Archive for November, 2008

The Home Aquarium Supplies You Will Need

You have made that important decision to start your aquarium, but don’t feel overwhelmed by all of the home aquarium supplies that you will need to get. Here is a nice list of equipment and terms that you should know before hand.

The first and most obvious thing that all aquarium aficionados need are aquarium tanks. Gone are the days of the boring ten gallon rectangular tank that can either be for your fish or your hamsters. Nowadays, you can find just about any size or shape that you can think of. Any amount of space you have will work no matter what the size.

Now before you go out and just buy something that fits, there are some things you need to think about first, the most important one being what kind of fish you would like to keep. The three main types are saltwater, freshwater and brakish. All three are great, but each require a different set of aquarium equipment. The full grown size of the fish, the type of water chemistry they need, what other fish will live with them are all factors to take into consideration. As far as size goes, A freshwater aquarium can take fish about one inch for every gallon of water and a saltwater tank should take one fish the same size for about every three gallons of water.

Once you establish all of this, choose a tank which fits you space, keeping in mind that a twenty gallon tank weighs about 170 pounds. Make sure the base can hold up under all the weight.

The next few things you will need are aquarium lighting, gravel, aquarium filters, air pumps, and heaters. You will need to investigate which type of each of these items will best suite the type of fish you have chosen. We can however talk a bit more about each of these items first just to give you some general information.

There are several types of aquarium lighting available. Again, the determining factor is not so much the fish, but whether or not your tank has plants and or reefs in it. Each one of these types of tanks have their own requirements, so it will take a bit more research to determine which kind of lighting to use. If you are planning a tank with only fish in it and no live plants, then you can go with a fluorescent or incandescent lighting setup.

A good aquarium filter is a definite must. There are three kinds that can work and it does depend on what type of fish and plants you are planning to keep. The three types of aquarium filters are mechanical, chemical and biological filtering. You can use one type or a combination to make sure your aquarium is one hundred percent clean and the water composition is correct.

Gravel is a must, and the type and size used is determined by the size of the fish you will keep. The type of biological filter system can also effect the size gravel chosen. As always, check with your pet shop pros to make sure that you are not making any wrong decisions.

One of the final pieces of equipment you will need is the tank heater. As you can see, the general theme here is that everything you decide on depends on the type and size of the fish, and this is no exception. Tropical fish can die if not kept at the correct temperature so care must be taken.

So that is a basic list of most of the home aquarium supplies that you will need. You can either purchase these items separately, or in a kit that has everything you need. Do some research and most importantly, enjoy your new aquatic friends.

About the Author

Lary Getz is the owner of Aquarium-at-Home.com where you can find all the information you need on how to set up and maintain your new home aquarium and which home aquarium supplies you will need before you go out and buy the wrong stuff.

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[Via Pets Articles At Isnare.com]

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Understanding the Nature of the Horse

By nature the horse was intended to live in grassy fields with natural protection through trees and the landscape from the elements. The horse lived in herds and most herds were groups of mares with one stallion for protection. As technology advanced and we began to rely on the horse more and more, we began to change the way the horse lives. The horse was stabled and shod and moved away from the grassy fields to barns and stables in cities. This was a drastic change for the horse and he has had to overcome many of his natural instincts for this new way of life.

To compensate for changing the horse’s natural way of life we have to do everything that we can to make it easier and more comfortable on our horses. There are certain procedures that we must do to ensure that our horses remain healthy and live happy lives. Horses are all day grazers and we must remember this when it comes to our feeding schedules. Horses were intended to walk and run on hard ground, so this too must be remembered when we stable our horses and bed our stalls. Racehorses actually have more of a healthier life than many stabled horses. Their stalls are not heavily bedded and they have access to hay twenty-four hours a day. When it comes to stabling our horses we need to remember that they were intended for small meals, so multiple small meals per day is actually much better than one large meal. If the horse is not able to feel some concussion in his bones from the ground, then the bones will become brittle and can even break.

If you own a number of horses, it is important that you understand herd mentality. Herd mentality applies to solitude horses as well, because you are now a part of that horse’s herd. A herd of horses is similar to a group of children on the playground. When the horses are together they will run and play together. If one does something to make his friends mad, then they will ignore him and keep him away from the herd. This is similar to the child that makes his friends angry and they don’t want to have anything to do with him. They will play and ignore him. In order to get back into the herd, the horse has to show remorse and the alpha horse will allow him to come back to the herd. The same is true with the child. If the child apologizes and shows remorse, then his friends will let him come back and play.

