ePet Products.com

Pond Water Treatments

2011-05-03T03:36:00.000-07:00

Knowing the condition of the water your Koi live in is the most important
thing you should know while keeping them healthy.

This can quickly change from a healthy environment to a toxic one.
These articles will give you the products needed not only to test the
water but to correct any problems in the water makeup.

Check back often for updated information.
Our goal at ePet Products
is to provide information and products for pets of any kind in the best conditions possibly.
If you have questions please ask them here or use our Contact Us Page.

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Mixed Fruits Gourmet Pond Food Treats

2011-04-08T03:59:00.000-07:00

Pond Fish Food

Koi Treats

Mixed Fruits Gourmet Pond Food Treats - Large - 11.5 oz.

Product Description
Enjoy your koi and keep them happy with special treats just for them.
Delicious fruit flavored treats will have your koi jumping out of the water
for a taste. These special treats can be fed multiple times a day and are
vitamin-fortified for extra nutrition. Low protein formula will not stimulate
algae growth. Fun shapes, too

Mixed fruit flavor.
Size:
Treats are approximately 0.375" diameter.

Ingredients
Wheat flour, rice flour, soybean meal, fish meal, ground dried blueberries,
ground dried oranges, ground dried strawberries, brewers yeast,
hydrolyzed plant protein, soybean oil, lecithin, vitamin A palmitate,
d-activated animal sterol, DL-a-tocopherol acetate, thiamine mononitrate,
choline chloride, L-ascorbyl-2-phosphate, inositol, niacinamide,
calcium D-pantothentae, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, folic acid,
menadione sodium bisulfate, biotin, vitamin B12, yellow #5, ethoxyquin.
Crude protein (min) 23%
Crude fat (min) 3%
Crude fiber (max) 2%
Moisture (max) 9%
Ash (max) 5%

Instructions
Feed at any time of the day.
Feed no more than what the fish will eat in 1-2 minutes, no more than 3 times a day.
This treat should be fed with a regular staple, stick or growth diet.

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Reptile Supplies Ceramic Heat Emitter

2011-04-08T03:28:00.000-07:00

Reptile Heating

Ceramic Emiters

Reptile Supplies Ceramic Heat Emitter - Reptile Heating

Product Description
This is a radient heat source and creates a natural sun-like heat with a uniform pattern.
The long wave infrared heat produced by this emitter will warm reptiles very efficiently.
It also increases the ambient air-temperature in the terrarium. Infared heat penetrates
the scales and skin tissue, promoting health and healing as it widens the blood vessels
and increase blood circulation.

Other features include: innovative design, 99% heat efficiency; no light emitted,
does not disturb normal photo periods (day/night); solid ceramic element,
suitable for humid environments.

**This heat emitter must be used with a clamp lamp or reflector dome that has a porcelain socket**
Sizes:
Ceramic Heat Emitter - 40W
Ceramic Heat Emitter - 60W
Ceramic Heat Emitter - 150W
Ceramic Heat Emitter - 250W

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Tetra Whisper In Tank Aquarium Filters three sizes

2011-04-07T03:23:00.000-07:00

Aquarium Filters

Internal Aquarium Filters

Tetra Whisper In Tank Aquarium Filters three sizes

Product Description
Innovation for small space filtering in diverse setups:
Whisper In-Tank Aquarium Filters are capable of operation in only 2 in. of water!
The submerged motor makes for quiet operation while still delivering the 3-stage
aquarium filtration (biological, chemical, and mechanical) you have come to expect
from Tetra Whisper Filters. This unique In Tank Whisper Aquarium Filter is perfect
for terrariums and turtle tanks where aquarium filtration used to be impossible

Specifications
Sizes:
Whisper 10i In-Tank Filter - for 2 to 10 gallon
Whisper 20i In-tank Filter - 10 to 20 gallon
Whisper 40i In-tank Filter - 20 to 40 gallon

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Aquarium Filtration

2011-03-11T02:50:00.000-08:00

These articles will be about Aquarium Filters.

Maintaining fish health requires clean water.
It is up to the fish keeper to provide a clean environment
for the living beings they chose to display.

This can be accomplished using one or more
different types of filtering equipment.
There are special designed filter for both fresh and saltwater set ups.
The following are the most common filter types.

Canister, Diatom, Internal, Power, Under gravel, Sponge and Wet / Dry.
We will look into these different types of filtering systems and give examples of each type.

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Acrilic Bird Toys

2011-03-10T03:53:00.000-08:00

Bird Toys

Acrylic Bird Toys

3-Tier Hanging Acrylic Swing Bird Toy

Product Descriptiom
3 levels of fun for your adventurous bird!
These 3-ring acrylic swings are sure to make your bird
hold on tight and have lots of fun. Durable acrylic won't
shred the way wooden or rope toys do, so there's less
mess for you. Attaches to most bird cages with a metal chain.
HEIGHT 12 IN.
WIDTH 5 IN.
LENGTH 5 IN.
MATERIAL ACRYLIC AND METAL CHAIN
For little, small and medium birds.

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Latex, Vinyl & Rubber Dog Toy

2011-03-06T05:18:00.000-08:00

Dog Toys

Latex, Vinyl & Rubber Toys

Multipet Pokey Dog Toy - 6 in.

This is POKEY

Product Description
Multipet International is going retro,
with two classic television characters of the 60’s…GUMBY and his sidekick Pokey!
GUMBY and POKEY are both durable and made of genuine rubber which make
them the perfect toys for pets and nostalgic pet owners.

SIZE 6 in.
MATERIAL Durable Rubber
COLOR Orange

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Small Parrot Cages

2011-03-04T02:45:00.000-08:00

Bird Cages

Small Parrot Cages

Series T9 Cage - White Base - 24 in. x 18 in. x 24 in.

Product Description
Sturdy rounded top bird cage is ideal for Cockatiels, Conures, or small parrots.
3/4 inch wire spacing keeps your feathered friend in, while large landing platform
front door and 2 one inch diameter perches keep your pet in good shape.
Each cage also includes an easy-to-remove base, CloseSure door locks and a breeding box door.

WIDTH 18 IN.
LENGTH 24 IN.
HEIGHT 24 IN.
SIZE 3/4 IN. WIRE SPACING.
BIRD COMPATIBILITY FOR CONURES & PARROTS.
COLOR WHITE BASE

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Dog Joint Care

2011-03-01T06:36:00.000-08:00

Dog Health

Dog Joint Care

Homeopathic Joint Stress - 15 mL Dog Supplies

Product Description
As your pet ages, its joints can stiffen and cause them pain.
Joint Stress formula helps provide fast pain relief and encourage
flexibility and regrowth in cartilage and joints.

This formula is designed for chronic cases and can be used for long periods of time.
Extended use will help with regeneration and growth of cartilage and joint fluids.

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Cat Litter Box by Doskocil

2011-03-01T05:34:00.000-08:00

Cat Litter Boxes & Supplies

Litter Boxes

Doskocil Hooded Cat Litter Pan Set Basic - Black & Grey

Product Description
Give your cat some privacy with a covered litter box set.
Microban protection kills microbes and limits bacteria growth.
WIDTH 15 IN.
HEIGHT 17 IN.
LENGTH 19 IN .
COLOR BLACK AND GREY

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Hamster & Gerbil Food

2011-02-28T03:38:00.000-08:00

Small Pet Foods

Hamster & Gerbil Food

Kaytee Fiesta Max Food - Hamster and Gerbil - 4.5 lb.

Product Description
Fiesta Max small animal varieties are delicious blends of fruits, vegetables, seeds and grains designed
for optimum health and variety for your furry little buddy! DHA Omega-3 supports heart,
visual and brain functions while prebiotics and probiotics support digestive health.
This quality food is also naturally preserved and Made in the USA!

Ingredients
Corn, Oats, Wheat, Milo, Sunflower, Millet, Green Split Peas, Oat Groats, Shelled Peanuts,
Ground Wheat, Ground Corn, Sun-cured Alfalfa Meal, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Pumpkin Seed,
Barley, Raisins, Dehydrated Carrots, Dried Bananas, Safflower, Canadian Field Peas,
Ground Flax Seed, Ground Oats, Dried Papaya, Ground Rice, Dehydrated Sweet Potatoes,
Dehydrated Apples, Rice Flour, Dicalcium Phosphate, Calcium Carbonate, Salt, Soy Oil,
Whole Cell Algae Meal (source of Omega-3 DHA), Fructooligosaccharide, Cracked Corn,
Hulled Millet, Dried Cane Molasses, Yeast Extract, Sesame Seed, Yucca Schidigera Extract,
Vitamin A Supplement, L-Lysine, DL-Methionine, Choline Chloride, Mixed Tocopherols (a preservative),
Gelatin, Honey, Dextrose, Ferrous Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Riboflavin Supplement,
Zinc Oxide, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin E Supplement, Niacin, Copper Sulfate,
Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (source of vitamin K activity), L-Carnitine, Rosemary Extract,
Citric Acid, Cholecalciferol, Calcium Pantothenate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Thiamine Mononitrate,
Calcium Iodate, Biotin, Folic Acid, Cobalt Carbonate, Sodium Selenite, Artificial Color.

Guaranteed Analysis:
Crude protein (min) 14%
Crude fat (min) 6%
Crude fiber (max) 10%
Moisture (max) 12%
Omega-3 fatty acids (min) 0.4%
Docosahexaenoic acid (min) 0.035%
Total Bacillus Species (min) 75,000 CFU/gram

Allergen information: Manufactured in a facility that processes peanuts and other tree nuts.

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Educational Bird Toys

2011-02-25T03:02:00.000-08:00

Bird Toys

Educational Bird Toys

Habitat Defined Enrichment Pod Forage Frenzy for Birds

Product Description
Encourage healthy play and exploration:
and lessen chronic boredom for your bird with the Enrichment Pod Forage Frenzy Toy.
Your bird will spend all day digging for its favorite treats.
Refillable design is more economical then standard throw-away bird toys.
Designed for parakeets, cockatiels and other smaller birds. Mounts easily to most wire bird cages.

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Dog Ear Care

2011-02-22T03:39:00.000-08:00

Keeping your dog healthy

Dog Health Products

Dog Ear Care

Four Paws Dog Ear Wash - 4 oz.

Product Description
Relieve itchy, odorous ears with Four Paws Ear Wash.
This gentle ear solution removes excess wax from dog and cat ears.
Soothes and cools, will not sting.
Size:
4 fl. oz.

Instructions
Shake well, the contents of this product normally settles.
Do not use on pets under 6 weeks old.
Tilt pet's head slightly and squeeze 10 drops of ear wash into outer base of ear canal.
Gently massage base of ear. Allow to soak for 1 or 2 minutes. Gently wipe away excess with a cotton ball.
Allow pet to shake its head to remove debris and excess ear wash.
Ear wash should be used once a month, but may be used as often as needed.

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Cat Litter Boxes & Supplies

2011-02-19T03:30:00.000-08:00

Cat Litter Boxes & Supplies

Cat Litter

Everclean Cat Litter - X-strength - Unscented - 14 lb.

Product Description

Litter odor? What litter odor?
Your litter box can be clean and fresh-smelling always with EverClean.
This extra-strength clumping litter prevents moisture from collecting on the
bottom of the pan where it decomposes and causes odor.
Extra-hard clumps allow you to scoop out waste easily, leaving a fresh, clean pan.
EverClean is the ever-better choice for a clean, fresh litter box.

This unscented formula has no artificial fragrances and is ideal for people
or cats sensitive to perfumes.
Size:
14 lbs.

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Small Pet Ferret Products

2011-02-19T03:13:00.000-08:00

Small Pet Ferret Products

Marshall Premium Ferret Diet

Product Description

Generations of ferrets can't be wrong.
Marshall's Premium Ferret Diet provides all the essential nutrients healthy ferrets needs
- without the extras they don't. High meat-based protein content keeps your ferret in amazing
health, while a unique vacuum-sealing technique locks in valuable amino acids.
Nutritionally superior for ferrets of all ages.
4 lb.
7 lb.

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Cat Toys

2011-02-19T03:00:00.000-08:00

Cat Toys

Assorted Toys

Kong Natural Crinkle Caterpillar Cat Toy - 3 in. - 2 pk

Product Description
Crinkly, feathery cat toys are just what your frisky friend ordered.
Durable toys are great for cats alone or when having fun with you.
This toy will bring hours of fun for your cat.

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Aquarium Cleaning and Maintance

2011-02-16T03:59:00.000-08:00

Aquarium Cleaning and Maintance

Aquarium Algae Scruber & Scraper

Aquarium Supplies Magnet Scraper

Product Description

An easy and effective way to clean your glass aquarium walls without getting your hands wet. The Magna-Scraper is rust-proof, stainless-steel with powerful, non-corrosive ceramic magnets. Designed to take out that hard-to-scrape aquarium algae buildup.

Instructions

Remove safety cover. Place both halves simultaneously on any glass section, with blade half (black) on the inside and handle half (green) on the outside. Move outside magnet in any direction. Inside half will follow and scrape away algae.

