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Dressing Up Your Pets For Halloween or Themed Parties

If you’re like most people, you enjoy dressing your children up in costumes for Halloween. When you discover that there are pet costumes available, it makes this time even more enjoyable.

There are so many different pet costumes that it’s easy to dress the family dog to match or complement your child’s costume. For example, your son can be dressed up like a cowboy, and so can the pet. If you want to make it really cute, though, dress the dog up like the cowboy and the kid up like the horse the cowboy rode in on. If you have a small or medium-sized dog, this will be hilarious!

Is your child going as a pirate? Then, dress the dog up like one, too. Capt. Hook and Smee — the two main pirate characters in the movie “Peter Pan” — is a good idea. The pet costume for Smee is very simple — a red stocking cap, light blue-green and white striped shirt and pants to match. All of these can be purchased or made in your dog’s size so that he will not trip or be hindered by them.

When your little cowboys or pirates (human and canine) set out to trick-or-treat, don’t be surprised if they bring home a double batch of goodies. Caution your child, though, to make sure he doesn’t share his candy with his pet, as chocolate and other types of candy are dangerous for dogs. You’ll be along anyway, so you can make sure everyone is safe.

For safety’s sake, however, it’s best to have the child and pet to wait until they are back home before enjoying their goodies. This way, you can inspect the candy closely while the dog is occupied enjoying his regular treats and a good drink of water after his night of trick-or-treating.

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Choosing the Best Dog Toys

Stuffed Polar Bear

Image via Wikipedia

Choosing a good dog toy for your pet dog might seem like an easy task, but it isn’t always. You need to consider toys that will keep your dog entertained – even when you aren’t  home – and keep him safe. There are a lot of toys out there on the market so it can be hard to know what one to choose. Below, take a look at some of the toys we recommend.

1.       Kongs. Kongs are one of the best dog toys on the market. They are durable and dogs really enjoy playing with them. They come in many different sizes for all types of dogs. Kongs are rubbery toys with holes in the ends. You can stuff the toy with any goodies you may want. This keeps your dog occupied for hours! You can put goodies like biscuits or kibble inside these toys.

2.       Puzzle balls.  Puzzle balls help stimulate your dog’s mental capabilities. Like the Kong, you can fill the puzzle balls with treats. The ball keeps moving and the pieces of the puzzle eventually fall out of the ball and give your dog something else to play with. Don’t worry, the pieces that come out are completely safe for your dog.

3.       Stuffed toys. If you have a dog that likes to tear things apart, then this isn’t the toy for him. However, if you have a dog that doesn’t like to tear things apart, then stuffed toys are great. A well-constructed stuffed toy will last for years. Look for a toy with fewer seems – these tend to be higher quality.

Dogs, like humans, like toys. Go ahead and invest in some great toys for your dog. Your dog will be happy and you’ll be happy when you see how much fun your dog is having. As always, toys should never replace human interaction – they just help your dog to stay entertained.

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Exotic Animals as Pets

If you are an animal lover, than chances are you have a pet or two. If you want to have pets, but don’t want to settle for the ordinary cat or dog, then it may be time for you to think about exotic animals. It might sound a little bit strange, but exotic animals can actually make great pets. As long as you stay within legal limits, you can have a fun and interesting exotic animal in your home. Take a look at some of the types of exotic pets.

1.       Birds. Birds are by far the most popular kind of exotic pets. Parrots, cockatoos, and the such are great pets and very colorful. If you love birds with vibrant personalities, then you’re going to love exotic birds.

2.       Rodents. Hamsters, guinea pigs, and gerbils are actually considered exotic pets. You may be surprised to know that since these animals are sold in most pet stores, but they are indeed considered exotic animals. Plus, these pets are great for families with small children.

3.       Mammals. Some mammals are also exotic animals. If you are looking for a pet like a ferret, fox, or even a wolf, then these exotic pets fall under the mammal category. Be careful if you choose this type of exotic animal, as they can be quite dangerous since they are native in the wild.

4.       Reptiles. Along with birds, reptiles are the most popular type of exotic animal. You’ll find snakes, turtles, and frogs in this category. Some type of snakes are illegal in the US, so make sure you are following local laws and regulations if you choose to go this route.

Exotic animals can make great pets. Be sure to do your research and get the right food and equipment to properly care for exotic animals.

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Best Types of Pets for Small Children

Having a family pet is a great idea. But, if you have small children in the house, it may be a little overbearing to have a large pet. If you are ready to include a pet in your family dynamic, take a look at the best kinds of pets for small children.

1.       Hamsters. Hamsters are small, so they don’t take up much room. Once the hamster gets used to you, they will be very friendly. Just be careful with little hands, as a child who wants to love the pet may accidently squeeze too hard and harm the hamster.

2.       Guinea pig. Like hamsters, guinea pigs make great pets. They are small, but aren’t as fragile as a hamster. They are very even tempered and will socialize well with kids. They do require some care, but nothing that you shouldn’t be able to handle.

3.       Rats. This might sound kind of gross to mom, but rats make great pets for kids as well. Pets actually do better with another pet rat with them, so consider buying two. Don’t worry, rats are actually very friendly pets.

4.       Fish. Fish, like the goldfish or a Beta, are great pets. They require little maintenance and are fun for kids.

As with all pets, make sure you know how to properly care for the pet before you bring it home from the pet store. Get the right cage and equipment and your pet will live a long and healthy life. Make sure you have the right food and ask around for the best diets and care for your new pet. Nothing can be more devastating than getting your new pet home and then having him die because you didn’t know how to care for him properly.

Pets are great in any home. They teach children responsibility and they make great companions. Consider one of the pets mentioned here for your next family pet.

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Hamsters and Gerbils are Escape Artists

Those with experience keeping hamsters or gerbils probably know that these furry balls of fun are relentless in their efforts to get out of their cages. If you keep them, you will need an extra-secure cage. The plastic habitats, with lots of tunnels, are nice, but if they have worn, damaged or loose parts, you should replace them immediately, because rodents will either push or chew through them.

Being natural diggers, hamsters will not give up pushing against any part that seems to have the slightest range of motion, until it comes loose, and then goodbye hamster. Rodents teeth are constantly growing, and they will chew on anything that will fit between their teeth, until it gives way. If you have a metal cage, doors need to be secured with latches that cannot be chewed, such as small metal padlocks.

Catching an Escapee

If your hamster does escape, there are things you can do to get it back in its cage. First of all, be sure there are no food sources in your home that it can rely on instead of the dish in the cage. A hamster or gerbil can live for months in a house (assuming you don;t have a cat) if it has a way to get food and water. If their only food source is in the cage, leave the door open, and if you;re really luck, the wayward rodent will return. Then all you have to do is catch it there and close and lock the door.

You can also track them by their droppings. If you have doors that can be kept closed tightly, with no gap underneath, you may at least be able to keep missing animals in one room, if the doors are secure at the time the critter gets out. Hamsters that are used to being handled are also easier to catch, so play with your pets regularly.

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