Keeping Cats Inside-Part I

The great cat debate: whether or not to keep your cat in the house or allow it the liberty of the wider world is one which has genuine arguments on both sides. If it turns out you do allow your cat to wander the city or countryside, here are a few suggestions for caring cat ownership.

The natural behavioural instinct of felines is to prey upon small sized animals, which, after all, was the reason that cats were domesticated in the first place. Therefore, it is not difficult to understand why a lot of owners, in particular in Europe, consider that it is cruel to keep a cat in the house. Nevertheless it is worth bearing in mind that typically a single domesticated cat, and one that we can believe is being fed well at home, will kill up to 40 animals every year. Mostly, theses fatalities are small mammals, such as mice, and wild birds.

Of course, the one method to get rid of this issue is to keep your cat in the house virtually at all times. Nonetheless, this can cause separate issues, such as monotony, an increase in weight and health complications that go with it although there are a number of cat toys to help keep them active. Consequently, keeping a cat indoors is not an entirely satisfactory strategy. So, here are a few tips regarding how to reduce your outdoor cat’s hit count.

1. Don’t Let Your Cat Out at Night time

Normally, the hunting instinct reaches its peak in the course of the hours of night. As a result, it is wise to keep your cat indoors overnight. If you are worried about restraining the cat’s natural inclination, it is wise to keep in mind that the less a cat is permitted to hunt, the less likely it will want to.

Additionally, keeping your cat inside through the night will increase its safety, as cats are usually much more likely to be hit by a car during the hours of darkness. Offering them a comfortable cat bed to sleep on gives them even more reason to stay inside! Furthermore, feral cats mostly hunt at night, so keeping your cat indoors will help prevent the likelihood that he, or she, is caught up either in a disagreement or with a member of the opposite sex!

Busy Buddy Dog Toys

Following on from our post earlier this month headed ‘New Range of Interactive Dog Toys’

there were a couple of the Busy Buddy Dog Toys omitted and which we would like to add here.

The Twist ‘n Treat™ is the first and only 2-piece adjustable rubber treat dispensing toy. The adjustable opening allows the Twist ‘n Treat to be filled with a variety of treats and can be twisted wider for easier access to treats or tighter for longer playtime and to suit the interest and ability of the dog. It is made of natural rubber.

The Tug-a-Jug™ provides a multi-sensory appeal to keep your dog engaged and motivated to play. Its unique design allows dogs to see, smell and hear the treats as they roll around in the jug. The Tug-a-Jug not only dispenses treats, it can also be used for obedience training and feeding meals. Treats and dry food dispense as the toy is tipped, tugged and rolled.

The Busy Buddy  Squirrel Dude’s extreme durability holds up well under the toughest chewers and its unpredictable bounce will have pets playing for hours.  The Treat Meter randomly dispenses dry food and treats as your dog plays.  Again, made of natural rubber and ideal for strong chewers.

The Busy Buddy Kibble Nibble™ appeals to a dog’s natural instincts by enticing him to actively engage in mealtimes. Two Treat Meters™ randomly dispense dry food and treats as the ball tumbles around. Features rubber bumpers to minimize noise and marks on walls and floors. Each toy is appropriately sized to hold a dog’s entire meal and unscrews for easy loading and quick clean-up.

The Chuckle™ is a funky noise-maker that’s sure to perk up playtime! Two Treat Meters™ - one at either end of the Chuckle allows the toy to be stuffed with dry food or treats which will be randomly dispensed, rewarding your dog as he plays. It is made of natural rubber and is ideal for strong chewers.

The Busy Buddy Biscuit Bouncers are durable balls that feature the Treat Trapper™ which firmly holds a variety of treats, gradually releasing them as dogs chew. They are compatible with dog biscuits, cheese sticks and jerky.

New Range of Interactive Dog Toys

Dogs, just like people, can get very bored with routine and just a small variation in their day can make a big difference. Home Pet Shop is pleased to offer their customers a new range of treat dispensing and holding dog toys by the Busy Buddy Brand and you can order them all from their online Petshop supermarket.
Dogs will have hours of enjoyment with these Play & Challenge Toys though that’s not all. They will benefit in several ways once they play with this collection of toys, whether it’s improving their health or keeping them watchful and active. They’ll even be rewarded with delicious snacks dispensed as they play.
Busy Buddy toys are designed for longer enduring playtime! Each one is made with an alternative and different chewing experience in mind so helping redirect potentially destructive gnawing behaviour into positive playtime.
Stimulate your dog using the interactive Bouncy Bone™ toys. The design of the tough nylon bone & rubber ball provide dogs with a prolonged chewing experience as the Gnawhide® treats last longer than giving treats alone & dogs are stimulated to chew the toy some time after the tempting treats are gone. The toy unscrews to load treats and clean. Supplied with three sets of Gnawhide treat rings. Additional Gnawhide treat rings sold separately.

