect a few fish from your original list that is hardy small and inexpensive You only want to select 1 of fish for each gallon of water but you can determine this based on their current size This is the ONLY time that you will base space required on the current size of the fish The reason for this is the fact that the fish wont grow significantly in the 48 weeks that the tank is cycling
Cycle the tankOver the course of this 48 weeks you have to be particularly diligent and patient Make sure you are not overfeeding and that you are doing regular water changes For this period DONT ADD ANY MORE FISH
Maintain the tankFeed and observe the fish every day Check the filter regularly change 1015% of your water weekly and scrub for algae at the same time Check all your other equipment hoses fittings lights etc at least once a month And most importantly Enjoy your tropical fish tank

Right Sized Aquarium

The old adage that says bigger is better holds true for aquariums Greater water volume is always better when it comes to keeping live fish in a glass box Although it is not impossible to successfully keep fish in a small space there is a greater margin of error with a larger tank One thing to consider when buying a larger tank is the cost of operating a larger filter and moving a larger amount of water volume
Consider buying a tengallon freshwater aquarium The tank itself may cost about 15 dollars US the power filter 20 dollars US the heater if keeping tropical fish 12 dollars US ten pounds of sand gravel 12 dollars US water conditioner 10 dollars US a net cleaning sponge and a lid adds another 15 dollars US So for a tengallon tank expect to pay about 80 dollars US without a light
Compare that to a cost breakdown of a 50gallon freshwater aquarium The tank itself may cost about 70 dollars US the filter about 70 dollars US the heater 20 dollars US 50 pounds of sand gravel 40 dollars US water conditioner 12 dollars US net and cleaning sponge 8 dollars US and it usually comes with a lid So for a 50gallon tank without a light expect to pay 220 dollars US
On the onset it looks more appealing to purchase the tengallon tank but this is where most people make the mistake With such a small volume of water the temperature in a tengallon aquarium can fluctuate dramatically with the outside ambient temperature This is very stressful for the fish So what tends to happen is that people will buy the ten gallon tank and save 140 dollars US but then end up buying 140 dollars US worth of replacement fish Or worse frustration sets in and the tank ends up at the next garage sale
A larger volume of water will help to stabilize the changes in temperature during summer months and water changes Generally if only 510 percent of water is changed in a 60gallon tank every 2 weeks the fish tend to do well and parasites do not take over the tank In contrast with a small 10gallon tank a 510 percent water change could potentially devastate the chemistry of the tank A small water change has the ability to alter the temperature more than 5 degrees Fahrenheit which will stress the fish and cause disease Once the fish contract disease it is also easier to treat in a larger tank
Medicating the fish in a 50gallon tank will allow for a less precise dosing of medication When treating fish in a small tank the amount of chemicals being added needs to be measured carefully and doublechecked before being poured into the tank A miscalculation could reveal deadly results In contrast that same miscalculation could go unnoticed in a larger tank That is not to say that medication does not need to be measured when being added to a large tank It is easier to treat fish in a tank with more water but if the guidelines are followed the fish has the potential to recover no matter which sized tank they are in
In a large tank obviously large fish can be kept where they have adequate room to swim and grow A large fish can be kept in a small tank but the fish will grow to the size of the tank If the tank is smaller than the maximum size of the fish the fish will grow up deformed with internal organ dysfunctions Needless to say it is much better for the fish to pair appropriately sized fish with appropriately sized homes People should not keep German shepherds in crates suited for Yorkshire terriers and in the same way Oscars should not be kept in 10gallon fish tanks An appropriate sized tank for a fullgrown Oscar would be 36in x 18in x 16in In a tank this size the fish has the ability to turn around comfortably The adage that 1 gallon of tank water is required for 1 inch of fish does not hold true The fish keeper must consider the total mass of the fish Ten inches of neon tetras does not equate to a 10inch Oscar because the girth of the Oscar is much larger than the tetras Thus when deciding which tank to choose research the maximum size of the fish you wish to keep and buy a tank where the fish can turn around comfortably

AQUARIUM DECORATION

You have got the aquarium tank now its time to decorate The tanks looked so pretty in the pet shop but if you are like me they left you wondering where to start First you need to decide on a theme anything from Disney to Sunken ships The theme you select for your aquarium decor is a matter of personal choice The next suggestion would be to create a little diagram and scale everything to size This will insure that you have room for everything you want and help eliminate gaps in the tank
There are many different aquarium decorations out there There are hundreds if not thousands to choose from Coral driftwood gravel plants artificial plants rocks and ceramic decorations are just a few types of aquarium decor So once you have decided on your theme you should have no trouble filling your tank You will want to make sure you put all the smaller objects and plants in the front and arrange the larger ones towards the back so it can all be seen It should be noted that you should only put articles in your aquarium that are labeled for use in aquariums so as not to contaminate the tank Driftwood rocks and plants from your garden or elsewhere may contain harmful ingredients like pesticides or chemicals and even minerals that can be toxic to the aquarium life
This is also important when caring for and maintaining your tank Soap bleach and other cleaning products are harmful for fish tanks The tank decor and ornaments should be cleaned once a month using a cleaner made especially for cleaning fish tanks and aquariums Cleaners that will remove biological and mineral deposits should be used Cleaning aquarium decorations on the average is very low maintenance Just make sure that before you add or remove any aquarium decoration or ornament that you turn off and unplug all the equipment first Aquarium decor is more than just ornaments and decorations in your tank It can be used to disguise some of the unsightly plumbing of the fish tank and more importantly provide necessary shelter for the sea life thriving in your aquarium It can also provide a place for the fish to lay eggs and even go and brood Rocks and other structures used as aquarium decor often become territorial boundaries for some of the fish in the tank When picking out the rocks and bigger structures to decorate the tank keep in mind that fish love to explore so the more holes and ridges the better Its also a good idea to rearrange the decor every time you clean It will keep the aquarium experience fun and new for both you and the fish.

