Pet Selection - 4 Questions to Consider Before You Purchase Or Adopt an Animal

Sharing your life and home with a pet can add a lot of joy and pleasure provided you pick the right pet and are able to provide the care needed. There are several ways to find a pet; you can purchase from a breeder, adopt an animal from a shelter or adopt a pet from a breed specific rescue group. Also, you may be able to adopt a very loving, healthy pet through your veterinarian or if you know a senior citizen whose housing situation requires them to give up their pet. Before you decide what type of animal you want, consider your lifestyle. Animals are not toys. They are sentient beings with emotions and pain receptors. They require routine medical check ups, proper nutrition, and have breed specific needs such as lots of grooming (poodles, etc.) or exercise (most types of terriers, etc.). Ask yourself the following questions:

1. Do I make enough money to provide food and medical care for a pet? The average annual cost of feeding a cat is approximately $700 (this can vary tremendously depending on whether you feed your cat dry food or canned food and the quality of the food). The cost of caring for a dog can vary even more because the size of the dog determines the amount of food required. Certain breeds, like poodles require professional grooming which can add another $200-$700 in annual costs. If your pet is healthy, veterinarian fees average $100-150 per year, but the first year may be closed to $300 because more vaccinations are required with young animals and you will need to spay or neuter your pet as they reach sexual maturity-approximately 6 months old. Additionally, you may need to license or register your pet to be in compliance with local laws. It's also good to plan on spending some money on training ($100-500 one time fees), especially with dogs. Like most things, having a pet can have unexpected costs-flea treatment, nail clipping, unexpected medical expenses, pet sitting or boarding fees when you travel, pet toys, treats, and bedding. Your home and furniture are likely to experience a little more wear and tear. If you're the kind of person who cares more about your couch than a cat, think twice.

2. Am I willing to make a long term commitment to an animal? Most dogs and cats live approximately 10-12 years, but many indoor cats can live 20-25 years, and certain breeds of dogs live 15-18 years. No one can see the future, but if you have a condition or circumstance in your life where you cannot care for a pet for at least the next 10 years, do not purchase a pet whose life expectancy exceeds your availability. Let's say you plan on moving to Europe in 5 years when you retire and you want to be free-i.e. no pets or responsibilities. You can often adopt an older pet from a shelter or breed rescue site. Or you can volunteer time at the local animal shelter instead of adopting a pet.

3. Is my home environment stable and suitable for a pet? Just like people, pets flourish in a home that is stable. They like routine feeding times and bed times. Are you able to provide these? If you have a home with any of the following conditions please do not adopt or purchase an animal.

a. Someone in the house with a violent temper.

b. You routinely travel for extended periods of time and no one else lives with you or no other person in the house wants to care for a pet. Cats can often do well in a household where you stay away one night a week, but dogs cannot be left alone for long periods of time.

c. You have very young children--wait until they are able to comprehend why they need to be nice to the animal. This varies from child to child, but once your child is 6-7 years old, it may be a good time to add a pet to your home. Just make sure you obtain the type of pet that is best suited for children.

d. You're being evicted, foreclosure is eminent, or you are going to trail and may have possible jail time.

e. You have a mental of physical disability that requires prolonged hospital stays, or periods where it would be impossible to care for your pet.

f. You have a mental of physical disability and your disease will be aggravated by the extra burden of pet care or an allergic reaction to dander or hair. (Many people flourish by sharing their life with a pet-just make sure someone can care for your pet and that your disease will not be adversely affected).

4. Does your apartment, condo or city allow the type of pet selected? If you rent an apartment, find out what the property management or property owner's pet policies are before you buy or adopt a pet. If you live in a condominium, you'll need to check the pet restrictions. The condo management company or your condo association can provide this information. Lastly, check with the city to find out any breed restrictions (some cities will not allow people to house specific breeds).

If you want a pet and are willing and able to provide proper care, the next step is to consider the type of pet whose needs and nature will mesh well with your lifestyle. There are many books and websites with breed specific information. Sadly, the United States kills 4-10 million companion animals each year. This figure will drop substantially, as people consider the requirements of pet care and breed specific needs before they purchase or adopt an animal.

Kate Garvey is a former Vet Tech and animal rights supporter. She teaches Sound Healing Workshops (throughout the US) and treats clients by appointment in the San Diego area. For more information on how you can use sound for optimal health please visit http://www.InstituteOfSoundHealing.com

Kate is also a freelance writer, published author, and the author of several books; "Aging, Death and Euthanasia-A Guide for People with Pets", "Summer Pet Care Tips", and "The Low Risk Guide for Real Estate Investment."