The Waggle’s™ super flexible middle allows the toy to be playfully “wagged” and shaken. Dry food and treats are randomly dispensed from the Treat Meter™. Manufactured from natural rubber and perfect for powerful chewers.

The Busy Buddy Bristle Bone is the dental toy dogs love to chew! The durable nylon bristles and rubber nubs of the Bristle Bone provide a unique chewing experience. The irresistible, replaceable Gnawhide treat rings guarantee long-lasting enjoyment and are easy to replace. The design of the Bristle Bone makes it impossible for dogs to stuff themselves on snacks. The toy unscrews to load treats and clean. Supplied with two sets of Gnawhide treat rings.

Keeping Parakeets. Part II

Make an effort to interact with your birds on a daily basis for at least 30-90 minutes. Without giving frequent and sufficient attention, they will lose interest in human communication. A pair will tend to bond with each other (regardless of sex) and pay no attention to human beings, yet through interaction, you can be thought of as a member of the flock. A way to interact with your bird is to sing with each other, give it baths and if it appears to be rapidly dropping a mobile toy, pick it up as there is a chance it wants to play a game with you. Allow your parakeet to exercise. Think about how your bird(s) can get regular exercise. Many people assume they're able to simply leave the birds in a small cage right through the day, where the birds, which in the wild fly and get plenty of exercise, otherwise become overweight and acquire fat associated disorders. If trimmed, just have a reasonably large cage with good quality toys and provide the bird some play time out of its cage each day. Manual exercise can be achieved by a sensitive throw or holding it within your hand and sensitive dragging down until finally it appears to be tired, shown by heavy breathing. Be conscientious. Parakeets are a lot of work nevertheless; you will find that they can be a loving and funny companion. Most will talk and just how much they learn is really up to you. Expect to perform some daily care, as well as providing attention and enough time to communicate and have fun with your birds, or think about getting another interest. Talk to it. Sometimes Parakeets get lonely. A good way to get them content again is to talk to them. Also, to get them to climb up on your finger is usually to push slightly on their stomach, and say "Step Up." By continuously saying that, they will begin to say it on their own, and will "Step Up" every time they say it upon reaching the steps.

Keeping Guinea Pigs-Part 2

If you'd like your guinea pig to get used to getting picked up and petted, it is better to begin whilst very young. A trustful guinea pig, which has been handled in a caring manner from a young age, hardly ever scratches or bites. As your friend learns to recognize you, it may start to whistle as it hears you coming. Various guinea pig accessories can be found at the online pet supermarket of Home Pet Shop.

Since the guinea pig is a sociable creature, it would rather live in groups. For those who have enough space it is better to get a group of two or more; they'll keep each other company when you’re out. Guinea pigs also like to perform social grooming in addition to grooming themselves but of course this is simply not possible for those who keep a single specimen. It's possible for instance keep two or several females with each other or house one, two or more females with a neutered male. Housing males as a group will require more room, they will need to have bonded with one another from a young age, and there can be no females present. Males are known to create a pecking order within the group by chewing one another's coat, gnawing on one another's ears, pushing their heads, raising their fur, making aggressive noises, and carry out leaping attacks and non-sexual mounting.

Unlike their wild relatives, who are most active during nightfall and daybreak when they are less likely to be spotted by predators, domesticated guinea pigs have developed a different biological rhythm consisting of extended periods of activity spread throughout the 24 hours of the day followed by short periods of sleep in between.

Kong Dog Toys

Maybe the best-known dog toys in the world are the Kong dog toys. The classic design of the Kong toy is formed somewhat like three chunky rubber bands attached together, one on top of the next. The toys are also available in several variations for dogs of a variety of age groups and sizes. Made of rubber, they are simply hollowed out in the centre, and can be filled with healthy snacks for your dog.

Kong Canine Toys are suited for every phase of your dog's growth. There are four sizes pink or blue for puppies, red meant for average chewers, purple for mature adults, and ebony for durable chewers. Other than the common Kongs, there are other types of dental chews, balls, tug toys, frisbees, as well as other interactive toys and gadgets.

As doggie people we do not want unwelcome chewing behaviour but chewing is usually a natural behaviour, which takes on a huge role as part of your dog's physical development. It is important that every dog is taught what items are okay to gnaw thus educate this in a positive, enjoyment way using these outstanding toys.

Separation Stress and anxiety - These toys are fun and keep your dog entertained and interested. Present your dog his Kong dog toy filled with healthy goodies so it has something to do should you need to pop out or would like to get on with your own everyday jobs. Imagine Kong toys as being a fun/educational activity to help keep him busy.

Training aid - its versatility as an important behavioural and training tool - Offer your dog his favourite Kong toy as a reward whenever he/she responded to basic commands. In effect completing the training with a game with his favourite toy stuffed with healthy treats.

Chewing - Release their favourite Kong toy crammed with treats and give consistent praise when your dog plays and chews on it rather than your own possessions.

Teething - Using these toys filled up with healthy treats should help ease teething problems, these toys are sturdy yet tough and they are kind to gums.