Article from: My Family UK

Extra thought needs to go into choosing a pet if you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, from equipment to finding a pet-sitter.

Risks

In choosing an ususual or exotic pet, unusual pet you need to consider a lot of aspect, some of which you’ll have realised, and some of which you hadn’t. Check our guide below, just to make sure you’re prepared.

One major (and often unexpected) risk is that you might be contributing to the trade in wild and endangered animals, which are captured for the exotic pet market. This is physically and emotionally damaging to the animals involved, and many species are illegal to keep as pets. Make sure you do your research and purchase your pet from a reputable breeder who provides the correct documentation.

1) Reptiles

Snakes, lizards and other reptiles are shy creatures that can be difficult to look after, often requiring specialist knowledge and equipment. Don’t get one on a whim or if you want to cuddle your pet and take it for walks.

Need to know

Specialist equipment – tanks, ultra-violet lighting and heaters Diet – varies considerably between species Danger level – some species can be extremely poisonous and require careful handling Advice – best to do your research and try and get a specialist vet

2) Tortoises and terrapins

These shelled reptiles make lifelong pets – tortoises can live for more than 50 years and terrapins for 30. Some species can also grow rather large, so bear that in mind. Take care to avoid getting an animal that was captured in the wild and find a specialist vet you can go to for health advice.

Need to know

Specialist equipment – may require humidity, temperature and light control, tortoises are hibernating animals so special provisions must be made for this Diet – varies according to species Danger level – not very, although they may bite Advice – most illness in turtles and terrapins stems from problems with diet or housing so do your research and get this right

3) Insects

Most insects require little space or attention and can be fascinating to watch and learn about. Stick insects are a good, low-maintenance option.

Need to know

Specialist equipment – can usually be kept in an old aquarium or in a specially-bought container. More exotic species may need carefully controlled environments Diet – varies according to species Danger level – some spiders and other insects can be extremely poisonous Advice – most insects have quite short lifespans but tarantulas can live for up to 20 years and other insects can breed in captivity, so they can still be a long-term commitment

4) Other ideas for unusual pets:

Worms – try setting up a wormery in your back garden, also a good way to recycle kitchen waste into compost Frogs – either encourage native frogs by building a pond, or try your hand at keeping more exotic species Ferrets – these make lively interesting pets, but need a lot of space and can be smelly Farm animals – you may not have room for a whole herd of livestock, but a few chickens, goats or pigs can be interesting alternative pets for those with extra space.

Further Information

For further information, and for more great ways to have fun with your family, log on to www.myfamilyuk.com. With a huge collection of articles covering everything from child safety to rainy day activities, you’ll find all the help, guidance and entertainment you need to be a great parent. Go to My Family UK now!

Having pets is a great way to teach children about responsibility as well as showing them how to be kind and caring to animals and humans, if done correctly.  In certain instances it can take a lot longer however choosing the right pet can make the difference.

When considering the various pets for sale you need to consider the impact it will have on your life and your family’s’.  It is best to start with a small animal which is low maintenance as you will probably find you are left to care for the animal a lot of the time or the child needs time to learn how to behave responsibly towards the animal.

Choosing a small pet such as a rabbit or guinea pig is good since they are cheap to keep and to entertain. A few toys and they are happy. Hamsters are an option however they do tend to be awake more at night which is in keeping with their desert instincts of coming out in the dark and cool times.

Dogs love companionship therefore is a great option however initially they can be expensive to buy. You could re-home a dog from a rescue centre however you are risk of taking in an animal which may have temper issues which can come apparent if it feels threatened or provoked.  If you do go down the latter root and choose a dog from a rescue centre rather than other pets for sale do make sure you get a full background from the staff so you understand the dogs behaviour, the breeds traditional ailments and the size the dog is likely to grow to.

I would suggest making a cost list of the potential pet. Include potential vet fees, insurance costs, collars, toys. Also consider if you have enough time to train the animal if you do go with a dog.

Remember pets can damage homes, dogs especially like to chew furniture and can bring in fleas that will affect children too.

To recap small is best for the first pet. Going with a guinea pig or rabbit is a safe bet. As long as they are kept clean, watered and fed, they will provide brilliant fun. They don’t take up a great deal of space, food is pretty cheap as is bedding, or even free if you use a paper shredder. If you don’t have a place to put guinea pigs or rabbits such as a garage in the winter, then a hamster may be the best type of pets for sale to go with.

Follow this advice and your child (and probably the rest of the family) should build up a lasting and loving relationship with the pet.