Before You Buy Your First Pet Rabbit

Many people do not realize the time and other resources which are needed to look after their rabbit. This causes distress to families and many hundreds of rabbits are abandoned every year.

That is my main reason for putting this chapter here. It is a growing problem around the world, especially just after Easter every year when societies that care for and foster abandoned pet rabbits get the highest number of discarded rabbits. Of course, the second busiest period is late January when the excitement of the "Christmas bunny" fades under the realization of the depth of the necessary commitment.

This could involve up to a couple of hours a day. Your rabbit needs regular playtime, but it is also essential to give their hutch and feeding gear at least a light daily clean plus two thorough cleaning sessions each week! Yes, this may be more than you would need to ensure the comfort and health of a pet dog, cat or parakeet, but they have become more comfortable with human company and habits than rabbits.

Don't be put off from getting a rabbit if you have the time and are comfortable with the other requirements in this chapter.

I have had three rabbits of different types and enjoyed their company as much as any other pet. Having a rabbit as part of your family can be a great experience.

But, it is not likely that you could cover your expenses or make money from breeding them unless you do it on a serious commercial basis. There is an over-supply of rabbits for the pet trade in almost all areas.

Local Regulations

Most local authorities have regulations about the type and number of animals which can be kept by people in their area. Some areas may have specific bans or rules about rabbits. You may need a permit or a license to have a pet rabbit.

Your Rabbit's Hutch

Your new pet will need a cage with sufficient space for its litter box, exercise area, sleeping box and feeding vessels. The hutch or cage needs to be a minimum of three feet square and probably double that for a larger breed of rabbit. It needs to be made of quality materials and well-maintained.

I recommend that you keep your rabbit inside your home or in a shed, not in a garage because of fumes and other dangers, nor in an outside cage.

Hands-on Care

You should inspect your rabbit daily and groom it regularly.

You need to have time to play with it every day, preferably as part of your daily routine. This is essential or the rabbit will be more difficult to handle and you will miss out on a lot of the pleasure that comes when you and your pet bond properly.

But, please also realize that rabbits, unlike dogs and cats, need their own quiet time during each day where they can rest undisturbed.

Expenses

Your rabbit will cost you money for its cage, supplies such as quality fresh food, and regular (and possibly unexpected) veterinary services which usually have to be paid for immediately.

Impact on Your Family

Keeping a rabbit healthy and happy will require the cooperation of all members of your family. Everyone will need to know how to handle the rabbit and, as a minimum, be careful not to do things which could upset, or even injure it.

Normal family activities like jumping, shouting and playing loud music or computer games may have to be restricted to areas where it won't cause your rabbit to be frightened or injured by family members or its own reaction to their handling.

Very young children should never pick up a rabbit. They could injure it or the rabbit might react to their awkward handling by biting or scratching them.

Older children can learn about responsibility and other important values if you give them a share of the tasks associated with their new pet. But, it must be an adult's responsibility to ensure that the rabbit's health and comfort are not compromised by a child's failure to do the tasks on time.

Daily Care

Your rabbit needs attention from a human every day, so you will have to arrange for a reliable person to feed, clean and check on your rabbit if you will be away from home for more than one day.

That might be another family member, friend or professional carer. If your whole family will be absent, then you will probably need to pay a carer who will visit and check on your rabbit, unless you have a helpful friend who can, without much interruption to their own day, come to your home to feed and check on your pet.

Impact on Your Home

Bringing any animal in to be part of your household will require some adjustments. Dogs and cats have become more domesticated than rabbits, which need more time and care to adjust.

These are some of the areas where you might need to take action for the safety of your pet and your property:

Electrical and phone cords: The level of damage to appliances and phones where the cords have been chewed by pet rabbits is high enough to cause concern to insurance companies and is obviously dangerous for the rabbits.

Carpets and drapes: Rabbits will chew almost anything, so you need to supervise it closely and remove any valuable or dangerous temptations from their reach or protect them from your rabbit.

Danger spots: Rabbits are curious and quick.

They will check any liquid or powder they find by tasting it.

They can also get into trouble exploring any gaps, open doors and windows, going behind or under furniture and appliances.

Insurance: As well as the danger to your new pet, there is also a risk they will damage your property.

Check whether your insurance policy covers damage by your pets to your own property as well as possible injury to visitors, including friends and trades people and their possessions.

Waste Products

Your rabbit will usually be fairly easy to train to use a litter box. There are exceptions!

But, it's probable that it will deposit some droppings or (more likely) some urine outside of that area.