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Dog Flea & Tick Controls

2011-02-16T03:44:00.000-08:00

Dog Flea & Tick Controls

Farnams Bio Spot Pet Yard Spray - 32 oz.

Product Description

Attach this handy pest eliminator to your garden hose and start wiping out backyard insect pests.
Effective Bio-Spot formula is safe for trees, shrubs, roses and flowers and kills fleas, ticks, ants, mosquitoes, crickets and other insects for up to four weeks. Never let insects invade your backyard garden again!

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Aquarium Fish Foods

2011-02-16T03:31:00.000-08:00

Aquarium Fish Foods

Wafers

Hikari Algae Wafers Aquarium Fish Food

Product Description

Vegetable-loving fish will enjoy the complete nutrition packed into Algae Wafers. This powerful formula is rich in nutrients and stabilized vitamin C to promote resistance to stress and immunity to infectious disease,while still providing total nutrition! The sinking design makes it ideal for bottom-feeders like plecostomus and of course: algae eaters.

Sizes:

Algae Wafers - 0.71 oz.
Algae Wafers - 1.41 oz.
Algae Wafers - 2.89 oz.
Algae Wafers - 2.2 lb.
Algae Wafers - 8.8 oz

instructions

Feed no more than the amount your fish will completely consume within 2 hours. Many bottom feeders are nocturnal, for best results feed late in the day or at night.

Ingredients

Fish meal, dehydrated alfalfa meal, wheat flour, wheat-germ meal, starch, dried seaweed meal, fish oil, krill meal, dried bakery products, brewers' dried yeast, spirulina, enzyme, astaxanthin, garlic, monosodium glutamate, DL-methionine, vitamin A oil, vitamin D3, vitamin E, menadione sodium bisulfite complex, choline chloride, L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate, inositol, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin, thiamine mononitate, pyridoxine hydrochloride, niacin, folic acid, biotin, ferrous sulfate, manganese sulfate, zinc sulfate, magnesium sulfate, cobalt sulfate, calcium iodate, aluminum hydroxide, sodium acid pyrophosphate.

Guaranteed Analysis: Crude protein (min) 32% Crude fat (min) 4% Crude fiber (max) 5% Moisture (max) 10% Ash (max) 12% Phosphorus (max) 0.7% Vitamins: Vitamin A--8,700 IU/kg Vitamin C--45 mg/kg Vitamin D3--1,700 IU/kg Vitamin E--900 mg/kg

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Hamsters make a good starter pet

2011-02-15T13:23:00.000-08:00

Hamsters make a good starter pet

A lot of us grew up with hamsters or had a friend who had hamsters. They can make a good starter pet. It can help teach your child the responsibility of being in charge of another living creature. There are a lot of different types of hamsters such as dwarf, Syrian, Russian, Chinese, and hybrid.

Hamster like to burrower so you need to have lots of bedding in their cages to hide under. They also enjoy tubes to create little nests. When they are young, it can be difficult to tell if they are female or male.
You can buy two hamsters thinking they were the same gender and ending up with many more hamsters?
Hamsters are an easy pet to take care of. You can feed them hamster food, vegetables, and little hamster treats to give them a good life.

You should change the bedding weekly or twice a week depending upon how many hamsters you have.
Most live only a year or two which can make it hard for younger children to understand.

Hamsters need to have exercise so giving them wheels to run on or a hamster ball to run around the house.
This physical exercise is good for them. The tubing and cages come in a variety of colors. You can arrange them in straight pathways to other larger home areas or curve them around to reenter the same cage.

Most of the cages are plastic, your hamster may try to chew or claw out. Some hamster owners go with a metal wire cage with tiny slits to avoid the chewing escape. Your preference will determine the type of accessories you purchase.

You shouldn’t handle your pet hamster a lot but they do need some contact so they do not become scared when you do. Make sure you always wash your hand before and after. Be careful with little children.

Hamsters can be a lot of fun for at any age especially if you want an easy pet for your child can care for.
You will want to make sure you feed your hamster but not over feeding them while maintaining proper exercise. When your hamsters procreate, you will want to separate out the mother and children from the rest of the crew.

Be careful with dwarf hamsters they are susceptible to infections with cedar chips because it can tear holes in their tiny mouths so use a product like, Kaytee Aspen Bedding & Litter is manufactured with all natural aspen shavings specially processed to eliminate dust and wood debris found in other bedding. Aspen bedding comes from hardwood, eliminating aromatic oils found in other types of wood bedding. *Can be used in all cages, aquariums and habitrails. *A natural biodegradable product.

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Keep your Parrot busy with Toys

2011-02-14T04:12:00.000-08:00

Keeping your Parrot busy with Toys

A well-furnished cage should have a minimum of ten toys.
Parrots should not be easily seen in their cage.
This is their home and they should feel camouflaged. In the wild. Parrots live in trees so they can be heard, not seen.
They build their nest inside trees surrounded by more trees. They raise there, young using the safety of other trees.

Good toys have different shapes and textures for the bird to explore and destroy.
Some of the toys needs to make your pet bird work for food.
These are toys that make them work for their treats or foods. Parrots in the wild will spend the majority of their time hunting and foraging.
Toys stimulate their mind and help replicate actions they would execute in the wild. Proper toys and placement enhance a healthy life in captivity.

Parrots think they are working for food while people sees birds playing with toys as birds; playing with bird toys.
Your pet parrot is always thinking, and they think playing with toys is their job. The need to forage is what nature gave them to survive.
If you provide no means of foraging, your bird will seek other avenues.
They may chew on your furniture or personal belongings.
It is important to encourage your pet parrot to work for food because it is a natural behavior.

Some of their toys should be made to give the stimulation of preening . The A & E Cage Company makes a wonderful Large Preening Bird Toy.

Birds love to preen, and those that don't have a buddy on hand will appreciate this preening toy.
Adorned with brightly colored ropes to stimulate your bird and satisfy his instincts. Attaches easily to most bird cages with a metal ring.

Large birds like macaws and Cockatoos may have a huge appetite.
Introduce hardwood toys into cages and perhaps toys with hard plastics so they can spend more time on the various pieces.

The balance of toys should be easily shredded.
Toys may be store bought or home made. Parrot toy parts are available and helps keep toy making economical.
Soft wood, paper, leather and other textures are important for the bird to explore and destroy

Introduce pieces of food like broccoli or corn, using one of many commercially available or home made toy holders.
The food on the toy holder rewards them for playing.

The more textures, shapes, sizes and colors the better.
Diversity is important because in the wild your birds eat a diverse diet.
A large selection of toys helps maintain your feathered companions interest.

The majority of toys should hang or be placed in the upper third of the cage.
Introduce a few more to the middle third (without hampering access to food dishes) around a perch made from soft wood,
comfortable to grasp depending on the size of the bird’s feet.
The bottom third of the cage should remain relatively uncluttered to allow the bird to walk freely.

Spot-check toys and perches on a daily basis looking for frayed or sharp edges that may potentially harm your bird.

The more you change the toy and perch arrangement, the more you challenge your companion parrot.
It helps them socialize and helps avoids “toy-phobia”
Parrots can develop phobic reactions to new people, new furniture, and even new birds.

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Dog Urine Stains, How to remove them

2011-02-13T09:22:00.000-08:00

Dog Urine Stains, How to remove them

Dogs can be housebroken and trained to let you know when they need to go outside to use the bathroom.
Urinating or defecation can cause a permanent stain on carpeting if they’re not taken care of immediately.

If you’re fortunate enough to catch your dog in the act of relieving himself take the steps that have to do with the dog’s training
and then attend to the problem.
Use a rag or some paper towels to soak up as much of the mess as possible and then clean the area with a mixture of cold
or lukewarm (never hot) water and some sort of cleaning agent. Natures Miracle Stain & Order Remover with Power Sprayer works well for this.

If the stains has been allowed to sit for a time you’ll need a stronger stain remover.
Cleaners like Natures Miracle Orange Oxy Liquid Pet Stain and Order Remover works best on stains like these.
Some scrubbing will be necessary, but it should be done as gently as possible, depending on the type of fabric.

The best way to deal with doggie urine stains is to avoid having them happen in the first place,
which can be accomplished through careful and meticulous training.
Using Four Paws Wee-Wee Pads is a handy dog housebreaking pad use a special attractant
to actually draw your new puppy to them.
Super-absorbent nature and poly-dry formula locks in moisture to prevent tracking.
Plastic, non-skid construction keeps waste off your floor. 23"x24".

If the occasional accident does happen, don’t lose your head.
Deal with the dog in the appropriate manner and rest easy in the knowledge that, in most cases, urine washes out.

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Litter Box Accidents, What can be done

2011-02-11T03:48:00.000-08:00

Litter Box Accidents, What can be done

Cat owners can get frustrated when it comes to litter box accidents. It is the number one reason why cat owners take their cats up to animal shelters.
When your cat does not use the litter box, it is usually due to an underlying problem.
Try to find causes for this problem, before you get frustrated with your cat for not making it to the litter box.

Litter Box Accidents
One reasons why a cat begins to refuse to use the litter box may be their litter box is dirty.
Many cats are extremely fussy about the condition of their litter box, while others will use it no matter how full it gets.
If your cat has a litter box accident, the first place you should check is the litter box.
Some pets prefer that their litter box cleaned out after each use.
This may be time consuming for you, but it may be a simple fix to this problem.
If you start a daily routine of cleaning out your cat litter box, it may solve the problem.

Another possible problem is there are not enough litter boxes for the number of cats you have. You should have at least one litter box per cat.
Cats like to have their own space, and this is especially true when it comes to their litter box.
Many veterinarians recommend that even if you have only one cat, you should have at least two litter boxes.

In addition, when it comes to litter box accidents, look at the type of litter you are using and the size and shape of the litter box.
If you have a tray litter box without a lid, maybe your cat would feel more secure in a closed box.

If you have an older cat, or a young kitten, you cat may have a difficult time getting in and out of a closed top box.
Watch your cat carefully when he or she uses the litter box. If you find that, they are having a difficult time getting in and out of the litter box and consider getting a different box.
Also, look at the type of litter you use. Your cat may be extremely fussy about the smell or texture of the litter.
Many people preferred using the scoop away litter; however, many cats will not use this type of litter, because it sticks in the paws.
You may also find that the litter you use causes a lot of dust that is disagreeable to your cat.

Some Litter Box Health Issues
Your cat may be refusing to use the litter box, because of health related issues. If you have tried all the above tips and nothing seems to be working, then it is time to visit your veterinarian.
Cats that have bladder problems, urinary tract infections, kidney failure and diabetes are more prone to litter box accidents than healthy cats.
You need to take your cat to the vet and have a thorough health exam performed to find out if your cat is suffering around an ailment.
If this is the case, your veterinarian can prescribe medication to help your cat.

Habit and Your Cat’s Territory
If your cat has been ill or have stopped using the litter box for any of reason, you may find that your cat returns to their old ways out of habit.
It is extremely important that when your cat has a litter box accident, that you clean the area thoroughly to get rid of any odors that may remain.
In addition, your cat may have not stopped using the litter box at all but instead, your cat is marking his or her territory.
This is especially common in multi-cat households or when you bring in new pet into the home.
This is also more common in males than females.
Even male cats that are neutered can mark their territory by spraying urine.

When you determine why your cat is having litter box accidents, you can find a solution.
It takes time and patience; however, this is much more preferable than getting rid of your cat.

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Cleaning a Dirty Aquarium

2011-02-06T14:16:00.000-08:00

Cleaning a Dirty Aquarium

It takes some effort to keep an aquarium clean. This will give you some guide lines for doing that. A fresh water fish tank takes about 30 minutes to 60 minutes of work a week based on the size of the tank.

Equipment you will need:
1) You will need a clean 5 gallon bucket. This must have not been used for anything else.
2) A gravel cleaner or gravel vacuum and some hose.
3) A bag of natural or synthetic sea salt

You will need to clean the tank each week on the same day and the filters every 2 or 3 weeks.

Be sure to unplug the tanks heater if you have one. The water help cool the glass on the heater if removed it could crack, or the glass could totally shatter. Be sure the heater is not only off but unplugged from the wall. A small crack in the heater could be more then enough to cause a shock to you that can be fatal.

After the heater has cooled you can safely remove the it from the tank or it the heater is submersible you can just push it down to the bottom of the tank.

Remove any decorations that is in the tank, All that should now be left is the small gravel at the bottom. Using the gravel vacuum, so you do not have to get your hands wet. You will need to stir up the gravel to get the dirt that has settled between the gravel into the water, and start removing the water into the bucket with the gravel vacuum. Do not throw out the water you will still need it to clean the filters.

When using the gravel vacuum, every second or two move the gravel cleaner over an inch or two and repeat this process until you have removed 15 percent of the tanks water.