GOLD FISH

GOLD FISH

Many aquarium owners having goldfish often wonder how big and how fast there goldfish will grow Goldfish growth really depends on certain factors that will influence how fast they grow. If the water is too clear then lacks algae and food to feed on Second if water quality is not kept up with proper maintenance causes stress on goldfish which may impact the goldfish desire to eat If goldfish dont eat they dont grow therefore growing slower then normal. The environment or home for your goldfish plays a big part on how fast goldfish will grow as well For instance if you put a goldfish in a goldfish bowl it wont grow as much as it would if it were in an aquarium or garden pond The environment plays a major part in goldfish growth Goldfish will only grow to the size of their environment in which it can handle Also the more space a goldfish has will help increase the size of your goldfish and wont stunt your goldfish from growing When goldfish have big aquariums or tanks to grow in it will make less maintenance for you and much happier goldfish Another reason goldfish grow faster in larger environments is there is more food readily available to eat There is always food in an aquarium to eat for goldfish especially in ponds Goldfish will grow fast due to abundance of algae to eat and also the live microscopic animals and insects to feed on Goldfish basically have a buffet at anytime they want with the amount of food they will find to eat living in ponds Goldfish will grow extremely fast as well if the water is green like pea soup or they are grown in mud ponds You will see your goldfish grow fast The goldfish food that you feed them plays a part in their growth as well If you want your goldfish to grow fast consider feeding them a wide variety of foods Also high growth food will help as well maximizing the growth of your goldfish You can also feed them several times a day just make sure they eat all the goldfish food that you give them within 2 minutes other then that discard uneaten food as it will foul your water Goldfish food will play a part in their growth as well
So to really answer the question How Fast Do Goldfish Grow really has too many factors to really answer Also genetics plays a part in this as well If you look at some people today some are skinny some are large medium petite tall and short Everyone grows differently and the same goes for goldfish For example Im 64 while my parents are like 56 so I grew taller Usually if you come from a tall family you will have tall kids which happens most times through DNA passed on to kids So goldfish genetics and DNA sometimes will impact how fast goldfish grow as well Really a question with no true answer but definitely things people can do to grow goldfish faster by doing several things Biggest thing that will help grow your goldfish fast is give them the space they deserve dont confine goldfish to small tanks go bigger and you will have bigger goldfish too

Goldfish were originally bred in China sometime between 1 000 and 1 500 years ago and were later exported to Japan and Korea where further breeding led to an increase in the number of varieties available To the beginning goldfish fancier the body types finnage and unique characteristics of goldfish can seem to defy meaningful classification There are several additional fish which could fit into these categories such as Tosakin and Wakin but these were not considered plentiful enough to recognize as a separate breed at that time The GFSA will most likely consider the addition of new varieties as their popularity increases
A general understanding of goldfish characteristics is helpful before a detailed discussion of breed varieties is started

Scalation Four basic types of scalation occur in goldfish metallic matte nacreous and Pearl Scale
Metallic Has a shiny reflective appearance much like a metal object hence the name metallic The shiny appearance is caused by the presence of guanine in the scale Matte Scales which lack the reflective guanine layer leading to a dull or nonreflective appearance Nacreous A scale type which combines characteristics of the metallic and matte scale patterns often in random proportions causing a mixture of reflective and nonreflective scales on a fish Pearlscale an encrustation on each scale of the fish causing the scale to appear to have a miniature dome in the center In the best specimens the pearling occurs over the body of the fish and wraps around the entire fish completely

Colors Goldfish come in a number of distinct colors including combinations of colors Common goldfish colors include the following red orange white black blue chocolate brown yellow red and white black and red black red and white calico a combination of colors usually including red white black and blue

Eyes Goldfish have several different eyetypes as follows
Normal eye typesTelescope eyes eyes which are mounted atop a coneshaped protrusion on either side of the head Celestial eyes Similar to a telescopeeyed goldfish but the eyes are pointing upward at the end of the telescope featureBubble Eyes the eyes of a bubbleeyed goldfish are actually considered of the normal type The distinguishing feature of this fish is the large fluidfilled sack which forms on each side of the face directly underneath the eye of the fish

Tail types Goldfish have a great deal of variation in the caudal or tail fin as outlined below
Single tail The most common form of tail type which is moderately forked and rounded at the edges Comet tail longer than the single tail variety about 2 3 times longer with a marked forking and pointed tail tips Shubunkin tail type primarily in the Bristol Shubunkin a long tail similar in size to the comet tail type but having rounded tail edges which tend to flare out the at tail edge causing the tail to look more full than that of the comet Double tail a tail which has two distinct components or lobes and which is not joined along 2 rd3s of its length and which has rounded tail edges The size of the double tail can range from 2 3rds the length of the body to double the length of the body depending on the goldfish variety Lionhead or Ranchu tail Similar to the double tail but forking is permissible Generally speaking the double tail of the Ranchu or Lionhead is ¼ to 3 8 the length of the body Tosakin tail a variation on the double tail where the tail is not only joined but is rounded at the edges producing a curlicuetype appearance in the tail of the fish Jikin tail Similar in appearance to the Rancho or Lionhead tail but forming an X shape when looked at from behind due to the angle at which the tail is joined to the caudal peduncle Veiltail A modification of the double tail variety whereby the tail is 21 2 to 3 times the body length of the fish and where the forking is nonexistent producing a tail with a straight edge hence the name veil tail

Head Growth Some varieties of goldfish including the Oranda Lionhead and Ranchu have a growth on the head known as a wen This growth looks like a raspberry and causes a distinct appearance similar to a lions mane when viewed on the fish Several varieties of head growth are recognized
Goose head growth limited primarily to the top of the head with little or no wen occurring on the cheeks or opercula Tiger head head growth which appears on the top of the head and on the cheeks of the fish Lionhead Full head growth which appears on the top of the head cheeks and opercula
Dorsal fin characteristics the fin located on the back of the fish is known as the dorsal fin In some varieties Ranchu Lionhead

Celestial and Bubbleye the dorsal fin is not present The dorsalless varieties can be further subdivided into the Ranchu and Lionhead type of back profile

In the Ranchu type back profile the back is gently arched until it reaches the caudal peduncle when it sharply angles downward and meets the tail at a 45 degree angle In the Lionhead type back profile which is also shared with the Celestial and Bubbleye the back is much straighter than that of the Ranchu and joins the tail at an angle that is much less severe than in the Ranchutype tail

Other growth characteristics of goldfish Goldfish have been selectively bred for growth characteristics over the centuries A partial listing of these characteristics appears below
a Narial bouquets a tuftlike series of growth appearing on the narial area nose of the fish which in fully developed specimens resembles a cheerleaders pompom Pearlscale an encrustation on each scale of the fish causing the scale to appear to have a miniature dome in the center In the best specimens the pearling occurs over the body of the fish and wraps around the entire fish completely Outturned operculum a fish with the gillplates turnedover so that the gills are revealed

Body shape characteristics Body shape characteristics are varied among goldfish types and are difficult to succinctly categorize since body shapes can vary within the same variety as an example and Oranda may have a fantail or Veiltail body conformation
Streamlined body shape this shape is found on the common goldfish Shubunkin and Comet varieties It is the basic torpedo shape common to most types of fish Fantail shape This body shape is more egglike and produces a rounded profile in the fish This body type is commonly seen in the fantail some varieties of telescope some Oranda bodies especially on the Red Cap some Pearlscales and on the celestial and bubbleeye Veiltail body type this body type is similar to that of the Ryukin without the hump on the back It is more rounded than that of the fantail and the body depth is approximately ¼ to 1 3 deeper than that of the traditional fantail This body type is found on some Telescopes some Orandas Pearlscale Veiltails and some ribbon tails Lionhead or Ranchu body type A very rounded body type with a depth that is ¼ to 1 3 greater than that of the Veiltail variety The body appears chunky Especially in the area of the caudal peduncle which does not flare out to meet the tail as on most fish but looks more like a part of the body