This should only occur occasionally unless you keep a male that has not been desexed. But, you should consider the possibility when you are thinking about bringing a rabbit into the home, instead of deciding you must get rid of your pet after one or two accidents.

Other Pets

If you already have other pets, think carefully about whether it will be safe to have a rabbit in your home.

Dogs have a natural tendency to prey on rabbits and cats may cause them injury, or worse.

These actions are instinctive. Even the most placid animals need to be closely supervised at all times. They may seem to be playful with the rabbit, but that play, or even just being close to the rabbit, could arouse their natural instincts at any time.

The presence of these predators may also cause great stress to the rabbit.

I am not saying that they cannot co-exist. We had a rabbit and a small dog which was about two years older, and they got along fine.

Just be aware that the risk is always there and factors like the size, activity level and breed of your dog or cat should be considered.

Even birds, such as parrots, can frighten a rabbit which has to be wary of large birds in the wild.

If you have any doubt, do not get a rabbit.

Steve Thornton offers a insight into the information product market, researching a number of niche topics and resourcing products in those areas. Please take time to visit the estore at:

http://www.lobbythornton.com/

What You Must Know Before Shipping Your Pet Bird

Shipping birds unattended is not recommended. Almost anyone that has had a bird as a pet for any period of time wouldn't even consider shipping their bird unattended. So why does it happen? Usually it happens because one person wants to make money (the online seller) and the other person (the buyer) has never had a bird (so they don't know any better).

Notwithstanding this strong recommendation not to ship pet birds and parrots, there may be some circumstance where you have no other option. This will be a traumatic experience for the bird and there is no way to make it a pleasant experience. But it is possible to minimize the trauma by following the tips below. Hopefully this article will help you determine what you must know before shipping a bird and will help you do your best to help your bird get through this traumatic experience.

Preparing Your Bird

The key to preparing your bird is to plan for the worse case scenario which would be a 1 or 2 day delay. If you expect an overnight delivery, you should still plan for a 1 or 2 day delay. Here are some things to consider when preparing your bird.


Feed and water the bird prior to shipping. The bird will most likely not eat during the journey and may not eat after arriving at its new destination for an extended period. Having your bird nourished and hydrated during this traumatic travel experience is essential.
The bird should be healthy. An ill bird combined with the stress of the shipment will very likely die.
Tranquilizers are used on some pets but are not recommended. Especially for birds and especially for animals being shipped in the air as tranquilizers and altitude can cause problems. In fact, some carriers will not ship an animal that has been tranquilized.

Preparing Your Shipping Container

The key to preparing your shipping container is to plan for a rough ride. Air turbulence can create a bumpy ride. Any food and water containers will be tipped over. You can count on it. So here are some things to consider when preparing your shipping container.


Place absorbent bedding (towels, blankets, shredded paper) in bottom of container.
Provide high moisture content food that will hold its moisture for a couple days like apple slices, orange slices, cucumber slices, etc.
Tape feeding instructions on the outside of the carrier in case someone unfamiliar with birds has to feed the bird.
Tape a small sealed bag of food to the outside of the container in case of an extended delay.
Allow easy visible access into the container so shipping personnel can see your bird without opening the container.
Allow easy access to food so personnel can feed your bird without opening the container. This is easily accomplished by attaching the feeding and/or watering cup to the inside of the door.
Label the outside of the container with a "Live Animal" sticker.
Label the outside of the container with arrow stickers pointing up.

Preparing For the Shipment

The key to preparing for the shipment is to carefully plan everything in the itinerary to ensure that the departure, travel and arrival runs smoothly


Verify that someone will be on the other end to receive the shipment. They should be at the correct place and correct time.
Plan the itinerary so the delivery service can deliver the shipment as soon as it arrives. For example, a Sunday or Holiday delivery usually isn't possible. Obviously, you don't want your shipment sitting in a warehouse over a holiday weekend.
Check the weather conditions at the departure and arrival sites. Shipping into the frozen tundra of Minnesota or Denver in the winter may add a few days of delay while digging out of a snow storm. Or even worse, the weather may cause a diversion or cancellation. Most shippers require that the temperature be between 45 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit at the origin, destination and connecting cities.
Complete all necessary paperwork. Most airlines have a list of documentation that is required before shipping a bird. These may include Confirmation of Feeding Certificate, Acclimation Certificate, Health Certificates, etc.

Preparing For the Arrival

Most birds will be traumatized from the shipping experience. Here are some tips to help the bird get used to its new surroundings after arrival.