Now its time for you to clean the Aquariums filters. The inside of the filter has bacteria, that help break down the nitrites and nitrates that are in the water. To make sure we don’t kill all these aquarium friendly bacteria, clean the filter materials and sponges in the dirty water that is also full of the good bacteria. Take everything out of the filters and rinse them of in the bucket of dirty aquarium water, then give the sponge a couple of squeezes in the bucket and reassemble the filters, and put them back on the tank.

Now before adding the water sea salt needs to be added to the tank. All water has some amount of salt in it and to replicate the natural habitat of the fish there must be salt in your tank as well. Add approximately 1 cup of sea salt for every 50 gallons of water.

Now you can add water to the tank, but you must make sure the water is the within a degree or two of the temperature of the water in the tank. A drastic change in the tanks temperature suddenly can throw the fish into shock and kill them or weaken their immunity and help give them a fish disease. I recommend filling the bucket with hot water and checking it regularly till it is the same as the tanks temperature, then slowly add the water to the tank, start the filters and the heater.

You only need to clean the filters once or twice a month.
The water in the tank should be cleaned on the same day every week.
The Pet Guy

Aqua Terras
ePet Products

What type of treats should you feed your Koi

2011-01-31T09:51:00.000-08:00

What type of treats should you feed your Koi

People find it fun and popular to give their Koi treats. You might enjoy watching your Koi react to treats while you feed them. This can be an enjoyable thing to do you must take care .

Koi eat almost anything they find in their pond. Since Koi do not know what is good or bad for them. You must control what kind of snack or treat they eat. Another potential problem is over feeding treats. Again, Koi do not have the knowledge to know when to stop eating.

OSi make several high quality Koi Treats. One of them isMixed Fruits Gourmet Pond Food Treats. Enjoy your koi and keep them happy with special treats just for them. Delicious fruit flavored treats will have your koi jumping out of the water for a taste. These special treats can be fed multiple times a day and are vitamin-fortified for extra nutrition. Low protein formula will not stimulate algae growth. Fun shapes, too these are a Mixed fruit flavor.

Some fruits and vegetables can be good for your koi. Fishy's Koi and Goldfish Pond Fish Food Treats. This fish shaped treat contains all natural fruits and vegetables such as citrus fruit, apples, cucumber, carrot, kale, pepper, wheat germ and alfalfa. It has vitamin E to promote and help stimulate your fish's immune system and added stabilized vitamin C to help combat fish stress related diseases. Even fish love treats. When the water temperature is 50º F or above, feed as a treat, but do not exceed the amount the fish eat within a few minutes of feeding.

No matter what type of treat you decide to use, it is still very important that you do not over do it. To many treats and interfere with their diets, and cause more harm then good. Just do not get carried away, and you will be set.

To find more Koi Treats
Click here :
The Pet Guy

Aqua Terras
ePet Products

Caring for Green Iguanas

2011-01-26T09:58:00.000-08:00

Caring for Green Iguanas

There are misconceptions and myths about Iguanas. These myths could prevent you from taking proper care of a green iguana. Some myths aren’t too harmful, but some of these myths could be dangerous to a green iguana's health. Here are some common myths about green iguanas that you should know about:

1) Green Iguanas can eat iceberg lettuce.
This myth has some truth to it. Of course, since green iguanas are best kept on a vegetarian diet, you can feed it lettuce. However, you should realize the fact that most types of salad lettuce have very little nutritional value.

If you want to take proper care of your green iguana, you should feed it vegetables that have a high nutritional value. Examples include collards, turnip greens and mustard greens.

Another great feed is Zoo Med Natural Iguana FoodNatural Iguana Food Juvenile formula contains higher amounts of protein to promote growth and optimum health in younger iguanas. Smaller pellets for easier consumption.

2) Iguanas will not outgrow their cages
Some people provide small cages for their iguanas in order to keep it in a convenient size. This will definitely not help your green iguana. A green iguana, when properly taken care of, can grow up to six feet long. Keeping them it in a small cage will only mak your green iguana's life very uncomfortable.

An inexpence cage Reptile Cage Give you iguana or other herp a cage to climb in with this PVC-coated wire model from Pointer Hill. Roomy cage promotes airflow and keeps your climbing herp exercised and stress-free. A 3" galvanized steel tray is easy to remove and clean. constructed of 1/2" x 1" 16ga PVC coated wire mesh

3) Hot rocks are great for heating
People think heat rocks are good for an iguana's body temperature. Green iguanas are cold blooded; this means that if a green iguana sits on a hot rock, it can be cooked to death. If you wish to provide proper heating for a green iguana enclosure, you should use special lighting available in most pet stores.

Naturalistic Terrarium Light Bar Reptile Lighting Systems mount terrarium lighting directly inside your Naturalistic Terrarium with these handy light bars. Each bar includes a 100 watt ceramic fixture and can accommodate up to 2 additional lamps. Ensures maximum UVA and UVB transmission and eliminates bulky clamp lamps on the top.

5) Iguanas can eat insects, pet food, and other animal products
The truth is that green iguanas are best suited to an herbivorous diet. The body and metabolism of a green iguana is designed to utilize plant proteins effectively. Animal proteins, on the other hand, can prove to be very troubling to them. The only reason that iguanas eat insects in the wild is because these get mixed up with their food accidentally.

Zoo Med Natural Iguana Food is an all natural and no artificial colors, flavors, scents or preservatives makes this a "natural" choice for your Iguana Naturally fortified with Spirulina and beta carotene, your pet is provided with essential amino acids, enzymes, and vitamins to promote overall health and vigor.

These are just some of the myths that you may have heard about green iguanas. By knowing the truth about these myths, you are now equipped to give the best care possible to a green iguana.

You will find other Reptile health products here
Click here :

The Pet Guy

Aqua Terras
ePet Products

Flea Control, Getting Rid of fleas

2011-01-24T15:26:00.000-08:00

Flea Control, Getting Rid of Fleas

Different geographical areas have different climate conditions so the flea season varies depending on where you are. Keep that in mind whether you are at home or traveling. Something else to be aware of is that fleas, they can survive indoors even during the cold weather. Following are some helpful facts about fleas and information on how you can prevent them from infesting your pets and your home using flea and tick controls.

There are over two thousand known species and subspecies of fleas, one of these class of flea called the ‘cat flea’ is to blame for almost all the fleas found on cats and dogs in the United States.

Fleas can survive up to two or three months without eating, they eat the blood they suck from their hosts. A female flea consumes 15 times her own body weight in blood daily! You should also know that while adult fleas suck blood from a cat, dog or other mammal, their larvae live and feed on organic debris in the host animal's environment. If you see one flea there can be hundreds more in your home your carpet and on your pet.

How do you control this problem? Your pet counts on you to keep it healthy. Taking them to the vet for their annual check ups is very important. Ask your veterinarian about a flea prevention method such as Advantage, A once per month flea treatment for dogs and puppies seven weeks of age and older. Advantage kills 98% of fleas on infested dogs within 12 hours, providing protection from re-infestation for up to four weeks. Comes packaged in convenient tube applicator. Bio-Spot Bio Spot Spot On topical flea and tick products quickly and safely kill fleas, ticks and their eggs on cats and kittens, and is effective for up to one month. Also works to fight mosquitoes that may spread heartworm or other diseases to your pet. Spot On treatments also contain a special coat conditioner to make your pet look great and feel itch-free. or Adams. Some of these products can also help to prevent ticks in addition to fleas.

If you see fleas on your pets or in your home, take action immediately. Not only are fleas a huge annoyance, but they can also transmit diseases and tapeworm. If your home becomes infested, you will probably need to purchase flea bombs – make sure read and adhere to the directions carefully and contact your vet to get further advice and relief for your pet and family. With Adams Room Fogger you can say goodbye fleas! The Adams ready-to-use, water based automatic room fogger contains adulticides to kill adult fleas and pre-adult fleas. Sykillstop, an insect growth regulator, kills larval fleas and flea eggs for 210 days. Also kills ticks, cockroaches, spiders and ants.One can treats up to 6,000 square feet.

To find other Flea Controls click here
Click here :
The Pet Guy

Aqua Terras
ePet Products

Tropical fish foods

2011-01-22T17:55:00.000-08:00

Tropical fish foods

A balanced diet for your aquarium fish is essential to their survival. Tropical fish foods commonly used will only keep for about three months, it is always advisable to buy fish-feeds in many small packs rather than in one large pack.

The feed could preferably be kept absolutely dry in a refrigerator. However, all fish appreciate a change of diet and will thank you for your consideration with more interesting behavior, better colors, and greater readiness to breed and better general well -being.

There are many different types of fish foods. Most popular and highly recommended brands are Aqueon, Tetra, and Hikari.

Below you will find just a few of the feeds available.

Flake Foods
Freeze-dried Foods
Pellet Foods
Stick Food

You will find many more Fish Foods here
Click here :

The Pet Guy

Aqua Terras
ePet Products

Dogs love to play with toys

2011-01-22T04:24:00.000-08:00

Dogs love to play with toys

Many dog owners treat their dogs like children. “That’s my baby,” they’ll say when referring to their dog. and, of course, they buy their dogs toys to play with. Choosing the right dog toys can be tricky. People like to get cute, squeaky toys for their dogs or give them stuffed animals to chew on and carry around. A dog’s toy needs to be safe with particle, fun and durability kept in mind. The size of the toys is an important thing to consider.

Avoiding toys that aren’t really toys

Even though dogs are “Man’s best friend” they are not the brightest creatures. They can be attracted to things that can cause them harm. It’s important to start early letting your dog know what is a toy and what isn’t. Dogs love to chew on things like shoes, leather belts and furniture. These can be ingested, choking the dog. Teaching your dog early on what is a toy and what things are not is part of being a responsible dog owner.

These are some of the Safest Dog Toys

1)Balls & Fetch Toys
Air Kong Squeaker Donut Dog Toy Combine the durability and fun of a tennis ball, with the excitement of a squeaker for the ultimate fun dog toy. Non-abrasive tennis ball material is easy on your pet’s teeth. Durable Kong construction holds up to any abuse your dog can dish out.

2)Teething Toys

Clasic Kong Dog Toys Extra thick and strong for those power chewing dogs! This toy also cleans teeth and gums while your dog bites down. Made in the USA.
Sizes:
Small - 3" l x 1 1/2" wide at the widest part.
Medium - 3.5" length x 2" wide at the widest part.
Large - 4 1/4" l x 2 3/4" wide at the widest part.
X-Large - 5 1/2" l x 3 1/2" wide at the widest part.
King - 6" l x 3 1/2" wide at the widest part.

3)Fabric and Plush Toys
Allure Bear Squares Dog Toy Bear Squares are under-stuffed to enhance playing, carrying and tossing. Super-tough Tuffut lining ensures it will stand up to your toughest chewers. One squeaker in the head and one in each paw make Bear Squares even more fun!

You can find many types of dog toys here
Click here :

The Pet Guy

Aqua Terras
ePet Products

Caring for a Goldfish Aquarium

2011-01-20T03:23:00.000-08:00

Caring for a Goldfish Aquarium

Keeping Goldfish can be a fun and rewarding hobby. As with any new hobby, especially one that involves living creatures, always consider the maintenance that will be involved. If you care for your aquarium properly, you will be sure to have happy and healthy Goldfish for many years. Goldfish have a life expectancy of five to ten years. If you do a good job maintaining their fish tank, you should have fun, beautiful fish for a long time. Make sure to feed them correctly and keep their water fresh and clear.

Aqueon Goldfish Aquarium Fish Food is a complete balanced nutrition for your goldfish and ornamental pond fish. Granule food contains all natural ingredients to bring out the best in your fish. Formulated so your fish can utilize more and create less waste. Premium ingredients like whole fish meal naturally attract fish and promote healthy immune systems and bring out true, intense coloration. Fortified with vitamins, minerals and trace nutrients for complete health.

When starting any new aquarium, you should get everything in place before buying the fish. If you are going to put gravel on the bottom, you may want to put only a thin layer. This will make it easier to keep clean, as Goldfish tend to be messy. Make sure that you rinse the gravel thoroughly before placing it in the bottom of the tank. If you have some decorations, you should add them now. Make sure that you rinse them well before putting them into the tank. Also be sure that the goldfish have plenty of room to swim, as they as active fish. Give them a place or two to hide, and that should do nicely.

Now that you have everything in place, you can add in the water. You will need to use a dechlorinator, as the chlorine in tap water is poisonous to fish. Once the fish tank is filled up, you can turn on the filter. Change it as often as recommended to keep your fish healthy. Goldfish live at room temperature, so you will not need a heater. They are quite comfortable in temperatures from 68 to 80 degrees. However, they should not be exposed to rapid temperature changes. You might want to let the filter run in the new goldfish tank for a day or so to filter out any chemicals or dyes that might have been left on the gravel and decorations that you just added. Waiting to buy new fish can be one of the hardest things about fish keeping!

