Pets Make Bad Gifts

Pets Make Bad Gifts

There are many people who think that giving someone a pet as a gift is a good idea, well since the holiday season is upon us, I thought I'd share why giving pets as gifts can be a terrible idea. One that just may backfire tremendously.

First off, you don't know if the person really wants the pet, and if the person does, what if you get the wrong color, breed, etc.

There are just so many reasons as to why pets make bad gifts, but you can always give gift cards and homemade coupons as to you get a guinea pig of your choice, or whatever...

The Best Pets to Own in an Apartment

If you live in an apartment and you're a pet lover, you want to make sure that you check all of your lease agreement before you bring home a new pet. If you know for an absolute fact that you can have pets in your apartment complex, you'll want to ma sure that you abide by whatever rules that are set by the apartment complex. You will also want to make sure that you pick a pet that can live happily in an apartment.

The Best Pets to Own in an Apartment

There are so many dogs that can live in an apartment, as well as fish, pocket pets, reptiles, cats, and more, but you just want to make sure that you pick an animal that can and will be happy in a small space.

For example, you don't want to pick a hyperactive larger dog to squeeze into your apartment. But, that doesn't mean to discount large dogs, just make sure that the breed or mix-breed has traits that qualify for small living spaces and low key temperaments.

Feline Leukemia

Feline Leukemia is a very serious disorder that you want to make sure to prevent in your beloved pet cats. It is a highly preventable disorder if you are familiar with it, but not many people are.

What is Feline Leukemia? What are the Signs and is There Treatment?

If you have pet cats or you are thinking about getting one, make sure that you are aware of the signs of feline leukemia and that you have your cat tested for feline leukemia virus.

Leopard Gecko Dropped His Tail

Leopard geckos have a nice defense mechanism that allows them to drop their tails if they feel threatened. In the wild they drop the tail, which in turn moves and jumps around to trick their predator into grabbing the tail while the gecko scoots away.

Treating a Leopard Gecko Dropped Tail

In captivity, there typically isn't that much fear of predators except for the occassional cat that can get in the cage or escapee gecko, but even still it happens. Although, the tail does grow back, it isn't as lovely as the original tail, which is why you must do your best to prevent a tail drop, but sometimes it happens.

Dog Chocolate Poisoning

We have all heard that dogs should not eat chocolate, but why? I mean, my dog ate a half a bag of Dove dark chocolates, and she didn't die, so it's ok right? Wrong!

Dogs and Chocolate Poisoning

Dogs really should not have ANY chocolate, but not because it will automatically kill them. Dogs can have a small piece every now and then, although it's really not recommended and you really shouldn't do it. I mean you really don't know how your dog's body will react because some dogs are highly allergic to chocolate, whereas others aren't.

Dog Bed

There are many different types of dog beds that you may want to purchase for your favorite dog. And sometimes depending on your dog's needs, there are some dog beds that may better suit your dog.

Choosing a Dog Bed

For example, older dogs usually do better with raised dog beds and heated dog beds, whereas a puppy will be fine with just about anything plush and comfy.

There are many different types of dog beds that you can consider ranging from dog couches, dog pillows, crate mats, and more.

I just suggest that you find something that has a removeable cover for easy cleaning.

Homemade Crested Gecko Diet

Homemade Crested Gecko Diet

Although, the best thing that you can ever feed your crested gecko is the meal replacement- Crested Gecko Diet- you can offer a homemade treat that your geckos will love. You want to avoid baby food at all costs, it's nothing but sugar for them and no real nutritional value. Remember that it is formulated for human children and not reptiles. But, you can offer a fresh fruit smoothie blended with calcium and vitamins. You geckos will love this treat and they will thank your for it.

Mix or Pure Bred Dog?

There are pros and cons for getting a mix breed just like there is for getting a pure breed dog. It is up to you to look at and figure out which will be best for you.

Some of the basic information can be found here:

Should I Get a Mix-Breed or Pure Breed Dog?

But in general, it will be up to you to decide what kind of do will be best for you and your household.

Dog Seizures

Dog Seizures- Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, & More

If your dog has had a seizure in the past, and you are worried that your dog may have a reoccurance you should really talk to your vet. The below link will give you a great start as to finding out information for what causes the seizures, how a vet can diagnose the seizures, and options for treatment. This is a great source of information to get you started. You'll find natural and chemical treatments for dogt seizures, ad well as other information that is vital to helping you and your dog with his seizures.

Great Dog Books to Buy

If you have a dog or you are thinking about getting a dog, the following books are great training aids and health resources for you to consider. Personally, I have them all, hence the review that I wrote one each. I find that each of the books have concepts that I don't necessarily agree with to the extreme in the book, but at the same time I agree with a lot of what is written.

These four books have great advice that you can implement with your own dog in hopes of correcting the little things and behavior kinks. Check out the reviews and decide if the books are really for you or not.