Make sure you know where to pick up the shipment. Most airlines have a specific pickup point that is different than their regular passenger pickup point.
Have the bird's cage set up and ready for the bird upon arrival.
Have food and water available in the cage.
Be aware that the bird may not eat for a couple days while getting used to its new surroundings.
Be prepared to leave the bird alone for a while until it adjusts to its new surroundings. The amount of time required depends on the bird.

Shipping Methods

Here's a survey of common shippers in the US. This list may be outdated so check for changes at the links below.


UPS - UPS does not ship live birds.
DHL - DHL does not ship live birds.
FEDEX - FedEx does not ship live birds. Their shipping is mostly limited to zoo animals.
USPS - USPS does provide shipping via their District Expedited Services Office (ESO). They actually use the FedEx network for shipping but don't try to take your shipment to FedEx. It must be handled by USPS and there are limited shipping and receiving locations. But for most people in the US, these limitations will not be a problem.
AIRLINES - The top 10 airlines in the US and Canada have the following policies.


Delta Airlines - Pet birds may be shipped as cargo.
American Airlines - Pet birds may be shipped as cargo.
Southwest Airlines - Does not accept pet birds as cargo.
United Airlines - Pet birds may be shipped as cargo.
US Airways - Does not accept pet birds as cargo.
Northwest Airlines - Pet birds may be shipped as cargo.
Continental Airlines - Pet birds may be shipped as cargo.
Air Canada - Pet birds may not travel on Air Canada, either in the cabin or checked as live cargo.
Alaska Airlines - Pet birds may be shipped as cargo.
SkyWest Airlines - See Delta Airlines or United Airlines.

Shipping Costs

Shipping costs vary widely based on size, departure site, destination site, weight, size, etc. I could put a list of prices here but they would be outdated faster than you can say "Polly Wanna Cracker?" However, when this article was published, prices ranged from $50 to $300 based on all of the above mentioned variables. So it's best to check with your chosen carrier to get up to date rates when planning your shipment. Use the links above to get contact information.

The Author is the creator of the InfoSuperFlyway.com. It's a webpage dedicated to Kibibi a Congo African Grey Parrot with parrot recordings, funny parrot videos, top ten lists, parrot jokes, clicker training info and a large database of parrot articles.

Homemade Pet Food - Important Factors to Consider Before Feeding

Many pet owners are thinking about feeding their dog or cat a homemade diet. This can be for numerous reasons, whether they are concerned about the safety of commercial pet food or they simply want to offer their pet a variety at mealtime.

Feeding a homemade diet is only for the most dedicated of pet owners. Some people say that cooking for your pet is a "no-brainer". Other people say that cooking for your pet is a very complicated and labor-intensive process.

No matter who you listen to, there's some important factors to take into consideration before embarking on this path. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before getting started.

Am I willing to invest the time and money necessary to prepare my pet's meals?

The bottom line is: cooking for your pet requires more time and money on your part. Think about how much time and money you spend preparing meals for yourself and your human family. Are you willing to do this for your pet too?

Careful consideration must be made when selecting recipes, shopping for ingredients, and choosing supplements. It's not as easy as searching online for a recipe. The majority of recipes you find for free on the Internet are inadequate when fed for long periods of time and are not formulated by someone trained in veterinary nutrition.

A pet owner should only consider recipes that have been formulated and balanced by veterinarians trained specifically in the field of animal nutrition. Spending a little extra money to have recipes formulated for your pet's unique nutritional requirements is beneficial and provides peace of mind.

A group of veterinarians at http://www.petdiets.com offer such a service.

Do I understand that if for some reason I'm no longer able to prepare my pet's meals that he will have a difficult time switching back to commercial pet food?

Donald Strombeck, DVM, PhD, author of Home-Prepared Dog and Cat Diets--The Healthful Alternative, states that many pets develop an intolerance for commercial pet food after being fed a home-prepared diet.

Am I willing to make additional visits to the veterinarian to ensure that my pet remains in good health?

Pets that eat a homemade diet should be brought in for regular veterinary exams at least two to three times per year to ensure they are not experiencing any nutrient deficiencies or excesses. These visits may involve the cost of routine blood and urine tests or x-rays.

Am I willing to accept the risks involved in feeding my pet a homemade diet?

There are potential short-term and long-term risks involved with feeding pets a homemade diet, especially if the owner decides to omit ingredients that supply the pet with essential levels of vitamins and minerals. Clinical signs may not occur until the pet has been fed the inadequate diet for an extended period of time--several months or in some cases several years later.