You need to add fish gradually. Fish excrete ammonia. If you add too many fish at once to a new fish tank, the water will not be seasoned enough to dissipate it. As the water in your Goldfish tank ages, it builds up beneficial bacteria that turn harmful chemicals excreted by the fish into harmless ones. However, this will take some time. Start out with only one fish. The nitrogen cycle will not begin until you add the fish, so running an empty tank for several days will not help. Since your fish tank is brand new, you might want to consider making partial water changes of about 25 per cent of the total water volume every few days for the first week or so.

Filteration can be controled by using a Tetre Whisper Aquarium Power Filter. The world-famous Whisper power filter updated for the 21st century! Whisper EX-series aquarium filters offer a host of modern conveniences and advanced filtration capabilities to keep your aquarium clean, clear and healthy. Keep your hands off of messy carbon pads with the Whisper Filter's squeeze-to-open filter cartridge design. Special TimeStrip tabs are included with each filter cartridge and attach directly to your filter so you know exactly when to change. A new in-tank Whisper motor design lessens noise, eliminates priming and lowers the profile of each filter. Rounded chamber design promotes water flow and lessens build-up on your filter's bottom. An enhanced biological grid promotes optimum bacteria growth. Choose the size that fits your aquarium.

You can find Goldfish food at almost any pet shop. Make sure to purchase some when you buy your first fish. Feed only a small amount. Especially at first. Any uneaten food will sink to the bottom and rot. Keep this to a minimum. Watch your fish the first few times that you feed them. Feed only as much as they will eat in two to three minutes twice a day, or as recommended on the Goldfish food label. Be especially careful not to overfeed when the Goldfish tank is new. This will cause excess build up of toxic chemicals and can kill your fish quickly.

As the water in your fish tank cycles through the nitrogen cycle, you may notice that is becomes very cloudy. This is a normal process and should clear up in a few days. Do not add any new fish until the water is crystal clear again. Clear water will signify that the nitrogen cycle is working and that the toxic chemicals are being converted to good ones. Remember that Goldfish will grow large and they need a big space. Don't overcrowd the tank if you want to keep healthy fish. If you follow this little guideline, you will be sure to have a healthy goldfish aquarium.

wild.

The Pet Guy

Aqua Terras
ePet Products

Ferrets & Their Environment

2011-01-19T03:50:00.000-08:00

Ferrets & Their Environment

Although ferrets have eyes, they are not unable to see that well. As a result, they use their other senses to guide them through their environment using their hearing and smell.

Since domesticated ferrets are not afraid of humans, they will be able to handle any new environment that they encounter without any fear. In fact, they don’t mind living with other ferrets as it has been observed that some sleep on top of each other. Fettets like to climb Make sure their housing has several layers. Marshalls Ferret Mansion Cage is one of the best. This is the ultimate accommodation for your ferret family. It easily houses up to 6 ferrets. Features include: a lockable slide out pan for safe and easy cleaning, swivel casters for mobility, 2 doors, 3 adjustable ramps and balconies.

One reason that ferrets behave this way is due to the fact that they have been neutered thus decreasing the tension or rivalry in finding a mate however, they still show aggressive behavior towards other ferrets when playing, marking their territory or hunting. Let’s talk about this behavior in their environment some more.

Ferrets play among themselves and neck biting is one example. Some scientists believe this is how the male controls the female during mating. But since they are already neutered before being given to the new owner, this may serve another purpose such as practicing how to hunt.

Since domesticated ferrets no longer have to hunt for food, this is now used to protect themselves from an attack. The amazing part about it is that because ferrets have very thick skin on the back of their necks, you won’t find a single mark afterwards.

Keeping their coats clean and shinning is easy by using Marshall Ferret Furo-Tone. The Furo-Tone contains essential fatty acids, which when not present in sufficient amounts in a diet can result in a dull coat, flaky skin, excess shedding and scratching. To keep your adult ferret's coat in peak condition, add 0.75 teaspoon to food daily. For babies and lactating jills, add 1.5 teaspoon's daily.

Being on the offense is not the only way to fend off attackers. Other tactics include dancing, hissing, lunging, sideways attack, screaming, snapping of the jaws and a clucking sound.

You can prevent a fight from taking place by providing a separate area for both ferrets to call as their own. Eventually, they will sort out their differences which is something we humans also do whenever we are engaged in an altercation or misunderstanding. But fights among domesticated ferrets are rare given that many owners just purchase one.

Given that ferrets are very friendly and sociable animals, you have to house proof your home as these curious mammals will most likely go to dark corners and small holes. They might take a nap under the cushion of the couch when they feel like it so you better check underneath first to prevent any problems.

They will also have to be toilet trained so they don’t dump their waste just anywhere in your house. Studies have shown that this is the ferret’s way of marking their territory and if they are out of the cage, they can easily find the litter box even if this has been relocated. Most animals prefer to do their business in one corner of their cage. Take advantage of this with the Hi Corner Litter Pan. The Hi Corner Litter Pan is ideal for use with ferrets, rabbits and guinea pigs. It is made of hi-impact plastic which makes it very durable and fits most cages while conserving space. Easy cleanup

In terms of their diet, experts suggest that this should be a combination of various products so that they don’t get used to one type of food. If one runs out, this can easily be changed with another. Also, the amount of protein that they should take in decreases as the ferret grows older. Marshall's Premium Ferret Diet provides all the essential nutrients healthy ferrets needs - without the extras they don't. High meat-based protein content keeps your ferret in amazing health, while a unique vacuum-sealing technique locks in valuable amino acids. Nutritionally superior for ferrets of all ages.

Ferrets are adaptable mammals and once they are brought home from a breeder, pet store or animal shelter, they will in no time adapt to their new environment. So, just give them some time to get themselves familiar with their new surroundings and don’t be scared if they show some aggressive behavior because after all, they were once from the wild.

The Pet Guy

Aqua Terras
ePet Products

Bringing Home A New Pet Cat

2011-01-18T04:09:00.000-08:00

Bringing Home A New Pet Cat

Make sure your new baby starts off with healthy food and treats. It all starts now. Once you cultivate certain eating habits, it’s almost impossible to break them, especially with cats. It is not uncommon for a cat to get hooked on one food only. If that food is a good food then you lucked out. If it is not a good food, conversion may be extremely difficult for you and your cat. Once you add something to the food, you will create a picky eater and possibly jeopardize his nutrition. In other words, once you've done your home work and selected the best food and treats for your pet cat.

Teach Boundaries. From the first day, determine where your pet can or cannot go and things you simply don't want your pet doing. Pets are creatures of habit. Once they do something a few times, they tend to continue that behavior. Once you determine your boundaries, stick to them, even if they break your heart. Remember that what may seem cute now (chewing on pillows for example) will be disastrous later on! Realistically, many of the boundaries we set will be trial and error. Sometimes it takes bad behavior for us to take a look at a situation, declare it out of hand and make rules that will change it. Pets can get mighty creative in their curiosities and in their rebellions.

House breaking. Of course there will be accidents; - however, the goal is to complete toilet training. Cats are easy. Bring your kitten to the cat box and put her in it. As long as she knows where the box is, toilet training will be accomplished. Cats like a little privacy when they use the litter box, so this hooded pan is ideal for cats of all ages. In addition, this litter box is a stylish pink color, so no matter where you put it, it will look good. Microban protection kills microbes and limits bacteria growth.Litter boxes don't have to be boring anymore, thanks to this brilliantly pink Hooded Pan set that you and your cat will love.

Pick a talented vet. Your veterinarian is critical to your new pet's health. General check ups, vaccines, flea control preventive must be taken seriously. Select a Veterinarian you feel comfortable with. Visit the veterinary hospital first. If the staff is friendly and the hospital smells good, you are on the right track. Ask to meet one of the veterinarians. If you both get along, then you probably found your pet a family doctor. Don't select your veterinarian just based on location.

The Pet Guy

Aqua Terras
ePet Products

9 ways to protect our bird from illnesses

2011-01-17T04:17:00.000-08:00

9 ways to protect our bird from illnesses

1. Good hygiene – regularly clean the bird cage and the appliances in it. The cleaning must be accomplished minimum twice a week. Nature's Miracle Cage and Aviary Cleaner and deodorizer with nature's enzymes completely eliminates even the toughest odors. Safe and effective, will also work on old and deep-set odors. Non-toxic, non-flammable, non-caustic, and non-acidic. Safe for use around children, birds, and pets, on colors, and on all water-safe surfaces.

2. We mustn't let our birds have contacts with wild or free – living birds, who are the main carriers of diseases and infections .

3. Do not put the bird cage exposed to draughts – the birds can catch a cold , and they should be exposed to the sun no more than 1 – 2 hours , because they can get overheated and can suffer from hypothermia .

4. If you have other pet animals – a dog , a cat, first get sure that they are not aggressive towards the birds and only then you can leave them in the same room together.

5 Examine the bird cage for protruding parts and objects that can hurt the birds. Blue Ribbon Bir Cage Kits make a great home for small birds. Complete bird cage kit is ideal for smaller parrots and conures. Each one includes toys, perches, ladder, food and water cups, and everything else you'll require. Each one makes a great starter cage for that budding bird owner.

Cage comes with: two (2) seed and water cups, two (2) Comfort perches, three (3) toys, wood ladders, swing, cement perch, calcium block, treat cup, six (6) sanded perch covers.

6. A very important factor for the good health of the birds is the proper and balanced feeding . Except for grain mixture, they should get enough quantity of fruit and vegetables, from which they will supply themselves with necessary vitamins.

7. Also, with great importance for the health of birds is the proper supply with minerals . You can buy them from the zoo in combined form.

8. It is also necessary that your birds get small stones and sand in a separate container , which contributes to the good digestion and food – assimilation.

9. Overfeeding the birds with proteins of animal origin is very dangerous for them and it can cause podagra and lead to abnormal appetite.

The Pet Guy

Aqua Terras
ePet Products

Horses - Breeds, A To Z

2011-01-16T11:32:00.000-08:00

Horses - Breeds, A To Z

A horse is a horse of course of course. Right? Well, not exactly. There are more breeds of horses than Carter has liver pills. We're just going to touch on a few examples here, otherwise we're going to need a book about 2000 pages long.

For example, and we'll just start with the letter A, there is the Australian Stock Horse. This is one of those horses that arose from selective breeding due to the demands of the environment. The history of this breed actually began in 1788. When the first breed of horses was brought to Eastern Australia by the First Fleet. These horses were of mixed English Thoroughbred and Spanish stock and they were hardy enough horses that they were a perfect choice for the cavalry.

Moving along to the letter B, we have the Basotho Pony. This horse is found only in Lesotho, which is in South Africa. The horse is used almost exclusively for riding. The breed itself was developed sometime after 1825 from the Cape Horse. By the start of the 20th century this breed almost completely disappeared due to exporting of the horses and cross breeding with Arab and Thoroughbred horses. Fortunately, during the later part of the 20th century, a society was formed to revive the breed.

One of the most famous breed of horses starting with the letter C is the Clydesdale. This horse was developed in a district of Scotland. It is a heavy draft horse breed. The breed itself was developed by farmers in Lanarkshire, which is the old name for Clydesdale. This horse was mainly bred to meet the agricultural needs of farmers. The Clydesdale is a real work horse. Make no mistake about that.
The letter D gives us the Dartmoor Pony. This horse is one of nine breeds that are specific to the British Isles.

This particular breed comes from a barren moorland called Dartmoor, which is located in Devon, England. These are very old horses which go all the way back to the reign of King Henry I. Today, Dartmoor Ponies are found all over Great Britain as well as countries like France, Sweden and Germany.

Moving along to the letter E, we have the Eriskay Pony. This particular pony is the only surviving variety of the Hebridean pony. It is found on the Hebrides Islands off the coast of Scotland. Today this particular breed of pony is almost extinct. Recent DNA testing of these animals show that they are of very ancient origin. These horses are mostly used for transportation and common chores such as pulling carts and even taking children to school.

And in case you are wondering, yes there are breeds of horses that begin with the letter Z. One of them is the Zaniskari Pony, which is found in Northern India. This particular breed is what is called a riding and pack breed. Yes, there are more breeds of horse than you can possibly imagine.

The Pet Guy

Aqua Terras
ePet Products

Could Your Dog Have Anemia?

2011-01-16T03:55:00.000-08:00

Could Your Dog Have Anemia?

What is anemia? It is a serious condition caused by red blood cell loss. Lack of iron in the diet is usually the culprit. However with animals, anemia is usually caused by parasitic worms or fleas that feed on blood and tissues. On occasion, it can also be caused by a toxicity from exposure to certain drugs.

Find The Cause First

Is it possible that your dog has anemia? Symptoms to watch for are pale or white gums, signs of weakness and a fast pulse.

The first step in reversing this condition is to remove the cause. If your dog has fleas or intestinal parasites, start on a program to rid your pet of these pests as soon as possible. If it is coming from fleas use Advantage Flea and Tick Control. A once per month flea treatment for dogs and puppies seven weeks of age and older. Advantage kills 98% of fleas on infested dogs within 12 hours, providing protection from re-infestation for up to four weeks. Comes packaged in convenient tube applicator.