Over the past several years I have watched numerous retail customers come to my store to switch their freshwater aquariums to saltwater The major reason for the switch is color When a person contrasts the exotic and vivid colors of most saltwater fish with basic freshwater fish there is simply no comparison Color alone drives a huge passion for saltwater fish keeping Here are five reasons for the trend Saltwater fish come in a vivid array of colors from the brightest purple to fluorescent blues reds greens oranges and every other color in a rainbow Several companies now breed clownfish gobies cardinals and other saltwater fish in hatcheries rather than exclusively catching them from the wild Raising these in captivity reduces their stress and ensures a healthier hardier fish
There have been incredible advances in fish quality as well as equipment some of which is designed exclusively for saltwater aquarium keeping We finally have the technology for the layperson to keep saltwater fish alive in aquariums for 5 even 10 years
Requirements such as foods size and compatibility for most species are well known Most saltwater fish are easily separated into categories for the beginner intermediate or advanced hobbyists
Though saltwater fish keeping has come a long way in recent years here are a few keys to help ensure your success
Find a store that sells healthy varieties and knows what they are talking about
Generally it is a good rule for the inexperienced keeper to purchase the largest tank their budget can afford The larger the aquarium the more room you have for error If you over feed your fish in a larger aquarium it will take a much longer time to have water quality problemsFinally invest the money and get the right saltwater equipment for your aquarium The right filter can ensure optimum water qualitySaltwater fish keeping is a rewarding hobby especially when these beautiful fish can live for 5 to 10 years in your aquarium Remember to begin your adventure by investing in the right size aquarium the right equipment and great fish to ensure your success

TERRIERS

TERRIERS

These dogs came from the British Isles where they were first oriented to hunting fox rat otter and the likes over and under the ground .The personality of a lively child put into dog this might be a good way of describing the general personality of terriers But as it appears that still would not justify their temperaments
And as its name suggests terrier came from the word terra which means earth
While terriers may be identified through their prominent physical characteristics they are still divided into various breeds that separate one kind from another

Show Terriers These are basically bred as small dogs and are used for show rings
Bull and Terrier Types these came from breeding between bull dogs and terriers Only in the last quarter of 1800s did the breeders separate a number of bull dogs from terrier types for distinction
Hunting and Working Terriers The breed that was primarily bred for hunting
Toy Terriers These are the smaller versions of terriers which are basically categorized into the companion breed
To help you understand the various natures of terrier dogs we have prepared some dog profiles here please read on
Airedale Terrier This is known to be the largest dog in the Terrier breed Standing an average of 23 inches from the shoulder this dog shows off both beauty and elegance that make them fit for both dog obedience trials and show rings
A crossbreed between Otterhound and Black and Tan Terrier Airedale possess good skill in scent and superb swimming prowess
Australian Terrier Probably one of the dog types that have gotten to so many outcrossings with other dog breeds A cross breed between the forerunner of Dandie Dinmont and rough coated terrier is said to have been migrated into England The offspring of which was taken to Australia With the scarcity of dog breeds in this land many dogs had been crossbred into it which later resulted to a small type having the characteristics of terriers while being a good watchdog and ratter It stands 10 to 11 inches with a life expectancy of 12 to 14 years
Border Terrier A Trueblue working terrier this dog is marked by its medium built while proving to work far better than what its appearance may give Border Terriers are agile and alert while having the capacity to fit into narrow gaps especially during hunting
Aside from its being affectionate and good adaptation to training Border terriers can also make good family pets
Bull Terrier Originally bred for dog fighting and bull baiting this dog is known to have been wellaccustomed to courage and good resistance to pain However when the bloody dog fights were banned in England during the 1800s most breeders turned to breeding milder dogs
Bull Terriers came from these fighting dogs combined with Dalmatian and English Terrier to produce allwhite specie This new breed though is very much reserved from starting fights which gave them the nickname White Cavalier
There are of course a variety of other terrier species Initially you might find them interesting enough to catch your attention but a closer look would lead you to further knowing them Who knows you might find your ideal type of dog in this breed

PUGGLE

PUGGLE

If you are considering a new pet you may be looking at a variety of dogs including Puggles Choosing a dog is a big choice as you hope to have this new member of your family for many years and develop a close relationship with your pet
As a hybrid breed Puggles are different and fun They are not quite like either the beagle or the pug from which they are bred and second generation are particularly unpredictable But as a breed they have a lot of great characteristics and there are several reasons you might want to consider one for your new pet