There are various kinds of pet shops that you are likely to find with the sign ‘pets for sale’ in your neighbourhood. These pet shops allow you to choose from a range of animals that are suitable for owning as pets. But the fact is that not all shops that have pets for sale shall tell you that you need to be extremely judicious when you decide the pet that you want to have in your household. The first thing that you need to keep in mind while considering pets for sale is whom you are buying the pet for. Is the pet something that you are getting for your son or for your daughter or is it something that you are eager to own yourself? This is extremely important to understand because you do not want to get a pet that needs adults to ensure adequate care if you are buying the pet to encourage some sense of responsibility in your child. The second thing that you need to consider is the available time that you have. If you are a working person who does not have ample time to spend at home buying a dog is quite out of the question. Dogs need a fair amount of time and attention and care too. They need to be taken for long walks, especially if you have a large breed. In such cases, low maintenance pets like fishes, hamsters or love birds should be preferred. Last but not the least you also need to consider finances when you are looking for pets for sale. Pure breed dogs and cats are fairly expensive and if you want to be good to your pet, you will need to feed them good quality dog or cat food.

Incorporating a pet into your lifestyle is a huge responsibility. Of course the idea of getting an adorable puppy or kitten sounds great, but there really are many things that you and your family should take into consideration before taking the plunge. If you are uncertain as to which type of animal will suit your current household best then take a look at my tips and suggestions below.

1. Before going to look at pets, you should have a meeting with everyone in your household. Make sure that each person in on board for the added responsibility. Having a pet can be incredibly time consuming, so you’ve to make sure that everyone is willing to contribute to your new pet’s wellbeing.

2. Now think about your work or school situation. If you and everyone in your household works 40 plus hours per week, then having an animal that requires a lot of attention may not be a good choice, especially if you want to start off with a very young animal. Be realistic when assessing your spare time. Dogs especially, require a great deal of time and effort. So if you aren’t certain you can devote several hours a week, then you may need to find a lower maintenance pet.

3. You also should be thinking about your financial situation. If you are on a tight budget, then you may not be able to handle the responsibilities of a large dog for example. Larger animals require more food, more space and they often have larger medical expenses. Take a look at your budget and assess how much money you can spend per month on the caring of your pet.

4. Now take a look at your living situation. Do you live in an apartment or a house? Do you have ample space for a pet to play and walk around in? These are questions that you must ask yourself before choosing a pet. If you live in a cramped apartment, then you may want to get a cat rather than a dog. If you place in extremely small, then you may want to get a less traditional pet, like a lizard.

5. Once you’ve realistically assessed your time, budget and living situation, it’s time to go out and search for the perfect pet. Make sure to take your time and to do plenty of research. Not all breeds are the same, so you should fully understand the needs of whichever type of pet you choose before bringing them home

Having a pet can really improve the quality of your life. However, you want to make sure that you can also give the animal a high quality of life as well. So make sure that you are realistic and smart when choosing a pet. If you decide to get a dog, make you provide him or her with only the best. Check out some unique designer dog beds today.

Choosing a pet bird is very different compared to shopping for clothes. This is because it requires a lot of commitment to make sure that this creature will get all the love and care that it needs so consider a few things when you decide to go to the pet store.

Birds come in all sizes. There are big ones and there are small ones. Just remember, that the bigger they are, the bigger also the commitment in keeping it. Bigger birds are louder and messier so if you are not up for that, better stick to a small or medium sized bird.

Some birds can come out of the cage while there are those that should always be locked up. Two distinct examples of birds which best illustrate this is the African Grey and the Canary. Although you may not get either of the two, part of choosing a bird is based on their behavior and temperament.

Another thing you should know about birds is that some of these can chirp, sing and even talk. While some of these are noisy there are others that only talk on occasion.  

Pet birds have special diets. While some eat pellets, there are others that require fruit, nectar and pollen. If you don’t mind spending a little more to feed your birds, then it will not be a problem in choosing a bird with such needs.

Aside from special diets, ask yourself do you want a pet bird that requires a lot of attention or one that is low maintenance? People who are too busy with work and other responsibilities should get one that is easy to care for otherwise there is no point in buying one.

When you go out looking for a pet bird, give some consideration to where you are buying it. While most will choose to go to a pet store, you can also find one by talking to a breeder or from private persons. Regardless of where you get it, find out if whoever is selling it can assure you that the facility is free from communicable diseases like bird flu and other infections?