Is your dog on any medications? Just like people, certain drugs can cause side-effects, such as anemia. If you suspect that this may be the cause of your dog's anemia, you will need to consult your veterinarian about switching your pet to a new medication.

Treatment For Canine Anemia

The good news is that anemia is a condition that can easily be treated by providing your dog with a diet rich in iron, protein and vitamin B12. Here are some especially iron-rich foods and supplements that should boost the growth of his red blood cells:

1. Beef liver is rich in iron, protein, B complex, and B12. It's one of the best ways of supplementing your pet's diet with iron. Mardel Pet-Tabs Plus is rich in vitamins and minerals.

2. Kelp powder is another good choice to add to your dog's food, as it contains iodine and other trace minerals.

3. Dark green vegetables contain a good source of iron as well. Just be careful about feeding too much gassy vegetables such as broccoli.

4. Vitamin B12 along with nutritional yeast can offer many of the same benefits as liver, although a natural food source is always a better pick. However, if you just can't stand the thought of cutting up liver chunks for your pet, this is a good alternative.

5. Providing Vitamin C (between 500 mgs to 2000 mgs per day, depending on your dog's size) along with 200 mg to 400 mg of Vitamin E helps with the absorption of iron within the intestinal tract. This combination is also a very good antioxidant. Give one Vitamin E a day, but divide up the dosage of Vitamin C to 3 times a day. Vitamin C is water soluble which means that it is quickly absorbed by the body. It needs to be replenished throughout the day to be most effective.

Be sure to check with your veterinarian if you believe your pooch has the signs of anemia. Get proper blood tests done to rule out any other possible problems or causes as well. Following the above dietary recommendations should help get your dog back to replenishing and increasing his or her red blood cells once more.

The Pet Guy

Aqua Terras
ePet Products

6 things that we have to consider before buying a bird

2011-01-15T04:01:00.000-08:00

6 things that we have to consider before buying a bird

What to start with?

First we have to consider the following :

1) What can I afford?

The price of on parrot varies in large bounds in dependence with the species. You can buy for example a budgie for less than 10 $. The price of the cockatiel varies between 25 and 35 $. An Amazonian parrot and grey parrot can be purchased for about 300 – 400$, cockatoo for 1,000 $...... and the price of some parrots reaches $15,000! This is one of the initial questions which you have to answer.

2) How much space will the bird need?

Larger birds and even some of the small ones are very active physically and need big cages and space in which to play.

3) Is there any free time for the bird?

Probably this is the most important question. Birds are intelligent, playful and mostly “ social ” creatures. Will you have time to play with your bird? To care properly of it? Will it have the chance to be a part of your family? Consider the fact that birds live fairly long. A small parrot cockatiel lives for 20 years and more! Amazona or African grey parrot can live for 50, 60 and there are documented cases for birds that lived up to the respectable age of 100 years! Can you devote to this? It is not unusual to inherit birds for previous generations. Don't buy a bird if you think that you will soon get bored of it.

4) How noisy is the bird? Will the neighbors murmur?

Budgies and cockatiel are comparatively quiet. They are suitable to look after in a flat. Moluxco cockatoo could live in flat just if you have neighbors around you and six floors above / below you that like listening screams to cracking their ear - drums. The African grey parrot tends to be one of comparatively non-noisy parrots. Certainly, there are individual differences between birds. Somewhere there could be cockatoo, that don ' t make noisy to heaven. If really there could be found such, an enterprising person could make a fortune of it. Remember that noise is a subjective and relative sensation. A bird can be considered as “ non-noisy ” only at the background of another one,considered as noisy.

5) How “ destructive ” could a bird be?

Do you possess peerless old furniture? Rare books? Remember that these birds have strong beaks,. Some of them are less inclined to “ nibbling ” than others, but nibbling is completely natural behaviour for them.

6) Does the parrot need special food?

Looking for a large parrot? Try a deliciously fruity blend of tastes that your parrot will simply adore. Kaytee Exact Rainbow is a nutritious bird food developed by the nutritional experts at the Kaytee Avian Research Center to provide all the nutrients proven necessary for macaws, cockatoos, all parrots, eclectus, pionus, and large conures. Exact Rainbow combines the highest quality ingredients with added nutrients in a special pasteurizing process to produce an enticing rainbow of life-like colors and shapes. The colors and shapes are fun to eat, and you just can't beat the complete nutrition. Formulated specifically for the birds above, this food is a fun choice for everyday feeding.

Thinking about a canary or finch? Kaytee Forti Diet ProHealth bird food for Cannarys. Delicious palatable seeds and natural Probiotics improve health and digestion with Forti Diet ProHealth from Kaytee. DHA Omega-3 improves heart, brain and visual functions, while natural ingredients bring out feathers and coloring.

Lory parrots, for example, need a specialized diet. Do you have an opportunity and means to provide it? Once you have made a preliminary investigation and have decided what kind of parrot you want, you can go looking for it and buy it. NEVER, NEVER BUY A PARROT IMPULSIVELY!

The Pet Guy

Aqua Terras
ePet Products

Allergic To Your Dog Or Cat?

2011-01-14T03:23:00.000-08:00

Allergic To Your Dog Or Cat?

Pets definitely help us live longer and healthier lives. This is especially true of the elderly and those of us who live alone. Pets make wonderful and faithful companions. They are always there for us. However, this relationship can become strained, and sometimes even be broken when someone in the household develops an allergy to a beloved pet.

Studies show that approximately 15% of the population suffers from an allergy to a dog or cat, and about one third of those with an allergy to cats choose to live in a household with a cat despite the allergy. Some allergy suffers live happily with a pet for a year or two before an allergy starts.

There are sometimes long term health ramifications of repeated allergy flair up's, especially for children. Repeated flair-up's can cause permanent lung damage in children. This should be carefully and thoroughly discussed with your physician. One of the ways to live happily with an animal you are allergic to is to decrease your exposure to the animal. Keep the animal outside if possible.

If the allergy sufferer only has a mild reaction to the animal there are ways for the two of them to live together in harmony, but it takes work. The animal should not be allowed in the allergy sufferers bedroom or on the bed. Keep the animal off of any upholstered furniture in the house as dander can be transferred to upholstered furniture. Use a room purifier to remove airborne animal dander. Remove carpets from the home if possible and replace with wood floors. Wash area rugs on a regular basis with warm water. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter in order to trap dander. The allergy sufferer should wash his or her face and hands after handling the animal. The animal can be bathed weekly in specially formulated shampoo that removes dander.

In some cases where the above methods and the use of over the counter antihistamines and decongestants do not help, the allergy sufferer may need to seek the help of an allergist. Immunotherapy can be thought of like a vaccination against your allergies. Given on a regular basis as shots, immunotherapy helps your body build up a natural tolerance to specific allergens.

With the use of the above methods you'll be able to live a long and healthy life with your pet!

The Pet Guy

Aqua Terras
ePet Products

Chinchillas Staying Healthy With Pellets and Hay

2011-01-13T18:25:00.000-08:00

Chinchillas Staying Healthy With Pellets and Hay

The chinchilla's process of consuming food is quite different than other animals. They should have a lot of roughage and fewer nutrients. One of the things that they must have enough of is pellets. Zupremm Chinchilla Pellets promotes healthy skin and coat in your small pet. Each bag contains a mix of fresh grass and vegetables for a fresh taste chinchillas can't resist.

Chinchilla pellets can be purchased from a breeder or a pet store. Not all brands contain the same ingredients. When your purchase them, be sure that the basic ingredients are in the mix. This would include alfalfa meal, wheat germ, molasses, oats, soybean oil meal, corn, and added vitamins and minerals. The chinchilla pellets are long because the animals eat with their hands and they must be able to grasp them.

The chinchillas consume the pellets until they feel full. When they get to that point, they will stop and refrain from overeating. You can either feed them once or twice a day. You'll want to figure out which feeding regimen is best for them. Stick with whatever works best and be consistent. If you're not, the chinchilla will know and the inconsistency will cause them to be stressed.

A chinchilla's livelihood is based on routines. You can feed the pellets to them either from a hopper feeder or a ceramic bowl. The hopper feeder is good to use because you don't have to concern yourself about it falling over. Ceramic bowls are good because they are heavy and the chinchilla can't chew it, like they would a plastic bowl.

Chinchilla pellets are one of the best things they can eat; but if for some reason you can't locate them, you can substitute rabbit or guinea pig pellets for them. These are fine to consume as long as they contain plenty of fiber and are low in fat. If for some reason you do have to switch their pellets, do it gradually. Once they get used to a system, it's difficult for them to change suddenly. They will adapt, but they get stressed if it happens all at once. Your Chinchilla will definitely not get bored with Kaytee's Fiesta Chinchilla Food. A fiesta of flavors including wholesome grains and seeds, plus delectable chunks of raisins, bananas, papaya, sweet potatoes, and much more. There is a party in every bag of Fiesta food.

Hay is good for them because it also provides fiber for their system. You can choose from two kinds: alfalfa or timothy. They can be purchased in loose or small compressed blocks with a measurement of 1" X 1" X 2". The animals will eat both kinds and it must be chemical and mold free. Because of their sensitive digestive system, chinchillas can only consume fresh hay. To remain fresh, it must be stored in a dry place.

Fifty-pound bags may be too much for a chinchilla owner, so cubes can be purchased in smaller amounts. It's better if the cubes are broken into smaller pieces. This way, they can handle them easier as opposed to being one cumbersome piece. One pressed cube or a handful of hay is all an adult chinchilla usually eats.

An alternative to hay would be Kaytee's Smal Pet Bermuda Grass. Encourage your pet's natural foraging instincts with a uniquely different source of fiber. Bermuda grass gives your pet a new taste with the fiber that aids their digestive system in a compressed, easily fed bale. Give them the variety they enjoy with the fiber they need!

The Pet Guy

Aqua Terras
ePet Products

Breeding Livebearers - Guppies and Swordtails

2011-01-13T02:59:00.000-08:00

Breeding Livebearers - Guppies and Swordtails

Equipment Needed:

Breeder Box or Breeder Net

Breeding Grass

5 or 10 gallon tank for the baby fish or a tank divider that you can use for your main tank.

A pair - 1 female and 1 male

This breeder was engineered with wide-slotted side vents, as well as bottom vents, to promote water circulation that furnishes oxygen and fresh water to the fry. It attaches to the side of the aquarium with bendable metal hangers.

Use without the dividers for new-born fry, with or without baby-saver plate.
Use with center dividers in place, to separate two pregnant or aggressive fish.
Use "V" partition and "V" divider for further isolation options.

Two of the more popular tropical fish for beginners has to be Guppies and Swordtails. Guppies and Swordtails are livebearers which means that their babies come out swimming. Like most livebearers, there is not much to getting your guppies or swordtail to breed. If you have a male and a female then you will eventually have a pregnant female. The gestation period for livebearers is usually 28 days but can range from 20 to 40 days.

Place the male and female in the same tank together and they will soon mate. You are probably asking, how can I tell when the female is pregnant? When a female guppy is pregnant she will develop a dark triangular shaped gravid spot near her anal vent. This will get larger and darker as the pregnancy progresses. While you are waiting on the female to develop the fry it's time to make sure you are prepared for the delivery. We use plastic breeder boxes and always have without any problems. A breeder box is a small box plastic box about 4 inches long by 3 inches wide and 4 inches deep. There is a removable "V" shaped trap in it which serves to separate the mother from the babies. When the mother fish has babies they fall through the slot in the "V" into the bottom of the box. After the mother is finished having babies, you can remove the "V" trap so that the babies have more room to grow. Some people have had bad experiences with breeder boxes and now only use a breeding net. It is also a good idea to purchase some real or plastic breeding grass for the top of the aquarium. The breeding grass is just in case the mother gives birth before you have a chance to put her in the breeder box. The young babies instinctively will swim to the top of the aquarium and the breeder grass provides a great hiding place so they won't get eaten by the bigger fish in your tank.

To feed your new arrivals you can use finely crushed flake food. Using your fingers, you can rub the flakes into a fine powder. Some only feed live foods such as baby brine shrimp. Live foods would definitely be the best way to go, but for most this is simply not feasible. Crushed or powdered flake food will suffice. Try to feed the babies 3 very small meals per day. You will invariably feed too much and the excess food will drop to the bottom of the tank or breeder box. To clean a breeder box we like to take a 3 ft. length of aquarium tubing and a small bucket. Use the tubing as a siphon to clean the bottom of the breeder box. Be careful not to siphon any baby fish.

Try to perform 25% water changes weekly for your baby guppies. This will aid in the optimal growth of your baby tropical fish. After a few weeks in the breeder box your new babies will soon outgrow their home and you will need to move them either to a new tank or your main tank with a divider installed. By 8 weeks old your baby fish will most likely be able to return to the main tank without a divider. However, it really depends on the size of the other inhabitants in your aquarium. Use your best judgement before releasing them into the main tank.