Uniqueness Among the reasons for choosing a Puggle are its uniqueness Hybrid dogs are raised by a limited number of breeders and these dogs are a relatively new breed They became a very popular breed in 2005 and are still in great demand Still for a newer breed they remain affordable with puppies usually available for under $1000 If one of your goals in finding the perfect pet is to have an unusual dog which will attract attention and be a conversation starter going with a hybrid breed such as one of these might be perfect for you
Strong Personality Puggles have very strong personalities While some people want a quiet dog to cuddle on the couch and be a companion This type of breed are more likely to become true members of the family They are definitely individuals Theyre great at developing their own place in a family and becoming a much loved person around your home
High Energy You want your dog to be an extension of you and of your family and Puggles are great at this because theyre so spirited They are very adventurous and funloving dogs Because theyre so energetic they do well in families who are interested in having a puppy and later a dog to play with Their high energy levels and delightful personalities make Puggles great fun pets
The Cute Factor When you see Puggle puppies you may find them irresistible These puppies are among the cutest puppies available and breeders often have people on a waiting list to adopt one of these types of puppies Adult ones are also adorable with their long floppy ears and short noses They are very cute dogs and will steal your heart immediately
Low Physical Maintenance Puggles have very short hair and do not need to be groomed on a regular basis like some of the smaller breeds such as terriers They do shed but they are a shorthaired breed and do not start looking like a tangled mop when not brushed As for the shedding your vet may have a treatment to put on your Puggles food to reduce shedding
There are a lot of factors to consider in buying your new pet and the various qualities of Puggles including their energy and spirit as well as their low grooming requirements and small size may make them the perfect dog for your family When you choose a dog whether it be one of these or another breed knowing the personality and expectations for your puppy can make all the difference in finding the perfect dog to become a new member of your family
When you bring your new pet home whether you have adopted an adorable wriggly puppy or a slightly calmer but just as adorable an adult life changes Its like adding any new member to your family they need special attention and care
The first priority before you bring your Puggle home with you should be to puppyproof your home This includes removing anything from the floor that might look like food or a dog toy but could be dangerous
Childrens toys can be particularly hazardous to puppies because they love to chew on things and small parts or small toys can choke them Some toys may also have chemicals in them that could be toxic to a Puggle Shiny batteries are a particular danger to these inquisitive dogs
Also make sure all household cleaners and substances are put away and spills are cleaned up Anything spilled on the floor looks like a tasty beverage to a dog who could get very sick as a result
And of course anything a Puggle could get tangled in from an electrical cord to a curtain pullcord should be placed so your new baby cant get into it
Once you have babyproofed your home its time to think about bringing your puppy home and what will make her comfortable
You will want to have food and water bowls available for your pet and make sure there is always fresh water available and that food is in the bowls at predictable feeding times Puggles like all dogs love routine and they particularly need fresh drinking water available constantly
If your Puggle uses the bathroom inside on newspapers make sure the papers are changed regularly as this can create a health risk to both pets and humans in the family Your dog also may refuse to go on soiled papers
Because Puggles have short hair they dont need to be groomed in the sense of being trimmed on a regular basis like a poodle But they do need to be bathed on a regular basis to maintain their skin and coat Use a hypoallergenic pet shampoo and try to make bath time as brief and enjoyable as possible Many dont enjoy bath time but if you make it as pleasant as possible theyll get used to it
After your dog is dry and has recovered from the indignity of the bath use a brush with coated bristles to comb through her coat and remove all the loose hair She will definitely enjoy being brushed and the longer you brush the less likely she is to shed later
The most fun and enjoyable part of caring for your new pet is simply playing Puggles love to play and interact with their people They are very spirited and energetic and are a naturally playful breed As you make training a part of play time you will find that you have a pet who is loving and fun to play with and whom you enjoy having in your family
The most important thing to remember about caring for your Puggle is that she needs the same things you do a safe environment fresh food and water and lots of loving attention
Puggles were first bred and the name invented by Wallace Havens of Sun Prairie Wisconsin who has created several hybrid breeds including the abovementioned miniature St Bernard Havens combined the beagle and pug breeds to create a very cute longeared shortnosed shortlegged breed that loves to play and chase scents though it gets lost easily and has the long low bay of a beagle
In appearance Puggles are quite a bit different from either of their parents They have the small size and abbreviated nose of pugs but share floppy ears from the beagle When looking this type of puppy your first question may be What kind of dog is THAT They are not quite like anything you have ever seen though they are quite adorable They have short legs like pugs but with a beagles longer tail
As for personality Puggles are definitely unique and carry some traits from each of their parents Like pugs these dogs tend to be stubborn to the point of being silly and entertaining From the beagle side of their family they bring high energy and spirit They are very playful and often hyperactive and are fun to have around Theyre entertaining and lovable dogs but are not the lap dogs that pugs often are
Because hybrid breeding is not an exact science it is impossible to know exactly what personality your Puggle will have but chances are that your new pet will be hyperactive happy playful and eager to play and to follow any scent they happen upon Unfortunately you will have to keep a close eye on your Puggle because although they love to follow scents theyre not so good at getting home
You can count on your Puggle being adventurous and enjoying himself with your family These dogs have strong personalities and are eager to be a part of everything While you may not find your puppy sitting calmly on your lap while you watch a movie you will enjoy having a playful spirited companion to keep you company and keep you entertained Similarly while your Puggle will not likely be interested or able to go hunting and help you bring in game you can enjoy many games of another kind together
Puggles are still very popular though they seem to have reached their pinnacle of popularity in late 2005 They are bred from a male pug and female beagle and are offered by breeders around the country Like many hybrids they are often pricier than a purebred puppy running around $1000 from most breeders Because they do not breed true it is better to buy one from a breeder who breeds beagles and pugs If you bred one with each other do not always create the desired characteristics in their offspring
These types of dogs are unique fun and entertaining and bring their owners a great deal of joy Finding the perfect Puggle can be an adventure in itself and if this breed is the right dog for you then your life can be enriched by owning one

PARROTS

PARROTS

It is clear some people want to have parrot as pet If you are that person you may be anxious about getting the finest one for your personal satisfaction care and business Parrots are for sale all around and selling such pet is 100% different from selling home commodities It will need time and dedication

This will be a guide if you want know what species you would prefer Here are the descriptions of selected parrots perfect for sale

LOVEBIRDS very adorable little small breed from Africa lovebirds can be tamed like common parrots except for the aggressiveness towards opposite sex the male rubs the perch as a distinct sexual behavior which is quite disturbing to some owners They have to be housed in different cages Generally lovebirds are excellent in parenting their siblings and very good in breeding

AFRICAN GREYS More than vanity this parrot specie is the best sound imitator from among the species It doesnt mean this parrot has to be on high sale just because of the talking qualities Owners getting disappointed with nontalking African Grey specie often tends to neglect their pets afterwards

COCKATIELS Lovely because of the distinct pointed crown this specie can learn tricks easily very affectionate and can live to a life span of 15 to 20 years given the proper care The coating on its feather can cause allergies Cockatiels have this distinct behavior when left in dark which can cause selfinjury

SENEGAL PARROTS Mediumsized specie good for apartments because of its more quiet behavior Much adept in imitating sounds of surroundings than distinct speech of people It is not recommended for outdoor and spacious free walks as it can fly farther and get lost

PARROTLETS Comes in tiny sizes this specie have no problem with dark places considered brave The voice is quite small best if you only tolerate chirping when bred in a small flat or room Prone to accidents they must be looked after all the time when out of the cage

CANARIES Specifically attributed to Canary Island after Romans named it Canaries have three types Song Canaries are known for the distinctive voice and singing Color Canaries have attractive and bright colors making the collecting of several varieties popular to breeders Canaries are territorial and not so sociable From among the parrots this specie has the sweetest voice

The sale of parrots worldwide happens silently It comes with interest and passion but believe it or not thinking about the small world you can give to these lovely birds is a journey Living with parrots is worth a quality life
Actually there are more than 350 parrot types when you consider every species and subspecies in the group Many of the most common parrot types are from Australasia and the tropics

Parrot Families

All parrots of whatever parrot types or breeds they are belong to the scientific order Psittaciformes That scientific order is further broken down into two different parrot families Cacatuidae and Psittacidae
The Cacatuidae family includes only the Cockatoo a bird that is native to Australia and islands near that continent
The second parrot family the Psittacidae includes all of the true parrot types

Cockatoos

To most people the cockatoo is a large white parrot with a feathered head crest that it can lift high in regal splendor That is however only one of the parrot types in this family There are 21 different cockatoos and not every one is white
The palm cockatoo is mostly dark gray with red cheek patches below the eyes cheek patches that change to a deeper red when the bird becomes excited or alarmed
The male ganggang cockatoo is dark gray with a cherry red head and red crest This parrot type is often called the redheaded cockatoo
The Major Mitchells cockatoo is often called a pink cockatoo due to its soft pastel pink shade
The cockatiels plumage is midgrey on top lighter grey underneath It has an orange cheek patch and a prominent white blaze on its wings It has a much longer tail than the other cockatoos have
So Cockatoos are not always a white parrot type and not all cockatoos are the same in build