Dog Health Book Review: Hound Health Handbook

Dog Training Book Review: Click & Easy- Clicker Training for Dogs

Dog Training Book Review: Hip Ideas for Hyper Dogs

Dog Training Book Review: The Culture Clash

Cheap Hamster Cages

Being such a small pet, hamsters can get expensive with the cages and accessories, but you don't always have to purchase the most expensive and the biggest. But, then again, you can. You just don't have to always have to spend the top dollar.

Below is a link for cheap hamster cages and hamster cage accessories that you can purchase. You can also find more cages available on this page.

Cheap Hamster Cages and Accessories

Caring for Russian Tortoise

Tortoises are a different type of pet, even for the reptilian family. They are very different. Some species will litterally eat you out of house and home if you are not ready. The Russian Tortoise is one of the smaller pet tortoises, but that doesn't mean that they can be neglected in terms of care of diet. If you want to get a tortoise, much less a Russian tortoise, you want to check out the following link for a basic caresheet for Russian tortoises.

Caring for and Feeding a Russian Tortoise

Mix Breed or Pure Breed

When thinking about bringing a dog into your home, you may be wondering which is better- a mix breed dog or a pure bred dog. Well, there are pros and cons with both. I mean a mix breed dog are hard to pre-determine the dogs disposition in terms of bree, but at the same time pure bred dogs can have more health problems and a shorter lifespan.

So, when picking a dog, it will be up to you to weigh the pros and cons for both and then make your final decision...

Check out the following link for more pros and cons for mix breed dogs and pure breed dogs.

Should I Get a Mix-Breed or Pure Breed Dog?

Dog Food Company Makes Condiments

When looking up Paris topics for the HubLove contest at HubPages, I found this interesting article about how a dog food company in Paris has created this dog condiment. It's rather interesting. It looks and sounds better than the piss-poor dog food sauces that I've seen on the market today. I've tried the American made dog food toppings, and my dogs refused to eat their dog food.

This topping is supposed to be nutritional and dog approved.

You may want to check it out if you have a finicky eater or if you just want to ensure that your dog is getting all his vitamins and minerals.

The below link provides two links where you can purchase the dog food topping. It seems to be on average 8.99 per 14 ounce bottle.

Paris Dog Food Company Makes Condiments

Grooming Pet Cats

Grooming Pet Cats

It is very important that you properly groom your cat, especially if it is a medium or long haird variety. You want to make sure hat the cat's teeth are clean and it is free of matts.

Elderly and Obese Dogs

Two common concerns with dogs are elderly dogs and overweight dogs. Although you can't really help your dog aging, you can prevent obesity.

With elderly dogs, you want to make sure that you change your dog's food to a senior dog food, and you have your vet do regular checkups just to make sure that your aging pup is in good health.

For overweight dogs, you want to consult your vet to find a diet plan for your dog. You want to avoid all tablescraps and limit treats as much as you can. Obesity can lead to other health issues, so you want to prevent an overweight dog before it is too late.

For more information check out the following:

Caring for an Elderly and Aging Dog

Dog Obesity Prevention and Health Risks

Freshwater Fish Tank

If you are goign to start up a freshwater tank, you want to make sure that you have the tank properly set up beforey ou start adding the fish.

It's very important to know how to set up a freshwater fish tank, and what fish will get along in a freshwater fish tank.

Basic Freshwater Aquarium Setup Tips

List of Tropical Fish for Freshwater Aquariums

Fleas, Ticks, and Heartworms

So it's been a while since my last post, so I'm combining to very health subjects that any pet owner should be aware of- fleas/ticks and heartworms.

You should make sure that you apply a flea and tick preventative for your dog in order to prevetn your dog from being infested from fleas, and you shold provide your dog with monthly heartworm prevention. Below you will find the links for more information about comparing the different flea and tick preventions and information about heartworm disease (symptoms, treatment, and prevention).

Canine Heartworms and Heartworm Prevention for Dogs

Frontline, Advantage, Advantix, and Other Flea and Tick Control for Dogs

Underground Pet Fences

Typically used to keep dogs inside your yard, underground pet fences are a great option for those people want to section of parts of their yard so that the dog cannot pass. It's also a great option for those pet lovers who cannot have a backyard fence due to neighborhood regulations.

Underground Pet Fence

The one thing that you want to remember is that although the underground and wireless pet fences keep your dog in the yard, they won't keep dogs out of your yard. So, if you have an un-altered pet, you'll want to avoid putting it in the backyard, so that you don't end up with a litter of your own.



Typically the only thing that will keep other dogs out of your yard is a physical fence.

Dog Collars

It's very important that you have a dog collar that fits. If the dog collar doesn't fit, then your pup can get away from you when on walks.

The collar needs to leave only 2 fingers width between the neck and inside of the collar. If the collar is too large, then your dog can slip out, but if it's too small, he may have trouble breathing.

Choosing a Dog Collar

There are many types of dog collars that you can choose from, ranging from nylon collars to leather collars. You'll find reflective materials and spikes. Youll even find high fashion collars and accessories from brands like Coach and Burberry.

Other types of collars are training collars which include, martingale collars, pinch collars, choke collars, and gentle leaders.