The biggest issue that you have to consider when choosing a pet bird is how much you are willing to spend for it. Buying a pet bird is one thing but there are other things you have to invest in like their cage, food and veterinary care.

Before buying the pet bird, have it checked by a veterinarian because they know better when it comes to the health of these creatures. If it is alright with the owner, pay them first with a post dated check for the next day so whatever happens, you can make a decision whether or not to get it.

As you can see, there are a lot of factors that you have to consider when you decide to get a pet bird. Once you have figured out the right one, you will undoubtedly enjoying having it around.

To ensure that it is healthy all the time, the pet bird you decide to get should not only be fed but also given some attention because this could be a very food friend.

So take the time out to do some research before choosing one from the pet store. With the right information, you will not regret buying this pet bird on the spur of the moment.

The important thing to consider is the reason that you want the style in the first place.  Whether it will be for functionality, for breed standard, or maybe just to start a new trend with an original modified style that you put together on your own.

Functionality

This may be your only choice if your pet is in need of relief from heavy matting and long hair that is over-grown and too thick.  You may want to also keep a low-maintenance short look if you do not have time to brush out your pet every day, or you would like your pet to feel more comfortable in the summer. During the winter, one solution would be to let your pet wear a sweater until the hair grows out (which usually takes about 2 1/2 – 3 months).

The “Furminator Treatment” is a great alternative to the “shave down” to decrease shedding. The Furminator Shedding tool used is extremely effective in removing at least 70-80% of the loose undercoat after grooming, leaving a noticeably thinner topcoat.  Since pets shed over time and not “all at once” it may take a few treatments every 4-6 weeks to keep the undercoat under control.  The second part of the treatment consists of a bath using the Furminator Shampoo and Conditioner formulated with all natural ingredients.

Some “Terrier” and “Spaniel” cuts can be modified so that the skirt is scissored shorter than breed standard making it easier to maintain and to keep a “fluffy” look that stays free of debris.

Breed Cuts

It is important to do your research on breed standards for your particular breed.

Keep in mind that there is a different cut for a “pet breed cut” than for the “show breed cut”.

Show trims can be slightly higher in price and usually require hand plucking (link and explain), blending and hand scissoring instead of using the blade set and pattern of the pet breed trim. The goal aspired to achieve in a “show” trim is to maintain the natural flow of the hair growth into a softer outline, rather than visible patterns and solid harsh lines in the “pet” breed trim.

Modified Styles

Modified styles are all about creativity.  Some pet owners prefer a completely different style than what is normal for their pet’s breed.  For example, a Schnauzer trim can be done on a Yorkshire Terrier.  Many different breed cuts can be combined to make one unique style.

Another example could be a Cocker Spaniel with a Cocker Spaniel head, but with a Poodle Lamb Cut on the legs.

Poodle and Labradoodle owners sometimes request a “teddy bear” trim instead of the breed trim just for something cute and different.

For longhaired cats and dogs such as Chow Chows, you can also choose a Lion Cut.  This cut resembles a real lion, leaving the scruff larger around the head down to the middle of the chest, with the rest of the body shaved closely.  The legs are slightly fluffier (with what are called boots). The tail is usually shaved down to the tip on the very end.  This cut is extremely low maintenance.

Still even more creatively you can use stencils, gels, sprays, colors, and “human” styles on your pet.  A popular style is the “Mohawk” either on the top of the pet’s head or down the entire back of the body.

Some things you may want to focus on are:

Ears – If you have problems with getting food or tangles in them you may want to have them short for easy care.  Be sure to notify the groomer of any ear infections, allergies, or sensitivities.  Special products can be used to clean and dry the ears inside.  The ear products used can only routinely clean and dry the ears, and cannot be used as a substitute for an ear flush and possible medical treatment that may be needed for chronic ear problems.

Head / Top knot – Try to take into consideration as to whether you normally keep the topknot hair in a barrette or rubber band and never down, or if you would rather have the hair to fall naturally into place without getting into the eyes.

Let the groomer know if you would like the head to be rounded, blended into the body, larger and more pronounced, or a specific shape (a terrier head is squared off instead of fluffy and rounded, etc.).

Tail – When clipping a pet short there are different tail shapes that you may want to consider such as a cipher, carrot, slick to the tail, or gradually blended natural tail.

Paws – Especially with poodles, try to be as specific as possible if you want closely shaved poodle feet or “teddy bear” feet, and if you would like the toenails showing or not.

Nails – There are several things to think about with toenails.  Some nails have “quicks” that have grown out extremely long and cannot be cut short without bleeding.