Remember that certain table scraps should never be feed to pets. Gravy, meat fats, and poultry skin can cause serious digestive upset. There is also the potential for pancreatitis, a life-threatening disease, to occur. Bones can also splinter when chewed and have the potential to cause intestinal blockages and perforations.

Other ingredients that should not be fed to pets include chocolate, raisins, grapes, onions, garlic, avocados, coffee, macadamia nuts, salt, tea leaves, raw yeast dough, and xylitol, a common sweetener found in baked goods, gum and candy.

Who will prepare meals for my pet should I become ill or go on vacation?

Pet owners should instruct a friend or family member on how to properly prepare the pet's diets.

Many pets do very well eating homemade pet food, and some do not. But then again, the same can be said for commercial pet food. Owners who are considering feeding their pet a homemade diet should always consider the validity and nutritional training of those recommending a particular diet or recipe.

If you're certain you want to cook for your pet, consult first with your veterinarian and do plenty of research on the topic, both online and offline.

Amanda K. Jones is a licensed veterinary technician and e-book author. She has had several articles published in professional veterinary journals and is a Tails, Inc. Magazine Furry Forum Expert.

If you're a pet owner interested in feeding your pet a homemade diet or are looking for more information on basic pet food nutrition, you may be interested in Amanda's FREE 8-Week Course on Dog and Cat Nutrition.

For more information or to sign-up please visit http://www.petfoodbible.com

Pet Health Insurance - What to Consider Before Purchasing Pet Medical Insurance?

Pet health insurance is not a new idea. It has been available for more than 20 years. But there are still some people that find pet health insurance is still relatively new.

Currently, there are many options. While some pet owners are doubtful, some fear that adding insurance to veterinary medicine will follow the path of insurance red tape and problems found in human health care fields.

Pet health care policies are in some ways similar to human insurance policies. There are annual premiums, deductibles and different coverage plans based on what the owner chooses. Plans are based on species, age, pre-existing conditions and in some cases, even upon the lifestyle of the pet.

According to some experts, the best time to purchase pet insurance is when the animal is still young. Many pet health insurance plans do not cover pre- existing conditions. Insuring early can also provide coverage for certain initial veterinary procedures such as vaccinations and spaying.

When looking for a pet health insurance, consider the company stability. Even if pet health insurance has been available for more than 25 years and has grown to become a strong industry, there are few companies who have been on the market for a while. So, when shopping for pet insurance, do your research about the insurance company. Know how long it has been in business and if it is financially solid.

Make sure that the company has in-depth veterinary knowledge. A quality pet health insurance provider should have knowledge of the veterinary and insurance industries. It should have trained veterinary professionals on their staff. It pays if your veterinarian actually recommends the pet health insurance.

When looking for a pet health insurance, check for the wellness coverage. Preventive care is important for the long-term health of the pet. In order to encourage and remind pet owners to take their pet to the vet on a regular basis, there are pet insurance plans offering coverage for common preventive treatments and procedures like wellness exams, vaccinations, heartworm protection, neutering, teeth cleaning, prescription flea control and many more.

Aside from wellness coverage, also check the broad coverage for illnesses. Policies should include coverage for prescription drugs, dental illness, allergies and diabetes. Also check if your pet has insurance coverage even if it is away from home. A good pet insurance should cover your pet no matter where you are.

Also check if it is possible to have your own veterinarian. Some pet owners would rather have their own veterinarian including veterinary specialists such as oncologists, neurologists, and allergists.

If pet health insurance is not for you and your pet, there are other options that you can choose from to keep your pet healthy.

You can check with your veterinarian. There are some hospitals that offer wellness packages. They offer discount prices on vaccinations, spay/neuters and similar medical attention. Some even have geriatric health check up packages you can check on.

Discount programs like Pet Assure is another option. This national program offers 25 percent savings on veterinary services. They can sometimes offer as much as 50 percent on pet supplies. They have a network of participating veterinarians and pet vendors where you can take advantage of their services and discounts.

Some human and non-profit organizations offer financial aid to pet owners. Some veterinary offices even keep an emergency fund for pets in the event they have an emergency situation. But even if there is an option like this, pet owners should still primarily provide or cover financial cost brought about by emergency situations.

Pet health insurance is something that can help pet owners provide the best possible care for their pets in time of need.

However, health insurance is not the only option that pet owners have. Still the most important thing is tender loving care.

To find a great resource for best health insurance companies [http://besthealthinsurancecompanies.org/] go to besthealthinsurancecompanies.org [http://besthealthinsurancecompanies.org/]. The site offers tips and help for people looking for medical insurance which is both affordable and reliable.