True Parrots

This family includes all of the other commonlyknown parrot types The list that follows is not intended to be exhaustive but in this family you will find parrot types such as these
African Greys This is said to be the most intelligent of all the parrot types A large gray parrot with a red tail some of these bird have vocabularies approaching 1 000 words or more
Amazons This popular parrot type includes about 27 subtypes Most are large affectionate and predominantly green
Budgies Officially known as a parakeet or budgerigar this parrot type is small and colorful It is one of the most popular parrot pets
Conures This parrot type seems to be a group of large parakeets With long tails and strong beaks these clowns come in a variety of colors
Eclectus Eclectus Parrots are unusual in their coloring On the one hand males are bright green with beaks like bright candy corn tails and wings of blue or red Females on the other hand have red heads blue breasts and the same red or blue wings and tails In place of the candy corn look they have black beaks
Lovebirds are a small stocky parrot type among the smallest in the world Many are green sometimes with red faces or eye rings
Macaws Native to South America this is the largest parrot type in wingspan and length The blue and gold macaw is especially beautiful
Parrotlets These may look like parakeets at first glance but this small parrot type has a broader body and tail than the parakeet
Pionus There are many parrot types under the name Pionus parrot and this larger quieter parrot comes in many varieties of color
Quakers This parrot type is often called a Monk Parrot or Greybreasted Parakeet It is a name that comes from facial feathering that resembles an oldfashioned Quaker costume

The best parrot type for a childs pet is the Budgerigar aka budgie or parakeet The small Budgerigar requires the least amount of care and is easily trained to talk and do tricks Budgies that are young or those that have no cage mate will learn most readily

Discount Pet Supplies

SaveEven though we can purchase food and accessories for our pets almost anywhere these days its a good idea to learn where to buy discount pet supplies Those with multiple pets can especially save. Pet emporiums are springing up everywhere If you dont have a PetSmart or similar retailer in your town you are sure to have one close by These are great places to buy in bulk and they often have good sales Their shelves are filled with many hardtofind items too Youll find the prices here are better than your local supermarket or merchandise mart If you have the space save money by purchasing twenty or fifty pound bags of pet food

Pet supply warehouses are especially great for finding discount pet supplies for more exotic animals and birds

Food Warehouses

Do you belong to a food warehouse such as Cosco Sams Club or BJs If so youll land some great bargains Youll have to check often as most food warehouses stock a limited supply but its worth it to find large sacks of cat or dog food on sale The Internet abounds with discount pet supplies To be sure you are getting a bargain however youll have to do some comparison shopping Youll need to figure in the cost of shipping too as many times these costs turn your discount into a dud Still there are plenty of places to find a bargain Not all of these places sell pet food but youll find some good deals on vitamins wormers bedding toys treats and more
Doctors Foster and Smith has been a trusted source in discount pet supplies for years As a pet owner you probably receive their catalogue but did you know theyre online too There are some wonderful bargains here even with the shipping charges Besides pet food youll find pet health supplies collars bedding and other accessories Be sure to check out their clearance outlet
PetMarket com is a popular Internet retailer featuring discount pet supplies Here youll find pet food and treats accessories even a giant dog house Their specials change often but there are plenty of bargains FuturePets com is an online warehouse There is a great selection of pet merchandise much of it at a discount Visit their site to see the latest promotions or to request a catalogue Jeffers Pet offers quality pet supplies at discount prices Shop here for toys treats health supplies bedding and more Dont forget to check out their bargain center PetSmart not only has retail outlets you can order online from them as well Quite frequently they offer free shipping for orders over Before ordering any discount pet supplies online make sure you are buying from a reputable retailer Search online to see if there are any complaints Visit pet forums and blogs and ask the regulars which online retailers they recommend You might even want to check with the Better Business Bureau or local Chamber of Commerce to be sure the business has no black marks against it

LOVE BIRDS

LOVE BIRDS

A lovebird is a type of parrot Their name comes from the fact that they are very sociable and affectionate When they bond with their mate it usually lasts their entire life Though its possible to have only one its best to keep the birds in pairs
The lovebird is short and stocky Its considered to be one of the smallest parrots in the world Though many lovebirds are green they can come in many colors The average life span of a lovebird can be anywhere between 10 to 15 years There are 9 different species so how can we know the difference They can be identified by their colors and markings each species has their own unique color scheme Lovebirds were basically unknown until the 1600s Some Europeans touring Africa saw the birds and decided to write about them The first lovebirds were imported into Europe in the 19th century but by the 20th century many were being imported into both Europe and the US The lovebird can be found in Africa and in Madagascar It prefers a dry and open area The lovebird can lay between 3 to 6 eggs at a time and it usually takes about 22 days for the eggs to hatch The baby birds generally leave the nest within 5 weeks of being born When in the wild lovebirds like to live in small flocks Their diet consist of grass seeds fruit and vegetables
Lovebirds are popular pets Breeding lovebirds is a big business Though some owners may have lovebirds from the wild most are purchased through breeders The lovebirds that come from the breeders are more tame and should probably adapt to their new environment easier then lovebirds from the wild Pet owners need to be sure they want lovebirds as their pets If the owners only want one bird then they need to know that a lovebird requires a lot of attention and interaction Thats why its suggested that lovebirds be kept in pairs so they can keep each other company Lovebirds just like humans sometimes dont get along Owners need to make sure their birds are compatible because if theyre not they will fight The lovebird is one of those exotic birds that has been able to adapt to domestication much easier than most other creatures from foreign countries They make great pets as long as the owners understand all that is involved with owning them Maybe its their social ability or the chirping that makes the lovebird such a desirable pet People love having something foreign and exotic to liven up their homes and show off to their neighbors Lovebirds have created a large and loyal following in the world of pet owners Lovebirds are so named from the way they sit close to each other not because they are in love with each other Lovebirds can and do mate for life but it doesnt happen every time

Lovebirds are social birds and should be kept in pairs They are very active and curious birds and can even be quite aggressive at times They can chatter all day long with a sometimes very shrill sound Lovebirds are native to Africa and a few nearby islands In their native habitat they are found usually in small flocks of 10 to 20 pairs Lovebirds are of the class Aves the genus Agapornis and members of the Psittaciformes or family of parrots Agapornis comes from the Greek words Agape meaning love and ornis meaning bird
Lovebirds typically live from 10 to 15 years depending a great deal on the care they are given some lovebirds have been known to live to be 20 in captivity There are 9 species of lovebirds of which 8 are available as

· Abyssinian Lovebird
· Redfaced Lovebird
· Madagascar Lovebird Grayheaded
· Black cheeked Lovebired Blackfaced
· Fischers Lovebird
· Masked Lovebird Black Masked
· Nyasa Lovebird Lilians
· Peachfaced Lovebird Rosyfaced
· Madagascar
· Redfaced
· Peachfaced
· Abyssinian
· Fischers
· Nyasa
· Black cheeked