(Ask your groomer to check them).  If this is the case, the quicks will have to be cut back short and cauterized at a veterinarian’s office.  After this is done- regular nail trims will have to be done to maintain the nail’s shortness so that it does not reoccur.

To soften sharp edges after clipping the nails, you can request filing or dremeling them to a rounded edge.  Dremeling keeps the nails short 30% longer than just nail trims alone.  It also prevents nail cracking, injuries from scratching and damage to hardwood floors.

Skirt Length – When making a decision on the length of the skirt, consider the time that you have available to spend brushing and combing out the pet.  A long flowing skirt is beautiful, but ridiculous if you can never have the time to maintain it.  A shorter skirt can be just a beautiful easier to care for.

Skin -  Give the groomer a “heads up” on the skin condition and if you would like a flea, conditioning, or medicated treatment added to the bath.  Allergic pets will only worsen if you do not communicate sensitivities to the groomer ahead of time so that they can use only hypoallergenic products.  Spa treatments can only help soothe the skin and are not capable of “curing” skin ailments that require veterinary care.

Teeth -  For beautiful healthy teeth, a routine dental check up is needed by a veterinarian, and regular brushing during grooming appointments to loosen and prevent tartar from building up on the teeth.  It is an excellent preventative measure that costs just a few dollars more per grooming appointment.

It can help to bring a picture of the type of style that you may want, but remember that the groomer cannot be a miracle worker.  Don’t be shy about the explaining the desired effect that you would like your pet to have.  Most groomers love a challenge, or to try something different.  They will consider all of the factors involved (condition of the pet, timeframe, and work involved) and help come to a reasonable compromise between your expectations and what is possible.

Domestic cats make great pets for most homes because they are very easy to care for and generally bond easily with humans. Most of the societies and cultures around the world have made it a practice to adopt cats into their family structures. However, domestic cats do vary quite a bit in their physical design and personalities from one breed to the next. Choosing a cat breed that suits you and your family is not a task that should be taken lightly. Nor should choosing a cat breed that suits you seem like a difficult task.

The first consideration when choosing a cat breed is the size of your living area. You may always think of cats as being leisurely lounge lizards, but many breeds spend as much time playing as lounging. Playful cat breeds need plenty of room to play. Also, the larger the play area and the more there is to do, such as another cat to interact with, the less likely the cat is to go mad if it doesn’t see you much for a few days.

That leads to the second consideration when choosing a cat breed. You need to think about how much time your family is going to be able to spend with the cat. If your new little friend doesn’t at least get a couple of gentle touches and a cuddle every other day, it will go mad. Although how much attention is necessary has a lot to do with the breed. The other part of the time consideration is that some cats require more grooming maintenance such as bathing and brushing. A busy family should get a cat with short fur.

The third consideration when choosing a cat breed is allergies to cats. These allergies are not uncommon, but there is much variance in the degree in which they manifest themselves. Someone with a very heavy cat allergy probably should not own a cat. Someone with a light allergy that results in a few sneezes or coughs a day can have a cat, but should be careful in choosing a cat breed that will minimize allergen exposure. For example, you will want to choose a cat breed that has short fur and rarely sheds its fur to reduce your exposure.

The fourth, and probably most often forgotten, consideration when choosing a cat breed is the cost of taking care of that breed. Some breeds are hardier than others. Many breeds have common ailments, such as deafness or fur balls, that may get costly in veterinarian visits. Also, a cat that weighs half as much and has a lazy temperament will eat less than half as much as the cat that weighs twice as much and is packed full of energy.

The fifth, and final, consideration when choosing a cat breed is how the personality of the kitty matches up with the other personalities of your family. Cats come in different temperaments. There are lap, child-friendly, indoors, independent hunter, and jealous, one-person cats.

Many people possess a clear idea of what sort of animal they desire. Nevertheless, most of them tend to misjudge the time and the level of attention their type of animal call for. Selecting which pet absolutely fits you and your modus vivendi might look easy. But you also need to consider their upkeep necessities and make the good decision from there.

Certain pets need more care than others. For starters, your dogs demand twice as many things as cats. The sensitiveness of dogs is something you ought to be prepared for. A few of them would go out of their way and tear your entire home down just so they can receive the care they call for. Try to let your dog neglected for a entire day. If it Is not trained properly, you’d certainly return to a messy, torn, and tattered home. Dogs get bored even if you grant it toys or some other dog for a comrade. These animals require human interaction above anything else. This signifies that you have to take your dog out for a leisure promenade each day, likely after work. Dog requires play and physical exercise time to live merrily.