Whether you are going for that one of kind strain or if you simply find small fry swimming in the top of your tank one day after work, please be responsible with your fish. If you have more than you can accomodate you can try trading them or maybe even selling them to a local fish store in your area. Talk to your local pet stores beforehand to see if you can work out some sort of arrangement. You can also use this opportunity to get your friends interested in fish.

The Pet Guy

Aqua Terras
ePet Products

All The Things You Should Know About Your Dog - But Do not Want To Talk About!

2011-01-12T03:50:00.000-08:00

All The Things You Should Know About Your Dog - But Do not Want To Talk About!

When you decided to get a dog, I'll bet you daydreamed about the great times you'd have with your new best friend. However, there are many things that you need to consider in order to keep your pooch happy and healthy. Things that perhaps you'd rather not even think about!

Flea and tick control is very important in maintaining dog health. Advantage flea and tick controls can help with this. A once per month flea treatment for dogs and puppies seven weeks of age and older. Advantage kills 98% of fleas on infested dogs within 12 hours, providing protection from re-infestation for up to four weeks. Comes packaged in convenient tube applicator.

When you go to the veterinarian he may ask you to bring along a urine sample from your dog. How do you do this? Your dog surely won't be able to hit a sample bottle. The easiest way to accomplish this is to tape a polythene container to the end of a yard stick. While your dog is out doing his business, position the container underneath his urine stream. This is easier to do with male dogs than female dogs but you can usually get a sample with one or two tries. Your veterinarian will want as fresh a sample as possible so if you won't be taking the sample to the vet right away, keep it refrigerated until you bring it in. Your veterinarian will be checking the sample for a variety of things like bacteria and crystals. If bacteria is found it could mean that your dog has a urinary tract infection and will most likely require your dog to be put on a course of antibiotics. Crystals form in the urine whenever minerals bind together, there are several different kinds of crystals and these are most often treated with prescription diets.

If your veterinarian asks for a stool sample it could mean that he suspects that intestinal parasites are bothering your dog. They can get these by eating fecal matter from another affected animal, carcasses, or other unsavory things. You will want to bring in a fresh sample. The doctor will examine it under the microscope and look for telltale eggs of parasites. Commonest parasites are roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms. Several of today’s monthly heartworm medications also protect against roundworms and hookworms. If you live in the country or your dog is outside for much of the day, he may need to be treated with a tapeworm wormer on a quarterly basis. Other diseases like coccidia, can also be seen under the microscope from your dog’s stool sample.

What about anal glands? The anal glands are two small glands located just on the inside of your dog’s anus that secrete a foul smelling liquid. Usually the glands will be emptied when your dog defecates. Unfortunately, in some dogs, the anal glands become impacted and do not empty properly. If your dog is urinating more than usual or licking his hind quarters more often, there may be a problem with his anal glands. In this case it's important to make an appointment with your veterinarian who will check the anal glands by gloved touch. If the anal glands are full, he will be able to empty them manually. it is possiblen, however, to learn how to do this yourself at home. Some dogs require their anal glands be manually emptied regularly. Some owners have their dog’s anal glands surgically removed but if you choose to do this, discuss the possible outcomes with your veterinarian as there is often a risk of fecal incontinence if the surgery goes awry.

Occasionally in dogs, dandruff is just dandruff caused by skin allergies, nutritional deficiencies, or improper grooming. Lambert Kay makes several typer of dog shampoo and conditioners to help with this problem.

Sometimes, however, dandruff can be a sign of a parasite called mange of which there are a few different types:

a) Demodectic Mange is caused by a mite which all dogs have but are rarely adversely affected by it. Sometimes however, there can be an overabundance of these mites which causes skin irritation and hair loss.

b) Sarcoptic Mange (also known as scabies) is caused by another type of mite. A female mite buries herself in the dog’s skin and lays her eggs there. When the eggs hatch, the cycle begins again. This causes severe skin irritation and hair loss in dogs but is easily treatable.

c) Cheyletiella Mange is caused by a large mite that lives on the surface of the dog’s skin. This infestation is also known as 'walking dandruff'. This type of mange causes minor skin irritation but is easily treatable with topical medication.

So, now you can talk about those unpleasant things! It's important that you are properly educated and can recognize signs and symptoms so that you keep your dog as healthy as he can be.

The Pet Guy

Aqua Terras
ePet Products

The Toys Cats Will Love

2011-01-11T15:14:00.000-08:00

The Toys Cats Will Love

Do you walk through the pet store, see the many toys available for your cat, and wonder if the expense will be worth it? Cats can be fickle creatures, but a good time can be found with almost any toy. Cats are like children they go through stages and sometimes need age appropriate toys and can get bored very easily. Some suggestions for toys include the cat towers, stuffed mice, small amounts of catnip, stuffed animals, ribbons, and plastic balls.

From an early age, kittens learn to pick up things in their mouths. It is an instinct, just like using their claws. When a cat plays, they like to grab and bit their toys. Let us look at the toys listed above. A cat tower is a great way to teach you cat where it is appropriate to climb. It will keep them off the blinds or curtains while giving them hours of fun. There are many styles of cat towers from the two story towers to the ones rising to the ceiling. The answer to your question is, the more levels they have the more fun and enjoyment they will receive out of a cat tower. A cat will use the tower for play as well as sleep. They like to bat at ropes and other items dangling off the tower as well as going through little tunnels up to the next level. If you have two cats you will have fun watching them give chase to the top often trying to knock the other off. A cat tower can be practical because they will scratch at it rather than your couch.

Stuffed mice are also important to any kitty’s playtime. Not all mice are the same; most cats prefer the small leather mice with the multi colored fur and long tails. These mice come in twelve packs or three packs, and believe me if they are anything like my kitty they will tear them apart. Cloth mice are typically second during playtime. If you find your kitty to be uninterested in mice you might want to check the type of mouse you have bought them.

Catnip toys are very popular. Catnip will cause your cat to be more rowdy, which can be a plus because they wear down faster. Catnip before bedtime is a great way to get your cat to sleep for quite a while and leave you to slumber. Catnip should be given out sparingly. You do not want to give your cat catnip everyday because it can have adverse affects to their behavior. They can start to depend on it and have mood swings.

I have found the best toy may just be your old stuffed animal lying around the house. My kitty, Spooky, will bring me a stuffed animal when she is ready to play and she has stuffed animals in her toy basket. There is nothing more amusing than watching my kitty brings me a stuffed animal bigger than she is and proceeds to toss it in the air and pounce. Cats like the feel of certain things in their mouths that is why they chew on paper, plastic and even your blankets. The feel of the material in their mouths allows them to clean their teeth or when they are teething help reduce the pain. The stuffed animal can work in much the same way and keep them away from harmful products.

To answer my above question you do not have to go to great expense to entertain your cat, however when you spend a little on toys you keep your kitty from getting bored. You may even decide to hide a few toys and reintroduce them after a few months to keep from purchasing new ones all the time. Just make sure it is not the favorite toy of your pet or they may find other ways to entertain themselves that you do not find amusing.

The Pet Guy

Aqua Terras
ePet Products

5 Steps To a Perfect Koi Pond

2011-01-11T12:34:00.000-08:00

5 Steps To a Perfect Koi Pond

Step 1- Setting Up The Perfect Environment

You perfect Koi pond starts with the actual pond itself. You have to create a pond that will not only be pleasing to the eye, but will also adequately sustain Koi. Proper placement, size, and pond type is essential when building your pond.

Filtering your pond is one of the most importand elements. The Pondmaster 1350 Garden Pond Filter System creates an exotic atmosphere while providing ease of use and reliablity for ponds up to 800 gallons. This system comes complete with the Pondmaster 1000 Filter, particle and carbon fitler pads, a fish safe Model 3 Mag-Drive Pump with a 350 gph flow rate, 18 foot power cord, and two 3/4" hose fittings and hose to connect the units. Two free fountain heads, which can be directly connected the pump, are also included with the kit and provide an exciting water display to your pond.

When it comes to pond size, the bigger is always better. Koi have a habit of growing rather fast, so you have to consider pond size at the same time you are considering how many Koi you are going to put it in.

Unless you have a large amount of knowledge in outdoor landscaping, fish keeping, and construction, it may be a good idea to leave the pond building to a professional. While some people think that building the pond yourself with save you money, this could not be further from the case. If your pond is not build properly the first time, you will end up spending a large amount of money on fixing the problems that come up. Not only that, if your pond is not properly setup, you may not even be able to keep fish alive.

Remember when you hire a professional it is their job to give you what you want. They can give their knowledge when it comes to decision making, but ultimately, they will do whatever you want them too. Because of this, you cannot blame them if your pond fails do to location, size, or other factors. However, beware of extremely cheap quotes as they may cut corners that could potentially cause you problems later. While quotes will come in different, there should not be a very dramatic difference between them.

Step 2- Learning about Koi Keeping

Knowledge is power when it comes to Koi keeping. It is important to learn as much as you possibly can about the hobby before jumping in with both feet.

It is important to learn the information yourself rather then relying on other sources. People such as your product dealer and pond builder will have limited knowledge, but should not be trusted for a reliable source, as they are selling products and may be bias. Plus, once you are at home with your Koi, your product dealer or pond builder may not be available to help you in the event of a problem.

Step 3- Picking Out Koi

Once you have created the perfect environment, you will need to start looking into buying your fish. It is important to remember never to purchase to many Koi because they will grow rather large, and they breed almost yearly. Overpopulating your Koi pond will cause serious problems in the future.

Step 4- Preventing Common Koi Pond Problems

You can prevent certain types of Koi pond problems by following simple prevention steps.

Always quarantine new fish before introducing them to your current Koi population. Koi can have certain illnesses and viruses, such as KHV or Koi Herpes Virus, with little or no showing symptoms. By quarantining, you will greatly reduce the risk of exposing your population to potentially deadly situations.

Do water tests at least on a weekly basis. This will allow you to notice discrepancies in the test results long before your pond starts showing symptoms of stress. This will potentially save not only your pond, but your fish as well. Aquarium Pharmaceuticals makes pond test kits to help keed your pond and pond fish healthy.

Step 5- Feeding You Koi

Finally, feeding you Koi can be one of the most pleasing parts of having a perfect Koi pond.

You should check with your local pet store or Koi dealer when it comes to the amount and types of food that you should be feeding your fish. Feeding patterns change with season and temperature.

Tetra Pond makes a floating spring and fall diet for Koi fish. These floating sticks should be used during the cold season. It is a balanced diet for all pond fish, promotes health, vitality and fertility. Use during late fall, early spring in water temperatures as low as 41 degrees. It is extremely easy to digest, enriched with spirulina, natural color enhancers, vitamin E and stabilized vitamin C, also has a high fiber content.

Koi can literally be trained to eat directly from your hand. This takes time and patience, but will ultimately provide entertainment to you and your visitors.

The Pet Guy

Aqua Terras
ePet Products

Ferrets A Friendly Playful Pet

2011-01-11T07:28:00.000-08:00

Ferrets A Friendly Playful Pet

Ferrets, often considered a rare pet to own. Most individuals choose dogs, cats, birds, or fish to complete their family, however a select few turn to the ferret for its social, playful, curious qualities. Ferrets love to play and explore not only with others and their owners, but also on their own. For this reason, you need to know a few things on how to take care of a ferret.

First, you will want to ferret proof your home before you introduce them as pets. They will crawl into walls, furniture, and anywhere they can get their little bodies. It is much like childproofing a home for a baby. You will want to make sure all of the dangers are eliminated when you allow them out of their cages for playtime.

Ferrets are also biters. The kits, baby ferrets, tend to bite more. You can eliminate the problem or tone it down with frequent handling. It is a sign of their behavior as mock fighting or sparring. The younger ferrets tend to bite more when they are teething and do not mean any harm. For this reason, you will want to handle the ferret or ferrets as often as possible to help reduce the biting behavior. Often those who do not take the time or patience to train their ferret end up leaving the animal in its cage and thus it has a shorter lifespan. Please make sure you are up to the task of training a ferret before brining one into your home. Trained properly they can be as great a pet as cats or dogs.

A ferret’s lifespan is usually six to ten years, however proper care and feeding can lead to a little longer life. Ferrets are carnivores so they require a high protein diet. Most owners decide to feed their ferret’s mice, rats, rabbit, and other raw meats such as chicken. Stores carried other types of ferret food that many owners choose over the live food. Carefully reading the label will tell you if it has the proper high protein diet. Most kitten food can be used for example because it is designed to be high protein and fat for growing cats.

While play is an important part of your ferret’s life so is sleep. Most ferrets spend fourteen to eighteen hours a day sleeping. Part of sleeping is to rejuvenate them from the active play life they have. They love to explore and to play with toys. Many pet stores have toys for ferrets, or you might have something around the house that your ferret will find appealing.

The type of cage is important. Ferrets tend to be very smart so you will need a cage they can get plenty of air, but small enough bars they cannot break away. You will also want to clean the cage once or twice a week depending upon the number of ferrets you have, how dirty the cage looks. They are also burrows so some type of bedding is required. Marshalls Fetter Cages make great living spaces.