If you are a first time or novice lovebird owner dont choose a bird that you think may be sick choose the healthiest bird you can find Many sicknesses can be cured but better to leave these birds for experienced owners Dont buy a sick lovebird because you feel sorry for it. If possible get a certificate of health from the breeder or pet shop guaranteeing that a replacement will be made if the lovebird becomes sick or wont breed Lovebirds are not rare there are a lot of them around to choose from So take your time and select only birds that you really like the coloring .Lovebirds should be kept in pairs one female and one male They very much enjoy each others company although dont be alarmed if they have occasional spats with each other
If a pair of lovebirds constantly fight then its best to find each of them another mate If you are buying birds from a breeder make sure the breeder will exchange birds if they are not compatable As a general rule only one pair of birds should be kept per cage Keep one or more cages far enough apart from each other so they do not allow birds to be able to peck at each other. Lovebirds need between 10 to 12 hours of rest a night Do not keep your birds in rooms with televisions or other noisy devices when its time for the birds to roost Total darkness is not advised either use a small 7 watt bulb in the room to provide enough night light for the bird to find its perch and drink or feed if needed
Keep all electrical wires extension cords etc completely hidden and unavailable to the birds
Never use Kerosene or similar type heaters that give off fumes Coal and wood stoves are no nos No matter how hard you may try a wood burner will emit fumes and smoke into your home that may kill your lovebird If you have a home with a wood burner completely isolate a room only for your birds and use an infrared or electric heater
A fairly constant 80 degrees Farenheit temperature is about right for lovebirds
Its not a good idea to keep finches cockatiels rosellas or budgies with lovebirds

Puppy And Kitten Care

Puppy And Kitten Care

Before you bring your pup or kitty home or as soon as possible if you have already brought her home you will need some stuff to take care of your new pet Remember puppies and kittens are not dogs and cats not for quite a while
First off puppies and kittens EAT Our kitten Sundance eats so much we can pretty much bet that if hes not standing on our laps or running under our feet hes eating We can practically hear him growing hes getting bigger so fast
For the first year a puppys or kittens job is pretty much to eat sleep and grow They do this because when they evolved in the wild being small and cute was not a competitive advantage and they needed to grow up be strong and defend themselves
So you are going to need to have plenty of food Remember that babies need baby food dont give the little ones adult food They need specially formulated food for their growing bodies to make sure theyre getting all the nutrients they need and not getting things they dont need
Just like human babies feline and canine babies need toys and a safe place to play Playing is an important part of their emotional and physical development just as it is for people babies and having safe toys will keep your baby from getting into things he or she shouldnt or at least help
Of course no matter how many great toys you provide theyll always find something theyre not supposed to have One day Sundance actually pulled a pushpin out of a bulleting board with his teeth I caught him and put the bulletin board up higher but it underscored for me the importance of kittenproofing our home
Be sure you put electrical cords up out of reach or tape them down dont leave chemicals like cleaning solutions or antifreeze out where they could be tipped over and leak dont leave sharp objects around and the like Fortunately unlike with people babies you probably dont have to secure the doorknob but you do need to make sure your baby is safe at home
Finally youll need to housebreak or litterboxtrain your pet and youll need supplies for that
If you have a puppy a crate the correct size is the perfect training tool because they love their crates feel comfortable there and also will not do their business in their sleeping area By having a crate using it when you cant be with your dog and taking him directly outside after leaving his crate or eating you can quickly teach him where the bathroom is
Litter box training is similar except that instead of putting the cat in a crate you will take the cat to the litter box after meals and he or she will quickly pick up on whats supposed to happen there Sundance was basically littertrained when he came to live with us and after a couple of times being shown the cat door and the litter box hes never had an accident in the house When puppies are first born and for the first three weeks of their life their total awareness is confined to their sense of smell Their eyes do not open for at least two weeks and it is often three weeks before their sense of hearing is beginning to come into play Consequently their whole existence is limited to the knowledge that they glean from their sense of smell Even these first few weeks can have an impact on the puppies training For example if the pups are kept in an unclean environment or small confinement where the dam has no chance to keep a clean bed area for her pups this will sometimes carry through into later life and a puppy will be more difficult to housetrain
Puppies who are exposed to light stress in this period of time seem to have a better ability to withstand stress later in their lives Changes in the environmental temperature being handled being moved aboutthese are stressors for the young puppy Breeders who routinely clean the whelping area removing the puppies while cleaning out the area picking them up weighing them are also actually improving the puppies ability later in life to adapt to changes
The period of three weeks to six weeks is the most opportune time for the puppy to develop true dog behaviors Puppies who are removed from their littermates before six weeks often do not learn dog behavior When they are with littermates they are taught what a bite is and whether they are biting too hard They are taught what a growl means and what will happen if they ignore a growl In short they are taught manners by their littermates and their dam These manners will be important to them all the rest of their lives when they interact with other dogs
After the third week and all through the growing up in the whelping area puppies should be exposed to as many different environmental stimulation as possible Surfaces they can walk on that are wobbly things they can smell and bounce around with their noses or their paws things that make noise things that they can climb onall are important for the tactile sensual and emotional development of the dog Imaginative breeders will fill the lives of the puppies with such stimulation knowing that in the end it will provide for a wellbalanced animal that can adapt to many different situations and remain a stable personality
Puppies often go through what some behaviorists call a fear stage at about eight to nine weeks of age This developmental stage seems to be a time when puppies will be affected more strongly by occurrences that may startle them or frighten them Puppies who have already been heavily exposed to lots of stimulation in their environment are much less likely to be influenced by unusual or traumatic events during this fear stage
FINDING PUPPY
The choices you make at the start are crucial You have to ask yourself if you are prepared to devote the next ten to fifteen years of your life to the care of this living adorable creature Are you ready to give him unconditional love and attention for that is what he will be giving you in return if you treat him the right way
If your answer is yes to these first basic questions then you have to consider other choices which are numerous How big or small do you want him Do you want an energetic or a docile pet Do you like them long haired or short haired Do you want him to be kid friendly Do you want a pedigreed puppy or a cross breed or a rescued one
A lot of the choices will fall into place if you consider where you live and how you live For instance is your home large enough for a Great Dane Do you have a balcony or a fencedin yard or neither Are you an indoors person or do you love going on long walks Do your neighbors like dogs Are there kids at home or any other pet Will there be someone at home at all times or will your puppy have to get used to being home alone Lastly will you be able to afford feeding him paying the vets bills and kennel charges when you go on vacations
So do all the research you can beforehand Talk to the local vet if there is a local dog rescue center you can tell them about your requirements see the kind of dogs the neighbors have they may have already done their homework and their experience with their pet dog may give you valuable insights read up on different breeds at the local library the internet or at the bookstore Dont make the mistake of giving in to the kids whims you have to be totally comfortable with the choice you are going to make since you will be bearing the brunt of nurturing the puppy
When you are doing your research note down any special equipment which might be required for the breed you will be choosing like yard fencing collars and leashes bedding food toys etc You have to know beforehand if your chosen breed is prone to any health problems which it might develop you might even have to change your mind
Lastly never buy a puppy for someone as a surprise and never buy one for someone without asking them these questions
Like bringing home an infant for the first time bringing home a new puppy requires a little preparation You want to make the transition to the dogs new home a smooth one You want to bring the puppy home to a calm supportive and properly prepared environment
Bringing a puppy home supplies you need
Two bowls food and water Stainless steel is ideal heavy unbreakable and unlikely to be knocked over Ceramic can chip and puppies may chew a plastic bowl
Dog cratebenefits The enclosure acts as a cozy den makes puppies feel safe when family is away encourages bladder control since dogs dislike to urinate where they sleep Plasticcrates are standard for travel but can be used daily Wire dog crates provide better ventilation and viewing Wicker crates are more attractive but can be chewed When bringing a puppy home alternatives to crates are playpens or gated enclosures Gates prevent puppies from climbing or falling down stairs until freer roam is allowed Note that confinement in damp dark quarters as basements and garages leads to housebreaking problems
Until the puppy you bring home is past the chewing stage and housebroken avoid bedding Instead an old quilt or flat mat identifies a place in the room for the puppy Take the quilt mat on trips as a security blanket Puppy supplies should include chew toys and play toys Never use shoes or garments unless you want good shoes and garments chewed and played with in the future When you bring home a puppy use a 46 foot drag leash of lightweight nylon for quick corrections in the house In the yard a 30plus foot long line allows freedom to play but gives you control
When bringing home a puppy consider an identification microchip injected into the puppys neck or shoulder by the breeder or veterinarian Have an ID tag with your address and telephone number attached to an adjustable buckle collar preferably rounded holding the puppys other tags After about 12 weeks the puppy is conditioned to wear the collar Dont put the dogs name on the ID since the name could endear it to wrongdoers Puppy supplies also include a training collar
The basic types The head collar muzzlelike in appearance is probably the most humane way to walk your dog since it eliminates pressure around the neck The chain collar or choke collar should never be left on the dog when not in use Master the zipper tug of the chain collar since the puppy learns by the sound and not the restraint A nylon training collarcan be used on more cooperative dogs instead of the chain collar
When you bring home a puppy and it has grown a bit you need a teaching lead for leading the puppy around the house on a leash anchoringwhen you are sitting and stationing settling the puppy into selected areas The teaching lead has 4 benefits substitutes for the crate when family is home encourages good manners helps teach everyday commands helps resolve housebreaking and other annoying habits
Before the trip home
Before bringing a puppy home the breeder should tell you the feeding schedule and how much food it gets Take a weeks supply of that food to avoid upsetting the puppys system by sudden changes Inquire when the puppy may need to defecate and about how often
For the trip home have a large towel folded to make a padded surface and settle the dog quickly on someones lap but never on the drivers lap Avoid the front seats where the airbags are located In the best case the trip home is during naptime If the puppy whines settle it by placing a reassuring hand on it and remain still no baby talk or petting and the puppy will likely fall asleep Have an extra towel if the puppy becomes car sick Dont fuss if it happens replace the towel with a clean one and maintain a calm environment
The first hours together
The first hours at home with your new puppy will leave an indelible impression it is especially important to make them pleasant If you become anxious or impatient the puppy will sense this and you risk anxietydriven behavior problems
Take the new dog directly to the area for relieving itself Stand quietly dont distract the dog let it sniff Stay until the dog urinates or defecates It will likely do so shortly after eating If the puppy cooperates immediately heap praise on the dog and point to the deposit Get the puppy to look or sniff at its work so it understands what you are pleased about Make it a celebration The faster the puppy understands what you are pleased about the more it will look to please you Communication is key after bringing your puppy home

