Archive for August, 2010

It’s The Time Of Year To Buy Dog Clothing

August 29th, 2010, Posted in Dogs

It’s hard to believe that Autumn is already upon us.  We’re just a few days away from September and before long temperatures will begin to drop, leaves will start falling and the days will be getting shorter.  This time of year is the time to start preparing for winter.  It’s important when preparing for winter to buy winter clothing for your children and family and you don’t forget your pets.  Many people have dogs with short coats that need a little bit of extra help to stay warm during the long winter months.

Dogs are no different to people when it comes to their clothing.  Dog clothing wears out just like people’s clothing wears out.  Some dogs put on a few extra pounds as they age and last year’s dog clothing may not fit any more.  Now is the time of year to pull out all of your dog’s clothing and give it a good look over.  Some of it may need to be mended and some may just need to be thrown out.

When you get ready to go shopping for this year’s dog clothing, it’s a good idea to try last year’s clothing on your dog to make sure that it still fits.  This will give you an idea of how much clothing you need to buy for your dog because if nothing from last year fits, you’ll need to buy your pooch an entirely new wardrobe.

The best place to buy dog clothes is online.  There are many online retailers who sell dog clothing like Amazon that are very well known and reliable.  When buying dog clothing online, it’s a good idea to buy from an online retailer that has a good returns policy.  This way, when it arrives in the mail you can try it on your dog and if it doesn’t fit or you just don’t like it, you can always return it.

If you want to read more about dog clothing, please visit Dog Clothing Central.

Aquarium Lighting Guide For Your Fish Tank

August 25th, 2010, Posted in Fish

There are many requirements for keeping aquariums in good condition and one often overlooked is lighting. Lighting is necessary for the health of live fish, plants and corals, whether you are keeping a tropical fish tank or freshwater. You need to ensure that the lighting system provides the right spectrum of light, as well as proper light intensity. Use this handy aquarium lighting guide to get started setting up a fish tank or explore new possibilities for different types of tanks and inhabitants.

The six main types of aquarium lighting include regular fluorescents, compact fluorescents, high output (HO) fluorescents, very high output (VHO) fluorescents, metal halide and light emitting diodes (LED).

Regular fluorescent lights generally come with starter tanks and are inexpensive to run and replace. The bulbs have Kelvin ratings of 3,000 to 10,000 and wattages of 15 to 40. Compact fluorescent Kelvin ratings are from 5,000 to 10,000 and available in 0 to 100 watts. High output lighting usually lasts longer than regular fluorescents, but is more expensive.

Very high output fluorescents are extremely expensive and require a special fixture designed specifically for this type of lighting. Metal halide lights are another expensive setup to buy and operate. They are the preferred lighting for reef tanks with corals and anemones that require high intensity lighting. LED lighting runs cooler and consumes less energy in comparison to other forms of lighting.

Freshwater tanks without live plants can use 18 to 40 watt bulbs. For tanks with plants, plan on 2-5 watts of light per gallon. Saltwater tanks only housing fish will work well with regular fluorescent bulbs, preferably full spectrum. Saltwater reef tanks with clams, corals or live rocks will require high output or very high output fluorescents. Use this basic aquarium lighting guide when you are ready to explore new options in lighting, and you fish will live a very long time.

The Pet Fountain For Multiple Pet Homes

August 25th, 2010, Posted in Cats, Dogs

If you have more than one dog or cat, you might be wondering if there is a pet fountain that can handle the workload that multiple pets will bring. Well, the answer is a resounding yes with the Drinkwell 360 Stainless Steel Pet Fountain. Drinkwell fountains have been the top of the line and best selling for years, and the 60 fountain is one of the only fountains specifically made for pet owners who have more than one pet. Now that this fountain is available in stainless steel, it is sure to quickly rise to the top of the best sellers list of pet fountains.

The reason many people prefer stainless for their choice of pet fountain material is because stainless is naturally anti bacterial when compared to other materials like plastic. This simply means that bacteria cannot survive for nearly as long on the surface of stainless as it can on plastic. On top of that, stainless will not develop gouges like a plastic fountain will from normal use and run ins with your pet’s claws. Those gouges are the places where bacteria can take hold and even thrive.

The 360 fountain, as its name suggests, is round in shape and can be approached by your pet from any direction. There is a tower in the centre of the bowl, and the water is pumped up through that tower and allowed to fall back to the main bowl in the Drinkwell patented 5 inch stream of falling water. The fountain includes multiple attachments that will change the flow and type of water streams that come out of the tower. There is also a small valve that adjusts the overall flow of water. When toyed with in combination, these features allow you to adjust the streams until you find the one your pets prefer.