Ferrets are little balls of fur that love to play and interact with humans and each other. While there are some special concessions you need to make to have a ferret the results are worth it. Proper training as a kit will give you even more joy when they reach adulthood.

The Pet Guy

Aqua Terras
ePet Products

Reptilian Pets: The Snake Every Boys Dream Pet

2011-01-10T13:48:00.000-08:00

Some people have an adverse reaction to having a snake or any other reptiles as a pet, however with proper care and the correct selection even those with aversions can become quite fascinated by having a snake as a pet. The key is to do a lot of research when buying a snake. Most pet shops will sell the harmless snakes and teach you how to feed them. If you always wanted a snake as a pet when you were a boy, you might choose something a little more exotic. Tips to finding the right snake for you or your child can come in handy when you are faced with the task.

First you will want to research snakes in general. You have your garden-variety snake that is very common and not dangerous. Then there are pythons, kings, and boa constrictor snakes. Keep in mind if this is for a child you probably want a harmless snake that will not grow to large. The larger snakes mentioned above take more care and larger aquariums and are not suited for smaller children.

Achieve the proper temperature gradients in your terrarium with Repti Heat Cable. This heat source is perfect for underneath or inside terrariums, wrapped around branches or other favorite basking spots. The Repti Heat Cable is water resistant and can be used in high humidity terrariums, though not submerged. An efficient, functional way to heat multiple tanks, as well. The Repti Heat Cable is the easy way to provide the optimum temperature for all your terrarium applications.

The species of snake you chose will have a special diet. Most species have different diets. You may have seen a pet snake in the pet store eating mice while other snakes do not. It is important to choose a snake you can provide proper food for at all times. You also do not want to keep a wild snake, as they tend to carry diseases and stress with the change in environment. It is best to shop at a trustworthy pet shop or snake breeder.

Most king snakes and gopher snakes tend to eat mice and need to have plenty of water to drink. You may have a little pond in your aquarium with a tree branches, rocks, and dirt for your snake. Like food most snakes require a special environment. You will want to research that snake before choosing the environmental accessories. Snakes are often tropical in nature so they require heat as well as moderate temperatures in the evening. You have heard of the desert being cold at night. Snakes are proliferating in the desert areas and rainforests. Being able to provide the proper environment will ensure a long life for you new pet. Zoo Med Aspen Snake Reptile Bedding is the #1 snake bedding by professionals worldwide. Aspen Snake Bedding offers an absorbency rate of 191% and is 99.9% dust-free. Unique structure allows pets to burrow and create nests just like in nature. Contains no toxic oils and created from a renewable resource. Also great for lizards, birds, tortoises, tarantulas and insects.

Touching on food again you also need to have a feeding schedule. Some snakes do not have to eat every day. In fact, gopher snakes will not eat every day. If you are getting a pet snake for you child you will want to make sure they understand the feeding schedule. Most young adults can handle having a pet snake while little children will need you to take care of the snake.

Handling the snake is also important. The more a snake is used to human contact the more contact the more domicile they tend to be. This means those that are dangerous can be held given proper training and handling. I recommend staying away from these snakes when you first have a pet snake. It is important to take small steps when you have a pet snake to get used to their special needs.

Snakes can make great pets if you take proper care of them. Many young boys and even girls are fascinated with snakes. They have pretty colors and just the lure of a little danger can add to the interest. Make sure you are prepared for the requirements needed from you to have a pet snake before giving in to a child’s demand.

The Pet Guy

Aqua Terras
ePet Products

Choosing Bird Cages

2011-01-10T03:47:00.000-08:00

With so many bird species, as well as the various sizes and types of bird cages on the market today, choosing the correct one for your pet bird can be quite hard. If you consider all general factors of bird cages, you can easily choose one that is safe, comfortable, and very convenient regardless of the type of pet bird you have.

A very important factor when choosing bird cages is the size of the cage. You should make sure to get a cage that is the largest you can find of the type of bird you have. It is always best to not try to stick to the minimum size recommended, instead opting for a larger size to ensure that your bird has the most space possible.

Next to consider when choosing bird cages are the various shapes available. Cylindrical shaped bird cages should be avoided since they are often too small. In fact, many bird can feel quite insecure in that type of cage.

When it comes to small birds, length is definitely more important than height. Birds often fly within their cages for exercise and their flight pattern tends to be side to side rather than up and down. For birds such as large parrots, taller cages are ok because the extra height enables the bird to exercise by being able to climb, but they should also be wide enough for the bird to stretch and also play.

Bird cages often have different types of bar/wire spacing. This spacing should be adequate because it is a very important aspect of a bird cage. If the spacing is incorrect, it could cause the bird to get its wings, head, feet, or even beak caught. This could be fatal to your pet bird.

Parrots need a cage that have horizontal bars so the bird can climb on the cage’s side. But for those birds who do not use their beaks when climbing, such as finches, doves, and/or canaries, it doesn’t matter what the bar orientation is.

Of course, you definitely want to make sure you buy a quality cage for your pet bird. Those that are well-made using high quality materials can be quite expensive. But they are well worth the expense since they are not only safer, but last much longer than those that cost less.

You want to make sure to choose bird cages made from safer, non-toxic materials such as stainless steel and/or powder-coated wrought iron. These are definitely more durable and look much better than their cheaper counterparts.

Bar spacing isn’t the only aspect to consider when choosing safe bird cages. Your pet’s wings, head, beak, and/or feet can also get caught in other features of a cage. Any intricate designs or fancy scroll work should be avoided, as well as doors, latches, or any other parts of the cage that can potentially trap your pet bird.

Also, high levels of lead and zinc can be a problem and are usually found in older, painted cages. Avoid cages made with galvanized wire that contains zinc, as well as those with zinc components like hinges and latches. Any cage with a sharp edge is definitely a hazard.

Last, but not least, the cage you choose should be easy to maintain. Pull out trays will help to make cleaning the cage’s bottom very easy and wider doors help to make access for cleaning easier. Make sure you can also easily remove/replace the bird’s food and water dishes without having to open the main doors. Be aware that cages made of stainless steel and wrought iron are generally easier to maintain

The Pet Guy

Aqua Terras
ePet Products

What Do Ferrets Eat

2011-01-09T18:10:00.000-08:00

Ferrets have a unique diet compared to other animals. This is because they need one that is rich in protein and low in fat. Aside from that, it must also not be rich in carbs and sugar.

Perhaps the best one to buy in the market is Kaytee Fiesta food for ferrets.

The products mentioned are not soft cat food which does not contain less protein that has the tendency to lead to tooth decay. Although these are quite expensive, buying an 8 pound bag of any of the brands mentioned will last up to 2months.

But ferrets in general are carnivores so when you feed them, make sure that you are using two types of food at all times ideally meat and poultry. This will prevent them from being stuck on only one type of food so they won’t have a hard time adjusting later on.

Aside from food, you should also give your ferret supplements. Examples of these include Ferretvite and Ferretone but only in moderation.

Using the right food will prove to be worth it when you notice that your ferret is very energetic and their coat are in excellent condition. Of course, you will still need to groom it by combing the hair and giving it a bath every so often because they tend too smell when they get dirty.

Once in a while, it wouldn’t hurt to feed your ferret some Marshalls Bandits Ferret Treats or small pieces of fruit and vegetable. The same goes with sugar free cereal. This must never be given in large quantities as this causes gastrointestinal upset, a possible blockage and even malnutrition.

As your ferret grows older, you should change their diet to kitten food because studies have shown that these too much protein may cause kidney problems. This should only be given if ever your ferret is recovering from an illness or has undergone surgery.

Some ferret owners believe that a raw food diet may also work. One good example is raw meaty bones which, helps prevent tartar from forming on the teeth and also provides calcium in their diet. Because of this diet, you will have a more active ferret around the house that has excellent coat condition. You don’t have to clean up that much after your pet because it also decreases the stool volume as the food ingested is absorbed by the body and their natural scent is greatly decreased.

Those who want to try the raw food diet should not be worried if ferret’s stool turns white to a grayish color because this is only temporary and will soon return to normal. Since it takes time for the pet to adjust, you can mix it with ferret food that can be purchased from the store then gradually decrease this with raw bones from either meat or poultry.

Knowing what do ferrets each is just one of the many steps for those that want them to live for a long period of time. Proper care, attention and love are also needed because these creatures are great to have when you need a friend to take your worries away.
The Pet Guy

Aqua Terras
ePet Products

#1 Way For Your Saltwater Aquarium Setup – Choosing A Tank

2011-01-09T11:59:00.000-08:00

Following on from our introduction to saltwater aquariums this segment is designed to give you some idea of a typical saltwater aquarium setup.

The type of saltwater aquarium setup you choose depends on a few factors. For example, the kinds of species you want to stock, the space you have available, and your budget. In general you will want to buy the biggest saltwater aquarium setup you can afford that will fit nicely into your living environment.

This is so that your fish and other animals can have the most comfort possible as they grow. The fish and other invertebrates that you choose to stock your tank with need enough space to swim and grow in and enough oxygen to survive. When you choose a saltwater aquarium setup remember that these two factors are determined mainly by the size of the tank.

So let’s talk about the oxygen component of a saltwater aquarium setup. The amount of oxygen in the water is related to the tanks surface area. This means the amount of area on the tank’s surface that is exposed to the air. The greater the surface area of your saltwater aquarium setup, the more room there is for exchange of oxygen to happen at the surface.

The more oxygen that is allowed to enter the tank and the more harmful gases like carbon dioxide are allowed to leave the healthier your saltwater aquarium setup will be. The oxygen content of the water is also influenced by its temperature. In general, the warmer the water, the lower the oxygen content will be.
Most marine species from the tropics like water that is 75 degrees or higher so this means that less oxygen is going to be available to them. This is when it becomes important to increase the surface of the tank by making sure your saltwater aquarium setup is as large as possible.

How do you do this? There is no typical saltwater aquarium setup. Marine tanks come in a variety of shapes and size, but it is the shape of the tank, not its volume that influences surface area. This means that even where two tanks have identical volumes they might not have the same surface area depending on their shape. A saltwater aquarium setup that is tall and slender won’t get a good rate of gas exchange. An ideal design would be one that is short and wide.

Once you’ve chosen your tank its time to start thinking about its residents. Of course the size of your tank is going to dictate how many fish and invertebrates it can house. The main thing to avoid in your saltwater aquarium setup is overcrowding. Too many inhabitants and your tank’s filtration system will be overloaded. Fish living in cramped conditions become stressed and this can lead to illness and death.

You can calculate how many fish your saltwater aquarium setup will hold by stocking one inch of fish per four gallons of water for a period of six months. After this period increase the number of fish slowly to one inch per two gallons. This means that a 40 gallon aquarium should not contain more than 10 inches of fish for the first six months.

So, for example, you might choose one 3-inch queen angel, two 1-inch clownfish, one 2-inch regal tang, one 1-inch bicolor blenny and two 1-inch Beau Gregory’s. Once the six month period is over you could increase the total number of inches in your saltwater aquarium setup to 20.

Of course, your fish are going to grow so you have to adjust for the changing sizes of your fish. The shape of your fish is also important. If your fish are likely to be on the heavy side you will need to stick to the low end of the capacity of your saltwater aquarium setup.

A saltwater aquarium setup will cost you time and money so accept this and don’t skimp. Even if you devote considerable time and effort to a small tank you can still encounter problems. If you choose the wrong one initially you will probably end up having to buy another one and this may be discouraging. In short, if you don’t have the money to buy a tank that’s at least 30 gallons, don’t invest any money at all.

When you choose a saltwater aquarium setup there are many options. You can choose from glass and acrylic and you can even get reef-ready styles complete with pre-drilled holes for equipment and plumbing. Glass tanks sealed with silicon rubber cement are a common choice. Rectangle designs are popular but they are also found in octagon and hexagon. They are non-toxic and don’t scratch easily.

The downside to a glass saltwater aquarium setup is that they are heavy. This means that large tanks will have very thick glass. Try to find one with a plastic frame that will make the tank more stable. Plated glass is shatterproof but not as strong as tempered.

An acrylic saltwater aquarium setup is molded with few seams so they are more transparent. However your view may still be distorted at the corners. Acrylic tanks are not as heavy as glass and so come in a wider variety of shapes and sizes. Acrylic is also stronger than glass. On the downside acrylic tanks can get scratched and are more expensive than glass. They are easily scratched by algae scrapers and decorations. It is possible to buff these marks out with a special kit.

Whichever saltwater aquarium setup you choose make sure it provides a healthy environment for your fish. You also need to make sure that you can afford to maintain it properly and that it suits your lifestyle and available time. Once you have everything set up correctly you will be able to enjoy the colorful antics and shapes of your fishy friends, corals and other invertebrates. Enjoy the wonderful world of your saltwater aquarium!