Cats are another case though. These pets can be left alone. Just preserve all the breakables inside a bolted shelf and you should be safe. Else, you may discover them missing or broken after going away from your pet for a moment. To mind a cat, the only thing you’ve to do is to maintain your clean house. This way, they would not cause too much of a commotion. Rather, they will go to their box and catch some Z’s. Or they will look outside the windowpanes, divert themselves with a plaything, or simply take it easy and decompress by themselves.

But then again, if you still believe that cats are trouble, then the best suited animal for you would be a fish. You do not have to attend to these creatures much. Simply clean the water tank on a regular basis and feed them each day and they would be pleased.

The bottom line is, irrespective of what kind of animal you acquire, you have to supply a certain degree of care. Every animals necessitate love and care from their proprietors. As for the others, they would necessitate grooming and positive reinforcement as well. Fish might not demand the latter a good deal. But just the same, you are demanded to give them all they demand to subsist. When selecting a pet, make sure that you take into account all of these matters to come face-to-face with the one that is ideal for you.

To sum it all up, dogs are high maintenance animals which also require grooming. But when you have done all of that, they will be the most honorable comrades you can ever have. Dogs can do several things like alarm you of impending danger, alert you that somebody is at the doorstep, or merely love you twice as much reciprocally. In exchange, it only demands some of your time and care.

Cats are generally low maintenance animals, altho some cat species aren’t. Certain breeds demand for people’s care while others hate it. Cats prefer to be on their own most of the time. So if you are considering adding more animals to your house, this pet is a likely good candidate, depending on your character and needs.

Having a pet companion at home can certainly be rewarding.  Having pet birds can be both a rewarding and challenging experience.  Birds are intelligent and fascinating to look at.  But it is important to choose the right bird for you and at the same time prepare yourself for the responsibilities.  Birds when properly cared for can live for a long time.

Before getting yourself a feathered friend, there are some things you need to answer first

• Can you still care for a bird?  Birds are social creatures, they also need time.  So make sure that you or your family still have the time to care for a bird.

• Is your home and your neighbours okay with some bird noise?  Birds can be extremely noisy in several occasions. And can disrupt some neighbours.  But you can pick a smaller bird which can still make some noise inside the house but not disrupt the neighbourhood.

• Do you have other pets?  Some pets interact with each other easily posing no problems at all.  But also there are some pets who may harm the new pet due to jealousy.  Your pet bird can easily be killed by a jealous cat or dog.  These are some factors you would have to consider.

Giving some thought over these questions and still able to identify that you would still like to have a pet bird, then let’s go over to the selection process.   When choosing the right bird, make sure to do some research about the birds.  There are some birds which are overly demanding in terms of social and physical needs, these birds are better kept in the wild.  

Some good bird choices would be canaries, finches, cockatiels, parakeets, and lovebirds. These breeds of birds have long been bred in captivity and have already resulted into some domestic breeds.  The good thing about these birds is that the supplies they need can readily be purchased.  

On the other hand there are some birds which are better left alone in the wild, like some breeds of parrots, macaws, cockatoos, and toucans.  These birds have not undergone the breeding process that the domesticated birds have experienced.  These birds tend to be demanding to live with.

When choosing your pet bird, consider the following factors:

• Size – the rule is that the bigger the bird the bigger the responsibilities.  If you are just starting to be a bird owner,  then it would be best to start with a smaller up until to medium size.  The size of your bird will determine how big will the housing and other physical requirements.

• Nutrition- a bird fed accordingly can live up to fifty years!  It is important to provide the proper diet to your birds.   Bird not only feed on seeds, they also require fruits and vegetables and lots of water.  Bird seed are not enough for your bird.

• Housing -  let us apply the rule again, the larger the bird, the larger the cage it requires.  A proper cage should have the bars spaced closely enough, close enough so that bird heads would not get caught between bars and for small birds to escape the cage.  The cage should be spacious enough so that the bird can move freely and have enough exercise.

• Budget and finance – birds, as well as any other pet, can pose some financial obligations.  For birds, the cage, accessories, maintenance, food and veterinary care can be costly.  When looking for a bird, then you should make yourself familiar with the cost of raising one. You want to have a pet that you can afford.

• Time and maintenance- unlike to what other people think, birds are not really low-maintenance pets.  There are some pet birds which would require daily exercise and constant social interaction. Time and  maintenance would include feeding, cleaning the dishes and the cage. Some parrots show some behaviour problems if they do not receive regular attention from pet owners.