The horse lives off very basic principles, but they know that they cannot live alone. They depend on the herd for protection. When you have only one horse, your horse depends on you for leadership and protection. To gain your horse’s trust then you must show that you are a worthy leader.

About the Author

Jo Thompson just loves her three horses and loves anything to do with horses. And she does not think the horses should stop at the stable door, she adores horse home decor and loves to look at http://www.gifts-for-the-horse-lover.com

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[Via Pets Articles At Isnare.com]

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Dog Food Bowl: Great Gifts For Man’s Best Friend

Dogs, like people, enjoy a gift every now and then. Purchasing something that your companion loves and benefits from is a great feeling. As with purchasing any gift, it is important to remember the likes and dislikes, the personality, and the needs of the four-legged recipient. It is also important to do a little research to ensure you purchase something worthwhile rather than junk.

We’ve put together a list of a few gifts that your dog might like this holiday season, or anytime praise is warranted.

Doggie Beds

Like people, sleep is an important part of a dog’s life. Providing a comfortable place for him or her to sleep will not only make the dog happier but will also reduce the chances of your pet getting spine, joint and muscle problems.

To choose the right bed, watch how your dog sleeps and, along with assessing the size of your dog, try to find a bed that will compliment their habits. Dogs that sleep curled up may best appreciate a donut dog bed while active or younger dogs may be better off with a chew-proof bed. Orthopedic beds are available for older dogs that may have arthritis or incontinence.

Doggie Bowls

Dogs eat healthier when they have a food and water bowl that fits their size or breed. Large dog need elevated dog bowls so that they do not have to strain their neck to get at its food. Smaller bowls are better suited for little dogs so that they aren’t forced to step into the bowl to get at a piece of kibble. Smaller bowls also keep the dog from overeating and getting sick. Newer dog bowls are now designed with dividers inside to help control overeating or fast-eating by dogs that are prone to dog bloat or are overweight.

Doggie Toys

Just like with people, doggie toys are meant to make them happy. They give your puppy entertainment, help deflect chewing, provide exercise and can be used as a reward for your dog in place of treats. To choose a good dog toy for your pet, find one that is made specifically for dogs; giving a dog a child’s toy can introduce them to harmful fibers or Styrofoam inside when they chew on it. Also, make sure the toy is large enough so that the dog won’t choke on it and tough enough for whatever extent of chewing your dog may do. Toys that can be filled with treats are very popular. However, make sure to only use such a toy for dogs that are not overweight.

Dog Grooming

Grooming is sometimes difficult. Cleaning, brushing and clipping your dog while also trying to keep them calm can be a challenge for any dog owner. However, sometimes a good set of grooming tools can make the job much easier. Look into a good dog brush that thoroughly brushes as well as trims out excess hair. This will help you get to tasks done at once. If you don’t feel up to grooming your pet yourself, there are hundreds of dog groomers who would love to pamper your pooch for an afternoon.

Caring for your dog’s teeth has become increasingly important. Veterinarians highly recommend that dog owners invest in a good toothbrush for their pet. Dog owners can also buy oral hygiene dog food to help in this area as well.

Everyone loves buying gifts for their friends. Take the time to buy something special for that companion that greets you at the door every evening, curls up with you while you watch TV and provides you countless hours of love and companionship.

About the Author

DogPause Dog Food Bowl: Don’t let obesity take over your dog’s health. Give your dog the new dog bowl proven to reduce canine overeating.

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[Via Pets Articles At Isnare.com]

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Cat Health Insurance – Should You Get Coverage For Your Felines?

Cat health insurance is a great way to protect your feline from illness and injury. For literally a few bucks per month you can have peace of mind no matter what comes your way.

Taking good care of your cat requires diligence, awareness, and some monetary investment. As maintenance is the critical factor in preventing serious problems from occurring and minimizing the impact when issues do arise, going to the vet for 1 to 2 checkups per year is an essential minimum.

Many cat health insurance plans will cover routine visits to the vet. These regular office visits should consist of yearly vaccines, fecal and blood samples, and a thorough physical examination.

Without insurance you could expect to spend $75 to $200 per visit, per cat, depending on your exact regimen and the pricing in your region. A good cat insurance provider can save you substantially, even with 50% to 70% coverage.