PUPPY TRAINING


The quick and easy puppy potty training system has three concepts that will limit poor choices by you and your puppy The goal of our dog training program is to help make the right potty choice easy and the wrong potty choice hard for your puppy The three key elements to humane gentle and dog friendly potty training are Schedule Supervise and Confinement These are concepts that we share with our Chicago potty training clients
Scheduling is the hardest concept for the first time puppy owner to comprehend and implement properly A proper schedule helps you and your puppy plan your day The best schedule has planned times for food for potty time for playtime and for naptime Scheduling the day for your puppy revolves around his ability to hold in urine The Doggie Do Right rule of thumb is your puppy can hold it for one hour for each month of age For instance a threemonthold puppy should be able to stay clean and dry for three hours a fourmonthold puppy should be able to stay dry for four hours But there is one important exception to this rule
Many of our clients in the city of Chicago choose the smallest of toy breeds as their pets The size of your puppy is the really the controlling issue in creating a potty schedule The smaller your puppy the more frequently your puppy will have to potty and the usual rule of hour to age ratio is void Some of the smaller toy breeds like Chihuahuas or Papillions which are very popular with clients in the Gold Coast of Chicago may have to urinate as frequently as every fifteen minutes The simplest schedule for the very young puppy is onehour nap time and then one hour of potty play and snacks As the puppy becomes more mature the time for potty play and snacks can increase and the naptime can decrease Puppies that are three months or older can have activity periods that are two or three hours long
Proper supervision of the puppy is another area that can be very challenging for the new puppy owner Supervision means that the puppy is always within reach of your fingertips and you always have both eyes right on the puppy so that he cant sneak away to potty in your best boots This level of supervision is almost impossible for the average pet parent to maintain 24 hours a day If you are watching your puppy all day long when do you go to the gym go to work and visit your friends What do you do when you cant supervise your puppy Confinement
You can use many methods to confine your puppy Crates baby gates and tethers are the most common options The most common method is crating A crate is a metal or plastic box that is just like a babys crib Many people feel guilty about using a crate but feel comfortable placing a baby in a crib or playpen A crate is a crib for a baby dog It helps the puppy understand the concept of keeping your house sanitary and free from potty accidents and prevents the puppy from learning bad habits Another option is to baby gate the puppy into a small room that has a nonporous floor like tile stone or linoleum
Tethering is very effective for older puppies or for pet parents who like to have their dog with them during the day All you need to tether your dog to you is a thin leash that is about six feet long Clip one end of the leash to your puppy and the other end is tied to your belt loops This is a great way to keep your puppy with you within arms distance and reduce the need for crating


GERMAN SHEPHERD

The German Shepherd Dog truly is a wonderful animal and not only do they make good working dogs they also make superb family pets They are however very different from other pet breeds and need to be handled and trained with a different approach to say your average labrador or poodle for instance The GSD is a large strong athletic dog which needs a lot of mental stimulation and exercise but a well trained shepherd can learn to do almost anything These dogs positively thrive on challenging activities and they are so willing to serve their master and please As a working dog used by most police forces the very look of a GSD is usually enough to act as a deterrent but when called into action there are few dogs that can match the German Shepherd as an all rounder If you are considering becoming an owner of a GSD then you need to consider the commitment to training in order that you have happy well behaved German Shepherd dog that you can take out safely in public If you havent previously owned one of these dogs then please do not take on a youngster lightly Being involved in GSD rescue I have lost count of the number of young dogs I have had to rehome because owners bought them without doing a bit of research first As youngsters they can be very boisterous and can easily knock over children or elderly relatives especially if you do not discourage the dog from jumping up when excited A bored GSD can be very destructive and if left alone will trash your house and contents with ease using their big teeth and claws Unfortunately these dogs dont really mature until they are about 3 years old so you are in for the long haul to get through the puppy and adolescent stageThe German Shepherd needs to be well socialised from an early age and needs plenty of exposure to people and other dogs so that they do not develop aggressive tendencies as they mature Joining a dog training class from an early age is a good idea and most clubs will accept dogs into the puppy classes from about 4 months onwards This should be good fun for your puppy and allows him to play and to socialise but it also serves the purpose of teaching him or her what is acceptable and what is not This will prove invaluable grounding for your German Shepherd training When choosing a dog training class do check out a few first as not all classes make German Shepherds welcome and if any club asks that you muzzle your dog please give it a miss and move on and find another club No reputable dog training class would require a dog to be muzzled If your dog is aggressive towards other dogs there are better ways of controlling the dog safely such as by using a Canny Collar which is a simple effective head collar similar to those used on horses The earlier you start training and socialisation the better as GSDs often develop a tendency to be aggressive towards other dogs and also towards strangers and they can become very protective towards their owners and property Another important part of training your german shepherd is to get him used to being groomed because they shed copious amounts of hair and although they only moult once a year.