The Pet Guy

Aqua Terras
ePet Products

Adopting a Dog

2011-01-09T10:35:00.000-08:00

There are lots of ways that people choose a new family dog. Some may search the newspaper for advertisements from breeders who are selling new puppies; others find breeders via listings on the internet, while still more may simply purchase a puppy from a local pet store. Perhaps the best method, however, in terms of being helpful to society in general is to adopt a dog from a local animal shelter.

Adopting a dog brings a new friend into your life. It also helps to reduce the number of unwanted and homeless dogs in your area. Unless the shelter is a “no kill” facility (and these are sadly few and far between), it will also save a dog’s life. Animal lovers everywhere champion the adoption of dogs from shelters as opposed to any other method of bringing home a new pet for this reason alone, but there are other reasons to choose the adoption option.

· Adopted pets have had their shots

· Shelters often have information about a dog’s temperament

· Adopting a pet frees space in the shelter for more dogs

When you adopt a dog you can be sure that the staff at the shelter has had the dog examined by a vet for diseases and parasites and that the dog has had its shots. This is not always true of dogs acquired by other means such as kids giving away “free puppies” from a box in front of the local grocery store or PetsMart.

The dogs at a shelter are not just strays and often are turned in to the shelter by former owners for various reasons. When this happens, the shelter collects as much information about the dog as possible, including whether its good with children, how much it barks, how playful or obedient it is, whether its housebroken, and other important details. While it’s true that this information is only as good as the honesty of the former owner, most of the time it is fairly accurate.

Animal shelters provide a valuable service to the community that they serve by keeping the streets as free of stray animals as possible. Because many of them do this with little or no public funding or governmental support, they are very limited in the number of dogs they can have in the shelter at any given time. The only way that they can bring in more stray animals is if they remove the ones they currently have. This is done through adoption or euthanasia. Obviously they would prefer to have the dogs adopted rather than killed. Adopting a dog could very well save its life and allows the shelter to bring in another dog in its place.

The Pet Guy

Aqua Terras
ePet Products

A Brief History of Seeing Eye Dogs

2011-01-09T10:18:00.000-08:00

No one knows when the concept of using assistance animals for the blind first came into being. It is suggested that dogs have been used in such a capacity in various cultures for a very long time. It is known, however, that there was no formal guide dog program in existence until after the First World War.

Why German Shepherds?

Today guide dogs are trained to assist people with many different disabilities. There are Hearing Ear dogs to assist the deaf and other dogs that assist the physically disabled. All of the people who have benefited from the use of a guide dog, however, owe their thanks to Mr. Morris Frank of Nashville, Tennessee.

After the end of World War I the nation of

Germany

was devastated by financial depression. Many private businesses failed and the Potsdam,

Germany

school that trained the guide dogs for the blind was one of them.

The Beginning

An American woman named Dorothy Eustis had heard about the program and decided it was a very worthwhile endeavor. Because she owned a company that was training German Shepherds as working dogs, she decided she might try to train guide dogs for the blind. She did not start this right away, however. In fact she was still considering the possibilities when she penned a story for The Saturday Evening Post about the potential for guide dogs for the blind.

A Nashville man named Morris Frank had heard the story and decided to write to Ms. Eustis and ask her to train a dog for him. She did and Mr. Frank became known as the first blind person to use a guide dog.

As part of an arrangement he’d made with Ms. Eustis, Mr. Frank started training guide dogs in the

United States

. The foundation that Mr. Frank started was dubbed “The Seeing Eye” and the so-called Seeing Eye dog was effectively born.

Many people have probably wondered why guide dogs and Seeing Eye dogs are so often German Shepherds. The reason is actually twofold. First of all the German Shepherd has a strong sense of loyalty to its owner, giving it a natural tendency to be protective. Having a very protective dog as a companion is an obvious asset for someone who may otherwise be easily attacked by less then scrupulous individuals. The other reason is far simpler; the first guide dogs for the blind and visually impaired were trained in

Germany

to provided assistance for those blinded in the war.

The Pet Guy
Aqua Terras
ePet Products

About Saltwater Aquarium Fish!

2011-01-09T09:53:00.000-08:00

Saltwater aquarium fish are amongst the most beautiful of animals to be found anywhere in the world. A variety of saltwater aquarium fish can be housed in your marine tank provided you know what they need in terms of care, such as feeding, environment, competitors and space to grow.

Any marine enthusiast will tell you that setting up a marine tank is tricky and so is choosing the right saltwater aquarium fish! This is because it’s easy to make mistakes with the kinds of fish you choose. It’s usually best to start your marine tank with a few hardy and affordable fish. The majority of saltwater aquarium fish are collected from nature rather than captive raised so don’t waste that gift by making mistakes that result in the death of your fish.

Damsels are a great saltwater aquarium fish to start off with. Damsels are hardy little creatures and can survive in poorer water conditions than many other marine species. They are not fussy about their food and won’t cost you the earth. Unfortunately damsels are also quite aggressive. You can easily keep one or two of these tough saltwater aquarium fish in a tank but don’t try any more than that.

Its best to start with damsels and then add more aggressive fish later, If you want to house saltwater aquarium fish that are more shy, you need to take your damsels out before adding more timid varieties of saltwater aquarium fish. Blue and yellow damsels are two species that are less aggressive than others.

Mollies are an alternative starter saltwater aquarium fish. Mollies that are used to salt water allow you to start with cheaper fish while you learn how to make sure the salinity of your tank is correct for more sensitive creatures. On the other hand mollies are raised and bred in captivity so you won’t get much real experience in keeping them. Get them used to the tank by allowing saltwater to drip into the bag for about 6-8 hours. When the bag becomes full remove some water. After the tank cycles you can keep the fish in the tank.

Clownfish are cousins to damsel fish and are a fairly hardy saltwater aquarium fish. They are not that easy to acclimate to a marine tank, though. They are also quite territorial but aren’t likely to be aggressive to other species. They don’t have to have an anemone to survive. If you do get one bear in mind that they need water that is very clean and high quality lighting.

Blennies or gobies are fairly hardy and small and shouldn’t be a problem for the other saltwater aquarium fish in the tank. They are character fish but they are small and so might get lost in very big tanks with bigger saltwater aquarium fish. They are a good choice to help control algae but if you have a fish only tank they may not be easy to keep fed.

Tangs are a hardy saltwater aquarium fish which are a little sensitive and tend to contract marine ich (also know as "White Spot"). They eat algae so as soon as you grow some you might try to introduce some tangs.
Triggerfish or lionfish are an ideal saltwater aquarium fish for a tank which will eventually contain large aggressive fish. However they can be costly if you make mistakes. It might be a good idea to ‘practice’ on fish that are both cheaper and easier. You will need to feed them lots of shell fish and other sea creatures to keep them healthy.

Angels and butterflies are very sensitive and difficult saltwater aquarium fish to keep. They need special diets most of the time so they are not that easy to care for in a tank. The same goes for batfish.

Once you gain more experience in keeping conditions in your tank stable you can add a few other varieties of fish. Choose from hawkfishes, grammas, dottybacks, basslets and wrasses. But make sure to find out about how to take care of them properly because some are not as easy as others. However they are a much easier bet that angels and butterflies.

So which saltwater aquarium fish should beginners avoid? You should not attempt angelfish, butterfly fish, pipefish, seahorses, long-nosed filefish, blue ribbon eels, stonefish, and Moorish Idols as well as mandarin fish until you really know what you are doing.

What about invertebrates? Contrary to popular belief invertebrates are well suited for mini or micro-reef tanks. Many invertebrates do well in non-reef tanks. For the novice aquarist the hardy species are best. These include shrimps like the cleaner shrimp, blood shrimp or peppermint shrimp and coral banded shrimp. As is the case with saltwater aquarium fish, stick to the hardier shrimps to begin with.

Anemone crabs are another option you might try along with your saltwater aquarium fish. And why not add some sea urchins and starfish which are quite well suited to beginners with a couple of month’s experience? They differ in size, shape and color and some are poisonous so be careful! Sea urchins and starfish eat detritus and algae and other small bits of food so they will help to keep your tank clean and your saltwater aquarium fish healthy.

Anemones are not really suited for beginners. They need special lighting and top-notch water conditions so if you can’t foot the bill for the lights stay away or you’ll live to regret it. Invertebrates you should avoid include tridacna clams, flame scallops, Octopi, Nudibranchs, or any hard or soft coral and sea squirts. Like the saltwater aquarium fish listed previously these invertebrates have special feeding and living requirements.
When you choose saltwater aquarium fish, you need to bear in mind that they are a bit more expensive then the freshwater varieties. For this reason you should take care with them and try to keep them alive. When fish are captured and moved from the store to your home they are liable to get stressed, especially since most of them have been taken from the ocean mere days ago. So make sure you can properly care for your new friends before you bring them home!

The Pet Guy
Aqua Terras
ePet Products

A List Of Common Fish Diseases And Their Symptoms

2011-01-08T17:22:00.000-08:00

1. Bacterial Diseases in Fish
Bacteria are a very common cause of complaint for fish breeders. There are many bacterial diseases in fish caused due to pathogenic bacteria. These bacteria can either attack the fish externally, or can enter into the body of the fish through the skin and can damage internal organs, even leading to death. Fin rot and bacterial gill disease are the most common bacterial attacks in fishes, in which the fins and the gills are infected respectively. If the bacteria have managed to gain entry into the body, it is known as systemic infection. Bacteria can also cause ulcers and lesions on the body of the fish. Bacterial infections are easily apparent externally as ulcerous marks or red irritations on the skin of the fish. Bacterial infections are very common in koi fish.

2. Fish Lice
Fish lice are scientifically termed as argulus, and being about a centimeter in size, they are among the largest parasites found in the animal world. They are very detrimental to the health of the fish, because they can suck out the fluids from the body of the fluids by clamping their proboscis like mouth into the bodies of the fish.
Lice are easily to identify on the bodies of the fish because they are clearly visible. However, it is necessary to carry a careful inspection of the body of the fish, especially in the hidden areas behind the fins. Lice may appear as dark spots when they are not moving. If there are too many lice, the fish will be quite agitated and will move their body a lot.

3. Flukes in Fish
Flukes are parasites in fish that are harmless in small numbers, but can be fatal to the fish in large numbers. Flukes are small, about 2 mm in length, and are almost invisible to the naked human eye. But these flukes have hooks through which they clamp to the bodies of the fish. Flukes can suck out the body fluids from the fish and even cause their death. The significant threat from flukes is that one fluke requires only one fish to complete its lifecycle, and therefore there is more reason why the fluke will remain clamped to the fish. Flukes have been considered to be the most difficult of the fish parasites to treat, though treatments with malachite and formalin often show positive results in stronger doses.

4. Ich
Commonly known as ich, ichthyobodo or costia is a very common parasite that is found on the bodies of fish. Several fish can live with this parasite showing no signs at all. In fact, in small numbers, ich is harmless. The defenses of the fish can keep the number of ich under control. But when fish suffer from some other disease, the defenses are broken and then ich begins to multiply. Ich can multiply at a very fast rate. In no time, the fish will show a large amount of ich on its body, its breathing will become labored and shortly, it will retreat and isolate itself from the other fish. When this stage arrives, ich often proves fatal to the fish.

The Pet Guy
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Helpful hints for keeping a healthy Tropical Fish Aquarium

2011-01-08T14:24:00.000-08:00

Tropical Aquariums are for keeping tropical fish, but you can have two different types of fish, saltwater or freshwater. Saltwater fish obviously needs saltwater and the salt needs to be a regulated level along with the PH and temperature. Freshwater fish need to have fresh purified water, both of these set ups need the good bacteria that helps to keep the aquariums clean.

Tropical aquariums that contain saltwater are only for saltwater fish. If you put a freshwater fish in this tank it will die! Saltwater fish are made to stand the levels of salt and are essential for the fish to breath and move. If salt wasn’t present they would die a death like suffocation. In saltwater aquariums you need to make sure that there are living rocks in it, this means rocks that already have the good bacteria present. You then need to leave the rock in the tank for at least two months before putting any fish in, this is to get a bacteria cycle on the go. Once the bacterium has built up, I set up the filter. After that it is safe to add the fish.

Freshwater tropical aquariums are for fish that need clear and clean water. This water has to be chlorine and ammonia free. The freshwater tank also needs to be set up and cycling for at least four weeks before adding any fish to it, as this will help the bacteria to build and make sure that the ammonia levels are kept to a bare minimum, ammonia is a substance that will kill our fish as it makes breathing for them very hard to do. You know when your tank has very high levels of ammonia because the fish are at the top of the tank struggling to breath but the trick is not to change the water, what to do is clean out the filter in some of the tank water (in a separate bowl of course) and then put it back in within a day or so. The water will be in a completely better condition. Purchase a water test kit to check your levels or nutrients before putting in your fish, they are not expensive but are a great help.

Tropical aquariums are stunning ornaments in any household! Just make sure that you don’t forget about the work and responsibility involved, they may be fish but they are still alive and should of course be kept that way!

The Pet Guy

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