The initial release of the 360 stainless fountain was very successful, and Drinkwell is planning the full release to happen very soon. If you are in the market for a fountain for multiple pets you will find that there is currently no stainless version available. that will all change very soon when this fine addition to the Drinkwell line is released fully.

Choosing The Right Horse Equipment for Riding

August 24th, 2010, Posted in Horses

The most important piece of horse equipment you can get is the saddle. Getting the correct saddle means you have a comfortable ride and the horse does not feel any discomfort. If your horse is not comfortable with the saddle, you will find it difficult to ride the horse. It will become unpredictable, and in the worse case scenario, throw you off. There are two main types of saddles; the English saddle and the Western saddle. The main difference between the English saddle and the Western saddle is there is no horn on the English saddle. Western saddles are usually used on working horses in Western America.

Stirrups hang down either side of the horse and help support your feet. You will feel more comfortable by having your feet held in position in the stirrup. They also have some safety mechanisms that protect you and the horse. If you should fall backwards from your horse, English saddles have safety bars that allow the stirrups to fall away. This stops your feet from being trapped and being carried along by the horse. Western style saddles have coverings on the stirrup feet area to stop your feet sliding through.

Another piece of equipment that needs to be carefully chosen is the headgear that is used to control and communicate with the horse. Some horses will be able to take a bite. This fits in their mouth and is used to control them. Some horses will struggle with this and can manage with only straps around the head. Knowing your horse’s age and temperament will determine what type you decide on. It must not be uncomfortable for the horse and you must feel like you are in control.

These are the essential pieces of horse equipment you need to know about if you and the horse are to be happy with each other. If you understand your horse and you provide it with the right equipment your time in the saddle will be much more enjoyable.

Tips On Saddle Fitting

August 22nd, 2010, Posted in Horses

Horseback riding is both a rewarding and exciting experience where man and animal work together. While some enjoy riding without a saddle, or bareback, they are a minority group. Using a saddle fitting both the particular rider and his animal makes the ride safer and more comfortable for both parties.

English and Western saddle units are not one and the same. Each class of saddle has a different size and shape, making measuring and saddle fitting a unique process for each type. To measure an English saddle, calculate the distance between the centre of the cantle at the saddle’s rear to nail at the pummel, or top side. Don’t worry, it’s not your backside that’s being fitted, it’s your thigh. Measure a Western saddle from the pommel straight back to the end of the cantle.

Proper saddle fitting makes sure that the rider and the horse have the most efficient energy use. When the rider and the horse are comfortable, little or no energy is expended to compensate for posture and balance issues. The horse can move properly when the rider is well balanced, having more energy to direct to a longer ride, high speed races, or stunts involving jumps.

Making sure you have a proper saddle for you and your horse is not complicated. Saddles last for many years and are worth the investment of time taken to ensure the best fit. If you have any questions or doubts, talk with someone at your stable or tack shop. Whether you ride horses for leisure, show, or as part of your job, you want be sure that you’ll be comfortable, in correct posture, and using your energy effectively. If a rider is comfortable, a horse is, too, and more work will get done with less discomfort and hassle. Saddle fitting ensures the best possible experience for both you and your horse. Check out prestige saddle or horse saddles.

Researching The Best Kennel To Buy or Build

August 20th, 2010, Posted in Dogs

There are many things to take into consideration when deciding on the type of dog kennel you should either buy or build. First of all, you will need to decide if you want an outdoor or an indoor kennel. You should have some idea how much time your dog will be spending in the kennel as that may also affect your choice. If the kennel is for outdoor placement, you should also consider the yearly weather conditions. If you live in a location where it gets very cold during winter, you will need to plan for a different type of kennel than if the temperature is fairly moderate all year round.

If you are not sure what type of kennels are available, or what type you should get for your dog, you may want to do some researching online.  Dog owners’ forums are great places to get input on kennels, especially forums that are dedicated to the dogs that are the same breed as yours as there are often specifics that pertain more to some breeds than others. You will be able to not only find out what does and does not work for other owners but you will often find people have great ideas on how to build kennels, how to insulate them and what type of kennel flooring is recommended.

For example, huskies that live in the cold north have special needs and requirements when it comes to outdoor kennels than small toy dogs that spend most of their day inside. The more you are able to narrow down your options the easier it will be for you to locate and decide upon the right kind of kennel and dog kennel flooring you should be looking for. You will also often find great tips on the type of insulation to use inside a kennel or whether it is even necessary. Kennel roofing and kennel cleanliness are also factors that are definitely worth considering and any input you can receive on those topics will often be not only coming from the voice of experience, but very useful information.