CATS,KITTENS / DOGS,PUPPIES BUYING & TRAINING TIPS

CATS,KITTENS / DOGS,PUPPIES BUYING & TRAINING TIPS


Cats and Dugs are their smaller ones are lovely called as kitten and puppies.They make a good species of pets that can be trained and kept at home. When you first get a new dog it may seem a little overwhelming the amount of things you have to buy You will have to buy food a bed bowls and toys to mention just a few and it is also a very sensible idea to get some dog training equipment
While it is possible to use ordinary items this may not be the case in some circumstances
For instance it will certainly be necessary to get a case if you intend to crate train your dog and you may want to purchase a clicker or a noisy chain If you are training a hunting dog then you will want more specific dog training equipment to help with the process of training
A clicker is used to help with positive reinforcement Every time you praise your dog you click the clicker and give him a treat and so he recognizes the noise to mean he has done well and is being rewarded
On the other hand a noisy chain is used to throw at the feet of your dog as negative reinforcement when he has done something wrong The noise of the chain hitting the floor is irritating to the dog and will certainly get his attention You should never use the chain to reprimand the dog directly and it should only be used to make the loud noise
There are other more unusual training aids You can get remote spray collars that work like ordinary collars but have a small water spray attached When your dog misbehaves you can click the button and the water will spray into his face
This will invariably stop him in his tracks and after using this a couple of times it is very unlikely he will do the same thing again for fear of getting water sprayed in his face
Walking big dogs can be a real challenge Specialist collars can help Harnesses give you much more control over a boisterous dog that usually has the run of you when out on walks and the choker chain works by tightening around the dogs neck but quickly loosening again when the tension on the lead loosens
Electric collars give out a small electrical shock to your dog although this form of punishment is best for hunting dogs and teaching them not to approach certain harmful animals like snakes This dog training equipment is all fairly inexpensive and will make your life a lot easier when first training your dog

In terms of dog training house training is one of the areas of dog ownership and one of the most common dog training problems that is most subject to misunderstanding confusion and just plain dread boy dog owners and even dog training experts
In todays dog training article we are going to examine and learn how to deal with two of the most common problems surrounding the issue of house training your dog
Submissive and excited urination
Scent marking behavior
Common house training problem 1 Submissive and excited urination
Luckily as dog training experts will tell you it is not difficult to prevent your dog from doing his submissive or excited urination
Firstly and most importantly you should take him to the vet to make sure there is no unknown medical reason for the issue such as diabetes or a hidden bladder infection Next its time to take use good dog training techniques to control the problem
Try to limit his intake of water to help him control his bladder more effectively this is very important Dont restrict his water intake over a prolonged period of time but if you know there is a situation coming which would normally result in a loss of bladder control for example you have guests coming over or are planning on a play session soon take his water bowl away for a period of time maybe half an hour to an hour before the event When greeting your dog keep it calm and mellow The more excited he is the harder it is for him to control his bladder so dont encourage him to get worked up ignore him for the first few moments or give him a very neutral hello a quick and gentle pat and then go about making yourself at home Its important that you don’t punish or harshly correct your dog for this behavior

Common house training problem 2 Scent marking

In dog training terms Scent marking is where a dog marks his or her territory with urine Technically this is not actually a house training problem since its based on the dog training issues of dominance and territoriality rather than insufficient house training A dog can be perfectly house trained but still feel the need to mark inside the house
However because since the problem centers around the unwanted presence of urine in the house it seems logical in a way to link this problem with house training Since this is one of the most widespread problems among dog owners we as dog training professionals thought it worthwhile to include some practical advice
Scent marking and lack of house training how to differentiate between the two
Your dog is most likely scent marking their territory rather than genuinely relieving himself if
The amount of urine produced is relatively small and tends to be directed against vertical surfaces such as doors walls or furniture
If your dog is an unneutered male and at least five or six months old Unneutered dogs are much more territorial than neutered ones If you have an unneutered dog in the house you can pretty much expect a certain amount of scent marking as he defines his own areas It should also be noted that unspayed females also mark but it is much less common Spayed and neutered dogs can also exhibit marking behavior but its relatively rare but should not be discounted
It makes little difference how often he is taken outside for a toilet break
He frequently targets items that are new to the house such as new possessions guest clothing footwear etc that do not carry some form of his scent

You live in a multidog household and there is conflict between two or more of the dogs In this case it is a dominance issue between the two and they may both mark
There are other unneutered or unspayed pets in the house
What to do about the problem
From a dog training perspective the first thing you need to do is spay or neuter your dogs as soon as you possibly can If you can do this early enough ideally at six months of age this often halts marking altogether If this is not possible or if your dogs been marking for a prolonged period of time he or she may continue to do so after being spayed or neutered since a pattern of behavior will have been established
Ensure you clean soiled areas thoroughly Use a nonammonia based cleaner because it smells just like pee and stay away from vinegar too it smells similar to pee as well OxiClean mixed with warm water is particularly effective on these areas and there are also plenty of commercial cleaners designed specifically to lift pet stains and odors which you can buy from pet stores and some supermarkets
Because dogs tend to remark the same places youll need to redefine the places that you know hes marked to prevent repeat offending
Many dog training experts will recommend the following ways to do this
Feed him next to or on top of the spot
Play with him there
Groom him there
Put his bed over or next to it
Spend time there yourself hang out with a book or sit down and work
Finally one particular aspect of dog training that is often overlooked is if there is rivalry between dogs in the household In this case you will need to take steps to resolve it Any conflict is likely to be hierarchical in nature a power struggle which means that all you have to do to stop the tension is pay attention to which dog seems to be more dominant than the other one which one eats first gets the toys he she wants stares down another dog and reinforce this position to establish the hierarchy
So how do you do this From a dog training perspective it is relatively simple First feed the dominant dog first Pet him her first Give him her a toy before anyone else gets one This makes it clear to all dogs in the house which one really is the dominant dog When this hierarchys been recognizably established territorial and dominant behaviors like scent marking often vanish overnight.