Aside from your regularly scheduled exams, there is always the chance your cat(s) will need to go to the vet for unexpected reasons. Felines are potentially vulnerable to an entire range of specific ailments and diseases.

Problems like feline leukemia, distemper, and feline dental lesions are all very serious in nature, and likely to require expensive treatment. Cat health insurance will cover medical expenses associated with these and other illnesses.

Aside from pathological setbacks, felines are naturally prone to accident because of their curious and adventurous natures. Cat health insurance will help you pay for such traumas as vehicle accidents, poisoning, bite wounds, and more.

It’s not difficult to find cat insurance that offers coverage of 70%, 90%, and even 100%. And in many cases your deductible will be a very nominal $50 to $100.

In the event you accrue a veterinary bill of $1,000 or more (not uncommon by any means), a cat healthcare plan can make the difference between a major financial setback and a reasonable outlay. You should have no trouble finding numerous testimonials from cat owners who have saved tremendously because of their insurance policy.

Cat health insurance is available in a wide range of policy structures. You can choose a plan that covers only accidents, a program that handles accidents and selected illness, or even a complete system that supports all injury & disease, and includes a wellness plan.

Any good cat insurance company will provide you with a totally free quote. And you can then select your exact level of coverage according to your budget.

For many people, the question arises: What if I pay my cat health insurance for many years and my feline never gets ill or injured?

If this happens, congratulations! Your cat has led an amazingly healthy and fortunate life! And your insurance payments have allowed you to enjoy great peace of mind all the while.

It’s worth pointing out that all insurance, whether automotive, home, or health is largely about the comfort derived from knowing your coverage exists. Even if you never have to use your insurance plan, having it available will reduce your worry significantly.

And you can’t put a price tag on the peace and comfort of knowing you’ll be able to take good care of your feline friends no matter what comes up. These wonderful little creatures provide you with unconditional love and companionship for many years, it stands to reason that you return the favor by keeping them as safe as possible.

About the Author

Be sure to grab your free information package on cat health insurance that can protect your feline friend from illness and injury. Also take a few minutes to check out more of the author’s great feline health tips.

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[Via Pets Articles At Isnare.com]

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Signs Of Horse Colic

Modern horses have a very different lifestyle to that of their ancestors. Even 50 years ago horses led very different lives to the ones today. Horses used to live on the plains in herds and foraging for grass continuously. But, for most of today’s modern horses it is a very different scenario.

Though some horses do still wander about in paddocks many are now housed in stalls and don’t have access to grass all day long. This change in eating pattern is the culprit of much colic. Colic is really a term to describe a horse’s stomach pain. While there are lots of causes of colic a main source is feed.

The horse’s stomach is very unique and in many ways sensitive. The horse’s stomach is very small and is designed for multiple small meals or continuous eating and not the standard two large feeds we give them today.

Horses are no longer wild nor the work machines they were of yester year, we now keep horses as companion animals or show animal. And so, we tend to maintain them in stalls and so they are no longer able to graze. Whilst many horses have adapted to this modern living very well and will never get colic other horses are not so lucky.

Colic is one of the most frequent ailments that horse owners have to deal with and while mostly it is just a mild discomfort to the horse, sometimes it can prove fatal.

What happens is that instead of a constant small stream of food the horse’s stomach is confronted with a rapid ingestion of a large amount of food. Horses can’t tell when they are full and so will eat it all at once (hmmm sounds like a few humans I know). This rapid intake of food tends to shock the digestive system. As the stomach becomes over full, the ‘good’ bacteria that metabolizes the food die. Because the microbes are no longer available to break down the food it just tends to lie in the stomach and produce toxins. As these toxins build up in the horse’s system the horse will start to become uncomfortable and show signs of colic.

Your horse may just look a bit uncomfortable and not be himself. He may start a fever and get up and down several times. This is a sure sign of colic. As soon as you notice any signs of colic, contact your veterinarian. The generally accepted treatment is to keep walking your horse around until the vet arrives. As the pain intensifies your horse may want to lie down and roll. It is most important that you do not let your horse roll. Rolling can cause the gut to twist and this is a serious internal problem often requiring surgery.

We hope your horse never has colic, but just in case you now know what to look for and what to do.

Happy HorsingJo Thompson

About the Author

Jo Thompson just loves her three horses and loves anything to do with horses. And she does not think the horses should stop at the stable door, she adores horse inspired home decor and loves to look at http://www.gifts-for-the-horse-lover.com

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[Via Pets Articles At Isnare.com]

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